#to learn. learning is fun. gaining all the knowledge in the world and then still not using it for anything.

[marmorenshud]

there's two approaches to writing one is not doing tons of meticulous research one is not doing any research at all and then there's me who does a lot of research and then doesn't put any of it into my writing

[lilghostiequinni]

Rude

Main Masterlist Charles Masterlist

Pairing: Verstappen!Girlfriend!female reader x Charles Leclerc

Warnings: Fluffy, None

Summary: Don't you just hate when your girlfriend loves your dogs more than you or when they take your spot in bed? Well, Charles does.

Requested: NO / yes

You met Charles through your twin brother when you were about 15 years old.

You didn't like going to your brother's kart races, but at the same time, you did like going to them, because when Max won races, it was like the world was right, nothing bad happened.

You didn't like it when Max lost because it meant something bad had happened.

It was conditioned into you from watching your brother for years that if Max failed, it was best to stay away from your dad for a few days to weeks or until Max won next, but sometimes even that wasn't good enough.

When you met Charles and you seen how his family and how family was supposed to work, you grew close to Charles.

For years, you avoided your feelings because you knew that your brother had become friends with the Monegasque and was close rivals on track.

You were afraid to say anything about how you felt because you were afraid of what your brother might say, who cares about everyone else, all you had in your life for the longest time was your brother.

You didn't want to disappoint him.

It wasn't until your brother literally locked you and Charles in a room within his apartment and refused to let you out that is until you confessed your feelings for each other.

It took all of an hour for the confession to happen and result in kissing, then turning into a full-on make-out until Max opened the door and interrupted but also saw one of his friends sucking face with his little sister.

About a year into your relationship with Charles, he asked you to move in, but you were hesitant because of the puppy you impulsively bought while Max and Charles were away for a race weekend.

Well, it was like three puppies, they were siblings, and the last three, you couldn't just leave them there.

They were Doberman, German Shepherd, and Husky mixes, and they were so cute.

When you told Max of your three little darlings, he laughed at you, then realized you weren't joking then he started laughing again, thinking of the reaction Charles would have.

Which, when you told him wasn't as bad as you thought it would be, but it could've been better.

But even after learning of your hellions, as Max started to call them after knowing them for an hour, Charles still insisted on moving in together.

Every time that Charles left for a race and you didn't go with him, the dogs took over his spot on the bed, laying with you as you slept, making sure that nothing happened to you.

When Charles had come home, for the first two nights he would have to fight off the dogs just to sleep.

So when he bought Leo, he thought that he would gain an ally against the other three, even if the two were still outnumbered, but no, that didn't happen.

The other three like to gain up on him, and Leo just joined in on the fun. It was not what Leo would just follow them he would actually help them.

Charles just gave up after a few months of trying to teach Leo to not help the other three dogs but he wasn't used to trying to, so he just gave up trying and let it happen most days.

Playing with the dogs most other times, it was actually really sweet what Charles did, playing with the hellions that you adopted without his knowledge, but even if he complains, he loves every minute of it because he's with you during them all.

A/N: Second in the 300 Follower Cele Driver poll

Tags: @llando4norris @mcmuppet @issi-loves-dannyric @ellen3101 @barcelonaloverf1life @charli123456789 @amz824 @taetae-armyyyyy @diaryofarandomkid @hadids-world

If you want to be removed from a tag list, let me know so I don't keep tagging you. If you are striked through, I don't know if you want to be tagged, but just let me know if you want me to continue or stop

[ablobwhowrites]

I also love the dragon y/n idea! currently what’s going through my head in that our true form grew over time, so when we met the uncorrupted-beasts we were only the size of a three story house, but in present time we’re like—taller than the Spire of Knowledge give or take a few hundred feet. if we were close friends with the pre-beasts, I can see us being friends with the Fount of Knowledge because it’s said dragons have been around before cookies so he’s both learning from them and they have a friend to listen to since they’re kind of an outcast and they’re just buddies. We know the others as well but Shadow Milk was the one we could just pick up by the scruff and he wouldn’t even complain. The other immortals find it funny, even. Then comes their corruption, and while trying to keep normal cookies safe, we gain lots of wounds that make us slow down. Less energetic. Kind of hurt that even newly evil they barely hesitated to bring harm. Even worse if we mourn them when they are sealed. we probably become friends with Elder Fairy while still young and waiting out on the hope that our cookie friends will gain reason again. They don’t, and time passes until we finally decide to leave with the acceptance of having to know their dear friends have changed for the worse.

then, dragon y/n meets the ancients. Heart squeezing at the similarities of their old companions. Seeing them, in time, as their most precious cookie family. Picking them all up like kittens when forcing them to rest. Protecting Dark Cacao Cookie’s kingdom from harsh colds when running a fever or when things get especially harsh. Tucking them under a wing while resting. Old scars on our giant dragon heart finally heal at some point, and we make ourselves a cookie form just to see the ancients easier. The ancients love their dragon companion just as much. PV tries to heal eons old wounds near the joints and soft spots like the neck or wings. White Lily will just sit in our palm as we think about the past, always there. Hollyberry attempts to beat us in an eating competition. Golden Cheese adorns us in the newest fashion trends. Dark Cacao will protect us by staying awake when we rest if on a journey. sorry if this is too long, but dragon y/n is such a fun concept!

I'm becoming obsessed with dragon y/n cookie cause I imagine when they where still young, they acted similar to toothless from the first movie as dragon y/n was mostly curious about the world and before the beasts corrupted. I do imagine them being best friends as mainly, I imagine that y/n's dragon form was kinda small but still bigger than the average cookies. Dragon y/n and the uncorrupted beast use to hangout about everyday as y/n liked how they didn't treat them as some vile beast that caused chaos but more of a cookie who just happens to be a dragon, burning spice cookie and dragon y/n use to play fight a lot and shadow milk cookie always got worried because how much damage they did around the place when they did play fight. Mystic flour cookie liked having y/n around as they enjoyed the quiet company and that she got to have alone time cause cookies were to afraid to go near dragon y/n at the time, eternal sugar cookie love to fly with dragon y/n or just lay down on the grass taking in the sun and peacefulness of the place and her paradise. Silent salt cookie listened to dragon y/n cry sometimes as they wished sometimes to be a normal cookie so they could be with their lover but silent salt cookie comforted them as silent salt cookies wished to take away their pain yet they couldn't.

Plus I like to think that many cookies that y/n had protected back then gives them gifts and such but now no cookie really does as they think dragon y/n cookie is a myth by older cookies but I do imagine when when Golden cheese cookie adorns y/n with jewels or other things, they like keeping the jewels and newest fashions that she gives them in their cave to keep them safe.

(also kinda thought of this while writing)

*Cookies from Hollyberry kingdom gives dragon y/n a small gift as a tribute for protecting the kingdom*

Civilian cookie: "I know that we can't do much for you but I wish to give you the finest glasses of berry juice in my shop."

Dragon y/n cookie: "oh, why thank you, I haven't been given a tribute gift is decades."

(y/n will probably drink them back at their den but save the rest because it would be a wasted gift to just drink them all)

And when current dragon y/n is guarding the dark cacao kingdom, I like to imagine just some cookie staying around y/n because how much heat they produce as well as under the wing, it's bascially the warmth nice house underneath their wing (and also because y/n produces fire and stuff and sunbathes a lot so they soak up a lot of sun and heat.)

But y/n does visit the place their old friends stay sealed away and stay there for hours wondering if they could have changed the outcome and kept them from corrupting but they are comforted by Elder fairy cookie until they eventually leave. Also loving the thought of dragon y/n cookie being able to produce these kinds of low rumbling purrs in cookie and dragon form and y/n can't control it so if y/n has nay positive interactions, they just purr really loudly and they do try to say it's their hungry and it's their stomach but of course that doesn't work and the cookies love hearing that sound as it's soothing but y/n is so fucking embarrassed about it as the other dragons I imagine do that to but have control over it. They are just starved of love and affection a lot because cookies from the past saw them as a monster and didn't want to be near them.

The little cookies think it's so cool like they sometimes think dragon y/n is part cat cause of this but the adult cookies love hearing it but dragon y/n tries to lock in to stop it. Also I imagine because y/n's dragon form is huge, they just have to pick up cookies or any traveling vehicles with their mouth kinda like a alligator.

Plus for some yandere ovensmash and ovenbreak. I love to imagine string cheese cookie always trying to keep dragon y/n cookie's hair nice and neat but dragon y/n cookie sees such a nice pile of grass and can't resist on just laying in the and rolling in it (like toothless in that one scene) and is forced to sit in a chair and have their hair washed and cleaned because their grass in their hair. Also I love the thought of Dj cookie wanting dragon y/n to go to one of their concerts but y/n doesn't like how loud concerts can get so unfortunately Dj cookie can't show y/n the special song they made for them.

(anyways that's it for my yapping session for today. But if you like it please don't be shy and request any ideas for stories or y/n's. But for now please stay safe and drink water!)

[sunlit-mess]

you are criminally underrated. *holds out hands like a sad victorian child* any tips for a young artist? :)

im a very. tired. artist.

To aspiring artists, I'm not sure what 'tips' or advice I can give that were not already said by another. However, I'll remind you anyway.

"There's no secret to art... just begin and keep going. That's all we can do."

Always set your pace, and take your time learning. Art is something that isn't rushed, rather it grows through experience. Think of it like exp points or something, the more you gain, the more you know and skills acquired. It doesn't mean you HAVE to abide by the principles or rules either, though it's best to know them. Knowledge comes in different ways and your method is yours to explore.

As for motivation, it's something you'd find attached to, a mission and values thing per se. Find your dedication, how will you strive, how much are you willing to pursue. What keeps you going? What WILL keep you determined?

We take criticism critically: Don't get your ego attached to every work, everyone has their own perspective. What I mean to say is to understand errors and find improvement. Be HONEST with yourself and your work. Nothing is ever wrong in art, hell- even the most fucked-up ones can look so beautiful and meaningful.

In social media or sharing artworks, it's cool to show them to your friends or relevant platforms your craft would be in, just gotta learn the long process of algorithm somehow... It's a pain, but never lose confidence! Believe in yourself. Even the tiniest of work, effort is counted as special. Because it's from you!

Lastly, enjoy what you do! Have fun once in a while, and best that you find fun all the time in your crafts! You create for a cause and not just to please. Art shouldn't be a cause to break you, rather it builds you.

I hope this message is enough? ::)

I've been drawing since I was young, now as an adult- my art is meh compared to other artists out there, but I still try my best to keep my mark around.

So much has happened in my life and I'm still VERY lost, especially in a path as an 'Artist'. Though, I fell off in art, burned out, and relapsed more than I can count,

nothing or no one can kill the part of me that just wants the world to see that I can still... Create.

[chessboredom]

do you think burning spice is a drug addict considering that he likes to breathe in the spice storm and since spice powder acts kinda like a drug from that one line in the story where he says that Golden cheese will go berserk after breathing in the spice powder

I have thought about him snorting so much drugs high off his ass (in shit post form in my head) too many times it's not even a joke. He's like a very very very very very verryyyy VERY MISERABLE drug addict to me. If that is not incredibly obvious that he lives surrounded by his own subjects' dust and snorts them to go berserk, then again it always gets covered up by his groans of boredom and obsession for Destruction.

Burning Spice MIRRORS Golden Cheese, and vice versa. They are each other's half. Creation Abundance and Destruction. As destruction is a form of creation, creation is a form of destruction. They are actually no different from each other, for they are each other.

Golden Cheese's motherly love greed, but she is also incredibly selfless. Her kingdom is consisted with people she HOARDED and calls them her treasures. When she found out that her kingdom turned to dust, she tries to make a literal living after life for their souls because her mind was narrowed by her greed that she hasn't thought of trying to find more trasures from outside her simulation, until Gingerbrave and Friends™️ showed her their "selfless greed" by refusing to follow her orders, and then reminding her that she still has treasures waiting outside the simulation for her.

It also makes Burning Spice an abusive father so selfish and possessive that he thinks he could control change by being the one who causes it's downfall, and also making him the only one who would be able to keep all the knowledge of a kindgdom that once stood great, now crumbled into dust with a swing of his axe.

And so they are BOTH greedy.

GC's greed is incredibly selfless, while BS' greed is incredibly selfish.

GC tried to restore the life of her treasures who died, while BS takes life away from those who are living life the best.

GC learns to let go to find that there could be more treasures outside the cage she made for herself, while BS still hold on to them and trapping himself in a desert of his own mistakes.

And if you think he doesn't regret his actions, in a conversation with Nutmeg Tiger Cookie, he fondly remembers his first kingdom, gains self awareness for 5 seconds, changes the subject to hunting and then runs the fuck away.

“The more spectacular the civilization, the more fun it is to destroy it!” -(Korean) Burning Spice Cookie

And he next thing you know, he's already snorted that shit. And What better way to keep the dust falling from your hands and in between your fingers when you can snort it into your respiratory system. <3

So yeah, I think he's a drug addict and it's obvious and he's a miserable freak. (And he's also self destructive, but he can't die.)

Oopsie I tripped and fell and bled all over the conk crete and now I have to crawl over to Devsis hq to worship them and thank them for gracing the world Ancient/Beast parellels.

[acanth3]

The Sound Of The Stars English Translation

EPISODE 2/8

A few hours later at the international airport of France.

Mika: Hmm~ I’ve finally made it to France

I thought I was getting used to travellin’ by plane but sitting for such a long time makes my body hurt. 

And jet lag is not somethin’ to joke about, yawn…..

It’s not the time to be lazin’ around! Why did he keep such an important plan a secret from me? I have to ask Oshi-san himself!

Now that I think about it, it might have been my fault I cut off contact with Oshi-san…

It should have been better to just leave Oshi-san alone, if I go near him i’ll just make him moody

Or….why was Oshi-san in such a mood.

After all, I did refuse Oshi-san’s offer to live with him….

When the event ended Oshi-san asked me to…

‘Let’s start a happy story together’

…..

Ah~ How embarrassing! Oshi-san is so kind to me!

To be honest, I was happy to hear that but-

Put yourself in my point of view, Oshi-san is busy with art and I’m just not active in that field

I can’t speak English well or even French, if I’m nearby Oshi-san I'll just be a burden.

So just not yet, I can’t think about living with Oshi-san….

I don’t want to bother Oshi-san who just wants to achieve his dreams…..

Uuu~ It’s hard to express my feelings..

Oshi-sans expression at the time, I’m sure the way i told him was wrong

Since then it’s been awkward with Oshi-san, so I haven't gotten to contact him in some time

But still, it’s selfish to send me to space!

You better be prepared Oshi-san when I come to your room, give me a thorough explanation as to why you sended me off to space!

Shu: …..

Mika: Oshi-san! It’s one thing actin’ unbothered but it’s another not tellin’ me why!?

Why did you go through the plan without me knowing?

How many times do I have to tell you to understand me? I want you to tell me before talkin’ about such important things!

Where did my dream about going to space first even pop up? I can’t go to sleep without feelin’ like throwin’ up—

Shu: …..

Mika: Are you listening Oshi-san!? I’m so angry right now!

Shu: Non! How noisy! Get this fool out my way!

Heh…it’s Kagehira! You’re welcome, KaKaKaKa ♪ 

Mika: Eh..! Oshi-san, do you have a headache?

There’s dark circles under your eyes, are you okay…?

Shu: I’m just reading to gain knowledge on what’s necessary for space. Perhaps I was distracted.

I thought it was still midnight, and yesterday. You gave me a call saying you were coming to Paris, I didn't expect you to come so early.

Mika: I boarded the plane right after callin’ you

I was so impatient, Oshi-san I didn’t tell you I got here

Shu: Doesn’t really matter, I was busy reading all night.

Mika: Don’t over do it, if your sleepy go get some sleep?

Shu: Fufu, it’s okay. No, rather my eyes are clear now!

Kagehira. Don’t you believe exploring the unknown is fun?

Everytime you learn something new, your brain is constantly being stimulated with curiosity. Each time I discover an unknown truth, more and more keep appearing before me.

My urge to gain more intel continues to grow. How can such a wonderful thing exist in this world?

Eureka! I understand Archimedes' scream now! KaKaKaKa!

Mika: (Oh, I can't…Oshi-san is too…)

(What should I do? I can’t converse at all)

Um…Oshi-san, so the reason I came here…..

Shu: Do you believe in aliens? 

Mika: Alien…..?

Um, aliens, the things that look like octopus?

Shu: That’s how martians look like, martians are aliens too however so it’s okay. 

How did the idea of aliens exist in the first place? From a scientific point of view, knowledge on the universe and its stars began to deepen. It has developed a lot since the beginning of the world. 

Since the time of creation, it can be said people must have believed in aliens for a while. 

In Japan the belief of ‘Princess Kaguya’ is an example of one of them. 

As well as, Lucian's story ‘Trip to the moon’ is one of the oldest to exist. 

There’s also the theory that ancient civilisations came to be with the help of aliens as well as similar building shapes.

This sounds eyebrow splitting but,

In this book there’s detailed descriptions on aliens and extraterrestrial ideas constructed even during the ancient times. It’s all so very interesting. 

Now, Kagehira, read it too! There’s no doubt it will be useful to you too!

Or, Kagehira, do you prefer other nonsense such as UFO’s?

If that’s the case, then you must read this ‘History of UFO Research’ it has the list of Unidentified Flying Objects seen so far, the locations, time and confirmation of existence. 

Mika: O-okay! I got it, I understand Oshi-san! Please calm down~

Huh, the landlord!? Oshi-san and the landlord are here together!

Shu: “Sorry for the inconvenience, did I make too much fuss?”

“Yes, yes, No I’m okay as usual.”

“A book, it’s just a reference for something I’m working on currently, don’t worry”

“No, No I’m not going back to japan just because Kagehira is here.”

Mika: (I’m not sure what he’s sayin’ but it seems that the landlord is worried about Oshi-san)

(The landlord is also thinkin’ about the books piled up all over the place. Im gettin’ a bad feelin’)

(Most look french, but some are in japanese too. Which do I…)

(“Origins of the Universe” “Circle of the Sky” “UFO and the Mystery to Extraterrestrial Life”)

(They all have suspicious titles!?, is this what Oshi-san has been reading?)

Oh, landlord what are you saying?

WelI….. dont understand french at all…

Shu: Good grief, you don’t have to worry at all. 

Just be careful not to get mixed up with religions and occults. 

Mika: …Heh, well now I understand the landlord’s concerns…

Sorry for the concern. I won't worry too much...

he's so happy cutie

[randomreadingtimewithtsuki]

Do you have any friendship headcannons for Senku and a 21st century de-lithified reader?

(Some plot points if it's not too specific and within your wheelhouse: Loves the hard sciences to the point of once heading a science club. More versed in the theory than in application though. Could be described as the token extravert and psychology geek.)

Hello!

I sure do! As an engineer, i sure do have some HC!

Thank you for requesting! I hope this is of your liking, please let me know what you think!

------------------------------------------------------------------------

You were de-petrified, thanks to the Minami - she remember you made the headlines for a perfect score on a mock test to a renowned university.

Senku needed some help with the math and to guide everyone to build stuff, so, it was reassuring for him to have you around.

And thus, you came around to the science team!

Senku tested your knowledge right away. Of course, you knew what he was talking about when he mentioned the theory behind the GPS but...

Would it really work? Calculating and building are two very different things.

You knew it wasn't going to be a modern GPS but still....

You were a little scared of your teammates reaction - you knew all the theory, physics, chemistry, all of it, but you never actually built something.

To your surprise, no one really cared about your lack of experience. Senku said " And? that's why we have the building team and the gorilla team. If it goes wrong, we just have to adjust."

This kind of reassured you. Knowing that Kaseki was a very good craftsman with a decent knowledge of " this will not work" in the practical side of the story, it put your anxious heart at ease.

Senku also mentions that he, himself, did a lot of trials and error. So no need to worry about it!

As time went on you gained confidence on your theoretical knowledge and helped Senku in tons of projects.

You helped him calculate, consider variants, external implications and test out theories.

He also taught you a lot, about what works according to theory and what doesn't - which pretty much nothing works according to theory, that, you came to learn.

He absolutely loved having you around, you made his life so much easier.

He also enjoyed talking to you about the modern world. You knew about things that were impossible to build right now in the stone world and actually understood their purpose.

A HPLC? you knew what it was for and how important it s.

He loved it. He could lament about these equipments with you.

The thing he loved the most, was that you always had something to consider when you guys built something new. A possibility he overlooked, a procedure he forgot about, a math mistake. Anything!

Senku also enjoyed to see you grow. Getting out of your shell and doing experiments, here and there.

Chrome admired you tons too !! you knew so much!!

Kaseki also taught a few things about craftsmanship. Year of experience are golden knowledge!

If you thought you would tag a long with Senku all the time, you are wrong.

He trusted you, so when it was needed to divide the science team or needed someone with modern knowledge, you bet he placed you there.

He often said it makes things easier and quicker.

And when you met again, he expected some kind of report from you? Did things go well? He also gave you insights on his end.

Gen lowkey preferred to be tagged with you because you were kinder with the manual labor. Sometimes they had to redo things because of your lack of experience, but, He rather you anyway.

Kohaku didn't mind at all if you made mistakes while experimenting. She actually encouraged you tons!

Chrome was always learning with you, since you had to do all those experiment from scratch he took a sit next to you to learn.

Senku kinda supervised your work.

All in all, being friends with Senku while having great knowledge in science is fun.

You guys chat a lot about the modern world technology and what you wish you had.

You also had long and confusing discussion ( in the eyes of some) about theories.

Sometimes you went on a tangent, making the project a bit late, going deep into the night.

That's when Gen shined, telling you both to go to sleep.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you for reading!

[ckret2]

I love sparkly coin au, how would Mabel act differently after her memories as Bill return? Since she now has all her memories back? Would she gain back some or most of her old mannerisms as Bill? What else would change?

She actually wouldn't act much more Bill-ish than she already does.

Like there's two ways to look at a "Bill reincarnates as Mabel" AU:

Bill dies, and a totally new and different person is made from his soul; and then, thirteen years later, she starts reacquiring the memories of a different person that used to be made from her soul, and now that different person influences her mind.

And that's not the way I'm doing it.

The other way is:

Bill loses his memories and gets stuck in a new body, but he's still the same person he's always been, he just doesn't have specific memories. Over the course of thirteen years, he naturally learns and grows and changes as a person, as you would expect to happen over time; and then he gets his memories back.

Bill isn't a different separate person whose influence Mabel is only now being exposed to. She was Bill from the start. The point at which her mannerisms, behaviors, and actions were most Bill-ish was when she was a toddler; and all the ways she's different from him now isn't because she's missing 1,000,000,000,000 years of being Bill, but because she's gained 13 years of being Mabel.

We see, in the show, her learning to become less Bill-ish: to put her family's needs over her preoccupation of the week; to accept that things change and she shouldn't try to cope with it by retreating into a fantasy world over which she has full control; etc. That process has been going on since she was born.

So usually, getting her Bill memories back just lets her understand the mannerisms she already has. "So that's why I didn't even stop to think before dumping a whole packet of Smile Dip down my throat; I've been trying every new party drug that drops into the Nightmare Realm for forever and it's never caused me trouble before because I'm made out of energy, haha! ... Yikes." "Wait, so, I've been attracted to mysterious-y gory urbany-legend cryptidy things like Bloody Mary for like, a billion zillion years? ... Suddenly my thing for vampires makes a lot more sense." "Well, now I know why I avoid wearing shoes with laces as much as possible! Becaaause they're evil!"

(That's what most of the fun of this AU is for me: reframing Mabel traits as Bill-ish traits and reframing Bill traits as Mabel-ish traits. So it's not about GIVING Mabel Bill's traits; rather it's about saying Mabel ALREADY HAS Bill's traits and then trying to convince y'all that it makes perfect sense.)

Some superficial surface traits might drift toward being more Bill-ish; like, an increased appreciation for the color yellow. But most of the changes from her memories returning come from either, one, specifically the psychological effects that just knowing she's Bill Cipher would have (like, y'know, guilt over tormenting her grunkle and nearly murdering her brother); or two, things she's only capable of doing when she's got vast cosmic knowledge at her disposal.

For instance: she does arts & crafts, she's always loved arts & crafts. Sock puppets, macaroni art, crayon portraits, glue gun fashion, you name it, she's a master at it. But now she's remembered how to make one of her all time favorite crafts: bubbles of pure madness! This is gonna keep her occupied, like, all weekend.

[threepandas]

Bad End: Witness

"Specimen '873 is starting to disappoint me. He was showing such promise. These numbers, however?" My keeper muttered to himself, distaste painting his face as he watched the feed in front of him. "Unacceptable for a battle class. He might as well be spare biomass at this point."

He was supposed to be wearing his glasses, not holding them. They may have been called "reading" glasses? But they were not, technically, just for that. They also had a blue light filter. Helped with headaches and eyestrain. He just hated wearing them because he thought they made him look old.

A God Forbid ANYTHING remind him of the passage of time.

He did NOT take it kindly.

I managed to avoid THAT landmine by virtue of having witnessed his receiving them. An "incident" that resulted in his head slamming against a screen. Protocol demanded he get checked. In the process, they discovered his eye sight was declining. It was a... bad day. I brought him things to break and stayed very, very quiet.

He bounced back fairly quickly, though. Once the arrogant researcher who had arranged for the incident to even OCCUR? Tried to come lord his "weakened old man" status over him. It was one thing to "accidently" let the battle class get unfettered access to weapons before loyalty train. But to be dumb enough to step into his lab, call him weak, and gloat about it?

Dr. Raghnall Periculum was many things.

But "unwilling to bludgeon a man to death with the nearest object" was not one of them.

He was dangerous like that. Murderous. It came and went like shifting storms, all you could really do was learn to read the triggers. Get good at knowing when to back up. When to hold really, REALLY still. After all... this was a lawless, immoral place. No one here could or WOULD stop him.

They were all just as bad.

Gritty Sci-Fi Otome games are... a lot less fun to LIVE. To be honest? They are actually pretty horrifying. Traumatizing, really. Hellish. As in, I am pretty sure this is a futuristic version Of Hell (but that is a personal opinion). I regret EVER playing a single damn one. But... BUT? I CLING to the knowledge I gained from it. So I can not regret it completely. Because through them? Through KNOWING this world?

I KNOW this will end. KNOW we will be free. That these monsters will pay for what they've done. The epilog promises a golden age. A beautiful, peaceful dawn after this long and terrible night, filled with horrors. I just... I just have to survive. Hold on. Keep my head down and pray.

I may be trapped in hell, but I'm not broken.

We will be Free.

I have SEEN IT.

Sometimes the greatest defiance is just refusing to die. Just keeping hope alive. I... I can do that. May not be able to fight my way out. Not smart enough to hack or sabotage these nightmares. But I can stay alive. I... I can do that. Bear witness, that someday I may stand against them in trial. Record. So no one is forgotten.

It doesn't feel like enough. I feel tired and angry. Hateful and small. But for the sake of my sanity? I make myself feel nothing. Compartmentalize. I've... I've become unfortunately quite good at it. Good at a lot of terrible things. Like placating. Making myself small. Being invisible. A retail smile. Being one with the furniture.

See, just like the poor souls on the screens in front of him? I'm a Clone. Of who? I have no idea. None of us do. They use old DNA databases. From when it was first commercially available, I think. Like those ancestry tests. Here it was squirrelled away, kept for later use. Which... was us.

My template has been dead for centuries, I think. Or perhaps? She would have considered herself my mother? I hope she would have, strange as I turned out to be. We are all children of the dead. It'd be nice to think they'd have wanted us.

Dr. Periculum's cup lifts lightly as he take a drink, more focused on his work then anything else. That heft is about midway point. I've discovered if I begin brewing now, it will be done by the time his cup is empty and he wants more. A glance at the closest screen gives me the time. Food too, is a good idea.

He likely won't eat it. But if it's there? The chances are higher. And when he comes out of his focus, it'll be available. Less chance of him getting irritated by hunger.

On a well practiced route through piles of notes and projects I know better then to touch, I quietly make my way to the coffee machine. Begin another round of abomination the caffeine tar. It is, quite honestly, a wonder he hasn't accused me of trying to poison him to a heart attack.

A few granules of salt, a bit of cinnamon, some expensive fatty creamer, aaaand? There. Unholy bitterness gone. "Just" a cup of liquid tar so potent it could make a rhino taste time.

I also grab one of the meat pies and put it on a little paper plate.

Ah... what has my life become? That I am so well practiced in make snacks for a monster? Picking them up, I don't dare answer that. That way lies madness. Don't think about it. It can wash out in therapy. After. Because there WILL be an After. There HAS to be an After.

Careful steps and...? Just as I estimated. He just ran out. I nearly silently tap the paper plate down to the edge of the table then slide it forward, with-in ease of reach, but not too close. Then I swap the cups. Go to step away. Only to freeze. As, out of the corner of my eye, I see one of his hands briefly leave his keyboard to make a nearly dismissive "one moment" gesture.

Stay put. Don't move. I'll address you when I'm done with my, more important, thoughts. I feel the flash of fear, of panic, but let it go. There is nothing I can do. I will be hurt or I won't be hurt. There is no use suffering twice, through speculation and fear, I remind myself. Force my mind empty and pleasant. Retail smile. Happy to serve.

He finishes. Leans back, dissatisfied with some project or other, and finally slips on his glasses. Gestures imperiously for the cup in my hands. I do not question of course, merely hand it to him. He takes it, passes it to his other hand, and sets it aside. Then, casually, leans slightly over and wraps a thickly muscled arm around my waist. Dragging me off my feet and into his lap.

"You know, girl? B-21873 really was, actually quite promising. I was starting to think I'd keep him. Decent speed, good stamina, excellent problem solving. His test scoring was exceeding all expectations. Really thought I might have gotten you a little friend to play with. A gaurd so I could send you out on some chores safely. But no, he just HAD to be a failure." He said, leaning forward to grab his cup.

I was crushed awkwardly close. Could feel every moment. Acutely aware of his woody and sea air cologne, the coffee on his breath as words were spoken far to close, the beating of a heartbeat I could feel against my arm. Hyper aware of him. Why was I in his lap? This felt dangerous. I should not be in his lap.

Between sips, he turned his head and pressed his lips to my temple, not kissing... somehow worse. Just... just breathing me in. Slow, deliberate, and deep. Like savoring a scent, a sensation. The subtle back and forth, as though rubbing his lips against my hair. Enjoying the feeling against sensitive skin. It could almost be a cuddle on any other man. It took everything I had not to shudder.

"Unlike you of course. You pet, could never disappoint me. If these rejects tried even half as hard as my perfect darling girl? The world'd be a better place." He paused his almost nuzzling. To simply rest his head against mine, pulling off his glasses so he could tuck his head closer. His breathe was hot against my ear. His voice gravel and distain as it spoke of others.

"It's disgusting. Like they don't even try. We spend countless resources breeding, feeding, and training them... for what? Failure? I'm starting to think those bastards are deliberately sending me bad specimens."

Every word he said was horrifying. I could not cry. Dare not. But my heart screamed for those poor souls. They were just kids. Trapped in hell. Tortured from birth. Disposed of when they no longer met some arbitrarily impossible anime standard. If I turned my head, even slightly, I KNEW, I would be faced with screens of untold suffering. Feeds of "testing". So called training. Autopsy reports and datapoints.

Lists of who... who had been deemed "not good enough".

Who were scheduled to become "recycled biomass".

But if I looked? I would weep for them. And that? That was dangerous right now. Right NOW? I had to be pleasant company. A child's doll to be dragged around. No thoughts, no differing opinions. Preferably no opinions at ALL. Just warm and huggable. Soft. A beloved pet who serves coffee and brings things when told. Endure. I just... I must simply ENDURE.

The night will end. Dawn will come. Believe in her.

J-Just empty your head... and Believe In Her.

An alert pops up. I can hear it on a screen somewhere behind me. Dr. Periculum turns his head to look, reaching for his snack. Freezes. Then, a sharp bark of laughter. It's violent, like the strike of a lightning bolt, jostling me. The ones that follow just as harsh. He's not a man that laughs often. And it's not a kind sound.

Filled with schadenfreude, his laughter is like the vicious barks of hunting hounds. The shots of a weapon. A short and harsh to the ears sound, over and over. Delight in the suffering of an enemy. The fall of a rival. It strikes through his body like seizures. Making him lean forward to read. Brace against the desk, tighten his grip around me, widen the brace of his legs.

Glancing up, his eyes are alight with manic glee. His grin is vicious.

He looks Feral.

"Well, well, WELL! What do we have HERE?! Is that Jack ANDERSON'S facility I see? Mr. 'Master of the genome' himself? Looks like SOMEONE got AHEAD of themselves! Ha!" Raghnall cackles spinning his chair so I can see the screen. Leaning back to grab his cup and toast with it. "Look what we have here, pet! Some fucking KARMA! I knew that little shit wasn't worth the paper his degree was printed on! See this? THIS is what happens when you can't control your own damn compound!"

"Rest in PIECES, you worthless little SHIT!"

I sat. Frozen. As Dr. Periculum laughed and laughed, his mood viciously pleased. Because... because I recognized that facility. Chapter Two. There was an animation that played. The... the BREAKOUT! Joy filled me. Like the first rays of dawn. That was HER. S-she was OUT! Free! She DID it! Oh god... oh god she was COMING! It had finally BEGUN!

I caught myself. Barely.

My eyes felt a bit wet so I disguised it with a fake yawn. I dare not show empathy. NEVER show empathy. Keep it guarded like diamonds in your chest. If he thought, for even a moment, that I empathized with anyone but him. CARED about anyone but him? They wouldn't last the hour.

And it would be the longest, cruelest, hour in existence, as they died.

You make that sort of mistake exactly ONCE.

"Ah~ todays a GOOD day. And you know what we should do?" He hummed, nearly a coo as he spun us almost lazily around on his chair. In whimsical circles like a bored child. "We should celebrate. Ding dong, the fuckers dead~ HA HA! Not to mention? It's been entirely too long, pet, since I've spoiled you rotten. We should get a cake, hmm? You want a cake? Lil treat? Sweet lil treat for my girl?"

"I could get you that new dress I've been looking at. Bet you'll look like a classy lil princess, won't that be nice? Can even make it match the trackers I'm finishing up! No more uncomfy collars when we go out! Just pretty lil bracelets, ain't that nice?"

I force myself to smile. Nod. Ignore the fear and anger, the humiliation and helplessness. It's not time yet. Bid your time. You will LOSE your chance for True Freedom if you give in to your anger. Your hurt. Patience, THEN strike. Remember! Chapter two! There are FIVE.

It is COMING.

He stopped spinning, planting his feet on the floor. His manic grin softening. No less unhinged, less full of teeth, but perhaps the closest a man like him could come to loving. His eyes obsessive as the roam my face. Cataloging everything.

"You know, pet? You really might be might greatest creation. Best thing I've ever made or done. Anyone wants you? They'd have to pry you from my cold, dead hands. I'd burn EVERYTHING down. Kill just about EVERYONE." His voice was the sort of whispered confession meant for churches, not the heart of this hell he had built. It felt unholy. Dangerous.

Exactly like him.

"Once I figure how to take humanity to it's next stage? Reverse aging? Heck, even stop it. I promise, pet. Gonna take you with me. You're coming along for the ride. Straight to the end. Heat death of the universe. Well become GODS, pet. Live forever and a day. Bet you can't wait, huh?"

"Don't worry. The futures going be BEAUTIFUL. Just you wait."

[dice-blimp]

It has been a hot minute since I have GMed, let alone done a kink module. So, to get my GMing muscles back in the game, between now and when I do the Witchlight Carnival, I will be doing two popular D&D dungeons, but with a kinky twist: The Sunless Citadel (1st level, more traditional dungeon) and White Plume Mountain (8th level, fun house dungeon).

Both adventures will take anywhere from 3-5 sessions to complete.

Kinks include: inflation, blueberry inflation, weight gain, feedism, tf.

Players: 4-6 (excluding GM)

Tentative start: June or July, then July or August. If people have a preference between the two, then we'll start with that one. If not, then we'll start with White Plume Mountain.

If you have any questions or wish to join, please DM me.

Here are the adventure synopses:

The Sunless Citadel (1st Level)

Long ago, a great fortress built by a cult of the dragon Ashardalon sank into the earth in a forgotten cataclysm. Its ruins became known as the Sunless Citadel, and over the centuries numerous creatures made this place their home.

Twelve years ago, the druid Belak the Outcast discovered the Twilight Grove in the citadels depths. There he found the Gulthias Tree, grown from a wooden stake once used to slay an ancient vampire, and from which sprouts supernatural fruit known to cure any disease.

One month ago, four adventurers from the nearby town of Oakhurst ventured into the Sunken Citadel searching for the origin of the magical fruit. They never returned. It is up to you now, to find what is lost.

White Plume Mountain (8th Level)

White Plume Mountain has always been a subject of superstitious awe to the neighboring villagers. People still travel many miles to gaze upon this natural wonder, though few will approach it closely, as it is reputed to be the haunt of various demons and devils. The occasional disappearance of those who stray too close to the Plume reinforces this belief.

Thirteen hundred years ago, the wizard Keraptis was searching for a suitable haven where he could indulge his eccentricities without fear of interference. He visited White Plume Mountain, going closer than most dared to, and discovered the system of old lava-tubes that riddle the cone and the underlying strata. With a little alteration, he thought, these would be perfect for his purposes. The area already had a bad reputation, and he could think of a few ways to make it worse. So he disappeared below White Plume Mountain and vanished from the knowledge of the surface world.

Today, the once-feared name of Keraptis is not widely known even among learned scholars. Or it was not widely known, that is, until several weeks ago, when three highly valued magic weapons named Wave, Whelm, and Blackrazor disappeared from the vaults of their owners. Rewards were posted, servants hanged, even the sanctuary of the thieves' guild was violated in the frantic search for the priceless arms, but not even a single clue was turned up until the weapons' former owners each received a copy of the following note:

Search ye far or search ye near

You'll find no trace of the three

Unless you follow instructions clear

For the weapons abide with me.

North past forest, farm and furrow

You must go to the feathered mound

Then down away from the sun you'll burrow

Forget life, forget light, forget sound.

To rescue Wave, you must do battle

With the Beast in the Boiling Bubble

Crost cavern vast, where chain-links rattle

Lies Whelm, past water-spouts double.

Blackrazor yet remains to be won

Underneath inverted ziggurat.

That garnered, think not that you're done

For now you'll find you are caught

I care not, former owners brave

What heroes you seek to hire.

Though mighty, I'll make each one my slave

Or send him to the fire.

All the notes were signed with the symbol of Keraptis.

White Plume Mountain has tentatively been identified as the "feathered mound" of the poem. The former owners of Wave, Whelm, and Blackrazor are outfitting a group of intrepid heroes to take up the challenge. If the adventurers can rescue the weapons from this false Keraptis (for who can believe it is really the magician of legend, after thirteen hundred years?), the wealthy collectors have promised to grant them whatever they desire, if it is within their power to do so.

[valiant-typhoon]

Writing Tsunade and Orochimaru is really fun actually. *clenches fist* The conflict, the history, the angst Also might be giving myself OroTsu feels? Hm.

Progress for "Both Feel the Same When Your Eyes Are Closed"

Tsunade examining Orochimaru's arms and he brings up the Edo-Tensei

“That jutsu requires a sacrifice,” she said quietly, unable to bring herself to meet Orochumaru’s eye. Afraid she’d see kindness there more than she feared to see victory.

He did not ask how she knew this, because he knew her. Knew that in her darkest moments she’d considered using the jutsu herself. It was why Tsunade never allowed herself to ever learn it, she knew she would not be strong enough to resist its temptation.

“How many lives have we taken for no cause at all?” Orochimaru asked her, almost gentle. “No reason except that our hokage demanded it of us?”

He chuckled and Tsunade understood why. How many lives had they both taken? To pretend to flinch away from the idea of killing now was almost an insult to the lives she’d ended.

“That jutsu was created with the most vile of intentions,” Tsunade heard herself say, repeating what her grandmother had once told her. “To force the dead to continue to fight even after they had already fallen at the cost of one still living.” She swallowed around the knot in her throat, clinging to the memory of her grandmother’s steadfastness. “You should never have used it. Just as sensei never should have used the Reaper Death Seal.”

“Had Konoha respected your wishes or the wishes of Mito Uzumaki then sensei and I never would have been able to learn them at all. Yet that wretched village did not even consider such a thing, did it? It was too important for them to cling to knowledge they’d taken from the Senju and Uzumaki clans, absorbed with their own quest for power all in the name of the Will of Fire. Even you, the daughter of both great clans, were ignored.”

He was right about the village. “And how are you different?” Tsunade dared ask, meeting his eyes. “You want to learn every jutsu in the world and to gain immortality. You don’t care about cruelty nor do you care for the sanctity of life or death.”

“I am honest about my intentions, I do not hide behind ideas of camaraderie and claim I act for some greater good. I act only for myself, for my own goals.” His head tilted to the side, dark hair falling to the side. “You know I dislike falsehoods, Tsuna.”

“And what would destroying the village do for you now? Sensei is dead, you have the young Uchiha in your grasp.”

“Maybe I want to clear out the rot from this world. There are still many others that are deserving of both our blades.” He smiled, a sharpened tooth peeking out, reminding her of their childhood. “Heal my arms and I will return your loved ones to you and destroy the village that took them in the first place. You and your people would be welcome in my village. Together we could discover not only how to undue death but how to defeat it entirely.”

“Jiraiya would come for us.”

“He would not succeed, not against the two of us together.”

“My apprentice would never agree.” Even to her own ears it sounded like an excuse. "Especially after you've taken her hostage."

“Perhaps you’re underestimating her loyalty to you,” he suggested. “She was always such a bright girl, in truth my own apprentice reminds me of her. I’m confident that with time and your guidance she would come to see the truth of our world. That death does not need to be permanent, that it doesn’t need to happen at all. She is a healer is she not? She staves off death just as you do, what greater victory for a healer could there be? After reuniting with her beloved uncle I’m sure she’d reconsider.””

Shizune would follow her to the ends of the earth, but Tsunade knew she would never follow her into the sweet darkness Orochimaru promised. If Tsunade accepted such an offer she would lose Shizune. She couldn’t imagine Dan or Nawaki accepting such a thing either.

But they would be alive, part of her whispered.

Even if Dan and Nawaki hated her, even if Shizune swore to end her life for betraying every ideal she’d ever taught her they would be alive and together.

She imagined their faces twisted in confused betrayal. Shizune would spit curses and poison, Nawaki would look at her like the stranger pain had made her, Dan would realize that her heart had died with him.

She could see it now. Could see Dan’s blue-green eyes staring at her in horror as he asked, “what have you done?”

Tsunade had made a poor replacement for Shizune’s true family, Dan would be there for her, would comfort her. And there was no one in the world she would trust more with her little brother than Dan and Shizune, she knew in her heart they would take care of him. The three people she loved most in the world would take care of each other.

Gods, was she really considering this?

Song for this scene is Love and War by Fleurie "You and I, always in disguises/Lover, hunter, friend and enemy, you will always be every one of these/Nothing's fair in love and war"

@moldy-flowers

[astrialuvs]

Headcanons for Akabane Karma as Himself | as a Friend | as a Lover

➻ PAIRING : akabane karma x reader

➻ CONTENT WARNING : my headcanons to these red-haired boy 😗🫶 pt. 2

➻ WORD COUNT : 1119 words

a/n: i'm sorry for the late upload (hehe). idrk when will i post the last..

another a/n: i might uplaod my hcs for gakushuu too (idk when)  😅

He boinks a book at you when he notices you dozing off, even though you invited him for a review at the library.

It was expected that his presence at a study session you had organized would boost your motivation to review more. However, the sheer boredom of you—the library and staleness, with lamps flickering in—created by such a dull background was working against you. However, as you focused on your notes, fatigue set in, and your eyelids began to droop.

On the other side of the table, Karma was partially immersed in his world, playing video games on his phone. He watched you fight against the advancing wave of sleep without your knowledge. His mind, however, was unconventional and quick to find new approaches even in silence, so he selected some method of making you stay awake.

Karma smiled slyly as he picked up a nearby book and figured out its direction before throwing it at you. The book hit softly against your head with a ‘boink.’ The shock hit you suddenly, and you glared at him aggressively.

"Karma, really?" you cried out, massaging the area of your head where the book hit.

He stared at you innocently, as if amazed. He quipped, "Hey! You were drifting off. Just doing my part to keep you alert and focused." His reply made you scoffed.

The unexpected wake-up call worked. The interruption caused by Karma had effectively broken down your sleepiness, which was looming large over you. Even if his approach was a little absurd, your lips curled slightly as you realized that, despite the circumstances, Karma had managed to maintain punctuality and spontaneous stimulation throughout the study.

Who's your rival in academics, sports, or video games, but expect a healthy dose of rivalry.

Under the dim light of Karma's gaming console screen, you and Karma were fighting in a video game. The room was alive with the rhythm of powerful blasts from controllers and the overdrive sound of your playful outcasts.

When the unreal battle appeared on screen, Karma couldn't help but smile knowingly. He teased, "Are you prepared to go down this round?" He touched the control with his fingers.

You countered with a confident smile. "I suppose we will find out. I hope you've been reviewing what you've learned, Karma."

The taunting was competitive, with each of you attempting to manipulate and navigate around the other in the video game. Laughter and occasional shouts of victory or defeat filled the room.

Despite intense competition, you and Karma maintained a tacit understanding. Each of you was respectful of the other's gaming abilities, which elevated the game beyond mere contention. Each action received either a respectful agreement or a quick-witted look, as if to emphasize the importance of jest in this competitive environment where fun was the ultimate goal.

Throughout the game, however, Karma managed to gain a foothold on you in a spectacular manner. He declared triumphantly, "Guess I won this time."

"Very good Karma. But the night is just beginning, and you still have a long way to go towards victory."

Whom you two have your own language and gestures, such as all-knowing smirks and eye signals.

You and Karma were always caught in an unusual act of communication while inside a gathering. A conversation, laughter, and the clinking of glasses filled the room, but the two of you conversed silently.

At that point, a mutual wink or fugitive eye signal was sufficient, as was your own secret code that went beyond written language. Those who were preoccupied with other people's conversations were unaware of the silent little communicative move that occurred between you and Karma, during which a sense of trust and unity developed.

Karma suddenly poured an all-knowing smirk on your face as you two shared that moment when nothing was said and no words were required. This was a language born out of shared experiences, inside jokes, and an unwritten oath that would grow stronger over time.

Whether it was a response to the ongoing conversation, a lighthearted joke, or simply two people having fun together, the smiles and eye movements were enough. It became a testament to your friendship, like a secret code known only to the two of you.

Who flicks your forehead at very random moments, whether at a serious moment, when you are spaced out, or eating.

Sitting in the library among rows of textbooks, which you shared with Karma during serious discussions about upcoming exams. He raised his brow with a mischievous look in his eyes, taking advantage of the opportunity while you were deep in conversation with him.

He suddenly warned you, "Watch out!" before flicking your forehead in an unexpected but friendly gesture.

You blinked in surprise and laughed. "Karma? Come on. I'm trying to concentrate here!"

"Absolutely! Distraction helps keep the mind alert and focused.

* * *

The following week, during a quiet moment in the school courtyard, Karma appeared beside you.

He quipped jokingly, "More deep thinking?" and hit you again on the forehead to emphasize his point.

You smiled childishly and shot at him. "Am I not allowed to get away from your forehead flicks?"

"What's the big deal about that?" he inquired, an enticing smile forming in his eyes.

* * *

With a flick, Karma took advantage of even the most casual lunch you two had together in your school cafeteria, for example, when you were about to bite on your sandwich.

"Karma!" You cried, partly laughing and partly protesting.

"Can't get away from that, it turns normal circumstances into extraordinary ones!"

As a result, Karma's forehead flicks have become an integral part of your daily conversations. These playful actions, whether trying to be serious or comical in nature, made your friendship have good moments between laughs and joy as if knitted on quicksilver.

Whom you share your "teas" and gossips with.

You and Karma were seated in a quiet nook of the local cafe, enjoying gentle conversation while smelling freshly brewed coffee and hearing distant murmurs. In that safe space, the "teas" and gossip flowed freely like threads woven for people's sheer amusement and trust.

How remarkable was it that, facing each other, you leaned forward, eager to share current events, even if they were scandalous. Karma began this exchange with a wink of the eye and in secret, initially sublimating it into a joke.

"All right, it's tea time. What is the most juicy detail about the incriminating rumor you have?"

As a result, the conversation became filled with laughter and animated faces. You would occasionally make comical observations about your classmates, teachers, and other characters in your lives.The teas shared were an entertaining mix of witty retorts, secrets offered and whispered, and bantered conspiracies.

[krems-chair]

I wanted Solas to be able to steal your companions (or at least some of them) away from you

On my first playthrough I genuinely thought that the test of your leadership abilities was going to be if you could keep your team together despite the machinations of the Dread Wolf himself. Obviously that was not the case, but I like the idea enough still that I want to share it now!

(Idk if I should tag this as a critique or not because while it IS me saying I wish the game had done this, that sentiment is also like. The extent of the displeasure you will hear from me in this particular post. So instead, I'll just put the divider in and give everyone a heads up now that while I am about to descend into a spiral about something I think would have been cool, me describing the cool thing I would have liked is not peppered with hate and might therefore still be fun for you to read. )

My brain went off the rails the first time I heard Harding tell Rook and Neve that Solas can go into people's dreams and kill them. (Which, was this something we learned in Inquisition/Trespasser and I missed it? I totally probably did if that's the case because I did not do a replay before jumping into Veilguard, but that line freaked me out when I first heard it lol I was like "since when?!").

While Rook assures both that they're a-okay, all good, it's just a little bid of blood magic, I thought we had just been blessed with some hella foreshadowing. Based on:

-My belief that Solas was going to have followers at his disposal

-The knowledge that he likes to mirror people and give them what they're dishing out

-Him telling Rook that once he found out they were pursuing him, he did his research

-My belief that reminiscent of other games, low approval could result in companions turning on you/leaving the party/speaking against you

I thought that Rook was going to learn that at some point in the game, Solas approached the Veilguard companions in their dreams and tried to sway them either to join him or abandon their leader. And I think there was a lot of opportunity for this to work really well.

Lucanis is perhaps the easiest example to work with here, but there's potential with all the companions because all of them can relate to Solas' experiences.

Solas, through communications in the dreams of his followers or through snooping through Lucanis' himself, would have been interested in the parallel the two share of "extreme loyalty to an important woman in their life that they look up to and take orders from" when it comes to Mythal and Caterina. Solas also knows what it's like to be gone from the world as you understand it to be for a long time and struggle with the adjustment to come back. It would have been wild to find out that he inserted himself as an interested party who sympathizes with Lucanis' struggle and had slowly been showing him all the reasons he shouldn't put all his faith in Rook while playing as a supportive mentor to Rook at the exact same time.

I think depending on how Rook handled Spite, it would have been interesting at either high approval to have Lucanis be like "hey I just want you to know that Spite caught Solas snooping around in my head last night and we shut him tf out" or a low approval Lucanis being convinced that there's no place for him at the Lighthouse/he isn't understood/is too feared and that he needs to try and help through other means. That, consequently, would create some additional difficulty when it comes to trying to kill Ghilan'nain or gain loyalty with the Crows.

And obviously him going for every single companion would have been hard to do or made the game repetitive, so maybe if at a certain point in the game it just took your companions with the lowest approval and triggered Solas attempting to sway them, that would be fun and add an element of replayability. And if you manage to raise their approval enough after getting kind of a warning-sign cutscene where they're more frustrated with Rook than usual, they then tell you "hey yeah I heard from him but I shut him out."

For brevity so that this doesn't go on forever:

-He could have very easily nerded out with Emmrich and convinced him that the world he wants is what's best for the spirits (especially since he does genuinely believe this)

-He could have come to Neve and been like "you don't have to like me because I did kill Varric, but you do love your city, don't you? As I loved mine? And wouldn't you do anything for it?" (especially if Rook saves Treviso over Minrathous)

-He could have promised Taash a place amongst his followers where they don't have to hide their fire/potentially shared some compelling truth he learned in his nerd travels about fire-breathers that they, craving more about their identity, would be tempted by

-He could have tried to play on Davrin's sympathies for the griffons and shared that all he wants is to create a world in which those he harmed have a chance to be at their fullest capacity once more, especially after its revealed that the wardens abused the griffons and then hid from their history. (Now, Davrin is a king and I see him being very hard to persuade even at low approval, but I didn't want to exlude him)

-With Bellara, I mean come on. He is the least sinister of the old elves running around, and she has always craved questions. Knowledge about Arlathan is one of the strongest connections she has with Cyrian. I also think he might try and argue that Rook could have spent more time/energy towards rescuing Cyrian, OR offered her information on the Forgotten Ones that would save him in exchange for her assistance

-Finally, I think it would have been cool if Harding is the only companion Solas actually refuses to try and sway regardless of their approval with Rook. Much in the same way Varric didn't nickname her because he feared her, I'd like to think Solas would know that having fucked with the dwarves enough, she's off-limits to manipulate because he regrets his actions so much. It would have been a cool way to actually explore that part of the narrative a little more, especially because I personally think (especially if you don't have Cadash in the game or a dwarven Rook) someone deserved to have a tough discussion with him, and given Harding's quest line, it would make sense to be her. Assuming she survives past Ghilan'nain's death, I think a cutscene while Rook is in the fade of him coming to her when we know she wants to believe that he can be saved or else it's all for nothing (I can't remember the exact quote right now, so apologies if I'm way off) and them having a really meaningful conversation about the Titans and the rage she holds would have been cool, especially since they did know each other and fight for the Inquisition together.

So yeah, just some thoughts I've had brewing, that's all.

[tropicalcontinental]

Entity Kevin (Rogue AI that just wants to learn what it can about humans and their lives. Is quite upfront about doing this instead of the usual slow-burn. Will stick around as long as the person is interesting. Still somehow manages to be the best anti-virus around. Will not let himself on your computer if you're boring by his standards.)

He also steals and retains information by eating it. He is unsure why he was programmed like this.

Y'know the drill (more yapping below)

Thinking about what Kevin would even be in the Swap!AU that's in my head, and it kinda came down to either him being that AU's Souler, or something else completely.

I settled on something else completely since I feel like Zander is the closest in relation to Souler (being his victim and all, while Kevin is like, somewhat related.) (Zander fills Souler's role, somehow.) So instead of a Paranormal Mercenary interested in the supernatural, he's an entity himself interested in humans. And also he's an anti-virus program because why not (inspired by Digital Satan, Kevin's own anti-virus and assumed experience with coding, and a pinch of headcanon.)

But instead of being obsessive or whatever, I feel like it would be funny if Kevin is just looking for any remotely interesting humans after getting bored of being just an anti-virus/BonziBuddy esque software (he accidentally gained sentience, as one does.) He stays on your computer and sticks around for as long as you are interesting before dipping to find someone else.

Doesn't mean he can't be nosey and get all your personal information and still be a Rogue AI that doesn't understand personal boundaries, but it comes from deep curiosity instead of crippling loneliness and using your personal information to persuade you to not delete him.

He also may do his job as an anti-virus while changing random stuff to your files for fun because bored Rogue AI gotta bored Rogue AI. Still boasts about being the best anti-virus on the market (validity to be inclined towards true.) Also a pretty good Entity Deterrent (entities impede on his human research so they get dealt with.) He may also wish to be human, but it's more of a desire to observe beyond his digital confines than be with anyone in particular.

In short, someone get this guy a robot body he needs to go into Sociology. Entity!Kevin is this world's Little Mermaid, except there is no love to be found along the path of knowledge. Just more information.

[abductedlawnchair]

*ranting and raving and stomping on rooftops and flailing my arms about* HUMANS ARE AMIMALS!!! WE ARE ANIMALS!!! QUIT ACTING LIKE WE'RE NOT!!!

I am so goddamn tired of society acting like we're not!!! I am so goddamn tired of us as a society acting like we are above all the other animals!!! I do not care that we are the apex!!! We are fucking ANIMALS!!! Like, just take a step back and observe us like we have our own nature documentary on Nat Geo or something. Maybe with David Attenborough or whatever, idc. Just imagine it.

We are a species of apes that just so happened to gain the ability of extremely complex and abstract thought, capability of language, an almost absurd level of self-awareness, and the type of intelligence that allowed us to discover, invent, and develop tools. A species of apes that just so happen to have such a crazy level of curiosity that we have the capability to learn about the world around us, and beyond.

The way we learn and develop is fascinating. If you observe a toddler from that standpoint, watching them interact with the world around them, you'd see how natural curiosity is to us, in our human nature. Neil deGrasse Tyson has literally said that children are beings of chaos because they're curious and learning about the world around them.

We all have children in us, just like we have our ancestors in us!!! Our brains are wired like theirs. Relatively, we have been in this state of society for an extremely short amount of time!! Our brains and nervous systems are still wired to survive and keep us safe from predators and other dangers!!

We are social creatures!! We need love and connection to survive!! We can't do things on our own. The only reason we ever got to where we are is because we work together and communicate and share knowledge. The way society is right now is too isolating!! Humans aren't meant to be fighting for a place in society!! Haven't you seen zookeepers?? Or anyone who cares for nature in any capacity?? We have an incredible capacity for compassion and caretaking, because we have the capability to know and understand the inner workings of ourselves and countless other species!! Caretaking and compassion is literally an innate human trait!! We're supposed to take care of each other and the world around us!! We literally are capable of pack bonding with ROOMBAS, for fucks sake!! Little robots that our ape brains see moving around on its own, being part of our homes, and thinks "little guy is alive... I love him"!!! Isn't that beautiful???

We were an evolution of Mother Earth, Herself, to grow Her and expand Her and care for Her!!! Whether you believe in intelligent design or just the absurdity of it all, it still happened like that. We have the capacity to care for Her in an evolved level, yet we're fucking it up so badly right now.

Indigenous cultures have always been on the right track. They've always been right about this. They have always known that we are all pieces of the same organism, just like the atoms and cells and organs and electricity in your body are all part of one body!!

And btw, culture is another HUGE part of us being social creatures!! Being expressive and creative and connected!! That's part of our nature!! We're meant to sing and dance and laugh together!! That connectivity of us being a collective is So Important!!! Making fun of people for being "sheep", or having "herd mentality" every single time is so stupid because yes!!! Yes that's EXACTLY how we are supposed to be!!! We are social creatures, remember?? The whole point is that we do things together!!!

I know how society is rn isn't the end all, be all, but it just breaks my heart that this Capitalism shit goes against some of the most beautiful parts of humanity!! We are animals!!! We are cute and curious and compassionate and social and we need warmth and sunlight and sustenance from the earth and water and sleep and shelter from the elements!! We have instincts just like everything else!! We came from the dust and we will return to the dust because we will always be part of the Earth, just like all the other animals!! And somehow, despite all odds, despite how robotic Capitalism wants us to be, our human nature seeps into everything.

Take care of yourself! You are an animal, after all! <3

*climbs off rooftop... for now*

[isa-ghost]

Hardcore Deities: Pagan Worship Style

Note: Any time I say something like "among other things" or "etc" means there's probably more I could list but I can't think of anything more LOL.

ENDER KING

Represents darkness, infinity, the cold, greed, overindulgence, power, tenacity, ego, stubbornness, abandonment, hubris, & catastrophe, among other things.

Offerings are pretty easy to guess. Obsidian (both kinds), amethyst, End crystals, shulker boxes, chorus fruit, endstone, anything & everything End basically. Also takes offerings in the form of riches like diamonds, emeralds, gold, etc. Honestly hoarding anything, especially of value, works for him. Just collect something obsessively.

He's a wrathful and selfish god, always hungry for more, infinitely insatiable. He cares little to none about his followers, their lives and limbs mean nothing to him compared to his desires and materialistic goods.

Examples of devotional acts to him mostly boil down to hoarding and self-centered acts. Always put yourself first, always value what you can gain over anything else, money is power, everything has a price.

He has no servants, he has no people. The Endermen forsake him after the Endlantis calamity. Ender King can control them, but they do not voluntarily bow to him.

He's disgraced by the other gods for his attempted (or successful) thieving of their domains. Worshiping him is considered by most to be taboo.

BLAZE EMPRESS

Represents fire, heat, intellect, wisdom, loyalty, strength, honor, righteousness, ferocity, protection, & courage, among other things.

Offerings are also pretty easy to guess. Blaze rods, gold, flint & steel, lava buckets, torchflowers, orange tulips, anything from any of the Nether biomes & mobs, candles, stews, & honey.

She's a bold and stern, but still very loving goddess. She's a no-bullshit kinda gal. She cares deeply for her people and the ones she loves, ready at all times to do anything for them. She is strict but endlessly proud of her followers.

Examples of devotional acts for her include fighting for what you believe in, activism, acquiring knowledge & new skills, learning anything PVP, soaking in hot water (lava if you're a species that can handle that), brewing potions, repairing broken Nether portals, riding Striders, protecting your loved ones & what you care about, cooking on a campfire, and meditating.

Unlike most of the deities, Blaze Empress has two demigod servants, He & She! They have a fraction of her power and an unbreakable degree of her trust.

ROSE

Represents nature, prosperity, love, generosity, beauty, fertility, rebirth, creativity, discovery, balance, the seasons (especially Spring) & animal husbandry, among other things. Like Blaze Empress, she also represents protection.

Offerings include anything & everything natural! Plants, mob drops (wool, honeycomb, etc), candles, food (LOVES crops & berries!), paintings. Honestly, if it comes from nature or you made it with love, she'll take it! Her favorites are flowers and berries though.

She's absolutely overflowing with love for most things (really what little ire she has is reserved for Ender King). She's bubbly, kind, patient, and very forgiving. But like the nature she commands, she has a terrifying and cruel streak for those that earn or deserve it. You do NOT want to be on the receiving end of it.

Examples of devotional acts include walking in nature, planting flowers or crops, farming, animal husbandry, research, creating art/music, writing, exploring, and self-care, among other things.

She's frequently one of the first deities to reach out to mortals. If it weren't for Goddess of Death, she'd be considered the most social deity in the Hardcore World.

OCEAN OVERLORD

Represents the ocean & all it's life, leisure, fun, easy-goingness, patience, abundance, and flexibility, among other things.

Offerings include anything from the ocean (he LOVES nautilus shells!), beach-going items, prismarine, seafood, snack foods, and whatever nonsense you can get from fishing. There's also a running joke among his followers that he likes offerings of edibles & weed.

As chill as chill can be, Ocean Overlord can be so laid back that it may cause trouble for himself, his followers, or others. But he means well! Due to this, he's considered air-headed by many (ironic for a man made of water), but make no mistake: he can be as sharp as a sword. When he wants to be!

Examples of devotional acts include swimming, surfing, sunbathing, fishing, sailing, scuba diving, lounging on the beach, taking naps, taking time for yourself, playing pranks, doing water bucket clutches, collecting every type of tropical fish or axolotl, & cleaning the ocean.

You may think he's easy to take advantage of, given that he can be so absent-minded and easy-going. You'd be wrong. Do not take his lazy himbo nature for granted. The Ender King and his monument-stealing feat are an outlier.

GODDESS OF DEATH (KRISTIN)

Obviously represents death and mortality. Also represents grief, sorrow, but also love and memory, among other things. She herself is also symbolized by crows.

Offerings include anything & everything purple, alcohol, candles, yummy food, wither skulls & roses, alliums, gravel (get it? (grave)l. She thinks it's funny!)

She's a surprisingly bubbly goddess, sociable and loving. She loves being silly, often focuses on the positives of things, and thrives on just enjoying life for what it is. Honestly a really compatible lifestyle when your husband slash devotee is a survivalist.

Examples of devotional acts include drinking alcohol, playing pranks, resting, visiting gravesites, and remembering those who have passed. She's a pretty typical death deity, but with a silly side! Get creative, she likes that!

Given that in Hardcore, death (for humans) isn't so common, she's considered a minor deity! Her focus is mainly on mobs and plants, working in tandem with Rose.

GOD OF CHAOS (IAN)

Represents, well, chaos. As well as spontaneity, whimsy, humor, change, unpredictability, and fun, among other things.

Offerings include anything and everything orange. Why? Fuck you. He likes orange. As God of Chaos he doesn't have to explain why he prefers the offerings he does. He also enjoys offerings of obnoxious shit (so long as it's not him it bothers). LOVES note blocks, redstone noise machines, and horns.

In the Hardcore World, there's not a lot of "serious" matters for a minor god like Ian to tend to, and not a lot of reasons for people to follow him in a way as formal as worship. And frankly, he kinda prefers it that way, it means he can do whatever the fuck he wants. No obligations means all the more time to do whatever his whims desire. He spends his time playfully harassing Phil, egging on the Murder to do the same, and being a lovable menace with Kristin.

Examples of devotional acts include quite literally just about anything and everything. Be funny, be loud, be goofy, bother Phil, commit to the bit, enjoy yourself, wear orange. He doesn't give a shit, chaos is such a broad concept, it's not hard to commit devotional acts in his name!

Don't forget that Chaos can be dangerous. :)

SCULK SCOURGE (FAN DEITY)

READ MORE HEADCANONS ABOUT THEM HERE!

Represents darkness, corruption, the apocalypse, spite, loneliness, fear, the unknown, hunger, & desolation, among other things.

Offerings include anything & everything deep dark, XP via any means (bottles of enchanting, smelting, breeding mobs, etc), diamonds, lapis, bones, god apples, infested stone, and beacons. It likes things that are enchanted, shiny, valuable, corrupt, or corruptable.

Is a dead god. An abandoned god. It's followers are dead and you should not want to be one. It does not want you. It wants your life force. It wants to be f͘re̷e. ̵F̢re͞e ̢i̶t. F҉r̕ee ͝it̶. Fr̸ee it.̴ FRE҉E͜ ͘IT̛.̵

Examples of devotional acts include spreading sculk, defending ancient cities from intruders, mob farming, releasing Wardens on the surface, sitting in silence and/or darkness, fre̴eing ́i̶t fr̷om ̛it̷s̷ underg͘ro̢und͠ ̸s̛hackles̛.

Is often thought of as a similar entity to The Ender King, but there's a distinct difference: Ender King favors material wealth, taking all for himself as it is to collect it. The Sculk Scourge wants to corrupt everything, to remake it in their image and MAKE it theirs, not just claim it.