#make-kobalt

[schwarzgeier]

"Flesh? Report it fresh!"

Just a sketch of Geiers on the job. Hypotheticly on their job . And misc sketches under cut.

Some nice gym clothes anddd some dumb memes for yall dhdhdhf

[usamin39]

smol big brother

[estinininininen]

"all the more delectable"

I think I've finally got my ducks in a row, so I think it's time for an official post about my ffiv oc: Thrush Yarrow, they/them.

Approx. 1200 words of exposition below.

Thrush was born in Troia with the purpose of becoming an epopt. Their family was rather high in the ranks, with Thrush having an older sister in epopt training as well-- she succeeded and will assume the position once a current epopt is prepared to concede.

After several years and witnessing several mercantile and ambassadorial visits from nations such as Damcyan and Baron, a distaste began to develop for the position Thrush was preparing to ascend to. Soon after the turn of their seventeenth year, Thrush fled Troia on a black chocobo in the silence of the night.

The following years were spent honing their battle skills with a scythe in the forests of Baron and the Mist Valley. While their ability to use magic left them, they transformed the ability to harness mana into a trick they call Harvesting. They reap MP from their enemies and sow it into themselves or an ally. (Basically, their whole unique skill is Osmose but significantly better. Post lunar-trial, the Reap ability becomes Harvest, and they can absorb both HP and MP from an enemy to disperse to themself or an ally. Their ultimate weapon, acquired in the Lunar Subterrane, is called the Great Reaper: it has a chance to use Death on any enemy and boasts a high crit rate.)

They first encounter Cecil in passing after the collapse of the Mist Valley. They drag Rydia and Cecil to safety and, while on the way to Kaipo to retrieve help, they encounter Rosa, ill with desert fever, who they then carry to Kaipo. Ultimately, Thrush is spat out of the antlion's den as Edward reaches in to retrieve a Sand Pearl, and joins the party for the battle. They remain until they, too, are lost when Leviathan capsizes the party's ship as they sail for Baron.

The black chocobo Thrush fled Troia on spots them floating along the shores of their homeland. To Thrush's chagrin, they and Edward are taken in by the Troian castle while their wounds heal. Thrush still slips away in the night to hide from their familial ties and loathed past, but not before they are confronted by their sister, now a full epopt, for abandoning the family and Troia, calling them cowardly and traitorous.

Once Cecil, clad in the armor of a Paladin, reaches Troia alongside Yang, Cid, and Tellah, the Lodestone Cavern seems dreadful. Tellah's limited MP and the loss of Cecil's powerhouse swordfighting make for a daunting task. Lo and behold, however, Thrush Yarrow sits in the Chocobo Village with a brand new scythe-- the gemstone blade is razor-sharp and is not hampered by the magnetic pull of the cavern. Once they reunite with Cecil in the Chocobo Village, Thrush remains with the party for the rest of the game.

Thrush is quiet, observant, and spirited-- a glass cannon. They're deft and lethal, however their HP and Def aren't as potent as other party members. They're very strong against magic and have a high crit rate, and after a bit of toughening up, Thrush makes hard battles a bit easier with the help of their Reap ability.

Now, onto the Highwind path. Thrush's first encounter with Kain is while he's under Golbez's control, when he leads the enemy siege on Fabul. After seeing Rosa captured and Cecil's consequent emotional agony, they can't help but to ask questions. Cecil and young Rydia answer as best they can, and Thrush's morbid curiosity only grows. It lingers as the party treks through the Tower of Zot and bests Barbariccia-- now truly introducing Kain and Thrush to one another for the first time.

Kain is, of course, in love with Rosa. Zemus' grasp on him is on the roots of jealousy he has towards Cecil. He is plagued by guilt and motivated by vengeance for his honor and to redeem himself for the harm he has caused others, despite forgiveness from those closest to him. Taciturn, introspective, and steadfast, he directs all of his energy towards helping Cecil defeat Golbez/Zemus. Thrush deeply admires his strength and resolve. They're drawn to his dissatisfaction in his actions, the innate disgust with his own wants-- they empathize. A connection is built between them as they train together, travel together with the party, and share idle conversation during long night watches-- a pair of insomniacs.

Thrush understands they're developing feelings for the dragoon, and they understand that the timing is very inconvenient, given they've just breached earth's surface and crash-landed in the Underworld. They don't dare act on any of their heart's desires. There's no time, no place. Given the circumstances, Thrush is quite certain their feelings are unrequited. For a some while, they are. Kain harbors nothing but camaraderie until they're together scouring the remains of Eblan Castle and fighting Rubicante side-by-side. Until Kain sees Thrush shares in his melancholy, until he sees them bathed in the pale light of the two moons, until they slip the gauntlet off his hand and grace him with the comfort in the touch of hands alone.

This makes the scene in the Sealed Cavern all the more angsty, all the more delectable.

Kain's footsteps stagger and his clawed gauntlets grasp at the fins protruding from his helmet. Golbez' voice rattles along the walls of the cavern and the dragoon falls to his knees, lance dug into the dirt to keep him upright. I'm alright, he grunts through gritted teeth, I'm no longer under his control! Cecil's hands are on his shoulders, holding him steady and encouraging his strength, Thrush beside him and shaking with anxiousness. In a blink Rosa is casting Cura and healing the lance wound marring Cecil's side, Rydia is holding Edge back from storming out of the cavern exposed and leaving the rest of the party more vulnerable than they already are, and Thrush is paralyzed in heartache, betrayal, and distraught sadness.

I don't have any details thought out in full for the reunion within and after the collapse of the Giant of Babil. Of course it's packed with emotional tension and angst-- Kain, all of his emotions surging back to him in a tsunami of regret and fervor, Thrush, still cradling a bleeding heart and the sting of deception, both yearning for one another and for redemption of the self. I know it hurts, I know that they make a promise to one another before ascending to the moon in the Lunar Whale, and I know their presence lingers in one another's Lunar Trials. I'll make a separate post for Thrush's Lunar Trial.

Well, that's Thrush! I, of course, initially created Thrush as means of a self-insert to interact (cough cough) with Kain. I know I don't want their presence to take away from Kain's own development even across several games-- I don't want them to become his sole motivator. I want them to be a source of comfort, companionship, and security. As the time has passed and Thrush developed, they are no longer a total self-insert and instead a true original character with motives and methods different from my own. They're now more of a vehicle for me to move through the world of ffiv since I cannot physically do it myself, lol. I love them dearly. As a matter of fact, learning to mod my emulator to add in Thrush and create a homebrew of the game is on my bucket list. Please let me know what you think.

[mags6422]

It Happened One November - Final Part

Part 25 | 0 | Want more?

Spring finally comes to Hawkins in fits and starts, sunny and 75 one day and flurries the next but eventually it comes. 

Billy doesn't get to participate in the playoffs that year since he's still in his cast. The Tigers make it a decent way through the playoffs but it's frustrating sitting on the bench when he knows he could do better than most of these assholes. 

Jason Carver really shines in the playoffs, especially for a Sophomore, working his way up to the number two spot behind Steve. He's too preachy and too much of a spotlight hog for Billy's taste but he claps along dutifully with everyone else when he gets announced as captain next year. 

Eventually the cast comes off, just in time for the whole upside down squad to descend on Hopper's cottage over spring break to help build an extension so everyone has a bedroom.

Honestly it's mostly the teens and Hopper who build it while Mrs. Byers runs herd on the children. For example, right now they are all arguing over what to call their weird little collection of mismatched people. 

“We should be called the UPS!” Exclaims Dustin, waiving a hammer around, occasionally hitting a nail. 

“No way!”

“That's stupid!”

“What does that even mean?” 

“It's the Upsidedown Prevention Squad!” Dustin declares proudly in the face of his scoffing friends. 

“Hate to break it to you kid, but UPS is the United Parcel Service.” Says Hopper as he walks by with a beam over his shoulder.

“Exactly!” Grins Dustin, pointing at him, “It's incognito, no one will suspect a thing!” 

Eleven, at least, is very helpful with putting up the frame and the roof, holding them up with her power while they climb around on it to secure it. 

It takes the whole week. They work from sun up to sun down and then head in to continue their DnD game from New Year's. 

It's actually a lot of fun. Kind of like playing make believe as a kid but with a few more rules and stakes to give it some structure. His favourite part is when he gets to flirt with characters, usually the ‘NPCs’ that Will introduces throughout the game. He likes to say the most outlandish and over the top pick up lines that would never work in real life and then stack all his experience points in charisma, persuasion and dexterity to make sure they work anyway. Max and Dustin despair, it's great. 

Steve obviously can't see past the fact that all the imaginary side characters are played and voiced by Will and is therefore overly nice to them all and tries to adopt them. This has mixed success, the werewolf/hyena things (“They're called knolls!”) still attacked him but they now have a contingent of little lizard things called kobalts that follows them around asking for snacks and attacking bystanders until Steve puts them in time out and they stop.

The combat is surprisingly fun and Billy may get a little too into it, jumping up and demonstrating with his own chair now he bludgeoned a goblin to death after he sneak attacks Max. Steve is visibly stressed through the fight scenes and spends every turn running around healing everyone as soon as they lose a single hit point. 

At the end of the week they put on the final coat of paint, install the door (with a lock) and move in his furniture. It wasn't much, police officers, even the Chief, don't make that much. He's got a double bed in one corner, donated by the Harringtons (with or without their knowledge, Billy didn't ask). The sheets are from the Henderson house and covered in a floral pattern and cat hair. There's also a standing wardrobe that Mrs. Byers found on the side of the road, a bench for his weights that Max smuggled out of the house and a little desk that Lucas brought from his parents basement. Even the Wheelers contributed a couple lamps that were running on an extension cord from the living room outlet since Hop figured it was best not to fuck around with the wiring. 

It is… objectively ugly. Nothing matches, the posters and photos on the walls are crooked and the floor slants and is covered in orange shag.

And he loves it. Loves that it was made by all their friends (“We’re the UPS!” “Shut up Dustin.”) and filled with things given to him by people who care about him. 

“This is awesome!” Max yells, running past to start jumping on the bed, with her shoes on because she was raised in a fucking barn. Dick. 

He grabs her, throws her over his shoulder and marches her out to the couch to toss her on then stalks back to the door. “Stay out of my room!” He yells and slams the door, flicking the lock and savours the sounds of her banging on the door to be let in. 

Oh yeah, he could get used to this. 

They end the break with a big BBQ at the Harringtons’ place since Hop's cabin really isn't big enough for everyone.  

It's a beautiful day, Mrs. Byers and Hopper are manning the grill, Steve is chasing the kids around the pool with sunscreen, and Billy is laid back in a lounger next to Jonathan and Nancy.

Billy leans back and closes his eyes behind his shades, enjoying the voices and music swelling around him, a soft smile on his lips. If you had told the Billy of a year ago that he would not only be living in Hawkins Indiana, but also enjoying it, surrounded by friends and free of his dad, he would have laughed in your face. 

He's brought out of his revery by Steve bullying his way onto the end of his lounger, never mind there are three more right next to it. 

“Whatcha thinking about?” Asks his boyfriend after he's made himself comfortable, the dick. 

Billy flicks him on the forehead but still answers honestly. “Thinking I'm real grateful that old man Thompson saw Max and Sinclair on their way to the junkyard that night. I get the feeling that things could have gone very differently if he hadn't told me.” 

“Huh, yeah, that's weird to think about.” Agreed Steve, giving him a funny look, “I'm glad he did too then, I really like how things are turning out.” 

“Me too, pretty boy, me too.” He offered up his fist and Steve pressed his in against it, not letting up. 

“Dude, we really need to find a code for me to tell you I love you when we're out because I definitely love you a lot right now.” Teases Steve, leaning in to whisper. 

Billy thinks it over “how about…” he switches their hands around to hold his, reaching his other arm around to slap him on the back in a dude bro hug. He's close enough now to whisper in his ear, “I love you too, Steve.” 

Read the whole series on AO3

Part 25 | 0 | Want more?

[tecnestheim962]

V10 hasn’t even been greenlit but it’s literally set up with Oscar Suffering so it’s safe to say that crwby will be continuing to meet their quota of putting him through it:

V4: Ozpin scares the living gajeebus out of him causing him to fall and cause a farm tool fiasco (like I know he fell into hay but have you ever fallen onto a thin layer of hay? Its like a bunch of tiny needles stabbing you everywhere so I’m counting it)

Also I feel like the Hazel scene with the ticket machine was just foreshadowing for V8 in the worst ways possible.

V5: ruby punched him square in the face with no aura activation.

Ozpin took over his body without consent and proceeded to do some sick moves that a normal 14 year old farm hand should not be able to do without collapsing, hence he collapsed afterwards. It sounds like he was out for days and even when he got up and Ozpin was taking over, he was using his cane like a crutch so I’m sure Oscar probably was just immobile for days from overexertion.

V6: the infamous Qrow sucker punch

Nora literally tackling him to the ground

Jaune manhandling him

Having all of RWBYJNR tackle him

The plane crash

V7:

Kobalt picking him up by the head like he’s a rag doll while training

Neo definitely put him through it based on his appearance

Getting shot off the edge of a floating city

V8:

The hound

The whale

Need I say more?

V9:

Even though it was an illusion he still found a way to get hurt by being sliced by crescent rose :’)

Also if you count the epilogue as a part of it than that

V10:

Yay the merge is here!

Anyways: oscar pine protection squad assemble and ready yourselves, we may not make it out of this one

[taro-pdf]

for aro spec awareness week -- all my aro spec OCs!

Top left to bottom right: Pol, vampire, aroallo; Lux, angel, arospec; Nil, vampire, biromantic (this was a mistake--he's alloromantic but besties with Lux so i drew him before I realized oops); Kobalt, vampire, demiromantic; Faja, tuscia alien, recipromantic; Door, bunny centaur, aromantic; Kell, human, aromantic; Arella, demon, aromantic; Hei, fae, aromantic.

[ID: ink drawing of all the previously mentioned characters posing together.]

Edit: I just counted and 50% of my ocs are aro-spec. love making representation for myself!

Use they/them or ask for pronouns.

[hissingjay]

Jay. My joyous gayus Jay. I have a hypothetical yuri gay question.

So i asked before how a traumatized Kasuar react to being reinserted to a new Geier squad after loosing their last one. Or just in general a whole new facility.

And i have been. Trying to work on a smol fic text about Geier/Kasuar admitedly. But im playing with idea of either new Geiers completely orrr having Kasuar join the Metal Geiers squad (Null , Kobalt Silver etc) and if it were the later (cause im leaning towards it cause of a funky spooky plotline )

How would a Kasuar gal react to these specific Geiers? Who gets plus points who less , or in general i just. Am thinking of them all interacting and trying to make Kass feel bit more included . Lemme know ur thoughts

(Also ofc if u dont want me to write anything i wont)

YESSSSS OKAY THAT SOUNDS SO AWESOME GOD WHAT

hmmmmrrrr okay my short gae friend im loving this already hell yeah AAAAND turns out you got me yapping you sly dog so this is long

I think they’d get along well just like. In general since Kasuars are really social and get along well with pretty much everyone? Smth smth not-great nueral template stuff makes them extremely amicable towards others. Geiers are not as loud as Kasuars for certain but since they’re really calm all the time that’s Like the perfect environment for a budding Kassie.

I went on about imprinting a bit ago so you know how that works ish

For the geiers in particular I’m thinking there mayyyy be lots of variation in the Kasuar since like. the imprinting that they do really is just they learn extremely fast and incorporate the first stuff the learn really well so personality wise Kasuars have lots of free space? This is me saying have fun with whatever Kass you use’s personality go ham with it. But assuming we go with just default Kasuar cause I think it’d be reallly fun dynamic especially null methinks nyehehe

okay COPPER COPPER MY GIRL

copper is like the peacekeeper here so I think she’d do a good job keeping Kassie in line ish

Like just making sure Kass doesn’t use up a whole tank of gas on one creature and stopping her from scuffling with others and the like. I think ehrrr this would be kinda tough since Kasuars do not do extremely well with too much authority smth smth past memories and all but I think copper would be fine. Mutual bonding over issues too since Kasuars are aware of bad stuff the nation does but are still loyal so uh that’s fun. Maybe not get along toooo well at first cause “hey Kass you gotta follow them rules” but then sloooowly start growing on her as they get to know each other fhhfh

AHHH SILVER NOW OUR PERSONAL FLIRT EH

I think her being so chill is great and then of course how blunt she is is cool too methinks. Kasuars can appreciate transparency I would say

only thing that would catch her off guard maybe is the flirting. Kasuars are . definitely not used to being flirted with (or loved/appreciated in any way at all really) so it would be kinda shocking as she processes not only is someone complementing them but it’s flirty? And that’s enough without the fact that silver is like. So gottdang hot with hair down and lounging with her scars for the world to see oh my god. The slight masochism would definitely rub off a fair bit if silver lets it out? Like going to aggressive too long and that can get outta hand real fast if unchecked. I can see her and kassie ogling the eules and aras and starlings and pretty much everybody watching replikas do their thing around the facility and stuff fhffhh I think that'd be fun.

ALLOYYYY MY GIRL ALLOY

Softiiiiiie she is. I can see her bringing out the softier side in kassie? I know like kasuars are violent gremlins who defy death just so they can kill more before they do die but deep down they're sweetie pies so thats something she and alloy would have in common anyhow. ALSO her hair! she wears it a tad lower if i remember correctly? maybe not as low as kassie wears hers but its pretty similar I can see the softies doing hair together and helping aras and the others move boxes and the like. Just as lil things they do together. Alloy doesnt speak up much as shes so reserved and everything and Kasuars hate pushing boundaries so it’d take a loooooooong while for alloy to open up to her past a couple life ‘n’ death situations. But other than that all good!

AAAAND KOBALT

okay I think ultimately they’d have the roughest relationship. Like all in all it could work quite well but alas Kobalts tendency to kind of lash out? Like yanking Aras from the vents and barking out but only with Kassie, especially when she’s new. I mentioned too many times the not doing well smth smth past memories and all and being growled at wouldn’t help. Of Kobalt were already established as a safe friend or ally it’d “oh okay it’d be something she does oh well” but with Kassie especially with Kasuars being so extremely paranoid it’d be. Not fun. It could work really nice since Kass could do well with someone as aggressive as Kobalt but under just as possible circumstances Kass would be extremely nervous or even scared around her. So either which way but definitely starting out with some nervousness

AAAAND lastly NULL. If you are wondering if I left null for last on purpose the answer is yes! I think she’d be the most interesting.

Sooo generally I think they’d get along well? Nulls pretty cool and calm methinks in the form of a certain apathy and that’s okay! She’s also much more experienced I can see her teaching kass the ropes and ruffling her hair and calling her kid fhhhfhhf stuff like that. Maaaaybe kass’d take after null and wear a mask more? Like Kasuars just wear masks for comfort reasons it makes them feel like they’re not being perceived and therefore safer.

The thing that really strikes me would be Falke. Kasuars are fine with Falkes and how they act and at consciously all good with them! Falkes are cool tall and speary and overall seem to be great leaders. Only their voice is. Extremely and intensely terrifying. (I got into this a whiiile ago but all that last trauma I keep talking about is abuse from the gestalts mother. Beatings and horrid things. Falke sounds too similar to said mother. Which is why they don’t do well with yelling ie Kobalt and especially not from Falkes)

so the voice of Falke units are really agitating to Kasuars. And therefore so are Falkes and their touch. Kasuars can get scared but it’s Falke voices that actually genuinely instill authentic fear in them. So null being chummy with Falke would be rough. I mean Kassie could just avoid her but that’d be hard especially if null just likes to talk to Falke like in hallways and stuff in a way that Kassie can hear. It does not help that all the geiers can spar with her and not just null. Worse still if Kassie is expected to spar with Falke too. But that’s the interesting part kassie just attempting to navigate Falke who she is authentically terrified of and I think she’d feel terrible about it since it’s irrational, especially if Falke makes some sort of effort to be kind. She coouuuuld grow out of it possibly but starting out would be tough.

Nulls proximity with Falke would kinda force Kass to deal with her and her fears. Fun!

oh and something else bout null is I think she’d be the first to meet Kass. More likely than not if Kass is introduced to the geiers officially Itll be null first cause if Nulls the one saying “hey I found this gremlin in the woods æon wants us to take care of her.” Then the others would listen more than if someone else said it

uhhh last thing is have fun with Kass! I do the imprinting thing and basically there’s SO much wiggle room personality-wise. They learn and act like Those around em so there’s only a few core bits that stick.

[bjfinn]

CHAOS AND CANDY CANES

"Beetlejuice"/"School of Rock" crossover

(thanks to @stinkyhorsebitch for the title suggestion!)

(Lydia's gift for Beej inspired by @lazifyre's artwork)

"Rock and Roll" by Jimmy Page, John Bonham, John Paul Jones & Robert Plant, © Edition JA, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Peermusic Publishing, Royalty Network, Songtrust Ave, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc

Lydia looked out the window. "Why is there a van parking in our driveway?"

Everyone came over to see. "HE'S HERE!" Beej exclaimed excitedly.

"Who's here?" asked Charles.

"My friend Dewey!" Beej said. Then he stopped suddenly, his hair turning pink. "Uh, is it okay if I invite him over for Christmas?"

"It's a little late for that, BJ!"

"I know, I know -- I forgot, okay? I'm sorry!"

The doorbell rang. "You must be Dewey Finn," Delia said brightly when she opened the door. "It's so nice to meet you -- BJ's told us all about you! Come in, come in, please!"

"Thanks," Dewey said as he knocked the snow off his boots and came in. "Glad to be here." He took off his coat, and Delia hung it on the coatrack.

"Dewey! My old pal! " Beej cried, grabbing his friend and hugging him. "Glad you could make it! It's so good to see you, buddy!"

"You too, Beej," Dewey said. He turned to Delia. "Thanks for telling Beej that I could come."

"Uhh ... well, of course!" she replied, managing to cover up her continued surprise. She shot Beej a look that clearly said We'll talk about this later. "Any friend of BJ's is a friend of ours," Delia told him. "Now let me introduce you to everyone -- I'm Delia, this is my husband Charles and of course you know his -- our -- daughter Lydia ..."

Dewey shook hands with each of them in turn.

"And these are our dear friends, Adam and Barbara Maitland -- oh! I don't know if you can see them -- they're ghosts."

"I can see them, actually," Dewey said with a smile. "It's ... it's nice to meet all of you -- Beej has told me all about you."

"Can I get you something to drink?" Charles asked.

"A beer would be great, thanks," Dewey said. "If you have any, of course -- otherwise, anything will be fine."

Charles headed to the kitchen and returned a moment later with a glass of foamy amber liquid. He handed it to Dewey, who took a sip.

"So BJ tells us you're a music teacher at Horace Green?" Charles inquired. "Good school -- I went there myself."

"Oh wow! Small world, huh?" Dewey replied. "Yeah, well ... actually I -- I'm the music coach. I teach some of the kids after class -- they're really talented! We even formed a band -- The School of Rock."

"I remember reading about it in the alumni newsletter -- you nearly won the ... Battle of the Bands, was it?"

"Yeah," Dewey said, nodding. He took another sip of beer. "Pretty good for a band that was only a couple months old."

"I'd call it extraordinary," Charles said, smiling.

"We'll win next year, just you wait and see."

"From what BJ has told us, it wouldn't surprise me at all -- your passion and dedication to those kids is ... what's the word? Awesome."

Dewey chuckled at that.

"Come on, buddy!" Beej broke in. "Lemme show you around!" And he grabbed Dewey by the hand and pulled him up the stairs.

"He seems like a nice young man," Charles said.

Delia nodded. "I think it's wonderful that BJ has another friend besides us."

"Is it just me, or did anyone else notice that they look ... identical?" Barbara asked. "Beej and Dewey could be twins!"

"I noticed that, too," Adam replied.

"They don't just look alike," Lydia said. "From what I saw in New York, they have pretty much the same personality, too -- like two bratty little kids with ADHD. Especially when they get each other going. And they argue and fight a lot -- like, constantly."

"Well, Beej does bring out the best in people," Barbara noted sardonically.

"I'm sure it won't be that bad," Adam told her.

Lydia rolled her eyes. "We're gonna have our hands full with those two -- just you wait and see."

*****

As it happened, they didn't have to wait long.

Charles had just brought up the box of Christmas decorations up from the basement when there was a loud crash. He, the Maitlands, Delia and Lydia raced up the stairs and stopped at the open doorway to Beej's room. The demon and his human friend were rolling around on the floor, grappling fiercely.

"I told you so," Lydia said. She put two fingers to her lips and whistled shrilly.

The two of them froze in mid-battle and looked over at the Deetzes, eyes wide with surprised embarrassment, and Beej got off of Dewey and helped him to his feet. They stood there, two grown men looking for all the world like a couple of guilty little boys.

"He started it," Beej said.

"Did not!" Dewey retorted.

"What's going on?" Charles asked. Beej and Dewey both began talking at once, and he held up his hand, a bemused smile on his face. "You know what? I don't even want to know. New rule: no wrestling in the house."

"You guys are in trouble! " Lydia said as her father and stepmother headed back downstairs, her voice tinged with glee.

Beej stuck out his tongue at her.

"Come on, you two -- we're gonna start putting up the decorations."

*****

"Sorry about before, Mr Deetz," Dewey said as he untangled the Christmas lights. "Sometimes me and Beej ... we just get a bit carried away."

Charles nodded. "BJ has that effect on people," he said.

"Yeah, I've noticed."

"Hey, I'm standing right here! " Beej said indignantly.

"I noticed that, too," Dewey quipped.

Charles chuckled. He'd never say it out loud, but he was enjoying the way the two of them were interacting -- they might've been full-grown men, but their relationship brought a youthful exuberance to the Deetz-Maitland home. He just hoped they wouldn't destroy the place before the holidays were over.

"Hand me the staple gun, Beej," Dewey said, climbing the ladder. "I'm gonna put these lights up around the window."

Beej handed the gun to Dewey. "Lemme help get it in place," he said. He took hold of the other end of the string of lights and floated up to hold it against the top of the window frame.

"Fuck, man -- I wish you could teach me how to do that!" Dewey exclaimed. "Let it go slack -- just a little ... that's it -- perfect!" He began stapling the lights to the frame. When he couldn't reach any farther, he handed the staple gun to Beej, who stapled the rest of the string into place.

"Why did I hafta do any of it?" Dewey asked, grinning. "You coulda done it all!"

"Yeah, sure," Beej retorted. "Make the six-hundred-year-old demon do all the work! Jeez, you're a real peach, you know that? Why am I even friends with you?"

" 'Cause beggars can't be choosers?"

Charles snorted a laugh.

They finished putting up the decorations -- Beej and Dewey squabbling the entire time -- just as Delia came into the living room. "Dinner's ready," she said. "You guys did a great job!"

"Thanks," Beej said, beaming. "I did most of it myself."

"You liar!" Dewey retorted. "I did most of the work -- you just helped."

"If it wasn't for me --"

"Boys! Boys! " Delia interrupted. "Dinner's getting cold."

The two friends went over to the dining table and took their seats, one on either side of Lydia. Charles and Delia looked at each other, smiling and shaking their heads in amusement, as they joined them.

"So, Dewey," Adam said, "how long have you been a musician?"

"I got my first guitar when I was ten," came the reply. "I've been playing ever since. Music's my life, you know? I -- I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't play."

"He's really good, too," Beej added. "Not as good as me, but --"

"Dream on, pal!" Dewey chuckled. "I could beat you and your little ukulele any day!"

"Says you!" Beej countered. "And it's a banjolele, dumbass!"

"You wanna take me on?" Dewey asked. "Put your money where your mouth is?"

"You're on, pal!" Beej agreed, never one to resist a challenge.

"After dinner -- six-strings at ten paces!"

The Maitlands exchanged amused looks with Charles and Delia as Beej and Dewey bumped fists across Lydia's plate, momentarily preventing her from getting the forkful of roast chicken to her mouth.

"Hey! I'm tryna eat here, you know?" she said in mock annoyance, trying to hide her own amusement.

"Sorry," they replied.

"You're goin' down!" Dewey told Beej.

"Yeah, we'll see about that!"

*****

After the dishes had been put in the dishwasher, everyone headed into the living room for the duel. Dewey checked the tuning on his guitar, and Beej produced his banjolele.

Dewey smirked, but his mouth fell open when the demon turned the miniscule instrument into an acoustic guitar to match Dewey's.

"What?" Beej said smugly. "You think I can't play anything else?"

Dewey glared at Beej. "Let's do this," he said.

"What are we gonna play?"

"How 'bout Led Zeppelin -- 'Rock and Roll'?" Dewey started playing the tune.

"Hold up," Beej said. "If we're gonna do this, let's do it right!" He snapped his fingers, and suddenly Dewey was holding his most prized possession -- the Gibson Les Paul 100 Heritage Cherry Sunburst that had set him back nearly $3000.

Dewey gave the strings an experimental strum with the pick. The sound wasn't muted at all -- despite the fact that the guitar wasn't hooked up to an amp.

Astonished, he looked over at Beej, who now held a black-and-white Gibson EB-3 bass. "How --" Dewey began.

"I keep telling you -- I'm a demon."

Another snap of Beej's fingers and a stand microphone appeared.

"All right!" Dewey exclaimed, stepping up to the mic and thrusting a fist into the air, index and pinkie extended. "Let's ROCK AND ROLL!"

Adam got to his feet and extended his hand to Barbara. Smiling, she placed her hand in his and they started dancing as Dewey took up the lyrics:

It's been a long time since I rock and rolled

It's been a long time since I did the stroll

Ooh let me get it back, let me get it back

Let me get it back, baby, where I come from

It's been a long time, been a long time

Been a long lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time

Beej joined in on the second verse, the two of them sharing the mic as if they'd been doing it for years.

It's been a long time since The Book of Love

I can't count the tears of a life with no love

Carry me back, carry me back

Carry me back, baby, where I come from, whoa-oh-oh

It's been a long time, been a long time

Been a long lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time

Dewey fell to his knees and leaned back, head-banging as he shredded the guitar solo, and much to everyone's surprise Beej was content to let his friend take it, backing him up on the bass -- a sure sign of just how much Dewey meant to him.

Oh seems so long since we walked in the moonlight

Making vows that just can't work right, oh yeah

Open your arms, opens your arms

Open your arms, baby, let love come running in, yeah

It's been a long time, been a long time

Been a long lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time

Yeah-hey, yeah-hey, yeah-hey, yeah-hey

Ooh yeah, ooh yeah

Ooh yeah, ooh yeah

It's been a long time, been a long time

Been a long lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time

By the time the song came to an end, both of them were out of breath and drenched in sweat, their hair plastered to their foreheads. The Deetzes and the Maitlands applauded enthusiastically, and the two performers high-fived one another and bumped fists.

"That was fantastic!" Adam said. "You guys are amazing! I wish I could play."

"Thanks," Dewey replied, still breathing hard.

"Well?" Beej asked. "Who won -- me or him?"

"Too close to call," Lydia told him. "It's a tie."

"Well, that sucks!" Beej replied, scowling -- but his hair was a happy bright green.

*****

"I hope you don't mind sharing BJ's room," Delia said. "He insisted -- but there's only one bed, I'm afraid. One of you will have to sleep on the air mattress."

Beej shook his head. "We can share the bed -- we share his bed whenever I sleep over at his place."

Lydia looked at the two of them. "What?"

"Yeah, it's great!" Beej said. "Two hot guys, one little bed ..." He licked his lips suggestively.

"Are you two ...?" Adam asked.

"Huh? No! " Dewey replied, glaring at Beej. "No, nothing like that." He grinned at the misunderstanding. "We're just friends, that's all."

"Good to know," Barbara said brightly.

"I was just kidding around," Beej said. "Jeez! You'd think you two'd know me by now! "

"We do," Adam answered, smirking. "That's the problem."

*****

The next morning when Dewey and Beej came down for breakfast, the former was wearing a black t-shirt emblazoned with rainbow stars and the words "Educational Rock Star".

"What's with the t-shirt?" Lydia asked.

"Huh?"

"It's a bit too small for you, isn't it?"

Dewey grinned sheepishly. "Oh, uh ... yeah, I know," he said. "But ... well, my students gave it to me for Christmas, so ..."

"That's sweet," Delia said. "They must really appreciate you."

"Yeah, they're great kids." He tugged at the neckline of the shirt. "I'm hoping it'll loosen up a bit."

"I think it makes you look hot," Beej said.

"You think everything makes everyone look hot," Lydia countered.

"Hey, you know me -- I'm all about body positivity, kid!"

*****

"I'll have to shovel the walk," Charles said, once breakfast was done.

"Let me do it," Dewey offered.

"No, you're our guest," Charles told him. "I can't ask you to --"

"You're not asking -- I'm offering. It's the least I can do."

Charles considered for a moment, and then he smiled. "All right," he said. "Thank you, Dewey."

"I'll help!" Beej chimed in as Dewey put on his coat, and they headed outside.

Between the two of them, they made short work of the job, and when it was done they high-fived one another.

"I don't think I've ever seen Beej work so hard," Lydia said, grinning -- she'd been watching them through the window. "I'll bet they decided to make a contest out of it, to see who could shovel the most."

Delia and Charles joined her at the window, along with the Maitlands. As they watched, Dewey picked up a handful of snow, packed it into a ball and threw it at Beej when he wasn't looking. Beej turned in surprise to see his buddy preparing another missile, grinned, and grabbed some snow to make his own, and then the two of them were hurling snowballs at each other, laughing and yelling.

Lydia would've liked to join them, but Beej and Dewey deserved to have this moment to themselves -- besides, she was getting a kick out of watching the two friends. She raised her camera and began taking pictures of the scene through the glass.

A massive snowball exploded against Dewey's chest, and he fell backwards. Beej threw himself at his friend and they began wrestling in the snow.

"Look at them," Adam said, grinning. "They're like little kids!"

Barbara nodded. "Dewey's a good influence on Beej, I think."

Lydia raised her eyebrows at that, but said nothing.

Delia, smiling, said, "I'd better make some hot cocoa -- they'll be frozen when they come back inside."

"Do you think they could be related somehow?" Barbara asked.

"How could they be?" Adam asked. "I mean, Beej is a demon."

"Well, Beej said that his dad was a ghost," Lydia put in, "so ... it's a possibility -- they could have a common ancestor hundreds of years ago."

"What an astonishing coincidence that would be," Charles noted. "That they met and became friends without knowing?" He shook his head in amazement.

Delia was struck by a sudden thought. "Do you think we could find out? If it's true, that would be a great Christmas present for the both of them."

"I can't think of a better present," Barbara said. "Beej doesn't have any family except for us, and Dewey's alone ..."

"That would be amazing! " Lydia exclaimed. "They'd be so stoked! We need to find out!"

"I don't know if it'll be possible -- BJ said that his father was alive during the Black Plague," Charles replied. "But there's no harm in trying. I'll make some calls and see if there's anyone who could help --"

"Thanks, Dad!" Lydia said happily, hugging him.

"I may not be able to find any information."

"I know," she said. "It's enough that you're gonna try." She turned to the others. "Nobody say anything about this to Beej or Dewey, okay? If we find out something, I want it to be a surprise -- and if not, I don't want them to be disappointed."

*****

When the boys came back inside, Delia handed each of them a mug of hot cocoa with whipped cream, mini marshmallows and chocolate shavings. "Something to warm you up," she told them as they went into the living room.

"Thanks, De- I mean, Mom," Beej said.

"Yeah, thanks," Dewey echoed. "I haven't had hot cocoa in ... I don't know how long." He took a sip and licked his lips. "I really wanna thank you guys for inviting me. It's ... it's nice to be around family for the holidays, even if it's not my family."

"If I may ask, what happened to them?" Charles inquired.

"Drunk driver," Dewey said simply. "I was thirteen when it happened. They were pronounced dead at ... at the scene. I was in school, and I got called down to the principal's office. I remember wondering what I'd done -- I, uh ... wasn't the best student -- and then he told me what had happened."

"That's awful!" Barbara exclaimed.

"We're so sorry for your loss," Adam told him.

"It was a long time ago," Dewey said with a shrug. "I still miss my mom and dad, but I guess ... I guess I'm used to them being gone." He took a deep breath and shook his head as if to clear it. "It's been a long time since I told anyone about that," he said.

"What happened to you after the ... accident?" Delia asked.

"I went to live with my mom's sister until I graduated -- then I got a place of my own."

"You have no brothers or sisters?" Lydia asked. "No one to spend the holidays with?"

"Nope," came the reply. "I was an only child. And Aunt Carol never had kids, and she, uh ... died. About five years ago. So getting the chance to have a real Christmas again ... it really means a lot to me."

Delia smiled. "Well, you're always welcome here." She turned to Beej. "Are you up for a session today?"

"Okay," he replied.

"Session?" Dewey asked.

"I've been helping BJ get in touch with himself," Delia explained. "Teaching him how to ... be a better person. You can join us if you like."

"It's kinda fun," Beej said.

Dewey shrugged. "Okay -- yeah, sure, why not?"

*****

"Okay," Delia said when they entered her studio -- a boho-chic space replete with macrame wall-hangings, throws, tropical plants, kilim rugs and tasselled floor cushions. And, of course, examples of her artwork. "How about we try a bit of meditation?" She looked at Beej and smiled. "Think you're ready for that?"

"Yeah, sure," he replied. "I'll try it."

"Good. All right," she said, and brought over a small, intricately engraved brass bowl and a wooden striker partially wrapped in felt. Settling herself on one of the large floor cushions, she placed the bowl on a smaller cushion in front of her. "Let's all get comfortable, and we'll start."

The guys sat side by side on the other floor cushions.

"Have you ever meditated before?" Delia asked Dewey.

He shook his head.

"That's okay -- it's BJ's first time, too. Now, put your hands in your lap, like this -- that's right, and take a long, deep breath. Let your body relax ... gently easing any tension you might feel ..."

She gently struck the rim of the bowl with the mallet and then began running it along the outside, producing a soft, rhythmic ringing sound.

"That's an A," Dewey told her.

"You have perfect pitch?" Delia asked. "Impressive. This note helps unlock your Third Eye Chakra in the center of your forehead -- it's for understanding, visualization, intuition, and inner vision."

Dewey glanced over at Beej, who grinned and stuck out his tongue, elbowing his friend in the ribs.

"BJ," Delia chided him gently, before things got out of control. "Focus."

"Sorry," he said, chastened. "I'm just so happy Dewey's here!"

"I know -- we all are," she told him. "But now's not the time for goofing around. Now we need to be calm and serene."

"I don't think Beej knows the meaning of that word," Dewey quipped.

"Oh, and you do?" Beej retorted, grinning.

"Calm and serene," Delia repeated firmly. "Both of you."

"Yes, ma'am," they chorused.

"Maybe we should do something more ... active," she suggested. "Art therapy?"

"That's my favourite," Beej told Dewey.

"Uhh ... I'm not much of an artist," Dewey said.

"You don't have to be," Delia replied, getting two sketch pads and a box of coloured pencils out of the supply cabinet. "It's about getting in touch with your inner self -- the art is just a way to do that."

"Okay, sooo ... what do I draw?"

"I like to draw my family," Beej said. "Or sometimes I draw birds."

"Birds?"

"Yeah, me and Chuck go birdwatching," the demon told him. "I love birds -- there aren't any in the Netherworld. Well, not like the ones Topside, anyway."

"So that's why you were so interested in the ducks when we went to Prospect Park!" Dewey exclaimed. "I've been wondering about that!"

"Sounds like you two had a good time there," Delia said. "How about drawing your memory of it? And remember, it's not about how good the art is."

*****

"BJ," Delia said when he was done, "this is really good! You're really improving! You even tried shading this time -- I'm impressed."

"Thanks, Mom," he replied, his hair turning pink. "It's not as good as Dewey's, though." He turned to his friend. "I thought you said you weren't an artist!"

"I'm not," Dewey answered. "Not really." He'd drawn the same scene as Beej -- the two of them jamming by the lake. "I just draw when ... when I'm writing music and I get stuck. To get things going again, you know?"

"It's really good," Beej said. "Better than mine." There was a note of sadness in his voice, and his hair was shot through with purple.

"It's not a competition, BJ," Delia told him gently.

"I know," the demon replied morosely. "I just wish I could draw that good."

"You'll get better at it," Dewey responded. "Just keep practising, dude."

Beej nodded. He stood up and went out the door without a word.

Dewey and Delia looked at each other.

"I'll talk to him," Delia said.

Dewey shook his head. "Let me do it."

Delia nodded, and Dewey went after his friend.

"Hey, Beej!"

Beej rounded on him. "It's not fair! " he said. "You're better than me at everything! I tried -- I really did! But I'm not as good as you at anything! " Angry tears spilled down his cheeks, his hair reddening.

"Hey! Buddy!" Dewey said. "Listen -- Delia's right, it's not a competition. And you're wrong -- you can play music every bit as good as me! Maybe better."

The demon shook his head. "That's only because I tune in to you!"

"I know. But the thing is, you remember it afterwards, right? You learn, right? It doesn't ... it doesn't just disappear when it's over."

"I guess."

"So you get better at it." He put an arm around his friend's shoulders. "Do you know why I'm good at music? It's 'cause I practise all the time, man! It takes me forever to learn a new chord, or the lyrics to a new song. But you ... you do something once and you got it down pat! I would kill to be able to do that!

"And it's the same with drawing -- you just started doing it a little while ago, and you're already this good?" He held up Beej's drawing.

Beej looked at the picture and then at his friend. "It ... it is pretty good, isn't it?" he said with a chuckle.

Dewey nodded, smiling. "It is. Can ... can I have it?"

"Really?" Beej swallowed the lump in his throat. "You really want my drawing?"

"Yeah, man -- and you can have mine, i-if you want."

Beej grinned, his hair now green.

Delia, who had been watching the exchange from the doorway of the studio, smiled. It warmed her heart that Dewey had known just what to say to make BJ feel better.

*****

"What's goin' on?" Beej asked.

"Oh, nothing," Lydia replied coyly.

Beej bit his lip, his eyes wide, his head moving in that predatory raptor way it always did when he sensed something was up. "You're hiding something," he said. "What're you hiding from me, Lyds?"

"It's a surprise."

Beej's eyebrows shot up. "A surprise? For me?"

She nodded. "For you and Dewey. For Christmas."

He grinned, no longer the apex predator. "What is it?"

"You'll have to wait until Christmas morning."

"Ah, come on! Tell me!"

"No," Lydia told him. "You have to wait."

"Please?"

"Nuh-uh."

"Pretty please?"

"Sorry."

His lip curled in a scowl, his hair turning magenta. "Aaargh! Fine! " he snarled. "I don't even wanna know!" And he stomped out. He returned immediately. "I definitely don't want you to tell me!" He left again, and again he came back right away. "You can beg me all you want -- but you're not allowed to tell me!" He left once more. He stormed back in a third time. "Even if you try to tell me, I won't listen!" And again he left, only to return. "So there! " He slammed the door behind him as he exited one last time.

"Reverse psychology really isn't his strong suit," Lydia chuckled to herself.

*****

Dewey was sitting on Beej's bed tuning his guitar when the demon came in. He looked up and saw the colour of his buddy's hair. "What's wrong?"

Beej flopped onto the bed. "Lydia was mean to me," he muttered.

"What? What'd she do?"

"She said she had a surprise for us for Christmas, but she wouldn't tell me what it is!"

Dewey chuckled. "She wasn't being mean -- that's how Christmas works," he told the demon. "You have to wait to ... to find out what your presents are -- it's part of the fun."

Beej raised himself to a sitting position. "Doesn't sound like fun."

"We'll find out Christmas morning, and that'll make the surprise even better -- I promise." He put an arm around his friend's shoulder. "If you knew what the ... the surprise was, then it wouldn't be a surprise, would it?"

"I guess," Beej said morosely.

"Come on," Dewey said. "Let's jam a bit -- whaddya say?"

Beej brightened at the suggestion. "Okay." He produced his banjolele, and the two of them, sitting on the bed, began playing.

"Hey," Dewey asked suddenly. "What're you getting them? "

"Whaddya mean?"

"For Christmas -- what're you getting them for Christmas?"

"I ... I gotta give presents???" Beej sputtered.

"Well, yeah," Dewey told him. "That's how it works -- everybody exchanges gifts for Christmas."

"You're kidding, right?"

"You didn't get any presents for anyone, did you?"

"No one told me I had to!" Beej wailed. "I mean, how's a guy supposed to know this stuff if nobody tells him?" He looked at Dewey, desperation in his eyes. "You gotta help me! I don't know what to get anybody!"

*****

"Okay," Dewey said, grabbing a sheet of paper and a pencil. "Let's figure out what to get everyone. Let's start with Lydia. I know she's into photography, right? So maybe we can get her something to do with that."

"Like what?" Beej asked.

"Like maybe film for her camera, or ... oh! I know -- how 'bout some supplies for her dark room? She could always use more of that stuff."

"Okay," Beej said, and watched as Dewey wrote "Lydia -- photo supplies?? ".

One by one, they came up with ideas for everybody, until only two names -- Charles and Delia -- remained. They looked at each other.

Beej shrugged. "I don't know what to get them," he said.

"It's okay," Dewey said. "We'll think of something."

"Hey -- what do you want for Christmas?" Beej asked.

"I-I don't know, man," Dewey replied. "It's supposed to be a surprise -- I guess each of us'll hafta ask the others for ideas."

"But they don't really know you," Beej said. "What if they can't come up with anything? I don't wanna not give you something."

Dewey smiled. "It'll be okay, buddy -- you'll come up with something. And anything you get me'll be great."

*****

"What's wrong, sweetie?" Delia asked.

"I don't know what to get Dewey for Christmas," Beej replied. "Can you help me? I really wanna get him something."

Delia thought for a moment. "How about ... you make him something? Homemade gifts are always better than store-bought, because they're made with love."

"Okay," Beej said, "but what?"

"Well, he's a musician, so ..." She paused, stroking her jaw with a finger as she thought about it, until finally she said, "I've got an idea."

"That's perfect! " Beej exclaimed when she told him. "I'll go ask Adam to help me make 'em!"

*****

Dewey opened the door to the attic. "Hey, guys? I ... kinda need your help."

"Hi, Dewey," Barbara said. "Is everything all right?"

"Yeah," he said. "Everything's good -- I just ... I was just wondering if you guys could help me come up with an idea of what to get Dee."

Adam nodded. "Sure thing -- come in."

"Have a seat," Barbara told him.

"Thanks." Dewey sat down in the easy chair and sighed. "I've been wracking my brain tryna think of something, anything, but ..."

"But you just met her," Adam finished.

"Yeah, exactly. I mean, I know she's into all that, uh ... New Age stuff, but --"

"What about Charles and Lydia?" Barbara asked.

"Oh, I, uh ... got Lydia's gift in New York -- before I came," he replied. "Same as Beej's. And I think I have an idea for Charles' gift."

"Well, don't worry," Barbara said. "Between the three of us, we'll come up with some ideas of what you can give Delia."

*****

"Where are you two off to?" Delia asked the next morning after breakfast, when Beej and Dewey put on their coats.

"We're headin' into town," Beej told her. "Dewey's takin' me Christmas shopping."

"Well, have fun," Delia said. "Don't spend too much money."

"Don't worry," Dewey replied with a grin. "I don't have that much to spend."

"And I don't have any! " Beej chimed in brightly.

*****

A few hours later they returned, each carrying two full shopping bags.

"What did you guys get?" Lydia asked.

"Nuh-uh," Beej said. "No way. I'm not telling you anything!"

"You can tell me what you got the others."

"Yeah, and then you'll run and tell them! "

"No, I won't -- I don't want to ruin the surprise for anybody."

Beej looked at her uncertainly.

"Don't trust her, buddy," Dewey said, grinning. "She's smarter than the two of us put together!"

"But she's my BFFFF -- my ... my little sister! "

"Exactly!" Dewey told him. "That's why you can't trust her! Little sisters love to ruin things for their big brothers."

Lydia glared at him comically. "What would you know about that? You're an only child -- you said so yourself."

"I've heard stories," he replied.

Lydia stuck out her tongue at him.

"Sorry, Lyds," Beej said with a shrug. "I gotta trust my buddy on this one -- you'll just have to wait."

Lydia smiled and gave him a hug. "Good," she replied. "I was hoping you'd say that -- you're starting to get the hang of Christmas."

"Wait -- what?" Beej said, looking confused. "You were ... testing me?"

"And you passed with flying colours." She kissed him on the cheek. "I'm proud of you, Beej."

His hair turned bright green, and a goofy grin spread across his face.

*****

"I still don't know what to get Dee," Beej said. He flopped back on his bed, staring up at the rafters. "I mean, she's more of a mom to me than my real mom ever was -- I oughta able to come up with something! "

Dewey frowned in commiseration. "Yeah," he agreed. "Sometimes the people you're closest to are the hardest to get for. Did you ask Adam and Barbara? They're the ones who helped me figure out what to get her -- maybe they can help you."

*****

"Did you want to make Delia a gift?" Barbara asked, when Beej broached the subject with the Maitlands the next morning.

"Yeah, sure," he said. "I'd really like that -- but what?"

Barbara thought for a moment. "I have an idea," she said finally. "And you could make one for Charles as well -- a matching set."

"Okay," Beej said. "Sure, that sounds good. What is it?"

"How would you like to learn to make pottery?"

*****

The next few days were a whirlwind of activity as the Maitland-Deetz household prepared for the upcoming festivities.

Barbara, as always, was in charge of all the cooking and baking, with Delia and Lydia helping. Beej and Dewey lent a hand in the kitchen, as well, when they weren't busy helping Charles and Adam, or just hanging out together and enjoying each other's company -- unless they were quarrelling about something or other. Then someone would have to step in to stop things from escalating.

"Those two sure like to fight," Adam observed -- an argument over whether mashed or roast potatoes were better had almost resulted in all-out war between the two.

Charles chuckled. "Almost like brothers," he said.

*****

The morning of Christmas Eve, Beej and Dewey went with Charles to get the tree, a trip that resulted in yet another argument between the demon and his friend -- this time over which one was the nicest.

"I like this one!" Beej said, picking out a particularly full balsam fir. "It's nice and fat!"

"That one's too bushy," Dewey told him. He pointed to another. "This one's better -- there's more space for the decorations!"

"There's plenty of room on this one!" Beej insisted.

"No there's not!"

Beej scowled. "You need glasses, pal! Look!" he said, thrusting his arm in between the branches. "See? Plenty of --" he tried to pull his arm out -- "plenty of room ... shit! I'm stuck! Help me out, guys!"

Dewey and Charles began to laugh.

"Gimme a hand here!" the demon said. "I can't ... I can't get loose! It's tryna eat me! Let go of me, you fuckin' bastard!" he growled at the tree.

Still laughing, Charles and Dewey grabbed hold of Beej and pulled him free.

"Oof!" Dewey grunted as Beej landed on top of him. "Get off me, you fat fuck!"

This earned him a half-hearted punch from the demon.

"Fuckin' tree ate my glove!" Beej snarled as they got to their feet.

In the end they went with Dewey's choice.

*****

When they arrived home with the tree, the boys helped Charles set it up in the living room, and then it was time to decorate it.

"I'll get the lights on it first," Charles said.

Once that was done, they began opening the boxes of decorations and festooning the tree, an activity that entailed several more arguments between Beej and Dewey.

Charles couldn't stop grinning at the way the two of them were with each other -- he'd already begun thinking of BJ as a son a while ago, and now he'd started feeling the same way about Dewey. The Maitland-Deetz house really felt like a home now.

He was going to miss having Dewey around once he went back to New York.

*****

For Christmas morning, Barbara prepared a big breakfast -- there were bacon and eggs, sausages, toast, pancakes, juice, coffee and tea (for Beej, who hated coffee -- "It tastes like the way I think about Juno," he'd said the first time he'd tried it).

"Look at the spread!" Charles exclaimed.

"I hope it'll be enough," Barbara said.

"It might be too much," Delia told her.

"You're kidding, right?" Lydia said. "Are you forgetting how much these two can eat?" she asked, indicating the demon and his friend.

"Hey!" Beej said, frowning. "You callin' us fat?"

Lydia gave him a pointed look. "If the shoe fits ..."

"Okay," Beej said, grinning affably. "Just checking!" He looked at Dewey. "Race you to the table!"

"Save some for the rest of us!" Adam told them.

*****

Once breakfast was done, everyone headed into the living room. Charles turned on the tree lights.

"What's going on?" Beej asked.

"Time for presents," Lydia said, and gave him his gift. "Merry Christmas, Beej. I made this for you."

Beej took the soft, irregularly-shaped present. "What is it?"

"Open it," she replied.

He tore off the wrapping paper. Inside was a green-haired rag doll wearing a black-and-white striped suit. "It's ... me! " he said, awestruck. "You ... you made this? For me? "

Lydia nodded. "Barbara's been teaching me to sew. And you're always saying that this place could use more you."

"I love him," the demon said, hugging the doll and grinning happily.

"And I didn't forget about you, Dewey," Lydia said.

"You ... you shouldn't have," Dewey exclaimed when he saw his present -- a notebook for writing music, hand-bound with red ribbon and "DEWEY'S NOTES" embossed on the cover between two undulating staves festooned with musical notation.

"A place to jot down your ideas," Lydia said.

"Wow -- this is perfect!" he exclaimed. "Thank you! I ... wow! I ... got you something," he said, giving her a small, square box. "I hope you like it."

Lydia unwrapped the gift and opened the box. She gasped -- inside was a silver chain, and on it was an amber pendant. She held it up to get a better look.

Encased in the amber was a black beetle.

"When I saw it, I ... I thought of you," Dewey said. "Do ... do you like it?"

"It's gorgeous! " she cried, throwing her arms around him. "I love it! Thank you so much!" She undid the clasp and fastened the chain around her neck. "It's perfect!"

"It'll go very nicely with this," Charles said, handing Lydia another gift.

She unwrapped it. "Mom's jewellery box!" she gasped. She lifted the lid, and the tiny ballerina inside began to turn in time to the tune that started up -- Beethoven's "Für Elise".

"She wanted you to have it," Charles told her.

Lydia hugged him, sobbing quietly.

"I got you a present, too," Beej said, giving her a large, rectangular package.

Lydia wiped her eyes and took the gift. She smiled when she saw what he'd given her. "A camera tripod! I've been saving up for one! Thank you so much!" She hugged him, kissing his cheek.

"I'm glad you like it," he said. He looked at Dewey, gave him a wink and a thumbs-up.

Dewey returned the thumbs-up and then pointed a finger at the demon, mouthing the words You owe me.

Beej, grinning mischievously, flipped him off.

"My turn," Delia said. "Merry Christmas, Dewey."

"You're giving me your singing bowl?" he said when he opened the gift. "I ... I can't ..."

"I have others," she told him. "I want you to have it. I think ... it might do you some good. But you can always use it as just a bowl, too."

He looked at her. "It's ... I love it," he said, smiling. "Thanks, Dee."

"I got you something, too," Beej said, handing Dewey a small gift-wrapped box. "I made 'em -- well, with Adam's and Dee's help. But I wrapped it all by myself."

"Thanks, buddy," Dewey said. He unwrapped the gift and opened the box -- inside was a set of six black guitar picks, each initialled with a purple "DF" on each side, as well as a new guitar strap with his name embroidered on it in white.

"These are beautiful!" Dewey said, holding one of the picks up to get a better look at it. "You really made these? Wow!"

Beej nodded, grinning. "You like 'em?"

"I love 'em!"

"Now you can think of me whenever you use 'em."

In return, Dewey gave the demon his present. "Merry Christmas, Beej."

Beej tore off the paper and opened the box. He pulled out a black t-shirt and held it up. On it was a graphic of himself in cartoon style, with the words "I'M THE GHOST WITH THE MOST, BABY!"

"It's me! " Beej exclaimed. He looked at Dewey, tears in his eyes. "You ... you made this for me? "

"Yeah," Dewey said with a smile. "I ... did the design, and I got a friend who does silk-screening. Do you like it?"

Beej nodded silently, overcome with emotion.

Dewey gave him a hug. "I love you, buddy. Merry Christmas."

"It's beautiful, Dewey," Delia told him. "And you said you weren't much of an artist!"

"That's really nice work," Barbara agreed.

"Thanks," Dewey said. He looked down at the floor. "I ... I couldn't think of anything to get you and Adam."

"Oh, that's okay!" Adam said. "What do you get a ghost-couple, anyway?"

"Yeah," Dewey agreed with a nod. "But I wanted to do something." He stood up and got his guitar. "So I wrote you a song."

Barbara and Adam looked at one another in surprise.

Dewey took one of the picks Beej had made for him and began playing softly.

I'll hold you in my arms

For a thousand years or more

Together on wings of love

Above the world we'll soar

Seeing all the changes

That the future will bring

But there's one thing that'll never change:

You're my everything

"I-it's still a work in progress," he said with a shrug.

"That was ... that was beautiful, Dewey," Barbara said, hand over her mouth as she choked back the tears.

"It really was," Adam agreed. "Thank you."

"I'll keep working on it," Dewey told them. "And when it's finished I'll record it for you."

Dewey then gave Charles his present.

"The Stokes Field Guide to Bird Songs!" Charles exclaimed. "And with the accompanying CD! Thank you, Dewey!"

Dewey grinned happily. "I got you something, too, Dee," he said.

"Ooh -- it's heavy!" Delia noted. She opened her present -- inside was a hollow, hemispherical rock lined with amethyst crystals. "A geode! Oh, Dewey, it's beautiful!"

"I ... I didn't see one in your studio," he said. "I thought you might ... need one."

"Where did you find it?" she asked him. "I didn't think there was a place in Winter River ..."

"I got it in Hartford," he replied.

"You drove all the way to Hartford? "

"I took him," Beej said. "Demon Express -- we'll get you there before you leave!"

Delia chuckled. "Thank you, Dewey. And thank you, BJ."

Beej's hair blushed pink, and he smiled happily. "My turn," he said, handing a present to both Delia and Charles. "I made these for you guys -- Babs showed me how."

"Thank you, BJ!" Delia said. She and Charles opened the gifts -- two mugs, one white with "WORLD'S BEST MOM" on it, the other black with "WORLD'S BEST DAD".

"You made these yourself?" Charles asked.

Beej grinned sheepishly. "Well ... the mugs are from the pottery supply store, but I painted them myself -- Babs helped me with the spelling, and she showed me how to glaze and fire 'em so the paint won't come off."

"You did a really good job, sweetheart," Delia told him.

Beej smiled, biting his lip. "Thanks," he said.

"This is for you, Beej," Barbara said.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Open it!" Adam said.

Beej looked inside, and then at the Maitlands. His expression, for once, was unreadable. He reached into the box and took out the object -- a sandworm plushie, fully six feet long. He looked at the Maitlands again, his eyes welling up. "It's ... it's Sandy," he breathed, roughly brushing the tears away. "You made ... you made her for me." He squeezed his eyes shut against the tears, his hair flashing bright green. "She's ... beautiful."

"We know how much you loved her," Barbara said. "And we thought you should have something to remember her by."

The demon threw his arms around the two of them, sobbing uncontrollably. "It's ... she's ... you guys are the best!"

The gift-giving continued, and at last there were only two gifts remaining -- one for Beej and one for Dewey.

"I got you both something else, too," Lydia said, handing them over.

"What is it?" Beej asked, inspecting the flat rectangular package.

"Open it, silly!"

They looked at each other and tore open their gifts. She'd given each of them a book of black construction paper pages with leather-bound covers.

Beej looked quizzically at Lydia. "A book?" he said. "You know I can't read very good."

"Not a book," Dewey said. "A photo album -- one for each of us." He opened the album, and his eyes widened. "Oh, cool! They're photos of us! "

"Really? " Beej asked, opening his album. "Of us? "

Inside were photos of him and Dewey. Some they'd posed for, their arms around each other's shoulders -- but others were candid pictures of them talking, putting up the Christmas decorations, playing music, wrestling, dozing on the couch ... There were other photos as well, of the two of them with Delia and Charles, and with Barbara and Adam.

"When did you take all these pictures of us?" Dewey asked. "I don't ... I don't remember seeing you when these were taken."

Lydia just smiled. "Now you'll be able to remember this Christmas forever."

Beej looked at her with tears in his eyes. "Thanks," he said simply.

"No pictures of you, though," Dewey noted.

"There's room in the back for more photos," Lydia replied. "We'll be sure to get a couple with me before you go back to New York."

"We saved the best for last," Delia said. "We got something for the both of you."

"What is it?" Beej asked, eyes wide in anticipation.

Lydia nodded. "We were all ... struck by how much alike you two look. So Dad did some digging, and he found out something that I -- all of us -- think you'll both love."

Dewey and Beej looked at each other, perplexed.

"There's a possibility -- maybe even a probability -- that the two of you are related," Charles said.

Beetlejuice's face lit up, and Dewey's jaw dropped. "Related? US??? " they chorused in astonishment.

"How ... how is that even possible? " Dewey asked. "I mean, Beej is a demon." He turned to his friend. "No offense," he said.

"None taken," Beej replied affably. "Breather," he scowled comically, giving his friend the finger. Dewey gave it right back to him.

"Beej's father was a ghost," Lydia explained, before things escalated. "That means he was once alive -- and human."

"I called an old friend of mine," Charles said. "He's a professor in the history department at Harvard -- I asked him if he could try to find out anything about BJ's father, and he hadn't been able to learn much. But he did uncover something.

"As it turns out, an Irish sailor, last name Finn, who had recently returned from France aboard a ship called the 'Betalgeose' died in Drogheda in 1348 -- the first recorded death from the Black Plague in Ireland. And he left behind a wife and six children."

"And Finn is Dewey's last name!" Delia exclaimed.

"So if Beej's father is this Irish sailor --" Barbara began.

"And if now, as a ghost, he goes by the name of the ship he was on --" Adam continued.

"He could ... he could be my ancestor," Dewey finished, his voice filled with awe. He and Beej looked at each other, wide-eyed.

"Holy crap! " they both said.

"Beej, you said that your dad had brought the plague to Ireland," Lydia said. "I thought you meant that he'd done it deliberately, after he died, but maybe your father was just a sick guy who went home."

"Of course, there's no way to know for sure," Charles cautioned. "It's still just speculation. Nothing's known for certain -- Finn is a relatively common name in Ireland, after all."

"Uh, yeah, no, of course not," Dewey said, shaking his head. "But it's still an amazing possibility!"

Delia smiled and touched a hand to her bosom. "There may not be proof, but I know in my heart that it's true."

"I think we all know it's true," Adam agreed.

"Of course it's true!" Barbara chimed in. "I mean, just look at the two of you! You're like two peas in a pod! Except one of you is a bit ... mouldy."

"I love you, too, Babs," Beej said, and stuck out his tongue at her.

Then he threw his arms around Dewey. "We really ARE brothers! " he crowed. They hugged fiercely for a long moment, and Lydia raised her camera to capture the moment. When they finally released each other, there were tears in Dewey's eyes. Beej, meanwhile, was openly sobbing, his hair having turned a brighter green than any of them had ever seen before.

"More like his great-great-great-great-great-great uncle, or something," Lydia pointed out. "But yeah, okay -- we can call you brothers."

"This -- this means so m-much to me!" the demon said, his voice hitching. "You g-guys are the b-b-best!" He grabbed Charles in a bearhug. "This is the best Christmas I've ever had! Well, it's the first Christmas I've ever had, but it's still the best! Thanks -- I really mean that, Chuck! You know, it's too bad that people think you're a stuck-up asshole!"

"Beej!" Barbara exclaimed.

"I'm just sayin' he could stand to loosen up a little."

Charles was taken by surprise by the embrace, but he submitted to the demon's display of affection, patting Beej on the back. "Uh ... yes, well ... um, you're welcome." He gently extricated himself from the hug. "And maybe I, uh ... do need to learn to loosen up a bit and not be such a ... stick in the mud."

"I -- wow," Dewey said. "The idea that me and Beej could be related -- that we're family --" he shook his head in amazement. "Thank you for this," he finished, and shook Charles' hand.

"Well, it's not just Beej," Barbara pointed out. "We're his family --"

"Admittedly a strange and unusual one," Lydia quipped.

"-- so that makes us your family, too, now," Adam finished.

"Hey, Lydia," Dewey said, a wicked smile playing across his face. "You know what this means?"

She shook her head. "What?"

"This makes you my little sister. And it means that now you have TWO older brothers!"

Lydia paled at the thought and started backing away from them. "Oh, no. No, no, no, no -- what have I done??? "

Dewey and Beej grinned mischievously at one another, wiggling their eyebrows.

"Let's get her!" Dewey said.

Lydia shrieked as they grabbed her and started tickling her mercilessly. "Help! " she yelled, flailing as she tried to escape. "Oh God help me! Make ... make them stop! Ha-ha! Aaaah! No!!! "

"Sorry, pumpkin," her father replied, grinning broadly. "Now that you have brothers, you need to learn to defend yourself!"

"Da-Daddy, pleeeeease!!! Aaah-ha-ha-ha! Help meeeee!!! No! Nooo!!! "

"Merry Christmas, sweetheart," he said.

[schwarzgeier]

GEIER SQUAD TIMEEEEEE

I felt bad not really making a full squad for my original Geier , Null, so here they all are! Biggg Lore yap under cut

S-12 on Leng is a remote underground facility specializing in waste managment and serves as a connecting hub for smaller facilities around Leng. The Geiers here were deployed first after signs of potential bioresonant infection that they have been able to contain for now, while also coincidently helping with the waste incineration. Sierpinski-12s remote location was also chosen for it's natural secrecy and level of freedom to experiment with the Geiers anti-bioresonant modules by putting them up againts the local Commander/Kolibris.

And as you may notice , aside from Null, all the Geiers are nicknamed after different types of metal. This is due to their small. Incident when on their very first assingment of clearing out the infested lower levels, while cornering their enemies and burning them , they produced so much heat and flames they basically burned down the metal walls of the room . Literally melted it all off. The 4 new fledglings found it cool to name themselves after metals . Null was not there and already had a name.

GEIR LS12 - 000 - "NULL" -

The first ever succesfuly deployed Geier to service . Was originaly deployed as a solo unit until AEON came to the conclusiom GEIRs work best in squads of 5 and Null was given additonal 4 squadmates . Null is what most associate when thinking of a Geier unit. Quiet , stoic but not rude . Keeps to herself unless provoked . Incredibly numb to most events happening around her, mostly due to the bioresonant supressor module being so strong for the first deployments. Wears her mask often as a form of comfort . Special to her though is her one-on-one spar sessions with the Commander every week . They are heavily classified and they happen in isolation from other replikas. These spars are often the highlight of the week for both Null and Falke , they can both go full out on eachother with no restraints. Rest of the Nulls cadre often tease her for having "longer sessions" with Falke then anyone else but Null isn't bothered. Her Cadre is there , they stand all together and she will die for them if needed. Just don't expect her to gush. Or talk about the pret- i mean respected Commander

GEIR LS12 - 003 - "KOBALT"

GEIR LS12 - 004 - "ALLOY"

First of the new additions to S-12, Kobalt ! She's often identifiable by her tendency to growl or mutter out responses and her seemingly constant frown. She's not as reactive as a Storch ofc , still a Geier. She , similair to Null, likes sparring and getting her armor dented in any way she can , which often leads to her trying to spar with Null since she's the most experienced. Null entertains her sometimes but it keeps ending with Kobalt in a leg lock . With her being the most reactive , Kobalt is often the Geier that yanks Aras from vents or stares at a suspiscious gestalt with a glare so strong they can piss themselves . She's working on it but since she hasn't hurt anyone really yet , a firm scolding is the most she got. She barks at strangers like a dog but doesn't have the confidence yet to bite.

The resident "softie" of the group , well as much of a softie as a Geier can be. She still can bend a replikas spine in half . But in general she has become the go to Geier for all the Eules or Aras searching for any help. Moving boxes ? She'll grab em all. Scary sounds in the vents? Checks em out , no questions asked. Someone (she doesn't know who still) left her a fuzzy blanket as a gift for the help and she has fallen in love with it since . It led to an almost comical scene of all the Geiers gathering around her bunk , poking and proding the blanket in confusion. Often she chooses to tie her hair a bit lower for identification . Alloy is just a pretty reserved girl that needs lot of coaxing to speak her mind. She's reliable , watches her strength and just doesn't want suprises.

GEIR LS12 - 005 - "SILVER"

GEIR LS12 - 003 - "COPPER"

Silver may be named after the shiny pretty silverwear that draws your attention but it funnily enough became more associated with her. Tounge iykwim. Her tendency to give blunt compliments catches lot of people off guard but I suppose it's a side effect of her gay brain and a very blunt Geier brain. Doesn't take stuff too seriously and kinda goes through her job like a dad at a barbeque in a hawain t-shirt . She's the most recognizable from the cadre having a visible burn scar on her entire left forearm from an accident that happened during flamethrower/gas tank maintnence. Not many spare GEIR arms laying around so scars it is. This also started her small. Masochism streak? Silver is the only one who finds the numbness a bit bothersome sometimes , and physical sensations of any kind are the easiest avenue to feel. Anything really. She controls it of course but indulgances happen. During downtime Silver loves letting down her hair and lounging around or watching other replikas in their activities. Eules dancing , Stars shooting or her fellow Geiers relaxing . Or "accidently" flirting with anything within her vascinity coughcough

Biggest stick up her ass . Or at least she acts like it fjfjf. Cooper is. A bit of a weirdo among the Geiers but not a bad one. Sticking to protokols and rules is her way of keeping the peace and prevents any scuffles from happening . Her duty to nation and law creates bit of a conflict inside her head,which in Geiers often results to a borderline brain shutdown. Contradiction should not be possible yet Copper has them. Being drawn to the burnt corpses that she leaves behind , catching herself wanting to make exceptions to rules for her close ones or her weakness to shiny trinkets , all of these little habits make her spiral sometimes. She is fully capable of marching up to the Commander and begging for her decommisioning. She hasn't of course , yet , mostly cause part of her is too embarrased to admit she finds her constant thoughts about Kolibris cute height kinda heretical .

Sorry for the big yap

[writerwrightlegend]

Twelve Days to Christmas(Day 11):Christmas Eve.

Summary:Patch Hikari spends Christmas eve with his family. Chip invites his special friend to join them.

When Patch was a child, he loved Christmas eve. His mother would spend the day cooking dinner with his aunts. His father and uncles would take him outside. They would have snowball fights, build a snowman, and even go sledding. It was even more fun when his friends were around. All of them would have a huge snowball fight in the yard before finally coming in hours later in the late afternoon. There would be hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies waiting for them. They would sit in the living room and watch christmas movies while enjoying their hot chocolate and cookies. Soon, they would have the gift exchange in the evening, just before dinner. Everyone would give someone a present before opening them. It was always exciting seeing his friends or family members reactions whenever he got them something. They would finish off the night by eating dinner and making reindeer food for Santa's reindeer. Sometimes, if his friends were there, they would stay the night at his house. He was ready to spend the day with his son the same way his dad spent it with him.

As Patch was putting on his coat and boots, he heard Chip talking to someone outside.

"Come on, we're almost there!"

"I'm coming, Chip... Do you think they'll be okay with me being here?"

"Of course they'll be okay with it! My dad had his friends over all the time for Christmas! I'm sure they won't mind if you join us... Besides, I've been wanting to introduce you to them for a while now."

"Oh, okay..."

The other kid sounded nervous but also slightly excited. Chip was holding his hand and leading him to the front door. The kid also looked slightly older than Chip by at least a year. Patch could see them outside of the window, same with Momiji, Lan, and Mayl.

"Aww, Chip brought one of his friends over!"

"That's nice. It's just like when you were a kid, Patch."

That would be nice if Patch and Momiji recognized who Chip was with. Truth be told, they had no idea that kid was or how long they knew Chip for. Perhaps they recently became friends at school shortly before winter break? That was the only explanation that Patch could think of. He silently glanced over to Momiji, who looked just as confused as he did. Before they could ponder on it some more, Chip opened the door and lead the other kid inside.

"Hi papa! Hi mama! Hi grandpa! Hi grandma!"

Chip looked at everyone excitedly as the kid next to him pulled down his scarf and looked around the room. He had an awkward expression on his face. The kid had brown hair, tan skin, and dark golden eyes. He wore a blue jacket with a yellow collar, black pants, and blue boots with yellow soles. He stood next to Chip, still looking awkward as he led him into the living room was.

"Hello, Chip. Is this young man a friend of yours?"

Mayl asked Chip while Lan observed the kid next to him. He couldn't help but feel that the kid was familiar somehow...

"Yeah! This is my friend!"

"Hi... My name is Mitchell Kobalt... Nice to meet you."

Mitchell had a nervous tone as he spoke. He could see how Patch and Momiji were staring at him. 'This was a bad idea.' Rango thought to himself as Chip beamed with excitement.

"Chip... How did you and Mitchell meet?"

His mother asked, curious as his father also spoke up.

"Yes, and how long have you known Mitchell for, son?"

"Oh yeah! He was one of the new kids at my school! We've only known each other for a few days, but we have lots of stuff in common!"

Mitchell gave the adults a flustered smile as he heard Chip talking about their friendship.

"My dad and I moved here a few days ago... We met during lunchtime and started talking to each other..."

Mitchell did his best to explain himself, still feeling the judgemental looks of Chip's parents. Chip's grandparents on the other hand, looked rather happy to see their grandson's newest friend. Lan couldn't help but get a sense of deja vu around Mitchell. There was something familiar about him that he couldn't shake off. After hearing Chip rant for a few minutes about his friendship with Mitchell, Patch seemed to have calm down, seeing that Mitchell was genuine.

"Okay, kiddo, we get it."

Patch ruffled Chip's hair before gently shaking Mitchell's hand.

"Mitchell, right? It's nice to meet you. My name is Patch Hikari."

"Nice to meet you too, Sir."

Mitchell was still slightly nervous as he shook his hand. Despite his best efforts to hide his nerves, Patch could feel his hand shivering slightly. He couldn't help but smile since it reminded him of how his friends reacted to his dad. Momiji came over to Mitchell with a gentle smile on her face.

"Hello there, Mitchell. My name is Momiji. In the living room is Lan and Mayl. We're all happy to have you here."

Momiji gestured to the couch where Lan and Mayl were.

"Thanks..."

Mitchell felt the awkwardness in him slowly disappear as he saw that his attempt to meet Chip's family hadn't ended in failure like he feared. They seemed really nice. Patch stood up and wrapped an arm around Chip and Mitchell's shoulders.

"Okay, how about we go have some fun outside?"

"Yeah!"

"Okay."

Patch led both boys out to the front yard and Lan joined them shortly after. This was the most fun Mitchell had ever had. He could tell that Chip felt the same way too. They built a snowman, went sledding down a hill, had a snowball fight, they even made snow angles in the snow. Mitchell laid down on the snow next to Chip as snowflakes fell from the sky. His dad would never do this... Not since... 'No, don't think about that. You're here to spent time with Chip's family, don't worry about them, Mitchell.' Mitchell told himself as he looked over to Chip who was looking at the sky in awe. He couldn't help but smile at him. Sense he arrived at ACDC Town, Chip's been the best thing to happen to him. He actually enjoyed himself when he was around Chip, he felt like he could be himself without being bullied by others or judged by his family.

"Alright, let's head inside."

Mitchell snapped out of his thoughts as he saw Chip following Patch back into the house. He got to follow them before stopping as he saw how Chip's parents embraced him. For a moment, he thought about his parents. His parents... Ever since his mother's death, his family changed. Most of them were horrible to him and his father, eventually forcing them to move to ACDC Town. His father has been working hard everyday at his job to help get them settled in. His dad was a good man but a workaholic and was practically working himself to death just so that Mitchell could have a good life. He couldn't help but feel slightly bitter seeing Chip with both of his parents. Why did life take his mother from him? Why did things have to go so wrong in life so suddenly? Why couldn't things just go back to the way they were? Lan could sense that something was bothering Mitchell and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Are you alright?"

Mitchell snapped around to see Lan looking down at him with concern in his eyes.

"I'm fine..."

His tone said otherwise, Lan could tell that something was bothering him.

"I know we only met today but, if you need someone to talk too, I'm right here and ready to listen..."

Mitchell could hear the sincerity in Lan's voice. Even if he didn't want to tell Chip about it, surely there was nothing wrong with him telling Lan a little bit, right? Not too much, just what he was thinking of in the moment.

"I was just thinking about how things were when my mom was still around..."

Mitchell couldn't bring himself to say much else. He didn't want to ruin this for Chip or his family. Lan didn't press further into it, sensing that Mitchell was feeling rather secure and figured that he was still warming up to them. He did decide to ask something about Mitchell's family.

"There wouldn't happen to be anyone in your family named Mick, would there?"

"Yes... Mick's my grandpa... Why do you ask?"

Suddenly, it clicked in Lan's head. The reason why Mitchell looked so familiar to him.

"Heh, and he wouldn't happen to live in Central Town, would he?"

"Yeah... He does..."

Mitchell looked at Lan, slightly confused.

"Funny, I didn't know he had kids, let alone grandchildren... I guess it has been a while since we've seen each other..."

"Wait, you know my grandpa?!"

Mitchell was surprised to hear this news.

"Yes... I had to move to Central Town when I was a kid for a brief while with mu family thanks to a job my dad had..."

Lan continued talking for a little bit as they headed inside. They all got hot chocolate and watched some movies. Mitchell was enjoying himself. He was having fun at Chip's place. Soon, it was time for Christmas dinner. Mitchell had considered leaving then but the family insisted that he stay to eat before going home. He loved it there. For once, it felt like he had a family. He felt like they were his family. Soon, dinner was over and Mitchell went home.

"Hey grandpa?"

"Hmm? What is it, Chip?"

Chip whispered into Lan's ear about what he wanted to get Mitchell.

"Oh, I can help you out with that..."

"Really?"

"Yep, we'll stop by tomorrow in the afternoon."

"Okay!"

Chip went to bed, happy that he would be able to get a present for his friend. He was going to get him his own PET with his own NetNavi. Chip couldn't wait to see how Mitchell would react to it. For now, it was time to sleep.

"Goodnight, Quint."

Quint.EXE, Chip's NetNavi, responded.

"Goodnight, Chip."

The two of them went to sleep, excited for what tomorrow would bring.

[osi-inn]

How I imagine my brain is like:

Goblin 1: we should cause mayhem

Kobalt 1: no, people are scary

Kobalt 2: yet we like some of them as moot

Goblin 1: mayhem is fun though

Goblin 2: yeah. Even funner when being problems for friends.

The badger: *badger noises*

Kobalt 3: no we're not making a moss pit

Goblin 1 and 2 arguing with Kobalt 1 and 2 about whether or not I should do the chaos.

Badger just wants moss pit and a Red Guardian themed blanket.

Kobalt 3 is barely holding everything together.

[kobalttheelemental]

Void the Black Hole Elemental

finally get to redesign my old oc character! (she was created in 2021)

Name: Void

Elemental: Black Hole Elemental (mini black hole)

Elemental Species: Star Eater

Gender: Female

Age: 538

Void is a friendly black hole elemental and loves making friends rather then destroying and devouring things

Very curious and sometimes ends up in trouble while Gargantua saves her from danger

Other black hole elementals make fun of her for being different except for Gargantua and Kobalt

She is from M87 Galaxy

She is smol!

[kobalt-kole]

Kobalt + Asmodeus-Cleaning up

“Asmodeus is making sure I don’t have a dirty face or fur!”

[wells-creative]

Here’s an old project we did for my goats an extra shelter. The epitome of making the best of what you have.

We had the roof piece which is fiberglass on an aluminum frame. I believe it used to be part of an old box truck. My dad collected old vehicles for scrap and called it his life insurance (he had a heart issue and couldn’t get a decent policy way back when) and this was something leftover that we still had laying around.

We cut some chinaberry trees for posts and screwed the roof to the existing shelter (also part of an old truck). We thought about sinking the posts in the ground but decided against it in the end.

After that we used some old pallets to frame around the legs for additional stability and a wind block.

And the finished result was a very good, slightly sketch looking, goat shelter. I think the whole thing only took about two hours to do. It is not pretty but it cost nothing but labour. Sorry for the low lighting. We were running out of daylight when we finished.

It’s been up for almost four years now and it still keeps my critters dry ❤️

Products used:

Kobalt impact

3 Inch Wood Screws

Phillips head bits.

***This post does contain affiliate links and will earn me a small commission if a purchase is made using these links. This will be at no extra cost to the buyer.

[omeletcat]

I made a design for an enemy in my game! its a gremlin, i have a few problems with killing them tho, idk if I want them to be aware/smart for animal ish enemies i have the reason that animal spirits (ghouls or monsters) have as much of a soul as a tree does, and when they die, they quickly regenerate/reincarnate in the nearby area as their soul/magic gets reabsorbed into the nature of the land. BUT gremlins and goblins and Kobalts are usually more intelligent.. and i set the rule that if it would be able to talk or communicate it would be alive and i'd need to think of smth that would make it so the player wouldn't have to murder them maybe i can just hit them unconscious? their death animation being a unconscious goblin with birds flying over them in a circle or stars

but then it would just make the player feel bad for actually killing the other creatures sooo what if they have a hole in every spot/combat area where they are in that they run into when they technically "die" so instead of actually being killed they just run away.

[ask-the-sprunkis]

Note: This sprunki OC is venting to Durple, Seth (the sprunki OC) recently became friends with him (Durple)

“I felt abused for 10 years due to my so-called friend that I broke up with… They kept punching me for no reason when I didn’t do anything wrong and it just makes me more depressed when they do it… They also kept calling me names and kept kicking me as well… I started having depression due to all of this… This made me almost wanna oof myself and self-harming myself… But I broke up with her when I discovered that she was a bully and not a kind person which I broke up with for good, her name is Kobalt… She kept abusing me for 10 years, now I stopped being friends with her… If you wanna know how she looks like, her skin color is Cobalt blue and has 1 pupil in the right and 7 pupils in the left, she has fangs… So if you see her don’t go near her… Because she is gonna do bad things to you too if you become friends with her, she bullied one of the creators of Funbot and Mr Fun Computer, Garnold… So please don’t go near her…”

-Seth (An umber sprunki)

Durple: Oof. Hope you get better.