#HereBeGiants

[herebegiants]

[keydekyie]

Any advice you might have for others who wanna publish but can’t seem to get their plots in order?

This turned into a lot o.o; sorry!

lol I'm not maybe the best to ask since it did take me more than 6 years to write a sequel to book I, but my advice would be to talk it through to someone else. Like verbally. Or maybe even to yourself! Explaining the plot (or something else important to the overarching story, like themes, motifs, or character arcs) can help me recognize things to work on. I talk to my partner a LOT!

Maybe the most important thing is to get things out of your head and onto paper (or a computer screen, as the case may be) so that you aren't trying to hold a lot of stuff in your brain that you don't need to be holding. Leaves room for the ideas and better organization. I'll expound on how I do that below.

I also like to zoom in and out of the story to help me keep perspective. When I feel like I need a closer emotional connection to it, I get real granular and write some dialogue, a dramatic scene or internal thoughts, or a description of some visceral physical thing, or maybe sketch some expressions or scene ideas. Might use it, might not. If I like something a lot, it may help me to know I need to move the story in that direction. When I feel too bogged down by stuff or directionless, I zoom waaaay out and write plot outlines or emotional arcs.

There are a few anchoring pieces that I build the story around. I take care not to forget them.

And of course I keep an outline of the story going, but I think it's important to keep things flexible. Why get hung up on putting things in a certain order or doing it a certain way when maybe it's better a completely different way? I've moved huge chunks of story all over the place. If it makes the story flow better or gives a scene a better emotional impact, then I do that! No rules, babey!

I think the thing that's hardest for me with this way of writing is not being able to share things as I write them, since I don't commit to anything. It makes it hard to stay motivated, because I'm not getting constant feedback and encouragement from people, but it makes the story easier to mold and form because I don't have to fit things to whatever I've already shared. If I write a big long chapter and two months later I want to completely scrap it in favor of something else, it's fine. There's no restrictions.

Oh btw my outlines are pretty loose and silly. I have a lot of stuff like this in them:

I also like to write out the various ideas I have to resolve conflicts so I can play around with them. I don't like to choose the easiest, cleanest options, I like to pick the options that balance sense with potential drama.

Example for the fight at the Motylek altar in book II chapter 9:

[MAJOR spoilers for book II below]

One other thing I found helps a lot is to have an exhaustive list of characters with their physical descriptions, ages, jobs, families, locations, basic personalities, and relevant beliefs in an easy to read format. I don't use all the characters I come up with, but it gives me things to springboard off of and helps me stay consistent. I made up and grouped dozens of Motylek villagers that I didn't end up using, but I had them ready just in case.

I've also found that drawing out the story in various visual forms helps me. For book II I drew all over a map where the characters were physically going and when.

[MAJOR spoilers for book II below]

I also like making visual aids for other aspects of the story. Below is a chart I made to figure out Ruyak and Kaelin's growing relationship in book II with its ups and downs. It roughly graphs Kaelin's confidence in Ruyak over time (it's not to scale, it's just based on significant factoring plot points)

This is just half the graph since the other half is book III stuff. You can see there are two horizontal lines I use for reference, the lower one is where Kaelin starts at the beginning of book II, the higher one is uh... something significant that happens later lol. You can see Kaelin's confidence actually started out higher before the start of book II and went down until Loske. This chart helps me keep track of where she's at while I'm writing so I can keep her behavior consistent even though I jump around a lot while I'm writing.

A thing of note: none of this stuff is set in stone when I make it! I changed things many times as I wrote, and added and removed things willy nilly.

I don't know if any of this is helpful or not! But it's what helps me, so... y'know.

[rubeau-art]

@herebegiants gave me terminal brain-rot with their fic (which you can read here!!! [x])

Could not shake this image from my head.

[funsizedcoffee]

GT July day 8: Snack

ft. the little snack thief belonging to @herebegiants go read their borrower story its awesome

[pocket-ozwynn]

The Colossus’ Cricket

GT July 2022 Masterpost: Day 2 - Different Era 

Author’s Note: Inspired my some various Giant knight ladies drawn by @cloudwatchingtoday, @herebegiants, and @chamomile-g-tea. This AU (tentatively named the “Knight!” or “Colossus!”) takes in elements from some of my favorite fantasy settings while giving them a fun Dungeons & Dragons flavored twist! Big props to whoever can figure out the massive Easter Egg sitting at the very center of this one-shot. I hope y’all enjoy. 🥺💜

---

[Knight Colossus!AU]

Word Count: 2298

CW: Light reference to blood

Alice never made it to bed last night. Though that was hardly surprising, he rarely ever did.

His impromptu pillow was a bestiary that he was in the process of penning–though he often fell asleep mid-sentence with his quill still in hand. Not that he found the subject boring, mind you; on the contrary, cataloging the magical creatures that roamed the hinterlands on behalf of the Oquirrh Lyceum of Arcane Arts was his dream come true!

But such an assignment was no small feat. Terrible things stalked the countryside, and some horrors were even bold enough to strike out in broad daylight. Most nights Alice spent transcribing notes collected from codexes, interviews with other arcanozoologists, and eye-witness accounts gathered from various sellswords and adventurers who frequented the highways and byways. Even after all that was done, he still needed time to include his own observations of these creatures. Because of the enormity of the task, it left Alice burning the wick at both ends.

Thankfully, he had big help collecting data.

Alice inhaled sharply as his desk was rocked. Around his study filled with trinkets and bobbles, everything shook for a moment. He jolted up in his chair–a few loose leaflets of papers still stuck to the side of his face. Alice’s eyes were wide, his hair was a mess, and his glasses’ frame was bent out of shape. He swallowed as he waited again…was it a Landshark? A Creeping Boomwalker?

Another tremble. This one was a bit stronger. He wetted his lips nervously as he waited. And then another–this one stronger still.

Alice’s heart began to race as a fourth tremor rocked him to his senses, then a fifth.

It was the familiar cadence of footsteps. Grand footsteps

The alchemist quickly swiped the papers off his face and quickly moved to rise from his chair; however, sharp pain jolted up his legs that seemed to yank him by the ankles. With a yelp of surprise, he promptly fell flat on his face. As he lay in a wiry heap, he came to realize his legs weren’t quite as awake at this moment as he thought. With a silly string of made-up words acting as “curses,” Alice rose to his wobbly, tingling feet and stumbled down the steps and out the door.

It was a surprisingly cool morning despite the heat of Highsummer. Alice could hear the chirping of doves mixed with sounds of businesses beginning to open up one by one…

…and, of course, the sound of titanic metal plating clinking against one another as a shadow fell over the sleepy hamlet. 

The Knight Colossus had returned.

Ladened in heavy armor reforged from the hull from an Ogryn Dreadnought the size of a city, the Knight Colossus gleamed in the morning sun as she lumbered into Lakeshore. The tattered hem of her crimson tabard waved like lazy castle banners as she lumbered forward with her quarry.

Alice bit his lip as he admired her approach. Her titanic stature cut an impressive image on the horizon. Given her incredible strength and broad physique, she truly was a Giant amongst Giants. And though Alice was no stranger to seeing beasts great and small, and creatures from both the Heavens and the Hells, none held a candle to the sublime grandeur of the Knight Colossus.

Finding himself staring for far too long, Alice shook his head. He clicked his boots, felt the wall-walking enchantment activate, and quickly scampered up the side of his two-story, cobbled-together “research center.” He could hear the windows begin to rattle as the Knight Colossus’ heavy footfalls grew nearer and nearer.

As he finally got up onto the roof–and before he could even catch his breath–the sun was blotted out as her shadow fell over his eclectic abode.

“Good morning, my little love.”

Though the two story home sat on a hill, it barely came up to her waist. The monolithic maiden had a dragon slung over one bulky shoulder, and had pulled up behind her what could only be described as a sort of bizarre, living “library” as if it had been a child’s sled. Her massive sword, one carved from the heart of an Iron Titan, remained impaled through its chitinous belltower.

“G-Good morning, Lady Freyja.” Alice stammered at first. His cheeks flushed first by the exercise, but now also by the immediate sight of her as well. His eyes lingered on the eldritch architecture, but he moved his gaze up towards the dragon. “I-I-I can’t believe you brought me a DRAGON this time! And, um…” He was practically bouncing with excitement as he eyed the bizarre building that seemed to have muscles within the structure that twitched. “...and whatever that is…”

Lady Freyja, the Knight Colossus, threw her helmeted head back with a booming laugh. The casual way draped the dragon carcass over the roof not too far from Alice was like watching a fisher depositing their catch. She reached up and pulled off her helmet with one hand–her flaxen hair glistened under the morning rays. Alice frowned slightly as he noticed a new bruise on her cheek–one that was easily the size of a wagon. His heart slowed down as his brow knit with visible worry.

“You glow when you’re excited, my wren…how could I possibly resist bringing you a beast grander than the last?” Lady Freyja grinned. Her gargantuan smile was enough to make Alice’s heart racing back to a flustered tempo once more.

“Th-that bruise is new....” Alice stammered as he tried changing the subject to hide his twitterpation; however, that was easier said than done when it came to the Knight Colossus. “Are you alright, my Frey?”

Lady Freyja chuckled as she rested an armored palm on the pommel of her sword. “I’m well enough off, my dear Alice…a little bruise to the face is nothing new for me.”

“The bruise is bigger than I am.” Alice pointed out as he rummaged through his pockets for the correct arcane tools to begin the post mortem examination.

Lady Freyja exhaled as she took a heavy seat by the hill. With all that armor and muscle, it was little wonder why the earth buckled and shook in reply. Lady Freyja smiled and leaned against the hillside, her thick, plated arm reaching out and wrapping around the home as she scooted closer still. She wanted to get a better look at Alice.

“If you’re so worried about my bruise, my love,” Lady Freyja mused with a coy grin, “perhaps you can help me tend to my scrapes? I wouldn’t mind your gentle touch, after all.”

Her smooth words hit Alice like a shovel to the face. He squeaked as he fumbled and nearly dropped his tools over the railing. Lady Freyja had foreseen a possible fall, as she already had a hand placed at the roof’s edge. She knew how susceptible Alice was to her flirtations. Her loving laughter made Alice’s ribs rattle. 

After a moment of catching his breath, Alice readjusted his glasses and swallowed hard. He sheepishly looked up towards his looming lover and quietly replied, “I…would love to help clean you up later, my love…” 

Lady Freyja grinned widely. Her own cheeks now flushed with heat of their own as she bit her lip. “Good...I’d like that.”

Now in proper danger of cardiac arrest after seeing Lady Freyja bite her lip, Alice swiftly turned his attention to the slain dragon she had gifted him. The dragon in question was one of scarlet and beige scales, golden horns, and three tails that ended in curled, wine-colored hooks. It was perhaps only 50ft in length. ”Only” might seem like an ill-fitting adverb to describe a dragon of all things, but considering the fact the Knight Colossus herself was twice that the alchemist had a bit of a skewed perspective on what was “grand” anymore.

“This…is a Crimson Hooktail, if I’m not mistaken.” Alice pointed with one of his instruments towards the eponymous tails as he drew closer to the beast’s flank. As he spoke, Lady Freyja leaned in closer. Alice set to work drawing a vial’s worth of blood first; dragon’s blood was exceedingly rare, and chock full of precious, alchemical properties. 

“They are more ambitious and cunning compared to other dragons–they’re far more willing to make deals and try to deceive mortals.” Alice topped off the first vial with a cork and tucked it into an elixir bandolier. He set to work on a second vial, with a third held ready between his free fingers for when the second was filled. “They seem to favor Tortles and Myconids as a staple of their diet; however, no one is quite sure why…”

Alice lit up and chirped like a songbird as an idea came to mind. “...perhaps it has something to do with coevolution? The Myconids and Tortles of the far east have shared the region for generations…perhaps there’s some innate magical qualities to that land that have infused both races with a magical nutrient that the Hooktails crave! I know the area is also frequented by Celestial visitors, so perhaps that has something to do with it as well!”

Alice furrowed his brow in deep contemplation. The Knight Colossus’ pale green eyes sparkled as she watched how Alice spoke so vibrantly at first, but now harnessed that same passion into a smoldering look of concentration.

After the third vial, Alice set to work on procuring some of the crimson, shield-sized scales. “Oh! I almost forgot, they have an adverse reaction to Orthoptera.”

Lady Freyja almost didn’t catch that last part. “Orthoptera?” Freyja tilted her head to the side with curiosity.

Alice blinked. “Oh! My apologies, my love. Those are things such as, ah…crickets, locusts, grasshoppers–things of similar likeness. Though only theories exist as to why, it’s unmistakable how much a Hooktail recoils and whimpers at the sight of them. Reports have indicated visible symptoms of distress, terror, and even nausea.”

After removing a fourth scale, Alice set the scale aside and leaned up against the bulk of the beast to catch his breath and wipe his brow. 

“Isn’t it curious how such a mighty creature could be moved to fear by a little thing?” Alice mused as he licked his dry lips. “Imagine: a dragon cowing before a cricket.”

The Knight Colossus’ lips curled into a smile. Her low, rumbling chuckle caused her armor to shake. “Why, I don’t think it’s too surprising at all! In a way, I believe I can sympathize with the dragon.”

“Oh?” Alice blinked as he looked up at her. “You don’t have a fear of crickets, do you? I feel like I would’ve remembered that…”

“Well, no. Not quite,” Lady Freyja clarified with a coy smile. She reached up with her free hand towards Alice, and rested a curled finger the size of a man under his chin. His eyes widened at the touch of the cool metal plating. Wordlessly, he allowed her to tilt his gaze up to meet hers. Lady Freyja lowered her face till she nearly filled his horizon–her own eyes studied every detail of Alice’s enamored face. As she breathed in to speak, Alice’s breath was taken away–figuratively and literally. His hair and loose shirt moved with her breathing as if they were shafts of wheat in the wind.

Lady Freyja expression softened as the words rolled out like warm, Duskspring thunder, “However, I still am quite familiar with how such a little thing could rattle a mighty beast to its very core. And how, as you said, in the most inexplicable way, all of the beast’s attention is fixated on a single, unassuming thing...”

She paused, then leaned in closer still. Alice squeaked softly. Lady Freyja’s lips now brushed his face as she spoke. She smelled of teakwood and spices. “...I understand how maddening it feels to be, like the dragon, powerless of how my heart races seeing such powerful little creature…”

Her inhale ruffled his hair before she finally leaned in and simply kissed Alice across his face and chest. Lady Freyja could feel his heart racing against her–she could feel his little hands grip into the plushness of her lower lip as if it were a lifeboat. She felt the heat in his face. Alice tasted of lavender and honey; it was something she had missed for some time now. She couldn’t help but firm up her kiss

After a few, beautiful moments that felt like decades, the two finally parted lips. Parties both great and small panted as they sought to catch their breath. Their eyes never left one another. Their lips twitched into shy, flustered smiles–as if they were children who just experienced a kiss for the first time.

“W-Wow…” Alice breathed softly. “I-I’ve…I’ve missed you, my colossus. Truly, my heart yearns when you are away. I-I wait patiently to see your visage looming over the horizon, but even then I find myself-”

A gurgling growl. Something moved behind Lady Freyja.

The library.

Wasn’t it supposed to be dead? Also Lady Freyja NEVER explained what the heck that thing even was that she had brought him.

Alice gasped. “F-Frey-”

Lady Freyja pressed a finger to Alice’s lips. “Hold that thought.”

Then with a thunderous roar, Lady Freyja quickly drew a Kraken-tooth dagger from her belt and whirled about to tackle the writhing, screaming library. The ground rocked beneath them as the two leviathans wrestled at the foot of the hill.

Shaken now by both the kiss and the seeming self-resurrection of a sentient, living library, Alice walked over to the railing of the roof and rested against it. He couldn’t help but watch with loving awe and lip-swept hair as he marveled at the sight of his beloved: the Knight Colossus, Lady Freyja.

It was good to have her home.

[mocha-gladiator]

@herebegiants found this picrew i thought a few of you might enjoy

[starskichild]

@herebegiants and @reignwren has some of the best heckin cat pictures out there, and I’ve seen a lot of amazing lil void monsters on here, so I’m gonna share mine

This is Inky :>

[territorial-utopia]

From: @herebegiants ​

Hello there! Call me Wren; I’m both a writer and an artist, and I run the blog @herebegiants.tumblr.com ｡･:*:･ﾟ★

My blog is centered around a mythology themed creative writing project I’ve had in mind for a pretty long time: a story about a city of fairy-folk coming into contact with an undead nordic giant, and their struggle to bring the magical kingdom back from a coup. (while currently on hiatus) The first part of this tale can be found here, with each subsequent part listed on my pinned post.

And if you’re interested in seeing a rundown of my two main characters, the undead giant - Christopher Lynch - has a Bio Page here, while my main fairy character - Nick Borealis - has a Bio Page here!

However, being me, I also have a few other projects running in the meantime! Each focusing on the main characters from the Here Be Giants story, but set in another realm and in another time. Currently the focus has been on my Borrower AU, where Chris is now a modern-day human in a city apartment, and Nick is a borrower who has taken quite the issue with his previously unrented home having been moved into. The first part of this tale can be found here!

⁺˚*･༓☾ Be sure to check out my pinned post for other info as well! I update it with links to each story post, have a listing of my active characters there, and list major AUs that I’ve either made art of, have linked stories to, or plan to pick up at some point ☽༓･*˚⁺

[herebegiants]

‿︵‿✎ Misunderstandings and Translators ✎‿︵‿

Chris sat, crouched on one knee at the side of the building. His coat and gloves laid crumpled behind him with spare wooden beams, dried grasses, a bucket of plaster, and chipped sheets of the broken wall strewn on the moss at his sides - the new materials all ready supplies from the library cellar.

‘Does just fine against animals’, my arse…

A hole yawned where the damage had been, with state insulation poking out from the inner wall. He’d replaced a broken board - the source of the snapping sound - and tossed its crooked halves tossed aside among the rest of the litter.

He frowned, plucking up the bucket and wiping out a mound of plaster to reseal the wall, pausing to brush a forearm over his damp face.

The sun was warm. Too warm. Its rays burned on his back, sending hours of heat running through his limbs and turning his clothes tacky with sweat.

Once satisfied with his work, he set down the bucket. He climbed to his feet despite the complaints in his muscles, which pulled a groan from his lungs as he reached to shuffle off his plaid shirt.

But the mess of clay on his hands caught his eye, and he stopped.

The river’s too far by now teh wash this off again…

“Hey.”

Chris blinked, turning to find Nick at his feet.

He smiled up at him. His striped top was gone, his long sleeves rolled up on his arms,

wet patches darkening the cloth.

“You thirsty yet, big guy?” He asked.

Chris breathed a huff, shifting his tongue in his dry mouth.

“Maybe.”

Nick grinned. With a spin of his heels, he waved a hand overhead in a beckon, taking off to jog around the corner.

“C’mon! I’ve got something for yah!”

A curious frown spread on Chris’s face. He followed, taking care to be mindful of his feet.

The large hatchway of the cellar sat at the base of the house, a bin beside it as it was before. But a wide, low barrel now stood propped against the wall, and a leather hose wound from under the ajar lid of the bin, wrapped loosely on top.

Nick threw his arms out, gesturing to the barrel.

“Ta-daaaa!”

He put his hands on his sides, breathing a contented huff.

“We couldn’t find much that would work as a cup, but we did have this.”

Chris blinked. He walked around him, staring at it. He crouched, nearly wrapping his messy fingers around it before he caught himself, and he brushed them over themselves at his side.

“Is. Is that a stompin’ press?”

He raised his brow as he looked back to Nick.

“Yeh make wine?”

Nick chuckled.

“We tried - once. But uhhh…” 

His wings shifted on his back, one of his eyes squinting with a grimace as he tilted his head with a click of his tongue.

“Be glad you weren’t there for it!” He snorted.

Chris wiped a palm on the ground, leaving smears of clay over the moss.

“Ahh.”

Nick grabbed the hose, pushing the bin’s lid away to reach inside. With a repeated creak, the hiss of water rushed through the line and poured from the end.

Chris checked his hand, only to find the plaster still clung to his skin. 

He scowled, breathing a huff.

“Eh, mind if I wash myself first?” He asked. “Don’t want teh get it filthy again after yeh just went teh all the trouble o’ cleanin’ it.”

“Oh, yeah.” 

Nick grabbed the hose, tossing it forward.

“Sure, here!”

Placing a thumb over the end, he forced the water into a pressured jet and directed it toward the ground near him.

Chris gave a nod, putting his hands under the spray.

»———— ✯ ⋅. 𝄞 .⋅ ✯ ————«

Nick shifted on his feet as he waited, waving the hose over whatever splotches the giant missed, getting amused grins from him in response.

He’d smile back, all the while sneaking glances to his face.

“H-hey. Can I ask you something?”

“Hmm?” Chris flicked his wrists, sending droplets flying from his fingers. 

He latched an entire hand over the barrel, righting it on the ground.

“O’ course. Feel free.”

Nick set the still running hose in the makeshift cup.

“You, uh-” he brushed his hands on his shirt, “I, couldn’t help but notice your, words don’t always fit with your… mouth.” His wings shifted, and he quickly folded his arms over his chest. “Do, do you have a translator? Or, uh…” 

Or am I being really rude about something right now?

Chris’s expression fell.

His eyes darted over him.

And he chuckled, an amused smirk growing on his face.

“Yeah, I have translators.”

He pointed to his double pair of brass earrings.

Nick flashed a puzzled frown. 

“Wait, those?”

The giant paused.

“Eh… yes?” 

He hesitated, then tapped at the thin loop above his earlobe.

“This, this set translates for me teh hear,” he explained, tapping the larger stud below it, “an’, the other translates for me teh speak.”

Nick blinked.

“Huh. Different.”

Chris frowned, regarding him with a sideways look.

“I, don’t get it. Is there somethin’ I’m missin’ here?”

Nick tilted his head. 

He shrugged. 

“Well, no one’s allowed to have enchanted items without them being marked as one. I guess that’s not the same in other places?”

Chris breathed a hum.

“No. I’ve, never heard that one before.”

Nick nodded, tightening his lips.

“It’s… kinda illegal for anything magic not to be marked somehow.” He tugged at the high collar of his shirt. “Like, how this is a uniform from the University. It’s only given to students, and you’re not allowed to practice unless wearing it. Er, at least not in public. Or in the cities.

He nodded to the giant’s ears. “And, most translators here are a band worn around the wrist, so it’s clear to see. Plus they’re stamped with a sigil.”

Chris frowned.

“Yeh sayin’ I could land in some kind o’ trouble then, havin’ these?”

Nick looked to the ground, his gaze turning distant in thought. 

Then he shook his head with a wave of his hand. 

“Aghh, don’t worry about it. I doubt anyone would care. Just, maybe don’t tell too many people, okay?”

Chris breathed a snort. 

“Not many people who’d prolly talk willingly with me, anyways.”

His expression turned back to a frown.

“So, kin I ask you somethin’?”

A grin spread over Nick’s lips. 

“Anytime!”

The giant fixed him in a squint.

“‘Nick’ isn’t your real name, is it.”

“Uhhhh… no.” He chuckled. “And neither is ‘Nicholas’. I’ve never actually heard that name until you called me it.”

Chris’s face twisted with confusion once more.

“I take it then it’sss… private, somehow.”

Nick shuffled on his feet, giving a nod.

“Yeah. It can be risky, having a stranger know your name.”

Chris pulled back, tilting his head. “They goin’ teh put yeh on a hit list or somethin’?”

“Well,” Nick bit his lip, “kinda, I guess. It’s just, bad folks out there - they can do things to you if they know it.” His wings drooped. “They can, they can make you do things.”

His gut twisted, a knot tightening in his throat.

Like how I could with you.

“‘Ey.”

A huge finger pushed into his chest, knocking him off balance, and he reactively shot his arms around it.

But it was a gentler shove than at the river, and he found himself looking up to see a wide grin spread on Chris’s face, his brow furrowed a hint with mischief.

“I’d bet money you’ve never heard a language like my kin’s, before.”

Nick’s brow shot up.

He pushed off the finger to straighten himself.

“Well since you’re offering, I’d like to hear it whether or not there’s a bet!”

Chris shook with a booming laugh.

He thudded back to his rear, sending a tremor through the ground that rattled into Nick’s feet, and leaned forward over his knees as he tilted his head side to side to unclip the jewelry.

“Done!”

Placing them on the ground, he looked back to him again.

His deep voice rolled with a guttural lining, the words thick like the muscles of his throat actively constricted against themselves with every syllable.

“Tak chto ty dumayesh' togda, eh? Vy slyshali chto-to podobnoye ran'she?”

Nick’s eyes widened. His feathers ruffled with a shiver.

Gods - you are kinda scary, aren’t you?

»———— .❅*⋆⍋⋆*❅. ————«

Chris folded his arms together on top of his knees, his shoulders bouncing with a chuckle.

“Now what does yours sound like?” He asked, knowing full well it would make no sense to him.

Nick only kept staring. His wings rose to his sides.

A bitter hint of fear wafted from him.

Chris’s expression melted.

Shite - was that too far?

He shifted, trying not to show how he sucked in a breath.

Then a wondrous grin spread over Nick’s face.

He jumped forward, wings fluttering with excitement as words like a melody poured from his mouth.

“Woah-hoh-hoh! Ouais, je ne peux pas dire que j'ai déjà entendu quelque chose comme ça! C'est comme un lion rugissant! Pouvez-vous le refaire?” He gasped. “Attendre attendre!”

Chris blinked as he rushed up to his legs, putting a hand onto his prosthetic.

“Essayez-le maintenant!”

Nick’s face turned to a frown.

He took his hand away, then put it back.

He scratched it with his little fingers.

“Attends, pourquoi est-ce bizarre?”

Slowly, Chris let out the breath.

He licked his lips, bobbing his head to the side with a chuckle as his smile returned.

“Alright, looks like I’ve never heard anythin’ like that, either!” He laughed, but huffed a sigh.

That was too close for comfort…

He unfolded his arms, letting a hand wander for the earrings as he watched Nick’s expression fall flat a moment.

“Alors tu ne sais pas ce que je dis, n'est-ce pas?” His wings shifted on his back with a pause.

“Eh, hang on. I don’t know what-“

His palm touched the brass.

“T-ou’re really cool!”

Chris froze, his brow shooting up.

“Huh?”

Nick blinked. He followed Chris’s arm to the earrings. 

“Oh, heh, you understood that one…” He looked back, his grin widening sheepishly. “Well, you are though! Uh, cool.” He beamed again. “I, I’m glad I’ll get to work with you!”

Chris’s jaw fell slack. He stared down at the summoner.

And his heart sank.

No. No, that was already too much.

Maybe you didn’t summon me teh be a monster, but you’re not the only one teh have done it.

His jaw clenched. A pang shot through his chest.

Like it or not, I’ll be havin’ teh kill somethin’ - or someone - eventually. An’… I don’t know what I’ll do if I get too attached, just teh see a friendly face turn scared o’ me.

His tongue grated sharply against his teeth.

With a decisive huff, he clipped the earrings back in their places, pulling his legs away to get to his feet.

He shoved a hand in his pocket, sticking a thumb over his shoulder.

“I-I, I eh - need teh take a leak. ‘Scuse me.”

He turned, hurrying to step over the hedge. The shadows of the canopy cut off the incessant heat of the day, but he shrugged off the plaid shirt for extra measure, 

Sorry, half-pint. I can’t keep playin’ friendly with yeh. 

He grit his teeth, ignoring the twist in his gut.

We’ll just both be gettin’ hurt like that.

»———— ✯ ⋅. 𝄞 .⋅ ✯ ————«

Nick blinked, watching him leave.

A knot tightened in his throat.

Did. Did I make him uncomfortable?

He stared into the forest.

Did I say something wrong?

He crossed his arms with a frown, resting his chin in his hand as he started to pace over the moss, racking his brain for what little he knew of giants.

It was just a compliment. It - it couldn’t have been taken any negative way, could it? Is there a cultural thing I don’t know about? 

A grimace twisted his face, and he bit his lip.

“What happened?”

“AH!” His wings shot out as he whirled around with a jump.

Jinx strolled up to him, a poorly stifled smile on her face as she breathed a laugh.

Her expression dropped, and she raised a brow.

“Where’s Chris?”

Nick glanced over his shoulder. 

He sighed, wiping a hand on his forehead as his wings settled back behind him.

“He left. I dunno.” 

His shoulders drooped. 

“But, I think he was lying about needing the bathroom...”

Jinx’s face pinched.

“Ooh. I didn’t think of that.”

Nick paused. He turned back to her with a puzzled frown. 

“What, think of a bathroom?”

She nodded, frowning as her fingers twisted at her dress.

“The, uh, part about whatever comes out of a giant being somewhere near my house is… not pleasant.”

Nick tightened his lips. He blew a snort, his mouth pulling into a reluctant smile as he wagged his head.

“Well, if it helps, I don’t think you need to worry about it just yet.” He gestured to the still filling barrel. “He - oh crap“ He hurried over to turn the water off. “He hasn’t drank anything this whole time, at least.”

His stomach twisted.

That can’t be healthy.

Jinx hummed to herself in thought. Then she turned to the hatchway doors.

“Speaking of which, I need your help. There’s some scrap in the cellar he can have.”

She flung the doors open, and they clanged as they bounced on the moss.

Nick hesitated, glancing to the woods behind him once more.

He sprang on his feet, trotting up behind her as she stepped into the dark. 

The smell of musty earth filled his lungs. The air dropped to a chill as the sunlight dimmed to a faint glow. Silhouettes stood in the shadows of the wide stone room, it’s furthest reaches fading into the dark.

Nick snapped up his wrist, and the cold light of a miniature star flickered into being in his upheld palm, revealing a neatly stacked pile of lumber, a half strewn pile of metallic odds and ends, and a large corner of assorted items.

He strode to the bits of metal as Jinx went to the clutter in the far end of the room. 

“At least he doesn’t strictly need blood.” She mused. “I’d alway thought it was for the iron, but I couldn’t exactly test that.”

She pulled a wheelbarrow out and steered over.

Nick frowned at the metal.

“Why do you even have all this?”

He made a fist in the air, and the orb hovered in place, leaving him free to drop and wrap his arms around as much metal as he could before dumping it with a clatter into the barrow.

Jinx pursed her lips in a smug smile, grabbing an armful of her own. She lifted her chin, wiggling her head at him as she stood.

“Wouldn’t yOu LiKe To KnOw.”

She tossed it in as well.

He breathed a scoff, wiggling his head right back as he continued.

“Well that’s wHy I’m AsKiNg.”

Her expression broke with a snort. 

But then her face fell all together.

“I, wanted to try my hand at alchemy.” She whispered, her voice solemn. “See how it goes.”

Nick paused despite his lopsided grip, brow furrowing as he watched her carry on in silence.

Her eye caught his, and she stopped with a scowl. 

“What? It’s different enough. Can’t I try something new?”

His lip pulled with a grimace.

“You… you sure you’re okay with it?”

She held her gaze for a beat, then turned again to the pile. 

“I can’t keep doing this, Nick.” She whispered, dumping another armful. She met his eyes again, the frown melting. “I, I have to try again, at some point.”

His brow knit, lips tightening as he searched her face.

Then he smiled with a nod.

“It’d be nice to see you around more often.”

She paused, letting herself smile as well.

“Well I’m not going back to the University after all this.” Her voice rose to its usual tone, her smile taking a playful twist as she chucked away another pile of metal. “Those professors can go run up a tree!”

Nick snickered, joining her again in grabbing an armful of his own. 

“Dr. Burns is still as delightful as ever.” He quipped.

Jinx scoffed. “Oh Burns! He can go run a tree up his rear!”

Nick breathed a mock gasp, putting a hand to his lips. His amusement still shining through the mask.

“My lady how uncouth!” He teased.

He belted a laugh as she gave his arm a light smack. 

A flicker of movement caught his eye from the shadows, and he stopped short.

Then a distant bellow whipped them around to the door.

Jinx’s brow knit tight. “Ohhh, not again…”

[cheeseybeans8]

There’s a way to tell when to stay away from a raurgar. It’s not their vicious snarls or the brandishing of their teeth and claws, it’s their eyes. When one of these creatures enters an aggressive state, their eyes change, rounded pupils becoming slits and irises gaining a sinister glow. This is a warning that should never be ignored, lest there be severe consequences. The raurgar species was inspired by the Hunter Titans from @redcoaster‘s “Attack on Titan” fanfiction, “Rogue”.  Art by @herebegiants

[yeenybeanies]

I posted 1,283 times in 2022

358 posts created (28%)

925 posts reblogged (72%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@yeenybeanies

@gladiator-status

@rubeau-art

@herebegiants

@so-very-small

I tagged 1,211 of my posts in 2022

Only 6% of my posts had no tags

#g/t - 382 posts

#g/t art - 184 posts

#hyena ocs - 182 posts

#munching - 157 posts

#hyena asks - 137 posts

#hyena art - 121 posts

#self rb - 88 posts

#g/t writing - 54 posts

#samson rosales - 51 posts

#art - 40 posts

Longest Tag: 140 characters

#to the point that it makes me kinda :/// sometimes bc a lot of my writing is just dialogue & (it feels like to me) nothing else of substance

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

i was in a mer mood. so. mersharc

cam belongs to @ibis-gt ❤️

165 notes - Posted March 22, 2022

#4

forehead touches in G/t are so important to me. truly top tier interactions, those forehead touches.

185 notes - Posted July 12, 2022

#3

two mimir…

i know y’all follow me for that gee tee stuff, & i’ve been craving it lately, so here (albeit cropped; find the full image on my patreon!)

patreon ✨ ko-fi

191 notes - Posted October 11, 2022

#2

casual, platonic intimacy between bigs & tinies. physical contact that's so natural to them, yet indicative of their bond.

tinies climbing up to sit on the giant's thigh or laying their head on the giant's stomach. minigiants (gently) sprawling over their tiny's legs like an oversized cat. giants lifting their tinies without a word or thought. wiping food or dirt from each other's faces as best they can.

all things very casual, normal, natural. soft & intimate & beautiful.

212 notes - Posted February 9, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

jason would understand

256 notes - Posted November 16, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[fallingthroughvisualcompanion]

@herebegiants girl what part are you at? hopefully it’s not that bad 😅

[aceouttatime]

Doodled Tyr’Vaughn again—he’s become a bit of a brainworm, no thanks to a little roleplay I’ve had the pleasure of doing with @herebegiants <3

[narrans]

Fearful Giant

Just an idea... hear me out. Let’s reverse the situation and have giants the ones who are actually trying to hide away from the tinies. 

Maybe they think they don’t understand language. Perhaps there’s something else going on. At any rate, one of the small folk end up befriending and teaching one of the giants, all the while helping take care of them and protecting them from being found. In the meantime, the giant is the one who is freaking out not knowing what to do being found by this miniscule being.

This idea was also proposed by @newt-likes-gt and reblogged from @herebegiants and chasing-starlights. 

If interested, here’s a snippet.

https://narrans.tumblr.com/post/657354075117142016/fearful-giant-eyes

[funsizedcoffee]

finally hopping on the inktober bandwagon with the amazing prompts given by @aaytaro-gt the legend themselves

anyways this is late but this is for

day 5: dancing (ft. @herebegiants ‘s mr lynch)

[pocket-ozwynn]

Kaiju!AU: Freyja Montayne

(art credit goes to the amazing @herebegiants for this wonderful commission! Thanks again Wren! 💜)

[Character Profile 2 of 3]

BOY I’ve been sitting on this art for a WHILE now! But with Chapter 4 of Genesis Day finally here, I can FINALLY reveal Freyja’s Kaiju form!

I had a lot of fun working with Wren on this. I could gush about this design and why we went certain directions with things, but...I’m pretty sleepy. I definitely pushed myself a bit too hard to get us all the way to Chapter 4. So! I’m going to take a nap:)

But for now, enjoy! ❤️💙⛈

Also, here’s her and Alice (roughly) to scale! As you can see, he’s just a little guy:) (Thank you @chamomile-g-tea​ for tossing them in the same frame for reference<3)