#Charlie and Ken(dal Mint Cake)

[elodieunderglass]

Something something munro bagging something something hating your mother something Kendal Mint Cake

[elodieunderglass]

Awww the massive continuity of Ken

The mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos) is common in wetlands and urban areas and are known for their dabbling feeding style. The male, or drake, is striking with a glossy green head, white neck ring, chestnut-brown breast, blue wing markings, and yellow bill.

This is part of the British Birds on British Bluefaced Leicester limited edition series. These are the final four colourways, making 24 in all. I have enough yarn left to re-dye four only so please don’t miss out!

http://www.mothyandthesquid.com

[elodieunderglass]

Scream STOP to unsubscribe from Horse Facts

(You will not be unsubscribed from Horse Facts)

[elodieunderglass]

Ah thanks that’ll be useful. A record of your face before the sheep ate it.

[elodieunderglass]

Unsure if this qualifies as a Ken Ask but the existential crisis first aid post fascinates me. (I have never had an existential crisis on a mountain but I can confirm that when i have had them elsewhere tea has been the appropriate first aid.)

So now I'm wondering what the appropriate response is for people of other nationalities having an existential crisis on a mountain. Starting with Japan given that Ken left that out. Has everyone from that side of the family been too smart to let him drag them up there?

(In reference to the What To Do When Someone is Having an Existential Crisis On A Mountain comic, starring Ken, the Normal Friend)

Such a great question! I think Ken comes from strong hiking culture on both sides, so they’re probably all more resilient than him. I think he had an existential crisis or two of his very own on other people’s mountains - specifically on the bits he’s done of the the Kumano Kodō. But a lot of that was probably the humidity (Ken is fundamentally at home in cool mist, summer hols were a bad time) and the very upsetting verticality (those trails are STRAIGHT UP) and probably a small amount of WHY ARE THERE SO MANY TREES WHY? WHERE AM I 😭

Ken is definitely going to finish it, though. AND the Camino de Santiago. Imagine him passing up the Badge of the Dual Pilgrim.

Here’s the original, as updated in the comic when Ken cleverly worked out how to handle his new orphaned duckling:

Here are a few more of slightly mixed wins...

you should call your mum, Ken

[elodieunderglass]

Yes... @lovedthestars-toofondly yes he would. Without understanding the reference. or that it's a reference.

Ken is of course one of the universe's natural Route Planners. In his Duke of Edinburgh expedition as a tiny baby Ken, his team role was Navigator (and of course they got gold.)

His orientation is so straight you can use him as a ruler. He's so steady that compasses point to HIM. He can even follow Charlie conversations. He likes ordinance survey maps, geological maps, and canal route planners (in fairness, those are easy - canals don't have a lot of junctions.)

So think it would be extra funny if he goes the fuck to pieces in London. Lost on the londerground. Absolutely fucked trying to get to the geolsoc library in fucking piccadilly where he is ironically going to look up a map. FUCK. HELP.

[elodieunderglass]

Felt i needed to explain some characteristics of a very common character found in an admittedly narrow (ha) corridor of the known world

[elodieunderglass]

I have discovered a new purpose for Kendal Mint Cake: inexplicable discounts.

This morning I got very wet. This afternoon I went to Millets to buy re-waterproofing stuff for my ailing raincoat. Shop assistant: "Okay, that's normally £18... or with kendal mint cake it is £10.20!" (whipping out a slab from below the counter with a slightly unhinged grin)

The mint cake was not on display, not advertised at all that I could see. To buy it on purpose you would have to Be In The Know. But if you are not In The Know you might still be Blessed with a kendal mint cake when you least expect it. May the mint gods be merciful to such initiates.

Hello??

There are many reasons why I worry that I shouldn’t have opened my mouth about Kendal mint cake on tumblr but I feel as if it’s caused STRANGE QUANTUM EFFECTS in our universe.

[elodieunderglass]

You talk such rubbish sometimes.

I’ve decided every depiction of Ken should reference a real-life charity t-shirt. This one provided by @sweetlyfez and raises money for The Soil Association.

[elodieunderglass]

🐝 - character with their daemon (or animal familiar.)

Ken! (he's still not left my house)

(considered asking for Fancy Outfit but I dunno that he does those. though I am now entertaining myself considering all the stupid pun possibilities offered by Bonnie Prince Charlie jackets. or would he perhaps wear a haori with his kilt... maybe *I* need to draw this. I am very slightly more practiced at drawing clothes than everything else)

(OC Character Drawing ask meme 🐝 - character with their daemon / Dr Kenji James MacKenzie, who lives on a narrowboat and therefore is probably using your shower)

oh NO! sorry he's still in your house.

So, facts about Ken: field geologist, possibly with the British Geological Survey; lives on a narrowboat on the Kennet and Avon; vegan, but can't really cook, so is mostly foraging mildly upon cold tins of baked beans; Japanese and Scottish heritage, raised somewhere in the Highlands-and-Islands; likes diesel engines, conservation-themed t-shirts, and ducks; reliable navigator who cannot handle London, and is alarmed when mountaineering in Japan because there are just too many trees; always has Kendal Mint Cake and is almost always in a kilt; cycles everywhere, even though he suffers in the heat; so profoundly Bristol-coded that you could probably stand in Stokes Croft and manifest him out of thin air, coming out of Cafe Kino. Hobbies include serious hiking - the kind that's kind of unpleasant, and that's sort of the point; music (sea shanty choir); living on a boat is a lifestyle/hobby in itself; and he loves collecting badges for Accomplishments. He bags munros on purpose (and may have bagged them all by now) and wants to do the Camino de Santiago and Kumano Kodō. A great and loving friend, perfect outdoor-activity companion, and probably does sci-comm for kids in his spare time.

with all that in mind, I don't know why the HELL his daemon is a binturong. A massive, lazy, tree-dwelling, slow-moving, inconveniently heavy omnivore, with a prehensile tail, nocturnal and solitary, that dislikes coming down from trees. Binturongs smell of popcorn, and when they walk - which is rarely - they waddle slowly and majestically, like dignified bears. They live in the rainforests of southeast Asia.

WHY DOES KEN HAVE A BINTURONG?? it makes no sense. Much smarter, more portable, more SENSIBLE daemons would be things like a squirrel or a cat (maybe a scottish wildcat?!) or a duck, that would fit in a narrowboat comfortably, and could be popped in a pack and hauled around the British Isles. Or a Shetland pony or a red stag, or something powerful and rugged that could hike for itself. But no. Nope, we ran all the tests, and Ken's soul just keeps coming back as Grumpy Bear-Cat With a Monkey Tail.

What the hell.

Here they are cleaned up for someone else's wedding.

Thank you so much for this. I strongly recommend trying to draw him for yourself because

a) I was smiling the whole time I drew this, literally continuously grinning with glee, and now my cheeks hurt

b) fusing those fashions would be bonkers good fun.

[elodieunderglass]

So, in the various relationships in the Killieverse, who's the "They SAID no PICKLES" partner?

oh my goodness! none of these weirdos eat burgers! how did I come up with so many people who canonically are not eating burgers. all right

Killie and Derek Derek and Killie are like this for each other. Killie is stoic and silent about taking damage to himself, but his response to anxiety and uncertainty is to lunge forward. He's possessive and protective, in the sense that he takes all the self-preservation and regard-for-one's-self that he doesn't have, and places it nicely like a little flower crown on someone else's head. Killie is also weirdly, brokenly gallant. ...It isn't always obvious that he's being gallant. Derek is a normal guy who would manage his own pickles. (in his case it would probably be cheese that he wanted left off, because he likes pickles). and he would be so, so happy to manage all the negotiations in the couple, because Killie's methodology is so very strange and off-putting, and a little too menacing. Derek is trying to sneakily get someone's attention to quietly resolve the problem before Killie notices and makes it weird. Derek is normal, patient and kind. Derek has probably worked in food service himself. Derek knows that mistakes are honest, and that changing orders is difficult, and jobs are hard, and that most people don't know about the meat+dairy not being kosher in the same dish thing, and that education on such matters is not going to be effectively achieved by Killie glowering at people.

Killie would never eat a burger for a long list of reasons. He doesn't eat mammal meat unless he can see it carved off the animal for himself, he doesn't trust melty cheese, and he could never manage that much ("AND there's chips?!" in a tone of throttled outrage, as if chips are an utterly unreasonable expectation on top of everything else.) Actually. One of the oldest Killie/Derek scenes I ever wrote is about how Killie Would Not Eat A Burger, in the context of him explaining to Derek that sexuality is fake and unreal, and everyone who claims to experience it is either lying or wrong. Like burgers, Killie says loftily, everyone lies about eating 'em. And Derek, paddling like mad in these unexpectedly deep waters, has to forcibly drag himself away from that, because he's just been handed the key to unlock whatever the hell Killie's sexuality is, but with the massive distraction of - what do you mean you've never had a burger -

Charlie and Killie Approach the counter together and form a polite and normal request, their different and distinctive wild-animal-in-a-Situation vibes suddenly gone all smooth and domesticated. gives an unsettling and weirdly unwelcome picture of what they'd be like if they hadn't split into two separate people as an embryo.

Pippa and Killie

Neither of them care about pickles on their own behalf, and with both together, they both agree they care less than they would have alone. But both of them would go up to the counter for each other. Knight and princess, but it's unclear which is which (and also both of them are the horse.) Pippa and Rossa Pippa does it. it's unclear whether Rossa was confusing about his order on purpose, because he loves watching her do it.

Charlie and [YOU] Charlie is the perfect person to send up to the counter if you didn't want pickles, because he does not find it unpleasant. it's mildly fun for him, actually. Charlie's day job involves being sent to do EXCUSE ME HE SAID NO PICKLES, but for things like funding and nonprofit organisations. Politely negotiating someone else's pickle order is enrichment for him, and an education for everyone else. Charlie asks for things off-menu and gets them. Unfortunately, the pickles are the only part of the burger Charlie would eat, so you really ought to just give them to him to him to eat instead.

Charlie and Suraiya (their younger nerd friend) One of the early scenes I've written about them is basically Charlie climbing across a counter to make Suraiya a new sandwich. Charlie's lesson to Suraiya is to make space for herself.

Bill and Helena The twins get the "being slightly gallant" from their dad, who, much like a rooster, considers all pickle-negotiations taking place in a certain radius of himself to rightfully be his duty. He would incite a pickle discussion as self-assigned alpha male on behalf of unknown women, children, and the bewildered. one of those embarrassing old guys. Unfortunately for Bill's combativeness and sense of dignity, he's married to Helena, who is furious in every waking moment that when she TRULY expresses her feelings, it causes a SCENE, and scenes are BAD. She hates and resents how bottled-up she is, and therefore how unsafe she is, because she is not allowed to defend herself from threats (unfortunately, such threats include people breathing in an annoying manner, songs played on the radio, the movement of birds outside, and mild inconveniences.) Anything and everything could be the last straw for Helena. She's far too upper-class and rarefied to be what Americans call a "Karen." Instead, what Americans call a "Karen" is trying to articulate the vague, wispy little shadow on the wall cast by the colossus of Helena. Helena deals with her own pickles. She's waiting like a hyena for the poor server to mess up the pickles. She'd do Bill's too. She NEEDS to make a SCENE and here is a REASON. it's a good thing those two don't eat burgers.

Ciara and Colm

Colm would never complain about pickles, or do it on anyone else's behalf. you'd have to do this for him or he would DIE.

Ciara would like to be the sort of person who would be assertive, but doesn't know a normal way to do so (she's aware that her parents are a lot, though) so rather than be embarrassed would like to avoid it.

Bren'n'Blaw

They are QUITE ODD. I would think they would go up to ask for a new burger together.

But they're so weird. they are probably deconstructing and reconstructing the two burgers to make two different burgers, one with Just Pickles and one with The Everything Else, and then they both share both of them. in the Land Rover in the carpark.

Ken + anybody

Although Ken's vegan, you could unfortunately probably get a whole pickled cow into his burger without him noticing. (the intersection of "vegan" and "boatie" and "geologist" resulting in a guy who mostly eats baked beans from a tin with a spoon - and what's worse, apparently thrives on it.) if you complained about having pickles, he would probably take your sandwich and remove the pickles for you. and do something faintly weird like putting the pickles in his pocket. and then give your sandwich back in the nicest possible way. Sorted! And you know what, it would be.

(why his pocket? is he going to eat them later? why not eat them now? is he going to... recycle them? is there a duckling in his pocket? will the duckling eat the pickles?)

Charlie would've probably run around Ken in tight circles, like a sheepdog with only one sheep, checking to make sure that everything was vegan on his behalf, and having a grand time going EXCUSE ME! HE IS VEGAN, if they weren't. Charlie was probably reading labels. KEN THOSE AREN'T THE VEGAN HARIBO.

this is unhinged, I hope I understood the assignment

[elodieunderglass]

Ken!!!! 📻

(Elodie I think your blorbo followed me home and now he won't leave)

(OC playlist ask meme - Ken(dal Mint Cake), a fairly typical normal guy who lives on a narrowboat and has Healthy Outdoor Hobbies.)

I'm so sorry, do NOT let him use the shower!! or you'll never be rid of him. Maybe try suggesting that you have a vintage diesel engine outside that you don't have a boat for... yeah it's like a "ailsa craig" or something, it's going spare actually...

... and shut the door behind him.

Nathan Evans - Told You So

I've been thinking, your ship is sinking And it's far too far to swim to shore Take my hand and I'll lead you back to land 'Cause I don't wanna leave you here alone

[elodieunderglass]

👜 (Personal items carried) for either Ken or Killie's parents

Personal items carried by Ken!

You know how it is with oranges.

[elodieunderglass]

Help! Guy Who Would Wear That Has Too Many Options

Get the Look

Born of the North (moorlands and stone) - HORD Swifts (Screamin' Devil Birds) - RSPB Climbing Arthur's Seat - Swished Edinburgh British Birds of Prey - The Wildlife Trusts Jungle Was Massive - BBC Earth Munro Bagger - Sonsie Face

As The Mist Rises So Do We - Beinn Outdoors Summit - Beinn Outdoors Life's Better By Water - Canal and River Trust

[elodieunderglass]

“[Ken] likes ordinance survey maps, geological maps, and canal route planners” For some reason when I read this sentence and it pinged some connection in my brain, and I was suddenly overcome with warm feelings for my granddad. I felt like I should share 😊

My granddad loved maps. He was a geologist with the US Geological Survey for 60 years. He was passionate about local history and volunteered for his town’s historical commission. In WWII he served as a photo interpreter. He and my grandmom got together when he accidentally spilled soup on her and asked if he could take her dinner to make up for it. He didn’t say much but everything he said was worth saying. He once joked “I have a mind like a steel whatchamacallit!” He lived to 94.

I find it delightful how random bits of posts on this webbed site can sometimes hit so profoundly.

(In reference to Dr Kenji MacKenzie, field geologist and map guy, nonetheless lost on the Lunderground.)

In return, it is a tremendous privilege to hear about things like this. Thank you so much. Your grandfather sounds like an ideal guy, and in a very similar job to Ken. They would’ve gotten along beautifully.

It is quite fun having an OC who is such a specific and real sort of guy as Ken. He isn’t a blorbo but he DOES write himself. AND he’s single. Let’s try out your grandpa’s game out on him!

Might work, actually!

[elodieunderglass]

been endeavouring to keep the work boredom at bay by rotating Killie & co. in my mind. we've established that a boat is a type of horse. the logical next step is the inevitable Aubreyad crossover. Charlie running off and using his mum's family's influence to get to embark on a naval officer career. Ken being there as one of those guys who's very into natural philosophy. The war of 1812 being very stressful to Killie, personally, because of the relationship with Derek.

Killie and Stephen vibrating uncomfortably next to each other because together they're straining most spaces' Weird Intense Offputting Little Irish Guy capacity. meanwhile Jack vibing in an entirely different way with Derek. being profoundly baffled by the aura of seemingly inecplicable luck that appears to surround Ken, without malice but also without a trace of self-awareness. do you think they'd play music together

Well first off, I have to work very hard not to think about this too much, because it will eat me. @shilohta performed miracles already writing a legendary Killie in Temeraire (Aubreyad with dragons) fanfiction, and is somehow hip-deep in about three stacks of historical texts, saying things like “just gonna quickly read this biography.” It could happen to me! To you! It could happen to anyone! The Napoleonic fandoms should come with warning labels. And that’s just Temeraire - I’m longtime obsessed with the Aubreyad.

And then folding the Horse Dynasty in??? I won’t be making it out alive.

Among other things, Charlie is fully complicit in his own dissociation…

That's like... a whole series' worth of internal conflict. It might be beyond his Ken.

Ken is going to be especially fascinating. His mother's side of the family come from Japan, and during the historical period of Japan being a closed nation, his mum married his Scottish dad. Some fascinating story there.

What is Killie doing?

Maybe he received a battle promotion?

The women are having a great time.

Stephen are Killie are Not.

Anti-homosexuality laws be damned, Killie WOULD have a little miniature portrait of Derek, to carry around in the most secretive locket in the world, when they couldn’t be together. It would be realistic for it to just be Derek’s eye, to preserve gender and anonymity, but in my heart I feel like it’s like:

GOD I feel unwell. Thank you so much for this