diceypaws

[diceypaws]

A note for all of my blogs, that I do not participate in pranks on April Fool's Day. Please leave me alone. I will not post screamers, flashing lights, etc., that are outside of my usual parameters.

Some of my muses may be more accepting of pranks than others- but keep in mind that my SIs (regardless of variant) usually hate pranks, and thusly will not participate at all. I'm not a big fan of 'em either, hence...I will not be partaking. Enjoy y'all's chaos, outside of whatever's queued, all my blogs will probably go dark on the first.

In insanely unrelated news, those who want to join my friends-only Discord server, feel free to send me a DM and I shall toss you the link. Off I go, to cause havoc and madness-

[diceypaws]

Aster couldn't believe it. Miss Diana--- they had thought--- they were leaving it all behind. It had been so long- but here she was, holding them, crying.

"..I--- I jus'....f-ound my- way,.." Eventually. Eventually, so far down the line they'd nearly forgotten their origins. They didn't care for nearly all of their history prior to the wilds- the only things that had been worth keeping,...was the kindness miss Diana showed them- and the lovely smile Asteria sported each time they caught her.

They could see the tears. She was probably confused- for her, Aster would've been barely a blip in her life. Practically a stranger. But they still moved their arm, tail flicking to the opposing side as they offered.

"...y'don't--- have t', Ast-eria,...but...you're- welcome t'join..." They'd not judge her if she wanted to wait this out. It was probably weird to see someone from her furthest childhood being embraced so warmly by her own mother- they'd not begrudge her the awkwardness. But they couldn't help the tears that fell freely from their cheeks, the mere thought that they'd found someone they'd thought they'd lost,...

And with that simply word, Diana's tears began flowing as she held the cat folk close to her. Hugging them tightly, how were they alive? She didn't know. She was told they were killed, their parents told her so... She shouldn't have believed them..

—"oh my baby your home... Your alive how-how are you alive...?"

Diana sobbed worried, but her tone was joyful, she had just saw her child. The one she thought she had lost along time ago.

Asteria found herself walking abit closer, keeping her distance as her eyebrows slightly furrowed in worry as she eyed the cat folk carefully.

It felt weird to have them back in her life... She was so young when they left, she still remembers crying when they 'died'. She remembers asking her mother ever day about them only to be met with a sigh and a sad smile.

What was she supposed to do? Hug them. Greet them like an old friend? She wasn't sure. It was so overwhelming. She had tears in hee eyes but her body refused to move.

[diceypaws]

"Don't worry, win or lose, so long as we can have fun I'm g---?" Aster paused as their eyes caught sight of the woman. Wait--- no way. They practically froze, gaze shifting between Asteria and the mother in question.-- Feeling their own eyes mist.

Was Asteria--?

"...M-....Mi-ss D-iana---?" Their tail had stilled, only to start practically flinging from side to side. No way--- no way, it was---?! They looked up as their face was cupped, ears perking ever-so-slightly more, beaming. Diana--- one of the few adults in the village who looked after them. Aster had never spoken a word of their abuse to anyone, but Diana had been the one to notice. The one who actually tried to know them,--- who helped.

And if that was Diana--- then the young lady they'd been speaking to had been--- the little girl. How many years had it been? Too many, honestly. So many, they'd nearly forgotten all about---,...

"Mom,..." Diana wasn't their biological mother by any means, but she'd been the only one who'd tried to be there for them. The only 'mother' they ever cared to have. A hand reached, grasping at her wrist even as their eyes trailed as much as they could to the woman who'd led them here. "...th-en,...you..."

She found herself smiling abit, a gentle ghost of a smoke as she walked ahead to the restaurant. She remembered her mother being like this at first, when she first started it was all about the aesthetic.

Not that she could judge either, if they both enjoyed the game who is she to be mean?.

She felt her heart freeze as she opened the door, now was the moment of truth. To find out who that stranger was..

—"mother, I brought a friend over. They want to battle you in TCG!"

Asteria yelled from the door, met with hurried foot steps of a happy old woman, that happened to be carrying her cards that she probably carried along the way.

However said cards were immediately dropped when she saw who stood by asteria, a gasp leaving her lips as she saw the kid.. No.not a kid anymore, she immediately recognized how much aster had aged.

Asteria's mother, Diana grew up just fine, she changed, but she was still recognizable. Even the wrinkles and gray hairs hadn't managed to steal away the care in her eyes.

—"oh my baby..."

It was like a mother seeing her child after so long, well to Diana it was. She always considered aster her kid, always considered them asteria's sibling. She felt tears gather at the edges of her eyes as she approached the cat folk, letting her hands gently cup their face gently, recognizing every edge and corner of the sweet child she took care of.

All while asteria watched for the sidelines, feeling every piece of information click in slowly. So that was them..

[diceypaws]

They blinked--- that--- that was a lot of mora. For someone who probably lived in the city proper, they were shocked to see that amount. Honey-yellow eyes flicked over to her, for a moment full of questions. Why--- well--- if she was sure,...

"I--- owe ya." No way they wouldn't, if she'd paid for their drink. "Let me know if there's somethin' y'want from the wilds- doesn't matter what." They'd procured some strange stuff in their time, they were sure they could snag whatever was requested. Not even ruin guards tended to hold their ground against the cat-person. "I guess I'll just have t'see which deck's stronger- your mother's, or mine!" Probably the mom's if they were being honest.

A deck built on aesthetic as opposed to an actual plan generally didn't hold up against those who were more serious about the game. So while Ash didn't have bad intent for Asteria's mother,...they certainly wouldn't be the best influence. But- they were sure they'd all have fun, regardless.

"Guess I'm in your hands, Asteria!" They followed her quite easily- one step after another, light-hearted. They were a bit at odds about playing against her mother, though...especially if she was having memory problems. Was it even alright to play cards with such a person? But they'd still give it their best- and be as polite as they could, win or lose.

Before the cat folk can stand up to pay, the guild member found herself paying first, immediately placing the full bag of mora to the bartender before she smiled abit,trying to hide how nervous she actually was.

—"it will better off if we do go now actually, my mother has been trying to get her under on a TCG player for awhile.."

Standing up she offered to lead the way. Smiling abit to hide how nervous she felt, she certainly hoped that her mother can remember... And that this stranger doesn't turn out bad or something...

[diceypaws]

"Pretty much every chance I get! Finding new opponents in TCG is nearly the only reason I stop in any town, at this point. Otherwise, I'd just stick to living in my bases in the wild." Of course, Aster had to sell whatever they could from enemies they defeated along the way while out in the wilds...that way they could afford more TCG cards and dice. Their obsession with that game,...was nearly the only reason they stayed tethered to the normal world, at this point. "Do you mean The Cat's Tail? I usually drop by whenever I'm in the area- may as well see to dropping by again."

Though not at the moment, anyway. They tilted their head- only to offer a bright smile. The kid's mom had been the one to introduce them to TCG, honestly...it had been all they'd ever messed around with before the little girl came along. The only distraction they lived for.

"Your mom, huh? Well, if she doesn't mind playing against someone who plays just for the aesthetics as opposed to winning or losing,...I'd be down to play a game with her, whenever I'm in town!" Why turn down such a request? "Though I can't promise I won't impart some bad playing habits to her if I do..." Some people played to win,...Aster played just for the sake of it.

A way to keep and honor what little positives they'd had in their past- and build new, happy memories in the present.

"For that matter- we can probably head over right now if you want? Though I'll have t'settle our tab first, and it depends on if your mom is even there." They laughed. "Sorry, I'm a bit of a 'jump the whip' type of person."

Asteria felt her breath freeze for a second, as she heard the words. Something felt off. It feels like she heard them before but from a long long time ago.

She found herself wondering, could it be...? No. There is simply no way... The friend that used to look after her is dead, their parent said so...

Then again, they do recall that friend hating their parents..

She stopped for a second and sigh as she took a sip of the drink, despite the nerves in her almost making her lose her appetite. —" that's... Adorable, say.. Do you play the cards game alot? If yes you should totally come over the restaurant near the guild sometimes..."

She offered with a kind smile, if her mother saw them maybe... Maybe she would tell her who they were, and why she feels like she can't forget them but can't pin point it..

—"my mother loves it... She used to play card games with my friend when I was a kid... It would probably refresh her memory abit..!"

[diceypaws]

"I don't see the point in doing anything other than living my life so I'm happy."

Independent + Semi-Selective + Multiverse Self-Insert for Genshin Impact

As played by Writer / follows from @truly-quirkless. 18+ ONLY. Please like/reblog if interested in interacting!

[Rules || Aster Duskset]

[diceypaws]

Aster chuckled quietly at the thought.

"...also from a village...guess we're two birds of a feather in that regard." They were glad for the drinks' arrival, taking a small sip of their Daydream Slush while Asteria continued explaining.

"You two would've gotten along great, I'm sure...I'm pretty sure she was scared of a hilichurl at the other end of the slide, too. But- I was there. I was always there." Every time the two played together, Aster made sure to never shirk their responsibilities. Though they doubted they'd ever meet that girl again. "I'm sorry th' village you used to live in was abandoned. I'm sure that can't have been easy."

There was no simple way to put it. Loss inevitably happened-- a part of them wondered if their own had been abandoned after they'd left...they'd probably never know.

"She was a sweet little kid. Made life in the village livable- same with her folks." Aster found themself grinning, despite it. Hopefully, she was living her best life- that was all they could ask for. "...I remember havin' t' stop explorin' around the village when I was watchin' her,...never wanted her t' stumble on somethin' concernin'."

Another swig of the Daydream slush went down.

"Wherever your friend is, I'm sure they're having a good time. N' who knows? Maybe you two'll end up in contact again, some day. I'd just about bet you'll meet 'em again."

The girl found herself pausing at the words, what they said ringing a bell that she wasn't sure could even be used after all this time...

"I look like her... That's funny, I could say the same thing about you..."

She hestitated before explaining — "I am not... Exactly born in mondstadt, I am also from a village... One that was abandoned years ago.."

She explained before pausing as she tried to remember something, anything ".... No matter how hard I try, I can't remember anything from there... Expect for some older kid who used look after me..."

She explained, a fond smile playing across her lips as she found herself moving the spoon abit when the drinks arrived, lost in the memory as she tried to remember the face of the arms that once held her.

"I remember that... They used to help me play across the closed slide...? I was to think they were a hilichurl waiting for me inside, it's stupid I know.. But they promised they would catch me on the other side..."

She said, silently grieving the memory of her first friend, her first sibling... Her first real family.. But she shook her head to sigh.

"and they always did."

[diceypaws]

"Eh, that's not a story worth hearin'." Aster shook their head. "Trust me on that one." The night they'd solidified running away. The faint hope that they'd be able to see that odd little kid again, if they ever came back. Wanting to find something worth knowing, worth replacing a childhood marred with something better. Their smile had faltered- but it was quick to be back.

It really wasn't a story this young adult needed to hear. Or anyone, for that matter. Aster would just as soon let it fade into the darkness of their history. Besides- with their vision being in a blank metal capsule as it was, surely that was oddity enough.

"Surely you'd rather talk about your path to becoming a guild worker? I'm certain that would be of more intrigue than a silly cat folk's vision story."

"As for where I'm from..." Asteria...didn't they know a little kid like that, years ago?...back in the village... "...it's not worth callin' by name, but- it was a pretty small place. Don't bother t'remember much, save a lil' girl I used t'watch over when her parents asked me to. She...was probably one of the only pleasant things about where I'm from."

What had been her name....Ashley? Anastasia?....no,...had it been...?

"Y'look a lot like her, now that I think about it. But that's probably just because I ain't seen her since I was a barely a teen, myself- n' you're the first person t'ask. Most just ask why the Hell I wanted to play TCG if I'm so bad at it." They snickered. Cover up the worry- just enjoy themself. What was the point to anything else? "I don't even know if that village's still standin'..." They had no intent to return. Not after how they'd escaped--- but maybe,..they could swing by in the dark of night, just to make sure that little girl had grown up well, some time.

— She paused alittle, curiously thinking of the question as she tried to tone out the going on argument in the background.

She had half a heart to get up and break, but she remembered this was her break time. And she would rather spend it wisely.

Besides, it would be kinda rude to just the leave conversation so suddenly.so she sighed and look at the stranger known as aester.. The name felt weird to remember.

She smiled gently as she nodded. "well... I guess i could ask about how you got your vision..."

She did her best to hide the bitterness in her tone, burying the envy like she always did. "and... Maybe where your from..? I can tell you aren't from here..."

She hoped the answer would help her figure out the truth of how she knew this cat folk stranger..

[diceypaws]

Aster didn't know what to make of the pause. Maybe their name just--- struck a nerve or something? They'd never expected that, but...alright, fair. At least they had a few nicknames they preferred going by, anyway.

"Asteria...nice!" They could resist chuckling- the two's names were so similar. If she had cat ears or a tail, Aster might've joked about the two potentially being from the same family. It'd be better than Aster's actual family.

"Twist my arm." Like she had at all. They were content to take the offered chair- letting their tail slip out the backside of the chair while they adjusted the straps holding their box. "Though I guess I kinda owe ya a Daydream Slush at this point- after all, I was the one who offered it. It's been a while since I was in town, though....soooo, any food you'd recommend?" An ear twitched, hearing a few bar-goers arguing across the way.

Always someone to ruin the atmosphere...

It was what it was.

"N' like I said- sorry for the intrusion, but also...thank you for humorin' me." They tilted their head, even as their elbows came down on the table. Manners? What were those?- "I guess the next thing would be small talk, but...dunno what t'ask. Unless you count the usual suspects- favorite color, thoughts on elemental slimes, things of that nature."

—she paused alittle when she heard the name, the name hitting a deep memory of a name she heard before.. But she shrugged it off, hoping that whatever it was. It wasn't bad.

"ah. My name is asteria."

The similarties between the names didn't go unnoticed but she settled for acting like she didn't notice, no need to point out the obvious.

"please, have a seat."

She found herself gently waving at the chair near her, for the time being. She wouldn't mind having a conversation with this bubbly stranger.

[diceypaws]

"Not a problem! Just happy y'might try it. But- I wouldn't be hurt if y'didn't. Everyone's got their own tastes and all that." Aster chuckled.- Only to pause. Oh- right! People usually introduced themselves, and here they'd gone just randomly walking up to a stranger and offering a drink idea...

Archons, they were a mess.

"---Aster. But y'can call me Ash, if y'want." They waved a hand, as if to wave off the entire thought. "Though I doubt you'll need that for very long. Still, in all fairness- you got a name, so I know who t'apologize to?" They weren't frowning at all- instead smiling lightly. Playful banter, to them- a way to make friends in the faintest sort. After all, meetings such as these were temporary.

—she found herself momentarily hestitating, this sounded like a heady mix... One that would certainly give her a headache at the middle of the night.

But at he same time... She wanted to test it, it sounded interesting enough and maybe she did need a break from her daily dosage of caffeine....

She found herself reluctantly sighing and nodding with a small smile at the stranger offering her the suggestion.

—"right. I suppose I will try that one out..thanks for the recommendation...?"

She paused alittle, she had seen this person around... Mostly when she was leaving for a mission, or a hunt. But never actually spoke to them. She hoped they wouldn't mind saying their name...

[diceypaws]

"Well, I'm not really the one who mixes those- but I know they've got yogurt, and the bartender usually tosses in a dash or two of gin- also some lemon juice,...and orange jam on the top, grape jam on the bottom. I know it sounds absolutely insane, but--- it's genuinely a good drink. Really sugary, if that's your style." Aster grinned lightly.

They'd never met this guild member before, but it certainly seemed like she could use a break. They'd keep from asking if she wanted to play TCG- that game required a positive mood to approach, after all.

"I know of a few others, though- if you'd prefer something less sugary. Though I haven't tried 'em in ages. Not the biggest fan of a strong, stiff drink y'know?" Their tail was moving slowly from side to side. Content to just talk to another-- it'd been a while since they actually stopped in Mondstat, after all.

"...daydream slush, and what's that exactly made of?"

The usually tired guild member found herself leaning on her elbow,after setting it on the table, well. This could be a much needed break...

[diceypaws]

"IS THAT A NEW CARD?!"

[diceypaws]

Shirayuki icons

Below you'll find 100 icons of Shirayuki from Snow White With the Red Hair (Akagami no Shirayukihime). No credit is necessary.

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[diceypaws]

Naomi Nakashima icons

Below you'll find 100 icons of Naomi Nakashima from the Corpse Party manga. No credit is necessary.

General tw: for horror and gore.

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[diceypaws]

Yandere | I Reincarnated as a Villainous Princess but the Hidden Character Is Not Hidden | 254 Icons

[ Dropbox ] Medium: Manga Please Like or Reblog if you are using! None of the Art is by me, all of it belongs to its original Curator.

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[diceypaws]

"People like me for my swagless personality and inability to get bitches."

[diceypaws]

Kinda-yeah kinda-no, if you'd like an ask from this blog, just like this post and I'll try to send one before work in the morning! Rest well and try not to go too crazy.