#ms. birdy

[ferretinsocks]

i went to kinzville pride and everybody knew you

[the-yellow-birdy]

Is it better to speak, or to die?

A/N: Long time no see! This is an unedited first draft of the "Call me by your name" with Jane Murdstone idea(without the grooming ofc). Please let me know if you want me to continue and idk if im gonna change this draft as well, since I wrote it a bit fast. Feedback is definitely appreciated!:)

L.O.L. - Yellowbird

//18+ audience only! - all characters are above the age of 18\\

Summer, 1867

As you felt the lightness and warmth spread across the naked skin of your body, the repeating of your thoughts was tuned out by the sound of crickets in the all-round shrubbery. Sweat dripped from your neck and down your clavicle, going further with every breath you took in of the thick mid-summer air. The serene crystals reflecting from the icy lake had never been more inviting. Your hair was drenched from your own sweat and sticking to your forehead in need of a wash from the shining water. You looked at your pocket watch.

A quarter to five.

Summers spent at your uncles were where you found the most solace. He and his wife were wonderful, they so often invited you to come here and visit them and their charming vacation home. Days here were spend, swimming in the many lakes and ponds you would find on your outings, visiting nearby cities, reading various books from your uncles’ impressive library and cherry-picking in the midday with your uncles’ wife, Mary. Mary was a warm, outgoing woman. She found joy and interest in everything she saw, while speaking terribly loud and out of order about it. A significant contrast to your more timid uncle. A quiet and closed of man, who preferred the comfort of his study and the much-appreciated knowledge of ancient artifacts from the dusty books he kept. 

When you saw through the personality differences, you found quickly, that they were made for each other. Especially when you on occasion caught a glimpse of them in the family room on your way to your chamber in the late evenings. There, in the privacy of their relation, they laugh, talk and exchange tender touches, soft laugh lines forming around your uncle’s mouth. 

More you haven’t dared stayed to witness, it would be rude and improper to impose on such tender moments.

The grass tickled your bare feet as you stretched the whole of your body.

There was to be a visitor this year. Uncle Cyrus was a widely acknowledged archeologist professor, teaching at the Da Vinci institute back in Berlin. He was a passionate individual who spent his summers nose deep in the same subject and area as his livelihood.

Although this year, your uncle had decided to open his home once more for interested candidates, who would very much like to visit the north Italian countryside with many findings from the grand sea not far. It had been several years since a fellow interested had accompanied him over the summer. Your uncle was an elderly gentleman, about seventy, his wife around a decade younger having carried no children nor related to any nieces or nephews except you, therefore he had begun searching for a new candidate.

It was to be a woman, he told you. A professor in anthropology, beginning the early stages of research in the areas of archeology.

“It is a marvel! Have you ever heard such unique wonder, Mary!”, your uncle shouted out of character, several weeks ago from his office, as you were sat reading in front of the fireplace. Truly a neck-breaking sight, as he stumbled frantically out of his study, your presence going unnoticed by him, and up the spiral staircase.

A woman. You had thought. 

Never had you heard of such a thing. A woman professor in anthropology.

You weren’t a daft girl yourself, of course you knew it was possible, never had you simply heard of it, often being told as a young girl to keep your head out of the clouds, the books you read had formed. Followed later, by restriction of said books. 

You sat back on your heels and let the wind blow against the ample flesh of your chest, yawning at the thought of the walk back to the vineyard. Brown and green stains had soiled the white fabric of your dress. You had laid upon it as an alternative for the blanket you had forgotten. Your undergarments used for drying the water of your skin. 

You begin dressing yourself by efficiently buttoning up your corset, followed by tying your undergarments and chemise. As you had put your dress and heeled boots on you stepped out of the Oaktree’s shadow and began your walk back home. You couldn’t remember at which hour the candidate would arrive, so you thought it best to pick up your pace.

---------

“Y/n! Wherever have you been, dear? You look as if the bear had gotten its paws on you.”, Mary looked bewildered as she descended the staircase.

The house was a French inspired Cascina residence. Beautifully build from the first laid brick to the last, with simple tree carved windows and a robust brick red roofing. The foyer of the home displayed simple white-yellow walls with paintings placed on them and the floor covered with a variety of Axminster carpeting.

It wasn’t grand, nor expensive, yet it was charming and the life it oozed never ceased to calm you, when you spend your summers here.

“Simply by the lake, Aunt Mary. I apologize for my appearance; I… tripped… on the way back.”, you lied, trying to seal it with a genuine smile.

She came quickly to where you stood. She held a gentle grip on your forearms, turning you in her grasp to further inspect. 

Her eyes looked upon your face, “tripped you say?”

“…badly”, you added, choosing not to look her in the eyes opting for the dress.

Aunt Mary apparently chose to leave the matter at hand, knowing the visitor would be arriving at any moment now.

“Alright well, go wash yourself off and change to a dress that doesn’t make you look like a rogue child. Ms. Murdstone shall be arriving shortly.”, she gave you a light squeeze to your upper arms.

“Ms. Murdstone?”, you whispered.

“Yes yes, you know? The assisting candidate of your uncle.”

You nodded slowly, letting the name of the woman sink in. Ms. Murdstone. It was a rather odd name for an unmarried woman you pondered.

“Off you go!”

As you gave your aunt a curt smile and looked down, you went to ascend the staircase. Unbeknownst to you, a soaked washcloth was further from your reach than you had thought--

You froze in the middle of the staircase, quick steps of your uncle coming into view at the top, as three knocks had rung out in the room. Silence. 

You turned to look down at your aunt, yet her eyes already laid upon her husband. Hurriedly your uncle went past you.

“Y/n, there is no time, give a quick greeting and leave to change thereafter.” Mary whispered tightening your uncle’s butterfly.

How utterly humiliating. 

It is no secret that first impressions matter, yet your disorderly mind has kept you from making just that. This woman was going to be met by a soiled dirty looking young woman, will she not have a fright? 

Please lord, forgive my poor deeds.

As your uncle took a deep breath to calm his nerves and looked towards your aunt and you, a quick furrow of his eyebrows as he laid his eyes upon your dress, he turned the doorhandle and stepped aside.

In your peripheral you observed the darkness of the woman’s shadow, yet you couldn’t keep your gaze fixed upon the carpets any longer. 

“Ms. Murdstone, a pleasure to meet you!”, your uncle nervously laughed, his figure disappearing behind the woman.

It was the first glance you ever laid upon her.

As she sauntered through the blackwood door, the first thing you noticed was a significant height difference between her and yourself. She had the skin of a snowclad field in winter and hair black as raven feathers, styled to the sides of her head. She looked around the space as if assessing the quality of the housing, foregoing any introduction of herself. The woman wore an all-black attire, from her corsage to her skirts, to her low sitting cap. Her gloved hands were clad in front of her, trading the warm energy of the home with a sophisticated and poised aura.

The woman turned midway through the door, looking at your uncle, “pleasures all mine, Mr. Bamford”, said the woman with a faux saccharine undertone. 

She smoothly shifted her focus in front of your aunt. “Mrs. Bamford, I presume?”, her honeyed smile went wide as she looked down upon your aunt, yet her eyes held something much unalike.

You looked to your aunt, her mouth fell slightly agape, “Uh.. Uhm.. yes, welcome”. She stuttered.

It was clear that the woman’s intensity had gotten the better of both Aunt Mary and your uncle.

“And this is…?”, you quickly turned your head to the woman who now, was meandering in your direction. Her eyes were trained on your face, and unamused expression had fallen upon hers. She looked back at your uncle as if expecting an answer. 

“Uhm Y/n, sorry... Ms. L/n…, Ms Murdstone”, you looked down. Your vision was disrupted by black fabric coming to place right in front of you.

Ms. Murdstone gave an unimpressed glance to your aunt and uncle, “I see. Look at me girl.”

A hand came to lift your chin.

You watched as she tilted her head to observe the state of you. Definitely not impressed. Your eyes searched for your aunt and uncle, who simply ignored your silent pleas, and kept up their mannered smiles. They gave each other a short-whiled look and went back to woman and the scene unfolding.

As your eyes went back to the woman, your spine chilling at the sight of the woman’s light blue eyes and found she had been staring directly at your face. 

Hopefully she is not bothered by it, it is not simply a dress to clean.

She quickly let go of you again. Her gaze leaving as fast as it came. Ms. Murdstone wandering further into the house, “My belongings have been left outside by the carriage, I believe a maid will fetch it, or am I to do so myself?”

“Oh yes, of course uhm, right away!”, exclaimed your uncle and went to call for the staff, while your aunt scurried after the observing woman, already entering another area of the house.

*click*

As you closed the heavy wooden door you watched your reflection in the window. Nervously you studied yourself. 

I don’t believe I have any filth on my face.

Tagelist:

@readingtheentrails @ladybathoryy @aemilia19

[birdie-ghost]

There is no better feeling than being a Pre-K teacher who knows a lotta kids content by heart. Like, Yeah lil' Timmy. I do in fact know how to draw Shadow The Hedgehog. Oh? What's that my dear little girl Megetha? You want to talk to me about Rapunzel? You bet. Pokemon?? Oh my god kids don't get me started.

[paranormeow7]

the return of the ms paint color pallete… I’ve had literally no time to draw lately and it’s been 5 days since @damagedcoda6669 s birthday oh lawd. rly do hope you had a good one despite all the shit going on rn. best wishes man crazy to see you turn 20 after growing up watching your animation memes from when you were 12

[da-janela-lateral]

purrrrhaps… toichiros lovely wife as a birdie :3?

There you are!!

[kakusu-shipping]

Cringetober day 5 - MS Paint

I knew I had to draw the Swatchlings for this one for sure it is LITERALLY their home turf. I actually really like using MS Paint, it's so low pressure and I got all these poses out way faster than I would have on Fire Alpaca because I didn't care if they looked sloppy; It's MS Paint! That's the aesthetic of it!

[historyhermann]

Stardust Telepath Spoiler-Filled Review

Stardust Telepath, also known as Hoshikuzu Terepasu or Hoshikuzu Telepath, is a sci-fi yuri series. It’s based on a three-volume manga illustrated and written by Rasuko Ōkuma. Kaori directed the series. She supervised the show’s script with Natsuko Takahashi. Studio Gokumi produced the series. Reprinted from Pop Culture Maniacs and Wayback Machine. This was the sixty-fifth article I wrote for Pop…

[songbirddoodles]

wheeee!!! i love posting!!!! i love being on my 'puter!!!!!! the world is beautiful !!!!!!!! yippee!!!!!!!!!!!!!

^ emote for when you are feeling whimsical and magical

[wipbigbang]

The 2025 WIP Big Bang & WIP Reverse Bang Are Open For Sign-Ups!

Welcome to a new round! We're bringing back the OG WIP Big Bang, which is for finishing fic and getting art to go with it, and introducing the first full round of the WIP Reverse Bang, which is for finishing artwork and getting fic to go with it. All fandoms/ratings/ships are welcome, including original works!

Schedule

All times are by 11:59pm PST. Convert time zones.

Big Bang/Reverse Bang Sign-ups Begin- April 1st

Big Bang/Reverse Bang Sign-ups Close- May 21st

Big Bang/Reverse Bang Check In #1- May 22nd

Big Bang/Reverse Bang Check In #2- June 15th

Big Bang/Reverse Bang Snippets Due- July 1st

Big Bang Art Claims/Reverse Bang Fic Claims Begin- July 17th

Big Bang/Reverse Bang Check In #3- July 22nd

Big Bang/Reverse Bang Check In #4- August 6th

Big Bang/Reverse Bang Rough Drafts Due- August 15th

Big Bang/Reverse Bang Posting Claims Begin- August 23rd

Big Bang/Reverse Bang Posting Claims Ends- September 1st

Big Bang/Reverse Bang Final Drafts/Art & Fic Due- September 7th

Big Bang/Reverse Bang Posting Starts- September 8th

SIGN UP LINKS

WIP Big Bang | WIP Reverse Bang

FAQ

[justiisms]

"Just because it's almost summer doesn't mean I'm suddenly going to stop drinking coffee." *pikachu says this while taking a huge sip from his cup, completely unbothered by just how hot it is outside!*

"I'll just stay by a fan or go where there's AC. Problem solved. What about you? Will you give up on the greatest drink in the world just because it's a little warm out?"

"Oh that's fine, I'm just wondering how in the heck can you enjoy hot coffee in this weather?!" She gasps, Phan having made herself a glass of lemonade, instead! With how hot it is today, she can't believe the tiny detective even wants a cup of coffee today!!!

"W-Well I guess that works, too...b-but still!!! How the heck are you not sweating right now?! And no, imma just start drinking lots more iced coffee! Just wait, even you will be burning up too much to want hot coffee on an especially hot day!!!"

[goldenstring6123]

Lnds: Their nicknames for you

Warning: No warning!

SYLUS:

Peeping Tom - You like to enter the shower when he's in, and he can no longer count on his fingers how many times you walked in on him changing, not that he's shy. Despite this, he doesn't lock the door to his closet or the bathroom. One day, when you're off guard, he'll definitely pounce at you.

Mrs. Boss (Alt. Little boss) - You weren't married, no, but with how you treat him, he feels like a husband. Despite being the boss of Onichynus, it's amusing to see you hand out orders. This nickname is something he'd use while you're undercover and using your aristocrat alter-identity. The Mrs. was something he used because he likes to imagine you're married to him; after all, no man can match you other than him.

My Wife - Again, you weren't married, but people can't seem to take a hint when he says he's not interested. At every event, someone is bound to throw themselves at him and insist on being his company, but with a simple mention of "I have a wife," followed by a statement about you being displeased or angered, they scurry away. You don't know he uses that nickname in front of strangers, and it doesn't look like he's going to stop anytime soon.

Other nicknames: Dessert Vacuum, Little Birdie & Little Hamster

Xavier:

Ms. Idol - He once overheard you singing out loud while you were in the shower. When you were at the karaoke bar, madly drunk, you kept stealing the microphone from your peers. Sometimes, he also likes to listen to you hum. He deems it appropriate to give you that nickname.

Little Star - You were very skilled against him in kitty cards, and it didn't feel appropriate to give you the nickname "Best Player in Linkon City, Queen of Kitty Cards," so he just called you the Little Star. How that nickname correlates to the game is unknown to you, but oh well.

Personal Pillow - He likes to sleep on you. On your shoulder, on your thigh, even against your back—he can and will go to sleep if he could. Xavier would always wake up with you in his embrace, and you never really complained, so he continued doing it. He'll only use this nickname whenever you're staying up late, and he's waiting for you to go to bed. You'll be in the living room, and you'll hear him say, "I need my pillow to sleep!"

Other nicknames: Pastry Princess & Pretty Lady

Rafayel:

Bully - With your frequent teasing and provocation, you ought to see this one coming. This is his nickname on your phone, and you didn't really know it until you snooped around. Once you find out, he outright calls you a bully whenever you poke fun at him for doing something.

My Muse - He doesn't call you this face-to-face, but this is your nickname when Rafayel is talking to art buyers and connoisseurs. They often ask about who he's drawing inspiration from. He sometimes says "his lover," but to him, it felt more exciting and intriguing to refer to you as his muse.

Starfish - This was a testament to your habit of hogging the entire bed. Every time you sleep over, you end up sprawled all over the bed like a starfish stuck to glass. Rafayel had to endure the small space that he had left on his bed and altogether just slept on the sofa on bad nights. Sometimes, he'd be surprised to wake up with the bed all to himself until he looked at the floor. And there you were in the same position, except flipped over.

Other nicknames: Pufferfish/Koi Fish, Beau, Cutie

Zayne:

Ms. Hunter - He uses this nickname when you're in the hospital getting treated for an injury from work. This is a nickname that's also a sign: a sign that Zayne is mildly pissed at your carelessness at work. When he uses this nickname, he becomes formal with you until you get a good dose of scolding from him.

Honey - He uses this on a daily basis inside your home and when he's on his day off. This was sort of like your second name, and whenever you hear the word, you almost always turn to look at Zayne. You call him honey, too, but you prefer the shorter version: Hun.

Sweetheart - This is a nickname Zayne uses to comfort you. Whenever you have a bad day or are in a bad mood, Zayne will automatically enter 'doting-lover' mode. He'd use this to refer to you and break down your emotional walls until you can tell him what's wrong. 10/10 if he uses this nickname outside of those moments, then it means Zayne is asking you to do him a favor of some sort.

Other nicknames: Sweetie & Wife

Caleb:

Angry Bird - Caleb calls you this because back then, you had the temperament of a fussy old lady. He'd always find a way to piss you off, and you'd run after him with a stick or something that you could hit him with.

Author footnotes: I added Caleb because I want to slowly integrate him to my works.

Layout by me, using canva premium | Do not repost |

[eddiesxangel]

The Kissing Booth | E.M x G!N!Reader

Cw: flufffffff, mild angst on Eddie’s part. Smooching. Reader wears lipgloss. No use of pronouns.

Wc 1.4K

Eddie could not believe this was happening to him.

“Nope, nope, no way, man. Over my dead body-“

“What my boy means is he is grateful he is not being suspended and will graciously accept his punishment of volunteering at the school fair.” Wayne looks at his nephew with a glare in his eyes that Eddie hasn’t seen in a very long time.

“Great, then it’s settled,” Ms. Laughlin, the guidance councillor, smiles.

It was happening. Eddie was being served the most gruesome punishment, and all because he skipped P.E. of all classes.

Eddie Munson was being forced not only to participate in the school fair but to work the kissing booth, of all things.

How on earth would he survive this? Not only would he be the laughingstock of the school, but he would also have to endure the absolute embarrassment of having no one come up to his booth, and he would also have to be forced to participate in extracurricular activities.

“Just wait until Hellfire hears about this boy,” Wayne laughs as he drives him and Eddie back to the trailer.

All Eddie could do was roll his eyes; he could never show his face again.

“You’re not going to believe the rumour I heard today.” Nancy looks at you from over her shoulder. She is sat at your vanity.

“What?” You asked, intrigued, as you got dressed and got ready for tonight’s festivities.

“A little birdy told me that a certain someone is working the kissing booth tonight.” She smirks.

“Who?” You challenge her back.

“Who, what?” Robin walks into the bedroom from the bathroom.

“Nancy knows who is working one of the kissing booths tonight, but won’t telling me” you pout.

“Ohhhhhhhh,” Robin smirks knowingly.

“Oh, not you, too! Come on, who is it!”

Robin and Nancy give one another a nod of the head before Nancy speaks.

“Eddie Munson.”

“Ha ha, very funny; you think I’m going to believe that? How gullible do you think I am?” You snort.

“No, it’s true! Shelly from the student council told me when we were working on the student paper! Instead of detention, this is his punishment, to help out at the fair tonight.” She wiggled her brows at you suggestively.

“Who else’s working it?” You try and ask casually.

Your friends knew about your crush on Eddie. It had been about a month since you confessed to one of your late-night sleepovers.

“Um, I’m not too sure what other guy, but I think Chrissy is working the girl's booth. Nancy shrugged.

“Cool…cool…” you turned to the closet, now faced with a sense of anxiety to find the perfect top.

Eddie was actually dying on the inside. Ten minutes until his “shift” at the booth, and he wanted to book it.

Running away would solve his problems, right? He would much rather be suspended than have to endure this humiliation. This was a cruel and unusual punishment.

He watched from the sidelines as Josh was at the booth currently. He was the senior star quarterback on the football team. Everyone wanted him. He could just see now the long line disbursing once he stood there.

"Hey man, you're up next in 5." Eddie was snapped out of his internal monologue when he felt a hand resting on his shoulder. He wasn't sure how long he had been there stewing with his own thoughts. "Don't worry, it's not all bad. Some customers are cute," Josh smirks.

Oh god. What if he actually had to kiss someone tonight? He hadn’t thought of that option. Like, what if some actually came up? What would he do? Are they expecting tongue?

“You have some gum or something?” He asked quickly before Josh left.

He smirked and tossed him a pack of icy mint.

“Thanks.”

Eddie peaked around the corner to where the booth was set up. The fair was set up on the school football field. There was a small sign that said be back in 5 and no lineup to be seen.

That made Eddie feel a bit better; no one was there. That took some humility out of it.

Before Eddie could back out and run, he felt another hard hand on his shoulder.

“Come on, Munson, your time to shine.” Jeff and Gareth practically dragged Eddie to the booth, kicking and screaming.

“You’re the worst friends ever,” Eddie huffed as they backed away from the booth. Watching him so he won’t run away.

“You can't serve the time and shouldn’t do the crime.” Jeff laughed.

“That’s not-“ Eddie was cut off mid-sentence as he saw Robin and Nancy pushing you towards the booth just like he had been moments ago.

“Don’t make me do this,” you plead with your best friends.

“You have to do it,” “It’s now or never,” “He’s right there. Just have him your ticket and pucker your lisp. It’s not that hard,” Robin and Nancy whispered in your ear as they dragged you towards Eddie.

“You guys, please, I can’t!” You say a bit too loudly as you fight back your friends from pushing you up to the booth.

You can see the look on Eddie’s face as you are pushed up the step of the booth. He looks disappointed? Disgusted? You’re not too sure.

You let out an embarrassing squeal as you stumbled in front of Eddie. “Um hi”

Despite not being well-acquainted with Eddie, you couldn't help but notice him whenever he walked by. You only exchanged a few words in passing and learned about him through your friends. Although you never had the opportunity to spend time together, you found him to be irresistibly charming and incredibly good-looking. Whenever you caught a glimpse of him in the cafeteria, he never failed to bring a smile to your face with his silly antics and infectious laughter.

“Uh hey,” he spoke back, clearly uncomfortable.

“Busy night for you?” You ask, trying to delay the inevitable.

“Uh nope.”

“Good,” you smile; the thought of Eddie kissing anyone else made you want to vomit.

“Good?” He cocks a brow at you. “The thought of nobody wanting to come up to the freak of Hawkins High is good to you?”

“Oh I didn’t mean it like-“

“Why are you even here?”

“Oh- well- I um-"

“No, I get it. You’re just here on a dare, or you lost the bet, right? I really thought better of Nancy and Robin; I thought they were my friends�� You know I heard you say you can’t do this. I understand the thought of kissing me is so terrible that-“

You couldn't help but cut off Eddei from his intrusive thoughts. You held his face with both hands and smushed your lips together. The thought of Eddie thinking that about you was far worse than the fear of kissing him.

It wasn't everything you had dreamed of. However, the kiss was still nice. You felt the eruption of butterflies fill your stomach as Eddie deepened this kiss himself. You kissed him until you could no longer breathe. Only then is when you pull away.

“Woah”

“I hope that was okay.” You shy away.

“Yeah.” Eddie sighed as he took you in.

As he gazed upon you, he was struck by how pretty you were, which he had overlooked until now. The sweet aroma of strawberries wafted from you as the strawberry lipgloss lingered on his lips, just below his nose.

“Um, here,” you jut out your hand with the crinkled ticket you hadn't yet paid with.

“Oh no, no, the house,” Eddie said without thinking and that made you giggle.

“Well, I really only bought a ticket for this, so I might as well cash it in.” you flirt.

“Ok, yeah, sure. Two for one.” Eddie took the ticket from your hand and brought it back to cup your cheek before kissing you again.

You could hear the giggles and cheers of your friends from behind you in the distance, but your main focus was on Eddie. His soft, plush lips. His minty taste, the way his soft hair tickled your cheeks.

“Ok, lovebirds, that’s enough.” the supervising teacher returned with an unimpressed huff.

You begrudgingly pulled away, but with a smile nonetheless.

“Can I get your number?” Eddie’s mouth was moving before his brain could catch up.

“Come find us later, lover boy.” Robin giggled while snatching your arm and pulled you away before you could answer.

“Dude!” Gareth clapped his hands, having witnessed the whole thing.

“Maybe we should sign up for this,” Jeff laughed. A little jealous of what he just witnessed.

After you, Eddie didn’t care if he got another customer for the rest of the night. Maybe this whole kissing booth thing wasn’t too bad after all.

[paranormeow7]

oh hes on tumblr now guess I can post this hi @damagedcoda6669 I think you’re neat

[sadmuso1]

love being autistic and a artist, anyways heres the isat group as penguins feturing my friends name for all of them Sifguin, Mirabird, Penguisa, Birdile, Birdie, Penoop

never leave me alone with ms paint

[gallifreyianrosearkytiorsusan]

Crab Boil

Author's note: I'm going to be trying to do Mermay 2025. thanks to @c-u-c-koo-4-40k for letting me borrow Khopesh and Lullaby. This was a fun collab.

Summary: Khopesh and Claude meet and get some free food.

Warnings: LMK if I need to add something

tagged: @sleepyfan-blog @c-u-c-koo-4-40k @i-am-a-dragon34 @ms--lobotomy @jaghatai-khock

tagged: @kit-williams @whorety-k @bleedingichorhearts @thevoidscreams @gra93fruit-blog

Tagged: @felinisnoctis @bispecsual, @egrets-not-regrets @nereidof40k @finchly-tintinnabulation

Claude had finished training with Anrir- when he spotted a dark navy blue scaled form- similar to Anrir- but less scarred. Claude tilts his head and says, “who are you?” 

Khopesh turns towards the larger- and younger space marine, he smirks and uses his voice mimicry as he retorts, also curious to see who this Raven Guard is, “Who are you?”

Claude rears back a little- somewhat startled to hear the Night Lord throw his voice back at him, but he’s had some of his brother-cousins do voice mimicry to such a freaky degree and has since gotten over the initial knee-jerk violent reaction.

“I go by Claude,” He says carefully as he tilts his head slowly coming closer to the Night Lord, “What’s your name?”

Khopesh is surprised by how well Claude is reaction as he tilts his head back and smiles, hes more than a little bewildered by how passive the reaction he’s getting his as he continues to use his mimicry, “I go by Claude, Claude! Claude!”

He’s looking for a more normal reaction out of the Raven Guard? As he goes back to his normal voice as he says, “I go by Khopesh! You’re strange… and big. Most take a swipe when they hear their own voice bouncing back.”

Khopesh has been swimming around, kind of wriggling and squirming, turning upside down, but keeping his eyes on Claude. Its kind of weird how calm this Raven Guard is with his antics.

Claude shrugs as he says honestly as he tilts his head the other way as he watches Khopes swim about. “You aren’t the strangest person I’ve met. I’m a Primaris- we tend to be Big.”

Khopesh hums and sings to himself as he continues to swim at odd angles- keeping a watch on Claude, “Pri-mar-is!”

He tastes that word- so strange, so new, so strange. “So! Why do you wanna speak with me big birdie? Not, like I’m complaining, but usually Ravens are Ever so… standoffish- or snobby.”

Claude listens to that with a snort- some of his brothers could be rather … high handed, despite the amount of blood and sins that soak their hands. He focuses on Khopesh again as the First Born Scout Night Lord Darts in close before swimming away again as he says, “As if we don’t hunt squirming squealing things in the night.”

Claude nods, all astartes kill- be they heretics, traitors, xenos or other things. Some kill for honor, some kill for the sake of it. Some for protection of others. The way that some of his so called ‘honorable’ older brothers claimed that what the did was for the betterment of the Chapter. Tch. Hypocrites.

“My kind are just more Honest about how Monstrous we are~” Kohpesh continues to say with a sharp, fanged grin.

Claude is rather pleased that his shape shifting his doing really well and he can’t help but say, “Ah good, you think I’m a Raven Guard, it’s working.”

Khopesh tilts his head and then surges close- almost touching him eyes wide with a sharp smile, “What’s working?”

Then he darts off with an off putting cackle, “Oh ho ho! You are fun! And you’ve got secrets!” Khopesh flips over backwards and coming right back up as he spins around Claude with delight.

“Don’t you have secrets?” Claude points out mildly, “ And doesn’t everyone have at least a few secrets?”

Khopesh laughs in delight and nods, “You got me there!”

He swims in circles and is upside down again, as he continues to talk with Claude, “But still! Why come up here to little old me? Am I breaking any rules by swimming here?”

It is bothering Khopesh a little bit that there is a Pri-mar-is Raven Guard Scout talking to him when he doesn’t think he’s done anything to upset the balance of things. And Anrir would give him such a talking to if he had… gotten caught doing something.

“No…?” Claude says confused as he tries to recall the rules near this area of the ocean and shrugs, “you just seemed interesting and I wanted to see if you’d talk to me.”

“Aww! Aren’t you sweet!” Khopesh coos at the younger marine.”

Claude shrugs a little, “Also- I wanted to warn you- there is a shoal of Black Templars swimming nearby during their migration. Shouty bastards.”

“And bleh. Templars. Gross,” Khopesh says wrinkling his nose in disgust and shakes his head. “Hm… Say…. Do you like, crabs?”

“I do like crabs,” Claude says with a grin as he perks up and swishes his tail excitedly.

Khopesh hoots in excitement and says, “Yes!”

“Wanna go hunting grabs?” Claude asks him, tilting his head a little.

“Not right now,” Khopesh says as he shakes his head as he asks, “Tell me! Have you ever had steamed crabs? From a seafood boil? Slathered in butter?! With a shell that crunches just right? Mmm! ‘Cause I know where we can get some!”

“I have not - but that sounds delicious,” Claude says perking up a little. “Where do we go to get that?”

Khopesh grins in a vaguely unsettling manner, as he leans in really close to Claude and gets his voice close to a stage whisper, “Up the coast- a little bit away from the Port City, but still near the water. There is a small… ah… I forget the common word for it? Bairn? Barm? It has those weird four legged creatures with sharp heavy toes and long faces!”

Claude sees the way Khopesh waves his hands enthusiastically as he smiles as he sees the way Khopesh seems to grow animated. “The human there feeds me and we sing together! I also always get more treats when I bring my brothers, but they’re always away right now? Sooo what d'ya say? Up for some crab-singing?”

“Sure! I’m up for food-” Claude says, he could always eat- and he blinks- as he remembers something about Anrir speaking about some of his Claw- an excitable- *oh* so this is Khopesh. “Oh! I was trained by an Apothecary named Anrir on singing and Night Lord Siren stuff. Do you know him?”

He grins at Khopesh, who seems a little strange- but he doesn’t seem that bad, all things considered. At least for now. Khopesh can’t stop his jaw from dropping as his eyes go wide, “You’re kidding!”

He swims around Claude in an animated circle, “Anrir is my Night Lord Sire!” 

“Oh- that’s neat.” Claude says with a smile, Khopesh’s frantic, excited energy has infected him a little.

“That means we’re practically Claw already!” Khopesh continues.

“Er. I think Anrir mentioned something about a Claw once?” Claude says confused as he raised his clawed hands.

Khopesh laughs a little at his confused expression, “pfft! Not those claws! Although- I’ve got them too!”

Khopesh shows off his wickedly sharp nails, “Naw, a Claw is a group of Night Lords who shoal together! Basically it’s like a Pod, but if you saw Claw you know it’s made of Night Lords.”

“Oh! That makes a lot of sense.” Claude says with a nod as he feels rather enlightened with Khopesh’s explanation.

“Like how a group of Salamanders is a Nest. A group of Fists is called a Fortress,” Khopesh continues to say sounding 100% confident and proud as he continues to explain things to Claude, feeling rather happy to be a teacher, rather than the taught for a moment, “A group of Hydras is called a Facade, and a group of Templars is called a Toothache.”

Claude laughs at the last one, “Toothache? Not a headache?”

Khopesh cackles at that and continues to speak, “hehe! Anrir is our Claw Leader! There’s about … hmmm… Me- Karlsy, Him, Ghosk,... Four! Four of us!”

“Although… you are the second Night Lord that I’ve met on Ancient Terra.” Claude says with a hum.

Khopesh had been naming people and tapping his fingers as he’d spoken. “Though- Anrir has made and trained thousands of Neophyte Night Lords! And he’s older than the Legion itself! He’s even adopted a few Ravens over the years! Though… right now it’s just us, here, on Ancient Terra.”

“That’s really interesting- so he’s Terran born. Huh. That explains the accent.” Claude says musingly.

“Enough about history! There’s buttered crabs on the line! Lets go!” Khopesh says as he grabs one of Claude’s arms and tugs him in the direction of his beloved Lullaby.

They swim up the coast until they come to the place Khopesh had described. A farm with horses. There’s white smoke coming out of the house’s chimney. And a buttery smell in the ocean air becomes stronger and stronger as they approach. Claude swallows the saliva that coats his mouth.

Claude’s stomach growls and he licks his lips a little as he says, “That- smells really good.”

“Just follow my lead Claudey.” Khopesh says while he’s still under the water, before he pusehs himself upwards until he breaches the surface and lets out a trill that seems half-way between a mer- and a human song. It carries a voice that is neither Khopesh nor Claude’s.

Claude tilts his head a little and blinks as he notices that the voice seems to reverberate back and forth with the new voice and Khopesh’s own voice. How curious. He tilts his head the other way as he follows after the Night Lord a beat or two more slowly.

The door to the house opens, it’s on a higher level and there’s a small beach that slopes down to the water where the boys are. But in some areas it’s more like the land stands higher than the sea. 

An unknown voice, in a jovial tone, “Hark! Is that, that pale Ghostly black eyed Scoundrel! Barking my own voice back at me?!”

A human baseline leans over the fence that borders the small cliff that drops down to the ocean. Unknown baseline, their voice still playfully teasing tone, as they spot a grinning Khopesh, “Why yes it is! Tis! Tis indeed! Honestly, I feed you once and like clockwork, here you are. Again!”

Lullaby looks over at Claude and nods towards him before looking back towards Khopesh, their eyes sparkling with delight, “And you’ve even brought another friend in on your schemes, you slimy cheeky thing!”

They step a little closer as Claude and Khopesh swim closer in the air, “Ah, whatever shall I do?” 

They eye the pair of tongs in their hands as they lean dramatically against the railing and clacks their tongs cheerfully and for emphasis.

“Ummm. Hello. I go by Claude.” Claude says he has noticed the playful way they speak with a shy smile, “What may I call you? Friend of Khopesh?”

“You are so very polite. Much more polite than the fella with batwings who tried to eat my tongs in one bite.” Lullaby says, “You can call me Lullaby, s’not my given name, bit it’s what everybody calls me, and I happen to like it.”

Lullaby looks Claude over and says, “You’re a big ‘un! I suppose I’ve got no choice but to give ya’ll extra crabbies. Not like that isn’t what you had planned, right Khopesh?”

Khopesh shrugs, as he grins, “Ah well! Guess I couldn’t hide it! You’re just too clever~”

“Flattery will only get you so far! Come now, lets see what you’ve learned~!”

“Oh! Ooh! Guess this one!” Khopesh straightens up proudly and immediately starts making a weird warbling … is it a bird… call??

Lullaby hums a little as they try to figure out what it is, “... Is that a sea bird? Not a gull… Hum… How curious.”

“The sound is that of a magnificent Frigate bird.” At least- that’s what Claude thinks it is, he states that out Loud. And from Khopesh’s reaction- that’s the truth. Lullaby seems delighted by being able to get it after they were stumped for a few minutes trying on their own to come up with what it was.

“I have an animal sound.” Claude offers. 

Lullaby turns to him, “Oh ho?” Lets hear it!” They say with a smile.

Claude lets out a warbling call of a deep ocean creature.

Lullaby tosses a grab towards Claude who catches it with a grin and his mouth and starts to eat it- shell and all, “This is quite tasty lullaby, thank you.”

Khopesh pouts a little that Claude got some Crab before he did. Lullab smiles at the older Space Marine and tosses a crab at him, “And one for you- since you stumped me.”

Khopesh catches the crab with a triumphant noise, “YES MINE!” 

He messily devours the crab, shell included as he asks, “more please!”

Lullaby laughs a little as they say, “Alright, alright! Got any new sounds.” They look over at Claude. “If you know the call of the Frigate Bird, maybe you know others? I love my land beasts a little too much to ever leave them, so sadly, the are some animals that I’ll never get to see or hear. So, I always appreciate Khopesh bringing those sounds to me when he visits.”

Claude thinks for a moment as he mimics the sound of another deep sea creature he’s heard recently- the warbling whistle of a humpback whale and a giant squid. Khopesh wriggles as he calls out, “Ah! I know- one of those is a big ass squid, and the other’s a whale- humpback!”

Khopesh mimics Claude’s mimicry with near perfect whistle- Claude is impressed by Khopesh’s ears.

“Ooo! Spooky,” Lullaby tosses a crab to both of them. “By the way, how are your other brothers Khopesh? Is this a new arrival?

“The other members of the Claw are doing their own thins right now. And noope! Claudey and I just met! But he’s just so funny, I just had to show him buttered crabs!” Khopesh explains as he gestures as he talks and leans against Claude a little bit.

Lullaby looks towards Claude, “Khopesh thinks high of you them! Well, I’ve got a bucket full of crabs and nothing else to do. Oh! And I’ve got some pumpkin muffins baking right now. They’ll be ready soon, do y’all wawnna hang around ‘till then? Maybe show some of your other tricks?”

Khopesh grins before diving under the water, only to resurface into a jumping backflip. Claude realizes that Khopesh is showing off to Lullaby, in a distinctively courtship like manner. Claude smothers a grin as he lets out an echoing call and uses a bit of psyker to do an illusion of Dolphins- he’s going to help Khopesh court his beloved and play wing man for him.

Lullaby is stunned, “That’s wild y’all are amazing!”

Khopesh is beaming with Pride as he puffs out his chest, while Claude smiles softly, “Thanks Lullaby.”

After they finish the bucket of crabs and show off their forms- Claude helping Khopesh to look more impressive and back him up. They finish the muffins as well- a delightful baked goods, it is getting late and Lullaby needs to retire.

“Thanks for spending time with me. As usually y’all are welcome to come back when it suits.”

They address Claude specifically, “I usually catch a bucket of crabs every weekend and boil ‘em up. So feel free to stop by again. Or just follow Khopesh. He always seems to know when I’m making something tasty.”

“Thanks for the offer! I’ll be sure to come by again,” Claude says with a friendly nod, “it was nice meeting you.”

“Same dear, y’all have a good night.” Lullaby says with a nod and a smile. 

They head back into their house to bed down for the night. 

Claude and Khopesh swim off and Khopesh smiles at him, “I told you that Crab singing would be worth it. They even stayed for an extra hour tonight! And sang songs with us!”

He looks back up at the lit up windows. He says more quietly, a look of intense longing on his face, “I just know… that their songs would be even more beautiful if…”

Claude watches Khopesh slowly, carefully, he interrupts Khopesh’s thought processes as he doesn’t want another missing woman to end up with a mer-tail and carrying a Night Lord’s Child. Then he’d have to tell someone something.

“Crab singing was fun! However- they seem happy on land… perhaps… they might sing more lovely in a different form, but would they be happy as a Mer?”

Khopesh sighs and wilts a little and shakes his head, “No, at least not right now. They have their own Claw- I mean family! Their gene-parents live nearby. I’ve seen them. And they love their land beasts! And the land beasts love them. Their specific long face creature tried to bite and kick me when I got closer to them one day while they were on its back.”

Khopesh gestures at the horse. Khopesh shuckles, “it was funny to see them scold it like a baby. And then give it kisses because it was protecting them. I… suppose, I just wish it was easier to spend more time with them.”

He looks sullen and morose at that. “They are most active during the day- and my Kind… are more active at evening and Night. These times at sunset are one of the few times we can meet… I cannot leave my Claw anymore than they can leave theirs… but Maybe there is some other way… I just haven’t found it yet.”

Claude nods as he listens, “It’s hard being parted from the one you love and wanting to be with them- but aso be with your kin. Uh. I know Anrir did… something… and has his Draga with him. But well.”

Claude shrugs a little, still uneasy about some of the red flags that Anrir was showing, but he didn’t know how to bring them up without upsetting the other Space Marine. Or if it was his place to say anything. Perhaps he should talk to Lenora and Erroix? They seem to have a healthy and happy relationship.

“Anrir is clever- but I think sometimes his advise is… should be taken with caution. I have seen humans wear something called.. Sun Glases? Which helps keep their eyes protected from the wrath of the sun. We can fly in the air… who knows? Perhaps you will find a way? Oh- and the long faced, four legged creatures, I think Olly called them Horses?”

“Right! Horses! Gah! Why do I always forget that. Ah…” Khopesh replies with a groan. “... Anrir did manage to get his Draga… but well. Draga did not have all this.”

He gestures towards the table loving home and farm. “More than anything I… I want to just be with them… I will speak with Anrir, not about changing them, now, but … how to be with them as it is now. And maybe some day, when their family is lost to time, as all things must be, maybe they would be willing to be part of mine them… Either way, I enjoy the time I spend with them… so maybe that’s enough?”

Khopesh shrugs as he and Claude swim back the way they came and Claude nods, “the future is not set.”

“Well aside from you coming to more Crab sings! If you’ve got any sense that should be set.” Khopesh points out.

Claude nods and laughs, “That’s true! I will definitely come to  more crab sings! That was fun, and I wouldn’t turn down free crabs.”

[kudotsurugi]

Random Thought: Why does all "90's Anime style" fanart just look like Sailor Moon?

Okay, obviously not all fanart looks like it. But if you were to type in "90s anime style" here on Tumblr or DeviantArt at the time of this post, it at least seems to be the majority stand-in for 90s anime aesthetic, right? Especially in the characters' eyes.

Don't me wrong, this is not a knock against Sailor Moon. It is a great anime, and the collective character designs by Kazuko Tadano, Ikuko Ito, and Mari Tominaga among other staff are iconic. So iconic that Tadano was brought back as the character designer for the latest Sailor Moon movies. That is quite the staying power.

But let's be fair, there are plenty of 90s anime out there that can also be used as inspiration. So, here are the names of 11 character designers alongside some gifs of shows/projects they worked on in that role. Some you may not know but you've seen their work, and others you probably know for their distinct art style or association with a franchise.

Things worth noting: First, the years listed here with some anime may reflect when the artists' work started airing, rather than when the anime itself actually started. Some folks listed here enter their projects mid-production in other roles, while others are in the role from the start. Second, each entry will list 1 or 2 projects aired/released during the 90s, but it will be noted if the artist's role continues beyond that with certain franchises. Lastly, these artists are listed in no particular order, so no "top 11" hierarchy. With that said, here's our examples:

Hisashi Eguchi (Roujin Z[1991], Sonic the Hedgehog CD [1993])

2. Katsuyoshi Nakatsuru(Dragon Ball franchise (Z [1993-96], GT [1996], Daima [2024]), Digimon franchise [1999-2002, 2019-2023])

3. Kumiko Takahashi (Cardcaptor Sakura [1998-2000], Birdy The Mighty[1996])

4. Takahiro Yoshimatsu (Trigun[1998], Slayers franchise[1995-97])

5. Atsuko Nakajima (Ranma 1/2[1989-1992], You're Under Arrest[1996])

6. Sayuri Ichiishi (Pokémon[Pokémon design: 1996-present, human character design: 1996-2017])

7. Atsuko Ishida (Magic Knight Rayearth[1994-1995])

8. Masaya Onishi (Yu Yu Hakusho[1993-1994])

9. Toshihiro Kawamoto(Cowboy Bebop[1998-1999], Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team[1996])

10. Hiroshi Osaka(Gundam franchise[Mobile Suit Victory Gundam: 1993-1994, Mobile Fighter G-Gundam:1994-1995])

11. Yoshiyuki Sadamoto(Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water[1990-1991], Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise[1995-1997, 2007-2021])

Might've leaned a bit more on the Shonen side of things than Shojo, but I hope you can see my point😅. There are tons of 90s anime out there with their own unique feel and aesthetic. These are only 11 names that I found.

For anyone drawing 90s anime style fanart, I hope this has given you some inspiration, and I encourage anyone reading this to look up your favourite anime on Anime News Network's encyclopedia and see who's responsible for helping bring your favorite characters to life on screen and what other shows they've worked on.