#The redesign took the flowers away

[just-pauline]

[steddieas-shegoes]

Drabble idea for the ask thing: Steve works at a tattoo shop and Eddie works at a flower shop, they both get odd looks when they tell people about their job. Bonus: Eddie gets a tattoo of a flower from Steve and that's how they meet.

This is like if you took call me sunshine, send me to space and made it cuter with a flower shop and made Steve the tattoo artist instead. I'm just gonna write the bonus scene because that's a lot to keep 500 words or less and we all know how I go on 😂 Don't @ me over the super sappy ending, someone with spoons please write another 50k of this.

🌷🌼🌻🌷🌼🌻🌷🌼🌻

"You want a wildflower bouquet in the space of your full sleeve?" Steve stared at the fully tattooed man over his glasses, brows raised in disbelief. "I'm not one to judge tattoo choices but you seem to know what you're doing and I'm a bit confused as to how that fits with...anything else on your arm."

Steve had definitely done some wild tattoos. He was actively part of so many bad decisions made by people who would live to regret getting their girlfriend's name on their neck or the face of their best friend on their thigh.

But this one was different in that this guy had clearly meticulously planned out every tattoo on his body, and that was a lot of tattoos, and now he wanted to add...wildflowers. In between skulls and guitars and some metal band logo. Right.

"Yeah and if it's a problem, I can go somewhere else, man. I just heard a lot of good things about you and my flower shop is two doors down, so-"

"Wait. You're Eddie? You're the guy who owns the flower shop." Steve perked up, face relaxing more into a smile.

"The one and only. You been by?" Eddie didn't remember actually seeing Steve before.

He'd been shocked to walk in and see a barely tattooed Steve sitting behind the counter. Assuming he was the secretary, he'd said he was here for an appointment with the guy in charge, and Steve smiled and explained who he was.

"I haven't. But someone brought me a bouquet you made when I first opened and it was beautiful. Managed to keep it alive and thriving for almost two weeks, which is a record for me, and then someone said it was because of the way you take care of them before they're sold and the minerals you use in the water and I'm turning into Robin. Jesus."

Eddie was endeared.

Steve was looking down at his tablet in front of him, a barely visible sketch on it.

"Is that what you've come up with?" Eddie asked as he leaned over the counter to get a closer look.

They could talk about his love of the bouquet Eddie made later.

"Yeah, but. Now that I'm looking at you...I'm not sure it's right," Steve sighed, closing the app and looking back up at Eddie. "I can redesign at no charge and set up another consultation."

"Can I see?"

"Sure."

Steve pulled his tablet out and opened the picture back up.

It was beautiful, actually resembled a bouquet Eddie had done not long ago for his friend Jonathan.

"It's perfect. Can it be done in one long sitting or do we need to break it up?" Eddie smiled at Steve, pulling up the calendar on his phone to make an appointment.

"Uh. Well." Steve cleared his throat. "I guess you could probably handle the pain so all in one is fine with me? It's probably gonna be six hours with breaks every hour. Are you sure this is what you want?"

Eddie looked at the tablet again, tilting his head as he thought back to when he'd made this bouquet.

"Do you know Jonathan Byers?" Eddie asked, not looking away from the picture.

His eyes focused on the coneflower that he'd only been able to use in one bouquet before his part time employee found out they were allergic.

"Yeah...why?"

"He got you that bouquet, right?"

Steve nodded.

Eddie didn't really believe in fate or destiny or whatever type of miracle people tended to wish for. He also didn't believe in soulmates or the perfect partner.

But wildflowers grow anywhere, and sometimes love can too.

[dnpanimationstudioclone]

Niffty Redesign🐛

Made my own take on Niffty for Fun!!!!!!!!💖 I def thought a lot on what to try with her!!!!

Pushed for a more 50’s Housewife aesthetic/hotel maid vibe. She’s wearing a pinafore apron which was very popular during that era and I took the poodle skirt idea and reworked it into the apron, but rather than a poodle it’s a bug 🐛. Also brought back warmer colors like the pilot look had. Pastel yellow was def a pop color!

Also added a name tag as to show she works for the hotel 🏨

Added more splotches and made them bigger on her apron. Polkadots were popular in that time and I think are cute(lot of her concepts had polka dots on her) plus I can see her wanting people to assume she’s a ladybug or Asian Lady Beetle 🐞 (@peeperscreeperz made a take of Niffty being that which is AMAZING and I considered making her that too but I ended up going a different route). I can see her also wanting them to give off flowers…only for most people to see them as blood stains.🌸🩸

Also gave her those iconic cleaning gloves 🧤. Shes the Hotels maid AND cook afterall 🧽 👩‍🍳

Gave her a bandana bow for the housewife and maid look and because I think it’s cute and lowkey gives off antennae. I LOVE the idea of her being a bug demon so I went with that. I was going for a subtle ambiguity of what she’s suppose to be(she’s hiding what she is).

Gave her warmer eye color back! Also made the pupil more leaf shaped 🍃.

Added gradient for her limbs.

Added extra limbs. Great for extra cleaning 🧹 🧼

Her hairs actually antennae…and extra legs 🦵

Gave her three fingers.

Made her eye bigger(bugs often got big eyes! Or for her case eye 👁️)

Added a lil bug instead of a poodle for her apron!🪳

For her color motif, went back to warmer colors and because for mine I’m going with a rainbow motif she’s Yellow💛🌈 the color known for its positives such as joy and friendship…but can also mean negative things such as Deceit, illness and often used as a warning color⚠️ it was also a popular color for Sci-Fi posters(she was based on B-Alien Movies)

Made her skin a kinda warm pastel orange🧡 I missed her having a warm palette but I also get why they changed it due to her roots 🇯🇵. So I went with orange!!!! Her hairs also a more brownish red-orange.

For her bug theme,

I went with something that I figure would connect her both to her ability to take down pests so well and Japanese origins. The Japanese Centipede! Centipedes are great for pest control but apparently to Japan they’re considered symbols of evil and rottenness, plus with how they look they often scare people even those they don’t pose serious threats to humans, which I think fits Niffty’s whole desire to be loved only to accidentally scare people away…shunned & unloved by a world she can’t seem to fit in💔

HUGE Spoiler alert!!!! Hazbin Hotel

With the reveal of Husk being once an Overlord I like to believe the same with Niffty but rather than souls(talked about this with @a-sterling-rose, she was an immensely powerful sinner like Alastor, but alas her form was far too big and scary for people to want to get close to and she was alone…until Alastor offered her a deal he’d provide a more approachable form in return for her eternal service)

A lot of her looks meant to be hiding what she is. Disguising her extra limbs as hair, her body’s color scheme based on a centipedes, poofy dress that could cover extra, even the bug design could be Interpreted as a long centipede. I was also going for a subtle sharp, mini legs for her apron ruffles, giving off her trying to look sweet and soft but could also be interpreted in another way…

I read and learned from a @lovesart23 redesign vid for her that, she was meant to be based on B-Alien Movies. LOVE that and I tried it myself(hardest part was figuring out what bug to make her and what themes to go with) but I ended up going for another Sci-Fi route. Kaiju/Giant Bug monsters. Creatures like Godzilla or those giant bugs creatures like “the Tingler” 1959(which was a centipede monster I read). I figure it’d connect well to both her struggles of fitting in but also her Japanese Roots.

Monsters are tragic beings. They are born too tall, too strong, too heavy. They are not evil by choice. That is their tragedy. They do not attack people because they want to, but because of their size and strength, mankind has no other choice but to defend himself. After several stories such as this, people end up having a kind of affection for the monsters. They end up caring about them."

— Ishir⁠ō Honda The Director of Godzilla

Plus some certain Kaijus could qualify as Aliens!.

There’s even a Yokai/demon based on the centipede know as the Ōkumade!

CW freaky Pictures of centipedes and Mice

What do u think? I’d love to know💖

I’ve also done Charlie, Vaggie and Angel🍎🦋🕷️

[factual-fantasy]

24 moar asks :}

..That’s.. That’s a good point.

I’ve noticed recently that I’ve been trying very hard to get all these projects done, but I just cant seem to get past this writers/artist block.. Ingo and Emmet part 3, my FNAF AU, the Rosalina comic.. all of it has just felt really draining. I think its because I’m turning these projects into work, instead of a fun hobby.

I actually was working on the Petey Piranha comic last night, but I just couldn’t get past the sketching stage. So I took a break to draw what ever I wanted and.. I had a lot of fun.

I think I’ve overwhelmed myself thinking I have to do all these projects and get them done quickly for.. what ever reason. And its made art really draining.

I think I’m gonna take all of my projects (aside from my FNAF AU) and just. Put them on the shelf for now. I’ll draw them if I ever feel like it. 

Thanks for the little push anon.

When ever I want. And it’ll be what ever I want :}

@aemered​

If you see that someone has reposted my art and you want to do something about it, first of all thank you very much that’s really kind of you-

SECOND OFF, report it if you can. If you cant then leave a comment saying its stolen and link back to my tumblr or just mention my name. Thanks again! Its really cool that you’d want to do that for me- 💕😭💕

I had planned that he could eat a fire flower and spit out a fire ball, but I later took away that ability. Yoshi ain’t got no fire powers :(

They do exist, and Bowser does care about them.. but he doesn't show it as much as he does in canon. He’s a lot more stern and ruler like. A lot less touchy feely you know?

The idea is that the 1-UP mushroom has fully left Mario’s body. So any effects or pain he experiences all lies in his trauma related to the incident.

Now, if Luigi were to die and be revived by a 1-UP? It would be the same. If the experience was traumatic and he suffered a horrible injury, he would probably deal with phantom pains too..

@tempestrio​

For most of them I just referenced clothing that relates to the attraction/style they have in the game.

For Chica I looked up kids rock star costumes and took reference of what I thought looked good. For Bonnie I looked up old vintage bowling ally shirts and referenced the one that looked closest to his canon shirt. For Foxy I referenced pirate coats and costumes. For Monty I looked up old golfing outfits and picked out aspects that I liked and mixed it with punk/rock and roll. For Roxanne I referenced punk rock I think..? And old racing fire suits.

For Freddy though I mostly made it up.. but I looked at a bunch of different artists that made redesigns for Freddy and tried to capture the vibe of the ones I liked. Mostly the collar on his coat was something a lot of those artists drew-

For Gregory I just gave him a new outfit based on the story. When he went back to the Pizzaplex his clothes were dirty and worn.. so Freddy went and got him new clothes from one of the gift shops. So I went to google and referenced the sweaters and clothes you find throughout the game and gave him stuff that looked similar. Hope this helped! :}

There is! But its not that deep don’t worry-

When I was designing my sona, I wanted something on my hands. At the time my hands were covered in Band-Aids due to cat scratched and dry/cracked skin. So I thought hey! I could have bandaged hands! So I added them.

They also work if you call them my “artist hands” lol-

No, thank YOU for engaging with my content and sending me lovely messages! :D

@thedorkyidiot​

Oh he’s in the AU, he’s probably one of the smaller gorilla types that just kind’a vibes and does old man stuff. He probably has to eat the sweeter fruits though because his jaw isn’t so strong anymore. Much to his dismay.. 

She didn’t cause any problems per say, the Toads didn’t even know she existed. Although she does create these shooting stars every time she comes to the planet.. but that doesn’t bother the Toads either, In fact they celebrate them. So the toads have no issue with Rosalina.

Also she apologized to Mario and Luigi for “disturbing” them because they heard her crying and they went to investigate. :(

And thank you! I’m glad you like my interpretations! :D

Well you’re in luck! My FNAF AU is the only project I plan to not drop and keep working on! Hahaha!... haaahhhh

(Also thank you very much that was very sweet 😭)

@shannonallaround​

I don’t actually have a specific name that I tag my AU under.. but if you were to search “mario” in my blog search you’ll find just about every Mario related post I’ve ever made. AU and not AU.

Not yet.. 👀

The reason why Mario experiences phantom pain is because his first death was very traumatic for him. So whether or not he experiences phantom pains with his future deaths all depends on how he died, and how it effected him mentally.

Same goes for Luigi. If he dies a horribly painful/traumatic death.. he’ll likely experience phantom pains too..

@color-craz​

There was a comic planned for how they met him actually.

They got lost in the woods and stumbled upon King Boos mansion. Like an idiot Mario goes in and Luigi follows. They both ended up getting tormented and pranked by the Boos. They were separated at one point but then met back up on the second floor. Mario sees a fire flower in an old flower pot and grabs it.

As soon as he becomes fire Mario.. the entire mansion goes completely silent..

Then, all the windows and doors slowly shut. Some of the lights come on and Mario and Luigi follow them. They follow the lights down the hall, down the stairs, through the main room and wind up led to the front door..

The front door is wide open. Mario and Luigi walk out.. only for the door to slam shut behind them. Locking them out.

Mario harnessing a fire flower was so bizarre, so impossible! That King Boo knew he was outmatched against him. So King Boo just silently let them out of the mansion without a fuss. 

@mysteriousl0ser​

I’m not sure how they would react to the Koopalings, but I imagine they wouldn't hurt them. It doesn’t take a genius to tell that the Koopalings are just kids..

As for their behaviors.. I think its close to the canon interpretations, except for Ludwig and JR. I had planned that Ludwig was going to be much bigger and more stern like his pa. Because he is the heir to the throne.. but then google told me that Roy is the oldest so there goes that plan-

For JR though his plans stick. JR is supposed to be smaller and younger. More like a toddler then a kid. He’s the youngest and the one Bowser is most protective of. 

@gravitystar96​

Thank you! I’m glad you like my AU! :D

As for if anyone will find Gregory.. I haven’t planned if anyone will or who it will be. Although it will likely be Chica or Monty.

Since Chica is so close to Freddy, she is bound to find out about this entire child that he has kept secret-

As for Monty.. I liked the idea of Gregory hiding for some reason.. and he calls for Freddy through his fazwatch in a panic. After a few minutes he hears big thumping plasticky foot steps approaching. He comes out of hiding thinking its Freddy..

But it was Monty.

I made them brothers because I could :}

Although I’m questioning it now. Maybe they could just be friends. They could just be two idiots who found each other and decided to reek havoc together.

Oooor they could be brothers., Hmm.. I’ll have to give it some more thought XD

If Bowser had gone straight for Luigi, first of all he would have to land a fatal blow twice. Because the power of the Ice Flower would Protect Luigi from one big hit. That’s actually why Mario died in one shot. Because the Fire Flower had just run our of power.

But anyway- after loosing the ice flower and getting hit? Luigi would just die.. and stay dead. Only Mario had consumed a 1-UP mushroom at that point..

I imagined them as these strange monsters that live in the woods. They don’t work for Bowser, or Peach, they just do their own thing. I also imagined them to deal with dark magic and rituals and stuff. 

Wanna hear how Mario and Luigi first met one?

The plan was that the bros and Yoshi were exploring when they found a shy guy with its leg caught in a tree root. Mario carefully approached to try and help.. but the closer he got. The longer and more deformed the shy guy became.

Yoshi ended up snatching them both up and running away. Mario mysteriously had a fever that lasted for a few days after that..

Me waiting for my platonic kiss on the forehead be like:

My favorite character? Oooo that’s a good question. There’s a lot to choose from.. but one of my favorites is Hal Monitor. Always love it when he’s on screen XD

I actually like stupid Mario sometimes, he’s pretty funny XD

So far my favorite arc is the lawsuit arc. Mostly because I’m not caught up on the other arcs. The little nuggets of Mario angst/wholesomeness we got in that arc was delicious XD 

@spencer-the-fox-87​

If the Monkeys were to eat the red beets they would gain more muscle mass overtime. But its not a matter of them not being able to eat them, they just don’t like them.

The blue fruits are very sweet and juicy, and the beets are dry and bitter. The kongs that like bitter flavors eat the beets and grow to be huge. and overtime they develop a dislike for sweet tastes. And vice versa.

[jonquilandlace]

So anyway I was bored and this was fully out of my typical fandom but I found this forest fairy maker by @elequinoa on my old favorite dress up game website from when I was a kid, Doll Divine, and proceeded to brainrot and say hey what if I made all the Disney Fairies in this, except creepy and weird and more my idea of fey? So anyway here's all of the fairies and the goofy redesigns (under the cut because I feel horrible for people who were never in this fandom having to scroll past seven sets of fairies lol)

Tumblr crop is bad so I apologize in advance. (Also disclaimer for minor photoshop on Rosetta and Periwinkle to make their body colors more unearthly, as my intent was None Of These Fairies Should Look Human, and to make Periwinkle's mask an arctic fox instead of a fox; I attempted to look at TOU and it seemed like this should be alright, but if not, I apologize for overstepping!) (Also minor edit for less pixelated banner image)

Fawn - She was the first one I did and wound up more muted in color scheme, but I really like how she turned out. She was meant to look somewhat like a moth or bark, with some faun-ish inspiration, as well.

Iridessa - As a fairy focused on light, there were two ways I could see taking her (the alternate being distinctly holographic), but in the end liked the double entendre of "light" when leaning towards "biblically accurate angel," so there's bird motifs and just general cherub vibes.

Vidia - The opposite of Iridessa, really; the goal here was to lean into lightning motifs and dark or gothic elements to emphasize the opposite elements in comparison to Iridessa's classical elements. Dragonfly wings for speed, of course.

Rosetta - As in her original, meant to resemble a flower, just amped up a bit to where she resembles a rococo/art deco fusion when viewed naturally, but could literally flip upside down and pretend to be a flower if she wanted to.

Silvermist - Yes this picture isn't from the first movie I couldn't find a good one lmao. Anyway, her wings reminded me of that specific type of dragonfly that skims over my uncle's lake, so I riffed on that alongside the almost pseudo-waves of the petal shirt. She is more directly meant to be an embodiment of water, but more lake or even bog-ish water, where she could peek out of the water at the top and an onlooker would only register her as perhaps a frog, as emphasized in the monochrome eyes, or a ripple in the waves.

Periwinkle - Where options did really start to limit what I could do, lol. I decided to lean into the mysterious and crystalline vibes of the winter, with her visage taking on the arctic fox and even reindeer-ish antler look of something moving in the snowy woods, but yet draped in a finery like freshly fallen snow. She's also the only one with "normal" fairy wings, but I could see it for her, with them perhaps being made of frost.

And finally, Tinkerbell - One that I definitely took some more risks with in design, she is nevertheless the most openly friendly-looking of the fey batch, despite her green hue, which is really in character for a fairy best known for hanging out with Peter Pan and being fascinated by humans. For clothing, I leaned heavily into artificer and witch vibes, mirroring a bit more of the human world, with a touch of goblin to temper it. I did shift away from her typical dress in favor of more adventurous wear, more suited for pretending to be a mushroom or even mouse in the corner of someone's eye.

Overall, idk, I just really had fun with this mini-project. I don't intend to do anything with it, ofc; it was just for fun, but I had a fun time with it!

[feyhunter78]

Trials of Tributes (11/?)

Description: Your studies begin to pay off, the fate of Rhaenyra's youngest child is revealed, and a court session goes awry.

Series masterlist

Aemond sighed heavily as he strode into his chambers. The rebuilding of the dragonpit was a lengthy project, one that would take much time and gold.

He thought back to y/n’s words from a few nights ago. Why is Vhagar so much bigger than the other dragons?

He had a few theories, which he shared with her, but he was surprised when her own suggestion had been so simple yet so brilliant.

Perhaps since she did not live confined in the tunnels, she was able to reach her natural size? Much like the tales of the wild dragons, how they are so large compared to the younger dragons.

He sent word to Dragonstone, requesting more information on the original habitats of dragons. If her words rang true, the dragonpit would need more than rebuilding, it would need to be completely redesigned.

Y/N was laying in their bed, her back against the headboard, her head buried in a thick tome.

“Good evening, ābrazȳrys.” He said, pulling her attention from the book, as he shed his clothing freely. Drawing pleasure from the way her eyes quickly darted away in an attempt to preserve the veil of modesty, she insisted on drawing between them.

“Good evening, husband, how goes the dragonpit?” She closed her book but kept her eyes down.

He changed into his nightclothes and slid into bed, pulling her into his side. “I have written to the dragonkeepers on Dragonstone, asking them to look into your theory.”

She brightened, blooming like a radiant flower. “Truly?”

He hummed an affirmative tone and brushed the hair back from her face.

“Your sister came to see you, I gave Jaeheara the toy you had made for her, I hope that is alright?”

“Of course, she is your niece, you are more than welcome to provide her with any toys you see fit.”

Y/N nodded, a pensive look on her face.

“What ails you, sweet wife?”

“Where are the youngest of Princess Rhaenyra’s children? I heard naught of their fate when the war ended, and I still have not…” She wouldn’t look at him, her eyes on the simple embroidery of his nightshirt.

“Aegon and Viserys attempted to escape to Essos, they were caught, and in his inexperience Aegon took flight on his dragon. They were shot down and perished in the sea.” He said, telling her a half-truth, wishing to spare her the gory details.

“And the young Viserys? He must have been merely six years of age.” She said, raising her gaze to his.

“Why do you wish to know their fates?” He asked, a voice that sounded oddly like his grandsire’s whispered that he should take caution, that he had allowed her too many freedoms.

Y/N shifted, and his heart stuttered when he saw a lone tear slip down her cheek. “I must admit I have sympathy. I know the pain of being forced from your home, of losing family and feeling adrift.”

Aemond closed his eye, gathering his thoughts. He did not enjoy the moments he was forced to remember that y/n was not here of her own free will, that she was an object offered to him in lieu of gold.

He felt her fingertips brush the skin of his scar. “I do not wish to stir any thoughts of disloyalty in your mind husband, but I cannot control my heart, and it bleeds at the thought of a child alone and scared in a strange place.”

He hummed lowly and leaned into her touch. “I will take you to see him in the morn, I cannot promise that it will stanch the bleeding though.”

“He is here?”

He nodded. “In a locked wing, watched by guards and a maester. Mother and I agreed it would not serve us to kill him, not would it be right. He is a child, he had no dragon, no part in the war.”

“And he could wed Jaehaera.” She ventured, sitting up and pulling the book from her nightstand. “I have read that it in Targaryen tradition to wed blood to blood. One would think that by uniting the two houses it would lead to a greater stability.”

He sat up as well, a thrill running through him at the prowess his wife was demonstrating. Soon he would introduce her to the court, and all would see his strength as king.

“The children have never met, but I have considered betrothing them.”

Y/N pulled a sheet of parchment from the book and made a note, adding another set of lines to the branching family tree she had created.

His little wife seemed to be learning much quicker than he had hoped, and he tilted her chin up, kissing her gently. “Let us sleep, tomorrow you may revisit the idea of betrothals.”

You buried your free hand in your skirt, the other caught in the tight grip of Viserys’ hand. Aemond had made good on his promise and slowly, but surely, you had gained the young boy’s trust. It had been a slow start; he was skittish and flinched at the sight of Aemond. But you persisted and with the help of the maesters began to identify Viserys’ favorite toys and books.

Soon he raced to the door when you appeared, and quickly after that you had been able to convince Aemond to move Viserys into your wing. Every moment Aemond was not by your side, Viserys was, and you developed a deep fondness for the boy. Once he had broken from his shell, he was jovial and charming, with a love for reading and swordsmanship.

King’s Landing was deep in winter’s grip when Aemond had decided to introduce you to the court. It had gone well, your fervent studying had not been for naught, and Aemond had gifted you a ring of gold carved to look like a dragon as a reward. The eyes of the dragon were flecks of sapphire, and you wore it proudly.

Your initial warm reception did not prevent rumors from forming, though. Soon after many saw the young prince, born of Rhaenyra and Daemon, trailing after you, they began to talk.

Some claimed Viserys was truly yours and Aemond’s, that Rhaenyra had stolen him. Others claimed you had been one of many whores Daemon had bedded, and, in the insanity, Daemon had driven her to, Rhaenyra claimed the child as her own, banishing you to your home.

You were partial to the former rumor, if it distracted the court from the fact that you had not produced an heir, despite the fact that you had been wedded to Aemond for over a year now. He had yet to bed you, and no matter how desperate you felt, you would not shame yourself nor him by begging him to do so. Even though an inkling of doubt began to grow in your mind. Perhaps he no longer desired you, or he had found another.

“Muña, I do not wish to go.” Viserys said, his voice small as he clung to your skirts. His dark purple eyes were fixated on you, his lower lip trembling.

His habit of calling you, mother in Valyrian did not dissuade any rumors, but you would never correct him. You had sat with Viserys as he cried over his lost family. Laid by his side when his night terrors gripped him and sent him back to the waking world with agonizing screams ripping from his throat.

Viserys was your son now, he had burrowed into your heart and made a home there. You would never voice this, though, in fear that it would give rise to the Lord Hightower’s whispers. The previous Hand of the King believed you to be a spy, a whore, a traitor, an assassin, or any other foul title depending on the day.

You knelt down and adjusted Viserys’ cloak, a deep green color with gold trim. It matched your own. “I know ñuha tresy, it will be quick, and then you may join Jaehaera in her mother’s chambers.”

You had asked Helaena how to say my son in Valyrian, begging her to keep it quiet. You had practiced the two words in secret, and the joy on Viserys’ face made any worries disappear. It was a name you seldom used in the company of others, but in these private moments it fell from your lips with ease.

Your Valyrian had improved greatly, but it was still not yet fluent. Aemond seemed to feel no urgency to teach you his mother tongue, just as he seemed to feel no urgency to sheathe himself inside you and give you an heir.

“Why does Jaehaera get to stay in her mother’s chambers, and I do not?” Viserys asked, squeezing your hand tighter as you approached the throne room.

“Because Jaehaera is not as brave as you, ñuha tresy, which is why you must be brave for her.”

Viserys puffed up his chest, a comical look of seriousness on his youthful face. For a boy of six, he possessed a great ability to understand the duties placed upon his shoulders.

“Queen y/n, and Prince Viserys.” The crownsguard announced as you entered the hall.

Aemond was seated on the Iron Throne, his father’s crown on his head today, a symbol of wisdom and peace.

You held your head high, and approached the throne, curtsying to your husband before ascending the steps and standing beside him, Viserys tucked into your side.

“Bring in the petitioners.” Aemond called, already sounding bored.

You stood still, letting Viserys fidget with your fingers and rings to entertain himself as petitioner after petitioner made their plea.

Finally, the last man stepped forward and you felt Viserys tugging on your arm. You knelt down, too distracted by his whispered words to notice who stepped into the hall.

“Lord Vaghn of House Garrot.” The guard called.

You stiffened, and Viserys gave you a concerned look. “Muña?”

You looked towards the gathered guards, catching Sir Criston’s gaze. “Go with Sir Criston, Viserys.”

“What? No, I want to stay with you.” He tightened his grip, and your heart dropped when you heard Aemond repeat Vaghn’s name.

“Go, now.” You ordered, untangling your hand from his and pushing him towards the Lord Commander.

Sir Criston took Viserys out of the room, and you let out a shaky breath before rising and turning to face your husband and Vaghn.

“Lord Vaghn, I must admit, your name sounds vaguely familiar. Have you appeared before my court before?” Aemond’s voice was calm, his expression smooth and emotionless.

You intertwined your hand with his, and he pressed it to his lips.

“I have not, My King.”

“Interesting, well, state your case.” Aemond said, nodding his head towards him.

“It pains me to no end to do this, but I bring an accusation against the queen.” Vaghn said, his eyes settling on you.

Your breath caught in your throat, and you tightened your grip on Aemond’s hand. “Aemond…”

Aemond raised an eyebrow, his free hand settling on the hilt of Darksister. “An accusation?”

Vaghn nodded, eyes wrenched back to Aemond. “Of bigamy, My King. She was already married when her father gave her to you.”

Aemond’s eye flickered to you, and you shook your head. “What evidence do you bring to back your claim?”

“I am her husband, her father wedded her to me in exchange for my family’s support.” Then he turned to you. “Y/N, I know it has been many moons since we have been together, but I have not forgotten you. I was furious when I heard what your father had done.”

“Take care when addressing my wife so casually, lest I take your tongue.” Aemond said, his voice cold as the bitter winds that rattled the windows.

“She is my wife; I will address her as I please.” Vaghn snapped, digging out a piece of parchment and approaching the throne.

You shrank back, silently begging Vaghn not to do this, your eyes boring into his.

Aemond stood, towering over Vaghn and took the parchment, scanning it. “This is not a valid claim. Septon Yannis whose name is upon this, had been cast out of the faith three years prior to the written date.”

You leaned forward slightly and scanned the parchment. You recognized nothing, and your head began to hurt, fear coursing through your veins. “I do not know this document, nor do I have any recollection of marrying another.”

“You were quite ill and could not attend, your father gave me your hand.” Vaghn said, reaching for you.

You shrank back further, and Aemond nodded at a nearby kingsguard who brought him a lit torch.

“My wife is my own, she came to me untouched, I have witnessed it myself. Even if this marriage was valid, which it is not. It had gone unconsummated, and thus is easily annulled.” He said, holding the document over the flame.

You watched as it caught fire and dissolved into ash. “My father’s word does not replace my own, not in a marriage ceremony. If I do not say the words myself, it is not binding.”

“Y/N please, I know that you love me, ours is a star-crossed love, one that will last for ages, all you must do is return with me.” Vaghn reached for you once more, and Aemond extinguished the torch in Vhagn’s chest.

Vaghn screamed and stumbled back, and you turned your head, hand flying to your mouth, the smell of singed flesh filling the air.

“There is no love between yourself and my wife. Your words are traitorous, and vile.” Aemond growled, unsheathing Darksister.

You squeezed your eyes shut and let out a fearful sob when you heard the heavy thump of Vhagn’s body hitting the floor.

“This session is finished, leave us.” Aemond ordered, his voice echoing off the looming ceiling.

You kept your eyes closed and prayed to The Seven, he would show you mercy.

Tag list: @nyctophilic0vitnir, @svtansdaddyx, @fan-goddess, @dc-marvel-girl96, @shintax-error, @bellameshipper, @the141bandicoot, @the-phantom-of-arda, @haydee5010, @partypoison00, @serrhaewin, @issshhh, @pax-2735, @malfoytargaryen, @sahanna, @dellalyra, @mxrgodsstuff, @jkhomes, @unusual-raccoon, @boofy1998, @kravitzwhore, @caribbeangel, @krispold, @issshh, @afro-hispwriter, @ryswritingrecord, @prettykinkysoul, @elissanatok, @sahvlren, @its-sam-allgood, @happinessinthbeing, @8e-h-e8, @feyres-fireheart, @just-emmaaaa, @crazylokonugget, @hedahobbit98, @devils-blackrose, @mercedesdecorazon, @snh96, @imjustboredso, @izzicle, @hiatuswhore, @aslanvez, @devils-blackrose, @yentroucnagol, @queenofshinigamis, @partyposion00, @cryptidsrcool

[adminbryantsaki]

Carraway

 Alpha! Werewolf!  Shouta x Omega! Reader

Springtime Rut.

(I do not own My Hero Academia or the characters within. Anything associated with that fandom belongs to Horikoshi Kohei. This story belongs to my 2023 Spice-tober collection. I hope you enjoy. If this story isn’t your cup of tea, blend of spices, or brew of coffee move on. Reader discretion is advised.)

TW: Omegaverse shenanigans, monster fucking, breeding. WC: 926

The birds were chirping and butterflies were flitting about the flowers as you were walking down the path to your Alpha’s den. You had a bag in your hand that held the food you had bought from the store and you were now bringing them home.

You were enjoying the sunlight and warmth of spring as you arrived at the mouth of the cave and you entered the cave, taking your shoes off and calling out into the cave. “Alpha? I’m home!” You spoke, letting your voice echo off the walls of the cave and ring deeper into the cave. You saw him approach you wearing nothing but a pair of his sweatpants hanging dangerously low on his hips, his dark grey ears twitching as he walked into the sunlight that streamed into the cave. You blushed a bright red as he got close to you and kiss you gently. You could smell a strong scent of caraway coming off him. This was the scent he used to try and cover up his rut scent. Your eyes widened, and he pulled you close. “What’s wrong, love?” He asked, a smirk spreading across his face.

“N-nothing.” You responded and ducked out from his presence, going into the kitchen of the cave and began to put the groceries again. You cursed to yourself as you should have remembered that your Alpha was in a fluxing, yet constant state of rut from the spring equinox to summer solstice. You took a deep breath and put away the vegetables in their basket. Shouta walked up behind you and hugged you from behind.

“Kitty, what’s wrong? Did you forget about my springtime rut again?” He spoke into your ear, causing a shiver to run down your spine and goosebumps to raise across your arms. Shouta put a hand on your stomach and pulled you close to his body. You looked up into his eyes and nodded. “I-I’m sorry, Alpha. I’ve been so tired and busy. I also got brain fog from my own heat.” You told him and looked down. He crooked a finger under your chin and made you look up at him.

“Don’t be sorry, we all get busy and caught up in life at times. Just don’t beat yourself up, okay? I’ll help you get the groceries put away then you come with me to my den, alright? I redesigned it just for you when you came back.” He spoke and held you close. He pulled a loaf of bread out of your basket and put it in the bread container as you put away some cuts of meat and other dairy items into the ice box you had in the kitchen before you put your basket by the door with Shouta right behind you as the two of you walked to his den and he let you climb in first to get cozy before he climbed in and pulled you close to his chest.

  “What do you need for me to do, Alpha?” You asked as you were cuddled under one of his blankets that lined his den. “Just keep me comfy for a little while. I want your scent on one of my blankets so I can have it when I’m in here.” He asked. You nodded and wrapped yourself up in the blanket that you had covered over yourself and you became a blanket burrito. You cooed and nuzzled your Alpha as you scented the blanket. He smiled and kissed you gently, watching you enjoy yourself in his den as you spent some time together. After a few minutes, Shouta pulled you close and kissed you deeply.

“I’ve waited all day to have you alone. I can’t wait any longer.” He spoke. You squealed as he pulled you under him and rapidly unwrapping the blanket while kissing you deeply. He slid a hand up under your shirt and under your back, holding you close as his other hand wandered your body. You wrapped your limbs around his torso and you made out with him as his scent began to overwhelm your senses, making your mind grow even more foggy, having your whole body slip into a state of pure bliss as Shouta began to thrust into you, ramming his member into you over and over until his knot got stuck inside of your vaginal canal. You moaned out and held onto him as he gave rapid and quick thrusts into your entrance to get him over that hill of his climax so he could release his knot into you and begin the process all over again. He gave out a guttural groan as his knot finally released, painting your insides with his seed. He kissed you and gave you praise for how good you were. He then pulled out and laid next to you, promptly falling asleep. You giggled and laid on your side, running your fingers through his hair as he slept in your arms, letting the scent of the carraway relax your mind and prepare you for the next round of being bred by your Alpha.

Oh, how you loved springtime.

The end.

[wandersoffdoodling]

The first image is a basic concept, while the second is more fleshed out.

These are my redesigned florans. They're plant-based semi-arboreal predators that have a knack for technology, and who are often misinterpreted as stupid brutes when the galactic translators make their language sound like caveman-speak to other races.

My rework extends not only to their appearance, but to their biology and society. MUCH more below the cut.

Healthy adult florans have a flower-based crest on the back of the head, which is most vivid during their mating season. Floran mating season comes with large-scale festivities, where several tribes meet to partake in sports, hunting, feasting, and dancing. Sports, fesating, and hunting help with inter-tribe relationships, while hunting and dancing are both key to floran reproduction.

There are two dances: the first is for pollination, and the second is to spread seeds.

The pollination dance features whirling, sharp movements and close crest proximity, and is most similar to the human styles of samba and salsa. They may dance with only one partner or with many, but usually dances are made for pairs or cycling couples.

The second is to shake the seeds from the floran's mane, which is typically among the last of the events. This one shares similarities with the first, but stomping and shaking become more common movements, more similar to this dance.

Florans are most aggressive and territorial around this time, so energetic dances, sports, and wrestling help channel that energy away from fighting and outright violence.

Unlike the rest of the year, florans during this meeting of clans aim to bring in as much prey as possible. They will the meat from the bones and skin the animals, but the vast majority will go to the new seedlings. They pile the kills in the clearing where the seed dance took place to fertilize the young.

Child-rearing is communal, but a floran may pick a child who looks similar to them or their dance partner (a likely offspring) or one who is particularly talented to be their apprentice. Otherwise, a child is free to choose their specialization as they grow older.

Given that florans are plantlike creatures, while other species on their alleged homeplanet are meat-based, I'm thinking they may be the descendants of a fallen spacefaring race at the time when the game takes place. Since their biological makeup is so different from the creatures they interact with, they probably don't get environment-based illnesses often, and don't mind rotting meat since it poses no threat to them beyond possible indigestion.

[communalmenace]

I am 28,000 years old mutuals et al.

As of a few days ago! I had my birthday celebration irl at my dear cousin's house on the lakeshore, it was lovely. I should post some pics here from my trip some time, we shall see. I bought sooo many trinkets at the various vintage markets we got to peruse!

I feel like I have barely been online lately, makes me feel some kind of way. Through the entire month of July I had to take on a managerial role at work and of course I was shortstaffed for half of it, so I quite literally did nothing upon returning home most days. In August things happened and I had to prepare for my vacation, so between not watching anime (@millennialdemon by the way nyoro~n) or making art for a few months, I feel like I haven't "done anything". I am just so distracted with everything else lately, which I guess isn't a bad thing. Probably shouldn't complain that I am not as chronically online as usual this summer.

But still it has been a long time since I have posted any sort of update. I have been more artistically inspired than I have in a long while -- I took up a project that focuses on historical fashion design and it has been fun to do research and slowly whittle away at it. Hopefully I will finish something and actually post it, we'll just have to wait and see. I have also been thinking a lot about accursed Vampire Knight and drafting up redesigns for all the vampyres since they all look so insanely drab and ugly. Why is everyone in oversized button-ups and slacks. It pains me bros. It makes no cents luvs.

Maybe one day. I'll get around to eventually. Otherwise I have just been chilling and playing that one Fire Emblem game that is free on the switch (it's a Normal and Not Hideous one, phew), and doing increasingly more difficult challenge runs of Let's Go Pikachu. Would love to be watching more anime -- I get antsy when I don't? -- but there are only so many hours in a day.

Life in the new apartment has been based of course. I am still slowly unpacking and decorating. I love hosting my friends here and making the dining table all pretty for tea time, going out and cutting wild flowers that grow in the backroad to put in the vase, living my true princess fantasy and carrying a wicker basket and everything. I am much less angry than I used to be because there is no one here to be angry at. No nightmares at all!!

Anyway I have to go to work now, hope things are normal for everyone.

[ironmanfridgemagnet]

Sitting On The Shelf - Marcus White x Reader

Part 23 - Rebranding (short)

SOTS Masterlist

"What does it mean to change? To embrace progress? To transform? Cloud 9 is pleased to announce that our in-store brand "Halo" has now become "SuperCloud." A new day has dawned." A stream of unrelated images flashed across the screen, butterflies and waterfalls, flowers and buildings, filling the tv despite the lack of relevance to the topic at hand.

"All right, there you have it. So it's a big day today. We start our rebranding." Jeff announced, hands clasped together and a clipboard tucked under his arm.

"He's way too enthusiastic for this considering it's like, 6 in the morning." You muttered to a half-asleep Garrett, who's head was lulled against your shoulder, not paying attention to the talk Jeff was giving.

"Does rebranding mean they're redesigning the store?" Cheyenne asked, someone finally, actually interested in Jeff's announcements this morning.

"No, we'll be taking our in-store product "Halo" and changing it to "SuperCloud.""

"And how are they different?" Jonah asked from beside you, who, unlike you and Garrett, was already wide awake and ready to face the day.

"That, uh, what I just said. It used to be called "Halo." Now it's called SuperCloud." Jeff huffed, unimpressed by the lack of a well reception at his news. "Maybe I'm not, um, selling the excitement of what's happening today. Let's see if this helps."

Jeff pressed on his speaker that sat behind him, "Are you ready for this?" blasting loudly through the break room in an instant. Wincing, you allowed Garrett to lean more into you, his head nuzzling into your shoulder as an attempt to hide away from the blaring noise of Jeff's music. Brining you cup to your lips, you blew on the steaming liquid then took a sip, letting the heat simmer down through your bones all the way to the tips of your toes.

"This is too much man." Letting out a whine, you threw your head backwards trying desperately to escape the break room and the imagine of Jeff dancing before you.

————————————————————————

"Wow, that song is a little longer than I thought. What was that, 11 minutes?" Jeff asked, the song finally, thankfully, coming to an end.

"12." Dina corrected, proud smile crossing her face as Jeff flashed her a thankful smile.

"All right, anyway 12? Sorry about that. Uh, moving on, we have buttons for everybody to wear today, and there's a VP coming in to oversee this rollout."

A box of buttons was passed around, you grabbing a handful and dropping them against the table before passing the box on. Sliding one to Garrett and two to Jonah, you faced him with a pleading expression, a silent question; wanting him to do it for you. Jonah took the pins from you, quickly attaching one to his own vest before attaching the second to yours, covering up the cloud 9 logo with the 'super cloud' promotion.

"A VP of corporate? I'm gonna need to borrow somebody's lipstick. Not Amy's, way too slutty." Dina chastised, eyes scanning across the break room in search for someone who might have what she needed.

Pulling out a pink-tinted, peach and mango, chapstick from your front pocket, you threw it over to Dina, her catching it in her hands with ease. "I got you, Dee."

"Why is a smiling white lady always the mascot? 'Cause in my experience, usually they're, like, the first to snap." Amy asked, ignoring Dina's insult and turning to Jeff, who now stood before a creepy cardboard cut out of a random white woman.

"She's not wrong." Dina agreed, smothering a healthy amount of tinted chapstick across her lips before pushing the lid back on with a pop, and throwing it back to you.

Garrett's head finally perked up from your shoulder, the pair of you more awake now after having to suffer through Jeff's 12 minute hype session. "I personally blame all the yogurt white ladies eat."

"There's just something I don't trust about it." You agreed, swirling the cooling coffee in your mug around before taking another sip, fiddling with your fingers around the handle.

"Why didn't they make it a superhero? You know, 'cause SuperCloud?" Cheyenne asked, chin pressed into her hand as she looked up at Jeff. "And it could have, like, a cape or something, and, like, little cloud muscles."

"Yeah, wow, that's clean, it's simple, it's visual, that is probably what it should've been. Damn. So all right, let's just move on. Here are some words we'd like you guys to pepper in to the conversation today whenever SuperCloud comes up, obviously, so "cool," "millennial," "on fleek"...have to go back to the superhero mascot, I'm so sorry, that's just a home run."

"Yeah, and he could be saving people with savings." Cheyenne added, a wide smile on her face as she brainstormed ideas for Jeff, each making him more impressed.

"Fuck, that's good."

————————————————————————

"Two wolves I couldn't do it, but one wolf..."

Your break had long overrun, but there was no motivation to 'get back out there' today. The warmth and company of the break room had enticed you into stay, Marcus's jacket - which you had now practically claimed as your own - was wrapped around you, your vest on top of it, and kept you warm and cozy. It smelled like a mixture of him and Amy's laundry detergent, the earthy smell of Marcus fading the longer you kept it away from him. Your third cup of coffee sat yet untouched, a mixture of snacks you found in the break rooms cupboards scattered across the table.

"How many times do we have to have this conversation, Gare? You couldn't fight a wolf." This conversation had occurred at least three times that you could name, and each time Garrett's firm insistence - and your denial - remained the same.

"Hey, guys." Sandra said as she walked into the break room, you turning and giving her a short wave as she entered; though your action elicited a sharp glare from Dina who was leaning against the cabinets.

"I could take it." Garrett assured, a look of determination crossing his features; at this point you weren't sure if he was actually convinced that he could take on a wolf, or he just wanted you to agree he could.

"I guess we'll never truly know." You shrugged, ripping open a packet of 'chips ahoy' that you had found in the cupboard, the bag wrinkly and slightly scratched up.

"Did anyone watch "Vampire Diaries" last night? Damien's really gotten out of control." Sandra asked, only to be met with dead silence as Dina death-glared the table over Sandra's shoulder.

"You stupid slut!" Dina shouted, stepping closer to the table and standing toe to toe with Sandra, an accusing finger pointing down at her alongside her outburst.

"Woah! Feel like I missed a couple of chapters here." Spluttering on the cookie you had bit into at Dina's sudden and aggressive outburst, a wide eyed expression crossing your features.

"I can't hold it in any longer." Dina relented, staring down at Sandra from where she stood inches apart from her, chest to chest.

"What's happening?" Garrett asked, his pitch heightening as his gaze flickered between the stand off.

"Sandra is having an affair with Jeff." Dina asserted, loud gasps echoing around the break room at the accusation. Sandra sullenly shook her head, eyes boring intently into the floor to avoid Dina's sharp glare. "Don't you deny it! You were seen kissing on the loading dock."

"Really? Holy shit." You gasped, such genuine scandal rarely ever happened around the store, usually as scandalous as it got was an unforeseen pair hooking up - not someone dating the district manager.

"Ooh, Sandra, Sandra, Sandra! That's crazy, boo! I didn't know you had it in you. Dish, girl." Garrett leant his head against his open palm, leaning closer to Sandra in wait.

"I don't think we need to be talking about that." Mateo snapped, seemingly much less interested in the new found relationship then everyone else.

"Oh, I got questions, like, when did it start?" Garrett asked, head tilting away from the angered Mateo and towards Sandra.

Looking up intently at Sandra who stood over you, Dina still staring her down, her face inches apart from Sandra, you asked. "How did you get together?"

"About two weeks ago." Sandra hesitantly admitted, a smile curling onto her face at the gasps the admission elicited. "He pulled me into his Kia, and he said to me, "Sandra take out your taters." And I did. And I put them in his face."

————————————————————————

"Jeff and I have these cute nicknames for each other. He calls me "Deliciousness."" Sandra bragged, looking shyly towards the ground as she recounted the ventures of their relationship. "And I call him Mr. Man."

"Yeah, let's not forget she was blabbing to Jeff about us." Mateo snapped, his eyes rolling far into the back of his head as he chastised Sandra's admiration. There wasn't anything wrong about how she was talking all lovely-dovey about Jeff. Sure, the fact it was Jeff, was weird, but other then that it was... sweet.

"Shush, Mateo. I'm listening." You chided, head resting gently in your palm as you stared up at Sandra in disturbed wonder.

"Do you have sex in his hotel?" Justine asked excitement bubbling in her words at the utter scandal of the situation.

"Oh, yeah, all the time."

"Is there a coffee machine in there?" Dina questioned, seeming to become more and more intrigued as time went on, despite her initial aversion to the topic.

"Yep, one of those pod ones."

Sandra looked to the floor before looking at the group of you that surrounded her, his face reddening and her hands wringing. "And you guys will keep this a secret, right?"

"Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, we got you, Deliciousness." Garrett teased, a smirk curling onto his lips as he waved down Sandra, a mirrored smile curling on her own face.

The crowd quickly dispersed as Sandra story was over, enough details to satiate them for now at the scandal of the affair. Garrett prodded you in the shoulder, his gaze now settled on you. "Have you been in here all day?"

"Yeah, I just wasn't feeling it today." Swirling what remained of your millionth coffee of the day, you brought your mug to your lips, drinking the last of the now cool liquid.

Garrett winced, his hand coming to cover your own, his thumb stroking at the warm flesh in light circles. "So, you didn't hear about Jonah?"

"No. Why? What's going on?"

————————————————————————

Having rushed out of the break room for the first time today after hearing the news, you ran through the store in search of Jonah. Finally having found him, stood at the store entrance hugging a guy who you assumed was this 'Rex Joshi' Garrett had told you about, you faltered in your steps. Waiting for his business school friend to walk away, you walked up to Jonah, crashing into the back of him and wrapping your arms tightly around his torso, clutching to the fabric of the front of his shirt. "Please, don't go."

"Peach..." Jonah's arms rest a top your own, cradling them against him.

"You're going. You're not sticking around and you didn't tell me?" You muttered into his back, Jonah turning around to face you at the heartbroken inflection in your words. His hands came to cup your face, forcing you to look up at him. "I get that at any other job it's just a part of your life, you come, you work, you go home. But not here. Not for me. This stupid store and all the people in it are my family. And you're just gonna leave? Were you even going to say goodbye? Or would I just show up one day and you'd be gone?"

"I wasn't planning on going, peaches." Jonah whispered, him holding your head against his chest, as you bit back whimpers, trying to keep the tears in.

You hadn't expected Jonah's soft words, for him to cradle you to his chest and sooth the worry out of you. But, by all accounts you'd heard, he wanted to go - sooner or later - and who were you to stop him? You'd expected some kind of gentle let down, "I'm going sooner or later but I'll always be there for you." Not this.

"I just never cancelled my deferral incase I wanted to go back. But I don't - I can't - and I wouldn't want to." Jonah brushed the hair that had fallen over your eyes back behind your ear, his hand coming to rest against the skin of your neck there, his thumb soothing over the apple of your cheek. "You guys, here, are everything to me. I'm not going anywhere, if I can help it."

Still hugged tightly against Jonah, you revelled in the touch, the fear that he was upping and leaving all of a sudden dissipating with every moment shared with his arms wrapped around you. A wobbly smile and creased eyebrows had Jonah dissolving into worry once again, pressing a kiss to the tense skin and then another to your temple.

Jonah was something else, he was one of your best friends and seemed to know you inside and out; the idea of him leaving made your stomachs churn and your chest ache. Jonah wasn't leaving though, not now, and not anytime soon.

"You know what's weird?" Jonah asked, suddenly peeking up again as a thought raced through his mind. "I had a similar conversation with Amy and Garrett earlier, and it went nothing like that. Garrett's main concern was he'd have no one to force him to try tahini."

A breathless laugh slipped past your lips, muffled by the shirt that covered Jonah's chest that your face pressed into. Jonah slipped his arm around your shoulder, pulling you tightly into the warmth of his side - the warmth of Marcus's jacket not enough for the mid-winter night that awaited you outside the store - and led you out towards the Garden centre, where Amy awaited, holding two to go cups of steaming liquid.

"Hey, did you know Jeff and Sandra were banging?"

————————————————————————

☆: .｡. Tag List .｡.:☆ @write-from-the-heart @despicablylara @whatafreakingloser @flowercrowns-goodvibes @millieb-3199 @lolawassad @catarina-trouxa @falsegodofmischief @thepurplebutterflythings @littleboysmile @sibsteria @quinn-7007 @aashy723 @maeisonline @lizziel1410

Want to be added to the taglist? send an ask to let me know <3

————————————————————————

Hey guys!! This is the second of the two short updates for today. No upload on Wednesday as I won't have access to WiFi.

This one definitely isn't my best as I finished it very hungover lol. However, so much is to come and the next few parts are some of my favourite and have so much Marcus content!!!

As always, have a lovely week <33

[etherealvoidechoes]

Ne Cede Malis - REDUX - A Twist of Fate

Something I've been sitting on and then reworked it some more as the writing monster tries to bite me. Bite harder dang it.

Took the old version, but applied Find Your Light to it, including Asaru and Bradford being bonded, but keeping Jynn in a Proto-Chosen state. So consider this the new canon of this AU.

Now 13.9k.

Warnings for language, violence, references to alcoholism, and references to self-harm.

Can't say when I'll have the new versions posted on Ao3 and FF.net. May just append/add as a chapter to the old ones with the appropriate author notes.

-------

“Ho—how much longer… until we reach the outpost, Bradford?” Manson asked in-between gasps of air and grunts.

“Not much longer. Should see it when we reach the top of this hill.” Bradford replied.

“And then how far from there?” He sounded so exhausted.

“Oh, ease up.” Laney rolled her eyes. “Fresh ain’t killing you.”

“The humidity is.”

“Should install a fan into your Gremlin then. Just try to not get thrown out of Shen’s workshop.” She playfully teased, only to get a few curses slung at her. Yuri let out a boisterous laugh.

“You’re just asking for him to get thrown out of Shen’s workshop. Again.” Jody snickered. 

“I didn’t know that was her workshop.” Manson said through gritted teeth.

“Go easy on the new guy.” Joshua shook his head. He grabbed Manson’s pack off his back and slung it onto his. Manson gave a quick thank you.

Bradford was leading a squad of about five, him included, through the backwoods of North Georgia. Partially into the Appalachian Mountains. Though it was a cool, spring day, a recent rain had saturated the air as Manson was not dealing with the humidity well.

There were some sound rumors there was a reputable Black Market dealer that made their home deep within the moments. In fact, they had turned an abandoned ADVENT outpost into their base of operations. A bold and dangerous play on their hand, but seemed like ADVENT didn’t care about this region. Barely any patrols ran through the mountain. Maybe the occasional dropship flew by, but not much happened. Hopefully, the trip was worth it. Heard the dealer may have been in possession of some sensitive equipment procured from an ADVENT facility. And they were always interested in getting their hands on sensitive equipment. No telling where it could lead them.

As they crested the hill, there it was. The outpost was off in the distance, just a few miles away. A white, grim covered building with several vines growing over it. The sun's rays glistened off one of those gaudy, golden statues of the Elders. A surprising sight. Those things were usually defaced or torn down when abandoned.

“This is a beautiful sight.” Asaru partially emerged from Bradford and peered around at the vast wilderness. Just so much greenery, bright greenery and colorful flowers blossoming all around. At least some of the Earth was untouched by what the Elders had done. 

“It is.” Bradford nodded. One of the positives of running field missions. Getting away from the constant swarming hub of the Avenger and those metal interiors was always refreshing. Thinking of metal interiors, they needed to do some redesigning and decorating to make the place more lively. Maybe some black market contacts knew some carpenters? Could use some more wood paneling that wasn’t just the bar and crew’s quarters.

“I need… to catch my… breath.” Manson sat down as soon as they reached the top of the hill. He wiped the sweat from his brow before taking a swing of water from his canteen.

“Make it short.” Bradford glanced back at him and then at his watch. They still had a good amount of time before evening would hit. He wanted them to at least get halfway back to the Avenger before nightfall to set up camp. He rolled his eyes when Asaru chided him; yes he was being harsh, but they had a schedule to keep.“You’ve gotta toughen up, man.” Laney was still playfully picking on him. She found a log to step on to do some stretches to loosen up her legs. “Can’t have you on missions if you’re getting this tuckered out.

Manson furrowed his brows at her. “Not used to the humidity.” He was more used to drier climates. “Still getting used to carrying so much gear. I’m more of an engineer than a soldier.”

Manson was a new recruit to XCOM. A former ADVENT engineer fed up with the life and lies. He lived through the invasion as a teenager, and things never sat well with him. Of course, all the things the Elders did were wondrous, but it was all a lie. And then education They brought made his engineering interests flourish, but once he was older and found a job, he felt used. Eventually, catching wind of this XCOM made him want a way out of this false “golden” life. And there were a few others like him. It took some work, but they orchestrated a rescue from XCOM and delivered some equipment and valuable information into their hands. A few left to help with some havens, but most, including him, stuck with XCOM.

He flinched several times as Yuri patted his back. 

“You’ll adapt in no time, kiddo.” He gave a reassuring smile in his slightly thick Russian accent. A jagged scar ran up the left side of his face, from lip to ear. His left eye was glassy, but there was a hint of life to it. “If you don’t, you’ll suffer Corvo’s wrath.” He wiggled his fingers and made an ominous “ooOooOoo” sound.

“Don’t remind me of him.” Manson huffed. He wished he never volunteered to join the more military part of XCOM. It was interesting, but he should have just stuck with the engineering crew, but there were hurting to have more people on the field. Corvo was a slave master when it came to training. He wondered how a man like him was married to Shay, who also helped with the training. She was miss peppy to mister cold… who had his own quirks. Annoying Bradford was one of them. 

“Our blue friend sensing anything off?” Laney asked, as she went over to Bradford after stretching. She noticed their resident alien had partially emerged. 

“No, just admiring the sights.” Asaru answered with a chuckle. “Earth’s natural beauty untouched by the Elders.”

“Ah, gotcha.” She nodded and smiled. “The Appalachian Mountains have always been -ahem- purdy.” She playfully jabbed Bradford’s arm.

He flinched, eyes twitching for a moment, before rolling them. “Laney…” A slight tinge of red appeared in his cheeks. Asaru laughed.

“Sorry, just remembering what slipped out during the briefing with Corvo and Shay. Channeling some of Commander Reeves and her brother.” She tried her best to stifle a snicker, but a snort slipped out. “Got stuck in that accent for a few minutes and Asaru didn’t help.”

“Yeah… yeah… yeah.” There was a slight dejection in his voice. He had Asaru to blame for random accent slips due to influences from previous hosts. But there was just something about Jynn, his old friend, their old Commander that came out strong. He never really had a strong accent, whether it be “southern” or “midwestern”, but because of Asaru, one was slipping into them at random

Hearing the dejection, Laney put a hand on his shoulder, giving it a good squeeze. “Hey, we’ll find her. Found her blue friend.”

“We will find her.” Asaru agreed.

“Right, thanks. Trying to stay positive… just miss her a lot.”

“I know. And she was a pretty cool boss when not in work mode. Heck,” she snorted, “kinda miss how she would go off on the idiots. Dress them down. Especially the pranksters. Remember the Chryssalid puppet?”

“Oh, do NOT remind me of that day!” He never realized how mean of a hook the Commander had and then she nearly bit him when he had to restrain her from attacking the culprits.

A few minutes passed by as they all caught a break, discussed some things, and made quick checks on the local frequencies. No ADVENT activity for miles.

“Let’s get going.” Bradford was ready to go and Asaru had re-merged with him. He was already moving.

In about half an hour or so, they arrived at their destination. The outpost. It was quiet. Dead quiet. Just the sounds of birds chirping and leaves rustling.

“Hm.”

Bradford approached the door. He signaled for three of them to check the windows. The security lasers were down. Boards and tarps had replaced them, as there was no more power to keep them going. He gave another sign for Manson and Laney to have their Gremlins do some scanning. Better safe than sorry. Last thing they needed was them stumbling into a trap. Or a nest of Chryssalids. As they did that, he knocked on the door a few times in a pattern given to them by their sources.

“I have burned my tomorrows and my shadows.” And said the code phrase.

A few minutes passed… and no response.

“Hm.” He glanced over at Joshua and then Yuri.

“Lights out and the place looks empty on this side.” Joshua said.

“This side is dark too.” Yuri said.

“Backs empty.” Jody said, coming back from checking the rear.

“Hm…” He didn’t like that. He then looked back at their Specialists. Laney’s Gremlin had returned to her side.

“Reading no life signs but us.” Manson said. He was letting his Gremlin do more extensive scans. “Just cold on the inside. We’re the only hot spots.”

“Same here.”

“Hm.” Odd.

He looked at the door handle and gave it a tug. The door slide right open, with a bit of help. It stuck a few times and let out a grinding screech at one point. He winced. Somebody probably heard that.

Once fully opened… there was still no response. The place was empty. The lobby was set up like any other black market they had gone to. Several display cases containing various weapons, equipment, and resources. Dried meats handing off to one side. There were probably more items to be purchased in the side rooms.

“Hm.” He didn’t like this. His eyes glowed blue for a second. “Hm.” Still nothing. No other life signs. “Asaru?”

His eyes glowed again, this time lasting for over a minute.

“Nothing. No one else but us.” Asaru answered. “But something feels off.”

“Hm.” Always something. “Stay alert.” Cautiously, he entered. The others followed. He took in several whiffs and sneezed. Dusty. “Sea… salt?” But he was picking up a faint smell that was like the ocean in the room. Strange. Didn’t look like there were any candles burning.

His eyes glowed blue for a moment as he looked around. Still, they sensed nothing.

“Something is off…” Asaru repeated. “I can feel it.” Something was hanging loosely in the air, but he couldn’t put a tentacle on it.

“Picking that up too?” Yuri asked, nose wrinkling. Bradford nodded. “The air feels off.”

“Think it’s psionic activity?” He asked both Asaru and Yuri. Yuri was oddly sensitive to that. The doctors had done some tests. Said he had potential, and they were working on unlocking it with the help of their Templar Navla and then Asaru. Things were looking promising.

“Maybe.” He shrugged. “Could be coming from an artifact lying around. Still, we should be careful.”

“I think so. But it’s strange… and familiar.” Asaru said. 

“Familiar?” Bradford thought back, just in case anyone was around that could be listening in.

“I can’t put my finger on it. I’ll study it some more.”

“Okay.” He then nodded at Yuri. “Agreed. Careful, everyone.” 

They all slowly spread out, weapons at the ready for anything, as they searched the outpost for any signs of life. But Bradford stayed in the main room. He just couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. No black market dealer would leave their place unsecured like this. They usually had bodyguards besides booby traps. 

“Don’t touch anything.” He noticed Joshua was about to touch one case by the left wall. The man quickly apologized and backed away. Bradford didn’t take another step further into the room. Something still didn’t feel right. “The dealer could have some nasty security set up.”

“Way ahead of you. Daedalus, do your thing.” Manson has his Gremlin carefully scanning the room to pick up any traps. That blue grid touched every inch of the room. “Clear. Next room, pal.” 

As the team continued to investigate, Bradford finally moved. He went over to the counter to see what was on sale. Some elerium, elerium cores, alien alloys, and torn down magnetic weapons caught his eye. Especially that elerium. “Hm…” They rarely had such a thing on display, especially the cores. You usually had to ask for those.

“Hey! WHAT TH—AAH— MM! MM!”

“Who was that?” He asked loudly. The muffled yells of one of his squadmates caught his attention. His finger hovered over the trigger to his shotgun. Eyes glowed again as he looked around. He saw the life signs of everyone. Almost everyone. Someone was missing. “Sound off! Everyone!” He ordered. “Sense anything Asaru?” He sent to him. 

“I heard that! Still here!” Yuri said.

“Nothing odd on the scanners!” Manson said.

“Investigating!” Jody said.

“Joining her!” Joshua added.

No response from Laney. Of course.

“Laney is gone… Her life sign just suddenly disappeared.” Asaru said. “Someone or something is here! There’s an odd disruption in the air.”

“Be careful.” Bradford was leery and what Asaru said didn’t help the feeling. Things were looking like a setup.

As Jody and Joshua entered the room, they last saw Laney head to, no one was there. Minus her Gremlin that was frantically flying around a hole in the ceiling. Dust and debris trickled from it and a broken light fixture swayed back and forth just a little too fast. 

“Laney’s gone, but her Gremlin’s still here.” Joshua said, turning on his comms. “Light fixture is swinging. Think something pulled her through the ceiling.” He cautiously moved over to that hole, turning on his flashlight at the end of his shotgun to see what was up there.

Then something fell from that opening and made several metallic tinks on the ground.

“SHIT!” Jody’s eyes went wide.

“GRENADE!” Joshua yelled. “WE GOT TROUBLE!” He swiftly turned and headed back to the door. A second later, the grenade went off, letting off a loud bang and tossing up a lot of dust and debris. It was a flashbang.

A second later, there was a scuffle, several yells, and gunfire.

“Dammit…” Bradford cursed under his breath. He heard several wooden boards snapping from the left and right sides. Manson let out a blood-curdling yell and then Yuri spitting out several curses and gunfire before he was silenced. They were getting picked off quickly.

“There are psionics at use!” Asaru finally figured it out. “Whoever this is, they are actively hiding themselves with psionics and snuffing out our allies with it.”

“Great.” Bradford mumbled under his breath. He wondered who it was. ADVENT with some Sectoids or some raiders who had a psion? With the former, he wondered if the Sectoids had learned a new trick. “Get read—“

Before he could move to find his teammates, he noticed a black and white blur swinging down from the ceiling. Then something hard hit his chest. 

“AGH!” The wind was knocked out of him as he hit the ground with a solid thud. His shotgun clattered from his hands.

The world spun as he quickly tried to get his bearings. There was something else in that kick. It hit like a truck and was fogging his mind. Felt like psionics. A jolt arced across his body and mind. Definitely psionics. Asaru was quick at work, clearing it away. As his vision cleared, he saw what kicked him, dropping from the ceiling and heading over to him. 

Shit. ADVENT. 

They had a helmet that reminded him of one of those Stun Lancers. He pulled himself over to his shotgun and quickly grabbed it. Before he could turn it on his attacker, they were on him, kicking the gun out of his hands and planting a knee on his chest. The next second, they had on his hand on his face and in an instant the world blurred again. 

He felt that familiar electricity arc across his brain as his ears roared and drums went at work on his skull. He noticed a blue glow growing around them and streams of energy traveling from him and up their arm.

 Fuck, they’re the psionic! He recognized the unpleasant feeling over taking his mind, but this was different. He felt like he was growing weak. As if his life was being drained from him with each passing second. Hell, he felt like his skin was wrinkling, drying out as the seconds passed. A feeling he was all too familiar with when he and Asaru accidentally over did it one day. Luckily, the squad got them back to Avenger in time for treatment. Recovery was rough.

“Asaru!” He yelled in his mind.

“Working on it.” Asaru replied with a pained voice. “They’re quite strong… Draining us like a vampire.”

Need to get them off! Need to cut this connection! Desperately, he tried pulling their hand from his face, but they had one hell of a death grip. He frantically reached for his knife, but they were blocking it. He could feel the both of them growing weaker by the second. This was not how he wanted to go out.

“Get… off… me…” He spat as his eyes began to glow. A quick burst of energy should do the trick and knock them off.

“Hm…” They muttered as they brought their face closer to his, cocking it to the side. That was interesting. 

“>BOSS! STOP!<“ He heard the flanging voice of one Hybrid somewhere in the back. So the one pinning him down was the head of this group. “>These people are XCOM!<“ 

Bradford understood what they said and wondered if he was hearing things. Why the hell were they telling them to stop? But he noticed something… The draining… the draining suddenly stopped.

“>XCOM?<” The one on top of him asked, turning their head.

“>Yes! XCOM!<“

“XCOM.” This time they uttered in English. That surprised Bradford. And they sounded female. 

She carefully shifted to the side, making sure she still had him pinned as she checked his shoulder. That familiar blue, polygonal patch was there. “Hm…” She brought her hand back to his face, undeterred by the death glare and snarl he had going on. He winced when he felt a connection again, but this time, it felt like probing. A quick search through his mind. A gasp left her mouth.

“Dammit.” She then cursed under her breath. “>EVERYONE! STAND DOWN! THEY’RE FRIENDLIES!<“ She switched back to the alien tongue.

“You seeing… hearing this, Asaru?” He sent a thought to him.

“Yes… this is a turn of events.” Asaru was just as surprised as him. “There’s something… interesting about them. Familiar too.”

Familiar. That again. He wondered what that was about.

Who the hell are these people? Bradford wondered just who this was. Were they Skirmishers? Had to be with their flanging voices and calling him and his people friendlies. He was curious what clan had gotten the jump on them.

He still struggled under his attacker, wishing to be free, but barely had the strength to lift his hand. Oh, great. He noticed her bringing her hand back to his face. He closed his eyes expecting the worse, but… but he felt his strength returning. A sharp gasp escaped from his lips. His life was coming back.

“This is… interesting.” Asaru noted, feeling the life returned to the both of them. “Also sensing the others again and more. Looks like this one was hiding everyone. They’re a strong psion.”

A minute or two passed before she took her hand off his face and got up. And he felt like himself again, minus the soreness to his chest and back.

“Sorry… sorry about that.” An out of breath apology came from her. And she was speaking in English again. But there was no more of the flanging in their voice like the others. Like she turned it off like a switch. Sounded completely human. And oddly familiar. He couldn’t put his finger on it. There was also a strain to her voice and a slight echo. She was slightly hunched over. Did that life transfer reserve take the life out of her? The skin on the lower part of her face… her brownish-red skin looked unnaturally pale and wrinkled. And then, from what he could tell, her neck was black. Like it was burned.

“You stumbled into our trap. We thought you were some of the local raiders that have been plaguing the locals.” She extended a hand to him.

“Geez…” He quietly muttered to himself. 

He eyed her, especially that hand, finally having a chance to study her. She was about a head and a half taller than him, for starters. Never had seen a Hybrid so tall. She wore ADVENT armor; repurposed and repainted black and white. And that helmet was different. At a quick glance, it looked like a Stun Lancers helmet, but it was very different. It didn’t have that red ‘glass-like’ visor, instead an onyx curved piece took its place. Then he noticed this Hybrid had hair. White and brown hair. Hybrids didn’t have hair. This one had to be special as they also had psionics. Blue psionics. He thought he and Asaru were the only ones with that color. What were the Elders up to?

He finally noticed the symbol on the right side of her chest. Those wings and a star. Skirmishers. Ambushed by Skirmishers. His hunch was right. What were the chances? At least to was better than ADVENT.

“You guys set up one hell of an ambush.” He said gruffly. Just how troublesome were the local raiders for them to set this up? He finally took her hand and got up.

Just as he got up, the other Skirmishers were entering the main room, ushering in his people. They were all battered, highly confused, and ticked off. Manson was cursing out one Skirmisher in Persian. He had a dislocated right shoulder, and the Skirmisher was holding a very banged up Daedalus in their hands. Poor robot was letting out several pitiful beeps. No amount of “sorrys” was going to make the engineer calm down.

“>Sorry, boss,<” One Skirmisher in black armor came over to them, “>I missed their patches. I should have waited to give the signal.<”

“>It’s okay.<” She raised her hand to silence them. “>We already planned on taking any who entered alive for questioning. Thankfully, none were killed.<”

With that conversation over, she looked at each XCOM member. They were all pretty banged up. Cuts, bruises, and dislocated joints. At least none are dead. She then looked at Bradford. 

“Come back to our camp. Our medics can patch up any damage.” She offered. “And we have some supplies and intel we can share. Information on vulnerabilities to several outposts and some facilities nearby.”

“I think we should accept.” Asaru eagerly sent to Bradford. 

Bradford crossed his arms. An apology, of sorts. He wondered if he should accept it. They came out here for supplies and anything dealing with ADVENT. He would rather not leave empty-handed. And it would be best to keep the peace. Last thing Betos probably wanted to hear was some of her people attacking him. Hearing another curse from Manson as Yuri, with the help of one Skirmisher, popped his arm back into place had him leaning towards accepting it. A quick patch up would be a good idea. Probably would spend the night with them, depending on how long it took. And he and Asaru probably needed a rest after that draining to be on the safe side. They had their life back, but who knew what the lasting effects could be?

“Everyone needs to recover. We need to recover. And we have questions for this one. I feel like I know that.”

That familiarity Asaru was picking up, and Bradford felt like he was feeling it too. It would be best to investigate that. Hopefully, their Skirmisher host would be more than willing to chat.  

“We accept.”

————————————

“What’s your clan?” Bradford asked. 

As they were following the Skirmishers back to their camp, and were nearly there, he had been studying their armor, looking for identifying markers for one of the clans local from the area. So far, he was finding nothing.

“I know a few in this region that Betos has informed me of, but not seeing anything on you guys’ armor that says who you are.”

“We don’t exactly have a ‘clan’.” Bastion answered. He had come to know her as ‘boss’ or Bastion. She was still wearing her helmet even though her subordinates had removed theirs as a sign of friendship. Must have been secretive. He was half tempted to read her mind, but decided against it. Asaru also chided him, saying it would be a poor idea as this Hybrid was powerful. “We’re more nomadic.”

“She’s being truthful. I can sense that.” Asaru said in his mind.

“Huh.” That was interesting and odd. Even the more nomadic clans had a name. At least Asaru could pick up there were no lies.

“You can call us Twilight Drifters.“ Attis, the one in the black armor, butted in. Looked like she was Bastion’s right-hand woman. ”Boss is a bit hesitant about a clan name, but we all felt like having some sort of name was better than nothing!” She let out a hearty laugh as she smacked Bastion’s back several times. Bastion grunted with each hit. She turned her head. The corners of her lips were twitching as they slowly turned into a frown. That just got another laugh out of Attis and there others joined in.

“Here we are.” Bastion said as she moved some brush out of the way. The camp was active. It was a series of cabins deep in the woods they had taken over to be their base of operations for the time being. A mix of Hybrids, some humans, and aliens were moving about and working.

“Attis. Turel. Get them to the medics.” Bastion instructed. “And Hol’tul and Ermes get the intel from Varkner and his crew. And get some food scrounged up and sleeping quarters prepped for our guests, just in case. ”

“Yes, boss.” They nodded and went about their duties. Attis and Turel were already barking out orders to the others to alert the medics as they led Bradford’s crew away.

“You,” she pointed at Bradford, “follow me.” She started heading over to one cabin off to the right.

He raised a brow, but shrugged. Probably had something to tell him. His ears only. 

“Keep tabs on the others and be prepared for anything.” He sent to Asaru.

“Being cautious?” Asaru replied with a slightly teasing tone. Bradford rolled his eyes.

“Have too. That familiarity comment from earlier has me both curious and worried. Kinda feeling it too, but concerned.”

“Yes… right. I still can’t shake the feeling I know them.” 

He soon followed Bastion.

————————————

After they entered the cabin, Bastion locked the door. Didn’t need their conversation being disturbed.

“Hm.” Bradford looked around. Looked to be her quarters and the situation room all in one. A bed shoved into a corner and then several maps plastered on the walls, along with photographs and various weapon crates, spread about. Reminded him of rougher times before he found the surviving remnants of XCOM. He didn’t miss them.

“Again, I’m sorry for the injuries my people caused to your people.” She as said as she headed over to a table. She placed her rifle on the table and started taking off her armor. The gauntlets were the first things to come off.

“It’s fine.” Bradford said. Well, it was to a point. But he could ignore it. They were still alive. “Just one hell of an ambush. How the hell did you hide from our sensors?” He was curious about that.

“Psionics.” She raised her hand, forming that very energy into an orb. “I can deaden our life signatures. Makes us untraceable to most sensors. Usually takes a strong psionic to pick up something is wrong.” With that, she let the orb disappear. “Though, somehow, you and one of your men noticed.”

“Strong psion indeed.” Asaru noted.

“Huh.” He wondered if Sectoids could do that. That could be a potential headache. Something to note for the future. Especially if ADVENT started fielding Hybrids with psionics. “We just smelled salt. Sea salt. Like there was an ocean nearby.” He still found that strange. “And…” He paused for a moment to raise his hand. Should I?

“You sure about that?” Asaru was hesitant.

“Want to stay in her good graces and gauge her reaction.” He sent back. A second later, he formed a few orbs in his hand, shifting them between his fingers. Just as blue as hers. “I’m a bit of a psion myself, and my man, Yuri, is a budding one.”

Bastion gazed at him as he displayed his powers. Studying him with great intent. “Hm.”

How he wished he could see the face behind the mask. She was good at hiding her emotions.

Just as she pulled off her last bit of armor, she felt woozy. Body wobbling for a moment before her legs gave out. She barely caught herself with the table, hands slamming down to stabilize herself.

“Dammit.” She grumbled under her breath.

Bradford raised a brow. He dashed over to her and helped her back up. “You alright?”

“It’s… complicated.” She grunted. She was out of of breath. “Thanks.”

“You need a medic?” He noticed she still looked pale. She shook her head.

“They can’t really help me.” Another grunt slipped out as she leaned on the table. She looked around until her eyes fell on something. “Can you bring that capsule over to me, please?” She pointed at a cylindrical device.

He fetched the capsule and handed it to her. She thanked him again as fiddled with it. The thing lit up in hexagonal panels that suddenly spun out. A white mist poured out of it. And something glimmered inside of it. She pulled out what looked to be a black crystal about the size of his thumb and sealed the capsule. The crystal had a blue shimmer when the light passed through it.

She gripped the crystal tightly in her hand and channeled her psionics. There was the sound of cracking until a loud snap was heard. Black, blue, and red liquid seeped from her hand. She opened her hand. The crystal was shattered, revealing the liquid came from with in it and a few shards had pierced her skin. Before a single drop could fall, the liquid retreated into those cuts; discoloring her hand to a pitch black. She took in a sharp breath as her body shuddered as the discoloration traveled up her arm. Just as quick as it came, the discoloration disappeared back to a brownish-red. But she looked better. Her skin looked more lively, especially around her face. That paleness was fading.

“Okay…” Bradford wasn’t sure what he had just witnessed. More weird alien stuff. This Hybrid is special. 

“Hm. Something’s wrong with her.” Asaru said. 

“You think?” Bradford felt like that was obvious.

“Yes…” He responded in an annoyed tone. He knew it was obvious. “Reminds me of me and my damage. Just a familiarity I sense deep within her.” He continued. “And the energy from that crystal seems familiar… familiar from one of our dreams.” 

That made Bradford curious and concerned. He didn’t want to think of the unpleasant ones the both of them had been having as of late. A bunch of irritating and cryptic bullshit.

“Just who are you? What type of Hybrid are you?” He asked, pointedly. The question had been nagging at him for some time, and he wanted to cut to the chase.

“Hm…” She grimaced, turning away from him. Looked to be a sensitive subject. 

“Look, I don’t mean to—“

“No, it’s not that.” She interrupted him. “I don’t know how to put this…” She glanced over her shoulder. Looking at him for a few seconds before turning her head away. “I think I know you… and you know me.” As she said that, she began to remove her helmet.

“What?” That made no sense to him. He’d never met her or her group before. Nor did her name ring a bell from some operatives Betos had shared with them. And it was a long list. Just who were they?

“I wasn’t expecting this.” Asaru noted, growing more curious by the second. “Perhaps someone from our past, an operative turned Hybrid, but recovered their memories?”

“That is… possible.” That never even crossed his mind. He knew some Hybrids weren’t clone born, but most could never recall their past; just fragmented dreams. That was for the best.

They watched like a hawk, curious to see what she looked like underneath as that helmet came off. A Hybrid having hair was still a surprise to him. As she removed the helmet, he noticed a few oddities. She had ears. Hybrids didn’t have ears. Then there were no ports from what he could see or those surgical scar lines from them. And there should have been ports, as those helmets connected into them.

She set her helmet down on the table, took in a deep breath, and let out a sigh. Almost like she was hesitant to turn her face fully to him. But she finally turned.

“Long time no see, John.” There was a warmness to her voice as she said that. “Can’t believe you’re alive.”

John? He never told her his first name. Maybe from the probing earlier? “How the hell–“ But as she turned, he paused. Those features, she looked more human than the average Hybrid, but some genetic modification was evident. Eyes spaced further apart and a bit larger, a flared nose, and an odd gauntness to her face. Reminded him of one of the Chosen, but with a more human looking skin tone. But there was something about those features that looked too familiar to him. The freckles… Why was her voice familiar to him? 

“Impossible…” Asaru gasped in his mind. “It’s her…”

“What the… no…” Looked like the gears were turning in Bradford’s mind at the same time. He gasped. He knew her. They knew her. “Commander Reeves? Jynn?”

“In the flesh.” She gestured to herself, then outward.

“No. You can’t be…” No. That was impossible. Had to be. No way she could be the Commander they were searching for. No way this person was his missing best friend. In those dreams…. No. Nightmares. In those nightmares, he saw what she looked like. She was in terrible shape, a walking corpse. And here she was, not in that terrible state, but still equally concerning. 

“You can’t be her.” He shook his head. But he was moving closer to her. 

“It is her… I believe… I can sense it.” Asaru said. He was just as shocked at he was. But he was hesitant in his analyses, carefully scanning her being. Hidden tentacles reaching out. “She’s so… changed and… damaged. She doesn’t seem to be a clone… but that can be hidden, and I’m hesitant to do a deeper scan.”

“I am Jynn Gresham Reeves, Central Officer John Bradford.” There was a slight annoyance in her voice as she looked at him with hooded eyes. Saying his title and full name just a certain way seemed to make him snap too. It was her. But a sigh slipped from her lips. She could understand his disbelief. “Though… changed.”

He reached out to her, raising a hand towards her face, but he stopped. He quickly retracted his hand and turned away, covering his mouth. He tried his best to stifle his disbelief, his weeping. This can’t be her. But all those nightmares of her damaged and partially transformed appearance were playing in his mind.

She let out another sigh and shook her head. “John.” She placed her hand on his shoulder, but he pulled away. He couldn’t acknowledge her. He was barely acknowledging Asaru, who was trying to ease his emotions.

It was a minute or two before he turned to face her again. His eyes were bloodshot. Tears stained his cheeks.

“What the hell did They do to you?”

Jynn sighed. Them. She crossed her arms and looked away. 

“A lot of things.” She didn’t know where to start. “They nearly killed me several times with Their experiments as well as being the brains behind ADVENT. Tactical advisor running 24/7 nearly nonstop for several years. Really should be brain dead from all of that.”

“So that theory…” Asaru paused and sighed.

“So that theory is true…” Bradford voiced what Asaru said in his mind. He was thinking it too. He had been always a bit hesitant about that theory, but all the data they had been gathering, mind probing he and Asaru had been doing on captured Captains, and just how ADVENT worked leaned towards it being true. And he hated the idea of it being true, even if it meant she was still alive. 

 “Won’t be surprised if they have a clone of me running the system or some brain scan backup, but I see there has been some breakdown that’s been happening since I escaped.” She then tapped at her chin and looked off to the side. “Though Maker said that probably wouldn’t work due to several reasons.” Shaking her head, a dark chuckle slipped out. She could see the Elders frantically working to make the perfect replica of her, but falling terribly. But she soon sighed. 

“A clone? Hm… that may explain those discrepancies we’ve been picking up in the network off and on over the years.” Asaru noted.

“Great. Something else to investigate and deal with.” Bradford mentally grumbled.

“Raal’Maker…” There was a warmness to her voice as she uttered that name. “I have him to thank that I’m even alive. A rather benevolent Elder.” She still couldn’t believe there was a benevolent one in that Collective, and supposedly his mentor had the same mindset as him. Perhaps there were more levelheaded ones under his mentor. “He tried fixing the damage several times before they ripped me away from him again. Really, my health is still terrible.”

“Benevolent?” Bradford wanted to scoff. He recognized the name, but strongly believed none of those things were benevolent with what they did to the Earth.

“Trust me, he’s a good one out of Their mad Collective. Pretty much the only one who was truly concerned about my damn health.”

Health… Does she know about her split from Asaru? He rubbed his chin, nails picking at the prickly hairs, as he eyed her changed form. That paleness to her face was nearly gone. But her features. Her face looked to gaunt. “What about your health?” He almost didn’t want to ask, but he had to. 

“I can’t put this lightly….” She looked away from him. “I’m dying, John.”

“What?” He knew she was going to say that, but part of him was still in disbelief about the whole thing. She repeated herself, which made him look away. So that was happening, just like Asaru.

“Think she knows it’s because you two split?” He asked Asaru.

“She may… but you should ask. Pry a bit more.” He responded. He wanted to reach out to her, but was hesitant.Was she truly the Commander Reeves they were searching for? 

“Right…” He mentally sighed. Needing more gauging. He looked back at her. “Do you know why?”

“What the Elders have done to me…” She touched her face, pushing at her sharp cheekbones and the strange plating-like growths that lined them. “They’re careless. Tried turning me into a Chosen when I was still broken, even after Maker’s warnings.”

“What.” Now that… He wasn’t expecting to hear that. A Chosen. To imagine her as one of those abominations was impossible. But that’s why she looked the way she did. She had some of those familiar features akin to those deathless pests.

“Those fools.” Asaru hissed. Angered welled inside of him.

“A funny thing, almost a twisted irony of sorts. I’m more like Them. Parasites feeding on ‘lesser’ creatures to survive.” She shook her head and laughed. “Maker was right. Something like this would have happened.” She looked back at him. A pang of guilt entered her heart as she bit her lip. She fed on him. Could have gone too far and nearly killed him. But something about his energy was so good. “Sorry about draining you earlier. I try to incapacitate the head of the group first and was just a bit hungry.”

Bradford was about to say something, but quickly snapped it shut. He didn’t know what to say. There was a lot to process.

“At least that draining wasn’t instantaneous.” He cracked a joke. Mainly trying to cheer himself up. She chuckled at that, but soon sighed. “And there’s something else.” What else? He didn’t want to hear it.

Jynn raised her hand and let her psionics flow freely from her hand. It took on the shape of a thin, four armed humanoid creature. Looked kind of like the Elders. 

“I’m missing a part of me. Something happened that day they captured me at the base. I was connected to some being that was helping us. Guiding me.” She tried to explain. “When that Muton grabbed me… I disconnected to that being and haven’t been the same since.” She closed her hand and let the figure dissipate. “Even the Elders knew of whatever was connected to me. Called it the ‘Ascended One’ or something like that. Disappointed it was no longer connected with me when They started Their experiments and got me hooked up to their war machine. But They were still looking for it.”

��She knows.” Both he and Asaru thought at once. It was her.

He looked at the figure she made one last time before she let it disappear. Looked exactly like Asaru.

“I take it…” He paused, trying to find his words. Should Asaru reveal himself now? Both were conflicted about how they should do it. “I take it you’re looking for this thing?”

She nodded. “Been at it for a few years now. Why my group moves around a lot.”

He let out an exasperated sigh as he moved over to an open spot on the table and leaned onto it. He rocked back and forth.  This can’t be happening. But it was. Somehow, all of this was happening.

“So, what have you been up to?” Jynn switched topics, hoping that would soothe his mood. She didn’t want to dwell on the subject for any longer. Hated thinking about her poor state of health. “I see XCOM’s still alive in some capacity.”

“We’ve been fighting back.” He nodded. “And we’ve been looking for you.”

“Just like every other fact on this pl—“ Her ears and eyes perked up. “You’re been… you’ve been looking for me?”

“I didn’t believe you were dead for a second.” He looked at her. He still couldn’t believe it. “They captured you for a reason that day. And the information we found reinforced that… and then some dreams… visions I had.”

“Huh. Really?” She was surprised to hear that. Even more surprised when he said yes. She was touched. He still believed she was alive in this mad world and probably a few others. But the dreams comment was… strange. “How many thought you were crazy? Wasting resources looking for a ghost from the past?” She knew there had to be a good amount of doubters irritated with him and whoever else was insistent that she was still alive.

“A good handful.” He chuckled, shaking his head.

She laughed at that. She could only imagine his irritation at all of those who probably called him and the others crazy.

“Also…” She slowly stifled her laugh, clearing her throat for a moment. She looked at him from head to toe, eyes flashing blue for a second. “How long have you been a psionic?”

“Huh?” A question he wasn’t quite expecting, even though he had showed that off earlier. He was just about to ask her a question. Looked like that had to wait.

“How long have your been a psionic?” She repeated. “You showed me a little earlier and then when I pounced on you, I picked up on it, too. You even resisted me. Don’t recall any tests back in the day from Vahlen showed anything, but then again, we were all busy and I wanted all tests to be allocated to the soldiers.” Couldn’t waste resources on testing just any personnel. Her eyes fell, narrowing into a glare as she thought of the doctor’s eagerness. “And she really wanted to test me… makes me wonder what things would have been like if she did.” She grumbled under her breath.

“This may be the way to tell her.” Asaru said. “Maybe she sensed me and is hesitant to ask?”

“We’ll see.” Bradford replied.

Bradford cleared his throat. Where to start? How to start?

“It’s something… I acquired a few years ago.” He said. “The whole affair was a surprise, really.” Surprise was an understatement. That day was a massive headache, but a great boon to the Resistance.

“A semi-stress or trauma based awakening?” She asked. She knew those could be a nasty way of learning one had psionics.

“Not exactly.” He shook his head. The day was stressful. “I’m actually bonded to… a being. That’s how I have psionic abilities.”

She raised a brow. Did she hear that right? “Repeat that?”

“It’s best if we showed you.” He took a step back. “Asaru.”

As he stepped back, Asaru emerged from him. That tall, slender Ethereal floated towards her. His bulbed tendrils drew close to her, but hovered just a few inches from her body. She gasped at the sight, backing away slightly.

“Hello, Commander Reeves.” He said to her.

“You.” Just the very being she had shown Bradford minutes earlier. She reached out to him, touching his chest. Soft, slightly gelatinous like a jellyfish and almost like he wasn’t there. Like it was just air there with a hint of mass. In turn, he gently touched her arm. He was there, really there. She wasn’t seeing things. She could feel him and that energy felt so familiar.

Trembling eyes jumped between Bradford and Asaru. “What? How?” 

“It’s a long story, Jynn.” Bradford sighed. “Short story is my crew, I, and the Templars found him and the people that were protecting him a few years ago. I was the only viable host for him because of his damage. We’ve been bonded ever since.”

“Damage?” She had so many questions, but hearing that caught her attention.

“Our sudden separation damaged me.” Asaru said. “Damaged us both. Our bond ran deep.”

Jynn opened her mouth, ready to ask more questions, but closed it. She didn’t know what to ask first. Really, what could she ask first? She shook her head. The separation. She knew she was the reason behind for sudden separation that day. Those memories had become more clear overtime with her freedom. She recalled that she was growing more aware of Asaru as the War raged on. And the Ethereal didn’t stop that. No longer wanting to be a silent guide once the Elders were stepping up Their attacks. And then they captured one of Them. 

Just so much happened those happened weeks, if not days, before the base fell. The Elder they had captured and what they said. Many cryptic warnings, threats, and expositions. Somehow They had also sensed Asaru inside of her and were adamant that she turn herself over to the rest of the Collective immediately. She thought nothing of it at first until the same Elder and the others started plaguing her mind with unsettling nightmares. If she only knew what would come next after that interrogation killed that Elder.

She shook her head again, sniffling. Tears already forming.

“Gosh…” Some of her old Cajun accent began to slip out. That made Bradford raise his brows. He hadn’t heard that in a long time. “Gosh darn, I’m… I’m so sorry.” She shook her head. “I did this to the both of us.”

“It’s okay.” Asaru reassured her. Touching her face with one of his tendrils, followed by a hand. “You did not know that would happen. I did not know.”

“I… I…”

“Your quick thinking gave this world more time.” He hushed her. “If They had the both of us… things would be so much worse for this world and so many others. They would have Their own Mosaic.”

“Mosaic.” She growled at the mention of that word. What a horrible machine. So many, if not all, Zudjari enslaved by one of their own. Feeling an anger well up inside of her, she took a step away from him. “They’re still actively working on trying to replicate and ‘improve’ upon it. Mildly thankful that the Fragmenta they’ve tasked with replicating and restoring the Zudjari technology they’ve found have been purposefully dragging their feet.”

“Really?” Asaru wasn’t surprised by what the Elders were doing, but to hear the aliens there were working with were purposefully stalling the development of that infernal machine was interesting.

“Fragmen- what?” Bradford asked. An alien name he was unfamiliar with.

“Hard to describe them. Sapient pieces of metal, interstellar gas, cosmic dust, and who knows what else.” She answered. “They have an extremely thin truce with the Elders, but make their displeasure towards the known with every meeting. Feels like they want to kill the Elders.” She wondered how that truce still existed. Perhaps they were waiting for the right moment to break it and strike against the Elders.

“That’s… interesting.” He rubbed his chin. Aliens that hated the Elders, and these sounded fairly powerful if they had a ‘truce’ going on with the Elders. He wondered how their war went with the Elders… if they even had one. “Can we consider them friendlies… to a point?”

“I’d consider them allies. The only Elder they seem to like working with is Raal’Maker.” She shook her head, but chuckled. It always came back to him. “Also his mentor and those under his mentor. Oh! And one more pleasant Elder, a part of the Earth occupation. Her name is A’Va’pur. Probably another reason why the Earth’s environment isn’t totally screwed over.”

“Another ‘benevolent’ Elder?” He questioned.

“‘Benevolent’ Elders?” Asaru added. Bradford still didn’t believe that was possible.

“Trust me. Despite everything the current sept occupying Earth has done, the ones I spoke of are quite nice.” 

“That is interested.” Asaru tapped at his “chin”. “She speaks the truth. I sense it and so can you.” Asaru picked up no lie from her. Bradford sighed.

“If you say so.” He had to see it to truly believe it, though he could feel the same thing as Asaru.

“So what was that crystal?” Asaru asked. He hovered over to that canister that contained that strange crystal she used earlier. A tendril touched it.

She looked over at him. “Something Raal’Maker supplies me with.”

“You’re still in contact with that, Elder?” Bradford asked, surprised to hear that. She nodded.

“Raal’Maker and I have distant contact.” She said “He provides me that,” she pointed at the canister, “when he can. And some other gear. Lots of dead drops. His brethren as watching him like a hawk. They believe he may have a hand in my escape. He didn’t.”

“Exactly what is it?” Asaru was curious. It had a strange energy to it. Almost as it had a form of sentience to it. Benevolant… and malevolent. 

“The crystalized blood of the Weavers is what he told me.” She said. “Something about it can sustain me for a while.”

“Another group of aliens?” Bradford asked. She nodded.

“A nickname given to them by other species they’ve interacted with. A benevolent bunch that helps others. Kind of like you and your species, Asaru.” She tapped her lip. “I think I remember Maker mentioning your kind and them have met before on good terms.”

“Really?” That was interesting. He longed to meet more of his kind. Now, he really wanted to meet this Maker. “But…” He looked back at the canister and then her. A few tendrils reached out to her. “I sense a… malevolence in this blood. That very malevolence courses through your veins.”

Her mouth pulled back into a grimace. She looked away. “That…”

Bradford raised a brow. He moved closer to the both of them.“What is it?” 

“Let me show the both of you.”

She reached up to her collar of her under armor and pulled it down. From the chin down, her skin was black. An unnatural black. Like something had charred it black. And there was something else. Eyes. Sharp blue eyes that looked like tattoos were near the center of her neck. Four in total. But there were some others on her neck where more eyes could be, except they were closed.

“Goodness…” Asaru hesitantly reached out to her.

“What the hell…” Bradford moved closer to get a better look at it.

“A gift from my ‘benefactor’. A Weaver of questionable morality and methods.” She questioned if she could even call it that. “Something the Elders fear and it equally hates Them for some transgression They committed against it… him… I don’t know. And then several other species They’ve screwed with his ‘friends’ with.” She shook her head. “Feels pity for me for what They’ve and has helped stabilize my form to a point… against my permission.”

This Weaver hated the Elders? At first, Bradford thought they may have had another ally until she continued to describe this being. Sounded like she didn’t like it. Trusted them even less. 

“How does this connect with the crystalized blood?” Asaru asked. A pair of his tendrils were touching the marks on her neck. 

“Somehow, his blood is mixed in with the other Weavers. The Weavers as a whole are deeply connected to one another. Raal’Maker does his best to filter it out, but he can’t get rid of it all.”

“So this ‘benefactor’… this ‘benefactor’ helped you?” Bradford asked next.

She nodded. “He helped stabilize my health and reverse a good amount of damage that was done… with what he had to work it… And he’s made more offers to heal the damage, but I don’t trust him. I’ve refused them.” She really didn’t trust it, though its words were sweet and soothing. “The Elders fear it for a reason, though They’re not innocent from Their crimes.”

He picked at his lip as he listened. This being had the ability to heal her, but only so much. And was making offers to heal her, but with a catch with what she said. “I take it this being is still making offers?” She sadly nodded.

“He’s patient… Scarily patient… The offers haven’t stopped.” She shook her head again; arms tightly wrapping around herself. “Sometimes… Some days… I’m tempted to accept them just to be me again. Human once more.” It was such a dangerous temptation, and she had a feeling if she accepted, something terrible would befall her.

“Damn, Jynn…”

How long had she been suffering? Living such a tortured existence? A cosmic plaything from the sound of it. This is so much worse than his fears of finding her in some lab dissected like some animal and… hopefully dead. 

He reached a hand out to her. Out to her neck to get a better look at himself, but retracted his hand. Instead, he stepped forward and hugged her. Hugged her tightly. He felt like it was the better idea. Felt like she needed a good hug. Jynn froze, arms open and drawn back. She was hesitant to touch him. She had been waiting for this, but not so suddenly. A sigh came out as she wrapped her arms around him. Nestling her chin against his head as tears streamed down her face.

Asaru drifted away from the two, wanting to give them some space. He could sense their shaky emotions. And a deep turmoil and conflicting within Bradford. That love he had for her. It would be interesting to see if he ever brought it up. He wondered how they would tackle that. For the time being, he looked around the room. Especially towards the map and intel she had pinned on the wall.

During the time, she looked at his features. How the years and stress had aged him. She wondered if the scar on his cheek came from the day the base was attacked. Probably wasn’t his only scar from that day and over the years. She ran his fingers through his hair a few times. Seemed like he didn’t mind. In fact, seemed like he welcomed it with the happy “hm” that slipped out. It surprised her to see him let his hair grow a bit, but he had an odd haircut going on. Partially shaved, starting just above his ears.

“About the hair…” She said, breaking the silence. Fingers toying with the little ‘tuft’ of hair. “Interesting cut.”

“Felt like letting it grow out.”

“But the partial shave?” She asked next, fingers feeling the border between the shaved and non-shaved side. He just shrugged. He didn’t really have an answer.

“Huh.” She just chuckled. “The little tuft is cute.” She flicked it.

“I have to ask…” Bradford said, pulling his face back to look at her. There was a question nagging at the back of his mind. Why hadn’t she reached out to XCOM? “Sounds like you’ve been free of the Elders for some time and been running with the Skirmishers for a while…” His voice trailed off, wondering how he should touch the subject. He shook his head. No scratch that. The answer is obvious. “Scratch that question…”

“What’s the question?”

“No, no, no…” He shook his head again. “The answer is obvious why you never contacted us. Never contacted XCOM. What’s happened to you. How you look.” He could barely imagine how that would have gone, especially if they didn’t have Asaru. Probably a hefty amount of disbelief. Part of him was still in that territory. 

She sighed hearing that. He was perceptive. “That’s exactly why… and then I didn’t know if it was being run by survivors or just a bunch of bandits stealing the name. I’ve run into quite a few of the latter.”

“Ugh… tell me about it.” He hated those bandits the most. They already had to deal with the doubters who thought XCOM was a part of the Council and Earth’s leaders that sold out the Earth to the aliens when they were betrayed by them. That was a headache with the Reapers’ for the longest until Volk finally straightened things out. “Having to clear XCOM’s name in some regions is a pain in the ass.”

“I can only imagine the trouble.” She chuckled. 

The two continued to stay in each other’s arms. Bradford eventually brought his hands went up to her face to examine her features. This new form twisted by the Elders. Like the Chosen, but a proto-form of sorts. But there were so many familiar features. Those freckles. It was her, but… she was so changed. And dying. He ran his fingers down her jawline, expecting to feel any remnants of pulled ports under the skin, something some Skirmishers did once they were freed. But there was nothing. It was smooth, besides that wrinkled skin that reminded him too much of Dhay-Vol’s, the Warlock, face. Why did she have to look like them?

 She seemed unfazed by him doing that. Almost expecting him to do that. She welcomed it. The touch of an old friend. His hands felt nice. A bit rough from calluses, but nice.

“At least they let me keep my freckles.” A little joke to lighten the mood. He chuckled for a moment before the sadness returned.

“Hmph.” He let out a snort, shaking his head. At least she could make a joke out of such a terrible thing. “How kind of Them.”

A question nagged at the back of his mind. Something she said earlier. They’re careless. Tried turning me into a Chosen when I was still broken, even after Maker’s warnings. Just why did the Elders risk doing such a thing?

“Why did the Elders do this?” He asked. She let out an annoyed snort.

“They wanted an asset and weapon in more ways than one.” She explained. “XCOM was coming back. What better way than to have the leader of said group be the one to crush it?” The Elders enjoyed doing that. The Hunter was a fine example of that. A Reaper turned against his own kind. “Kon-Ris…” She shook her head. There was sadness in her voice. She pitied him. “They don’t care if they have to break you to remake you. Even when one of their brightest advises against it.”

“…Why.”

Hearing that just hurt him deeply. To imagine, if she was still in Their clutches, she would be one of those Chosen. Having to fight an old friend for Earth’s freedom. How would have that gone? What would they have done if they had learned of her identity? What would he have done?

As he continued studied her features, he felt another pang in his heart. The woman he loved had been tormented by those Elders. And despite seeing her like this, he still loved her. He dropped his hands down to her shoulders. Head lowering, gaze fixed on the ground, as he dug his fingers into her shoulders. She sigh and patted his back. She hadn’t let go.

“I never got to tell you…” He paused, hesitant to continue speaking. 

Should he tell her? This could be my only chance. She is dying. How long will she live if this can’t be fixed?

Asaru turned his attention towards him, sensing what was about to do. “Careful now. Steady yourself.”

“Tell me what? John?” She noticed something glisten, falling to the floor. Tears again. They must have been flowing. 

He tightened his grip again as he took in several shaky breaths. He raised his head. Those tears were flowing, just streaming down his face. 

“That I love you.” He finally said it. Fighting off any hesitation that wanted to come through. Felt like an enormous weight was taken off his chest.

She blinked once. Then twice. Eyes darted around, landing on Asaru, who quickly turned away, before focusing back on him. He looked serious. Did she hear that correctly?

“W-w-what?”

“I love you, Jynn.” He repeated himself. More confidence in his voice. “I’ve had these feelings since we were teenagers.” Sometimes he wondered how she never noticed it back then, but she was rather oblivious to guys flirting at her kin high school. “Just kept it under wraps when we met again because of the Invasion. Couldn’t have them getting in the way. Kept it strictly business.” 

“Uh…” Her mouth hung open. She wasn’t sure how to respond to that. This was a revelation to her. Her lack of response did not surprise him. Probably not the best time to tell her, but he needed to get it off his chest.

“I am such an idiot…” She let out an exasperated sigh.

“Huh?” Not the response he was expecting.

She shook her head and smacked her forehead with her palm. “My mother was always the one to point out guys that had a crush on me and I’d just ignore her. She did the same with you!”

“Really?” He asked, holding back a snort in-between sniffles. She nodded.

“Hell!” She smacked herself again. “Explains why my dad was fine with me hanging out with you so much and inviting you on trips.”

“Really?” Another surprising detail. He and Mr. Reeves had a friendly relationship, but he found her father to be a rather intimidating person when he was younger. “He did scare me.” 

“Seriously?” She held back a snort.

“To a teenager, a military man like him was very intimidating.”

She thought for a moment. A snort slipped out. “You’ve got a point there.”

Eventually, after the declaration, Bradford pulled away from her. Almost having to pry himself from her grasp. He didn’t want to move away, but he needed to breathe. Just so many thoughts and emotions were going through his head. He paced around the cabin as he rubbed his face. 

At least she didn’t negatively react to me sharing my feelings. He was happy that didn’t sour the mood.

As he paced, he looked around the room. Eyes falling onto the maps, photos, and blueprints that Asaru was looking at. One photo had a big red circle around it and a quick note scribbled next to it that said “SEND TO BETOS”.

Betos.

“So how long have you been with the Skirmishers.” He asked. He had stopped in front of the photo that had the note. He noticed another photo circled and an arrow pointing to a location. And another note saying, “SCOPE OUT MORE. HIGH SECURITY. HIGH PRIEST IS HEAD OF SECURITY. MAY BE THE PLACE. WILL NEED BACKUP. KEEP IT STEALTHY.”

“About five years or so.” She said. “Still not fully one of them, to be honest.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Well, how I’m more nomadic for staters and I’ve never told Betos my identity.” She explained. “She never pressed me again once I told her it was for my safety and hers if she never knew it. Last thing I need is the Chosen knowing who I’m with. Especially Jax-Rai.” 

She and her group had far too many close calls with the Assassin. She was thankful Jax-Rai never used her psionics like Dhay-Vol. Would have figured out who she was ages ago, but thankfully her identity was still hidden from them. But she piqued their collective interest. A psionically capable ‘hybrid’ was running around with the Skirmishers. That caused a new set of problems for her.

“Those things.” He grimaced. He had received some intel from the other factions that those three were hunting something for the Elders, but they didn’t know what. The information was always classified on another Network they had no clue of how to reach. Now he knew it was her.

“It’s amazing you’ve managed to avoid them for so long.” Asaru said.

“They’ve been annoying.” Which was an understatement. “I avoid Dhay-Vol the best I can. Trying to hide my psionic signature when he’s on his hunt is nerve-wracking.” She hated him the most. Had to fry his brain on a few occasions just to escape. Somehow, he was still oblivious to her identity. Should have picked up her psionic signature from her attacks. But maybe her benefactor, that Voice, was hiding it? That thought crossed her mind many times. He could have altered her signature ever so slightly to aid her.

 “Jax-Rai is a pain and I think I’ve pissed her off with how much my people and I have escaped. And we’ve bested her a few times… .” She shook her head, but chuckled. “Though I think she enjoys the chase. Exhilarating is how she’s described it.” Such an odd comment to receive after besting her. “Kind of like her brother, Kon-Ris. Though not as mad…” She bit her lip. “Hunter… I feel like he’s figured out who I am… but is keeping it secret for some reason.”

Bradford couldn’t imagine the amount of stress she was under, having to hide from those three. But her comment about the Hunter interested him. The wildcard of the siblings.“He’s figured you out?”

“Think so. Said a few things he shouldn’t know about me. Enjoys calling me Gresham and brings up XCOM a lot.”

“That’s interesting…” Asaru noted. 

“And he hasn’t told the others or the Elders?”

“Hates his siblings and hates the Elders even more… Probably some part of his brain blocks the info from the Elders.” She was curious how They hadn’t picked that detail up yet. “He’s always been a wildcard for the Elders after an incident with the Reapers happened that made him more flippant. Why he hunts ADVENT and aliens too.”

“We’ve noticed that a few times.” Asaru said. “He is an interesting one. Almost as if he has a split personality.”

“I believe he does, literally.” Jynn said. “I’ve heard several voices in his head. Mostly the Elders, but there’s this small voice. Crying for help. Trying to remember who he was. I believe that may be the old him.”

“Huh.” Both Asaru and Bradford responded. Something to look into later. Questions from Volk.

“So what’s this? Noticed Asaru staring at this intently.” Bradford pointed at the photo with the note of wanting to scope out some facility with high security. And the photo showed that. There were standard Troopers and MECS all over the place.

“The possible clone.” Asaru said as he shifted his attention back to the photo and intel.”

“Hm?” She went over to see what he was pointing at. “Oh that. Yes, I have a feeling that’s where they may have my clone or ‘backup brain’ running. Want to take it out. Disrupt their tactical information Network again.”

“Ah.” Bradford simply nodded. He would have to ask about that in greater detail another time. Still couldn’t believe that theory was true. Explained how ADVENT worked like a well-oiled machine since they were founded.

“So, when’s the raid happening?” He asked.

“Still in the works. Have to scope it out more and request backup from the local Skirmisher clans.” She shook her head. “Though I want to keep it stealthy as possible. Don’t want them teleporting the asset and any other backups out of the place before we get to it.”

“Hm.” Smart. He knew he had some facilities he had people scouting. Get as more information as you can before striking. But there was always a risk. He thought for a moment as he rubbed his chin. “Well, you could… join us. Join XCOM.” He suggested. “We’d be glad to back you up. Glad to have you back.”

Asaru looked at him when he said that. He was thinking of them making the offer, but was unsure, sensing a deep unease within Jynn about her current form.

She blinked a few times as her eyes went wide. Both brows raised high. He has to be kidding. She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. 

“XCOM is your home.”

“John…” She wasn’t sure of that anymore.

“Our medical team may be able to help you.” He almost sounded desperate as he said that. “Hell, the Templars may be able to help you! You and Asaru need to re-bond!”

It was a tempting offer, and the latter was true. She could sense they both needed that, but she wasn’t so sure.

“What will your people think of me?” She asked. “Is there anyone there besides you that knows me?”

“Corvo Samaras.” He quickly responded. As if he was prepared for that question. “He was one of the training officers that moved between the bases fairly frequently. Got nicknamed the ‘slave master monk’ by most of the recruits.” 

After naming him, he started naming more. Soldiers, doctors, engineers, and other staff that had survived the downfall of all the bases. She covered her mouth as she listened to him. But from her trembling eyes betrayed her. She recognized several of the names.

“So many of you… so many of you guys survived.”

“And we’re still finding more as the years pass by.” He smiled. “Most haven’t given up the fight. They’ve been eager to join up with us.” He chuckled. “And you’ll be surprised with who’s running the Templars.” Mentioning that made his smile grow into a grin. That was still a surprise that day. He still wanted to get Geist for being cryptic for all those years.

“Yes, that was quite the surprise. He hasn’t changed much.” Asaru agreed.

She looked away, bitting her lip. Join them? It was such a tempting offer. XCOM was her home. But so much had change. She had changed. “But what will they think of me?” That was something he didn’t want to think about, but knew it would be a problem.

“I know some back on the ship will be hesitant. Some won’t agree…” He knew several were still quite anti-alien; including Hybrids. And some still questioned his bond with Asaru. They were barely tolerant of the Skirmishers and any aliens that had defected. Given the opportunity, they would kill them. It was rough keeping that from happening with some meetings and joint missions.

Sensing his mind drift off to the darker parts, Asaru placed a hand on his shoulder. Bradford glanced at him and nodded. He needed that. Needed to stay positive. 

“But you…” He gestured to her. “You’re alive.“ He felt like that was the only thing that mattered. “I don’t think I can let this chance meeting be a secret… Can’t just suddenly drop the search for you. Some will question that.”

He had a point there.

“I don’t know.” But she was unsure. She turned away, taking a few steps away from the both of them. “I have to think about it.”

He reached out to her, but stopped himself. “Just think about it.”

“But I must ask… which part of you is asking this?” She glanced over her shoulder. “That military side of you? Or the part that loves me?” That declaration was still on her mind.

He looked away, closing his eyes. He placed on his chest and clutched it. “Both.” He couldn’t lie. He didn’t want to lose her again.

“Hm.” She looked at Asaru, who only nodded, confirming what he said. That’s… concerning. But made sense. It just made her leery. And something else bothered her. More personal.

She paced around the room as she mulled over his offer. It was so tempting, but she had her worries. But she also knew she and Asaru needed to re-bond at some point. She could sense he was doing fine with Bradford, hovering in some sort of stable condition, but there was still that lingering damage to him. It made her heart hurt.

 And then what would her people think? She couldn’t just leave them behind. She shook her head. Like they would let that happen. They would follow her to the ends of the Earth, no matter what. They told her that on several occasions. Swearing their loyalty to her despite her protests. They were beyond grateful that they were free of the Elders’ enslavement.

She looked back over at them. Both had busied themselves with looking at the intel and discussed some things.

“Maybe…” She muttered as she went back over to him. “Maybe I can join… rejoin XCOM. My people and I can join you all.”

“Hm?” Both glanced over their shoulders. Looked like they were deep in thought. It took both a moment to process what she said. “Would they be fine with that?”

She nodded. “My people are flexible. Practically have sworn their loyalty to me. They listen to me first before listening to Betos.” That was a headache, but somehow they worked around it.

“That is interesting, but XCOM can always use more people.” Asaru chuckled.

“Huh.” Bradford nodded. Looked like she never lost her commanding skills. That made him smile. “Have to figure out the logistics, but we can always use more people. Though integrating more Hybrids is going to be interesting.”

“And there’s always that…” Asaru shook his head. That was a constant headache, no matter what.

“Guess we’ll just have to see what happens when you introduce us to everyone.”

“Right.” He said, then sighed. “Think I need to send a warning first so a few of the levelheaded staff can help me. Got a radio I can borrow?”

“That sounds smart. And yes, we do.”

  Bradford looked at his watch, then over to the window. Through the slits of the curtain, he could see the sun disappearing behind the trees as the sky darkened. He let out a yawn before rubbing his temples. Looks like the effects from the ambush were finally kicking in.

“Think we may be staying for the night.” Was probably for the best. Never fun trekking through a forest in the night. Anything could happen.

“It would be wise to do so. We need to recover.” Asaru said.

“Sleeping quarters should be prepared for you all by now.” Jynn said. “And we should have plenty of food to go around.”

“Thanks for the generosity.” And he meant it.

“It’s what we do.” She smiled.

“Back to joining… rejoining XCOM… I would like to snuff out the local raiders before leaving. A bunch of psychopaths.” She said. A hiss slipped out as she wrinkled her nose. The world was already hard to live in with ADVENT running things, and some people just had to make it worse. No ounce of empathy. No sense of remorse. Everyone was fair game as they pillaged any camp, haven, or ‘authorize’ settlement they came across. Especially the weak. “Also, I’m waiting for some of my people to return from supply runs. Should only be a few more days.”

“I think we can help with that and we won’t be leaving this region for a while, so we can wait on those supply runs.”

“Sounds likes a plan.”

She then gently patted his back a few times before heading to the door.

“And Asaru.” She turned to him. In a way, she couldn’t believe he was there. She was so happy she no longer had to search for him.

“Yes?”

“I know we need to re-bond, but I don’t think we can do that anytime soon.” She sighed. “I feel like we’ll only hurt each other further. A downward spiral of draining will occur.”

“I also sense that.” He nodded. “I believe we’ll need a medium to facilitate the bond… but also your body needs to be healed.” A few tendrils touched her body. “Your conversion, barely at the halfway mark… I question if this can be undone or should it be allowed to finish…” And he didn’t like the idea of it being finished. A new form forced onto her by the Elders.

“Maker believes he may be able to reverse this…” And she prayed he could. “If not,” she tried to hold back a sigh, but one slipped out, “he has selected a few species that would best suit me to complete this transformation and purge the Elder DNA from my system. Right now, he’s trying his best to get the heat off of him so we can properly meet.” She wondered how long that would take. “Though he has his worries about how the process may go.”

Bradford closed his eyes tightly, hearing what she said. The chance of her condition being unreversible tore at him and hoped it could be done. “Is he worried about lasting damage affecting the process?” Bradford asked.

“That’s one thing, and then one of the methods he’ll be using.”

“What would that be?” Asaru asked, curious.

“He’s been cagey about it, but I think it deals with the blood of the Weavers and their DNA. And I understand why… But I’m willing to take the risk.”

“Really?” Bradford questioned, with a hint of worry in his voice.  “Are you sure?”

“I just want to be me again. Not some abomination of a weapon of the Elders.” She shook her head. “Hell… hell… I’ll take another Hybrid form that doesn’t have Their touch and broken DNA.”

“Hm…” He was worried, but it would be a discussion for another day.

“Now,” she clasped her hands tightly and forced a smile, really wanting to change the subject, “let’s get your current crew updated on who I am and what’s going on.” She then unlocked the door. “And then go from there.”

He nodded and followed. Asaru merged back with him. “It’s going to be interesting telling them. Laney may remember you. She’s another soldier that spent most of her time in the main HQ.”

“Laney?” The name didn’t ring a bell.

“Laney Stavros. She was a medic. Still is a medic.” 

“Still doesn’t ring a bell.”

“Maybe seeing her face should jog some memories.”

“Maybe.” Hopefully it would do the trick. There was a glimmer in her eye. She was somewhat excited to meet a survivor from the old base.

“Also…” She paused as she opened the door. “We’re going to have to talk about this… love… thing.” He was waiting for that.

He nodded, a small sigh slipped out. “I know.”

“It could become quite troublesome when I rejoin and th—“

“I know.” He cut her off. He knew the risks. “I’ll try to push it to the side, but…” He paused, sighing as he looked away for a second. He turned back and looked her in the eyes. “I don’t want to lose you again. Okay?”

Her brows scrunched together, part of her lips turned into a grimace. “Hm.” Her eyes flashed blue for a second. She was picking up a lot of strong emotions from him. And a lot of conflicting ones. “Yes… And you still feel this way, especially after seeing how I am now?”

“Yes.” There was no hesitation in his voice.

She closed her eyes and huffed. What to say? She didn’t know what to say.  Now she was feeling conflicted. She felt something deep inside of her. Almost as if she felt the same way towards him, but wasn’t so sure. That part of her was a mess already. And then her current state of health wasn’t helping. She couldn’t reciprocate those feelings… for several reasons. 

She sighed deeply, closing her eyes tightly. “I want to drink, but can’t.” Damn Hybrid makeup.

“Jynn, no.” He put a hand on her back. “I know the feeling, and that leads nowhere good. Trust me.” That was a hard habit to break, and he still needed to be careful. “And then your Hybrid make up. Alcohol oxidizing into formic acid. Go blind and die. Give or take some steps.” He shook his head, remembering that being explained to them. Just how much of it was a side effect of how the Elders built the Hybrids or did They do it on purpose as a control method. He was leaning towards the latter. “Thooooough”, he extended that for as long as he could as he leaned closer, “some of our resident chemistry majors may have figured out something Hybrids can imbibe in. It has become a rather lucrative bargaining item.” What some would do in their spare time… and for love.A snort slipped out from her. “Well… we’ll discuss this later. All of it.” Her voice trailed off as she continued out the door.

“Understood.” He nodded and followed. “I’ll hold you to it.”

“Don’t make me regret it. All of this.” Though she didn’t feel like she was going to. This all felt like a new start, that light shining, burning through the depths of an ensuring darkness.

He chuckled. “I can’t promise anything. Just don't count your chickens before they hatch.” A yelp slipped out. Eyes flashing a quick blue, she gave him a slight shock of energy.

“Jerk.” She was grinning.

“Missed you.”

“Missed you too.”

[gender-buddies]

Artist Commentary Post

Let's talk about Phase One and where I got the inspiration for the very first set of Gender Buddies.

Agender - This one needed to be something not animal-like not for ambiguity, but a sense of unalignment. The original idea was just a rocky little critter who was an Earth type that could camouflage, and it was literally just a rock without the body segments. Then it slowly turned into having the ability camouflage in volcanic areas, but I wasn't sure how that green color would fit in with the design. I went with sulfur and changed the Buddy to a Fire type to better match its environment and balance out the many Earth types yet to be released. The body segments and random other details were added later because it looked a little too plain even for a Level 1 Buddy.

Nonbinary - This was originally a blobby slime creature that would stick to everything and then that idea became a slug that would leave nonbinary-colored slime everywhere - the slime color was changed to one color because it looked better. The sluggy body was meant to be sort of ambiguous, like a liquid but not quite. I wanted it to be flexible. Then as I was actually sketching it out digitally and looking at references to get the slug shape just right, I saw this cute little snail terrarium on Etsy where the plants were inside a clear shell. The liquid-filled clear shell was an obvious choice for design, especially if I were to keep the Water typing. It almost became a Plant type with plants inside the shell, but this set already had two Plant types scheduled for release. If I decide on a variant, like using a recolored nonbinary flag or making it nonbinaryflux or something, I may bring back that idea.

Ambigender - I knew right away that this Buddy would have two bodies merged together, but this slot in the phase was actually supposed to be for Maverique - it would have been a Fire type as well. But I'm having trouble finalizing the design for Maverique, so I replaced that with another Fire type. The color and pattern took some thinking because I wanted it to be seen as two separate critters rather than having a perfect blend between them to show the static nature of the ambigender identity. I made sure to have an obvious split between the two and make sure each half had its own color palette - one blue and one red. I have no idea why I came up with a salamander, but fiery salamanders are a pretty obvious go-to in art and design. The patterns are based on a tiger salamander and a spotted salamander, but the final design ended up looking more like a cartoony dinosaur.

Genderera - This one is based on my redesign of the genderera flag and is a counterpart to gendervir in its design and coloration. The difference is the big flower on the head and the lack of belly color, which is hard to see with its pose. It also has more spots. I really tried not to make it a warm-color replica of the gendervir design. Why I went with a froggy critter is beyond me. It just seemed to look really cute.

Gendervir - This was the first Buddy I ever designed, first on paper and then digitally when I was ready to start the project. I wanted it to have much more foliage on the body and even a leafy tail, which is where the Plant typing came from. Nonbinary was already a Water type, so I didn't end up changing this one's typing to fit the frog look. The tongue and feet webbing almost didn't make it into the final design, and the spots and belly color were a very last-minute addition. Gendervir is an important term for me so I wanted to make this critter before the others and really make the design something unique. The colors are based on my redesign of the gendervir flag.

Neutrois - This sounds bad but I didn't like this one! I knew I wanted it to look robot-like but I didn't know how I wanted the face or details to look. It originally had plain circular eyes and simple round ears, which made it look like a bear almost. Then I started trying to incorporate neutrois symbols into it - you'll notice it has eyes that look like one type of symbol and antennas on the head that look like another. The electrical nature of the critter just made sense, so it's always had the wire tail and magnet since I sketched it out on paper. The mouth looks almost ghoulish so if there's ever a chance to make something like... maybe neutroisfluid, I kind of want it to look like there's a ghost-like thing inside the body, which is hollow. It'd be fun to play around with.

Abinary - For some reason, I was so determined to make this a Light type and it took a while for me to figure out how to make it work. I almost went entirely ambiguous and made it look like some alien creature no one has ever seen before - basically a little fuzzy sprite. It didn't look interesting enough, so I kept adding buggy body parts to try and figure out something that looked cute. Eventually I landed on an aphid, which fits with the word "aphorian" (another word for abinary.) Aphids are known to make honeydew, so I gave it a big honeydew drop on its back. The antennae were going to be pointed forward with glowing balls on the ends, but then I leaned more into the aphid design and changed the antennae accordingly.

Cassgender - When imagining indifference, I simply thought about sleeping. This turned into the idea of sleeping with a teddy bear. I really wanted it to look comfy and cozy and really cutesy, which really works well with how soft the cassgender flag looks. Making it a Lunar type would have been too obvious (since bears are tied to the moon) and I'm lacking in Shadow types, so it made sense to make it a type that reflects the nighttime rather than the moon.

Magigender - Magigender manekineko! That's the lucky cat from Japanese culture that brings fortune and luck. I wanted so badly to make a lucky cat somewhere in this project and thought that the magi- in magigender reminded me of magic, so the manekineko was used here. I imagined it being a Metal type because of gold and silver, so that's the type I went with. Gold and metal works well with the magigender flag. I was determined to write the kanji on the belly myself instead of just finding an image, and I needed a shorter phrase so that I could write it properly. I went with "shine" (or "brilliance") to reflect (heh) the shining quality of metals. The fan in its hand spells "nya", the Japanese word for the sound a cat makes. The fan is one of the few times I added my own color, made to be orange instead of the Japan-flag-red because it fit the palette better. I almost combined the manekineko with the daruma doll, an item Japanese people use to make wishes by painting eyes on it, but I am going to reserve the daruma doll for another Buddy in the future.

Aesthetigender - For aesthetigender, I wanted to actually choose one aesthetic to represent but I didn't want it to be aesthetically pleasing if that makes sense? I really love pastels, and I like music, so I originally chose the city pop aesthetic as a basis (which may not sound familiar to some people, but it's the predecessor to the vaporwave aesthetic.) It needed to be something urban, so I went with both a rat and a pigeon, and I wanted to make it nocturnal. I really wanted the city pop aesthetic to be the main part of this design, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to make the star into that iconic vaporwave sun. The heart-shaped thingy on the pigeon beak was turned into a cool visor to make it kind of tech-ish. With it being another night-themed critter, I chose for it to be a Shadow type. I almost made it into a tanuki because I was watching Pom Poko when I was sketching it, but I'll save that for another critter design.

Outherine - I've always had a space critter design that is very rodent-like in its design and I wanted to find a spot for it, so I just went with it on a whim. It ties in gerbil and rat body parts with a whimsical space aesthetic on top. The starry eyes made me think of stargazing and I thought it was really cute, so I made it the Stellar type instead of the more obvious Cosmic type. That type comes in the next phase!

Omnigray - As with all Mythical Buddies, this one is a term I coined myself. When thinking of shades of gray, I thought of something kind of cold and stormy. This design was almost a Storm type but I feel that I have too many of those right now, and this was an easy way to introduce the Air type. I thought of mythical creatures that call on storms and landed on the peacock, which is how phoenixes are usually depicted. This one, however, needed to catch followers by surprise. Fire peacocks are just too obvious, so I went to the exact opposite. The idea of ice and storms made it easy to figure out that I wanted this critter to sit on a dark cloud. As a Mythical Buddy, it needed to look majestic and beautiful, so I really leaned into the flowy look of peacock feathers. It has a sort of Elizabethan style to its "dress", which you can see by the feathery collar.

That's all! I think this phase had plenty of healthy stumbling as I figured out how I wanted it to turn out. If I could, I would totally redesign a lot of these Buddies - maybe in the future if I turn this into a huge, long-running project that I dedicate more time to! I'm excited for the next batch of Buddies to be released and there are so many of them that I want to draw RIGHT NOW, but I really need to stay on track and do these in the proper order. Let me know what you thought!

- 💜

[crystal-in-nagasaki]

an adventure in kitakyushu: wisteria and toilets

On a rainy day in early May, I drove up to the city of Kitakyushu right at the very top of Kyushu with some friends to go to Costco, see a wisteria garden, and visit the Toto toilet museum. Here's a map of Kitakyushu's location for reference:

We first stopped at the wisteria garden. The flowers were just reaching the end of their bloom and it was raining, so the conditions weren't very ideal for flower viewing, but nevertheless the flowers were still very beautiful and walking beneath them felt magical.

Next we headed to the Toto toilet museum. Toto is a very big company in Japan that sells toilets. They invented the washlet (the height of Japanese luxury) which includes a bidet, seat warmer, and a speaker to cover up any ungodly bathroom noises.

Despite the subject matter, the museum's aesthetic was very classy and there was a lot of information about the history of their company. They had models of various toilets over the years, transparent toilets that show off the machinery behind the flush, and some silly art pieces too like a toilet motorcycle.

There was also a part of the museum where they had smal dioramas of bathrooms in Japan, showing issues of overcrowding by mirrors and lack of child seating in stalls, and how they redesigned not just the toilets themselves, but the entire bathrooms to fix problems like this. I don't know why, but this part really stuck with me. So when I go into Japanese bathrooms now, I notice the designs such as more mirrors away from the sinks and children's seats in the toilet stalls. This was very interesting to me, and it's nice to see Toto making an effort to alleviate social issues around using the bathroom.

After the toilet museum, we shopped out hearts out at Costco. Like the US, you need a membership to get in, so we used my friend's coworker's card. I was excited to find some American foods like bagels, muffins, instant potatoes, and margerita mix. We also stopped at the food court to get hot dogs, and they were so delicious and tasted just like back home. Here's a picture of me buying a giant bag of Costco dinner rolls (which I definitely didn't eat all by myself in two days.)

This was a really fun day. I got to enjoy the last of the spring flowers, learn some interesting information about toilets, and get a little taste of home.

About a week after this day, my dad passed away. The pictures I posted from this day were the last he ever saw of me on social media, and I remember this whenever I recall this day or see the pictures I took. I hope he was even a little bit at ease and happy to see me having fun and being my silly self. I miss him terribly and think of him often. After this, I didn't go out much for a few months, so my next few posts will probably pick up in mid to late summer. Thanks as always for sticking with me. I hope wherever my dad is, he's watching me and I'm making him proud.

[thewul]

The road to Jaipur

He had spent the week visiting the sights that Delhi had to offer, the Red Fort which beared its name from its red bricks, the grand and imposing India Gate, the sprawling Humayun's Tomb, Akshardham Temple, Gurudwara with its golden domes, the garden of Lodhi dating back to the Delhi Sultanate and by far his favorite for the peace and serenity that it held

When one morning over breakfast together Doctor Sangupta anxiously proposed a trip to the countryside of Rajasthan where he was from, explaining in a rapid tone that although it wasn't part of the program he had to see India's rural world, and had arranged for a visit to his native province on his pride and joy, a pale blue Lada Riva Sedan

The road to Jaipur seemed unending, for India was a vast country with plenty of countryside in between its largest cities

Over the years many people from these rural areas left for the cities, which is how large slums formed almost in every large Indian city, but then again it was true all over the developing world, and many others choose to say and feed off the land although it was not an easy life, droughts often caused more of them to abandon agriculture and leave, droughts were often the main cause of rural emigration

Those who stayed needed medical help even more so because they lived in remote areas from hospitals, although rural hospitals have taken place in many parts of the developing world

Some hundred and twenty cataract operations later, in many villages where people in need of surgery had arrived from more distant places by word of mouth, we swinged off to the streets of Jaipur, and my first impression is that wasn't much different from Delhi, aside from its countryside India's cities gave the impression, or it was a fact, that they were places of organized chaos

During my stay in rural Rajasthan, by the end it, we received an invitation by an imposing, 6.3ft, turbaned servent, the Maharajah of Jaipur invited us to his palace, a real Indian Maharajah the stuff of endless discussions for years to come, and so I accepted heartily while Doctor Sangupta was beaming with happiness, but that's his story from a poor rural kid to Doctor in Delhi and now this

Past the grand main entrance of the rose hued palace, everything was instantly calm in the heart of Jaipur, but a world away, Persian themed gardens filled with fountains, tamarind trees and swooping parakeets stretched as far as the eye could see, while pink turbaned servants waited to greet us underneath a sparkling colonnade porch

The Maharajah of Jaipur's vintage Thunderbird was parked up outside, but it’s once you stepped inside that the magic of this place really unfolded, the Chief of servants took us on the customary visit of the palace recently and entirely redesigned by Avant garde designer Adil Ahmad, who added a fresh, modern twist to the palace’s illustrious history, past guests included Jackie Onassis, re-imagining the décor in a kaleidoscope of bold hues and opulence

There was the turquoise Polo Bar studded with trophies won by Maharajahs, a mesmerizing pink dining room, and a gilded drawing room filled with artwork from the royal family’s personal collection, custom made and hand blocked wallpapers in an exquisite variety of motifs, 45 in total, from prancing ponies to peacock arches decorated the walls

The rooms and suites that we could visit were just as lavish and special, with crystal chandeliers, rich velvets, Mughal carpets and large massive marble bathrooms, bedrooms individually styled with verve and spirited elegance, magnificent cut glass chandeliers hung from high ceilings, fresh flowers in silver vases fill every room

The powder blue and ivory Mountbatten Suite felt light and airy, with an antique four poster bed and private drawing room with views over the gardens, others, like the vast opulent 2 bedroom Maharajah Suite, were simply unbelievable, decked in rich, vibrant velvets and bold wallpapers

The turquoise and hot pink Jackie O Suite, accessed via a grand marble staircase through tall mirrored glass doors, where she stayed in this very room for 3 months during a trip to Rajasthan in 1962, was both spacious and private, and would spoiled any modern day Maharani

In all the redesign of the palace was a complete success, and things are a success when you couldn't imagine them otherwise, having never visited the palace before it was exactly as it should be, bold exuberant even modern in many aspects, contemporary but in the best sense of the word for the palace of a Maharajah that is blending modernity with tradition

A delight to its guest as the business savvy Maharajah had converted his palace into a luxury hospitality unit, and truly a place that you would never want to leave

[mallorieshumate-arts102]

Project 4: Mascot Logos

For this project we were asked to design a logo based on the noun and adjective assigned to each student. For me, the name was “Floral Raven.” We were not permitted to change the words because it was supposed to be as if a client was commissioning us to create the logo for them and in real like you wouldn’t be able to change a company’s name based on your own design or opinion. I was given the option of Raven, Eagle, or Hawk and me being more drawn to the occult symbolisms I gravitated towards the Raven. I then found images of flowers to look at while freely drawing out a simplified version of the shape in Adobe Illustrator. Using Gestalt principles, we then created a simplified shape since most logos are not complex in nature so that they are clean, legible, and grab the attention. I made several changes from the first version of my images to the final. I was told at first that the logos were too alike, so I ended up nearly redesigning the Books & Things version of the logo so that it was not similar at all to the Wedding and Events logo. I took the advice of my peers to take away some of the unnecessary line art that was messing with the layout of the typography in relation to the logo itself. 

In this week’s reading, I really liked how Michel Bouvet described their position as an illustrator as taking what we see and then transforming it into this other design that portrays so many messages at once. When looking at artwork even in a commercial poster there can always be little messages that we don’t see at first. For example, ever since I started taking this class I have been noticing the marketing of companies and the art they use to get that point across. On the 12-pack of cans for Coke, there are tiny snowflakes on the box. At first glance, they just look like snowflakes but if you’re paying attention and looking closely the snowflakes are made of the original glass coke bottles in full opacity and filled with white. I thought that was a nice nod to their origins and a creative way to bring in the changing season. It really made me relate the topics. 

[bnha-more-like-bnh-gay]

Rarepair headcanons because I am ignoring my problems

Serodeku:

Izuku reenacts the Spider-Man movies with Sero. Izuku is MJ. They also alternate being Spider-Man sometimes

They skate together

They get very protective when people call their boyfriend “plain”

They play dnd together

Sero tries to make sure that izuku gets some rest

They’re both kinda insecure, izuku more than sero, but still; and they make sure to reassure each other as often as possible

Sero likes listening to Izuku’s ramblings and finds them cute. He has told izuku this, only for the poor boy to imitate a tomato

After Izuku has been particularly reckless, Sero takes advantage of his quirk, wraps Izuku in bubble wrap, and tapes it there

Tokodeku:

Jocknerd bf and goth bf, we love to see it

Tokoyami teaches izuku how to sword fight

They start a dnd club at U.A.

Izuku talks to dark shadow a lot, Dark Shadow approves of him, and has claimed the spot of best man at their wedding

Izuku comes up with ideas to help Tokoyami gain control with Dark Shadow

Dark Shadow is very protective over Izuku, no matter how many times Tokoyami tells him that he can take care of himself, Dark Shadow will put himself between Izuku and any form of danger as often as possible

Dekoyama??? Aoyama/izuku:

Aoyama gives him makeovers, obviously

Aoyama drags izuku to the mall and tries to revamp some of his wardrobe, but he actually finds the “pants” and “flannel” type shirts cute

They help each other train their quirks

Aoyama is trilingual, and teaching izuku English and French.

Izuku always brings Aoyama home some new cheese

Y’all, I love them so much. There needs to be more aodeku content

Monoshinsou:

They have people watching dates. They come up with stories for the people they’re watching; their job, family, background, etc.

They judge people together

They call each other “love”

They’re both dramatic bastards, who will flop onto their lovers lap and proclaim their death due to a minor inconvenience

They jokingly sh*t-talk class A

Shinsou said “I love you” first, and it was because Monoma brought him coffee to class

Monoyama:

Like monoshinsou, they’re both dramatic bastards, who will flop onto their lovers lap and proclaim their death due to a minor inconvenience

They go shopping together and pick out the most dramatic pieces of clothing for each other

I love them so much, please 😭✋

They have tea parties every week, where they sh*t talk everyone else and gossip

They are both fancy bastards, and they wear the most exquisite outfits to go grocery shopping, and the outshine everyone

They both actually make clothing, they’ll go fabric shopping together. Gift exchanges are often articles of clothing that they’ve made for each other

Momomei:

They work on gear together!!!

Momo makes sure that mei gets some sleep

Mei helps redesign momo’s suit

They often work together with izuku to work in gear and such

They actually got together after izuku introduced them. He had been working on gear with mei, and studying with momo and he thought they’d hit it off. He was correct

Shintsuyu:

Dude they’d be so cute

Tsu is a vent gremlin, and you can’t change my mind. So she and shinsou will play a game where they try to find each other. Tsu is in the vent and shinsou is in the classrooms. Shinsou will try to find whichever vent she’s in, or she’ll find whichever classroom he’s in, in 20 minutes or less

I always headcanoned tsu as a dog person, so they’d have two cats and two dogs, and a bunny that they named Deku

They like comparing their friends to animals, hence the bunny, Deku

Kamideku:

Kaminari is a flirt, and izuku does n o t know how to handle it

Kaminari likes listening to izuku’s ramblings, and can keep up with them. He’ll ask questions on things too, and Izuku has never felt more appreciated

I don’t know why I feel like they’d have so many animals, but I do. They’d have so many, man. Three cats, two dogs, four sugar gliders, a hamster

Adhd power couple. They hyperfixated on complimentary things at the same time one time

Kaminari tutors izuku in English, and izuku turots kami in some other subjects. He’s also teaching kami JSL on the side. Kaminari has a live of languages

Momochako:

Study dates, Momo asks ochako to quiz her a lot

Ochako takes to floating momo’s things when she wants attention. Especially when Momo is studying. She makes a game out of how many things she can float until the other girl notices

Uraraka’s confidence does wonders for momo’s. Uraraka always makes sure to reassure momo that she is strong and that she can do this

Momo makes Uraraka whatever her heart desires. Uraraka blushes all the time, and momo takes great pride in getting her girlfriend to blush

Minatoru:

Mina clings to everyone, but especially to toru

They give each other stuffed animals so often. They’ll go to the store to get food, and come back with three stuffed animals that reminded them of each other

Please, they’re so cute 😭✋

They will play hide and seek, I stand by this.

Mina helps toru design a new costume. I hate hers, it’s horrible, and sexist, and not suitable for a fucking child

Toru says that pink is her favorite color

They flirt with each other all the time. Half the class thinks it’s cute, half of them used to think it was cute.

Iidamomo:

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, but study dates. they quiz each other, and it actually gets pretty competitive

They also have rage room dates. I will not budge on this. Iida tried to murder someone, and I am excited to see momo finally snap. She deserves it

They alternate paying for dates, don’t try me.

The go hiking a lot

They started liking each other after one late night, both having nightmares. Momo had tea, and offered some to Iida. They talked until the early hours of the morning

They can’t flirt. They try. But they’re horrible at it. They’ll compliment each other all day long, but they cannot flirt.

KIRIDEKU, MY BELOVED:

Y’all,,, y’all, I love them so much

They train together, obviously

They ran into each other one night in the common room after both having nightmares. They talked about middle school, how they were both bullied, izuku’s quirk coming in late, katsuki being abusive, kiri being bullied because his quirk wasn’t “cool.” After that, they were practically inseparable.

They started going on dates, not that either of them knew they were dates. The entire class knew, so did the teachers, so did the rest of U.A. Kirishima picked up on it first after a comment from Mina, he had is realization.

So, he started courting Izuku. Not thag izuku realized this. He brought him flowers on most ‘dates,’ he bought him hero action figures whenever he could, he complimented him until Izuku was red in the face (which was honestly very easy.) Still, izuku remained ignorant to the fact that he was indeed dating Kirishima.

The final tipping point, was due to Uraraka’s help. She was quite tired of watching the two of them pine for each other. It was amusing for the first couple months, watching Kirishima try so hard, and Deku being totally oblivious. However, she took pity on her friends after a while.

So, Uraraka devised a devilish plan to get the two together. She involved Mina, Sero, and kaminari in this plan. What was the plan, you ask? Oh, simply to trap the two in one room until they broke through izuku’s obliviousness.

Kirishima finally “straight” up admitted his feelings, to which Izuku had the sudden realization of “oh my gods, have we been dating this whole time??” Yes, Izuku. Yes you have.

They have two anniversaries after that.

Let’s be honest, they are really, annoyingly, horrifically lovey dovey. Kirishima brags about having “the manliest and bestest boyfriend in the world.” Izuku flaunts his many PowerPoint presentations on how talented and incredible Kirishima is

Uraraka doesn’t know if she did the right thing by helping them. She is so tired

Tsujirou:

Jirou makes playlists for tsu

The few sane ones in class A, I swear

They go on walks in the rain as often as they can

They go for dates in the bookstore too. They each pick out an album and a book for the other to listen to and read

Y’all, they make so much sense togetherrrrr, I’m love them 🥺

Jirou started liking tsu after the crew saved bakugou. Jirou sat with tsu after momo, Iida, kirishima, Todoroki, and izuku apologized and sat with her. They had movie night, and Jirou joined the Bakugou saving crew and tsu with taking well into the night. She just appreciated how much tsu cared

Tsu started liking Jirou after she helped Iida, momo, and izuku try to keep the class in order. She appreciated how diplomatic and calm she was

Jirou would talk to izuku all night long about how gay she was, and how adorable tsu was. So, izuku decided to try and suggest ways for Jirou to ask her out.

She did not end up getting to ask her out though, as Tsu walked up to her the next morning f and asked if she wanted to go on a date. Jirou said yes. Izuku cried

Izujirou:

They make playlists for each other

They go for runs on the beach a lot

They both have insomnia, and often spend time making blanket forts and talking, or FaceTiming and listening to music

Jirou walks into the common room once a week looking for new music. She started liking Izuku after he made a playlist for her for one of these occasions.

They’re both quite awkward when it comes to romance, but neither of them will shy away from facing the truth. So, Jirou made izuku a playlist filled with love songs that reminded her of him and sent it to him. Sadly, izuku is dense as hell.

So, then Jirou wrote a love song and told izuku that the song was for him. Sadly, izuku is dense as hell.

So, then Jirou write analysis about izuku’s quirk for him. Sadly, izuku is dense as hell

So, then, after thinking that Jirou had done so much for him, izuku made her a playlist filled with love songs. Jirou took this to mean that izuku had finally picked up on her feelings, and accepted them.

So, they started to go on dates. Not that izuku knew this, as he is dense as hell. All leading up to izuku finally confessing his feelings on one of their ‘dates,’ to which Jirou responded, “dude, we’re already dating? Aren’t we? I- I thought that was obvious??”

May this awkward couple be forever blessed

Tokoyama:

Goth/prep boyfriends, we love to see it

At least once a day, Aoyama will proclaim that Tokoyami “shines almost as bright as he does, in his fabulous emo way”

They sword fight, and come up with really dramatic scenarios and scenes that they’re in

They bond over being in the izucrew and their shared love of swords. Aoyama took fencing classes in middle school, and Tokoyami got into sword fighting after watching it in pirates of the Caribbean as a young child. He is self taught and watched countless videos on the art of sword fighting

Tokoyami asked Aoyama our by dramatically presenting him with a dagger and going “will you accompany me on a formal outing as my lover?”

Shinyama:

They flirt constantly

No really, it’s getting quite annoying. Someone please stop them.

They both plop down in random areas and proclaim their deaths, the difference between them, is that Aoyama will burst into shinsou’s room, and yell “love, I’ve been murdered. Mourn for me” while plopping down on shinsou’s lap. Shinsou can be found laying face down outside aoyama’s door, and when Aoyama goes to open the door, he just goes “I’ve been murdered.”

^^ one time, shinsou did a very fun Halloween prank for this, where he poured fake blood all over himself for Aoyama to find him an hour later, asleep.

Nap dates. Aoyama get glitter all over shinsou’s room

Iiyama:

Aoyama enjoys making Iida blush, obviously. But he takes joy in doing it specifically when class is about to start. Aizawa is tired of his shit

Here is how I think an iiyama conversation might go:

Aoyama: I ask for one thing in this relationship-

Iida: Aoyama, you know that’s a lie-

Aoyama: for my boyfriend to carry me around all day-

Iida: Aoyama, I cannot feasibly do this with class-

Aoyama: and I don’t think that’s too much to ask for 😤

Anyway, Aoyama got carried around all day that day, despite Iida’s blush and Aizawa’s eye twitch

Everyone in the izucrew is close, but Iida and Aoyama started to get close after Iida told the crew about Stain. Aoyama wanted Iida to know that he wasn’t alone, and that he wanted to help him. So he started packing extra cheese for lunch and giving it to Iida. Iida was very confused at first. But this was Aoyama trying to court him. This was only made apparent by momo and Jirou telling Iida that this was aoyama’s attempt at expressing romantic interest.

Aoyama flirts with everyone, that’s just who he is. But with Iida? Oh it was tenfold. The poor boy was red in the face constantly. Aoyama was a persistent little bugger too, following him around and calling him ‘mon amour’

Kirikamideku:

My dearest traffic light trio, I’m love them

They train together, and kiri and kami always appreciate izuku’s analysis snd ideas

Kiri falls even more in love with izuku and kaminari when they go off on rants. Izuku rants and kami can keep up with him so he asks questions about it. Kiri loves to watch his boyfriends go on rants, I don’t make the rules, but I do enforce them

They started to get closer after kami and kiri found bakugou causing a ptsd flashback (could be on purpose of an accident, up to the reader.) they stated with him and tried to talk him through it. After this, izuku started to tell them about having been a “late bloomer” and being bullied, etc. (I don’t know, man; I tend to over share after flashbacks and after panic attacks)

Izuku tutors them in several subjects, but kami tutors them in English. Kiri just falls in love with his smart boyfriends

Izuku is teaching kami JSL and kami is helping izuku with English and Italian (personal headcanon that Italian has been one of kami’s special interests) kiri loves to listen to them, and finds it relaxing and calming to hear them do this. When he has panic attacks, he’ll ask them to tutor each other in different languages