#on the plus side you have two skeleton kids now!

[quitealotofsodapop]

Ao Guang's Weird Day part 2:

prev post.

Pissed-off Parent!Wukong is a side of the Monkey King that Ao Guang did not expect to encounter. Only recently it seemed like the demon was a pup smashing down his door for a weapon. When did he have time to cultivate a whole family?

I'm liking the idea of Ao Guang being so confused/curious by all the in-fighting that he pulls the gang into different interrogation rooms for some answers. Muppets Most Wanted song for an idea of how quickly it turns nuts. Mostly because Nezha is a hated enemy of the east sea (Ao Bing situation), and Pigsy taught MK never to speak to cops without a lawyer. Wukong strangely enough is very eager to spill the beans once he gets Fire Star on the phone.

Ao Guang: "You understand the severity of stealing the Map to the Samadhi Fire, don't you Wukong?" Wukong, holding the two youngest babies: "Yes. And I hope Mac suffers just a little bit for it." Ao Guang, blinks: "So it was no you who stole the Map? But your mate?" Wukong: "Well it was sorta a team effort. DBK and Red Son have been helping us investigate what LBD has been up to. Plus tracking down my damn husband - and they ran into eachother at Nezha's place. DBK had to go home cus he got hurt shielding the kids from the Map's barrier." Ao Guang: "And... where were you in all this?" Wukong: "I was with my kids??? Dude, I'm not that reckless! I was supervising MK's transformation training outside the city when LBD attacked us with her bony-mech thing." Ao Guang: "But the Staff. How did she obtain it?" Wukong: "MK went to strike at the mech and what looked like some sort of reactor? The missing Trigram Furnace." Ao Guang, pales: "Please tell me you're joking." Wukong: "Wish I was. What ever she did to modify the Furance literally absorbed the Staff, and even most of our powers, like how the Rhino King's ring did. I'm really worried it could absorb other weapons too." Ao Guang: (*realising Macaque was right that the Samadhi Fire might be the best plan against the Bone Demon*) Ao Guang: "Shit." Wukong, covering the babies' ears: "Language!"

Meanwhile Mei and the Eclipse Twins (shadow powers duh. Dragon guards didn't take that into account that they could slip under the door) are busy stealing back the Map and breaking the rest of the Gang out. Wukong's interrogation gets cut short cus MK and Mac bust in to haul him and the babies to the newly-constructed TEA.

Oh and in lieu of Macaque's shadow clones attacking the East Sea?

Well... my ideal Lady Bone Demon has control over all bones and bone-related beings that she has influenced with her icy-crystal-like corruption.

And whats down in the sea?

Plesiosaur fossils and whale falls. Imagine gettign attacked by that.

Baby Yuebei: (*little nerdy squeak that sounds like she's trying to say "Dinosaur!!"*) :D! Macaque: "Aw. She's interested in dinosaurs now?" Wukong: "Yes, ever since she found an ammonite on the beach." Macaque, adoring: "Our little girl is so smart." Wukong, reluctantly sappy: "Yeah..."

Meanwhile the entire East Sea is freaking tf out and smashing skeletons, while the noodle shop gang get away in the TEA.

[simplegenius042]

Music Monday, Ship Traits Meme & 5 Songs Game

Tagged by @josephseedismyfather @imogenkol @inafieldofdaisies @voidika and @cassietrn

Tagging @socially-awkward-skeleton @direwombat @adelaidedrubman @strangefable @strafethesesinners @rhettsabbott @g0dspeeed @josephslittledeputy @carlosoliveiraa @wrathfulrook @icecutioner @softtidesworld @shallow-gravy @derelictheretic @aceghosts @turbo-virgins @shellibisshe @red-nightskies @starsandskies @ladyoriza @florbelles @skoll-sun-eater @cloudofbutterflies92 @afarcryfrommymain @titiagls @la-grosse-patate @minilev and @thewanderer-000

A song for The Silver Chronicles, ship meme for The UnTitledverse, Life, Despair & Monsters and A Radioactive Calamity Of Love, Bombs & Gore, plus listing five of my favorite songs below the cut:

Out of all the songs in Disney's Wish, the only one which really touched me was "At All Costs". In the context of The Silver Chronicles, it can be viewed in two ways; either Kamski Neon is declaring is promise that no matter the cost, he will protect Silva as she is the closest thing to family he has left, and her returning this promise, OR, Silva is reminiscing on Paul's past promise to protect and love her as a parent should, and echoes these words to Azriel in the present. [Fun fact: I did not enjoy Wish. I enjoyed very, VERY few things in it, and personally wouldn't recommend watching it, but you can do you.]

"If happiness was a tangible thing It would be you If you'd have told me the feeling you'd bring I'd think it untrue And people search for a wonder like you All of their lives You still amaze me after all this time

You pull me in like some kind of wind Mesmerized by the hold I'm in Leave you here, I don't wanna I wanna

Promise as one does I, I will protect you at all costs Keep you safe here in my arms I, I will protect you at all costs At all costs."

"What's pain, when I look at you? No way I could explain you, even if I tried to I'll never dream like I used to do If someone tried to hurt you, I don't See how that could happen I'd fight for you in ways you can't imagine Felt this, no, I haven't, I hope It would be all right to stay right here beside you."

"And promise as one does I, I will protect you at all costs Keep you safe here in my arms I, I will protect you at all costs At all costs

If you're ever feeling like you're lost I'll come find you Man all fronts, there's no ocean I won't swim across To be right by you And not just once, here and now, I swear on my response I'll remind you

And promise as one does I, I will protect you at all costs Keep you safe here in my arms I, I will protect you at all costs At all costs."

Rules: bold/color the themes that apply to your ship, and italicize the theme if it’s one-sided, within your story.

MARIO EMMET x CHARLIE EMILY (THE UNTITLEDVERSE)

height difference (6'3" vs 5'4") / mutual pining / first kiss / wedding / in-jokes / lgbtq+ (Charlie is Bi and both her and Mario are polyamorous leading to their future relationship with Elizabeth Afton) / family disapproves (Henry doesn't approve of his android-copy of his dead daughter romancing a shapeshifting alien that is carnivorous, but if Abigail was alive, she'd approve because she loves her boy and Charlie's a catch) / would die for each other / would kill for each other / fake relationship / arranged wedding / cuddlers / pda friendly (Mario is really touch-starved, while Charlie isn't) / and they were roommates / holding hands / secret relationship / opposing worldviews / getting a pet / have kids / want kids / grow old together (originally the plan before they eventually go from "android x shapeshifter-alien young romance" to "gods of the new world") / relationship failures / rests head on shoulder / share a bed / relationship doubts / they have a song / first date (for Mario) / sharing a blanket / mutual interests / study buddies (Charlie attempted this but Mario is not helpful whatsoever) / bathing together / crash into hello / accidental nudity / laundry / same hobbies / cooking for each other (Mario cooks the bigger and flavoured dishes while Charlie is more of a simpler easier food kind of person) / big fancy gala / forehead touches / hair stroking (Mario doesn't have hair) / sitting on each other’s laps / sexual tension / can’t be together / battle couple / Friends to Lovers / Enemies to Lovers (initially Mario thought Charlie was a rival apart of his species since her body that housed her soul was different from regular humans so he attempted to eat her) / Lovers to Enemies / KEEPING SECRETS (misunderstanding: Mario thought Charlie was apart of his species because of her physical forms difference from the rest of her friends leading him to believe she was trying to steal his territory/kill him in general while Charlie eventually thinks Mario knows something of her origins and eventually thinks he knew she was an android before she figured it out, which was far from Mario's deduction) / love after loss / exes / declaration of love / flirting / love triangle (Charlie had the choice between her gentle and supportive childhood friend whom she has great chemistry with but doesn't feel the same way for and stops her from doing impulsive dumb shit or the alien shapeshifter who initially tried to eat her mistaking her for someone else and is more likely to go along with her impulsive dumb shit) / destructive romance / envy (Mario was jealous of Charlie's integration in human society not realizing she was an android and not another of his species) / “I Don’t Want to Ruin Our Friendship” (especially considering Charlie was an android who thought she was human and Mario is a shapeshifting alien, neither had thought their feelings would be reciprocated) / shared values / slow burn / does not end well / happily ever after (at the very, very end of the series, they ascend to godhood because positions were open so... I guess?) / love letters

HAOYU ANABUKI x ICARUS GALATOS (LIFE, DESPAIR & MONSTERS)

height difference / mutual pining / first kiss / wedding / in-jokes / lgbtq+ (Haoyu is non-binary attracted to men and Icarus is ace and doesn't mind who the person is as long as their personality is worth hyperfixating on) / family disapproves (nah, Monika's happy for her half-sibling and Icarus' fam are just glad he's got a partner) / would die for each other (more accurately they'd risk their lives for each other but would avoid actual death at all costs) / would kill for each other (Haoyu doesn't like to kill but Icarus would let Hatter do the killing) / fake relationship / arranged wedding / cuddlers / pda friendly / and they were roommates / holding hands / secret relationship (mostly on Icarus side of things, but eventually he reveals Haoyu to his family) / opposing worldviews (Icarus believes personal satisfaction comes from doing good to others while Haoyu believes upholding self-interest is satisfying enough) / getting a pet / have kids / want kids / grow old together / relationship failures / rests head on shoulder/ share a bed / relationship doubts (Icarus side of things considering he (plus his alters) are Hatter's avatar/s) / they have a song / first date / sharing a blanket / mutual interests / study buddies / bathing together / crash into hello / accidental nudity / laundry / same hobbies / cooking for each other / big fancy gala / forehead touches / hair stroking / sitting on each other’s laps / sexual tension / can’t be together / battle couple / Friends Mutual Allies to Lovers / Enemies to Lovers / Lovers to Enemies / KEEPING SECRETS / love after loss / exes / declaration of love / flirting / love triangle / destructive romance / envy / “I Don’t Want to Ruin Our Friendship” / shared values / slow burn / does not end well (will neither confirm nor deny both of their fates in the ending of the series) / happily ever after / love letters (a gag that happens; Icarus attempts this and Haoyu opens up a portal to his universe and tells him face-to-face their feelings)

MARISSA "RESS" BISHOP x PIPER WRIGHT (A RADIOACTIVE CALAMITY OF LOVE, BOMBS & GORE)

height difference (6'2" vs 5'7") / mutual pining / first kiss / wedding / in-jokes (from to each others expenses to flirtatious teasing) / lgbtq+ (Piper and Ress are both Bisexual women) / family disapproves (Piper's little sister Nat thinks Ress is cool. But on Ress' side of the family, her deadbeat evil father Arcane Urias thinks humans are a regression to evolution and should be treated as livestock more than anything and if Ore, Ress' half-brother, was alive at the time, he'd approve her choice, but Ress human family members, the Bishop Crime Family, might not like the idea of her being with a JOURNALIST of all things) / would die for each other / would kill for each other / fake relationship / arranged wedding / cuddlers / pda friendly / and they were roommates / holding hands / secret relationship / opposing worldviews / getting a pet (Dogmeat!... and whatever Ress keeps bringing home to freak out Piper and make Nat think she's cool) / have kids / want kids / grow old together (God Ress wishes she could do this with Piper) / relationship failures / rests head on shoulder / share a bed / relationship doubts (Piper has insecurities while Ress wrestles with the fact she'll outlive Piper) / they have a song / first date / sharing a blanket (Ress hogs the f***ing blanket) / mutual interests / study buddies / bathing together / crash into hello / accidental nudity / laundry / same hobbies / cooking for each other / big fancy gala / forehead touches / hair stroking / sitting on each other’s laps (Piper does this often since she knows it will fluster Ress) / sexual tension (oh god, it is so obvious to everyone) / can’t be together / battle couple / Friend(emie)s to Lovers / (Fri)Enemies to Lovers / Lovers to Enemies / KEEPING SECRETS / love after loss (at this point Ress has lost her closest friends and her own brother) / exes / declaration of love (Piper confesses this) / flirting (very aggressive teasing) / love triangle / destructive romance / envy (Piper was kinda jealous that Ress isn't self-conscious and very overconfident cocky attitude until she learned why Ress has this mask on) / “I Don’t Want to Ruin Our Friendship” / shared values / slow burn / does not end well / happily ever after? (at the end of the series? yes. post-canon offscreen though? Ress is likely to outlive Piper, something they're both aware of) / love letters

Now here's a list for my top 5 favorite songs:

Without You - Oh Wonder

Loser, Baby - Keith David, Blake Roman, Andrew Underberg & Sam Haft

Youth - Daughter

I Really Want To Stay At Your House - Hallie Coggins & Rosa Walton

Memory Reboot - Narvent & VØJ

[deathmetalunicorn1]

One Piece x Overlord AU

Momonga is sent into the One Piece although without Nazerick and makes friends with Luffy while he’s a kid and he goes on a few journeys in East Blue and meets up with Luffy and Logue Town and becomes part of the crew. He wears a mask and gloves (I’d say he’s wearing that outfit he wore at the coliseum he just added a hood to it) so only Luffy knows he’s a skeleton. How would this change the story of One Piece?

-First of all- Brook would be offended- there’s only room enough for one talking skeleton thank you very much, lol.

-In all seriousness though, Momonga could easily decimate any opponent he came across, from other pirates who wanted his wealth and bragging rights, marines who were after him for his bounty, as he had unintentionally got a very powerful one, after he woke up in this world, on the ship of a Celestial Dragon Family, and killed all of their guards, after they attacked him first and killed all three of the Celestial Dragons.

-He was initially exasperated with himself after he learned this, learning about who he attacked, but he didn’t feel bad, especially after he learned how they treated others.

-Luffy was the first person to see him without his hood, and instead of attacking him, Luffy was like a child, sparkly-eyed with a huge smile, “You look so cool!!”

-Luffy was odd, especially with his monstrous appetite and Devil Fruit abilities, being able to stretch to inhuman lengths, but Momonga couldn’t help but like Luffy- he was so free, so cheerful, but also so loyal- he was a good friend.

-The two parted after some shenanigans, Momonga growing his reputation and bounty and helping Luffy get his first bounty, but they promised to meet again.

-It wasn’t until the New World, after Momonga had become a Yonko himself, being the only one who didn’t have a crew- as he could handle anything by himself, which made the government nervous, plus he didn’t care if you were a Celestial Dragon or not- if anything that made him more of a target, when he and Luffy reunited.

-Monoga wouldn’t fight by himself, per say, as he would summon his Death Knights to fight for him, allowing them to weaken his enemies and even kill them if they were weak enough.

-The Straw Hats were locked in a fierce battle, a marine ship on their side, with powerful warriors, vice admirals on both, when the sky suddenly went dark as the wind picked up.

-Nami could tell that this wasn’t natural, and they all heard a voice, “Seems like you could use a hand, Luffy.”

-Luffy looked up, a bright smile on his face, “Momonga!!” all gazes went up, seeing the fifth Yonko hovering high above the three ships, a mask over his face and a long robe covering him, hiding him from the views of all.

-The marines were immediately panicking, as they had been able to hold their own against Luffy’s crew, for the most part, but to see Momonga there as well, they were quickly at a disadvantage.

-Luffy’s crew were shocked, seeing that he knew another Yonko as he leapt up, hugging him with a loud cheer, which did make him chuckle softly.

-Moments later, the marines were gone, their ships sunk and Luffy was introducing him, but Momonga needed no introductions.

-When he pulled his mask off, revealing himself, Brook was shocked, collapsing to his knees, surrounded by gloom, “I’m being replaced!” Luffy just laughed, assuring him that he was not being replaced, and that he was like this naturally, not due to a Devil Fruit, which did raise some questions.

-Momonga remained with them for a while, getting to know his friend’s crew, and while freaked out at first, they were all quick to warm up to him, making him feel welcome.

-When a newspaper, one that shook the world arrived, Momonga couldn’t help but laugh loudly, seeing the headline, seeing that he had supposedly joined the Straw Hats and people were freaking the freak out!!

-Luffy just puffed his chest with pride, a bright grin, “It’s official then! I’m now your captain!!” if it had been anyone else, Momonga probably would have laughed at them, but he didn’t mind, the attention and panic was very amusing.

-Luffy would very easily become the Pirate King- as Momonga knows he could beat Luffy, but he doesn’t want to, he likes seeing his young friend so happy. With Momonga’s help, there would be nobody who could stand up to the Straw Hats, not even all the admirals working together would be able to do a thing to two Yonko, Luffy and Momonga working together.

-Pirates would easily take over the world, but Luffy would keep everyone in check, as that was his dream, to create a world where everyone could have as much of whatever they wanted, so they never had to want for anything!

-Momonga had to respect that, and he had no issues disciplining or destroying those who would challenge or offend his friend and his crew, but there weren’t many who were foolish enough to even think about challenging the strongest in the world, not if they wanted to walk away.

[moosemonstrous]

Ghost Rider Pacific Rim AU - bottle it up

“Oh Lord, he’s twelve,” Maria mutters under her breath. Carol elbows her in the side. “I didn’t know he was an actual child!”

“He’s nearly nineteen,” she says and immediately winces. Maria’s eyebrows travel all the way to her hairline. “Shut up.”

“Nearly nineteen? And you signed off on this?”

“We were both his age when we joined up.”

“Yeah, to a boot camp! Not to punch demons in the face!”

Carol refuses to sound like a middle-aged man defending his choice of a date. “Don’t make it weird.”

“It’s already weird!” Maria lowers her voice when Ivanov gives them an unimpressed look from across the control room. “It is! And even if he wasn’t barely legal, remember what happened with Spector?”

Carol smiles at Scott, who hates when people are whispering around him because God forbid anyone has a conversation that doesn’t directly involve him. Which is kind of a mean thing to think about a co-worker, but someone cleared out the fridge in the rangers’ quarters and Carol isn’t getting her yoghurts back until the next shipment comes in. Shatterdome catering isn’t big on dairy.

“Victoria said there are no indications in his scans,” she says as quietly as she can without actually whispering.

“Well, there are no indications Maximoff is a dick, and we all know the truth about that.”

“Maria!”

“Captains,” Ivanov clears his throat. “I see you are ready to join the discussion.”

“Aren’t you going to introduce the new guy?” Carol can hear Maria bite her tongue on ‘kid’. This is why she never comes along to the strategy meetings.

And this one is a lot more crowded than usual. Tony thinks they’re on the brink of seeing a Cat-5, so ever since the destruction of Horizon Bravo it’s all hands on deck, every time. They have a full complement of comm and monitoring officers at every available station, instead of the usual skeleton crew. With their newest addition comes Amadeus, even though he has a history of being kicked out for being disruptive. All the excitement of the last few days must have gotten to him, though, because he’s merely scrolling through the news feeds rather than actively winding up the Romeos.

Who are standing on opposite sides of the room and very obviously not on speaking terms. Great. Hopefully the prospect of hazing the new guy will unite them before go time.

“This is Robbie Reyes, joining us with Hell Charger,” Ivanov says. Reyes stands next to him like it’s taking his entire spine not to hide under the table. “Which is why we need to talk tactics, if you’re quite ready.”

The thing is, the Hong Kong jaegers got pretty good at figuring things out as they’ve gone along. They might not all have liked each other, but they were a good team. Only Qi and Qiao are no more, and the whole debacle with core replacements grounded the triplets for the second demon in a row. They can’t have a rotation, they don’t have enough firepower, and now they are getting a solo pilot who should, as the kids say, be at the club instead. Everyone around Carol is getting younger and more fragile by the second, and it’s starting to feel like she has an expiration date.

Or maybe she’s just grumpy because Clint hasn’t even tried to pretend he isn’t hiding something when they spoke. Or because she doesn’t like Tony messing with a tried and tested formula again, like every previous attempt didn’t end in tears. Or because Ivanov has always been so damn careful, it puts her on edge when he starts to take stupid risks like this. Or because she didn’t tell Maria exactly how young Reyes was, because she knows it’s too young and has no idea what to do about it-- Take a pick, apparently.

Maria silently squeezes her elbow.

“We are at T plus five hours, and the lookout confirmed the demon is heading west of the Breach.” Ivanov points to the screen showing air footage of a trail of bubbles on the surface of the ocean. The screen below is a heat signature – a big one. “Our readings show a category four, two and a half thousand feet. Special properties as of yet unknown, but Miss Grey is monitoring for any tells.”

Jean waves a hand from over her station. “The press already have a name, Razorback,” she says, never taking her eyes off the reports coming in. “A private underwater drone recorded an extended lumbar vertebrae.”

Pietro chuckles. “The devil works fast, but the press works faster.”

“That’s no way to refer to Miss Walters, Corporal.”

“Could really use Typhoon with this one,” Alex huffs in the general direction of the Weis. The triplets all shrug simultaneously – what can you do? Crimson Typhoon is one of the oldest jaegers still going, so it was naturally the first candidate for extensive repairs. “And now we have an experimental rookie to watch out for.”

“He has you beat at sim scores, Summers B,” Amadeus points out. “Although I guess that’s not hard.”

To his credit, Alex doesn’t lose his temper immediately. “Who invited the nerd again?”

“He’s here to monitor Hell Charger’s output,” Ivanov says.

“And Major Brooks’s recommendation is that Mr Reyes stands back to guard the Miracle Mile while Coyote Tango, Romeo Blue and Eden Assassin take on the demon.” Uh oh, Amadeus is using proper titles. “So this last-minute switch-up nonsense puzzles me a little, Colonel.”

“Merely a proposal. Put forward by Corporal Maximoff, to give proper credit.”

“As a joke,” Wanda cuts in. Pietro doesn’t deny it, which means it probably wasn't and he’s using his sister to get out of having to admit it's a terrible idea. “Assassin doesn’t do well with small targets.”

Ivanov wasn’t really going to put them on beastie defence, was he? Stuck between the Colonel and Cho, Reyes seems to alternate between wanting to shrink and puff up. With that eye still bruised – it’s really taking an awful long to heal – he looks like someone beat him up behind the bleachers. When Carol glances at Maria, she can already tell what’s on her mind. “No,” she hisses.

“What? I didn’t say anything.”

Ivanov is clearly sick of the chatting. “Do you have a suggestion, Captain Danvers?”

Carol shoots Maria one last look before turning to the Colonel. “Just that we should stick with Eric’s plan. Hell Charger is still largely untested.” And you can’t hit the kill switch outside of a five hundred mile radius, but she’s not going to be the one to mention it out loud. “I’ve seen Reyes wipe the floor with the recruits, I’m sure he can handle the vermin.”

Oh god, is he blushing? Carol just knows the next family dinner will have a new guest. And when Maria hears about the baby brother, too...

Jean raises her hand to get everyone’s attention. “It’s emerging,” she says. “Changed course towards Taipei. Fourteen hours until contact, Khatyrka confirms they are standing back.”

“We better get ahead of it, then.” Fourteen hours always sounds longer than it really is when you account for final checks and transport times. “Eden Assassin on point, us and Romeo Blue on flanks?”

Maybe because they have a rookie on board, or maybe to get it all over with, for once nobody tries to argue just for the sake of it. Ivanov brings up the map of the Philippine Sea onto the table screen to pin locations down and each team’s respective air support officer descends around it to sort out the logistics.

As the rangers start filing out to get their kit going, Carol can’t help but notice that Reyes seems to be meeting his ASO for the first time. She stays back to watch him for a moment – she can’t imagine getting into a jaeger on her own. It’s better that he’s nervous rather than cocky–

Then, Ivanov puts a hand on the kid’s shoulder, and just for a moment his expression changes from mildly confused to positively murderous.

[crack-canon]

Inspired by the post where I drew Adamn as an Animal Crossing Crocodile

I present to you

HC Personalities LR : don’t care about gender rule

Peppy , Normal, Smug , Fatherly/Motherly , Peppy/Peppy , Jock

More headcanons below

Polyblank would totally go by Polyblanc. He’s heavily based off Bow and a bit off iDogs

The back of his head definitely has a battery slot and a stamp that says “N6”

He has now mouth but he still uses text emotes and letters : T ^ T : D : <

When he speaks his voice levels is all over the place

He ONLY gifts the anatomy model and human skeleton

“A7 y0uR S3rVic3!”

Percival carefully dyes his fur to differentiate himself from his older brother

I just love how tiny Perci is in relation to their brother

The Editor keeps his round bed.

Percival has the basic house size and a basement // His theme is probably like Neo-Tokoyo mixed with Iron Set

The Editor has a custom home : max front, 2nd Upgrade Top Floor, Basic Left/Right, Basic Basement // His Theme is Ritzy. The second floor is Cityscape. He has pictures of other villagers he has relations with

With a high enough level, The Editor has a low low chance to gift a gold piece or gold blueprint // If bothered enough while stung, he’ll gift medicine but not without chiding you for your slow reaction time

Percival often gifts clock blue prints or clothes

The Editor: “Say thank you Eddy!~”

Percival: “Ayu…”

Hudson and Cordelia Darling as a Bull and a deer. Theyve got a full entry floor and two small rooms on the sides used as bedrooms

They have a kitschy style and their kids rooms is a wooden block set but colorful

Their often not seen too far from each other and can be often found with Hudson dancing while Cordelia sings // Hudson could be found often gifting things to his wife

I like to think Hudson doesn’t say shit and instead just uses tons emotes while there’s an empty speech bubble

Hudson often gifts Wooden Block furniture (base and customized) and other wood based items, implying he built everything in his kids’ bedroom

Cordelia gifts food based gifts that require cooking or fruit themed blueprints

You can always go to the both of them for medicine

Cordelia: “Darlin!”

Hudson: “ *snort* “

And the Darling twins plus Mommy and Daddy’s playmate ( *fawns and bull )

The kids can be found outside from 8am - 4pm often running around or head butting trees to try and get some fruits or bothering Cowboy inside his own home // They’re bound to be seen interacting with exterior furniture and displays

The kids are never too far from other characters and never go to the higher levels unless there’s a grown up up there or the Villager

Amaryllis and Bellis gift bugs, picked flowers, and building stacks of 5 materials (except wood. Who tf would give a kid an axe) // Fence off your flower patches if you don’t want em ruined

Cowboy would totally be labeled Jock but have a computer based home with mainframes // He has a Max upgrade front and base 2nd floor and it’s just filled with those old computer towers

Cowboy can be found at all hours randomly inside The Darling’s Home (The Darlings turn off their lights at 11)

The cowboy also gifts bugs but also gifts rusted computer chips quite often

Amaryllis (right) : “HAI !!!”

Bellis (left) : “Hai !!”

Cowboy / Beau : “ha- Howdy!”

[xoxoauntscripty]

*tw for cannibalism, mass starvation*

So if you've ever wondered, "who has saved the most human lives in the history of ever?"

There are a few people who vie for the spot

But the one you don't expect

is Herbert Fucking Hoover

You know.... One of those old timey U.S. presidents who doesn't seem like he did a fuck of a lot? For whom things like Hoovervilles™ are named?

But Herbert Fucking Hoover

Organized the biggest relief mission in history to that point (maybe ever?)

Saved at least 10 million people

And probably accidentally propped up the Bolsheviks and whoopsies, allowed the USSR to become one of the worst slave states in human history

All before he ever became President

So early Soviet Russia was a giant fucking shit show.

In 1917 you have the people topple the tsarist government, pull Russia out of World War I under some pretty fucking atrocious terms, and basically immediately descend into civil war

(which is a "civil war" in name only, because literally dozens of countries sent troops to fight on one side or another, and is in and of itself an entirely confusing and fucked up time frame I don't understand completely)

And while those two wars are finally over by the end of 1920, the Soviet economy is in shambles

Basically all the grain being grown by peasants was being conscripted by the larger government, in part to feed troops, in part to feed "important people" in the government, in part because that's not your grain, it's the people's grain, and by the people the government generally means "whoever we need favors from at the moment"

There are entire train graveyards because of all the trains that have been blown up or sabotaged across 6+ years of war

Rural people are basically wearing rags, living in shacks, and are Poor As Dirt, except they can't get to the dirt for most of the year because of all the fucking snow

The people producing the food are the people who are already underfed

And then in 1920... The fucking wheat harvest fails

Drought and blight basically fuck an entire seasons harvest all across Russia

And you IMMEDIATELY have a humanitarian crisis on your hands

Hard winter + living in rags + already underfed + crop failure = LOTS of people dying

As in, 10,000 to 100,000 people dying each and every week from starvation

If you look at photos, especially of orphanages, it will make you want to fucking cry, because these kids are walking skeletons

By March 1921 you have tens of thousands of cases of cannibalism, mostly unreported

At least 10 butchers shops have to be closed for selling human meat

Kids are literally afraid to go out alone because bands of roving cannibals are especially prizing the meat of children

And all the while, Herbert Hoover has been sitting on the sidelines practically BEGGING Lenin to let foreign relief in, as long as he can make sure the food is actually being distributed equally among the communities

And in March 1921 Lenin finally cracks and gives the go ahead

Now Hoover was the founder and head of the American Relief Administration, which was a US government relief agency

Keep in mind, 1920 is kind of at the height of the first Red Scare

The pinnacle of pre-McCarthy / pre-Cold-War anticommunist thought

There are leftist strikes all over the place. Coal strikes, steel strikes, even the Boston police go on strike around this time

Conservative/wealthy/powerful Americans are shit scared of the left, especially of socialists

And a good number of people just want to let the communists starve

And even though Hoover is staunchly anticommunist himself, he says fuck that noise, people are dying , and talks Congress into giving a whopping $20M in aid ($307 billion fucking dollars in 2023 money), plus $8M from the US military, along with tons of private donations. Altogether Hoover raises over $78M ($1.2 trillion in 2023) and immediately Gets The Fuck to Work.

And he sends in an absolutely staggering amount of support.

200 American ARA leaders hire 125-150,000 Russians on the ground

Commandeers (basically) over 200 ships

Sends over 912,000 tons of food

Sends over 7,500 tons of medical equipment and supplies

At one point has to convince Russia to unfuck its own railroad system and pay their workers so the grain can actually get anywhere

But it works

They set up twenty thousand kitchens

They start feeding 6 million kids and 4 million adults a day

The supplies help 16,000 hospitals and treat a million patients a day

Ten million fucking people don't starve who absolutely would have without aid

Now. We have to acknowledge that this isn't Hoover alone. Obviously it takes a fucking village to save a nation.

But he was the one who fought for it. He spearheaded it, and organized it.

He was also the one that insisted that along with edible food (mostly corn), the aid package include the wheat seeds to plant for next year's harvest, so this wouldn't be a Permanent Problem.

And lo and fucking behold, by autumn 1922, Russia starts to stabilize its food supply

And the famine begins to end

The wild part of this is that if Hoover, an ardent anticommunist, hadn't spearheaded this, the Bolshevik government probably would have fallen

But he cared more about feeding people than he did toppling a government he hated.

If you combine the 10M people he fed in Russia

The 3.1M children he fed in postwar Finland, Latvia, Poland, Estonia, etc

Sources

Herbert Fucking Hoover may have been (arguably) the person most responsible for saving the most lives in history.

Then afuckinggain

When he oversaw the federal response to the stock market crash of 29 and the start of the Great Depression (as President)

He basically thought that poverty relief would keep people from seeking work?

And thought that monetary and housing relief efforts were the responsibilities of the states, not the federal government?

And so basically his response to "help the banking and economic system is collapsing" was to make sure there were plenty of farm plans available and to try to stabilize businesses, not people? And ignored the fact that the people in charge of those loans were conservative dickheads?

So like. Not Perfect. None of them are.

But 13,000,000 people probably care less about that than about the fact that they lived.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_famine_of_1921

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/famine/

(Note: Herbert Hoover is not the same guy, nor AFAIK even related to, J Edgar Hoover.

That guy was a massive piece of shit.

But that's a story for another day.)

[eunchancorner]

I’ve got a request that might go along with your tickle cult au.

The eyes of the universe would be such a playfully, evil ler. Like, you see those tentacles?! Skid, pump, the hatzgang, and kevin would be screwed.

Ok and the fact that the moment Eyes comes onto screen in the candy store and then it cuts like- THAT GIVES ME AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF TIME TO WORK WITH FOR KEVIN SO THAT’S WHAT YOU’RE GETTING >:D

Ler Eyes, Lee Kevin

Warning: Cussing, eldritch horror-level being, body horror (Eyes has many eyes (duh) and tentacle-like appendages), Kevin having a whole-ass meltdown

Word count: 1726

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“Here we go,” Kevin grumbled as two familiar faces ran in through the doors. Every October, without fail, those two would come in and ask for their candy bars. Routine at this point, and still he felt a surprising amount of shock when they darted in and planted their faces onto the glass of the display. I’m gonna have to clean that later, he thought begrudgingly.

“What do you kids want?” he asked as though he didn’t know the answer already.

“Three candy cans please!” they requested in unison.

Wait, three? Something’s not adding up here…

“Where’s the third one?” he questioned, looking between the two. A small crash made him look up and-

NOPE

The moment he saw those huge, baby-blue, glowing eyes staring into his soul he ducked under the counter, facing away for good measure.

Nope. Nope. Nopety nope nope.

“Uhm, Kevin? We- we still want our candy cans?” Skid noted, staring through the glass display at the cashier behind it.

“Why the hell is there an eldritch horror in my shop-” he asked, mostly himself. What was going on? Why? Why was this happening? Was this thing going to kill him? Why hadn’t it already killed Skid and Pump? Was it going to keep him as some sort of slave? As some sort of human pet?

“Don’t worry, Eyes is friendly!” Pump’s voice piped up, snapping him out of his thoughts, “Come look at the stars!”

”Look at the- What kind of- Fuck that!”

“C’mon, it’s ok! It doesn’t hurt!” Skid tried to convince him but he wasn’t having it. There was nothing they could do to convince him that the… thing they’d brought in didn’t have some kind of malicious intent. It had to, right? Nothing that big and freaky looking didn’t, right? He shut his eyes tightly. Not today, whatever the fuck you are!

“Kevin, c’mon, Eyes isn’t gonna hurt you! They’re really really nice!” he heard Skid speak up from the other side of the counter, but the cashier kept his eyes tight shut. He pulled his knees to his chest, hiding his face, not wanting to even look up at all.

As the seconds ticked by, filled only with the ominous humming of the creature, he felt himself growing more and more anxious at the fact that it hadn’t left yet. Why isn’t it gone? Is it that set on capturing me? On… doing whatever it’s planning? Am I gonna just be stuck here?

“Kevin?” the familiar voice of the skeleton-costume-clad kid snapped him out of his thoughts, “Are you ok?”

He just barely peeked up to see him now right in front of him. He must not have heard him approach over the noise the whatever-he’d-brought was making.

“Are… are you scared of Eyes?” “Why wouldn’t I be?! You brought a Lovecraftian horror into the place I work! I don’t know what that thing is going to do to me and I’m not finding out!” Kevin snapped at the young boy before hiding his face again, seemingly curling up tighter.

Skid was a little shocked by his outburst, but, to be fair, Eyes wasn’t exactly human. He was sure he’d be scared, too, if he and Pump weren’t the first to meet the monster. Plus, he’d heard how prone Kevin was to freakouts, so he probably should have warned him.

“Hey, it’s ok… Eyes won’t hurt you, they’re really nice, I promise…” he tried to console the terrified man, who only had another outburst.

“How do I know it doesn’t have some sort of influence on you and is making you say those things?!” he practically screamed.

That was also understandable, especially since Pump seemed to be in some sort of trance. Or at least, his eyes had turned the same color as Eyes’ were, and he was trying to get people to stare into them.

“I promise I’m not! I think Pump is, but I’m not! Please, Kevin? You’re my friend, I wouldn’t hurt you…”

Finally Kevin peeked out from behind his knees. It was almost like the roles were reversed, like Kevin was a scared child, and Skid was the trusted adult who had to keep him calm.

“You promise me nothing bad will happen? Because if it does, and I survive, I’m coming for you and your mom, got it?” he finally conceded, and Skid nodded, understanding.

The worker planted his hand on the counter, silently hyping himself up to look at the horror, grabbing extra candy to appease the monstrosity and, finally, stood completely, attempting to merely peek, throw the candy and run.

Unfortunately, he was way too slow.

He felt his inhibitions lowering as he slowly stood straight, looking into the eyes as some type of hold was taken over him. It was… terrifying, but calm. He didn’t know what was happening, but he didn’t feel the need to care. He felt nothing. That was, until he felt something.

It was small at first, like a small buzz in his chest, but slowly he felt it spreading throughout his body. What was this? It almost tickled, and, in a way… he kinda wished it tickled more. Why was he feeling like this? Wasn’t something like this for little kids? Was that what ‘Eyes’ did? Made people want to be tickled? It was strange and confusing and relieving… or at least it would be if he could feel anything other than the strange tingles filling his whole body. Or, until he did feel something else.

It was quick, something brushing against his side, just light and quick enough to make him squeak. It finally prompted him to move, flinching and curling up just a bit, a small smile flowing freely onto his lips. Normally he’d try to block any sort of reaction like this, but he just… didn’t feel the need to.

The light blue haze surrounding his vision made him blind to whatever it was, but he felt it again, a bit higher, closer to his ribs, eliciting another squeak. His hands balled into fists and clenched close to his chest, a slight blush rising on his face.

“I think his ribs are really ticklish!” Pump suddenly spouted, somehow knowing information he had no business knowing, but, somehow, Kevin wasn’t confused or mad or embarrassed. Still, all he felt was the tingling inside, and the strange tickles that brushed over him. This time, around his ribs. Had he been able to have a conscious thought, he would have realized that it Pump had somehow been able to share his own knowledge and told Eyes, and it was Eyes itself that was tickling him, and he would come to realize this in a few day’s time.

But in that moment, the tickling didn’t let up anymore. The strange, soft tendrils of the eyes brushed up and around his ribs, sending him into fits of soft giggles, squirming at the tickles, not towards, nor away, but rather in either direction, his already small area of vision being completely cut off as he squeezed his eyes shut.

“See, Kevin, it doesn’t hurt, does it?” Skid asked innocently, earning a head shake from Kevin.

“N-nohoho ihit- EEEhehehe!!” he nearly honestly said it tickled before he felt something softly brushing over his tum and pulling a squeal from his lips. His belly was far more sensitive to soft tickles than his own death spot was, hell it wasn’t even too bad on his ribs.

“Oh, I think he’s trying to say it tickles! I can kinda feel it too, it’s weird but cool,” Pump blurted out, and Skid nodded.

Meanwhile, Kevin’s body acted completely on instinct, grabbing at something that felt like it was soft and downy, not to mention, big. It felt like it had a thin coat of very soft fur, that very fur probably what made it so tickly. He didn’t push whatever it was away, he just held on, as though he was just trying to ground himself, despite the fact that the rest of his body felt like it was nearly floating.

“LET ME SHOW YOU SOMETHING, FLESH PILES,” Eyes suddenly spoke, the many voices echoing inside of and outside of everyone’s heads. Its many eyes began to glow their soft blue, and the moment Kevin peeked his eyes open at his odd tickler, everything suddenly changed.

“AHAHAHA WAHAHAIT WHAHAHAHAT?!” he suddenly cackled as the ticklish feelings intensified. Eyes wasn’t physically doing anything different to him, no, he just suddenly felt twice as ticklish as he was before, nearly everything tickled, even his own clothes, the breeze still flowing in from the open door, making his shortish, fluffy hair brush against his neck. He collapsed to the ground, curling up and pounding his fist into the floor, squealing and cackling. It wasn’t like he could help himself, he was acting completely on instinct, all he could do when he was feeling nothing more than buzzing lee mood and incredibly ticklish touches. Tears sprung to his eyes and his cheeks started to hurt. He felt light and airy, almost like a strange sense of happiness was washing over him. Was it because the odd lee mood the monster instilled in him was being satisfied by said monster? Was it an effect of the trance itself? Either way, the odd, calm happiness was there even after Eyes slowly stopped it’s tickling, leaving him a panting, giggly puddle on the floor.

He slowly opened his eyes, the baby blue haze gone from his vision, confusion and relief  beginning to peek through the overwhelming, soft happiness he still found himself in, letting himself just giggle on the floor as he threw a box and two bags over the counter top.

“Jehe- juhust get whahahatehever…” he giggled out, barely even reacting to the three ‘thank you’s he received.

As his giggling died down and he heard the three leave, he looked up at the ceiling, a slight, lingering sense of peace residing inside him. Oddly enough, this was the best he’d ever felt since he’d started working here, strange. He sighed slightly and got back up, deciding he might as well get back to work while he was still in a good mood.

Little did he know, he was also going to be the subject of a lot of odd side effects. Including weeks of tickly dreams.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fun fact: Did you know that in the AU, all those who have been under the Eyes influence can just barely feel when someone else who has or is, is being tickled? Justtttt enough to instill a lee mood ;>

[misty720]

Jealousy - Ch 3:

Serif arrived home on the bus since Chara wasn't able to leave the house to pick him up. "There you are, son! How was school?" Chara greeted him.

"Hi, Mom! It was... school. How's Bubby?"

"He's finally asleep. The fever is under control and he may be out for a while. Would you mind being a big man for me and watching your siblings while I run Papa some lunch? I'm sure he hasn't eaten knowing him."

"Of course! Tell, Dad I want a piece of that mud pie with a big helping of the fresh whipped cream. Mmm..."

"Child, I will bring home dinner if you want. Save Dad from having to make it later and he can grab something from the kitchen... Alright, I love you. Keep an ear out for bubby, don't let minion be unsupervised on the tablet, and if anything happens call me. Call the emergency line first if it's bad enough." Serif leaned down to hug her being taller than her now at five foot, ten inches and growing. Out the door she went with a bag stuffed full of sandwhiches, banana chips, apples, and a plain yogurt cup for the big bonehead. Once Chara arrived at her husband's business, she noticed the dinner rush hadn't picked up yet. This excited her knowing he would take a minute to sit with her while he ate. She looked in her mirror and noticed she hadn't bothered to fix her hair and was still wearing her stretchy pants with one of Papyrus's old t-shirts. "Damn, I used to dress up before meeting him out anywhere... When did I stop caring? Oh yeah! After Kabel started walking! He was the hellion who stained everything I wore in some way! I love him. Still, I could have put on real pants... Wait! I might have a spare in the trunk."

Chara crawled across the back seat of her sedan and dug through a bag that had been sitting in the back full of packed clothes she had forgotten about after their most recent trip out of town. Inside she found a pair of jeans and a pair of heels she hadn't seen in two months. Quickly, the now self conscious housewife slipped off her yoga pants and traded for the jeans then strapped on the simple heels. Thinking fast, she tied the excess length of her shirt with a hair tie and ran some mousse from her purse through her hair to define the waves. She thought a moment if it would be inappropriate for her thirty-four self to show her midriff as short as she pulled the shirt. She wasn't in the shape she could be, unlike Frisk who worked out and ran a lot with Papyrus, but she wasn't unattractive either. Deciding "fuck it", she went with high waist pants and high rise on the shirt. She looked pretty damn good considering she pushed three babies out and having Papyrus as a chef of a husband.

On entering the double doors, she first noticed the new hostess and two of the other waitresses standing by the podium giggling and looking back in the direction of the kitchen. As she approached she heard one girl say, "You don't think much of him at first because he comes off as goofy and strange, but after working for him a while, you'll find he's actually fucking hot." This caused her ears to perk and she hung back at the seating to eavesdrop. She pulled out her phone to pretend she was interested in it instead.

"Really??" the young hostess questioned. "I mean, he is pretty cute for a monster I guess..."

"Just wait. He's such a flirt too. I'm still not sure if he realizes it," the third girl spoke.

"I don't care, I'd jump him if he would give me the time of day," the first girl whispered.

"Shh! He is married, girl! And, from what I hear, his wife is very pretty," the hostess scolded. "I hear they have three little kids too."

"I don't care. I mean, think about it. He's a skeleton monster." Chara arched her brow hearing her suspicions confirmed. They were indeed discussing her husband. "How could he possibly have kids? How would he even know if they were his given that much? Plus, people have affairs all the time." Chara's venomous side reared fast as she stomped down the urge to yank the girl by her hair and slam her to the ground. Instead, she approached the podium.

"Hi, welcome! How many will be dining tonight?" The hostess quickly turned her attention to Chara.

"Just two," Chara answered.

"That will be a fifteen minute wait. Is that okay?"

"Actually, my party is already here. By the way, I couldn't help but hear, so are you talking about the owner of this establishment by chance?"

The girls looked at each other pensively and the first waitress leaned in to whisper, "Yeah, it sounds insane doesn't it? And, looking at him at first he's forgettable but looks are very deceiving with that one. Why, do you know him?"

"You could say that. I do know for a fact all three of those children are his though."

"Oh my gosh, how??" While Chara smiled politely and nonchalantly at the girls, two of the waiters passing toward the kitchen eyed her from a distance as they entered.

"Holy shit, did you see her?" one waiter asked his coworker.

"Hell yeah, I did!" the second guy agreed. "Talk about a total cutie! I wonder who she's here with?"

"I dunno, but I'm going to see if she'll leave with me. Damn, son!" Curious as to what had the attention of his staff, Papyrus left the current job to his sou chef and peaked around the corner with them.

"WHAT ARE WE LOOKING AT??"

"Oh! Boss!! You scared the hell outta me!" the first waiter jumped.

"SORRY, WHAT'S GOING ON?" His eye sockets came to life seeing his lovely wife at the entrance.

"You see her too, don't you? Don't lie either, boss. I know you're married but ya still have eyes and she is definitely eye candy. Isn't she bangin'?"

"OH YES, FOR SURE..." he replied with an arched browbone realizing they were ogling his wife who had came in dolled up more than usual.

"Think one of us has a chance, Chef?" waiter number two questioned.

"NOT ON YOUR LIFE BOYS..." he answered and stepped out hanging his apron on the hook.

"Well, do you see your party anywhere?" the hostess asked Chara trying to keep the conversation somewhat professional.

"Yes. Yes I do," she replied as her amber eyes lit up in the soft lighting.

"HELLO, DEAREST!" Papyrus greeted her causing the three to exchange panicked looks.

"Hi, honey!" she smiled and took his hand. He escorted her to the back office out of the lobby eye.

"Oh shit, we are in so much trouble..." the second waitress gasped.

As they passed the kitchen, Papyrus arched his brownone again and smirked a little evil smirk. "Oh, shit, I think we're in trouble... Dude, we were totally perving on his wife... in front of him!" waiter one panicked

"No, not in front of him. Too him. He was part of the conversation in which we were perving on his wife... We're so screwed," number two agreed.

Behind the shut door, Papyrus gave her a big kiss and asked, "HOW IS LITTLE MAN DOING? HAS THE FEVER BROKE? SORRY I HAVE ONLY TEXT YOU. IT'S BEEN HECTIC TODAY. WHAT BRINGS YOU BY ANYWAY?"

"I brought you something to eat because I'm sure you're starving. Kabel was fast asleep when I left, but he's still feverish. Serif is watching him and Sylf for a bit while I sit with you. I won't be out long, I swear. I did promise the kids food from here though, and the stinker wants a piece of mud pie."

"I'LL PUT IT IN. THOUGH... BY THE WAY MY BOYS WERE TALKING, THEY MUST HAVE THOUGHT YOU WERE ON THE MENU."

"Do what??" she laughed.

"I CAUGHT TWO OF MY GUYS TAKING IN THE LOVELY VISAGE THAT YOU ARE AND HAD TO SHUT THAT SHIT DOWN REAL FAST." Papyrus kissed her neck briefly and tore into his loaded sandwich.

"Well, I was trying to catch an eye light... yours specifically..."

"DEAR, IF YOU HAD CAME IN WEARING YOUR STRETCHY PANTS, HOUSE SLIPPERS, YOUR HAIR THROWN BACK IN THAT STRANGE BUN YOU WOMEN MAKE, AND I DIDN'T HAVE SO MANY HERE, YOU WOULD BE ON MY MENU."

"Papyrus, shut your mouth!" Chara gasped as her naturally blushed cheeks lit up.

"WHAT?? WE HAVE THREE CURTAIN CLIMBERS FOR A REASON. I LOVE YOU, BUT I'M ALSO ATTRACTED TO YOU." He gave her a cheesy grin.

"Yeah, yeah..." Chara pursed her lips feeling flustered even after sixteen years together. "Wait! You were jealous! Papyrus, the most secure man I know besides Gaster, was actually jealous of someone besides Dean for once?!"

"I DIDN'T SAY THAT! I ONLY SAID I HAD TO UPSTAGE THEM."

"You had to show your dominance and claim your terroritory, you mean!"

"BABY, YOU DON'T COME IN OFTEN AND THE NEW RECRUITS DON'T ALL KNOW WHAT YOU LOOK LIKE. BESIDES, I LIKE YOUR FRIEND. I JUST LIKE HIM BETTER NOW THAT HE'S MARRIED WITH A FAMILY..."

"Mhm. Well, it would help if you had some photos. You have no pictures in here of me or the kids..." she took notice looking around. "And heavens, your office is a wreck?! What the hell, Pap!? You are also the most pristinely organized man I know! Why does your back office look so disheveled??"

"WHEN I WAS A SECRETARY, I WAS A SECRETARY AND DID MY JOB WITH EXCELLENCE. I'M NOT A SECRETARY ANYMORE AND NEED ONE MYSELF... I... DON'T HAVE TIME TO ORGANIZE IF I WANT TO GO HOME SOMETIME THAT SAME DAY," he admitted feeling embarrassed at the mess.

"Why didn't you say something? I can help you-"

"NO, NO! YOU DO SO MUCH AS IT IS. I WOULDN'T DARE ASK YOU TO TAKE THIS DISASTER ON. NO, I'M GOING TO HIRE A BOOKKEEPER WHO WILL BE PAID TO CLEAN THIS UP AND KEEP IT MAINTAINED. IT'S LONG OVERDUE."

"Well... I get to have some say in who you hire to spend those hours alone with you..." Chara muttered hopping on his desk to sit.

"WAIT, WHAT? I DON'T MIND IF YOU DO BUT WHY??"

"No reason really... just... want to start being involved a little..."

"OKAY, OUT WITH IT. WHO SAID SOMETHING AND WHAT DID THEY SAY THAT HAS YOU SO DEFENSIVE?"

"Nothing... I just heard some of your younger... *cough* than me- ahem!! - waitresses talking about how hot you are... that's all..."

"NYEH HEHEHEHEH!!! THAT'S FUNNY, LOVE! DON'T BE ABSURD, DEAR. I'M SURE YOU MISUNDERSTOOD."

"They said specifically a 'skeleton monster' and made a wild accusation that your kids aren't your kids..."

"I SEE. YOU'RE BEING JEALOUS AND INSECURE. WHO CARES WHAT ANYONE SAYS OR THINKS? WE KNOW THE TRUTH AND THAT'S THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS. I WILL HAVE A GROUP MEETING ABOUT BEING APPROPRIATE WHILE ON THE FLOOR AND GOSSIPING IN FRONT OF CUSTOMERS. THAT'S NOT OKAY. DON'T WORRY, I WON'T CALL ANYONE OUT, BUT NEXT TIME I CATCH IT THERE WILL BE REPRIMAND. AW, MY LITTLE WOMAN IS JEALOUS OVER ME FOR ONCE!"

"I'm not jealous... I simply don't like the idea that they think you're flirting..."

"I'M NOT. I DON'T FLIRT WITH ANYONE BUT YOU, MY DEAR."

"Not to hear those girls tell it... They specifically called you a flirt." Chara had by this point crossed her legs and arms feeling apprehensive. "Pap, you are so nice and sociable that you come off as flirtatious, okay. I don't say anything because I know it's just your personality, but... I don't like the idea that some young girl who works for you feels she might have a chance."

"CHARA, BABY, I LOVE YOU. I DON'T CARE ANYMORE ABOUT ANYONE IN HERE THAN I CARE ABOUT A STRANGER EXCEPT FOR EL BECAUSE SHE'S OUR FRIEND AND WE KNEW HER WHEN SHE WAS FIFTEEN AND NEEDED OUR HELP. I LOVE YOU, I WANT YOU, AND AT NIGHT I COME HOME TO YOU. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANOTHER AND THERE NEVER WILL BE. YOU'RE MINE."

Chara gave him the sheepish grin and kissed him right as the door opened. "Pap- oh, hey Chara!" Elodie entered. "Just wanted to say I'm off for the night. Do you need anything before I go?"

"Hey, El!" Chara greeted back.

"NO, YOU'RE GOOD TO LEAVE. I'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW. ON YOUR WAY OUT, MAKE SURE THOSE TROUBLE THREE ARE NOT HOVERING AT THE PODIUM, PLEASE." Elodie nodded and darted out the door.

"Hey!" waitress one called for her before she could reach the door.

"Yes, what do you need before I go?" Elodie answered feeling annoyed.

"Are they making out in there?" waitress two asked as she joined the huddle from behind a partition hanging over it.

Elodie went to answer and thought carefully before speaking. "Oh yes, definitely," she lied.

"Omg, really??"

"Yes, and it was heated too. They were so embarrassed, but not as much as they could have been. I mean, it was only me who walked in. I've known them for a few years, so it wasn't as bad as if one of you walked in. But don't get too hung up. Knowing the boss, that's as risque as it would get in his business especially during work hours. He's a very professional man, he just really loves his wife so he risked a little smooch time. Later, gals, and watch the gossip."

The three exchange more panicked glances after Elodie left. "I told you to stop fawning over him! He's happily married, so much so that he's in his office tongue wrestling all because she brought him a sandwhich."

"Well, why doesn't she come out every night with him food?"

"Three kids genius. She's probably doing other things that he's not there to help with. Now, stop before you get in serious trouble." Her coworker rolled her eyes and grabbed some menus to seat the customers walking in.

Papyrus walked his wife to the car with her order and parted with small peck. After waving, he hurried back to the kitchen to prep for the dinner rush.

@papara-week

[goji-pilled]

MK-S: I just had a thought about Ranni and why she chose to kill Godwyn the Golden on the Night of the Black Knives. Pure speculation, but I’m looking for a little conversation, and I’m curious about your thoughts on this interpretation, given your attachment to Ranni’s character. (Plus, you may enlighten me to something I didn’t know, or an interpretation I had not considered.):

To cut her bond to the Two Fingers, Ranni needed to sever the bond between her soul and her flesh, and thus stole a fragment of the Rune of Death. However, Death likes to have things complete, so if she wanted to kill her body and keep her soul alive, she needed to also offer Death a soul to kill with a body that would be left alive. Now, the thought I just had may just be a part of why she chose him and not some random noble; Assuming she didn’t know Radagon and Marika were the same person, and if she was unaware of Marika’s Omen Twins, then Godwyn was the only powerful person, a demigod spawn of Marika, and thus the only possible equal to her that (as far as she knew in the conditions described) wasn’t related to her by blood. If she harbored no love for the Golden Order, she could have viewed this as a blow against Marika, while sparing her brothers and her half-siblings. (This would be a tragedy in its own right; thinking she wasn’t harming her blood family.)

(Side-idea; I wonder if Ranni thought that killing Godwyn in Soul Alone would have just been the equivalent of him being brain dead? I recall some blamed her for Those Who Live In Death, but I wonder if their formation was just as much a surprise to her as to everyone else…Oh, there’s an interesting question: Did those skeletons show up before, during, or after the Shattering?)

Come to think of it, a LOT of conflict in Elden Ring tends to be the way each “batch” of kids fight against each other. At least two thirds of Carian kids rebelling against the Golden Order, Miquella and Malenia against that last third, Morgott against all listed so far, and then Mogh against Miquella, brief though it may have been before more blatant spoilers.

Probably drove Marika mad; she wanted a world in which her loved ones could not be harmed, only for her beloved children to start killing each other if not somehow finding worse fates for one another.

Anyways, that’s all for my ramblings. Curious what you think of these ideas, or if they made you come up with anything else while thinking things over. Good day to you.

i mean thats pretty much how i had assumed things were. im not sure if there is anything i game that sheds light on that, but way i see it the night of black knives was a ritual first and foremost, the kind that's like "an eye for an eye", something for another thing of equal value.

and i also always assumed godwyn was the target most likely because he is a demigod just like ranni, and a powerful one at that if he was capable of defeating fortissax. and, this is a bit less important but adds to the equal for equal thing, ranni most definitely was powerful back then if her being able to oneshot the tarnished no matter what, in a seemingly weaker state than her original body is anything to go by.

so like. one powerful demigod child of a queen for another powerful demigod child of a queen.

+on one hand rykard couldn't have been a canidate because he was in on it and the literal failsafe meant to challenge the maliketh if things go wrong.

but i also think he nor radahn could have been canidates for the night of black knives regardless simply because ranni loves them too much. like it's easy to figure out those three deeply cared for another. and ranni, regardless of how frosty she may appear, is a sentimental person that loves hard and so much and it's obvious by the way she talks about iji and blaidd, by the way she speaks with us, the way she protects rennala, the way she trusted rykard to, again, challenge maliketh, etc. etc.

(silly silly carians and their big hearts so full of love... i love them and i will not shut up about this)

also. i doubt ranni could've predicted godwyn's death (in soul) to have this kind of consequences with the death root that reaches all the way to the land of shadow... like im sure she thought something will happen but this? yeah i dont think so.

that all being said... with the dlc its clear marika had actually good intentions with the golden order to a certain degree (which means the genocide of the hornsent is not part of the good intention) as we know for certain marika loved and adored messmer, her precious firstborn son to the point she only ever made blessings just for him, tried to soothe his curse just for him.

AND with her braid found in the shaman village its easy to piece together that part of the original intention was to protect her family, to give them a life graced by gold... unfortunatly no matter what marika had intended, it clearly didn't come to fruition as she hoped.

marika in general is so fascinating though because she sort of feels like a mix of ranni and miquella's paths for godhood, or perhaps it'd be more accurate to say that her children both represent different parts of her? idk its soon 4am and explaining this would be too rambly and this is most likely already not coherrent but dukadywks yeah.

[lady-snow-flower]

Laur's Ten Most Wanted Characters

or, mostly i plug connections to MY characters... sorry

Pascal: i've said it before and i'll SAY IT AGAIN! tbh i have some hcs about pascal and have considered getting them in the past -- to me, they are a super cool half-fairy who has an art talent, and I'm always like oh oh oh what can an art talent DO! now that I have karen, i would extra want them around to be my boss. sunburst parlor a lil queer mecca for creative and inspired minds. <3

FC Ideas: jessie mei li (i almost did this rip), quintessa swindell

Edgar and Poppy Peepleson: I asked for these last year too but i still think my skeletons are EPIC!! Two Gen Z TikTok/Vlogger Siblings in Competition with each other!! More mundus rep! Complicated identity politics maybe! Stunts, virality, sibling drama!!

Ralphie/Rhino: SORRY I am biased lmfao but i want more of my Bolt cast so I'm going to plug HIM!! Honestly I have no real hcs for him, just that he was maybe a magick like Penny but him being a mundus would be absolutely fine too but I just think u should join my lil Stormy and Bolt Family

FC idea: Anthony Keyvan (could truly be anyone tho)

and in that vein...

Thiago/Dr. Calico: LOOK this was Penny's first crush and her 'frenemy' on the TV show. i know, i know, this is such a minor character in the Bolt franchises, is it even worth it. yes it is bc u get to be a Sidney Kid Heartthrob who...maybe went on a classic sidney star spiral? drug problems? drinking problems? maybe fighting at his own concerts or at clubs? And now he is running to Swynlake to get out of the spotlight? rehabilitate himself reconnect with his old cast... just an idea...

FC Idea: jeff satur bc i find him so so hot he's on my fc list lmfao he gets two gifs bc i love him

Edna Mode: What If Edna Mode Created Costumes And Weapons For The MAFIA? thats it thats the pitch!!!! the RAS has Roz and Holly, so let's bring a cool older evil spy lady with a flair for fashion and tech to THIS side!!! plus u can be a mother figure to Karen, who has mommy issues. consider it.

FC: Lucy Liu, Michelle Yeoh,

Robaire: we need more MERPEOPLE! Well, we actually have a decent population lol but i do like the idea of a singer who is also a siren/merman and who would have to deal with that ethically, morally, etc. How does it effect the way he views his talent? And also if you play him as semi-famous or getting famous, the stakes are so high if he's exposed!

FC: Giveon, Lil Nas X (lil nas x is tbh so big brained he feels like a mer)

Markl Fisher: i've also considered him and who knows maybe in the future i would again! i just like the idea of howl getting a Rival (tm). Maybe he is a scrappy kid who wanted to be Howl's apprentice and was denied. Maybe they were in a band together a long long time ago.

Luz Noceda and Camila Noceds: Luz is ON MY LIST!!!! I've said her before but I will keep listing her tbh. My personal idea for her is post-tv how Luz, like-- a world-weary young witch who has just saved her town etc, but has to return to regular life, so maybe Camila moves with her to Swynlake. <3 I just love their relationship in the last few episodes of the show and think it'd be interesting to play a 'chosen one' after their 'destiny' persay is complete. :)

[zarla-s]

Can we get a scenario where Gaster falls into the core without getting erased and ya know Alphys is freaking out (like the whole "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE" thing) but they still make it to Asgore and all???

[index] [patreon]

[ratsoh-writes]

I feed on suffering and have a garbage brain, enjoy the angst.

The skeleton wakes up one morning, and all seems normal... except the window is in the wrong place. The sky is far too dark. A dusting of snow covers everything outside.

The beauty of the surface sun. The passions they had fulfilled. The wounds they believed were healed.

All an elaborate dream. Would a dream feel so real, though? Would a dream be so hard to let go? Would a dream, they wonder, be something to mourn for?

They go outside. It seems they are back at the beginning. No Frisk. No hope. Desperation fills the air.

A lonely wind howls through their prison under the mountain, and they can't help but feel bitter. It was easier to live without the surface when they had never known it.

-wisteria

Just a little snippet, as the cost for merging the aus, the ability to reset was lost to all the determination souls leaving them with only the ability to turn time back a few seconds at a time, or to stitch their soul before it snaps. Any determination soul that tries a true reset winds up knocking themselves out with the effort. So this technically can’t happen, but I’ll roll with the “what if” ;)

How about the holy trinity for this one

Sans: at finding himself once again caught in the reset loop, he has a nervous breakdown. He refuses to leave his room, stops eating, and won’t listen to anyone who tries to calm him down. This is sans’s worst nightmare come to life

Papyrus: these past few days have been awful for him. His brother has completely lost it and papyrus has no idea what to do about it. It doesn’t help that he can’t seem to shake this feeling of loss. He isn’t sure what it is specifically that he lost, but it’s practically eating at his soul.

Star: he’s PISSED. Not at chara. No, Star knows all about how they were possessed by frisks soul and how the resets disappeared. He doesn’t hold anything against a little kid with bad luck. He’s just pissed at whatever caused this reset to happen. Star is a man on a mission. He will find the cause and he will… well he doesn’t know what he’ll do with it, but he’s sure he’ll figure something out.

Honey: he’s mostly concerned for his brother right now. Star has always been goal driving, but he’s practically manic over whatever he’s chasing right now. And the worst part is that he won’t tell honey anything. Plus, why does he keep remembering words that he can’t find in any of his Spanish books? Did he dream you a new language?

Red: he tries his best to delude himself that it was all a dream. Those years on the surface never happened and red had always been in the reset loop. It almost works, but then edge accidentally sets down two cat bowls and darts mumbling in confusion about why he thought they had two cats. Red breaks down right then and there and even tells his brother all about the resets and the surface

Edge: he is.. conflicted. All it was, was a little mistake. He thinks he dreamed of some kitten by doomfangers side and accidentally set out two dishes in his half asleep haze. Now his older brother is a blubbering mess, weaving out this crazy story about resets, parallel universes, the surface, sun, lawyers and cars, other skeleton monsters.. Edge wants to think it’s just the stress of the lab getting to red, but why does it feel so…. Right?

[acciowests]

For the Elucien Halloween au, could you please do one where Elain is helping Lucien put on his face paint for the night since they've decided to stay in and give out candy to the trick or treaters. And Elain makes a joke about how he should have dressed up as a giant pumpkin since it would match his hair. It also doesn't have to be smut! :)

just some fluff and a lil making out tehe, enjoy!!

Paints and Pumpkins

WORD COUNT: 1234

SUMMARY: It's Halloween night and Elain and Lucien are getting ready to hand out candies to hyped-up children. Only, Lucien is a little stubborn when it comes to his face paint and a little accident, while rather humorous, makes it worse.

"Lucien Vanserra," she cried, holding the paintbrush tightly in her hand. "If you move one more time I'll stop and you'll have a half-done face."

Elain had officially been trying to paint her fiancé's face for 45 minutes. It was Halloween, the artificial lamp light filling the room as she sat straddling his legs, eager to finish the skull face paint that matched his skeleton costume. He let out a sigh, smudging the black paint on his lips as he spoke, "I told you not to bother in the first place, kitty."

"Stop calling me that," she hissed, holding his jaw tightly with her other hand. "And you can't be a skeleton without the face to match so hold still."

Halloween wasn't her favourite holiday, not when there was Christmas and birthdays to celebrate, but since being with Lucien, she'd learned to love the spooky season. Their house was decked out properly in black and orange decorations: pumpkins, spiders, fake cobwebs and witch's cauldrons. They'd practically bought the whole Halloween section in Target. While Elain usually liked to dress up as a princess or mermaid (something overly feminine that made her older sister roll her eyes) she'd gone with a classic black cat this year—hence the nickname kitty which she already despised. She'd gotten the tight, black leather suit from Nesta, adding a tail and ears, and painting on the whiskers and nose. She'd gone for sexy, seeing as this was her first Halloween whilst engaged, but she'd ended up still looking rather innocent. Lucien hadn't seemed to mind though, had pressed a kiss to her hair and moved to slip into his costume for the evening.

"A skeleton is basic anyway, and I don't think kids care about face paint," he replied, remaining still despite his unimpressed tone.

With her sister heavy in her first pregnancy, the annual Halloween party that Feyre and her husband hosted had been cancelled. Elain had been more than happy to skip the night, but when Lucien had brought up his trick-or-treating idea, she couldn't say no. Not when they'd likely have tons of candy and chocolate leftover in the morning, plus she was excited to see all the children in their costumes. She was going to be an aunt soon after all.

"Of course they do, face paint is the coolest thing to them. They're going to love you, baby," she grinned, content in her work as she leaned back and added the finishing touches.

She'd painted his whole face white to match the bone colouring, adding black contour, blacked-out eyes and nose, and stitch-like marks across his lips and out slightly onto the cheeks. She grabbed two cans from her bag, one a black hair spray and the other dry shampoo. "Black or white hair?" she asked, setting the cans on the table behind them.

Lucien had already tied his long hair back into a tight bun. He settled his hands on her thighs, rubbing his large palms up them as he titled his head. "Black? It will hide my natural colour more."

She nodded in agreement, taking the hair spray and beginning to shake the can. She loved his red hair, the natural orange colour had been the first thing she'd noticed about him. She remembered wanting to run her fingers through it and considered herself lucky that she got to do it every day now.

"You know," she started, chest brushing his as she lent up close, holding one hand over his forehead so the spray wouldn't ruin the paint she'd just done. "You should have been a giant pumpkin for Halloween, you have the hair to match."

The house fell into silence, the subtle playing of a horror movie leaking from the front room being the only noise. She lent back slowly, looking down at her fiance who had raised his eyebrows and looked at her with such a grumpy face that she couldn't help but laugh. "What?" she giggled, beginning to spray the black into his hair.

He wrapped both arms around her waist, tugging her closer. "You think you're so funny, don't you?" he muttered, breath warm against her neck.

"I don't know what you mean," she grinned, happy he couldn't see the smug look on her face as she finished spraying, brushing some strands with her fingers and staining them black. "You'd make a very hot Jack-o'-lantern."

"That's it."

Before she could lean back and see what he'd meant by that, he'd stood up, her thighs slipping around his waist automatically as he lifted her. He simply turned before putting her back down, butt against the table as he pressed her gently against it. She dropped the spray from her hands with a small squeak as Lucien pressed his mouth to hers. She'd be more worried about the stain possibly on their floor if he hadn't brushed his warm tongue against her mouth, tasting the chocolate they had snacked on before getting ready.

"Lu," she muttered and wrapped her hands around his shoulders as he began to kiss down her neck. Her thigh wrapped around his back, feet rubbing his leg as he felt his way down to her hip. He had begun to unzip her suit, lips kissing the softness of her breasts when he looked up and laughter spilt uncontrollably from her.

His eyes went wide as he sat back, looking at her with utter confusion before he realised. She imagined her face somewhat matched his. Face paint was all good and well, that was until you smudged it. He slowly sat back completely, collapsing into the chair as she sat up, leaning on her palms. "I look ridiculous don't I?" he sighed, reaching for one of her hands.

"Afraid so, babe," Elain chuckled, giving him her hand, despite the black spray that was sure to transfer to his own hands. She now noticed the fingerprints she'd left along his neck and couldn't help but blush.

"All your hard work," he pouted, and she wanted nothing more than to squish his cheeks together. "We should wash this off before—"

The doorbell rang and the light laughter of kids flooded through the open porch window. She pressed her lips together, trying not to laugh and failing terribly. She slipped from the table, walking toward the front door and reaching for the pumpkin basket that held all their trick-or-treat snacks. "What are you doing?" Lucien whispered, coming up behind her.

"Our first trick-or-treaters of the night require their candy, dummy," she whispered back, reaching for the handle.

He pressed a palm against the door frame and circled the other around his face in question. She only smirked, leaning up close to brush a chaste kiss to his lips. "I thought kids didn't care about face paint," she replied with a wink, repeating the words he had said to her only moments ago.

After rolling his eyes, he stepped away with slight reluctance and turned as she opened up the door wide. Three kids stood on the step, their parents at the end of the driveway. There was a princess, the little girl adorable in her golden dress, and what seemed to be two knights on either side with cardboard swords on their backs. Lucien complimented their costumes and she offered them the basket, happier than ever that they hadn't just decided to spend the night in front of the tv.

* * *

if you want to be added to my acotar taglist just send me a dm or an ask!

@sjm-things @dayanna-hatter @anne-reads @sayosdreams @swankii-art-teacher @gracie-rosee @noorismee @anyblinding @story-scribbler

[algumaideia]

Nico quotes- Last Olympian

The scene shifted. Now I was outside the pavilion, hiding in the shadows of a Greek column. A boy stood next to me, eavesdropping on the Titans. He had dark silky hair, pale skin, and dark clothes—my friend Nico di Angelo, the son of Hades.

...

Nico was the only one who didn't seem freaked out by Mrs. O'Leary's appearance. He looked pretty much like I'd seen him in my dream—an aviator's jacket, black jeans, and a T-shirt with dancing skeletons on it, like one of those Day of the Dead pictures. His Stygian iron sword hung at his side. He was only twelve, but he looked much older and sadder. He nodded when he saw me, then went back to scratching Mrs. O'Leary's ears. She sniffed his legs like he was the most interesting thing since rib-eye steaks. Being the son of Hades, he'd probably been traveling in all sorts of hellhound-friendly places

...

Nico tapped his sword on the ground. A tiny mound of animal bones erupted from the dirt. They knit themselves together into a skeletal field mouse and scampered off.

...

"This will make her very tired," Nico warned, "so you can't do it often. And it works best at night. But all shadows are part of the same substance. There is only one darkness, and creatures of the Underworld can use it as a road, or a door."

...

Nico appeared right next to me, as if the shadows had darkened and created him. He stumbled, but I caught his arm. "I'm okay," he managed, rubbing his eyes. "How did you do that?" "Practice. A few times running into walls. A few accidental trips to China."

...

The girl had mousy brown hair and a simple brown dress. She wore a scarf over her head so she looked like a pioneer kid—like the ghost of Little House on the Prairie or something. She poked the fire with a stick, and it seemed to glow more richly red than a normal fire. "Hello," she said. My first thought was: monster. When you're a demigod and you find a sweet little girl alone in the woods—that's typically a good time to draw your sword and attack. Plus, the encounter with Ms. Castellan had rattled me pretty bad. But Nico bowed to the little girl. "Hello again, Lady." She studied me with eyes as red as the firelight. I decided it was safest to bow.

[...] "I recognize you now," I said. "The first time I came to camp, you were sitting by the fire, in the middle of the commons area." "You did not stop to talk," the girl recalled sadly. "Alas, most never do. Nico talked to me. He was the first in many years. Everyone rushes about. No time for visiting family."

...

"Father," Nico said. "I have done as you asked." "Took you long enough," Hades grumbled. "Your sister would've done a better job."Nico lowered his head. If I hadn't been so mad at the little creep, I might've felt sorry for him.

...

"To talk, of course." The god twisted his mouth in a cruel smile. "Didn't Nico tell you?" "So this whole quest was a lie. Nico brought me down here to get me killed." "Oh, no," Hades said. "I'm afraid Nico was quite sincere about wanting to help you. The boy is as honest as he is dense. I simply convinced him to take a small detour and bring you here first." "Father," Nico said, "you promised that Percy would not be harmed. You said if I brought him, you would tell me about my past—about my mother."

[...] "Father, you promised!" Nico said. "You said you only wanted to talk to him. You said if I brought him, you'd explain."

[...] diplomat in Washington, D.C. That's where I met her. When you and your sister were young, it was a bad time to be children of Hades. World War II was brewing. A few of my, ah, other children were leading the losing side. I thought it best to put you two out of harm's way." "That's why you hid us in the Lotus Casino?" Hades shrugged. "You didn't age. You didn't realize time was passing. I waited for the right time to bring you out." "But what happened to our mother? Why don't I remember her?" "Not important," Hades snapped. "What? Of course it's important. And you had other children—why were we the only ones who were sent away? And who was the lawyer who got us out?" Hades grit his teeth. "You would do well to listen more and talk less, boy. As for the lawyer . . ." Hades snapped his fingers. On top of his throne, the Fury Alecto began to change until she was a middle-aged man in a pinstriped suit with a briefcase. She—he—looked strange crouching at Hades's shoulder. "You!" Nico said. The Fury cackled. "I do lawyers and teachers very well!" Nico was trembling. "But why did you free us from the casino?" "You know why," Hades said. "This idiot son of Poseidon cannot be allowed to be the child of the prophecy." I plucked a ruby off the nearest plant and threw it at Hades. It sank harmlessly into his robe.

"You should be helping Olympus!" I said. "All the other gods are fighting Typhon, and you're just sitting here—" "Waiting things out," Hades finished. "Yes, that's correct. When's the last time Olympus ever helped me, half-blood? When's the last time a child of mine was ever welcomed as a hero? Bah! Why should I rush out and help them? I'll stay here with my forces intact." "And when Kronos comes after you?" "Let him try. He'll be weakened. And my son here, Nico—" Hades looked at him with distaste. "Well, he's not much now, I'll grant you. It would've been better if Bianca had lived. But give him four more years of training. We can hold out that long, surely. Nico will turn sixteen, as the prophecy says, and then he will make the decision that will save the world. And I will be king of the gods." "You're crazy," I said. "Kronos will crush you, right after he finishes pulverizing Olympus." Hades spread his hands. "Well, you'll get a chance to find out, half-blood. Because you'll be waiting out this war in my dungeons." "No!" Nico said. "Father, that wasn't our agreement. And you haven't told me everything!" "I've told you all you need to know," Hades said. "As for our agreement, I spoke with Jackson. I did not harm him. You got your information. If you had wanted a better deal, you should've made me swear on the Styx. Now, go to your room!" He waved his hand, and Nico vanished.

...

The mountain of darkness loomed above me. A foot the size of Yankee Stadium was about to smash me when a voice hissed, "Percy!" I lunged out blindly. Before I was fully awake, I had Nico pinned to the floor of the cell with the edge of my sword at his throat. "Want . . . to . . . rescue," he choked. Anger woke me up fast. "Oh, yeah? And why should I trust you?"

"No . . . choice?" he gagged. I wished he hadn't said something logical like that. I let him go. Nico curled into a ball and made retching sounds while his throat recovered. Finally he got to his feet, eyeing my sword warily. His own blade was sheathed. I suppose if he'd wanted to kill me, he could've done it while I slept. Still, I didn't trust him. "We have to get out of here," he said. "Why?" I said. "Does your dad want to talk to me again?" He winced. "Percy, I swear on the River Styx, I didn't know what he was planning." "You know what your dad is like!" "He tricked me. He promised—" Nico held up his hands. "Look . . . right now, we need to leave. I put the guards to sleep, but it won't last."

...

He scowled. "Prepare yourself, foolish boy. Whether you survive this or not, you have sealed your doom!" With that happy thought, he vanished. "Percy," Nico said, "maybe he's right." "This was your idea." "I know, but now that we're here—"

...

"Go back to your father," I told Nico. "Tell him he owes me for letting him go. Find out what's going to happen to Mount Olympus and convince him to help." Nico stared at me. "I . . . I can't. He'll hate me now. I mean . . . even more." "You have to," I said. "You owe me too." His ears turned red. "Percy, I told you I was sorry. Please . . . let me come with you. I want to fight." "You'll be more help down here." "You mean you don't trust me anymore," he said miserably. I didn't answer. I didn't know what I meant. I was too stunned by what I'd just done in battle to think clearly. "Just go back to your father," I said, trying not to sound too harsh. "Work on him. You're the only person who might be able to get him to listen." "That's a depressing thought." Nico sighed. "All right. I'll do my best. Besides, he's still hiding something from me about my mom. Maybe I can find out what."

...

In my dream, I saw Nico di Angelo alone in the gardens of Hades. He'd just dug a hole in one of Persephone's flower beds, which I didn't figure would make the queen very happy. He poured a goblet of wine into the hole and began to chant. "Let the dead taste again. Let them rise and take this offering. Maria di Angelo, show yourself!" White smoke gathered. A human figure formed, but it wasn't Nico's mother. It was a girl with dark hair, olive skin, and the silvery clothes of a Hunter. "Bianca," Nico said. "But—" Don't summon our mother, Nico, she warned. She is the one spirit you are forbidden to see. "Why?" he demanded. "What's our father hiding?" Pain, Bianca said. Hatred. A curse that stretches back to the Great Prophecy. "What do you mean?" Nico said. "I have to know!" The knowledge will only hurt you. Remember what I said: holding grudges is a fatal flaw for children of Hades. "I know that," Nico said. "But I'm not the same as I used to be, Bianca. Stop trying to protect me!" Brother, you don't understand— Nico swiped his hand through the mist, and Bianca s image dissipated. "Maria di Angelo," he said again. "Speak to me!"

...

In my dreams, I was back in Hades's garden. The lord of the dead paced up and down, holding his ears while Nico followed him, waving his arms. "You have to!" Nico insisted. Demeter and Persephone sat behind them at the breakfast table. Both of the goddesses looked bored. Demeter poured shredded wheat into four huge bowls. Persephone was magically changing the flower arrangement on the table, turning the blossoms from red to yellow to polka-dotted. "I don't have to do anything!" Hades s eyes blazed. "I'm a god!" "Father," Nico said, "if Olympus falls, your own palace's safety doesn't matter. You'll fade too." "I am not an Olympian!" he growled. "My family has made that quite clear." "You are,'' Nico said. "Whether you like it or not." "You saw what they did to your mother," Hades said. "Zeus killed her. And you would have me help them? They deserve what they get!" Persephone sighed. She walked her fingers across the table, absently turning the silverware into roses. "Could we please not talk about that woman?" "You know what would help this boy?" Demeter mused. "Farming." Persephone rolled her eyes. "Mother—" "Six months behind a plow. Excellent character building." Nico stepped in front of his father, forcing Hades to face him. "My mother understood about family. That's why she didn't want to leave us. You can't just abandon your family because they did something horrible. You've done horrible things to them too." "Maria died!" Hades reminded him. "You can't just cut yourself off from the other gods!" "I've done very well at it for thousands of years." "And has that made you feel any better?" Nico demanded. "Has that curse on the Oracle helped you at all? Holding grudges is a fatal flaw. Bianca warned me about that, and she was right." "For demigods! I am immortal, all-powerful! I would not help the other gods if they begged me, if Percy Jackson himself pleaded—" "You're just as much of an outcast as I am!" Nico yelled. "Stop being angry about it and do somethinghelpful for once. That's the only way they'll respect you!" Hades's palm filled with black fire. "Go ahead," Nico said. "Blast me. That's just what the other gods would expect from you. Prove them right." "Yes, please," Demeter complained. "Shut him up." Persephone sighed. "Oh, I don't know. I would rather fight in the war than eat another bowl of cereal. This is boring." Hades roared in anger. His fireball hit a silver tree right next to Nico, melting it into a pool of liquid metal.

...

The enemy forces stirred uneasily. Then the strangest thing happened. They began to part, clearing a path through the street like something behind them was forcing them to. Soon there was a free aisle down the center of Fifth Avenue. Standing at the end of the block was my giant dog, and a small figure in black armor. "Nico?" I called. "ROWWF!" Mrs. O'Leary bounded toward me, ignoring the growling monsters on either side. Nico strode forward. The enemy army fell back before him like he radiated death, which of course he did. Through the face guard of his skull-shaped helmet, he smiled. "Got your message. Is it too late to join the party?"

"Son of Hades." Kronos spit on the ground. "Do you love death so much you wish to experience it?" "Your death," Nico said, "would be great for me." "I'm immortal, you fool! I have escaped Tartarus. You have no business here, and no chance to live." Nico drew his sword—three feet of wicked sharp Stygian iron, black as a nightmare. "I don't agree."

...

The lord of the dead nodded. He had a smug look on his face, but I figure he'd earned the right. He patted his son Nico on the shoulders, and Nico looked happier than I'd ever seen him.

...

But your children should not be left out. They should have a cabin at camp. Nico has proven that.

...

Mrs. O'Leary romped around happily, eating everybody's table scraps. Nico sat at the main table with Chiron and Mr. D, and nobody seemed to think this was out of place. Everybody was patting Nico on the back, complimenting him on his fighting. Even the Ares kids seemed to think he was pretty cool. Hey, show up with an army of undead warriors to save the day, and suddenly you're everybody's best friend.

...

Nico had some undead builders working on the Hades cabin. Even though he was still the only kid in it, it was going to look pretty cool: solid obsidian walls with a skull over the door and torches that burned with green fire twenty-four hours a day.

[five-rivers]

Oh God, imagine the social media reaction to tinyMight, the feral adorable badass. Imagine his bullies and unfortunate small-time villains from 40+ years ago finding out who they tried to beat up. Imagine those few who have seen Yagi but don't know he's All Might wondering if skeleton man is All Might's twin or something. Imagine the shenanigans if the de-aging takes longer to undo. Interactions with Gran, Izuku, the other teachers.

Sequel to this.

.

Toshinori felt his smile grow progressively more fixed the longer the detective stared at him with that haunted expression. Was he in some kind of trouble? It sounded as if the villain had swapped him for another rookie hero, one named All Might (cool name!), but that shouldn't be Toshinori's responsibility. Maybe the quirk also linked them, somehow? That would explain why the villains had been trying to kill him, and why the banana hero- Present Mic didn't want him to leave. On the other hand...

Oh, he should just ask. That would be easier.

He opened his mouth to do just that when the detective spoke instead.

"This is going to be so much paperwork," he said.

"I'm sorry?" said Toshinori.

"Yagi," continued the detective, "I love you like a brother, but ever since I met you, my paperwork load has tripled. Tripled."

"I've only just met you?"

If possible, the detective looked even more haunted.

Luckily, at this point, Present Mic opened the door to the car and slid into the seat next to the detective. "Thanks for coming, Detective Tsukauchi," he said. "Anyway, we have confirmation on the quirk that did this to you, and, well. It isn't time travel."

"Thank god," said Detective Tsukauchi.

"Um. I thought it was teleportation...?"

"You've been de-aged by about forty years," said Present Mic, all in a rush.

What. What?

The car started up in the silence.

"Are you telling me that I'm in the future? Oh my gosh, that's an amazing quirk."

"No, no, you're in the present. You're not-- It isn't going to send you back to the past when it wears off. You'll just, you know, go back to your normal age."

"Wow. That's still a really cool quirk. Does it have to be forty years, or can he adjust the amount of time? Like, he could use it on people with degenerative mental diseases, give their families one last time with them. Or, or for witness statements! It would be pretty good for a hero, too, you could de-age villains into kids and then they couldn't fight anymore... but maybe it'd be a little unethical... Hmm..."

"You don't seem very, uh, alarmed?" said Present Mic.

"What would I be alarmed about?"

"All of your friends and family being forty years older?" suggested Present Mic.

"Haha, I don't have any of those," said Toshinori, smiling as large as he could and giving the hero two thumbs up.

Present Mic and Detective Tsukauchi just stared at him.

Then Tsukauch turned to Present Mic. "You said it'll wear off? When?"

"Uh. The quirk registry wasn't entirely clear about that. But it does wear off."

"The press is going to be a nightmare," said Tsukauchi, rubbing his face.

"Why?" asked Toshinori.

The hero and detective exchanged another glance. Toshinori could practically hear them mentally screaming you tell him, no, you tell him at each other.

Tsukauchi coughed into his fist. "Well, Toshi- excuse me, Yagi-kun, you're... You've realized those two were trying to kill you?"

"It was... sort of hard not to, honestly," said Toshinori. "Is it because I'm a hero or something?"

"How did you-?"

Toshinori silently pinched the fabric of the overlarge jumpsuit leg between his fingers and raised an eyebrow.

"Right. Well. You're the Number One hero."

"Wow," said Toshinori. It seemed to be something he kept saying, today. "How did I do that without a quirk?"

"What?"

"He's a late bloomer," said Tsukauchi, quickly. "A late bloomer. You're a late bloomer."

"Uh. Okay?"

.

"UA is so cool," said Toshinori, shielding his eyes against the sun as he looked up at the building.

"Haha, yeah," said Tsukauchi.

"Did I really go to school here?"

"You teach here, too!" said Present Mic.

"That's so cool," said Toshinori. "I can't believe I'm going to be a hero for over thirty years. That's like, the longest any hero has ever served."

"There are a couple who've served for longer, now, actually," said Present Mic. "Like Yoroi Musha, Recovery Girl, and Gran Torino."

"Yoroi Musha is still a hero?" asked Toshnori. "Like, actively? That's so long."

The gate behind them beeped, and Toshinori turned around just in time to take the bottom of a boot straight to the face. Needless to say, he fell over.

"Gran Torino!"

"Holy crap! I thought he'd dodge! Toshinori, you idiot, are you alright?"

"Ow," said Toshinori, trying and failing to recognize the voice that was referring to him so familiarly.

"Gran Torino, you really can't go around kicking people like that."

"Yagi-kun? Are you okay? Should we get Recovery Girl?"

Toshinori raised a shaking hand, thumb up. "I think I have a concussion."

.

When they got to the infirmary, it was already occupied by a couple students and... a strange homeless-looking man, but that didn't make sense. Maybe an undercover hero was stopping here for some reason? But why?

The students, one small and green, other with a mix of red and white hair, stared at him openly.

"Oops, sorry," said Present Mic. "Didn't think that anyone would be here before noon."

The homeless man sighed deeply. "Neither did I," he said, "and yet..." He fixed a baleful glare on the two students.

"I-I'm sorry, Aizawa-sensei," squeaked the green one. "I tried to get out of the way of the door, but I didn't want to run into Todoroki-kun, and-"

"It isn't your fault, problem child," said Aizawa with a sigh heavy enough to crush an elephant, who... was a teacher, evidently. Man. Standards for teachers' dress had really fallen in forty years, hadn't they? "The first year support class shouldn't have been doing anything with explosives of that caliber. Anyway, who's-"

"Are you Midoriya-kun's secret brother?" asked the red and white student.

"Who?" asked Toshinori.

"Todoroki-kun! You can't just ask people that!"

"You have to admit, he looks just like your father-"

"All Might is not my father."

"Riiiiiight," said Present Mic, guiding Toshinori to a bed with a hand on his back. "Now, why don't you just relax here while I go get Recovery Girl?"

"Coward," whispered Tsukauchi.

Present Mic shrugged and disappeared.

"So," said Aizawa, exhibiting a well-practiced air of boredom. "Are you related to All Might?"

"Eraserhead-san," said Tsukauchi, through clenched teeth, "may I introduce you to Yagi Toshinori? Yagi-kun, this is Aizawa-san. He's in charge of class 1-A."

Aizawa went pale. "Please tell me it isn't time travel."

"If it was time travel, we would be in an underground bunker or something," said Tsukauchi. "No, it was an age-regression quirk."

The green student inhaled sharply, then let off a small, "Oh."

"Wait," said the red and white student- Todoroki?- narrowing his eyes.

"Don't say it," urged the green haired boy.

"What do you think about quirks, Yagi-san?"

"Quirks are great!" said Toshinori. "I sure wish I-"

"Had a note book to write about them in!" interrupted Tsukauchi, loudly.

Toshinori frowned up at him, confused. What did he say?

Todoroki rubbed his chin with a finger. "To... analyze the quirks in?" he asked.

"Um," said Toshinori. "Yes?"

"See, Midoriya-kun?" said Todoroki, turning to the other boy. "He's just like you. You're the same." He touched his pointer fingers together.

Midoriya, for his part, looked extremely flustered.

"The same," repeated Todoroki. He looked back at Toshinori. "Do you happen to have a brother? A twin, perhaps?"

"Uh, I don't think so? But, then, I was a doorstop baby, so..."

Todoroki nodded sagely. "So you must have reunited with your long lost brother, the skeleton man, later in life-"

"Stop calling him that!" hissed Midoriya, yanking on his friend's uniform jacket.

"I wouldn't have to, if you'd just tell me your uncle's name-"

"He isn't my uncle."

Both Aizawa and Tsukauchi looked like they wanted to die. Or at least be somewhere else.

"Uh," said Toshinori, wanting to change the subject even with his concussion. "What are your quirks, anyway?"

"My quirk is called Half-Hot, Half-Cold," said Todoroki. He raised his hands. "It allows me to make fire from my left side, and ice from my right."

"Oh, neat," said Toshinori. "There must be so many applications like that! I mean, combat is obvious, but it might be even better for rescue work- Lots of casualties in natural disasters are because of exposure, you'd be ideal to counteract that in any weather. Or if a victim is going into shock! Plus, it'd be useful to have in everyday life, if they ever change the public quirk usage law- Did they change that?"

"No," said Aizawa.

"Actually, yes," said Tsukauchi, "but probably not in the way you're thinking..."

"Don't use your quirk in public," said Aizawa.

"You don't have to worry about that, because-"

"Don't use your quirk in public," said Tsukauchi, interrupting again. "Please."

"He does have a hero license, though, so technically-"

"Problem child."

"Sorry."

"Oh, oh, and what's your quirk?"

"Please do not fall out of the bed, To- Yagi-kun," said Tsukauchi.

"I'm not going to," said Toshinori.

"Well," said Midoriya, who had a very complicated expression on his face, "my quirk is, uh, a strength enhancer..."

"Just like yours," said Todoroki, as if he had just made an irrefutable point.

Oh, yeah. Toshinori's older self had a quirk. Maybe that's what Tsukauchi was trying to keep him from talking about? He wished they had told him beforehand if it was some kind of secret.

Also: was Todoroki implying that Midoriya was Toshinori's son? That'd be, like... Wow. If this was forty years in the future, and Midoriya was about the same age as him, that meant he'd had Midoriya when he was forty? Hm. He wasn't sure how to feel about that...

Luckily, before he could start in on a spiral about whether the idea of himself at forty or the idea that he had kids was the thought that was bothering him, Present Mic came back with a little old woman who was, apparently, Recovery Girl.

Wow. Yeah. That was sure a change in... everything. Yep. Really driving home the whole 'forty years in the future' thing. It sure was.

Recovery Girl sighed deeply. "What did you get yourself into this time, Toshinori?"

"Gran Torino kicked him in the head," said Tsukauchi.

"I'm going to skin that man alive one of these days," said Recovery Girl. "But I was talking about the other thing. Although, I suppose that's rather obvious. Do you mind if I heal you, dear? It will probably knock you out for a little bit."

"Sure," said Toshinori, who was beginning to strongly desire an escape from the increasingly awkward conversations around him. "Knock me out. Please."

"Alright, then."

And then she did.

[brienne-of-fart]

Some thoughts on how *I* would like to see future seasons of Our Flag Means Death.

Season two:

Wracked by the guilt of leaving the crew behind, Blackbeard orders that the ship be turned around. May or may not be a montage of good times Ed has had with each member of the crew to the tune of close to you from the carpenters.

Izzy of course has things to say about this. Ed throws him overboard.

The ship arrives just as Stede and the crew fish Lucius out of the water. He's a little waterlogged and dehydrated, as they all are, but unharmed.

They all board the ship and decide where to go from there. Silly gay pirate adventures ensue from there, while being hunted by the vengeful Izzy the entire time. Along the way, they pick up a few new family members. I will accept no less than two lesbians, a canonically asexual person, and an abandoned preteen so they may collectively teach them that they are loved and accepted exactly as they are. Also, at least one gay mermaid with a love interest on the ship.

The season finale is confronting the parents of the child to heal the kid and Ed's personal trauma regarding his own father. At the end, Ed is haunted by nightmares of the kraken yet again, like the memory of it drug up something dark. He wakes screaming next to Stede, though it's actually not a dream and the Kraken is attacking the ship.

Season 3:

The crew miraculously survives, probably saved by the mermaid love interest of the crew member and their colony of mermaids.They swear revenge on the kraken. Stede also just wants to have the most fantastical pirate adventure and Ed can't say no to that face.

They spend the season tracking down Blackbeard's previous ship and reclaiming it. Of course bc we're doing all the crazy pirate myths, they have to reclaim it from Davy Jones' Locker. Still, Izzy follows and bests them at the last moment, now the captain of Blackbeard's prior ship and a literal skeleton crew.

And every season that follows is them legitimately chasing down fantastical pirate adventures and sea myths. Ensnared by sirens? Check. Find the lost city of Atlantis? Check. Just go through the whole list. I'm not well versed on non-western ocean folklore I'd love to see them tackle the myths and legends of other cultures. All the while, they're trying to either fix up the small vessel they managed to commandeer, or find a beefier ship. Idk, maybe the folks in Atlantis help them out and they have way cool technologically advanced upgrades. So they take on the kraken, take down Izzy and reclaim Queen Anne's Revenge.

The entire show would of course feature misunderstandings but healthy communication and love at all facets. A personal request for another side romance of a plus size queer afab person who is desired by many and their various entanglements with various crew members.

So what now?

In the series finale, Ed seems tired. They're all getting older and they're a little tired and worn out. Stede notices and pushes for him to take a break. So Ed, Stede, and the crew find an island and have a little vacation. Maybe it's the island they encountered prior with the island people where they marooned the ship? Only, the vacation doesn't end. The whole crew comes together and builds a community within the island people. They all have one final adventure and fake their deaths, destroy the ship. And they all live happily ever after.

Cut to Lucius finishing writing in a book and a montage of him going about getting the book published. The end.