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Fingon loses his dear friends and kinsmen Angrod and Aegnor in the Battle of Sudden Flame, and then Hador, and then his father Fingolfin in what seems to him a preventable and utterly futile deathwish; and then the crown of this seemingly doomed people falls to him. So much loss and grief and change, all so soon and all so sudden, and he is left alone to sift for hope among the ashes.

Turgon never comes: he only sends word that their father's broken body was brought to him. Fingon dully wonders if he should be envious that Turgon was deemed worthier, or if he should be hurt that even after Fingolfin's death, Turgon will not see him.

Then news comes to him of Celegorm and Curufin's doings in Nargothrond, and of Finrod's death, and of the Silmaril. He knows they are only biding their time before the inevitable end, and he can sense the Oath stirring in the hearts of the Fëanorians once more. The future is bleak, the plain of Ard-galen is dust, and as Morgoth's strength shows itself, the malice of anger and blood wrongly spilled on darkened shores long ago wakes from its dormancy.

Maedhros's ambition is infectious; even if it isn't enough to convince Fingon that this is the right thing to do, that they have any chance of success, he nods and lets Maedhros plot their demise. He has no hope of inflicting any of his hurt on Morgoth like his father had done, but he would still rather die with his sword in his hand than wait for the dust to slowly choke him, bury him.

The night ends, and he whispers a quick farewell to the cold lands he has grown to call home, with all their loneliness and loveliness. He steps forward to meet his fate. And with the dawn comes the horn of Turgon, come to him at last. Brothers brought together; kin standing with kin. Unlooked for, unhoped for, and yet here.

Perhaps the darkness is not inescapable after all. Perhaps the day has come.

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Joel and Grian are curled up on either side of Jimmy, and Jimmy is lying wide awake.

He shouldn’t be worried, of course. In a lot of ways, he’s not, really. Sure, Joel sort of smells like blood and Grian sort of smells like gunpowder, but that’s to be expected of the two of them, especially considering the amount of bloody gunpowder from the day before. Joel is happily and contently asleep, having mellowed out almost instantly after his kill for the day, and Grian had taken longer to sleep but fell into it easily enough, oddly sated, and Jimmy—

He’s still awake. He’s staring at the stars.

He sort of feels like he’s a human who got adopted by a wolf pack?

Which, like, okay. Joel occasionally hums in his sleep, which is weirdly cute. If someone tried to attack them in the night, Jimmy’s pretty sure Grian would actually bite them. Like, Jimmy’s pretty sure he’s seen Grian bite before. The rules of the game say no killing on green but Joel loves killing and Grian will tie himself in knots to avoid the rules so it doesn’t matter.

There’s nowhere in the world Jimmy could be safer, really. Like, outside of the fact Joel and Grian are both morons who convince him to do dumb things too, but from the moment Joel came across him and asked if he’s a bad boy too, Jimmy knew that would happen. It’s fine. It’s fun, even.

It’s… heady, even.

Jimmy lies on his back and looks at the stars. He feels like a human who got adopted by a wolf pack. Sure, he doesn’t know how to be a wolf, but that’s okay. They do. They’ll show him. They’ll make up for the places he can’t fight.

They’ll make up for the things he fails to hunt.

They’ll…

Grian turns over. Jimmy lies stock still.

They’ll do it until they realize he’s not a wolf. Then what? Joel brought him into the pack. Grian joined on willingly. They knew what they were getting into, really, they did. The two most bloodthirsty men on the server, they’d known what they were doing, taking on one of the only men here who hadn’t managed to kill almost at all. They had to have known, right?

They had to have known. They’ve made fun of him for it before. They still make fun of him for it now.

But.

But.

Jimmy lies awake on his back and looks at the stars. A human adopted by wolves—it has things the wolves wouldn’t. There are reasons wolves decided to let humans run in their packs long enough to make them dogs. There are reasons to take a human in, if you’re a wolf.

Jimmy wonders if there are reasons to take him in, or if he’s just… dead weight.

Joel hums in his sleep. Grian turns over again. Jimmy doesn’t move.

For now, though—for now it’s good. Feels good, lying between two wolves. Feels good. Feels better than lying in the cold, at least. Feels like he can almost be one of them. Feels like he could understand.

Gods, he’s never telling Joel or Grian he thinks of them as wolves. He’d never hear the end of it. He wonders if Joel knows how to bark.

Slowly, he stretches an arm around both of them. They get closer.

He may as well enjoy it, he decides warily. If they never realize he’s a lamb in wolf’s clothing, that’s on them.

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The Watchers stare down at the world of torment they have theoretically created.

I MAY HAVE MADE AN ERROR OF JUDGEMENT, the first one says.

YOU THINK, the second one says.

IN MY DEFENSE, HUMANS ARE HARD TO PREDICT WHEN THEY ARE FEELING PRESSURE AND GRIEF. I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE LIKE THE SECOND ONE. THE SECOND ONE WAS FUN.

THIS IS NOT LIKE THE SECOND ONE.

I DIDN’T WANT THEM TO PLAY HOUSE AGAIN.

LOOK HOW THAT WORKED OUT.

THEY’RE SUPPOSED TO BE ENEMIES. OR IN DESPAIR. OR CLINGING DESPERATELY TO EACH OTHER. NOT…

The Watchers fall silent for a while. Below them, the Players continue their intricate game. What that game is, the Watchers could no longer tell you. They sort of lost track after the second day. It happens sometimes.

MAYBE WE SHOULD WRITE THIS ONE OFF, the first one says tentatively, AS A BIT OF A BAD JOB.

I MEAN THEY ARE GOING MAD WITH THE PRESSURES OF THEIR LIMITED TIME. YOU AT LEAST GOT THAT MUCH RIGHT.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE SARCASTIC AT ME.

SARCASM? I AM A BEING OF UNFATHOMABLE AIMS. I DO NOT DO SARCASM.

AND I DON’T MAKE MISTAKES, BUT HERE WE ARE.

TELL ME, WHICH PART WAS THE MISTAKE? THE FROGS? THE FAMILY TREE? THE INCREASINGLY HIGH STACK OF BRIDGES? TELL ME, BECAUSE THOSE ALL SEEM PERFECTLY TRAGIC AND—

YOU DO BETTER THEN!

NO, I WILL JUST WATCH.

Below them, one of the Players strips into his underwear.

WHY DOES THIS ALWAYS HAPPEN, the first Watcher says. There is audible despair in its voice.

I WOULD SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THE INGENUITY OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT, the second one says, BUT I THINK ACTUALLY MAYBE THEY’RE JUST DUMB.

The first Watcher sighs.

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okay silly au concept: in which joel was cursed to be a horrible beast after slighting a fairy tale witch but instead of hiding away or whatever he went “you know what hell yeah I am a beast” and became the local bloodthirsty cryptid. people tell warning stories about him and sacrifice people to him or whatever. he’s fine. lone wolf? going great!

then one day jimmy wanders/is driven into joel’s forest. he’s so tired of his horrible luck and life that when he comes across joel he’s not even scared. instead he sort of just collapses onto joel. what happens, happens.

joel panics, takes jimmy home, and then has to navigate Having A Squishy Human What The Hell.

things… go from there,

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I never actually posted this little thing didn't I

They're in bed, boys!

Also, was very much inspired by this beautiful thing by @theminecraftbee

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Joel sort of gets dogs.

Not just in the he-has-sharp-teeth-and-wants-to-tear-people-up way, though he has that, and sometimes he wonders if he always had that, always had the pounding red mist in his head or if it had wormed its way in somewhere inside a wizard’s mountain and never gotten out until he couldn’t remember what it felt like not to have it chewing away at him and. He thinks he borrowed the sharp teeth from dogs, and sometimes he looks in the mirror and thinks, huh, he hadn’t always been like this, but frankly it’s sick as hell to be so visibly a monster so like, who cares, he’s badass—

Anyway.

The point is. He doesn’t have to be some kind of animal to get dogs, or like, that’s not the angle he gets dogs from. Or, he gets them like that? He doesn’t know, he’s bad at metaphors, god, why does he do this to himself? The point. The point is that he could get wolves but not really get dogs, if he wanted to, but he gets dogs too.

He didn’t always, really. Like, all he really needed was blood beneath his nails and between his teeth. Not really doggish, that. A wild animal. Dogs are all domestic. But…

So. Never tell Jimmy this. Joel will never hear the end of it. But he patted Joel on the head and Joel—maybe it’s silly. It’s a little bit silly. Jimmy is all… weak and floppy or whatever. Except he’d patted Joel on the head and really kept sticking around and Joel went:

Ah. Yes. I’ll die for you now.

And so like—he gets dogs, is the thing, because he’s a wild animal and he wants to kill and bite and he’s a monster and he’s proud of it and he’s not not a monster anymore it’s just… Jimmy put his arm around Joel last night and Joel almost cried, is the thing. Not sure how to explain that other than…

There are benefits to being a domestic monster?

No, that sounds weird. He’ll workshop it. He’ll workshop it.

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Joel and Grian are curled up on either side of Jimmy, and Jimmy is lying wide awake.

He shouldn’t be worried, of course. In a lot of ways, he’s not, really. Sure, Joel sort of smells like blood and Grian sort of smells like gunpowder, but that’s to be expected of the two of them, especially considering the amount of bloody gunpowder from the day before. Joel is happily and contently asleep, having mellowed out almost instantly after his kill for the day, and Grian had taken longer to sleep but fell into it easily enough, oddly sated, and Jimmy—

He’s still awake. He’s staring at the stars.

He sort of feels like he’s a human who got adopted by a wolf pack?

Which, like, okay. Joel occasionally hums in his sleep, which is weirdly cute. If someone tried to attack them in the night, Jimmy’s pretty sure Grian would actually bite them. Like, Jimmy’s pretty sure he’s seen Grian bite before. The rules of the game say no killing on green but Joel loves killing and Grian will tie himself in knots to avoid the rules so it doesn’t matter.

There’s nowhere in the world Jimmy could be safer, really. Like, outside of the fact Joel and Grian are both morons who convince him to do dumb things too, but from the moment Joel came across him and asked if he’s a bad boy too, Jimmy knew that would happen. It’s fine. It’s fun, even.

It’s… heady, even.

Jimmy lies on his back and looks at the stars. He feels like a human who got adopted by a wolf pack. Sure, he doesn’t know how to be a wolf, but that’s okay. They do. They’ll show him. They’ll make up for the places he can’t fight.

They’ll make up for the things he fails to hunt.

They’ll…

Grian turns over. Jimmy lies stock still.

They’ll do it until they realize he’s not a wolf. Then what? Joel brought him into the pack. Grian joined on willingly. They knew what they were getting into, really, they did. The two most bloodthirsty men on the server, they’d known what they were doing, taking on one of the only men here who hadn’t managed to kill almost at all. They had to have known, right?

They had to have known. They’ve made fun of him for it before. They still make fun of him for it now.

But.

But.

Jimmy lies awake on his back and looks at the stars. A human adopted by wolves—it has things the wolves wouldn’t. There are reasons wolves decided to let humans run in their packs long enough to make them dogs. There are reasons to take a human in, if you’re a wolf.

Jimmy wonders if there are reasons to take him in, or if he’s just… dead weight.

Joel hums in his sleep. Grian turns over again. Jimmy doesn’t move.

For now, though—for now it’s good. Feels good, lying between two wolves. Feels good. Feels better than lying in the cold, at least. Feels like he can almost be one of them. Feels like he could understand.

Gods, he’s never telling Joel or Grian he thinks of them as wolves. He’d never hear the end of it. He wonders if Joel knows how to bark.

Slowly, he stretches an arm around both of them. They get closer.

He may as well enjoy it, he decides warily. If they never realize he’s a lamb in wolf’s clothing, that’s on them.

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Imagine, just imagine Finrod is bleeding out in the prison of Sauron, Beren trying to keep him awake but his eyes are starting to flicker and glaze over. Beren is shouting at him, trying to oull him back to reality but he knows he’s slipping away. Finrod only smiles, manic, acceptance, but most surprisingly, relief. Beren tries to get him to stop speaking, to stop moving so he could stop the blood flow. Yet Finrod only laughs, that gurgles with the froth of gore at his mouth, and says the single word, “Beor.” 

Beren tries to tell him that he is not Beor, but Finrod only cups his chin and says once more; “Beor”

So he doesn’t deny it. He holds onto Finrods hands until his grip loosens, and his ancestors name the last word on his friends lips.

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if you're still taking prompts:

Elrond/Erestor/Celebrimbor, 33 (“Forget me.”) - Autumn or winter, maybe a last farewell before the fall of Eregion? (could also be gen or queerplatonic if you'd prefer)

I hc Erestor as Caranthir/Haleth's son, include that as you'd like :) (I also usually hc Elrond as fairly Feanorian, but again, you don't need to include that if you'd rather not)

<3

~ maglor-my-beloved

Forget me, Celebrimbor’s letter had urged. Leave me behind, let me die...

As if they could do that. As if they could simply forget all their love for him, all the nights spent together, all the history they shared!

“You know we cannot win this fight,” Erestor said wearily.

Elrond set his teeth as he donned his helmet, the last of his armor before the march. “I know,” he said shortly. “But you know we cannot abandon him.”

“I know.” Erestor grasped his gauntleted arm. Even through the armor, Elrond could feel the strength of his grip, almost as firm as Celebrimbor’s own. “But—but we will lose him, Elrond. You must be prepared to retreat when it is time.”

Elrond wrenched his arm from Erestor’s grasp. “We don’t know that,” he growled. “We can save him, if we try—”

“This is war,” Erestor said. He was older than Elrond: he knew the odds. He remembered the long and bitter days of siege, of blood, of destruction.

Well, Elrond had lived through war, also. He was born into it, had come of age into it. And he was not powerless, not anymore.

“I will fight for him,” he insisted. “To the very—”

“Don’t,” Erestor begged, his voice cracking. “Elrond. I cannot lose you too.”

“You won’t lose either of us,” Elrond insisted. He had no time for this. “Now come, or don’t. Either way, there is a war to win, and I will not wait until it reaches us.”

He turned and began to stride away.

Erestor followed. He always did.

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🤡 What's a line, scene, or exchange you've written that made you laugh?

fanfic writer emoji ask game

This is rather long, but it's one of my favorite little group interactions in And the Stars Shine the Same :) I just love writing banter between Thranduil and Elrond, and letting Galadriel get in on the teasing, too! Elrond's just so easy to fluster :D

Routine conversation was had while they all ate. Celebrían and Lady Galadriel devolved into news of Lord Celeborn and many of Celebrían’s friends who were still in Lothlórien. Elrond took the opportunity to turn to Thranduil and say:

“I want to apologize for my sons’ behavior while they were in your hall.”

Thranduil waved it off. “Nothing that I would not expect from your four-legged plague. Fear not. They received their due recompense for their actions.” 

Elrond’s mouth curled into a smile. “Ah yes. The leeches. Rather creative on your part.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Elrond. It wounds me that you think I would do something so base.” Thranduil replied coldly, though his expression belied amusement. 

“Of course not,” Thranduil sniffed. “They were placed there deliberately, but not as a prank. It is a fashion these days. Improves the flavor. I cannot expect you to have any experience with such things. You are so dreadfully behind the times, as usual.” 

Thranduil had hardly spared him a glance through most of breakfast, but now Elrond felt him studying him, squinting. He caught the king’s eye and frowned.

“What?”

“Are you aware that your ears are bruising? Rather impressive bite mark, I must say.”

Elrond flushed red. “I hadn’t noticed.”

Thranduil hummed into his teacup. “Blush as prettily as you like. It doesn’t help them blend in any better. You may wish to consider wearing your hair a bit...differently. Though I suppose your wife rather likes the look of her handiwork. No--” he put a hand on Elrond’s arm. “Do not rush out, mellon nín. T’would draw far too much attention. Celebrían!” 

Celebrían looked up from mid conversation with her mother. Elrond shielded his very pink face in one hand. 

“You must be more careful with your poor husband. Peredhel skin bruises more easily, I think.” 

Elrond could just fade from shame. He felt sure Galadriel was hiding a choked laugh in her cup. Celebrían shot Thranduil a knife-sharp glare. Thranduil reclined in his chair with a smug smirk and gave one of Elrond’s uniquely-shaped ears a fond tug. 

“Oh, stop turning so pink, Peredhel,” Galadriel said. She nudged Celebrían in the shoulder. “You have always liked his ears.” 

Celebrían let out a cry of pure outrage. “ Amya! Please!” 

“It was all she could talk about during your betrothal.”

When Lindir came running up to the dais with some announcement, Elrond had never been more glad to see him.

“My lord, we have just received word from the outer borders of the Valley. Lord Glorfindel has returned and he will be at the gates soon.”

Before anyone else could even react, Erestor launched himself out of his chair and flew out of the Hall of Fire. Elrond dropped his napkin to his plate and stood, relieved at the excuse to go somewhere that wasn’t here. 

“Thank you, my Lindir.” He held out a hand to Celebrían. “We ought to go meet him.”

Celebrían took his hand and got up. 

“Shall I join you?” Galadriel asked.

“No need, Amya,” Celebrían said in an almost panicked tone. “Finish your breakfast.” 

The two of them couldn’t get away from the table fast enough. As they started out, Thranduil called after them: 

“Do fix his hair for him, hiril nín. Or your golden warrior may launch an inquest when he arrives. He is so very overprotective, that one.” 

If they had not been in such a very public space, surrounded by the people of Imladris, with Lady Galadriel seated next to Thranduil at the dais, both Celebrían and Elrond would have made a very rude gesture at him. As it stood, Celebrían just shot him a glare that could have melted the Helcaraxë. Elrond had only just recovered his composure and the comment served to make him blush an even more alarming shade of red. When he glanced back at Thranduil, the Elvenking just toasted him with his glass. 

No matter. He’d get back at him later. Where did Thranduil think the twins got it from? Celebrían?

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Glorfindel is hurt badly on some mission and Erestor, who was always used to sort of seeing him as an invincible emissary of the Valar and somehow never expected his life to actually be endangered by some orks, is beside himself with worry.

Ecthelion is trying his best to be comforting, but doesn’t really know how to help.

(He is also absolutely in love with them both, yet has not said a word of it, hehe)

In the heat of the moment and his own emotions, he says: “I wish it was me instead of him. I have much less to live for and you would have been less upset”

This absolutely flips Erestor out and he proceeds to tear Ecthelion a couple of new ones, loosing his shit to the nerves and the lack of sleep and yelling at him.

He swears at the confused lord with the profanity of a dozen smelly and drunken sailors, then hugs him tight enough to make breathing difficult for the both of them and calls him the stupidest dumbass in all of Arda for ever thinking absolute nonsense like that.

Glorfindel wakes up to find them asleep in each other’s arms on the floor next to his bed. He does not remember what happened to him, but everything hurts and both Erestor and Ecthelion sleeping there indicates it was something bad.

After they both wake up, they first tell Glorfindel how much they love him, kiss his face and stroke his hair, before proceeding to yell at him for being so incredibly stupid as to nearly die again.

When Glorfindel’s life is no longer in danger, Ecthelion returns back to his chambers sadly, not wanting to be in their way.

Upon opening his door, however, he discovered both Erestor and Glorfindel waiting there.

Before he can say anything, they pull him into a hug and proceed to tell him how much he matters to them, how wonderful he is and how much they love him.

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lee!sapnap, ler!sam + ribs?

prompt from this post

?? interesting duo 😯 gonna use c!characters if that’s ok

(mild swearing)

🦙🦙🦙…

Sapnap struggled against the cool obsidian flooring, eyes burning with a fiery rage as he pushed up against Sam’s weight over his back.

“Sam, get OFFF me!!” He growled, though was quick to clamp his mouth shut once he felt two fingers prod over into ribs, upping the intensity of his struggling.

Sam did not want to hurt Sapnap, he could understand the frustration the the hybrid was going through, but he also couldn’t just let him go un-punished for charging into pandora’s vault uninvited.

🦙🦙🦙…

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short little thing i wrote about Jimmy’s lore today, spoilers! (2/26/23)

------------•------------

Jimmy is alone.

His deputy betrays him, leaving a horrible monster in his town that sends everyone but him running for the hills as he faces it, sword drawn.

Jimmy is alone.

Citizen after citizen files out of his town, hearts set towards brighter shores and more brilliantly shining empires.

Jimmy is alone.

The Hermits come in like a wildfire, leaving just as suddenly and leaving Jimmy craving the warmth of fiery hair and passion by his side.

Jimmy is alone.

A sheriff of long time gone gives him advice before being overwhelmed by the changes in the world, retreating back to the darkness of the caves.

Jimmy is alone.

All he was doing was sharing his excitement about how all the respect he craved was finally in reach, only to feel the cold sting of a blade and bolt upright in bed, heart pounding.

Jimmy is alone.

He sits in the ghost town, surrounded by chests upon chests of gunpowder he’s stashed away for himself, because he should be getting paid as a sheriff, right?

Jimmy is alone.

As smoke curls into the air, filling his lungs as screams fill his ears, he smiles, cold and calculating against the dancing flames from everywhere around him as the other empires burn to ash thinner than the desert sand.

Jimmy is alone.

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Jimmy, aka Tumble Town's Outlaw (+ rambly character progression analysis and stuffs)

my take on Jimmy's villain arc is that instead of trying to reclaim his role as Sheriff, he should instead become the most feared outlaw the empires have ever seen.

old timey sheriffs often toed the line between justice and crime, and Jimmy has made it clear he's not above some corruption: bribery, stealing, manipulation, shady deals, arson etc. He's not the pillar of justice and upholder of the law he makes himself out to be. Hell he doesn't even follow his own laws sometimes and he let Scar break all of them! So why not turn to crime and vengeance?

recently I read an article about Kid Curry, a notorious outlaw of the Wild West, and I thought hey, what if Jimmy's character went in that direction? (PG-13 of course cmon) He could have a cool nickname like Dynamite Jim or something. Another thing I noticed is that Jimmy doesn't use a gun, saying that he is averse to using that kind of weapon, despite most cowboys carrying some form of firearm on them. He prefers to use a bow and arrow and his lasso. Could it be that he's used a gun before? Anyway I think it would a real turning point in his character arc for him to start using a gun, and ironically name it the Peacemaker (after the colt single action army revolver)

I find the Sheriff turned Outlaw story really compelling given what we know of Jim's character so far. Other people have brought this point up but Jimmy's whole character seems to tie in with themes of isolation and loneliness. Tumble Town doesn't have any villagers or custom citizens anywhere. The saloon is empty and devoid of any beverages. It's just Jimmy and his horses around here. Almost as if Tumble Town is completely deserted.

We don't know anything about Jimmy's life before he became the self-proclaimed Sheriff, but I assume his life before that wasn't a happy one. Why else would he crave respect so desperately, unless he wasn't afforded any before? He hates being seen as powerless and lesser than, as being called a toy is very much a soft spot for him. Him shrinking down in size and having his peers literally and metaphorically look down on him isn't helping either. From the beginning, Jimmy was never one to be taken seriously, as he was a goofy, good-natured man who kind of bumbled into being a Sheriff.

He demanded respect by imposing his laws upon every empire, despite not really having any right to do so other than being "The Sheriff". He is the leader of Tumble Town, not the whole 12 empires after all. Jim didn't really do much to show that he deserved the kind of authoritative respect he wanted from everyone, but the other rulers still liked having him around. People he considered allies such as Gem, Sausage and FWhip treated him nicely for a time, but either tolerated his Sheriff playacting and/or made fun of him by playing into the whole Toy Story bit. They were his "friends" but didn't give him respect as Sheriff and as a person.

For the majority of empires Jimmy has been treated as lesser than, as someone who isn't even human. He wasn't given basic respect asa a person. Joel outright mocked Jimmy by calling him a toy to his face, and every single person who has interacted with Jimmy has engaged in the toy bit. Hell, his own deputies, FWhip AND Scar, didn't treat him like an equal.

FWhip became deputy for his own gain and wore the toy story alien uniform to subtly make fun of Jimmy without him knowing. He did get attached to Jimmy though and took it extremely personally when he got fired for disrespecting Jimmy, getting back at him by stealing the hat and badges. I do think c!FWhip took it too far and is basically an embittered ex.

Scar on the other hand, was extremely nice to Jimmy and literally built him an entire train and a bunch of buildings as well as setting up villager trading posts for him. It's a really kind and generous thing to do for Jimmy, but despite that he still doesn't respect him in the way Jim wants him to. He gave Jim a whole pep talk about how "being Woody is a good thing" which, while being very sweet and encouraging, also unconsciously reinforces the fact that Scar DOES see Jimmy as a toy just like the rest of Empires. And when Scar was imprisoned by Jimmy for like 10 seconds, he threatened to call Jimmy a toy to get himself out of jail.

Alright fast forward to present time. Jimmy meets the Old/Past Sheriff and learns more about being a real sheriff. He learns how to get people to respect him more and is really excited to have a mentor figure, especially someone who used to be a real Sheriff running a town. Excitedly, he calls his friends over to the great bridge, riding atop a horse, to share about the cool thing that happened to him. Notice Gem, Sausage and FWhip are all wearing the Dawn Sunglasses, and Jimmy isn't, which creates this feeling that Jimmy is an "other" and not part of the in group. Instead of listening and congratulating him, all three of them crouch and poke fun at him for being small. Jimmy is all too aware of how everybody is treating him. He promises to be a better man, a better Sheriff they can all be proud of. And so he begs them, "so do you guys finally respect me now?"

Do you see me for who I am?

Will you finally see me as your equal?

Your friend?

And he is shot dead.

They've made their point loud and clear, and Jimmy has had enough. No more playing games. If they refuse to respect him, he will make them fear.

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Cursed

“How are you doing that?” Tango demanded.

Jimmy paused, looking up at Tango with a piece of bread hanging from his mouth. He hurriedly ate it. “Doing what?”

Tango stared at his untouched food. “Being so calm about me getting us killed so quickly.”

“Oh. That. I guess I’m just used to it by now.” Jimmy shoved another piece of bread in his mouth. A note of bitterness entered his voice. “Being the canary of the server and all that.”

Tango tilted his head at Jimmy. His soulmate was a cat hybrid. “The canary?”

Jimmy grimaced and put his food down. “I always get out first. I’m—I think I’m cursed. Everyone else seems to think so at any rate. So… I guess I should be the one apologizing to you. You’re gonna go down with me, aren’t you?”

Tango blinked. He hadn’t paid much attention to much beyond his own experiences in the past games, but now that he thought about it, Jimmy was the first one out both times. With the number of people running around, that was a depressively impressive feat. They say third time’s the charm, but They say a lot of things. The odds weren’t looking too good. Tango swallowed.

“Impulse thinks I’m cursed too.” The words tumbled out of him. Tango wasn’t sure if he gave them permission to.

Jimmy looked up at him. “What?”

Tango flinched and looked away. “Impulse… he talked to me between seasons. He said everyone here is cursed with something. And me… I mean, I kinda figured it out in Last Life, but I always die alone, for a meaningless cause.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah, kinda stupid isn’t it?” Tango forced a laugh. “Lots of people die like that here. I guess that fits the curse. It’s nothing dramatic like yours but—yeah.”

“Tango, it’s not stupid. If it affects you it’s not stu—Oh.” Jimmy breathed. “Tango, is that why you keep apologizing about the creeper? Because you think I’m going to abandon you?”

Tango flinched.

Jimmy leaned over the table and grabbed Tango’s hand, a serious expression on his face. “Tango, I’m not going to do that. I swear, I will stay by your side through this game. We’ll beat this curse of yours!”

“I don’t think that’s how curses work.” Tango said.

Jimmy snorted. “Tango, that’s how this game works. We’re soulmates, the whole point is you’re not alone!”

Tango gaped at Jimmy. He was right. It was. Tango started laughing. “Jimmy! You’re a genius!”

Jimmy puffed up, grinning. “I am!”

Tango flipped his hand over and squeezed Jimmy’s, his core burning with determination. “And if we can beat my curse, we can beat yours. You got me watching your back and your healthbar. We’re not gonna go out easily. We’ll survive longer than somebody, even if we have to knock them out first ourselves. We’ll survive everyone.”

Jimmy looked speechless for a moment before an ear-to-ear grin stretched across his face. “Yeah! Look out world, the Ranchers are coming through!”

And in the dark of the first night, Tango and Jimmy laughed, warm and determined and hopeful.

–

In the dark of night, cold and scared and Red, as Tango raised his shield against a foe he wasn’t fighting, one that tore down their health faster than he could replenish it, none of the names in his comm yet gray, he couldn’t help but feel very, very alone.

[ficsreglogged]

ngl when I saw the cinematic all my brain could see was Scar picking Mumbo up and spinning him he was that excited.

so I May have gotten a little bit Too excited….

“Where’s Scar?” Grian asks, jogging over to Mumbo, who meets him halfway.

Mumbo looks down at his communicator, reading Scar’s message once again. His brows furrow, “He said he’d be here soon, but he’s gone and made us wait a whole day!” he laughs, looking up at Grian. “I mean, he doesn’t even live that far away!”

“How much do you want to bet he lost track of time? Or flew in the wrong direction?” Grian cracks a grin, causing Mumbo to chuckle.

“Well it’d certainly be on brand for him,” he agrees.

Just then, there’s the sound of rockets overhead, and the pair lift their head up. Scar flies in, elytra shining on his back. “Hellooooo!~” Scar sing-songs as he lands, a large excited smile on his face.

“Took you long enough!” Grian looks at him, a teasing lilt to his voice. He’s grinning, as is Mumbo.

“Oh well you know… haven’t seen either of my amayzin’ boyfriends since they went on their trips! I had to make sure I was up to snuff,” Scar replies, looking between them. “So, what’s the plan?”

After explaining everything to him, the three of them break. Mumbo’s drone hovers in the air, recording everything. Grian runs to his rock while Mumbo runs to the vault, and Scar flies into the air.

Their first attempt is… well, forgive the pun, a bit rocky. Scar takes too long to reach them, and Grian and Mumbo get tangled up in a silly dance while waiting for him. Scar manages to die somehow, and Mumbo starts laughing so hard that he also falls and dies as well. Scar seems to be quite delighted over the state of Mumbo’s gear, much to Mumbo’s displeasure.

They get themselves set back up, and go for attempt number two.

Their second attempt is a lot more successful. Scar times it perfectly with Grian and Mumbo, and they all meet on the bridge. Scar cheers as he lands and doesn’t waste any time in picking Mumbo up by the waist.

“Scar!” Mumbo cries, startled. His hands fly to Scar’s shoulders, gripping them. Grian laughs as Scar spins Mumbo around.

“You’re finally home!” Scar exclaims jovially. His green eyes are lit with pure joy. After he spins Mumbo he sets him back down. While keeping hold of Mumbo, he reaches for Grian, who easily moves with him. “You’re both back from your trips!”

Mumbo isn’t quite sure who leads them into it (it’s Scar, it’s definitely Scar), but they fall into some kind of messy dance together. It involves quite a bit of stepping on feet and tripping. Their dance is a little awkward, with Scar swaying them both and trying to spin them around. Grian nearly falls off the edge of the bridge, causing Mumbo to laugh.

Their laughter rings out into the open air, letting it be carried by the winds. Scar holds on to both Grian and Mumbo tightly, and they hold him.

By the end of it, they’ve moved to hold each other, as Scar offers them both kisses. Mumbo smiles, “I missed you both.”

“Awww, we missed you too!” Scar exclaims, squeezing both Mumbo and Grian in his embrace.

Leaning into him, Mumbo offers him a teasing look, “So much so that you tried to summon me, right?”

Sweating, Scar glances over to Grian for help. But Grian just so happens to be looking away, oblivious to Scar’s silent cry for help. He looks back at Mumbo, “W-Well, would you look at that! I think I hear Jellie calling my name!” He moves to grab his fireworks, letting go of them both.

Mumbo and Grian burst into giggles, keeping Scar from flying off. “Scar he already knows!” Grian exclaims, taking hold of his sleeve.

“What?! Noooooo!” Scar laughs, stilling in their grasp. He looks at Mumbo pleadingly, “Promise you’re actually chaffed to bits about it and not creeped out?”

“Totally chaffed to bits, mate,” Mumbo hums, causing Grian to burst into a new round of laughter.

Scar looks at Grian in confusion, who goes to explain he said the phrase wrong again. And as they get into a new discussion, Mumbo watches them. Chest swelling with love for his two spoons, he finds himself feeling quite at home.

[ficsreglogged]

short little thing i wrote about Jimmy’s lore today, spoilers! (2/26/23)

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Jimmy is alone.

His deputy betrays him, leaving a horrible monster in his town that sends everyone but him running for the hills as he faces it, sword drawn.

Jimmy is alone.

Citizen after citizen files out of his town, hearts set towards brighter shores and more brilliantly shining empires.

Jimmy is alone.

The Hermits come in like a wildfire, leaving just as suddenly and leaving Jimmy craving the warmth of fiery hair and passion by his side.

Jimmy is alone.

A sheriff of long time gone gives him advice before being overwhelmed by the changes in the world, retreating back to the darkness of the caves.

Jimmy is alone.

All he was doing was sharing his excitement about how all the respect he craved was finally in reach, only to feel the cold sting of a blade and bolt upright in bed, heart pounding.

Jimmy is alone.

He sits in the ghost town, surrounded by chests upon chests of gunpowder he’s stashed away for himself, because he should be getting paid as a sheriff, right?

Jimmy is alone.

As smoke curls into the air, filling his lungs as screams fill his ears, he smiles, cold and calculating against the dancing flames from everywhere around him as the other empires burn to ash thinner than the desert sand.

Jimmy is alone.