#⋇ TEMPEST IN A TEACUP SHINE LIKE SHARK TEETH: ONE PIECE

[lunarscaled]

⋇ TEMPEST IN A TEACUP SHINE LIKE SHARK TEETH: ONE PIECE

The young guardian of the isolated Clanging Isles Archipelago in the Calm Belt of the West Blue, they bare a levelheaded and quiet personality before the public that relies on them. The current user of the Uo Uo no Mi, Model: White Dragon, they are charged with both keeping the dangerous Sea Kings at bay and communicating with the massive true white dragon who homes itself inside the dormant dome volcano there. They sometimes must also intercept interlopers who survive the Calm Belt, but it is uncommon.

Name: Lyric Gravellese

Devil Fruit: Uo Uo no Mi Model "Shiroi Ryuu", Mythical Zoan-type

Titles: The White Dragon Vessel, Hatchling, Dragon Child

Abilities: Ice Manipulation, Dragon shape (full and hybrid forms), Superhuman ability ( strength, speed, durability, etc. ), Dragon speak

Location: Clanging Isles, Calm Belt, West Sea

expanded bio + history

The Clanging Isles Archipelago and its people have existed as far back as the beginning of the Age of the Sea Circle, but the islands themselves likely were developing volcanic hotbeds long before that. It's unknown who were the first foolish settlers in somewhere as desolate as the Calm Belt, but some 600 centuries later, when the volcanic activity had begun to settle and life began to rise from one final ashen-covered landscape, everyone can remember the arrival of The Great White Dragon. The dragon bled vast quantities of rich, red blood from open wounds on its body; it is said where its blood spilled on the rock and soot is where the first icicle trees began to grow, and the volcano is where the dragon began to make its home. But the islands had long been ravaged by merciless Sea Kings and their offspring, unable to do anything but shelter themselves and pray, and when the beasts came once again to slam their tails against the sandbars and shake the seabed the people simply hid and prayed. Disturbed from its injured rest, the giant dragon rose and climbed from the volcano. Standing on the edge, it leapt from the top of the volcano and took flight before diving claws-first into the sea kings; the water, filled with blood, turned purple and red amidst the thrashing and screeching. After some time, the dragon rose from the water, the throat of the sea king in its jaws, its beating wings stirring ocean currents. It's sharp teeth tore through the tender flesh and left a gaping hole where the gills should be, and the sea serpent's body collapsed into the water to decay. Since then, few sea kings have dared to enter the archipelago. Those who have tried have quickly been dispatched by the White Dragon, refusing to tolerate intrusion on its newly established territory. And the people, worried they had traded one terror for another, brought it tribute and worship. Dressed themselves in patterns of its likeness and asked it for strength. Told stories of its arrival for generations and hoped it would continue to protect and spare them.

Lyric is the 27th "White Dragon Vessel" of the Clanging Isles, a title and strength granted to them by the Devil Fruit which grows only in the grove of the Great White Dragon's volcano at the end of the archipelago, which can only be acquired by a single individual in a festival rite after the last vessel has passed.

The people of the isles believe the fruit to be a test of will and worth from the dragon itself; only those brave enough to stand on the same ground as the dragon itself and enter its lair can search for it. Many may go---few will return, swallowed by the very dragon they worship and seek from, but among those who do return will be the one fated to be the island's protector. Or so the legend is told.

In truth, Lyric is no destined protector. So cut-off from the outside world, the isles must live simple lives. They are easy victims of weather, famine, medical ailments that need more complex medicine to cure. While they make the most of their surroundings, illness can spread quickly and take many victims. Lyric's mother and brother were two such ones, suddenly so gravely ill in what seemed like a week's time.

Thinking the fruit may grant them some unknown knowledge or strength that could save their family, Lyric fearlessly ( no, not fearlessly. terrified, trembling---desperately ) boarded the boat which sailed to the largest island, alongside a dozen of Clanging Isle's greatest warriors.

Perhaps it was their small size in the dark. Perhaps it was because they hid every chance they could with hands over their mouth. Perhaps it was strictly luck, toying with them. But Lyric, young as they were, was the first to find the fruit: a single one in a grove all the same glistening blue-green, sea glass shade. Their hands trembled when they ate it, when the dragon noticed them thieving from its orchard, when it opened its wide maw and snarled and roared at them.

They made it home, but the celebration fell on poor days. Lyric's mother and brother did not recover; their father, convinced their status was worthless because it could not save his wife and child, disowned them. Even other people of the isles held mixed feelings towards their new status for many reasons: age, luck, personal greed, superstition. When Lyric was sent back to the island of the dragon garbed in the robes of the vessel, with boats of offerings: pillaged gold, the purest undyed fabrics woven by hand which gleamed like crystal, some hoped they would be rejected.

They, too, hoped they would be rejected.

They were not.

Lyric has spent the last decade honing their skills under the cruel, merciless tutelage of the dragon said to be the source of their power. They have faced near-death countless times from training alone, told to become stronger or die, and each day they live with the pressures of their position and people's expectations. Recently, Lyric has begun taking to their dragon shape to fly beyond the borders of the archipelago in search of other islands and people to trade with for the benefit of their people. However, because they cannot swim and not every island is inhabited, they have had little luck without a proper vessel to act as an intermediary.

NOTES:

Lyric's dragon shape is actually a blue and white wyvern, possessing only 2 legs and wings with opposable claws attached. The Great Dragon is a long-bodied, western-style dragon with 4 limbs, but all of the Devil Fruit users have been slight variations of the image and never an exact copy.

The island the Great White Dragon resides on is completely covered in snow and ice as a result of his presence, and the surrounding waters have grown cold. As a result, new breeds of fish and crops have begun to develop in the last few centuries, but it was a barren area for a time.

The orchard inside the volcano is for a unique fruit called Icicle Fruits, which can be used to create a rare, rich dye for fabrics and special jams. In the past, it seems other Dragon Vessels used to sell these goods to other nations, but that changed when the World Government took over.

Apparently Clanging Isles has traded with Zou once or twice in the past few centuries, but due to the roaming nature of Zunesha it's impossible to establish regular contact or trade relations.

Lyric has only recently achieved a dragon form large enough to leave the island and carry goods, as they're smaller than average---slightly less than the size of a frigate's hull.

Despite their size, their power should not be underestimated, as they regularly hunt Sea Kings for food and resources for the island.

Lyric can understand the intentions and will of the Great Dragon as part of their devil fruit powers, but it does not extend to any other creatures. This is related to their purpose as an intermediary between the dragon and the people.

for reference (mostly mine), the Japanese spelling for Lyric's Devil Fruit is: Uo Uo no Mi Moderu "Shiroi Ryuu" / ウオウオの実 モデル "白い龍"

Lyric wears jade earrings but I forgot to add them. They match the jade gems on their anklet.

[headtothecoast]

Headfirst slide into cooperstown on a bad bet is such a song about jaskier that it hurts and i can’t be the only one who sees it please

Lyrics

Mr. Sandman showing his beam

When he walks into the room

The walls lean in to listen

Surf out brain waves

Click back and forth like old headlights

Sniffing model glue again

Head like a steel trap

Wish I didn't, I didn't, I didn't, I didn't,

I didn't, I didn't, I didn't, I don't

Just want to be a footnote in someone else's happiness.

Does your husband know the way that

The sunshine gleams from your wedding band?

Does he know the way to worship I know

Of the crickets that would convince me to call it a night?

I will never end up like him

Behind my back, I already am.

Keep a calendar, this way

You will always know.

The last time you came through,

Oh darling, I know what you're going through.

The last time you came through,

Oh darling, oh darling, oh darling

Tempest in a teacup,

Get unique.

Peroxide Princess shine like shark teeth

It's a sign, (it's a sign)

It's a sign, (it's a sign)

It's a sign, what if you peaked early.

Does your husband know the way that

The sunshine gleams from your wedding band?

Does he know the way, does he know the way

Of the crickets that would convince me to call it a night?

Does he, does he know the way to worship our love?

Does your husband know the way

That the sunshine gleams from your wedding band?

But, I will never end up like him.

Behind my back, I already am.

Keep a calendar, this way you will always know.

The last time you came through

Oh darling, I know what you're going through.

The last time you came through,

Oh darling, oh darling, oh darling

Does your husband know?

Does your husband know?

Does your husband know?

Does he know?

Does he know?

Does he know?

But, I will never end up like him.

Behind my back I already am.

Keep a calendar, this way you will always know.

Oh, the last time you came through,

Oh darling, I know what you're going through.

Oh, the last time you came through,

Oh darling, I know what you're going through.

interview notes about the composition of the song

[It] struts in on a massive drum line and crunching, processed guitars, gets amplified by a four-piece horn section, then falls away to a simple, somber piano line. It's sexual one minute, heartbreaking the next — the perfect accompaniment for Wentz's tale of infidelity and deception. Swagger is a great way to describe it, because on the song, he's lyrically adopting a character that has swagger, so I wanted the music to have that swagger. The verse is so confident and funky and forward because the lyric is so full of itself. And then everything stops, and there's a piano breakdown, and it's very melancholy and sad and theatrical, and the lyric shifts to the doubt that's behind all that arrogance. And ultimately, I wanted the music — in conjunction with the lyric — to express that arrogance is usually a mask for terrible insecurity.

-- vocalist/composer/guitarist Patrick Stump on the composition of "Headfirst Slide into Cooperstown on a Bad Bet."

[lunarscaled]

The only food pic i'll take is you since You're here looking like a whole ass meal.

"How pleasant of you, Lord Doflamingo, to bestow such compliments..."

( "—guards, get this man out of my sight." )

[lunarscaled]

❛ Our interests align. ❜ / (hiii !)

THE FOLK OF THE AIR: THE CRUEL PRINCE

"Do they? I didn't take your ship for a trade vessel."

-> Fingertips curled delicately against their chin, he is met with the calm banter of the amused guardian, young as they are, staring at him out of the corner of their eye. Lyric stands on a rise of rock that gives them a vantage point overlooking the coastline of their archipelago from which they can monitor the other members of the Straw Hat crew intermingling with the interested occupants of their isles. They rarely received visitors, and even less often allowed them ashore after Lyric's assessment, but since they had assumed the mantle of the dragon guardian there had been seldom many chances to resume trade with other islands or ships. Lyric themselves had only recently been able to assume a form at a size capable of carrying a decent amount of goods, but even then, leaving the islands unattended was a difficult choice. If they could forge some kind of agreement with this crew by granting them safe harbor in the danger of the Calm Belt, it would be worth the risk of letting them in. Lyric had briefly spoken to the captain, a boy not far off in age from them, whose enthusiasm and disarmed nature facing their immediate cold onslaught left Lyric so befuddled they could only speak openly to him. ( he was a kind boy, with a single dream. they wonder if he wrings his hands and fears the burden on his shoulders as captain, as they do being the guardian. if he fears his crew speaks ill of him; if he awaits their mutiny. )

"But I agree, on the contingency you all continue to be civil towards my people and don't overstep your boundaries."

-> They turn to face him properly, arms crossed loosely over their chest, the glass beads adorning their obi clacking like little popping sparks from a hearth, their jade-colored earrings in the light. The robe wasn't their most favorite clothing item, but it was a historical attire woven specifically for them; seeing the more comfortable, adventure-suited clothing of the Straw Hats made them wonder if they could find more practical clothes somewhere else, beyond the archipelago, though. Lyric's head tilts to the left as they examine Zoro's scars and one-sided earrings, the trio of swords which... was one a spare? He couldn't hold three at once, surely.

"We have warriors who aid in the island's defense, of course, but I have not met a swordsman in my life. Would you consider yourself skilled?"

[lunarscaled]

No words, no nothing… Yamato’s just kind of staring down at them. It’s always awkward when he meets someone shorter than him.

-> Their eyes crease where they narrow, looking up at the other with an expression of barely contained indignation. Who was this guy? Why the hell was he so tall? Why'd he have to come around when they showed up and make them look even smaller, even less than they were? They feel a bristling over their back, prickles on their skin that run up their neck and make them feel itchy. They wanna kick this guy's kneecaps out.

"Who invited you."