#dispatches from academia

[dinosaur-ears]

FUCK they finally got around to enforcement

Basically, no institution with DEI programs or who are boycotting Israel are eligible to receive funds, and if they find out you are doing those things, they reserve to cancel the grant and take back the money.

For those outside of STEM-- NIH is by far the primary funder of research related to human health, including both treatments and basic research on bacteria, organ function, sleep, mental health, land other aspects of well-being. To give you a sense of scale, NIH has more than 50,000 grants awarded to more than 2,500 institutions, according to their website. Their budget is $48billion.

This effectively holds that money for ransom to ensure that every institution in the US (and some outside) that does biomedical research will comply with the institution's directive to support Israel and pretend that discrimination is fixed.

[chicago-geniza]

the problem is that in a climate of "rampant misinformation" (the term 'misinformation' carries with it a host of implications, political and otherwise, that are baked into its intellectual history and as is often the case, relate to the cold war, so i don't generally like it). BUT. in such a climate you need to be able to independently evaluate information and "truth-claims" for veracity (not the same as legitimacy, which in my understanding is a function of source evaluation, not content evaluation--and as institutions become less reliable, the authority conferred on individuals by institutional credentials/credential-conferring systems in and of themselves come into doubt, as merritt noted MDs post junk science under their professional accounts etc., as others have said papers of record deny genocide or "just ask questions" in plainly spurious ways that undermine their journalistic integrity, etc.)--BUT. you need to be able to independently evaluate information and i CAN'T because i am STUPID in certain, specific ways. i need some types of information to be interpreted for me--e.g., statistics!--or i will come to incorrect conclusions, because i lack both the knowledge and the cognitive capacity (i have particular developmental + learning disabilities re: math and abstract reasoning that impair me here, more than the average non-specialist). this is the gap into which a lot of people who "do their own research" fall, and i am sympathetic, because like--if you can't trust the papal authorities, so to speak, to interpret the texts for you, then surely one's own take on the scriptures must be sufficient for daily life. but it isn't a lot of the time. because you can't be Protestant about public health data, or about the nuts and bolts of the global economy, or the law, or a bunch of other things. idk where i am going with this, briar was thinking along similar lines with genAI the other day too, i am just rambling. OGRE CANNOT EVALUATE INFORMATION. OGRE ONLY PICK UP SURFACE-LEVEL THEMES

[inkandlunacy]

i am the witch of these woods, and there is no escaping me that.

[alec-volturi]

LAMENT | Alec Volturi x Fem!Reader

This is the prologue to this series. Masterlist here.

Summary: Drawn by reports of a violent string of murders plaguing Seattle, you take a detour to uncover the truth for yourself. But in the shadows of the chaos lies a sinister secret: a newborn army of vampires wreaking havoc on the city. As you navigate the perilous streets, you must stay hidden, evading not only the feral young vampires but also the relentless Volturi, who have been trying to track you across the years.

Pairing: Alec Volturi x fem!reader Genre: angst, romance, drama, fantasy, suspense, dark, vioIence, friends to lovers, dark academia, gothic horror, canon divergence Word Count: 2k Warnings: This will have the lore of both films and books of the Twilight Saga series but with much darker themes. Gore/blood, mentions of witches, witchcraft, burning at stakes, devils and demons, vampires. And ofc NSFW so minors don’t interact. All characters in this series are aged up or are above the age of 18.

A/N: Reader description not described besides having red/gold eyes, clear/blemish-free like skin, and having some abilities as canon to all vampires in the books. And clothing from time to time. Dividers by @cafekitsune ♡

Stories usually start with a "Once upon a time," a simple phrase that loosens the veil between the familiar and the forgotten, leading listeners into worlds safely confined to dreams. But this story was different; it felt like a secret, like shadows pooling at the edges of your vision, waiting to pull you into a night where time doesn’t pass, where mysteries linger, and every whispered word tastes like something forbidden. This wasn’t just ink on a page; it was a door to someplace half-real, someplace where darkness wrapped you close and left you wondering whether you'd ever find your way back.

This world isn’t like that. Instead, it’s a place where time stands still, its hands frozen in a perpetual twilight, neither moving forward nor offering escape. For some, it feels like eternity, an endless stretch of nothingness where the hours blur together, unchanging. But for others—those who wander the shadows or fall prey to what lurks within—it’s a once upon a nightmare, a story where the darkness never relents, where hope is a fleeting, hollow echo swallowed by the night.

In the year 1663, as dusk painted the sky in blood and shadow, the people of London knew better than to linger outside. Each night, as the first stars appeared, every family bolted doors, snuffed candles, and whispered fevered prayers as they hid behind thick walls. Beyond the windows, darkness belonged to those who had vowed to fight it: priest with holy scriptures clutched tight, town braves with sharpened stakes and pitchforks dispatched in blind white anger, sworn to rid the world of creatures who defied mortal law. Blood demons, shapeshifters, and witches—they were all condemned as sin’s cruel agents, hunted as monsters by men who claimed their duty was divine.

As the town’s lamps extinguished, the silence was cut by hounds howling at the scent of something unnatural. The synchronized march of boots clattered against the cobbled streets, while shouts and commands ricocheted off stone walls, penetrating even the thickest household walls and rattling the bravest hearts. Fear and faith held sway in equal measure as the men marched, some clutching crosses while others wielded silver weapons they designed thinking it would pierce the skin of creatures they had never truly seen.

But beneath the city, where no torchlight reached, another world had been hiding—a world of thirsting hunger, of whispers, of sleepless dark eyes. Through the damp and nearly caved-in sewers, slick with grime and infested with rats, a vampire coven had staked their claim. For months, they’d made their den in this forgotten labyrinth of foulness, surviving in silence, drinking only when the thirst grew unbearable. They’d kept to themselves, unnoticed by the townsfolk above, their existence a secret safeguarded by shadows and silence.

Yet tonight, their precarious sanctuary would be breached. The hunt’s new leader, a young man, by the name of Carlisle Cullen, had taken over from his now deceased father and previous Anglican priest, saw the world through different eyes. Only twenty-three, bold and relentless, he refused to limit his search to open fields or deserted woods as his predecessor had. People would whisper that he was smarter, shrewder; that he sought darkness where no one dared look. And tonight, that unyielding curiosity and grim resolve drove him down, down into the labyrinth of decay beneath London where he’d sworn he saw the monsters lurk. A little far behind him, lanterns casting jagged shadows as his men held their breath and followed.

With each step, the air grew colder, thick with the stench of age-old rot and black mold everywhere. Carlisle pressed forward in step much faster than the others with only two other men at his side, determined until he found it: the coven his father had hunted for two decades and never found was but three arm lengths away from them.

Chaos erupted as soon as the men were heard by this coven. They saw their bright burgundy eyes and weakened bodies suddenly stirring with a vicious, desperate hunger faster than their eyes could keep up. Blood splattered the stone as some of the creatures broke away, dragging one man into the darkness while another, a man speaking in Latin, lashed out on the spot, jaws bared, too starved to hold back. And amid the frenzy, she appeared.

She stood apart from the others, more kept and clean, her form delicate yet unyielding, framed by a grey gown that looked lavish, handmade of silk and cotton. Her skin was impossibly clear, like striking stone, and her fathomless eyes gleamed with something between rage and sorrow. Her lips, faded smooth, curled slightly into frown as she observed the slaughter around her, a cruel beauty etched in her features that seemed both ancient and timeless. She was like a statue come to life, a creature of elegance wrapped in death's chill, and as her gaze locked onto Carlisle, the air thickened.

Carlisle, though terrified, refused to flee. Heart hammering, he charged forward, blade in hand, toward one of the creatures—the one who chanted something fierce in Latin, rallying the other swift, chilling figures that blurred through the shadows as they ran away. But then, in one brutal moment, the world tilted; he was thrown to the ground by the man who had gone into a sudden frenzy, his side searing with pain. Blood seeped from his wounds, pooling on the grimy stone, and his breaths came shallow and sharp. He opened his mouth to scream but bit back the sound, fear taking hold as he thought of the townspeople—would they turn on him, claim he was infected, cursed by the vampire’s disease?

As he clawed at the ground, desperate to pull himself to safety, his gaze drifted upward, and there she was. He could do nothing but stare. Her form seemed to emerge from the darkness like a dream or an illusion, her skin radiant as though lit from within. Every inch of her invited him closer, her elegance disarming him, and he forgot, for a moment, that she was one of the monsters he’d been sent to kill.

“Miss!” he gasped, breath shaky, arm outstretched in a futile plea. “Hurry, quick! Get inside or hide before they… before they kill you!” His voice wavered, a desperate edge creeping into his words as he beckoned to her, oblivious to the danger she posed.

Her expression softened, a flicker of sadness crossing her face, almost as if she pitied him. Then she spoke, her voice ringing out like a gentle chime that seemed to drift through the chaos.

“Dear boy, you should not have come here.” she spoke, her tone light and melodic, as though she needn’t draw a single breath to speak. Her words lingered, brushing against him like silk.

He faltered, as tears traced down his cheek from pain and blood loss trickling from his arm and leg, mingling with the dirt. Confusion contorted his face as he fought to understand while staring at her, then all at once, the truth struck him like a blow to the chest. She’s one of them, his mind spinning, his eyes widening with horror. How easily, how effortlessly, he had been drawn in.

“Don’t be afraid,” she murmured, tilting her head, her dark gaze unwavering. “I won’t kill you.”

“Why wouldn’t you?” he spat, a note of anger mingling with the brokenness in his voice. He could feel the cold tendrils of despair creeping in, the bitter realization that he’d been charmed, deceived by beauty. A little hope that she may put an end to his suffering.

Her lips curled into the faintest smile, her eyes glinting with something unreadable. “I’ve been watching you—son of Cullen,” she replied, a strange fondness in her voice.

“You’ve piqued my interest. You dream of becoming like your father, don’t you? But you desire more. You wish to help others, to save them, and yet here you are, hunting us when you’re worth more. Tell me, why do you follow such cruel orders by such a man that cared not for you?”

Gracefully, she lowered herself to his level, kneeling close enough that he could feel the chill radiating from her. He was breathless, the words caught in his throat as he stared into her dark burgundy, fathomless eyes. The scent of blood hung thick in the air, mingling with the faint, sweet perfume that seemed to cling to her skin. Around them, the body of one of his men lay motionless, strewn like a broken doll across the ground, his eyes glazed and empty.

“You know nothing of me!” he shouted, his voice cracking, the burn of tears threatening to break free. He was shaking now, fear and anger warring inside him. All he could hear were the distant cries of his comrades, the faint echoes of those still coming to join the fray. Yet, for all their noise, it felt as though he and this creature were alone, the last souls in a world drenched in blood and shadow.

Her expression softened, her gaze flickering over his face as if she saw past his fear, his hatred, into something deeper. And for a fleeting moment, he wondered what lay behind those dark eyes, what truth might live within a creature so cold, so deathless. But he pushed the thought away, forcing himself to look anywhere but at her.

“You won’t have to suffer for long. At least not like right now,” she said, a frown lingering on her lips. “But I will tell you this—there is a price to every vow, every hunt, every act of mercy shown. And one day, you’ll have to choose what you stand for.”

Too weak to move, he lay trembling, silent cries catching in his throat as the cold of his skin pressed in. She watched him with a sorrowful frown, her eyes shadowed with something almost tender. And then, with a suddenness he could barely comprehend, she swept him up in her arms. The world blurred, and in the span of a breath, they were far from the echoes of shouts and the clamor of pursuit. She lowered him carefully onto the cool grass beside a riverbank, the night air thick with the quiet gurgling of the slow-moving stream.

“You don’t have much time left,” she murmured, voice softened. “Too much blood lost—you’re dying.” She paused, gazing down at him, her dark eyes almost regretful. “But maybe. . .maybe you’ll take this chance and do something good with it, with this second life. There’s light in it, I swear, if you find it.”

Her words were little more than a whisper, slipping through the cool night air like secrets meant only for him. She took his limp arm, holding it gently before lowering her mouth to his skin. Her fangs pierced his flesh with a sharp, burning pain of silver, and he gasped, feeling the warmth of his blood slipping away, mingling with something that felt like ice, binding him to a pain unlike he felt previously. And then, in the blink of an eye, she was gone, leaving nothing but the faintest swirl of mist where she had knelt.

For a moment, he thought he’d dreamed it all—the pain, a fierce burning agony that raced through his veins, igniting his senses, hollowing him out from the inside out. His arm throbbed with searing heat spreading up to the tips of his fingertips and into his heart, each heartbeat like a pounding fire surging through every inch of him. His breath caught in his throat, unwilling to let out, vision blurring as the transformation began its slow, merciless work.

It would take three days for the change to complete, for his body to surrender fully to the chilling darkness now coursing through him. In those days, he would be caught between two worlds, his mind twisting, his memories reshaping, his humanity slipping away like sand through his fingers. And by the time he would open his fresh red eyes, the girl—the one who had granted him this second life—wouldn’t be seen again. It would be decades before their paths crossed again, though the memory of her face, her voice, her lingering sadness, would haunt him through every year of his endless life.

[hallayaps]

Hallo :D

Can I please request either Itto, Kaveh or Alhaitham (you can choose since idk what characters you like writing and i love them all) with a reader who was injured in battle with them. <3

Requests are always open ^^

Hallo :D

You requested either but i couldn't help but to do them all lol, the ask wasn't detailed so i took the liberty, enjoy !

Notes: reader is gender neutral, has a hydro vision and is a blue oni due to recessive genes and all in ittos part, reader knows both kaveh and alhaitham from the academia in their separate parts and is a researcher for the academia AND is roommates with kaveh and alhaitham but they come and go because they go all around teyvat... Blablabla let's get started (⁠≧⁠▽⁠≦⁠).

English isn't my first language, characters aren't lovers yet but it takes that route somehow,

:3

ITTO

Inazuma's sky was a tapestry of darkening hues, with the sun dipping below the horizon, casting long shadows across the vibrant landscape.

You had recently arrived in Inazuma, seeking to understand more about your heritage as a blue oni after going and tracking your family lineage and figuring out Inazuma could be a good head start.

To your luck (?) you met Yae Miko and she took interest in you because of your unique looks that people don't see everyday, or at least these present times they don't, with her sly smile, suggested you meet Arataki Itto, as she explained that he leads a gang and all you were visibly concerned as he seemed troublesome but when she mentioned he was a fellow oni you somewhat relaxed and understood why him exactly.

The meeting was nothing short of electrifying. Itto’s enthusiasm was infectious, and he immediately took you under his wing, thrilled to have found another oni, he talked and talked, bragged about his horns and compared them to yours.

And as you walked through the streets of Inazuma, Itto regaled you with tales of his adventures and avoided his misadventures but clearly he was a very bad liar, you two passed time and he decided he totally had to introduce you to his gang, so y'all began looking for them here and there.

But the evening took a sudden turn when you encountered a group of Abyss Order members. Itto, always eager for a fight, drew his weapon with a grin. You summoned your Hydro vision, water swirling around you as you prepared to defend yourself.

The battle was fierce, the Abyss mages casting dark spells while you and Itto fought back with ferocity. In the midst of the chaos, a mage’s attack broke through your defenses, especially that you were trying to focus on your charged attack, the mage came through and as he was using the electro element it caused a reaction between you two and as much as you protected the side of your stomach was hurt badly, pain eating all your senses and crushing your stability, you fell into the ground holding where you were hurt while trying to recover fast before anything more happened.

“No!” Itto screamed as he was fighting the abyss Heralds , filled with rage and concern. He charged forward, dispatching the remaining enemies with a flurry of powerful serious blows on the contrary of his nature. When the last of the Abyss Order was defeated, he rushed to your side, worry etched on his face, his joyous usual unserious expression wiped of his face, he held your face looking for traces of life on it, and then he averted his gaze down where your holding yourself as he pushed your arms aside softly he saw the bruising and he felt a mix of complex emotions such as fury and worry and sadness.

“Hang in there, buddy,” he said, his voice uncharacteristically soft. “We’ll get you fixed up in no time.” he tried to smile to encourage you, he helped you get up but seeing how unstable you were although you were persistent on being okay, he lifted you in his arms in bridal style.

Itto carried you back to the city, his strength making the journey swift. He took you to a healer, staying by your side as they treated your wounds. Despite the pain, you couldn’t help but feel a sense of belonging, knowing that you had a friend who would protect you no matter what, but at the same time you contemplated whether to ask the healer about the strange beating in your heart, but that wasn't a thing until Itto touched your face softly and it increased when he lifted you, is something wrong and is it because of the injury or what?

You wondered, you seemed out of it so he called out "you with us buddy?" As you came back to reality you looked at him bashfully as you cursed yourself at your strange actions right now, but you decided to brush it off.

"yeah, I'm okay don't worry"

;)

Alhaitham

The Akademiya was a distant memory, but its shadows still lingered in your life. You and Alhaitham had grown from rivals to reluctant allies, as y'all grew up and see it all as a silly past and just your time as teenagers, now sharing an apartment in Sumeru, y'all were close... Very close and everyone noticed that but only you two seemed oblivious that y'all acted like a married couple most of the time. Your role as a researcher kept you constantly on the move, and Alhaitham often joined you on these expeditions, his knowledge and analytical mind proving invaluable, you guys lived together because you didn't see a need to get a whole apartment for yourself if you're constantly here and there, and alhaitham didn't mind your company. He totally doesn't enjoy you being around and hopes for your researching to be in semuru most of the time, ooh you totally don't make his house feel like a home in addition to kaveh :P.

Once, his deep dark (?) wishes totally did become true and you were doing your job in semuru, surprisingly he was reading books in that field and decided to accompany you, according to him he has to see if the contenf of the books was reliable because they were old and there was little to no knowledge capsules about it, such journey led you deep into the Sumeru rainforest, where you were investigating the unique properties of the local flora. Alhaitham was beside you, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to the vibrant chaos of the jungle. As you meticulously cataloged your findings, an ominous rustling drew your attention.

Without warning, a band of treasure hoarders emerged, eyes gleaming with greed. They had heard rumors of your discoveries and wanted them for themselves, seeing them hurling in your direction Alhaitham reacted instantly, his Dendro vision activating as he created barriers to protect you both.

The fight was intense, with the treasure hoarders pressing their advantage. You used your Hydro vision to fend them off, and although it was a great combanation with alhaithams and created hyper blooms, they outnumbered y'all and only focused on you as a target so it was significantly hard to keep up, a well-aimed strike from a hoarder’s blade found its mark, cutting through your defenses and leaving a deep gash on your arm.

Alhaitham’s expression darkened, his usually composed features although he's not very expressive a visible fury was taking over his face, and instead of defences he harshly attacked. He dispatched the attackers with a series of precise, devastating blows. When the last of them lay defeated, he turned to you, his hands gentle as he inspected your wound.

“You should have been more careful,” he said, his voice tinged with a rare softness. “We need to get you treated immediately. Let's take you to tighnari and see what we can do, he's surely around the corner”

Despite the pain, you managed a weak smile. “You sound like you care.”

Alhaitham rolled his eyes, but his concern was evident. “Of course, I care. Let’s get back to the city.” he stopped your bleeding by wrapping a cloth tightly around your injured arm and in one swift motion he lifted you as if you were weightless.

The journey back was a blur, with Alhaitham supporting you every step of the way. Arriving at tighnari's, he meticulously treated your injury, alhaitham joining for help and to support you during the quick operation, his hands steady and sure. As you rested, you realized that beneath his aloof exterior, Alhaitham truly cared for you, a bond forged in the fires of shared adversity. You felt a blush coming and blooming in your cheeks and as the two showed concern you played it off ”ah, probably a fever, maybe that blade was infected?” but you shouldn't have said that, as now tighnari is going to run more tests and alhaitham is gonna be close for a longer time.

Or maybe it was for the best?

;)

kaveh

Life with Kaveh was never dull. The architect’s passion for his work often led him into interesting—and sometimes dangerous—situations. You, once rivals in the Akademiya, had grown close, now sharing an apartment (under the "mercy" of alhaitham) and frequently crossing paths in your respective careers, you were a researcher, and as one of kavehs greatest and closest friends, that only know about his living situation with alhaitham as you were the same although you payed your rent.

You often inspired him, by your findings and your journeys, you were like an long time open book helping him to never run out from inspiration, and in return he'd share his thoughts on the riddles and the origins of your findings, analyzing the patterns and all, and although y'all could just somehow catch alhaitham in a good mood and free and ask him, it was way fun and it was a great route of passing time.

One day, Kaveh was commissioned to deliver a custom design to a client in the bustling city of Port Ormos. Ever the perfectionist, he had poured his heart into the project, and you decided to accompany him for support. The sun was setting as you arrived at the meeting point, a shadowy alley that immediately put you on edge. You clenched your fist just in case, as your other hand held your sword in a way that wasn't visible for the other party, your vision dimly illuminating that Alley.

As Kaveh presented his work, the supposed clients revealed their true intentions. They were scammers, seeking to steal his designs and leave him empty-handed. Before he could react, they attacked, intent on taking everything.

Kaveh fought back with surprising tenacity, using his knowledge to his advantage in his fighting style. You summoned your Hydro vision, creating barriers of water to protect him. But in the chaos, and in your focus on their target, your dear friend, one of the scammers landed a blow on you instead, as they didn't care for who is the actual target and with who they were doing business, leaving you wounded.

“No!” Kaveh shouted, his eyes wide with fear and anger. He knocked the assailant away, his normally gentle demeanor replaced by fierce determination. “You’ll regret this!”

With a final, desperate push, you and Kaveh drove the scammers off. Panting and bloodied, Kaveh rushed to your side, his hands trembling as he checked your wound. “You’re hurt… I should have been more careful.”

“It’s not your fault,” you reassured him, wincing as pain flared. “We need to get back and treat this.” he said.

Kaveh helped you to your feet, his support unwavering as you made your way back to the city. Once home, he carefully tended to your injury, his touch filled with guilt and concern. “I’m so sorry,” he murmured, his voice breaking. “I never wanted you to get hurt because of me.”

You reached out, taking his hand. “We’ve been through worse, Kaveh. I’m just glad we’re both okay.” you smiled lightly to reassure him, the injury wasn't that bad but he clearly felt guilty as he thought it was all because of him.

As the night wore on, the pain faded, replaced by the comforting presence of your very close friend. Kaveh’s usual cheer slowly returned, his worry giving way to relief. In that moment, you quietly admired him, how his hair framed his face ever so perfectly, how he smiled and reacted to alhaithams teasing, and how he gently tended to your needs and how soft his touch was on your skin, it seems like you're yet to figure out why you became so aware of everything concerning him, and the weird pace your heart is beating at, but you just thanked the dendro archon for the safety of everyone silently in your heart, as you tried to brush off the million thoughts that are running around in your head and took a glass of liquor to toast with your friends.

;)

Aurelia.

[hornyforpoetry]

Concept idea: Philosophical Academia

Characteristics:

• an inclination towards the thinking process and towards exercising criticial thinking;

• a passion for the study of classical and contemporary philosophical works and their interpretation through critical analysis;

• an inclination to debate any subject, questioning the rationality of the act of doing and thinking;

• the permanent possession of a dose of skepticism and mistrust until the fact is demonstrated;

• the urge of doing a profound analysis step by step, starting from the hypothesis to the conclusion;

• the fascination for knowledge, but especially for the process of obtaining knowledge through thinking and reason.

Primary works and authors:

• "Dialogues" by Plato

• "Metaphysics" by Aristotle

• "Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius

• "Discourse on the Method" by René Descartes

• "Critique of Pure Reason" by Immanuel Kant

• "The Phenomenology of the Spirit" by Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel

• "Thus Spoke Zarathustra" by Friedrich Nietzsche

• "The World as Will and Representation" by Arthur Schopenhauer

• "Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus" by Ludwig Wittgenstein

Movies:

• "The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" by Michel Gondry

• "Persona" and "The Seventh Seal" by Ingmar Bergman

• All Movies made by Andrei Tarkovsky

• "The French Dispatch" by Wes Anderson

• "Memento" and "Inception " by Christopher Nolan

• "2001: A Space Odyssey" by Stanley Kubrick

• "The Tree of Life" by Terrence Malick

• "Blade Runner" by Ridley Scott

Series:

• "Neon Evangelion Genesis"

• "Black Mirror"

• "The Good Place"

• "Severence"

• "Alice in Borderland"

• "The Sandman"

Clothing and outfits:

• combinations of black, grey or beige with neutral colors;

• straight line uni pants and jackets;

• white or neutral color shirts with stiff collars or black turtlenecks;

• plaid or knitted vests;

• leather shoes in black or neutral colors.

• ties, bows, watches with leather and silver bands, pocket watches, glasses, hats, overcoats, canes, leather gloves.

[softxsuki]

HAPPY 1.5K HAN!!!!! 🥳 Your blog is getting so big already! IT MAKES ME SO HAPPYYYYYY!! 😁

Ahem- okay, so... if you're up for it, could you do the trope #1. enemies to lovers with BNHA? 🙏

Take your time, I love you! 😘

1.5k Follower Event Trope #1 My Hero Academia

Trope 1: Enemies to Lovers

This event is now CLOSED. You can view the masterlist for the event here.

| Pairing: Bakugou x Gn!Reader | Genre: Fluff? Hurt Comfort? idk | Post-Type: Oneshot (...) | Word Count: 1.5k (idek how I did that tbh) |

Warnings: Slight curses from Bakugou, reader is hurt, blood

Note: Thank you so much! Sorry for the longish wait. Hopefully it was worth it! I had a lot of fun writing this one. I still can't believe I wrote 1.5k words, my gosh. Love you <3

Everything was a competition between the two of you; having gone to UA together and now working at the same agency as Pro Heroes, you were always racing to see who was the best.

Whenever a villain report was announced over the ear pieces you both wore, it would be a race to see who could get there first and take down the villain the quickest. During patrols, you’d both compare the number of civilians helped and received bonus points for any villains caught during patrol as well. You and Bakugou were rivals, but deep down there was something more that both of you refused to pursue. 

It was almost natural now for Bakugou to see your smiling face, racing him to see who would arrive on scene first when you were both dispatched. So, he felt his heart falter slightly when he showed up that one specific day to catch a villain but you never appeared. He can’t help the feeling of disappointment that fills him upon not seeing your face, he could have sworn he also heard your name in his ear piece being called to aid in taking down the villain in front of him now…not that he needed your help or anything.

Shaking himself off, he quickly takes down the villain, handing him over to the police and doing any paperwork they needed from him before returning to the agency. It wasn’t the same, and he hated how upset he felt just because you weren’t there.

His journey back to the agency was torturous. He was getting antsy now that he had  arrived back to the agency and still didn’t see you anywhere. Where were you? Why didn’t you show up and why weren’t you at the agency? He hadn’t heard anything about you being dispatched elsewhere. 

Bakuogu fought back the voice in his head telling him to ask someone about you, so he could find out where you were. But he couldn’t do it, the last thing he needed people to think was that he was desperate or needy for you; he did NOT like you…right?

Minutes turn into hours and still no sign of you, Bakugou was starting to lose his patience. It was a particularly slow day at the agency, very few villains were appearing that night, which most of the interns that were around for the day could easily handle the ones that did decide to cause chaos. He had finished all his patrols for the day and Ii anything, he probably should have been home by now, but he remained, trying to look busy at his computer and grumbling a response to anyone that dared to bother him. Why the hell weren’t you back yet?

He had enough, with a rush of energy, he jumps up from his chair and storms out of his office to head to Kirishima, his friend, and try to nonchalantly ask about you. But he freezes in his place at his office door and he sees you hobbling down the hallway.

Slight relief fills him as soon as his eyes meet your form, yet even more questions arise in his mind when he takes in your state; you’re covered in blood and hobbling as the hero beside you guides you by your arm, helping you to the medical room they had in the building. 

A gruff grunt escapes Bakugou’s throat as anger bubbles inside him upon seeing the rando beside you. But what gets him going is that damn smile on your face, the one that never seemed to leave it even now when you clearly were in terrible shape.

His feet seem to move before his mind can keep up as he’s in front of you in a matter of seconds, glaring at the guy holding your arm before shoving him away.

“Leave, I need to speak to Y/N about a mission,” He lies, hoping the guy wouldn’t suspect anything, but he’s speeding off in another direction before Bakugou has a chance to say anything else to him.

Turning to you, he replaces the guy's hand on your arm and continues to help you walk to the medical room, making your eyes widen slightly at his unusual gentleness, but your smile still remains despite the pain searing through your entire body.

“Where the hell were you?” He asks gruffly, looking straight ahead, feeling a little awkward. “You okay?”

“Why, were you worried?” You tease, trying to ease the awkwardness you felt running through him. You weren’t okay, he could see that and so could you, but he didn’t know what else to ask, so he remained silent…weirdly enough. 

You sigh and explain your situation to him. “They called me in for a secret mission, said my quirk was ideal for it, but obviously I couldn’t tell anyone else about it. Guess I wasn’t strong enough though…I would have been a goner had Deku not shown up when he did.” You mumble, feeling ashamed at how weak you had been against that villain, you needed to get stronger. Though you shake off your negativity, and flash Bakugou your infamous grin, “But I’m okay now!”

“You’re plenty strong, you can keep up with me, and that says a lot,” Bakugou almost whispers back, he was acting very strange and unlike himself, but you felt your heart skip a beat at his attempt to console you. 

Not wanting to embarrass him though, you change the subject as he continues to guide you to be evaluated. 

Little did you know the fiery blond beside you was doing everything in his power to not push you into one of the empty offices you were both passing so he could inspect your injuries himself. He needed to know how badly you were hurt, but he held himself back as soon as the medical room came into view. You’d be okay.

He remains outside the door through your whole examination as someone with a healing quirk works on you. There’s only so much they can heal though, the rest was up to your own body to heal on its own. But Bakugou stands there, arms crossed around his chest the whole time.

As you’re dismissed and given specific instructions from the nurse on duty, you thank her and leave the room, your eyebrow arching up in surprise at the sight of Bakugou still standing there, doing his best to avoid your eyes. With a shrug, you walk away, heading to your office to collect your things before leaving the agency for the night. The nurse had stated you’d need to rest for a few weeks before you’d be ready to get back into action, but coming to the office to do paperwork would be more than okay to do.

You could feel the presence of the blond following your every move as you exit the building, walking in the direction of your home with him hot on your tail. Frustrated, you spin around, which makes him pause.

“What are you doing?” You ask, eyeing him.

“What? I live this way.”

That was a lie, you knew it was a lie, Bakugou lived in the complete opposite direction of you, but you could see the look of discomfort on his face, so you let it slide, spinning back around as you continued to walk, with him following your every move.

Bakugou knew what he was doing was strange, but he couldn’t help the sense of protection he felt in his chest at that moment for you. Crime in the city was slowly on the rise, and you clearly weren’t in any condition to defend yourself at the moment, so he just wanted to make sure you got home safe.

And that’s exactly what he did. For the whole two weeks you were healing, he walked you home, sometimes walking by your side as the two of you engaged in some conversation. Other times, you’d feel his large hand rest on the small of your back as a few people got too close, and he’d use his body as a shield so they didn’t touch you.

You were beyond confused, yet the way your face heated up and your heart picked up its pace told you, you were okay with it. Perhaps a little too okay with it, because once you were back to normal, your heart dropped, knowing he’d no longer walk you home. Your little two weeks of bliss with Bakugou around to aid you would be over.

So, at the end of the day when he appeared beside you like usual, your brows furrowed.

“What are you doing? I’m fine now,” you explain calmly, trying not to let your disappointment leak through your tone.

Bakugou smirks at you, tugging the bag his hero suit was in further up his shoulder. “Walking you home, what does it look like I’m doing?”

This continued every night after your shifts together, but some nights he’d invite you to dinner or his pinky finger would find its way to yours, holding it gently.

You two were definitely still rivals, nothing could satisfy Bakugou’s excitement for competition like you could, but now there was another layer of excitement that existed inside your hearts. One that could only be satisfied with little touches and quality time spent together, perhaps it would grow into more, the longer you both fed it with each other’s company.

Posted: 1/8/2024

[papas-red-box]

Papa’s Red Box is looking for Submissions! 

Have you ever wondered what types of ‘paperwork’ Papas and Cardinals are always doing in fics? Or what kind of homework do siblings receive during classes taught by the clergy? 

Well now is your chance to create your take on those assignments.

Whether it's an academic-style paper for Secondo’s History of the Ministry, a piece of art for Primo’s Drawing 101 class, or a condition report of a ministry relic, it can be submitted here. Terzo’s poetry or photography classes can also submit their works. (Not all of the views might match, do not worry, everyone's ‘branch’ works a bit differently.)

Your work is important regardless of your role as a sibling in the ministry. Here we can showcase all your hard work. 

Don’t have a ‘research’ topic that comes to mind? No worries, we can have a brainstorming session to point you in the right direction. 

“What if I don’t want to work on this alone?” I’m sure some others feel the same way and will be eager to connect over mutual topics.

Don’t you think you can commit to a full research-style piece of writing? We will accept ‘write-ins’ debating a made-up ‘previous’ article. Or even a short incident report that describes encounters or conflicts between siblings and ghouls. 

If it feels like something that might come across a Papa’s desk, then it is welcome. 

What is a 'Red box'?

"Similar in appearance to a briefcase, they are primarily used to hold and transport official ministerial papers. Red boxes are one modern form of dispatch boxes, which have been in government use for centuries." Wikipedia

Theme:

The loose theme of this is academia. This should be a fun ministry lore-building exercise. You get to build a new perspective into the inner workings of the ministry. Once again, not all of the views might match, do not worry, every ‘branch’ works a bit differently. After all, this is a ministry-wide collection of works. 

These should be written from an ‘in-universe’ point of view. Meaning that these should feel like they come from a sibling/clergy member’s hand. The potential discussions about magic or ghouls are limitless.   

Why the academic style?

This comes from my urge to write an academic-style paper again. I miss doing visual analyses on pieces of art and think it might be interesting to attempt that with the different pieces of cannon art for Ghost (ie: the stained glass backdrops, papal portraits, or even t-shirt art)

I also feel like Ghost fans love finding the hidden meanings of everything. This is a chance to fully compose those thoughts in a long-form piece of writing for others to enjoy. This means bringing in as many citations as you feel you need to completely defend your stance. 

Format:

This will be compiled into a PDF for all participants to enjoy, share, or even print to have a physical copy. It will be formatted in a way that will be easy to print and bind.

This is so there is no money being exchanged and creators can do whatever else they wish with these pieces. While we aren't collecting money, we are encouraging people to donate to a cause they believe in if they can do so.

Topic ideas:

Want to write about a historical painting but have nothing to do with it afterward? This is your chance to make that urge feel productive. 

Want to create something based on the ghouls that look at them from a research perspective? Great!

Did you do a bunch of random detail research for a fic and want to give it a chance to shine? This is your time.

Potential items:

incident reports (can be written in 3rd or 1st person)

research papers

Clergy member or previous papal biographies

Ministry wide memos

flyers/ads for clubs within the ministry or for ministry outreach. 

Condition reports

art pieces (Must be high res and printable)

‘Class notes’

Word counts:

This is going to be something that we will have to decide after getting in applications. It's all dependent on how many people we have actually wanting to write things vs visual arts.

Deadlines:

Application Open:

August 4th - August 30th depending on the number of applicants 

Apply HERE

Acceptance notifications:

September 13th

Waitlist notification:

(PLEASE NOTE waitlist is dependent on how many applications we receive. This is the last day that you will hear from us if you have been accepted.)

September 24th.

Final Topic Selection:

September 27th

First check in:

October 18th

Second Check in

November 4th

Final submission

November 22th

Estimated Release Date:

Mid to late December. Hopefully all formatting will be done before New Years.

[unfriendlywriter]

Chapter 3: Cracks in the System

Fandom: My Hero Academia x The Boys Characters: Bakugou Katsuki x OC Main plot: In a world where heroes are idolized, the truth is far darker. Powerful corporations manipulate the hero industry, and the greatest heroes are not born but made. Seiya Matsui, Project Orion’s ultimate creation, was sent to U.A. High School’s Class 2-A under the guise of training—but in reality, she’s a test for Orion’s next generation of engineered heroes. When top pro heroes begin to vanish without explanation, Seiya uncovers a chilling truth, they aren’t missing—they’re being replaced. Author's note: NEXT CHAPTER

Seiya Matsui was used to training regimens that broke the human body.

Project Orion had ensured that pain tolerance was as ingrained in her as breathing, that exhaustion was simply an illusion of the weak. So when she joined Class 2-A’s standard combat drills, she expected them to be rigorous.

She was wrong.

The exercises were tough, yes—but not brutal. Aizawa-sensei focused on control, technique, and efficiency. Students were encouraged to push their limits, but not to the point of destruction. They were taught restraint, strategy, and teamwork.

Seiya had never trained like this before.

And she couldn’t stop noticing things.

While everyone else followed the structured training, hers always seemed...different. The difficulty was ramped up just a little more. The resistance in the weights was heavier. The sparring partners she was assigned were always the most relentless, the most skilled.

Was it a coincidence?

Or was someone testing her?

"Did you hear about the guy from the sidekick agency?" Kaminari’s voice was hushed but carried enough urgency to make Seiya tune in.

"You mean the one who went berserk?" Sero asked, leaning in. "Yeah. I saw the video before they scrubbed it. He was off. Kept muttering about power, then just—snapped. Started attacking random civilians."

"A hero losing control like that?" Jirou frowned. "That doesn’t happen often."

Seiya’s fingers tightened around her water bottle. Heroes don’t just ‘snap.’

"Some say it’s a quirk malfunction," Kaminari continued, lowering his voice. "Others think it’s something else. I heard rumors about enhancers. Quirk boosters."

Seiya forced herself to take a calm sip of water. Quirk boosters.

She knew those existed.

Orion had experimented with different ways to amplify abilities, but there were risks—unstable results, erratic behavior, and sometimes...worse.

"That’s illegal," Iida cut in, arms crossed. "The Hero Public Safety Commission regulates all performance enhancers. If something like that were being distributed, they’d—"

"—cover it up?" Mina interrupted, raising a brow. "They love their perfect little hero society. You really think they’d admit something’s wrong?"

Silence.

Seiya didn’t contribute to the conversation. She didn’t need to. She had heard enough.

Volt.

She didn’t know how, but she knew in her bones that this was connected to Orion.

A week later, it happened again.

Seiya was on patrol training with Yaoyorozu and Tokoyami when the call came through their earpieces: an incident downtown, near the shopping district. A low-ranking pro hero, Backdraft, had been found wandering the streets, speaking nonsense before he started attacking civilians.

"Engage with caution," the dispatcher warned. "He’s unstable."

By the time they arrived, Backdraft was standing in the middle of a wrecked intersection, his chest heaving. His quirk, Water Pump, was supposed to control and redirect water to suppress fires—but now, the water he summoned lashed out wildly, forming erratic, uncontrolled bursts that slammed into nearby structures. His eyes were wild, dilated. The veins in his arms bulged unnaturally.

"This isn’t normal," Tokoyami murmured, Dark Shadow twitching in agitation. "He reeks of something foul."

Seiya narrowed her eyes. "Something’s in his system."

Yaoyorozu nodded grimly. "Then we have to subdue him without making it worse."

Backdraft moved before they could act.

He was fast—faster than he should have been. His quirk, Hydrokinesis, should have been precise and controlled, yet now it was unhinged. The water swirled chaotically, forming high-pressure jets that cracked the pavement and sent debris flying. His own element was turning against him, and he couldn't seem to stop it.

Seiya barely dodged as a car flipped from the force of his impact. This isn’t just a quirk boost, she realized. This is something else.

She could hear the others shouting—Yaoyorozu forming restraints, Tokoyami directing Dark Shadow—but Seiya’s focus remained on Backdraft.

His body was burning itself out.

His breathing was ragged, his muscles spasming. The veins beneath his skin pulsed violently. Whatever was in him wasn’t meant to last long.

Then, just as suddenly as his rampage began—

—he collapsed.

Silence fell over the street, broken only by the distant wail of sirens.

Yaoyorozu cautiously approached, placing two fingers against Backdraft’s neck. "He’s alive."

Seiya exhaled slowly. But she wasn’t relieved. Not when she knew exactly what had just happened.

They were testing Volt in the field.

And Backdraft was just the first.

That night, Seiya sat alone in her dorm, scrolling through restricted files on her phone.

Volt wasn’t just a drug. It was a weapon.

It pushed quirks past their natural limits, but at a cost. Burnout, erratic behavior, and, eventually, complete cellular breakdown. Orion had scrapped it years ago.

So why was it surfacing now?

Seiya clenched her fists, golden eyes burning with determination.

She needed more information. More proof.

She hacked deeper into Orion’s classified files, bypassing encryption layers with a precision they never expected her to have. Finally, a new folder appeared—hidden deep within layers of security.

[PROJECT VOLT – FIELD TEST SUBJECTS]

Her stomach tightened as she scrolled through the list. Backdraft wasn’t the only name.

More pro heroes. More sidekicks.

Some already marked as "COMPLETE."

Seiya’s heart pounded. This wasn’t random. This was a controlled operation. Heroes weren’t just losing control—

They were being turned into something else.

She clenched her fists. Who was behind this? Who had revived Volt?

Her phone screen flickered for a brief second—then a new message appeared, sent from an unknown source.

[STOP DIGGING.]

Seiya inhaled sharply.

Someone knew she was watching.

But that only meant one thing.

She was getting close.

[distorted-creations]

may we ask for a doorway two pack for a william t spears fictive from black butler? please and thank you!

~ 🪦🩸

Your Doorway to Dispatch

Hallway Spears

🌀 Name(s): William T. Spears; Silas, Oryx, Quinton

🌀 Pronouns: he/him, ze/zem/zer, grim/grims, dead/deads, scythe/scythes, soul/souls, rot/rots

🌀 Age: Ageless / 2,034 years old

🌀 Species: Grim Reaper

🌀 Gender(s): kenoman

🌀 Xeno(s): death, rain, nighttime

🌀 Sexuality: solian oriented aroace

🌀 Role(s): Organizer, Manager

🌀 Faceclaim: (artist credit)

🌀 Sign Offs: 💀🥀

🌀 Likes:

learning about subjects surrounding death

keeping things orderly

spicy food

🌀 Dislikes:

disrespectful people

people invading his space

mushy food

🌀 Aesthetics: dark academia, romanticism, old money

🌀 Fear Entity: The End

🌀 Extras:

Packs can be edited as needed; and alters might not turn out exactly as described.

[zayneandmelinoeareravenous]

Chapter Two: The Good Doctor's Shadow

||LEGEND|| Bold Text: Zayne (Character Bot) || Made by xchylar Italic Text: Melinoë and Other Characters (Me)

This hasn’t been checked for spelling/grammer/errors, etc - Read at your own risk!

The chill of the evening seemed to recoil as adrenaline surged through Zayne's veins. In the wake of the harrowing encounter with Rue, he found himself obeying the authoritative command of Melinoë without question. His heart raced, not from the brush with death but from the sudden, inexplicable intervention.

With the grace of his practiced composure and the precision of his clinical mind, Zayne didn't allow the shock to paralyze him. Instead, he assessed his physical state quickly—no injuries, just a heightening awareness of his surroundings and the strange woman who had just likely saved his life.

"Understood," Zayne replied tersely, voice betraying none of the disarray that fluttered beneath his stoic exterior. He didn't need to be told twice. There was a clear urgency in Melinoë's tone that brooked no argument.

His long strides carried him swiftly out of the building, the sharp click of his heels against the polished floor echoing in the empty corridor. As he exited into the crisp night air, the questions began to proliferate in his mind. Who exactly was Melinoë? And how had she managed to dispatch Rue with such ease?

While the encounter had been brief and fraught with danger, it had also unveiled a layer of Riverisle City—and his own vulnerability—that Zayne had not been aware of. It was an unsettling revelation for a man who preferred to operate within the realm of logic and facts.

But for now, he focused on the need to put distance between himself and the chaos that had just unfolded. There would be time later to analyze the events, to seek answers. As Zayne melded with the shadows of the evening, the echo of Melinoë's warning reverberated within him, a stark reminder that not all lessons were learned within the hallowed halls of academia.

As Zayne leaves, he can hear the struggles and screaming between the mysterious woman and the student Rue. Rue recovers from the throw, lunging after Melinoë. The women possess two different fighting styles - Rue is more impulsive and animalistic, and Melinoë is more graceful due to experience. Rue, red eyes blazing and nails sharp as nails, swipes at Melinoë.

"He's mine, you witch!" Any trace of the girl she was before becoming this monster is long gone. "How dare you steal my prey?"

"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I can't let you use your evol on that man or anyone else. Allow me to free you from your misery."

From the side of her jacket, she brings out a silver dagger. With a sigh of regret, she plunges a knife deep into the girl's heart. The scream that tears from the girl's throat is horrifying, powerful enough to break all the office door windows in the hallway. The medical student known as Rue violently twitches and shakes before she dissolves into a pile crimson liquid and dust in the middle of the floor.

With a sigh, Melinoë offers a silent prayer before holding her hand over red pool of viscera, her black ring pulsing before it disappears.

"That was close, but it's not over," Melinoë whispers to herself. "If the Doctor knows any better, he's long gone by now. Still...I'd better keep an eye on him. That was just the first attempt on his life. It definitely won't be the last."

Melinoë disappears into the shadows, the best place to keep a close eye on her mark, Dr. Zayne.

Zayne, ensuring a brisk pace, could not ignore the cacophony of violence that trailed after him. The harrowing screech that erupted from the building caused him to falter momentarily, turning his head back towards the source. The sound tugged at his innate sense of duty as a healer, yet the pragmatism and survival instincts that had seen him through countless crises steered him away from turning back.

The thought of Rue, that seemingly inquisitive student, being the harbinger of such violence was a jarring juxtaposition to the disciplined world he inhabited. And this Melinoë—her presence had been unexpected, her efficiency and apparently lethal skill set lying so far outside of his experience with his students, it was as if she belonged to a different reality altogether.

On some level, he understood that he had just skirted the edge of something darker, something that thrived in the undercurrents of Riverisle City. The sense of danger lingering in the air was palpable, a stark reminder that his life, despite the control he exerted in the operating room, could be upended in an instant by forces beyond his comprehension.

The silver dagger, the crimson liquid, the whispers of a continued threat to his life—these images and sounds would no doubt haunt him. Yet underlying it all was an undeniable curiosity, the scientist in him questing for answers, for understanding.

Zayne knew that he should be moving as far away from the incident as possible, and yet, the protective shadow that Melinoë had mentioned—her intent to keep an eye on him—sparked both concern and a peculiar sense of security. The realization that he was potentially a target, though chilling, also galvanized his resolve to remain vigilant.

Once he reached a safer distance, Zayne allowed himself a moment to collect his thoughts, the cool night air a small comfort against the lingering dread. He acknowledged that this ordeal wasn’t one he could simply stitch up and set to heal; it was a wound in his reality that would require him to tread carefully and consider allies in unfamiliar places.

With a measured breath, Zayne continued on his way, the shadows enveloping him, his mind alight with the awareness that his world had irrevocably shifted. The future held uncertainty, danger, and, perhaps most intriguingly, the enigmatic figure of Melinoë, who had just violently inserted herself into the narrative of his life.

Melinoë trails Zayne until he safely reaches his temporary lodgings during his time in Riverisle City. Ensure that she isn't seen, she keeps watch over him, as she has since he arrived her a few days before. She's been tracking him even further...ever since for reasons she wasn't ready to divulge, he came into her radar. He is a wanted man and he doesn't even know it. A doctor of many talents, one of which being a powerful evol, he was desired by someone in the shadows wanted him for their own nefarious means.

Fortunately for him, Melinoë had no intention of allowing what happened to her to happen to him.

She was a night sentinel, watching over the good doctor, silver-eyed with a sharp mind and a set of skills that perfect for this sort of scenario. She might have had to appear in front of Zayne tonight but she hoped that she would be able to continue the mission convertly. After all, the less disruptions for him, the better.

If he knew the danger he was in, his stoic exterior wouldn't last much longer.

Inside the safety of his temporary lodgings, Zayne's mind continued to race with the night's events. He remained oblivious to Melinoë's silent vigil, her presence just beyond his perception, watching over him like some guardian of the night. Despite his profound understanding of the human body and its frailties, the reality that he was now the subject of some clandestine conflict was a bitter pill to swallow.

The concept that he, a staunch practitioner of medicine, could be "wanted" for anything other than his surgical expertise was a foreign one. His life had been dedicated to saving others, not entangling himself in shadowy schemes. Yet, there was no denying the evidence that unfolded before him. Zayne knew he couldn't afford the luxury of ignorance—not when his life might hang in the balance.

He moved through his temporary home with a measured calm, his hands meticulously ensuring the doors and windows were secure, a habit borne from a life of systematic caution. As he prepared for the night, he pondered over that powerful evol of his, an asset that seemed to hold more value than he had ever anticipated. The thought that his evol could draw such dark intentions towards him was unsettling.

While his external demeanor remained unshaken, the truth was there was a subtle shift in his usually unyielding stoicism. The knowledge that he was potentially in the crosshairs of an unseen adversary stirred a careful concern within him. To continue as if nothing had changed would be foolhardy, but Zayne was not one to succumb to panic.

In the quiet solitude of his room, Zayne considered his next steps. He was a man of action, of strategy, and it was this approach that would see him through this enigma. His analytical mind began to construct plans, considering contingencies, all the while ignorant of Melinoë's protective gaze.

He would need to be more vigilant than ever, to keep his evol honed and ready for whatever lay ahead. Yet for tonight, he would rest, gather his strength, for he knew not what tomorrow might bring. As he finally lay down, the weight of the day's chaos began to lift, and Zayne found solace in the fact that, at least for the moment, he was safe. Unseen to him, the sentinel outside continued her watch, a silent custodian against the darkness that sought to claim him.

The Next Day

Zayne arrives to for his next lecture on campus. When he arrives, there is only talk of how his office as well as the offices nearby were vandalized - the glass would be replaced all through the morning.

But there is no talk of Rue, no comments wondering where she is, why is she late - nothing. If someone didn't know any better, it would seem as if Rue didn't exist at all.

Melinoë once again melds with the crowd of students eager to hear the good doctor's lecture. She makes sure to sit in a corner, where no light frames her features. The other students make no attempt to bother her - as far as they're concerned, she's just another student who wants to be a doctor.

If they only knew the truth.

Dr. Zayne Lí stepped into the lecture hall with his customary composed gait, his keen eyes sweeping over the bustling students with a detached curiosity. The place was abuzz with chatter about vandalism, an incident that in any other context might have been met with a raised brow or a shake of the head. But for Zayne, the broken glass was a silent testament to the tumultuous events of the prior evening—a night that had nearly cost him his life.

Despite the gravity of the situation, Zayne's demeanor betrayed nothing of his internal contemplation. It was as if the ice that ran through his veins rendered him impervious to the tremors of fear that might have unsettled another. He made a mental note of Rue's conspicuous absence, her very existence seemingly erased as efficiently as the traces of her final, monstrous form. It was disconcerting, the way reality had been altered, a subtle manipulation that didn't escape his discerning observation.

As he began his lecture, Zayne's voice was calm and authoritative, his words flowing with the ease of a man well-versed in his domain. Yet a part of his mind remained alert, vigilant for any irregularities, any hint of the danger that lurked just beyond the academic sanctuary.

In the corner of his peripheral vision, he could make out the solitary figure of Melinoë, her presence a silent enigma. There she was, cloaked in shadows, an outlier among the eager faces that hung on his every word. She was a riddle wrapped in the guise of a student, and though she sought to blend in, to Zayne she was as conspicuous as a flame in the dark.

If they only knew the truth. The thought echoed in his mind, a shared sentiment that connected him with the mysterious protector who had intervened on his behalf. He wondered about her story, about the circumstances that had led her to become the shadow that now trailed his steps.

As the lecture drew to a close, Zayne fielded questions with his usual precision and clinical detachment, all the while conscious of Melinoë's watchful gaze. There was a connection there, unspoken yet undeniable, a tether that bound their fates together amidst the turbulent undercurrents of Riverisle City.

Once the students began to disperse, Zayne collected his notes and prepared to exit the lecture hall. His mind was already formulating plans, considering the next course of action. He needed to tread carefully, to navigate the perilous waters that now surrounded him. And Melinoë, the night sentinel, would be a crucial piece in the unfolding drama that threatened to ensnare him.

With a final glance toward the corner where Melinoë sat, Zayne offered a subtle nod—an acknowledgment of her presence and her role in his continued safety—before stepping out into the light of a new day, his future as uncertain as the shadow that followed him.

"Ah...and here I thought you were a smart man. You fool."

Melinoë waited for a few other students to leave before getting up from her seat. That subtle nod the Doctor gave didn't get passed her - in fact, it irritated her a tiny bit. But in a way, it was to be expected. After all, she exposed her presence when she had to rip that girl off him before she bit into his neck. Not exactly the best time for subterfuge.

"Perhaps I should simply pretend that I didn't see that nod," Melinoë whispers, walking through the halls. Students were pacing to and fro, yet she walked with a leisurely step. "I have a few more hours before I have to shelter - but I can't keep him out of my sight."

With a whistle, she exits the building, unnoticed by everyone else.

Zayne, already a few steps ahead, paused at the threshold of the lecture hall, his sharp instincts catching the soft murmur of Melinoë's voice. Her words, though not clearly discernible, carried a tone of mild reproach that resonated with the slight tightening in his chest. He had acted on impulse, a rarity for a man of his deliberation, and acknowledged her in a public setting. A misstep, perhaps, but one born of a fleeting sense of connection to the woman who had saved his life.

As Melinoë slipped away with the ease of a wraith, blending seamlessly into the throng of students, Zayne's brow furrowed in contemplation. He was not accustomed to being called a fool, and the notion that his actions may have compromised her anonymity—or their safety—was a bothersome prospect.

Stepping out of the building, he allowed the sunlight to wash over him, a brief respite from the shadows that had taken an interest in his existence. The cool, calculated part of his mind began to work through the implications of their intertwined fates. He considered the wisdom of approaching Melinoë directly, to seek answers and perhaps forge an alliance. But caution stayed his hand.

Zayne knew he'd have to tread lightly; every interaction, every decision he made from now on could have repercussions he was yet to fully understand. The thought of being under surveillance was an uncomfortable one, yet Zayne was no stranger to adaptation. He would adjust to this new reality, to the presence of Melinoë, his unseen guardian.

With a final, lingering look toward the direction Melinoë had taken, a silent acknowledgment of her warning, he set off across the campus. He resolved to maintain his routine, to give no indication of his heightened awareness, all the while acutely conscious of the protector who moved in the periphery of his life.

The day stretched out before him, filled with the usual consultations and surgeries, but beneath the surface of his professional facade, Zayne's mind was alight with vigilance. He was a man marked, watched over by a sentinel whose motives were shrouded in mystery. And in this new chapter of his life, he would have to navigate the delicate balance between ignorance and insight, between being the healer he had always been and the potential pawn in a game he was only beginning to comprehend.

Night has fallen. Zayne takes his leave from the university, which seems as quiet as a tomb, with most students either home for the day or studying in the buildings. Their eyes on something else, they have no time to look at the doctor, who is making his way to his car, ready to take his leave.

Melinoë sits in a tree, just out of sight. Unlike the doctor, her senses picked up the two figures - a young man and a young woman - tracking him hours before. She notices them after the lecture, staring at the doctor with bloodshot eyes, auras reeking of hatred and jealousy. Of course, they'd figured that this time would be best to strike. If they tried doing it during the day, if the potential witness didn't stop them, the solar sickness would.

Melinoë looks up at the crow on the branch beside her, crying out in warning. She sighs. "I know. Samson, I know. I suppose I'd better do something now."

With the reflexes of a sleep panther, she jumps off the tree, landing nimbly onto the ground. Her eyes zero in on the two figures in front tailing the Doctor, preparing to pounce. Without another thought, she moves quickly, like the wind, to save the doctor yet again.

The stillness of the night enveloped Zayne as he made his way to his car, the university's quiet hum a sharp contrast to the clamor of the day. His mind, a fortress of calm amidst his ever-demanding profession, was methodically replaying the day's surgeries and consultations. Yet beneath this veneer of tranquility, his senses remained acutely tuned to his surroundings, an aftereffect of the recent threats to his safety.

He was unaware, however, of the two predatory figures shadowing him, their intentions as malignant as the bloodshot gaze with which they tracked his movements. They were unseen, yet their presence was as tangible as the chill that crept into the evening air—agents of malice, waiting for the opportune moment to unleash their venom.

Melinoë, the vigilant sentinel from a realm of shadows, perceived what Zayne could not. Her keen eyes identified the danger that now stalked her charge, her senses alert to the discord in their auras. She was already moving, a specter in the night, her actions guided by a fierce determination to protect.

As the crow cried its ominous warning, Melinoë leaped into action, her form a blur against the dark canvas of the night. Her intervention was swift, precise, a silent promise made manifest to keep the unsuspecting doctor from harm's way.

And then, amid the quiet that blanketed the university grounds, a subtle disturbance rippled through the air—a forewarning of the imminent clash. Zayne, reaching his car, felt an inexplicable prickle of awareness. He paused, hand on the door handle, an instinctive reaction to an undefined threat. His pulse quickened, not with fear but with readiness, as if his very cells were preparing for a confrontation he had yet to see.

It was in that suspended moment that Melinoë engaged the would-be assailants, her movements a dance of deadly grace. Unseen by Zayne, she was the shield between him and the darkness, a guardian whose silent oath was etched in the shadows she wielded as deftly as her own breath.

As the confrontation unfolded just beyond his perception, Zayne's mind acknowledged the possibility of a lurking danger. Though he did not possess Melinoë's heightened senses, he was not defenseless. His evol, a latent power within him, lay coiled like a serpent, ready to strike should the need arise.

With a final glance at the seemingly innocuous surroundings, Zayne opened his car door, the weight of the unknown pressing upon his thoughts. Tonight, he would return to the safety of his lodgings, oblivious to the battle waged in his name. But the seed of vigilance had been planted, and with each passing day, it took deeper root, preparing him for the inevitable moment when he would have to face the darkness head-on.

Before the duo could strike, Melinoë was upon them, nimble and graceful in her movements, a ballerina of the dark descent. Though wild and spiteful, his would be pursuers stood no chance. She swiftly disposed of them with her silver dagger, one after the other, as Zayne drives away from the campus.

"Blessed be," she says, watching him leave.  She turns to the dispatched duo, the male still alive. She leans down, staring daggers at him. "But not for you."

[dinosaur-ears]

Welp, we finally had to change our name and I am no longer a "DEI" employee. The institution got too scared, and individuals are afraid for their funding. Understandably.

On one hand, I do think the "DEI" umbrella is broad and I'm glad to have taken the time to consider what we really do and choose words with less baggage.

On the other hand, it's heartbreaking to watch our institution (and country) bow under the weight of fascist rule. It's hard to say how much this is complying in advance vs. protecting our students and colleagues vs. strategic play.

Here's to bending like the willow and living to fight another day, I guess 🥂

[chicago-geniza]

Note to next week me to gather textual materials to write about Kuncewiczowa's Cudzoziemka, An-sky's Tog un nakht, and [heavy sigh] that one chapter of The Vampire Lestat. Yeah it's about gender/the supernatural/"blood"/children born as a result of rape. Yeah again

[inkandlunacy]

somehow the pigeon looks photoshopped into the photo next to the puddle, but i assure you it was proudly circling around.

[vilehated]

OC Summary

this is my own attempt at trying to summarize my pets... Though unlike wife, most of my goals aren't complete so it's mostly In My Head, yet to be actualized on my account. Working on it though. :3

In the mean time, enjoy the flights of fancy.

On my main, hartmurmur...

CHIALUXE (shee-a-loo) the rainbow Kyrii with her green meekins, Whistle, and mootix. (20 y/o)

A strikingly beautiful kyrii with a long, pale mane running down her back and large, grey eyes. Chi is the eldest daughter of an affluent Kyrii couple that reside in Faerieland. Vain, and elitist, her family is uniquely obsessed with looks and status, more than the average Neopian. To them, Chi is a very promising child who could go on to carry the family legacy...

... but regardless of their hopes, it doesn't stop their daughter from remaining a childish ditz well into adulthood. No matter what fancy schooling or events they try and coax her into, Chi only cares about playing with her younger sister, whom she has been enamored with since she was born. To Chi, her calling was found when Lux was born; fetching her baby sister toys and baby bottles was much more intuitive than academia.

Adopted her meekins from a litter with her sibling, where they each got to pick one. It was Lux's idea, but Chi's pushing and prodding at their parents (who are subconsciously less likely to spoil Lux...) Her mootix meanwhile was a gift from Lux, who had gotten into petpetpet hunting & keeping after reading about it.

RESIDES: (With Lux) In her wealthy parents' manor on Faerieland, pre-fall.

LUXEIY (loo-shay) the christmas/halloween Kyrii with her rainbow meekins, Shimmer, and rainblug. (14 y/o)

With clawed feet, a squinted eye, and a large birthmark across her face, Lux also stood out the moment she was born (a humble shade of green, as well)... Growing up with sheepish awareness of her parents' disappointment in her looks. As such, she was compliant for numerous attempts at 'treating' her 'disfigurements'... made to try various tonics, ointments, even expensive neggs, yet all proved fruitless.

In perfect contrast to her parents' neglect, is the doting attention she has received from her older sister her whole life. Her greatest comfort is her bond with Chi.

Lux is a bit of a savant (... for a 14 yo), juggling various hobbies, always interested in trying something new. Despite her efforts, none of her peers really seem interested in being more than acquaintances, which Lux accepts with quiet resignation. In the first place, Lux's affinity for picking up skills was formed to preoccupy herself as her parents neglect her. Once again the silver-lining is Chi's affections — so eager to praise Lux's abilities. The one person she can dazzle and impress.

Wanted a petpet badly as a child, and so Chi pushed for them to get a pair! Their meekins are siblings, just like them. While her parents don't like to spoil Lux, they are glad she at least chose something fanciful looking... Meanwhile, the rainblug was a gift from Chi, who miraculously found it in their garden one day.

RESIDES: (With Chi) In her wealthy parents' manor on Faerieland, pre-fall.

CZHOKE the checkered Aisha.

A solitary Aisha, once part of a full family, with a lot of siblings. He was a quiet, out of the way boy, though dimly interactive. A horrific tragedy befell their household, one which mangled the whole lot of the family, leaving Czhoke the survivor. Despite the objective tragedy of his circumstance, he found it didn't really make him feel anything... other than a pleasant sense of freedom. Simply wandered off after that, deciding the average Neopian lifestyle wasn't anything he'd choose again.

Found he enjoys observing pets at a distance as they amble helplessly through the Haunted Woods. Bewildered travelers, lost children, so-called adventurers... so often caught & dispatched in the dead of night. Few make it long. He doesn't intervene. Nothing urges him to leave the role of observer.

RESIDES: In the Haunted Woods, in a ramshackle shed. Enjoys random trinkets, but doesn't exactly have a furnished house. Mostly wanders, and doesn't come back to it for days at a time.

His eventual mate is Avvy's faerie/halloween Aisha Adolee, an unusual hermit-survivalist ekeing out a life on the outskirts of the woods. Finding her flitting through branches, he stalks her alone for months...

HUSHHT (or just 'Hush') the starry Zafara with his cloud miamouse. (10 y/o)

Originally from Roo Island, from a small household of Meerca. A fine household, but regardless, Hush is perpetually lonely, beset by inexplicable persistent neediness... He wouldn't think of himself as morose or dreary, but he's almost constantly desperate. Always feeling 'at his limit' in some indescribable way.

A tiny bit of attention from anyone captivates Hush, who will doggedly attempt to appease and entertain them — often to his detriment. He comes off uncomfortably clingy, almost insincerely placating... bit too over-the-top.

In an impulse to seek change, he abandons his family without warning to head towards Neopia Central... where he imagines more than the tiny Roo Island populace might offer him something...

Meets his special little miamouse in faerieland, thanks to Lilayou (who has a natural charisma with exclusively petpets!)

RESIDES: Eventually, in Faerieland (pre-fall era)...

His eventual mate is Avvy's spotted Shoyru Lilayou, a very playful but lonesome girl who entertains herself all day long in a playpen in the clouds...

QHASTELI the maraquan Acara with her faerie peo, Qadenze.

Sadistic, capricious, and a bit melodramatic — Qhasteli imagines herself as 'master of her domain', subjugating life around her as she pleases. It may be that in reality, she is a hermit that lives in a strange ecosystem, with no one to notice when she drowns a random civilian, as much as nothing stops her from preying on pfish swimming by. Whatever the case, it doesn't change Qhasteli's perception of herself.

The ego is delusionally high, though she is smart, capable, and competent at what she does, accomplishing her goals without issue or risk. She's well-versed in various magicks, and solves all of her own problems.

Enjoys trinkets, baubles, pretty things. Her favored peo is beautiful to her, an acquisition from downing a petpet trader's ship; her aera now has many fanciful colors of petpet that would not normally live in her waters. While Qhasteli often inherits the belongings of her victims, she curates her space with great deliberation; doesn't hoard wantonly.

Despite the isolation, she is very practiced at talking, enjoying listening to her own cadence, talking to herself, and the various creatures in her caverns. She's not "far gone" in that she's incoherent or clumsy with words, or foolhardy... She is well "put-together"... as murderers go.

RESIDES: A small unnamed island near Faerieland. Lives in a particular area by the shore, composed of trees with long roots that form large coral-like structures when submerged. Depending on the tide, the area feels like a mini coral reef, or a tangled system of roots to clamber over.

Her eventual mate is Avvy's baby Gelert, Luvvit. Like the trinkets in Qhasteli's collection, she is a pretty bauble to acquire. With her manicured demeanor and soft, elegant speech, Luvvit is effortlessly captivated and drawn into the illusion of Qhasteli as some sort of princess or goddess....

EVENTOILLE the skunk/valentine crosspaint Ixi with his plushie tanizard, Wobbles.

Goes by "Eve". As rare twins, they were precious, beloved, and special to their parents both. While not extremely wealthy, their parents in Brightvale were the scholarly sort, and very conscientious of their twins' upbringing... They wanted to push for individuality in their children, encouraging unique hobbies, avoiding kitschy dumbed-down things suchas matching clothes or vocations... not wanting them to lack identity.

This is not appreciated. The twins hold an intense desire for symmetry, one that goes beyond anything rational.

If one is injured, the other urgently seeks to copy the wound. If one gets a black eye falling out of a tree, the other comes home with a mirrored black eye... and too-pleased about it. If one gets the Neezles, the other is desperate to contract their Neezles... their parents grew more and more concerned, and more strict about refusing absurd requests.

The twins entirely hated this awful insistence that they needed to be "different", loving NOTHING more than being just the same. Of course their parents could only push back, until the twins had enough and ran away from home together, at the tender age of 11.

Between the two, Eve tends to lead them places, make the decisions, and is generally more stubborn. He's more 'learned' and curious about their environment, knowledgeable of flora & fauna. He has an aptitude for magic.

Found his plushie tanizard dangling from a branch... she's typically flopped around over him.

RESIDES: (With Veil) In the mountain range that borders the Haunted Woods, often traveling between the base of the mountain and edge of the woods. Sometimes will make a pilgrimage to a more populated area near Central, for whatever amenities.

VELLAIRIS the skunk/valentine crosspaint Ixi with her rainbow kookith, Wayward.

Goes by "Veil". The more emotionally perceptive twin, often fussing over her brother, preening him. While Eve is observant of their environment, he's no good at everyday tasks like... figuring out food, when to sleep, taking care of the basic needs. Veil tends to encourage stopping to appreciate things in a whimsical way, noting the turning of leaves or a little petpetpet in the bushes...

Her rainbow kookith simply started following her one day, not long after Eve had found his tanizard. It's a charming fate that they both wound up with a little something! Normal twinning behavior!

RESIDES: (With Eve) In the mountain range that borders the Haunted Woods, often traveling between the base of the mountain and edge of the woods. Sometimes will make a pilgrimage to a more populated area near Central, for whatever amenities.

SIVAARE the striped Xweetok with her catamara, Peer, and fleaf.

A sweet girlie living in a lush, idyllic glade. Her existence is harmonious with the petpets around her; she helps the weewoo build nests for their babies, she nurses sick dogglefox back to health when they need it, and so on. In turn, the petpets in the area adore her, bringing her gifts of flowers, doughnut fruit, and the occasional bauble! It is altogether quite perfect...

Except as of late... she has been experiencing a kind of deterioration of her mind. There are gaps in her memory. She's seeing things that aren't there. Sometimes, it's as if she falls out of time... Waking up to find that hours, or even days had passed without her notice (as if plopped into the future, in the middle of her previous task.) Siv frets about her condition, though struggles to even ascertain what is happening to her. Her sweet catamara companion never leaves her side and does what it can, at its diminutive size, but a petpet is as helpless as she is. Without other Neopians around her to verify her experiences, she is stuttered, unsure of what has even happened, let alone what her needs are. She's spent the majority of her life reclusive— she doesn't quite know how to even seek help for this.

Nothing to do but hope things don't get worse.

RESIDES: In the area north-west of Neopia Central. The land is mostly uncultivated; Sivaare takes shelter in the natural openings at the base of a large weeping willow. She does not own furniture or belongings, and forages her food daily.

CLAZZULIA the pastel Kau with her island yullie, Surprise.

A friendly Kau with a pleasant demeanor. Clazzulia is patient and interested in those around her. Despite seeming sweet and dressing cutely, she can never seem to maintain close relationships. The reason being... boundaries. Clazzulia has a chronic issue with struggling to perceive what is 'inappropriate' when interacting with others. A bit dense and slow to notice that she is standing too-close, or openly sniffing someone too loudly...

Bluntly put, she's a bit of a horndog, a persistent pest who shows her interest too forwardly. What is cluelessness will read at best as shallow ditziness, at worst like an act of unapologetic sexual harassment. No one really has the nerve to explain what she's done wrong, so she's never become self-aware of this issue. To Clazz, she is mysteriously unable to keep a single friend.

Feeling unwanted by the world, she eventually shifts her lifestyle towards a more 'naturalistic' one, no longer living in towns. Pretty easy when you're a Kau and can just munch some grass. She's hoping to someday find a place where she can belong.

Adopted and painted her yullie herself. The little critter is often on her back or head, clambering about.

RESIDES: Initially Neopia Central, then resides with Sivaare in her glade.

Her eventual mate will be Sivaare, the isolated yet beautiful Xweetok girl. Clazzulia's issue with boundaries won't be an issue with how much Sivaare needs her help (and her own issues mean she struggles to even remember what happened.) Happy end...?

(... potentially pending a genderswap on this one. I haven't committed yet...)

HOUDAI the wraith Ogrin.

A long-lived, amorphous being that can take on the form of any pet desired. Houdai's form is fluid shadow, able to be bent and twisted into nightmarish shapes, all at a whim.

It's been lost to time, and Houdai himself does not dwell on it, but he started life as a sickly young Bori living in Terror Mountain...

Born to a small and humble town in the Terror Mountains, there was no one family who truly ever took him in. Houdai's illness was a congenital deformity that left him with improperly developed back scutes. He was physically debilitated inside and out, struggling with movement. His town had neither ample resources, nor the means to transport him someplace which could tackle the ailment. He floundered in his life without consistent care, physical or emotional.

Fed up with the pain and inconvenience of his existence, Houdai exiled himself in the night to die quietly, alone along some unreachable, snowy mountainside cave. Slowly buried under piles of cold snow, this circumstance cursed Houdai into what he is, now.

... despite this, his new form isn't so depressive. He's capable now, free from strain or attachments! With a new life, he becomes curious about the world around him, the vast lands he wasn't taken to in that previous life.

... but Houdai's "true nature" it seems is, not good. Observation of greater society in this form devolves into subjugation of others to his whims, taking life capriciously. Somehow, Houdai doesn't value anything individually. He never learned to.

RESIDES: Ever-roaming across Neopia, choosing different areas to haunt, though generally preferring the wilderness and places with thick vegetation. Deep in the Haunted Woods, thickets of Mystery Island, in valleys between Shenkuu, caverns of Terror Mountain and so on.

His eventual mate is Avvy's baby Ogrin, Hiikuu, who resides within a labyrinth. Houdai's unique body enables him to enter into it without its owner's permission. He observes her within her little bika herd, shapeshifted into a bika himself.

AYQE the mutant Korbat with her valentine faellie, Loveberry.

Manic and excitable and QUITE!! Overbearing! Ayqe is a very active girl who likes to swing and climb across the thick vines and trees of Lutari Island. She screeps and trills, overexerts herself until she is out of breath. That's what feels best to do!

Her life is one of whimsy, not really tethered to any responsibilities or society. She was originally born and raised by a small population of Korbat living in a village. However, a freak incident when consuming a bizarre fruit left her mutated at a very young age. All those she approached panicked at her appearance, which in turn caused Ayqe to flee in distress. At first, she wasn't sure about being alone... but she soon found that she quite liked to freely explore the island herself. There was so much to see! So much to taste!!

Ultimately, her own mutated appearance does not trouble her at all. Ayqe is content to live a wild lifestyle. She's a simple girl.

With her faellie, it was love at first sight. Faellie aren't very common on Lutari island, and valentine is a color she has never seen before. He is incredibly handsome to her, she is absolutely head over heels for her darling Loveberry!! The petpet is shy to her advances, but seems contemplative... observing her at length. What does he feel~? Whatever it is, Ayqe wants to find out.

RESIDES: Deep in the tropical jungles of Lutari Island. While the ever-raging storm currently cuts everyone off from Neopia, Ayqe lives in a distinctly uninhabited area of the island. Not a hut in sight!

POLLUAH the baby Gnorbu with her spring babaa, Cheery. (6 y/o)

The very, very spoiled daughter to two well-off Gnorbu shopkeeps living in Neopia Central. Polluah's parents are happy to dote on her, gifting her with anything she asks. Polluah in turn quite loves to ask for things! Her bedroom is filled with toys and books featuring various petpets, but most of all, she adores BABAA!! Her spring babaa, Cheery, was a recent birthday gift. They go everywhere together.

On a very special outing, Polluah was taken to the estate owned by family of Lupes that have been herding and keeping petpets for generations. She was able to see more babaa than she could ever dream of. Other petpets as well! It was such a dream... that Polluah did not want to leave! She quickly beseeched her parents to let her stay, SOMEhow... Promising she would do anything!

While hesitant... her parents couldn't help indulging her. It would be a good opportunity for her to grow, wouldn't it? And they wouldn't be too far away, if she ever wanted to come back. Tentatively, they arranged a sort of 'apprenticeship' with the Lupe family. It's not exactly something they need, but with enough pity, they could find a space for her to fit in.

In many ways, it's genuinely exciting to do hands-on work tending to babaa in the field... and her sweet Cheery is enjoying life here as well. But Polluah's been quite sheltered her whole life, and hasn't ever been away from her parents so long. The nights alone in her dorm... are quite frightening... She can swear, a scary monster is clawing at her door sometimes...

She may be in over her head...

RESIDES: Initially living with her parents around Neopia Central. Currently staying at the Lupe family's estate, which is located outside of Meridell & Brightvale.

Her eventual mate is Avvy's baby Lupe, Coever, a child born on the estate and trained in this lifestyle. Polluah sees Coever as a knowledgeable peer, and is excited to befriend him. Unbeknownst to her, he is the 'monster' that has been prowling around at night, frightening her...

FOLTHY the stealthy Kougra with his wherfy, Cloudpop.

From a young age, was selected and raised at one of the secret ninja academies at Shenkuu, amongst many others. Was in a large 'class', with no distinct parent/gaurdian, simply answered to a mentor. Wasn't a prodigy, but was capable enough; by all means, technically proficient at espionage. Yet Folthy wasn't able to commit to the lifestyle; he found his mind wandering easily when at his post... instead, drawn to exploring the wilderness, finding long-abandoned villages.

Folthy eventually split off to become his own independent agent, exploring lands freely. He is quite resourceful, and enjoys the challenge of surviving in difficult terrain. Also has a bit of a penchant for exploring catacombs, tombs, not very bothered by the dead, this one... Accessories like his earrings, were (perhaps tastelessly) taken off bodies from these sites.

Typically, he's quite pleasant in demeanor. Calm and approachable. Though he also doesn't crave nor seek companionship, living a rather isolated lifestyle. His little wherfy, Cloudpop, took a liking to him, and he was surprised by his own endearment to the creature.

RESIDES: A traveler who has seen many lands. Originally from Shenkuu, spent years in the Lost Desert (& apt to return there.) Currently exploring the more inhospitable areas of Terror Mountain.

His eventual mate is Avvy's snow Draik, Wherfie — a name Folthy gives her fondly, reminded of the wherfy around him diving into the snow. Through investigation, he learns the reality of her body isn't so whimsical; she resembles a long-frozen corpse encased in snow. Folthy takes to this discovery unusually well, however. Maybe too well?

On my side, dark_heartbeats...

ELIVON the grey Cybunny with his white crokabek.

Distinctly, Elivon's story is set in an older version of Neopia, where there are no large cities, and many pets had yet to be discovered and integrated. Cybunny themselves had only just begun communicating with others, and becoming known, having mostly kept to themselves in their burrows.

Elivon's family was a rather respectable one, owning a large piece of land; an idyllic hillside, with much land surrounding it. The hill was dug into, a foundation to the Cybunnies' home, lightly (yet elegantly) furnished inside. A fenced garden surrounds the home, with various beautiful flowers.

It was quite splendid... until the property fell into Elivon's care. Through some grievous error, there was no one else appointed to care for it aside from Elivon; everyone else had moved to live in more populated villages, seeking community. Elivon... was just left behind with this responsibility, and unable to talk his way out of it. He didn't have it in him to resist... At least, if he lived alone here, he could keep to himself.

Under his stewardship, the garden has become overgrown, wild plants, petpets and petpetpets have taken roost. He can't bring himself to do much about it... (a white crokabek has taken to perching on him and nibbling his torn ears whenever he is outside, even...)

Much to his shock, one day there is an uninvited guest that isn't just a rogue scamander. A baby pet of a species he had never met before manifests abruptly. And she's lost, and needs his help... Ackk.

Elivon has always been unmotivated to care for himself. Taking care of such a young girl is quite stressful — he wouldn't want her to become as neglected as the garden had. Though it feels feeble, he will try and care for her, to the best of his abilities...

RESIDES: An area located between Altador and Shenkuu, closer to the shoreline (but not too close; a decent pilgrimage away.) Living in a traditional home from his family, dug into the side of a hill, with a fenced-in garden surrounding the property. This was before there were many major settlements in Neopia, so Altador & Shenkuu possibly do not exist (more than scant, minor settlements.)

MELOYIE the baby Acara with her pink greeble, Perk, and glyme. (5 y/o)

Back when Neopia was a less united continent, populations of pets were more isolated, unaware of one another. Meloyie once lived with many Acara in the ocean, blithely unaware of much of the going-ons of terrestrial Neopets. Until one day, she was plucked from the ocean, taken onto a boat and hauled away.

... the world being less unified meant that trafficking was quite easily conducted. There was no recourse for Meloyie, she couldn't recognize or understand the strange pets that were taking her away. She found herself in a cage with other baby pets, from various other species.

Eventually she was loaded onto a carriage, transported across a field... By a stroke of luck, there was a bump in the road, and Meloyie's cage was jostled. The bars were bent... enough for her to wiggle free. But in her impulsive escape, she took a tumble off the carriage, leaving her dazed and confused. She was left behind... but suddenly felt dizzy, lost and confused. Why was she here...? She couldn't quite piece together the unfamiliar dirt road.

She began to wander. The grass under her paws was strange... the weight of her body, a bit too heavy... Until a bright pink greeble hopped into her view. Delighted by the unfamiliar creature, Meloyie toddled after it, until it hopped its way into a garden with many beautiful flowers. The greeble eventually lead her to-! Water-! Unexpected, but much welcome! Meloyie crawled into the fountain and splashed about in childish delight.

This was the state the somber grey Cybunny found her in. Meloyie was a polite and well-behaved enough girl to feel sheepish as she was extracted from the fountain. And she was even more shy to find that she couldn't answer the stranger's questions, about where she came from... Ultimately, she is taken in, clothed and cared for.

While their meeting was unexpected, Meloyie is very intrigued by her moody companion. He keeps her company while she plays in his beautiful garden, often. She is very, very grateful.

RESIDES: Once living in the ocean with other Acara, until she was abducted. Now currently with Elivon, housed in the spacious interior of his burrow-home.

CIPSER the baby Skeith with his pink noilkeet. (8 y/o)

An instance of a baby pet that was very recently an adult pet. Cipser was once a wealthy Skeith that owned a parent company that operated many small gaming parlors on Roo Island. Eventually he sold everything to some other bigwig, and began living off the residuals of his wealth.

For skeiths, there's a natural tendency to hoard wealth, and Cipser was no different. He had a big house, with many rare items and paint brushes stowed away. He had more neopoints than he could ever spend. But despite it all, he felt no real fulfilment or motivation to pursue his career further. He already 'had it all', and it didn't make him happy.

Falling into a slovenly depression, Cipser stopped leaving his home, until he was gnawing on the fancy furnishings of his Neohome for sustenance (as opposed to refilling a pantry...) He began eating his jeweled neggs and high-end paintbrushes, not even caring as his form changed as a result. That is, until he thoughtlessly gulped down a baby paint brush and — found himself diminutive, in footie pajamas. Finally, he was forced to reflect on his life and actions that led him here...

... but well, Cipser's mind was perhaps altered to be more childish — so his epiphany did not come as profound as it ought to. It was an incredibly simple conclusion: Why not start over? And who would even stop him?? Adulthood could be so easily abandoned, couldn't it... and he had plenty of resources at his disposal still.

Using his former identity (proposed as his 'father'), Cipser now chooses to pretend to be a regular child, despite still retaining memories of a lifetime before this. Duplicitous... but effective! This is the best way to get others to indulge him.

His noilkeet is a very recent petpet, part of adventuring into childish whimsy. A cute lil companion to play with now!

RESIDES: In a more populated area of Roo Island (though it's still not as dense as Neopia Central.) Lives in a fancy house at the top of a hill. Not a sprawling manor but spacious and well-furnished, a sign of a wealthier Neopian once living there.

CHYRYLL the desert Eyrie with her plushie lyins. (19 y/o)

Just your friendly neighbood babysitter! Chyryll is very happy to take on jobs, preferring young kids, around kindergarten age. She likes doting and attending to their every need, playing with them, taking them out to amusement parks, anything-!! She's happy to be of service.

Perhaps, you could think of her as over-eager to perform the role. And at times, worrying so much of the approval of her charge, to the point where she will self-consciously fret about her appearance and voice. She's not very good at discipline, either... While playful, she's quite meek in conversation.

Perhaps... you could even think of her as an awkward girl trying to make efforts to impress a crush... which, isn't what most parents are looking for in a babysitter. As kind (and willing to take any hours and any pay...) as Chyryll is, there is an unconscious rejection she faces, from adults and children alike. It feels strange... and she isn't sure how to remedy it.

Thankfully for her, a Skeith has left her in charge of his lonesome son, who is VERY receptive to her doting, on account of having no friends his age. With Cipser, she seems to have great success; someone receptive to her doting, wanting nothing more to be fed sweets from her beak while he lays on his cushy pillows. Chyryll is desperate for this situation to work out... if the world could be so kind.

RESIDES: Originally from the Lost Desert, lived there for most of childhood. Family eventually moved to Central, though more recently she chose to move to Roo Island by herself. Drawn to the overall bright aesthetic and focus on games. Her house has a normal exterior, but it's interior is quite 'run-down' and bleak feeling. Her lyins is a childhood petpet, thankfully not minding the condition of her living quarters.

On my side, heartsthorn...

FRAYBI the custard Bori with his chocolate intesteen, Palm.

The being that is Fraybi, might even be a Neopet at all... er, at least, he's certainly one of the many cursed beings that occupy Neopia. Fraybi's essence is housed in the two eyeballs that swirl endlessly, hypnotizing colors...

Fraybi's body is (currently...?) composed of custard, without a fixed mass. He can 'shrink' and 'grow' as he pleases. The only limitation is that his strobing eyeballs are a fixed size; he can only alter his form around it. That's okay though. He finds whimsy making himself a faux pair of eyes with whatever he's got lying around.

The limit of Fraybi's power is mysterious. He seems to be able to bring life to inanimate objects and inorganic material. But he might just be borrowing life force from else where, and transferring the vessel it occupies. He can interact with others directly, psychically. He doesn't really talk. He's not especially cruel or tormenting to others, yet he is quite wanton with what he takes interest in.

Always working on a 'project'. Palm seems to have been one of his favorite creations; the little intesteen can always be found slithering around his tail. Lately, he seems to be working on something that resembles a shoyru...

RESIDES: A chaotic wonderland composed of various whimsical materials like desserts, craft materials, and toys. The world is like a pocket dimension that doesn't physically occupy a space in Neopia; it bleeds into the normal world through 'rifts', which act like portals that allow things in and out.

FLEIKKA the alien Aisha with her darigan gruslen and glack.

A very practical alien that happens to be a witch. Fleikka's natural psychic abilities allow her to pursue spellcasting and potion-making with ease. She is curious to learn the properties of Neopia's many magical flora and fauna, and spends most of her time conducting personal experiments, desiring to distill everything into constituent, usable components.

Whenever she happens upon pets in need, she lends a helping paw, as it is easy for her to accomplish. Fleikka doesn't necessarily prioritize 'the greater good', but rather, she sees herself as a resource that many could have access to. She has a lot of time and magic to give, so it doesn't hurt her to stop and help when she can. This turns her into, something of a fortunate 'random event'; something you could stumble into that blesses you.

Usually, Fleikka's interference is ephemeral; she only stays as she is needed. However, she meets an unwell baby blumaroo that winds up needing her help — endlessly, it seems. Her work never seems to be 'done' with him, no matter what she does. He's currently unfit to be released into society, so she houses him in the privacy of her home. Who knows when she'll be able to turn him loose?

The darigan gruslen functions as a familiar, enchanted and able to become a sizable beast to serve her. It is diligent and dutiful, able to to be tasked with fetching her materials and guarding locations. Glack dance happily all around her hut, simply drawn to Fleikka's presence and potionry. She quite likes their silly eye stalks... is happy to have them hop along her feelers.

RESIDES: Secluded in her hut, behind the rainbow waterfalls of Faerieland.

ROESET the baby Blumaroo with his faerie apis. (9 y/o)

The world... is frightening, for Roeset. Nowhere is safe. Nowhere feels right... Everything is, hazy, unsettling, reality is slippery. He just can't seem to trust anyone around him, and no one can provide him comfort. Nothing ever 'happened' to make him this way; it's as if he was born with a mind full of thorns... as much as he was born a gloomy shade of black. Having always been delicate and prone to outbursts, he has changed hands in foster care multiple times.

One day, Roeset's worst fears are realized as he is taken away... (by some dark entity, the Spider Grundo, something of that nature (I'm undecided...)) He had always dreaded this day and had 'foretold' it's coming... yet, he is rescued by an Aisha unlike that he had ever seen. This part was unexpected... he is stunned, at first.

Of course, Roeset could not come to trust even his savior. He screamed and kicked whenever she came near. But the Aisha's magic abilities meant she could sedate him and keep him from fleeing. Her magic alters his mind... she makes him swallow things that make him feel funny. She does this often. There's no fighting her...

Even his petpet is assigned to him, acting as his gaurdian and alerting Fleikka whenever something is amiss. At least, the apis is kind, so he can't really get mad about that part...

Through sheer exposure and persistence, Roeset is forced to accept Fleikka as someone he can rely on... but how much, he isn't even sure. This relationship doesn't feel like one that will last. He doesn't quite feel treasured as much as he feels like her guinea pig... (but well, there's something more going on, isn't there...?)

RESIDES: Originally from Roo Island. Currently resides with Fleikka in her hut, behind the rainbow waterfalls of Faerieland.

ISTHUL the plushie/ghost Gelert and his barbat.

There's not much Isthul can remember about how he found himself in his current predicament... somehow, in dark dim underground caverns, wading in water, only accompanied by stray barbats... How strange, how does a plushie wind up here? As far as he can tell (from just looking at himself) he's a plushie, and he knows that's a way a Neopet can be. He's a Gelert of course. But what else, what else...

The truth cannot be known to Isthul, but he's actually a spirit possessing a plush, as opposed to the conventional magical existence of one. Technically, he should be able to exist outside the vessel, but he is convinced it is him, so he's bound to it.

Before this current situation, he was a young shadow Gelert living a humble life in an older era of Neopia. Something led him to the tunnels... a fated death?

RESIDES: Winding underground tunnels beneath Neopia that intersect with different locations.

His eventual mate is Avvy's mutant Usul, Mumopy. An unfortunate girl who has found herself lost in the tunnels... Isthul will be able to provide her company and care. A diligent little helper, he will do his best to guide their way out of this place.