#and seems like it only works on humans anyways..

[orphiclovers]

I think what would greatly benefit everyone's understanding of orv's worldbuilding is a passing aquaintance with the Cthulhu wiki. and this is the one and only case where the wiki is a BETTER source of information than the original works by Lovecraft, because the Cthulhu mythos is a "collaborative writing shared universe" and who's worldbuilding is vague and contradictory between authors. think Maurauders fandom or SCP foundation, only more classy than fanfiction.

Anyway, ORV takes a lot from the Cthulhu mythos, because it takes a lot from every myth in the world. The whole Outer God thing will make a lot more sense if you know what its supposed to be, the same way its easier to understand the Olympus constellations if you know the greek gods and their myths. The Majority of characters in orv are real mythological or historical figures and the outer gods are no different, I and maybe you are just less familiar with them.

Heres a small glossary of relevant information:

1. "great old ones" are sometimes mentioned in orv as spying on Kim Dokja, and mentioned by other Outer Gods as the most powerful beings. they're from the lovecraft stories.

They are "beyond imagination" i.e beyond Oldest Dream's Star Stream/the universe comprehended by humans and exist outside of it.

2. "The Great One" is what outer gods in ORV call the Oldest Dream. He seems to be the only Great One in the orv universe, but In the myths there are multiple and are described like this.

Gods of the dreamlands->oldest dream the connection is there. Take notice of how the Great One is protected by Nyarlathotep, hes important.

3. Have you ever wondered what was up with those "Shantaks" living in N'gai forest? These are from the myths too.

They have horse head like in orv and Nyarlathotep rules over/is allied with them.

4. The Nameless Mist that attacks the 73rd demon realm and causes KDJ to sign the outer god contract with SP and get sent to 1863rd round is also an Outer God from the myths. Specifically, it is one of Nyarlathotep's siblings.

5. Best for last, there is of course Nyarlathotep himself i.e The Crawling Chaos i.e Secretive Plotter.

Kim Dokja straight up thinks that SP is Nyarlathotep and calls him that to his face. he is right. While SP "neither confirms or denys being the Crawling Chaos/Nyarlathotep" he obviously...is him. (SP lies about his identity a lot. but this time he didnt even say he WASNT, just that it doesnt matter and to call him SP please). SingShong basically plagiarised everything about him completely from lovecraft

First of all, in their first meeting SP looks like a black shadow person with glowing white eyes, which is why Kim Dokja drew the conclusion that he was Nyarlathotep, since this is how he looks too

Nyarlathotep is the avatar of other outer gods an has a clear personality and is more rational and human than the rest (KDJ says this bout SP too)- he hates his masters (like SP hates his sponsor).

Kim Dokja once says that SP is like no other outer god because he actually speaks human language and can communicate clearly and rationally. Nyarlathotep is the only outer god who can do that and is the messager of them.

The event referenced here where Nyarlathotep causes people to go insane is mentioned in ORV too, as SP talked to the Recorders of Fear and drove them to insanity. He has darkness powers and knows the future of the universe that no one else does.

He looks like a human being and has a thousand different forms (like the different regressions).

He can shapeshift and possess people (SP does both. shapeshifts into YJH and possesses him)

Also as previously mentioned he protects the Great One (OD) and rules over Shantaks in the forest. On top of looking exactly like Nyarlathotep and having the same abilities as him and the same role and traits and literally getting told "You are Nyarlathotep" by Kim Dokja I think it is pretty safe to say that he IS Nyarlathotep.

Also, the reason why KDJ thinks SP can beat The Nameless Mist and calls him is because he thinks that is SP's/Nyarlathotep's sister. which is just kind of funny to me. go get your sibling dude its eating my planet

[marlynnofmany]

Sledding

The architecture in this alien city was strange: undulating concrete all over the place, with some buildings underground and some set on top. Everything was painted in wild colors. It reminded me of a skate park. I was curious about the history behind it all, and whether the local Heatseekers had worked with any other species on it. I hadn’t seen the little lizardy folks build things like this before.

Zhee didn’t know. He also didn’t care, more interested in getting our delivery done before the distant rainclouds arrived. He clicked across the concrete on his many bug legs, hissing at me to keep up and not drop the package.

He probably would have liked to be the one carrying it, but I’d grabbed it first. My hands were more suited to carrying this size box than his mantis pinchers were anyway. I walked faster. Getting caught in the rain didn’t sound like a good time to me either.

Then we rounded a corner and topped a hill to where there was more ambient noise, and hmm: problem. It looked like the previous rainclouds had made for some unexpected flooding. A valley with high sides was filled with rushing, muddy water. Heatseekers stood on either side with their own signs of commerce, debating how to get across.

“Can’t we just go to the bridge?” one asked, sounding like she knew the answer already. Her purple-blue scales clashed with the orange vest she wore.

An older female in a similar vest shook her head. “Too far. The bosses want this fixed an hour ago.” She rapped scaly green knuckles on the hoversled holding tightly-strapped-down machine parts. “Traffic’s going to pick up soon, and the rich and powerful will be complaining.”

A truly ancient male with patchy blue scales peered at the contents of the sled. “Are you kids here to fix the water lock?”

The middle-aged female gave him a look that was part amusement, part exhaustion. “We are. Unfortunately it’s on the other side of the water.” She waved toward the gushing current.

Several other Heatseekers stood on the other side, three in orange vests. One cupped hands to his snout and yelled, “Ride it across!”

The younger female winced, shrinking back from the water far below. The older one sighed.

The old male cackled with the glee of an elder who was about to watch someone else do something he wouldn’t be expected to. “This should be good!” he declared, stepping to the side and waving at a couple newcomers who were just arriving behind us. “Step back, everyone! The mechanics are going to do something dangerous!”

The green female sighed again and rubbed her face, scales clicking along with the sound of water. “Thanks.”

Puzzled, I looked from the sled to the water and back. The slope wasn’t very steep. Were there predators in the water or something? Or was she worried about running out of momentum and getting stranded in the middle? That model of hoversled didn’t have an engine. Oh right, and Heatseekers were coldblooded. That could actually be a problem. But only if she didn’t go fast enough, right? These big halfpipe slopes ought to work just fine for that.

The younger Heatseeker looked terrified. “Please don’t make me,” she whispered.

“I don’t want to either, but it’s got to be done!” the older one snapped. She looked over the gathering crowd. “I don’t suppose there are any volunteers?”

It really didn’t look dangerous to me. Kind of fun, really.

When I turned to look at Zhee, I found him staring at me with his antennae angled into a judgemental expression. He rotated his pinchers and plucked the box from my hands. “This one volunteers,” he announced. “She’ll even enjoy it.”

Now everybody was looking at me, with more than a little hope in their eyes. “It really doesn’t seem that scary,” I admitted.

The young one snorted. “Okay!”

The older one addressed Zhee. “Is your friend right in the head?”

“Hey,” I said.

Zhee spread his mandibles in a creepy Mesmer grin. “As right as her species ever gets. Humans evolved swinging through trees, and they’ve never gotten over it.”

The elder cackled loudly at that, and the middle-aged one shook her head. “All right. Do you know how to steer this model?” That part was aimed at me.

I stepped over for a quick rundown of the controls. It was simple enough; this type even had built-in speed controls that required two hands to override. They couldn’t just give it a kick and hope for the best; someone really did need to ride it to make sure it coasted all the way across the water.

(Which did not have alien turbo-crocodiles or whatever lurking under the surface. They promised.)

There was no more reason to delay after that. The two mechanics held the sled stable while I climbed on and found a position that was mostly comfortable, with my legs wedged under the straps. I put both hands on the controls. Then they let go and gave it a push.

“Woooo!” I cheered, sledding down the hill. The hover mechanism was a good one, not even jolting at the transition between concrete and water. I skimmed across the surface with the smell of muddy alien river water in the air, then all too soon I was scooting up the opposite slope. I remembered to engage the brake before I slid back.

The mechanics on this side rushed down to meet me. “Thank you!”

“My pleasure!” I said, tugging my legs free of the straps. “That was a lot of fun.”

“Fun??” one asked in disbelief, pausing in the middle of removing one of the machine parts.

“Sure!” I said. “I haven’t ridden a slope that good since I went sledding as a kid. And this time I didn’t have to wait in line for a turn!”

The Heatseeker looked quietly horrified. He didn’t say anything, just going back to freeing the bit of machinery and hustling away with it.

“We appreciate the help,” said the one that seemed to be in charge, while others took the parts through a door that I hadn’t noticed until now. “How convenient that you enjoyed it. We should be able to get the water diverted very quickly, now that we have replacement parts.” He frowned at the door as if he could see through it to where various clanks and swear words could be heard over the river. “Honestly, that whole section was supposed to be replaced last year. Anyways! We’re very grateful.”

“Happy to help,” I said. “Say, will you need to take the sled back that way when you’re done with it? I could ride it back again.”

He picked up one of the last pieces and tucked a strap away. With a chuckle, he said, “I don’t think anyone’s going to stop you.”

“Excellent.”

The water level was already going down by the time I took off, but that didn’t make it any less fun.

“Wahoooo!”

I could see Zhee shaking his head from here.

~~~

These are the ongoing backstory adventures of the main character from this book.

Shared early on Patreon! There’s even a free tier to get them on the same day as the rest of the world.

The sequel novel is in progress (and will include characters from these stories. I hadn’t thought all of them up when I wrote the first book, but they’re too much fun to leave out of the second).

[funkbun]

(poses cutely) Okay welcome to my headcanon ramble world. Pre-rift, Capochin admires Hector for several reasons (basically saving his life, being the one person who'd take him in and actually care about him n be his friend, and with the bizzyboys he seems to actually want to lead a better future for drainfolk/the drain itself, etc etc), so that causes him to start viewing him in this like, savior deity GOD position. This is way before the thought of becoming a god even crossed Hector's mind btw, Capochin's just #normal about him. So yea, Hector's his best friend, savior, boss, crush, god, most important guy ever in Capochin's eyes. Surely this don't lead him into having a strange weird complicated relationship with him in the future! Surely!

So now a few years pass, Hector is a god, he's Inspekta now. Capochin's got an actual god to worship now, and he's like.... conflicted at first. Yes, Hector and Inspekta are literally the exact same person, of course they are, of course he is! And of course there's going to be a massive change when it comes to a mortal's transfer to godhood, obviously! Capochin knows this he understands it. But there's still a part of him that's conflicted about it. And that conflicting feeling makes him feel bad n guilty as hell! Isn't this what he wanted? Isn't this what both of them wanted?

Capo should just be grateful and come to terms that Hector is no more, and it's just Inspekta now. Besides, he is still the same person, right? Even if he looks at him kinda differently, starts making more of a deal about their differences as a god and mortal, how he can't really hang out with him anymore aside from staying in The God Complex (which is honestly kinda of a lonely place to be in), and even then he seems to be more and more overwhelmed and stressed about his godly duties that turn out to be far more difficult compared to what he did as the bizzyboy's leader, and how he seems to act more like a exaggerated parody of how Hector presented himself in the Grove, instead of Hector the Person he was... BUT THAT'S FINE! He's still the same person, but different! Capochin has to deal with that. He has to be there for his god and not worry too much about these changes. He needs to prove that he can be the best worshiper of Inspekta there is!

Anyways I think this mindset leads to him going down the whole "The only person who matters is Inspekta and I'm the only person who cares about him" spiral later on. I think he was there to comfort Inspekta during the start of his spiraling about King and his place in the pantheon. His god is in distress, people might start doubting his ability to lead, and it seems to be up to Capochin to prove to the world how important and special and perfect Inspekta is. How they should all be grateful for his leadership. He deserves it. Nobody's going to replace him, leave him to rot away forgotten by the world. And Capochin's his right hand man! He needs to be there for his god, ever loyal ever devoted. And if that leads to him turning his back against everyone except for him, then so be it. Frankly, after everything Inspekta has done for him, he should be honored to be given his praise and love, and that alone.

And not only does Inspekta love him, Capochin loves him back! Certainly Inspekta knows that as well! The two of them have been by each other's side for far over half of each other's lives now, and Capochin has worked tirelessly to take up Hector's place as the (human) leader of the Bizzyboys. And Capochin's made sure to follow and carry out allllll of Inspekta's orders, because he's so dedicated to his god. Inspekta's bound to understand this, yes? They both need each other and only each other, clearly.

And when Inspekta achieves his goal (that he totally wants and isn't just carrying out on impulse due to his own fears and jealously overshadowing his thoughts + having a lil guy continue to encourage this plan of his) of being the one and only god, Capochin will be RIGHT by him! Because he needs him! Maybe Capo will be able to ascend right by him, but as a secondary god of course! Just a follower for Inspekta, the clear main and most important god here! He'll certainly be rewarded for all he's done, he'll finally have a name for himself, finally be respected throughout the world, alllll thanks to Inspekta! Surely!

And yea this all falls apart after that chapter 4 fight and he realizes how much his obsession with Inspekta has clouded his thoughts and how Inspekta doesn't seem to care about him anymore (at least this is how heeeee sees it. i'm focusing on his thoughts rn not Inspekta's. I personally think that Inspekta truly did still care about Capochin a whole lot, but through his spiraling and isolation, his relationships with other people have been drifting away, and that includes Capochin even if he's one of the two ppl who actively seem to still talk to and visit him. BUT AGAIN THIS AIN'T ABOUT HIS MIND RNNN). Whoopsiesss!!!! Wuh oh!!!! What if you almost ended the world because you were too obsessed with ur best friend, savior, boss, crush, god to see how fucked up his plan for an apocalypse was!?!?!

i have too many thoughts n possible paths for how Capochin's feelings towards Hector (and maybe Inspekta tooo) postgame. I think he's still Very Normal about Hector but there's many facets to those Normal Feelings that im too tired to ramble about here lol

okay so conclusion of this? capochin is kinda gay normal style. happy pride month

[jnw1813]

Interlude: Mark Grayson

Another bit of plot. The Graysons meet... uh, you and Conquest.

A knock at the door caught Mark's attention. His mother, working at the kitchen island, glanced up.

“Expecting anybody, Mark?” She asks, still typing away.

“Not that I know.” He says, getting up. Eve or William would have texted if they were coming over, after all. Unless it was an emergency.

As he approached the door, he faintly heard talking on the other side of it. The voices were unknown to him, which had him hesitating.

“... just don't start anything, okay? It's weird enough we're doing it like this…”

“How else were we supposed to do it, darlin’? Start a fight downtown?”

“Oh, you'd just love that, wouldn't you?”

That amused yet fond response has Mark confused yet plenty weary, and– taking a deep breath in preparation– he pulls the door open, tensing for a fight.

What he sees on the other side makes him both tense up ten times harder and nearly makes him stumble back in shock and fear because holy fuck–

There, standing on his doorstep were two individuals. One, you, a normal human person, completely ordinary, made even more so by the towering figure of strength and horror standing beside you, a hand protectively threateningly gripping your waist.

Looking up at a scarred face, balding white hair, a fucking blind eye, and crooked, jagged teeth revealed in a sinister grin, Mark knew without a single doubt that this guy was a Viltrumite. The uniform was a dead giveaway, of course, but even without it this guy screamed stand ready for my arrival or something equally as threatening.

All at once: chaos.

“What–”

“Mark, who is it–?”

“Hi, I'm Y/N, and this is–”

“Woah, who's that old guy–?”

And Mark didn't waste any time, remembering what destruction his alternate selves caused and not wanting a repeat with this terrifying Viltrumite right here. He shot forward, fist out to hit him, ready to push you out of the way– he probably grabbed you as blackmail or something, a prisoner– the mixed shouts of his mother, brother, and you filling the air as he yelled—

Only to jerk to a sudden stop, the Viltrumite's much larger hand enveloping his fist, holding it still without even a hint of strain. And Mark had done all that training, too!

“Easy there, boy. Is that anyway to treat guests that come in peace?” The Viltrumite asks, amusement coating his words; it didn't escape Mark's attention that he'd moved a bit, putting himself between Mark and you. A shield.

It confused Mark enough that he stopped, glancing between you and the Viltrumite. You didn't seem scared. Worried, yes, but your attention was on the bigger man, a hand coming up to rest on his shoulder.

“Conquest…” You whisper, a bit of a… reminder in your tone. Whatever it was for, it makes ‘Conquest’ sigh and release his grip, pushing Mark back a bit.

“Yeah, yeah, I know, darlin’.” Conquest murmurs, patting your hip fondly. “Right, well, can we talk or do you want to take this to the sky? Because let me tell you something, Mark, I am hoping you want to fight, and it's only because my pretty little mate here wants to settle things diplomatically that I haven't already started anything.”

Mark rears back, faintly aware his mom was standing now, watching wearily, and that Oliver was at the stairs, ready to back his big brother up no matter what.

And then– confusing him even more– Mark watches you smack Conquest's shoulder, huffing heavily. “Honey, please. You promised!”

And you know what? Conquest has the gall to look ashamed, apologetic, grumbling to himself before sighing.

“I did…” He turns to Mark again. “Alright. My mate has spoken. No fighting unless you start something. Now, let us in. There are some things you should know about, and believe me, it took a lot of convincing from my darlin’ here for me to do this, so you better appreciate this.”

Mark is speechless, glancing between the terrifying Viltrumite that would make his father look weak and the human who seemingly had him leashed.

He was stunned.

He was confused.

He had no fucking idea what to do next.

But thankfully, his mom did.

Coming to her son's rescue, Debbie Grayson stepped forward, smiling a little tightly. “Of course. If you don't start any trouble, we'll hear you out. Please, come in, is there anything I can get you?”

Smiling, you stepped in, a hand delicately tucked into Conquest's elbow as you led him in. “Oh, thank you, Mrs. Grayson. And don't worry, Conquest won't start any trouble. Right, dear?”

Conquest held your gaze, fondness shining in them. “Whatever you want, pumpkin.”

You beamed.

Everyone else just felt vaguely unsettled.

A few minutes later, everyone was sitting down in the living room, Conquest idly taking in his surroundings as Mark and Oliver eyed him with a mix of wariness/weariness and curiosity. Debbie, meanwhile, played the perfect hostess, offering you and your… husband refreshments.

“Oh, thank you. You didn't have to.” You say, taking a sip of your drink. Debbie waves you off, saying it was no issue.

“So,” Mark cut in, a little antsy, “You had something to say?” He says pointedly, Conquest giving a hum as he nods, uncrossing his arms.

“I do.” He says, glancing at Oliver with some interest, the half Thraxan boy glaring at him. “I was sent here to prepare this planet for the Viltrum Empire. In other words, to make you give in.” He grins, vicious. “And you would've, make no mistake. I would've had the time of my life beating the shit out of you.”

Silence. The Graysons look vaguely horrified as you just sigh, elbowing your mate.

He grunts like he actually felt that, and lets his smile drop. “Except obviously I didn't do that. I got… sidetracked.” At that, he gave you a look, one filled with affection. “And honestly, I'm quite happy here. I've got a mate who doesn't fear me, a comfortable home, and I don't have to deal with other Viltrumites treating me like I'm unstable.”

Well that's not worrying, Mark thought, wondering just why the hell Viltrumites would find this guy unstable, then promptly decided he didn't want to find out.

“Okaaay.” Mark says. “So… why are you here then? If you're so happy playing house, then, uh, why come here?” Not that he wasn't thankful knowing there was an even stronger Viltrumite hanging around, but y'know. Now he wouldn't be able to sleep at night, knowing he shared a planet with this guy.

“That would be because of me.” You say, setting your drink down. “Conquest has told me much of Viltrum, and I figured it was best you knew too.”

The older man nods, looking vaguely uncomfortable for a moment as he mulls something over. Finally, he makes eye contact with Mark.

"Here's the thing, Mark. When the Empire needs to subjugate a planet quickly and efficiently, they send me. I have never failed a mission before, not once in five thousand years. By now I should have already been done, I should've already made you bend and break, I should've had this planet ready. Except I haven't."

Conquest takes a breath, gazing upwards in thought. "By now the other Viltrumites will have realised something is wrong, that I've…" He sucked on his teeth. "Abandoned my mission. And that's going to make them mad. Very mad. Especially Thragg. Now, if you think I am scary, then you've seen nothing yet. Even I am weary of him. But–"

The room was silent, three increasingly horrified faces staring back at him, though the two half-Viltrumite boys also had a look to them, a look that said bring it on, we're ready. 

Cute.

But they'd need more than misplaced confidence though.

"–but… all the other Viltrumites are scared of me. They think I am unstable. They don't even talk to me. So if they are ordered to fight me? Well…" Conquest grinned. "They know it'll be a fight to the death."

"What, so you're saying you'll… fight for Earth?"

Conquest makes a considering sound, eye going to you. "If necessary. Mainly to keep my mate safe. But I don't think it'll come to that. See, the Empire has a secret, one closely guarded." And here Conquest genuinely looks uncomfortable. "One which, being of Viltrumite descent–" He sent Oliver a slight glare of disgust, "–you deserve to know."

He sighs, fists clenched. You lay a supportive hand on his shoulder, nodding.

"There are less than fifty pure-blooded Viltrumites alive."

What?

Mark stared at him, uncomprehending for a long moment. That… no… it couldn't be true, right? How–?

"It was the Purge, wasn't it?" Mark whispers, and Conquest nods.

"Yes. On one hand, we succeeded. The weak were purged–"

You clear your throat, giving him a pinched look. Conquest sighs and rolls his eyes. Clearly, there'd been some kind of argument about that topic between you two before.

"–but at the cost of much of our breeding pool and kind in general." He finishes. "Along with the true royal bloodlines heir being lost, but that's unimportant now." He waves it off. "The point is: the Empire doesn't have the bodies to spare to bring both you and me to heel. Now, Thragg himself could do it no doubt, but he doesn't fight unless everyone else has failed."

"Like a final boss." Oliver whispers, getting an amused look from his family, you, and a confused look from Conquest.

Mark rubs his face. "So… you're saying… what? We're in danger but not?"

Conquest shrugs. "Pretty much. Don't get me wrong, the danger is there, it's coming, but we've got time."

Mark felt a sense of foreboding.

"For...?" He asks.

Conquest grins, vicious, wide, teeth glinting with a deadly promise.

"To train, of course!" He gives Mark an amused look, taking joy in his obvious fear. "Nolan clearly slacked off with you if Anissa could easily wipe the floor with you, so I'll be training you, boy. Can't have the planet my mate lives on be destroyed, now can I?"

"And innocents be killed, Con." You sigh, reminding him.

He waves it off. "That too. Now," he gives Mark a serious look, all mirth gone in an instant, "What do you say, 'Invincible'? Do you want to finally live up to your name?"

And really, what choice does Mark have? The Viltrumite threat is ever looming, Angstrom nearly got his loved ones killed again, and Cecil's training program is out of the question.

So he nods, expression solemn.

"I accept."

Conquest grins. "Good." He purrs.

"Can I join too?!" Oliver quickly cuts in, flying towards Conquest and making the old man blink in surprise. "Please?! I wanna kick Viltrumite butt too!"

Conquest barely withholds his disgusted look at the thought of training this… halfbreed, but–

You stare at him pointedly from the corner of his eye.

– Conquest doesn't want to agree, but… it's not a bad idea. They need all the help they can get (even if he could probably kill a good five to ten Viltrumites on his own if he focuses– the one thing he has over the rest? Experience. He knows tricks none of those fuckers could ever dream of), and the boy doesn't even look that bugish. Just purple.

Then, remembering something he'd seen on TV more than once, Conquest says, "Only if your mother agrees." And thankfully, that's enough to get the boy out of his face, now beggin' with puppy eyes (bug eyes?) to his stepmother or whatever she was to him.

As Oliver begs her to let him, Debbie gives Conquest a weary look, obviously not liking the thought of such a dangerous man training her son. She glances at you, and, understanding her look, you give a small nod and flash her a reassuring smile. A silent promise you'll ensure your mate goes easy on the boy.

As the Grayson family discuss the matter– or rather Oliver badgers his mom about being allowed to be trained, Mark watches on in amusement, and Debbie slowly begins to give in, smiling softly at her step-son– you look up at Conquest, a proud smile on your lips.

"You handled this wonderfully." You whisper, nudging him gently. "So, do you have a training regime in mind yet?"

Nodding, a dark smile appears on his face. "Oh, I do, pumpkin. I'll be giving these two the proper Viltrumite Army treatment. By the time I'm done with them, they'll be able to take down Nolan with ease!"

For a moment, you feel pity for those boys. Having heard stories from Conquest about his days in the army, you knew they were in for hell.

… well, at least it'll mean they'll be able to actually save people from threats now!

[yellowhollyhock]

tmnt 2007 because like.. it's not simple

I mean Master Splinter's motivations for sending Leo away, and everyone's initial reaction to it, and the ways it all changed over time

Leo was pleased to be chosen and Donnie and Mikey were proud of him. Raph was openly jealous and antagonistic and it had to hurt that he didn't ever take a moment to even pretend to be proud or impressed--or to say goodbye.

And that's what Leo has in his head to go on while he travels. Master Splinter expects him to work hard as always, this is the next phase of his training. Mikey has his mind on something else, some crazy stunt he and Donnie were planning, but he was impressed and I'm sure Leo--who doesn't understand those plans at all and mostly just saw them as a distraction from fighting the Triceratons--feels like he needs to set an example. All these other pursuits are good but have to stop as soon as they pull you away from ninjutsu.

Donnie seemed to be the most proud and impressed, which likely has to do with why he's the one Leo trusts to run things while he's away. Because he's the only one who seemed in that moment to understand why he had to go. Raph didn't want anything to do with him and that's because of what was going on with Merryweather but Leo doesn't know that. All the information Leo has is that Raph was mad that Splinter chose him and none of the others. Which Splinter openly compared them to Leo, it definitely seemed like hoping for that exact result. So he's spending his year away thinking Raph is jealous, maybe not totally blaming him, wishing--as all kids who have spent their life getting singled out by adults to try to make other kids jealous--that they had both been chosen and this hadn't come between them. Hoping that Raph would get his head on straight and impress Master Splinter so that he could go on a pilgrimmage too and they could be equals with nothing between them when they meet again.

But he gets no such news and I'm sure starts to get frustrated with Raph, for seeming to want this so badly (it seemed more important to him than being friends with Leo anyway) and then not working for it. Of course he's gotten kind of a big head by the time he sees the Ancient One. He's spent his life surviving and earning praise by obeying Splinter, and he was made to understand he was the only one succeeding. That's the last thing his Sensei left him with.

And of course when your brother first leaves to pursue further education, to take something he's worked hard at his entire life to the next level, of course you'd be proud. Of course Donnie and Mikey seem happy and see him off with well wishes and a small amount of jealousy which they know they are expected to express (they're supposed to want that to be them someday but I don't think either of them do and Splinter knows that and that's also why he's pushing and not paying attention to how that affects Raph I fhshshajjshsjsj)

What was I saying again?

Oh yeah you know but it's complicated. Of course they're happy for him, but also gotta be hurt that he's leaving right before they're starting this thing they've been planning together, which is a really big deal to them and no one has seemed interested at all. But then there's also gotta be a bit of 'oh good he can't tell us it's not safe if he's not here' because all their lives they have had to get everything they do past both Leo and Splinter and now it's only Splinter. And he softens and relents at the money in a way I don't think Leo would. Also, he loses his leverage to say they shouldn't be trying things when he just sent their brother to another continent. And then he doesn't come home and suddenly it maybe kind of feels like the end of the world that they ever had a passing thought of whatever they're doing being easier with less supervision.

At the start Raph is focused on the humans needing help and I don't think really realizes that Leo is leaving, and that's also why he keeps clinging to that. Because he thought this was just another instance of him and Leo being focused on different things, which hurts just like it's hurt every time but it's life and at the end of the day they're still brothers. But a year is longer than he realized and then a year passes and still nothing and now it matters a whole lot more than it was supposed to that the last thing he said to his brother was a very pointed "it suddenly stinks in here." Now what he's doing as the Nightwatcher has to matter more than ever because look at what he gave up.

I just think that when Leo leaves no one is really alarmed or questioning Splinter's call. But by the time he comes back? All four of them are bitter and confused and have rehearsed a hundred times under their breath a speech about why would Splinter ask for that and why would Leo go along with it and why did none of them stop him and how they are never letting something like that happen again.

anyway Raph and Leo are both doing their best and also super cool and Splinter. Was also doing his best unfortunately ugh

[that-smallinjured-bowylamb]

Hi!! Just read Yuu's thing, and oh gosh their personality, it practically had me rubbing my chin and going "oh, damn 😥" at each new bullet point. Reader might ACTUALLY have better luck surviving some analogue horror rather than Yuu. Separating reader from friends and inducing bullying to have them rely on Yuu, too... And going as far as doing THAT to reader's friend right in front of them.

I could see how that would affect the reader's stay at NRC. What if they're constantly frightened the whole time that everyone will leave them?? Or afraid to make friends because of what they had to see? And that Yuu may try to turn everyone against reader again because, you know, it worked the first time. Though this time, NRC's cast is definitely atypical compared to regular schools. They have magic to defend themselves, and UM like Jade's "shock the heart" to find out truths (if u read full B7, in a way, maybe Ace? But I won't elaborate further because that's a spoiler). They also seem a lottt more stubborn and not as easily intimidated, so if they do befriend reader, that's at least something. Though, it's interesting how Yuu is also capable of making friends, so I'm not sure if they'll try befriending people with certain magic or status to forge connections for their own benefits.

- ☕

I live for spoilers bc I like to be all knowing >:3

Anyways, yes!!! This is the theme I'm going for! I'm not making this into a fic since I have LOT OF UNFINSHED FICS TO WORK ON.

It does affect the reader into staying away from them!!! The reader isn't supposed to be 'bonding' with any of them (and if they try, reader runs / avoids them) in order to not reveal anything about themselves (bc of Yuu) they are very afraid about their friends leaving them eventually and tbh that's what I was imagining to go for!! [Yes I'm mentally stable thanks 💯💯] reader is supposed to be afraid of them because of their past, they know it's Yuu's fault but can't do anything about it, especially when they have the upper hand in this situation. The cast, mostly the ones who cares and wants to befriend the reader, will be worried of their avoidant behavior. Not much is known unless they secretly try to go after reader in secret.

More under the cut!

This school has magic, so compare it to a magicless human [Yuu & reader] they are at a disadvantage in a way, since as you've stated, Jade has a UM that allows him to see others truths, thing is, is that maybe correct me if I'm wrong, it only works once on the person UNLESS they let their guard down around him(?) I'm not sure, my memory is fucking ass at this (this is why I fail at math and memory games ugh) but there IS also Jamil who, has a hypnosis UM!!! So maybe, if he commands Yuu to show what they've hidden, Yuu's deeds would be revealed.

The thing is, though...

Yuu already knows how to avoid their magic. Yuu has a strong mental resistance as long as they can adapt (like the original yuu) so the fact that Jamil and Jade had already revealed their magic to Yuu, it wouldn't do much unless they're teaming up together to catch Yuu on the act.

On the other hand though, it'll be far too easy and the actions of Yuu will be caught early on and it would be no fun, that's why I made Yuu steal your 'identity' in order to gain others trust and feelings (yes it had been mentioned that Yuu like you in a weird, diabolically, morbid way) where Yuu steal 'you' and your 'being', basically taking what makes you, well, you.

The 'charming' part of you. (Which is basically your entire existence so Yuu wanted to take that advantage <-mimicry) but the thing is; the boys are smarter than that (bc this ain't yandere TWST it's Yuu.) They know Yuu is replicating something or someone, to be exact. (Well, not ALL of main cast, some others will have to catch on later in the books idk where though.. b7?) But still, as said before, they care about Yuu and reader [<-slightly, not much since reader is quite avoidant]. So they can't really accuse Yuu of doing anything. They basically have more influence power unless reader speaks up, which will help them but will come with prices.

To answer your questions; Yuu is definitely doing this for their own benefits and Reader. Because they only want reader and nothing more (if you haven't seen it yet, did you see the, uhm, written notes? It's about the 'love letters' about the reader, it was all the way in the end, I'm not sure if anyone had seen it yet...), Yuu likes reader, in a morbid way no one can understand (and I'm pretty sure even if I say this, depending on how deep their friendship is with reader or depending on which TWST character I'm talking about, the TWST boys will feel a shiver and an uncomfortable feeling in their gut once everything about Yuu is revealed.)

And yes, Yuu is the yandere is you wanna know (but I don't wanna call them yandere so that's why I'm calling them creepy!Yuu because it's more easier that way for me to not break my own rules again 🥹🥹) so if you see 'Yuu' acting all like YOU? Yeah, they're definitely using yourself to charm them (it kinda worked bc look, no one reported them yet)

[katyspersonal]

I really don't think that Shira's change of hair color for the game is just devs being lazy or something like that tbh. There is a big difference between "cutting corners" and "modeling from concept art and not spending 1 second to move all RGB sliders to 255" 🤔 I think it might have a meaning

Shira is "daughter of the duke", her crown has a pearl from one of Seath's favorite creatures (Man Eater Shell lol), her clothes state being of royal blood, she follows Filianore, she yields lightning and according to Japanese script Seath at SOME point was part of the royal family upon marrying a female relative of Gwyn (like sister, aunt, niece etc)! I think it works the best if Shira is the child of that union, and possibly dark blonde is a gene of her mother!

Alternatively, whereas Gwyndolin had prolonged exposure to Moon aura that might have given him bleach white skin and snakes and tiddies, maybe Shira instead had a prolonged exposure to Sun aura! It could have had a reverse effect of concealing dragonic features, down to changing her hair color from bleach white (again, trait passed from Seath) to blond!

Also I swear Seath got divorced at least three times at this rate gjgjghgh

[nyxi-pixie]

actually incredibly funny to me that ranpos entire thing centres on how his intelligence is not because of an ability or any other great thing, its just him. hes entirely, completely, inarguably human. and Yet, when it comes to dazai, so many people are Desperate that there just Has to be another explanation. his intelligence cant just be that hes unusual, no it must be a marker of separation, of difference so great it disallows the reality of his humanity.

[meteor-moon]

there was a boy with stars in his eyes

[thebluebygracieabrams]

So I wrote this next song a few days before my nineteenth birthday. And, um, back then, I was so terrified of change, and I was especially afraid of growing up. And I'd, like, cry at all my birthday parties as a child. Very, very emo.

Now that I'm 21, I don't feel afraid of growing up at all. In fact, I'm really, really looking forward to it. And, um, if I could give any advice to the 18-year-old girl who wrote this song, I'd tell her not to worry so much, and that she has no idea how many magical, magical things are waiting just around the corner for her. So, uh, with that, here's "teenage dream".

- Olivia Rodrigo at the Guts World Tour before playing teenage dream

[queen-mabs-revenge]

communist generative ai boosters on this website truly like

[mahgck]

iliad alnst au with patrochilles mizisua and odydio lukahyuna (<- person who would pay to watch achilles beat odysseus into the ground)

[asgardian--angels]

....idk in a fandom this gigantic how are people already coalescing onto a handful of popular headcanons and scenarios that just become the baseline now, when the source material gives us literally limitless possibilities to work with

[indooroutdoorboyfriend]

it's Harassing You o'clock so i am gonna discuss my oc some more in the tags

[gingermintpepper]

Hi!! I don't know if you remember me, but I'm the person you explained the Castalia thing to a few days ago. I've been following you for a while now, but I just managed to go through your blog well and proper, and I'm here to express both my gratitude for the amount of info and links you've shared (I did NOT know about the hepatoscopy and haruspicy, and I'm about to go down a lengthy rabbit hole) and my horror at once again being given a new hyperfixation (I didn't imagine wanting to read about liver-divination help).

Also, also, are you the author of Exeunt Phoebus Apollo on AO3 because that was the fic that sent me on this greek mythology spree, and it's so good I got obsessed with Apollo, and he's everywhere around me now. Thank you for writing it!

AAAAAA THIS IS SO SWEET?? THANK YOU!! I do remember you and hey man, I'm always happy to help <33

I'm so glad to recruit someone else to my hepatoscopy group because it is a long and storied tradition with many many different types of study and schools of thought dating all the way back to the Sumerians! It's an extremely underrated bit of study when it comes to sketching portraits of divination and prophecy when it comes to adaptations of imaginings of greek myth works - similar to bird augury (which was such a widespread skill that most people had some level of understanding of the basics of what the omens of common birds meant the way people now can look at the clouds over head and know if it'll rain and when approximately that rain'll happen).

It's a great and common misunderstanding that things like prophecy and magic were these fantastic elements that had no tangible features to their practices and while there's nothing wrong with interpreting things as more fantastical for the sake of coolness or aesthetic, I personally think these elements are interesting enough to be worth looking into and portraying!

Also yes, I did write Exeunt 😳I'm very very honoured that you enjoyed my work so much and I'm even more grateful that it could let you see the Apollo in everything 💖 Thank you for reading it!!

[shredsandpatches]

tfw you're really down with a post until it starts insisting that both a) job-related malaise and frustration and b) scribal labor in monastic contexts are and were specific to young adults and not just a general condition of a) having a job, even one you mostly like and b) being a medieval monk, not a profession that had a corporate ladder