#cannot unthink

[approximateknowledge]

once you learn enough about evolutionary biology you start seeing ghosts everywhere

[the-maw-consumes]

me @ unsuspecting tumblr users blogging in peace

[neversetyoufree]

Alright. Okay.

So the entire time I've been reading VnC, I've been assuming that Noé is the sole known survivor of the Archivistes in a relatively normal way. I've been assuming that something happened to the Archiviste clan within Noé's lifetime, just before his human "grandparents" found him in the snow. Obviously I wondered about what happened—who slaughtered them if they were killed and what else might have happened if they aren't all dead as we've been told, but I never questioned the timeline. I assumed that the Archivistes must have been alive and kicking until recently, even if Noé's last remaining family was living in hiding from the rest of vampire society or something like that.

But. We don't actually know that that's true. We don't know a single thing about the timeline of the Archivistes' extermination other than what Nox says about them having all died "long ago." Noé is nineteen years old, and we have no idea how old Nox is. Could the fifteen to seventeen years between Noé's first adoption and the present day be enough to count as long ago?

This is Jun Mochizuki we're talking about. There is extensive precedent in her work (by way of Pandora Hearts) for characters turning up seemingly out of nowhere, often with no memory, and in Pandora Hearts, these cases never had a simple answer. It was always caused by the time-bending properties of the Abyss.

It is entirely within the realm of possibility for the rest of the Archiviste clan to have died years, decades, or even a century or more before Noé was found by his human grandparents. We don't have precedent yet for anything that messes with time in VnC like PH's Abyss, so I don't know how this could have happened, but I don't think we can fully discount the possibility. The outer bounds of world formula rewriting as a power are yet to be fully explored, so it's hard to say firmly that anything's impossible. There might be a way for Noé to exist in the present even if the rest of his clan was killed well over nineteen years ago (be it by PH style time-bending or by some entirely different mechanism).

It's still possible (and even likely) that the Archivistes died or disappeared less than twenty years ago, but it's not quite the concrete fact that I've been thinking of it as this entire time. It's entirely possible that Noé's backstory contains Mochizuki Timeline Fuckery, and now that I've had that thought, I can't unsee it. The author of Pandora Hearts going out of her way to say that her protagonist was found mysteriously alone and crying with no memory of how he got that way is. conspicuous as hell.

[vere-licious]

Meanwhile at the clinic....

vere : the hell you looking at me for i didn't steal anything from your shitty clinic

kuras : ...

kuras : vere i have 3071831 eyes

[saltbind]

Martin: Do you understand? It's metaphorical. My example, it's a metaphor. I mean, it's uh… it's symbolic. - The Killing of a Sacred Deer

Supernatural | Iphigenia (1977) insp.

[inpursuitofnunchi]

... WHILE DROPPING?????

[omgcatboi]

I just learned you can report anons, so guess what just happened to the anon being intentionally transphobic to me? ( they got reported )

I don't ever post about any negativity sent my way because I always just block and go about my day, but this time, I noticed that you can infact report anons now.

So I'm just spreading awareness so all my followers know that you can, infact, possibly get someones account shadowbanned for them sending enough anon hate that gets reported.

I understand being degraded, insulted, and humiliatiled are all kinks I have and thoroughly enjoy but you need to ask someone in dms or anon if it's ok to call them certain things before you do so. I reported the anon because I don't want these behaviors being normalized against other fat trans folk despite me personally not being bothered by these insults.

[imliterallyjustablackgirl]

What if I said that if Sydcarmy get an opsie baby it because Carmy has a shameful breeding kink and Syd is into it and just left, what if then

What if I said mating press.

What then

[bookinit02]

LMAO i just saw this girl on tiktok write out her dream lifestyle and how much she would need to make for it. and she got 215k a year. so just for fun i was like ok let me throw out some crazy numbers. the most extravagant life that i can imagine living. and it came out to 50k a year😭

[sunnysart]

I don't care what 'canon' states, all the elves in dungeon meshi are women. The canaries, Mithrun, Thistle/Sissel? All of them!

[rredbirdii]

bsd rarepair moment

[enstars-syndrome]

based on this song

yes, i accidentally went back into my nightcore phase. anyway

[kyanhere]

I was eating dinner when I was reminded of this scene from the movie and thought:

"Man.... Tintin can go to church with that on and no one will suspect that his actually dating and old sea dog"

And now I cannot unthink it

[lurking-latinist]

⛵

[farmergilesofham]

The Vanguard Swimsuit Calendar Fic, Part 3: Shaxx's Claymore

It was a very nice, bright morning in the Tower Courtyard. Little birds were singing in the trees, people were bustling not too hurriedly to and fro, and Lord Shaxx sat on a stool with his back to a stack of munitions crates, running a whetstone over his new Claymore.

Arcite was doing something on his datapad, emitting the slow drone of a Frame engaging their higher-processing systems. Most likely, it was the matter of recent Crucible donations, which had been flooded the past week due to Shaxx getting a bad cough and needing to call in the only person available at the time - Drifter. For some reason, that had brought people in droves, and the accounting was currently a nightmare because of this.

None of that mattered at the moment, however, as Shaxx sat in the early morning sun and continued sharpening the new blade.

It was a gift from the Dreaming City, sent on his rebirthday with a letter expressing thanks for the bow he had sent Mara Sov for Dawning the year before. A few trusted guardians assured him that the bow had actually seen some use, mostly by Petra Venj, who had given it her seal of approval. But this sword... it was a real beauty. Unlike the crystalline weaponry the other guardians in her direct employ had been bequeathed, the Queen had here sent out an agent to a place once known as "Damasc", to collect a special ore supposedly described in Golden Age material processing documents. Apparently, some of the finer swords in human history had been made there, so it served the Awoken Queen's needs to acquire the material for herself.

The effort still baffled the old Warlord. He had thought that having a bow specially-made and custom-fitted, engraved, and strengthened for field use had been perhaps a little more effort than a simple gift really required, but here he sat with the most breathtaking blade he had ever seen, made from materials once reserved for kings. Or Queens, as it were. Through a complicated process involving melting the ore down, adding just enough extra material, then repeatedly reheating and cooling the steel puck until it reached the desired consistency, the Awoken weaponsmiths had produced a sword whose straight blade looked like the sand at the bottom of a flowing riverbed, covered in delicate swirls of steel grain from tang to tip.

The crossguard was of the same material, threaded with gold and set with a ruby the size of Shaxx's thumb, blending naturally into a long leather-wrapped handle headed by a phoenix-shaped pommel, all with more gold and silver than he had ever seen on any one weapon other than the tacky nonsense Calus had kept foisting on The Guardian, only here the filigree was far more tactful. Elegant, even. Tiny ruby eyes glinting up at him in the early sun, Shaxx kept sharpening.

Unlike most guardians' swords, it was not heavy - the blade, seen from its side, could not be much thicker than a centimetre, if that. Light as a feather in his Titan hands, the sword remained rigid, flexing only a little when used. Some sort of Awoken magic had gone into its creation too, judging by the delicate runes scrawled - ever glowing - on the fuller of the blade. He lifted it now for a moment into the light, admiring the reflections on its surface before one particular mirrored form caused him to look to the side.

There, leaning against the wall, was the Guardian. Just smiling at him, soon splitting into an ear-to-ear grin.

"So, new sword, huh?"

Shaxx took his time replying. He couldn't seem startled, afterall - he had a reputation to keep up! Instead, he set the sword across his lap again and gave it a few more swipes with the stone, before wiping everything down with a dry cloth and standing up. The fact he towered over the Guardian didn't do much to help the giddiness of seeing them again today. It wasn't as if they'd been gone long - only about a week - but the Crucible Handler couldn't be happier to see them again. Although, something about that mischievous grin worried him.

"Ah, Guardian. Ready to see what the Crucible has for you next?"

"Ehhh, that can wait." The Guardian stepped closer. Arguably somewhat closer than was acceptable between folk who were ostensibly mere acquaintances, but with nowhere to step back, Shaxx definitely didn't mind.

"I actually wanted to ask you something, Shaxx~"

This was absolutely not the way to talk to a Tower higher-up, especially not with that breathy, sultry voice, nor the fact that the Guardian now stood so close to Shaxx that they were almost touching. All that said, it was a very happy coincidence that the new shipment of munitions crates formed a wall around the two lightbearers, shielding them from the view of all but Arcite, who was still busily typing away on the datapad.

"I was wondering... would you mind doing something for me?"

"Once more unto the breach."

"I-- what?"

"Don't worry about it. What would you like me to do, dear?"

The Guardian just looked at him for a few seconds, as it dawned on Shaxx what he had just said.

"I MEAN, er, what would you like me to help you with, Guardian?"

The ten-time God Slayer just smiled, placing a hand on Shaxx's chest. Undoubtedly against protocol, but Shaxx merely stood there slowly breathing, waiting for an answer. And he would wait until the mountains ground down to dust, if necessary. No more getting strung around like a donkey on a leash by this lightbearer.

It took him a moment to realise the Guardian had spoken, and suddenly he felt extremely grateful for the helmet on his head to hide the heat rising on his cheeks. A cooling fan whirred to life in the helmet, and Shaxx wanted to scream. The Guardian laughed, a clear note that rang across the Courtyard as they said:

"I asked, Shaxx, if you'd mind being in a swimsuit calendar for me. The Eliskni Quarter needs more funds, and this is a reasonably good way to fleece the other guardians for funds."

"Oh."

A second fan clicked to life, though Shaxx barely heard it. That first sentence kept reverberating in his head, ballooning out of all proportion. They wanted... what? It was about another minute before he realised that the Guardian had spoken again, the ghost of a laugh already dancing across their eyes and lips.

"If you're too nervous, that's alright. Wouldn't want my darling Crucible Handler getting too flustered around Saladin and Saint-14, hm?"

"Wait, you're convinced Saladin to do this??"

"Uh, yeah, my guy. You know how cool I am, and anyways he agreed pretty quick when I mentioned how it was all for charity."

Shaxx stood dumbfounded, marvelling at his Guardian. Convinced Saladin... to do this? How? so many questions bubbled up, but stamping them all out he instead said:

"If they're doing it, then I'm definitely going to. Mark my words, I will outpose every other person there!"

"Good. So it's settled then?"

"Yes, I'll do this for you. But you have to do something for me, now. It's only fair."

"Oh?"

Shaxx leaned in, and whispered something in the Guardian's ear. They giggled, giving his helmet a kiss, before stepping back to a more respectful distance. "Alright, darling. But we'll meet at the tea shop next door first, okay?"

"Absolutely. We'll need the sugar and caffeine. I've heard those films are terribly long."

"Ha! Yeah, that's alllll we'll be doing that night. Nothing else~"

The Guardian gave one last giddy wave before slinking away, probably to go bother somebody else. Shaxx stood where he was for a while, absently rubbing the spot on his helmet where he'd gotten kissed.

Arcite, meanwhile, had heard and watched the whole exchange, and was just sending out a system message proclaiming that the Crucible Handler would not be available for around 12 hours that week, on account of taking a short break.

---

It was a very good thing that Shaxx hadn't inquired further into the Saladin situation, as the Guardian's traipsing soon became a saunter, and then merely a walk. It was going to be a nightmare convincing Saladin to take part, but there was nothing else for it.

For now, however, it was time to go visit the next potential victim: Ada-1.

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

End of chapter 3. I hope you enjoyed reading. I fear I may have gone a little too in-depth on the Nameless Sword lore, but I do love talking about swords.

Tune in next time to see how, if at all, the Guardian manages to somehow rope Ada into this mess. It may not be the way in which you expect :)

[aceollo]

"Have you ever been tangled in Christmas lights?"

"I won't admit that- Buuuut there is a chance it may have happened."

I doodled Thrash getting stuck in the tree, tangled in lights. And of course, I had to do this. There was no other way, it was to be done.

It may look a bit rushed but I was trying out a noo doodle-ish style, to keep more simplicity but make it look appealing.

I made a no text version and a Yuletide/Christmas version. Have the two funky dorky terran twins.