#whoops this is late OTL

[autism-corner]

omg

[trashbatistrash]

,

[lumilasi]

UPDATE: I somehow FORGOT one character, Lucas. whoops. (The bottom guy in ESFP category)

I meant to draw something specific today, but I got distracted by doing the 16 personalities test for all of my active-use characters, and found out some interesting tidbits. (There are couple I did not include for various reasons; Jurou's late sister Meredith - she's dead so I'm not likely to draw her much, she would've likely had an extroverted version of Jurou's personality, Herald of War/Soldier - his persona changes depending on the times, given he's more of a representation of a concept, rather than an individual., Kappa janitor Issui, because IDK if I'm going to keep using him...)

I have the most characters that have my personality type (INTJ) which in hindsight makes sense; you tend to gravitate towards/naturally create things based on something you're familiar with. (Only difference being, I am INTJ-T type, when most of these characters are A-type)

On that note, Most of my top favorites are under INTJ type, which explains somewhat why they ended up as my favorites perhaps lmao

Some characters that I thought were introverts, are actually extroverts; Yaguro (ENFJ, the purple haired guy), Mihail (Left ESFJ), Kuromoya (top ESTP), Kuura (ENFP, middle row right) and Hayden (Blonde ENFJ).

I actually have equal amount of extroverts and introverts.

Apparently I have a couple where both characters have the same personality type, despite seemingly being quite different (Marci and Mariella, bottom row of ISFJ)

Kousai and Chouma - who are technically the same character - ended up having a surprisingly small - and logical to me - difference in their personalities; the only thing that changes between them is Chouma is introverted, whereas his past human self/Cyberpunk AU version is an extrovert.

It's funny to me how Jurou's entire birth family (parents and sister) are extroverts and he's the Introvert. No wonder he gets annoyed by his mum and dad a lot....

I have SO MANY characters I'd like to draw more, there's not enough hours in a day to do so OTL (Plus my personal faves tend to distract me from less used ones)

Apparently my characters ended up missing only one of the 16 personality types. Specifically INTP type, nobody ended up under that category.

[pikespendragon67]

Pikes Summer Check-Up 2024 Edition

Started to go “hm I still have to unlearn the don’t speak unless spoken to mindset that I have” but remembered I could do a checkup post instead!

Current life updates:

Right now I’m saving up for conventions happening this August, though plushie collecting & Steam summer sales miiiight have interfered. Whoops. (…and I wonder if I should get back to my FE Cipher card collection). My next big-ish trip is visiting my middle school best friend with another high school friend. I’m also hoping for my next big trip this year to be Boston in late September to meet with a friend. After that, it should be a trip with my middle school best friend to a farm, something Halloween related with IRL friends depending on what they want to do, no clue for November, and seeing relatives for New Year’s.

Gonna see if I can reorganize my closet since everything in my room got reassembled when we got new flooring. Feels cluttered as a result. Hopefully my back won’t kill me.

Might have jury duty next week too OTL

What I’m watching:

Current schedule for watching anime is as follows:

Mondays - Digimon rewatch along with Spice & Wolf 2024. I really like Lawrence and Holo’s banter. For Digimon I just got to where Mimi obtains her Crest. Man adult me really just became Joe, huh.

Tuesdays are filler at the moment since I need to wait for Pokemon Horizons to update on Nettingtonflix (I watch the dub) and I finished Kakuriyo. Part 2 of Kakuriyo was…eh, I guess? I noticed stiff animation a lot and I didn’t really get the sense of drama/urgency that I was expecting. Might throw in some more Digimon episodes until Horizons updates. (I’m liking it so far, though it’s not something I’d shout to the heavens about)

Wednesdays - Baccano finally. I might need to rewatch some parts because they retell events from different perspectives, but I see repeats and get confused if I already watched the episode or not because of that.

Thursdays - Moribito. I’ve heard this show was good, though I think I need to rewatch this one as well since I miss important info when something dramatic’s not happening. The curse of having a show as background noise during your lunch break at work.

Fridays - Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure rewatch. Friends were talking about watching it so it got me interested in rewatching once more. I’m still on Phantom Blood but I’m excited for the rewatch until I hit Stardust Crusaders. Unfortunately it’s not my favorite part and it’s the longest.

Saturdays - My Hero Academia and Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin. I’m gonna see if I end up liking Sakuna more as an anime or as a game. As for Hero Academia, I’m really liking how this current season’s hyping up the finale. And with the manga ending next month, I kind of hope Vigilantes can be animated

Sundays - Tower of God season 2 and My Deer Friend Nokotan. Nokotan kind of reminds me of Lucky Star, but I’m hoping the shitposts aren’t just making fun Koshitan. Tower of God season 2 looks pretty promising. Though I lament that God of High School had to rush everything into 1 season.

I’m getting hyped for TYBW part 3 subconsciously and also hope the light novels get covered.

In terms of stuff on Youtube, it’s mostly let’s plays for games that I want to see if I want to play them myself. I appreciate that SMT 5 Vengeance fleshed out certain characters more, but damn. I also finished watching the ProZD Plays Ace Attorney 2. Franziska is wonderful, I wish she was in a different game. I liked case 2 the most in spite of Hotti’s mere existence.

What I’m Playing:

Stopped TTYD in the middle of chapter 6 since I didn’t want to deal with the turning platform section. So now it’s back to 428 Shibuya Scramble. I’m in the 3 PM section of the game now and things are getting spicy. So far my rankings of the routes are Tama > Minorikawa > Osawa/Achi > Kano.

I also have quite a few fighting games in my Steam library now! I still only button mash, but I’ve been playing with some folks in the Granblue community and my friend Merlin. My “don’t speak unless spoken to” mindset unfortunately kicks in when it comes to inviting people to play games, though. Like granted people are busy and I don’t want to bother them but aaaaaaa (so if you wanna play with me on Steam I’m free most weekends. Though my wrist may fatigue itself too. F)

I’m also contemplating if I want to have various small fics in a collection or add alternate endings in my main Bleach fic

AND NOW, I end asking how ny’all are you doing. Any cool things on your end?

[strawberrisoulmate]

whoops sorry i haven’t really been active much lately. work has made me super exhausted tbh OTL

[moonkxssed]

Layers: About the muse

LAYER ONE : THE OUTSIDE

Name -  Selene Mahina Kihara Eye colour -  A Luminescent Azure  Hair style / colour - Uneven, straight bangs that frame her face-long enough to cover a brow on one side; original length of hair was a chin length bob with two notable pieces of hair that seemed to be wings. Continuously grows throughout the years and currently to her mid back. Naturally dark brown with subtle wavy texture.  Height - An astounding 5′1″  Clothing style - Loose clothing that allows her to feel the elements: usually some variation of a tank top and shorts with sandals. No stranger to wearing a dress or skirt every now and again. Loves darker colors-especially blues. Also likes pastel colors. Usually has at least one piece of jewelry on at all times, along with a flower in her hair.  Best physical feature:  Her eyes-large, round and expressive, they’re a pure blue like the ocean. Despite being affected by Ultra Wormhole energy, the light glow they give off is rather pretty. 

LAYER TWO : THE INSIDE

Fears -  Thunder and lightning, Letting down her mother or friends, not being good enough, Guzzlord Guilty pleasure -  Romance novels Biggest pet peeve - Being told what to do  Ambitions for the future - Admittedly unsure of what she wants to do with herself in the long term. Wants to travel each region and befriend many Pokemon-perhaps taking on each league as well. 

LAYER THREE : THOUGHTS

First thoughts upon waking up: “Mmn....too bright outside...”  What you think about most: Her health, how she can balance all of her responsibilities along with having a social life and pursuing her own interests, her friends, battling strategies What you think about before bed: “I wonder if I’ll be able to sleep tonight...” Insomnia makes it hard to do just that and discourages her from resting at times What your best quality is: Her energy and optimism. No matter what she’s setting her mind to, she’s putting all of herself into it and keeping the most positive attitude she can. She loves to encourage others with her energy as well. 

LAYER FOUR: WHAT’S BETTER ?

Single or group dates -  Single-she wants that one on one time to really get to know her date much better.  To be loved or respected -  Loved. Beauty or brains - Both but leaning towards Brains more.   Dogs or cats - Birds. Okay, dogs.

LAYER FIVE : DO YOU …

Lie - A bit when it comes to warding away concern about her well-being  Believe in yourself - Mostly. Very rarely she wavers.   Believe in love - Only with every fiber of her being.  Want someone - She’s hoping for that special someone someday...

LAYER SIX : EVER BEEN …

Been on stage:  Yes Done drugs:  Never. Changed who you were to fit in: Considered it a bit in earlier years, but never. 

LAYER SEVEN : FAVORITES

Favourite color -  Dark or Midnight Blue Favourite animal -  Owls Favourite movie -  Is it an animated film? Does it involve fairytales or action or romance? Then yes.   Favourite game -  Rhythm games. 

LAYER EIGHT : AGE

Day your next birthday will be - November 17 How old will you be - Depends on verse. Age you lost your virginity - X-Files sound effect Does age matter - When it comes to friendship? Not at all. If it comes to being wise? To Selene being wise could come at any age depending on one’s experiences. When it comes to dating? She’s doesn’t mind dating someone a couple of years older than her-younger than her however, she’s more hesitant on anything more than two years. 

LAYER NINE : IN A PERSON

Best personality - Selene loves to be around confident, ambitious people. It’s energy similar to her own and there’s nothing like two people cheering each other on and being confident in themselves. Otherwise? People who aren’t afraid to be spontaneous.  Best eye colour -  Vibrant colors tend to attract her most! (Reds, Blues, Greens, Yellows, Purples etc.) Best hair colour - No preference, she just likes hair.  Best thing to do with a partner - Snuggling while talking-occasionally sharing kisses. Physical touch is really big to her so even little things like holding hands or being next to each other with shoulders touching would be wonderful to her. 

LAYER TEN : FINISH THE SENTENCE

I love - my mother, my friends, my Pokemon and adventure. I feel - a little tired but still happy  I hide - things I don’t want anyone to worry about.  I miss - feeling carefree. I wish - that things will turn out okay for me. 

Tagged by: Stolen from: My old blog whoops 

Tagging: Eyes the dash 

[revengesworn]

exams............................................ why. :’)

[just-rainbow-thoughts]

*jessica says she would love to be your girlfriend.*

[minarcana]

hiiiii omg

Name: dez :3

Pronouns: they/them or he/him for spice.

Preference of communication: my communication is very hit or miss i tend to be Slow bc im easily distracted OTL but i do always get back to it

Name of muse(s): you know these dorks

Experience/how long (months/years?): over 10 years idk ive just been Around

Platforms you’ve used: tunglr, rarely discord

Pet peeves / dealbreakers: not respecting boundaries of comfort, trying to force me into doing things ive expressed discomfort with (like the only time ive actually had a dealbreaker it was someone going around a block and someone trying to force me to write smut when i was like 'our muses dont have chemistry chief')

Fluff, angst, or smut: all of it huge fan of all of em. hit me up.

Plots or memes: i like memes bc im Bad At Plots OTL. send memes. or come bearing plots. idk.

long or short replies: i like both and i always WANT short replies but then i enter a fugue state and ramble for 45 minutes and 15 paragraphs

Best time to write: late hours, i work and im a night owl whoops

Are you like your muse(s): every time i make fun of urianger for doing some dork nonsense or something where im like "surely no human has never done that before" i remember a time where i personally have done an exact 1:1 equivalent action and have to go put my head in my hands for a bit. i too have read so many books i started speaking about 200 years out of date but it was in russian instead of english and i continued doing it on purpose. im going to hell. i am nothing like laurel shes just my attempt to make the sexiest woman possible and succeeding.

[b-ap]

HEY! i know i'm late but happy birthday 🎊🎈it's been a while since we've talked & i hope everything is good with you! ✨

TREE-FAM TRACYYY ♡♡♡ YEAH IT’S BEEN A WHILE BUT THAT’S OK WE’VE BOTH BEEN BUSY ;U; HOPE YOU’VE BEEN WELL AND SCHOOL ISNT TOO BAD!! ♡♡♡ AND THANK YOU SO MUCHH!!! ♡♡♡

[reverielix]

WONWKA IM SO SORRY FOR SUCH A LATE FEEDBACK 😭 i kinda realised too late that i nvr managed to submit what i typed out initially, but by god if this doesnt get through ill cry

anyways, bubs, you described me to a T right there :(

ig im slowly but surely working on myself to get out of my shell, but boy do i have big dreams. also thanks for pointing out the interceptions, i never really got the gist of it and just thought my chart was wonky lol. the tenth house; i want to do so much but saturn whoops my ass but it's aight since im supposed to come out of it 10x better aye? jk but still 👀

sorry for the blabbering i keep reading through the whole post in awe bc i didnt expect it to be so detailed, and my monke brain just goes "ooh me like" OTL

lastly, my bias, is indeed, changbin 😔

what can i say, powerful rappers have my heart 100%

dude i cant thank you enough for your answer to my ask :( it really made my day (s) haha ♡♡♡

Ahhhhh I guessed your bias right? I'm so happy hahahaha

Thanks for the nice feedback, and I'm happy you liked my interpretation & it could help you!

Love ya and take care <3

[anearthstruckalien]

🐘 (Elephant) - How good is your vision? Can you see in the dark? 🐶 (Dog) - Do you have a secret spot that you really love to be pet? 🐱 (Cat) - Any irregular places you like to nap/tend to fall asleep in?

[♫]; Send in any of the following symbols, and either mun or muse will answer!

🐘 (Elephant) - How good is your vision? Can you see in the dark?

—-‘Hmm.  I would say that it is sufficient for my needs.  By the standards of Psions, my vision in the only eye that I have left is perfect under ordinary circumstances.  These circumstances do indeed include seeing in the dark… provided that it is not entirely void of any light at all.’

🐶 (Dog) - Do you have a secret spot that you really love to be pet?

[          The pale alien squints a little judgmentally.  Pet.  As if he were some kind of domesticated life-form or wild animal in need of taming.  ]

—-‘No.  And I would not advise attempting to do so anyways.  I do not appreciate physical contact unless it is necessary or otherwise explicitly permitted by me.’

[          A pause before a shake of the head and a small sigh follows.  ]

‘And even if the case were different… I do not believe that there is much to ‘pet’ as is what would be regarded as desirable by human standards.  Unlike other variants of my species, I do not possess excessive amounts of body hair or fur.  It is very minimalistic and flattened down to the surface of my exoskeleton.’

🐱 (Cat) - Any irregular places you like to nap/tend to fall asleep in?

—-‘No.  This is not applicable to myself.  Rather… I avoid sleeping at all because it is not necessary for my physical form and thus a waste of time.’

[          A short nod to himself as if reaffirming this line of logic.  ]

‘I only need to ensure that I properly consume enough to provide my exoskeleton with the energy required for proper functioning.’

[rabbit-masks]

Slightly late 2021 resolution!

Here I go~

So each year I do a resolution but I first checkmark my 2020 resolution and then talk about my 2021 one!

Let’s goo see what I did~ (and didn’t do :v ) -2020 Resolution-

1) DO 80% 3D -20% ART!!!!! Better up those 3D skills bub.

My biggest year in growing my 3D Art!! I’m pretty happy actually!

2) Learn 100 new Kanjis!!

Kinda did YEAH!

3) Don’t be harsh on your own heart. It’s alright to relax.

I tried. Specially 2020 being so terrible it was a bit hard to relax.

4) Sing 3 covers at least!~

I did! In secret hahA. Also I got a blue yeti mic and I’m just super happy about it! :D 

5) OPEN PATREON!!

Whoops...I’m still disorganize to open one ;;; I really need to...

6) Make Artstation Portfolio!

I DO GOT ONE YEEEH!! I need to add new work...

7) Travel for work or vacation!

PANDEMIC, THANKS COVID.

8) Try to take things calmly. Please play 3 different games and learn to relax.

I Hope the Mario All Star game counts XDD Though I did ended playing Among us, Animal Crossing New Horizons, Genshin Impact, OMORI!! : D

9) Work on a game project! :3

Kinda...haha :v but not done ;;

10) Enter an Art Competition or Zine!

I did my own!! : D #Kemonoctober!!! I never drawn so much in 1 month!! 

I also joined Artfight hell yeah!!

11) Finish Chapter 3 of Pixel Cat!

I DIIIIID!!! I’m surprise!! :OOO

12) Finish a course study of anything!

3D Appealing Character Design with Dylan Ekren. IT WAS SO GOOOD!!

13) Do a full body PBR!

HELL YEAH I DID!! and it was a commission too ! :D

14) Study Colors MORE! I want to see colorful pieces!

I did break through some colors!! But I need more experimentation! 

15) Dejar el miedo en el gavetero.

TRATANDO.

16) Color hair white mYSELF!!

:C Nope....but I did get a haircut ;u; so to be easier!

17) Do traditional and 3D studies!

Not much traditional ;; BUT 3D STUDIES PLENTY!

18) Do Art Livestreams!! BE BRAVE!

I DID ONE HUFFF....and A GAME STREAM TOO. I be sweatiiing.

19) Get or do Real Kimu Rabbit MASK!

I still need to do it OTL;;

20) Learn/Do something new you didn’t expect this year to learn or do! Surprise me!

+ I learning to do rigging?? AAA 

+ Also I’m giving basic Japanese classes! Really surprised myself.

+ I learned to clean my models better!

+ Learn to eat some veggies I used to hate! (mushroom, spicy sauce, cabbage, pastel.)

+ Went to a digital convention? XD Lightexpo was great!

+Liking a lot tiktok and starting to move my works there!~

+Found new Utaites to follow! <33

+GOT A POWERFUL PINK PC YOOO!!

Honestly not my worst year and honestly one of my best one for growth! 

~~~~~~

2021 RESOLUTION!

1) MORE 3D!! Maybe this time 50% 3D 50% 2D.

2) Study colors! Let’s go explore new palettes!

3) Learn 100 New Kanjis!

4) Sing 3 Covers!

5) Travel (if safer) ?~

6) Finish Pixel Cat Chapter 4.

7) Enter an Art Competition or Zine!

8) DEJA EL MIEDO EN LA GAVETA!!

9) Do ArtStream!!

10) GET A REAL RABBITMASKS MASK!

11) Color your hair white!!

12) Play at least 3 new games!

13) Organize Shop Inventory and make the packing cute and make new shop cards! Do Brand Study!

14) Study FACES MORE THIS YEAR and also Do style experimentations.

15) Model and finish a FULL 3D character. PBR or Handpainted.

16) Work on a game project!!

17) Work a short animation!

18) Make a day for just relax. Do not work anything, RELAX, RELAX, LEARN TO RELAX.

19) Make room more aesthetic pink and clean!~

20) Finish at least 1 anime season.

21) Open Patreon finally?

22) Learn/Do something new you didn’t expect this year to learn/ do! Surprise me! (Or happy new memories you got! ) Take it easy future me. The pandemic really slow things down so it’s alright to slow down too...

[ivisite]

DRAGONBORN 30 DAY CHALLENGE

Day 11 - The Werewolves of Jorrvaskr

Did they join the Companions?:

 “Yes” and then Yes, for real. When she first stumbled upon the trio outside of Whiterun taking on a giant, she was mostly just concerned with Farkas being a “healthy brute” and that’s about it. She saw the scene from a distance and shot an arrow into the back of it’s neck, finishing it off and making her way over. Rather than acknowledging the trio, however, she just started picking through the Giant’s things, only to be disappointed when it was a bust. She was approached by Aela, and was complimented on her archery skills and was told to stop by Jorravskr afterwards. She just kind of nodded at the idea and gave Ria a few blue mountain flowers, telling her to chew on them to heal up those scratches she’d received. Fast Forward to meeting Balgruuf and fighting a dragon (she had the tablet on her already because the promise of a shipment’s worth of gold is more enticing than dragons). She was this “Dragonborn” thing and likely word would get around all of Skyrim eventually and she needed a spot to hide more so than ever. The moment her eyes locked onto the “danger” shadowmark outside of Jorravskr, she knew what she had to do. So yes, she does join the ranks of the other whelps, but at first only does so to hide out there. After spending time with them a doing a few jobs, she starts to actually bond with a few of them and thus becomes inspired to try and change herself. It’s a slow process but she at least takes baby steps. It’s hard to fit in at first, but she slowly starts to warm up to the foreign lifestyle. About half way into the plot-line, she starts to have nightmares and the guilt of her past begins to plague her to the point that she decides she needs to go confront her past and the Greybeards. She promises Vilkas and Kodlak that she’ll come back a better person, one more fit to take on the title of an actual Companion but doesn’t say what she’s off to do besides answering the Greybeards.

If yes…

How did they react to learning they were all werewolves?:

Oh she’s most certainly shocked. After her childhood incident, she’s vehemently against lycanthropy and is glad to learn that some of the Circle are, too. As a result, she doesn’t bond with Aela or Skjor much, and tends to lean more towards the brothers and Kodlak. When she returns from her adventuring (with gifts in hand and ready to help them fight off the Silver-Hand) she picks up where she left off (unknowingly pregnant whoops) and goes about taking out the Silver-Hand and helping Vilkas avenge Kodlak (and fighting the whole way there about how that isn’t what the old man would have wanted) and even curing the twins afterwards. Her and Aela remain distant, however. 

How did they react to becoming a werewolf themselves?:

This is where I changed the canon, just a bit. She refuses the blood, cursing the idea and reinstating her belief that it’s a curse and a far too terrible a power for a mortal to have. Before Aela and Skjor can rebuttle, she continues by saying that she’ll help them take out the Silver-Hand still, but will do so WITHOUT the beast blood to show them that there’s more ways to be powerful. 

Did they ever cure themselves?:

Never taking the blood for herself, she does make it a personal mission to cure the twins after curing Kodlak in his death. Farkas was the first to ask for help (which she was happy to go along with) but eventually Vilkas asks, too, after putting his pride aside. Despite the differences, it would be a respect-building moment for herself and Vilkas whereas Farkas would remind her that he swore to stand by her side and that he meant it, minus all the mushy stuff.

Fighting for honour’s a good living. Do they agree?:

At first, no. She thinks of the group as over-hyped sell-swords but after spending time with them she starts to see them in a different light. Slowly, but surely, she starts to see the bits of honor through all the dust and fighting and finds the idea alluring. She’s never considered herself a good or honorable person but being among the Companions makes her crave for that sort of glory and respect. 

Will they lead the Companions to glory as Harbinger?:

Another moment in which I changed the canon, but only because Saoirse wouldn’t make a good Harbinger. Instead, once Kodlak passed it on to her, she would make her first bit of “Advice” to be that Vilkas will be carrying the title from now on, saying that despite him being such a grump, he’s more suited and has come along way since avenging Kodlak. He’d start to refuse but she’d insist. The two switch roles, essentially, and she’d take a spot in the Circle (replacing Skjor) and he would remain in the Circle but as the Harbinger (replacing Kodlak). She’s better suited as a Circle member, and would probably be a Master Stealth trainer, using her stealthy thief skill set as a way to teach new whelps how to be better hunters. She’d keep her past a secret from them though, of course and would also keep her lover boy a secret, too. She leaves the thieving behind her but some flames are hard to put out  ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Finally I’m on time but I have to hurry and get to work before I’m late OTL enjoy, tomorrow i’ll try to keep up with the “on time” thing It’s funny i had this prompt today after being asked a question about the same thing yesterday by a lovely anon <3 I’d like to explore her time with the companions more soon, so hopefully I can doodle or write some stuff <3

[theultimateultimateweapon]

rules: we’re snooping on your playlist. put your entire music library on shuffle and list the first 10 songs, then choose 10 victims.

Tagged by @anti-jaina  (Whoops I'm super late, I definitely meant to do this and didn't get to OTL.)

You Can't Go Home Again - DJ Shadow

Clocktowers Beneath the Sea - Pascal Michael Stiefel

Impostor Syndrome - C418

Burn Out Blues - Washed Out

Chemistry - Arcade Fire

Radio - The Avalanches

We Are In Control - Hybrid

Lights - Grasscut

Dog Nightmare - Jack Stauber

Glory of Nelly - Caravan Palace

I'm tagging @theotheronez @dandelionpaint @sbuggbot @pdocubeun @the-cosmic-latte-chaotic-dumbass @anamellow @cowboysonic @korobocko @elementaldragonninja​ @lolofangirl​ 

You don’t have to do it if you don’t want to, have fun!

[kiwimeringue]

Before the beginning.

Anon, thank you so much for your patience I think it’s been at least a week?? OTL Ok I hope UF stuff is ok, because this is what came to mind. I’ve had this scene in my head for a while so thank you so much for giving me a reason to write it up <33

He keeps his attention on the tankard in front of him, draining slowly, sip by sip, whenever the  din of the tavern gets to be too much. He’s never been one for this kind of celebration, and though he knows it is a joyous occasion, there’s something in the close press of the  crowd, the heat of bodies, the whoops and cries and clank and creak of wood and metal that sits just close enough to a battlefield to raise his hackles.

He’ll stay just long enough to feel polite, then make his excuses. 

A sudden sound rings out behind him and he starts, a reflexive tensing of the muscles he’d need to spring away from an attack, before he can properly register the shout as a cheer, tha triples through the tavern as others answer. His eyes fall upon the day’s true heroes, the Valkyrie— a group of them, is it a flight? A Valor? No, a reckoning of Valkyries, that feels right— who’ve conquered a table in the  back corner, their own island of fierce revelry amidst the wider merriment. 

One catches him staring. He remembers her from the battle as a blur of sound and colour: blue and white and gold and red, wild curls and braids, laughter and the streak of smudged warpaint still splashed across her face. 

Their eyes lock for the fleeting instant before he can turn back to his drink, and studies the contents nervously. 

It’s not until something hits his boot a moment later that he realizes that someone is standing behind him, and he glances up to find that same Asynja has crossed the room. She kicks at the back of his heel again. “Yes, you.” She says when he finally raises his eyes to meet hers again. Her nose crinkles when she smiles. 

Their captain is trying to call her back to the table, “What is she doing?” he hears her mutter to the blonde valkyrie beside her, who lays a calming hand on her shoulder. 

“Hunting” the blonde replies, smiling, “what else?” 

He watches the approaching Valkyrie’s bright eyes dart back in her warrior-sisters’ direction, the smile twitching at her lips, before he sees the moment she decides to ignore them and instead leans against the bar beside him.

There’s a light in her eyes, a playful edge to her smile, and wreathed in red curls, he cannot shake the feeling that he is in the presence of a brushfire come to life. 

She’s stunning. He’s stunned. 

“Hel of a battle today,” she says, still grinning. “You did well. Worth a drink, I’d say.” 

A reply sticks in his throat, and he feels himself blinking at her stupidly as he glances down to the still-brimming tankard in his hands— before he can react, she’s snatched it from his hands. The Valkyrie downs his ale in a single breath, before carelessly sending the tankard crashing to the ground over her shoulder and calling to the barkeeper for two more. 

She swings herself into the empty seat beside him, her eyes and smile daring. She’s looking to start a fight or a conversation, and she’ll be satisfied either way. “Left you speechless, have I, Hundingsbane?” Another peal of playful laughter scrunches her nose, but it’s approving. “That’s what they’re calling you now.” 

“Helgi,” he stammers the correction, his voice hoarse when it finally comes unstuck. 

“Ah, so it is that you speak,” her smile brightens. “Sigrun,” she says, in turn, as two more tankards are set down before them, and she wastes no time in raising one. “Cheers.” 

“To Asgard.” it comes out on it’s own, a reflexive litany, as he raises his own drink to hers, and they drink to their victory. They drink to the health of the Allfather, then to their fallen comrades, to lost family— when Helgi raises his cup to toast his fallen brothers, Sigrun grows strangely quiet, and he pretends not to notice. They talk, she laughs often and easily, and once or twice he finds himself helpless to resist.  

He stays until the barkeeper chases them away at closing time and Sigrun’s sisters in arms finally drag her home, Sigrun still turning to wave him goodbye. 

It’s a long, unsteady walk by starlight back to his own bed, his spinning head still clear enough to understand vows, and duty, and obligation, to understand impossible.   

But in his heart, it is already too late.