#save me giant bunny stuffie

[tricksyfishyyyyy]

fucking

everything is going wrong today

i wanna go home but home is honestly gonna be a nightmare to deal with and honestly I don't even know where I mean when I say that anymore

i'm so done with this shit why can't I have one good week

[0perfectimperfections0]

Okay, I didn't think about that idea until I read this a few weeks ago, but it gave me time to dwell on the thought and here's what I've gathered:

I went back to the beginning of the movie and took note of every type of base model shown. For some reason, the left side of the factory starts at Model 10, which are the bears, and it seems to continue on, but we only see 11 through 15 in the shot. I believe there are six base models altogether. Here they are according to their number and what base model they are:

10: Bears

11: Dogs (cats?)

12: Dolls

13: Bunnies

14: Ducks

That's all we can see in the 1:17 shot of the movie, but we also see one more shot of the bird dolls that are made as well, which is where Lucky comes from. There also conveyer belt 9 that doesn't have anything on it for some reason in this shot and it suddenly disappears when we follow what will soon be Wedgehead through the pipe that leads to the Recycle. This was most likely just an animation error. Conveyer belt 15 also doesn't show anything on it.

I take creative liberty in assuming that the only reason the giant octopus exists is because either A) it was a recalled toy or B) the conveyer belt they are made on just isn't seen. I presume the animators made a deliberate choice in showing the base models of the main characters to give us an idea of where they came from, but that ignores the question as to why the bird stuffies aren't shown in the 1:17 shot.

Looking past animation errors, we definitely see that all the Uglies come from every base model EXCEPT the Model 12.

(Side note, sorry, but my theory for the Octopus also applies to the random unicorn and shrimp creatures and anything else in the movie that I might've overlooked)

I took a blurry screenshot of this crowd when Ox is introducing Wedgehead. Obviously, this isn't Uglyville as a collective, but the animators did just copy and recolour a lot of these characters to save on time (as they should cause we know Lou is the only reason a lot of people watched the movie).

Everyone in this crowd is of some deviation from one of the other base models. They have bunny ears or bear ears or bird wings or something else that gives away the fact that they were of some animal base model.

Where I'm going with this is that I think that Moxy is the only UglyDoll that is based on the original Pretty Doll model. We also see closer to the beginning of the movie that these machines cut out 2D prints of the material. There's a boy conveyer belt and a girl one. The girl one is just a 2D, pink cutout. Now, considering all the Model 12's come out as grey and ungendered until they go through the individualization scanner, I'm not exactly sure what purpose the 2D cutouts serve when it comes to the color coding.

It's weird and, I'm just gonna be real, I don't know what purpose they serve in the doll-making process. I feel like this was either an animation mistake or the storyline, had they been given more liberty with time for the movie, would have incorporated that detail somehow.

Either way, Moxy is still a mistake and I believe that the 2D cutouts that were supposed to be used for a Pretty Doll ended up being her.

Back to your initial question: I don't think the other base models are as self-aware as the Pretty Dolls.

I don't mean this in the sense that they are dense and pretty much as unresponsive as real animals, but they do hold true to their nature. Ox, for example, being a bunny and animal by nature of his base model, could not mentally or physically fit in with the Pretty Dolls. It wasn't that someone trained him wrong or taught him to be messy and different, but that's what he is by nature.

LuckyBat even lives in a high building that has a circular door like a bird house. It's his nature because of the bird base model he's derived from.

I also think this is the real reason why Moxy is so sure that there is a Big World and that children do exist. Sure, the other models get their own kid, but they really don't require the kind of moral compass or longing that a doll BASED on the humans would need.

Because the Pretty Dolls themselves are meant to reflect the humans they're made for, it kind of makes sense that they would have to be as mentally and emotionally complex as them too. The animal-based dolls simply don't need that, and I think that's why Ox really couldn't pass the Gauntlet if he had wanted to. None of them could have.

Moxy was the one that ended up consoling the baby at the end. And, while a lot of it chalks up to a good heroic moment for her, it also is just because it's a part of her nature to be that emotionally aware. Again, the others care about each other (just as animals of their own species watch out for their flock, herd, etc.) but how often do we see or hear in the movie that they care about finding their kid? I mean, Moxy legit has to resort to coaxing them with things they care about in order to persuade them to follow her through the pipe. None of those things being the chance to find their kid.

They really just do it for Moxy. Which makes me think that even in the worlds of the base models, there isn't any difference. I assume everything is less structured and scheduled and moreso just a temporary home for the stuffed animals before they get bought by their kid. That's also assuming they even have a portal to go through and don't just immediately end up on the shelves to be bought.

If there has been a mess-up that's made it through to the other models, a part of me doubts the base models would even notice or care. All of the Uglies don't even seem to be aware that they're physically abnormal until Ox tells them.

I feel like I was wrapping all this up to be a more concise answer, but it didn't turn out that way...oops.

Overall, that's what I can think of when it comes to canon hints we're given. I have my personal reasons for why Model 12's seem to get the spotlight, but those thoughts would be spoilers for the Shell-Shock series.

so, as someone who recently got a uglydolls dvd. there's one uglydolls lore question that's been on my mind: If doll type number 12 has their own world, would that mean every other doll type (the on-model versions of the uglydolls first seen in the opening) also has their own world? what would they be like?

like, I doubt they would be that similar to what pretty dolls's world was. I get the impression that they were under more pressure to be perfect given the fact that there hasn't seemingly ever been an off model mess up of one of them that needs to be discarded.

lol The question comes out of nowhere. I haven't thought much about it, although I've seen fanfics develop those concepts of worlds outside of Model 12. Because yes, all the residents of Uglyvilles come from the rest of the models, the only ones that have always remained perfect and untouchable are those of Model 12.

Maybe it is due to something about Lou, his management, or maybe he is the only prototype forced to work in quality control. Who knows? Anyway I pass the microphone to @0perfectimperfections0 because I'm sure they must have a more elaborate theory and stories about that xD

[fallen-gravity]

Intellectual Adequacy

Stan hates to start any unnecessary conflict, especially when there’s a very real chance that Ford will be moving to California next year, but he knows deep down that if they don’t talk about this now then he’ll never have the courage to bring it up again.

“Wait,” Stan shouts to Ford, and he stops dead in his tracks.

~~

Notes: In which one little plot bunny that was preventing me from getting any work done becomes its own rabbit hole.

I genuinely cannot believe that in the six-seven years I've been in this fandom, I've never tried my hand at the fix-it-fic where Stan and Ford just talk it out as teenagers, just like they should've in canon. I've seen a lot of different approaches, but I feel like I've yet to see one that tackles it from the perspective of Stan's own battle with his self-worth, rather than the actions he or Ford have already taken.

AO3

Stan hates the principal’s office more than anywhere else in the world.

He swears, he’s called down every other week for something that’s not even his fault. He punched Crampelter in the nose for harassing some poor freshman? Principal’s office. He talks back to a teacher calling his classmate stupid for forgetting an “obvious” geometry equation? Principal’s office. He accidentally drops his pencil during an exam and bends over to pick it up? He must be cheating. Principal’s office.

If you asked him, the whole idea of sending kids to the principal’s office is pointless to begin with. Oh, you did something bad, and now we’re gonna make the big man in charge tell your mommy and daddy? How old do these people think they are?

Stan wishes he could say that this time is okay because they’re not even talking to him. They’re talking up a storm to Ford in there about another college scholarship and all the reasons why he and he alone would be the perfect candidate for some random school all the way out in California

But it’s not okay, because the longer Stan sits in the dumb waiting room the more he’s starting to feel like chopped liver. They’ve been in there for at least five minutes with no sign of stopping anytime soon, but every time Stan asks the secretary if he can just go back to class already she dismisses him with a wave of her hand and it’ll be your turn soon, sit back down.

He’s thinking of just sneaking out the next time the secretary buries her nose back into her magazine. It’s simple: just wait for her to pull it out from her desk, sneak by as quick as he can, and slip out the door and back to class before she can even notice he’s gone.

He stands from his chair, pretending to stretch and preparing to execute, but freezes solid when he hears his name being spoken from within the principal’s office.

“…What about our little free spirit Stanley?”

It’s Ma, and whatever it is they’re talking about in there, she isn’t happy about it. Frowning, Stan glances over at the secretary to make sure that she isn’t staring at him, and presses his ear to the office door to listen to their conversation more carefully.

The principal laughs in response. “That clown? At this rate he’ll be lucky if he graduates high school”

Stan’s taken aback by the harsh choice of words, but if he knows Ford, then he won’t just sit there and let the principal talk about him like that. He presses his ear further into the door, waiting for Ford to interrupt the principal’s rambling about how he’s never going to amount to anything with you just don’t know him like I do, or something along those lines, but it never comes.

Not a single interjection that…anything he’s saying is wrong. Not from Pa, not from Ford….and not even from Ma.

They don’t…all really believe that, right?

There has to be something else he’s missing. He bets they’re defending his honor right now, and the reason they’re not making a big scene about it is because they’re in public.

Yeah.

He’s got nothing to worry about.

He peeks into the window, expecting to see Ma glaring daggers into the principal, or Ford silently cursing him out behind his back, but what he’s met with is so much worse. Ma and Pa are exchanging warm smiles, and Ford is frantically shaking hands with the principal, beaming brighter than Stan’s ever seen in his entire life.

Matter of fact, Stan’s not sure he’s ever seen any of them look so happy in his entire life.

He’s worthless, he’ll never go anywhere, and they’re all smiling about it.

Stan’s heart drops to his stomach, and he slides to the floor to join it.

Is this some kind of cruel joke? Were they expecting him to listen in on their conversation? Is this their cruel workaround of telling him he’ll never amount to shit?

He sighs.

He stays there on the cold tiled floor for what feels like hours, contemplating all the times he’s been called dumb, or stupid, or a terrible influence on his brother. All of those times when he could brush it off just because it was coming from someone he didn’t care about.

But worthless?

Behind his back, spoken directly to people he loves, and they won’t even bother to defend him?

That one’s new, and if Stan is going to be completely honest with himself, it’s much harder to brush off his shoulders than all those other times.

Stan doesn’t even notice the office door opening until it nearly smacks him in the back of his head. He quickly jumps to his feet and brushes himself off, pretending the best that he can that he wasn’t just eavesdropping on them for the past ten minutes.

“Stanley!” Ford comes bursting out of the room, his grin threatening to split his face in two. “I just received the most incredible news! The admissions team at West Coast Tech heard about my science fair project, and-”

The beam suddenly slips from his face, replaced with some sort of mix of confusion and concern. “Is...Something wrong?”

Stan rubs at his eyes to make sure he hadn’t started tearing up without realizing it, but no, his eyes are bone dry.

Curse Ford’s stupid ability to read his mind.

Stan covers up the gesture of rubbing at his eyes with a yawn, and stretches his arms in the air. “Nothing except you taking forever in there” he flashes a fake smile easily. “Talk about a blabbermouth, am I right?” Stan gestures towards the principal with his thumb.

Ford laughs, and returns his gaze to the pamphlet in his hands. “I don’t know,” he says. “I don’t think he’s so bad”

Stan opens his mouth to quip back, but Ford doesn’t seem to be paying much attention anymore. He’s just staring at that dumb pamphlet, his grin slowly but surely returning to his face again.

Instead, Stan shoves his hands in his pockets and shrugs, turning his gaze to the floor. “Yeah, I guess you’re right”

~~~

Stan feels like he’s in a haze for the rest of the day. Even when he tries to focus on class to take his mind off of things and redirect it on anything else, he can’t get his mind to stick.  Not even final period gym class can save him, which is really saying something, because the gymnasium is usually the one place where he thrives.

Worthless.

The word won’t stop bouncing around in his skull, hitting him where he’s most sensitive.

It doesn’t help a thing that Ford is dead silent on their walk home from school. He’s usually chatting up a storm to Stan about stuff he doesn’t really understand, and under normal circumstances Stan can’t wait to get home so he can bury his head in his pillow and drown out the sound of Ford’s babbling.

But today he’s not even looking in Stan’s direction, just burying his nose in the West Coast Tech brochure with stars in his eyes, and now Stan wants nothing more than to hear Ford babbling on about his advanced physics classes.

It’s almost insulting.

Stan sighs, and lightly taps on Ford’s shoulder to catch his attention. “Can we talk?”

“Hmm?” Ford blinks, like he needs a few moments to readjust to reality. “Oh! Of course. I was actually planning on asking you the same thing” he places the brochure in his pocket. “Same place as always?”

Stan nods. “Same place as always”.

It’s a quick change of direction and a shortcut to the beach before they find themselves on their old swing set. By now they’re both too heavy to use it properly without a risk of snapping it, but they still find it’s a good place to go when they just need to get away and talk.

“You’re not really thinking of going to that stuffy old school, are you?” Stan asks as soon as Ford sits on the swing beside him. “They’ve gotta be crazy if they think four more years of essays and exams are better lookin’ than tanned babes and gold chains. We’re so close to finishing up the Stan-O-War. Soon as graduation rolls around we’re outta here, just like we always promised”.

Ford chuckles. “That is a nice thought, but…” he pulls the brochure out of his pocket again, and unfolds it for Stan to see. “You have to understand that I can’t just pass up an opportunity like this. Maybe I don’t need a degree from any old state school, but this is West Coast Tech we’re talking about!” he beams, the stars returning to his eyes. “They’ve got cutting edge technology and multidimensional paradigm theory”

Stan rolls his eyes, but he can’t help but admit to himself it’s nice to have his brother back again after an entire day of radio silence.

“Beep boop, giant nerd robot oncoming” Stan punches Ford in the arm.

Ford’s grin only widens. “I figured you’d say that, but it’s too late to change my mind. The head of admissions already flew in this morning, and with my go-ahead they’re going to check out my science fair project later tonight and let me know then and there if they want me at their school”

“Well that seems kind of harsh” Stan quips. “What if they say no?”

Ford shrugs. “Well, then it’s like you said. If they don’t want me, you and I sail off on the Stan-O War and never look back”.

Stan frowns at the strong emphasis on if. He really thinks he’s going to get this, doesn’t he? Stan can’t exactly blame him when he’s been the reigning valedictorian of their class every year since they were kids.

“And if they say yes?”

Ford grins. “Well, then you better visit me on the other side of the country” he punches Stan in the shoulder, and stands to his feet without saying another word.

Stan can’t bring himself to join him. He knows that Ford didn’t mean anything by it, but he can’t help feel wounded by his brother’s implication that while he’s off in California having the time of his life, Stan’s still gonna be stuck living with their parents in New Jersey.

It’s just like their principal said. He’ll never amount to anything anyway, so why wouldn’t he stay in New Jersey? Where else would a worthless piece of shit like him end up?

Stan shifts on his swing and watches as Ford walks away, and he can’t help but wonder just how much of the principal’s tangent that Ford believed.

All of it?

Some of it?

Had Ford even been listening to what he said at all?

As he continues to watch his brother walk away, he can’t help the feeling in his gut that he has to know. He hates to start any unnecessary conflict, especially when there’s a very real chance that Ford will be moving to California next year, but Stan knows deep down that if they don’t talk about this now then he’ll never have the courage to bring it up again.

“Wait,” Stan shouts to Ford, and he stops dead in his tracks.

“Yeah?” Ford says, turning around to face him. Stan suddenly finds himself very aware of his heart loudly pounding against his chest, but he forces himself to squash that down. He’s never felt shy or anxious about asking his brother anything, and he sure as hell isn’t letting that start now.

“You don’t…uh,” he swallows. “You don’t think I’m…worthless, do you?”

Ford looks appalled. He neatly folds the brochure back into his pocket and starts walking- no, jogging, almost sprinting back to the swing set. He pauses in front of the empty swing beside Stan for a moment, like he’s debating whether he should sit down or not, but eventually he shakes his head and sits down anyway.

“What on earth makes you say that?”  There’s a hint of anger to his tone, but Stan’s not entirely convinced it’s directed at him. “Why would I think you’re worthless? You’re my twin brother! What could’ve possibly put the idea in your head that I thought that?”

There’s a tiny voice in the back of his head screaming at him to back out, brush it off with a joke and have this conversation later, but there’s an even louder voice shouting at him that it needs to be had now.

Stan sighs. “I…overheard everything in the principal’s office today”

Ford blinks, like he doesn’t understand a word that Stan just said. “About…West Coast Tech? Is this because you’re afraid that I’ll get in, but you know you won’t because you’re not even interested in applying anyway, but you know you’re going to miss me, and you’re not sure if you can handle-”

“About me, Sixer!” Stan shouts, and tries his damn hardest to ignore the waver in his voice. “He practically called me a useless piece of shit directly to Ma and Pa and neither of them said a word about it!” He scrubs his hands down his face because he’s not choking up, not over something so pointless and stupid. “You’re going to travel the world and become the smartest person the scientific community has ever seen, or whatever, but me? Apparently I’ll always be stuck here in New Jersey to pick up after everyone else’s messes, because that’s all I’m ever good for”

Stan buries his face in his hands. He hadn’t meant to blow up, and he certainly hadn’t meant to direct his anger at Ford, but he just feels so hopeless, and he’s the only one around who’s willing to listen. He wouldn’t be surprised if Ford returned with anger of his own, or told him off for being selfish, or even if he just decided to stand up and walk away from him for being such an embarrassment.

The silence that follows is thick and heavy. Stan is so convinced that he must’ve driven Ford away that when he feels a hand on his shoulder he nearly jumps a mile out of his skin. When he finally pulls his hands out of his face to meet Ford’s eyes, his face is flushed pink and he looks…embarrassed.

“Stan, I had no idea, I…” he awkwardly pulls his hand away and grips tightly to the chain of his swing. Stan can see Ford’s face shifting through about a dozen different emotions at once. “I…must’ve been too focused on everything else to realize he was saying those things about you.” He shakes his head. “I know it’s not an excuse, but…” he sighs. “I’m sorry”

There’s another bout of silence between them. Stan’s half-expecting that to be the end of it, and for Ford to walk away without another word.  

But Ford breaks the silence with a sigh, and when Stan glances over at him he’s staring down at the ground.

“If it’s any consolation...you’re much smarter than me in a lot more places than you realize”

Okay, now Stan has to laugh. “Okay, now you’re being too nice to me. You don’t need to lie to make me feel better”

“I’m serious!” Ford’s cheeks flush pink again, and he adjusts his glasses before returning his gaze towards Stan. “There’s actually been a fascinating number of studies about intelligence lately, and, well…” Ford’s face is turning redder by the minute, Stan swears. “It turns out that…there’s more than one type”

Stan raises an eyebrow. “You’re losing me here, Sixer”

“Well, you see, I thrive in academic intelligence. Math, science, history, you know, school stuff. That’s the most commonly known type of intelligence because a lot of our formative years are based on it”

Stan doesn’t say anything, just raises his eyebrow even further.

“But,” Ford continues quickly, “They’ve also made discoveries about the existence of social intelligence”

“Social?” Stan blinks, suddenly finding himself significantly more interested. “You mean like talking to people and stuff?”

Ford nods. “Precisely. They say people with high social intelligence are much better at picking up on social cues, and can make friends with others much easier than those with lower social intelligence.” Ford kicks at the sand. “The reason social intelligence hasn’t been recognized is because it’s often mistaken for having a friendly personality”.  His face flushes pink again, like he’s afraid he said the wrong thing. “Not that a person can’t have both, but…”

Stan smirks, nudging at Ford with his elbow. “Stanford Pines, are you calling your good-for-nothing brother intelligent?” He teases, but can’t help the genuine smile creeping to his face.

“Think about it!” Ford throws an arm into the air, the other one tightly gripped on the swing to prevent himself from falling off. “Every time Ma and Pa leave us in charge of the shop so they can go to Atlantic City for the weekend, who’s the one bringing in all the customers? Who’s the one selling out our daily stock less than two hours after we’re open? You are, Stan, just by being yourself. You know how to persuade people into buying our stock at ten times the listed price.”

“You can’t learn that from twelve years of public school. They can try to teach you, but at the end of the day it’s all about your ability to connect with people” Ford rubs at his arm. “I’ve tried teaching myself those kinds of tricks for years, but at the end of the day…” he shakes his head. “I’ve never been able to catch up.” He smiles. “I raise my white flag to you, Stan. You’ve outsmarted the smartest brother in the world”

Stan chuckles. “Try telling that to Principal Comb-over. He hears you saying the so-called dumbest clown in the entire school system is smarter than you and he’s going to cart you away to the loony bin”

Ford laughs. “You know, now that I think about it, there may actually be a way to tell him off for what he said about you and get away with it scott-free”

Stan raises an eyebrow. “Yeah? How so?”

Ford smirks. “I think you should try to graduate out of spite”

Stan’s not sure he follows. “Whaddya mean?”

“I mean, think about it” Ford stands from his swing and begins to pace back and forth. “The principal called both of us down even though he only wanted to speak to me, and then he talked shit about you even though he knew you were sitting right outside his door?” he pauses in his pacing. “Stan, he knew that you could hear him. Maybe he didn’t intend for you to listen in when he was talking to Ma and Pa about my scholarship opportunity, but he knew you’d be listening the moment you were brought up in the conversation”

That’s…true. Stan was just about to sneak out before he heard them say his name.

“He’s expecting you to fail, and he wants to put it in everyone else’s head too. He thinks it’s the easy way out, because if you choose to fail out on your own than he doesn’t have to take responsibility for being such a shitty educator. It gives him the chance to say look how he didn’t even try instead of look at how we failed him.”

“But if you proved him wrong? Imagine the look on his face when he has to be the one to place that diploma in your hand. Imagine him having to look you dead in the eyes and tell you he’s proud of you. You’ll know he’s speaking bullshit, but he knows he can’t talk shit about you anymore without making himself look bad.” Ford smirks. “Matter of fact, imagine the looks on the faces of everyone who’s ever doubted you walking across that stage. Pa alone is gonna have a heart attack”

Ford’s smile softens. “I already know that you’re much smarter than you’re given credit for, and I think it’s about time that everyone else recognizes that too”.

Stan’s cheeks burn red, and he shyly kicks at the sand. “Heh, thanks. I appreciate it.” He says. “But even if I did manage to graduate, what am I supposed to do with a high school diploma? Every job application I’ve been skinning through recently says college, college, college”

“Well…” Ford taps at his chin. “Then why not go out for college?”

Okay, now he’s taking things too far.

“Pardon?” Stan mocks, because if Ford thinks that Stan’s going to willingly take four more years of classes than maybe he should be carted away to a loony bin.

“I’m serious!” Ford blushes. “Maybe not a high intensity school like West Coast Tech, but college is so much more freeing than high school, Stanley. It’s not class after class on subjects that other people tell you to take. It’s personalized. If you hate science class so much, you never have to take another science class again”

Ford’s blush darkens. “I know that school is a big drag and all, but if you asked me?” he averts his gaze. “I think you’d really benefit from business school. Charisma and social intelligence is the number one thing that big name businesses are looking for, and I know you’re filled to the brim with both. Ultimately it is your decision, but…” Ford fiddles with his thumbs. “Just…just consider it, okay?”

For a brief moment, Stan just wants to burst out into hysterical laughter. Ford’s been offered the opportunity of a lifetime at one of the best schools in the country, and he’s still taking the time to help out his good-for-nothing brother who’s been cheating off of his exams for the past ten years.

Instead he settles for a roll of his eyes. “Alright, Professor Poindexter, I’ll consider it”

Ford giggles at that, and for a few moments neither of them says anything, watching the waves gently lapping on the beach in the short distance. It’s a comfortable silence, a reassuring sort of feeling that Stan hasn’t felt in a long time.

The frantic beeping of Pa’s wristwatch interrupts them, and both boys flinch at the sound in unison. For a moment Stan is worried that Pa’s standing behind them having heard every word, but when he glances over at Ford, he sees him rolling up his shirt sleeve to reveal that he’s the one wearing the watch, and clicks the alarm off.

“Pa made me borrow it so I wouldn’t be late for the presentation with the school board” he rubs awkwardly at the back of his head. “I’ll probably give it back as soon as I get home tonight”

Stan smirks. “You still hate the sound of that thing too, huh?”

“I can still hear it in my nightmares,” Ford exaggerates, his eyes going wide, and the twins burst into laughter as they both stand from the swings and stretch their arms and legs to wake them up from sitting for so long.

Ford wipes at his eye as he fidgets with the wristwatch. “So…do you think you’re going to be okay?”

That in itself is a pretty loaded question that could take him all night to answer, but all things considering…

“Yeah,” Stan smiles. “I think I’ll be okay”

Ford smiles back, and gestures with his thumb towards the direction of the pawn shop. “Then I’m going to head home and get ready for my presentation. You coming?”

Stan shakes his head. “I think I’ll stay out here and just…watch the ocean for a little while longer”

Ford’s smile softens, but he doesn’t say anything else. He turns heel and walks back towards the house, and it feels as though a giant weight has just been lifted off of Stan’s chest. He glances back to watch Ford go, but finds comfort in the feeling that he feels nothing at all.

~~~

Nearly five hours later, Stan sits at home, watching television on the couch to pass the time. Just out of the corner of his eye he sees Ford slip into the kitchen and gently click the door closed. Stan shuts the TV off, and spins around on the couch to face his brother.

“Well?” Stan asks, though he knows he doesn’t even need to bother asking, given that Ford looks like he’s about to burst. With a shaking hand, Ford reaches into his pocket and pulls out a glinting white envelope.

If he’s trying to keep an air of mystery about it, he’s doing a really bad job, because all at once his composure breaks and the smile that spreads across his face looks as though it could burn out the sun.

“They loved me!” He shouts, excitedly pacing the floor. “They told me they’ve never seen anyone else like me!”

His smile is so contagious that it hurts.

Perhaps another day, in another timeline, Stan would take offense to Ford’s excitement to bounce off to the other end of the country without him. Perhaps he’d even lash out, or do something he would’ve immediately regretted.

But here and now, Stan couldn’t be happier for his brother if he tried.

[ezmodo]

Adulting

“Off to save the world again, Miss Ruby?”

“Nah, just Vacuo this time,” Ruby joked. “Vale’s going to have to warm up if it wants saving.”

The shop keep, an elderly man with kind eyes comically enlarged by thick-lensed glasses, laughed jovially as he rang up her items. The counter was piled high with their normal pre-mission necessities which she transferred to her backpack as the man punched the price into the register. She really liked this shop. It was a bit of a walk from her apartment out on the edge of the city but it was low traffic and mostly frequented by an older crowd that didn’t go gaga over the Ruby Rose.

It had been over two years since Salem’s defeat and people still wanted handshakes (sure) and autographs (awkward) and pictures (awkwarder) and hugs (nope!) from the “savior” of Remnant. Ruby had never been the most sociable person before everyone on Remnant knew her name and now she took every opportunity to avoid attention. What bothered her most was that she got all the credit. Her teammates got notoriety in their own ways – Weiss, the outwardly cold but caring co-head of the SDC; Blake, the soon-to-be leader of Menagerie and unofficial diplomat of the Faunus people; and Yang, expert huntress and regular tournament champion – but it was always the leader of Team RWBY who saved the world, not Team RWBY. And people didn’t even know who Team JNPR were.

“How long will you two be gone this time?” the man asked as he handed over her change.

Ruby thought it over briefly as she straightened out her pack. “Probably won’t be back until summer. Depends on what missions are available once we end up at Shade.”

“Well,” he said, “you two keep safe out there. Give Mister Jaune my regards.”

“Can do!” she responded cheerily, fixing her hood as she stepped out into the cold winter day.

“And let me know when I need to start stocking diapers!” he called after her.

She yanked the door shut a little hard at that, cutting off the shop keep’s good-natured laughter.

---

Ruby held her hood down from the wind as she rushed home. Winter had barely started but the cold was already brutal. The wind was thankfully at her back but it still cut right through her, pushing her to hurry that much more. Her face, at least, was warm, thanks to the shop keep’s parting words.

Why is everyone so baby crazy? she thought sourly. Yang was easily the worst. Her sister was ready (practically desperate if you asked Ruby) to be the “cool” aunt. Nora was a close second. She was already planning play dates for Ruby’s not-even-a-twinkle-in-anybody’s-eye and Nora’s little Hei, ignoring the fact that they lived on different continents. Weiss was pragmatic and blunt – Ruby honestly expected a slideshow presentation complete with charts and graphs on the benefits of starting a family early the next time they found themselves up in Atlas. Blake had quieted down recently; Ruby suspected that Blake’s mom had started giving her the same spiel. Ruby’s father, ironically, never brought it up once. Thank the gods for small miracles.

The Grimm didn’t magically vanish into thin air when Salem was defeated. Bandits didn’t trade in their swords for spades and hoes. There were still battles to be fought and people to save. Ruby knew starting a family wouldn’t stop her from being a huntress but she was living her dream. Why change things up now when they were practically perfect?

She wondered if Jaune got the same treatment on his end. Maybe having seven sisters and gods knew how many nieces and nephews already spared him the worst of it from his parents. He was the only boy, though, and he inherited Crocea Mors. She had met his parents twice before but they never seemed overly concerned about the family legacy. Jaune himself hadn’t brought it up but she suspected he felt much the same as her – getting to travel the world helping people with the love of their life at their side? Life was good.

Rounding the corner, home finally came into view. The two story apartment building was old but far from rundown. Six of the eight units were occupied by other traveling huntsmen, meaning they rarely ever saw their neighbors. The large courtyard out back provided an area for training in between missions, though she and Jaune rarely used it much, endeavoring to leave their apartment as little as possible during those few weeks out of the year they were at home.

The landlady was a giant ox of a woman, literally. The Faunus stood a head taller than even Jaune and cut an imposing figure, often standing out in front of the complex, cigarette clenched between her teeth and muscled arms folded across her chest. Despite her gruff exterior the woman was practically a sweet grandma on the inside, a wizard with casseroles and soufflés. More than a few times while they were home she would make dinner for them, bringing a giant dish of deliciousness over in exchange for stories of their missions. She wasn’t loitering outside as Ruby approached and began climbing the steps to their unit. This lousy cold must have been enough to keep even her indoors. If it’s going to be cold then it should at least have the decency to snow and make it worth it, Ruby groused.

Ruby could hear muffled music through the door as she came up to her apartment; Jaune must have beaten her back. They split up the last of their errands earlier. Ruby would finalize the particulars of their trip – verify contact with their first employer, secure bullhead tickets for the following morning, and pick up some last minute supplies on the way back, while Jaune would hit the laundromat and finish up their last load of laundry before they packed. She’d take walking back and forth across the city over the laundromat any day. Stuck in a cramped, stuffy room full of strangers who might want to chit chat for a couple hours? No thanks.

The door was left unlocked and she let herself in, quietly closing the door behind her. The music was coming from the kitchen, some girly pop song that had some not-quite-as-girly accompaniment. She could smell something cooking. Ruby sat in the cramped entryway and stripped off her hood, bag, and boots, humming along with Jaune as he mangled what was probably a top ten hit.

He most likely hadn’t heard her come in. Jaune could be a bit oblivious, in more ways than just the romantic. Ruby was convinced Jaune could be devoured by a Grimm right in his bedroll and not wake up until he was inside its stomach if she weren’t watching out for him. So, padding over to the kitchen without even trying to be sneaky, Ruby found him hamming it up, ignorant of his new audience.

Jaune Arc was standing in front of the stove, back to her, bopping from foot to foot along with the music. Clad only in black boxer briefs, a pair of limited edition Pumpkin Pete’s bunny slippers (don’t ask how many box tops those cost), and her own bright red apron that could just barely be tied around his broad back, Jaune put on quite the performance. Singing dramatically into a large rubber spoon, he hit notes that would have sent Zwei into a howling fit. At times he’d just bounce in place, pointing towards an invisible crowd as he crooned along with the song. And then he’d be sliding back and forth in front of the stove, shaking his rump and pulling moves that looked more like a medical condition than dancing.

Ruby quietly enjoyed the view as she thought of how best to mess with him. Clear her throat dramatically? Too cliché. Take a video? She left her scroll by the door with her backpack and she honestly didn’t want to miss a second of him dancing around in his underwear. She brought her hands to her mouth, still cold from outside, and blew to try to warm them. Inspiration struck. Jaune looks pretty warm…

Jaune had settled into a more reserved hip shake while he stirred whatever he was cooking on the stove. Ruby sidled up behind him quietly, holding her breath, and waited for the perfect moment to strike. She didn’t have to wait long as Jaune, satisfied with whatever he was working on, sat the spoon off to the side on a spare plate and went to turn off the heat. Ruby closed the distance instantly, wrapping her arms around him and pressing her cold body against his back.

Jaune gave a girly shriek and leapt into the air in fright, managing to drag Ruby up off the ground with him. Ruby let her hands travel up to his chest, feeling his heart pound as she pressed a cold cheek into his back. Jaune whined and tried to writhe away from the sudden chill.

“When’d you get back?” he asked, still trying to worm away from his frozen partner.

Ruby turned her head, switching one cold cheek for a colder one, causing Jaune to flinch. “In time for the concert,” she said cheerily, rubbing her cheek into muscle. She started to pull away, causing Jaune to sag in relief, before quickly snaking her hands under his apron and tightening her grip. Jaune squealed and made to break free. Ruby responded by leaping onto his back, wrapping her chilly legs around his waist while he flailed around their small kitchen.

It didn’t take long for him to give up. Panting for breath, he leaned back onto the counter. Ruby released him with a peck on the shoulder blade and a pat on the head. He grumbled in response as he stepped away, letting Ruby rest on the countertop.

“So, what’s for dinner?” she asked innocently, as if she hadn’t just submitted him to torture.

Jaune took a moment to straighten out the apron before turning back to her. It was several sizes too small for him (it was hers) and she was honestly pretty impressed that he had managed to tie it off at all. A cartoonish Ursa face was stretched across his chest, not quite reaching far enough to completely hide his pecs. It went down to about mid-thigh, covering his underwear and giving the impression that maybe that apron was all he was wearing. Ruby could definitely appreciate that.

“I’ve got good news and bad news and some more good news. First,” he said, both hands raised in a high five, “Mission accomplished – we’ve eaten every last bit of food in the apartment right before leaving.”

Ruby met his double high five enthusiastically with a shouted “boom!” She would never admit it to their friends but that was actually something they’d been trying to get right since moving in. It was surprisingly hard to do. She hated throwing out food right before a mission and a huntress could only live so long on pizza and takeout alone.

“What’s the bad news?” Ruby asked, leaning over to take a peek at the pot on the stove.

“Dinner tonight is mac and cheese. But we were out of milk so I had to make it with water.”

Ruby shrugged. That was survivable.

“But! We’ve got not one, not three, but TWO hotdogs chopped up in there,” he added proudly, getting a snort from Ruby. “Oh! And for dessert…”

Jaune opened the fridge and held a clear plastic bowl sealed in plastic wrap high over his head, as if to present the next animal king of Vacuo to his subjects.

“Mrs. Umber, the One True Landlady, long may she reign, has gifted us with cinnamon sugar cookies!”

Ruby jumped down from the counter. “The oven’s finally fixed?!” They kept forgetting to tell the landlady about it!

Jaune froze momentarily before clearing his throat.

“Mrs. Umber, the One True etc. etc. has gifted us with cinnamon sugar cookie dough!”

---

Ruby made her way back to their bedroom and changed into pajama pants and one of Jaune’s shirts that she pulled from the pile of unfolded laundry strewn across their bed. They’d pack it up properly before going to sleep. Or, more likely, they’d fall asleep on the couch and scramble to pack tomorrow morning before heading to the airport.

She rejoined him in the living room where he was putting their bowls down on the makeshift coffee table in front of the couch. The only proper furniture they had was that couch, their bed, and the workbench they kept in the second bedroom for weapon maintenance. The rest of their “furniture” consisted of boxes. Coffee table? Microwave and toaster oven box. Nightstand? Box marked “books”. TV stand? The box with the TV stand still inside.

Yang and her dad had given them plenty of guff about that whenever they visited. Ruby didn’t see the point. They spent most of the year out on missions and when they were home they spent all their time in bed or watching TV on the couch. Why worry about the rest? It seemed smarter to save their money anyway.

More than a year ago, Weiss had rounded all of their friends together and basically badgered them into setting up a somethingRA through the SDC. A portion of their earnings went straight into it without Ruby or Jaune having to mess with it at all. Ruby didn’t really get the specifics, but Weiss assured her it would let them retire and not have to worry about lien in the future. But why would she want to retire? Huntress for life, baby.

Ruby sunk into the couch and clicked on the TV as Jaune joined her. The added weight pulled her in comfortably against his side. “Wanna finish up Lodge Lodge?” she asked, already navigating through the menus to the cartoon.

“Mmm,” he agreed, mouth full of cheesy noodles. He chewed thoughtfully, a frown slowly growing on his face.

“Mmwha?” she asked, mouth equally full of cheesy noodles.

He swallowed with a grimace. “We don’t have any food for breakfast.”

“We’ll grab donuts or something on the way. No prob,” she said with a shrug. “I’m still crossing “Buy Just the Right Amount of Food So You Don’t Have to Throw Any Out” off of the bucket list.”

“We are terrible adults,” he laughed.

“Psssshh, if this is terrible then I don’t want to be good,” she said, sinking further into his side as the cartoon theme song kicked in.

[sharkpupper]

Agere World Event! 🧸

I couldn’t choose which stuffie to feature for the @agere-world event, so I picked all of them! To save some space, I’ll link some older posts which introduce some of my plush friends and feature everyone who’s not pictured there here!

Meet:

Selene:

https://sharkpupper.tumblr.com/post/164541343183/welp-its-been-ages-but-the-plushie

Wesley and Leon:

https://sharkpupper.tumblr.com/post/160822434268/silly-photos-with-leon-caterpillar-and-wesley

Snoot:

https://sharkpupper.tumblr.com/post/159361379058/princetommy-meet-snoot-hes-snakeys-cousin

Abigail:

https://sharkpupper.tumblr.com/post/158991553758/im-late-showing-her-off-but-meet-my-new-friend-i

Squidgms:

https://sharkpupper.tumblr.com/post/155414067088/my-stuffie-got-some-new-socks

Pointer:

https://sharkpupper.tumblr.com/post/181392016108/wishing-the-happiest-of-holidays-to-all-my-friends

Fisher:

https://sharkpupper.tumblr.com/post/175944870223/hes-here-ill-take-some-better-pictures

And everyone else!

From left to right:

The piggy’s name is Mellow! She’s called that because she has a very relaxed face and feels squishy like a marshmallow! She’s special to me because she was the first plush I got in my new home with my partner!

The crocodile is called Snappy! He was a prize that a friend won for me on a day at the theme park! 🎡

The sloth is called Sid, after the character from ice age; (one of my favourite kids movies) I wear him around my neck (he has Velcro arms!) when I need to remember something.

The weird, safari print dog thing behind Snappy is called Podge Dog. They’re an old friend from a thrift store who gives great cuddles!

The giant squid is called Hafgufa, which is an ancient word for Kraken. I got him from my favourite aquarium!

The kitty cat underneath Hafgufa is called the Baker’s Dozen. I called them that because they look like a bread roll. They’re also super stimmy!

The yellow bunny was an Easter present! Their name is Haru, which is Japanese for spring! 🌸

The puppy in the onesie was a Valentine’s present from my bf! Her name is Valentine 💕

The pink bear is called Elizabeth. I found her lost and alone on Elizabeth street, but I took her home, washed her and fixed her up! 🛁

The sequin dog is called Smidge! I call her Squidgms’ girlfriend 💞

Then last, but certainly not least is my second oldest stuffie Ray Ray! (The big manta Ray in the corner) I got him from an aquarium too. He’ll be twelve years old this year and he still sleeps in my bed every night! 💫

[mischiefandspirits]

Cats and Cakes

Apart of the Cat of a Different Color series

Lance is feeling down so Blue and Hunk each try to cheer him up.

Happy B-day Lance!

Also on: AO3 & Fanfiction

This takes place sometime into the future of the series from where we left off, but I'm not telling just how far.

<Lance?>

The Blue Paladin blinked and turned to see a tiger standing behind him. “Oh, hey there, beautiful. Where’ve you been?”

<Merla.>

“Great, my lion’s getting more action than I am,” Lance huffed, turning back around to stare out at the stars through the bridge’s windows.

There was a soft padding sound then a fluffy cheek nuzzled up against his own. <What's wrong?>

“I just tol-”

<Try again.>

Lance sighed and buried his face in Blue’s neck fur. “I just… I miss Earth, you know.”

She ducked her head. <Yeah, I do… I'm sorry.>

“Not your fault,” Lance said, shrugging.

<Isn't it?>

“What? No!”

<I stole you -- all of you -- from Earth, from your home. I dragged you into this war.>

“Hey, woah now. No, that's not- Blue, don't think like that! You didn't drag us anywhere! We were the ones who climbed in. I piloted us off Earth. We all agreed to go into the wormhole. Maybe we wouldn't have gotten off Earth without you, but you certainly didn't steal us! And Zarkon was the one to force us into the war. He did it when he captured Pidge’s family and Shiro. When he tried to attack Earth. When he started this war in the first place! You didn't do anything except give us the means to fight back.”

<But you want to go back.>

“I… I do. I think we all do, kinda, but even if I could go back, I wouldn't. I'm needed here. We all are. Earth won't be safe until it's all over and I can't -- won't -- go back until I know my family and everyone else is safe. No matter how much I miss them.”

She pulled away enough that they could look each other in the eye and gave a growl that sounded like a hum. <My paladin!>

Lance froze. “Blue wa-”

She pounced. She wrapped her limbs around his slender form and began grooming his hair.

“Come on! No!”

<What did I do to get a paladin as wonderful as you?>

“Not the hair, please!”

<I love you!>

Lance sighed and went limp. “Love you too.”

They stayed like that until Blue felt her paladin’s hair had been fully groomed. She set her head atop his and tugged him closer. <I miss my own homeworld too, sometimes.>

Lance tilted his head up slightly, but could only see the underside of her chin. “You mean Altea?”

Blue snorted.<You all still have so much to learn. No, Altea is not my homeworld. In fact, I am much older than Altean civilization. Eons older, actually.>

“Really?”

<Probably. Your means of telling time gets so confusing in the long run.>

“Okay that's… I don't know. So what is your homeworld like?

<Was. The energy planetoids my people resided on, the Worlds, died long ago.>

“Oh. Sorry.”

<Don't be. You were not the one to destroy them, nor were you the one who failed to save them.>

“Blue?”

<My homeworld was Mia, the crown light of the Leano Empire. It was the throne of a the large, bountiful alliance and it looked the part. Grand and opulent is how I'd describe it. Chip and Merla would probably call it gaudy, but then they grew up on a smaller, nearby world. We didn't have oceans or weather, but we had gardens and parks. Some fake, meant to imitate organic life. Others real, carefully cultivated both for their wild beauty and their educational uses. There was one near the… near my home that had an enclosure with creatures that looked similar to a cross between a parrot and a rabbit, but the size of butterflies. I used to go there all the time if I was feeling upset. It was where Merla and I became each other’s soul-bound.>

“Sounds awesome.”

<Merla hated it.>

“Of course she did,” Lance chuckled. He could just imagine the cheetah all grumpy while little winged rabbits hopped all over her.

<Yeah. She would have much preferred pairing up right in the middle of a battle to the ceremony Ryou forced us to go through. You should have seen the smirk she gave him when one of the creatures tore a giant hole in the stuffy ceremonial drapings she'd been forced into with its talons. He's still convinced she did it on purpose to get out of wearing them. Not that I blame him. I would have thought the same if I hadn't seen it attack her myself. I think it was the color. The drapings were the same color as its favorite prey animal.>

Lance raised an eyebrow. “Talons and prey? What kind of bunny-parrot are we talking about?”

An image passed through his mind. The creature looked like a rainbow-colored eagle with four wings. Each wing had a nasty looking hooked claw at the top and its four feet each had six huge talons. It's head was, admittedly, vaguely rabbit shaped, with its little snout and the long ears. However, its ears were nearly lost in the feathered crest and the cuteness of its snout was thrown off by the shark teeth poking out of its mouth.

“That is not a bunny-parrot.”

<Never said they were cute.>

“Nightmare fuel, Blue.”

<They did hunt in swarms.>

“I love you, Blue, but you chose to get married surrounded by a swarm of those?”

<I chose to have the ceremony on a frozen beach on an organic moon where the glowing bacteria made the ice look like it was filled with shooting stars.>

“That sounds amazing!”

<Thank you! But Ryou said it wasn't a proper place for the ceremony. So I chose the garden. Ryou was terrified of the creatures.>

“Hm, okay, having it there out of spite makes much more sense. Merla just went along with it?”

<Merla went along with anything that ticked off Ryou back then.>

“Fair enough. Any other nightmare fuel you want to let me in on?”

<Well…>

Hunk hummed as he wandered down the hall towards the bridge with Pua at his hip. He hoped Lance liked his latest attempt at chocolate cake. He still didn't think the taste was quite right, but it was still good. But was it good enough to pull Lance out of the funk Hunk had noticed him in earlier?

“You think this will cheer him up?”

Pua chuffed and nuzzled his arm.

“You sure?”

The lion gave a soft growl.

“Yeah, you’re right! Something sweet is exactly what the doctor ordered!”

He walked into the bridge and smiled when he spotted Lance curled up with Blue.

“Hunk!” the Blue Paladin shouted, sitting up.

Hunk had to fight down his laughter when he spotted how Lance’s hair was sitting up in that way it only did once Blue’s tongue had had its way with it.

“Man, you would not believe the things Blue has been telling me about. You know that deep sea fish from Finding Nemo?”

“You mean the anglerfish?” Hunk asked, his smile falling away.

“Yeah, that! Well apparently there's a space one that can ju-”

“I brought cake!”

“Hunk, you’re the best!” Lance cheered, not even caring about being interrupted.

Blue whined.

“Aw, Blue, you're still my baby girl. But cake! Hunk’s cake!”

Blue huffed and stood up, walking to the other side of the room.

“Come on, beautiful! You know I still love you!”

Hunk rolled his eyes at the drama king and queen. He sat down next to Lance and Pua stretched out behind them so they could lean against him. The cake was handed over and Lance immediately dug in.

“Forget an angel. You are a god, Hunk!”

Hunk watched his best friend eat for a few moments before asking, “How’re you doing?”

Lance gave him a big smile. “I'm…” He trailed off, his eyes darting to Blue, who was growling. He ducked his head and shrugged. “I'm better. Talking with Blue helped. She's missing home too. Her home, I mean.”

Pua gave a small whine and Hunk knew he shared the sentiment.

“Well, you know I'm here to talk too, if you want.”

“Yeah, I know. Thanks Hunk. For the cake, too.”

“Anytime. For the cake too.”

Their snickers cut off as Blue suddenly flopped over both their laps.

“Blue!” Lance groaned.

The tiger gave an almost purr-like rumble and snuggled into them.

“Yeah, yeah, love you too. A warning next time would be nice though,” he sighed with faux-annoyance. He then leaned back against Hunk. “I guess it's a cuddle party.”

Hunk smiled and wrapped his arms around his skinny friend.

Unfortunately he'd forgotten about the plate in Lance’s hands and the cake was soon flying through the air.

“¡No, mi tarta!” Lance cried dramatically as the cake splattered on the ground.

“There, there,” Hunk sighed as the Blue Paladin buried his face into Blue’s fur. He rolled his eyes as loud, over dramatic sobs filled the air.

Blue lifted up her head and growled.

“It was Hunk’s cake! Hunk’s chocolate cake! I am not overreacting!”

At least he was feeling better if he was being this crazy. Although, that was a perfectly good piece of cake… Eh, Hunk can make some more later. Maybe this time he’ll be able to get the balance just right to make it really taste like chocolate.

“There, there, buddy.”

[myangstybullshit2018]

Fort Fartblossoms

Absinthe woke me with a knock on the floor. I rolled over and stuck my head out seeing that everyone had settled in for the night. Isabelle and I grabbed our gear and headed out. So this is a touchy point at the moment. Isabelle is mine, Micah’s... and If Kitty is the original, then I came from her. Anything not made by Kitty is a chibi, and Isabelle was much more detailed and... big to be a chibi. At her full size, she would be a 6-foot rabbit woman, dressed in cyber gear battle armor... she is part of the bunny brigade. Wow... Back story.

So awhile back, maybe a year, probably 9 months, Kitty got a one-eyed bunny from the thrift store. Her name is Margot and she is kind of badass. She has an eye patch because she had to sell her eye to a fairy to save her child and became the general of this army to go against the fairies... so anyway Margot moved in and this little group started to form. Margot started teaching Isabelle how to fight and then BunBun, then people who weren't bunny's started joining. Anyway this army was formed that was to protect the city, the castle, everything.

So kitty wanted me to create the bunny brigade in honey select and when we were piecing things together there were some new parts in the game that I didn't realize had downloaded. They were mech pieces and there were sets and one of the sets looks like a bunny. So I made these bunny mech suits for each member of the bunny brigade so now we all have a very clear idea of what they look like if human... ok getting off track. Point is I thought Isabelle should be able to come with us on our trips and Kitty thought that she should have stayed back there is some kind of "bullshit" that happened when they were on a mission together earlier IDK, they won't tell me exactly what happened. Point is I brought her without asking and when she's not a stuffie she's kinda... garish in the areas we were traveling so she would pretty much have to be a stuffie the whole time unless there was a fight so it was fair to bring her and blah blah ... I think she is just mad because I made something that came from her world more interesting... the point is there was an argument but we settled on each one would get to come out for a little bit but they would stay small most of the time.

I pulled the map out and spread in on the table. With very little discussion we had decided on going to the caves in the hope of finding a mine cart.

I thought there had to be another way to go to the mountains than to follow the same old path we take for everything. We were getting our gear together and I started looking around. It amazes me how much I can miss because as I stepped out the door of Micah's treehouse I looked behind me to see a giant tree shooting up to the sky and the roots were the more solid parts of the ground like under Boomhut. That was when I realized there was a portion of the area surrounding the treehouses I hadn't really explored.

Normally when you step out of my door it is a slightly convoluted straight shot to stonewall which is the main road for started out, everything from my treehouse to stonewall on the left side is Atminta, the memory holes. some of these are mind-boggling large, like a sublime moment of panic-and-awe large and some are the size of a rabbit hole, but the whole area is full of them. But from my treehouse back to the left had not been explored. So we got to use the climbing spats that Kitty stole from me a couple of months ago...

All of a sudden i realized that The House where the council is, in the root system of the giant tree, so there is this whole like the universe is connected moment cliche stoner moment and everything is like the bigger view I guess, like with the stars and vastness of space and stuff. Anyway, I realize that the roots are also making up a good portion of the land in the area which answered a ton of questions we had. so it was like emotionally and psychologically productive for us.

She finally made it down after her hippie moment, I did not get to experience that, and we were in this area that rose up between the giatnts roots that seemed more like mountains in certain areas. It was very lush and green, hilly, it was very peaceful. Looking around we also realize this was the view from the kitchen WIndow of the House. A creek was off to one side and for a long while we walked in silence enjjoying the beauty and the peacefulness of the place. There was a drop off ahead. She seemed to have seen it as well asn was cautiously approaching. From my backpack I hear "That's a first" and I ask Isabelle what she  means. I get the usual harumph and then silence We start to follow behind and Kitty disappears. I bolt for the edge and breathe, The drop off isn't drastic, but it is far enough you could get a broken ankle. So I got irritated with her, tht's when I heard isabelle laughing "oh it's funny when it's someone else" I jump down with kitty and I sit the backpack down. I told isabelle to get out now and tell us what is going on. Kitty walks up and stops me.

That was why I didn't think she should be there, I knew she was mad at me and probably didn't want to be around me but I didn't know how to say that and just ignored it.... like I do. 👉👈

Then We hear out of the bag "I am sick of her bullshit" and we both sit back because she's gonna unleash. She jumps up to her full height, gear all neon and stuff and just lays into kitty for being dangerous and taking chances and running into things blind

I don't do plans, plans hate me, you guys know this. It's not new. I have to go with my gut and my gut saidit would be fine. *big ass sigh* ok fine. When we went on the mission I knew I wasn't gonna get hurt, I knew we weren't going to get hurt. It was a group of monsters who needed jobs and it was easy work gaurding a building but there wasn't any real loyalty or anything yet. It was fine. So I kinda just went.... not a lit of stealth or anything, and just kinda found what I was there for pretty easily. I mean in the end it was mine anyway.

What does that have to do with anything? They had Spot, they could have hurt hm

No they couldn't, he's fine. He can get out of anything. Listen, I'm sorry I don't really do things your way, but I enjoyed working with you. You are great support. I will try to be more careful.

Isabelle went back in the bag without saying anything else. I guess she used her one time to come up and yell at you.

Yeah, I guess so. Welp, lets keep going.

Turning around I saw the cutest thing I had ever seen. A group of otters, all walking on their haind legs and wearing very propoer clothes were watching us. ALl around there was small white cattages dotting the landscape, quaint gardens with bamoo fenscing flowers filling every available space. It was one oft he ebst places I had ever found. It as beautiful and peaceful and adorable. The otter people were very nice, we could stay in a cottage if we wanted, there was food and drink. The only worry was the edge of the town ran into Atminta, so with memory holes  potentially close you had to be careful not to get too close to that side.

We stayed there for awhile, playing, eating fruit, walking around. we had some little cakes and tea, there wer tea parties everywhere, and everyone was dressed in these cute little suits. I thought about how funny it would be to see Isabelle in this setting. Then got sad cause she was mad at me. Then went back to being ok.

So it turned out that we didnt really cut any time off our trip, or get any closer to the mountains, we just avoided stonewall, which I know was fine with kitty. We had to exit through Atminta.The Otters gave us food for the road and a thermos of tea.

Since I was the most likely to be affected by the memory holes Micah decided to carry me on his back, and I would carry both backpacks and he ran. That area is really large so it took awhile but when we finally rounded the corner  and coule see the ruins and the city and the intersection he jusy collapsed. I asked Spunky if he would come help us and he agreed. I laid my pack down and sat beside micah. Spunky came out his normal size at first then started stretching slowly chnging size. I heckled him, come on old man, what's wrong your bones ache? He just ignored me at first, at one point I started yelling different yoga poses at him. He started getting smaller again. What are you doing

I do not have to do this.

I was on a roll for pissing people off today. I told him I was sorry and we climbed on. He ran us from the dirt mountain up past the ruins, up the middle road int he five points interesction, past ma's house and the water park and straight to the mountain caves. He turnd back to me and I was certain he was gonna yell at me too then he smiled and laughed at me for being such a pansy and caring about stuff.

The next part was long and boring and exhuasting. We had to climb this carved satircase into the side of the mountain and it was long and basically vertical. It was worth it though. We did not find a mine cart but we did find something awesome. The inside of the mounatin was a infinitely clear lake. You could see to the bottom, and it looked as if you could reach in and touch it, but the bottom was so deep we couldn't reach it. On the car side of the cave sat a old rusty boat that was half buried in the side of the mountain. I dove in to swim over and Everyone screams at me.

You don't know if it's poinsoned, or hot, or cold, or anything, you just jumped in!

Yeah *shrug* it's fine I make it to the boat and it is solidly stuck I call everyone else to come over. Spunky is already climbing aboard. Kid you got to try a little harder than that.

Why the hell do I have to? I then got a lecture from spunky about the nature of freindship and people caring about each other and stuff. It took awhile but eventually everyone calmed down. The boat was really cool and had some different rooms, lots of thigns to fiddle with, and plenty of room. What is we made this our fort, like you and me our fort. We could fix it up and name it.

Lets name it first

We spent the next hour yelling random words at each other until we settled on Fort Fart Blossom and the SS Fart Blossom. We had a little 80's make over montage, that was fun. Then it just looked really nice and we had a fort.

THen I decided I wanted to go somewhere else for a bit, they asked why, and I said to be able to come back to our fort later. It made sense to me. But when I got up I realize we had never made a dry way into and out of the boat. So this led to a super interesting conversation that everyone got in on including spot who had been silent this whole time. Some said tentacle monster tthat responds to your voice, someone said rocks that rise from the water, someone else suggestedthe invisible bridge, a lot of suggestions were made but we ended up just going with a zipline and a swinging rope. Nothing too complicated.

I feel like we sang at some point

Also I feel like there was something in the lake. Merman maybe, but not sure.

But this is where it goes blac other than the "female" presence. I remember saying we wer going to leave the boat and setting up the ropes but nothing else.