#which combined with its longing to be treated as a person gives it this very powerful urge to find an equal partner

[friedrnilk]

Your bio inspired me :] What cottagecore hobby would The Emperor enjoy most? (ie, cross-stitch, canning, etc)

omgggg what a question this is so good

my first instinct was to say beekeeping bc it's like kind of distantly overseeing a complex ecosystem toward highest and best outcomes. what a combination of nurturing + leaning into one's own power in order to nurture. and he would then be able to reap tangible results which i feel is important and gratifying

my second thought is that the emperor is one of these fake cottagecore girlies who is like "wow omg besties i too am homesteading ♥" but in reality there's like 3 thralls devoted companions who are doing all of the actual egg collecting, canning, gardening. bc it is a rogue illithid but an illithid nonetheless and i love toying around with how he is influenced by illithid biological nature despite being extremely individualistic

[despazito]

leftism without economic theory is painful to watch like it is nuts that women are now fantasizing of becoming stay at home housewives again as a solution to the current state of “work”. or people imagining utopias where work doesn’t exist at all, im sorry that’s just completely unrealistic regardless of how much we can automate

i think that a deep drive to pursue goals is an intrinsic part of the human condition. we like to work, we feel good when we solve something complicated or finish a task, our brain gives us good chemicals in return. even those of us with disabilities who can struggle to work still want to do something. the issue is how labour gets treated and which labour is rewarded by society.

our current system values antisocial leadership practices that will do anything to improve capital, and creates bullshit jobs nobody likes for the sole purpose of extracting the most capital possible. it’s no surprise people feel alienated from such employment especially if your job is scamming people with a few extra steps. i think the disappearance of family trades run by dedicated craftsmen who owned their own means of production has also hurt. instead it’s been emotionally sterilized through college courses and employment by faceless corporations who kindly let you use their equipment in return for a fraction of your labour’s actual value.

jobs like teaching and nursing are the backbone of society but instead their labour is deemed worthless, so even folks performing these important meaningful roles want to quit because financially the world is telling them to go fuck themselves.

it doesn’t help that the new consumerist class has been groomed to feel entitled to everything and anything, combined with the aggravated political polarization its just a molotov cocktail for any potential social interaction with a stranger to become a nightmare. i don’t blame people who want to lay flat and check out of this environment, but in the long term removing yourself entirely from the labour force and removing yourself physically from everybody you may not like or want to be around won’t fix any of these community problems!!

imagine a society instead where jobs were created out of social need and valued by how they can improve life both physically and spiritually. personally the stuff i wanna do most falls squarely under ‘volunteer’ work in this current system. i’d love to donate my time to wildlife rehab and animal shelters, hell i’d gladly pick up trash from parks all day and clean up the environment if i got a living wage. because i know i’m doing something of value instead of making my boss richer.

there’s a reason women fought so hard for equal opportunities in the work force. we wanted to find societal roles and value beyond those ascribed to us from birth. i’m not gonna let tiktokers girlboss our way back into tradlife!! (not to mention the setup of supporting an entire family on a single income was very much a heterosexual white middle class concept, many poor and nonwhite women couldn’t be stay at home moms even if they wanted to!)

[witchyafterdark]

Consolidated HL Character Profile #1:

— Ominis Gaunt —

Note: The following information on this post are a combination of my personal headcanons and canon-compliant resources. I have done research on this but, of course, these are pure speculation since we do not have actual canon information about this character. I hope you all enjoy this! 💕

Tags and shout-outs are at the end of this post!

This is a very, very long post! Take your time.

—---—---—---—---—

I. Possible Birth Place

The last of the Gaunts, as we know it, have lived in poverty. The members of this once noble house trickled down to Marvolo Gaunt and his two children — Merope and Morfin.

According to the book, (Half-Blood Prince; Chapter 10, "The House of Gaunt") the family was living in a rundown shack that Harry Potter wondered whether it was inhabited, or not.

"... its walls were mossy and so many tiles had fallen off the roof that the rafters were visible in places. Nettles grew all around it, their tips reaching the windows, which were tiny and thick with grime."

The description of the Gaunts' living conditions were shown during Bob Ogden's visit in Little Hangleton around the early 1920's. As the wiki suggests, Ominis should already be in his late 40's (and close to his supposed death). It was also said that due to their vein of instability, arrogance, and pride, the family gold has been squandered well before the last generations were born.

Now, based on the canon timeline, there is a high chance that Ominis and Marvolo were siblings — something this fandom seems to agree on.

"Chronologically, Marvolo Gaunt could be one of the elder siblings who tortured Ominis with the Cruciatus Curse."

However, I personally find it hard to picture him having been born and raised in that same shack in Little Hangleton. While it's very possible to have a family living together in a small, decrepit house, it seems like there are more than four members of the second-to-the-last generation of Gaunts.

Ominis had both parents present, his Aunt Noctua, and older siblings (one of which could be Marvolo himself). That would be at least five family members living under one roof. I just find it a little difficult to believe that someone who is as kempt and posh-looking as Ominis would be living in a shack.

Also, he seems to be the least-favorite child based on how his parents and siblings have treated him. So, why would he have neat school robes if they couldn't really afford it, right? And why give the good clothes to the blind, black-sheep of the family?

This led me to think that maybe, they did have some money to spare during those times. Another accepted headcanon of the fandom is that the Gaunts needed to keep up with the façade that they are still rich and prominent by dressing up aristocratically and by speaking in a posh accent (which is called Received Pronunciation, also called the Queen's Accent).

Furthermore, we literally almost got the Gaunt Manor questline, with a courtyard, in the game but the developers cancelled it. This could be the proof that they have also thought of the fact that Ominis did not grow up, nor was he born, in a dilapidated shack.

—

But wait!

How and where did I start pinpointing the Gaunts' possible ancestral origins? Well, I found a theorized Timeline of Salazar Slytherin's Descendants compiled and analyzed by Obversa (whom I am a long-time fan of, and usual source of information). Please take a moment to check this part out:

[This is the Reddit link to the whole post!]

—

So... where do we start with Ominis' theoretical birth place? I have attached a map that is highlighted in different colors to make it easier to understand.

1. Derbyshire or Nottinghamshire (Highlighted in blue)

Situated at the center of the English map, one of the possible birthplaces of Ominis Gaunt is either Derbyshire or Nottinghamshire.

We know that the Gaunts were descendants of Cadmus Peverell, the original owner of the Resurrection Stone (a.k.a. The Heirloom Gaunt Ring). So, I got to trace back the origins of the last name Peverell, where they're from and which period they came to be.

According to House of Names, the Peverell line is one of the thousand new names that the Norman Conquest brought to England in the year 1066 CE.

William Peverell, the "natural son of William the Conqueror," received his share of 162 manors; many of which were in these two counties.

As stated from the pictured timeline above, Cadmus Peverell had been born at around the year 1214 CE.

A hundred and sixty-two manors under the Peverell family name alone seem like it's a possibility that the three Peverell brothers (Antioch, Cadmus, and Ignotus) inherited at least one of these manors as part of familial land distribution.

And once again, citing the timeline above, the Peverell line (at least in Cadmus' side) possibly ended with a female; who married a male Gaunt. It's likely that they moved to one of these manors as a start of the foundation of the House of Gaunt.

— An example in Derbyshire:

— An example in Nottinghamshire:

These two examples look like Gaunt Manor style, in my opinion. So far, I'm highly convinced that it's either Derbyshire or Nottinghamshire due to the manors being quite sequestered from city propers and large, populated towns.

2. Yorkshire (Encircled in red on the map)

This one is actually the suggestion of the lovely @diligentcranberry (Thank you for entertaining my unhinged obsession about the Gaunts origins).

It is said that Little Hangleton is approximately 200 miles north of Privet Drive. Now, Privet Drive is in Surrey. When I checked on the maps, York is directly north of Surrey; at around 203 miles, if you travel by foot.

There is also the possibility that perhaps the Gaunts simply moved towns instead of counties and cities. Maybe there is a magically hidden part of Yorkshire that is isolated enough to be far away from the muggles (or muggleborns) and nosy neighbors for them to conduct their wicked and inhumane past time activities: torturing muggles for sport.

Not only would this place be an ideal location for illicit activities, the density of trees around this area sounded like something the Gaunt family would like to have so that they are not easily accessible to anyone, including Ministry officials.

—

Runner-up Place: Godric's Hollow (Lined in pink on the map; the whole West Countryside)

There has been speculation that the Gaunts once resided in Godric's Hollow (as did other Wizarding families). Most people would also think that the Gaunts have ties to this place since one Peverell was buried here.

"Every now and then, he [Harry] recognized a surname that, like Abbott, he had met at Hogwarts. Sometimes, there were several generations of the same Wizarding family represented in the graveyard: Harry could tell from the dates that it had either died out, or the current members had moved away from Godric's Hollow."

The wiki even suggested that Godric's Hollow is Cadmus Peverell's final resting place. However, there is no canonical reference to this speculation. According to the book (The Deathly Hallows; Chapter 16, "Godric's Hollow"), Hermione only confirmed seeing Ignotus' tombstone. And while it was the norm to bury family members together in the same graveyard, we have no evidence that Cadmus was, in fact, buried alongside his brothers.

Lastly, official information from Wizarding World states that it was only Ignotus that had been found buried there, but no evidence pointed to where the others may be.

Runner-up Place: Leicestershire (Highlight in orange on the map)

This is actually the last place I researched because I remember that there was a man named John of Gaunt (1340-1399). He was the father of King Henry IV, and used to be one of the richest men of this century. I didn't find anything about him at first... until I saw who his wife was.

John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, had been married thrice in his lifetime. But it was his second wife, Constance of Castile (1354-1394) that piqued my interest.

Now, this sounds like a long-shot. But the theorized Timeline above proposed that Salazar Slytherin could be from Burgos, Castile, Spain. It wouldn't be totally impossible that Slytherin himself had children back in Spain; or that some of the children he sired during his stay in Scotland possibly moved back to Spain.

At least in my mind, there is a chance that Constance of Castile might be one of the descendants of Salazar Slytherin who ended up marrying a Gaunt.

Then again, Constance and John only had a surviving daughter, and the canonical information about the Peverell line was completely thrown out of the window with this theory. So, it's highly unlikely that this place was the ancestral origins of the future Gaunts. Still, this was fun to include!

—

End Results:

There is strong evidence that Ominis Gaunt may have been born in either Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, or Yorkshire. I know there's so much information to consider regarding this, so it's your decision which county you would use that fits your headcanons.

As for my personal headcanon, I'd say he's born in an ancestral manor that once belonged to the Peverells, which was located in Derbyshire.

But as the family fortune started to dwindle due to poor management, it ultimately fell unto Marvolo to sell the property and find another place to move to. And since Marvolo doesn't seem to be the type to find employment, the money he had gotten from the sold property almost immediately got used up. In the end, he and his remaining family had to move to that dilapidated shack in Little Hangleton, Yorkshire.

—---—---—---—---—

II. Possible Date of Birth

Note: If you're not interested in astrology, you can just skip this one, and go to Part 3, 4, and 5!

This section of the post is pure speculation, and no solid proof at all. But we do know that Ominis should be born between September 1, 1874 and August 31, 1875 if he was to be eleven years-old during the start of his first year at Hogwarts. Therefore, all of the following information is gathered by astrological observations of his character.

(I have a personal tarot and astrology account, @tarotwitchy, if you guys are interested in knowing more about this type of content).

Based on character analysis, I believe that Ominis is a Capricorn Sun, Pisces Moon, and Scorpio Rising.

Now, what does that mean?

Let's break down his character one astrological placement at a time.

1. Capricorn Sun

— a person with their Sun in Capricorn is someone who is determined to make the most out of their life. Hard working, perseverant, and resilient, they don't allow themselves to succumb in to their losses and admit defeat.

— Ominis surely displayed these characteristics throughout the game. He doesn't let his disability stop him from accomplishing the things he set his mind to. He doesn't want his traumatic beginnings to inhibit his potentiality for success and happiness outside of his family's customs. When he sets his mind on something, he sees through it (no pun intended).

— Also, he is loyal to the good cause. He knows what's right and what's wrong. He isn't afraid of calling out anyone for their wrongdoings, nor does he back off from confrontation. This behavior of his was very apparent when he secretly followed the new fifth-year and Sebastian to the catacombs.

— There's also a bit of a savior-complex in him; wherein he feels he could set someone straight, tell them what to do or what not to do, can have a demanding demeanor at times, and could perhaps want to control his environment to make it easier for him to navigate. (So, yes. All of those Dominis stories can actually be a canonical behavior of his).

2. Pisces Moon

— With all that was said about his Sun Sign, his Pisces Moon is the reason we get a softer, gentler version of his Capricorn. People with Pisces Moons are known to be emotionally wise beyond their years. Their ability to empathize people's experiences are astounding, and their compassion is matched only by their fellow water signs.

— This admirable kindness that Ominis possesses is what we eventually understand and come to associate with him. When faced with the opportunity to torture muggles like his family does, his first instinct is to refuse. In spite of his blindness, he doesn't need sight to see how all of that was very immoral and apathetic. And even as he was forced to cast the Cruciatus Curse, he still laments and regrets that event up to the present time.

— One more thing to note is that Ominis could have simply reported Sebastian as soon as the latter displayed interest in the Dark Arts. But he didn't because of three reasons: He didn't want to lose his best friend, he still believed in Sebastian's chance to redeem and pull himself out of the darkness, and he empathized with Sebastian's desperation to find a cure for Anne. This altruistic attitude is what's best about him.

— It also affirms my previous headcanon about Ominis' sleeping habits, as Pisces rules over the realms of sleep.

3. Capricorn Mercury

— It's very obvious that Ominis is quite mature for his age. The way he talks, thinks, and carries himself is trademark Capricorn Mercury. He is also straightforward and he plans ahead not just for himself but for others. At the end of the game, he literally said, "whatever lies ahead, we must face it together."

— Mercury is the planet of communication, intellect, memory, and learning. Ominis' style of communication is quite formal and authoritative in nature, and he keeps it that way. He is able to express himself in a put-together manner that conveys his thoughts crystal-clear. He doesn't speak in riddles (👀) and he wants to be understood the first time around.

4. Sagittarius Venus

— Alright, this one is a surprising placement for Ominis. But after a while, I found this to be quite fitting for him! While he is someone who we consider as "docile" or "serene" on most days, having his Venus in Sagittarius gives him a streak of curiosity and a yearning for exploration; as Sagittarius is the sign of higher learning and traveling.

— The first time we see him (if you're a Slytherin) is in the common room being cheeky about the first-years who are trying to spot mermaids through the windows. He has a playful side to him that balances out majority of his more serious and somber placements. The fact that he is closest to Sebastian (who is really fiery and passionate) is proof that Ominis can hold his own when it comes to his best friend's fervent personality.

— Of course, Venus is the planet of love and romance. Majority of the stories I've read, Ominis is the kind of man who will study his partner's personality, routine, habits, quirks, likes and dislikes, special interests, and goals and dreams. This is the behavior of a well-developed Sagittarius Venus. They will absolutely love to get to know their partner's personhood beyond the superficial. They will also keep their partnership alive by sharing life experiences together and encouraging their partner to explore more novel and romantic moments with them.

5. Scorpio Mars

— Where to begin with this placement? It's quite hard to believe, at first, that Ominis would have his Mars in Scorpio. That would entail someone who is traditionally brusque, aggressive, and would embody the combination of Martian-Plutonian qualities.

— But in his case, there is a reason why people are compelled to write, draw, and express him as Dominis. It's because even if he haven't actually seen him being a dominant man, we instinctively know that he is capable of it. That's the effect of Scorpio Mars. The evidence of this placement is not always "in your face." It can be subtle, it can be a secret. His dominance and assertiveness is just dancing along the edge of his skin.

— But one of the most important things to remember about them is that once a Scorpio Mars has had enough, they snap. And they will always get the last word after they have put people in their place, snapped some bones, and razed the earth. And this is something Ominis is very much capable of doing. But his self-control is immaculate.

6. Scorpio Rising

— Again, this seems very unlikely at first glance. But upon further observation, Ominis is the type of guy you don't really know much about unless he purposefully let you in on his private circle, explicitly says something about himself. He also has strong eyes that pierce through others in spite of his blindness. His striking face and cheekbones are unforgettable, and he doesn't look like anyone else. Others also can't help but feel compelled to want to know more about him, as his enigmatic aura inevitably pulls them in (whether he likes it, or not. That's why most Scorpio Risings have trouble with unsolicited attention).

— To drive this point further, if you check out this video of other NPC's talking about him, they all seem to come to a polarized conclusion, with the common thread of 'Ominis is hiding something.' Granted that the name Gaunt, in and of itself, strikes fear and wary in people's hearts, others have really strong opinions about him without even getting to know him personally. That, too, is something most Scorpio Risings struggle with.

—

End Results:

Ominis Gaunt was born on January 11, 1875 at around 03:00AM, during the winter season.

Of course, this is only my personal headcanon, and based on my astrological research and experience. The runner-up dates I had in mind would make him fall in the Sun Sign of Pisces, Cancer, Aquarius, and even Scorpio! But the rest of the chart doesn't really align with the rest of his personality. Ultimately, January 11th is the final date I believe suits him most.

—---—---—---—---—

III. Psychometric Analysis

Note: I will be linking the sites for these tests should you want to take them yourself! 😊 Have fun!

1. MBTI

— ISTJ (Introvert, Sensing, Thinking, Judging)

"They rely on their past experience to guide them, and are most comfortable in familiar surroundings. On personality trait measures, they score as Calm, Stable, Steady, Cautious, and Conventional. The ISTJ’s main and most admirable strength is perseverance; people of this type simply do not give up. They also have a natural instinct to protect and defend, as they are loyal, reliable and committed."

These descriptions speak for themselves when it comes to knowing Ominis' personality type. People who have a lack of sight (or those who are legally blind) rely on fixed structures and routines to help ease their everyday needs. While it is possible for them to be spontaneous, they still have to have familiarity and past experience in the spontaneity they'll participate in.

He is very loyal, to a fault sometimes. He's committed in making sure that his beloved friends are not dallying in things they shouldn't be. He knows the difference between right and wrong, and trusts his life experiences to guide him to proper decisions.

2. Enneagram

— Type 6 with wing 5; SP/SX (The Defender)

"The committed, security-oriented type, sixes are reliable, hard-working, responsible, and trustworthy. Excellent "troubleshooters," they foresee problems and foster cooperation, but can also become defensive, evasive, and anxious—running on stress while complaining about it. They can be cautious and indecisive, but also reactive, defiant and rebellious."

"Their basic fear is being without support and guidance, having nowhere or no one to hold onto. This is why their basic desire is to have security and support from their chosen people."

This one is very obvious. It's quite apparent that he is the type of person who can be anxious if things and people aren't where he wanted them to be. While he yearns for cooperation due to his need for security, other people who aren't used to this kind of behavior will find him controlling; and perhaps, even smothering.

Nevertheless, Ominis' intentions come from a good place. He doesn't want his people to be hurt or harmed. He also has an impeccable intuition to predict outcomes of certain situations, which makes him look paranoid. But his assumptions, more often than not, are proven to be correct!

3. Four Temperaments

— Melancholic–Phlegmatic (The Analyst)

"The Melancholy-Phlegmatic is a pleasant and accommodating person who tends to seek a structured environment requiring attention to detail. They have a self-sacrificing, self-critical nature, and struggle with guilt feelings about things that are not often their fault. The Melancholy-Phlegmatic is more conscientious and private than the other Melancholy blends."

This is quite self-explanatory. Ominis has two distinct behavior: the calm and peaceful, and the anxious and prickly. When things are going the way it's supposed to be (in his definition), he would be placated and docile. We see him as approachable and a little more open. But when things aren't going according to plan, or when things suddenly happen unexpectedly, he's like a rolling wheel going in different directions trying to extinguish the uncontrollable fires of disaster.

He's the first to respond by going to Headmaster Black to fabricate a story to hide what really happened between the Sallows, and make it look like a family argument instead. He's the one to alert MC that Anne went to get Solomon, and that we should do something about it immediately. He is the safety net of all these people in his life.

—---—---—---—---—

IV. Corporeal Patronus

I want to give a shout out to @ponfarrdraws for discussing this with me!

We were wondering what Ominis' corporeal Patronus would be, should he be able to cast one. I've had a lot of speculation, going through one animal at a time. But ultimately settled with a Mongoose. This animal is not on the official list of Patronuses but it still has a lot of weight and meaning.

This article states that mongooses are a symbol of protection and are considered to be wards against evil. To quote:

"As a totem, the mongoose has the magical attributes of defense, protection, and destroying evil. The mongoose symbolizes action, adventure, boldness, fearlessness, impulsiveness, independence, optimism, rebellion, resistance, resourcefulness, speed, and adaptation. As a spirit animal, it encourages us to confront our enemies because we can overcome much stronger rivals than ourselves."

If Ominis were to find himself facing a dementor, he would probably be the first to sense its presence, and probably the most affected. Even though he wouldn't be able to see the frightening features of a dementor, he would be feeling the immediate change in his senses — his environment growing cold, no sounds of animals around, and the overall sensation of hopelessness and misery. He would be completely thrown off by the sudden change in his surroundings; something that would send him into a state of panic.

But with this Patronus, it represents his determination to stand firm in the face of adversity, to not give in easily without putting up a fight, and to prove that he is as deadly as any dementor that would stand in his way.

I personally headcanon this animal for obvious reasons. He truly is a fighter in a den of snakes. No matter how many times his family strikes against him, he just takes his time to recover and stand back up again. He is clearly outnumbered by his family members. No one else can support him in his opposition ever since his Aunt Noctua passed away. Regardless, he doesn't seem the kind to bow his head in defeat just to save his skin. He fights back until he can't anymore; something the mongoose is well-known for.

And let's just say that Ominis did die at 50-years of age. He still got the last laugh out of them all since he got to pass away on his own terms, away from the very people he loathed since childhood. That's still a victory in his book, and that's what this patronus represents.

—---—---—---—---—

V. Wand Information

1. Wand Wood

Based on the physical characteristics of this wand and the meaning of the wood, it's highly possible that Ominis' wand is made from Ebony Wood.

According to the wand wood information:

"This jet-black wand wood has an impressive appearance and reputation, being highly suited to all manner of combative magic, and to Transfiguration. Ebony is happiest in the hand of those with the courage to be themselves. Frequently non-conformist, highly individual or comfortable with the status of outsider, ebony wand owners have been found both among the ranks of the Order of the Phoenix and among the Death Eaters. [...] the ebony wand’s perfect match is one who will hold fast to his or her beliefs, no matter what the external pressure, and will not be swayed lightly from their purpose."

This type of wand wood, in my opinion, is a reflection of Ominis' conviction in his views. I find it fascinating and admirable that even in the face of losing his friendship with Sebastian, he didn't bow down and agree with Sebastian's methods. Sure, he gets convinced by the MC to let them deal with it. But at the end of the day, Ominis is strictly against the use of the Dark Arts. Furthermore, he does everything to maintain his moral compass despite being surrounded by people (friends and family) who practice and preach about the unforgivable curses.

Also! I'd like to add the conversation I had with @tennoujinerin about Ominis' godly self-restraint. We believe that while most of us admire Ominis for his kindness, temperance, compassion, and commitment to the good cause, he is someone who can easily turn it all around. He is born in a family of pureblood supremacists who have no qualms in utilizing the Dark Arts like it's a daily chore. He most definitely is very, very familiar with Dark Spells that maybe even Sebastian isn't aware of. If pushed to the brink of survival, there's a possibility that Ominis could reconsider his relationship with the Dark Arts. And this wand wood is perfect for that kind of change of heart.

2. Wand Core

For this part, I admit I was stumped for a while. I believe all the three cores that Ollivanders usually has could be a good fit for Ominis for a plethora of different reasons. But it still feels... lacking. Like, something was missing for this special wand to work.

That's why in the end, I think Ominis has two wand cores that were needed to suit his special needs. He needs a core that reflects his personality and another to aid him with his magical abilities. And for that, the cores of his wand are a combination of Unicorn Hair and Horned Serpent Horn.

"Unicorn Hair generally produces the most consistent magic. These wands are the hardest to turn to the Dark Arts. The most faithful wands have unicorn hair, making them bond strongly with their owner. They are prone to melancholy if seriously mishandled, meaning that the hair may ‘die’ and need replacing."

While this core could technically be enough, it just doesn't feel customized enough. We know that his wand emits a red pulse at the tip to help him navigate his surroundings. Therefore, this wand needs another core to bolster its utility.

"Wands made with Horned Serpent Horn are exceptionally power, creating massive spell effects regards of the user's skill. Sensitive to Parseltongue and would vibrate when Parseltounge is being spoken near it, and can warn their owners of danger by emitting a low musical tone. These wands were said to only bond with one user through it's lifetime, but this is only a rumor for now."

These two cores encased in ebony wood make for such a personalized wand. The fact that Horned Serpent Horn core warns its owner about incoming danger is an important factor for Ominis' safety and security. He needs to be alerted for when hexes and spells are being blasted in his way. And as for all serpentine cores, it's also sensitive to Parseltongue.

(Maybe it's just me but I believe that Horned Serpents are the antithesis of Basilisks. Having this creature's horn as Ominis' wand core would be the ultimate and tangible symbol of his rebellion against Salazar Slytherin's secret weapon, that lies in the Chamber of Secrets, and everything his family taught him to uphold).

3. Wand Flexibility and Length

According to the official source:

"Wand flexibility or rigidity denotes the degree of adaptability and willingness to change possessed by the wand-and-owner pair."

Because of that, his wand is most likely Rigid. This source had explained it perfectly:

"A wand of this flexibility will only give its complete loyalty to an owner who has faced great personal tragedy. It is particularly good for practical magic use, and thus usually doesn't perform well for magic that is frivolous or silly. Rigid wand owners are cautious and have difficulty trusting others, but they are not usually unkind people. Generally, they prefer to be left alone so that they can do what they want to do, regardless of what anyone else says."

(If you're not a Slytherin in the game, your first interaction with Ominis is surely abrasive and tense. And that's because he truly is cautious, and wants his private spaces to be left alone).

Lastly, this wand is on the longer side, measuring at around 14 inches. He needs a wand that can act like an extension of himself; just like blind muggles need a mobility cane.

TL;DR:

Ebony with Unicorn Hair and Horned Serpent Horn Core, Rigid and 14 inches.

—---—---—---—---—

Phew! 😮‍💨 This post took a very, very long time to make. But I am extremely glad for the assistance, conversations, and opinions of other wonderful people here on Tumblr and Discord! I swear, I love you all.

I want to give love and credit to the following:

@damn-it-a-hogwarts-legacy-blog (You're the one who really inspired me to finally get my mind together and put my brain cells to use. I admire your creativity towards your headcanons so much, and I want to share this with you!) 🫡

@tennoujinerin (Our conversations are the highlight of my obsession in this fandom. I love our collaborative thoughts, and I hope you enjoyed this one. See you in the basement! 😈)

@ponfarrdraws (I think my delusions have reached its peak with this long-ass post. But I just have to let out my aggressive emotions about Ominis! I know you get it, and I'm glad I got to know you).

@diligentcranberry (Thank you once again for entertaining my craziness. My OCD is now satiated with these information out in the open. I originally didn't want to post anything about this until you talked to me about the locations. So, thank you!)

Update (October 29, 2024): I recently finished Sebastian's version of this post, as a companion post for this one.

[textualviolence]

Meng Yao/Jin Guangyao's Lovers Fuckability ranking

Level minus zero: Lan Xichen. Does not have even a shred of a fatherly relationship to JGY. Treats him like an equal. Is kind to him. Respects him as a person and genuinely likes who he is. Probably inspires JGY to become celibate so they can be chaste together. Some erotic tension if they don't fuck, brushes of hands, purity and chastity causing a rising of tension etc. But there's no way they can have actual sex outside of maybe the hiding from the Wen context. I bet they write poems to each other though. That's very nice. 2/10

Level 1: Nie Mingjue pre-Meng Yao's dismissal. Is technically probably Meng Yao's first dubious fatherbosslover figure. I do imagine he had a certain degree of guilt about it which isn't hot for anyone being victimized by an older authority figure. Definitely probably a lot of the sex they had and especially the kind they didn't have hinged on the fact that Meng Yao looks exactly like Nie Huaisang. I think if NMJ had been willing to cross that line and actually made Meng Yao kinda sorta pretend to be his little brother he would be further up the ranking, alas. The most morally dubious it gets is that Meng Yao is his servant and social inferior and probably aged around 15. However the incredibly high amount of approval he probably dished out regularly and easily alongside sex and orders did prepare the grounds for Meng Yao to then crave that kind of validation all the time and go to ridiculous lengths for it. 4/10

Level 2: Wen Ruohan. Will groom Meng Yao without subjecting him to his weird morality complex. WRH is just a bad guy and doesn't care. Also will favor Meng Yao over his actual blood children, partly as a manipulation tactic and also because his children kind of suck. Definitely loves to play people against each other and will use the trading of sexual favors as a political tool. Actually old enough to be his dad and is also in the same social position as his dad, currently beating his dad in a war, and acting as his dad dangling promises of legitimization in between throne room handjobs and prisoner torture sessions. Can humiliate both NMJ and JGS. Honestly the ideal situation. Too ideal? It's just too straightforward. Give yourself over to me body and soul and do my evil bidding and in exchange i'll give you all the validation you crave. That's so reliable that its suspicious and kind of a turn off. Where's the excitement and rollercoaster of unpredictable reward/punishment? 6/10

Level 5: Nie Mingjue post-Meng Yao's dismissal: No more little brother issue now it's all about how NMJ just wants to kill him at all cost and will risk political disaster in order to do so. NMJ who used to shower him with affection and validation, telling him all the time that he was proud of him and what a good job he was doing as a deputy, now wants him dead. The dick must be incredible. They probably don't have sex often & its never not violent & dangerous, but the high of it lasts for days. It doesn't lessen the rage in the long term but it evacuates it in the short term & where before the sex was coexisting with the validation now the sex IS the validation. Which makes it hot no matter how unvalidating its actually meant to be. Half those bruises he's hiding under his sleeves aren't from Madam Jin let me tell you. Plus he's writing poems to Lan Xichen and strongly considering the benefits of a chaste existence in between. The guilt and hypocrisy and having to lie to Lan Xichen's concerned and loving face when he sees the bruises is only making it more intense. 9/10

Level 7: Mo Xuanyu: He gets to become his dad(s) and take advantage of the willingness and admiration of a beautiful youth who would do anything for him. On top of that they're related. It's 100% reenactment power reversal fantasy combined with the horror of his marriage to Qin Su finding a concrete twisted sexual outlet. This time he fucked a half-sibling on purpose!!! And then he can dismiss him for sexual impropriety the second he comes to his senses and be rid of the sin forever which was half of the need. And then he can feel even more like his dad. 8/10

Level 10: Jin Guangshan: What more can I say. He slaps with one hand and caresses with another. Literally makes Jin Guangyao do the most secret taboo vile political tasks he can't offload onto anyone else and then refuses to touch him because of it until Meng Yao performs some kind of cleansing action, for which he is briefly rewarded with mild approval and even certain shows of affection, but never outside of the bedroom. Keeps a large retinue of whores and plays them off against each other, includes Meng Yao in the games to make sure he feels like one of them. No way to ever feel too comfortable in the certainty he has his father's anything because any shred of positive interaction is extremely hard-earned, unless he shows sign of wanting to leave or waver in his loyalties, in which case his father WILL pull him back with more love and care than he's ever shown which will feel like a drug. I bet he had more than one fight with NMJ over the issue of which groomer his son was to listen to and he won everytime. One show of possessiveness equivalent to 10'000 hours of basic respect in Meng Yao's heart. 10/10

[would-this-pokemon-be-a-friend]

Is purugly a good pet?

Puruglies would indeed make good pets… for the right kind of owner. You see, I had to give this one a lower score than the A-equivalent “Just a Cat” score that many feline-like pokémon recieve for a few reasons, one of which being their size.

Whereas this species’ pre-evolution glameow is a very manageable housecat-like size, puruglies weigh in at a much sturdier 96 pounds! That is significantly heavier than any breeds of real-world cats, which brings with it a whole different suite of issues. For one, a nearly 100 pound pokémon would need a lot more food than smaller animals or pokémon, which may make caring for a purugly much more expensive than many owners would expect. That extra size allows puruglies to throw their weight around more successfully. While this species is by no means an alpha predator, they’re fairly likely to get violent with you if you don’t give them what they want.

Puruglies, to put it simply, just aren’t very nice. Described in the pokédex as “brazen brutes” (Diamond), puruglies like to take what they want and to be seen as intimidating and powerful (or “large and in charge”, you might say) by those around them. In the wild, puruglies are known to take over other pokémons’ nests through brute force, making themselves seem more intimidating with its large size and ceaseless, angry glare (Pearl, Platinum). Interestingly, puruglies have been observed making themselves seem larger to smaller pokémon by cinching their waist using their tails (Pearl)! Due to their selfish, dominating personalities, puruglies have been called “difficult to tame” since over a century ago (Legends: Arceus). That being said, we have a far better understanding of pokémon behavior and training today. It’s completely possible that, so long as you provide them with the comfort they want and sufficient space, a purugly would be a perfectly manageable pet. Just don’t be surprised when they tend to hog the couch!

As normal-type pokémon, puruglies thankfully don’t pose too large a treat to humans. In combat, they mostly use physical moves that make use of their claws and weight to bash enemies into submission. Despite their large size for a cat-like pokémon, puruglies’ claws aren’t too much to be concerned about. That, combined with their having such a small bite, I’d guess that these pokémon are less dangerous than a large real-world dog. The only move I’d really bring up as a concern is Hypnosis, which allows them to use their intimidating stare to put you to sleep. This could be pretty dangerous in certain circumstance, and incredibly inconvenient in many.

All this being said, puruglies are certainly manageable if you know what you’re getting into. If you’re looking for a more sweet and snuggly cat-like pokémon, however, I might look elsewhere. As a final note (which I didn’t know quite where to put in the post), puruglies’ fur is very pretty. Researchers in the past claimed that their fur was even more appealing than velveteen (Legends: Arceus).

[prince-liest]

Hey, since you've written a lot of Alastor-centric fics that explore him having complex relationships with other characters, I was wondering if you had any wip about Alastor & Husk, or just any hcs about them in general!! I find it interesting that Husk is the only one who knows about his deal...

And yes the fact that Alastor owns Husk' soul is pretty bad for any development in their relationship lol. But it also adds flavor to their dynamic! (and Alastor hasn't been THAT abusive with him so far in regards to their contract? He made a death threat but he didn't need to own Husk' soul to do that. He forces him to work at the hotel but Husk used to use the souls he owned like pawns he could gamble away, treating people like property he could afford to lose to other "masters", so he's not worse that Husk in comparison... That's an insanely low bar, I know)

Current WIPS, no, headcanons, yes!

I think their relationship is very interesting, and a lot of that specifically comes from Husk's side of things. I'm honestly fully putting aside the issue of how abusive Alastor has or hasn't been to him, because in the end, slavery is slavery (assuming that's the power that Husk's contract grants) even if one overlord isn't as sadistic as another (Husk himself included), BUT:

I think it's very interesting that Husk and Alastor clearly have a long-term working relationship that includes Husk giving at least half of a shit about Alastor. Their interaction during Mimzy's episode is not very long but I think it is very telling. Obviously it's telling about Alastor's intolerance toward his power and position being questioned, and it's also telling about how much Alastor has been undermined that even someone who knows him like Husk is expressing doubt... but I think its also particularly telling that it includes Husk reaching out to watch Alastor's back (before Alastor bites his head off for it).

I think it's hard to say exactly why he does it - how much of it is because he knows that Alastor getting in trouble also means Husk getting in trouble, how much of it is because Husk is growing to care about the hotel, especially after his episode with Angel, and how much of it is because he's grown attached to Alastor in a weird way over the years, but I personally like to think it's a combination of all three.

Husk was a powerful overlord and I think that's very in line with his portrayal of being someone who distances himself from people in callous ways... but ends up caring more than he intends to when he does get close to them. We most clearly see this with Angel Dust, but I think it's also reflected in his callousness as an overlord and how it turned into regret once he lost his soul to Alastor, and also how he occasionally reacts to the people he's known a long time: namely, Alastor (during the Mimzy episode) and Niffty (when she gets drunk at the club)!

I think Alastor and Husk's lives have been intertwined for a long time, and I also think that it's hard not to grow to care about another person on some level as a result, even if you also heavily resent them, especially if their well-being is your well-being. I don't think Husk likes Alastor very much (it would be hard to in his position) but I don't think he sees Alastor's ownership of his soul as having taken advantage of him so much as a natural consequences of the games he himself played with people's souls, which lets him sit in a position that to him feels less like "victim" and more like "beleaguered subordinate."

And Alastor also does put some effort into keeping things with Husk copacetic. He loses his cool and snaps at him during their confrontation, but outside of that context the attitude he maintains seems to include both being a smarmy jackass and giving Husk actual reasons to work for him other than "or else." It's technically not canon to the show, but I personally consider his bribing of Husk with drink to work for the hotel in the pilot to be canon to my interpretations, at least. It makes sense to me that Alastor wants to maintain a decent working relationship, as opposed to one where Husk would be more inclined to actively sell him out for a dime rather than marinate in his own resignation.

Anyway. Long post! But I think they're interesting, haha.

[bloodycotton]

Day fiiiiiive, god this one was hard. Is worship and adoration a love language?

Prompts by: @raven-cincaide-words

(My first language is NOT english)

Day 5.- Love Language.

Manuel Aringarosa (The Da Vinci Code, 2006) x Gn!reader (Again, i think so)

Reality is a dreadful thing, it is horrible and terrible. 

That's why the need to cling to something was a feeling that burned your soul, squeezed your heart, and made your knees weak at his very presence. 

He was everything to you: your saviour, protector, master and object of worship, without him the world would be meaningless. 

He sat by your side with a rosary in his hands for long periods of time, praying for you, that healing would come to you with his help. He cared for you diligently in your sick and weakened state, brought you back to health with complete readiness, totally devoted. 

He fed you in your mouth, with careful movements that you remembered in bits and pieces, like his large, warm hand resting on your head, and his scent, a mixture of which you could not really place any other ingredient than incense, a sacred, almost heavenly fragrance. 

When you finally managed to faintly open your eyes and could make out his silhouette blocking the light behind him, a halo of light shimmered around him. The first thought that crossed your mind was that you were looking at the creator himself, your saviour; an idea that was partly true.

He looked at you in a way that humbled you, and his hand, once again bringing you that familiarity you longed for, rested on your cheek, with care and palpable affection, tracing with its warm, calloused pad the faint features of your face.

As you looked up at him, you heard him call your name. 

“How are you feeling, my child?” His voice was low and soft at the same time. He was sitting on a chair beside the bed you were lying on, the light emitting from outside creating shadows on his face and hiding part of his expression. His fingers ran gently, from your cheek to your forehead, taking your temperature. 

The words were stuck in your throat, you moved your lips, but no sound came out of them, more than incoherent mumbles. 

Manuel frowned slightly as he watched you struggle to speak and with an almost heavenly tenderness, he lowered his hand from your forehead and took it between his own, giving you a gentle, comforting squeeze that enveloped you in a divine warmth.

“Shh, don't try to speak yet,” he murmured in a low, reverent tone, his voice echoing in your chest like a sacred chant. He rose from his chair and stopped touching your hand, pouring you a glass of water from a jug. 

He brought the glass to your lips, tilting it with a care that made you feel as if you were receiving a sacrament. “Here, this will soothe your throat,” he said, his eyes fixed on you with an intensity that seemed to penetrate your soul.

The water sliding down your throat felt like a divine gift, a balm that brought relief not only to your body, but to your spirit. At that moment, you understood that he was not only your saviour; he was the centre of your universe, the source of all light and hope, for he brought you back to life when you were in the darkest, lowest place, he gave you purpose. 

His every gesture, his every word, resonated in you like a prayer, and you couldn't help but feel that your life was tied to his presence. Manuel was the god you worshipped in silence, and every moment at his side brought you closer to a state of profound adoration, where only he and his light existed.

Manuel, seeing you revitalised, smiled with satisfaction, as if every little advance you made was a personal triumph. 

As you recovered, his visits became the centre of your existence. Every word, every gesture, resonated in you like a holy hymn. His presence was a comfort, and you felt your soul expand with his every glance. He treated you with a combination of tenderness and authority, and you couldn't help but be completely captivated by him.

One day, as he held you in his hands, he said, “You are a gift, my child, brought to me by God. You have an important role to play in this world.” His words were like a divine command, and the way he looked at you made you feel that your life had a much greater meaning than you had imagined.

You were filled with fervour. You were willing to follow him wherever he led you, to do whatever he expected of you. The idea of being part of his mission filled you with an almost sacred purpose. The desire to please him gripped you, and every action you took was guided by the need for his approval. 

Yet, in your heart, there were certain days when it was filled with shadows and doubts that quickly faded in the face of deep adoration for him. The reality of the outside world faded, and there was only Manuel, the beacon of light in your life.

The thought of disobeying him became a foreign idea, and your life revolved around his will.

[warmerstranger]

❝ [𝙰 𝟿𝟿% 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚙𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚋𝚒𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚢 𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑!?] ❞

ft. The 7 Bros

°°``summary: when you showed the 99% result of a compatibility test between you and your boyfriend to him...

°°``drabbles (hehe I made each part to be exactly 100 words)

Marked as and included with: Fluff, luci kind of being a harshie judger>:/

Luci;

Thinks of it as a sad pathetic attempt of yours as he looks at you with a frown and a shake of his head.

“If you need some form of reassurance, you should admit so to me, am I clear?”

Honestly, his pride gets scratched a bit somehow seeing the 99% mark. It irks him the same as he would react with fortune telling. You don't need those things in assessing your relationship with him, he would make sure of it. Needless to say, he treats you to a date or gives you a long and passionate kiss that day.

Mammon;

He would go through a phase of a grandpa trying to read; squinting and tilting your phone from all sides as if doing that (in denial) would change the result.

“Hmph, of COURSE! This is the Great Mammon you're talking about—you shoulda k-known by now! What's with the one percent anyway...”

While Mammon made that statement in trembling voice, he still demands you to explain why it's not perfect. He won't just accept a result like that! Do prepare for him behaving more jittery and embarrassed all at once showing he is your 100% attentive boyfriend through the whole day.

Levi;

“So wha-what's this got to do with me!? With us?? I thought we.. it's obvious....”

The one most sulky instead, before he starts a rant about how you shouldn't trust about tests like that since he doesn't need to be shown of the example. He's making it a big deal when really, he's just worried if those tests might affect or... ruin the relationship you already have with him.

Levi also adds that if you're one of the love interests in a game, he would straight up chase your route without fail and have a happy ending on first try.

Asmo;

He would be all squealing and cooing about how he really is the one and only for you. There's just no downsides from having him as your boyfriend, plus he could also be your own personal beautician; helping you have the best glow-up and become almost the prettiest as him.

“We're literally match made in heaven! Here, look this way, honey. Give me your best smile and pose!”

He soon snaps a picture of you and him together. It will be one of many proofs—even better than the shallow test result—about the most beautiful fitting couple in the Devildom history.

Satan;

The one gets a bit invested about it, depending on what kind of test you took; detailed or resulting in just a simple little speculation. He would be disappointed if it's the latter and you're easily happy with it.

But, when it's the former, he will deep dive and (over)analysis, seeing how your traits would connect then overlap with his own personality fueling the combination chemistry of being a match which as if two souls resonate and becoming a part of a whole unity—

“I see..., it must have been very fulfilling to learn of this development, wouldn't you think?”

Beel;

Is happy for you :) because you're that excited about it, he nods and will listen quietly to you if you decide to converse about it. He might make it seem as if the test is more about you and doesn't involve himself at all, but...

“That is a good thing, will we get to eat together more of my favorites then?”

His mind strays off imagining about new foods that he or you find delicious will be enjoyed its taste between the company of you two. You'll soon be surprised about a growing clamorous rumble which sounds very near.

Belphie;

Similar to how his twin reacts, he isn't that impressed and will give you a hum of acknowledgement before burying his head in your lap again that's surrounded by a blanket and pillow since moments ago. You were hoping for him to give something more than a passive response, but you can't blame him since he's just cozy being like that. He turns to face you and mumbles with a smile, while caressing your face.

“Maybe it's a sign we will have higher chance of finding each other more often in our dreams now... Hm, that wouldn't be so bad.”

[hopelessbaddays]

INTRODUCING MY OWN HORRORBREW, #219 AKA NIIKKU

due to how the game is programmed, there are several invalid color combinations of the player character in Super Mario Bros. 2 (aka the Lost Levels). one of them, for whatever reason, has the exact same combination as mario though his name is completely glitched.

this is based on an idea i had of turning this concept into an in-universe event (and giving 219 existential and identity crisis).

(more under the cut cuz this will get long)

219, nicknamed "Niikku", is a faulty clone of Mario born in World 9 while the brothers were trapped there due to Minus World's influence on World 9, which is a boundary between that place and the normal Mushroom World. he physically resembles Mario except for two things: his sidebangs are a single curl over his ears instead of parted into two round bangs, and his clothes are completely organic and cannot be taken off as they're part of his body.

personality-wise, he has Mario's most basic traits: he's a sweet, cheerful guy who is always willing to help others. however, his sense of identity is shaky due to having been born with blurry and incomplete memories and a great self-awareness. upon birth, he questioned who he was and clinged to the idea that he was Mario because it was the only thing he was sure of, even if slightly.

under high amounts of stress, his body starts melting and returning to its original state. while he has an efficient regenerative ability, the time taken until everything is regenerated depends on which kind of cells melted (skin cells being the fastest while bones being the slowest). usually, the melting starts with the hands or the face. though he can regenerate his brain cells, if his brain completely melts or is damaged in some way that halts his regeneration, he will die.

for most part, he has a good relationship with the original Mario brothers. he's closer to Luigi and sees him as his own brother, treating him as such. he has conflicting feelings for Mario, but doesn't have any ill will towards him; if anything, he's more likely to overthink and stress himself into melting than harming Mario.

at first they were suspicious of Niikku, but overtime they came to treat him more and more like family, albeit a little strange on the side. Luigi likes spoiling him as a little brother, which often leads to some bickering as Niikku thinks of himself as the older brother, and offers comfort whenever Niikku is panicking. Mario sees him as a clueless younger version of himself and assumes the role of an older brother and a mentor to Niikku.

that's not to say neither brothers have a lasting, albeit baseless fear of Niikku suddenly turning face and killing Mario to replace him, but such is reserved to their nightmares.

Niikku's key characteristic is the questioning of his identity as a person.

he sees himself as Mario and doesn't accept the fact he's a clone well. to him, being born with this body and these memories should mean something — but the truth is that his existence is completely out of chance. nothing about him was planned. he simply exists. and yet, even the only thing he was certain of turned out to be a lie.

he doesn't like being reminded that he's a clone over and over. at very least, he wants to be treated as a person. he can get some quips and jabs, just don't push it. depending on who you are, he will either start melting or throw hands at you.

the basic story outline goes as such:

As a fun little challenge after rescuing Princess Peach again, they decided to take the Lost Levels route to World 8, known for being much harder than the usual route and thus only people with excellent jumping skills and reflexes can successfully travel through it, but without taking any Warp Pipes to skip worlds.

This resulted in them reaching World 9, an elusive land that’s rarely seen due to the high difficulty of traversing the Lost Levels, its only known entrance for some reason, alternatively named as “Fantasy World” by the inhabitants of the Mushroom Kingdom. World 9 is also the boundary between the normal Mushroom World and the Minus World, being heavily influenced by the eldritch workings of that realm and thus possessing many similarities though significantly less hazardous.

The brothers found themselves trapped in World 9, looping back to the beginning whenever they reached the fourth level, and decided to look for a way out more carefully as the usual approach wasn’t working. During their prolonged stay, things like blood and dead skin cells exposed to the land’s strange atmosphere accumulated across the land, which, thanks to Minus World’s influence, started mutating into distorted mockeries of the Mario brothers.

Most of these “invalid brothers” were little but animalistic creatures made of flesh or disfigured beings that could barely tell their surroundings. However, one became an almost flawless copy of Mario, down to his basic personality traits, mannerisms and some of his core memories — this being Niikku.

Waking up alone and disoriented in 9-3, the newborn clone struggled to comprehend his own existence in the midst of an unfamiliar place, assaulted by confusing memories of a life that wasn’t his. He started believing he was in fact Mario since it was the only thing he was sure of. Despite that, his sense of identity remained shaky.

At one point, Niikku came across Luigi while the brothers were separated to cover ground and, recognizing Luigi as “his” twin brother, accompanied him in the original plan of looking for an exit. Luigi noticed something off about “Mario” and the slightly wayward way he acted, but initially brushed it off and blamed it on stress. They traveled together until Mario caught up to them. 

The two Marios accused each other of being an imposter, with Mario growing impatient of the clone’s insistence that he was the real one and Niikku agitated as the presence of a second Mario caused his mind to doubt itself. Before a fight broke out, Luigi convinced both to settle the confusion by asking questions that only the real Mario would know. While Mario answered each question flawlessly, Niikku found himself hesitating several times, second-guessing himself and giving uncertain answers.

It ended with Niikku being exposed as an imposter. However, before either of the brothers could decide what to do with Niikku, the clone spiraled into panic the more he questioned himself and his identity. This led to his body to start melting, returning to its original state. Niikku stayed ignorant to it, assuming that the wetness on his hands was tears until Mario and Luigi’s shocked reactions brought him back from his thoughts. Niikku went from panicking over his identity to panicking over the fact he was melting, and desperately sobbed out to the brothers that he didn’t want to die. Out of instinct, Luigi comforted Niikku and helped him to calm down as Mario tried to find a way to stop the melting. It stopped once Niikku calmed down; his face’s skin and eyes would regrow hours after the incident.

The Mario brothers then decided to take Niikku under their wing until they were out of World 9 and had an idea of what to do with him, with Niikku accepting the offer. They would travel World 9 together whilst Niikku pondered about his identity and false memories.

that's all for today! congratulations, you reached the end of this yapfest! have a cute niikku doodle!

[variousqueerthings]

I think often about rose as a linchpin for the tenth doctor's Being from the doctor's perspective -- that is, you push away all the sorrow and ptsd and fucked up past, and live through someone else's joy and excitement, and that happens to be a mayfly, and you know it's a mayfly, and when that mayfly is gone, you fall to pieces even more spectacularly the second time around, and thus we get... the doctor's cycle in the first combined era of nu!who

but from rose's perspective that ending doesn't get explored in the text, because rose gets left behind (three times, the third for good)

take a young girl who's just about given in to an unexciting life in which she is considered unexceptional -- kind, honest, brash, brave, but none of that is important in this world -- who is swept up into something fantastic, has a magical being create itself -- and in some ways create the universe via the journeys it takes her on -- around her, and know that if she isn't there anymore this being may not be able to cope, and she has an inkling that this day will come, she has several very blunt reminders that this day will come, but she ignores it and how it will affect her and the being, and ignores (or forgets or exists with a cognitive dissonance about the fact) that this being isn't human and perceives reality in a way that is so materially different from her that it could (it has once before by changing its face, twice if you then count the sarah-jane narrative) twist her reality into an entirely different shape that she wouldn't be able to recognise, even become some version of self that perhaps isn't made for her anymore, that this is a blink of an eye for it...

how that changes a person, how it makes her feel special but only if this fragile reality that they inhabit is treated very very gently, how it could (if it had gone on for long enough) have made her something not-quite-human herself, how it was in the process of pulling her away from her family, from the values she once had, from even being able to perceive where she came from and what life is for most people, and she's spinning and spinning on and on so as not to see what's coming up around her, inevitably, and there are no words in the world that she possesses to frame all of this awe and terror and changing through other than "love" that must be the word, because how else can something so big be encompassed by her?

and then to have that stripped away in an instant, but with enough left over that she claws her way back, only to find that the being did it again -- it twisted reality into a new shape, and said "this version of me is even better and I am no longer able to be for you, but take this better me instead," without giving her time to consider, to make a real choice, to even be able to fully comprehend what the new reality is and what her choice would mean. and that's the end, except for the way she's a ghost to that being now, just a story

which is why I'm revolving rose tyler's narrative around in my head forever, like a fairytale with an ending that's eerie enough that you're not sure that and then they lived happily ever after is warranted

[oxygenbefore1775]

AoT characters as types of poisons

warriors edition!

cw: poisons and all the ways they could (and would) kill; also mention of abortion in zeke's hcs

a/n: as a pharmacy student i also have to study toxicology for some reason so what better way to apply my knowedge than to use it for some hcs; the thing on the divider is citric acid - it's not poisonous, it just looks cool

don't fucking get any ideas from this, it's all harmless fun, pls be reasonable

Annie

strychnine

you're nothing but a pesky vermin to it that needs to be mercilessly annihilated

it's actually been used as a performance-enhancing drug - you know, before people realized how fucking deadly it is

it's very versatile in the way it can enter your system, be it through inhaling it, consuming it or entering you via your bloodstream, even through the fucking eyes, the possibilities are endless

the only thing that's the same is your inevitable death

it's a neurotoxin class, meaning it's destroys the nervous system to the point that your brain can't send signals to the rest of your body which leads to paralysis

complete paralysis of the body, including the breathing muscles

i.e. you slowly die of suffocation all the while your airways are completely free and not blocked by anything and you stay perfectly conscious and aware of the each second you spend uncontrollably twitching

30 mins hardly pass between the first time strychnine enters your system and your death but it makes sure that each passing minute is agony for you

what's worse, there's no antidote against it - you are litteraly doomed the moment you come in contace with it

Bertholdt

acetaminophen aka paracetamol (or tylenol if you live in the us)

a wolf in sheep's clothing

harmless fella at the first sight and is actually nice for relieving different kinds of pain

but it has a dark side

it takes a LOT to get an overdose dangerous enough to kill you

and even then it wouldn't be followed by any symptoms for a whole week - it'd be just sitting there, gathering its strength for one powerful obliterating attack on your system

but when it kicks in, you're in for a lethal treat

your liver is the first to go down and sets off a whole chain of events with your kidneys and pancreas following suit and failing as well

the next thing to happen is that your blood gets too acidic for your body to handle and all the tissue near your blood stream (which is all the tissue in the organism) gets constantly irritated by the acids

the death is long-awaited, devastating and quite painful but it doesn't last that long - once the symptoms kick in, you'll be dead in the couple of hours

Colt

caffeine

a sunshine drug loved by everyone (but mostly young people)

it's everything a tired person could wish for - it energizes, it relieves pain, it gives you strength and motivation to live another day

don't mix it with alcohol though, it's a very bad idea

it basically creates the illusion that alcohol doesn't affect you which causes you to drink even more and you will be even more drunk than usual and a total wreck overall (and the hangover part won't be that nice)

it can't kill you that easily, you'll literally have to consume 70 cups of coffee in one sitting to even be close to death

the most fun symptom of it is eye flashes - not deadly, but definitely annoying

Pieck

nicotine

because zeke likes her :3

highly addictive and causes severe distress during withdrawal

only good for killing insects, pretty useless against people

it's very universal in its entry into the body - nasal, oral, dermal - and each means of consumption has its own perks

will take a lot to even reach an overdose, let alone the one that may be lethal

the worst immediate thing it can cause for you is headache and diziness

sure, it is harmful but you won't see the effects of it until couple of years in the future

but that's how it gets you - by being nice and pleasurable to consume

but - it works very well in combination with other poisons, especially if nicotine has been in the system for quite a long time

any poisons - nicotine prepares the turf for them and increases their effects tenfold

overall, it can be deadly but only with some other poison at its side

Porco

phosgen

it smells very nice (like fresh cut grass or hay)

a perfect warfare weapon

it's down to the earth so there's almost no chance you can escape it - it's moving fast and out there to kill you

its only way to enter the body is through your respiratory system

insidious little fucker as it's colorless and by the time you would notice it, it would be all to late

very-very reactive

basically burns the inside lining of the lungs and causes swelling of the airways at which point you die of suffocation since your body is physically unable to take a breath

it's a bloody death though as the damaged lungs are exposed to capillaris connected to them and as the result your lungs fill with blood that you helplessly try to expell ou of you with irregular coughs

Reiner

quicksilver

once useful and irreplacable, it slowly loses its advantage to the more modern findings of the civilization (just like rei and his armor)

absolutely harmless if consmed orally - you can litteraly eat a spoonful of it and it can do barely nothing to you

but once the heat is on, that's when it gets dangerous cuz it evaporates and that what kills you - quicksilver vapors

even in smal concentrations it can be deadly

one of the most prominent symptoms of quicksilver poisoning are the rosy color of the skin as if you were blushing and isomina

when the exposure is prolonged, it can cause depression among other things

the other thing is - once it enters your organism it will not exit it, there's no way to remove it, it will stay with you forever

it's not that it can kill you but the more severe the overdose is, the more you would be yearning for the sweet release of death

Zeke

digoxin (like i stated before in the convo with st)

also works a medication, a wonder-drug that's very versatile and can help with almost any heart disease

it's also used in abortions (how fitting)

it has a side-effect of enlarging breasts, be it female or male (lol)

a deceiving little fucker - you have to be very careful in order not to overdose and the intoxication can be chronic and proceed over the months

very intricate, it affects the body on a less than cellular level and fucks with the mechanism as sophisticated as electro-cardial processes of your heart

its main mechanism is inhibition, i.e. it litteraly doesn't let your body function at its normal rate, it controls you from now on

it strikes your heart first of all and you're litteraly left at the mercy of this traitorous drug as it controls your pulse

after a long torture where this drug constantly either accelerates or slows down your pulse

heart is all the flutter because of it, to sum up

the death is less-likely to happen but everything before that would be a fucking torture and you'll be surely living in misery

but one day it will stop your heart

feel free to request if you wanna see other categories of characters like 104th or the veterans - im open to ideas; ik it's pretty grim but it makes my monkey brain happy

[rabbitcruiser]

National Guacamole Day

Learn to make guacamole at home, and discover some of the many versatile uses for this tasty invention, from a simple dip to a sandwich spread and more.

Whether that bright green, creamy and chunky treat is piled on top of a tortilla chip or used as a garnish for a Mexican entree, guacamole is a delicious way to truly enhance a snack or a meal!

History of National Guacamole Day

While the day itself doesn’t exactly seem to have any particularly poetic origin, National Guacamole Day is a terrific excuse to indulge in the tastiest of dips!

However, guacamole itself seems to have its origins with the Aztec people group at some time before the 16th century. Early guacamole recipes only included mashed avocado and it became very popular due to the excellent health benefits of the avocado. Adding in the tomatoes and onions came later, which was a natural development since those are also native to the Americas. Eventually the lime juice was added, which originated in the Middle East but made its way west with the arrival of Christopher Columbus.

The word, guacamole, originally came from the word “āhuacamolli” which translates literally to mean “avocado sauce”.

Not only is it a great addition to a savoury spread, it’s also good for you! This is because “guac” is made from avocados, which are nutrient dense and packed with healthy fats that help the body lower bad cholesterol, all of which contributes to having a good ol’ time and living as long as possible.

How to Celebrate National Guacamole Day

Celebrating this day is easy and can be filled with fun as well as delicious flavors! Enjoy the day with some of these ideas:

Eat Guacamole

Even if there’s no particular reason, other than it being an awesome day, go ahead and celebrate National Guacamole Day by picking up some at the store! Don’t forget to grab something to put it on, such as a bag of tortilla chips, a selection of veggie sticks (carrots, celery or cucumbers), or a piece of tasty toast. Eat it with french fries, slather it on a quesadilla or use it as a filling or garnish for tacos. The options for eating guacamole are virtually endless!

Learn to Make Guacamole at Home

Freshly made guacamole is the most delicious part of this day! All it takes is buying some ripe avocados and making it from scratch at home. Blend the avocado, season with salt and it’s done!

Of course it might be even tastier to add a bit of flavor to it, such as lemon or lime juice for some zesty citrus notes. Or perhaps some tomato, garlic and onion to expand the palette, the choice is completely personal.

Find Creative Ways to Eat Guacamole

Many people associate guacamole only with corn tortilla chips. But there’s so much more to it than that! For those who are trying to get a bit healthier and forego the chips, or for those who are just looking for a bit of adventure, guacamole has a lot of creative ways it can be used for snacks and meals. In addition to using it as a dip, try out these ideas for guacamole:

Spread It On a Sandwich. Guacamole makes a great sandwich condiment. Simply pile it on top of a hamburger or chicken burger for a tasty treat. Guac is also tasty when used as a healthy addition to a grilled cheese sandwich.

Top a Pizza With It. That’s right! A boring pizza can be made delicious with guacamole. Some people like to combine it with Buffalo sauce and chicken as well.

Stuff Mushrooms with It. Keep it vegetarian by filling hollowed out mushrooms with guacamole and topping with a spicy Buffalo sauce. Yum!

Make It Into a Salad. Guacamole can make a healthy and delicious base for a salad. Create a Greek fusion by adding feta cheese, or turn it a bit sweet by piling it up with chunks of watermelon or peaches.

Have a National Guacamole Day Party

Invite friends and family over for a little get together with the intention of celebrating National Guacamole Day. Give a nod to guacamole’s origins by decorating and dressing up in costumes that channel Central American culture.

Of course, the table of refreshments will need to center around the guest of honor–guacamole! But it can be filled with all sorts of other south of the border treats as well. Try offering some tostadas, chips & salsa, taquitos or quesadillas. Toss in some churros or flan for a delicious dessert.

Learn Fun Facts About Avocados

Since they are the main ingredient for guacamole, a fun activity for the day would be to learn a bit of trivia to share with friends or coworkers as National Guacamole Day is celebrated. Try these fun facts to share:

Avocados are a fruit. That’s right, technically guacamole is actually a smashed fruit salad!

Hass Avocados were banned in the US. In an effort to control pest problems, the beloved Hass Avocado was once banned in the United States. From 1914 to 1997, it was illegal to import these delicious fruits. Everyone is much happier now that they are legal again.

The World Record for Guacamole was over 3 tons. Created by a wholesaler in Jalisco, Mexico, this batch of guac took more than 800 people to make it. It contained more than 25,000 avocados, 3,500 tomatoes and 3,000 lemons.

Remember–it’s not necessary to only indulge in this tasty treat on National Guacamole Day. After all, it’s good for you all year round, this is just an extra special reason to enjoy it!

Source

[soylent-crocodile]

Animal Conversions- Panthers and Apes

These, for the time being, are the last two animal conversions I'm publishing. I have bears and boars statted up, although they are close in abilities and CR to really be worth it, I think. I intend to tackle ocean life (dolphins, orcas, seals) soon, but that's for a later date.

I may have mentioned my love of cat monsters here before, and my panther's stat block here probably shows that bias. I've combined jaguars and leopards into one stat block, even if they aren't any more related than they are to other Panthera species, because they're large and solitary. My other reason for grouping panthers into one statblock was to give the DM an opportunity for some spec evo- maybe there are striped arboreal panthers in your world? Maybe black panthers are their own species? Go wild!

Chimps also got a massive boon. You may notice I gave chimps an intelligence of 3- personally, I think pathfinder's scale of "smart, stupid, literally mindless" is just not a very good way of defining animal intelligence. I'm giving particualy smart animals (pinnipeds, elephants, apes, parrots, corvids) an intelligence of 3 to represent this. Also chimps can maul you know. They're fuckin scary, yo.

(Jaguar by CorvusHound)

Cat, Panther

This predator stalks quietly through trees and waterways, eyes glinting and pelt spotted. Misc- CR4 TN Medium Animal HD5 Init:+9 Senses: Perception:+7, Low-Light Vision, Scent  Stats- Str:20(+5) Dex:21(+5) Con:16(+3) Int:2(-4) Wis:16(+3) Cha:13(+1) BAB:+3 Space:5ft Reach:5ft Defense- HP:38(5d8+15) AC:8(+5 Dexterity, +4 Natural) Fort:+7 Ref:+9 Will:+4 CMD:23 (+2 Racial bonus vs Trip)  Offense- Bite +8(1d8+5), 2 Claw +7(1d6+3 plus Grab) CMB:+8 (+2 Racial bonus to Grapple) Speed:40ft, Climb 30ft, Swim 30ft Special Attacks: Pounce, Precise Feats- Multiattack, Weapon Focus (Claw), Improved Initiative Skills- +16 Climb, +6 Intimidate, +7 Perception, +13 Stealth, +16 Swim (+4 Racial bonus to Stealth and Intimidate) Special Qualities- Roar Ecology- Environment- Forests, Plains, Rivers (Warm) Languages- None Organization- Solitary Treasure- None Special Abilities- Precise  (Ex)- A panther gets a +4 Racial bonus to rolls to confirm critical hits. Roar (Ex)- A panther may make an intimidate check as a swift action.

“Panther” is a word that can refer to a number of medium-sized solitary cats, typically leopards and jaguars. They are all-terrain hunters, capable of climbing and swimming, and of all wild animals they are among the most common who turn maneater.

Panther pelts are prized as exotic trophies; if relatively undamaged and treated properly, they sell for 200gp in most markets.

Ape, Chimpanzee

This hairy ape has long, sharp canines and a manic expression on its face. Misc- CR2 TN Medium Animal HD3 Init:+3 Senses: Perception:+2 Stats- Str:19(+4) Dex:17(+3) Con:16(+3) Int:3(-4) Wis:6(-2) Cha:14(+2) BAB:+3 Space:5ft Reach:5ft Defense- HP:23(3d8+9) AC:13(+3 Dexterity) Fort:+6 Ref:+6 Will:+1 CMD:20  Offense- Bite +7(1d6+4) or 2 Slam +2(1d4+2 plus trip) CMB:+7 (+2 Racial bonus to Trip) Speed:30ft, Climb 30ft Special Attacks: Vulnerable Strike +1d6 Feats- Iron Will, Power Attack (-1/+2) Skills- Climb +11, Intimidate +4, Perception +2, Swim +0 (-4 Racial penalty to Swim) Special Qualities- Screech Ecology- Environment- Forests (Warm) Languages- None Organization- Troop (4-8) Treasure- None Special Abilities- Vulnerable Strike (Ex)- A chimpanzee knows to target the softest parts of its opponent. Their bite attack deals an additional 1d6 precision damage against creatures that are flanked, grappled, prone, or helpless. Creatures dealt damage this way must make a DC12 Fortitude save or be sickened in pain.

Chimpanzees are tropical animals that closely resemble humanoids and live in troops which have occasional violent infighting. Because of their appearance, many humanoids have attempted to tame or train chimps, but these situations rarely go well, and it’s best for everyone’s sake that they stay in the wild.

[hrodvitnon]

Combining The Battra Headcanons

I’ve been toying with this one ever since tosho89 started talking about Battra and his relationship with other Titans, and then I remembered the older posts about Battra not necessarily being a species exactly but being a collective of entities born as vessels of the Planet’s will and I thought about how they could be combined together to give a deeper and more comprehensive look at how Abraxas Battra functions.

Namely, Battra did start out as essentially just one from a wide number of identical ‘Battras’ - just beings born to represent the Will of the Planet, no different from drones in a hive. If you met one 'Battra’, then you met them all. They were basically mechanical and monotone, referring to fellow Titans by their designated function in the eyes of the Planet and not as actual individuals (for instance, any given Battra would just refer to Mothra as something like “Light Bringer” rather than her name or Ozymandias as “Chosen Scion” or something equally elaborate). Similarly, they themselves just referred to other Battras as 'vessels’ and never anything more - because that’s what they were. Nothing more, nothing less.

It’s only after some unholy cataclysm that ended up wiping out the entire collective that things started to change. Very few can say for certain what the cataclysm was (it was probably Bagan), but it not only destroyed the Battra collective but damaged the Planet so deeply that it was crippled in its ability to create new vessels for its will. It was only via sheer luck that a single vessel survived, and even then said vessel was heavily damaged and on the brink of death. 

It was then that the then-current Alpha, Shimo, alongside Ozymandias came to the vessel’s aid. Mothra likewise probably followed soon after.

It took a very long time for the vessel - now christened solely as 'Battra’ - to understand and come to terms with things after it was recovered and nursed back to health. At first, it still thought purely in terms of the almost-mechanical terminology that the Planet conveyed itself through. The Planet still only treated Battra as a vessel to convey its intent, not as a person or an actual Titan in and of itself. But purely by exposure to Mothra, Shimo, and Ozy over time, Battra started to develop a personality of it - his own. Still a voice for The Planet’s Will, but with his own thoughts and opinions on things now that he realized there was more to being the Planet’s defender than just tending to it and ignoring all else - and the Planet came to understand the same.

Battra also probably at first found it odd that Mothra decided to pretty much adopt and christen him her “big brother”. Yes, Battra and his fellow vessels technically predate Mothra’s earliest known physical incarnation, but as a a spiritual existence, Mothra would far predate them as a whole. He got used to it once he developed his current personality, but it still feels a bit strange - even if he’s gotten VERY defensive of Mothra despite the fact she’s more than capable of protecting herself (though realistically, only Mothra, Shimo, Ozy, Battra himself, and Megalon would really know the truth of this since most might just see the similarities between the two and assume they’re actually related beyond just looking alike, not that any of them would ever explain what’s really going on if you ask). 

From that perspective, having people to care for and who care for him in turn, a family, is likely still new to Battra and is something that’s hard for him to really process. Which no doubt made Ozy’s capture even worse for him and Shimo’s disappearance on top of that would have all but broke him. It makes sense then that nobody has seen Abraxasverse Battra for so long if the sudden loss of those two made him just return to his solemn duty and he distanced himself from everyone else, with Mothra simply never bringing him up because she didn’t know where he actually was in all that time.

---

Ooh, interesting. The idea that Battra goes from a collective to a single individual who slowly becomes his own individual is a fun thought exercise that can lead to its own brand of Angst and Drama on top of plot-related shenanigans.

[brighteststar707]

Okay write something for yourself for the last promt if it's not taken already! <33

Surprise! Bonus fic!

Here's the thing. There was one last request that came in exactly one minute after the twelfth slot was filled with a combination that I have been thinking about since I first read it.

So, I decided to make an exception and write a thirteenth fic as a little treat to myself, because I think I deserve it.

(Thank you, @jumin-ssi for initially sending in this combination! It has been staring at me from my ask box every time I open it - I blame you for my mini Jumin brainrot)

Jumin loves reluctantly

He would be the first to tell you that he has it all. A successful career, a good relationship with his father, a fulfilling friendship with V, a beautiful cat. He doesn't want for anything, least of all love.

It seems like a waste of energy and time, time he would rather spend sipping wine, or admiring his view of the cityscape with Elizabeth by his side. He has seen what pursuing love did to his father, what it does to his company. He has seen first-hand the kinds of people who try to intrude on his peace, all desperate for a slice of his life with zero interest in the person behind it all. It's enough having to deal with it for work. At least, when he's charming someone into signing a contract, the company benefits.

When you first meet, he is indifferent about you. You're just an acquaintance, and if he has his way, you won't be more than that.

But life likes to play games, especially with people like Jumin.

You're strangely determined to talk to him. Even though he leaves the chatrooms without telling you goodbye and responds to your excitement at your newfound situation with suspicion.

He can't imagine what you're trying to gain, what the fun is in talking to someone who only gives you unsatisfactory answers. Usually, this routine is enough to shake off most people.

But you're stubborn. You phone him up just to wish him a good day at work, and then again later on to ask about how it went. You take whatever he gives and don't push for more, which is a strange new experience for him. When you're not asking questions, you're sharing small tidbits about yourself - the view from the apartment, your personal favourite place to eat in the city, your latest exchange with a potential party guest. He remembers everything you say (sometimes having a perfect memory has its downsides) and your calls often leave him thinking about you long after you've hung up.

It's very frustrating.

He tells himself he has it all. He doesn't need his perfectly-balanced life upset by someone, least of all you, with your unpredictable ways. He has never met someone so distracting, so capable of upsetting his routine with a single message.

He especially tells himself that when he catches himself imagining a conversation with you at work. While drafting up a new business idea, he pictures explaining it to you, his thought process, the pros and cons. His frustratingly perfect memory manages to produce a convincing imitation of your voice as he imagines how you'd reply.

He must have had too much coffee before leaving home, that is all. It's doing strange things to his head. He should keep that in mind for the future.

He pushes you from his mind and returns to the report, this time without your made-up commentary. He manages to get through it quickly but hesitates before sending it off to Jaehee. It's a matter of curiosity, that's all, that prompts him to take a picture of the report to send to you.

It's irritatingly satisfying how close your reactions are to the ones he had imagined. You like the main idea, but you have some questions about the execution (he knew you would, and already has his answer ready for you). What he didn't predict, though, was your thoughts on how to expand the idea to other aspects of the business. How interesting.

He ends up confessing that he had been wanting to hear your feedback while working. Your laugh over the phone stirs something up in his chest that his imagination could never replicate, and he quickly ends the call.

Most people's voices tend to become tiresome after prolonged exposure. Some are high-pitched and often veer into shrill. Others are frustratingly monotone; they somehow manage to turn the most fascinating subjects boring. However, yours is one he never seems to tire of. He ends his calls to you feeling a bit more energetic than he was before.

The effect you're having on his life is worrying. He has swapped out his usual wine for one out his collection with similar notes to one you told him was your favourite. He is too busy telling Elizabeth about your thoughts on her newest collar to enjoy the view of the city.

Caught up in his worry over the situation, he phones up V the second he comes online again to relay these recent happenings to him.

"I'm losing focus, Jihyun, and I'm wondering if you have a remedy for me."

To his bemusement, V laughs.

"Jumin, I think you've grown fond of our new party planner."

"I have not. Don't be ridiculous, you know I'm not fond of anybody."

"You're fond of me."

"You're an exception."

"Well, maybe they are too. Give them a chance, and if you're right you'll get to rub it in my face."

He would have ignored advice from anybody else, but V's words get to him. He wishes he would have given him advice he could more easily follow. Take a holiday, Jumin. Get Elizabeth more toys. At least those were more realistic than what he had suggested.

He thought he had it all. The money, the family, the friends, the cat. But he doesn't have you, and it's a problem that's becoming harder and harder to ignore.

In the end, he takes V's advice. He downs his glass of wine, picks up his phone and calls you. There is this strange fluttering sensation in his stomach as he listens to the ringing.

Eventually, you pick up. If you're surprised by his change in tone, you don't let on.

"Hello, I hope it's not too late to be calling. I was wondering if you'd like to come visit the penthouse tomorrow? Elizabeth is anxious to meet the person I keep telling her about."

[papermonkeyism]

wurr questions! beware i am being exceedingly nosy, and also willing to wait for my answers!!

1. within the crater, how common are deepblood females? what happens when such a female is found pregnant, or in heat ( and is heat even a thing among the wurrlings? ) ? if born, would all her children be considered deepblooded for safety's sake, or is that judged on a case-by-case basis?

2. what other canids of the wurrworld are sophonts? i remember mention of african painted dogs in the south. what are relations between them, dogs and wolves like? what are the societal stances on hybrids between those species and dogs? how are those species dogs cannot interbreed with treated?

3. are hounds genetically closer to dogs or wolves, or are they essentially a third species at this point? can even a deepblood mate with dogs/wolves, or is that still unsafe?

4. in your art, how do you distinguish between actual wolves and dogs that just have pointy ears, thick coats and augoti colours?

1: Okay so the definition of a deepblooded is one who's mutations are hard or severe enough that if they had puppies A: they would all be stillborn B: die shortly after birth, probably painfully and/or C: kill the mother at the process of giving birth. That's basically a scale of tragedy from "losing all your babies" to "suicide by breeding". I'm sure you can use your imagination.

Pyramos is deepblooded because of his skeletal deformations that basically made him impossible to be born (he was cut out of his dying mother, and was the only one of his litter to survive). Crippled is deepblooded because of his innards not being functional, including barely functioning digestive system and having two hearts neither of which work properly. His parents technically weren't, on their own, but their personal mutations were too similar and stacked, which made their blood "too deep" when combined, and he's, again, the only survivor. Iacar's aunt Crom is deepblooded because she's physically incapable of getting puppies out of herself.

On the contrast, despite his size and shape, Morri is not considered deepblood because he was born a normal (seven eyed) puppy, who got his growth spurt around puberty, so he's not a case of murder-by-breeding.

2: I prefer not to waste energy and mental resources on worldbuilding something that's never ever going to be even remotely relevant to the plot/story/making of the comic. I want the story to reach its end someday, I don't want to derail it by turning it into an epic of discovering uncontacted continents and political intrigue on the other side of the dang planet when the story happens in relatively limited area that's still basically neolithic. Please, this thing has eaten enough of my life, I don't need to make it a globe spanning monster. Feel free to fanfic, but I, personally, do not have the spoons.

3: Depends on which definition of "species" you're using here. Proto dogs, I guess. They're dogs who got stuck at a place that turns everything living into monsters, but like, wolves aren't that far either. For deepbloods, again, it's death by breeding, do not recommend. No matter how healthy of a guy the dog/wolf would be, aunt Crom still could not squeeze live puppies through her deformed pelvis even if they somehow made it long enough in her twisted innards.

4: I mean, I hope you can see it just by looking at the comic, there is one wolf in it for a while, plus a half-wolf who looks very wolfish by design.

Wolves are wolf-shaped, and I hope I can do good enough job at it for people to tell them apart. I don't make dog characters wolf-shaped. There are internal rules for wolf-markings, that I just don't use for dog characters. If you look at the comic, you might notice I haven't designed a single dog with complete wolf markings (no matter what Grimmon might tell you), and there are extremely few who even have any gradient markings at all, and those are definetely not wolf-shaped. Wolves are also bigger (approx Surama sized) and have wolf eyes (little to no visible sclera), while all Wurr dogs have human eyes. You might also notice the only characters to have visibly drawn inner ear hair are of wolf blood.

But I honestly really hope the art itself is enough without me having to explain aloud the design choices. Kinda feels like I've failed at making them if the only way the readers can tell them apart is if I have to tell them how.