#cylas makes stuff

[vincent-sinclair-deserved-better]

Cause I, I feel like I'm ready for love And I wanna be your everything and more - Yours, Ella Henderson

@myers-meadow @bluecoolr @solmints-messyocdiary @ace-of-hearts-and-spades @visceravalentines @probably-a-plant-thing @rottent33th @the-pinstriped-hood @cyanide-latte @goldrose-star @devil-doll13 @darklylucid @slaasherslut @the-pinstriped-hood

(please let me know if you don't want to be tagged, I won't be upset 🙏🏼❤️)

divider by plum98

[ajarofpickledtears]

idk what to go with

[transingthoseformers]

my brain went on a tangent because i realized that Cybertronians have CNA.

do you kNOW HOW FUCKING COMPLICATED DNA IS??? ohhhh how different CNA and sentio metallico has to work, the fact that I'm betting energon is the cybertron equivalent of an amino acid soup just fuckin crystalized and directly pumped into their robo-veins and arteries after being liquefied. How do splitspark twins work, and how do they know they are twins? If they have CNA, are bots who are made in the same batch genetically related?

How in the EVERLOVING FUCK DOES SARI WORK?????? she's like a tootsie pop, except instead of a soft chocolate center with a hard candy shell she's an enigma of organic tissues and cybernetic parts. It is canon that she's a fusion between some of Megatron's machinery, Isaac's DNA, and the protoform, but we don't really get any indication of what is even going on there.

Plus, in most continuities you have bots being made in a VARIETY of different methods and? That's definitely gotta cause some integral differences of major structures. If you look at earth creatures, you generally have the same structures such as most tetrapods being different configurations of the same organs and bones. Transformers though?

You can't do that for cybertronian life.

I am going Fucking Nuts over the absolute implications of having so many methods of reproduction, and that's just canon! I'm not even factoring in fanon methods of reproduction, which complicate this already complex system far more.

[daddymus-mamatron]

I'm looking for a beta reader for my TF stuff. English is my second language spiel bla bla bla. More details/rambling under cut

what I write; pretty wide range of things, I have an IDW AU where Rodimus is in the Cars universe and he's going to be bff with McQueen because it makes my brain go brrrr (there's also a sequel with Turbo [sue me]). There's also the TFP AU where Cylas infiltrates the 'cons by hacking Break Down and things get not nice from there for anyone.

Biggest project is my modest rewrite of Earthspark S1 for my bestie @shotimus (yas gurl, you mention~) who, not only does wonderful first read and proof reading, but is the inspiration behind this whole insane cooking.

Recurrent themes; AU's, silly cross overs (Cars and Turbo were mentioned but may I preach about Megatron and the Minions?) character(s) death(s), non/dub-con physically/mentally/sanely, BDSM, valveplug/plug n play/whatever TF do to get freaky, robogore & medical malpractice themes. Toxic Texaid and Tarnma is my perfect venn diagram of tropes.

oh and poly robots. gotta be chill about robots having it going on with all the other robots.

actual pairings I'm writing right now; TFE starscream/soundwave, TFP starscream/soundwave/knock out, TFP/TFE knock out/break down/starscream, TFE OP/Meg/Elita, anywhere I can shove drift/ratchet/rodimus in but mostly IDW so far (threat).

my process; I tend to have 3 or 4 things on the burner at the same time while I'm chopping away at the bug project. I have a general idea where I'm going usually but sometimes I veer off and things get out of hands.

I tend to write the sillier things to 'jump start' my brain so they get small burst of updates and the big project that I tend to stick to 3k to 5k updates weekly (when life is not taking over)

I tend to repeat myself, which brings me to!

my Struggles; sticking with verb tense, changing my mind about a sentence; editing a part and then the whole thing makes no sense, random french word that makes no sense and/or sentence that would make sense in french but sounds insane in english. I also, tend to repeat myself, don't know if I mentioned that.

Things I like in a beta; explains the why of the changes made when reorganizing a sentence, can help make sense or organize a rambling/brain dump, helps with what tags to put on AO3 (bane of my life), summary; what's a summary? (help!), someone to bounce off plots, ideas and words, drift compatible always a plus.

I'm very chill tho, we're all doing this for fun and I respect anyone taking their free time to help me make another friend happy!!

if somehow this rambling hasn't put you off, hit my DM's!

[solmints-messyocdiary]

🧼🥃 as Influencers

Arden

Began posting stuff as promotion for his bar and for fun so his posting times aren't frequent. He'll have a picture each day for cocktail of the day though.

Uses Instagram and YouTube. And with the insistence of "Alice", Twitter.

Teaches you how to make cocktails.

Might share his process of making unique beverages.

He'll occasional give life advice to his followers if they need it.

Likes to do tier lists where he gives detailed explanation of each drink he has made.

If his viewers are curious, he might do a little video talking about and showing his miniature-making hobby.

He does this enough and his content will expand to commentary, food reviews and cozy gameplays.

-

"Alice"

This girl is chronically online. If she's feeling high energy, she'll churn out 4 videos in a few hours.

Uses Twitch, TikTok, 4chan, Reddit, LINE, Tumblr, YouTube, Twitter... Too... many... platforms.

Is a bit of a troll.

Is partially a Vtuber.

She has a secret Twitter vent account where she tends to spiral if she can't vent with Arden.

She tends to be anime-centred, but she is involved with the internet culture in general.

Extremely varied content, at times, nonsensical. Goes from deep dives to commentary to art, to let's plays, shitposts, etc.

"Most Traumatizing Hent@i Ever. NSFL" - "Why this manga is a hidden masterpiece" - "ASMR, I beat you with my Super Sonico Libra Ver. figure"

ALSO THANKS TO CYLAS I SEE HER USING A VTUBER MODEL ONCE IN A WHILE.

UNHOLY MIX OF THESE 4 THINGS. NOW I WANT TO DESIGN HER VTUBER LMAO.

Still debating if I want to make her ridiculously fanservicey or cursed. Or both.

I know she is getting constantly suspended on Twitch whenever she uses her model.

[devil-doll13]

or omg Cylas talking to Adam about different ways one can be buried and stuff, and how she personally likes the whole thing about "becoming a tree" when you die and just wanting their body to be useful even after death (I mean, even if you just naturally decompose that's kind of useful for nature but still)

or telling him about that one Hannibal episode with the bodies and the mushrooms agdhsjfgasjhgft (apparently it's literally just episode 2 of season 1 ahdsjfgasjh, the concept is so fascinating)

Oh Cylas… Adam is smiling and nodding with his finger held up like they’re making such a point. That is literally his memo. Someone not giving the earth the respect it deserves, not vibing right? Turn them into a tree 🌱✨

I don’t know anything about the Hannibal mushrooms thing so idk if I can comment on that. I guess he’d muse that art sometimes imitates life with that little twinkle in his eye.

[bluecoolr]

aaaaaaaaaaa me message Darrell too, ok? I don't know why this is giving me so much anxiety

"Hey, sorry to just randomly message you like this, but I think I found your driver's license in the store earlier. I believe I actually saw you in the beauty/self care etc aisle looking at hair dye - if that was not you, just ignore this message. if it was you, however, I just wanna point out that I'm not some crazy stalker or anything, I just walk past the gas station you... work at (?) on my way home, and I think I've bought a snack or something before, I'm usually around very early or very late though. anyway, I did drop by this evening but you weren't there, colleague said you were already done for the day and apparently have some days off so he gave me your insta? really just here to reunite you with your stuff though, I'll delete the chat etc as soon as you say the word, don't wanna make you uncomfortable. Kind regards, Cylas"

Darrell squinted at his screen, reading the words over and over again. A sharp, clenching in his stomach made his hair stand on end. Nausea hit him like a ton of bricks.

"HO MY GAWD!" he screamed.

Outside, some poor skulking creature got the fright of its life. There was a dull rattling, then a crash, and then skittering claws.

"CHRIST!"

It didn't upset him that he had lost his license. He could always get another one. No, it was the fact that this kind person had found it and seen his picture.

Damn those goonies at the DMV.

Damn them all.

Shaking, he began to type:

Hi Cylas! I am so so so sorry about the trouble I've caused ya. Thank you! Thank you for picking it up and reaching out. Lord, I don't even know how fucked I'd be if I went on the interstate tomorrow without it! You caught me right before I went on vacation!

He did some quick thinking.

If you don't mind, ma'am, maybe we can meet up in the morning so I can take it off your hands? I'd be happy to buy you breakfast. Least I can do for the trouble.

He remembered her now.

Bright blue hair, tied in a braid. Couldn't miss it. They had exchanged a nod of acknowledgment once. In a way that meant "Heh, blue."

Last he saw her, she was dressed in a faded flannel shirt and jeans. Under the flannel she was [gulp] wearing one of those black lacy bralettes. He'd turned red and had pulled the hood of his jacket down.

Ping!

"Sure thing!" Cylas replied, "What time and where?"

[the-pinstriped-hood]

Hey, it's Cylas, Darrell gave me your number (I'll delete it if you don't want me to have it) 🙈

I just wanted to ask if Bo has forgiven me for making a mess ouf of the gas pump and if you've managed to get all the blood and stuff cleaned 🙈

sorry again, I didn't mean to... misuse it like that 😅

Cylas! I'm glad you made it home, sweetheart. If Anything, Bo's sorry for tying you up. He was rather confused about watching you murder people. None of the tourists have really done that before...

No harm no foul! If anything Bo was rather impressed. Tell my son I said hi okay?

-Percy

[themarcspector-hasmovedblogs]

❛  remember  who  the  real  enemy  is .  ❜ @fayelistic

Luna narrowed her eyes at Skye. The woman had a way with getting under her skin, but despite that, Luna loved Skye too much to kill her whenever she spoke out of turn. Had this been her and Her Death before she defeated him, he would have killed her instantly. Yet, there was something humorous about Skye’s little remarks and sarcasm that kept Skye alive. Something Luna liked about them. 

“The real enemy isn’t myself,” Luna countered, just in case that’s what Skye meant. “I am your dearest friend. Your heart. I will guide you, up until I am incapable or you are no longer useful to me.” A soft smile was given, despite the harshness of her words. “I am only here to help, Skye.”

Skye scoffed. “Help? You’re sending me into the Underworld and you say you’re helping me?” The blonde began to laugh after that, which caused Luna to glare at her silently until she was done. 

“I protect  - you serve. That’s how it goes with these things, alright?” Luna pinched Skye playfully, and Skye smacked the back of her head in a way that instantly caused her to smack her back. 

“Remember, you can feel pain now – fun stuff, huh?” Skye teased in return. 

“I can make you feel my pain, remember? We are painfully connected. Again, you are my heart.” It was not said to manipulate, it was the truth. Cyla El Din was Luna’s brain. Phoenix was her muscle. Skye - despite her notorious flaws - was her heart. That’s why she did most of the dirty work. “My bravest soul.” 

“Your sexiest soldier…” Skye teased. 

Luna groaned. “Whatever…”

[vincent-sinclair-deserved-better]

you put your arms around me and I'm home - arms, Christina Perri

@myers-meadow @bluecoolr @solmints-messyocdiary @ace-of-hearts-and-spades @visceravalentines @probably-a-plant-thing @rottent33th @the-pinstriped-hood @cyanide-latte @goldrose-star @devil-doll13 @darklylucid @slaasherslut @the-pinstriped-hood

(please let me know if you don't want to be tagged, I won't be upset 🙏🏼❤️)

divider by saradika-graphics

[ajarofpickledtears]

7.15 pm - he is supposedly going to be 34 cm/13.5 inch high

7.25 pm - a total of eight seperate bags

8.20 pm - it took me ages to find this lil bugger cause I didn't realise it's smooth on the bottom

8.35 pm - I kade a friend!

9.15 pm - if you look closely, you'll see where I made a mistake and had to take a piece of it apart again

22.45 pm - so this is me almost done with the base

[transingthoseformers]

Might as well admit I'm a bit stuck on how to progress the plot for the Through a Looking Glass au.

Like, Ratchet kidnapping? Excellent idea.

I can see Dreadwing staying with the cons out of sheer stubborn loyalty, especially now when he won't find out about Skyquake.

MECH are very confused how the fuck there's a second evil Optimus, who's also busy giving Fowler an absolutely massive headache.

The kids have nightmares about him. Like they see BL Optimus and then suddenly his optics turn red and they hear glass shattering and then they wake up screaming.

I can also see SG Optimus, being quite protective and extra sensitive towards anything BL Optimus might do, would see them accepting Starscream as a clear provocation. So he makes good on his threat and kidnaps Ratchet.

(... yes I've had thoughts about the sex life of BL Megs and SG Oppy too. I'd say Megs is a valvemech who prefers to be dominant like 95% of the time. Optimus is very much okay with this arrangement. It can get quite rough, but they both really enjoy cuddling afterwards. Also fighting is foreplay for them.)

So here's what I got

There's definitely an "okay fuck, I don't want to work with you but looks like we have to" alliance situation here to get BL Ratty back, and possibly eliminate SG Optimus as a threat. It makes sense to me.

BL Ratchet is gonna get threatened so much while captured, and honestly what happens to him is up for debate here because it includes several factors such as just what are SG Optimus's plans here (if he has any for him beyond this point) and if anyone's willing to argue he's more useful alive (after all there's still the synthetic energon stuff)

Ohhh now adding BL Dreadwing into the mix because, yeah. Chances are he won't find out about Skyquake (or if he does it won't be for a while) meaning there's the opportunity for him to stick around for a while. Once he figures out some of the details going on here, he very well may support this version of megop. He's just gotta be an interesting piece in this.

MECH is. So confused. Hell some would be convinced that Nemesis Prime actually didn't get destroyed. The humans have such a time wrapping their heads around this, but once it's established just how this dude operates and how little he cares about the loss of human life... Yeah fuck there's seriously gonna be an "oh fuck what do we do" meeting on both angles of the human shit. Depending on the timeline, actually, they may be currently fairly busy on CYLAS. (but this would be motivation to seriously up the defensive weaponry...)

... actually this could allow us to play around with CYLAS's character more! Why? Because I think it could be fun :)

Just... So many people and mecha are having nightmares about this bastard. He's motherfucking terrifying. It's definitely gonna fuck with the kids for a long time, there will be so many consequences.

Tbh yeah. SG Optimus has a pretty damn good idea what BL Optimus means to BL Megatron, how those two's dynamic worked. And he's insanely jealous at the drop of a hat. Seeing BL Screamer do this? Yeahh.

OKAY BUT THAT IS EXACTLY THE VIBE I WAS GETTING. BL Megs here is a powerbottom. How did I get the vibes so right. They get up to some serious shit, but never forget aftercare. Of all the horror to their relationship, there's softness between the Sean's.

[themarcspector-a]

this is me rambling, but i'm laughing cause....

me: has a character named "ophelia knight" cause she's a "white knight" type of gal and is her own knight in shining armor. she was originally made for "the b*tman" cause it's hilarious to me to set up opposite who are also SIMILAR IN WAYS. but, anyways, i also had her in "alternate worlds alternate people" with savannah but like.....i put that on hold cause i honestly am scared of dopplegangers and kept scaring myself sjkhsdf haha. but now me thinks miss ophelia will work great in a new concept (i'm still using her for the B*tman thing cause it's funny to me) but for her personal project i love this new idea i have ddkjfhsd that takes place in a futuristic 1940s type of place.

then, i also have a character named "aharon midnight" because my niece keeps talking about the "midnight man" and all i can think of a noir detective everyone calls "the midnight man" and i think he'd make a good partner for ophelia

after that, i have a character named "douglas fray" who's a big ole nerdboy professor who's actually a vampire. but his surname is "fray" cause he's always getting lost in the "fray"

and finally i have a lady named 'cyla el din' who's name literally translates into 'from ancient times" and "faith" who is so weird about the supernatural. and would be funny against dougie.

and i'm laughing cause my bird brain was like "how about you put them in the same project?"

which led to me wanting to use "vanya gamal cooper" in it even though she already has a project. but who cares, i just be wilding making little worlds i do not finish xD but i love the idea of vanya x aharon x ophelia. and dougie x cyla!!

and i'm having a blast...connecting things. lol.

but at the same time, now it's gonna take me like a week to figure out how everyone is linked AND how the world works. sfddjshfsjkd which will be fun to think about. BUT IT'S LIKE.........WHY MY BRAIN GOTTA MAKE EVERYTHING INTO A WORLD skjfssdfsfff

tbqh, i like having this blog just to put random stuff on it skjdhks.

i've had a hard week and it's nice just to have a place to goof on dsjhjkdfds

[robotnik-mun]

The song and dance goes as it does in the 86 movie but with more dialogue and revelations of how much Unicron has kept tabs on events. Plus he reveals to Megs just what Dark Energon can do when 'properly' imbued with Unicron's own power. Since Megs and many of his soldiers super-juiced on the stuff before it's still in them, allowing Unicron to effortlessly control and reformat them inside and out. Yet they are not to act yet, after all Robotnik's menace is all too perfect a cover to bid time.

Aaah, but of course, but of course. Man, how many times has it been now that when one is down, the other has risen up to pick up the slack? Given the sheer amount of times one has used the other as a cover for their own plans, I’m starting to think that at the end of all this the two are gonna like, merge with one another to save their lives- kinda like how Luthor and Brainiac merged in JLU, but a bit more like when Silas became CYLAS- with Robotnik being physically grafted with Megatron/Galvatron’s frame and making the two one in the process. 

As to how that would work- using the same technology Robotnik uses to turn people into batteries for Badniks, Robotnik essentially becomes the new power core for Megatron, while in turn Megatron becomes a life support system for Robotnik, their minds linking together to combine their scientific and tactical knowledge into a new gestalt entity, or something along those lines. 

What would we even call this hybrid entity? Robotron? Megabotnik? Who knows! 

[askmicrowaveayem]

Boink! The Gaster Brothers Pt. 5

[Previous]

[Archive] [Cast]

Rage followed and was about to ask a question after she finished before the tiny creature shrieked.

He moved to block Dings’ path quickly, almost stepping behind Vrinda instead before realizing Dings’ head was injured and what if that thing ran into him!?

--

Vrinda had the same idea, quickly scooping Dings into her arms, Rage’s blocking him from running off just enough for her to grab hold of him.

“Halt right there, young man!” The skeleton pointed, the little monster slowing. “None of that usual nonsense. Wingdings is hurt and he won’t be running off to play today.”

“Wuh-” The little monster looked at his friend, head bandaged, and suddenly looked scared. “Wuhappened?”

Dings started to sign frantically before his mother grabbed his hands and held them still. “I will have a talk with your mother and she will tell you.”

“Awww! But is he okay?”

“Yes, he’ll be alright.”

The cat cyclops pouted, “He better be. I missed you, jerk!”

Dings grinned, ‘I’ll tell you later!’

Vrinda gave Rage a thankful pat before beginning to walk again. “Go to your mother, Cylas.”

--

Rage stayed behind a moment to make sure the other monster didn’t follow them before trotting after Vrinda, relaxing slowly and thinking he was maybe starting to get the hang of this thing.

He remembered what their next mission was and looked up at the older skeleton, and said, keeping his voice up, because--because it wasn’t noisy at the market, but there was still enough going on, and it was okay to be heard. “Ms. Vrinda? Can I… get a bracelet when we look for clothes?”

--

“Of course, dear.” Vrinda said without even thinking about it. She knew why he wanted it and planned on getting some gloves for Dings as well, to hide the rune. It wasn’t that it was ugly or something to be ashamed of, but… it would rise questions. A lot of questions.

They arrived at the clothing shop not much later. Everything was pretty plain and unassuming in a variety of sizes for standard-shaped monsters, although the window advertized that all shapes could be met.

The seamstress was human, sat behind a counter as she mended a torn jacket. “Good morning Vrinda. I-...” She looked a little startled to see her with two other skeletons, “Oh my stars, you found him!”

“He found us with the help of this young man.” Vrinda patted Rage’s shoulders. “He’s staying with us now and needs some clothes.”

The woman nodded and gestures towards the back of the store. “Go on, get what you want. I have plenty that will fit the lad.”

Everyone seemed to know the two skeletons and what they had gone through. Despite being an hour out of town they were well-known and well-liked, from what could be seen, and word had traveled fast over the weeks that their son was missing.

--

He wondered… what that was like, somewhat. His whole world until recently had revolved around one person, and one person who never had to wonder about where he was or how he was doing, because he always knew. They would pass through towns and the merchant would know people, but they either passed Rage over or only remembered him after being prompted--which they hardly ever were.

Here, everyone seemed to know Vrinda’s name. Everyone knew her child was missing. Young monsters ran through the streets, shouting Dings’ name and saying they’d missed him.

As they picked out clothing, Rage wondered if he were a part of that now. If people were going to start remembering him. And caring. And maybe they would notice if he vanished without letting a sewn bead tell them first.

He didn’t voice any of that, simply gathering up a change of clothes and looking up at Vrinda for instructions on what to do next.

--

“Grab a few more.” Vrinda instructed, “Three sets should be more than enough.”

Once he had she picked out a set of gloves for her son and lead them back to the front and paid, making a little more dismissive small-talk to the seamstress and avoiding many questions before leading them out again into the street.

“There is a leatherworker right over there. Would you like to look for a bracelet?”

Leather would be wide enough to hide the rune and sturdy enough to last.

--

He nodded, following her path and quickly finding the leatherworks.

He looked around carefully, choosing more slowly than he had with his clothing. The clothes were just clothed--if they fit and were comfortable, he would wear just about anything, but the bracelet? It would be the first thing he’d been really allowed to choose for himself. It would be something he’d be wearing constantly. He wanted to get the right one.

Finally, he cautiously pointed to one--a leather bracelet with clusters of dark stone woven into it. Purely decorational and wide enough to hid the rune, heavy enough to hurt if he hit someone with it.

--

Vrinda nodded, picked up the bracelet, and bought it without even questioning how much it was. After it was bought she handed it over to Rage.

His first possession. Something that, even though it was bought for him, was 100% his.

“Nice choice.” Vrinda said, then lead him to another shop - a shoemaker.

“We’re getting you a decent pair of boots. I’ll have no boy of mine running around barefoot.”

--

He held it carefully, liking the weight of it in his hand, and fastened it around his wrist with a smile.

“Thank you..”

He didn’t have to worry about the rune being spotted anymore.

He followed Vrinda to the shoemaker without question, but saying a quick, “Yes, ma’am,” when she said he would be wearing boots.

--

The shoemaker was another monster, although this one looked old and didn’t talk at all. They made the same sort of signs with their hands and she signed back, not even bothering to speak.

She would direct Rage to sit as he measured his feet and calf bones, then would sign a few more times and they would leave.

“It will be a week or so before they’re finished.” She said, Dings having fallen asleep in her arms. He was still pretty tired from the ordeal and shopping was boring. Vrinda looked around and didn’t spot her husband, so instead she turned to Rage.

“I only have one more stop, but if there was anything you want to see just let me know.”

--

Rage did as he was directed, also not speaking the whole time, just watching and trying to rest and relax as they looked around.

He nodded at the question, but didn’t point out anywhere in particular to go, content for now to follow Vrinda around until it was time to go.

--

She would stop at the bookstore just to ask if anything new had come in, chat a little more friendlier with the human clerk than the others she had been around, and buy some parchment and ink before heading back out to the edge of town where Treb had dropped them off.

“He shouldn’t be long.” Vrinda said, setting down in the grass and holding a sleeping Dings against her.

They were mostly alone out here, the edges of the town much quieter than the main area.

--

Rage sat down next to her, resting his feet and running his fingers over his new bracelet, touching over the stones.

He remembered what he’d been thinking of saying at the doctor’s office, and even though Dings was asleep… maybe that was the best way to do things.

“...I’m sorry about his eyes.”

--

Vrinda sighed and rubbed her boy’s back, his head slumped on her shoulder sleeping soundly.

“It’s alright. You aren’t the one who hurt him.” She smiled, “He’s been telling everyone you saved him all morning.”

Rage didn’t know wingdings well enough, but might have noticed a pattern in them over the course of the day. Each time someone looked at Rage he had signed something similar.

‘He saved me!’

‘He’s my new brother!’

“I think he looks up to you.”

--

His brows rose, surprised. “What? Why? I just…”

Always did what he was told.

--

Vrinda just smiled. She didn’t know the details, but… she knew enough. “You got him back home. You took him to a healer after he had been hurt. Don’t sell yourself short. That’s a lot more than some would do.”

--

He lay there knowing what was going to happen.

If he’d gotten up earlier, if he hadn’t begged, if he hadn’t hesitated, if he’d never given an inch--Dings would still have his full sight.

He wouldn’t make the same mistakes again.

Right now, though, he just nodded.

“...there’s stuff he can still do with his sight messed up, right? Stuff he likes…?”

--

“Oh I’m sure he’ll find something.” Vrinda smiled, “Wingdings are typically in rather large print so he’ll always have that. Reading the latin alphabet just might take a little longer is all.”

It wasn’t much longer that a familiar cart pulled up beside them. Vrinda stood, lifting a sleeping Dings up to his father before climbing in herself to sit beside him. They waited until Rage was in the back before starting again.

The items they had brought were all gone.

--

He looked around the cart as he climbed in, having a bare moment of panic when he saw all the items were gone before reminding himself they were meant to all be gone. It wasn’t like before, when they’d always have things left behind or be picking up new inventory. They’d come to get rid of things. Nothing had been stolen.

He curled alone in the back, fidgeting with his new bracelet and relaxing on the way home.

...home.

--

Neither of them spoke until they were a ways out of town, away from any straying ears and their son was still fast asleep in Vrinda’s lap.

“How did it go?”

‘Well. All will be gone within a fortnight.’

“Good. Payment?”

‘The usual way.’

Vrinda nodded and there was more talk while Dings was still asleep. She told her husband of the lingering scar and damaged vision, but it was about then that the child began to stir in her arms. The subject was quickly changed.

“Feeling well?”

Dings nodded, smiled, and then crawled into the back to sit with Rage.

--

Rage had been listening quietly, not interrupting the conversation as he waited in the back of the cart, knees drawn up to his chest and chin resting on his arms. He blinked when Dings crawled back to him, giving the kid a small smile. “Hey.”

--

‘Hi!’ Dings signed, despite knowing his new brother probably couldn’t understand him.

“Rage?” Vrinda asked, looking back at him, “Your father wants to see the bracelet you picked out.”

--

He nodded quickly and gave Dings an apologetic look for moving away as soon as he’d arrived, but crawled up the back of the wagon to right behind the diving seats, holding his wrist up to where Treb could see.

--

Dings didn’t seem to mind.

Treb looked at it, smiled with his eyes, and gave the boy a thumbs up.

--

He grinned a little, ducking his head to hide it, and said, “Thanks,” before quickly heading back to Dings, still grinning, rolling the bracelet around his wrist.

--

Once he was back Dings gave it a look and did the same, giving Rage a thumbs-up.

The rest of the ride would be made in mostly silence, Treb and Vrinda only occasionally speaking about what had happened in town, but light-hearted things such as who they ran into and what their neighbours were up to.

The cart would stop outside their house and they would all climb out. Treb would deal with the wagon while Vrinda would gesture for Rage to follow her. “I’ll show you around the farm. Show you some of the things you’ll be expected to do.”

Being given chores wasn’t the same as what he had been tasked with before. They were just to help everything go smoother, to even out the workload among the family.

--

He was a little nervous to see his duties, but nodded all the same, climbing out of the cart with a “yes, ma’am,” and following her closely.

He could do a lot of indoor cleaning and housework already, but outside work he was much less likely to know.

--

Dings followed them around too for lack of anything better to do and apparently wanting to stick by his brother while Vrinda showed him around. She showed him how to feed the chickens, sheep, and mules, how to tend the small gardens they had, then the rest of the layout of the house and how to keep things clean and where things went.

Treb typically tended to the gardens, so that left the boys to split up the chores for the animals while Vrinda mostly dealt with the housework.

It was hard work, but… he wouldn’t be beaten for doing something wrong. He wouldn’t be forced to do it right then and right now. It was a calm, leisurely life.

--

Rage was fully ready to begin his chores right there and then, and moreover, he expected to. It was odd when he tripped up as the task wasn’t passed over to him immediately, and he had to slow down to Vrinda’s pace rather than hurrying to get things done himself.

He reached out for Dings’ hand, again a little lost without things to do, though not necessarily disliking being permitted to rest longer.

Still. He followed Vrinda, studying the chores closely and memorizing how they were done silently, determined to not make any mistakes.

--

Dings chased some of the chickens around, came back and held Rage’s hand, and lead him about with his mother as she explained everything, occasionally bugging her about one thing or another and she would wave him off for later.

By the time everything was explained it was about time to start dinner. Dings was sent to go read a little while Rage was brought to the kitchen.

“Do you know how to cook?”

--

He nodded promptly. “Yes, ma’am, a lot of things. I made all the meals.”

This was familiar territory. He could cook.

He…

His face fell.

“...I … don’t know about how to cook like you did the last few days, though.”

--

“You mean with love?” Vrinda asked, smiling a little. “That’s alright. Maybe I can teach you. We’ll make a stew with the leftovers from last night.”

She started the fire and began to get things in order, giving Rage the task of cutting up the vegetables while she set about putting things from the previous night into a large pot over the fire.

--

Rage took to his task quickly, chopping the vegetables into small chunks and skinning them when necessary before giving them to Vrinda to do with as she pleased.

--

The two would make dinner together, Vrinda sending him out to set the table once it was nearly finished. Everyone would wash up, then be called to the table to eat.

It didn’t taste quite as good as Vrinda’s food had, but… it wasn’t bad. With her help it wasn’t bland and tasteless and Rage had more positive emotions in him now, which would certainly help things along.

--

He ate, a little disappointed at the taste being not as intense as the night before, but not sure what to do about it.

He waited for someone to mention it, but no one did, which only made him more embarrassed.

He wished he could talk to Dings and ask what he’d thought of Rage’s cooking while they’d camped together. If it had been bad. If he’d hated it.

He cleaned his full plate.

--

When everyone was finished Treb lead Dings into the reading room while Rage helped Vrinda with the dishes. Once that was done she lead him into the same room and would begin his lessons for the evening.

Treb was sat in his chair, Dings on his knee and signing a book to him as he read.

--

Gaster helped with the dishes. With two people working, they were done very quickly, and he followed Vrinda to the reading room with a lightness in his step.

He settled in for his lesson, immediately going for the book from the night before and starting to review what he’d previously learned, not wanting to forget it or get it jumbled in his head from going over too much.

He’d fucked up so much in understanding his life the last two years. He thought he’d been paying attention, and the whole world had been a lie to him.

He wouldn’t let himself be so inattentive again.

--

Just like the night before Vrinda would teach Rage as much as she could by candlelight until the night drew late. Dings would fall asleep in his father’s lap and be carried to bed, and once Vrinda felt herself growing tired, or notice Rage looking a little weary, she would declare the lesson done for the night and send him up to bed as well.

This time, however, she leaned down to clack her teeth on top of his head before leaving the room.

--

Rage tensed, going very still as his skull was touched, too shocked to do or say anything.

He stared and watched her leave the room, slowly bringing one hand up to his skull to touch where she’d clacked her teeth, a little disbelieving.

When he crawled into bed that night, he let himself rest a little closer to Dings, and thought of him a little more as maybe a baby brother.

--

The next day was the start of Rage’s normal, boring life with his normal, boring family.

Vrinda would give a gentle knock on the door to signal it was time to get up. Dings would sit up, take a few moments to get his bearings, and then sign a ‘good morning’ to his brother.

Maybe he could understand him after those lessons last night? Maybe a little?

He would wash up, wait for Rage to do the same, and then head downstairs where breakfast was waiting. Once it was finished Rage would help with the dishes, then Dings would following him around while he did his chores, still with strict instructions that he was to take it easy and not do anything himself.

--

Dings smiled and signed a very clumsy ‘good morning’ back.

He was learning the alphabet and he’d been taught a few very simple phrases the night before. Not much, but enough he was definitely feeling better about being able to recognize them.

He washed and ate breakfast, helped with the dishes, and did his chores, each other with the same precision and care he’d done chores with while with the merchant. He didn’t start until he’d looked things over, made sure everything was available, and then he proceeded as quickly and efficiently as possible.

It was less chores and more of a timecrunch to do things as neatly as he could.

...it was almost a game. The only sort he’d really had, growing up. One with dire consequences if he did poorly, but--a game, still, which was always better than the alternative.

--

When all the chores were finished Dings would lead Rage away to teach him things that only he knew how to do.

He taught his big brother how to sneak up on sheep. He taught him how to catch a chicken. He showed him where Treb liked to doze off when Vrinda wasn’t paying attention, and how quickly he snapped awake when he heard her voice screeching at him from the garden when she couldn’t find him there.

In the afternoon Dings was brought inside where Vrinda tried to get him to speak. She commented on how much more eager he seemed to want to talk now that he had someone who didn’t understand him around that he wanted to talk to.

After that Dings followed Rage around during his evening chores making noises he had learned that day.

“Sssaaa.”

“MMm!”

“Rrrsss!”

It didn’t need to make sense in the context of what he was doing for him to do it. He just liked making noises that his brother made too.

--

He enjoyed the day in a way he hadn’t fully expected, following Dings around and letting the little skeleton show him things. He’d been allowed to rest during the afternoon and have something to drink on the porch, just looking around for a little while during the language lesson, and for the evening chores he was grinning and laughing at Dings’ constant sounds, a lot of them seeming out of nowhere.

He didn’t let the other do any chores all day and practiced some simple signing when he could before going inside to help Vrinda with dinner before the nighttime reading lesson.

He fell asleep wondering if the next day would be the same.

--

Rage would be pleasantly surprised that it would be. As would the day after that.

Wake up, breakfast, chores, goof off with his little brother, evening chores, dinner, and a reading lesson. It was a predictable, peaceful, calm life.

A few days later Dings would get his bandages off and be allowed to help with chores and did so rather happily, glad to do something with his hands rather than sit about and watch his brother do all the work.

He would teach Rage how to not only sneak up on sheep, but how to ride them once you jumped on. He would show him how to sneak up on Treb, only to be snatched and tickled, then chased around the barn before Vrinda caught them and scolded Treb for sleeping again.

It wasn’t for another week or so that something new was added to their day.

As breakfast finished and the boys helped wash up, Vrinda looked at them both and asked, “Do you think you’re feeling well enough to pick up your magic lessons again?”

“Mmm!” Dings nodded in excitement.

--

Dings had relaxed into the routine. He spent his days sneaking around with Dings, doing chores, and his nights helping prepare dinner, study wingdings, and slowly getting used to the idea of sharing his brother’s bed and initiating cuddling. He still couldn’t speak to Treb or Dings very well, but he spent a lot of time around the older skeleton and felt safe with him.

He didn’t look up from the dishes he cleaned as Vrinda spoke. He was surprised, sure, but--...he didn’t know how magic worked for real, he supposed. If everything else he knew was a lie.

--

When Rage didn’t answer her too, she blinked and addressed him. “Rage? Would you like to start magic lessons?”

--

He hesitated, looking up at her slowly and pausing in washing his dishes. “...if that’s okay?”

He the most magic he’d used since breaking Ding’s seal over a month ago was to catch him when he’d almost fallen off a sheep.

Not a scrap more.

--

“Of course it’s okay.” Vrinda smiled, “Magic is an important part of life. Everyone should know how to use it properly. How much do you know?”

--

“Um,” he said, glancing at Dings for help. “I’m not sure? I can catch things, mostly, I think. Summon some bones?”

--

“Mm!” Dings nodded, that having quickly become his favorite sound.

“That’s a good basis. Alright. Chores and then a magic lesson. Wingdings will show you to our usual spot when you’re finished.”

Dings looked excited, quickly finishing up before running off to get a headstart on his chores.

--

Rage nodded and said his usual, ‘yes ma’am,’ before darting after Dings to get to work.

When he was done, he followed the smaller skeleton to where they’d be practicing magic, both nervous and excited to be doing something he’d been forbidden from doing for so long.

--

The spot they practiced magic was deeper into the woods by the farmhouse, a clearing with kicked up patches of dirt and a few trees scratched up.

Vrinda was waiting for them.

“Okay. Show me what you can do, Rage.”

--

He blinked, a little startled from being told to simply jump in and showcase--what?

What was the right way to do this?

After a moment of thought, he decided he should show what he’d done around Dings, since that was about most of it.

He caught a few falling leaves and summoned a short, thin blue bone into his hand.

--

Vrinda nodded, pleased. “Blue magic? That’s good. Can you summon a regular attack?”

--

He hesitated.

“What would a regular attack look like?” he asked after a moment, figuring that was probably a safe enough question.

--

Vrinda didn’t summon one herself, instead turning to look at Dings, who was flailing his arms about. “Go on, little one.”

He held out his hand, summoning a small, white bone in his palm.

--

Rage nodded, watching him do so, and paused a moment before likewise producing a small, white bone.

--

“Good.” Vrinda smiled, then sat on a nearby rock. “Show him how to go through the drills, Wingdings.”

“Mm!” Dings stepped by his side and then motioned in front of him, summoning a single bone from the ground, then looking up at Rage. “Nhh.” He pointed at it.

--

Thinking he was interpreting it right, Rage summoned a bone of his own from the ground.

--

“Ya!” Dings gave him a thumbs up, then dissipated the bone before summoning a row of three, all an even length.

After that would be ones of varying length. Then scattered and at weird angles, although he seemed to have a little difficulty with that one.

--

Rage continued to mimic Dings, summoning bones and trying to make them exactly as the child did, concentrating hard and gritting his teeth to do it.

He succeeded, but he’d never used so much magic before in one go.

He was soon exhausted, taking deep breathing and sweating a bit.

--

Dings looked a little worried, barely even breathing very hard after those exercises. He looked back at Vrinda, who approached Rage and gave him a pat on the back. “Go sit. Here.”

She pulled a small leather pouch from her apron and handed it to him. It was just a little mead, something to drink and regain some energy while he rested.

--

“Thank you,” he said, taking a sip. It was sweeter and lighter than what he was used to drinking. He sipped a bit more. “Sorry. I can keep going.”

--

“Rest. Drink.” Vrinda said firmly, giving him a bit of a nudge towards the rock she had been sitting on. “We’ll do more drills once I finish with Wingdings.”

--

This time, he nodded, shuffling over to the rock she’d been sitting on and resting some, drinking a little more to start feeling a little less exhausted and get the ache out of his bones.

He didn’t realize magic was… so tiring.

--

Vrinda would have her son go through a few more of the same drills before trying to get him to hit her with ground-based attacks.

He was slow with it, but even so she side-stepped every one barely paying much attention to where they were coming from. He grew tired and she signaled him to switch spots with Rage.

She would run him through more exercises, having him use blue magic in the same drills as before.

--

When it was signaled for them to change spots, Rage passed the mead to Dings and stood, returning to his position before on the field and waiting to be told what to do. He was still tired, but not nearly as much as before, and definitely felt a bit more capable of doing more.

--

Vrinda wouldn’t push him very hard the first day. She would go through drills until he was tired, switch to her son, and try to get him to hit her. He never could, but he was still just a small child.

She never summoned any magic herself.

“Good. That was good for a first day.” She smiled proudly at them both as they walked back home. “You have good proficiency with blue magic, Rage.”

--

He smiled back, surprised still at getting praise. “Thank you,” he said, though he wasn’t sure what qualified proficiency with it over just being alright at it.

“...can I ask a question?”

--

“Of course.” Vrinda said, watching as Dings stopped to pick up a rock he thought was pretty and juggle it around in his hands.

--

“Is blue magic different from regular magic somehow?” he asked, knowing it was probably a stupid question, but… he didn’t even have the merchant’s lies to rely on for magical knowledge.

That night in the camp, he’d only had the memory of Dings summoning a blue bone and trying to use it to burn through his rope bindings.

And he’d tried to create something like that.

--

If it was a dumb question Vrinda made no indication.

“Yes. Blue attacks only hurt if you move while they touch you, then with will burn.”

--

He nodded slowly. “...is it supposed to be harder to do?”

“...is it better for breaking things?”

--

“Yes, blue magic is something you typically learn only after being able to create normal attacks easily. As for blunt force? No. Normal attacks are better for that.”

--

“Oh,” he said, and tried to not swallow when he imagined what might’ve happened to Dings’ spine if he’d broken the ring with a regular attack. “...are blue ones better for hurting one spot without hurting others, then?”

--

“Yes.” Vrinda said, and smiled, “I’m glad you’re taking the initiative to ask me these things rather than being prompted, Rage.”

He hadn’t done that before; asked questions. Questions were good.

--

He gave another flickering smile up at her, trying to look more happy at the praise than nervous about the past.

What if he hadn’t been able to make blue magic on the first try? What if he’d made a white bone instead?

Dings might be dead. And he’d still be with the merchant. In trouble for killing his property.

--

“Do you have an interest in learning magic?” Vrinda said, picking up on his questions and eagerness to learn it even more than reading and understanding wingdings.

--

“I think so,” he said after a moment, nodding.

“...I haven’t done much before. At all. Will it be a lot to catch up on?”

--

Vrinda didn’t answer him right away. As they approached the house again Dings rushed off to chase a chicken before going inside to get a snack. She lingered outside with Rage.

“That depends on what you want to use it for. Be honest.”

--

His eyes widened slowly, as if he’d just had an epiphany.

He looked up at Vrinda, startled at himself. “What can magic be used for?”

--

“Everything.”

Her eye lights remained on the door to know exactly when her son came back outside. “Defense. Protection. Even practical uses like using blue magic to light up the dark.”

She paused, voice firm. “Justice.”

“It will respond to your desires and emotions and manipulate accordingly.” Vrinda summoned an attack, the bone small and hidden but close enough for him to see. It was sharpened at the end to a razor-sharp point - perfect, smooth, and deadly.

It was dispersed quickly.

--

He looked at it closely. Memorized it. Considered the size of it, and decided it was small. Far too small.

He looked up at her with wide, clear eyes, and said, “I don’t want to let anyone near me ever again.”

[vincent-sinclair-deserved-better]

meant to post this yesterday but then forgot cause late and tired

anyway, I started and finished this in one day which I am happy about

someone hand me a broom to hit that little part telling me that there weren't that many details and lines etc anyway so that made it easy

The horrors persist but so do I

to us people who persist despite the horrors @goldrose-star @devil-doll13 @rottent33th @myers-meadow @the-pinstriped-hood @house-of-slayterr @bluecoolr @visceravalentines @probably-a-plant-thing @frenziedslashers @ace-of-hearts-and-spades @darklylucid @callmecaspurr @soupbabe @cyanide-latte @coffeexafterxmidnight @fluffy-little-demon @mintgalaxia @shonkgobonk @spookyscaryslashy @queer-world-666 @brandnewhuman @doomh3ad