#unordinary arlo

[ozyras]

runaways

[crazydaymycrazyway]

Ember: We have your friend, John

Arlo: You kidnapped John? As in John Doe, son of William and Jane?

Ember: Yes, so if you want him safe hand over-

Arlo: You don't have him. He has you. Good luck with that. And we're not friends *hangs up*

[artsjuno]

i'll draw arlo with scars again next time i also wonder if that blue boy is ever gonna make a comeback

[michixoxo]

save me tired eyed arlo from unordinary… tired eyed arlo from unordinary save me….

[unxstatic]

projecting my period cramps onto arlo

[feyn231]

Uno gang but they're in the witcher universe instead. Mages and witches and big ol' werewolf

Ask me anything about this AU 😗👉👈

[unordinary-diary]

Arlo’s Ability Potential

Arlo could actually be so fucking OP and I’m not kidding.

In my last entry, I mentioned that Arlo could do so much more with his ability: things ranging from very unlikely to happen in the story, to things that are foreshadowed enough that I genuinely think he’ll be getting a powerup soon.

I’m gonna start with the most reasonable stuff and then wander out into speculation.

First of all: Disks. Do y’all remember Lennon from episode 196-ish?

^ this fucker.

Currently, Arlo’s fighting style is to put up a strong barrier around himself, and watch his enemies hurt themselves with their own recoil damage. His only offensive technique is to put his enemy in a barrier and make it smaller. Now, this has changed in recent chapters, with him developing that softer kind of barrier that he hits people with like a shockwave, but ultimately, his offensive power isn’t very diverse.

However, Lennon up there^ uses his disks in many ways.

He throws them, they’re very sharp, he can use them to fly, and therefore attack from the air. Blyke had a LOT of trouble against this guy.

How is this relevant? Because Arlo can make these disks too.

When Sera, Leilah and Arlo are fighting Spectre agents under the dampener, Arlo conjures one of these disks as a substitute for his usual barrier.

Not only do we know that he can make these, we know that they are significantly easier for him to make and maintain. So, in theory, Arlo should be able to do all of the things Lennon can and more.

With him currently being able to make three regular barriers at once, how many disks could he make? And how many disks could he make while having a full barrier up? I imagine that the future holds lots of fights against large groups of people, so Arlo learning these techniques would be extremely convenient and very well-timed. Especially since being able to attack from the air is super effective against opponents who can’t fly (which is most of them let’s be real) since they usually can’t hit back.

But there’s more things that I think these disks can do.

Imagine him practicing with a ball—

Pick it up, bounce it up and down.

Add another disk, make it ping-pong.

but he could also just put the ball in a regular barrier and just... move it around. Move that sucker to a different location.

he could pick the ball up, carry it really high, then drop it.

Now imagine the ball is a person.

... yeah.

but there’s more that he could do.

say that someone is coming at him with enough strength to break his barrier

If aimed right, the opponent shouldn’t hit the third barrier head on, but rather at an angle. The angle should be enough to prevent the barrier breaking, but still cause significant recoil damage. In this particular scenario, the recoil damage will go straight to the head and neck, using all their force against them. Depending on how much force is coming at him, the third barrier could still break, but it isn’t his main line of defense at least. With practice, Arlo should be able to use disks to divert attacks, and control where his opponent aims. The only person this wouldn’t work against is probably Seraphina bc Arlo can’t react in time.

Another thing to consider is: how small can he make the disks? Could he make little shurikens? If so, would making them very small allow him to make more? Could he stand behind his full barrier, while sending out a flurry of tiny chakrams? And if so, wouldn’t that be dope as fuck? Especially against a large crowd.

And since, in theory, he should be able to fly, he should also be able to make other people fly. Imagine all of them flying on top of a disk with Blyke and Isen loudly singing I Can Show You the World. I see zero reasons why this can’t happen.

Moving away from disks, Arlo should start filling his barrier with stuff. Now, we rarely see characters weaponizing things that aren’t abilities or their bare hands, but it does happen. This is where the idea of water balloons comes in. Fill that sucker in the sink, throw it, then pop it whenever he wants to.

But it’s not just water, he could put anything in there. He could put a shit ton of glitter. He could put sewing needles, caltrops, a big rock, anything. He could probably even put a barrier over his stove, gather steam, compress that shit and make smoke bombs!

But enough with that bitch baby shit.

What about chemicals?

Make water balloons but instead of water it’s hydroflouric acid. Or fill that shit with liquid nitrogen. Make smoke bombs but instead of steam it’s mustard gas— he and his friends will be protected inside a full barrier. There is any number of chemical weapons he could use, and some gases could even be made at home by mixing the wrong cleaning materials.

But what about insects? Go to the woods, find a beehive and yoink that shit.

The main problem with the “putting things in barriers” idea is that he’d have to prepare ahead of time, and keep those barriers up and his ability active until he uses them. That means it isn’t useful unless he knows the fight is gonna happen, and has enough time to prepare before it, but not so much time that he loses energy keeping them up. It’s also not useful if he wants to be non threatening at first, because his ability will need to be active. And also, unlike other weapons, A lot of these can’t be stored. He has to use all of them before the end of the fight— especially since gases can’t be released without using them. So, not very convenient or practical most of the time, but it would be super cool and effective in certain circumstances.

The next unlikely technique for Arlo to develop is vacuums. Arlo could make a really tiny, spherical barrier. Airtight. EXPAND that sucker. Make it real big- a near vacuum inside. Then make a tiny hole in it. Depending the size, that could create some insane suction. Suction is something so versatile that it could actually be a whole ability in its own right. That’s a whole ass mid tier added to Arlo’s already dope skill set. Possibly more.

Seriously, just think about suction for a second. You could bring anything close to you— Arlo actually has an easier method of telekinesis as we’ve gone over, but still— you could probably break and bend things with enough force, divert an attack by sucking it, or your opponent’s body in a different direction, you could cause some severe damage by sucking directly on someone’s skin. (I’m trying so fucking hard not to make a sex joke oh my god)

Here’s where Arlo’s capabilities get… gruesome.

My brother suggested that he could suck someone’s brain out through their skull. I was incredulous, but with enough force and with the tiny suction hole placed on an eye or nose, he definitely could.

But there’s an easier method of killing right there: put the vacuum over someone’s head. It doesn’t have to be an intense enough vacuum to explode their head (it could be though), just enough to suffocate them. Even without killing, suffocation could be used for intimidation or to knock them out.

But if we ARE killing… Arlo could put someone’s whole body in a vacuum and have the same effect as throwing them into space. They explode, their blood boils, it��s fuckin freaky what happens when a person depressurizes.

Even without a vacuum, (or any of these, really) it’s a good thing Arlo isn’t willing to kill because there are about a million ways he easily could.

The question that inspired the whole idea of a vacuum to begin with is: could Arlo make a barrier inside of someone, then expand it? The answer? Probably yes.

This gruesome shit is the reason I imagine Arlo at his full potential to be like… a villain au. Also because having an OP villain doesn’t have the same narrative pitfalls as an OP protagonist.

What’s Arlo’s range like? Could he expand his range with practice? How far out could he shoot a disk? Could he puncture the hull of an empire class battle ship leaving thousands to drown at sea? You know, because it’s so sharp?

Seriously though, could he take down airplanes?

Making barriers bigger or smaller doesn’t seem to affect his energy at all, considering that he never has to shrink it to save energy even when it would make sense (like with the dampener— Arlo just warned that he couldn’t keep it up, then took it down and switched straight to a disk even though there was plenty room to shrink it). So if the size of it doesn’t matter, then how big could he make it? Could he make Atlantis? Pick up a city and put it underwater with a barrier as an air dome? Could he make a dome around the earth and block meteors? Could he crush the core of the earth and blow up the planet if he wanted to??

Sadly, the answer to all of those questions is “probably not”.

Arlo is already super OP, they don’t call it a god tier for nothing. But he could be so much more godlike. I know I got really crazy at the end there, but back up just a little bit and he could realistically be a god among gods with just a little creativity. Especially at the top where the images are. Most of this stuff would not be hard.

[ninoucheuuuh]

Am I the only one who's really scared about what gonna happen to Arlo ? I have a very bad feeling.

I think that Farrah might erase Arlo's memory. When she fought against him, Blyke, Isen and Remi, she used her others abilities, and the others officers saw them, but they weren't supposed to :

Then, when they managed to arrest Arlo and Blyke, we see Farrah using her hypnosis ability to make them forget what happened :

And when she's with Arlo after his arrestation, she says that she'll be the one to do the "readjustment class". And after that, she uses her ability :

We can see Arlo's memories with this broken window, like she breaks his memories.

And then ? She could do multiple things. Maybe she could modify his memories ? Or create others ? She could make him forget about his friendships ? Make him hate the others ?

I didn't see anyone talk about this, so... But I really hope that I'm wrong and that I'm too much worried 😭

Like imagine, they would come to save him, and he would be like "Wtf who are you ?" It's so painful don't do this to my baby plz 😭

[trueebeauty]

accidentally calling them by the wrong name - john & arlo

JOHN

You snuggled closer to John on the couch, a mischievous grin playing on your lips. It was time to enact your prank. "Hey Seraphina, can you hand me that blanket?"

John went rigid beside you. "Seraphina?" He turned to face you, brows furrowed. "Did you just call me Seraphina?"

Struggling to keep a straight face, you feigned innocence. "What? No, of course not."

His expression morphed into one of playful suspicion. A lopsided grin tugged at his lips as he looped an arm around your waist, pulling you flush against his side possessively.

"So she's trying to steal you away from me, huh?" His tone was light and teasing as he booped your nose. "Should I be worried Seraphina is moving in on my territory?"

I rolled my eyes, giving his chest a light shove. "Don't be ridiculous. You know Seraphina is just a friend."

"A very pretty friend who you seem to be confusing me with," he countered.

You raised an inquisitive brow. "You think she's pretty?"

John's eyes widened fractionally as panic flashed across his features. He quickly attempted to recover, raising a questioning brow of his own. "Is that all you heard?"

Unable to contain your laughter, you dissolved into a fit of giggles. "You should've seen your face!"

John let out an exaggerated huff, though the corners of his mouth twitched upwards into a smile. "You never answered my question," he pointed out.

You lightly swatted his chest. "You never answered mine either."

"Does it matter? You're the only one for me." John chuckled, tightening his embrace as you snuggled closer. 

"Good answer." You grinned and leaned in kissing the corner of his mouth. 

ARLO

You were cuddled up on the couch watching a movie with Arlo when you decided to pull your prank. Keeping your eyes on the TV, you spoke up casually. "Hey John, can you pass the remote?"

Arlo went unnaturally still beside you. Slowly, he turned his head with a look of utter bewilderment and distaste. "John?" he repeated, voice dripping with disdain as if he'd just bitten into something rotten. "Did you actually just refer to me as...him?"

Biting your lip to keep from grinning, you blinked at Arlo innocently. "Hm? Who's John?"

Arlo recoiled away from you with a look of deep offense, shoulders pulling back as his nose wrinkled. "Don't play coy! You very clearly called me by that...that cretin's name." He shuddered dramatically.

"Arlo, baby, you know I would never confuse you with someone like John," you said, struggling not to laugh at his over-the-top reaction. Reaching out, you ran a soothing hand down his arm, deciding to stroke his ego. "You're far too refined and regal."

He eyed you suspiciously for a moment before seeming to accept your flattery. With a lofty sniff, Arlo straightened his posture, chin tilting upwards. "Well, I should certainly hope so. It would be a grievous insult to my standing to be mistaken for such a cripple."

You rose a brow, eyeing him with a knowing look. "Riiight," you drawled out.

"What?" He asked, a slight edge to his tone.

You shook your head, barely smothering your giggle at his affronted expression. Scooting closer, you nuzzled against his side placatingly. "Nothing, my king. You're one of a kind."

Though Arlo tried to maintain a disgruntled facade, a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he wrapped an arm around you, pulling you snug against him. "I better be," he muttered, though you could hear the pleased note in his voice.

[cameronqx]

he's so stupid

[burstbub]

THE WORLD CHEERED AND HAD THE SUDDEN WILL TO LIVE AGAIN

[ozyras]

swap au p2 with the rest of the main cast (part 1 | part 3 | part 4)

[crazydaymycrazyway]

Arlo: I don't know what's so special about birthdays

John: You get to have fun on your birthday?

Arlo: What's so fun about a group of people huddling around an object on fire while chanting a song in unison until the fire goes out and a knife getting stabbed in the said object? And let's not forget the offerings people give us.

John: ...

John: How could you ruin birthdays for me? Are you not satisfied with just my life?

[artsjuno]

future arlo sketches with some hcs but I think I'll add back tattoos next time

[ysines]

rare unordinary post

[beehiveofblorbos]

my predictions for season 3 plot beats for the main six. Under the cut because it’s LONG. My favorite part of it is the third bit, where I discuss why I think Remi is likely to kill someone next season. Predictions are numbered for ease of navigation.

1. The main cast will end up staying at Cameron’s home. This isn’t a bold one, but the three free groups of highly plot relevant characters are split up across different places. Leilah and Darren are in Neil’s territory to the north (which might include New Bostin considering it’s a low tier area and Sera kinda implies they’re not far), Remi Isen and Kuyo are staying at Grayson’s apartment, and John and Sera are with Cameron.

To be more specific, probably Leilah and Darren will end up linking up with Jera and Cameron first, then Kayden will follow, then Kuyo Remi Isen. I think Grayson’s apartment will get raided (it’s explicitly said to be temporary when they first use it, and Blyke’s capture means that it’s compromised) which will force Cameron to take them all in (he’ll need to have had some development by then).

I kinda think Grayson’s apartment raid will be a bit later in the season, if only because I imagine it as the trigger for Remi Isen and Kuyo to be much more impulsive about saving Blyke, as they understand the depth of the danger he’s in. Or maybe even (if im lucky) John will be impulsive about it, knowing from that that Blyke is dealing with Keon and that Blyke doesn’t deserve that.

2. Blyke and Rein will break out together, just as John Sera Remi Isen and Kuyo arrive to save him. Well, this one is pretty complex, let’s break it down into pieces.

I def think Blyke and Rein will link up, and Rein will get clued in as far as what’s going on with Arlo there, and Blyke will learn more about Spectre. Probably more angst as far as Arlo maybe being seen walking free around the facility or even sneaking away to visit them and get some answers after he begins to recover his memories.

Rein of course kinda needs to break out soon, because if she doesn’t she’ll die à la Terrence. If she did though that would be kind of boring and a waste of her character. Plus, as she was part of Orrin’s faction, perhaps she’ll have some more info to offer as far as his ability and what his greater plans are.

I can’t see John not being part of the rescue mission to save Blyke. This is in large parts because Blyke is being subjected to Keon, so they have yet another bond/similarity now. Plus, John’s even had a panel dedicated to him thinking about how Blyke Remi and Isen don’t deserve readjustment during the convo about what readjustment looks like with Arlo

And Remi and Isen coming for Blyke was never even in question. Even Kuyo’s initial connection to the vigilante trio was Blyke.

3. Remi will kill someone. Remi is the only member of the main cast who hasn’t had some sort of big mistake era to come back from, and I think hers will be nothing less than murder.

She’s always been extremely reckless and prone to losing control of her emotions, especially when it comes to facing EMBER. in the Main Cast v Authorities Ambush battle in the last episodes of season 2, we get this series of images:

So first, Remi’s the one who initiates this talk of murdering. After all, it’s been her focus the entire time. These are the people who killed her brother. Makes sense.

There’s some banter I’m not including because it’ll be in later images, then they fight. Once Arlo and Isen join them, they manage to knock Farrah out. And then she gets back up. And then we get this:

Arlo’s the one who brings it up. But ultimately; he can’t do it, when the moment calls for it. And as he’s joining the authorities at the top of season 3 more than likely, he won’t get another chance to revisit this choice soon.

Enter Remi. It’s her directly reacting to the suggestion of killing Farrah, it’s her who gets focused on during the flashback to Farrah’s little speech about why murder is valid morally. It’s Remi who essentially says that murder is an acceptable option if it’s a choice between the lives of her friends and the lives of her enemies.

And then this:

Remi, getting focused on AGAIN even though presumably all of the focus should be going to Arlo. It’s his scene after all… right? Or is it a surprise tool to help us later.

AND Remi’s arguably the one who suffered the greatest personal losses due to this ambush. Blyke is her presumptive love-interest as well as one of her best friends whom she personally dragged into this, and Arlo is her protector and even possibly brother figure (based on her saying Rei saw him as a brother, the implication to me is that she does too). AND on top of all that, Remi’s had a huge power boost, now on-level with Rei when he died.

If she does, I can totally see it either being an encounter with a new Spectre agent or during the mission to rescue Blyke from prison (doing it in front of Arlo, setting him back on his path to rejoining the other main six, is peak drama, peak angst, peak Uru).

4. Jane will reunite with John. This is kind of a lowball, but I think we’ll also get at least one fight with Jane if we’ve got her level. I definitely think she needs rescued first thing because it’s her blood both antagonist orgs are using to become bigger threats, and also Cameron needs to become a decent character in one season instead of being the terrible wine uncle who has about the same level of emotional maturity as a seventeen year old.

5. Kass will bring Arlo back to his senses/help him regain his memories. Additionally, Arlo will be hunting down Spectre. For normalcy reasons, I suspect that Arlo is gonna end up becoming a full time employee for the authorities, still working under Kass. He might get taken-in to the EMBER department, but I doubt it and here’s why:

Farrah herself comments on the issue. She later mentions Valerie “pulling some strings” (S2 finale ep) to save Arlo, which suggests to me that he won’t be getting a combat position. Instead, he’ll help hunt down Seraphina and John due to them being Spectre associates.

Kass will recognize the behavior change from when she and Arlo last spoke about EMBER and be able to help him snap out of it and prevent him from making any decisions he’ll regret.

6. The game of Unopoly John played with the Safe House will become relevant. This sort of isn’t directly related to the main cast, but idk I just wanna point out that John played a game of Unopoly with the Safe House members and games in this webcomic always become relevant/have a second meaning/foreshadow future events. I can’t find it no matter how I try, but I’d love to see it again as it’s the only game we currently have outstanding without a meaning to it.