inkmimicry

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// they changed the layout of the little icons at the bottom of the posts, don't like that mmmmm

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Isvic, in his 'canon' timeline, builds his 'sons' each for a different purpose, when Eisworld became too complex to protect and run on his own. Rather than a single palace surrounded by snowy wilderness, this icy realm is filled with cities, villagers, and other domains and is actively under attack by something that can melt it all in minutes.

A trope I see for princesses a lot ARE the 'many brothers, one daughter'. Moana's early drafts played with this, Maya and the Three portrayed it with her brothers being almost identical in personality and design (for visual story-telling) but Isvic is not the type to make all of his creations the same. He understands the struggle for identity way too much.

While I won't give names to twelve more characters and go into them too much (they exist as side-characters, but their importance creeps through in Isvic and his version of Lilli) but each has a unique design and skill. One of his eldest leads the guard, working in defences. Another aids him in building and maintaining the cities. Another commands the snow-animals. One is a spy, and so on and so on. Isvic made each one when he realize he could no longer do something by himself, particularly when he realized he could no longer leave Eisworld at all. In that sense his sons are bound to him in a way Lilli is not, as he sometimes shares their senses.

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Wires are sticking out, there are dents in his metal plating, and sparks are jumping out from odd spots on his limbs. The area around him is in no better shape. Somebody did a number on him, as they say.

"...I was literally designed for Star Command. I cannot request a transfer. Or hand in a resignation." The pitch of his voice goes lower and high with every other word.

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XO's character arc is very much the 'no attachments guy gets attached/learns to love' thing, but he was never a being who disliked or looked down upon those who loved. XO knows that love, friendship, attachment and so on are real, sincere things. He just thinks 'these are not for me, I'll never have them' and that belief is grounded in the fact that he's a robot.

The language of BLOSC from side robot characters like the Courier in the NOS 4 A2 episode 'you're one of those' (i.e an organic who hates robots, about Nebula) and Nebula's insistence that he's a 'machine' and mutters about 'screwy robots' (plural) pretty much imply that robots still have trouble getting recognised as...sentient beings.

BUT in some places, like the chaotic Tradeworld, robots can legally adopt children - so this outlook could be outdated. Nebula is pretty old, after all, and is in the process of letting go of his derision.

Unfortunately, new robots may still have some of this 'I'm a robot, no feelings for me' stuff hammered into them. The LGMs didn't even TRY to avoid XO becoming self-aware (XR began as a pretty run-of-the-mill robot before he 'became' himself, and so on, but XO was never a blank slate.)

XO doesn't realize how much of a sensative little guy he can be until plans go sideways. Before being pulled into adventures, he never ran into anything alarming, but once he does he's surprised but how POTENT his own emotions are. How afraid, and even angry, he finds himself getting. He's well aware that his 'brothers' personalities seemingly formed...randomly, and worries he may likewise find his own personality becoming unpredictable.

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LYRICS FROM DISNEY VILLAINS SONGS - RANDOM SONGS

And I'll be on top of the heap!

It's not that I'm bitter.

But think how they'll squirm when they see how I glitter!

The king will reward me.

But I've got this crick in me spine.

I admit that in the past I've been a nasty.

And I fortunately know a little magic.

I'm a very busy woman and I haven't got all day.

It's sad but true.

If you want to cross the bridge, my sweet, you've got the pay the toll!

The boss is on a roll!

Tricky and wicked, of course.

My earlier crimes were fine for their times.

All will bow before me!

And now, as you were singing...?

Don't you disrespect me, little man!

And I got friends on the other side.

That's an echo, gentlemen.

A little parlor trick, don't worry.

I'll look deep into your heart and soul.

Mom and dad cut you off, huh, playboy?

Won't you shake a poor sinner's hand?

I hope you're satisfied.

As a specimen, yes, I'm intimidating!

As you see, I've got biceps to spare.

And every last inch of me's covered with hair!

I use antlers in all of my decorating!

So it's time to take some action, boys!

But we're not coming home 'til he's dead.

You know I am a righteous man.

I feel her, I see her.

Choose me or your pyre.

My words are a matter of pride.

But you'll be rewarded.

Great idea, who needs a king?

Read my lips and come to grips.

Yes, meet a blast from your past.

This is why you never should have left.

Dear, this whole romance that you've invented.

Why would he like you? Come on now, really!

Look at you, you think that he's impressed?

Don't be a dummy

Such a clever grown-up Miss.

Trust me, my dear.

If he's lying, don't come crying.

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"A job to do?" What could making the worst in people...more, have to do with a job?

He watches her vanish with trepidation, worried some monster may crawl out, or something bigger, sharper. What emerges is...worse, in a completely different way.

His mind goes to his sister, of course --- and to...humans, those odd creatures that look like Lilli but aren't. Isvic does not have a lot of features; coal eyes, coal mouth and nose, yet a silent, stricken expression somehow oozes from it.

She's beautiful, and harmless looking. It's wrong.

i'm just a cute and cuddly snowman.

The snow child does not sit, but trembles silently for an entire minute, now completely certain he was right about this woman.

"That you make people worse than they are. You find the worst bits," he can't talk right, he stumbles over his words.

it is depressing , a magic-born child raised in mortal values . always had been a ... vague sort of relationship with them- all technicalities & nuances & other such phenomenon . one thing remained a constant , however : they don't like beings that they cannot control .

“ oh , that . ” she drolls . then adds , coolly . “ is that all ? ”

“ it was a gift ; from the ... good folk under the mountain . ” the sarcasm in her thin smile is blatant . “ how else am i supposed to keep an eye on the world from where i'm at ? i have a job to do , after all . ”

oh , but they could be here all day ! the snow queen ought to be a better hostess . perhaps this... form- that resembled something far more sublime & shocking than any mortal being upon the earth- is a little ... much ... to what the boy's used to .

“ one moment , ” she requests with a raised finger , walking behind what could be an icy dressing room . it's blends seamlessly in the ice , as though nature itself was playing around with its medium . it doesn't take long before a maiden walks out , fair as frost , her long hair light & neatly braided . her attire , however , is as camp as ever .

“ there we are~~ ” the queen says , quite cheerfully as she sits & crosses her legs . “ simple, but a little more of what you are used to , hm ? now sit , please . ”

she offers with a gentle , swaying tilt of her long sleeves . “ i won't harm you . tell me more about what else you have heard . ”

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Again and again they seem to pull the warmer expressions from Isvic.

"It's been so long the idea that it would be...shocking to someone, is new to me." He'd never allowed himself to wonder what they might have thought of him for long. Not all of his actions had been merciful or...heroic. It's good to talk about something pure.

"You may have seen what looked like droves of ice creatures - I did not build them all. I have eleven sons and one..."

Ah.

It's Toulouse who rescues him, sliding from his shoulder to open one of the doors. The room has a large bed, a few sofas, a window that views the stars...however, everything is made from ice. Hence Isvic's worries. Even the curtains and blankets are, too, somehow.

But Toulouse smells the plot they're cooking.

"So you bullied," he poked the beetle in the tummy, "an ancient, inter-dimensional river into letting you travel where you want. I'm truly proud. I should try it sometime."

Isvic suddenly stills. Blinks slowly.

"...There is something I need to attend to," he says, carefully. He inclines his head a little, suddenly...out of sorts.

How is he to act? Like a host, like a king, like the one in charge - or the elder version of the boy they once knew? He'd never called the shots, so it's awkward for him.

"Humsin...Toulouse can settle you in. I apologize for stepping out. The penguins will help you if you need it."

that wasn't an understatement , isvic would know . there's evident wonder by the silent majesty of the wing , perhaps even a little intimidated to break the silence . this eisworld wasn't just spectacularly built- it almost felt alive in its interconnectivity , like the way the trees in the woodlands were .

t.abaluga only tilted his head , still unworried .

“ not really . most of them were just weird . ” at that implication , he adds . “ relax , we were careful . the hardest part was just getting the river to cooperate , heh . ”

“ lot of sweet talking from lilli . ” bully added , then hovered over limbo . “ the big guy kept circling around the spot where your trail ended & it finally tipped us off . ”

a little magical intervention became apparent , after that .

“ it's ... cool that you're a dad now , though ... ”

its difficult to wrap their head around- with how much time has passed , how much they had missed . sons , the ice spirit said . interesting .

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"The risk I took was calculated, but I am bad at math."

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"Portable, you say?"

Now, Toulouse didn't strictly have the witchy kind of... general magic. As in the magic that lets you whip up an ice cream. It had to be sand or wind or dream based. That's probably by the nearby lizards look nervous.

He snaps his fingers, "The very thing!" With a whoosh, he swoops backwards and up, disappearing into one of the many doorways high, high above. The sound of rummaging carries through the airy palace walls, bottles clanking together.

"Why do you encourage him?" One of the vultures hissed. The sand-man zips back into view with a very bedazzled looing potion bottle, all purple glass and layers of dust.

"This should do the trick!"

He uncorks it. Doesn't give mind to the swirling purple shapes that rise from the lips of the bottle before tipping a tiiiiny little drop on Limbo's forehead.

A moment passes. Then...pop.

A cute little plush toy, very travel-sized, has appeared in his place on the floor. Toulouse's smiling expression doesn't change and yet his eyes blaze with panic.

"...ah."

🌙 @inkmimicry from ( ⭐ )

“ says who ? ” bully blurts , with the confidence of one well acquainted in the craft . “ your job is to help , there's no specific way how . ”

the magic that turns pumpkins into chariots also transforms unruly princes into frogs . the other kids stare at him all suspicious-like . then again , neither of them are fairies- nor do they have mothers- so the may be merit in the beetle's input .

ah , but lou's got an idea & that can only mean grounds for chaos . t.abaluga blinks at the stick , tilting his head . alright , he'll bite .

“ aren't there like ... rules to what we can wish f- ”

“ i wish limbo was portable again . ” lilli points at the bear , staring elsewhere . his head turns at his name .

“ huh ? ”

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a baby

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ANONYMOUSLY (OR NOT!) TELL THE MUN HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THEIR ORIGINAL CHARACTER! what stands out? what would you like to know more about? ask away!

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This blog is accepting development anons!

Bug my character about their past! Ask them about the things you wonder about! Give them scenarios to get their brain going! Today is all about bringing out the growth hiding within my character.

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now I have a my-neighbour Totoro scene except its in a scary ice-lair and it's a baby dragon sleeping on a giant, spikey snowman's chest.

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I wanted Coffee here to be a sympathetic character, but still a very flawed one. His lot in life's a tough one and there's a lot outside of his control and part of his growth wouldn't only be gaining confidence, but recognizing he does still have agency.

He can be petty, fuelled by his bad experiences, towards those who may not deserve it, and at first is more likely not to intervene to help people 'cause he's lived through a very 'every man for himself' mindset.

The 'bad stuff happened to be so why should I care' is a dangerous mentality to slip into. Rejecting that hopelessness is what brings him around to connecting with people at last.

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hats off to the shelved guys

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theoretically- how would a villainous isvic & toulouse affect the other characters, like the kids of that universe?

oh dear

it wouldn't be an au if their relationships mirrored that of the canon too much. Here's a mess of thoughts:

since the two did love taba and Lilli in another life, deep, deep down, there would be a reluctance to hurt them. Isvic would know what the creation of Lilli would mean --- his downfall. So how would she be built?

One idea is that a crude little statue forms almost unintentionally, from a nightmare of his. A lot of things form in Eisworld from his negative emotions, and the memory of his long-lost sister could emerge like a ghost. In this instance, Isvic deliberately avoided building Lilli...and it happens anyway, before that's how the story goes.

And if he did build her, would he be so arrogant to think he could outwit fate itself? no. the whole reason he's here and miserable was because time and space dragged him back into this role, after all. So maybe he does build the girl, as one final test for the universe. A kind of test for fate itself:

Show me that there's a happy ending here.

Maybe he's self-destructive like that. This Lilli is raised by creatures in the tundra, hanging out with white bunnies and polar-bears like Mowgli in the artic. And sometimes, she thinks she spies things watching her: An owl made of snow, staring from a tree. A strange horse lingering near the pond she skates at with Limbo. Artkos is a stranger to her, but he's always watching.

Toulouse, or Humsin in this continuity, is the fairy that steals a lost child, the bad influence, the corrupter. Every bit the cartoon villain. He thinks the way to win is to show Tabaluga that all love always ends, so there's no point in it. That the little dragon should just join in the chaos and forget his worries. Think Mr Floop from Spy Kids, singing 'cruel cruel world'. He tries to appeal to the child in the boy, who doesn't want the responsibility of saving the world. You can come and play games and dream-surf and forget about Greenland and your father and the dragons in the stars! (Lotus-eater machine type deal.)

And maybe he won't lose THIS tabaluga.

that all said, these two are villains but there's still not as bad as the other versions of themselves. they're wounded creatures who have done awful things, but perhaps hope is not all lost.

Maybe it's scarier, then, when little taba and lilli stumble into Humsin's maze of a palace and find him offering them fun and games.

Taba manages to wander through the empty lair of the Snow-Beast and simply finds him dozing, My Neighbour Totoro-style, and falls asleep nearby him only to awake unharmed. The message is: he has no reason to harm the little dragon, but he isn't going to let him stop him, either. It makes the duo feel like these two are even more unstopabable as they don't treat them like nemesis or threats, but children they can re-direct, trick, or delay. Storming the castle isn't going to work here. A fearsome battle is not going to work.

Tabaluga grew up expecting villains out for his blood, ready to fight, THESE two make everything complicated and confusing. Isvic just straight up refuses to fight him, often simply tossing him out of Eisworld with a blizzard and going about his scary whims.

They have to CONVINCE these two to stop. But how?

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won't someone give the trash cat a job please