#feathers and frosting diogenes

[bookofnottheaxolotl]

Aight I need your imput.

Im debating wether or not to change something about Diogenes' backstory that will have a pretty big impact on his character arc. Im thinking of making it so that Diogenes and Aristotle are siblings instead of old friends.

I have quit a few ideas for if I end up making the change, but im not sure if I'll do it or not.

Please reblog for a bigger sample size

[not-the-axolotl]

Tfw your bestie's apprentice just said your hand looks cool (you only just met but you'd brutaly murder someone for them).

I drew Diogenes! Pretty happy with how he came out, im getting better at digital art.

[not-the-axolotl]

Diogenes probably.

Eve's weird question time: which of your ocs would you make into a plushie if you had the chance?

[bookofnottheaxolotl]

Chapter one of feathers and frosting. When the game comes out this will be edited as needed. Hope yall enjoy!

[Loss]

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Why didn't he visit earlier? He should have known something was up the moment Aristotle didn't call when they said they would. It hadn't been untill Diogenes' first few letters remained unanswered, that he started to grow worried.

While Diogenes was desperately looking for someone to take over his class, he had kept writing to Aristotle, all without response. Now, after five months of silence and having finaly found a subsitute, he was going to pay his brother a visit.

Walking along a forest path up to where Aristotle's tent was located, Diogenes found himself filled with a sense of dread. The abrupt end of communication, along with the rumours of Aristotle's demise, plagued his mind every moment he was awake. Seeing a familiar tent in the distance only partly eased his mind.

Approaching the small clearing in between the trees, Diogenes noticed someone oddly... familiar. He was no longer sure wether he was even awake, or in the middle of a cruel, vivid dream. Aristotle would have told him, wouldn't they? Yet he was standing right there, as if nothing had ever happened. As if it hadn't been more than fifteen years since anything was heard of him.

For a brief moment, Diogenes waited at a distance, debating wether to approach or not. As he quietly looked at the campsite, he noticed that Aristotle was nowhere in sight, wich worried him even further. Putting his doubts aside, he decided to continue onwards, towards where Arthur was standing, facing away from Diogenes.

"Hey Arthur!" Diogenes angrily called out to the goat, who turned around as soon as he heard him. "Where the fuck have you been?! We though you were dead!" Caught somewhat off guard, Arthur deflected: "I'd rather not talk about it at the moment, can we discuss this sometime else? It's... a long story." Diogenes let out a sigh, before nodding.

Right at that moment, having heard the commotion outside, a young looking goat walked out of the tent. "Oh, hello there. Sorry about all that. The name's Diogenes." The stranger introduced himself. "You must be Billie. Aristotle had mentioned you the last time we spoke. Pleased to meet you." As Billie went to shake the newcommers hand, she noticed his left arm was tucked right behind his back. Must be some weird habit or something.

"Are you the one who kept sending those letters to Aristotle?" Billie asked. The letters had stopped coming rather adruptly about two weeks earlier, and both she and Arthur were starting to wonder why. "I am, yes." Diogenes confirmed, before continuing. "Speaking of my brother, do you know where he is? I've been trying to get in contact with the guy, but without any succes."

Arthurs face dropped, as did Billie's. Diogenes had a feeling something bad must have happened, wich was confirmed when Arthur, with a pained expression, told him the harrowing news:

"Aristotle is dead."

[bookofnottheaxolotl]

Chapter 14 of what was supposed to be a friendship fic. Anyway some major foreshadowing here. Enjoy!

[Will it last?]

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- 5 years prior

"So, hows work? I heard midterms were taken recently, still busy grading those?" "Aristotle, dont even get me started on midterms. I explain stuff as much as possible, and these students still make dumb mistakes. One person answered every question with 42!" "You gave them half credit for that one, right?" "Of course i did."

Aristotle and Diogenes laughed for a moment. He didn't get to visit Aristotle as much as he'd like to, so a day off was well spent. Though still, his mind was elsewhere. "Valentines day is coming up. You have anything planned, Nines?" "I do, believe it or not." "What, you? A date?! No way! Tell me everything. Whats their name?" Diogenes pauzed before answering.

"His name is Otto. I've been seeing him for six weeks now, and we were planning on getting pizza together that day. I can't wait, he's super nice!" "Congratulations! Lets just hope he's not like the last guy." "He's not, I can tell." "So what does this guy do anyway?" "Hes a scientist, he researches magic. The more obscure stuff, if I remember correctly."

Diogenes is blushing as he's saying all of this. "Glad to see you found someone, Nines. You seem like you're head over heels for this guy. Lets hope this relationship lasts." Diogenes hoped so as well. He and Otto realy clicked. "He invited me to come meet his family a few weeks after valentines. That must means something, right?" "Otto must be serious about this, then. Good for you."

[bookofnottheaxolotl]

Ive been updating a few of the chapters with proper chapter art! More will follow.

The cat is called Schrödinger, the axolotl next to Aristotle is Diogenes, and the muffin is named Frank. Their all ocs btw. More about them here:

[not-the-axolotl]

*Cough* spoilers *Cough*

Okay, maybe overreacting (shut up i don't i'm right)

BUT.

Arthur needs the nastiest ass-beatin' he had in his ever-living darn life ESPECİALLY from Aristotle and Billie.

İ know he probably has a great reason to went missing but, AHHAHAHSHA.

İ DON'T CAAAAAREEEE.

Aristotle, Belle, Billie, Jack, Fantoccio, Dimitri, Z, Elaine, EVERYONE NEEDS TO BEAT THE SHİT OUTTA HİM AT LEAST ONCE.

he may be my favorite character (After Percy and Elaine ofc) but BOY don't i want to kick his ass.

[bookofnottheaxolotl]

I just wanted to doodle Diogenes,don't ask

Cool! 👍

@darthestrawberry

[bookofnottheaxolotl]

Chapter 5

[Close encounter]

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"Are you sure the box is burried here, Nines?" Diogenes could have sworn he remembered where it was. He sighed, barely recognising the surrounding area. He was close to telling Arthur he didn't know where the box was. It had been such a long time. But not nearly long enough...

"If you three are getting tired of this, I completely understand that." Diogenes said, turning to Billie and her two friends. "Just let us know, and one of us will bring you right back." Billie, Lily, and Lewis however, had no such plans. They had jumped on the oppertunity to tag along and potentialy learn more about Aristotle and Arthur, and weren't about to give up anytime soon. "Why did my dad call you that?" Not being shure wether to give billie a definative answer or not, Diogenes shrugged off the question. "It's just an inside joke, Billie."

Huh. This place felt oddly familiar. "I remember now!" Diogenes exclaimed. "It's just behind those rocks over there." As soon as he had said that, the three kids sprinted towards the afformentioned rock formation. "Kids," Arthur sighed, as he and Diogenes followed them, the latter summoning a shovel.

"The fuck is that thing?!" "Billie! Language!" Shocked by his daughter's choise of words, Arthur turned around to see what Billie was talking about. Running across the shore with a panicked expression was what looked to be a big muffin. Hold on. That couldn't be right. Still, even as he looked again, the muffin was still there, running in their direction.

When the muffin reached them, it quickly hid behind Diogenes. He had no idea why, but is question was answered before he could ask it. "Hey! Hand over the muffin and no one gets hurt!" Diogenes angrily answered the short red panda: "I sugest you leave right now, or you're the one getting hurt." "I'll have you know we have powerfull friends." The man gestured at the two people beside him while saying this.

Now he'd done it. Fearing for the children's safety, Arthur and Diogenes weren't taking any risks, and Diogenes had already summoned his crossbow. "We are powerfull ourselves. By the time your friends get here, it'l be too late for you." Ignoring the warning, the red panda started approaching the group. Nope. Not happening. Diogenes aimed his crossbow and pulled the trigger.

The panda, having been hit in the lower arm, let out a bloodcurdling scream. The group had clearly gotten the hint, as they immediately fled the scene. "Are you okay buddy?" Diogenes asked the muffin. "Yes, i'm fine." The muffin answered, and simply left after that. Huh.

Arthur and Diogenes, with the children in tow, continued towards where the box was burried. Knowing where it was, digging it back up again wasn't much of a hastle. Pulling the box out of the ground, the group decided they would look inside the next day.

[bookofnottheaxolotl]

Character introduction

Some basic info/backstories about the non-canon characters. More information will be revealed later on.

Diogenes:

Full name: Diogenes Weaver

Appearance:

He's a tall, darkish brown axolotl. He wears a thick, dark grey cloak similar to the one socrates wears, exept Diogenes' doesnt reach all the way to the ground. Diogenes tends to hide his left hand due to [spoilers].

Pronouns: he/him. Age: 47

Background info:

Diogenes has autism and ADHD. He and Aristotle have known each other for decades, and are very close friends. He is a well respected alchemist, and has been teaching the subject for close to seventeen years now.

Frank

Full name: Frankenmuffin

Appearance:

Large muffin, about two foot in hight while standing up. He has got a polkadotted liner, and wears a orange and black friendship bracelet.

Pronouns: they/them

Schrödinger

Full name: O. Schrödinger

Appearance:

Schrödinger is a tall, black and white maine coon. He has a thick mustashe and typicaly wears a lab coat.

Pronouns: he/him. Age: 46

Background info:

He's a mad scientist, involved in a lot of shady projects. Schrödinger is currently working on something involving necromacy. While at one point he had a lover, that relationship came to a bitter end due to Schrödingers lust for power.

Wilhelm

Appearance:

He's a red panda, and relatively short in stature.

Pronouns: he/him. Age: 56

Liam

Appearance:

Liam is a tall, grey ferret, and wears a blue jacket.

Pronouns: he/him. Age: 32

Charlie

Appearance:

She is a hegdehog, and has bright blue eyes.

Pronouns: she/her. Age: 34

[not-the-axolotl]

Ive got an oc named Diogenes lol. Have another nickel if that counts.

Everybody shush for the new character: Socrates, mentor and librarian in Billie's village.

[bookofnottheaxolotl]

Ive started writing feathers and frosting! The prologue has seen some slight edits, and now im working on chapter one. Posting it either tomorrow or early next week. Here's a preview:

[bookofnottheaxolotl]

Chapter 0, part 2.

[Worried]

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The weather felt warm for the time of year, though a cold breeze made it very clear that winter was approaching. Claw bay seemed busier than usual, as everyone was preparing for the coming cold season. Amongst the many, many faces, one of them stood out like a lawn flamingo in a nativety set.

The sun had started to set and Percy had closed his shop about half an hour before, when a hooded figure hesitantly walked trough the door. "The shops closed i'm afraid, you're going to have to come back another time." As the traveller made his way further into the shop, Percy suddenly recognised him. "Oh hello there! It's you, -" "Not here, Percival." The cloaked traveller was visibly stressed. "Whats bothering you, pal?" Percy asked, being worried about the unexpected guest. "It's best if we speak somewere else, where we can't be overheard. Do you need a hand?"

"So you realy haven't heard anything from him since?" Percy had been just about to leave, so there wasn't realy anything to help with. The two had walked to an empty loading dock to talk. "Nothing, complete radio silence."

The wind started to pick up, and the temperature was dropping uncomfortably low. "We just had a coffee one day, and the next they simply vanished. Ive been trying to get time off for a while, but no succes yet. The only reason im here in the first place is because the university needed some supplies, and i figured id talk to you while I was here anyway."

"Do you think it was it something I told them? He seemed exausted when I last saw him, and I may have said something to-" "Do not blame yourself for this, Diogenes."

"I must admit, the rumours going around about Aristotle are concerning at best." As the evening went on it only got colder, and Diogenes and Percy were sitting in a crowded bar with a hot drink each. Even if anyone had tried to listen to their conversation, the noise would make it impossible to do so. "Scrimshaw can give you his last known location, but things aren't looking too great for your brother, considering its been more than five months since anyone has seen them. Still, I hope you at least find an answer as to what happened to them." "Thank you Percy, but i've heard what i needed to hear."

[bookofnottheaxolotl]

Big reveal coming up next chapter!

@battersweet @dar-thestrawberry

[bookofnottheaxolotl]

Chapter 0, part 4.

[Stranger from the past]

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Another letter. It must have been at least the fifteenth that arrived since Aristotle's death. Always from the same person and adressed to Aristotle, but there was never a name on them. The letters had simply been signed with "D", who was supposedly Aristotle's brother. Billie didnt have a clue who could have sent then, but whomever it was, they were clearly worried about Aristotle.

Despite the frequency of attempts at comnunication, Billie didnt want to bother Arthur with yet another thing to worry about. The letters were starting to arive much more frequently though, and she couldnt think of anyone else who could know who this brother was. She was going to have to ask him.

"And no name on any of them?" Arthur was looking trough a few of the more recent letters, but he didnt have any more than a vague idea of who sent them. "No name, no return adress, no nothing. They were all just signed with "D"." Looking at the writing, he noted to himself that the writing style seemed oddly familiar. "I was just about to open a box with what I believe are old pictures. Perhaps we'll find something in there." Billie wasnt to sure about that, but surely it wouldn't hurt to have a look.

"Could it be someone in this picture?" Billie handed Arthur an older picture that might give them a clue. It was clear that Arthur suddenly realised who it was. "The guy on the left! Its definately him! How could I have forgotten that face?" While Billie could think of quit a few ways, she decided not to say anything. "His name is Diogenes, he's Aristotle's younger brother. Met him a few times myself, realy nice guy if you ask me."

The picture was a group portrait, with Aristotle and two other axolotls, who were probably related to them. From what Billie could see, Diogenes was a darkish brown axolotl, and slightly taller than Aristotle. He was wearing a thick, dark grey cloak, and had a confident look on his face. At least compared to Aristotle.

"What about the other guy?" Billie couldn't help but inquire. Arthur thought for a moment. "That would be their older brother, I believe his name is Orpheus. Never met the guy, and I dont think he's very close to Diogenes or Aristotle."

It was a shame non of the letters had a return adress. "If I knew where the guy lived, we could write him back, but I never knew him that well. Im sure he'll eventualy come to look for Aristotle, given how hard hes tried to contact them." Arthur certainly had a point, as Diogenes had sounded increasingly desperate with every letter.

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Hii author here. The older brother mentioned here (Orpheus) is an oc who belongs to @dar-thestrawberry . If you want to know more about him you gotta ask them(?) and not me.

[not-the-axolotl]

Incorrect quotes by Diogenes

Just his general vibe