#mighty patch store

[landofgay]

thank god for zit patches truly the invention of all time

[lovehypegirl]

儚き春の一幕

目の前を通り過ぎる

pairing: dad!zhongli x child!reader

plot: despite sending your pregnant mother away for safety from war, she still passes. in search for her, he finds you. baby you. tiny baby adeptus-dragon you.

warnings: a mothers death

requester: anon

wc: 0.4k

Your mother was one of the most beautiful women in Liyue. Known not only for her beauty but her intelligence, her elegance, and her kindness

She could often be seen wearing flowing silk brocades in shades of gold and yellow, curated of the finest silks and dyes

She would sit with children at Wangshu Inn and read stores about the mighty Rex Lapis, or help the tea farmers in Qiaoying village

She was a woman who was respected and loved. She was the wife of Morax

Despite the many things she accomplished in her life, her greatest achievement was you. Her little dragon

When she discovered that she was pregnant with you, she was ecstatic. Overjoyed. And so was Morax. To him, a child was a gift to the world. A symbol of peace and love

Peace that was fated to end

The Archon war struck and tragedy ensued. Morax sent his pregnant wife away to safety. Safe from mortals, yes. But not from gods

A god, a little weaker than the Archons but stronger than the average god, had cut your mothers string of fate.

In her last ditch effort to save you, she encased you in amber and her body dissolved into Glaze Lillies surrounding the encasement of amber.

There, you rested for the thousands of years that the war lasted for.

Finally, once the war ended, Morax immediately set off in search for his wife.

But all he found was a patch of Glaze Lillies and a baby-dragon-human-thing encased in amber

He knew immediately what had happened to his wife. But instead of waging war against her killer, which he knew that she would disapprove of, he poured his soul into nurturing their child.

He dissolved the amber and caught you as you tumbled out

He held you as you hacked and coughed before crying. He had never held a bawling baby with colic. What was he supposed to do

So he went to Cloud Retained. He fretted asked her what to do with a child

As the mighty adeptus raved about how well Shenhe and Ganyu grew up, Morax picked up a thing or two between the ramblings

He brought you home with him or wherever he was living, renamed himself Zhongli and gave you a name as well

You lived in his teapot abode, plenty of space for a little dragon human adeptus baby to run around

From there, Zhongli raised you with upmost care and guidance, one-day hoping that you'll become a strong warrior like him

Or perhaps live out a peaceful life among Liyue

© 𝙇𝙊𝙑𝙀𝙃𝙔𝙋𝙀𝙂𝙄𝙍𝙇 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 | modification and translation of my works on any platforms are strictly prohibited

[moonmaiden1996]

Bound by Fate Chapter 12

Chapter 11

The sun blazed high in the sky, but the camp remained eerily still, caught in the sluggish aftermath of three days of relentless revelry. Even Lucky Roux lay sprawled on his back, an arm draped across his eyes, too drained to muster the energy to prepare what should now pass for lunch. The line between meal times had blurred long ago, leaving you to wonder just how deep the island’s stores of alcohol truly ran.

“Come on, darlin’, take a break,” Shanks called out lazily, his voice a warm rumble. He stretched out in his hammock, patting the space beside him with an inviting grin. “Plenty of room up here.”

You didn’t look up from your work, frowning as your fingers pulled another errant thread taut. “I’d take a break if I didn’t need to finish this damn skirt. It’s your fault I didn’t get any clothes at the port.”

“You could always wear my clothes,” Shanks suggested, his grin widening into a teasing smirk.

A low whistle sounded from somewhere behind you, followed by a chorus of catcalls and laughter.

You shot him a sharp look but couldn’t hide your own smirk. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. You can barely control yourself as it is.”

“What can I say?” Shanks shrugged, his tone dripping with mock innocence. “A pirate always has an eye for a beautiful woman.”

You glanced up at him, your gaze meeting his over the edge of the hammock. His red hair spilled over the side, framing a face lit with boyish amusement. Yet, at the edges of his mirth, a shadow lingered—a subtle reminder of the weight he carried beneath his easy demeanor.

“Hmmm.”

“Well, I think you need a break,” Shanks declared. In one fluid motion, he rolled out of the hammock, landing with a practiced ease that belied his size. Before you could protest, his arm was around you, and he hoisted you up as if you weighed no more than a feather.

“Shanks!” you exclaimed, your words half-scolding, half-laughing.

He ignored you, settling you into the still-warm hammock with a satisfied grin. The scent of salt and spice clung to the woven fabric, wrapping around you like a comforting blanket.

“But I need to—”

“Ah, no sense arguing,” he interrupted, waving a hand dismissively toward the half-finished skirt draped over the nearby crate. The jagged stitches and mismatched patches looked like a chaotic battlefield.

“I can see why you became a dancer instead of a seamstress,” he chuckled, tilting his head as if admiring your handiwork.

You opened your mouth to retort, but his expression suddenly changed. His eyes, sharp and calculating, darted to the horizon. His grin faded, replaced by a taut stillness that sent a shiver down your spine.

“What is it?” you asked, sitting up.

Shanks didn’t respond immediately. His gaze remained fixed, narrowing. Following his line of sight, you saw nothing at first. Then, a speck appeared on the horizon, growing larger with each passing second.

The figure that emerged was dark and imposing, draped in a cloak of leather and crimson satin that billowed faintly in the breeze.

The crew shifted, tension rippling through them like a tide. Hands moved instinctively to hilts and handles, bodies poised to strike.

“This is an unusual place for a man of your… stature,” the figure spoke, his voice a deep, liquid gold that seemed to roll over the beach itself.

Shanks stepped forward, positioning himself between you and the newcomer. His posture remained loose, almost lazy, but you could sense the readiness humming beneath his movements.

“Come on, lads,” Shanks said, his tone easy but tinged with warning. “Show some respect. We’re in the presence of a mighty Warlord of the Sea.” He grinned, though his eyes didn’t leave the man. “Mihawk, I’m afraid I’m in no mood for a duel. I’m a wee bit hungover.”

“I’m not here to fight,” Mihawk replied, his tone flat, tinged with disdain. “Not when you’re half the man you used to be.”

Shanks chuckled darkly, his voice dropping low. “I could still take you. And with one arm tied behind my back.”

The crew erupted into laughter and cheers, but Shanks remained still, his sharp gaze locked onto Mihawk.

“Very droll.” Mihawk’s lips twitched, though whether it was amusement or irritation, you couldn’t tell. His golden eyes flicked to you briefly, their intensity sending a shiver down your spine. “I recently encountered someone who may interest you. I hoped to warn you before it was too late.” His gaze lingered, sharp as a blade. “But it seems I’m already too late… the pollen got you, too.”

You stared up at him, your throat dry. The enormous blade strapped to his back loomed over him like a sentinel, its presence both awe-inspiring and terrifying.

Then, your eyes fell on her—a woman, barely visible, huddling behind Mihawk. Her eyes darting nervously as she edged closer to the stranger.

“Well, it seems we have much to discuss,” Shanks said, his voice warm but carefully neutral.

“It would appear so,” Mihawk replied, his tone unreadable.

Shanks’ jovial grin returned, breaking the tension like the crack of a whip. “This calls for wine! I’ve been saving a special bottle for just such an occasion.”

“I thought you were hungover,” Mihawk muttered.

“Lighten up, you solemn old son of a gun!” Shanks clapped his hands against himself, his laughter booming.

With an audible thud, Mihawk unslung his massive sword, letting it drop into the sand. The sound reverberated, but the crew seemed to relax, tension melting away.

“Come on,” Shanks said, tugging you up by the hand. “Help me find the booze.”

Inside the dim cavern, chests and barrels were stacked haphazardly, their contents gleaming faintly in the filtered light. Shanks rummaged through them with practiced efficiency.

“I want you to stay here, just for a bit,” he said, his voice quieter now, almost coaxing. “Mihawk’s a sweetheart under all that, but he can be… a little abrasive with new people.”

“If it’s about the pollen, I should hear it too, is he dangerous?” you preened.

He paused, glancing at you. “No more dangerous than anyone else here,” he said, laughing lightly. But his smile faltered, his tone dropping as he turned back to the chests

 “That’s what worries me. Look how I got here. You saw her—she looked terrified. We have to do something.”

His arm wrapped around you, his lips brushing your forehead. He held you close for a moment, his warmth a fleeting comfort. “For now just stay in the cavern,” he murmured, his voice soft but firm. “Be a good girl for me.”And with that, Shanks strode toward the light of the cavern entrance, his swagger returning with every step.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

You lingered in the cool, oppressive shadows of the cavern for what felt like an eternity, each breath dragging under the weight of your thoughts. The rumble of Shanks and Mihawk’s voices drifted from the beach—low, indistinct murmurs, yet unmistakable. The salty scent of the ocean and the rhythmic hum of distant waves offered fleeting comfort, but the restlessness within you wouldn’t relent. Something gnawed at your core, an urge to uncover more than what was being presented. The flickering candlelight in the cave barely dispelled the unease that wrapped itself tightly around you. You knew there was more to this—more to Mihawk, more to Shanks, and more to the woman who seemed so intricately tied to their secrets.

With silent resolve, you stepped carefully toward the mouth of the cave, trying not to disturb the stillness that held the shadows in place. The cool night air slapped your face as you stepped outside, sharp and biting, but you didn’t hesitate. The rocky path beneath your feet was treacherous, but familiar. You moved swiftly, almost instinctively, your gaze fixed on the beach ahead.

Emerging onto the sand, the sight before you was exactly as you had expected. Shanks and Mihawk were hunched over a barrel of rum, their glasses still full, their laughter now a faint echo that quickly died down as their conversation deepened. The crew had quieted, their jovial energy replaced by a heavy stillness. The woman, however, sat alone on a jagged rock at the edge of the shore, her posture stiff and weary, as though waiting for something—or someone—who had yet to arrive.

You approached cautiously, a part of you pulling away, but another part—darker and more curious—drew you closer. She looked up as you neared, her eyes lighting up with a flicker of something like relief, though uncertainty lingered in her gaze.

“I thought we could have a little chat,” you said, your voice soft yet layered with unexpected vulnerability. “It’s been... strange. Surrounded by all men. I miss girl talk, like I had back on Tasora, with the girls in my dancing troupe.”

The woman’s lips quirked upward, a sad little smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “That must’ve been magical,” she replied, her voice tinged with quiet bitterness. “I never had much of a chance to be around other women. Spent most of my time buried in books, studying for my apprenticeship. The other girls didn’t really like me. They called me a ‘swot’.” She chuckled, but it was hollow, her laughter dying as quickly as it began.

You studied her for a moment, sensing the unspoken weight she carried, a story buried beneath her words. Her gaze drifted toward Mihawk, still absorbed in his conversation with Shanks. The faintest trace of affection—or perhaps something darker—flickered in her eyes.

“But I have Mihawk,” she continued, her voice quiet, almost tender. “He doesn’t talk much, but... it’s nice to have him around.”

Her words stirred something deep within you, a discomfort that settled heavy in your chest. There was an unsettling intensity to her affection, a kind of devotion that felt too consuming, too consuming to be healthy. “Does Mihawk treat you well? You can tell me if he doesn’t. I can help,” you said, your voice lowering, becoming more insistent, your eyes searching hers for any sign of hidden distress.

Her brow furrowed, confusion flickering in her eyes. “What? You think Mihawk would hurt me?” she asked, her voice faltering slightly, unsure whether to be defensive or concerned.

You hesitated, the words catching in your throat before you pushed them out, tainted with a bitter edge. “I know not all pirates are...” The phrase lingered, unfinished, a bitter taste in your mouth. “Nice,” you finished softly, the word tasting like something rancid. “Speaking from experience.”

The woman’s eyes narrowed slightly, and she leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Does Shanks hurt you? Mihawk will help.”

The question struck you like a sharp slap, unexpected and chilling. For a moment, your breath caught, the words hardening on your lips. You turned sharply to look back at Shanks, whose gaze was now fixed on you, dark and unreadable. The shadows across his face deepened with something that felt too much like a warning. ‘’Mihawk doesn’t strike me as the considerate type,” you snapped, your voice sharp as you tried to regain control of the conversation.

Her eyes flicked from you to Shanks and back, studying your every movement, the tension in the air thickening. “Maybe not on the outside, but if I asked him to, he would help you, but, you’re with Shanks of your own free will, right? His not hurting ypu or anything?” she asked, her voice soft but curious, almost like a test.

You hesitated, the weight of the question sinking deep into your chest. Could you trust yourself to answer honestly? You could feel Shanks’ gaze searing into your back, even from across the beach, but you forced yourself to look away. “Well, yes i suppose i an here od my own free will and Shabks would never hurt me, I think he would rather die then do that,” you replied, the words catching slightly.

She blew out a relieved breath. “Thank god! You had me worried for a moment.  I mean, the whole pollen thing is... scary, but... it is amazing, right? I’m glad it happened. I know how Mihawk looks—like a vampire—but he’s the sweetest, most caring man you could want. He saved me.”

You nodded slowly, watching as her eyes softened. Her smile was wistful as she looked at Mihawk, the look of someone deeply in love. It wasn’t puppy love—it was adoration, as if he were her personal hero.

“Love—real love—makes heroes.”

The words hit you like a sudden chill, and you stiffened at your own words, a wave of unease crawling beneath your skin.

She blinked, startled. “What?”

“Nothing,” you muttered too quickly. “Just something the old man said...” You trailed off, quickly shifting your focus toward Mihawk and Shanks, now deep in conversation, their eyes flicking between you and the woman. The words they shared were unintelligible, but laden with meaning.

The woman leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a near whisper. “The old man who told you about the pollen... What was he like? I never saw him. I heard Mihawk talking about him, though... after we, you know...” Her cheeks flushed crimson, and she looked away, as though she regretted the words the moment they left her lips.

You shot her a sharp glance, an icy prickle of suspicion crawling up your spine. “No, I don’t know.”

Her flush deepened, and though her embarrassment was palpable, the curiosity in her eyes was undeniable. “You haven’t bonded with Shanks yet?”

The word bonded hit you like a cold gust of wind, unnatural and wrong. Your stomach tightened. “It was amazing,” she continued, as if lost in a memory, her voice distant. “Whatever the pollen does... it makes everything feel more intense. He did things... things I didn’t even know I could feel.” Her eyes burned with intensity, and you recoiled, the weight of her gaze pushing you away, leaving you cold and unsettled.

“Tell me everything,” you demanded, the words harsher than you intended, but desperation gnawed at you.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Time seemed to stretch as the woman slowly revealed more—enough to leave you dizzy, overwhelmed, and damn right needy.

When Mihawk and Shanks finally rose from their barrel, their conversation clearly at an end, Mihawk turned toward the woman, his presence pulling her to his side like gravity itself.

“Thanks for the drink,” Mihawk grunted, his gaze flicking between you and Shanks, calculating. “But we really must be going.”

“We’ll come visit,” the woman called over her shoulder, offering you a quick, almost forced smile before hurrying back to Mihawk’s side. Her movements were stiff, betraying the urgency she felt at wanting to return to his side.

“Will we now?” Mihawk rumbled, a note of exasperation in his voice as he pulled her toward him.

“Yes, we will,” she replied, her voice steady but with a glint in her eye that didn’t quite match Mihawk’s gruff demeanor. “Maybe when you’re all sorted. Maybe you can come to the castle. The gorillas aren’t very good company, but it will be nice to have company that talks. Your crew are also welcome.” She smiled faintly.

Mihawk rolled his eyes. “Are they?”

“Yes,” she insisted, her smile turning sly.

Shanks let out a hearty laugh, though it held something darker now. “I can see who wears the trousers in this relationship,” he quipped, his booming voice cutting through the tension before his tone shifted to something more serious. “Let me know if you hear anything else. Safe journey.”

As Mihawk and his companion moved toward the shore, Shanks’ eyes shifted toward you. An unsettling gleam flickered in them. You felt a shiver crawl up your spine, suspicion clouding your thoughts.

“What?” he asked, raising an eyebrow, his voice feigning innocence.

“If you try to bite me,” you growled, your voice low but filled with warning, “I’ll slap you into next week, pervert.”

Shanks blinked, utterly confused. “Wait, what?”

Without answering, you turned sharply and stalked off, your back straight, your heart pounding in your chest. As Shanks’ confused call echoed behind you.

@commanderfreethatdust @hauntedluna

Happy New Year Everyone! I hope you have a lovely day and good luck for this upcoming year.

Thank you so much for all the comments. It made me want to edit the next chapter for today.

I couldn't resist some Mihawk action and a little hint and what the old man had been up to.

Please let me know what you think!

LIKE. COMMENT. REQUEST.

[eclipsewarrior101]

What are you trying to do Mr seams?

Huh!?

my toy store has some heart in it!

@frank-fromtoyzone

You see a short young man smiling at him with rainbow highlights in his black messy hair. He had emerald green eyes. He wears a rainbow jacket and black pants that have patchwork patches in them. On his jacket are many pins on them. He wore black metallic boots with rainbow shoe laces. He gives frank a huge mischievous smile. He looked like a cartoon character with his hair and his outfit that looks like a ragdoll toy.

“ well if it isn’t the ol mighty Franky from Toyzone. What do I owe the pleasure of this visit to my beautiful shop ” he smiles trying to look innocent as he’s teasing him

[edenspoem]

⤹ okay but on the topic of vampire!ellie, which one do you guys personally like?? has nothing to do with what i'll write next, just a curiosity + headcanons. MDNI 18+ enjoy this free vamp!ellie brainstorming content with a random side of nipple fixation!

¨༺ ♱ ༻¨

teenage dirtbag vampire!ellie in a modern realm who can't stand being in her parents suburban hell born house, tired of their cockalorum and urging for her to engage more in the vampiric branch of her family. attend the parties, go human–hunting with the other blood–ingesting addicts, try this, do that. it all irked ellie the wrong way, made her psyche boil, cause all she wanted to fucking do was you. she craves only your blood, your taste, the metallic ribbons pumping your lifeline was like a goddamn nectar to her. and you let her feed, because you loved her. you let your meat sack of a body replace her breakfast, lunch, dinner– first and final meal.

that's why you let her move in with you. cause you fucking can. now, every itty–bitty token of her life tangles with yours on the walls. pictures and awards, a manifold of knickknacks cluttering the window sills, even her clothes tend to blend with yours– an illusive invitation for you to wear her clothes without the question ever pressing her lips apart. you both are madly besotted in each other. no denial objects to that.

and, fuck, this version of ellie is hot. fitted tanks absent of a bra– pale brown pierced nipples erecting the thin fabric into a small mound. gray wash skinny jeans that fit her lean legs well, waistband cruising nicely under that peek of a v–line, fraying at the ankle hems that contrasts into those battered up converse of a similar hue. oh, and usually cloaks her shoulders up in a sable leather jacket– with your name patched in. a jacket, so prized, alwaaays winds up hurled to some isolated and cimmerian corner of your room, purely cause she lacks the care to hang it up whenever she returns home in a scramble, fangs unsheathing for blood. her knees would find themselves pressing hard into the mattress beneath both of you, centering a large gully of weight where her half–unzipped crotch and your butt meet, thirstily rutting to the point of numbing your clit through the hard denim of your pants. her zinc button just kept pounding that shit, keeping you spread wide. while dry humping you, she'd moan and groan hot on your earlobe, fangs partial hooking on the rim, "mhh– fuck n' suck, babe– can i? fuuck.." 'fuck n' suck' was just some made–up code for, well, it should be obvious. times like those, where she intends to fuck her pussy rough on you without remorse, whilst drying your organs of blood.

ohh, but i'll write that in detail one day~

gothic vampire!ellie who lodges high on a hill, deep in the mighty fathomage of her grandoise palace, steeples scaping high into the howling sky– torn asunder by a network of lightning above. you're nothing but meat and blood, princess, a feast inside regalia. every freshwater pearl, every satiny reflection of light off your dress, only made your flesh more supple in her fluorescent fern eyes. those lucifer–damned pupils though, well, let's just say you can't even measure the green pool of her eyes anymore. dilating, big black saucers, ballooning the milken white away whenever she snags a glimpse of your blood. that phantom heartbeat of hers races madly, mad of love for that color. for that glisten of liquid. so divine, she thinks. a gulp bolts down her gullet when within a measly foot of you, or, more specifically, a mere gate between the two of your noses. how else is she supposed to store her cache of sustenance?

yes, that's precisely what i'm hinting at. a holding cell. dusty and decrepit, rats abundant skittering the stone ground, and you swore cobwebs began to web themselves in your hair– now loose and unbraided. that brute of a girl would crouch on the opposing side, dangling keys on a loop sat upon her finger, ploddingly wagging like a swinging great axe. taunt, taunt taunt taunt.. is all she would skip about and do. slip into your cell quickly and play with you. kitty–cornering you and blocking you in her arms, cooing how terribly sorry she feigns to be, for jailing you up and treating you like meat. however, tides turn, and so do emotions. could it be, the dracula upon the misty cliff– has fallen in love?

turns out, witty princesses with a snakish tongue and spit to spare really turned her on. fuck, even you cursed yourself for rending your guard and feeling a magnetic pull to that hunk of a beast, clad in her midnight black, puffed sleeves and collar drawstring shirt. finely sewn black trousers and shiny black boots, curse you, for finding something about that hellishly horrid outfit so handsome on her. there's– oh, this particularly noticeable asset tp her garb as well. the black dye was nearing translucency, and if you loitered your vision directly on her chest long enough, caught in the right cosmic light, you could see that waxen bosom and her nipples, light brown contrary to her vampiric skin. haha, how humiliating it was when she caught you staring at them as she stood in front of your sat stature, being so brazen enough to ask, "something caught your eye princess? shall i strip myself of this, then?" whilst her hands mindlessly tucked under the loose hem anyway, wringing the fabric over her head and banishing it aside. "here, feel my dead heart–" swirled her voice, thrusting her hand out to grasp yours, cold as the ice age, her mitts froze your wrists and yanked them forth, pressing them flat against her breast and swiping her thumb across your contrasting warm skin, leavening with excitement as you fondle. she stows her knee on the bed adjacent to your thigh, whispering, so.. so, hauntingly, "feel that? no pulse, no life, not a spark lives within me, dear." and it was nothing vastly far from the truth. beneath her erect nipple, was no beat. eyes widening to a moon, and lips parting to steal simply too much air, you shudder. was it fear, you shuddered for, or arousal? that's a tale, for another day.

[satoshi-mochida]

Former Chibi-Robo! developers announce robot action adventure game koROBO for consoles, PC - Gematsu

Tiny Wonder Studio, a new game development studio featuring key members from Chibi-Robo! series creators Skip, Ltd., have announced koROBO, a new action adventure game that follows a pint-sized robot named koROBO and his owner Tom. Kickstarter and Campfire campaigns have launched with the goal to launch on modern consoles and PC.

Here is an overview of the game, via Tiny Wonder Studio:

■ About

koROBO is an action adventure game follows the story of a pint-sized robot named “koROBO” and his owner, Tom, a young boy who receives koROBO as a gift from his father on his 10th birthday. Players step into the tiny but mighty shoes of koROBO, embarking on a thrilling and heartfelt journey that starts in Tom’s room and unfolds into a world-changing adventure.

■ Story

Sometimes it takes the smallest hero to fulfill the greatest destiny! Somewhere in the borough of Brocklyn, nestled within the urban jungle of New Yock City, Tom and his mother are celebrating his 10th birthday. When a wrapped present arrives from his estranged father, Tom rips through it, excited to see what’s inside. What he finds is not the coolest and latest in tiny household robo tech, but some knockoff model. “koROBO?” But before long, koROBO is cleaning the home, helping Tom with his homework, and even playing games and reading comics with him like a brother. What will koROBO’s arrival have in store for Tom, his family and perhaps, the world? koROBO‘s story unfolds inside Tom’s family apartment in Brocklyn, New Yock. Players take on the role of the pint-sized hero. As koROBO, they will help out the family, perform tasks around the home, meet the many denizens that inhabit the apartment building, and defend Tom and those he loves from a mysterious enemy… that can travel through space-time?

■ Gameplay

Tiny Hero, Big Adventure

koROBO‘s core gameplay involves traversing around the family’s home, cleaning up messes, and solving problems wherever they can be found–a big ask for such a tiny hero! Be careful, though! koROBO’s battery is limited, and performing tasks will drain it even faster. While more popular robots require owners to plug into adventure, Tom has modified koROBO to bathe in some rays in order to charge the solar battery strapped to their back. Players will have to keep an eye out for patches of sunlight to make sure koROBO keeps running at peak capacity! While exploring Tom’s apartment building, players won’t just be helping out him and his family. There’s a whole host of kooky denizens living their lives that koROBO will encounter. As koROBO, players can talk to these characters and help solve their problems to unlock some of his most powerful upgrades!

Better, Faster, Stronger

Players can collect items as they clean and explore to upgrade koROBO and what they can do. While koROBO will start out being able to run, jump, and glide, in time he’ll also be able to fly, swim, and even travel through time…? But wait, there’s more! koROBO isn’t the only toy in Tom’s retinue. Players will discover new miniature friends and gain an assortment of attachments that’ll allow koROBO to adventure and sometimes even fight in new and exciting ways! The parts players will need to find for their upgrades can be found all over the house, each with a rarity color denoting how difficult it will be to obtain them. Players should collect as many as they can to upgrade koROBO!

House of Future Past

While koROBO has a whole apartment to clean and explore, players will be doing much more than just merely traveling around the home while helping the family. Eventually, koROBO will unlock the radical ability to travel through time—at the mere touch of its tiny fingertips…?

■ The Cast

koROBO “Robotic Cleandroid”

A robot gifted to Tom on his 10th birthday, and the pint-sized hero of our adventure, koROBO is given to Tom by his estranged father. koROBO isn’t strong by any means, but he’s got a go-getter attitude and a mischievous streak. koROBO helps out by cleaning up, helping Tom with his homework, and more. But will he have what it takes to fill the void that separates Tom’s family?

Tom “Ten Year-Old Tinkerer”

A homebody by nature, Tom has few friends and spends much of his time in his room making modifications to his collection of toys and machines. While he rarely sees his dad after his parents divorced, he sometimes receives toys and other tchotchkes from his dad’s travels around the world.

Sally “The Mother of Invention?”

Originally from Japan, Sally now raises Tom on her own in their apartment in Brocklyn. Sally hates when things are in disarray, and gets frustrated with Tom when he says things that don’t seem to make sense. While she and Tom’s father enjoyed a whirlwind romance, she eventually divorced him when his lust for travel grew too strong. Strong-willed and kind-hearted, she once dreamed of becoming a singer but now works as a waitress in a cafe to make ends meet.

John “Wanderlust King”

Tom’s father. Considered an eccentric by some and a genius engineer by others, John and Sally were madly in love in their youth. However, when Tom was five, John left mysteriously, leaving only a note behind that read, “I’m leaving to protect you.” Despite the distance between the two, Tom clearly gets his love of mechanics from his father.

Garth Vader (Real Name: Unknown)

A suspicious figure seen wandering around the courtyard of the apartment building, plenty of rumors have surfaced about the truth surrounding Garth. Some say that he’s fallen to the dark side and is plotting to take over the world. Others suggest that he’s simply the building’s super, watering the plants, feeding the birds, and tending to the plumbing. No one actually speaks to Garth, though, so the truth remains shrouded in mystery.

■ World

A World in Crisis

It is the year 2025, and the world is dealing with a looming energy crisis. Fossil fuels are quickly becoming unreliable as a fuel source, and humanity teeters hopelessly on the edge. Even in these most dire times, however, hope springs eternal in the hearts and minds of those that believe in a better tomorrow. When the world needs it most, one pint-sized hero could be the catalyst that sets humanity on a new path, one that would change the course of history forever: koROBO!

The Brocklyn Apartment

While traversing a living room or kitchen might not seem like a monumental task, things look a lot different when you’re a tiny, highly-motivated robot. While well-placed book piles and a toppled over chair might offer koROBO assistance in getting to hard-to-reach places throughout the home, it would be impossible for them to get to the hardest to reach places all on their own. koROBO is going to need a little help!

Tom’s Room

One might look at Tom’s room and see the messy room of a lazy kid, but that’s far from the truth. If one were to look closer, one would instead see the workshop and playground of a gifted child, wildly imaginative and naturally inclined to work with electronics. Tom’s room is full of toys, tools, and electronics in various states of tinkering. One boy’s garbage is another boy’s treasure, and Tom’s room is a treasure trove for koROBO. What new treasure will be uncovered while exploring Tom’s room?

■ koROBO Crowdfunding Campaign and Message From the Developer

Tiny Wonder Studio is reaching out to fans for their support in bringing koROBO to life. Together with the community’s backing, koROBO will evolve through collaborative efforts between creators and enthusiasts, aiming to launch on PC and modern consoles if enough funding is achieved. “Our goal is to create a game that everyone can enjoy, so koROBO is intended to be a cozy and comfy game that we hope everyone will fall in love with. The core of koROBO is all about bringing people together and working towards a better tomorrow and this campaign, combined with your support, is a wonderful opportunity to bring fans of video games together—something that would make our tiny hero proud! “The future is a dream we all share! Let’s make it a reality together.” —Kenichi Nishi, Director

■ About Tiny Wonder Studio

Tiny Wonder Studio is a new development studio composed of key members formerly from Skip, Ltd. and other veterans in the industry.

Kenichi Nishi – koROBO director (Tiny Wonder Studio)

Previous Works: Chibi-Robo! Plug into Adventure!, moon: Remix RPG Adventure, Incredible Crisis, L.O.L.: Lack of Love, Giftpia

Hiroshi Moriyama – koROBO director (Tiny Wonder Studio)

Previous Works: Chibi-Robo! Plug into Adventure!, Chibi-Robo! Park Patrol, Okaeri! Chibi-Robo! Happy Richie Osoji!, Giftpia

Keita Eto – koROBO director (Tiny Wonder Studio)

Previous Works: Chibi-Robo! Zip Lash, L.O.L.: Lack of Love

Hirofumi Taniguchi – koROBO Music & SFX

Previous Works: Chibi-Robo! Plug into Adventure!, moon: Remix RPG Adventure, Chibi-Robo!: Photo Finder, Chibi-Robo! Zip Lash, L.O.L.: Lack of Love, Giftpia, Captain Rainbow, Snowpack Park, Chulip, Black Bird, Million Onion Hotel, ufo～a day in the life～

Hikarin – koROBO art, character design

Previous Works: Chibi-Robo! Plug into Adventure!

Hisashi Koshimizu – koROBO producer (Tiny Wonder Studio)

Watch the announcement trailer below. View the first screenshots at the gallery. Visit the official website here.

Announce Trailer

[bethanythebogwitch]

Wet Beast Wednesday: giant tube worms

You voted that I would talk about a worm and so I shall discuss the mighty giant tube worms. But first, we need to define what a tube worm is. This is another "no such thing as a fish" situation because there are actually a lot of different things we call tube worms. Turns out the "noodle in a tube" body plan is a pretty successful one. The worms I'm discussing today are members of Siboglinidae, a family of annelids (segmented worms) that was formerly classified as two different phyla until genetic evidence came in. I will primarily be talking about two species: Riftia pachyptila and Lamellibrachia luymesi, who have both adapted to distinct extreme environments in similar ways.

(Image ID: multiple patches of Riftia pachyptila growing from rock at a deep-sea hydrothermal vent. The worms are housed in long, white tubes, some stained yellow. Emerging from the tubes are respiratory organs covered in what appears to be red fur. End ID)

All members of Siboglinidae share a basic body plan consisting of a worm body inside of a mineral tube (side not, I think I will be including an orc or ogre named Sibog in my D&D campaign). The tube is composed of chitin and minerals and is secreted through glands along the body of the worm as it grows from larva to adult. The tube provides the worm within with protection from predators and environmental hazards while also providing support, allowing the worm to lift itself up into the water rather than remain on the substrate. The tube either connects to a solid object or is rooted in the sediment with extensions called roots. The roots are composed of the same material as the tube and can be considerably longer than the rest of the worm, though they are so fragile it is hard to study them. Since the worms often live in large congregations, their roots can twist together is massive mats called ropes. The inside of the tube is where you get into the squishy worm parts. The body of the worm is divided into four regions. The first of these regions I found many alternate names for while researching including cephalic lobe and branchial plume. I'm going to simplify and call it the plume because this segment is composed of one to 200 tentacles that are covered with feathery filaments that can make it look like the plume of a quill pen. The feathery portions of the plume are usually red because they are highly vascularized and filled with blood, similar to a fish's gils. The plume is used for respiration, taking in dissolved oxygen and (depending on the species) other dissolved gasses from the water. In most species, the plume is the only part of the body that extends from the tube. When in the presence of threats, the plume can withdraw into the tube, which can then be close with a structure called the obtraculum, similarly to the operculum found in many other invertebrates like snails. The second body region is the vestimentum. It has a winged shape and is composed of multiple bands of muscle. The vestimentum also contains the heart, a simple brain, and genital pores that release gametes. The third body region, which makes up most of the body, is the trunk. The trunk is the wormiest part of the worm and contains the gonads, the coelom (main body cavity), and the trophosome, which I will come back to later. The last body region is the opistosome, which connects the animal to the tube and is used to store and (maybe) excrete waste.

(Image ID: the tubeworm Lamellicrachia satsuma removed from its tube to show its anatomy. It has a plume made up of multiple feathery white tentacles, the vestimentum is a thick white section with flared tips, the trunk is long, brown, and wormlike, and ends with the yellowish opistosome. The body regions are labeled as "op" for opistosome, "tr" for trunk, "ves" for vestimentum, and "ten" for the plume. End ID. Source)

You'll notice that I didn't mention a digestive tract above. That's because these worms don't have one. Instead of a digestive tract, they have a trophosome, an organ composed of highly spongy tissue vascularized by two main blood vessels. Housed within the trophosome is a colony of bacteria that exists in a mutualistic symbiotic relationship with the worm. The worm provides the bacteria with a place to live and protection from predators while the bacteria provide the worm with all of its nutrition. The bacteria are all chemoautotrophs, gaining all their nutrition from chemical reactions using chemicals in their environment without needing to intake nutrients. In particular, they use oxygen, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide provided to them by the worm. The worm also provides other elements including nitrogen and phosphorus that the bacteria need. I'm going to be honest with you, I tried to comprehend the chemical reactions involved but it's been a long time since I took chemistry and I was never that good anyway so it's over my head. The short version is that the bacteria produces nutrients and chemicals (primarily carbohydrates and ATP) that it shares with the worm. Waste products are also sent into the worm's bloodstream and are sequestered at the opistosome.

(Image ID: a scientific diagram of the internal anatomy of Riftia pachyptila. Of note is the section showing the trophosome, illustrating it as several yellow, spongy cells filled with bacteria and fed by a capillary. End ID. Source)

The most famous of the tube worms is Riftia pachyptila, which you will recognize if you have ever seen a documentary about the deep sea. They're the ones that look like giant tubes of lipstick. These are the most studied of the Siboglinids and live around hydrothermal vents in the deep pacific ocean. Hydrothermal vents are places on the seafloor where water underground is heated by geothermal activity in the Earth's mantle and then released into the water column, often carrying with it chemicals from deeper in the planet. These vents are hotspots of biodiversity in the deep sea and are hypothesized to play a major role in the origin of life. These ecosystems are among the only ones on the planet where the primary source of energy is not sunlight via photosynthesizing organisms. Instead, chemosynthetic bacteria forms the base of the trophic web, generating energy from the heat and chemicals released by the vents. Riftia requires vents which release sulfur into the water and blanket vents with the right conditions all throughout the Pacific. The lifestyle clearly works for them as they have the fastest grown rate of any marine animal. They can go from a larva to a sexually mature adult of 1.5 meters (4.9 ft) long in 2 years. These worms can reach 3 meters in length (9.75 ft) long, but only get to about 4 cm (1.5 in) in diameter within the tube. When reproducing, males will release blobs of stuck-together sperm called spermatozeugmata that collectively swim towards female worms, entering the tube and seeking out the female's oviduct. The female then releases fertilized larvae into the water. These larvae usually spend a few days in the water column before settling down on the substrate and beginning growth into an adult. However, the larvae have been known to reach newly-formed hot vents up to 200 kilometers away from their parent's vents. We don't know how the larvae find new sites to colonize or how long they can remain in the initial, motile state before succumbing to starvation as the larvae do not have digestive tracts and do not develop their internal bacterial colony until they settle down on the substrate. Once the larva does settle down, it develops its internal colony by intaking bacteria from the water using the plume. Riftia are some of the first organisms to colonize a new vent and play a major role in building that vent's ecosystem. Genetic tests show low genetic diversity amongst and between all colonies, which may be a result of how fast they colonize new vents and the fact that if a vent goes dormant or dies, all of the local worms will die with it.

(Image ID: a cluster of Rifita tubeworms, most of whom have their red, feathery plumes exposed. Some tubes do not have exposed plumes, indicating that either the worm has retracted into the tube or the worm has died. Several crabs are crawling on the tubes. End ID)

The other giant tube worm species I'm spotlighting is Lamellibrachia luymesi. These aren't as flamboyant as Riftia, but can get nearly as large (up to 3 meters) and also play a very important role in their ecosystems, though they are less studied. While Riftia likes it hot, Lamellibrachia is more chill. They live at cold seeps, places in the ocean where hydrogen sulfide and hydrocarbons like methane and oil seep out of the sea floor. Like Riftia, these worms depend entirely on an internal bacterial colony for their nutrition. Oxygen is intaken through the plume, but these worms can't get hydrogen sulfide the same way due to the different conditions. Instead, they absorb the sulfide through their roots. While the hot and cold worms absorb their hydrogen sulfide differently, they both have an adaptation to deal with it: specialized hemoglobin. Most forms of hemoglobin can't carry oxygen in the presence of hydrogen sulfide, which is a problem because that's the whole point of hemoglobin. The tube worms, who need to transport hydrogen sulfide, have specialized hemoglobin that seems to use zinc ions to allow for oxygen to bind to it anyway. The cold seep tube worms also excrete their waste products through the roots, returning it to the sediment. The intake of hydrogen sulfide and sequestering of the wast product in the roots and sediment lets the tube worms play an important role in the cold seep ecosystem. Them intaking the sulfide protects organisms who can't handle it as well and sequestering waste products also keeps it away from organisms who could be harmed by the chemicals in it. Hot vents are inherently unstable places. They are formed primarily in places where two tectonic plates are moving away from each other, exposing the planet's mantle. This exposed spot will eventually cool down and the hot vent will die off. Because of this, hot vent ecosystems grow fast and die young. Cold seeps by contrast are extremely stable and long-lasting. Lamellibrachia luymesi grow very slowly and can live for over 250 years. There's no need to hurry when your food comes out of the ground and won't be going anywhere for a very, very long time.

(Image ID: a colony of Lamellibrachia luymesi. Their tubes are more visibly segmented than those of Rifita, with the top of each segment being noticably wider than the base of the next. The tubes are a pale blue, but switch to white at 2 - 9 segments below the top. Many tubes have brown algae growing on them. The exposed plumes are short, red, and feathery. End ID)

[melloncolliegalaxies]

the human brain is a mighty thing; it can remake the bottle-green land into the vast Pacific sea. i can be in the grocery store, gripping my cart with white knuckles on aisle four, yet feel like i'm drowning. isn't that amazing?

it's so convincing, like bull sharks pretending to be well-meaning heroes with their hands held out—their life-preserving words, so inviting, and their lighthouse eyes, so dazzling. i glimpse only the curving shore in their smiles and never the blood-stained teeth. my hopeful assumptions always almost kill me.

the human brain is a mystifying thing; it morphs my hemorrhaging heart into a lavish four-course feast, like drifting debris encroaching on something's territory. it makes every discourtesy my fault, converting their mistakes into my pleas, "please, forgive me for aching."

time and again, my body's drenched and frigid, my thoughts punctuated by puncture wounds from every facade that promised to patch me up and dry me off. sometimes i think, this is the end. 

but the human brain is an awe-inspiring thing; it keeps me flailing and fighting toward the surface despite my infinite injuries, believing bravely—or foolishly—that i can survive this, as i've survived everything before it, even when the blue sea becomes blood-red.

— blood-red sea | melancholy galaxies | t.e.t.

[hao-and-yoh]

For @matamunes-little-paws

It is definitely much nicer in this AU Ivy!

Fluffy / Comfort

Shaman King | Hao and Brocken | Hao and Yoh

This fanfic is not Canon in “Fourth Times The Charm” AU

Read “Fourth Times The Charm” by IvyCorp here!

“Shamans in Disguise”

Short on cash and sanity, neither in great supply to begin with, Asakura Hao found himself – yet again – shopping for ludicrous objectives. Except this time his Patch descendant would be relieved that his “partner in crime” was his adopted father figure, who had offered to assist with Hao’s latest strange indulgence, “How do I appear more like a teenager?” “Sorry?” replied Brocken – his shrouded features obscured the amused smile on his face paired with the quizzical look in his eye. “I’m supposed to be fourteen, so – what do fourteen-year-olds do?” Brocken chuckled at the funny question, though a cold snap chill washed over his miniature frame when he saw the serious look now in his leader’s eyes. “Uh…” he began hesitantly, “Well, I suppose that depends?” “On what?” huffed Hao, raising an eye brow at his small father. “On what they like? What their interests are?” listed Brocken. Likes and interests? What on earth in this day and age do kids even enjoy? Seeing that his adopted son was struggling with the concept of the modern times, Brocken Meyer made the bold suggestion they retcon the town in search of answers from the locals – observe the behaviours of the community, perhaps even peruse the shopping districts. The small in stature shaman was surprised and overjoyed when Hao immediately agreed to the idea – insisting they act immediately. Though, it would be some time before they actually left camp for their spontaneous father and son outing – as Hao spent a ridiculously long time picking out the perfect outfit for the occasion. Settling on a blue baseball cap, a pair of mirrored sunshades, a bright orange and white striped jersey, white sneakers and black shorts.

“Is this fourteen-year-old enough?” asked the mighty and all powerful Asakura Hao – turning slowly on the spot as he pulled his long hair through the back of the cap.

Stifling a laugh once more, Brocken nodded in response.

The funny looking duo turned the occasional head as they made their way down the busy high street. Hao searched the faces of the humans for other youths and searched their minds for answers to his questions. Though it became apparent very quickly this method was a waste of time – as the teenagers he observed were too busy thinking about what others thought about them instead of thinking about the things they loved.

“How about in here?” hopefully asked Brocken as they passed a toy store. Hao sighed when he saw the window display. Obviously his adopted father wanted to go in this store. When Brocken saw the irked expression flicker across the masquerading teen’s face, he went on, “I – I mean, kids like toys – don’t they?”

“I suppose.” mumbled Hao, humouring the toy-fan shaman. He pretended not to sense Brocken’s outpouring of delight as the pair made their way inside.

The shorter one of the two soon disappeared from Hao’s side and down the LEGO aisle, and Hao rolled his eyes behind his reflective shades as he began to search the shelves for ideas.

Perhaps this new venture of his had already gotten away from him when he realised he didn’t have the slightest clue what any of the mostly pre-packaged plastic land-fill was actually for, nor did he understand how or why any of it would bring joy to the targeted age group he had in mind. Until suddenly, something caught his eye.

He picked up the brightly coloured HASBRO box containing a bright red and blue robot. He gently maneuvered the exposed figurine with his free hand and delighted in its ability to change its form into a vehicle. His eyes drifted to the other figures on the shelf beside it as a child-like excitement suddenly awakened within him to explore what delights the others could do, too.

“Ah, Transformers, Generation 1.” came the voice of his father figure. “Released 1984, a very popular franchise in Japan and around the world. Children of all ages - even adults - enjoy them, Hao-sama.”

“Hm. I see.” muttered Hao, fixating his gaze on the range in front of him. He momentarily looked down to his right to exchange a glance with the toy-expert in his company, though he let out a chuckle when he saw the stack of LEGO boxes in Brocken’s grasp.

Yes, that’ll do just nicely.

**** “Do you like Transformers?”

“What?”

Odd. He was certain that the question he had asked was clear enough. Had an actual fourteen-year-old teen never even heard of them? Brocken had reassured him the toy range was popular for all age groups?

“Transformers?” repeated Hao, offering a bright yellow robot to the boy.

“Ha!” he laughed, accepting the figurine immediately and attempting to change its form. “I haven’t seen one of these in years!”

“Oh.” muttered Hao, wincing slightly as a wave of embarrassment came over him. “Are – are they too juvenile for you?”

“Not at all!” delighted the teen, smiling broadly at the one who had given him the toy.

Hao smiled to himself, pleased that his research had paid off. But then, the delighted face in front of him moulded into something else.  

“It’s just…”

Yoh gazed at the toy with reminiscent eyes as he observed the black and yellow robot intensely in his hands. Hao began to notice the distinct hint of sadness emanating in the air around them both.

This was definitely not going the way he had imagined. The offering was supposed to strengthen his demise, further push his agenda he was just like all the others in Yoh’s circle, the same age, the same level of threat, perhaps even harmless. Though he could see the toy had inflicted some kind of harm on the one in front of him, though not the physical kind.

“Is something wrong with it?” questioned the strange looking one of the two, who still adorned his large mirrored frames despite the darkening skyline.

“No, no – it’s not that. It just kinda reminds me of when I was a kid.” sighed Yoh. He lifted his gaze and smiled kindly at the strange shaman, whose odd mannerisms he was becoming all too familiar with. “I collected a few of these guys, they were awesome! I even read some of the comic books, too.”

Hao hesitated as he searched his mind for the right thing to say.

“Who was your favourite?” he muttered, feigning interest and knowledge of the franchise he had only learned about hours before.

“Megatron!” laughed Yoh, excitedly. “I love villains. They’re so much fun! And his toy was the best one too! It could transform into a pistol and had a fusion cannon!”

Hao suddenly felt like he was on the back foot – Yoh’s overly excitable behaviour threw him off guard – he didn’t anticipate he would get this so perfect that he wouldn’t even know how to steer the conversation in the direction he needed it to go.

“That’s so cool. I like Megatron too.” he chuckled in reply. His eyes drifted to the yellow robot in the teen’s hand. He quickly realised that he had made a grossly false assumption.

“Really? Neat! We have that in common!” delightfully laughed Yoh. “I bet we would have been good friends if we had known each other as kids!”

Taken aback by Yoh’s overzealous child-like innocence, Hao swallowed nervously at his words. Despite his covered eyes, Yoh noticed the subtle change in the other’s expression.

“Ah, sorry. I get a bit carried away sometimes. That’s… probably why I didn’t have anyone to play Transformers with, eh?” sheepishly said the teen as he offered the robot toy back to the one who had given it to him.

“Keep it.” said Hao with a soft smile. “Call it a trade, for the headphones.”

“No – no, I can’t. I bet your little sis likes playing with it, right?”

“She’s not as big of a fan as you are,” reassured Hao, “Take it.”

“Really?” breathed Yoh, his eyes widening with delight. “That’s so nice of you! Thanks!”

Before Hao could make his escape from the somewhat awkward scenario, he found himself getting more than he bargained for as the happy, thankful and clearly rather lonely young boy threw his arms around him in a grateful embrace.

Stunned, Asakura Hao froze in the other’s arms, his own arms becoming rigid by his sides. The hold likely only lasted moments, but each second seemed to stretch out in his mind and the world around them seemed to have stood still. In those brief few seconds, he noticed how Yoh’s touch felt almost nuclear to him, like there was an electrical spark charged between them creating a strange internal gravitational pull. Unbeknown to him, the other recognised the same thing – only his observation was reasoned in a different way. Yoh wondered if, perhaps – they were meant to have crossed paths one day. Why did Yoh feel this pull towards this strange boy? And why did he enjoy being around him so much?

Yoh pulled back and cleared his throat, worried once more he may have crossed a boundary and potentially scared his new friend away. Picking up on this anxiety, Hao found himself uncharacteristically searching for words of reassurance,

“I think we would have been good friends, too.”

Read “Fourth Times The Charm” by IvyCorp on AO3 here.

[bumblesimagines]

i thought you left.

i don't know what to say. this has never happened before.

thanks for patching me up.

- Ez Reyes

i thought you left.

i don't know what to say. this has never happened before.

thanks for patching me up.

pronouns: gender neutral, they/them

"Well, fuck."

Who would've thought that on a perfectly nice Friday evening, you'd answer the doorbell expecting to see a delivery driver only to see your ex-boyfriend standing there bloody and bruised. The very guy you'd last seen when they hauled him away in handcuffs for murder.

Ezekiel fucking Reyes.

You stared at him for a long moment, looking over the blood and slowly forming bruises on his face. A trickle of blood dripped down from his bloody nose, staining his kutte. Your eyes automatically drifted to the patch on the kutte. Prospect. That fucking idiot. No doubt he'd only recently gotten out of prison, and there was, a pretty little prospect for the Mayans.

"I thought you were smart, Reyes. Graduating with honors and all that. When the mighty fall, they really do take quite the tumble, huh?" Your arms crossed across your chest and you felt your jaw clenched. The only thing you saw when you looked into his was Emily and her stupid little smile. The little vixen that had snatched your best friend and boyfriend right from under your nose.

Ez winced and his honey-colored eyes turned downward. "I'm sorry... My bike has a punctured tire and your house was closest." He explained quietly. It surprisingly stung to hear his reasoning.

"I'll give Angel a call-"

"No, no, he'll make a big deal out of this."

"Yeah, well, I wouldn't blame him. You look shit." You spoke bluntly and a grin cracked on his face, though it only made him wince and hiss lowly. Rolling your eyes and moving aside, you motioned for him to step inside.

You gathered any and all medical supplies you had stored away and dumped them onto the small dining table, having Ez take a seat and tilt his head up while you worked. Spending so much time around Angel had taught you how to patch somebody up after a rough day and so you put your skills to work.

"You're unusually quiet." Ez said softly. "I expected a big lecture on fighting and driving motorcycles."

"I don't know what to say." You replied, focusing on a small cut on his red cheek. "This has never happened before. My exes don't usually show up at night looking for a doctor."

"I can start the small talk-"

"Don't."

"I thought you left. Angel said you left Santo Padre a year after..." Ez trailed off and you paused your movements, meeting his softened gaze. You weren't sure if he meant a year after dumping you or a year after getting locked up, but either way, his soft tone annoyed you. Your jaw clenched and you leaned back, flicking the damp cotton swab aside.

"Yeah, I went to school. I got engaged and when that went to shit, I came back. Now, I'm an event coordinator for a town that's slowly dying because of the little fucking cartel on our doorstep. But I'm sure you know all about that, prospect." You spat the word out as if it were venom and Ez immediately looked away from you, looking rather small for a man with manslaughter on his record.

"Thanks for patching me up." Ez muttered. "And... I'm sorry for everything."

[linuxgamenews]

BioGenesis Takes Stellaris to New Heights

BioGenesis Expansion launches along with a new game update for Stellaris on Linux, Steam Deck, Mac, and Windows PC. Thanks to the brilliant minds at Paradox Development Studio for keeping the universe exciting. Which you can find on Steam, GOG, and Humble Store. Hold onto your warp drives — Paradox Interactive just launched the BioGenesis Expansion for Stellaris, and it's also not just another patch or DLC. This is a full-blown, galaxy-bending evolution of the title we know. Oh, and did I mention the massive free 4.0 “Phoenix” update that also hit at the same time? Whether you're strategizing from your Linux PC or Steam Deck. It's time to jump back into the stars. Let’s break it down—because this isn’t your typical update. With the BioGenesis Expansion, you’re not just playing god. You are also the god of life itself. Since it’s all about taking biological ascension to the next, completely unique level. So think living starships, genetically enhanced empires, and becoming the galaxy’s most unstoppable force of nature. Here’s what has our attention:

Overhauled Genetic Ascension:

You get to pick from three wild paths:

Cloning: Flood the galaxy with perfect copies.

Purity: Crank your genetics to 11 and purge the weaknesses.

Mutation: Go full space horror, adapting in real-time to your threats.

Each path lets you deeply customize how your species evolves — and how you wreck your enemies.

The BioGenesis Expansion also brings Biological Ships:

You read that right. Living. Starships. Your navy doesn’t just fly. It grows, mutates, and evolves with your empire. These ships are organic, weird, and also epic.

New Player Crisis – Behemoth Fury:

Ever wanted to flip the table and become the endgame boss? Now you can. Unleash a monstrous Behemoth on the galaxy. Forget diplomacy, since you are the nightmare.

Biogenesis Expansion | Gameplay Release Trailer

Three New Origins to Shape Your Empire:

Evolutionary Predators: Tap into terrifyingly powerful phenotype abilities, due to adapt faster than your enemies can blink.

Starlit Citadel: Fortify choke points with the mighty Deep Space Citadel and uncover a mystery surrounding hostile bio-life.

Wilderness: Start as a planet-wide, sentient ecosystem. You’re not a species — you’re nature incarnate. So it’s time to spread your roots into the stars.

New Megastructure – Deep Space Citadel:

Take map control to the next level. Dominate hyperlanes. Turtle up. Laugh while fleets break against your biological fortress.

And there's more with the BioGenesis Expansion!

7 New Civics

16 New Phenotype Species Traits

New Biological Ship and City Sets

Reactive Species Portraits

Fresh music and while offering 65 new events to shape your saga

And if that wasn’t enough, the free 4.0 “Phoenix” update also comes in with game changing upgrades for everyone. So even if you don’t grab the BioGenesis expansion (but seriously, why wouldn’t you?).

Performance Upgrades: Population and trade system tweaks mean smoother late game, doing so in galaxy sized wars.

New Player Guidance: More clear pacing and better early - game choices make jumping in easier — and also smarter.

Quality of Life Love: Everything from ship design to empire customization feels tighter, faster, while offering more fun.

If you’re itching for a fresh galactic conquest, the BioGenesis Expansion is where it’s at. You can snag it standalone for $24.99 / €24.99 / £20.99 on Steam, GOG, and Humble Store. Doing so as part of the Stellaris Season 09 Expansion Pass for $44.99 USD / £37.99 / €44.99 on Steam, GOG, and Humble Store and save 20% (always a win). Linux and Steam Deck players, we’re fully supported, day one. No delays. No drama. Just pure sci-fi bliss, right out of the box.

[darkx-the-dragon-kn1ght]

Chapter 47- Part 4

I’ve gotta give all kinds of respect to Adrienn for their resolve, but now I’m wondering…with this, and the fact that they specifically went in to check something in the Grand Gates- was Adrienn also some kind of mechanic or repair person in addition to being a Gym Leader?

Oh no, Ame’s gonna be soooo confused-

Where are Dialga and Celebi when you need them...

How would you even begin to make a news story out of all this?? You got kidnapped, you saw the buried ancient sanctum of Arceus’ birthplace, and you found a Gym Leader who’s been literally lost to time for who knows how long, this- this seems like it needs its own documentary!

That’s mighty convenient, but there’s business to settle here first, so we’ll have to go to the castle a bit later.

Now then- the main thing is Xera now has a ton of stuff to sell, from the Stardust to the Star Pieces among other treasures, and where else would we sell said items than…

For you see, a comment left by a reader reminded me of something! Remember how I was making plans to grow Oran Berries with that one Berry Tree patch in Aventurine Woods, so I could get Moomoo Milk? Well, I don’t even need to do that! After selling all the valuable items Xera got from Citae Astrae, we go up, and…

BOOM, ORAN BERRIES! I completely forgot you could buy Oran Berries at the Obsidia Department Store, so thanks to that person for reminding me. Now, Xera’s got plenty of money to afford a good bunch…

Twenty Oran Berries will, very soon, turn into twenty whole Milks! But before even that…

Previous

Next

[bumblebeerror]

Got distracted after pausing to sharpen my embroidery needle in the middle of stitching a patch. Have a poem about pricking myself with my own sharpened needle

Of Blood Sacrifice and Embroidery

Metal rasps against the whetstone

And in my mind I imagine

That the needle in the grip of my aching fingertips

Is a mighty sword, stained and rusted

In dire need of shining.

This needle I sharpened myself -

It came from an embroidery kit

Bought for three bucks at the local dollar store

The end blunted and shaped for the crosshatch fabric

With a factory printed design on it’s face.

[The thread was not enough to finish its design.]

But while its blunted end had served sufficient for its original task,

It’s shape was not fit for the felt I’d stretched on the hoop it came with

It’s polished round tip wasn’t up to the job I’d asked of it.

And so I drag it at an angle along the whetstone’s surface

And with each pass it grows scratched and turns the water black

And the shine slowly dulls away to a rough point.

When I pause to eat, my fingertips still taste like iron

Its end comes to a narrow point,

But before I can polish it smooth

My hand slips and the metal tastes my blood, too

And my own handiwork slides into the pad of my fingertip without a single snag.

I pull it out like a thorn,

Ignore the painful microscopic bite of its unpolished point

and my tongue reeks like rusted metal

But I cannot fault it for its actions -

It was me that imagined a sword, after all

I take us both to the sink and once we are clean, I smooth the metal’s barbs.

I don’t know if the needle resents me for pulling out its teeth,

Or if by sharpening it,

I had given it something it never had before

But I know there was a ritual here that will happen many more times

And this needle is sure as it guides my thread

And my mouth still sings with blood.

[military1st]

Civilian Lab Tonto Shoulder Bag

Small yet mighty Civilian Lab Tonto Shoulder Bag offers plenty of organisational features, a rugged exterior, and modular expandability.

It has a spacious main compartment with an adjustable padded divider and a large, locking front buckle, two side pouches and a padded shoulder strap for easy carrying.

Additionally, the fuzzy loop patch area at the front allows you to customise it with IDs, logos, and more, adding a touch of personal flair.

Civilian Lab Tonto Shoulder Bag is perfect for all your essentials when you need a compact solution.

Find out more at Military 1st online store.

https://mil1.st/CLTTOGRYUK

Enjoy free UK delivery and returns! Swift delivery to Ireland, the US, Australia, and across Europe.

[fazbear-security]

Soul Shift - Ch. 6

Ao3

“Empty?” Freddy’s ears popped up in surprise, and he heard Chica gasp behind him. “What do you mean the office is empty?!”

“I mean it be empty.” Foxxy reiterated with a low growl, pointing his hook back down the west hall. “There be no-one in th’ office, fishbone ‘r other’ise.” The fox lashed his tail back and forth with an irritable and rusty creaking sound. “Just th’ lad’s bag on th’ chair.”

“But if his bag is there, that means he had to have come to work!” Chica bypassed the backstage stairs in favor of simply jumping down off the edge with a mighty clang. Bonnie followed her lead, and Freddy hesitated before hurrying backstage and down the stairs to meet them on the party hall floor. 

“Aye, but he ain’t there now.” Foxy gestured for the gang to follow him, and moved back down the hallway. Freddy tapped Chica on the shoulder and gestured her over to the other hall entrance as Bonnie followed Foxy. They wouldn’t all fit inside the office, and if they all wanted to see for themselves, some of them had to go through the other door.

“See?” Foxy gestured with both hand and hook from the west door at the empty office as the gang crowded around the doors. True to his words, there was nothing in the room but the lonely backpack sitting on the rolling chair. “Like I says: empty!”

“Oh no…” Bonnie leaned into the office and picked up the backpack from the chair, careful not to squeeze too hard and risk breaking anything inside. “This is definitely Mike’s - it’s got that same cartoon patch he has.” The bunny let go of the bag with one hand and reached across to pat the upper arm casing of his other arm. “You guys know, the one right here?”

“Yes, Bon, we’ve all seen his tattoo.” Freddy leaned his arm against the east door frame and wiggled his ears in thought. Why would their night guard have left his bag? They’d all seen him come running back after accidentally leaving it or some of its contents - usually his precious coffee, or homework from his siblings that he was reviewing - so for him to leave it behind was just….not like him.

“Could he be hiding from us…?” Chica’s voice expressed the sadness her beak could not.

“Th’ manager’s blasted rules tell th’ guards t’ne’r leave th’ office.” Foxy argued, folding his arms across his tattered torso. His tone notably softened, however. “Mike be many things, but th’ lad ain’t no rulebreaker.”

“But he is scared,” Freddy’s ears lowered as he sighed. Despite their best efforts, none of them had been able to reassure their night guard that they meant him no harm. Now, at least. “And humans will do a lot of strange things when they’re scared…

“Maybe Mike thought we’d never think to look for him anywhere but the office?” Bonnie offered up as he carefully put the bag back on the chair. Mike would want it right where he’d left it, when he came back.

“You’re right, Bonnie. Maybe he’s hiding somewhere?” Chica jumped on the thought. Scared or not, if Mike had taken the risk to hide outside of the office, then they had a better chance of catching him without having to worry about having those heavy doors slammed in their face. “Maybe we can find him, and finally talk to him!!”

“Aye, I bet we could, Chica.” Foxy nodded. Freddy tilted his head in silent disagreement, but said nothing. “There be only a few places ‘e could be ‘iding, an’ we c’n count out places like Parts ‘n Services an’ th’ supply closet.”

“Oh, yeah!” Bonnie’s ears perked up. “Mike always gags when the janitors have to get out the cleaning stuff, so he’d never hide where they stored it!”

“Gang, let’s reign it in, for a moment.” Freddy finally spoke up. “If Mike is so scared already tonight that he started off breaking the rules and hiding, I don’t think us hunting him down will make anything better-”

“Oh, but Freddy, this might be our only chance!” Chica argued back, putting on her best ‘pleading child’ face. Bonnie leaned in to join her for added effect. “Mike is too quick on the cameras and the buttons for us to get into the office normally-”

“And he doesn’t come out for pizza parties or karaoke or talent shows or even game nights-” Bonnie added in.

“-and we don’t want to have to go another year chasing him around just to talk to him, right?” Chica finished. Over their shoulders, Foxy was nodding along. Freddy felt very outnumbered, and sighed in defeat.

“Alright…” The bear straightened up and adjusted his hat. Hopefully Mike would be able to forgive them for this, somewhere in the future “I’m…I’m sure we can clear everything up once we’ve got him all sat down for the talk.” Bonnie and Chica both immediately brightened up.

“I’ll check the kitchen!” Chica volunteered, already pushing Freddy aside to run back down the east hallway. 

“And I’ll check the bathrooms!” Foxy wisely took one large step to the side as Bonnie turned and ran back out the west door, leaving the fox and the bear alone in the office. Freddy drummed his fingers against the security desk for a moment, looking around for any last clues that might have told him where their guard had disappeared to.

“I have a bad feeling about all this, Foxy.” He confessed. One drawer on the desk was slightly open, and Freddy carefully tugged on the edge with his large fingers to pull it further. There was nothing inside but a few dust bunnies and old batteries, like the kind used for flashlights. “I can’t put my finger on it, but this all just isn’t adding up right.”

“I di’n’t want t’say so in front ‘f th’ cheer squad, but…I be right there wit’ ye.” Foxy shifted to glance back over his shoulder, and kept his voice low, even though neither Chica nor Bonnie would have been able to hear him, at this distance. “There be somethin’ wicked goin’ on t’night, whe’r we like it ‘r not.”

“I hope we’re both wrong, Foxy.” Freddy nudged the drawer shut gently. “I don’t think this place can handle another tragedy.” He didn’t think he could handle another tragedy. Not after they’d been given this second chance. Not after things had been going so right for so long. Foxy reached out and placed a careful hook - the flat side, not the pointed, rusty curve - on the bear’s arm.

“Me, too.” He flipped up his eyepatch to let the other see just how sincere he was. “This ol’ fox’ll be happier’n a shark at chummin’ time t’be proven a lousy prophet.” Freddy’s ears lifted a little, but then, there was a distant crashing sound, followed by Bonnie’s voice shouting “I’m okay!”, and he shook his head. 

“We’d better catch up before they tear the place apart.” The bear stepped backwards out of the office. “I’ll check the offices, I suppose.”

“An’ I’ll take a look ‘round me cove.” Foxy also stepped back out of the office, and headed back down the west hall. “I be a deep, deep snoozer after a ‘ard day’s work doin’ nothin’. Mebee th’ lad slipped by me b’fore th’ midnight bells.” Freddy continued down the east hall, trying his best to not dwell on the strange, cold certainty in his processor that they were wasting time.

There were six hours left in the night shift. Surely they’d find their night guard before then.

---

Light fingers curled into the collar of the polyester shirt and tugged once, twice, then three times; each one growing more frantic than the one before. The fingers let go and hovered, unsure, before reaching out to try patting the face of the man they stood over. Upon receiving no reaction, the fingers retracted, and wound themselves together nervously.

Their owner paced back and forth on the concrete, every now and then looking up toward the basement door or around at the dark silhouettes of boxes, crates, and spare parts, as if expecting to see something. They were disappointed each time, and the figure grew more and more anxious before something hit their foot, and they froze. The flashlight rolled a few feet away before stopping, trailing tiny shards of glass from its shattered lens and bulb. The figure slowly sank to its knees beside the body, and gently reached out their hands to shake one of the arms.

“Please, please wake up already…” The little figure pleaded to the body at the bottom of the stairs. “You can’t sleep here; it’s cold and dark, and no-one will find you here until morning!” Their words fell on deaf ears, and the figure made a small noise of worry and bent their head down to the man’s chest. They listened for something, but whatever they heard didn’t seem to ease their worries, and they sat up.

“I-...I can fix this.” They promised, lifting the arm up from the elbow and hugging it to their slim chest. “I can put you back together, I just-. I need more time.” They looked around the basement, and scrambled up to run over to one of the larger, longer crates pushed against the wall. Dexterous little fingers flipped the metal latches holding down the lid, and the figure made a sound of exertion as they opened the box as far as they could.

“...okay, okay. I can work with this.” They said, almost to themselves as they closed the box, and turned back to the body. They knelt down again, and placed both hands flat on the chest. “This might…feel weird…b-but it’s going to be fine! I know what I’m doing!” They insisted, as if they were the one who needed convincing. The body did not respond, and the figure pressed down. A pale glow began to shine from beneath their hands, and after a few seconds, the glow brightened, and their hands sank down into the body.

Seconds later, they withdrew, and clutched between striped fingers was a small, ethereal orb of light. Something akin to smoke wafted from the orb, trailing back down into the body as the figure stood up, clutching the light to their own chest as they hurried back to the crate. They let go with one hand to lift the lid with all their strength, and stood up on their toes to reach down inside with their other hand, and shove the orb somewhere safe. The trail of smoke faded out of sight, and the figure braced the crate lid above their head with both hands, staring expectantly into the crate, before slowly, carefully, lowering it shut. 

“I’ll put you back…eventually.” The figure promised, fiddling with the metal latches, but not reclosing them. Nobody who worked here would notice. “You’ll be safe in there until I can figure out how to fix you.” They turned away from the crate, and hesitated over the body for a few more seconds before stepping around them and climbing up onto a cluttered work table with careful steps. Reaching up, the figure pulled open the cover of a vent on the wall, and climbed up inside, leaving the vent unlatched.

The basement sat in silence for the rest of the night.