#OH Jerbo

[welcometogrouchland]

Also I didn't realise this until I saw that Dana new hexside kids art again but like. Skara and Matt? Probably friends now! They go on missions/adventures together. Have mutual friends and enemies. Generally seem to get along on screen and in art.

But also Skara did famously punch Matt's brother in one ep. That canonically happened. And now they're friends

[litfeathers]

Something I'm super interested to see (after Belos and the Collector are defeated and everything in the Boiling Isles goes back to relative normalcy, I mean) is what Hexside will look like post track/coven system.

I can see them keeping the track system for the students who are magic specialists (like Willow or Amity). I can also see multi-track being super popular, and almost the rule rather than the exception. Some of the more common multi tracks even have specific names, like the animal healing/veterinary track (obviously Viney's their top student).

But what if they add an additional track.

The wild track.

The first two students who officially enroll in the wild track are Luz and Hunter.

And the wild track teacher is Ms. Edalyn Clawthorne.

[childlikegoblinqueen]

Huntlow Week Day 3: Prompt Nerds/Nature.

Willow liked Cosmic Frontier enough. At least that's what she'd told Hunter. She'd sat through all the movies and the TV series with Gus and Hunter.

She'd been happy enough to get him a bootleg version of the Cosmic Frontier Holiday Special that the creator had wanted buried forever as a gift for Bleeding Hearts Day.

But when it was announced that there would be a convention in the middle of Bonesborough that celebrated Human Realm pop-culture, Hunter was surprised when Willow suggested the two wear a "couple's costume."

"It shouldn't be a surprise, man!" Gus chuckled. "You two have been joined at the pinkies since that time at the Archives! You can go as O'Bailey and Willow can go as Hanako."

Hunter had considered it. But when it came right to it he wasn't sure it was right. After all, Willow liked Cosmic Frontier enough, but not as much as he did.

"Here's the thing." Hunter told Willow. "I wanna go with you! I wanna do the ... you know... couple's costume and stuff? B-but I know I like Cosmic Frontier more than you do?"

"Hmmmmmm. Astute as always, O'Bailey" Willow tapped Hunter's temple playfully. "So here we have a bit of a dilemma. We are both nerds. But what we need to find is that sweet spot where our nerdoms meet in that perfect intersection that the costume would work for both of us."

"Understood." Hunter nodded tersely. He pulled out a notebook and a pen. "Okay. I was thinking we could be Leia Organa and Han Solo..."

On the notebook, Hunter scratched out the words "Leia and Han."

"Oh! That's a good one." Willow cooed. "But one problem. Which one of us is Leia and which one is Han."

"That's a tough one." Hunter mused. "I mean, we're both badasses. And they're both badasses. And we could both rock those costumes."

"True." Willow nodded. "Our dual badassets transcend gender norms."

"But if we're gonna do a Star Wars costume, I kinda wana have a lightsaber, and Leia and Han don't use one in the Original Trilogy... and I don't wanna get into an argument with Jerbo about EU and Legends canon again, so maybe we should hold off on that." Hunter let out a grunt.

"Fair." Willow nodded. "We don't need you and Jerbo to go down that road again."

"We could do Chat Noir and ... you know..." Hunter offered.

"Even though she's not an actual Ladybug, I don't think I've got it in me." Willow bit her lip. "Sorry."

Hunter wrote down "Lady Bug and Chat Noir" and then promptly crossed it out.

"How about Rory Williams and Amy Pond?" Willow smiled. She extended a gentle finger to his nose and gave him a soft boop.

Hunter laughed, just a bit -- then his eyes grew real serious. Too serious. Silly serious. Running his fingers through his hair Hunter gave wink and something that Willow called "Duck Lips".

"You dork!" Willow snorted. "What are you doing!"

"I'm imagining the costume." Hunter raised his chin with confidence and gave double finger guns. "Yeah. I could totally rock a Roman Centurion look"

"Yeah you could." Willow giggled. She returned his wink and his finger guns, and flexed her bicep which made Hunter's smirk falter slightly. "But you know," Willow said hotly, "I'd be the one waiting for centuries to protect you."

With a moment Hunter's mask of confidence slipped. He felt his eyes grow soft. His ears heated up and he couldn't help but reach out to cup Willow's round face as if she was made of the very porcelain of a teacup. "I would protect you too." He murmured. "We could protect each other."

"Oooooohhhhhh." Willow gasped.

"Speechless, captain?" Hunter's smirk was back. "Because you know I would."

Willow released a breath. Fanning herself dramatically she took Hunter's arm and dropped a kiss right in the middle of his wrist. Right on that awful sigil -- and for a moment it almost felt as if his former life had dissolved under the soft brush of her lips.

"Who's speechless now?" Willow lilted.

In spite of the heat in his stomach, Hunter felt a bit of ice track down his spine. "Maaaaaaaybe we're not ready for those costumes just yet!" He laughed. "B-but we can put it on a list for a future con?"

Willow nodded slowly. "Sound's perfect." She agreed.

"So, we know what we're not gonna do." Hunter mused, "But we still need a costume. We all know Luz and Amity are -"

"Gonna be Azura and Hecate." Willow agreed.

"Classic." Hunter nodded. "But what's classic us?"

They looked at their hands. Fingers intertwined like lace. Like a tiny flame between them. And then? A small smile played upon Hunter's lips.

"Do you trust me?" He asked gently.

"Pfft. Yeah." Willow nodded. "With my everything, guy!"

_____________________

Willow slipped into the long sea green dress. The sleeves were perfectly puffed at the top. Her neck fastened with smart buttons. Her boots tapped on the ground as she slipped out from behind the changing screen. Placing the round woven hat with a red ribbon on her head she strode out to meet her match.

And Hunter? He looked nothing less than pure magic. Leaning against Willow's dresser in long black slacks, a white gauze shirt and a pink and blue checkered cloak with a red lining. He wore a concealment stone on a rope on his neck that made his hair appear just a bit longer.

And when he rose to meet his witch? Hunter greeted her appropriately. He said, "There you are, sweetheart, sorry I'm late. I was looking everywhere for you."

[askhuntlow]

op ur headcanons are amazing I love them mwah

So has Willow gone out with a bunch of people like Hunter bc she doesn’t seem like the kind of girl to just wait around but i wanna know

Willow: [Reads the question out loud for Hunter who is currently carving] Hunter, we got another question, but this one is for me. “So, has Willow gone out with a bunch of people?”

Hunter: [continues to hum softly as he carves]

Willow: I wouldn’t say a bunch of people. I mean at first I didn’t pay attention to the people who would flirt with me, but as years went on and we all got older, everyone else was getting into relationships. I never really had a full on relationship, but once Luz got me on different dating apps (both for the human realm and the demon realm) I started to talk to a bunch of different people. [starts taking a big sip of the apple blood juice]

Hunter: [looks up from the palistorm wood in his hand and goes wide eyed]

Willow: But they didn’t go anywhere. No full on relationships, just a bunch of. Oh Titan, what’s the weird word that Luz and Gus have been using lately? They found it on the app with a lot of short videos of the humans dancing or dressing up or passing the phone to people…? [Turns back and looks at him]

Hunter: [sits up quickly and sweats and laughs nervously] Yeah! Ummm, that’s the weird in-between Jerbo and I stayed in for like a month or so? Right? Like a situational relationship?

Willow: [turns back towards the computer] Thanks, Hunter! Situationship, was what I was looking for. I’ve had quite a few situationships occur, but nothing like a relationship. I’ve had one night stands before, I’ve had situationships where we went on dates for months but never made it official, and I’ve had situationships where we hooked up every once and a while and never really had any dates.

Hunter: [Abandons his work to come and sit next to Willow at the computer] Why didn’t any of them turn into relationships?

Willow: [smile with a shrug] I guess they just were never right for me. [looks back at him with a smile]

Hunter: [taken aback when Willow looks back at him, but after a moment he smiles back and his demeanor relaxes]

Willow: [after a beat turns back to the computer and laughs] Of course, it’s not so bad only having situationships under my belt! Besides, I know what I like, what I want, and what I’m good at!~ [crosses her left arm to her right arm and put her right hand under her chin and winked]

Hunter: [stares at her with wide eyes and then turns very red] W-What [clears throat] What kinds of things are you good at? [turns even more red]

Willow: [purses her lips more and cocks her head to the side] Why, Hunter? Would you like to take a situationship turn with me?

Hunter: [stumbles over words and looks away with a hand covering his face]

Willow: [stays still for another beat until she bursts out laughing so hard] I’m just kidding, Hunter!

Hunter: [lets out a huge sigh] Y-yeah. G-good joke, Captain! [uneasy smile]

———————————————————————

{Loa loa (original poster): Thank you so much for enjoying my silly headcannons!!! I appreciate you so much for reading and enjoying!! I know I started teasing a line for 18+. Don’t worry, this blog is safe for work!! Please know these characters are between 20-22 years old and I will treat them as such. Happy New Year, y’all!! 2024 WOO HOO!!!}

[tixuctoad]

random TOH hc but I like to think Morton and Jerbo are related; brothers or half brothers imo, or maybe even cousins

"Oh cuz they look similar?"

No cuz I thought they had the same VA for a second cuz they sound kinda similar (they dont)

[rosetowers]

some Hexside parent/teacher: we're so glad you kids are okay. you must have been so scared with out any adults around.

Matt: i mean we had Kikimora.

parent/teacher: oh, that's surprisingly kind of her-

Jerbo: well, we didn't know it was her. she was disguised as a kid.

parents/teachers: ...what

Emira: yeah, she also passed of one of our dad's abomatons as her sister and used it to intimidate us.

parents/teachers/Steve: ...(turn to look at Kiki)

Boscha: yeah, she helped me stay in power, but tbh i wasn't really doing anything useful. actually, she told me it was too dangerous to let anyone else do anything helpful. seriously i've been terrified the entire time and she kinda just kept making me feel worse.

parents/teachers/Steve: (approach Kiki)

Kiki: (gulps)

Steve: (firing up and spell circle) i've been waiting a long time to do this.

[none-prob]

I write about a character per day

Day 20: Viney (Finale)

Healer. Beastkeeper. Anarchist.

How many things I can say about a character who had her fair share of 2 episodes with 4 more in the background. Oh boy let's go.

Alright getting this out of the way, and the only time I do this because it's Viney. As my favourite character of the show and 2nd favourite of all time (behind a water witch), I want to headcanon so many things for Viney. She's aroace, because everyone is aroace until proven otherwise :P. My favourite ship to Viney is Luney, in a platonic way, that I would like it even more if I didn't know about Lumity too early. She's an engineer in both biology and chemistry. She opens a veterinarian clinic for mythical pets, while also studies medicine and other methods of healing.

Okay, I gotta admit I like Luney more because of Viney being too awesome and their first interaction were pretty cool. Viney has healing and beastkeeping, two of the most underrated coven of the show. Healing potential looked quite awesome, as she even used a shield made out of the coven sigil. As a diehard fan of Steven Universe, I loved that moment so much.

(yes this is the only writing post I will put images on, screw me)

Beastkeeping may have destroyed the class and got her in detention, but who cares, Puddles is the coolest friend a veterinarian can have. And it is so nice that she chose Healing with Beastkeeping, specifically to heal all the pets she got.

I'm going on a limb and say this. Viney is the perfect successor of Eda, maybe with less rebellious intent than her last generation. The tunnel she used? Eda used it before. The Troublemakers Wall? Eda is the Queen. Viney looks up to Eda, as the pioneer of anarchism in the school. Baby Anarchist Viney is so incredible and I love it.

Viney's outfit is also torn like Eda, in fact her uniform is actually more unique than any other students. Her shirt pin points out, unlike other students, her shirt was torn in a way no one does that. And of course the hook earring. My baby anarchist is so determined to rebel.

Side note: I can take a whole day just talking about her hook earring.

The hate between Viney and Jerbo really is incredibly funny tbh. She just decided to hate him. And when Jerbo joined the other time, she just saw all hell broke loose, gave him that death stare in the eyes. That's just awesome lol.

The First Day is her debut, and also her best episodes (so much injustice for my baby). The idea of using a griffin as an assistance is cool enough, but property damage and multi-track studying got her into trouble. Oh hey, just like Luz heh. One day in and Luz already was in detention with the troublemakers.

Having to live in the shadow for a while, with not many companies on her side, she developed a lot of skepticism. Which is why she was so mad at Luz when she saw Luz's friend coming, thinking Luz is above the troublemakers, or that interaction with Jerbo. But when Luz was in need for help, she and the students that the school deemed as troublemakers have saved the school, and forced Bump to change the law for multi-track studying. Eda might be the pioneer, but Viney and co are the revolutionists.

Her next appearance is in Hunting Palisman. No comments here, I just want to appreciate this moment. Very mystical manticore for a very mystical girl.

Any Sport in a Storm is the episode with her iconic "Now I'm only scarred emotionally". Despite having more screen time, she still doesn't have that much more lines, she was outshined by Hunter and Willow. She's now a member of Emerald Entrails, she got along well with the team, and her powers got stronger. Good for her, good for her.

And of course the group selfie.

Labyrinth Runners is when we see a bit more of her. And Puddles' second battle. Not as successful as the first, but it's precious enough for me.

The last episode she had a line in was For The Future. Again, very brief moments. Although she got a new drip with the scarf. It's a scarf, alright girl. A moment when my kin (Willow) met my favourite (Viney), it's so incredibly precious.

Her finale design is so cool. She got long hair, cool outfit, but the hook earring must stay. And she was helping in erasing the sigils.

Puddles say bye.

[vickysaurus]

"Alright, I'm smart enough to know when I've made a mistake. Which tracks would you like to be in?"

Viney: "Healing and Beastkeeping!"

Jerbo: "Plants and Abominations!"

Barcus: "Woof!"

"Then so be it. But if any of you cause more property damage, I'm feeding you to the choosy hat. And you?"

"Oh, I still can't choose. Maybe it's crazy but I wish I could study a little bit of everything..."

[lampmanliveblogs]

Oh, what are you planning now Odalia? Momma Dalia?

Hm… if her job includes feeding the Owlbeast, then she’d know that Eda really isn’t the Owlbeast and… oh no.

Lilith! Lili! Lili! Lili! You’ve cut your hair! I love it!

And hold up, she’s un-puppet-fied? How??

Oh, okay. And tonight on ”If The Lampman had waited two more seconds…” he would have found out that The Collector was the one who turned Lilith and Eda back to normal. I was thinking that maybe if you could pry those forehead moons off… but nah, this is the domain of the Prince of Plastic, only he has that power.

And, uh… I guess the power of friendship made Hooty temporarily aware and able to communicate with Lilith. Unless he’s always aware because everyone who’s been turned into a puppet is always aware of everything going on around them but are unable to do anything.

Yeah, King’s right, don’t start with that ”real family” crap again Eda, I thought we had been over this? Luz can have two cool moms. And not only has King already claimed Luz as his big sister, Luz claimed Lilith as her cool aunt!

Also, um… Luz found a way back to the Demon Realm! Right back into the danger! Surprise! She’s not so much ”far, far away from this madness,” as she is ”headed straight into the madness.”

(headed. because she’s going to the head)

Right, right, everyone’s miserable this episode, I haven’t forgotten about that. Geez, can’t a (lamp)man be a little happy about Eda and Lilith being at least somewhat okay? Apparently not, because I have to be reminded that Willow is on the brink of breakdown, just like everyone else.

I am hiding my sadness behind annoyance and sarcasm.

Anyways, this is a pretty neat room Mattholomule and Jerbo has here. I like the spiders glowing with a soft pink light, it reminds me of that pink unicorn light strand I had hanging around one iteration of the Conspiracy Corner.

Ah, good ol’ Conspiracy Corner. One day I’m gonna put up a new one. I had to take the old one down when I moved office, and I never got around to putting it back up again. Mostly because the only wall I have that’s big enough to fit it AND let me get a good picture of it is right in front of my bed. And that’s where I’m gonna put that giant Rambo: First Blood part 2 poster my mom thought I should have.

[punkeropercyjackson]

Willow x Reader who's Willow's sibling hcs?

Oh cool!!!!

For the sake of being race neutral,you're adopted!

Willow's self-eestem in season 1 is better than in canon thanks to you

You have your own friend group in Jerbo,Viney and Bo!!

Regardless of which track you choose,she supports you 100%

[shatter-song]

I think I'll just post just the 1st chs of my ongoing stories and that's it. like I'll post updates when I finish them but these will be my main examples for people at how I'm doing writing wise

so this ch 1 of my melodybeast centered fic!

Oh. This is bad.

 

Viney doesn't know why it took her this long to realize that but it did.

 

Ever since Hunter's second arrival to Hexside and telling everyone the truth about the Day of Unity, all the kids were thrown into hysteria.

 

And who could blame them? The former Golden Guard comes to their school, tells them that the Day of Unity is actually a planned out mass genocide of all living things on the Isles and only the mass believers of Belos would laugh in their face.

 

Thankfully, Viney has always been a nonbeliever.

 

She mentally thanks her parent for instilling that in her.

 

But then it was the Day of Unity. Those with sigils nearly died, her friends go missing (whenever someone is saying that they could be dead, she asks Skara to cast a silencing spell because she might end up fistfighting someone), her Nobi goes missing, and all the kids are left alone.

 

She recalls Matt saying he doesn't know whether or not Glandus is okay which led her to wonder if the kids from other schools got branded or not.

 

(Are they alone, too?)

 

Regardless, none of them are showing up.

 

A week into the apocalypse, with every adult at Hexside turned into a puppet (because of Boscha, the darker parts of her mind provides) and many more missing, the realization what's happened sets in for every kid.

 

Then came the tears.

 

Everyone not in kindergarten was in charge now for the kindergarten kids. Their parents were either missing or puppets. No one was coming to help them.

 

They're on their own.

 

Yeah. This is totally not good.

This year is going in the therapy books. If those will even continue to exist anymore.

 

They have to get supplies. The kids – Oh yeah, she's one, too – were in this for the long haul, Titan forbid anyone think otherwise.

 

Which leads to now.

 

Ordinarily, Viney would be one of the witches to stay because of her capability in healing. Kat is... not here, Emira is inexperienced with major injuries that are more common than ever and is also taking care of Edric, and Bo is good but far too tired from the past few days alone.

 

And that's just naming a few. Viney is sure she could make a whole book listing the problems healers alone have right now.

 

However, with Matt busy in staging a coup, and the healing homeroom not actually packed for once, Viney volunteered to look for supplies.

 

Like hell she would live on school lunch for the rest of her life.

 

"If I knew that the apocalypse would come last week, I would've dressed more comfortably." Skara says irritably.

 

"Yeah, scavenging around in school uniform does not bode well for days in a row." Jerbo replies with a low note of humor.

 

Herself, Barcus, Jerbo, and Skara are scavenging the hollowed out town that was Bonesborough.

 

Apparently, there's some kind of schedule with how the Collector acts – at least, that's the best way to put it.

 

The morning to the afternoon was "playtime". The night until morning was "bedtime". It's coming into conflict to what she thought the Collector to be. Regardless of those thoughts, one thing is for certain.

 

The Collector is dangerous. And very powerful but that goes without saying.

 

"What should we look for first?" Barcus woofs from the front of the group.

 

"Hang on," Skara halts. "I made a list." The bard takes out a folded sheet of paper. She unfolds it then reads outloud.

 

"Okay so, we need some clothes for the kindergarten kids after they tore theirs while hunting down lockers."

 

Jerbo groans while Viney pats his back in sympathy. "That's gonna be a common occurrence, isn't it?"

 

"Yeah... We also need food, seeds for the plant track students – any will do, and some extra sleeping bags."

 

"Okay," Viney starts, "Let's head for the marketplace then. We'll find what we need there."

 

The trek wasn't hard. They ran into little to no trouble because... well, there wasn't anything. The streets were empty and quiet. It was wrong. Everything about this was wrong but now isn't the time to have a crisis.

 

She can save that for later.

 

"We should split up." Skara suggests, "We shouldn't run into much trouble but I'd rather not risk anything. You guys got invisibility glyphs?"

 

The trio nods then Skara continues, "Alright. Viney, you're with me. We'll scour the Ceilingmart. Barcus, you and Jerbo check the stands."

 

Ah. Hm.

 

Viney doesn't mind at all going with Skara but that doesn't stop this bubbling feeling in her from rising.

 

It's not the first time either.

 

"I think Skara is poisoning me." Viney says, one day. The two of them are inside the room of shortcuts except for Barcus.

 

Jerbo looks away from the potted abomination he was crafting. "What?"

 

"I think Skara is poisoning me."

 

"Why do you think that?"

 

"So, you know how when you're slowly poisoned overtime, you would feel weird in your stomach?" Viney gestures to him like this is completely normal.

 

...

 

"No, Viney. I wouldn't know." Jerbo says with a completely blank face and straight lined mouth.

 

"Okay, good."

 

"Oh my Titan, Viney."

 

"Anyways, that's what happening to me for like... a week now. I would just feel sweaty and like, I would feel my heart pounding so much faster than it should." Viney said.

 

"And you're sure this is her poisoning you? " Jerbo questions. At this point, neither of them are paying attention to whatever task they're supposed to complete. This is clearly more important.

 

"Well... no. But those are the symptoms of being poisoned, so..."

 

"Alright, there has to be more to this."

 

There is. Thank Titan that Jerbo is a good listener.

 

Viney would sometimes stare for a little too long. Think about her at nearly anytime of the day. Remember the littlest of things that just seem important to her. All that.

 

Then, Jerbo manages to develop the answer. He narrows his eyes. "That's not her poisoning you, Viney. That means you have a crush on her."

 

Oh.

 

Yeah. Oh. In hindsight, it was probably stupid to think she was poisoning her.

 

Whatever, this is where the problem comes in. What does she do about this?

 

She's never had a crush before. On anyone. What if she ruins their friendship? What if Skara hated her for it?

 

What if this wasn't a crush and she's just panicing over nothing? What if Skara actually reciprocates her "feelings" only to break up later?

 

Viney doesn't want to hurt her. She's been through enough hurt by her own friends as it is.

 

"Viney?"

 

The beastkeeper blinks, her intrusive thoughts disappearing as she takes in the present. She sees Skara looking at her in concern. Her cricket palisman is on her shoulder mirroring her witch's look.

 

"Yeah, what's up?"

 

Skara points to where Viney was originally looking. "You were just, uh, staring down those pots like it had done something to you."

 

Viney looks to where the bard is pointing. Ah, right. Since they can't go outdoors, they'll have to grow crops from pots.

 

"Sorry, just thinking about which pots to get. I'm not in the plant track so I don't know which one to get."

 

Ugh. Thinking about school romance of all things when you're supposed to be getting supplies for an entire school body? Seriously?

 

Get it together, Vernal.

 

"I guess that makes sense." The bard purses her lips in consideration. "Maybe I should've sent Jerbo here instead."

 

Viney shrugs, "Eh, it's fine. We could just come back if we need to. Not like they're going anywhere. I think." She turns to Skara, "Are pots sentient?"

 

That earns her a chuckle which in turn makes the healer smile.

 

For a moment, everything's right. This one moment they can ignore the apocalyptic setting around them and just be kids.

 

So it's only a matter of time before something goes wrong.

 

 

 

 

 

 

They weren't supposed to be here.

 

It was nighttime. Isn't that the Collector's bedtime? Do these things just have minds of their own?

 

Skara quickly plays a few notes on her lyre and the star is shoved into a nearby building by bard magic.

 

Jerbo uses a vine as some kind of lasso and drags another star down so Barcus could destroy it with a bite infused with oracle magic.

 

And Viney? Well, she's good at defense so defend is what she'll do. Puddles is... also not here so the best she could do is conjure shields whenever the time arises.

 

The shields are hands at least so she could swat them away like vampflies.

 

But this is getting too much.

 

"Barcus, look out!" Viney shouts.

 

Barcus yips and jumps up to dodge a spy's puppet-transforming magic before Jerbo catches him in his arms.

 

"We gotta fall back!" Jerbo yells and Barcus barks in agreement.

 

Viney makes a wide spell circle and the four are surrounded by a giant dark blue dome. It immediately cracks under the attacks recieved by their enemies.

 

Thankfully, quick thinking and improvisation are skills that you need if you were to be a delinquent a few months ago. And also a survivor in the apocalypse now.

 

"Grab hands and use an invisibility glyph then run like hell into the alleyways!" Viney commands.

 

Skara grabs Viney's hand – Oh Titan, calm down, it's literally just handholding for dear life – then she grabs Jerbo's. Barcus, who is still in the grip of his fellow delinquent, pulls out a glyph from his pouch.

 

"On three, hold your breaths!"

 

The group nods. Viney's shields are about to go down due to the force of the star spies.

 

Honestly, she's actually pretty surprised it lasted this long.

 

"Two!"

 

"Wh-?! What happened to one?!" Jerbo sputters.

 

"No time for one!"

 

The shields shatter into glistening light particles and spread across the baren street. Viney's proud of how long those lasted.

 

"Three!"

 

The group breathe in their share of air, hold it in, and run. They rush down the alleyways and out, dragging each other into a new street.

 

Pieces of Bonesborough watch as the spies fly past broken down husks of buildings of the place they called their town. The confusion is oddly clear on their faces.

 

The spies aren't giving up so neither are they. Well, in a sense they are, but this battle doesn't need to won in this war.

 

Jerbo drags them into a open building before shutting the door behind them. At that point, they all take in a large gulp of air, the invisibility taken off of them.

 

Skara, not stopping for a moment, covers the window with its blinds. Viney slumps against a wall while Jerbo puts down Barcus back on the floor.

 

"That..." Jerbo panted, "was close."

 

"Too close." Barcus huffs. "It's the middle of the night. I thought the Collector was asleep?"

 

"I guess those things must be capable of acting on their own." Viney said. "When we were running, I noticed how the spies looked confused. Like, really confused. That may not sound like much but you'd be surprised at how a lot of beasts are not capable of facial expressions."

 

It'd be fascinating if it weren't for the fact those things turn people into wooden puppets.

 

"They're quite the unique beast, no?"

 

"Regardless," Skara says, gathering the attention of everyone, "it's probably best if we hide for the meantime. Let's scour the building for any supplies."

 

"Aye aye, captain." Jerbo salutes. He leaves up a stairwell with Barcus in tow. The demon sends a side eye to Viney and before she could react, he's already gone.

 

Weird.

 

"Well," Skara begins and Viney turns to her. "where we should we start?" 

 

Ah. Right. Barcus knows because of couse he does.

 

Gay. Gay. Homosexual. Gay.

 

Shut up, Barcus.

 

She feels a chortle in her mind before it fades away. What was she doing again?

 

Oh! Right, a place to start.

 

"How about a kitchen?" Viney suggests. "I know I'm hungry after that ordeal."

 

"No kidding." Skara giggles. "I hope they have some cake in here."

 

Viney laughs. "Here's hoping."

 

Skara draws a circle and a ball of light is brought to life in the palm of her hand. She smiles at her which has the troublemaker darting her eyes, uncharacteristically shy-like.

 

Okay, Vernal. Just you and who is probably the prettiest girl you've ever met scouting a random building for supplies. You got this.

 

She doesn't expect the bard to hook her right arm with her left but hey, she doesn't mind.

 

Just don't look into her beautiful silver eyes and say something embarrassing. Easy.

 

She's so got this.

 

(No, she does not.)

[heartsfourfeferi]

what homestuck characters would have as pets

John - syrian hamster , goldfish , or golden retriever. if were going by theme though, he would 100% have a American Fuzzy Lop bunny.

Rose - She already has a cat, and a horse i think.

Dave - a crow , a pigeon , or a black lab , a small garden snake would be nice too

Jade - She already has a dog, but shed LLLOOOVVVEEE a angora rabbit. i know it!

Jane - An airedale terrier or an old coker spaniel. also a syrian hamster maybe!

Roxy - she already has a cat! shed love jackson chamelions thoug!! dont tell me she woldt love it. *though *wouldn't

Dirk - Do not tell me this man wouldn't love a milk snake. also a jack russell terrier

Jake - hm. this was a hard one. id say hed like a pet Black Iberian pig.

Karkat - YOU ALREADY KNEW I WAS GONNA SAY A HERMIT CRAB!

Aaradia - An ant farm w0uld fit her well. As well as a small bug terrrium, maybe a poisonous fr0g.

Tavros - cOW, hE WOULD OWN A COW,

Sollux - a cat. 2peciifiically a cat liike the two toned one.

Nepeta - :33< a ginger cat! obviously

Kanaya - A Pet Iguana, Or A Pet Prehensile-Tailed Porcupine.

Terezi - 4 B34RD3D DR4GON! OR 4 SPOTT3D G3N3T.

Vriska - All sorts of 8ugs, insects and arachnids. Milipedes, Spiders, moths, c8rpillars, the whole shi8ang!

Equius - D --> Friesian horse. He would WANT a horse but im not giving one to him. also a Havanese dog.

Gamzee - A sIaMeSe CaT, oR a FoUr-EyEd PoSsUm.

Eridan - a dachshund dog, or a seahorse.

Feferi - fis)(! Loads of fis)(!!! also a Zorilla.

Calliope - oh shed love holland lop bUnnys!

Calliborn - A CHIHuAHuA. YOu KNOW WHY.

Kankri - als9 a 6earded drag9n.

Damara - リングネックヘビ。(a ring neck snake.)

Rufioh - Also a cow, and a french bulldog!

Mituna - 4 R34LY F47 5P0773D P1G.

Meulin - A RING-TAILED CAT!! AND A TAMANDUA!!

Porrim - A Cro+w aswell, but also+ a jerbo+a.

Latula - 4fgh4n hound. d3f

Aranea - Same as vriska.

Horuss - 8=D < Same as equius

Kurloz - A BEAR. HE WOULD ILLEGALLY OWN A BABY BEAR. ALSO A SPRINGHAAS

Cronus - Airedale Terrier

Meenah - Cairn Terrier, and also a ton of fish.

[childlikegoblinqueen]

Huntlow Week Day 5: Laughter/(Love) Letters.

Hunter had already spent two full weeks at Hexside and he knew that he'd be lying to himself and everyone around him if he didn't admit he'd gotten off to a "rocky start".

Of course, Boscha had used this term as a way to mock him. During his first few weeks, Hunter worked hard to adjust his very strict scout-trained brain to a High School setting.

One time in particular he'd saluted the Construction Magic professor after turning in his homework, and to his horror, the entire classroom -- including the professor burst out laughing. In fact, they all laughed so hard that a few class projects began to break apart, crashing

Hunter had slunk out of class, covered in dust and rubble to meet Willow and the others in the cafeteria. Here, he was soothed with many stories about Gus, Luz, Willow, and yes -- even Amity's own past classroom mishaps.

"Ya see?" Willow wrapped her pinky around his. "We've all been there."

When he'd finally relaxed enough, he leaned into Willow's shoulder and the two split a Crispy Chicken ala Vodka Sauce sandwich that Hunter had made earlier that morning. But his spine snapped right up at the sound of the bully's voice.

"Oh! Hello half-a-witch!" Boscha sang, "I heard your freak boyfriend is off to a rocky start to his school year! How appropriate since he crawled out of actual dirt and rocks like an insect."

Hunter fought his darkest instincts to fight Boscha right there. Since the moment he'd stepped into the advanced potions class beat her out for top student, Boscha had been constantly pointing out that he was a grimwalker and thus implied that Hunter was not worthy of being treated like a regular student. Really, he was used to it.

But when Boscha called Willow that terrible moniker? The one Willow had called herself in the cave when her magic had gone haywire in a desperate attempt to be everything for everyone (and no one for herself)?

Hunter balled his fists close to his chest.

He began to glow.

And then?

Willow grabbed his hands. Slowly, unfolding his fists she dropped a floral shaped piece of paper right into the middle of his palm.

Slowly, Hunter unfolded each petal as gently as a kitten.

In the middle was a note.

Two words.

You're cute

A squeak escaped his throat. Next to him, Willow was smiling softly.

Now there were three new words.

I like you.

And then? Six more words.

You've got something on your face.

"W-what is it?" He gasped. "More dirt? Sauce from the sandwich?"

Blushing, Willow reached forward and laid a palm on either of Hunter's scared cheeks.

She was blushing. Hunter felt his heart rumble as he looked down one more time at the note.

The words had changed again. This time it read.

My lips!

And without any more warning she kissed him! In front of everyone in the cafeteria, Willow laid a soft warm kiss on Hunter's lips.

"Ooooooooooooooooooo!" Sang Luz and Gus and Amity and Skara and Viney and Matt Tholomule, Jerbo, Cat, Amelia, Bo, Mary...

"DOES LITERALLY EVERYONE HAVE LUNCH AT THE SAME TIME AS US?" Hunter shrieked.

Then he stopped. Everyone was smiling. Willow was smiling.

And then they all fell apart into peels of light gentle warm laughter.

And Hunter? In spite of himself he felt his eyes and mouth turn up as he also began to laugh.

Arching a brow, he grabbed a piece of paper and a quill and scribbled furiously in the middle before folding it into three parts and sliding it over to Willow.

"Oh? For me?" Coyly, the plant witch batted her eyes and began to unfold the note.

Fold one. Three words.

You are beautiful.

Willow blushed.

Fold two. Four words.

I like you too!

Her green eyes lit up, and her cheeks dusted red.

Fold three. Eight words.

Now you've got something on your face, Captain!

And Hunter lunged forward delivering the loudest, wettest raspberry ever across one of Willow's perfect apple round cheeks and then the other.

"YOU GOOF!" She laughed, which made Hunter laugh too -- and then all of their friends, as the memory of Boscha's bullying became nothing but a passing shadow.

[roxannarambles]

title: second chances (chapter one)

ship: goldenlight (luz x hunter)

notes: takes place sometime after ‘reaching out’ but before ‘hollow mind.’ (set in my standard canon-divergent AU where everything’s the same except no L*mity)

summary: Hunter’s doing his best to get the hang of having Penstagram friends, but there’s still one person in particular he’s hoping to reconnect with . . .

Hunter was propped up in bed that evening, his face buried deep in a book, absorbed in reading about the fascinating worlds of mindscapes. He was so enraptured that when he felt a buzzing in his pocket, he startled with a jerk. Then he remembered the source of the buzzing and retrieved the magic scroll he had carefully tucked away. Cautiously, he opened the scroll and took a peek.

Hello_Willow:

Hey, Caleb. How's it hanging?

His eyes narrowed as he studied the text, and he felt a little spike of anxiety. He wasn't sure what the message meant, and decoding the language that witches used on their magic scrolls was something he was still learning to do. He pecked out a reply on the tiny magic keyboard.

Rulerzreachf4n:

whatdoes thast meean,?

Ugh, the little buttons on the screen were really tiny and incredibly difficult to use. After a few moments, he received a reply.

Hello_Willow:

Just asking how you're doing

He blinked, considering the question. How was he doing?

Hmm. It wasn't really something that he was normally asked. He thought about his day. Most of it had been spent doing rather menial tasks, considering what his rank was. Training drills for the junior scouts, a few dull meetings, some paperwork, a brief patrol. The highlight of the day had been when he saw Kikimora trip in the cafeteria and spill her bowl of bone marrow pudding.

Rulerzreachf4n:

im ok i huess, prettty boring day. howearee you,?

Hello_Willow:

Not too bad. Got my midterm back today and got a perfect score, so I'm pretty happy with that.

Hello_Willow:

Oh also, I think we found a replacement for our team!

Hello_Willow:

For until you can make another game, I mean.

Hello_Willow:

He's pretty great, a bit rusty but a lot of potential, I'm confident we can mold him into a master.

After a brief pause, a photo popped up, showing a skinny boy in Flyer Derby uniform practicing on the field. Hunter studied the image for a moment.

Rulerzreachf4n:

isnthat the kid viney wasd so mad. at?obn the opossing tream?

Hello_Willow:

lol yeah, that's jerbo. she made him take an everlasting oath to remain loyal to our team.

Hello_Willow:

I think the Emerald Entrails are gonna have an amazing season. A shame we'll be missing our powerhouse player for most of it, but I'm sure we'll manage just fine in the meantime 🙂

Hunter spent some time just staring at the message. He was still trying to get used to the idea that other witches actually wanted to talk to him and were nice to him. It was a very alien concept, and part of him was still in disbelief it had happened at all.

Rulerzreachf4n:

goos to hear.good. to hear.

Rulerzreachf4n:

ill be watichng the games and cherringfor you guys

Hello_Willow:

Great! We appreciate the support 🧹 🏆

The text was accompanied with an emoji that looked like a little witch riding a staff, and then a little golden trophy. He had no idea how to make the keyboard produce those little pictures, but it made him chuckle a little when he saw Willow's message.

Setting his scroll down, he leaned further back against the headboard of his bed. He let out a sigh, closing his eyes.

It really had been a very strange couple of days.

Hunter wasn't even sure what to make of it. He had been so incredibly focused on a single goal that day he flew out to Hexside. Nothing else mattered except finding out a way to prove himself worthy of his position, of his title. He was ready to do whatever it took to impress Darius. And then maybe once he impressed Darius, Belos would finally start to see him as useful too. He could make up for all his past mistakes and imperfections.

But along the way, something weird happened. He started to enjoy himself, in his little role as a Hexside student. Actually talking to other witches his age. Getting the chance to do something that was just for fun. Even showing off a little.

He didn't expect to become so invested. He didn't expect to get to know those students, to start caring about what happened to them. They were supposed to just be a means to his ends. Nothing more.

He was so certain. So confident in his position, in his role in life. He was the Golden Guard; the Emperor's right-hand man. Devoted, loyal, unwavering.

And yet, that night, he wavered. Things no longer seemed quite so simple and straightforward. He saw the pain in the eyes of the students he'd hauled in, the pain that he'd put there. And eventually, he stood up for them, shielded them from harm, shielded them from the fate of being bound to the Emperor's Coven.

Everything happened so fast that night, as though he wasn't even sure of what he was doing. His own behavior shocked him. It wasn't like him at all. But he didn't regret it, he realized. Even if Darius had punished him, he would have still done it.

And now, through some bizarre quirk, he had his first real friends. At least, he was pretty sure he did. The gaggle of Hexside students he helped escape could have easily just ignored him and gone back to their lives as usual. And yet, they didn't. They had "followed" him on Penstagram and would send him messages on occasion. They knew exactly what Hunter had done, and yet they still forgave him in the end. Not only that, but they wanted to remain in contact.

Hunter picked up the scroll that was resting on the bed beside him. Flicking through, he brought the page up that had the group photo of their team winning. He smiled faintly, at how happy everyone was, all together in their team uniforms.

"Friends," Hunter muttered, still in awe of such a concept applying to him. With a warm little flutter in his chest, he set the scroll back down and smiled.

But after a few moments, his thoughts strayed to somewhere new.

Friends . . .

His mind flashed to one person in particular. A girl who had occupied his thoughts for many, many weeks, despite all of his efforts to forget about her. He felt the familiar twinge of regret thinking back to her.

I thought you might've been a good guy. But I guess that was just wishful thinking. You're not my friend, you're just the Golden Guard.

It had been such a strange feeling when she'd said it to him, like a knife twisting in his chest. At first, he didn't even understand why it had hurt so much. Why should he care what she thought of him? She was nothing. Just some meddling human who had strayed too far and foolishly blundered into the demon realm.

She was so ridiculous and weird and foolish, running into everything without even thinking. So soft and weak. So . . . strangely good at thinking on her feet and solving problems. So weirdly effective at standing up to him with her own skills. So intriguing and different. So footloose and fancy-free. So wild. So unlike anyone he'd ever met before.

So willing to reach out, even to a person like him.

Hunter had tried to forget about her. But he couldn't seem to shake her from his mind. During the day, it was easy enough. He could occupy his mind with his duties, keep his thoughts disciplined and rigorously in check. At night, though, when the hour grew late and his body was weary, his mind would always wander. And he would think of her.

She was the first person who had ever really tried to understand him sincerely. To treat him like something other than merely a means to some an end or an adversary to defeat. She had treated him like . . . like his thoughts and feelings mattered. That fateful night, he had found himself responding to it, and he'd ended up telling her things he'd never should have, but the words had tumbled out of him anyway. He found himself wanting to trust her. Wanting her to know him. And wanting to know her, too. Perhaps for the very first time, wanting a genuine friend.

He had turned on her though, the first moment opportunity had arrived-- ever the loyal soldier. And so he crushed the opportunity of friendship to dust.

Hunter huffed in disgust at himself, crossing his arms. He laid here now in his room and had the gall to wonder if she still might consider being his friend. To dare have that hope. To think, just because he'd gained friendship with some students who were also her friends, that they might somehow sway her. What a selfish, stupid thing to hope for.

He was better off without her, anyhow. It was just too complicated. She made him question so many things. He'd barely spent any time with her at all, and yet even with the briefest of contacts, she'd somehow gotten into his head and never gotten back out. He was indulging in reading more and more about wild magic, he was bonded to a palisman. He was doubting the ways the Emperor’s Coven was running things, he was questioning and hesitating and even defying the Coven, in small little ways that were adding up.

Hunter pressed his hands against his face, closing his eyes and rubbing them. It was late, and his thoughts were dancing along a dangerous path again like they often did at this hour. Playing back the memories-- the melodic lilt of her laughter, the mischievous glint in her gold-brown eyes, the silly little smile when she'd leaned in and spoke excitedly to him about wild magic.

Could she ever . . . consider him a friend?

"Stop it," Hunter mumbled to himself, trying to extinguish the glimmer of hope flickering inside him.

There was a gentle buzzing sound from beside him.

He leaned back up and picked the scroll up. It was a new message from Willow.

Hello_Willow:

btw I gave your contact info to Luz, hope you don't mind

Hello_Willow:

she was asking about you earlier

Hunter felt all the air exit his lungs. Frantically, his fingers tapped the little keyboard.

Rulerzreachf4n:

wwswaitwhrt

Rulerzreachf4n:

what

Rulerzreachf4n:

ewhat was she askijng?

He stared intensely at the screen as he waited for Willow to type out a reply.

Hello_Willow:

Kinda everything, she freaked out when she learned about our little adventure on wednesday

Hello_Willow:

She wanted me to tell her everything that happened and what I thought of you and everything you said and stuff

Hello_Willow:

oh and she kept asking for the videos of our game

"Uhh," Hunter grunted, trying to keep his pounding heart under control. What did that mean? Did that mean anything? Oh, Titan, was she actually going to contact him?

Rulerzreachf4n:

duid she seem mad ir somejing?

Hello_Willow:

Mad? No, I don't think so

Hello_Willow:

More like, surprised

Ok, ok. Surprised wasn't bad, necessarily. Honestly, it didn't tell him a lot, though. He made a frustrated noise.

Hello_Willow:

Should I not have told her?

He quickly reassured her.

Rulerzreachf4n:

n o its fine,.

After a few minutes, he received another reply.

Hello_Willow:

Ok.

Hello_Willow:

Well I have an early day tomorrow so I'll talk to you later, Caleb 

Rulerzreachf4n:

ok

Hunter tried not to let it bother him, but he had more than a little difficulty falling asleep that night.

 Next morning, after smacking the tiny demon that acted as his alarm clock to silence it, he grumbled and rolled over, not really feeling keen to leap out of bed at the crack of dawn like usual. A few minutes later there was a buzzing from his nightstand. Tiredly, he reached over to check it.

Hello_Willow:

Good morning!

Hello_Willow:

Clover was looking real cute so I had to share 😊

There was a picture of the little bee creature sleeping in its own tiny bed. He had to admit, it was pretty cute. Not as cute as Flapjack, of course.

Crawling out of bed and stretching, he was about to grab his cape off his chair, but noticed Flapjack curled up adorably inside it. His heart melting, he grabbed his scroll and snapped several pictures.

Then he messed about with the scroll, trying to figure out how to send the photo to Willow. While he was in the midst of trying to work this out, the scroll buzzed and a new message popped up. It wasn't from Willow, though. Hunter opened it.

THEOWLLADY:

Are you good now?

THEOWLLADY:

Is Belos evil?? You can tell me!

THEOWLLADY:

Also hi!

THEOWLLADY:

It's Luz!

Hunter balked, his heart leaping as he read the words, immediately falling into a panic. Oh Titan, it was her, what-- what should he say?

Luz proceeded to bombard him with a series of emoji.

THEOWLLADY:

👻⛈️🌸☘️🌈

THEOWLLADY:

🦖✨🎉💥🦇

He felt his face warm and he quickly grew irritated with himself. This was ridiculous, she was just-- this was-- this was too much, it was too early in the morning for him to deal with this human! And who did she think she was, talking to him like they were old buddies or whatever?

His fingers fumbled as he tried to type.

Rulerzreachf4n:

LEAVE.ME ALONE

In his rush to reply, he accidentally sent the picture of Flapjack to her. Embarassed, he struggled with the keyboard to salvage the mistake.

Rulerzreachf4n:

sORry.wrong.person.,.

A few seconds later (how did she type so fast??) Luz answered back,

THEOWLLADY:

Omg he's ADORABLE!! lookit the cutie wootie lil rascal birbie baby boyy~~~

Hunter glared at the scroll, writing a response.

Rulerzreachf4n:

thaT's NOT His naME1!

Rulerzreachf4n:

hiS nanes is flapjack

He waited for several moments before he received an abrupt reply.

THEOWLLADY:

sorry hunter gtg for now something came up

THEOWLLADY:

talk to u later 😄😄😄

And that was it. He stared at his scroll for a little while, feeling confused and annoyed. Seriously? She was just gonna drop that on him and leave? What was even going through her head?

Hunter's alarm demon started shrieking again, and he jerked in surprise. Reaching over, he whacked it into silence again. Damnit, he always forgot when he left that thing on snooze.

Dropping the scroll, he sighed and rubbed his face. He had things to do, he needed to forget about this nonsense.

 He didn't receive another message from her until two days later. It arrived in the early evening, when Hunter had just gotten off his patrol shift. He read it after he'd reached his room and removed his armor and gear.

THEOWLLADY:

Hey Hunter, it's Luz. I wanted to apologize for the other day

THEOWLLADY:

I wasn't really in the greatest mindset at the time I texted you

THEOWLLADY:

And I thought about it later and realized how it probably came off

THEOWLLADY:

probably looked like the only reason I wanted to talk to you was so I could use you for information

THEOWLLADY:

and that was really crappy of me. I'm sorry.

He sat down on the foot of his bed, and the scroll soon buzzed again.

THEOWLLADY:

anyway. willow told me about the whole flyer derby thing.

There was a long pause, the window displaying a series of three dots that indicated she was in the middle of typing. Then, after all that waiting, the message that popped up was rather short.

THEOWLLADY:

you guys looked really cool out there

Hunter gazed at his scroll for a very long time, feeling conflicted and overwhelmed. He had no idea how to proceed with the conversation-- or if he even wanted to reply.

All right, that last part was a lie. Of course he wanted to reply. But with what?

The scroll buzzed in his hands.

THEOWLLADY:

it was nice seeing you look so happy. you have a nice smile

Hunter swallowed, his face growing a little warm. More messages quickly followed.

THEOWLLADY:

anyway aahgain sorry aboutbefore

THEOWLLADY:

I'm gonna go have dinner,see you around I guess

THEOWLLADY:

or not, you're not obligated to answer or anything

THEOWLLADY:

so. yeah. bye

The scroll fell silent after that. Hunter tried for a while to formulate some sort of reply, but eventually he gave up and chickened out. He went back to his evening and tried to put it out of his mind. Somehow, he was able to do so pretty successfully.

Until the hour grew very late. It was 1:20am when Hunter finished his nightly reading and found his mind swimming in thoughts. He stared at the scroll sitting on his bed for a while, internally debating with himself.

Eventually, he reached out and grabbed it, flicking open the messenger window and typing.

He had a little more practice now with the awkward keyboard, so he was able to produce clearer messages, thankfully.

Rulerzreachf4n:

I didnt mean for itn to happen

Rulerzreachf4n:

I was just tryong to recruit some stidents to please my superiors

Rulerzreachf4n:

I dodnt expect it tobe...

Rulerzreachf4n:

kinda fun. didnt expect to get tto know them.

He paused for a moment. He didn't think Luz would be awake at this hour, and honestly, that was a blessing. He wanted to get it all out before he changed his mind.

 Rulerzreachf4n:

Iwas going to turn them in anyway.

Rulerzreachf4n:

except. this time,I realized how stupid I was being.

Rulerzreachf4n:

when i was standing there, looking at them in the cell

Rulerzreachf4n:

at how hurt and betrayed they looked, i remembered the last time Id done that.

Rulerzreachf4n:

how much i s crewed things up.

Rulerzreachf4n:

so I tried to fix it before it was too late.

Rulerzreachf4n:

and. somehow they forgave me. orat least, i think they did.

Rulerzreachf4n:

so i giess I have friends.now.

Rulerzreachf4n:

i guess.whatever that means. im still not sure.

He stopped typing, his mind drifting on recent events. He was so lost in thought that it took him a moment to even realize that the little 'busy' dots had appeared on-screen. His eyes widened. A few moments later, messages appeared.

THEOWLLADY:

I'm glad you finally found some people you could connect with. that's honestly really cool.

THEOWLLADY:

i probably did a pretty lousy job at trying to reach out to you, anyway. but I'm glad you found people you really vibe with.

Hunter felt that now-familiar sensation; guilt and regret twisting in his chest like a knife. In the past, he'd always ignored it, but tonight was going to be different. He wasn't going to ignore it this time.

Before he could think the better of it, he started tapping on the scroll and just kept going.

Rulerzreachf4n:

no, you dont get it. thats not it at all.

Rulerzreachf4n:

titan, you have no idea. i think about that day in latissa so much.

 Rulerzreachf4n:

youre like no one i've ever met before. and. everything changed atfer that day. i .

Rulerzreachf4n:

i started quetstioning everything and.

Rulerzreachf4n:

you were right about the palismen. i was an idiot. they aree alive. they're not just mindless tools.

Rulerzreachf4n:

they have souls. and youre, the first person to make me stop and think like that.

Rulerzreachf4n:

but not just that, the first person i actually....

Rulerzreachf4n:

i dont know, the first one i felt i really wanted to truist and get to know

Rulerzreachf4n:

but i threw it all away like an idiot.

He looked at his own messages, surprised he'd vomited all that information out.

Well. If he was being honest, he may as well go all the way.

Rulerzreachf4n:

I'm sorry. I stole those palismen, i took that key, i did all that stuff just so i could get belos' approval. didnt stop to think about who it was hurting.

Rulerzreachf4n:

it was for the greater good, buit. i didn't even try to figure out if there were other ways to do it., ways that could abvoid hurting others like that

Rulerzreachf4n:

i'm not looking for forgiveness,. I just wanted you to know i'm sorry.

After that, he put the scroll down, deciding he'd better stop before he spilled his guts even more. He hoped Luz would simply ignore him, because that would be the easiest outcome. He'd wake up tomorrow and just go about his day.

However, the scroll buzzed again after a minute or two. He was afraid to look.

THEOWLLADY:

hey so um about that

THEOWLLADY:

you said you threw away your chance to be friends, but.

THEOWLLADY:

what if I just....give you another one?

He stared at the messages, puzzled.

Rulerzreachf4n:

what?

She clarified quickly.

THEOWLLADY:

A second chance at your first friend, you know?

THEOWLLADY:

How's that sound?

He felt his heart squeeze in his chest, but it seemed far too good to be true. People like him didn't get second chances. They didn't deserve them.

Still, after gazing at her texts for a while, he replied with nervous fingers.

Rulerzreachf4n:

do you really mean that?

She answered immediately.

THEOWLLADY:

yeah. I do.

He was tempted to just agree to it; oh, how he was tempted. But he knew things weren't as simple as she was making them to be. Swallowing the bitter feeling in this throat, he carefully wrote out his answer.

Rulerzreachf4n:

I don't think you get it. I'm still the Golden Guard. I can't give that up, I still think Belos is building a better future for everyone. i dont agree with everything he does but. i'm not gonna betray him. Would you still want to be my friend, knowing that?

He waited tensely in silence for her answer. When it came, however, it wasn't what he expected.

THEOWLLADY:

I understand.

THEOWLLADY:

I don't think he has the good of others in mind, but I accept that we disagree on that.

THEOWLLADY:

I won't try to force you to change.

THEOWLLADY:

like, full disclosure, I still will talk about Belos, but I won't try to force you to change your mind.

His brow furrowed as he tried to comprehend her perspective. Was it really that simple? It didn't make a lot of sense to him. How could she consider him a friend when he still was technically her enemy?

He thought about it for a while, and realized the other Hexside students he'd befriended had basically already done the same thing. Perhaps he just didn't understand friendship very well.

Eventually, despite his nervousness over the whole situation, he decided he wasn't going to turn down his second chance. Not this time.

He awkwardly typed out a reply.

Rulerzreachf4n:

ok,well. then i guess..I guess if you really want to. it would be ok with me to. be friends.

The human followed up with an explosion of colorful emoji, the screen scrolling to accomodate all the pictures, before answering with a normal text.

THEOWLLADY:

awesome!! ok so as your new bestie I must tell you that the name of your palisman is the most adorable thing to ever exist ohmygod FLAPJACK I LOVE IT you made his name a PUN and an amazing one!

THEOWLLADY:

seriously. it's so good.

A little thrown off by the sudden topic switch, he took a moment to process.

Rulerzreachf4n:

well I didnt actually name him

Rulerzreachf4n:

he told me that was his na,me

Rulerzreachf4n:

I actuallydont even know what a flapjack is

Rulerzreachf4n:

i asked belos and he said itwas a kind of pancake?

She seemed to be incredibly tickled with this.

THEOWLLADY:

wait seriously?? oh man, hunter, we need to make you some

THEOWLLADY:

when you visit I'll make you some pancakes, they're so good, it's like a human delicacy

THEOWLLADY:

might take me a bit to find the right flour in the demon realm but I know I can do it

Hunter fumbled with the keyboard, typing out,

I cant.really, well. I'm not.

He erased it and started again, flustered.

Rulerzreachf4n:

I cant just go and visit you, people wouldnotice

THEOWLLADY:

Oh right right, sorry, didn't mean to overstep

THEOWLLADY:

No worries, we can do it at some point in the theoretical future when the whole island isnt in the grips of uhhh. all that repressive regime stuff etc etc

THEOWLLADY:

Or hey I can send you the recipe, it's really easy!

Hunter groaned, feeling like he was getting emotional whiplash talking to this girl. He wondered if he would regret agreeing to all of this.

THEOWLLADY:

it's weird that your palisman's named after a human thing though, now that I think about it

THEOWLLADY:

did he tell you anything about his previous witch? were they the one who named him?

THEOWLLADY:

ah crap sorry if that's prying or anything

THEOWLLADY:

I'm just very curious, you can tell me if I'm asking too many questions

The thing of it was, she was right. It was strange, and it had been something he'd wondered about.

Rulerzreachf4n:

When I asked him about his previous witchj, hedidnt want to talk about it

Rulerzreachf4n:

I think it's kind of painful for him to think about.

THEOWLLADY:

oh, I see. that makes sense. most of the palismen the bat queen takes care of probably have some pretty painful memories.

THEOWLLADY:

well, I'm glad he found you. he seems happy.

Hunter smiled faintly, glancing over at the palisman snoozing on his bedpost.

Rulerzreachf4n:

I'm glad too.

After a few minutes, he received a few final messages for the night.

THEOWLLADY:

Well I'm gonna try to get some sleep, but it was nice talking to you.

THEOWLLADY:

See you later, Hunter.

He gazed hesitantly at the scroll, still surprised at how the evening had turned out. Was this something that would actually last? He had no idea.

But in the moment, he decided to be hopeful.

Rulerzreachf4n:

yeah.

Rulerzreachf4n:

I'll see you later.

Part Two

[askhuntlow]

So Willow, what was that first date with Goldie like?

Willow: [reads this and immediately panics] H-Hey, Hunter?

Hunter: [oblivious] Yes, Captain?

Willow: Before we answer some more questions, I’m kind of thirsty. Can you grab me a drink or something? Please?

Hunter: [smiles and gets up] Of course! Is there anything in particular you’d like?

Willow: [shakes head smiling and waving him off] Oh, anything will do!

Hunter: [stands up straight like a soldier and salutes] Your order is my command, Captain!

[There’s a beat where they both make eye contact and burst into laughter, both doubling over before Hunter exits the room]

Willow: [leans over and makes sure Hunter cannot see her then she leans in closer to the screen to reread the ask fully] By “Goldie” I think you might mean Hunter. Hunter and I are JUST friends. I mean like Hunter and I did share feelings for each other when we were younger, but that was like 6 years ago! In that time, Hunter dated quite a few people. He just n-never asked…well…me. [Looks up and begins to shake her hands a little before crossing them under her arms] I-I mean, not that I mind! I’ll admit, finding out that he was dating Edric a year after Belos’s defeat was a bit …rough… but once they broke up after a year and he started to date Skara, then a few months later Viney, then those two started to date each other. Once Hunter and Jerbo started dating (and by “dating” I mean a one night stand during a very drunken after party in the Human Realm after my last grom, but no judgement), I stopped keeping track. [looks at the computer screen] I mean like! Not because I l-like STILL like him! L-like that. [sighs as Hunter walks in without her noticing from behind] Obviously I still like him! He’s my friend and he’s made a lot of progress! We can joke about his more…rigid personality quirks, Belos, all that fun stuff. Titan. I-I guess I just don’t want to lose my friend at this point.

Hunter: [soften gaze and sweet smile as he sets an apple blood juice box next to her] Don’t worry Captain! As long as you stay you, you won’t lose me as a friend! [returns back to his seat with a reassuring smile]

Willow: [jumps in shock and then processes his words] HUNTER! [chuckles and tries to catch her breath] Ha, thanks! [nervously takes the juice box and sinks back in her seat using the juice box to hide her face behind]

Hunter: Well of course! I-I mean, you mean a lot to me too. [reaches pinky over to her]

Willow: [curiously looks at his outstretched hand, then giggles and connects her pinky to his after she sniffles] Cool! Happy to help!

[angelcloves]

At first, the Hexsquad encountering Barcus of all characters upon their return to The Demon Realm had me baffled... But I love it now! XD Because we're probably going to get a scene like this: Luz: "Barcus! Thank the Titan that you're alright! Is there anyone else with you? Do you know where Eda is? Is she alright?!" Barcus: "Barks." Luz: "Oh, right. I forgot that I can't understand you..."

barcus was slept on honestly. jerbo and viney got to be in any sport without him this is the barcus episode