#Yellow-headed day gecko

[comparativetarot]

Three of Wands. Art by Kaitlyn Taylor, from the Funny Little Lizard Tarot.

[fetusgooseandjuice]

Soulmates

Pairings: Knight!Natasha Romanoff x Princess!Reader

Summary: A silly dream you and Natasha shared as kids turns out to be your destiny.

Word Count: 5.05k

Warnings: Injuries — (broken bones, cuts, bruises)

Author’s Note: Another one that’s been collecting dust. At this point I’m just deep cleaning my drafts I hope you like it 💕

Natasha and you had been raised alongside each other since birth.

As the royal heir you were born the kingdoms Princess, and would one day step up after your parents stepped down from their positions as King and Queen.

Meanwhile, once Natasha became of age her father began her training as she was meant to become the young Princesses Royal Knight.

Both of your families had always been close friends. Natasha’s father was your father’s best solider, so you and the redhead had practically grown up together.

The bond between your two families meant that you and the young knight spent a lot of time together. So much time that as you grew up, you and Natasha inevitably fell for each other and only continued to as you got older.

Your parents knew you two had something special from the gecko, but no one knew if it was just puppy love, or if it’d turn out to be the love story you’d only ever hear about in books.

That thought always took up a space in your mind, just like it was right now.

How you got so lucky to be the one in a billion to actually live one of those love stories.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“Nat! Natty, wait for me!” you call out to the slightly older girl.

Natasha always teased you for being younger than her even if it was only by a few months. She stopped in her tracks and turned around, waiting a moment for you to catch up to her as your feet quickly patted against the pavement outside.

“Sorry, princess,” she gazed at you once you reached her. “I’m just really excited to see where our parents are taking us.”

Your cheeks flushed a pink tint at the pet name and your heart fluttered. People were supposed to formally address you as Princess since that’s who you were, but whenever Natasha called you that you both knew it had a different meaning.

Natasha always had such a soft spot for you. Some might call it puppy love, but both of your parents believed it was the cutest thing to ever exist.

As she had a couple inches over you, you had to latch onto her arm and lean up on your tippy-toes to peck her cheek. This time it was Natasha’s turn to blush.

“Well, now we can go down there together.” you said and gave her a sweet smile that made her heart double in beats per minute.

Both of your mothers playfully shook their heads to themselves as they made their way over to you, watching the interaction.

“She’s a smooth little girl.” Melina commented with a chuckle.

Your mother chuckled, “Yeah, I don’t know where she got that from because it definitely was not her father.”

You two on the other hand were completely oblivious of their presence as you became immersed in chasing each other around the castle garden, your loud giggles rumbling through air.

“Don’t let him hear you say that.” Melina laughed along with your mother.

The two women watched as Natasha caught up to you and pulled you into her arms. “They’re too cute.” your mother cooed and Melina nodded her head, smiling widely.

At some point Natasha had picked a yellow flower from the grass and place it in your hair with sophistication, admiring how it just accentuated your already beautiful features.

She brought you into a tight hug and dramatically pleaded, “Marry me, Y/n! Marry me so nothing will ever come between us and we can be together forever and ever!”

“Yes! A trillion times yes, Natasha! I will marry you even if it’s the last thing I do!” You theatrically declared, mimicking a woman in a television show.

Natasha pulled back and leaned in with her lips exaggeratedly puckered out way too far and cheeks puffed out so much they could’ve popped, but before she could reach yours she was lifted up into her father’s arms.

“Alright, you little player. You’re not quite ready for that one just yet.” Alexei teased the young redhead.

Natasha scoffed. “I am not a player! Y/n is my fiancé and I am going to make her my wife! I put a flower on it and everything!” she argued with a pout.

That was when your own father scooped you up into his arms and spun you around. “Aren’t you just the enchantress? You’ve got little Natasha all lovestruck and heart eyed. Poor girl.”

You giggled before you heard Natasha call out in annoyance. “I am not little!”

Amused looks spread across your mothers’ faces at the precious scene. At the time, no one knew that your’ and Natasha’s pretend was destined to become a reality.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

(Time jump to around 11 years old)

“Nat, are you sure you know we’re you’re going?” you asked, hesitation evident in your voice as she guided you by your hand through the trees.

This would be the third time you asked her this question, so she playfully rolled her eyes at your uncertainty.

“Yes, Y/n, I come here all the time after training. Stop worrying your pretty little head so much, you’ll give yourself a headache.” Natasha assured.

Normally her sweet talk would have you swooning, but this time you were too distracted by the uneasiness you felt about where you were. Natasha had dragged you out to the forest behind the kingdom, saying she had something special that she wanted you to see.

You two had snuck away when your parents were busy, so no one even knew where you were, but you of course agreed because you trust the redhead with everything you have.

“Okay, we’re here.” Natasha’s voice brought you out of your thoughts.

You looked around in confusion, seeing nothing besides an abnormally large tree.

“What is it that you wanted to show me?” you finally spoke.

The young knight chuckled at your slightly furrowed eyebrows, “Follow me.” was all she said before beginning to climb up the tall tree.

“What— Natasha what’re you doing?”

“Come on, this is the only way you’ll see it.” she attempted to encourage you.

You were still very unsure about it so you just watched from the ground as she made her way up the tree. She eventually stopped and made herself comfortable on one of the limbs. “I don’t think this is a good idea.” you projected your voice up to her.

“Come on, Y/n, trust me! The view is beautiful from up here. It’s like you can the whole world!” Natasha called down to you.

You contemplated once more before finally giving in. You followed the path you had watched the redhead take and began climbing the tree. However, you had only made it about halfway when a branch you had grabbed onto began to snap.

Before you could even yell for Natasha like you had originally intended, the branch snapped completely and you yelped instead as you fell.

Your mind had barely registered the young knight calling out your name when you hit the ground. The air was knocked out of your lungs, but you noticed the sharp pain that shot up your arm the most.

“Y/n!” Natasha panicked, and when she heard you cry out tears she quickly made her way down to you.

The words to ask you what was hurting were on the tip of her tongue, but that question was answered when she saw you holding your arm and a few scratches on the side of your face.

Natasha didn’t know what to do.

You were sobbing and clearly in a lot of pain, so she lifted you into her arms bridal style and ran as fast as her legs would take her back to the kingdom without causing you any further discomfort.

Ignoring all the looks from passing townspeople, she bolted up the castle stairs and rushed inside.

“Mom! Mom, dad, where are you! Mom!” Natasha frantically searched every room for either of your parents.

They must’ve heard her shouting because they exited the meeting room and saw the young knight running straight towards them with you crying in her arms.

“Natasha, what happened?” Melina asked her daughter with furrowed eyebrows.

“I wanted to show Y/n this really nice view, but we had to climb a tree in order to see it. She didn’t even want to do it in the first place but I convinced her to, and she fell and I think she hurt her arm.” Natasha explained to the four adults as your father gently took you into his arms.

She began to tear up and followed them to the infirmary, “I— I just wanted to show her something I thought she’d like. I didn’t mean for this to happen, I didn’t mean for her to get hurt.”

Your mother placed a comforting hand on the young girls shoulder to get her attention, “It’s okay, Natasha. We know you’d never put her in harms way on purpose, but you did good bringing her back because now we can help her.”

Natasha wiped away the tears in her eyes, although it was no use because more began to fall anyway, “It’s all my fault, I’m the one who took her out there to begin with. She’d be okay if it weren’t for me.”

“Now, now, Natasha. Stop being so hard on yourself. I’m sure Y/n won’t blame you once she’s all patched up.” Your mother reassured, and she was right.

A couple hours later your parents informed the young redhead and her parents of your condition. The force of the impact when you hit the ground had broken your arm, and you had a few light scratches on your cheek that should quickly fade.

The doctor gave your parents some medication to help with any pain you had, and allowed them to take you back to your own bedroom. When Natasha was asked if she would like to see you she of course said yes, but couldn’t ignore the nerves she felt.

Would you be upset with her?

Your mothers led Natasha to your bedroom and opened the door for her to enter, but she hesitated. She felt as though her feet were glued to the floor.

“Are you sure?” the knight in training asked. “I don’t think she’d want to see me.”

Your mother crouched down to Natasha’s height to look at her. “Can I let you in on a little secret?” she said and Natasha nodded. “Between you and me I think you’re the first person she’d wanna see.”

The young girl sat with those words for a moment longer and contemplated before finally stepping into you room. When she reached your beside she realized that you were sound asleep.

Natasha’s eyes scanned the peaceful expression on your face. Your eyelashes just barely brushed against your cheeks, and your slow breathing was heard through the quietness of the room.

Her gaze traveled down to the white cast around your arm and a sense of guilt washed over her, but she tried to disregard that feeling and just focus on you.

She noticed a lock of hair that had started to fall in front of your face, so Natasha tucked it behind your ear. However, she regretted that decision when your eyes fluttered open and met hers.

Your lips pulled up into a small smile. “Hi, Natty.”

“Hey,” she practically whispered.

You frowned at her vague and quiet response. “What’s wrong?” you wondered.

Natasha sighed and let her eyes travel back to your injured arm. “I’m sorry. I should’ve listened when you said you didn’t wanna go up, and now you’re hurt because of me.”

“Hey,” you sat up and placed a hand over the young knights hand. Her heart skipped a beat at the contact and she met your gaze again. “It was an accident, Nat. I don’t blame you for this, and I’m okay now.”

“I know. I just hated seeing you in so much pain knowing I talked you into doing it.”

You looked at her with soft eyes that instantly calmed her racing mind. “Well you did carry me all the way back, so I guess that makes up for it. All of those extra hours you put into your training finally paid off.” you both giggled.

Maybe this whole situation wasn’t as bad as Natasha convinced herself it was.

“You wanna sign my cast? It looks kind of boring right now.” you asked.

Natasha smiled and nodded her head, looking around the room for something to write with. She spotted a red marker on your large dresser and grabbed it before returning to your side.

She gently took your arm into her hand and signed her name, attempting to draw a few hearts around it, but they just ended up uneven and lopsided.

Nevertheless, they were special.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

(Time jump to 16 Years Old)

“Mom!” Natasha called out as she rushed down the stairs, nearly tripping on the last step whilst she tucked her maroon button-up shirt into her black slacks. “Does this look okay? Should I try on a different one?”

Melina examined the outfit her daughter was wearing before smiling at her, “You look wonderful, sweetheart. Stop worrying so much, you’ll make yourself sick.”

“Are you wearing my pants?” Yelena said as he walked into the room alongside Alexei.

Natasha glared at her sister while slipping on the jacket and straightening out the collar of her shirt with the help of Melina.

“Your mother is right, honey. I’m sure Y/n will love it.” Alexei chimed in.

Today was your sixteenth birthday, and your parents thought it would be the perfect opportunity to throw a ball to celebrate this milestone. Everyone in the kingdom received an invitation in the mail, but the Romanoffs were obviously at the top of the guest list.

Natasha was no doubt nervous. She so badly wanted to make an impression on you, but would never admit it to avoid her family’s very unfunny jokes.

Unfortunately for her, she didn’t have to disclose that information in order for her parents and sister to know that she and the young princess always had a thing for each other, even as little kids.

“Oh, so that’s why you stole my pants.” Yelena smirked. “So you could impress your little girlfriend.” she spoke in a teasing tone.

The young knight rolled her eyes, “She is not my girlfriend.”

“Well I suggest you try to change that before someone else decides to sweep her off her feet.”

Before Natasha could retaliate Melina saved her the trouble, “Alright you two, let’s get going before we’re late.” She ushered her family out the front door and gave Natasha a reassuring squeeze to her shoulder.

~

People were still making their way inside when they arrived. Your parents stood at the entrance welcoming people into the castle, and their eyes lit up when they saw their most dearest friends walking up the steps.

“Melina, Alexei, Natasha, Yelena! You’re finally here, thank you for coming!” Your father greeted the family while your mother gave each of them a quick hug.

“You all look lovely tonight.” she said.

“Oh, the same goes for you two as well.” Melina returned the compliment.

Your mother looked towards Natasha, “Y/n is still in her room getting ready and should be down in just a few minutes, but you’re welcome to go find her if you’d like.”

Natasha nodded, “Thank you, Mrs. Y/l/n.” she responded before moving past them to make her way to your room.

She knocked on the door and smiled to herself when she heard your comforting voice call out.

“Just a second!”

A few moments later the door opened and you stood face to face, “Nat!” you exclaimed happily and pulled her in for a tight hug.

“Hey, birthday girl.” Natasha chuckled. “Am I interrupting anything?”

You let her go and shook your head, “Not at all. I’m just about ready anyway.” you answered and returned to your spot in front of your mirror.

Natasha migrated further into the room and rested against your bed frame. “Well, you look amazing.” she said.

You turned to look back at her with a smile on your lips, “Thanks,” you replied and took in her attire. “You don’t look too bad yourself.”

The young knight smiled and looked down while you went back to fixing your hair. Natasha tried her best not to stare, but that was proving to be difficult as she kept lifting her head to glance at you.

She decided to break the comfortable silence to distract herself. “Is now a good time for me to give you your gift? I know it’s not time to open presents yet, but I think it’ll look good with your dress.”

You looked back at her again, “Nat, you didn’t have to get me anything.”

“I knew you’d say that, but I wanted to.” Natasha moved to stand behind you before meeting your eyes through the mirror.

When she pulled something out of her pocket and gently placed it around your neck, you realized that it was a necklace, the charm attached shimmering in the light.

You looked down at the piece of jewelry in awe, “Oh Nat, it’s beautiful.” you said and turned around completely to face her.

“It looks even better on you.” she flattered. You couldn’t stop your cheeks from turning a light shade of pink and Natasha grinned at the effect she had on you.

It took a moment for you to gather your composure before taking her hand in yours. “Come on, there’s an entire party downstairs and I wanna see what kind of food they have.” you both giggled as you dragged her down the stairs and to the ballroom.

Hours later the party was now in full swing. You had received happy birthday wishes from so many people you lost count, and ate so many different desserts that you’d probably have a stomachache the next day.

When people began setting down their drinks to find space to dance, Natasha looked towards you and thought she’d take the opportunity to ask you to dance with her.

“May I have—” she started to say, but was interrupted when a young boy around your age approached you.

“Um, excuse me, Princess. Would you like to dance with me?” he asked, clearly nervous considering his fidgeting hands.

As much as you wanted to decline his offer, you felt obligated to accept as you were the kingdoms princess. You looked at Natasha with an apologetic expression and told her you’d be right back before following the boy.

Anyone that looked at the redhead would be able to tell she was annoyed— it was written all over here face.

So when she made her way over to her family, Yelena raised an eyebrow. “What’s up with you?”

The young knight sighed and crossed her arms over her chest, “Someone else decided to sweep her off her feet.”

All she could do was watch as you kept getting pulled away to dance with people. Whenever a song ended and you tried to make your way back over to her, someone else was by your side asking to dance. To both of you, it felt like forever before you were finally back together.

The song came to an end you were practically speed walking to where Natasha was standing off to the side in a successful attempt to avoid getting pulled away again.

“Hey, I’m so sorry. I swear they just kept coming out of no where.” you breathed out, gulping down your glass of water to catch your breath.

Natasha smiled and shook her head, “It’s okay, is it my turn now or are you too worn out?”

You playfully rolled your eyes and laughed, “Don’t be ridiculous, Natty.” you took her hand and led her to an empty space amongst other dancing people.

Her arms encircled your waist while yours wrapped loosely around her neck. Neither of you exactly knew how to dance, so you just gently swayed with the music.

The young knight found that the annoyance she was feeling early could no longer be felt now that she finally had you. She was too happy to focus on anything except you— but there was one other thing on her mind.

“Can I ask you something?” Natasha said.

You hummed, nodding your head. “Of course, Nat.”

She sighed contently and tightened her hold on you. “I think we both know that we’ve felt something for each other that’s more than best friends, even as little kids. I mean my parents still won’t let me forget about that time I asked you to marry me when we were what? Six?” she spoke and you both laughed at the memory.

“And I did say yes. Actually, if I recall correctly I was pretty enthusiastic about it too.” you giggled.

“Yeah, you were.” Natasha grinned. “But I wanted to know if you’d maybe wanna make our relationship official. You know, so I can be the only one you dance with at parties like these.” she asked hopefully.

You looked at her with a smirk plastered across your face and raised eyebrows. “Are you asking me to be your girlfriend?”

“Well— yeah…I am.”

You smiled and laid your head on her shoulder, “I’d love nothing more, Nat.” you said and your answer brought an even bigger grin to her face.

What you didn’t know was that your mothers were watching the scene unfold from across the room, sipping on glasses of expensive wine.

Your mother playfully shook her head, “Like true soulmates.” she spoke and Melina hummed in agreement.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

(Two years later)

“Do you have to go?” you said sadly.

You stood on the dock clutching onto the young knight as if she’d disappear into thin air if you let go while she held you just as tight. Both of your families stood around talking, watching the saddening encounter.

Natasha was about to leave for her first ever commission. It was an overseas assignment for her to prove her ability to protect the kingdoms Princess, so as much as she didn’t want to leave you, she had to.

The young knight cupped the back of your head with one hand and pressed her nose into your hair, basking in the comforting scent of your shampoo to soak up her last few moments with you before her departure.

“You’ll be okay, Y/n. Three weeks, and then I’ll be back with you again.” she assured.

“Three weeks without you is too long.” you said. You and Natasha had always been inseparable, so it was hard knowing that she’d be so far away.

“I know, princess, I know.” Natasha whispered into your hair. It was only when she heard you sniffle and felt tears wetting her neck that she pulled back to look at you. “Hey,” she cooed and cupped your cheeks.

“It’ll go by so fast you won’t even remember I’m gone. Yelena promised me she’d keep you company, and she basically is me because she’s my sister, so hopefully you won’t miss me too much.”

That made a small smile pull at your lips. “No offense to Yelena, but no one could ever compare to you, Nat. I’ll miss you so much, and what if you get hurt over there?” you said.

Natasha smiled and kissed your forehead, “I’ll be okay, princess. It’ll all be okay, I promise.”

Her thumbs swiped under your eyes to wipe away your tears before she closed the distance between the two of you and connected your lips.

You both knew you had to keep it short and sweet considering both of your families were still there.

“I love you so much, Nat.” you whispered.

She gazed lovingly at you, “I love you more, my beautiful girl. So much more.” the words fell from Natasha’s lips ever so softly.

You were unfortunately brought out of your little bubble with Natasha much sooner than you would’ve liked when over her shoulder, you caught sight of Natasha’s commander walking off of the ship and towards you.

He cleared his throat, now catching everyone’s attention. “I hate to do this, but the captain’s ready. It’s time to go, romanoff.” he announced.

Your heart dropped as you’d been dreading this moment.

“Yes, sir. I’ll be just a second.” Natasha said.

He nodded his head and walked back onto the ship.

The young knight turned to you and sighed, “I guess that’s my cue.” she said and you nodded in understanding.

Natasha let go of you to approach her family, giving her parents and a hug as well as your parents. She exchanged words with them that you couldn’t really hear before making her way back over to you.

She delicately cupped your face in her hands and pressed her lips to yours once again. You both poured all of your love and passion for each other into the kiss, knowing it’d be the last one until she got back.

You pulled away and rested your forehead against hers. “See you in three weeks?”

“See you in three weeks.” she promised.

You let Natasha go and watched as she boarded. The ship departed soon after.

The castle suddenly became quieter for you with the young knight gone. You of course had to continue with your usual duties and responsibilities because life goes on, but it wasn’t the same without Natasha around.

What made it bearable was that you still had your parents to go into town with every Tuesday and visit all of your favorite spots like normal, conversing with the workers there that you’d become good friends with over the years.

Yelena kept her word and would hang out with you whenever you had free time to distract you from the thought of Natasha being overseas. Melina and Alexei were great as well and did whatever they could to help.

With all of that combined, everything turned out to be okay just like Natasha had said.

And the young knight made good of her promise to you because three weeks later, your father had knocked on your bedroom door, pulling your attention away from the book in your hands to inform you that Natasha’s ship had just returned.

You jumped out of bed so fast, not even bothering to mark your page as you rushed out of the castle and down to the docks. You probably looked like a madman with the way you were running, a huge smile plastered on your face.

But you didn’t care because you got to the docks right on time to see Natasha walking off the ship. When her eyes locked on you she grinned widely and dropped her bags to meet you halfway as you practically leaped into her arms.

~~~~~~~~

(Time jump a few years later/present day)

You turned off the faucet and shook your hands to rid them of dripping water before drying them completely with the hand towel hung on the wall. A gentle smile sat on your lips, one that hasn’t left your face since the night began.

It was the day that you could only dream of as a little kid.

Literally.

You opened the bathroom door and started to walk out, wanting to get back to the after-party before you missed out on too much of this important night when you felt a gentle grip on your wrist.

Whoever grabbed you had pulled you back into them so your back was against their front, but you didn’t panic too much because you immediately recognized the familiar cologne of your wife whom you just tied the knot with merely a couple hours ago.

She wrapped her arms arms around your torso and pressed a feather light kiss to your neck. “There you are, my love. I lost you there for a moment, I missed you.”

You giggled as her breath tickled your neck. “I was only gone for a few minutes, Nat.”

“A few minutes too long. But now that I found you, I can have a moment with you alone before we go back to everyone.”

You hummed and relaxed back into her, letting out a content sigh as you admired the shining ring that Natasha had slid onto your finger after vowing to you that she would spend the rest of her life by your side.

That this was forever like it was always meant to be.

“I can’t believe we’re actually married.” you whispered out.

Natasha smiled against you. “I know, it feels so surreal. Six year old me would be over the moon right now.”

You both laughed at that. It probably was true.

“You know our moms always called us soulmates.” Natasha said as she reached to take your left hand into hers, staring at the ring and smiling to herself at the memories coming back to her.

“Yeah,” you giggled, “They were right though, weren’t they?”

The redhead sighed happily, “They were.”

You two basked in each other’s presence in silence for a moment as Natasha pressed small kisses to any part of your skin she could reach. You giggled whenever her lips touched a ticklish spot.

“We should probably go back out there now. Before people start thinking we abandoned our own wedding.” you joked.

Natasha chuckled, though continuing her ministrations, “We can spare a few more minutes, right?”

You playfully rolled your eyes, “No, we cannot. Because you’re going to get carried away and then we’re going to actually abandon our own wedding.”

The redhead groaned when you began pulling away from her, but you made it up to her by pressing a kiss to her lips which seemed to satisfy her for now before taking her hand and leading her back to the after-party.

“There you guys are!” Yelena said once she saw the two of you, “We’ve been looking for you. It’s time for your guy’s first dance.”

She dragged you both over to your parents where they were waiting.

You couldn’t help the smile that seemed to take over your face.

Everything was perfect as can be, and now you get to enjoy it all with your soulmate.

~ end ~

[chaobunnyarts]

All of my Tiny Reptile designs from 2023! Identifiers for each reptile under the cut.

Jackson's Chameleon (Trioceros jacksonii)

Eyelash Viper (Bothriechis schlegelii)

Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii)

Central Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps)

Eastern Snake-Necked Turtle (Chelodina longicollis)

Scarlet Kingsnake (Lampropeltis elapsoides)

Western Box Turtle (Terrapene ornata)

Yellow-Headed Day Gecko (Phelsuma klemmeri)

Costal Rosy Boa (Lichanura orcutti)

Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas)

Blue Coral Snake (Calliophis bivirgatus)

Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis)

[sniffanimal]

HRT that turns you into a leopard gecko:

immediate results: start to feel colder all the time

2-4 weeks: skin itches a lot, vegetables start to churn your stomach, mucous membranes like your eyes and mouth feel drier

3-6 months: skin starts to flake off in noticeable dandruff-like patches all over your body. you should start using an oil based moisturizer since the water based ones just dont do the trick anymore. You should also start transitioning your diet to insectivore. your coccyx hurts when you sit for too long.

6-9 months: a nub of a cartilage tail starts to work it's way out of your lower back. the skin it creates is smooth and doesn't look like scarring at all. it even has some spots on it. you've started noticing freckles here and there. Your eyes are also looking different, rounder and muted color.

12 months: your doctor offers genetic testing to approximate what morph you will be, since human phenotypes aren't a 100% accurate at predicting it. You decline, you want to be surprised. You've reached a point where you can't hide it anymore if you wanted to. Your hair is falling out all over now. Your skin peels off in patches like a sunburn, and every new layer is yellow or orange and some have spots. Your teeth sit weird in your mouth and feel smaller. Your tail is about a foot long now, it has a long way to grow. You mostly cook with cricket flour or eat premixed meals since you're not fully on board with eating half your weight in straight up bugs yet, but you're relieved roaches don't freak you out anymore. They just make you hungry.

18 months: your eyes are visibly spaced further apart, and your nose is starting to flatten out. you know your face won't look 100% like you want it to, the hormones can only do so much, but you already look positively reptilian. you shaved your head to help the hair finish up, and are surprised you don't miss it. your fingers feel less nimble now, and you have to wear braces to get anything done during the day. your claws take nail polish just fine. You pick up a new space heater at the store even though it's only August.

2 years: Your skin has evened out and mostly sheds all at once now. You think you're a tangerine carrot tail, judging by how yellow and spotted your body is, but orange and white your tail is. You're comfortably at a point where people stop asking "so what are you? a lizard?" as soon as they see how fat your tail is. your dating profile pics have a little too much tongue in them.

6 years+: some surgery helped fix some of the last little snags, tucking all your bottom bits into a neat vent, and finishing the shaping on your face. You don't even scar from them either, a win-win. Your partner is now used to running you a steaming shower whenever they see you rubbing your back on the corner of a wall. They're also good at judging your diet a bit too closely thanks to your squishy fat tail. When your work got too busy for a month and you lived off tea and handfuls of grasshopper granola, they could tell you weren't yourself as your tail thinned and drooped. They scheduled some time off so the two of you could go to the desert. It's so warm, even at night, this time of year, and you can see all the stars. They didn't want to kiss you after you ate a scorpion off the floor, but it was all worth it because you felt recharged, refreshed, and at home in your gecko body again.

---

just in case I never get around to drawing this I wanted to at least write it lol

[royjamierot]

Roy and Jamie sharing a cold peach on their front steps on a hot summer day. (On the intimacy of sharing fruit)

this has been in my inbox foreverrr thank you for sending it because ive been thinking about it literally constantly. i wrote this and im so tired so im sorry if it's terrible hope you enjoy though!

Roy doesn't know how he ended up here, staring at Jamie, who's laughing with him on his front stoop. They had finished with practice, and grabbed some fruit from Roy's kitchen before walking outside to enjoy the weather as it cooled in the evening. They were talking about Jamie's stint on Lust Conquers All, and now Jamie is laughing at a comment Roy made about one of his costars.

"You know, people still come up to me to tell me they think me and Amy shoulda gotten married," Jamie and Roy both laugh at the absurdity. "I don't think I even have her number. I don't know her last name."

"The yoga mums always said that. They're always going on and on about how you and Amy just clicked. I never understood any of that shit, they told me it was- what is that dumb fucking-"

"Body science?" Jamie finishes for him smugly.

"Body science." Roy growls. "I don't understand what the fuck that means."

"Well, I'm fucking fit right?" Roy sees Jamie extend his arms in a questioning movement, and for a moment Roy doesn't realize Jamie is looking for a response. Roy glares at him. He doesn't answer seriously, too afraid of revealing something he shouldn't.

"You know what I think of your looks." Roy says, and Jamie laughs. It's a fucking lovely sight. Jamie's laugh is loud and unabashed, just like the man it belongs to. Roy feels his own lips lilt without his permission. Roy looks down at the soft peach in his hands, and murmurs something about Jamie's ugly hair. He doesn't mean it. He knows he doesn't.

"Everyone thinks I'm fit, you're just contrarian." Jamie nudges him, his eyebrows raised, and Roy looks back up at him. The sun catches his eyes and Roy notices flecks of yellow he's never seen before. He freezes slightly, something in Roy's body taken off guard. The skin of the peach is molded under the pressure of his hand tensing.

"Big word for a prat like you." Roy snipes back, hand relaxing, the marks from his grip left behind in the ripe fruit.

"Fuck off." Jamie says it offhandedly, without hesitation, and he fucking smiles too. Roy wonders when they got to the point that they both know he doesn't mean it.

"Anyways, body science. No matter what your dark-ages gecko brain tells you, I'm fit as fuck, and so was Amy. That's body science. Two fit people existing in the same room." Jamie illustrates his point with a nod at the end of his sentence, and a half serious look, like he's really educating Roy on something.

"That cannot be it." Roy almost laughs at the absurdity.

"Nah, it is mate. Isaac explained it to me." Jamie assures.

"I've heard Isaac talk about it and he did not fucking say that."

"Okay maybe that's my explanation of it, but that's what body science is on a show like Lust Conquers All. The whole show is based on body science."

"Do you mean sexual tension?"

"No, that's different, I have that with everyone." Jamie grins at him, and Roy rolls his eyes.

"You're a right twat." Roy says.

"You still have me around." Jamie tells him, like they're not sitting around hanging around even though their practice has been done for over an hour.

"I'm not sure why." He says it, but he does know why.

"Who would you take your anger out on every morning?"

"Some other dickhead who deserved it."

"Aw, don't say that, I thought we had something special." Jamie makes eyes at him that would look somehow more in place on a puppy, but also somehow fit Jamie.

Roy just looks at him, and shakes his head. Jamie takes a bite of his own peach, undented and orange and ripe.

He takes a big bite out of the side of the peach, and Roy watches him chew for a moment before he notices everything about Jamie and has to look away.

"Fuck, that's good." Jamie basically fucking moans and Roy isn't a strong enough man to not look back.

The juice of the peach drips down Jamie's well sculpted jaw as he takes another bite. It almost drips off entirely but instead falls on his jawline. Roy's fingers crave to reach out and wipe it off. They don't. Instead, he runs his fingers over the indents in his own fruit.

Jamie takes another bite, and notices Roy just watching him.

"This peach is fucking lush, you should have yours." Jamie advises through a mouthful. It does nothing to help the situation on his chin and his lips, suddenly shiny and sticky with the juice of the fruit. Roy can't find it within himself to look away, or to stop holding his own peach too tightly, damaging the skin ever so slightly.

It takes him aback, how much he notices the juice on his face.

Jamie hums after his bite is finished. Roy looks away when Jamie almost catches him staring. He looks down at the peach in his hand and the marks he's made in it. Holding it up to his lips, he takes a bit. His face scrunches. It's too soft, and slightly sour.

"Mine's no good. Overripe." He turns the peach over in his hands, the deep marks from little pressure making sense. The fruit is almost mush in his hands. He sets it on the concrete knowing he can't eat anymore.

"Shit. Try mine." Jamie holds his peach out, and Roy can't look at it. Why would he? Jamie is right here in front of him.

"I'm not eating your half eaten scraps."

"No, you don't get it, it's the best peach I've had in my life, you gotta try it." Jamie insists, shiny juice still coating his lips and chin. Roy wants to lick it off.

His brain goes fuzzy, the way it does when his body overrides his ever working mind, and does something stupid. There's one thought in his head, and it's Jamie.

"Okay." Roy murmurs. His hands move of their own accord, and one finds itself cupping Jamie's chin, pulling him closer to Roy. Jamie goes with his hand.

"Tell me to fuck off again. Tell me you don't want this." Roy tells Jamie, their breath mingling from their few inches of space, their noses almost bumping.

"I want this." Jamie says, and Roy is gone. He kisses Jamie like he's trying to consume him whole, trying to taste him. He bites Jamie's bottom lip like it's the fruit itself. Jamie smiles against him. It's so good he doesn't think the fruit could possibly be better. His thumb rubs Jamie's chin, and he pulls away. Jamie instinctively chases him, and Roy smiles.

Roy's thumb collects the dripping juice from Jamie's chin, and he tastes it.

"Mm. Good."

Jamie stares at him, shaky grin occupying his face, and he holds up the peach.

"Try it." Roy takes a bite, and it's good but he was right. It's not comparable to the taste of Jamie.

"Good. Not you though." He murmers though half lidded eyes, diving in for another kiss.

[genopaint]

This should be Week 9 of Daily Dragons! Apologies for the delay on updating this but I've been incredibly busy and stressed due to moving. And while things haven't settled down per say I am no longer on a time limit to move out so hopefully I can have the ball rolling on the daily dragon challenge a little better!

As always you can follow me on twitter where they’re posted daily

And read more info on each of them below the cut

Daily Dragon #56 - Fygar

Another cute, arcade dragon! Fygar was always one I was gonna do eventually, and I didn't have a huge oomph to draw tonight so I figured this was a perfect opportunity for a simple one! Tried to do a new take on it inspired by a few different designs :)

i know ive been posting these all so late into the evening, apologies, im all over the place lately lmao also, am i nuts or didn't there used to be grey fygar? i couldn't find ANY sprites of them so I guess I made it up. Oh well

Daily Dragon #57 - Percipitar

A mollusc-like dragon that swims through rivers and ponds, slurping up water to bulk up its pouches, then turns that water into clouds for fighting and hunting! Their shell is very hard, but the yellow flesh is VERY soft and gooey.

Since the last few were all redraws / fanart, I really wanted to make a brand new one today! Originally this was gonna be a poison mist spewing dragon, but I couldn't decide on a color/effect for the poison. And I eventually thought just regular water and mist powers were a little more interesting because we've already had a few poisonous dragons or dragons that spew stuff that has effects on enemies. Note to self, stop making dragons that produce some kind of toxic or mist???

Just for fun and some background because I have it here, this is the unfinished version of the picture when I was making it poisonous instead. I changed it at the last possible moment lol

Daily Dragon #58 - Mega Charizard Z

"Its head splits into 3 to become a menacing Hydra. While its brain power is divided in this form, its fire power becomes multiplied!" Not sure what type I'd make it? Maybe Fire/Fairy or Fire/Electric or something idk

Also I already have ideas on how I would maybe tackle this design a little differently so, maybe we'll see Mega Charizard Z 2 in the future

Daily Dragon #59 - Feral Cave Dragon

My brother found some ANCIENT art of mine in an old book tonight, so of course I had to redraw all the characters on it!

This is, as I'm sure you can tell, an old bookmark! From back when I used to read... Horrifying times! My brother said he found it in a book I was reading around 2011 or so?

Daily Dragon #60 - Dragon Girl Green

This fun little dragon is February's most popular dragon as decided by vote!! That means she gets new art! Soaring through the sky and flying by some migrating birds! Seems like she's having a magical day~

My personal favorite from February? There were a LOT of dragons I actually really liked. But ultimately I'm just really smitten with Percipitar! Been a rough month! March is gonna be rough too but we will get through it! Thank you all so much for your continued support!

That means there's like... 305 days left? 306 cause of leap year??? Roughly 300

In case you're curious about the votes:

Dragon Girl Green - 6 votes Three Frilled Clovradon - 1 vote Percipitar - 2 votes Howl Gravwyrm - 1 vote Shellizard - 2 votes Succubusaur - 1 vote Shelldrogon - 1 vote Dragostein - 1 vote Floofizard - 1 vote Neck Lizard - 1 vote

Daily Dragon #61 - Rawrnosaur

A large, feral dragon with some odd properties. It has chameleon-like eyes, salamander-like skin, gecko-like tail, and a long lizard-like tongue. They're often found in places with more humid climates and eat tons of food constantly!

This is yet another redraw of an INCREDIBLY old monster of mine! This one is even older than the Feral Cave Dragon (which I found out is from 2011-ish) as this would've probably been before I was even in Kindergarten. Crazy stuff!

The original was found while we were helping my grandma clean her house, which is cute. Some things never change, I've been a reptile fan for life! I'm actually SO happy with how this redesign came out. I might have to go through and color it in later!

Daily Dragon #62 - Mountain Dragon

This dragon lives high on mountain tops, where it makes its lair. It rarely comes down to ground level, only occasionally to find shiny things to add to its horde or when food on the mountain becomes scarce. As such, they're a bit rare.

Been having a stressful week, so I haven't been having a lot of original ideas for dragons. So this is another redraw. This dragon from 2023 was just called "random dragon" in my files. So there wasn't much to work with aha

[pkmnherpetology]

are there any groups of reptile/specific species you personally would really like to see show up in a future game? personally speaking, the one that first comes to mind is sandfish skinks, because I think recent games showed that they could do some really fun stuff vis a vis: reflecting their irl movements

[oh, yes, i've got quite a list. i'm sure i'm missing some, because i really do love a great many species and i cannot list them all off the top of my head, but here's the ones i've written down and a few new additions i just came up with:

-the side-blotched lizard (common, i think? i've had a migraine today, forgive me if this is the wrong species). their fascinating rock-paper-scissors mating strategy opens up a possibility for a pokémon species with three morphs for males and two for females (there is overlap between the morphs, i think females are orange and yellow). please, if you look up anything on this list, let it be these. i am so fascinated by this mating strategy. it would make a great fire-water-grass trio.

-the fish-scale gecko. this gecko genus has the hilarious and slightly disturbing defense mechanism of just…getting naked when it’s upset. it drops its scales and turns into what looks like a raw piece of chicken. a signature ability for this pokémon could be one that causes it to change forms when hit by a physical attack in battle. apparently, they get naked very readily, which is kinda funny to me.

-blunthead tree snakes. reason:

-horned lizards. reason:

fuck you i cast eyeball blood.

-bush vipers (genus atheris). look, they’re just really fucking pretty and pokémon doesn’t have enough snakes and i really like these ones so please put them in the game. look them up, but be wary of photoshopped images. for some reason people really like to alter their colors online, which i don't understand because they're beautiful as is.

-moloch. it just looks cool and i like it.

-a proper whiptail lizard or mourning gecko pokémon. like salazzle, but instead of being a weird femdom mind-control fetish pokémon it’s a normal all-female lizard pokémon species.

-basilisk lizard. come on, don’t tell me you’ve never thought the water-walking lizard wouldn’t make a cool water type. inteleon doesn’t count because he sucks and also i think is mostly based on a veiled chameleon. which are a right pain to work with, by the way. they're very fragile and the one at my previous job irl was rather ill-tempered, he didn't trust any of us younger workers, so my boss did most of his care. he was like, "we're never getting another chameleon, this guy's exhausting."

-komodo dragon. out of all the monitor lizards, this is the most impressive to me. their venom, enormous stature, and cute paws have me enraptured, and i think they could make for a good poison-fighting or poison-dark type pokémon.

-snake-necked turtles. reason:

-boomslangs. one of very few rear-fanged snakes with potent enough venom to kill a human, a juvenile boomslang is responsible for one of my favorite pieces of herpetological history: the death of karl p. schmidt. schmidt was a renowned herpetologist who was sent the live juvenile for identification, i think it was. because boomslang venom wasn't as widely known in the west as it is now, and due to the fact that it was a juvenile (some stories also say that his mistake was due to it being a rear-fanged snake, which are almost all harmless), schmidt did not believe that the snake posed a threat. it bit him, and he recorded his symptoms over the next day before he collapsed and died. allegedly, he also refused treatment for his symptoms because it would interfere with his recordings, but i haven't found a source for this. i have, however, read his notes. they are very matter of fact and awfully calm considering they're all basically like "i pissed blood!" rip karl p. schmidt, you died a fucking insane death.

-bitis genus snakes. they're all so beautiful!

-hognose snakes (genus heterodon, to be clear). these cute, sassy snakes are very clear about their boundaries and are best known for their extremely dramatic fake death display (which btw you should never trigger on purpose) and their cute, upturned noses, but did you know they're also slightly venomous? hognoses are another rear-fanged colubrid, though their venom is so mild its existence was debated for a long time. my boss once allowed one to envenomate him after a mistaken feeding bite just to see what would happen (the answer is not much, even after being envenomated five times all that happened was his finger swelled up and was kind of numb). he did note the similarities between himself and schmidt afterwards. the eastern hognose's venom was apparently once thought to be a result of their diet of toxic toads, which they consume in a rather gruesome manner i won't relate here.

-bighead turtles. reason:

-softshell turtles. they're kind of douchebags, especially the spiny softshell, but i really like them!

-titanoboa. fossil pokémon idea. come on.

thank you for giving me the chance to share this list. i hope you all enjoy these animals.]

[eruden-writes]

An actual body guard fic 😂 even if it’s just the meeting of the pair. Who are decidedly ready to NOT get along. With some low key sexual tension.

Idk if this is low-key sexual attention or just moral struggles of an age gap interest.

[Masterlist of Chapters] [Next]

Bodyguard x Ward Demi-Eldritch x Human Age Gap (10ish years)

The All Hearts Festival in Erodinia. A celebration of fondness and love and, well, lust. Minerva had been terribly excited about it. 

After her husband, the late Lord Sythias, passed two years prior, the Lady Minerva Rinauld-Sythias hoped to exit her mourning period with some allowed salaciousness.

Then her cousin, King Ferdinand, stuck his damned nose in her business.

Assigning her a bodyguard around the All Hearts Festival, of all times! Oh, Ferdie said it was for her safety - something about too many nobles going missing or being murdered - but Minerva knew better. He didn’t want her to become a harlot, now that her mandatory mourning was over. Which honestly wasn’t his damned business. She was a grown woman, for heaven’s sakes! But he likely wanted to keep her in his back pocket in hopes of bartering her away to another husband-to-be.

That was the sole reason for assigning the Eldritch-Drow as her guard. Athethran Diardae. 

She knew of Athethran since she was a child and he were a fresh-faced recruit. Considering she grew up in the castle with her aunt and uncle - the previous royal Queen and King - acting as her parents, Minerva had seen quite a lot of Athethran. 

Considering their parentage - a dark elf and a creature from the Deep Abyssal realms - Athethran was hard to miss. Deep purple skin, speckled along their face like glittery freckles. Tentacle-like tendrils in place of hair. Their main eyes, the ones on their face where one expected eyes to sit, were dark with irises that were usually a golden yellow and pupils that reminded Minerva of a gecko’s.

In those early days, he couldn’t keep their form consistent. Some days, he were gangly and tall and other days squat and muscular. Being ten years their junior, he were always bigger than Minerva, but she was always excited to see what changes, if any, had transpired since she last saw them.

Now, he seemed fairly well-maintained. Their figure cut a muscular and tall silhouette and the often stray eyes that used to crop up on their figure were nowhere to be seen.

To be fair, much time had passed. Athethran likely gained much skill and maturity in those long years. 

Minerva herself had seen quite a lot. Sent to boarding school at fifteen, only coming home for the holidays. Occasionally seeing the aforementioned Eldritch-Drow in these short respites. Then off to university for five years. A couple years of enjoying freedom abroad. Then two years as Lord Sythias’s third wife, of which was rather uneventful and procured no further heirs for the old man. Thankfully, Lord Sythias only wanted company rather than a bedmate in those last few years of his life.

Nearly thirty now, Minerva was ready to return to living life for herself. Instead of being sequestered away by a kind but absolutely boring older husband. 

Considering what a crimp her bodyguard put in those plans made her sigh heavily. “This is so tedious.”

“We didn’t have to come here,” Athethran replied, arms crossed as he stared straight ahead. Though he stood still, the tendrils atop his head wavered, alert for any dangers that might creep out or outright attack. 

Apprehension itched along his flesh and conflict filled his thoughts. Of all the assignments King Ferdinand could have stuck him with, it was Lady Minerva and of all the places she sought to go, it was Erodinia during this damned debauchery festival. Not that Athethran had anything against revelry and seduction. 

It was the fact he was with her that made his insides wither. 

“Not the line. I was talking about you.” Minerva rolled her eyes and made a sharp motion to him.

“Take it up with the king.” Athethran found himself using that phrase quite a lot around her. From packing for the trip to the travel to standing in this very bloody line at the hotel. Stars above, the amount of people already in Erodinia and the festival didn’t officially start until tomorrow.

That made her quiet down with a huff. They managed to edge a little closer to the counter before she opened her mouth again. 

“I wouldn’t be remiss if you chose to enjoy the All Hearts Festival yourself.” She said, after a moment’s quiet contemplation. Waggling her fingers, she sighed airily, “Go find someone to diddle away with. I won’t tell. Promise.” 

He leered down at her, a stern expression hardening his features. “I cannot.” 

“Oh please, I know the guards shirk their responsibilities from time to time,” Minerva snorted, a sly grin curling at the corners of her lips as she looked up to Athethran. She forgot how tall he had grown. Or perhaps that was the height he chose for himself? As much as she tried to learn of Eldritch heritage while at university, nothing ever seemed to be exact.

Athethran did not say anything in reply. Simply tilted his eyes to Minerva, eyebrow cocked. As if he didn’t need to say a word for her to understand he was not like those guards she may reference.

They moved a few more inches in line, their conversation dwindling as the rest of the world giggled and guffawed around them. An ache tickled in her chest, watching others flirt and tease around her. She heaved another sigh, barely resisting the urge to stomp her foot. “No one is going to approach me with you acting as my shadow.”

“If they wished to approach, they would.” Athethran rolled his eyes, his crossed arms tightening across his chest. He wasn’t sure if he’d allow them to approach, of course. As of yet, that wasn’t a problem.

Minerva spun toward him, eyes wide with outrage and cheeks becoming an angry blotchy red. “Are you insinuating no one is approaching me because they find me lacking?” 

The two locked gazes, with Minerva simmering with rage while Athethran stared cooly down at her. His impassive expression didn’t crack or flinch under her glare. Eventually, he heaved a sigh and shrugged. “Interpret my words as you wish.”

It wasn’t until they were nearer the counter that Minerva pulled out her planned trick. Patting her sides, she gasped and turned to her bodyguard, “Oh no, I forgot my satchel with the horses. Can you go get it for me?” 

She watched something flicker over Athethran’s face. Agitation, perhaps. Something about the starry freckles in his purple cheeks seemed to glow. 

“I am not leaving you alone,” he finally rumbled, eyes narrowed. She expected as much from him, which was why she had waited so long before pulling out this particular excuse. 

“Well, one of us has to go, otherwise we’ll lose our spot.” She motioned to the line behind them as she pointedly added, “Do you want to wait again?”

With a half-turn, he took in the amassing line behind them. Something inside him flinched. The line looked to be twice as long as when they began this wait. Faintly, he wondered how many rooms were even available, how many were left.

“Fine,” he relented with a hiss. He hated how Minerva perked up at his acquiescence. Pointing to her face, he made one last demand. “Don’t move.” 

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” She flashed him a sweet smile, folding her arms behind her back as she rocked on her heels. 

That expression alone should have been enough to deter him. Athethran should have known better. He had known her since she was five and causing chaos. Why would he expect her saccharine smile to be genuine?

When he returned, he had to choke down a snarled curse. Of course, Minerva wasn’t there when he came back. Intuition had told him as much, but he tried to give the woman the benefit of the doubt.

He was sorely mistaken to allow her such generosity. Ramming her satchel into his own pack, he eyed the surroundings, seeking any hint of the blasted woman.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

“I am perfectly capable of handling myself!” Minerva struggled as Athethran hauled her, over his shoulder, into a rented room. Unfortunately for her, the lodgings existed in a quieter part of town and had a back door, making it easy for the demi-Eldritch guard to drag her in without question.

“I have my orders, m’lady.” He thanked the gods above and below for being able to secure lodgings before having to track Minerva down. They wouldn’t have to struggle to find a room for the duration of the trip now or risk having to sleep outdoors. If it was the latter, he shuddered to think of how difficult it’d be to rein her in.

She thumped his solid back with a fist, knowing it did little to affect him. “Your orders are to keep me safe. Not to completely ruin my vacation.”

Outrunning and outmaneuvering the man had, admittedly, been fun. Certainly heart-pounding, but not in the way she really craved. It’d never be like that with him, she knew that. Though that acknowledgement made something in her chest twinge.

“I’m not ruining anything,” Athethran bit out as he carefully set her down on her feet.

“I’m in Erodinia for the All Hearts Festival and I won’t get a single bedmate, because you are following me everywhere.” Minerva’s arms spread wide, indicating the city as a whole as her foot slammed to the floor. Tilting a glare up at the demi-Eldritch, her frown curved savagely over her lips. “Sounds like you’re ruining it to me.” 

“What is stopping you from fucking around as much as you want?” 

“Not many people want an Eldritch being leering at them from the corner, Athethran.” Minerva crossed her arms, her lips abandoning their frown to pucker unhappily. She couldn’t understand why he went to such lengths to rein her in. If she was a man, this would be a non-issue. Hell, if she were a man, her cousin wouldn’t have even lashed a bodyguard to her! 

Agitation growing in her chest, Minerva couldn’t help spitting out, “Or is that how you want to participate in All Hearts? I wouldn’t have pegged you for a cuck.” 

Athethran pinched the bridge of his nose and took a breath before answering, “That’s because I am not one.”

“Then what is it? Why not bend the rules and have some fun?” Fueled by annoyance, Minerva took a step forward as her hand gestured angrily. 

He took a step back, avoiding the wide arch of her arm’s motion. Instinctively, his hands came up in a stop motion as he said, in a strained but even tone, “It’s my duty to protect you. If harm comes to yo–” 

“I can protect myself, as you very well know from our little scrap.” Minerva advanced another step, index finger pointed to his face. There was no way he could argue she couldn’t take care of herself. Between university magic studies, traveling abroad, and maintaining her skills, she was not a weakling in the spellcasting department. “So it has to be something else.” 

“I take my job seriously.” The heat in the room was rising too fast for Athethran’s comfort. Prickling sensations skittered over his skin and down his back. He had to defuse the situation soon or he might do something he’d regret.

“Or maybe you don’t want to even fathom me fucking, hm?”She marched another step forward and he took another step back, landing himself against a wall. Buoyed by the months - no, the years - of being infantilized and babied, Minerva’s ire bore down on Athethran like a wolf on prey. “Does it make you feel uncomfortable to think of me swallowing cock or being facedown in a juicy muff? Or–” 

“Min–” Athethran bit down so hard on his tongue, it was a marvel he didn’t chomp it right off. He corrected himself quickly, “M’lady. Please.”

“You were about to call me Minerva!” Her eyes widened, aghast at Athethran’s impropriety. The guard who refused to goof off so she could enjoy the All Hearts Festival bending such a rule! The scandal! 

Of course, when they were younger, such impropriety hadn’t bothered her. They’d been friends, to a degree. Well, until… She shoved the thought away, angry with herself for even skating so close to it.

“I was not.” Athethran only barely managed to convince himself his answer wasn’t a total lie.

She narrowed her eyes, intuition telling her Athethran wasn’t telling the entire truth. Her eyes widened a second later, recalling something from the dark dusty annals of memory. “You were going to call me Minnie!” 

Athethran couldn’t say anything to deny that. Instead, he turned his face away, unable to look his ward in the eye. The prickling sensations worsened down his back, feeling like bugs crawling over his skin as embarrassed heat seared up his insides.

“Oh, that is low. Calling me my childhood nickname,” Minerva hissed, her index finger jabbing him in the chest. The heat in the room hadn’t gone unnoticed by her, but she was enthralled with being angry, she missed the headier tingle in the air. “You really don’t see me as a fully capable adult, do you?” 

It was her touch that did it. Up until that point, she hadn’t willingly touched him. Before he knew it, his hand had snatched her wrist, holding her hand far enough away to break contact. 

Miserableness creased his features and frustration painted his tone, “I begged your cousin to not put me on this assignment.”

“Why? What’s so bad about me?” Conflicting emotions shot through Minerva. As much as she didn’t want a bodyguard, there was no reason for Athethran to not want to guard her. Unless it had to do with what happened when she was fifteen. 

A flare of mortification coiled up from her stomach as she fought off the memories. Little snippets still leaked through. She could see Athethran, a young man in his mid-twenties, and the flurry of emotions that had passed his features at her stupid stupid confession.

“Why do you think?” It took all of Athethran’s effort to not yell. The tendrils on his head were already riled up, flickering and trembling. Wasn’t it obvious why he didn’t want to take her on as an assignment? Even if she didn’t know of his attraction to her, there was still their history. “I watched you grow up.” 

“I watched you grow up too,” she shot back, completely unable to grasp what his issue was.

An affronted look passed his features. “I was an adolescent when you met me.” 

“Same difference,” she waved a hand dismissively. As far as she was concerned, she still watched him grow into a man. 

“Huge difference.” He released her wrist, holding up both his hands to flash ten digits in her face. “A ten-year difference.”

Minerva glared up at him, disappointed he couldn’t separate his memories of her to the actuality of her adult self. She took a deep breath and planted her hands on her hips, if only to keep from smacking Athethran. “Why does seeing me grow up even matter? I’m well into adulthood now.” 

“That’s the problem.” When he heard Minerva was returning to the court of King Ferdinand, after the untimely death of her husband and one of Lord Sythias’s heirs taking over the estate, Athethran was a little eager. He hated to admit it to himself. It felt wrong. 

He’d seen her grow up, he’d watched over her, he even offered her advice or minimal training in combat when she asked. When she’d confessed to loving him at fifteen, the world had shifted terribly. And suddenly all the whispered words and snide remarks about his friendship with her - as much as a guard and noble can be friends - had become amplified.

The way her face had crumpled at his rejection still struck him in the chest. The years that followed, he had taken care to keep his distance and it seemed she did the same. 

Then she came back to the castle dressed in her mourning wear, but most definitely not a girl any longer. Poised and mature, with a soft smile and even softer, curvier, body. Four months after her husband passed, her smart mouth and earnest nature bled into her somber visage. Athethran’s chest ached the more he interacted with her, even briefly.

And he hated himself for it.

“Excuse me?” Something burned at the back of Minerva’s eyes as she recognized the look passing over Athethran’s features. He had a similar expression when he made his disinterest in her clear. Discomfort and, maybe, disgust. 

Gods, she hated herself for not being able to drop the topic. In the years following her confession, she had taken such care to avoid Athethran. Not only for her pride and heart, but for his own comfort. Over the years, she realized their difference in age, in class, and in status mattered. Her authority over him could have cost Athethran his career as a guard.

But if he was this appalled by her, why didn’t he just go have fun like she suggested?

Athethran glared down at Minerva, his brain swirling with some way to answer her. He couldn’t find any excuse that would make sense to her. Not unless he wanted to reopen old wounds for her and mortification for himself. 

Looking around the room offered no excuses, either. Although it did make him realize there was only one bed in the damn room. There was no way they could share that bed after this talk. The heat simmering in the room was bound to explode, one way or another.

He needed space to cool down. Shoving past Minerva, he headed for the door. “I am going to sleep in the hall. Do us both a favor and stay put.” 

“Why should I?” Her hands balled into fists as she turned to watch him go. Something in her angry with him, but also not wanting to see him go. There was something she couldn’t pinpoint in the air. Something razing her skin and making goosebumps simmer beneath her flesh. 

Or maybe it was the angry heat and the adrenaline it brought with it. 

Athethran rounded so fast on her, Minerva stumbled back in shock. “If you don’t, I’ll make you stay put.” 

For a breath, he thought - hoped - she’d listen. Her eyes were wide, borderline fearful, on his face. Then, they flicked to the bed before darting to the window. 

She was really fucking thinking about taking off already. 

Before he knew it, he had Minerva pinned to the bed with a frustrated growl. Her dainty gasp rasped at his spine, her knees squeezed to his sides. Another ragged sound of shock bubbled up from her as her legs were pulled straight, tethered to the footboard by unseen forces. 

Her heart jumped in her throat, brain momentarily submerged in confusion. For a brief second, Minerva felt Athethran weigh down on her, heavy and firm and warm. 

Just as quick as he descended, he was off her. His footfalls headed toward the door, obviously ready to be rid of her presence.  Leaving her feeling a little cold, despite the heat in the air. 

Minerva arched, staring at the place where he had clutched her wrists. A substance that appeared gooey, though it didn’t feel that liquidy, had been left behind, binding her wrists to the headboard. A similar sight was found around her ankles, tied to the footboard. 

He had bound her up to keep her from doing anything! That godsdamn bastard!

The angry shriek Minerva gave made Athethran pause. He turned, about to ask if she was willing to behave, when his stomach sank. Despite the binds, her hands were managing to draw runes in the air and, just before he could think to do anything, blinding light flashed in his eyes. 

A guttural hiss left his lips as burning heat wound tight around him. His arms plastered to his sides, his legs bound together. The world upended as he bodily whumped the floor, snarling and writhing against the binds. “Minerva!” 

“Fuck you, Athethran!” The bed frame rattled as she tugged on the binds, making the floorboards beneath the bed creak. Unseen by Athethran, her face burned with an angry and mortified ruddiness. “If I’m going to be tied up - and not in the fun way - I’m going to do the same to you!” 

A growl rumbled from Athethran, but he slumped face first against the floor. Even his tendrils had given up, flopping motionlessly down.

The All Hearts Festival hadn’t even begun and already he was at his wit’s end.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

There will be more parts to Minerva and Athethran's story!

Until then...

February is the month of my birth.

So as a gift to me, maybe drop a review for Teeth at Goodreads or Amazon? *winkwonk* (If you buy my novella on Amazon, it will be more refined and include an additional scene!)

I also have these for consideration:

🎀 Patreon 🎀 Ko-fi 🎀 Amazon Wishlist 🎀

[ketchappu]

wwww your lil gecko is so cute!!!!! got any tips u wish you'd known before getting a gecko/things you've learned?? :O

[ID: A photo of Bowser, a yellow leopard gecko with a few spots on his head, half in a hide in his enclosure, staring right at the camera. His pupils are slits in his grey eyes. A little fake leaf is seen above his head. End ID.]

YES! I do have stuff to say about getting a leo for the first time.

First of all, they all have distinct personalities and tastes, far more than what the general public expects from a reptile. They have tastes that can change during their lives, and many moods. You can prepare all you want but you will have to adapt to your gecko's wants and needs! Mine hates the texture of moss so I had to change my plans for his humid hide, he hates worms so I had to get roaches (you get used to it and mealworms are actually a lot less healthy anyway). I made a whole ass castle in polystyrene so he could have "Bowser's castle" as a hide in the terrarium, except I didn't account for his little claws scratching against it and making noise... He fucking hated it and the castle had to GO day one as well. Bowser's castle is now a coconut hide he loves to death.

In the same vein, do NOT make unmovable parts in your terrarium. I made some hides out of expanding foam and they are stuck to the sides and a pain in the ass, now. You want something that can be taken apart easily, especially when you never know which part of the terrarium your geck will elect as their toilets.

Second, their health: wild types are the sturdiest because they have the less inbreeding. You want to handle your gecko semi regularly at the very least, you don't have to get him out everyday for 2 hours but do handle him enough so you can do check ups and spot any issues demanding a vet's attention. Monitoring them frequently is super important because geckos, as most reptiles, only really show signs of illness when it's already pretty advanced. So tracking their weight, their skin color and looseness, any weird spots or tiny wound/scab, is very important.

Knowing the basics about common health issues, the nutrients they need, and what constitues a good alimentation for them, is super important but often overlooked. It's not because it's a pretty hardy and indeoendant reptile that you can just do whatever. Be informed and most importantly attentive to your geck.

I'm not listing all the little (positive) surprises i got while living with him because I think discovering them by yourself is a great joy! But geckos yawn in the cutest way, they also rip ass and you wouldn't believe how something so tiny created a fart so toxic, they can chirp and have small armpits, their little hands are pink on the bottom, they have 100 minuscule teeth that tou will never see and express a lot with their tails, they are so awesome and funny to have around. I love mine to death!

[libraryofmoths]

Moth of the Week

Comet Moth

Argema mittrei

TW: Trypophobia for pictures

The comet moth or the Madagascan moon moth was first described in 1847 by Félix Édouard Guérin-Méneville. This moth is a part of the Saturniidae family and is one of the largest silk moths. This species receives its genus name Argema, meaning 'speckled eye' in Greek, from the large eyespots on its forewings and hindwings. Additionally, the name comet moth comes from their long hindwing tails.

Description The comet moth has large yellow wings with magenta patterns by the head, at the tips and outer margin of the forewings, the top and bottom of the hindwings, and the stem of the hindwing tails. Furthermore, the top edge of the forewings, outer edge of the hindwings, and both sides of the tail are outlined in black. Each of the hindwings and the forewings have large magenta and orange eyespots also outlined in black. The final touch on the wings are white accents by the head and in the eyespots. The body of the comet moth is yellow or a yellow-orange with the top of the legs matching then fading to black. They also have orange antennae.

Females have more rounded wings and larger bodies for egg laying

Average male wingspan: 20 cm (≈7.9 in)

Average male tail span of 15 cm (≈5.9 in)

The males have a longer, more feathery antennas than the females to pick up mating pheromones

Males have longer, thinner tails while females have shorter, thicker ones

Diet and Habitat This moth’s diet and host plants include the smoke tree, the marula tree, the Brazilian peppertree, and the cider gum tree. Most sources say adult moths do not feed because of their inability to use their shrunken mouths. Comet moths are native to Madagascar and nowhere else in the world. Their natural habitat are the Madagascan rainforests. However, they can and have been bred in captivity. Today due to habitat loss, their range is limited to the rainforests located south and east of Madagascar’s capital.

Mating Female moths release and pheromone to attract male mates, who fly to find them. After mating, the females lay 120 to 170 eggs on the host plants that will hatch into caterpillars in 10 to 20 days.

Predators Chameleons, geckos, bats, and birds prey on comet moths. To combat this, the comet moth uses its colors to camouflage itself. Additionally, it uses its long tails to mess with a bat’s echolocation and cause it to attack the tails instead of the moth’s vulnerable body. Furthermore, this species has the ability to use ultrasound absorption so the bat’s echo will come back fainter, and the moth is harder to “see.”Finally, the wing’s eyespots are used to fool predators into thinking the comet moth is a more dangerous animal. The largest current threat to comet moths are humans, and this moth is now endangered sure to habitat loss.

Fun Fact This moth used to be on the 1000 Malagasy ariary banknote.

(Source: Wikipedia, AZ Animals, Natural History Museum UK, The Company of Biologists, Moth Identification)

[chaobunnyarts]

August's pin designs: Roc Candy and Yellow-Headed Day Gecko! They're still available as pins and stickers on my Patreon until the end of the day!

[sxmmer-cherry]

✉️: you have a mail!

A request for:

GLEAM OF AURIC BLAZE ━⁠☆ﾟ⁠.⁠*⁠･ event

⊱ 'CAPTURE ME, UNTIL YOU REMEMBER ME.' —

character: Lyney

description: INTJ. Sign: Cancer. Loves: sleep and also to explore things beyond my field. No: unending social interactions and social gatherings. Will do if needed!! Acknowledge and admires people deeply. Always looks tired. In daze most of the time. Methodical yet can adapt. Prefers to Plan and Organize meetings and occasions. Sarcastic. Considerate. Clumsy. Awkward. Imaginative. Overthinks. If I got stressed, I sleep. ✋🏽

additional/preference: romantic

-

⊱ LOTUS WHIRLWIND—

character: Albedo

description: INTJ. Sign: Cancer. Loves: sleep and also to explore things beyond my field. No: unending social interactions and social gatherings. Will do if needed!! Acknowledge and admires people deeply. Always looks tired. In daze most of the time. Methodical yet can adapt. Prefers to Plan and Organize meetings and occasions. Sarcastic. Considerate. Clumsy. Awkward. Imaginative. Overthinks. If I got stressed, I sleep. ✋🏽

yours truly,

Rhea.

Participant

— Another incoming Telegram: Exchange

———

(I hope you don't mind me participating? And I hopefully didn't missed anything and did it right. Have a good day! 💗💗💗)

GLEAM OF AURIC BLAZE — genshin impact exchange game !

⊱ 'CAPTURE ME, UNTIL YOU REMEMBER ME.' —

a lone gecko speaks to the wind.

it chatters aimlessly; with no reason, wit or charm, simply because he can and the wind is a good artist; finding beauty even in the most hideous of beings and making muses out of them.

in this pleasant moment, lyney presently turns his head with a curious gaze and his lips turn upwards.

it's only a slight shift in his demeanour; blink and you might miss it. but you're not just blinking, you're off on tangents about how abandoned buildings actually serve great purpose to nature and encourage the growth of mosses and ferns.

and he smiles so, because he is both in love and quite amused; 'what a chatterbox', he thinks to himself in a gentle inner voice, harbouring no doubt in his heart.

that he loved you, of course.

an old photograph manages to sneak it's way in your hand as you flip the pages of the photo album. it is slightly torn at the edge, and the whites of its boundary have adopted a soft yellow glow; and a smile sneaks it's way up your lips when you realize what the polaroid is about. it's lyney and yours first 'date',—wherein you stand in the abandoned building. you laugh upon realizing how you hadn't expected an entire garden and a fountain system behind the building; the place where lyney first admitted his love for you.

⊱ LOTUS WHIRLWIND—

[attributes ⋮ weapons ⋮ artifacts ⋮ constellations ⋮ profile]

↺ 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓: 𝐑𝐇𝐄𝐀

she's quite amusing, that's the most casual thing i shall confidently say about her. it's this blend of spontaneity with order that makes her unpredictable, and it often makes me laugh.

regardless, i do address her intelligence. she can imagine things with ease, and concepts are much more easy when they are to be explained to her. in addition, she is observant hence ignorance is far from her.

she's quite pretty too, don't tell anyone i said that, though.

↺ 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐓: 3𝐃 𝐌𝐎𝐃𝐄𝐋𝐒

what shall i say... sucrose is failing here, i'm afraid. she is excellent, don't mind me—but imaginative excellence is something i expect of somebody else entirely. i'm certain rhea could help me with this—

if only she's free, and willing enough to partake in this project as my assistant, of course.

↺ 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐓: 𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐀𝐑𝐓

i've always found it curiosity piquing how eerily life resembles art.

for instance, i was just sketching rhea as she sat by the lake in dragonspine the other day. one thing led to another, which led to me painting her hair besotted with soft daisies and eyes holding a summer reminiscent glimmer.

watch her whenever she is exploring flower gardens, and you'll gain insight into what i mean.

↺ 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐓: 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐃𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐃𝐓

mond is a beautiful nation—bright and beautiful, true to one's imagination of where fairies might live.

... which reminds me, isn't rhea a native of mond, too? hmmm. very well, seems like the analogy of fairies fits all the better in this case, then.

↺ 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐓: 𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒

... down bad allegations? i'm sorry, but even as a scientist myself, i'm unsure whether i can understand what you mean. mind elaborating on the matter?

or rather, let it be. i shall ask sucrose about it. maybe not her either... if it's something slightly inappropriate, she'll take it to her grave. i'd say kaeya's the best option here then—perfectly shameless, and just as responsive about matters like these.

[hoardlikegoldenirises]

Geckonyx aka Naomi Ishii, herpetologist and licker of rocks. Oh, and she can stick to things.

I have no self control so I designed several alternate costumes for Naomi, because I wanted to play with different color schemes and patterns inspired by different kinds of gecko (...and one frog)

And... a couple different variations for her head for each of them, because of my inability to choose between helmet and mask. I like both, I just don't want her to look too much like Spider-Woman. But I think, thanks to Blue Beetle and my emphasizing the round shape, that her masks look pretty distinct from any of the Spider-Women. It's still extremely blatantly Spidery to give a female wallcrawler this kind of mask, even if she doesn't shoot webs, but I think the bulbousness of the lenses and the cutout around her nose really helps shift the vibe.

EDIT: changed her gloves to all be fingerless so she can use her venom.

Closeups and some (a lot of) notes under the cut:

Western Banded Gecko (aka Naomi's first costume):

okay this is the oldest both literally and metatextually lol, I drew this in 2022 when I was first designing everyone, though it's had a minor color modification since then (more rose gold, less pink, but looks basically exactly the same) This one is rougher because I didn't bother redrawing the body for it. I'm only making the neat pics for the designs I haven't made refs for (and Seth's upgraded suit for completion's sake)

(Naomi is 30 by the way. she gets carded a lot.)

So, the western banded gecko. they don't have that much green irl, mostly like cream and pink and maroon, but there are hints of green so I included that because I liked the contrast. also. something i did not realize at the time is that, uh, i don't think... western banded geckos... stick. my excuse is that i am not a herpetologist and I just thought they looked cute and had nice colors. my retroactive excuse for Naomi is that she thought it was funny.

Anyway. This is Naomi's first costume, which she handmade. In-universe, while she is, yes, a herpetologist, she is also... a nerd. wait. she's already a nerd—I mean she likes comic books, cosplaying, lucha and pro-wrestling, not just lizards and rocks. So yes maybe I did purposefully give her a lucha mask to evoke Spider-Man, since she's a wallcrawler, and maybe I did purposefully make her literally a Spider-Man Fan because I thought it was funny, but also in my defense as far as mask design, I have... way too many goggles in my lineup... 😂 I had to have some variety in there. also it seemed like a good workaround for long hair.

The G on her chest is also meant to be a lizard/tail btw. And she made the whole costume herself out of fabric she got from the craft store and like, tights and stuff, so... iridescent mermaid scale spandex, etc. You can see her cosplay skills at play here compared to, for example, Seth's homemade Scratch costume, which, while sleek in its own right, is literally just black sportswear and a motorcycle helmet LOL

the little yellow strap-on shoes. The tights are stirrup tights, that way Naomi has the most important parts of her feet exposed but the tights will still stay put etc etc etc. They're probably a really high denier lol

Why does she really need the stirrup cut to expose the soles of her feet though? Well, since I have her using setae/van der waals forces to cling (vs. my version of peter parker, who has a fullbody electrostatic aura that works by charging his entire body including his clothes), this means... Naomi can't wear shoes or gloves while she sticks... at least, not without special materials. So her outfit is designed with that in mind; fingerless gloves so her fingertips are exposed and easily removable shoes she puts on a carabiner on the back of her waistband:

So practical! It's probably got a snap crotch leotard for the white part too but I didn't bother figuring that out here.

Anywho—upgraded suits.

Blue Tailed Day Gecko (female coloration):

This is the main intended step up I was thinking for her, despite the multiple other suits in this post. Consider this one "canonical" lmao idk what the rest are for i'm just like this.

The G logo on this one is a little smoother in its curves which I could say was on purpose but was kind of just me not really looking at the original when I drew it LOL though it IS supposed to look more like a tail, so that works fine for my purposes. I was originally considering giving her an actual lizard symbol (like the kind that show up if you google "lizard logo" I guess...) but I didn't like the way it looked in my sketches and trying to add little legs just felt too cluttered so I kept it simple. Unfortunately it does look kind of like a maggot or something when it's white like this, but I don't think Naomi would consider that a bad thing 😂

For most of my refs I didn't bother with the sexual dimorphism and stuff while looking for inspiration, but blue-tailed day lizards have like, really strong color dimorphism and I liked both a lot so I wanted to do one for each. So this one is inspired by the female coloration.

I didn't bother trying to recreate the lizard's pattern particularly, mostly focused on colors and vibes and good silhouettes that still evoked the shapes in her handmade costume. The copper spots on her back are based on that lizard's patterning though. But the female blue-tails tend to be pretty green, with a hint of blue, so I went with the blue-green gradient, and then since they have a lot of browns and earth tones I went with the sparkly bronze and the copper colors, and a fun coppery-bronze visor.

Anyway she will probably be a little more muscular by the time she gets a nice suit like this, just from supporting her own body weight (though she doesn't exactly weigh a whole lot and her strength is completely un-augmented so like... can't compare to Seth, whose job it is to leap five feet into the air and lift 5'10" athletes above their head lol) but she's still not exactly a bruiser.

(*edited 11/1 to add texture to green material, since, you know, lizards... scales... etc.)

And something you may be wondering is:

Why a helmet?

Well.

That's why.

Me, sowing by purposefully referencing Spider-Man in my wallcrawler's costume: teehee~

Me, reaping when I realize I can't put lenses on her mask without making her Literally Just Spider-Woman: fuck

I've got my ways though. Obviously. I wanted to keep the almond shape of the lucha silhouette even for the helmets though so I looked at some sentai helmets as reference and I just kinda winged it.

also I like that the visor on this helmet is kind of shaped like a heart 🧡 and also kind of like a butterfly 🦋 it's a good fit for Naomi, who is supposed to be cheerful and cute on top of liking, you know, lizards and bugs and shit.

At the same time I decided to play with variations on the lucha style mask and round bug-eyed lenses that aren't framed, and I do like how those look... I just can't tell if it's too Spider-Man or not. But I like the look so much I think I might use it... maybe she swaps between helmet and mask depending on context and weather.

Very cute... extra shimmery...

Anyway like my scribbly handwriting says, the helmet also serves, well, helmet purposes, to protect Naomi's head if she falls. Which is like, "well why would that even be a problem?" and the answer is simple: Naomi doesn't have super strength and her healing power is technically only "enhanced," generally speaking. Not to burden the Spider-Man comparisons but if you think about silver age and some early bronze age Peter Parker, it's kinda like that. She's tougher than she was before, and heals a little faster, but she can still break her arm if she falls wrong, or get laid up with the flu (though she's probably not quite as flu-prone as Peter, the guy who appears to have caught every flu strain known to man.)

In my head (...badum tss) she uses the helmet outside/high up/if it's cold or in other situations she might need more protection, and the mask is for like, indoors, more cramped spaces, or casual situations that still require her to keep her face hidden but maybe not quite as anonymous. also like, probably talking to people would be easier in the mask since her mouth is free and I didn't exactly put vents or filters on these helmets. (that's how you know they aren't regular materials)

Naomi does have some latent regenerative healing abilities (tied to the gecko theme) but—and I mean this in the most literal way possible: it doesn't work if she loses her head, so a helmet is probably still a good idea. also she won't know about this ability until something needs to grow back so her subconscious suit design would probably not take regeneration into account anyway?

idk i haven't quite worked out how these suits work yet. I know they're programmable matter and some kind of exotic or metamaterial, and in my head I've been thinking about them as similar-ish to the Fantastic Four's unstable molecules, but as far as specifics go, I dunno.

Wait I know one specific.

The white parts on her palms and soles are (some kind of silicon substrate probably?) made with CARBON NANOTUBES in them. This was in my plans already in a vague sense, in that I knew her fancy upgraded suit was going to get rid of the barefoot requirement and specifically allow her to use shoes, but it wasn't until a few days ago in a wiki hole that I realized I could use carbon nanotubes for that. I was just gonna handwave it lol

But basically my thought process for carbon nanotubes was like, gecko/nano tape but... more. I don't think irl gecko tape can support the weight of a grown adult woman, even a small one... (though there is some invention out there that figured out you can actually use van der waals forces to support a human being but they're real bulky)—but it's a neat idea and really what is more superheroic than partial science? and now she can still use her sticking powers without having to take her shoes off.

take that foot fetishists.

Anyway, her shoes aren't strictly climbing shoes (I don't think they're that curved) but I was looking at pics of climbing shoes for inspiration, so that's where the overall shapes and the super smooth soles are from.

(oh also it's cut off there but as I note in the drawing: Naomi's skills are mostly reconnaissance and stealth (despite her extremely vibrant colors), and anything focused on maneuverability, because while she has peak human reflexes, her strength is unimpressive and her healing ability is only mildly enhanced, like I said earlier, so she is not a very good offensive fighter.)

okay next!

Blue Tailed Day Gecko (male coloration):

I Swear To God I didn't do the red and blue on purpose, it literally didn't occur to me until after I had colored it. I just thought the male blue-tails looked cool lmao. But I think it's got enough green tones and so little red that it doesn't really evoke Spidey's red and blue anyway, especially since her visor is blue-black instead of white. So I'm not sweatin' it.

I actually really like how this one came out too. I was having some trouble with incorporating the green but I think this very soft glaucous green works really well. I could almost see this one being a like... slightly more stealth-focused suit... obviously it's still brightly colored and the arms are still pretty light, but the deep colors overall evoke a slightly more nighttime oriented feel for me.

...a blue-tailed night gecko, if you will.

Made this one a little metallic-sparkly but not as glittery as the one with the female coloration. This one has a tiny bit more inspiration from the lizard's actual markings (mostly on the helmet) but is still of course all about clean lines and good silhouettes.

The logo also ended up smaller and slightly different which, IDK why I didn't just copy-paste, but I like how it looks this way anyway so eh. They don't HAVE to be identical.

I don't really know what texture the green should be though. More glitter seems like a bit too much. In my head I'm thinking it might just be a very, very matte, soft texture but surprisingly durable. It's not like it's made of spandex so it can really be pretty much any texture. That's also why it's possible for the helmet to match the fabric color and glitter perfectly 😂 I'd feel bad for any real life costume designer who had to deal with this... lmao

mask version...

I had a terrible realization with this one because I didn't look up pictures of Spider-Woman until afterward and it turns out she has a triangle on her forehead which I had forgotten about LOL but I think it's still different enough. There's some Blue Beetle influence in there that I think helps differentiate it pretty well. Like, okay, if she was a Marvel character I would assume she was a spider-person or some weird cross between Koi Boi and Spider-Woman, but outside of Marvel... I think it's got a good vibe.

pop of contrast with the red knees again. I just think it looks nice and the kneepads let me evoke the bike short-style cut on her homemade costume without actually putting her in shorts.

Pretty similar here for soles, slightly different silhouette but that's about it. palms are the same, white and rubbery but flexible. I imagine her gloves move kind of like a second skin despite being all one piece without any seams. fuck helmet matching, i would REALLY feel bad for an irl costume designer having to make that work in live action.

Here's a better look at the actual palm btw.

and also. her fingertips. ridges from setae already weird enough but not noticeable unless someone looks close or can feel her fingers, and then... the new ability... to shoot modified hairs in the form of hollow needles with which to inject venom.

it's an awful mental image, tbh. lmao. the venom she uses is similar to that of gila monsters or beaded lizards. (not bearded)

Part 2!!!

Northern Spiny Tailed Gecko:

Okay! I'm mixed on this one tbh. lol.

I did this one kind of on a whim cause I saw a pic of one of these lizards and I thought they looked cool, though not really Naomi's like... aesthetic. So I guess this is kind of like... what if Naomi got serious... but still was Naomi LMAO she can't resist the hint of shimmer... (wait that's me.)

I like the way the mask turned out significantly more than the helmet for this one, though I like the spikes on the helmet. But the lenses specifically turned out a lot better imo. I was looking at the actual lizard's weird fucking eyes and was like, how the hell do I evoke that. And then I remembered that, even if this WASN'T made of some kind of unknown unstable molecule or nanomachines or whatever the fuck, you can put patches of different colored foil films on real life motorcycle visors and sunglasses and stuff, so that's basically what I was thinking about there. She still sees out it the same, though with I guess random dots of full spectrum color vs... orange-tinted... LOL

This suit was actually surprisingly hard to do. Turns out doing a completely monochromatic fullbody suit in any color other than black is... difficult, if you want it to actually look good. I did know I wanted it textured at least... but the rest, hard. That's why the white lines are there tbh. It just needed something for visual interest.

The G on this one is segmented/broken up instead of soft curves to fit the slightly edgier look, and also as a reference to geckos' famed ability to detach and grow back their tails. (Naomi doesn't have a tail and she can't detach her limbs but she can do the other part...!)

I gave it spikes to match the spiny appearance of the lizard... wow... so edgy... 😂 Actually it was super odd to do a costume like this in such a pale color, because normally when I do more grim costumes, they feature a lot of black and very vibrant accents like purple or red. (Though I guess the orange color of the lenses here is a bright color...)

Since I've been heavily referencing climbing shoes so much, it made sense to me to put crampons on her shoes. More spikes! I doubt they're super useful but, maybe... I mean. I'm sure they'd make a kick in the balls real killer. oh... hm. I mean obviously this is a weaponized costume, but... is this her weaponized costume? her only chance at offense as a 100 lb wallcrawler... metal spikes.

Assume they are reinforced and framed inside where it's not visible, in this magic superhero costume that doesn't need to follow the laws of tailoring. The angled knee pads are my way of doing knee spikes cause unless you got a full suit of armor that never looks good lmao. They are def hard on the outside though.

Also this whole color scheme and the white on the palms just makes me think of like... sharks... which I guess its fitting.

Anyway this costume was... interesting to work on. It was mostly an experiment, and IDK if she'll ever use it (I say this like I have a story about anyone other than Seth lmfao) because I already have several characters with white, red and black color schemes (though Tama's includes gold) so I didn't want to add yet another, but it was just such a neat looking lizard I couldn't resist.

next!

Lygodactylus williamsi aka the Electric Blue Day Gecko:

I like the color of this one... could not resist adding yet MORE glitter, though I figured the body could be one of those very, very slightly shimmery matte looking deals in contrast to the super heavy flake glitter in the helmet and mask. would film terribly. lmao.

I was briefly judging myself for giving every helmet a different visor for some reason instead of using the same one to save my hand (meanwhile i copy pasted the mask XD) especially since... Naomi is NOT the only one with a helmet (if I keep her helmets at all) but what I realized is that most of her helmets in this lineup still have similar enough visor shapes that it's pretty thematically consistent even though they're all different. I think the tree frog and the spiny gecko helmets, aka the two most experimental costumes here, are the most divergent, but they still have like... the rough overall vibe of curves and heart shapes. but this electric blue helmet fits very neatly in with the blue-tailed helmets, so I like that. I could see this one slotting very neatly in with the blue-tailed day gecko suits as a set.

Which, importantly, means I probably don't have to worry about TJ's helmet when I get to him, especially since his is going to be significantly more influenced by Power Rangers and super sentai stuff... I'll probably give him a way weirder visor shape.

Anyway, this suit was another case of monochrome making my life difficult but you know what makes everything look better? Gradients. Lmao. and more shimmers. I just like sparkles, and I liked the idea of leaning into Naomi having a consistent aesthetic as far as being colorful and sparkly, even when it's toned down. (right, "toned down," as if the helmet accompanying it isn't extremely over the top lmao)

In my head the material on her gloves and shoe soles is like... a really sticky-looking (but not—well. it is sticky but it's not wet) kind of gummy, rubbery, or like... jelly almost? but like. on an opaque base cause her hands and feet are in there. like... one of those translucent rubber ducks...

(*edit 11/1 added texture to this one as well)

Attempts Were Made...

I considered making a version based on the female coloration of this lizard, as a counterpart, but my hand hurts after spending three days on drawing superhero costumes...lol. if I do draw a counterpart like that, I think it would be a mix of rose gold/copper and a shimmery iridescent gold-green, I think... either a front-to-back gradient or with side panels. or even like... almost like those tinted holographic fabrics...

anyway

Red Eyed Tree Frog:

Okay this isn't a gecko but it occurred to me while I was taking a break yesterday and it sounded fun... It's not technically on theme since her vigilante/hero/whatever name is literally Geckonyx lmao but it is on theme in that she probably likes frogs, aside from obviously being a wallcrawler.

Also when I realized I could make her helmet for this one look like an alien... bro. how could i RESIST?! I think this is by far the cutest helmet I have drawn, ever.

Unlike the other costumes, but similarly to the electric blue costume, this one has the back and front of the hand all the same material (does that mean she can stick with the backs of her knuckles in this suit???)

As far as styling goes, this one was very straightforward since it's pretty obviously literally just the exact pattern on a red eyed tree frog (well, plus the rubber G) lol — this is also the One where I started to figure out her mask, and that's because frogs have big round eyes. I copy pasted the mask from this one to all the others lol.

also came very close to looking like Seahawks colors (lol) but thankfully the cool base I used for the metallic blue drew it away from that a little, on top of being a little lighter than the navy they use. (plus the blood orange/scarlet accents)

rubbery texture on the shoes again for sure... not so sure about the green though... like is it also rubbery... like un-laminated neoprene?? pleathery/leather-like texture? idk. not shiny spandex, i know that much.

texture: skin?

ANYWAY

That's it!! IDK why I felt the need to design four extra suits for Naomi on top of her upgrade, but it's fun to think about all the gecko colors... who knows, maybe she needs a variety... every wallcrawler needs a stealth suit. and. a bunch of other ones. duh.

UPDATE: realized I still need the full gloves for certain situations—luckily, when I did the fingerless gloves, I just drew fingers on top of the full gloves in a separate folder, so i still have all of them lol.

Considering the lizard theming there is something strangely fitting about Naomi being able to switch between helmet and mask, full glove and fingerless glove, all as needed. Something chameleonic, if you will.

[junsei-alke]

keyframe n. a moment that seemed innocuous at the time but ended up marking a diversion into a strange new era of your life—set in motion not by a series of jolting epiphanies but by tiny imperceptible differences between one ordinary day and the next, until entire years of your memory can be compressed into a handful of indelible images—which prevents you from rewinding the past, but allows you to move forward without endless buffering

“—And then Usagi-san threw him off the bridge! It was bogus!” A boyish voice dramatically informed the alligator mutant about his latest adventure over a tablet.

The boyish voice talking over the tablet is Michelangelo Hamato, Leatherhead’s best friend. Let it be known that the Hamatos’ and the Mutanimals decided a tablet is more suitable for Slash and Leatherhead as a gadget of communication. The two giant mutants won’t have to mind their strength or how small apps or texts are. 

Leatherhead let out a hum, “Didn’t Usagi say this Jade is immortal?” 

“Jei,” The orange-clad turtle corrected, “And he did! Maybe Usagi-san got his info wrong or Jei just bluff, or he just gets rebirth kind of immortality,” Michelangelo theorized.

“From your hectic adventure, I’m glad you returned safely, my friend,” The older mutant honestly thought the worst when the turtles were gone without notice. For some enemy managing to kidnap his friends without struggle…

Through the screen, Michelangelo winced, “Sorry, but couldn’t really do much when we’re spiritually summoned to another dimension by a blind fake immortal wolf,” The nun-chuck wielder joked weakly.

“Just how long were we gone?” Michelangelo asked quietly,  “Cuz, I didn’t have to check when I have an awesome story to tell my two besties!” The turtle cheerfully added. At the edge of the screen, you can see a yellow bowl and can hear a faint meow.

A small smile formed on Leatherhead but inwardly he was frowning as well. His friend, in true ninja form, is great at misdirection. “Almost a week, my friend”.

The smallest mutant turtle's eyes widen, “Really? It was like—three days for us,” Michelangelo compared with a faraway look.

Leatherhead pressed his teeth together, to anyone who doesn’t know the mutant, they would say he’s restraining himself from eating something, but his expression is equivalent to a human pressing their lips together, a sign of displeasure. The alligator was about to change the topic, as he didn’t like the faraway look on Michelangelo’s normally bright face, but someone beat him to the punch. 

“Mikey! I need your help!” Donatello called out, snapping Michelangelo’s trance.

“Coming Dee! Sorry Leatherhead, I’ll talk to you later,” The turtle apologized, as he moved the screen to a mutant ice cream cat, “Talk with Ice Cream Kitty! You guys haven’t talked since forever!”

“…”

“… How’s the freezer?” Leatherhead awkwardly questioned.

“Meowr~”

“You’re right, that’s an awful ice breaker to start a conversation,” Leatherhead apologized.

“Meow~”

“What? I didn’t pun.”

“Meeeow~”

“Oh… I didn’t realize,”

“Meoow~” The ice cream mutant titled her head a little, “Meow?”

“I’m afraid I don’t.”

“Meow!”

“When?”

“Meow~”

“That—”

“INTRUDERS!” A blue blur passed Leatherhead and leapt over the railings.

“Ice Cream Kitty, we’ll continue this later,” Leatherhead said goodbye to the cold mutant and ended the call. 

Following the Salamandrian example, Leatherhead leapt over the railing as he saw three humans fighting Mona Lisa, Mondo Gecko, and Pigeon Pete.

“Pete!” The Leopard Gecko shouted in distress, as the human with a skull mask batted the Pigeon into a metal pillar.

Leatherhead roared as he tried to charge the masked human. But a red-haired human threw a smoke pellet at him. If Leatherhead was more clear-headed, he wouldn’t have attacked the red-haired human or the masked human, for they particularly looked like April O’Neil and Casey Jones. [1] It is fortunate that Leatherhead has a third eyelid or else he would’ve been so focused on regaining his vision than blocking a stab aimed at his underbelly.  

“Mondo! Take the light out!” The only non-mutant in the Mutanimals ordered the mutant gecko.

“‘right!” The youngest mutant in the group cheekily saluted and proceeded to smash the control panel with his skateboard.

Leatherhead would’ve complimented Mona Lisa’s quick thinking of turning lights off [2] if he wasn’t busy trying to defend himself. The large mutant isn’t used on the defensive side of fighting, but his opponent is relentlessly attacking him. 

But considering his redhead opponent switched with a black-haired human, that was fighting Mona Lisa. Leatherhead can see why this human hadn’t been knocked out by Mona Lisa, who is the only trained warrior in the Mutanimals with the exception of Slash.

CREEEAAAK

“What is going on!” A human-turned-monkey loudly demands. Beside the Monkey is a large snapping turtle with spikes and wearing a black bandana, carrying groceries. 

“O’Neil! Jones! Opening!” The black-haired human pointed at the open garage door.

Wait. What? Did Leatherhead hear that right?

“Oh no one is leaving–” Rockwell interrupted with monkey noise, “–without giving me some answers!” [3] The former human telekinetically lifted the three human intruders into the air, and then glared at us. (Mona Lisa, Leatherhead, and Mondo Gecko)

“You can’t destroy the control panel to do the Lights off plan!” The scientist hissed angrily.

“Yeah, but I thought about how they can turn it on, so def need to destroy the panel, doc,” The youngest member of Mutanimals reasoned nonchalantly.

Dr. Rockwell’s eyes bulge in annoyance, “You're lucky I thought about this outcome and—monkey noise—made a backup panel!” 

“And our little intruders are interesting.” Dr. Rockwell added as he eyed the three humans with maniacal interest.

“We ain’t telling ya’ nothin’!” Came a muffled statement from the masked human.

“Hm, yes,” Rockwell made another monkey noise, “Slash, you know where the backup panel. Take—monkey noise—Gecko with you, penance for destroying my tech.”

Slash grunted, “Let’s go, kid,” As he dropped the groceries, and walked outside.

“Not a kid!” Mondo squawked.

“Yeah, yeah,” Slash waved off the attempted correction, making Mondo offended.

Leatherhead stared at the duo bickering back and forth.

“Doctor, put them down, I want to try tying them up,” Mona Lisa enthusiastically said.

“Ah yes,” Monkey sounds, and eyes bulged for a second, “Space doesn’t have rope. Instead you alien tie with magnetic space metal.”

The Salamandrian warrior nodded, “Sometimes electricity. Burnt skin and pain make the captive more compliant.”

Leatherhead can attest. The Kraang had tied him with electricity before.

“Raphael taught me the proper ways of tying with ropes or wires. The painful and the non-painful way, and I’ve been looking for an opportunity to test my learnings” By that meaning, the non-painful is actually not painful for mutants or aliens. And maybe non-painful for trained humans only.

“And you’ll be trying…?” Leatherhead wanted to know, as Michelangelo tried teaching him once, but it was futile because Leatherhead kept accidentally cutting the wire/rope. But they did discover Leatherhead can somewhat tie someone with metal pipes in case chains aren’t available in the area.

“Wire. The painful way.” 

Leatherhead felt pity for the human intruders. Michelangelo said the wire is more painful than the ropes. Unlike the ropes tied with the painful method, they irritate the skin if you try to move or escape, the wire on the other hand makes you bleed.

It took 10 minutes, as the humans tried to escape while being tied by the alien. And to Leatherhead’s surprise, the Salamandrian warrior tied the male human with the not painful method. And the fact the masked human gave her the most trouble despite being less refined than his companions.

During the 10 minutes, Slash and Mondo brought the back-up-controlled panel, which Dr. Rockwell quickly integrated into their lair system and managed to open the lights the moment Mona was finished tying the redhead human.

“Now!” Dr. Rockwell clapped and eyes bulged with enthusiasm, “These two humans!” The monkey removed the mask on the male human, “Are alternate versions of our friend April O’Neil and Casey Jones!”

That doesn’t seem outlandish since they look like adult versions of their friend. Leatherhead thought.

“And! This human is Karai!” Dr. Rockwell dramatically pointed at the black-haired human.

The proclaimed alternate Karai didn’t look like Karai in Leatherhead’s opinion.

“It seems, armour and being good at the battle is consistent for any version of Karai,” Mona Lisa complimented(?). 

“You’re just going to accept that!?” Questioned the maskless Casey Jones.

“Casey…” Alternate April hissed.

The alternate Karai remained quiet as she observed them.

“Well yeah. Doc is pretty smart y’know,” Mondo answered, “Besides! Mikey told me that the multiverse exists cuz he already met an alternate version of himself… Twice!”

Alternate Universe Casey nodded hesitantly, “Okay… But all we know you guys are faking this whole alternate-whatever-situation story,” Alternate Casey Jones states with a furrowed suspicious brow.

Well, Leatherhead can’t fault this Casey Jones for being suspicious.

“We’ll call them.”

“What?”

“The turtles,” Mona specified.

“We’ll call them either way to fix this,” Slash added.

“They are the experts at this type of situation,” Rockwell said with a hint of jealousy.

“…So, you’ll untie us?” Alternate Karai asked.

“If you swear on your honour to stay until the turtles come,” Mona Lisa replied.

Alternate Karai raised her eyebrow, “You must know me intimately,” and something rest unsaid, that only Mona seemed to understand.

The alien warrior shrugged, “We have a bi-weekly girls' night out,” 

Karai huffed in amusement, like she heard something funny, “I swear on my honour, I’ll stay until this universe’s turtles show up.”

Mona hummed before turning to the other humans, “How about you two?”

“Will you stay as well?”

When the alternate April O’Neil was about to speak, the garaged door opened, and garbage and rotten food is all they could smell.

“Hey, guys! I just finished an interview with—who are these humans? And why do they look like our friends?” Questioned by the newly arrived resident New York Hero, Muck Man.

Drip

.

.

.

 Drip

.

.

.

dri–

GASP!

“Sensei!”

Splinter coughed relentlessly to the point he couldn’t recognize which of his sons had made him sit in a stable position. The mutant also has blurry vision.

“Whoa there sensei, take it easy,” His son rubbed his back. 

It took a few minutes to not hack up his lungs and to regain his vision.

“You okay, master?” Questioned Raphael, who was leaning against a graffitied wall.

“Ye-yes, I am alright, my son.” Splinter cleared his throat, “Thank you, Donatello.”

Looking around with a clearer vision, Splinter can tell they’re in an ally way. Which the rat mutant didn’t expect to be at, being sucked into the portal. And speaking of portals…

“Where’s Leonardo?” 

Seeing his three sons being together gives Splinter hope that his eldest is just reconning the area to be safe and he arrived with them. But with the expressions of his sons, Splinter’s hope wanes.

“We’re… not sure, Sensei,” Donatello took a deep breath, “Because we aren’t in our universe.”

“What do you mean, Donatello?” Splinter asked with a confused frown.

The purple-clad genius handed him a Newspaper, “While you were unconscious, Mikey and Raph did a little reconning around the area and I was protecting your body. When they’re done, Mikey found this,” The mutant turtle pointed at the newspaper date.

“August 6, 2015,” Splinter murmured in shock.

Donatello nods, “I would’ve said we’re in the future if it weren’t the fact the publishing company is different. Of course, I had taken into account the possibility of a new publishing company and future and such, but it says the company has been around since the 1887s. In our universe, it's Hearst, but here it's Hirst.”

“And don’t forget you dragged me to places!” Chimed Michelangelo.

His third oldest sighed, “And the fact I dragged Mikey to find areas that were supposed to be familiar but to only see to be slightly altered, but still related to our universe.”

“Dollar Tree is waaaay better than Cheap Shop,” Splinter’s youngest proclaimed.

“It is a little on the nose,” Donatello agreed.

“Ok, sensei is up to date. What are we going to do now?” Grunted Rapheal.

Splinter’s whiskers twitched at the small made wind.

Donatello puts a thoughtful expression, “We find this universe turtles.” 

“No need,” a hoarse voice echoed through the valley.

Splinter remains in a relaxed form while his sons draw out their weapons.

Two pairs of white eyes dropped down from the fire escape stairs and stepped out of the shadows to show two giant mutant turtles.

‘Their body is completely submerged in the shadow.’ Splinter mused as he was impressed. For he knew these turtles only showed visibility because they wanted to.

“Your Don aaaaand your Leo?” Questioned Michelangelo in a disbelief tone, as he tucked away his nun-chuck.

Splinter can see why his son is in disbelief. The two mutants have different sizes. The one wearing a purple bandana—Who Splinter assumes to be Donatello—is tall and lanky, his muscles aren’t pronounced much, and his eye colour is reddish brown. While his blue bandana companion—Leonardo… Splinter’s heart is riddled with anxiety at the thought of his eldest—is smaller than this universe’s Donatello, with more pronounced muscles and his eye colour is silver-blue.  While his sons have the same height, same muscles, and same eye colour, except for Michelangelo’s baby blue eyes.

“Yes, and yes,” Alternate Donatello answered dismissively, “So, what are you guys doing in our dimension? And what year is it on your end?” 

“Ok–hold up. How can we be sure we can trust you,” Raphael questioned and interrupted before Donatello could answer his counterparts’ questions.

The alternate of his first and third eldest had shared an amused yet exasperated look at each other.

“From the looks of things, you act like our Raph. And if you're anything like our Raph” Alternate Donatello started, “You won’t trust our words regardless,” Alternate Leonardo finished.

“They got you there,” Donatello pointed out with an amused tone as he sheathed his Bō-staff.

Rapheal growled and grumpily crossed his arms after he sheathed his Sais. But the red-clad turtle is glaring warily at the alternate turtles.

“For your earlier questions. We didn’t mean to be here as we were forcefully sucked–“

Michelangelo laughs “Ha ha ha, suck.”

“–into a vortex. And it’s the year 2007 in our dimension.” Donatello continued as if he wasn’t interrupted.

‘Thank Spirit’ 

Splinter inwardly raised an eyebrow at what alternate Leonardo said. With Splinter’s ability to read lips, he managed to understand the young turtle’s words.

“Hm… What’s the source of the vortex? I might be able to replicate it.”

Donatello grimaced at the thought of the unusual source of the portal, “Stars alignment.”

“Excuse me?” Alternate Donatello stared at his son, with a gaze asking if he was joking.

“Yeah…” Unfortunately, Donatello isn’t joking.

“Right…” Came a dazed reply, “Not the weirdest transportation… What’s the stars' alignment called and how long to form?” 

“Stars of Kicaan, and 3000 years to align,” Donatello answers.

“Leo?” The alternate genius turtle turned to his brother.

This universe of his eldest shook his head, “Maybe it forms on another planet,” 

Alternate Universe Donatello hummed, “That is possible… Do you think Mona Lisa or Bishop has some information? Or willing to–”

Ba pa ba pa ba pa baa pa!

Alternate Leonardo was interrupted by a shell with a screen on it(?).

Splinter and his sons watched the object being tapped in the alternate blue-clad turtle’s hand and shared it with his Donatello.

“Looks like we’ll get information from Mona Lisa,” Alternate Leonardo said as he tucked away the small shell away. “We’re going to the Mutanimals,” Leonardo informed as he parkoured up to the building’s roof

“What? And where’s that?” Raphael loudly questioned, although, it sounded like a demand.

“Upper Manhattan,” Alternate Leonardo answered, not showing if he was bothered or not at Splinter’s hotheaded son tone, “And I hope you don’t mind being named by Mikey,” The alternate blue-clad turtled added.

“What about being named by me?” Michelangelo curiously asked as they followed his alternate brother’s example.

“Mikey–well our Mikey–likes naming things. Villains, people, or objects.” Alternate Leonardo explained.

“And if you named something without him, he’ll sulk for days,” The alternate purple-clad genius rolled his eyes.

Raphael scowled, “Why the fuck does he want to name us? We already have names!” 

“Because there are two versions of each of us. So, he’ll want to name you or us. And judging by the text, Raph successfully threaten him to name you guys instead,” Alternate Donatello explained. 

“Alright,” All six mutants dropped down in front of a vehicle, “Meet my baby, Shellraiser,” Alternate Donatello presented in a proud ‘Ta-Da’ position.

“Woah…”

The alternate version of his son revelled in the amazed look from Splinter’sfamily.

“Make yourself at home, But! Don’t break anything! Or dirty anything!” Alternate Donatello said as he sat in front of multiple monitors. While his brother sat at the steering wheel.

“Alright,” Alternate Leonardo secured his seatbelt, “Thirty-six minutes away from upper Manhattan,” The mutant set the Stick Shift.

Vrrrroooooooommm

“違う亀ですか？” Questioned Karai to the kneeling ninja. She had just been informed by one of her chuunin, who knows about her mutation and her other family members and even met them, about a Mutant Turtle with a blue bandana and twin katanas, that isn’t her brother.

“はい、カライさま” The ninja confirmed.

Karai sighed, “彼はどこにいる？”

“河童は会議室にいますよ、カライさま。” The ninja answered diligently.

Karai waved her hand, “解雇する” and the ninja disappeared.

Karai stayed still for a few moments, “Shinigami,” Karai turned to her Chuunin[4], “What do you think?”

“On whether this is an actual yokai tricking us or just an alternate version of your brothers?” Shinigami questioned, as she sat on Karai’s desk.

Karai let out a small smile, as she intertwines their fingers together, “Both.”

Shini hummed before magicking a flower, “Let’s pick Dendrobium petals, and see our answer,”

“Kame”

Pick

“Brother”

Fall

“Kame”

Pick

“Brother”

Fall

“Kame”

Pick

“Brother”

Fall

“Kame”

Pick

“Brother”

Fall

Karai watched as Shinigami plucked off the petals and let them fall to the ground until the last petal is in her hand.

“Brother,” Shinigami eyed the dendrobium petal with a Cheshire smile. 

Shinigami let the petal fall to Karai’s palm. Which the Jounin [5] eyed.

“Tell Daisuke to put other Leo in a box–“ Karai paused as a mischievous idea formed in her head, “Actually–put him in a closet, and the inside must have these colours,” Karai handed a piece of paper, “And appoint a flight to New York.”

“As you wished,” Shinigami dramatically bowed and disappeared in a puff of smoke in her wake.

[1] Knowing these two humans looking like Leatherhead’s friends would compromise him. It would feel like he’s attacking his friends. Mona on the other hand thinks these humans were playing a dirty trick to look like her friends, by looking like her friends, these humans thinks she won’t attack them.

[2] Salamander, Leopard Gecko, and Crocodiles has better night vision than humans. Leatherhead is a mixed mutant between Alligator-Crocodile-Human

[3] I’m not typing OOOO-AAAA-OO for monkey noises.

previous | next

[adobe-outdesign]

If I might trouble you, a review of my beloved treecko line? I fell in love with ashes grovyle and have never looked back

(Note: This is the last review request in the inbox right now. If anyone has a request, now's the time to send it in; otherwise, I might just randomly generate some Pokemon to review or something.)

Back before we got starters with super specific themes, we got the occasional starter that was just a really nicely designed animal with a type applied, as is the case with the Treecko line here. I don't mind either method, but I do have a soft spot in my heart for starters that are just cool monsters, and this line delivers. Or maybe I'm just biased because I like geckos. Who knows.

Anyway, Treecko's design is solid. The leafy tail is nothing special, but I like how it curls a bit at the end for some extra flair. The reptilian eyes are always appreciated, and that red underbelly is to die for.

My only real issue with it—and this is minor, mind you—is that the snout always looked weirdly bulbous to me, having a distinctive nose instead of the head just narrowing into a snout like its evolutions. It by no means ruins the design for me, but it sticks out never-the-less. Also, that line on the underbelly serves no purpose (other to tie it into its evos more I guess, which really isn't needed anyway). For the most part however, this design is really solid.

Also, side note: was anyone gonna tell me that Treecko's shiny is beautiful or did I just have to find that out myself?

I have to admit, I always liked Grovyle more than Sceptile (and no, it has nothing to do with the anime or PMD). I'll get into it more when we get to Sceptile, but I just feel like Grovyle's design is much more streamlined and visually striking.

I love the flow of the leaves on the head and tail; it looks like some kind of feathered raptor, which is an aesthetic I'm always down for. Plus the red underbelly still looks great, and adds some much needed color to the design. Mostly importantly, it fits and transitions between Treecko and Sceptile well while still having its own unique flair, which is something many other starter middle evos fail at.

Also, sometimes it's drawn in this really funky way that gives it a longer face and longer leaves, which frankly I'm a big fan of:

I only have two small complaints, both of which are nitpicks. First, once again, that underbelly stripe isn't needed, seemingly only existing for the sake of the final evo. And secondly, I wouldn't have minded seeing three leaves on the tail, seeing as Treecko has two, Sceptile has A Lot, and Grovyle's arms already have three anyway. But those are minor; at the end of the day, while the entire line's good, Grovyle is by far the standout member of the line.

While we unfortunately lose a bit of the dinosaur look with Sceptile, I do like the overall design a lot. The laid-back expression is a nice change of pace from the standard angry expression most final evos sport, and you can't really go wrong with a bipedal lizard dinosaur with leaves. Overall, it's quite nice.

However, I do feel like there are a few elements in the design that could've been refined a bit more, as well as a few things that feel like downgrades from Grovyle.

First: That random V-shaped line on the torso. Why is that there, exactly? If it was a red stripe you could make the second red stripe a V as well and have some parallel elements, but instead it's just There for no reason.

Secondly, the colors. Unlike on Grovyle, the leaves on the wrists are the same color as the body, while the tail leaves remain different. Why...? Same thing with the hind claws; why are they the same green as the body, instead of being yellow, a color already in the design anyway (all-green could work if they just didn't have the dividing line, like on the hands)? Even just the way the red reduces; I loved the red, and I feel like more of it could've been incorporated into this design without needing to really change much.

Also, the tail always felt a bit too overly-detailed to me, at least compared to the body; maybe if the wrist leaves had the same "double" look it wouldn't feel so off-balanced.

And finally, I don't know if this is just me, but the placement of the seed pods always felt weird. Why not put them on the tail, seeing as that's where the leaves are? They just feel kind of pointless as-is, even if I like the additional yellow. Like I said, the design is solid as a whole, but these little elements make me prefer Grovyle's design just a bit more.

The mega kind of fixes some of the stuff that bugs me about regular Sceptile, but it also has some elements that don't quite work.

First, more red is very much appreciated. And secondly, I love how the tail can be shot like a missile, as a nod to how IRL geckos can perform autotomy and drop their tails if needed. This also has the added bonus of making the seed pods feel much more purposeful, as they now visually lead up to the tail and serve as indicators of how close the "missile" is to firing. Super cool, love it.

However, like a lot of megas, it feels like a lot of design elements were changed just Because. For example, those random chunks taken out of the head and arm leaves; I guess it's supposed to look battle-worn, but that doesn't work unless the damage is from it battling a hole punch. Same goes for the X-shaped leaves on the chest; it's different, but not better, and it doesn't enhance the design at all. Sometimes, less is more, and the changes to the tail and the extra red feel like they're more than enough to cary the design as-is.

Also, while I like the idea of the tail stripes a lot, something about it bugs me visually. I think it's because the back stripe leads the eye down and through to the tail; except this flow is then abruptly cut-off by the horizontal stripes, creating a bit of tension. I feel like either the back stripe should've just gone straight down the tail, with the stripes being added to the underbelly from the front (seeing as that's where they were to begin with), or the back stripe should've been dropped in favor of keeping the tail stripes. Regardless, those two elements are good separately, but don't quite work together.

In other words, it's a good design, but it's brought down a bit by unnecessary details and changes that don't serve a purpose.

So as a whole, I'd say that this is a great starter line, and one of my personal favorites. Treecko is lovely, and Grovyle is definitely the best of the line. Sceptile is good but a little bit of a downgrade, and while the mega brings more of a concept and cohesion to the design, it's also a bit over-cluttered. Regardless, these are some excellent geckos.

[doomed-auth]

Fallen Magic Chapter One, The Raven

Here's what I've written so far for my fantasy novel Fallen Magic! I'm trying to finally start writing this story, which has been in my head for years, and I'm really excited to see where it goes. Let me know what you think!

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Nathan huffed noisily as he ran, a few mushrooms nearly flying from the basket in his arms as he took a sharp left turn, then a right, the graveled path crunching underneath his boots. It was a nice day outside, the sky blue and cloudless, and the warmth from the sun melting away the last bits of winter from the ground. It was still cold enough for long sleeve shirts and cloaks to be comfortable, but not nearly as severe as it had been just two weeks prior. Nathan shuddered at the thought of the snowstorm they’d had and instead focused on the task at hand; Delivering mushrooms to Marcy, the local pet shop owner. With the snow gone and the temperature rising, Marcy said a special type of mushroom would begin cropping up in the forests surrounding the town, a mushroom called Ruby Inkling. They were grey in color and leaked red liquid from their caps, which usually gave them a gruesome appearance at first sight. Some people called them Bloody Mushrooms, but Nathan didn’t like that name much. If he were honest, he didn’t like the mushrooms at all; They were slimy, sticky, smelly, and tasted awful no matter how you ate them. Luckily, he wouldn’t be eating them now, though; They were for some of Marcy’s animals. Sliding to a stop Nathan pulled open the door to Marcy’s pet shop and ignored the chime of the bell as he stepped inside, looking around. All he could see were tanks and crates of Feathersnakes, Emerald Crested Geckos, and Golden Spine Rabbits, but no Marcy. 

“Mrs. Marcy? I’ve got your mushrooms!” He yelled out. 

“Nathan? Is that you? Come back here!” Marcy’s voice called out from the back of the shop. Nathan walked past the curtain that separated the front and back and saw Marcy setting up a large tank with pebbles, water, and some stones. There didn’t appear to be an animal inside.

“Nathan, it’s wonderful to see you! Set those down there, I’m about to feed her!” Nathan did as told, placing the basket down on a nearby table with a quirked brow.

“Who’s her?” He asked. Marcy didn’t respond as she took a handful of the Ruby Inklings and dumped them inside the tank before turning and grabbing a wooden box, placing it inside as well. Nothing happened for a moment, and Nathan had a passing thought that maybe Mrs. Marcy had gone mad, but then the box shook, and… something slithered out. It looked like a mix between a large lizard, a cat, and a fox, with golden scales trailing down its back before fading into ruddy fur. It had four legs that were exactly like a lizard except for the fur, each foot ending in large black claws. Its tail snapped back and forth irritably and its yellow eyes with slitted pupils darted around the tank. 

“Isn’t she marvelous? There’s only a few out there like her– A lovely, lovely creature.” Marcy sighed happily. Nathan nodded even though he thought it just looked freaky.

“Uh, it’s very, well… What is it?”

“Oh, dear boy, she is an Eprinian Cave Crawler! I found her in a cave about a mile outside town. It seemed she’d been brought here illegally and then dumped, because she’s a little worse for wear, as you can see.” Nathan could not see, because he had no idea what an Epian Cave Thingy was supposed to look like, but he nodded again. “They eat a lot of things, but they love Ruby Inklings. See?” She gestured to the Cave Crawler, who was swallowing down mushroom after mushroom greedily, its mouth stained red. Nathan winced at the sight. 

“Right, well– I should probably head back out. I’ve still got deliveries to finish.”

“Ah, of course dear. Who’s next, hm?”

Nathan pulled out a small notebook from his pants pocket where a list of names and requested items was written down. Nathan grimaced.

“Alric’s next.” He groaned. Marcy winced, looking sympathetic. 

“Oh, good luck with that, then. He’ll be in a nasty mood.”

“When isn’t he in a nasty mood?” Nathan joked, waving the elderly woman goodbye. Then, tucking his notebook away, Nathan walked up toward Leek Street where the clock shop, and its cantankerous owner, resided.