#Octopus Deploy

[suzukiblu]

Ko-fi thank-you sentences for Octopus behind the cut; Billy adopts Conner and it actually goes pretty good! (( chrono || non-chrono ))

“I mean, unless you’d rather have gotten a tutor or something, I guess, probably Batman could’ve helped me find you a tutor,” Billy says, shrugging a little awkwardly. He used to help other foster kids with their homework a lot, though, and he taught a couple street kids he knew some bits and pieces of stuff, at least. And also–“Wisdom of Solomon, you know? It’s, um, kinda a thing. Anyway, I’m gonna help you with your powers, so it’s the same kind of thing, right? And it’s normal to read to your kids, too.” 

“I don’t need to read to be a weapon,” Lynn mutters, still looking down at Tawky. “Not if I’m being deployed with a team, anyway.” 

. . . Billy thinks maybe he could just go ahead and burn down whatever’s left of Cadmus. Like. Morally, and all. Ethically. Whichever. 

“I’m not helping you with your powers so you can be a weapon,” he says firmly, making himself keep his voice even so Lynn won’t think he’s mad at him. Or, uh–royally fucking pissed at him, more accurately. That’s Cadmus. Like, definitely it’s Cadmus that he’s royally fucking pissed at. “I’m helping you with your powers so you don’t get hurt or accidentally hurt anybody else. Like–so you can use them however you want.” 

“I’m the thing that gets used,” Lynn says as he folds one of Tawky’s ears back and forth, voice and expression both just distant enough to make Billy hate literally everything that’s made Lynn feel like that. 

He is definitely gonna put in a request with the League to let him burn down whatever’s left of Cadmus. Either that, or there’s gonna be a real convenient thunderstorm concentrated right on top of it, and a whole lot of equally convenient and equally concentrated lightning strikes. 

And if that fails, then there’s gonna be a twelve year-old “civilian” sneaking in with some matches and lighter fluid, and he’s just gonna commit arson the old-fashioned way. 

“If anyone ever says that to you again, I’m gonna make them sorry for even thinking it,” he says as evenly as he can. Lynn’s mouth tightens. He keeps his head down. 

“. . . why would you have read to me?” he asks, the question a little guarded. “That wouldn’t have taught me anything.” 

“It would’ve taught you that I’d read to you,” Billy says. Lynn–frowns, like maybe he doesn’t understand what he means. Billy’s not sure he understands what he means, just . . . 

His dad read to him. And his mom too. 

And Uncle Eben definitely did not. 

And Cadmus didn’t read to Lynn either, he’s betting. As far as he can tell, all Cadmus ever did was jam a really biased education into his head and lie to and mind-control him, in fact. 

Cadmus was just really awful to Lynn in general, as far as Billy can tell. 

Lynn thought they’d have kryptonite here, so . . . yeah. Cadmus was definitely awful to him.

Billy really, really wants to make sure that Lynn’s first thought is never something like that again. Or at least, that his first thought is never something like that when it’s about him. 

About the person who’s taking care of him, he means. Lynn should–he shouldn’t–

Billy always felt safe with his dad. With both of his parents. He wants Lynn to feel that way too, because Lynn deserves to feel that way too. Like no matter what tries to hurt him, it’s gonna have to go through somebody else first, and somebody who’d never just stand by and let it get to him. 

Billy doesn’t know if Lynn’s ever felt safe in his life, all things considered. He grew up in a pod being lied to and woke up to mind control and more lies and got attacked by, like, a giant mutated jerk of a doctor who’d been controlling and hurting him all his life already, and then he left the only place he’d ever known just because he thought it was the right thing to do, and . . . 

Yeah. Billy can’t imagine “safe” is a feeling Lynn’s all that familiar with yet. 

Can’t imagine he’s ever really felt it at all, at this point. 

He–swallows, a little, and then makes himself smile at him again. Lynn’s still not looking at him, but Billy figures he’ll hear it in his voice, if nothing else. 

“I’ll read to you anyway, if you want,” he offers as he links his hands together behind his back, his voice coming out a little awkward; a little quiet. He doesn’t mean for it to, but . . . “Even if you can do it yourself.” 

Lynn doesn’t say anything. He rubs the pad of his thumb across one of Tawky’s paw pads and then squeezes it, just a little. Billy doesn’t blame him for wanting to hold somebody’s hand right now. It’s–a lot, probably. All this is probably a lot. 

All this is definitely a lot, and Billy doesn’t blame Lynn for anything he’s feeling about any of it at all. When everything changes all at once like–when somebody’s whole life changes and they lose everything and everyone they had before, and . . . and . . . 

It’s just a lot, he knows. 

Like–yeah. 

Of course it is. 

“. . . sure,” Lynn says, and glances up–not at Billy, exactly, but in his direction. He’s looking at his shoulder more than anything else, Billy’s pretty sure, but that’s fine by him. He brightens instinctively, resisting the urge to float up a little in excitement. 

“Cool!” he says. “Um–okay, yeah. Cool.” 

Lynn ducks his head again, looking more towards the wall now. He’s still holding Tawky’s paw, though, and he didn’t, like, go run off and hide in his room or get mad or anything, so Billy thinks things are going okay, really. Even if–even if some of this is a little harder to talk too much about, maybe. 

He really does want Lynn to feel safe with him, though, so he’s gonna have to be able to talk to him about the harder stuff too. 

He can do that, he promises himself. Or–he’s gonna do that, anyway. He’ll figure it out, one way or the other. 

Lynn deserves a dad who can do that, and Billy’s already decided he’s gonna be the kind of dad Lynn deserves, so–yeah. 

He can do it. 

He wonders if his parents ever felt like this with him. Felt like–like it was hard and scary and weird, but like they still needed and wanted to figure it out and do it right, whatever it took. Like it was more important to do it right than . . . than anything else. 

He doesn’t know, obviously. And he’s never gonna get to ask. But . . . but he hopes he’s at least doing this right enough that they would’ve been happy about it. Been–proud of him, for taking after them. Being like them, even just a little bit. 

They were both really good parents, and he just . . . they’re gone, and he’ll never see them again, and no one really remembers them the same way he does. No one loves them the same way he does. Not anymore. 

So–so if he can be a good dad to Lynn like they were good parents to him, then maybe at least there’ll be a little bit more of them left in the world. A little bit more that they got to do; got to make happen. Make matter. 

And maybe . . . maybe that means Lynn will love some part of them too, technically, if Lynn ever loves him. 

If Billy does this right, anyway. 

“Do you wanna walk to the library too?” he suggests. “It might be a little farther away than the diner, I think, but not too bad. And, um, we’ve got super-stamina and all, so yeah.” 

“. . . I’ve never walked that far before,” Lynn says. Billy blinks, wondering how Lynn knows that. He didn’t say how far it was for sure, just–

Oh. 

“You’d never walked as far as the diner before?” he realizes. Lynn nods stiffly. Billy’s chest sort of–hurts a little, maybe. “Did you like it, or was it too much? I know it’s kind of exposed and there’s a lot more people than you’re probably used to and all, so it’s okay if–” 

“It was fine,” Lynn cuts in, and then hunches his shoulders a little. “Uh. I mean–it was fine.” 

Billy’s own shoulders slump a bit in relief, and he smiles wider at him. Okay. That’s–okay, yeah. 

He really likes Lynn. Like–Lynn’s really easy to like, he means. He’s glad about that. Not that he was gonna take anything back or send Lynn back if he was hard to get along with or anything, obviously, but . . . he’s still glad, yeah. 

Really glad.

[the-trinket-witch]

700 Follower Special AU Just for You All!

Co-authored by @squidwen (All borders provided by CafeKitsune)

Inspirations: The Rescuers/Rescuers Down Under, Great Mouse Detective, Lady and the Tramp, The Aristocats, Oliver & Company, Bolt, Princess and the Frog, etc.

CW: Exploitation, child endangerment. (NOTE: No NSFW elements will be referenced or alluded to, nor will this AU allow such elements to be included.)

The world is a dangerous place. Hazards occur naturally or otherwise on a daily basis, people fall through the cracks in society; it seems like the most that ‘kindness’ affords is the attention of those willing to take advantage of it. 

And this attention seems to be currently directed…at Yuu. 

Yuu is still young, likely no more than 12. In a world that seems to have it out for Yuu, the orphanage is maybe the last bastion of safety until The One comes walking through to officially make them a part of their family. But again, it’s been 12 years, so none can blame them if that hope is starting to wane.

Dire Crowley touts himself as a generous, benevolent caretaker; which is a funny way to say ‘Neglectful’ and ‘Exploitative’. Yuu doesn’t get a chance to find this out until after the whirlwind that was their adoption settles. The man seems to care more about appearances, and where his next hefty payout will come from. So then it falls on Yuu to keep the home looking presentable, Crowley looking generous, and the indentured servitude swept under the rug. 

Not all attention is bad, though. Unseen by human society, the Animal Kingdom keeps its eyes trained to lend a claw out to the vulnerable. The National Rescue Conglomerate, or NRC, are a group of animals from all across Twisted Wonderland who answer the call for help wherever they hear it. The Seven Delegates may not agree on everything, but the one thing they can agree on is that someone will answer a call of distress. 

Said Delegates are:

Riddle → Hedgehog with a prickly temper

Leona → Lion who only seems lazy until the going gets rough

Azul → Coconut Octopus that has quite the reach of influence

Kalim → Otter trying to do more for himself than just float along

Vil → Peacock who’s fanning out to teach a new generation of Rescuers

Idia → British Blue cat who rarely ‘paws’es his games for anything

Malleus → Komodo Dragon with a reputation as fearsome as his fantasy counterpart

Other Members of the NRC/characters include:

Queendom of Roses Representatives

Deuce → Rabbit with a penchant for perfectly timed traps

Ace → Flamingo who’s sleight-of-feather makes for a great distraction

Trey → Tortoise that always has something cookin’ under that shell

Cater → Butterfly so social, he’s heard everything

Sunset Savannah Squadron

Ruggie → Hyena willing to laugh in the face of danger

Jack → Wolf with an affinity for leading the pack

Coral Sea Set

Jade and Floyd → Moray Eels more than happy to put the squeeze on trouble

Scalding Sands Squad

Jamil → Cobra with words that have plenty of bite of their own

Pyroxene Posse

Epel → Cygnet learning how to navigate the world with grace

Rook → Seagull with a keen eye for detail

Lamentation Isle League

Ortho → Electronic Toy Mouse that knows when and when not to play around

Briar Valley Vanguard

Lilia → Vampire Bat with adopted kids and a lot of history under his wings

Silver → Squirrel that doesn’t find himself usually one for chatter

Sebek → Crocodile with enough heft to tip the scales in his favor

Shaftland Animal Sanctuary

Niege LeBlanc → A Human running an animal sanctuary with his Seven Adoptive Fathers

But even with their help, Yuu won’t be completely out of the woods. Crowley keeps a few ‘pets’ he’s willing to deploy to get them back:

Sam → Poison dart frog

Ashton → Stag

Crewel → Dalmatian

Trein → Owl

Who might be the ones to help rescue Yuu from their situation, and what might happen from there? Will it be smooth sailing once out from under Crowley or will there be others out looking to get Yuu in their clutches? Would they try to return to their orphanage? Maybe their story ends in the joining of a family that actually has their interests in heart? Do they forgo humanity altogether and just live among the animals that so cared for them up until this point?

This AU was built with the immense patience and help of Squidwen. We offer it out to you all as a sort of ‘Follower Milestone’ gift for everyone, since I recently reached 700 folks following me. What we are offering in this AU is:

A chance for you all to throw your OCs in to see how they handle trouble in the form of a real-world animal. Be it through art, writing, roleplay with your friends, This post and AU is more or less a sandbox for folks to play around in!

I’ll be occasionally posting pics depending on what I see/find time to doodle. For reference FOR those doodles, below both Squidwen and I have found where each of our own OCs fit into this general world:

DeVerre and Eugenio → Orphans from the same institution, ‘adopted’ by Crowley to be sold to the highest bidder. 

(Squidwen’s OCs)

Verrick → White Persian Cat (Wears a tailcoat).

Seth → Giant Pacific Octopus (Needs a pipe that blows bubbles)!!

Tallis → Hummingbird (Wears a belt and aviator goggles).

Billy → Black Bear (Wears a snorkel parka hood).

Basil → Burmese Python (still has his purple pince-nez, and maybe a legwarmer around his throat)

(Trinket’s OCs)

Albert → Fox (wears a carf)

Tidus → Giant Mudskipper (Big ol’ glasses)

Lázaro → Xoloitzcuintle (skele birthmarks)

Levi → Rock Lobster (blue markings)

Galen → Stray Mutt (hat/poncho or bandana)

Of course, with Protagonists, there usually are antagonists (all of which for this AU are human):

Rebekya Balanaga (Squidwen)

The prim, pale owner of the modeling agency Pearls of Ophenheim. DeVerre especially catches her eye. The girl has unusual silver hair and very pale skin; something that’ll cause a fuss and stir attention in magazines, she hopes. Heels, camera angles, and a ton of make-up, and no one will be able to tell that a child is working for her.

→ She has a pet albino python called Princess.

Honest John and Gidel

Just two, hardworking fellas on the look out for their next employee or circus act. Children make excellent workers, especially those who don’t have much. Yuu is especially of interest to them, given how dextrous they seem. Would they make a good trapeze artist? Or contortionist - given the right training? Or, heck, maybe they’d be happy to just do all the menial tasks around Playful Land, right?

Aadesh Sona and Mr Rajesh Khan (Trinket)

These gentlemen are vital when it comes to producing anything. Animal-testing is the aim of the game for these two, but at times, testing on animals can prove slow, and even a waste of time. Why test chemicals on rabbits and mice when you can just skip to human trials? And since DeVerre and Yuu have been “adopted” by Crowley, no one will stop to ask where they are.

→ Aadesh and Mr Khan as well have their own pets. Basil the Burmese Python being Aadesh's, and a tiger named Shakti. 

As for our own OCs, Eugenio and DeVerre do manage to escape from Crowley’s clutches; with the help of the orphanage cat: Verrick. He sensed something was off with Crowley the moment he stepped through the door. Fearing for the children’s safety, he calls a meeting with the NRC to discuss saving them.

Both of us hope you'll enjoy the premise and find a bit of fun coming up with little scenarios for your OCs to get into. I specifically want to say how grateful I am to have 700 of y'all following for TWST content or the like and I hope to offer more fun things in either interactions, chats, or lil doodles of our characters doing stuff. I esp. wanna thank Squidwen for the help in concocting this whole thing. It's been so much fun to RP with ya and look forward to writing even more UvU

TAGLIST:

@ceruleancattail @squidwen @thecosmicjackalope @vaporvipermedia @writing-heiress

@oya-oya-okay @k-looking-glass-house @thehollowwriter @rainesol @cyn-write

@heartscrypt @br3adtoasty @jackiecronefield @ruggiethethuggie

@hoboyherewego @achy-boo @oreoskys @oseathepebble @oathofoaks

@tunabesimpin @hamstergal @fumikomiyasaki @valse-a-mille-temps

@hallowed-delights @kimikitti @cyanide-latte @thetwstwildcard @atwstedstory

@comingyourlugubriousness @ice-cweam-sod4 @twst-the-night-away @nammanarin @scint1llat3

@tixdixl @prince-kallisto

[tgmsunmontue]

Tracing poetry with your lips - 14/14 - Hangster

One juvenile kissing game and two juvenile idiots both convinced they can win the game. (Explicit). Idea from @iprefervillains

ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE TEN ELEVEN TWELVE THIRTEEN

PART FOURTEEN

                It’s more than he wanted.

                He wanted to date Bradshaw.

                Have him in his bed for more than just sex.

                And now he’s in the most serious relationship of his life, although his marriage is only just edged out because… No. This is the relationship he wants and will work at. He promised Bradley he would. That he’d at least try to not jump to conclusions or assume the worst.

                But.

                It isn’t easy.

                In his worst moments, when he doesn’t mean to be difficult and he finds himself sleeping on Javy’s couch so he can’t be found. Of course Bradley comes and finds him anyway. Or when they exchange too-sharp words, Bradley manages to grab him and hold him while they talk, apologize, before they have pretty volatile makeup sex. It’s really fucking hot. It’s all new and changing and as time slips past, days becoming weeks and then months it becomes easier, too-sharp words fading away to teasing endearments.

                It’s terrifying though. The depth of emotion he feels. Throughout it all he’s very glad they’re in the same squadron. Doesn’t want to imagine what terrible scenarios his brain might conjure up if he or Bradley were deployed right now, at the beginning of their relationship while they’re figuring shit out and unable to see each other, touch each other, force communication to happen between them even when it feels excruciatingly embarrassing or borderline painful.

                Bradley is physically affectionate though, even in sleep he needs to be touching Jake and it is making him feel more confident in what they have together. Bradley is like an octopus in bed, holds Jake tight all night and it makes him simply sleep deeper, relaxing and pressing into the embrace. Even when he wakes up in the morning, Bradley is there, an arm still wrapped around him, ducks his head under Jake’s chin and just snuggles into him, doesn’t seem to want to ever move.

                “You know when we were in the Hard Deck and we played that game?”

                “Yeah?” Jake answers, a little sleepily, because he’s tired. Work is physically and mentally taxing, and he’s never going to turn down sex, not yet anyway. But right now he can barely keep his eyes open, is pretty confident Bradley is just as tired and they’re lying there in the dark, quiet and warm, drifting toward sleep.

                “I play it against myself…”

                Jake is too tired to figure out what the fuck Bradley means by that, can’t figure out if he means he didn’t touch himself, or didn’t touch Jake… and does he mean at all, or sexually or…

                “How does that even work?” he mumbles.

                “I time myself to see how long I can go without touching you. When we’re at home. Here. Together.”

                “Oh. Okay?”

                “Yeah. Want to know how long I can last without coming and finding you and getting my hands on you?”

                “How long?” Jake asks, and his eyes feel so heavy, but this is nice, hearing Bradley talk about his little bet he has with himself. It’s cute.

                “My personal best is twenty-two minutes, but… there were extenuating circumstances for that so I’m not sure if I should really count it. Otherwise it’s sixteen minutes.”

                “What kind of extenuating circumstances?”

                “You went to the bathroom… I wasn’t going to follow you in there.”

                “Thanks,” Jake snorts, smiling into the darkness of the room, presses a kiss to Bradley’s head.

                “You’re welcome. Just… thought you should know. I think I’m very restrained at work. Thought you should appreciate that…”

                “You palmed my dick under the table in the canteen at lunch today.”

                “Yeah, but that was after nearly four hours of not touching you at all.”

                “Ah. I see…”

                He’s not going to mention what it might be like when they have a reunion after any future deployments of periods of time apart. They’ll cross that bridge when they get to it. Together.

                “Do you want to get married?”

                He’s suddenly wide awake and he wonders if Bradley can feel how tense he suddenly feels.

                “Uh… in general or right now?”

                “Both. Either.”

                “Yes and… are you asking?”

                “Are you saying yes?”

                “Bradshaw…” Jake says, terse. He doesn’t think Bradley is joking, because that’s his immediate response but it’s instantly followed by second thoughts telling him to question his first thought.

                “Jake. If I thought you’d say yes, I would be asking.”

                Oh. Oh yes.

                “Ask me.”

                “Yeah? Okay then… Jake Seresin, will you marry me?”

                “Yes. You absolutely crazy mother fucker…”

                “You’re the one that said yes!” Bradley retaliates, and Jake shakes his head, his laughter making them both shake. He’s so stupidly happy.

                “We haven’t even said…” he starts, and he doesn’t need the words. Words need to be backed up with actions, and he’s already getting everything he needs in that respect from Bradley.

                “I love you?”

                “That a question or statement?”

                “Can’t it be both?”

                “Bradley…” Jake says, letting out a sigh, but his tone is fond.

                “Jake… I love you. I don’t go around thinking about marrying people I don’t love.”

                “Well. Good. That would be very weird if you did.”

                “Mmm. Only you. Only want to marry you…”

                “Good. Bigamy is illegal.”

                “You’re silly…”

                “Yeah. Love you too, but you already knew that.”

                “Mmm. I’m smart…” Bradley says, words now slurring with sleep and Jake's heart squeezes with affection.

                “Jury’s out… then again. You did throw the bet all those months ago.”

                “Shh. I was... playing the long con. Just got my prize… I won.”

                “Yeah. Okay. I can live with that.”

THE END

(FYI - it'll be a one shot on AO3)

[uncharismatic-fauna]

Uncharismatic Fact of the Day

What better way to show your pride than with a big, flowing banner? Female blanket octopi have a long 'cape' made of thin webbing that stretches between their arms; when threatened they will deploy this colorful webbing out like a parachute to confuse and disorient predators.

(Image: A female common blanket octopus (Tremoctopus violaceus) by Joseph Elayani)

If you like what I do, consider buying me a ko-fi!

[mbari-blog]

More Octopus Garden goodness coming right atcha! 🐙✨

Deep below the ocean’s surface, just off the Central California coast, thousands of octopus gather near an extinct underwater volcano. The Octopus Garden is the largest known aggregation of octopus anywhere in the world. In 2018, researchers first observed thousands of pearl octopus (Muusoctopus robustus) nesting on the deep seafloor at this site near Davidson Seamount.

Over a period of three years, MBARI and a team of collaborators used high-tech tools to monitor the Octopus Garden and learn exactly why this site is so attractive for deep-sea octopus. These images are from a 4K time-lapse camera we deployed at the site for six months, from March 2, 2022, to August 26, 2022. This advanced camera platform operates at extreme pressure two miles deep (3,200 meters).

We captured and stored a photo every 20 minutes—the result is a remarkable peek into the cycle of life at this unique biological hotspot. Watch more incredible video captured at the Octopus Garden on our YouTube channel.

[luckypanda17]

With Path of Life..

Right around the corner I am once again reminded of my love for Andreana, the forgotten Abyssal Hunter. When she was first revealed I loved her design and I thought her octopus tails were so cute. Her E2 art is very dynamic and her purple & black color scheme is beautiful. Snipers are my fave or second fave class in Arknights so I was excited to slot her into my team. I ended up getting Thorns (I didn’t even want him >.>) long before I pulled even one of her. Unfortunately she’s just kind of an awkward unit to use despite her strength, so she fell off my team sooner than I would have liked. Even though I hardly used her I did end up slotting her with a module as well.

The point I want to make is that I’d love to see her get some attention from HG. Despite how some may feel about “alternate” operators, I enjoy seeing oldies get revitalized. So I think it would be really great for Andreana to get a 6 star make over and become a true member of the Abyssal Hunter team. I feel like Andreana as a 6 star “Hunter” sniper would be absolutely perfect for her.

Imagine a banner with 6 star Operators, Andreana and Incandescent (a briefly mentioned operated in Andreana’s files.) Obviously the event would be an Abyssal Hunter story, and Andreana would finally be involved in one of the AH adventures. She would get a gear upgrade, building her self a better “gun” with the knowledge she learned from working at R.I. and of course a glow up. As a hunter sniper her little companion would be an adorable little Seaborn she deploys in her range. She would get some much needed lore and be a 6 star just like the rest of the AH team. Her tribal talent of increasing her companions attack speed should also still be present, And a module that would let her apply neural damage (this would probably be to OP but I just think it’s fun being able to apply our own status effects against enemies.)

I know this will likely never happen as she’s not a very popular operator, although with AH being overall a popular faction, I can still dream.

[aevellewritessometimes]

So I'm insane and also multifixating, so here's my attempt at linking TOUCHSTARVED characters to songs from EPIC.

Note: Since little of everyone's backstories is known as of now, I'm going to throw in a decent amount of theory/speculation. Also, "linking" could mean anything from a whole song to part of a song to just the general vibes of a song

The Troy Saga | The Cyclops Saga | The Ocean Saga | The Circe Saga (here) | The Underworld Saga | The Thunder Saga | The Wisdom Saga | The Vengeance Saga | The Ithaca Saga

Puppeteer + Leander

It's just the way that Leander is so welcoming to MC right off the bat. It just feels ever so slightly similar to the way that Circe welcomed the soldiers into her home.

Like he basically just went up to MC like "oh you look tired, here have some food and a place to rest. Leander's got you, now :)"

I also really like the image of Future MC having a conversation with Past MC to this song. Like:

"Yes, you've been through a whole lot of shit and survived, but you've never had to face something like this before!"

"What was it?"

"A man."

"...What?"

Wouldn't You Like + Ais

Fucking Ocudeus. Again.

(I swear I'm part of the damn groupmind atp)

Fuckin. Ais makes a deal for a power of some kind. There that's the link. I'm so tired of this octopus ass mf and I'm not even playing chapter 3 of twst.

(Note: I'm talking about Ocudeus, not Ais. Ais is just a loveable little guy, I love him. The brain juices just aren't cooperating with me)

Done For + ???

No ideas, brain smoothed out, no darts hitting the board.

There Are Other Ways + Vere

I mean. The joke is right there, sure, but that's not where the spotlight of my thought process lies.

So, remember in the demo when Vere straight up killed you if you were seduced by him? Great, now remember when Circe attempts to kill Odysseus by seducing him? Also great.

What if there's a moment where MC is trying to get something, maybe information, out of Vere. And Vere, who really does not want to give whatever it is up (maybe it's personal, maybe it's "business", maybe it's something else entirely...). So, he deploys the good ol' Seduce and Stab tactic.

Maybe MC was willing to go along with it at first (and who would blame them), but they come back to their senses at the last moment.

Maybe Vere gains a bit of respect for them because of it...

Also, the "I have been in love once before" line makes me think of something that may or may not have hinted towards Vere having an ex in his flower lore post thingy

[idontknowreallywhy]

A little Teeny Scott wip snippet because the little Scooter popped into my brain as he often does when I’m a bit overwhelmed.

Tis another snapshot of my OC Primary teacher POV (oh oops I have two! No, not THAT one the other one! The one who taught teeny Scott rather than the one who trolls adult Scott)

💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙

Like many a primary class store cupboard, the one in Felicity Miles’ domain was crammed full of everything under the sun that could plausibly be “useful for craft one day” alongside all the more formal stationery supplies, brightly coloured sports equipment, first aid items, cuddly toys with their own bandages (often deployed to greater effect than the official first aid items).

She also had a small shelf, high up, she kept for the special pieces of work, the ones which demonstrated where a child had suddenly Got Excited - technicolour art, poetry with unashamed overuse of newly discovered adverbs, science projects, Scott Tracy’s poster about Pi. She always smiled to remember how after his initial disappointment about what the little squiggly symbol DIDN’T mean, how Absolutely he had adopted his new “favourite number”. She had a few from each class and when teacher life all got a bit overwhelming she’d take half an hour at the end of the day and reflect on why she did this in the first place. Retaining the space meant her marking piles were rather more crammed together and higgledy piggledy than ideal - her more organised colleagues would certainly raise an eyebrow - but it was worth it.

There was also a space about half a metre wide and about the same high on the very bottom shelf which it was important she kept empty. Again, the independent observer might have queries as to why, when space was at such a premium, this was necessary. She would probably just smile enigmatically and point at the tiny masking tape sign in wobbly 7-year old handwriting that said “The Octopus House” and leave them with more questions than they were ever going to get answers to.

The Octopus House wasn’t a secret but she didn’t advertise its existence. The few kids who knew about it found it because they needed it. The ones who needed to hide away for a moment, but not be too far away from the safety of their peers or the ones who needed to squeeze up small to process the big feelings without their limbs causing trouble.

It had received its name three years ago on that memorable day when she Lost a Student. He was just gone for at least 20 minutes which must have cost her at least a year of her life. Between the three adults in the class that day they’d subtly searched the corridors, the toilets, the lunch hall, the library and what could be seen of the playground but it was like the child had evaporated. Trying not to panic she’d sent the rest of the class out with the experienced TA and the very-green-but-compensating-with-extreme-enthusiasm NQT to do Olympic relay races on the playground (thank you Ancient Greek class project).

She leant on the back of the door for thirty seconds to catch her breath and psych herself up for the inevitable crisis meeting with the head and the moment at which that would turn in to needing to break the news to his Father.

The silence crowded in on her and she felt herself beginning to properly panic.

She didn’t even know exactly when he’d disappeared. He was there at the start of the lesson, seemed happy, seemed engaged. He’d been very excited about the task they had been given to recreate the Parthenon out of craft paper and had taken charge of his small group so naturally… they’d all been given their part of the mission and they were actually DOING it! Very effectively it seemed! She’d made a mental note to add “leadership skills” to the list of positive things she was going to put on his school report (because the previous few she’d read had made her nauseous with anger) and turned to assist a wailing child with no less than three glue sticks embedded in her hair. And that was… half an hour before? Oh hell that was a long time.

She and the other adults had been so busy mediating the minor battles breaking out in other groups that when a little voice piped up “where’s Scotty? He was sposed to make the lintels!” and her blood had suddenly run cold.

If he was hurt or in danger because she took her eye off him…

She blinked back tears and had just composed herself to pick up the phone to the head teacher’s office when she heard a tiny sniff and spun around to identify the source. Nobody was there.

Hardly daring to breathe, she tiptoed through the room checking under desks already checked three times.

Just as she was concluding she’d imagined it, there it was again - the tiniest noise but definitely a sniff and seemingly from the direction of the cupboard he couldn’t be in because the thumb turn bolt was still in the locked position.

Feeling like she was going crazy she unlocked the door and looked inside anyway.

Obviously it was empty. Her wishful thinking was wasting time. They needed to get a proper search party organised.

She turned to leave and heard it for a third time.

And it was that day, in her 5th year of teaching, she discovered just how small a ball a tall child could make themselves into. Seriously, the octopus had nothing on this kid.

The space was much smaller then, barely 30cm wide and only there at all because she’d taken out the long, thin box of baton-shaped sticks that had been wedged tightly in between stacks of who knew what. All she could see was a tangle of uniformed limbs and a mass of sweaty chestnut hair.

He obviously knew she was there and was holding his breath, clearly hoping not to be seen. Expecting to be in trouble.

Felicity picked up her phone and sent a quick “crisis averted” message to her TA and then, after ensuring the door was wedged wide open, she slowly lowered herself to the floor. Pulling her knees up to her chin to mirror his posture she rested her back on some boxes a few inches to the left of where he’d tucked himself away.

And she waited.

[greenerteacups]

How do you generate ideas for both plot and characters? I’m one of the hundreds who is swooning and getting her breath caught at the “what’s this, Granger?” moment and I’d love to know how you came up with the idea for this in particular + how you usually come up with other wonderful moments that constitute the glorious Lionheart saga.

Oh, gosh, you're lovely. When writing is good — and this is a big conditional, because sometimes writing is like riding a horse and sometimes it's like wrestling an octopus, and you can rarely predict which — I don't necessarily think about the Process. It's sinking into the world and going, "Okay, action." There's an outline lurking behind it, and latently I'm considering some miscellaneous higher-order ideas about theme and structure, but I'm not writing the book in order to talk about those themes; the themes are in the book because I'm writing it and I'm interested in them. I can't very well help it, they're gonna end up in there no matter what. I don't have to worry about the architecture when I'm doing the upholstery, if that makes sense.

Discovering the more specific character beats and exchanges like the one in Chapter 64 are one of the ineluctable joys of creation. Sometimes, I think of a line while I'm walking down the street, jot it down in my Notes app, and carefully, meticulously develop a context where I can deploy it. Other times, I'm standing there in the scene and a guy does a thing, and I'm as startled as anyone.

[positron2399]

My'iru "female"

My'iru "male"

Okay, finally posting some stuff for a sci-fi Iseaki I hope to write one day called "Crimson Ash//Valentine," which, as the title implies, is a love letter, specifically to the novels/media that may or may not have stopped/delayed my suicide... Re: Zero, Undertale r/y, Madoka, Blindsight, Snaiad, and the Three-Body trilogy... especially the time travel of the first three

... It looks much better on PC/laptop

TLWR: My'iru are an alien race for one of my stories and they're basically an intelligent ankylosaur-tardigrade-cassowary-brittle star mix with katydid-like voices that breed by stabbing each other. at least they don't eat babies like ny'ari

The My'iru are a species of primarily herbivorous sophonts from a crappy super earth in a s-type orbit around a red flare star, which, itself orbits a white giant. Due to their homeworld having terrible seasons thanks to the 60ish degree axial tilt, they and many other organisms of the world evolved to go dormant when the winters and summers become too extreme, though thanks to their technology, only the so called "ultra masochistic zealots" stick to the way of old. Together, they and a species of psuedo-mammal called ny'ari rule their solar system in varying factions with an iron fist- er arm and paw respectively

Also, thanks to their environment and psychology, these things regularly deploy small nuclear weapons in their wars... which don't ever seem to end, not that this affects the ecology all too much. thankfully, they don't seem to be keen on using the antimatter bombs/anti-hydrogen particle beams (looks at their archeology)... This is part of why most of their cities are subterranean; you don't get to space by being nice... kind, however.

Rather than having eyes, their bodies are covered in tiny, light sensitive spots that let them see a blurry, 360 view of the world from almost microwave to damn near x-rays... all this telemetry is handled by a "nervous" system composed of some type of nanomachine, which itself is rather decentralized, kinda like a sea cucumber or octopus... god forbid one of their relatives actually evolve a "true" brain... sounds like a bunch of sci-fi techno-jargon bullshit? it's because it is, I just really liked the Scramblers from Blindsight!

for reproduction (I didn't like imagining this, but a species has to repopulate somehow), one to three female my'iru attempt to court the larger male my'iru. Great importance is put onto "females" due to the fact that a male will only breed again when all of his children grow up... so 20ish earth years before they reach sexual maturity. So, if successfully courted, the "male" will wrap one of "his" spined "pedipalps, (for lack of a better term) around the one of the bulbous "pedipalps" of the "females," quite literally penetrating the flesh with his spikes. From there, the "male" and "female" will sit together for ~4 earth hours before they can break off the used gonad. From there, the used gonad will then develop into two to three, possibly four my'iru larvae, which the "male" will then place on his underside. The larvae will subsist entirely off the "males" blood for roughly 3-4 earth months, at which point they'll be developed enough to eat other things. After half a year on their world (1 full orbit around the white star is 5.34 Earth years), the offspring start exploring their environment and learning whatever language(s) are spoken by the parent... To fight, To breed, To break, To Bleed, and To stab/penetrate are either synonyms or the same words depending on their language.

Despite their size (roughly 5.2 meters end to end for males and 5.1 m for females) my'iru have very high-pitched, shrill, almost katydid or cicada-like voices, with something like Peter/Chris Griffin being the equivalent of a "deep scary" voice. Accompany this with the fact that they basically speak circular nigh gibberish thanks to their history, psychology, and senses makes them irritating as hell to talk to. Thankfully, they don't speak all to much, unlike the Ny'ari, who never seem to shut the fuck up.

Further anatomy crud... They're built like cat dog, with a mouth on either side of the body and an anus in the middle, their mouths/teeth are kinda like that of a sea urchin. They grab things with the single finger on each foot, and their legs are weirdly dexterous. This isn't how they look in reality, especially their legs, which I imagine to look a lot closer to a brittle star's arms mixed with a sauropod's hind limbs. With a running start, they can jump a few centimeters off the ground. Also like a sauropod, their bones are somewhat hollow; most terrestrial organisms have hollow bones/exoskeletons on their world. They're probably less conscious than humans and ny'ari. They can't get drunk

Very clearly also inspired by the Trisolarans, specifically this concept of them. not only in appearance/psychology, but in their technology... I don't know who made this concept art, other than it was found by somebody else on Reddit from Imgur. I will credit them the moment I find it.

Also they didn't know stars aside from their two suns existed till they invented x-ray/gamma ray detecting satellites, okay Bye :)

........ there are no words to describe how terrified I am of this turning out like High Guardian spice or Empress Theresa, especially because the queerness of the story is actually inspired by Diaspora, The Killing Star, and Echopraxia... not that My'iru are really ever queer... ny'ari sure as hell can be.

https://www.tumblr.com/positron2399/782815492278829056/female-nyari-truly-analogous-male-nyari-truly?source=share

Next post

@ki-2-ur-heart @toxetta @cyannidex33 @the-real-loser-otaku-girl @bladeechan @piko-chan

[peachsodah]

spiderverse oc: Clutter Clark, AKA Spider-Bomb!

-their webs come out from underneath their fingernails as apposed to out of their wrists, making them develop different strategies for for web shooting and swinging

-they live in a very steampunk inspired world and are a skilled mechanic, able to create things like bombs, traps, and other improvised weapons on the fly from both their own webs and scrap metal they find. this is why they have such baggy pants with so many pockets- it makes it easier for them to carry tools and scraps!

-their antennae are able to pick up on and send out radio signals

-they have a back compartment on their suit that deploys doctor-octopus style spider legs, which can function as extra hands, extra legs, or even tools when the situation calls for it! they are controlled via radio waves sent out by their antenna!

[ultimateoptimus]

Autobot Junior Rescue Divers Kicker and Sari

by UltimateOptimus

Recording: József Fénye (AKA ChromaRed), Hungarian/Autobot Junior Scuba Diver Location: Autobot/Hungary/Earth Federation/Sumdac Systems Junior Scuba/Rescue Diver Training Diving Pool (At Budapest, in Ocean City, at Robot City Detroit… take your pick) Date: June 201X (Think Dreamwave Transformers Energon comics) Friends: Chad "Kicker" Jones, Earth Federation/Autobot Junior Rescue Diver Sari Sumdac, Sumdac Systems/Autobot Junior Rescue Diver Entry: Junior Rescue Diver Training, Y2Ks Retro Style

József Fénye: Hello there, Personal Log: József Fénye recording another log entry!

Autobot Junior Divers Chad "Kicker" Jones of the Earth Federation, Sari Sumdac of Sumdac Systems and I, József Fénye of Hungary decided to go Y2Ks Retro Scuba Style with a TransformerTech twist - 2004 to 2008 - in today's wave-crashingly successful Junior Rescue Diver Training and Junior Rescue Diver Gear Testing at the Autobot Junior Scuba/Rescue Diver Training Diving Pool here in good ol' Budapest, Hungary!

I took The Perfect Shot of the Heroic Junior Scuballute Rescue Diver Boy's Underwater ParaRescue Ascent with Rescue SCUBAllute and Rescue SCUBACapsule fully inflated with breathable air, Daring Game style between 20.24 feet, 20.04 feet and 19.84 feet (the last of which is above 19.91 feet) in the training diving pool via Dive Digicam - all in high speed yet safe and controlled ascension to illustrate the Y2Ks scuba style twist on a fairy tale story theme of our Junior Rescue Diver Training and Gear Test in which our brave little team of Junior Scuba Divers played the roles of and suited and geared up in the following:

József F. (Callsign: Storyteller): Me, Myself and I, the Hungarian High School Scuba Boy calling the shots decked out in my classic All-Patriotic Red-White-and-Green Hungarian themed ensemble of my Boys' One-Piece Beachbody Racing Swimsuit, Silicone Swim Cap and Nabaiji X-Base Swim Goggles, Seiko Dive Watch, Tribord Mantiroa Mask, SNK 500 Snorkel and R'Gomoove Fins ABC Kit, Scubapro Finseal Buoyancy Compensator Dive Jacket with Air2 Inflator/Octopus, Replica Retro Watergill AT-PAC Hardshell Double Air Tanks with brand new TransformerTech Hardshell Aquajetpack Module built in for maximum Underwater Rocketman action and to catch up with the fast-paced aquadynamic aquabatics without getting bent too badly and "Soda Pop Can" Viking-Style Aqualung Mistral Double Hose Regulator with Buddy Tube Octopus and minimalist Air Gauge, for this JRD training dive swapped out with Replica Retro Watergill Failsafe TransformerTech Snorkelator combined with my SNK 500 snorkel I can switch between Regulator Mode and Snorkel Mode manually or automatically with and Replica Retro Watergill Failsafe TransformerTech Octopus Regulator.

Chad J. (Callsign: Knight-In-Shining-Armor): The Earth Federation's Masked Diver and Our Junior Rescue SCUBAllute Scubaboy Hero who dives to his Scubagirl in Simulated Out Of Air Peril's rescue at 60 feet, popping his regulator out of his mouth, connecting his lips with Sari's in True Love's Scuba Kiss (D'awww…) and plugging his reg into Sari's mouth to buddy breathe just in time like a true Space Age Prince before pulling the ripcords back to Home Sweet Home Base surface suited and geared up in his personalized red-white-and-blue TransformerTech integrated Kicker Kustom version of Earth Federation Scuba Gear: his Kicker Kustom Boys' Racing School Boxer Swimshorts and Silicone Swim Cap, Kicker Kustom Earth Federation Dive Mask, Snorkel and Dive Fins ABC Kit, Kicker Kustom Earth Federation Scubapro Style Stabilizer Jacket Buoyancy Compensator with Air2 Inflator/Octopus, air tank and brand new Earth Federation/Sumdac Systems Junior Rescue SCUBAllute Pack (shown with the inflator ripcord pulled and SCUBAllute ring fully deployed and inflated with breathable air like a real Underwater Junior ParaSCUBATrooper that doubles as a inner tube) and Kicker Kustom Earth Federation Mouthpiece Regulator and Compact Air Gauge scuba rig.

Sari S. (Callsign: Princess): The Sumdac Systems Cyber-Scubagirl and the Scubagirl in Simulated Out Of Air Peril who chose to dive to the bottom of the Junior Scuba/Rescue Diver Training Diving Pool at 60 feet (The max depth for Junior Scuba Divers), twist her scuba rig's air tank closed to simulate the feeling of running out of air during a SCUBA dive as real as it gets - but not TOO real - and play the panicked scubagirl who run out of air with all the regulator mouthpiece panting and puffed up cheeks and swimsuit chest and mouthpiece muffled grunting and underwater struggling (Give Sari Sumdac a Trophy for Best Junior Scuba Diver Actress for her realistic out-of-air simulation!) for Kicker to come diving to her rescue, Junior Rescue Diver buddy breathing and Underwater ParaSCUBA style all suited and geared up in her colorful yellow-gold-black-and-Energon-Cyan personalized TransformerTech upgraded Sari Special version of Sumdac Systems Scuba Gear: her Sari Special Girls' Turtleneck Japanese-Style School Swimsuit and Silicone Swim Cap, Sari Special Sumdac Systems Dive Mask, Snorkel and Dive Fins ABC Kit, Sari Special Sumdac Systems Scubapro Venus Style Girls' Backwing Jacket Buoyancy Compensator with Air2 Inflator/Octopus, air tank and Sari Special Sumdac Systems R190 Style Mouthpiece Regulator and Compact Air Gauge scuba rig and brand new Earth Federation/Sumdac Systems Rescue Inflatable SCUBACapsule (shown with the whole SCUBACapsule fully deployed and inflated with breathable air after pulling the inflator ripcord and wrapping Sari up like a scuba cocoon snug as a scuba bug in an inflatable tug).

Quoth Kicker through his reg in his mouth before he and Sari let rip the cords: "Knight-In-Shining-Armor to Storyteller: Princess is safe and sound and we're going back to Home Sweet Home. Over."

József Fénye over and out for this log entry!

[dzthenerd490]

File: Sharktopus

SCP#: AHC

Code Name: The Sea Chimera

Object Class: Neutralized

Special Containment Procedures: SCP-AHC was neutralized by Interdimensional Group of Interest: The Shark Punching Center. It's believed they did this for the sole purpose of testing out a new SPC to help with their goals. Because of this, no containment procedures could be made. 

Description: SCP-AHC is a Weaponized Military Anomaly or a WMA for short. It was created to be the ultimate biological hybrid of an octopus, a squid, and a shark all in one. It possesses the top port of a shark with sharp teeth and the same biological ability to replace its teeth though to a accelerated scale. Its lower body is replaced with squid like tentacles all of which have blade like tips capable to slashing and cutting anything they slash through. The squid tentacles are reinforced with the muscles of octopus tentacles allowing the organism to stand on these tentacles not only using them as weapons, and common tentacles, but also legs as well. SCP-AHC's body as a whole allows has a durable body able to repel the heaviest and sharpest physical attacks. It can also regenerate from bullet wounds and even energy-based attacks quickly making it not only extremely resilient but also a military based Apex Predator. 

SCP-AHC was discovered in 2010 when it went on a rampage, killing the resort area of [data expunged], Mexico. Foundation agents were able to pinpoint where SCP-AHC was heading and attacked it before it could hit any densely populated areas. Mobile Task Force Demeter-7 "Chimera Slayers" was created and deployed to contain or if deemed necessary destroy SCP-AHC before it could harm anyone. However, before they could do anything a portal manifested and out came Marine Fighting Team Whale-58 "Nose Strike" form Group of Interest: The Shark Punching Center. 

There were able to quickly kill SCP-AHC and return to their reality by (how else?) punching it to death. The Foundation was unable to get any further data on SCP-AHC or the SPC the Shark Punching Center utilized. Though it seems that as an apology the Shark Punching Center later sent a file explaining the SPC and how it killed SCP-AHC. Please see Addendum X-48 for details. 

***

Addendum X-48

The following is a file created by the Shark Punching center regarding the SCP-AHC incident. 

***

SPC#: ZCH

Code Name: THE SHARKITE PUNISHMENT

Selachian Pugnātorial Capabilities: SPC-ZCH is to be used to help combat the recently growing Sharkite threat. New clans have been forming out of Surface Skarites while more ancient Abyssal Sharkites are coming to the surface. As such, SPC-ZCH was created specifically to be used to combat the vile Skarites and any Deviants they have created. 

Project Component: Is a gauntlet designed to release a electromagnetic pulse that is harmful to a Hybrid Flesh Deviant or HFD for short. Upon punching the electric waves burn the skin of the HFD and continue to burn more after every following punch. The way how it works is that there is a piston mechanism within the gauntlet that extends alongside the arm of the fist. Once contact with the punch is made it will slide back into itself and connect the two main components of the electromagnetic pulse device. 

This device is made to be of two components that will only activate when physical contact is made from the piston sliding in from the recoil of the punch. The resulting pulse not only fries the flesh of HFD's but adds extra force to the punch ensuring even the strongest of Sharkites cannot defend from a punch. 

This last part is not essential but because of the piston it's also able to extend an extra inch forward so the wearer can punch a shark without having to move. Pretty cool, right?

Deployment Record: SPC-ZCH was deployed first in 2010 within Universe Alpha-20, one of the realities where the SCP Foundation resides. For those that don't know, the SCP Foundation is an multiversal variation of the Shark Punching Center, most likely caused by a spelling error by one of the Gods (though if you ask them, they'll say we're the spelling error variant). Unlike our reality which is devoted to preserving the normalcy of the world by getting rid of the deviants of the world known mostly as Sharks. The SCP Foundation is full of various other Deviants that consist of Sharks but many other monstrosities that makes you wonder how the SCP Foundation is still alive or why they never kill their Deviants as often as we do.

Regardless, Alpha-20 in particular is a unique variant of the SCP Foundation in that is has a massive abundance of Deviants that even other SCP Foundations are not familiar with. They seem to believe this is the result of a massive shift in their reality quite similar to ours which we have dubbed "The Ouroboros". As such ORACLE has given the order to use their shark related deviants as test subjects to help with our Shark related issues. Plus doing so will be like helping them so its honestly two flying fish with one stone if you think about it, I'm sure the SCP Foundation won't mind if we punch their sharks for them... yeah...

And SCP-ZCH was one such device used to punch one nasty shark! used it to save a group called Mobile Task Force Demeter-7 "Chimera Slayers". Still don't get why they use guns and nets to attack Deviants, neither are good alternatives for punching but whatever, I guess. They did look pretty mad when the shark died but I'm sure they'll get over it... right?

***

The O5 Council was furious and made their wrath public when the file was made public to the rest of Foundation staff. A Mobile Task Force that can repel the Shark Punching Center is being considered to be made should they interfere with Foundation affairs again. 

It was also found out that SCP-AHC was later artificially created by the Navy Division of PENTAGRAM. Those involved were surrendered to the Foundation, originally, they were going to be sent to Mobile Task Force Sigma-66 "Sixteen Tons". However, since their greatest creation was a shark with tenacles it was concluded that they had nothing the Foundation would want. They were all instead assigned to D Class and used for experiments with SCP-AAY.

.

SCP: Horror Movie Files Hub

[vector-art-bundles]

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The octopus, a creature renowned for its adaptability and strategic prowess, serves as the inspiration behind Commander Inktopus. This meticulously crafted vector artwork captures the essence of this formidable marine predator, rendered in exquisite detail and imbued with a distinctly military aura.

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Enlist the Commander Inktopus Today

For those seeking to elevate their designs with a touch of military precision and octopus-inspired ingenuity, Commander Inktopus Vector Graphics are an indispensable asset. With their exceptional detail, versatility, and range of formats, these graphics are poised to empower you to create designs that exude both power and finesse.

Embrace the Commander Inktopus and unleash your creative firepower!

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[thedeadhead]

a couple d&d items from me to you ~~

Carapace of The Sodden Earth

A shield made of iron, rested from the grip of a bog, when cleaned off the front is revealed to be engraved with designs of a beautiful marsh. When the bearer of this shield successfully block an attack, they can use their reaction toforce the attacker to make a DC 14 Constitution Saving throw or be blasted [ 5 x Bearer’s Con. Mod (min 1) ].

Once a blessing bestowed upon a young knight by a great spirit of the land, after his death it willed itself to a bog to be chanced upon one day by a new brave soul in honor of that friendship long ago.

Warlock’s Ring of Portable Hot-Tub

A simple bronze band inlaid with a piece of amethyst, when removed from the pinky finger it will expand into a simple yet elegant bronze hot-tub and slowly begin to fill with warm water. Amethyst nobs can be turned to adjust water temperature, bubble level, or even clean the water. If taken off the pinky and placed in the dirt the hot tub will be below ground.

To be able to wield the ring you must first sign a contract with the hot-tub, which will appear on first summoning. Once signed and terms are agreed, the hot-tub may then be used at will. To return the hot-tub to ring form, simply exit and pat the side twice while thanking it. Any damage to the hot-tub baring the total destruction of the ring itself will be repaired upon next use. However, if the hot-tub feels it prudent it will impose maintenance fee, payable to the small spirit that lives behind a small door at the top of the tub. This spirit is responsible for hot-tub maintenance and appears as a small baby octopus wearing a white cloth headband.

I created this ring to accommodate myself on farther journeys to places that might not have proper tubbage. You’d be surprised how often it doubles as a spot for diplomatic meetings and business deals.

The hot-tub refuses to be deployed in situations as a gimmick-exploit or in combat, there’s a time and a place for everything!

[rhetoricandlogic]

THE LOST FUTURE OF PEPPERHARROW by Natasha Pulley

RELEASE DATE: Feb. 18, 2020

M ore steampunk adventures of a samurai prognosticator, his clockwork octopus, and his human lovers.

Five years after her charming debut novel, The Watchmaker of Filigree Street (2015), Pulley brings back the main characters for another scramble through the dangers and consequences of clairvoyance. Readers of the first book already know the big reveal: that Keita Mori—the eponymous London watchmaker—has an unusual memory that works both backward and forward. (Readers new to the series should put this book down and start with Watchmaker.) This time Pulley sets the action principally in Japan, where Mori; Thaniel Steepleton, a British translator and diplomat; Grace Carrow Matsumoto, a physicist; and Takiko Pepperharrow, a Kabuki actress and baroness, are working together to foil a samurai’s power grab and turn away a Russian invasion. At least, that’s what Mori’s doing; the others are rushing blindly down paths he’s laid out for them, which may or may not get them where he wants them to go. But if Mori knows what’s coming and what steps they can take to change the future, why doesn’t he just tell them what to do? The answer is half satisfying (because, as in any complicated relationship, communication isn’t always easy; because the characters have wills of their own and might not obey) and half irritating (because if he did, there wouldn’t be much of a story). Pulley’s witty writing and enthusiastically deployed steampunk motifs—clockwork, owls, a mechanical pet, Tesla-inspired electrical drama—enliven a plot that drags in the middle before rushing toward its explosive end. Perhaps more interesting than the plot are the relationships. The characters revolve through a complex pattern of marriages of passion and convenience, sometimes across and sometimes within genders and cultures, punctuated by jealousy and interesting questions about trust.

Although this sequel doesn’t break new ground, it will appeal strongly to fans of the first book.