#swamp palette

[purplecritter]

theories/thoughts/analysis about touchstarved 2025 demo

So uh, I did a long analysis post back when the first demo dropped. I won’t repeat things that I already wrote there but I have some more thoughts especially with the changes and additions they made + several of the scattered official tumblr posts that followed the demo release!

Also heads-up, I will edit this with the daily routine posts from the devs' account if they're relevant, since I already commented on Mhin’s, but apart from those I won’t touch this anymore afterwards 🙏

(Spoilers under the cut)

Kuras

His new red choice… Really amps up his association with fire, and it seems to be directly linked with how close we are to him: if you didn’t get the red choice you still feel it, but you’ll miss this line: “I realize it’s more than physical warmth. The sensation calms my nerves and quiets my mind—the closest thing I’ve ever felt to a comforting embrace”. One thing is interesting though: the red choice was unlocked during my Unnamed playthrough, but not during my others even if I picked the same choices. I tried again picking the opposite choices with my Unnamed and still got that red choice, so I’m pretty sure it depends on your origin, not your relationship with him. Since, as of now, Kuras hasn’t yet revealed his true nature to us (I suspect Eridia more or less knows, though), it would make sense that specifically the origin about detecting hidden supernatural presences would notice earlier than the others.

The dev answered a question on their tumblr about Kuras, “Kuras came through the Shroud because he loved humanity. He’s had human friends, colleagues, and lovers… all of whom he’s destined to outlive. Each person he’s loved—and lost—left an indelible stamp on him.” The stamp part caught my attention; since we feel his powers more whenever when get closed (physically, but moreso emotionally), I wonder if he can… channel? That affection into energy. Kind of how deities are fueled by their followers’ faith, perhaps an angelic being like Kuras is fueled by emotions?

A bit of relevant lore was posted on the dev team's tumblr: “Divine Teacher — The Senobium's folklorists note a curious pattern in humanity's oldest tales. Though the details vary, these stories share a common theme: an otherworldly teacher, bringing the divine gift of knowledge. Alchemy and literacy, art and war...supposedly this being shared all that they knew with the earliest civilizations. In some tales, the otherworldly teacher is a loving, benevolent figure. In others, they are a harbinger of chaos and ruin.” as well as the quote “Hope. A strange concept, after so long seeing myself as the agent of ruin.” Prometheus is the obvious parallel, due to his association with fire (though I would hope Kuras still has his liver intact), but there’s many versions of the Theft of Fire; in the Book of Enoch there’s fallen angels who shared knowledge with humans, too; and undoubtedly several more myths about inhuman figures sharing knowledge. Mhin says that “[Kuras]rarely does [take payment from patients]. That just means he’s paying down the debt elsewhere” which could be related to his distaste for dealing with the Senobium… I wouldn’t even be surprised if he had a hand in creating the Senobium (his robes are white too, and he does collaborate often, yet he isn’t afraid of retribution for messing a little with its members from what we can see of his ending scene), and he had all the time in the world to witness how the knowledge he gifted was used for worse things that he could’ve hoped for :(

Kuras, like Ais, keeps on his own for the most part, though they don’t dislike feeling close to people: Ais actually dislikes isolation but he’s probably too jaded to want to bother interacting, while Kuras actively craves closeness (it’s part of the reason he has a free clinic methinks) even if he knows it will hurt him when he loses it.

Leander

Leander’s group is now called The Adderstone. The symbology of an adder stone, aka witch stone, is definitely a bigger hint at Leander’s unique connection to magic, whereas previously the Bloodhounds evoked the feeling of a mercenary group with a penchant for investigations. In the new demo Adderstone is defined as “a semi-precious mineral that draws out poison”, which also makes me think of his constant disposition as a confident protector and his tendency to disregard the riskier aspects (ie, he wouldn’t care about getting poisoned himself). The Adderstone’s meaning is still vaguely reminiscent of my previous thoughts about the Bloodhounds: Hounds are a breed specifically intended to track something specific (or someone specific) by scent, and in the new metaphor that something/someone is the poison that Leander and his mercenaries are drawing out, hunting.

Adder stones are sometimes also symbolically tied to snakes, some sources saying they were created by turning dead snakes into the stone, others say that the ring-like formation was made by a hardened bubble of saliva when snakes joined together… All quite nicely tied to the recurring Ouroboros symbol in Leander’s outfit and merch!

“I’m no prior or curator. I’m not much for paperwork or pencil pushing. And honestly, I don’t even think those robes come in my size.” I am reminded of an old post by user @/toeridiaorbust about how Leander and the Bloodhounds Adderstones clothes are a direct color inversion of the Senobium’s robes.

“If you want nothing but guidelines, improper policies, and needless bureaucracy, you know where to go […] The Senobium won’t help you. They’re more likely to torture you than to lend you a hand.” Now this? Makes me wonder if his prominent scars are connected to his loathing towards the Senobium.

“But I’m not going to wait from word from on high […] These are our streets. We make our own luck here […] I founded the Adderstones to help people like you.” connects to the “as above, so below” tagline that was in his posters in the first demo and first hinted at him creating the Adderstone as an alternative to the Senobium.

The lore snippet about him on the dev’s tumblr doesn’t add anything that we don’t know from the new demo about Leander and the Adderstone, but there’s an interesting part at the end: “Locals speak praise for the charming leader whose seemingly benign reign extends even below the city streets into the shadowed depths of the Silent Crypts.” Considering all of his symbolism about the cycle of rebirth (I went into detail in my old analysis post), the fact that this references a crypt of all places doesn’t feel coincidental… We haven’t heard of the location yet from what I can remember, but I would bet that it’s connected to Leander’s hidden curse / source of power.

In an old post, the devs confirmed that “The magically talented son of an old Hightown family, Leander was expected to join the Senobium when he came of age. Instead, he packed up his bags twelve years ago to chase his own dreams” which matches with his own words in the demo: “I grew up idolizing the Senobium. I wanted nothing more than to join their ranks, to learn magic from the best, to make a real difference. I was young and blinded by the legends and the legacy. I was so damn naive. All it took was one trip here, to Lowtown, to show me the truth.”

“I won’t leave you, and you won’t leave me” + “How would you feel about being on a leash?” + “You can decide how to thank me. Or I can decide for you.” he’s not beating the yandere allegations.

“It’s not every day I find something that truly challenges me” we already knew he likes being challenged, which is pretty much his whole relationship with Ais. It’s interesting because with MC, he tends to prefer when they defer to him, trust him, take the flower and hold hands…. I think both things are a way to reaffirm his confidence: a challenge surpassed is proof that he’s strong enough to face what he has ahead, and having people trust him (in Kuras’ words, even willing to put their lives on the line for him) is a different way to feel that kind of influence.

The new scene of him coming into MC’s room with the excuse of having information about the curse, it feels like a contrast with the other characters’ ending scenes. Everyone shows a little about themselves, their attitude or their habits, but Leander feels like he mirrors MC. Even asking him about his relationship with the others, he comments on what we say about them rather than speaking up about them unprompted.

I initially didn’t think much of it so it may be nothing but it’s worth mentioning anyways: while chatting with Leander nearer the ending, he can say “How would you feel about being on a leash?” which is easy to dismiss as just him being a little freaky, but then I recalled after the first encounter with Vere, when the MC remarks that they could share his fate and get “leashed” by the Senobium. I doubt Leander would intentionally let MC in the hands of the Senobium, considering his animosity towards them, but it’s still a chilling thought that feels like foreshadowing...

Vere

re: his bad/secret ending, I appreciate that he shows some restraint this time around. I’m now pretty certain that you can only get the option to “Reach out to him” (red choice) versus “Resist him” (neutral) if you played along with him at least a little bit; while “Surrender” (bad ending) is only unlocked if you don’t have his approval and you say that if you can’t find a cure it’s over for you (rather than “I’ll keep looking”).

In two posts on tumblr (here and here), the devs posted a couple of peeks at Vere’s living space. “Candles flicker in the waning light, illuminating a crowded desk at odds with its gloomy surroundings.” and “Few in living memory know why the Senobium built the secret prison where Vere is kept. What do you think happened to the other prisoners?”. Given it’s described as a secret prison, I’m torn about it being located in the entertainment district where we first found him. One one hand, he was shackled there and it was morning, the Senobium cleric hadn’t yet come to fetch him. On the other hand, it feels like a weirdly dangerous place to put the deathly charming Monster in? No other buildings can be seen from the window, which is either just to not clutter the view or it’s a tall building, a spire taller than the rest, which would only leave the blue sky visible from that angle. The three items that mainly occupy his space are candles (I would’ve thought he would be able to see in the dark, perhaps just not comfortably or perhaps he likes the atmosphere they create... or they're not there for his benefit, but that of his captors), books (I could swear there’s a full picture of his sketchbook somewhere but just considering this sneak peek of it here, I think it’s the one in the middle of the desk… As for the books, he doesn’t like puzzles, I’m not sure he would be the studious type, so my bet is on them being entertainment), and shackles in his bedroom and by the desk. This last detail feels particularly invasive, as the implications are that someone is scheduled to keep an eye on his routine, dictating when he is allowed bedtime and when he can read/draw/brush his tail (there’s a little brush and mirror in the shelves). There’s also some handwritten papers on his desk, I wonder if he’s allowed to send letters or if he just writes them? One additional detail caught my attention: doesn’t the decoration in the chair by his desk look remarkably similar to the design of Kuras’ earrings? Though there’s different additional elements for each, they both are a circle with three drops underneath it… Which makes me even more convinced that Kuras played a significant part in initially capturing Vere. The comment about “What do you think happened to the other prisoners?” brings to mind Vere’s insistence that if the Senobium realized what the MC is, they’d be leashed as well. I don’t doubt that other Monsters have been kept by them in a similar manner, perhaps some of them also were offered a way to end their suffering by Vere, like he did with MC in his secret/bad ending.

In a tumblr post by the dev team about his lore: “Bloodstained Snow — The Senobium's archives hold countless records of stories that defy belief. One ancient report recounts the haunting of a remote village by what is described at first as a god, and then as a demon. Heavily redacted, the papers depict a team of researchers hunted by a self-proclaimed deity that transforms into a malignant entity. After the beast succumbs to freezing conditions, its ultimate fate is unknown-doubtlessly lost with the pages removed from the report.” I would bet that this is (part of) the reason why Vere dislikes snow… Apart from that, it’s interesting that Vere presented as a god first. History is written by the victors, and I wouldn’t take this recounting as the full truth. If he approached the village like he did with us, at first charming (if a bit unnerving, but deities can afford that) and then started preying on people’s trauma/insecurities, it’s not much of a stretch that they’d label him a demon—and to be fair, his monstrous form doesn’t inspire much safety either. I wonder if he first caught Kuras’ attention (or wrath) by proclaiming himself a god?

I’m also still thinking of Vere being a foil for Mhin: both hunt Soulless, he does out of obligation and they do presumably as a choice in line with their ideals; one leans completely on his Monster side and lets it leak through nonchalantly, the other despises Monsters and hides their own unnatural skills; Vere puts on airs to hide his thoughts, overwhelming you with (effective or not) charm, while Mhin is standoffish and avoids opening up by… well, avoiding you.

Ais

The Exile notices “Not many scars, though. Strange. Save for one cut along his brow, Ais is unmarked for how seasoned he acts.” In a post on tumblr the team answered a question about this particular scar: “Ais’s scar serves as a memento of his first day in the human realm, a stark reminder of all that can be lost. His gang imparted a lesson he’ll never forget, and he returned the favor in kind.” What feels more likely to me, is that he passed through the Shroud with his gang, they had a serious disagreement and/or they betrayed him (we already know from the character sheets and other hints that he doesn’t like being alone, I feel like it’d take something serious for him to turn his back on them), fought and he got injured during this confrontation. Then he found (?) Ocudeus, and we can assume from the fact that the red-eyed woman who lead us to the Seaspring still had visible marks of her previous health, that the Seaspring doesn’t restore wounds, so the wound was already there and didn’t get healed. I don’t think it’s likely that Ais has regenerative powers (also, his knuckles are bruised constantly, and he bleeds when MC bites him).

Leander also says that Ais “doesn’t see humans as equals”. Humans, by their very nature, can’t realistically be a match for the power of a Monster, so Ais wouldn’t consider them on the same level as him. In the same line of thinking, he seems to like more when MC can hold their own, and I feel like it’s connected to his trauma about being betrayed: if people can take care of themselves (like Vere, who’s as dangerous as Ais, and Leander, whom he respects), if he gets betrayed by those he likes, then at least he won’t have to hold back and it will be a fair fight.

When Ais says his old gang “took a walk”, the Exile wonders about this “He knows how to scare people, and he expects submission, but it’s uncommon for someone so used to being in power to be so… alone.” The Exile also has the most positive reaction by far to the Soulless in the Seaspring. When talking with Mhin, the Exile says “[Ais’] Soulless seem to like him though […] There’s a big difference between Ais’ Soulless and that many-eyed Soulless [that attacked me].” Being playful (perhaps even being in groups) isn’t a behavior they usually display, and I wonder how much of that is because they share being under the influence of Ocudeus so they're not hostile to what they consider allies, and how much it could be Ais’ doing instead: if he feels so alone, I would bet that he would (subconsciously or not) use the bond with the Groupmind as a way to feel less isolated, and those feelings impact the behaviour of the Soulless.

Ais talks about “a time where Leander’s resolve will be tested, same for anyone in this plane or the next” I think that the Adderstones remind him of what he had, or could have had. He sees something of himself in Leander, but Ais is jaded by his previous experience. I now wonder if the assassination attempts are his way to test him, make sure he’s ready for whatever comes, something that he feels like he lacked when he was left alone?

The lore post about Ais on the official tumblr reads: “Death Knell — Whispers echo about a fearsome Monster within the Shroud, their overwhelming power and authority stretching across the realm’s underworld. Few have seen the face of this infamous ruler. As Monsters continued to abandon the Shroud to seek thrills in the human realm, the being stayed behind, devouring forsaken domains and Monsters alike until no challenges were left. Now, as the being seeks conquest elsewhere, Monsters stir in anticipation of impending carnage.” This also could reference the time where [everyone’s] resolve will be tested; I wonder if it’s a general comment, about Monsters as a whole (Ais himself likes a good challenge), or if Ocudeus specifically is working towards something. In England, there was a tradition to ring the so called passing bell from the church when someone’s death was imminent; then the death knell when they passed away (there’d be additional rings to signify gender, and age, so that people could get an idea of who it was); and finally the corpse bell when the funeral was being held. If we want to read too much into the cool moniker, perhaps Ais is not meant to be the harbinger of chaos, but merely a warning sign.

The Unnamed will comment about hearing a faint heartbeat pulsing underground, when they first approach the land near the Seaspring. Earlier they also comment about feeling a kind of thrumming in Eridia itself, I wonder how far Ocuseus’ influence expands? Is it limited to where its Groupmind members are?

Leander says that he’s known Ais for around six years, which considering Kuras says that Ais is a recent arrival, could be that he’s passed through the Shroud into Eridia for less than a decade even?

Mhin

They’re EVEN MORE of a nerd in this version. Clearly knowledgeable about Soulless’ biology, even though they deny having studied anatomy or medicine. In an older post on the devs' tumblr, “Mhin was forced to apply their anatomical knowledge to violence in order to survive. After years of bitter experience, they learned to fight with agility, elegance, and surgical precision. Even in Eridia, their skills see more use in combat than healing.” which again makes me think they maybe didn’t formally study them, but being an apprentice to someone isn’t out of the equation (perhaps even Kuras, the Divine Teacher?). Them saying to an Alchemist’s red choice “It’s been a while since I had someone answer [my theories]” hints that they weren’t always alone in leading a life like this, before. Like Leander says about them, “Vulnerability doesn’t get you much except heartache.”

“Something about them is strange, unlike any human or Monster I’ve ever met. I can’t quite place my hand on why, and that’s a first” is what an Unnamed says when first encountering them. Not human, not Monster, but a mix of both—Not enough Monster yet too far gone from Human. A post on the devs’ tumblr depicts Mhin (partially?) transformed: they’re still clearly recognizable, it could be they’re just mid transformation but considering the comment from the Unnamed, I don’t think Mhin can become fully a Monster (like, say, Vere’s shadow fox is also kinda incorporeal but more shaped): it is said that Monster gain more control over their human form as time progresses, so Mhin has probably only recently become like this. The description of “a tar-like substance leaking from their eyes and bony extrusions” matches their pin designs as well as their “costume” in the official 2024 Halloween art, and the tar/blood leaking from their eye matches the pastry on the official 2025 Valentine’s Day art (bottom right corner).

Ais calls them “dove” and considering their Monster form seems to be quite the opposite, black ichory feathers and all, makes me believe that Ais has seen them shifted sometime and is poking fun at it. Or I’m just reading into it too much and it’s about them having white hair and Ais defaulting to bird nicknames for some reason.

The Exile comments “It’s one thing to strike down Soulless. They’re creatures of instinct, aggressive and dangerous to everyone. But Monsters are lucid, thinking beings—beings that Mhin seems to loathe.” It feels like their hatred is brought on by how familiar they are: they know the thoughts that compel a Monster (hence their insistence that MC seeks help from someone less dangerous than them) and they hate that they’re their own thoughts.

In a recent post detailing their daily schedule, it seems to me that Mhin doesn’t sleep, or barely does. I’m more inclined to say that it’s a consequence of their nature, that they haven’t accepted (so they still want to sleep, even if they can’t or don’t need it), similar to how Kuras doesn’t really eat.

Since they both compete in the same field, I wonder if Mhin and Vere first met while hunting Soulless? Do they ever meet while on the same contract, or do they run in different circles?

I don’t think they mentioned this in the first demo, but Mhin says they grew up in Eridia. Which really surprised me, because in the pre-release content they’re referred as “outsider” and “outcast”… Unless that’s changed in the rewrite, maybe they were cast off when they were young, or maybe they weren’t physically exiled but rather their family/group of origin estranged them? “Eridia wasn’t perfect, but it used to be a place worth living in” also could be said in a more subjective sense, Mhin didn’t lead a perfect life but they were satisfied with it before. Moreover, Leander says about them “I’ve known them since they arrived here.” Perhaps they grew up in Eridia, left at some point, and came back later? And when asking Kuras about Mhin, he says “Like you, they’re a recent arrival.” though that could just be that Kuras has a different concept of time, considering he’s centuries old. In any case, I highly doubt it’s just an oversight from the team because so far every detail is very curated. There’s something here about Mhin’s timeline that I can’t quite put my hands on yet.

Now the juiciest bit of info about them yet in my opinion, is on their tumblr lore drop from the studio: “Lost Expeditions — In a bygone era, before Eridia became the last beacon of humanity, there was Lovent. Yet where a bustling metropolis once stood, there is now only a blasted crater and empty ruins, blanketed by fog. The inhabitants, and large chunks of the city, had vanished into thin air. Over the following years, scholars flocked to the ruins in search of answers. Like the Loventians, they disappeared without a trace, and none ever returned.” Lovent is also referenced in another post, as “The previous largest city, Lovent, was the epicenter of the first Fogfall. In the century since, Soulless and Monster incursions destroyed most cities, leaving Eridia as the largest remaining one.” It makes me wonder, if Mhin maybe did grow up in Eridia, went to Lovent either in time to be caught in its destruction, or afterwards to investigate it. It’s possible that this is how they became a Monster… In the description of their flower, there’s also a reference to “barren wastelands to ruins perpetually shrouded in Fogfall” which is way too similar to ��empty ruins, blanketed by fog” to be a coincidence. It’s possible that they physically entered the Fogfall/Shroud, and what emerged wasn’t fully them anymore.

Thanks if you read so far, as always I’m always happy to read other thoughts about it all or if I missed something 👀

[wallpapedits-vvc]

Matching wallpapers #234

Like/reblog if you save ✨

None of this wallpapers/pictures belongs to me, I just do the matching.

[minecraftbed]

sodas & skateboards and ETHUBS

Send me a hermit (or two!) and a colour palette for a sketch!

please be quiet, they are sleeping, and the next boogeyman is being chosen soon

[inkstainedpalettes]

Inktuneber Day 11

In The Woods Somewhere - Hozier

One of my favorite tracks from him tbh, I just love the eerie vibes. Wasn't it based off of a weird dream he had once? Anyways, perfect spooky woods palette for all your spooky woods palette needs.

[destructionfanq]

she hu on my sh til i ike

[4th-make-quail]

A Girl is taking shape

[bushcrank]

My computer was acting up, so I streamed pixel art instead of playing games. Here's what we ended up with at the end of the stream! ✨

[shytulipartist]

TR's Palette Challenge Part 3

Part 1, Part 2

Original post with palettes

Ghost in a jar

"They died from crying too much."

Pattern used: Meltwater Pulse

I decided to redraw the first illustration I made on Autodesk Sketchbook, back when I didn't know how to use other art programs besides MS Paint. There are still things I need to learn about Krita, but I prefer to do it at my own pace.

Let me give you some context for the drawing. When I was bored at school, I would sometimes draw a ghost crying inside a jar. For some reason, I liked drawing that doodle, even though I was emotionally okay at the time.

In 2020, I made a digital version on Autodesk, but I never shared it online. Now that I have an art blog, I might post the original version and compare it with the new one.

There's no hidden meaning, it's just about someone who drowned in their own tears and became a ghost.

What are you doing in my swamp?

Pattern used: Green Tea

For some reason, I associated the palette with swamps and that's how I came up with the idea for this drawing. The lily pad is supposed to cover most of the monster's face as it slowly comes out of the water. If the palette had included more colours, I would have made the monster's silhouette much darker to make its appearance more mysterious. But, oh well, I worked with what I had.

Sketches for the two illustrations

[segapop115]

Finally getting caught up with OC-Tober Here's Day 10's Pumpkin Patch Palette Prompt

[eah-mh-aus]

Monster High fankid AU ideas: Lorna and Honey's fankid color palettes

For some reason, i've gotten really interested in this ship, so I made some possible color palettes for Lorna and Honey fankids.

In their full design, they'll probably have more crocodilian designs and long necks, going with the designs of both of their moms.

One twin will have a warmer color palette while the other will have cooler colors.

[color-palettes]

my dream today was this blog posted a palette with 105 colors. they were all just like swamp greens and dark blues

that sounds awesome. i think you dreamed of the ocean

[7thatlas]

some more context for this, I made this palette for a lospec competition of making an inverted palette.

every color you see can be inverted and it'll remain a color in the palette

I made a color palette!

Swamp Kin

[glasvera]

Dream and Sugar

Adam Warlock x Fem!Reader

Description: (Sequel to Bittersweet!) Adam Warlock has discovered the wonders of coffee... but he has yet to discover just what it is about you that brings him all the way back to see you.

Warnings/Disclaimers: Fluff! Lil' bit of slow-burn too, or at least, as slow as you can get with a man who is very direct with his words and intentions.

A/N: Writing Adam Warlock at this point feels like I'm returning home. I've never written for so many characters in a piece of media before, and I'm absolutely LOVING it, but whenever I need a palette cleanser for writing I keep coming back to my favorite golden boy. I'll probably use this series for that very purpose, to be honest.

Word Count: 3.5k

To be honest, you hadn’t expected to see him again. Not outside of your dreams, at least. It was almost pitiful how much he had wormed into your thoughts after only meeting him once. Though, in your defense, he really was the picture of perfection.

It had been a few months, and business had returned to the town’s favorite cafe. The cold, rainy weather was nippy but far from a deterrent, and people flocked here hour after hour to dry off and warm themselves up with a hot cup of coffee. It keeps your mind busy, at least. Not much time to pine after a golden space man when you have ten different lattes waiting to be made. And goodness knows you were thankful for the bustling crowd that drowned out the boss’s smooth jazz playlist.

“Excuse me, is Y/N here?”

The cocktail party effect is a strange phenomenon, but you’re so thankful for it when your ears perk up at the sound of a deep, smooth voice. You can’t quite see around the corner of the kitchen and your hands are full at the moment with orders, but you do hear the way your coworker’s voice picks up in pitch the way she always does when there’s a hot guy at the counter.

“Oh, are you a friend of hers?” you hear her ask, and you roll your eyes. You can already envision her twirling her hair, giving him a little giggle… 

“I… perhaps. You did not answer my question.”

Oh yeah. That’s definitely him. Butterflies explode in your chest and you nearly fumble and drop the drink you were carrying. Your coworker sighs, clearly put off by his obliviousness at her attempts to flirt with him.

“Yeah, she’s in the back. Hey, Y/N!”

You scramble to finish what you’re doing, or, at least, get to a stopping point, before you peek your head through the doorway.

And gods, he’s just as gorgeous as you remember.

White gold eyes flicker over to your face as you give him a small wave, and a wide smile spreads across his cheeks. He’s dressed much differently this time, and you’re almost disappointed to see him in a red shirt underneath a black, fur lined winter coat, even if he does look good in it. Though, you suppose, it’s probably for the best. At least you could picture what was underneath.

“Y/N!” he exclaims excitedly. “I came back!” Oh, he’s too adorable. A golden retriever in a man’s body. He’s bouncing on the balls of his feet, and you could easily imagine a big fluffy tail wagging behind him.

You step closer to the counter, stifling a giggle at his enthusiasm. “I’m happy to see you, Mister Warlock.”

“Please, just Adam,” he urges. “I think we are friendly enough for that, at least.”

Were you? Well, you certainly weren’t gonna argue. The thought of it makes you giddy.

Your coworker’s exaggerated sigh brings you back to reality. “Y/N, can you not, like, wait until break or something? We’re kinda swamped.”

Even if you detest her bitchy attitude, you can’t deny that the line forming behind Adam is only getting longer and more irritated. “Oh, I--yeah, you’re right.” Adam looks slightly perplexed, cocking his head to the side as he watches you move about. You give him a wry smile. “Sorry, I… my shift ends in an hour. I’d hate to ask you to wait, but--”

“I have the entire day to myself. I would be happy to wait,” he responds quickly, dismissing your worries in an instant with his voice. He really had come out all this way to see you, hadn’t he? You can’t stop the blush from warming your cheeks at this realization. Though, it was more likely he’d come seeking the “resident coffee expert” as he had so aptly put it before. Still, the thought excited you, and you nod.

“Sounds good. I’ll see you in an hour!”

-----

It really was the longest hour of your life. Shifts like this usually fly by with how busy you are, but every time you bring out an order and call for the person’s name, you catch a glimpse of Adam lounging in one of the corner couches. He seems to keep to himself, even if his boredom is palpable. At one point you see him reading a fashion magazine with an eyebrow raised, and the next he’s nose deep in a years old issue of Entertainment Weekly. Man, your boss really needed to swap some of those out.

When your shift is finally coming to an end, you ask one of your other coworkers to put together your usual while you start concocting something for Adam. From your last encounter, you remember him liking his coffee blonde and sweet, so you decide to treat him to the wonders of syrups as you add a bit of brown sugar and caramel.

“So… how did you two meet?” one of your nicer yet nosier coworkers asks as he elbows you playfully. He waggles his eyebrows over in Adam’s direction, and you purse your lips before huffing a laugh through your nose.

“It’s not like that,” you clarify as you throw your jacket over your arms.

“Really? Because I'd be all over that in a heartbeat,” he replies with a hand over his chest. “What is he, made out of pure gold or something? And that voice!”

“Stop!” you exclaim with a laugh. “Believe me, I wish it was. I've literally only met him once before, right after downtown got totally wrecked. He's one of the guys who saved the day.”

“That's one of the Guardians of the Galaxy? Shit, girl, you better act fast,” he teases as you grab your bag and your coffees. You titter and shake your head, but you can't deny the rush you feel knowing that someone as well-known and beloved as Adam Warlock had come to see you personally. Maybe you had a chance with him, after all.

Or maybe you're just delusional and this perfect golden man is very friendly.

Adam's head pops up excitedly from the magazine he's reading when you approach. This time it’s Sports Illustrated, and you can't help but notice he almost seems relieved to have his attention pulled away from it.

“Ah, there you are,” he greets you with a warm smile as he stands, neatly replacing the magazine in its wooden cubby.

“How many of those did you go through?” you find yourself asking as you point to the small stack.

His cheeks turn a dark copper. A blush? He clears his throat. “I… all of them. I fear there is little to do here if one isn't drinking coffee.”

You give him a sympathetic smile before nodding towards the door. “You didn't have to stay here, you know. I know it's cold outside, but something tells me the temperature doesn't bother you that much.” More than a few people had given him strange looks for lingering in the cafe for that long without removing his winter coat, let alone without even breaking a sweat.

He hangs his head a bit, sheepishly glancing off to the side. “I did not want to get lost. If I did, I may not have made it back at the promised hour,” he admits shyly.

His kindness and consideration absolutely melt you. “Oh, that's--” you pause and chuckle, “...you're too sweet.”

“Am I?” he asks genuinely, his brow creeping up his forehead. “It seems like a simple courtesy.”

You offer him the coffee you'd made for him and he takes it into his hands, blinking down at it before returning his attention to your face. With a gentle smile, you reply, “It's more thought than most people would put into it, at least. But never mind that; go ahead and try that. I think you'll like it.”

“Oh, you--?” He stops himself, simply nodding before bringing the mouth of the lid to his lips. His eyes widen in an instant, an audible “mmm” humming in his throat as he takes a few more sips. It clearly takes him a lot of self-restraint to not finish his cup in one go, lowering it as he swallows. “I knew I made the right decision in trusting you,” he says emphatically before giving you a brilliant smile.

Now it's your turn to be shy, rubbing the back of your neck and chewing on the inside of your cheek. “I'm glad you like it,” you reply quietly.

“If I may trouble you further,” he says, leaning forward and tilting his head so that his face is level with yours. His closeness draws a little squeak from your lips. “The Guardians gave me the entire day to myself. I… would spend more time with you.”

Your mouth hangs agape. He wants to spend time with you? Warmth blossoms in your chest and your stomach flips.

When you don't immediately respond, he withdraws, worry creasing his brow, and exhales with a forlorn smile. “I… forgive me. That was a selfish request--”

“N-no!” you're quick to interrupt, not thinking about your movements when your hand comes to rest over his. You gasp and pull back instantly, and you can feel your face growing hot as the touch lingers on your fingertips. “I would love to. I just wasn't expecting it.”

“Why not? You seem pleasant enough company,” he replies, confused by your trepidation. 

“I… um…” You lick your lips, lacking a proper answer when you really think about it. “Never mind, but thank you.”

There's no way this man is real. You're clearly dreaming. Some intergalactic superhero shows up once, interacts with you once, and suddenly he has an interest in you? This is either an incredibly elaborate dream or a terribly cruel prank.

Though, you're not going to deny yourself this indulgence, real or not.

“There’s a park nearby. Obviously it's not the liveliest place right now, but I like to go there to relax.” When he regards you with curiosity, you add, “I would rather not spend more time at my place of work than I need to.”

He smiles in understanding before approaching the exit, opening the door as bitter winter air spills into the cafe. He nods for you to go first, and you have to stifle the girlish giggle bubbling in your chest. Of course he's a perfect gentleman. The two of you make your way down the sidewalk, side by side, though occasionally Adam stops to take another sip of his coffee. Each time he does, he adopts a delighted smile that warms your very soul.

“So,” he starts as you walk, eyeing you from the side. “How did you become a coffee expert?”

He asks it so genuinely you almost feel bad for the snort you let out. “I… I'm no expert. Just a local barista who enjoys what she does. Well, minus the customers, sometimes,” you respond.

“Ah… I am a customer, aren’t I?” he asks forlornly.

“Oh, you're one of the good ones!” you reassure him. “After all, I don't usually spend time with customers once my shift ends. You're a special one.”

“A special one? Hmm…” He seems to give this a great deal of thought as he rests a hand under his chin. “It is good that you do not dislike me, though. I certainly prefer it this way.”

You blink up at him in surprise as a blush spreads across your cheeks, and he seems to realize it in the same moment as his face turns a deeper shade of copper. He clears his throat, and you turn your head away with a quiet giggle.

The two of you finally reach the park, and much to your surprise, there are quite a few people here. A lot of couples wander about the paved pathways, cuddled up together for warmth as they whisper sweet nothings to each other and admire the soft glow of the lights that have been strung about. You can't help but feel a little self conscious about bringing Adam here; it’s clear that the atmosphere is far more amorous than usual.

“There is joy in plentiful abundance here. I can understand why you would enjoy it,” his voice breaks through your thoughts as he smiles at you. 

“I-I… it's, um… not normally this populated this time of year,” you explain as you nervously massage the nape of your neck. A shiver wracks your body then, and you're reminded that the light jacket you were wearing was enough for your commute but far from sufficient for lingering in the cold.

Adam seems to take notice, immediately shedding his winter coat and draping it over your shoulders. “Here,” he says softly as you're suddenly enveloped in warmth. His broad shoulders mean that his coat dwarfs you, reaching almost to your knees. It smells like him, like golden sunshine, earth, and the faintest hint of cologne. You hadn’t pegged him as the sort to wear fragrance, but you find yourself trying to memorize the scent nonetheless. 

“Oh, I--thank you,” you acquiesce as your blush deepens. The long sleeved red shirt he had worn underneath hugs his physique, and you have to stop yourself from staring.

“Do not mention it. It was merely a fashion choice to blend in, so I will be fine without it.” He looks at the way your neck disappears beneath the coat's fur collar and lets out a chortle. “Though, it may be a bit large for you. I apologize.”

You shake your head, trying to shed your rather Terran thoughts of what his actions normally imply at the same time, and offer him a shy smile. “No, it's fine. It’s warmer this way, I think.”

A bench beneath a large, barren oak draped in string lights is where you find yourselves. Though you sit side by side, you're careful not to sit too close to him. Don't want to give the wrong impression. It's quieter here, at least, and you settle into your seat with a long sigh before staring up into the colorless winter sky. The setting sun tries to peek through the clouds, a lone beacon glowing through the fog with its cold light. 

At least you have your own sun sitting next to you. 

“Do you like living here?” he asks suddenly with a tilt of his head in your direction. Curious eyes blink innocently at you.

That’s one you really have to think about. You shuffle a bit in your seat and tug his jacket tighter around your body, letting out a contemplative hum.

“It’s… familiar,” you finally say, your gaze trailing away as you grow lost in thought. “Routine. There’s a comfort in that.”

“You want something more,” he surmises from your tone, eyes softening.

You blink at him in surprise. “I… yeah. I suppose I do. But at the same time, change is scary, you know?” Burying your chin in the coat’s fur trim, you sigh. “You must see so many things out there…”

He chortles then, a low, rumbling sound. “And yet I still came here to experience coffee for the first time.”

His jovial nature eases your worries, instead letting you consider just what your first meeting really meant. “You’re telling me, truly, that you couldn’t get coffee elsewhere? I don’t believe for a second that coffee didn’t make its way across the galaxy!”

A hearty laugh bursts forth from him. “No, but I do not often have time at my disposal to seek such things out. I saw the opportunity while we were in the area and took it.”

Unexpectedly, he takes your hand gently in his. His golden skin is still just that, skin, tender and warm as he cradles your smaller hand in his palm. “I am glad I did,” he adds, smiling softly. “You have proven to be wonderful company.”

Your face heats up instantly to the point you’re surprised you can’t see steam coming off of your skin. Eyes glued to where your hands meet, you can feel your heart fluttering at even that simplest of touches.

“I-I… I’m glad you think so,” you finally eke out, thanking whatever gods are listening that your voice didn’t crack too terribly.

“This will be a wonderful… friendship, I think. Perhaps you can teach me other things, such as terran fashion or customs.” A sparkle glints in his eyes that you can’t help but notice. You also couldn’t help but notice the pause in his speech, nor the way his own cheeks turned a deep bronze.

“I don’t think you’ll need much help from me on fashion,” you reply, nodding at his current outfit. “You clearly have good taste.”

“Do I?” he asks with genuine surprise. “I simply chose garments that fit me well and that were in colors I often already wore and enjoyed…”

You giggle, and he regards you perplexedly. “You do realize that means you’re already putting more thought into it than most do, right?” When he shakes his head, you add, “A lot of people just grab whatever clothes are clean and head out the door.”

He seems to think on that, toying with your fingers as he brushes his thumb over your knuckles while he ponders. “I see… so that is what Qui--ah, Star-Lord does every day. It would explain some things.”

You snort at that, recalling the other humanoid that had been accompanying him the last time you met. “I wouldn’t tell him that, if I were you. He seems to have a fragile enough ego already.”

Adam gives you a knowing smirk as a laugh huffs from his nostrils. “You gathered as much from one meeting? You have a keen eye.”

“Nah, I’m just used to his type,” you correct him, shrugging your shoulders. “Not the first time I’ve been flirted with at work.”

“Mm,” he hums pensively. “That does not surprise me.” His eyes snap back up to yours and, once he realizes what he’s said, that bronze shade grows even more intense upon his face. “That is--I, well, you are pleasant to talk to, and to look at--”

Is he getting flustered? Over you? …Did he just say you were pleasant to look at?

He bites his tongue and looks away bashfully, withdrawing his hand. “I have said too much. Forgive me.”

Now you are the one who reaches for his hand, taking it back into your delicate hold as he regards you from the corner of his eye. “No, no… I don’t mind. Really,” you urge, even if your heart hammers in your chest. “I feel the same about you.”

“Ah…” he responds, the syllable almost choking its way from his throat. “It is not a feeling I am used to navigating. Forgive me if I seem hesitant or unsure.”

He seems so vulnerable now, this perfect man, and you feel yourself leaning closer to him. The hesitation is still there, but something about him draws you closer. You press your palm against his before interlocking your fingers. Golden lips part softly as he watches you closely, searching for any sign of discomfort, and all he sees is your gentle smile.

“And… what feeling is that?” you ask tentatively. It’s easier to brace yourself for any possible rejection if you just stare at your interlaced hands instead of his face.

“I…” he begins, trailing off for a moment. “Attraction, at the very least,” he finally ventures, his eyes darting off to stare at the lingering snow that clings to the grass. “I did not lie. It is soothing, pleasurable, even, to be in your company. That much I know. I am drawn to you.”

Well, that much you had in common. Finally your gaze finds its way back to his face. He’s clearly embarrassed. Meanwhile, you’re over the moon, trying desperately to contain your excitement at this revelation. Still, this is clearly all new, especially for him, and the last thing you want to do is scare him off.

“I’m flattered, Adam,” you reply warmly, bringing his attention back to you. “It… it doesn’t have to mean anything if you don’t want it to, though. People find each other attractive all the time.” Reality sinks in as you continue, “...and you’re always off saving the universe, so if you don’t want to--”

“Please,” he suddenly hisses, clasping his other hand over yours and squeezing. “Do not dismiss what I am telling you. Even if I am unsure of it myself, I know that I want to spend more time with you.” When your eyes widen, he continues, “I know of friendship. Kinship. What it is to have people close to you. There is something about your very soul that invites me deeper, beyond even that. It is true that you and I have only barely become acquainted, but I…”

He brings your hand to his lips and presses a tender kiss to your knuckles.

“I would be terribly suffering if I were never to see you again.”

[destructionfanq]

my evil daughter whom i love dearly

[threecowsusingthistoreadcomics]

joe!!! he’s so :D!

wait, what’s that behind him?

ah. oh god. the horrors. oh. oh no. uh. okay. maybe. maybe we back away slowly. or quickly, dealer’s choice.

(epilepsy warning I do turn layers on and off a lot) This bad boy gets a timelapse, because I ended up scrapping quite a few things in the process of making it! The puppets were a fun idea but, alas, only etho worked well with the color palette.

More hermit hat atelier! joe was relegated to “ehh i dunno he lives in the swamp and plays with puppets” for a while but Now. oooh now he’s got Lore >:]. And also he lives in the swamp and plays with puppets.

Despite appearances, he is genuinely quite friendly, even though he’s a literal hermit. Most of the Brims avoid him for one reason or another, so he’s found ways to keep himself company. While he isn’t as active as a Brim anymore, he still holds the title of Ink, one-third of the leaders of the Brims. Although, with Evil Xisuma in charge, it’s really just a title.

[nymla]

Grumpy swamp toad friend 🐸🌿 Now up for 🌟AUCTION!🌟

Check it out here: nymla.se/shop Ends on: Monday the 3rd, 6pm Swedish time.

Is it a jewelry dish? Is it a paint palette? It can be what you want, it is even food safe! :} Toad will be there guarding the precious trinkets/paints. I really enjoyed making all the little details for this, the mushrooms and moss-like plants surrounding this little grumpington.

Stoneware ceramics. Food and dishwasher safe, but handwashing is always preferred. Size: ca 20 x 17 x 7 cm (7.9 x 6.7 x 2.8 inches). Thank you all! 💚🌿 Nymla