#overgrown!grian

[pearlescentmoon-enjoyers]

talk. abit the au. plz

Okay-okay.

Did I accidentally kill people with the last post?

Overgrown. It actually starts as a simple hero/villain/vigilante etc.

Here is Grian

P.s.: unfinished cause when this is posted I will be on a plane (- Soyka)

And here is Scar

note from leaf: i was told draw scar i have no idea what the lore is please help. also this is a rough concept sketch because i could not be bothered to draw sorry

Now, the thing is, I have started making a first chapter. So no spoilers for you.

Gem and Pearl are scientists. They were working on a project together, trying to make a very eco-friendly generator. And as you can see here they succeed.

However,

Things went very wrong from there.

[the-local-pineapple]

Todays prompt was ruin/overgrown, and I immediately wanted to draw the 3rd life desert base after it got blown up, so have that :DD

And ofc sunset because sunset I love sunsets

It's like a side view from the side where 3rd life ended :]

[galaxygermdraws]

Overgrown?? Overgrown!! Bu I only draw Impulse because I'm thinking about him. Uh. Top left is non-canon/alternate route. Everything else? Canon to the AU. Everyone has a bad time in this AU but I couldn't stop thinking about him. Uh. Mushrooms in the background were what I used as reference, Deer sent them to me to help me figure out what mushes Impulse had on his design.

(reblogs with tags/comments are appreciated. Thankyu)

[solargeist]

it must be so confusing to parent xelqua bc one days he’s tiny and cute cuddling up with grian to nap and. Next day he’s this overgrown bastard bird thats Much older than grian and causes problems on purpose

[fitzs-space]

what would your Spore Mother design be?

kinda like this.

overgrown entity in a very pretty little dress. someone Grian would refer to in third person even though it was his own body. the sleeves look like mushrooms ')

this was more just a quick painted sketch to get the idea out, but its there

[microwavesaferat]

So I keep thinking about the Life Series Members as TMA Avatars idea that I had and I now have character design concepts. Slight update that Scar is now dual wielding. Also, shout-out to the person who said Gem could also be web aligned, because of this, she is now corruption aligned but themed around silverfish because they also make webs.

Bdubs - Dark

Fully avatar. Looks a bit like a phantom. Whenever it's dark, he can completely blend in and suddenly appear from the shadows. His whole thing is feeding off people who are late. Missed your last train home? Late night at work and finally heading home? God forbid you miss your bedtime. He will be there, don't keep him waiting, you're late enough already.

BigB -Spiral

Half avatar. Looks the same but it's really hard to read his expression. Small details change, like his eye colour or his facial hair. Wasn't that pocket on the other side? His whole thing is being generally unerving and instilling a sense in you that something is wrong. Even if nothing has changed, it certainly feels like it.

Cleo - Flesh

Full avatar. Her design is already perfect, no notes. I saw that one post that's like "an illegal organ dealer holding up a pair of lungs to see if they fit" and that's very much the vibe. In this au, she's not just got multiple parts because she needs to, she wants them. Who needs to paint their nails when they can just change the hand they have? I also think she has too many limbs like I already said. Every time you see her, they have a different number of limbs.

Etho - Stranger

Full avatar but kind of chill about it. Think like Simon Fairchild and Mike Crew. He looks normal, but his mask doesn't move when he speaks, is there even a mouth under there. He seems to never blink either. Basically a weird mechanical being, mind of like Nikola, but a bit more chill about it. Don't call him creepy, he's just Canadian :(

Gem - Corruption

Goes from new to full avatar over the course of Secret Life. I went into detail over her design in my original post, basically what I already said. She just gets more overgrown over the course of Secret Life. She targets those who've hurt her allies. You hurt the hive, now the queen comes to you.

Grian - Eye

Full avatar. Basically the same watcher design normally done. The more eldritch the better. Very much just a purple Jon. He does his usual shit of observing the suffering of the games.

Impulse - End

New avatar. He is not aware of the situation he's stuck in being forced to get to close to winning. As he's a new avatar, he's basically just normal. I do think that his general aura really makes people want to stab him in a back. He's just so stabible.

Jimmy - End

Half avatar. He's on his way to becoming a full avatar, just not quite got control of the curse. He has the canary wings, but kind of rotting and skeletal as the canary has already died. They get worse over time as he dies more and more. He has slowly grown more skeletal and corpse-like in general. It's almost like the damage he sustains stays through death.

Joel - Desolation

Full avatar. He's chill until near the end of the season where he suddenly gets this manic look and just sort of snaps. He doesn't melt like Jude does, but is charred in places where he's also caught ablaze. He doesn't have a specific target, it's just everyone but only near the end of the series.

Lizzie - Buried

New avatar. She doesn't seem to realise where all the dirt is coming from, someone keeps traipsing mud into the house and it's definitely not her! No way she would have muddy boots inside. As well as that, every time she looks at the stars, her throat seems to catch. Joel is sick of the ever growing donations he keeps getting of his wife's remains, there's only so many urns he can hold. To be fair, he's pretty sure Scar just sold him gravel.

Martyn - Hunt

Half in 3rd Life but full avatar by Limited Life. He's like how Martin in tma could have become an eye or web avatar but instead became a lonely avatar. Martyn could have become a slaughter avatar with Ren or an eye avatar. They end of Limited Life is him becoming a full avatar. He's stuck with a ring cuts round his head constantly dripping into his eyes, weirdly in the same shape the coral sat. He also has red marks on his hands from wielding an axe in 3rd Life. He mainly goes for those who want to break the system. There is only one way out, and it's through blood.

Mumbo - Web

New avatar. Has no idea he's an avatar or what they even are. Everyone else assumes he knows. He keeps finding cobwebs in his hair, it's getting concerning. What do you mean he's greying? Why do the lighter hairs in his mustache feel like a different material? Eventually, he gains a set of eyes and doesn't notice for a ridiculously long time before he has to get his reading glasses for working with redstone. The web will do with him what it desires, and the Mother of Puppets wishes to see the blorbo struggle.

Pearl - Hunt/Lonely

Half avatar. She not fully committed to either fear so is like a half avatar in both. She seems to exude fog like Martin but in a way that makes her more obvious, like a dark silhouette against a grey background. As well as that, her red eyes and they dozen or so dogs' eyes can be seen so clearly, almost as if there are no clouds at all. Tilly is the name of the form she takes like Daisy does. She targets those who have isolated her. She is not to be ignored any longer.

Ren - Slaughter

Half avatar. He's done the opposite of Martyn and is trying to force himself away from the mantle of Red King. Kind of how Jon tries to stop feeding the eye, Ren tries to be more peaceful and doesn't even partake in some games. Regardless, the call of blood is too strong. He looks normal most of the time, but, when things go south, his neck starts leaking a deep crimson. The canine features grow and so does the accent. Ren can try to stop it all he wants, but the Red Winter is coming.

Scar - Web/Lonely

Full avatar. Scar is a full avatar with both fears. He has been full web the entire time but only because fullomelu after double life. He has the appearance of a straveling salesman someone always having just what you require. You have to be in his good books, you don't know why, but you must. In this au, he has a wheelchair with seemingly infinite storage. Regardless of what you say, he's "got just the right thing" as he reaches into another pocket. There are 8 spokes on each wheel, each spoke weirdly hairy and almost segmented? Regardless, he has what you need, so you pay up, issue is, by the time you put your wallet away, all that's left is some fog.

Scott - Vast

Half avatar. The vast has been trying real hard to transform him, but he just won't go. He keeps walking up to the edges of cliffs or the shore, looking out wistfully into the expanse, before going "nah" and walking away. It's almost like he's taunting his patron. He likes to keep to cramped spaces, just to spite them. Regardless, he seems to stare at the night sky, almost like he's looking for something, or waiting.

Skizz - Lonely

New avatar. Skizz? An avatar of the lonely? But he's got loads of pals. How could he be lonely? He's useful to everyone, he serves his purpose, they don't grieve because he wouldn't want that, right? He's an absolute angel. His design is still angelic, but with gold tear tracks down his face. He's unwilling to admit that being treated as expendable has gotten to him. It's fine, the fog of death is calm, it doesn't ask anything of him, it's... Peaceful.

Tango - Desolation

Full avatar. Not much changes from his design. The usual fire hair that gets stronger with the anger. He fully transformed in Last Life when Bdubs killed him. Up until then, the hair was just regular hair, but that death changed him. He's not immune to the fire. The more he burns, the more how almost looks like a roast marshmallow but I'm a creepy way. He's charged and melting and angry. So so angry. If you take something from him, he will take everything from you.

[anxietygremlin7]

Among the Wildflowers and the Lilies

So maybe Scar missed a few punches, a few hits. Maybe he stumbled a bit over a mound of sand and lost his balance. So what? He knew Grian was going to win anyways.

—

The Cactus Ring; we all know it and we all have a love-hate relationship with it. So here's my take on what went down inside that prickly round shape (can you tell I'm having trouble disconnecting from the comedy for this very not-comedy fic?)

1.1k words

—

Hello there! Welcome to my first Desert Duo fic :)

This is not to say that they haven't been consuming my brain for an excessively long time, I've just never really written anything for them before this. (I wrote a very rough draft of this months ago, but with Wild Life and one of my friend's watching Third Life for the first time, I was brought back to this thing so I polished it up and here it is!)

Anyways, this fic (if you couldn't tell by the slightly strange title) is a song fic! I listened to Overgrown Garden by Beetlebug (you should totally listen to it while reading this fic) and just couldn't get the first few lines of this fic out of my head; so I wrote 'em down and (after much editing) here we are!

Ao3 link if you'd prefer:

—

So maybe Scar missed a few punches, a few hits. Maybe he stumbled a bit over a mound of sand and lost his balance. So what? He knew Grian was going to win anyways, even if he claimed it was a double victory they both knew it couldn’t be, only one of them could win this game, he just wanted to make it easier. It was better this way. For both of them. Maybe Scar had known, some small part of him had always known, that if it came down to it, a battle between the two of them, that Grian was going to win. So what, if from the moment they met in this new world and Grian promised his first life to Scar, Scar had also, without saying it, pledged his last two lives to Grian? So what.

Maybe Scar had always feared that Grian was going to go back on his promise, that he was going to leave. Especially after his first death in the ruins of the desert, his vow then fulfilled. But Grian stayed, despite his joking protest, despite what should have been fear around a Red Life, despite something that should have meant nothing. Despite everything, he stayed. And Scar could only hope it meant more than nothing to him too.

And hope he did as he punched and dogged and backed into a cactus. As he missed and stumbled and fell. As he smiled and laughed and joked. As he slowly died for the third time and for the first time.

Grian laughed too, tears running down his face, his eyes shining, black glinting almost purple in the bright sunlight. He smiled back at Scar, even though it seemed to hurt, jaw clenched and teeth grinding. Scar’s smile brightened, as much as it could at the moment, as he tried not to hope too much. Hope for things he wasn’t sure he could ever have. But he had had them; a hand in his in the dark of the night, a feathery wing shoved in his face in the morning, shared laughter while laying traps. So maybe it wasn’t too much to hope. Just this once. To hope for something that he could maybe have.

 And as Grian cried and Scar’s health bar declined, he began to cry too, smile never leaving his face, sliver of hope never leaving his heart.

Scar was lucky, he knew that. He had been given time and space to build a life with Grian, however strange it was, to spend time with the man who was his whole world. He didn’t regret any of it, not the killing, not the dying, not the betraying, nothing, because he got to do it all with Grian, side-by-side as they ran through a desert, tripping on piles of sand and laughing as they fell. Though, maybe Scar did have one regret, but even that wasn’t too bad. He just hadn’t said those three words to Grian, those three little words that can mean so little but also so much.

Now there was no time, or at least very little of it, so Scar planned to make the most of what he had. As he became weaker and weaker, red tinting the edges of his vision, blood dripping off the backs of his knuckles, he tripped over a rock, falling onto the ground. Grian fell to his knees beside him, tears falling from his face dampening the sand around them. Some of the tears landed on Scar, tracing darker paths through the dust coating his skin, tiny little lines like cracks in the untouched ground of a desert.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, Scar,” Grian muttered, voice cracking, sounding just as broken as Scar felt. Everything hurt, his limbs felt heavy with lead, his cuts and scrapes brushed painfully against the sand, and yet he felt numb to it all, eyes focused on Grian’s own scrapes and bruises littering his beautiful face, creased in pain.

“I’m sorry too,” Scar replied, voice weak. He still smiled through the pain, looking up at his Grian. At his world. At the man he had devoted his life too; all of his lives too. 

Grian just cried more, shuffling to bring Scar into something like a hug, his clipped wings wrapping around them; his head buried in Scar's shoulder, muttering apologies between tears.

Grian’s red sweater was in tatters, draping across his body like poorly wound bandages. It was hard to see the blood on it, red blending together to the point where it was hard to tell what was clean and what was stained. All of it was stained. Scar knew, he knew what each drop of blood on that once pristine red sweater was. Each new stain a step closer to victory and whatever that meant–whatever came with it. 

Scar was only sorry he couldn't get to be there with Grian. To help him take off the tatters of his sweater. Maybe he would try to mend it, but Scar had never been very good at sewing or knitting, so maybe they would get him a new one. One without all the stains and the blood and the pain that had sunk into these few tatters Grian had left.

“Hey, Grian,” Scar’s voice was weak, barely a whisper, as he struggled to get the words past his uncooperating lips, but Grian still heard him, Grian always heard him, “I never got the chance to tell you this but I think I can now.” 

Grian looked up and their eyes met. Scar reached up with all of his little remaining strength and cupped Grian’s face with his hand. The touch was gentle, Scar always tried to be gentle even if he wasn’t sure he could be. Grian deserved it, he deserved gentle after everything he had been through. The blood on his palms stained Grian’s cheeks, though neither of them cared, red had become their life. Another tear fell from Grian’s eye and landed on his cheek; Scar brushed it away with a barely-there touch of his thumb.

 “I love you,” the emission made Scar feel lighter, or maybe that was just the blood loss. It felt like he had finally done what he had been meant to do. Three little words, a few movements of the mouth, nearly nothing, and yet to Scar, it meant everything. 

Grian seemed to break at his words, holding Scar even tighter and turning to cry into the hand still gently resting on his cheek. “Please-please…don’t make this harder,” he said through tears. Scar just did his best to hold him as his life slowly drained.

“Just…just thought…you should…know,” Scar forced himself to speak one last time, cracked lips pulling apart, pain consuming his entire being.

And as Scar’s hand fell from Grian’s face, and his breath stopped, and his heartbeat slowed to nothing, he barely heard Grian mutter something through his growing sobs.

“I love you too.”

—

Hello again, so nice of you to drop by! (totally not like you just read smth else written by me lol) :)

Hopefully you enjoyed that, even if it did make you wanna punch me in the face (please get in line, I have a few friends who would definitely need to go first (you know who you are, love you guys<3))

I love Desert Duo and I love Third Life; it has my heart (even tho Wild Life is shaping up to be an amazing season and Desert Duo is so back!)

Anyways, thanks for reading!

[seafoamwaffle]

These New Dreams

I finally got around to polishing up the first chapter of my Stardew Valley Ranchers, which you can now find on ao3! I'm slightly embarrassed it took me this long, but at least it's up now.

Rating: General Audiences Word count: 3k Tags: Alternative Universe - Stardew Valley, Jimmy-centric, Jimmy, Grian and Pearl are cousins, Pearl and Grian are siblings, New start, Hurt/Comfort, Social Anxiety, Anxiety Disorder, Friends to Lovers, Slow Burn, Additional Tags to Be Added

They stopped once they reached another big clearing and oh—he’d thought Pearl had been exaggerating about how overgrown the property had become. But wild weeds and debris stretched as far as the eye could see. Fields of wheat and corn had given way to sturdy maples and pine trees. And the house… Well, it looked as though no one had set foot in or around it for more than a decade. “Told you it was bad,” Pearl half-snickered. “You’re exaggerating! With enough time this can all be fixed up easily.” “Says the carpenter. The house looks like it’s being held together with duct tape and Gramps’ old stubbornness! Are you sure this is even safe to stay in?” Grian waved a hand in dismissal. “I went to check it over a few days back. It’s not a luxury resort or anything, it’s covered in about an inch layer of dust and I’m pretty sure a lot of the wiring and plumbing needs to be redone, but it’s not going to collapse at a moment's notice.” “Reassuring,” Jimmy mumbled under his breath

After a rough couple of months, Jimmy realizes he needs a change. Solution? Moving back to his childhood home in Pelican Town

I already have a second draft written, though I have no clue when I'll be able to post it because I am still very busy with school (yay late graduation!) so I have no clue what my posting schedule will look like.

Thank you so much for reading through and have a lovely day <3

[frozenjokes]

MUMBOMAID IS SO BACK BAYBE!!!!!! grian is still sad scar is still flirting with the horrors and mumbo is still sassy. thank god

Grian let himself fall behind as he and Scar broke away into the overgrown path that opened up to the lake. It was a little cold today, cloudy, which felt somewhat appropriate, though Grian tried not to let his emotions run away with him. Not today. Not right now.

Scar knew it, but gave Grian the decency of not mentioning it, his chosen method of helping surely being to do as he always did; be loud, obnoxious, keep Mumbo very busy, and preserve Grian’s personal space. That’s how these things always went. Nothing to worry about.

There was no reason to worry in the first place. Mumbo was not a threat to him, Grian knew this, he knew it quite well, which made it all the more frustrating that he couldn’t make his body, tense and jumpy and ill in all those familiar places, know it too. Mumbo was not going to hurt him. Mumbo didn’t want to hurt him, and he’d never wanted to. That hadn’t kept Grian from puking the night before, but Scar didn’t have to know that. Scar was wary enough as it was, not for his own sake of course, never for his own sake, but Grian got the sense Scar hadn’t expected him to pale at the announcement that Mumbo was finally back, he was home, and they could go see him the next day.

Grian spent a long time organizing the both of their things on the beach while Scar ran immediately into the water, ditching his shirt as he went, like stopping to take it off was just too much of a time commitment. Grian didn’t see Mumbo yet, but Scar’s hollering would surely get his attention. Grian took his time. He’d brought some of his fishing gear, but he didn’t think he’d use it today. He didn’t intend on staying much longer than an hour, just long enough to chase this thistle anxiety away.

Grian walked toward the shore, shaking his head with a chuckle as he collected Scar’s shirt. He shook some of the sand away, but didn’t try too hard; if Scar didn’t want a sandy shirt then he should have taken five seconds to leave it with their bags. Grian rolled his eyes, supposing Scar wouldn’t let himself be slowed down by Grian’s lesser pace. He made a conscious effort not to run as he turned around to return Scar’s shirt with their things.

It’s just Mumbo. It’s just Mumbo.

Natural born predator, three times your size and at least five times your strength.

He’s not going to hurt you.

If an animal like that turned on you, wanted you dead, there would be absolutely nothing you could do to stop it. You know it personally.

Grian sat on the beach. Not quite as far back as their stuff, but nowhere near the water. He settled in, content. There was a small magic to the beach on a cool day; he felt quite cozy wearing a sweater and shorts, arms on his knees, bare feet in the sand. His toes curled when the water rippled.

Scar and Mumbo’s reunion was sweet. Scar with enough energy to bowl the both of them over, Mumbo staying just out of Scar’s way, but not too much as to preserve the game. Mumbo looked mildly bewildered when Scar splashed him in the shallows, taking a good couple seconds of consideration before retaliating with a biblical level deluge, not that Mumbo actually had revenge in mind as he drowned Scar in two massive waves, leaving the other drenched. His fins were perfectly relaxed, fluttering gently as if pleased to have participated in Scar’s game. Scar, sopping, looked just as vibrant.

Grian stared on with an expression of soft neutrality. While his heart rate quickened and muscles tensed when Mumbo met his eye, Grian’s expression did not change, not enough at least to make a discernible difference to a mermaid.

Mumbo blinked at him. Grian blinked back. Whatever Mumbo had ascertained from this short interaction, it must not have been fear.

Mumbo was not as graceful on land as he was in the water, but he was fast, and while Grian imagined this only spawned from a similar level of excitement as Mumbo had expressed with Scar, all Grian could think about was the sharp bite of his rough skin, the small glint of teeth under that expressionless face, and not even the pounding of Scar’s feet kicking up sand could distract Grian from the way Mumbo looked at him, everything and nothing in all of the worst ways.

Grian was utterly frozen.

Mumbo stopped, fins raising in stark alarm as Scar hurtled across the beach, Mumbo nearly jumping out of the way as Scar firmly cut into his path. Mumbo remained perched high on his tail as if he were a poised snake, though there was no aggression there, the position held only as a reaction of surprise before Mumbo slowly lowered himself to the ground, fins flicking cautiously as he assessed the situation. If there were words exchanged between the two of them, Grian didn’t hear it.

Mumbo didn’t seem to want to go back to the water. He must understand what was happening here, surely, but he was hesitant even when Scar moved into his space. Mumbo’s movements were awkward, he wasn’t built to move backward like this, but he didn’t seem to want to take his eyes off Scar.. no, not Scar. Mumbo was still looking at Grian.

Scar had to herd him all the way until the waves grazed Mumbo’s fins, at which point he seemed to understand the dynamic had changed, fins moving in a flurry of emotion Grian couldn’t hope to decipher before Mumbo turned, lunging back into the lake.

Even when he was gone, his dark shape absent from the water, Grian found he couldn’t relax. Maybe it was time to go home. This wasn’t working for him. Still, he found it difficult to move.

Scar stood at the shore, looking mildly disconcerted. Did it bother him that he had to work so hard just to escort Mumbo back to the water? Grian couldn’t say it made he himself feel very good.

“Are you okay?”

Grian hardly heard him, response delayed, “It’s. I’m trying.” He hadn’t even noticed Scar crossing the expanse of the beach, nearly reaching him now.

“We can go home.” Scar extended a hand as if to help him up, but Grian shook his head.

“I might. But you stay. We took separate cars for a reason, I know you’re out of your mind to be here right now. Probably didn’t sleep last night, you were so excited.” Grian forced a chuckle, but Scar did not allow himself to be disarmed.

“I thought you might not want to be alone.”

A bitter venom snapped inside his head, he didn’t need Scar to coddle him, he was fine, and he had plenty of other friends he could call anyway, but forcefully, he swallowed the impulse. That wasn’t fair. It wasn’t what Grian really thought about Scar either, just the snake in his brain always on the defensive, fangs bared, all too aware of how small he was. If he did not bite, if he did not snap in the seconds of opportunity he had to defend himself, then he’d have to count on the glowing eyes in the dim not to belong to a foul-breathed predator.

Mermaids were immune to Grian’s venom. Maybe that’s why he was so afraid.

It seemed Scar had taken Grian’s hesitation as confirmation he needed the company, leaving him to attend to their bags, but before Grian could turn to correct him, the water rippled once more. Mumbo appeared with little grace, eyes wide in as much of an expression of alarm as his face would allow, though his fins standing all the way on end painted a clearer picture.

“No-“ Mumbo continued on in a whistle, and Grian felt a pang of guilt that kept him planted where he sat. Mumbo didn’t know what was happening. He didn’t understand, and Grian didn’t have the words to explain it all. “-Sorry!” Maybe he remembered the word from Etho, but the idea that Mumbo figured he’d done something wrong exacerbated the ache in Grian’s heart. This wasn’t his fault. He was just excited to see his friends.

Scar must have been similarly affected, dropping what he was doing to stare back at the water, seemingly giving in to the guilt and turning around, waving his hands in a placating gesture. “No, no. It’s okay, Mumbo, it’s okay. Things are just hard right now, and no one’s got any power to control that.”

“Stay, Scar,” Grian mumbled the words so quietly he had to repeat himself to be heard, “You stay. This is unfair to him, he doesn’t get it, and I’m fine. I’ll call Jim when I’m back home.”

“It’s-“ but Scar didn’t finish, distracted by Mumbo attempting to inch his way out of the water once again. Scar’s hands found his own hair, distress written in every line on his face; wanting to preserve Mumbo’s feelings, but keep Grian comfortable. Scar scrambled to the waterline, meeting Mumbo at a stalemate where the waves met dry sand. “Mumbo..” Scar practically whined, asserting far less of the firm dominance he’d used in the first place to drive the mermaid back, and Mumbo seemed to sense it.

Mumbo pushed forward in a short burst, and while Grian understood sudden movements were the only way Mumbo could get enough momentum to move on land, he and Scar still flinched, Scar stumbling back a few steps.

“Mumbo- No. No. You stay in the water today.”

“No.” Mumbo replied, toneless, as if he’d understood exactly what Scar had said and simply didn’t care. For the first time Grian realized Mumbo was holding something when he raised his arms, waving the dark item in Scar’s face before attempting to move forward again. Scar, however, didn’t move this time, the two of them meeting in a touch neither party seemed to expect, but Scar took advantage of, moving against Mumbo to physically push him in an effort that would have been completely pointless if Mumbo was not so averse to human touch. He jumped back with a short hiss, but Scar didn’t seem to find this very threatening, pushing forward with this tactic until Mumbo was firmly back in the water, Scar up to his ankles. Grian had never seen Mumbo’s fins flick so hard, not raised like they would be if he was angry, just fiercely annoyed.

“Grian,” Mumbo called his name in what felt like some kind of appeal, but Grian couldn’t defend this. He didn’t want Mumbo on the beach. He didn’t want Mumbo anywhere near him, even with his bleeding heart.

“I think I’m gonna go. You guys have fun.” Grian unfolded his hands from where they were tucked behind his knees, resigned. This wasn’t working. He’d come back another day with a book and a Xanax or something.. But just as Grian was getting to his feet, Scar yelped, and Grian whipped his head up to see Mumbo had grabbed him, coiled high enough to hold Scar’s arm straight above his head, not lifting him, but nearly, and it was probably a good thing Grian froze to the spot, or he might’ve fired his gun without another second’s hesitation.

“Mumbo!” Scar hollered at the mermaid, but even as Grian found his footing and retreated for the tree line (catching a startled look from Scar, but Grian wasn’t in the mood to fuck around and find out), Mumbo’s fins were calm, measuring whatever he’d been holding against the length of Scar’s arm. It was a long, flimsy object, so dark in color that it was hard to gauge the exact shape besides vaguely tubular, but whatever it was it dwarfed Scar’s arm in length. This seemed to annoy Mumbo, fins flicking in time with an unhappy sounding gurgling sound, after which he released Scar unceremoniously, whirling around and diving back into the lake as if pouting.

The clearing was silent for a moment, the both of them processing.

“Way to hang me out to dry there, G!” Scar turned to the treeline as he called out, wearing his crooked grin and looking utterly unphased by whatever just happened.

“I couldn’t have done anything,” Grian tried to force himself to sound amiable, but the sentiment felt a little too true to be a joke. Maybe Scar sensed that, flipping his approach.

“I wonder what it was he had there. Looked a little bit like a big ol’ glove to me, but I couldn’t really see the fingers. What kind of material is that, do you think? Something they had synthesized underwater, obviously. Too big for me though. Too small for him, so it must be something he made for us. Maybe that’s why he’s being so sassy today. Dork.”

“Something for us?” Grian mumbled, idly filling the silence as he thought. There was that one time Grian had brought a helmet he intended to give Scar as a gift, and Mumbo had taken it away to.. do whatever it was he did with it. Grian still wasn’t exactly sure, but Scar loved it regardless. Maybe he knew humans liked to wear things, that they gave clothes to each other as gifts. Had Grian shown him the helmet was meant to be worn? He didn’t remember. “Gloves feel like an odd choice,” he continued his train of thought out loud, “Maybe that’s why he wanted a better look at me. He knew he needed to make modifications.”

“Oh! I bet you’re right! I doubt those are the only modifications he’ll need to work out though, whew! If what I saw at the ends were actually meant to be fingers, those were way too long as well. It’s cute though, like he obviously remembered that we’re smaller than him, but at the same time he was like ‘surely they’re not that tiny!’ God he’s adorable. How do I tell him he can grab me like that whenever he wants, sweep me away into the vast unknown!”

Grian snorted. “What, and drown you?”

“Uh, no, Grian, he would take me to our mermaid wedding and we’d live together in peace and love for happily ever after.”

“How do you suppose you’ll get to your mermaid wedding if it’s underwater?”

“Who said it was underwater!”

“If it’s a mermaid wedding then the assumption is that you’re going to them. Meet his mermaid relatives and get their mermaid blessing before you wed, you know.”

Scar rolled his eyes, but Grian knew better that Scar loved a pointless hypothetical, “Well, Grian, if you must know, mermaids possess a secret magical ability that grants any chosen recipient temporary gills SPECIFICALLY for the purpose of romantic underwater weddings. One kiss, Grian, and you will be granted entry to the deep blue sea.”

“And how would you know?”

“Mumbo told me!”

“Oh did he, in the language you can’t understand, right?”

A devious expression crossed Scar’s face, replaced almost instantly by a feigned innocence, though the glint in his eye stayed, “Love transcends language barriers, Grian, tsk tsk, I never imagined you to be so closed minded. You’re only proving me right to not have invited you to my little excursion last night..”

Grian huffed, but he had nothing better to do than bite. “And where did you go?”

“A moonlit lake! Quiet, serene, stars dancing on the dark surface. I just couldn’t wait, I couldn’t wait, my lover and I, separated for so, so long! I had to see him again, even if it meant venturing out into the cold, cruel night.”

“Uh huh,” Grian tried to interject, but he got no further before Scar talked over him, louder now.

“My lover was waiting for me, right here, sat patiently on sand colored white from the moon, his gaze full of admiration as I finally broke through the foliage and onto the beach. We stared at each other for a moment, a long moment, and then I ran to him, I ran to him and he caught me,” to emphasize his story, Scar galloped back to the water, leaping on each bound before ending this dance in a small turn, “spinning me around in circles in the shallow water. He was a little slimy, but I forgive him, as I know he has the same distaste for my own dry skin, something we may struggle with in our future together, but will eventually move past, just like our many trials and triumphs. And then, his movement in the water slowed with me in his arms, holding me so tenderly. I couldn’t stop looking into those big dark eyes of his, while he was looking at the fins I don’t have, and slowly, with love flowing freely from both our hearts, he leaned me back into a deep-“

Scar screamed as Mumbo popped innocently out of the water beside him, startled himself by Scar’s reaction, though Mumbo relaxed under Scar’s attentive reassurance, Scar laughing as he went. When Scar wasn’t projecting his voice so that people miles away could hear him, Grian couldn’t catch much of what he was saying on the other end of the beach, so he went to gather his things instead, grateful for the distraction.

“No!” Mumbo’s reaction was delayed, caught up with Scar, but he sounded more distressed this time, and Grian couldn’t stop his heart from aching all over again. He felt alright now, but that was all Scar, and it just wasn’t productive for Grian to be petrified to stone at Mumbo’s every movement, especially when he seemed so determined to get up on the beach and greet Grian personally. And honestly, if Mumbo tried to be as forceful with Grian as he was with Scar.. Grian couldn’t take it today. He might have to get Etho on the phone to communicate that boundary directly; clearly Scar’s attempts were not enough.

“I’m sorry,” was all he could manage as a response, hoping Mumbo would understand. “I’ll be back.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to come with? I could walk you back to your car at least,” Scar offered, but Grian shook his head, waving Scar off.

“Mumbo really wants you here. Stay. Have your weird mermaid kiss moment in privacy, you’re getting married soon after all. I’d better be invited to the wedding, that’s all I have to say.”

“Of course you’re invited!” Scar gasped, as if offended Grian had dared think otherwise, “Though, you might have to get real okay with fish lips real fast.”

“Eugh. No thanks. I might pass, actually.” Grian hauled his bag over his shoulder, turning to go. Again, Mumbo called a soft ‘no,’ but Grian pretended not to hear over Scar’s grand exclamation.

“How dare you! Grian, you are not allowed to just ‘pass’ on my wedding! You come back here right now, mister!” Grian shook his head, laughing softly to himself as he made his way back into the trees.

…

Grian wouldn’t call Scar horrible at keeping secrets; no, he wasn’t very good at it, but when it came to gravity or privacy, Scar was a trustworthy guy. What he was really bad at doing was keeping his mouth shut when the secret was something Fun or Exciting, and Pearl had told Grian quite a few stories of having to keep surprise birthday gifts under wraps from two people at the zoo, since someone just couldn’t help himself from giving Hints or talking around the surprise until he accidentally slipped up. Grian had already known this for a while, but it was nice to commiserate a bit when work got dull or gross (and when it came to Pearl’s work as the ‘cleaning lady’ it tended to get gross).

All this to say, the entire next week Scar was bursting at the seams. He attempted to get Grian to abandon work multiple times, which seemed to be bad practice coming from the guy who was technically his boss, or at the very least his boss’s boss, but Scar dismissed these claims vehemently. Still, Grian was not that eager to go back to the beach, no matter what was waiting for him there that Scar was so excited about. In all honesty, seeing Scar so wired nearly baited Grian’s curiosity enough to give into Scar’s demands that they ditch work and live frivolously, however, given that Grian still Needed Money, he remained grounded enough to resist the temptation.

They’d been lucky Scar caught Mumbo’s return over his cameras on a Friday night, woof. After work Grian was just too tired and/or anxious to do much, but he had a feeling he’d have been dragged kicking and screaming if Mumbo had a little worse timing.

Grian supposed it felt nice to be wanted. Maybe Mumbo had finished his gift or whatever it was he’d made for the both of them. That seemed most likely. Scar would lose his mind over anything Mumbo gifted them, whether it be a fish glove or a pot of gold.

It was Scar that suggested they take separate cars when Saturday rolled around, and while Grian was planning on it anyway, he got the sense that Scar knew if he spent that much one on one time (20 minutes) with Grian in a small box, he’d spill that secret he wanted to keep for sure. Grian found it amusing. It helped ease the anxiety of going back, along with his own throbbing curiosity. (And what a relief it was to feel that curiosity again, strong and alive and motivated when for so long it was nothing at all.

Scar called into the water when they arrived at the beach. Literally, head under the water screaming, and Grian was glad Scar wasn't in a position to hear him laughing. It was a little strange though.. usually when Mumbo came to the surface he was.. you know.. on the surface.

But Mumbo couldn’t have been far, answering Scar’s call less than a minute later, probably in a rush to get here so Scar would stop making all that ruckus. Grian’s theory that Scar was being annoying seemed to be confirmed when Mumbo headbutted him, just hard enough to knock Scar on his ass. Grian would have been alarmed if Scar hadn’t laughed, but Grian still found himself a bit startled; Mumbo wasn’t usually so okay with touch. Maybe it was okay if Mumbo was the one initiating? If it was brief? Had something changed in the week Grian hadn’t been around? Scar had been stopping by almost every day, Grian was pretty sure. Why was he so hung up on this anyway? The last thing he wanted was for Mumbo to touch him, he’d had quite enough of that thank you very much! Still, the pang of Ambiguous Something remained in his chest.

Scar’s voice snapped him back to reality, “Is it okay if he comes up on the beach, G? He’s got something for you, it’s really cool, I mean- maybe not the most practical thing in the world, but don’t you dare tell him I said that. It’s extremely sweet, that’s all I’ll say. That’s it. That’s all you’re getting from me. It’s very-“

“Sure, he can come up,” Grian interrupted somewhat thoughtlessly, just to get Scar to stop talking, but was a little alarmed with himself after realizing just what he’d given Mumbo permission to do. Scar, not catching on at all, gave Mumbo a bright double-thumbs up. Grian’s anxiety was quelled slightly by the jump of Mumbo’s fins as Scar’s signal, raised and waving, before he slid onto the beach, having the decency to approach slowly. Scar jogged closely beside him, and Grian did his best to stay very very still.

Grian didn’t notice the item in Mumbo’s hands before it was being presented to him, the same ‘glove’ that Mumbo had been measuring against Scar’s arm the week before.

“I.. What is it..?”

Maybe Mumbo was annoyed Grian wouldn’t take it from him, fins lowered and flicking gently. (Maybe he was nervous?) “Gift.” Mumbo tried, but still Grian couldn’t bring himself to take it. In the wake of this painful interaction, Scar made himself the middleman, taking the item from Mumbo’s hands and shoving it into Grian’s.

“Come on,” Scar pushed, urging Grian to at least pretend to be excited. Grian wanted to. He wanted to, but felt so suddenly out of his depth. Augh- this was so stupid!

Grian turned the article around in his hands; it felt strange, much different than human clothes, much longer than human gloves, though Grian was still pretty sure that’s what it was meant to be. When he got to the fingers, two of them were hard; filled in. Ah. Despite himself, Grian’s stomach churned. He understood. The components looked somewhat mechanical, but the material was so dark, no contrast to aid in Grian’s understanding.

“Put it on, G!” Maybe his lack of reaction was infecting Scar with nervous energy as well, Mumbo and Scar looking nearly identical in their expressions of anxiety. Mumbo’s fins were all the way lowered by now, submissive in posture, while Scar was practically shaking with unspent energy where he stood. God, Grian was such an idiot, this was so stupid. Why couldn’t he just pretend to be fine like any normal person!

Wordlessly, Grian did try it on. It was a little awkward with his sweater, the arm of the glove going all the way to his shoulder like what must have been mermaid fashion. After awkwardly attempting to ball it up at his elbow just to have Mumbo and Scar stare at him with increasing distress, he ditched the sweater and put the thing on properly. The material was thin and smooth, odd to the touch but not uncomfortable. It was a little loose near his shoulder, but Grian suspected this was a side effect of the glove being modeled off Scar, the whole thing tighter through his forearm, a fact that extended especially to his hand. It almost felt like a compression glove, maybe intended to reduce swelling in mermaid amputees, or just to keep the pseudo appendages in place. Speaking of, the makeshift thumb and forefinger were longer in proportion to Grian’s other fingers, but he supposed this made sense when Mumbo’s own fingers were far longer than his or Scar’s. There was an odd texture at the end of the two fake appendages, and Grian was unwilling to pull the glove all the way on because of it.

Maybe he made a face, because Scar amended quickly, “There’s another piece that you’re meant to wear under this, but Mumbo needed a better measurement of your hand- I think. It’s a little like velcro, but a lot thinner, stronger too. It’s meant to stick to the fake fingers and keep them more firmly in place. But look! Look at this!”

Scar took Grian’s hand, holding it closer to his face so he could see the intricacies of the appendages. “They’re mermaid prosthetics, isn’t that cool? There’s only one joint, but with this little knob-“ Scar tapped a part of the forefinger Grian hadn’t seen before, twisting it until the top joint fell, then tightening it again in that position. “Not super versatile, but you can probably help keep something or another from falling out of your hand with it. They’re grippy too, isn’t that neat? Again, probably not too useful for humans, but who cares! Oh! Oh! And this isn’t even the best part!”

Scar turned back to Mumbo before Grian could respond, gesturing somewhat vaguely until Mumbo presented a small pouch, which Scar took before Grian got the chance to stare blankly at Mumbo’s gift like a total idiot. Scar dug around in the little pouch until he found what he was looking for, and Grian didn’t so much as see what he had before Scar had taken his hand again, fiddling with the fingers and snapping something into place. When Grian was released, his prosthetics had two gray-black claws, the same color as the rest of the glove.

“Whoa.”

“Cool, right!? You could slash the shit out of someone’s face with that!”

Grian laughed despite himself. “Guess I could.” Gingerly, he poked the points with his other hand. “Sharp. Yeesh, these guys aren’t messing around. What else is in there?”

Gleeful, Scar handed over the pouch, “Mostly decorative stuff I think. I don’t see a practical purpose, but I think it’s because mermaids don’t really see stuff, they have to hear how cool your fingers are. The fingers have to be fully extended though, and they’re a little bulky-“ Scar reached to fix the forefinger, but Grian batted him back gently, wanting to try himself. He found the knob a little difficult to get his fingers around, but easy enough to turn, able to set the finger straight without much trouble. Scar, who physically couldn’t allow himself to leave Grian alone lest he explode, took the pouch back, digging out one of the decorative pieces. It was a different color, more of a silver metal, but Grian doubted that was purposeful, the real draw (for mermaids at least) being the symmetrically engraved design. Scar produced each one until Grian had seen them all, surprisingly versatile in patterns and structure. Some had small spikes, some were gently warped in almost a wave-like design, and one pair even had a similar claw-like structure curl over the top of the finger, though Grian got the sense these were more for show than the actual claws; they didn’t look quite as sturdy. Still, even if they were a bit odd looking after being attached to the top of the prosthetic, Grian found himself quite charmed, and at the end of it all, deeply touched.

Mumbo had known. Of course he’d known. Maybe being pushy at their first arrival wasn’t exactly the most sensitive way of going about this, but he hadn’t meant any harm. He had just wanted this to work.

“Thank you,” Grian said, accentuating the tone so that Mumbo might understand; Grian knew Etho had taught him a few things, but he didn’t know exactly which words or how much Mumbo had forgotten in their long break away. Either way, Mumbo looked gracious, fins high and waving contentedly.

Grian smiled, but lost his breath in the next moment as he looked past Mumbo to see a figure perched on an outcrop in the shadows, narrowed eyes looking directly at him.

“What? What is it?” Scar asked, concerned at the sudden change in demeanor until he followed Grian’s eye, stiffening as he saw exactly where Grian was looking.

Who the fuck was that!?

[nightisawkward]

Desertduo-s my post-apocalyptic landscape

More for my log horizon AU! Just wanted draw an overgrown urban setting, ngl adding Scar and Grian was more of an afterthought lol. I wonder what that strange tower in the distance is? Probably not important

More AU stuff can be found here and here if you're interested :)

[marabelle5]

Gandalf

Pearl opened the doors of the Crystal Cliffs Library. She was looking for her favorite (and only) librarian of the Crystal Cliffs. She walked to the front desk of the library passing rows of bookshelves and the fireplace where patrons would sit at this time of year to warm up. 

Her phone binged and she saw that the Codvengers would be on watch duty tonight. Pearl smiled, she had a plan to eat dinner with Gem tonight they’d maybe rope Sausage and fWhip. When she got to the front desk she saw Gem staring at a cat who looked to be reading a Lord of The Rings Book. Pearl was in her blue hoodie; it had the moon phases on the sleeves Grian gave her the hoodie for they’re birthday some years ago.

“Geeeeem.” 

“Pearrrrl”

“Why are you staring at that cat?” 

“He keeps wandering in here and always gets on the Lord of The Rings shelf.”

“And now he’s here at your desk.”

“Yep.” At that moment three kids ran into the library excitedly.

“Hello High Wizard Gem.” The three said to the librarian. Pearl recognized these three from earlier they had gotten some hot cocoa from her. Then the kids turned to the gray cat who had his nose still in that Lord of The Rings book. “Hello Great Wizard Gandalf.” Gem looked confused.

“Great Wizard? Gandalf?” A hint of confusion was in Gem’s voice.  

“Yeah! He’s an old and ancient wizard of the Crystal Cliffs” The girl with black hair said.

“And his name is Gandalf because he likes Lord of The Rings so much.” The one with brown curly hair pitched in. The cat tapped Gem on the shoulder and then tapped the picture of Gandalf.

“Okay so you're a cat named Gandalf. That is totally normal.” Gem replied. The kids said goodbye and ran out but walked because Gem yelled at them to do so. The library was empty and so Pearl said this.

“The Codvengers are going to be out tonight.”

Gem looked up from her cleaning. “Does that include Kathrine?” 

“No. You want to head to Mythland to grab dinner?” Gem nodded her head and after she was done cleaning was done cleaning. They took Gandalf and the Lord of The Rings book and headed to House Blossom. It was almost closing time when they got there. Kathrine had a flower shop plus a kitty cafe. 

“Hey Kathrine.” Pearl said as she opened the door for Gem who was holding Gandalf.

“Hello Pearl and Gem. What are you two doing?” Kathrine looked up from the flowers she was attending to. 

“Gem has this cat who is named Gandalf who likes to read Lord of The Rings books.” Pearl replied. 

“Interesting.”

“Would you care to take care of him for a night?”

“Let me go do something for one second.” Kathrine turned on her heel and headed to one of the back rooms. Then she came back and said “The Overgrown grown would love to take care of Great Wizard Gandalf for a night.”

“Thank you, House Blossom.” Gem replied. Pearl and Gem exited House Blossom and headed to Mythland which was past Gilded Helianthia. 

The invisible wings on Pearl’s head shot up. She grabbed Gem and pulled Gem closer to her and she took a step back because right where Gem had just been standing purple light struck the ground. The Copper King hopped down from his perch and Pearl saw The Hermits. 

[pearlescentmoon-enjoyers]

[writingdevil]

Suit [Hermittober24 Day Nineteen]

(Prompt list created by @collierose1 )

Warning-Mentioned death and violence

Grian found something.He found something shiny.

Only,the object in question wasn't physically shiny, but it still gave Grian that rush of giddy delight and an uncontrollable desire to take that thing.

Grian was a monster.A feathery,mischievous monster,with talons and claws that could rip through flesh like butter.He has beautiful crimson wings attached to his arms and face,along with a long tail and ear wings that could pick up the smallest of sounds.He lived out in an abandoned park,where no humans in the city dared to venture.

Grian loved to mess with these squishy,soft beings known as humans,and if sometimes he broke his toys?Oh well.

He liked these humans because they were always carrying shiny things for him to add to his nest. Humans liked to decorate themselves in all sorts of silvery and gold ornaments,all to let Grian know that they were there for the taking.How kind of them.

For the most part,his life was great.He got to scavenge for food or trinkets,lounge about in the nest that he worked so hard to build,and almost every few days,some idiot would be brave enough to enter his territory,and then Grian got to have some real fun.

Nobody who entered his domain ever escaped to tell the tale of the monster lurking in the shadows. But today was different.

Usually people who come to the park are attempting to be stealthy,walking slow and quiet as to not alert Grian,but he always heard them eventually.But today,he heard something completely new.

Click!Click!

Grian has never heard this sound before,and before his body could even get into a defensive position, he heard a voice.

"Is this one okay?"

The voice didn't sound scared or nervous like all the other trespassers,it just sounded unsure.Grian's never heard that sound when someone's in his home.Curiosity took ahold of him in that moment, and he went to meet the voice.

It was the middle of the day,but the trees were so wild and large,that it provided plenty of shade for Grian to hide in.

He followed the faint sound of clicking,hiding his feathers amongst the overgrown fauna,until he peeked his head around a bush to find-a suit.

Obviously there was a man in the suit,but the fact that this person was wearing such formal attire in the untamed woods,was quite a peculiar sight.He has his back turned to Grian,but he could hear him mumbling to himself in frustration,fiddling with something in his hands.

Then he quickly turned around,and Grian had to bite his lip to contain his surprise.

The man had messy black hair and pale skin,and Grian could tell that he looked quite tired.His fingers,which were playing around with some strange,black box,had a number of tiny bandages wrapped around them.But the thing that made Grian smile,was his funny little mustache.He'd never seen anything like it.

He actually looked quite handsome.

The man lifted the box up to his face,looking up at a particularly overgrown tree,and Grian saw a flash and heard that click again.

When the man lowered the box,he had a satisfied smile on his face as he said,"That's much better."

Grian tilted his head to the side in curiosity,having never seen someone be so happy and calm while in his land.What was he doing with that box?Why was he here?Didn't he know the tales of Grian's pranks?

He began to feel that urge again-the urge to poke and prod at something until it either snaps or Grian gets bored.He was feeling like that right now,but not as intense?Like a softer version of that urge, which was completely new to Grian.

He had been so lost in thought,that when he heard another click,he accidentally let out a little chirp of surprise.He quickly glanced up,afraid of the man suddenly screaming out in horror,only to see the back of that suit again,retreating quickly out of the park,shoulders tense and almost touching his ears.

He was-leaving?Just like that?

Grian let a distressed chirp out as the man disappeared swiftly,and he stepped out into the clearing,aimlessly looking around at where the man had just been,until his gaze landed on the tree that the man had pointed his box at.

He put a claw against the rough bark,wondering what made this tree,this whole place,special enough for that man in the fancy suit to step foot in,not a trace of fear on his face.

Grian wanted to see more of that happy face.

He wanted to see that man look at him that way.

He didn't know why he was getting so caught up about a random stranger,but something about that suit and mustache set something off in him,and that was exciting to Grian.

So with a malicious chuckle,Grian began to follow the man in the fancy suit.

[galaxygermdraws]

First drawing of 2024 and...It's Overgrown. Yea this was a wonderful first drawing to do. Uh. Thank you to @aestheticallynotdeerlightful for helping me pick out mushrooms n fungi to use for this AU. I got the inspo for Grian's redesigned fit from @/kitsuneisi's Mother Spore design. Uh.

Yea that's all I think. Gon have to put a lot of content warnings, there will be alternate versions under the cut whee Grian has no veil and no veil coloring

(reblogs with comments/tags are appreciated. Also asks about this AU because I miss it. Thankyu)

[ireallyliketalldarksultrymen]

pleasepleaseplease write anything flowrhsubands please im begging im so desperate

ASK AND YOU SHALL RECIEVE!! sorry this took a bit pookie, but i got massssive brainrot and almost started a scott 3rd life rewatch

—

A sea of flowers.

You could see the swarm from miles away, though only appearing as colorful specks. 

Alliums, tulips, roses, poppies.

They’re all dimly lit by lanterns that hang from Scott’s hut. The ilghts flicker ever-so slightly with a shade of amber.

Across the valley is Jimmy. His hut is a bit smaller; they have limited space from the river that runs around them, but he manages.

For weeks they’ve slept with only themselves. Eighteen days. Scott’s been counting.

All thanks to a game of Dare to Flare.

All thanks to a trap set under a chest.

Scott lays on a cold, empty mattress. He feels alone on the ground he’s built upon. He misses warmth.

He wonders if Jimmy feels the same.

Scott finds himself to be in line with others on the server, he realizes—Grian and Martyn, both paired with red names.

And though they have the risk of being killed at any time, Scott’s different. At the end of a battle, he and Jimmy tend to each other’s wounds.

At the moment, there aren’t any. Scott’s made allies with most players, found a home, has had love sealed to him with a poppy.

So, he waits.

Waits for swords to be drawn against allies. Waits for bloodshed to seep through the confines of passive nature. Waits for the first death of a player.

He looks through his window, mind impossibly loud.

And Scott can’t help but think, as he gazes across the valley.

To Jimmy’s hut, so close and far and everything in between from Scott’s own.

To the Moon, casting a silver glimmer from above, all while she’s covered in craters and grooves. 

To the cave in the side of the hill, where their portal churrs in the dark of night and the Pufferish of Peace is sat on a pedestal.

If good things come to those who wait, he’ll stand in this valley until it’s overgrown.

[life-winners-liveblog]

I Wonder if the ghost of life series present is any more persuasive

-🐰❤️

Grian: So what do you want to say? That I should just go back to the void?

DL!Scott: Well of course you should but we both know that, you know that, you know that the best choice would be to go back right now but you refuse to because of this place...a prison of your own making.

Grian: What are you talking about?

DL!Scott: This place, this valley, this desert. After nearly 3 years what do you see?

Grian: Uhhh I see the desert and the flower valley...

DL!Scott: Do you? Do you really? You look at this place at the overgrown vines and you search for a reason to blame yourself. You look at the expansion of the desert but you can only look back at the blood and the fire.

Grian: Of course I do! These are places-

DL!Scott: Where you think you failed the people close to you? You blame yourself for things outside of your control and in every moment you search for more reasons to do so.

Grian:...

DL!Scott: You are pitiful, you don't see the world as it is, you search in it reasons to justify your self hatred. You consider yourself nothing and try to convince everyone else of the same...

Grian: I don't-

DL!Scott: Oh but you do, that is what you have been doing since the start isn't it... you put on yourself blame after blame and then relish in the pity party you trow yourself... You judged yourself guilty and condamned yourself to a prison of your own creation in which you are both warden and prisoner. You are right about one thing and one thing only, you ARE a coward.

Grian: I know...

DL!Scott: No, you don't know, you don't get it... Walk with me while we speak...

~~~~

DL!Scott: So what will you do if you stay?

Grian: I... didn't think that far...

DL!Scott: Unsurprising.

Grian: There is no need to be mean-

DL!Scott: Mean? Let me ask you a question... Do you care for the ugh "friends" you made in the winner void?

Grian: Of course!! Well...not that much Martyn I guess...

DL!Scott: Then so, said winners must also care about you?

Grian: I guess...

DL!Scott: Then tell me, whats meaner? A little snide comment based on truth or leaving people that care about you behind despite being able to go back to them?

Grian: I already discussed this with Pearl-

DL!Scott: And this makes it worse Grian, this isn't you running away because you think that they wouldn't miss you, this is you running away while fully knowing they will miss you and that doing so will hurt them. And for what? So you can feel bad about yourself more? What do you even gain in staying in this dilapilated mess, you have a base, you have companions, you the chance to learn so much... Are you really willing to trow all that potential away for this?

Grian: Well maybe you are right! I am a monster! And I am mean and a coward and an idiot! And maybe I don't deserve being happy with them!

Dl!Scott: Then so be it. I am done.

*Scott leaves*