#plunny

[belowheavenrpg]

I had @qwarq code a bestiary window for me because none of the existing plugins satisfied my needs. There's also a cookbook for Nathalia's recipes that follows the same layout.

In addition to seeing the stats and the money/exp reward for enemies, there's also flavor text for each one. Recipes have flavor text too.

The bestiary and cookbook have unique artwork for each entry, which I hope isn't going to bite me in the ass later...

[nillegible]

Oh god, now I want to write an Orpheus/Eurydice style rescue, but it's WWX saving JZX

And them bickering all the way back, like:

"You killed me with your mad ghost general!"

"He's very sorry about that!"

"He's sorry? You're not?"

"I'm getting you out of here aren't I? What more do you want?"

Jin Zixun, in the distance: Hey! What about me? For god's sake, wait up!

[eastwindmlk]

I need someone to write a fic where Sirius tries to raise Harry, but James and Lily are there as ghosts. Thank you.

[thewindsofsong]

Random idea that could go full metal tango or could stay platonic:

Leon is the one that disappears instead of Krauser, but it wasn’t willingly. Leon gets infected with plaga but instead of going mindless it ends up really messing with his perception of things and leave in incredibly susceptible to suggestions and gaslighting.

Saddler learns about Leon’s recruitment and separation from Sherry through the master-server bond between them and makes Leon think that Ashley is Sherry and that he’s “taking her back”. This Leon remains highly skilled but incredibly unstable and prone to extreme moods. Saddler is the only one that can manage him through dominating the plaga.

Jack is the one that gets deployed to find Ashley in Spain does the village stuff per usual and eventually finds Ashley.

Ashley meanwhile is scared and confused because kidnapped but also increasingly worried for and terrified of her kidnapper who keeps calling her the wrong name and apologizing for being forced to leave her behind. He spends a lot of time just holding her hand and telling her that they’ll get that puppy she wanted after…after… something important. Lord Saddler said that there was something important that needed to happen first….

From Leon’s perspective, he’s so happy that he and Sherry are together again and that they get to catch up. He keeps asking about how high school is going but Sherry looks so confused… why does Sherry look so scared and confused? Is it William again? What, where …? Catching a glimpse of jack causes his deliberately addled mind to feature further, mixing up raccoon city, operation Javier, and the present in such a way that Leon leaves the church, and Ashley behind just as jack is entering.

Haven’t though of much beyond that point yet, but I do have some idea of just how heartbreaking the actual confrontation between jack and Leon would be.

It would be a lot of Leon trying and not being allowed to succeed in piecing his mind back together after like 2 years of parasite induced mind fuckery and Jack trying to figure out if it would be more merciful to just kill Leon or try to help him. Much anguished shouting would commence.

No idea about an ending either

[ladykf-writes]

Ardyn’s Kingship and Somnus’ Rulership: an Exploration of FFXV Lore and Etymology

This was not the meta I expected to be dishing out today but here we are. Buckle in folks, this might not be what canon intended, but it is indeed what just exploded from my brain.

(If it’s not clear or you have questions, please come ask me!)

FACT: Aera tells Somnus that Ardyn was to be king

FACT: Ifrit provides the same information to Ardyn

FACT: The Crystal rejects Ardyn as the one who is to be the Founder King of Lucis

Bad storytelling, or is there something more here? A common theory -one I’ve worked with myself- is that the Six are not in fact omniscient and chose Ardyn as their king without consulting the Spirit of Eos, represented by the Crystal, which either chose Somnus from the start or rejected Ardyn because of his corruption by the Starscourge and then chose Somnus as the next best thing. I tend to believe it chose Somnus from the start, because Ardyn gained that taint doing what he was supposed to be doing - curing people.

So, it could be that simple, Ardyn was the Astral’s Chosen, Somnus was Eos’ - but I would like to propose something different, and it hinges around three more facts.

FACT: Aera and Ardyn were engaged to be wed

FACT: Ardyn is Somnus’ older brother

FACT: The word “King” has some very interesting etymology

Let’s get nerdy, folks.

The word “King” comes from a contraction of the Old English word cyning meaning “king or ruler” - the source for all this is HERE if you’re interested, but I’ll be hitting the high points - so far, this isn’t a surprise. But here’s where it gets interesting because cyning doesn’t actually have clear origins. But the best guess currently is that it  is at least related to cynn - another Old English word meaning “family or race” that, as you might’ve guessed, led to the modern word kin.

Now, assuming they’re related this means one of two things might be true - that “king” was either "a leader of the people" or "of noble birth.”

The second of those, we’re going to discard. One, because there was no King in the area prior to Somnus founding Lucis and so it would have been... difficult for Ardyn and Somnus to be of noble birth. The first one though... a king as a leader of the people... could that be?

There’s a lot of Ancient Roman vibes in what little we see of Ardyn and Somnus’ era, but enough that it feels reasonable to build from that. While not of noble birth as we think of it (though likely privileged) Ardyn was the older brother. Whatever their family did have, he was set to inherit and Somnus likely would have struck out on his own.

To be more clear here: Ardyn was the next leader of House Caelum. He was born to lead the family, and Somnus was to go out and establish, not only his own lineage, but a kingdom. This would not conflict with Ardyn, however, because Ardyn was also set to marry Aera Mirus Fleuret of Tenebrae which  would have gone one of two ways: either the Fleurets were established as matriarchal even then, making him the Prince Consort to her Queen - or whatever equivalent terms they had in Tenebrae for “male married to the female ruler” - Or. Or he would have been King, which... well, I do have theories that suggest he could have been back then. If he was King of Tenebrae, though, that would certainly put him more as Somnus’ peer than necessarily competition.

Regardless, Ardyn remains the father of a very important lineage, and not just because they are the rulers of Tenebrae. Remember, there were two tasks given by the gods: 1) create a new nation 2) cleanse the world of Starscourge.

Establishing a nation seemed to go smoothly enough for Somnus to have succeeded - how much moreso without strained relations with Tenebrae at the start? But curing a WORLD of Starscourge? Two people even in a lifetime cannot possibly manage.

But if two people of exceptional magic, capable of passing it down through blood, had children.... say they had two. And their two children had two children. Etc etc. You’d have had over a thousand in the eighth generation, assuming no one had more than two at a time. And that’s not accumulative - the eighth generation alone would have over a thousand people capable of healing Starscourge, a solid 500 and some change in their parents in addition. Things weren’t dire until Noctis’ time as the one hundred and fourteenth.

They could have done it. Not without cost, no, but together, Ardyn and Aera’s family could have healed the world.

To make brief acknowledgment of the attempted Biblical themes in FFXV, I think it would be closer to the truth to say that he wasn’t meant to be Eos’ Jesus: he was meant to be Abraham, the father of a nation, the father of a race of healers whose descendant(s) would save mankind.

Ultimately the point is this: Ardyn Lucis Caelum was NOT the King of Lucis. He was never intended to be except possibly by misinformed Astrals. He WAS “King” as in the head of House Caelum, his right as firstborn. He was also “king” as a leader of people, his family first and foremost but likely a whole school of mages if things had gone on this more favorable route.

Ardyn was supposed to be a king, Aera had that right. But not of the nation of Lucis.

Unfortunately, no one told Somnus that, so we’re unlikely to ever see it play out.

....I might have to write this.

[ryoalouette]

Of which Crowley gets school staff in the Usual Way (1/?)

Sam: just murdered his boss, the shop keeper Sam: oh fuck what do I do Crowley: hi there old dormmate, how do you do- omfg is that a body? Sam: n-no? Crowley: Sam: Crowley: uh. So how do you feel opening a shop branch in my school Sam: sold

-

...... Of which I kinda just imagine Crowley getting the school staff just like how a certain hell of a butler getting a bratty kid’s mansion staff.

Also HC that the NRC staff were also of NRC graduates back in the day. Of which Crowley and Sam are Diasomnians. Man, their gen must be a complete hoot.

[grammarknighty]

And the plunnymon has evolved into outlinemon ✨

It even has arcs. Sasuga, my brain that'll eventually burn out and leave this as an abandoned WIP.

[worldcrawlerhp]

Concept:

In order to impress Lily, James befriends Severus.

And the Marauders suddenly have a spy right in the midst of the Slytherins…. Who knows what next level pranks they can pull on the rest of the school!

(Also Lily is begrudgingly very impressed)

[bolithesenate]

wait!!! i never showed yall this masterpiece did i?

✨Larp'alor Jaster Mereel Master Jereel in all his historically accurate glory✨

[norcumii]

Fic title: Non-compliant Weapon (Rexobi, Murderbot AU)

(regarding this fic title meme prompt)

Ok, there’s two ways this could go. One, the slightly more predictable path of some flavor of reincarnation AU where the Jedi Organization (some kind of meddling well-intentioned doctors-without-borders type group) has gotten neck deep into several volatile disputes and need help, so they’ve gotten a generous donation of sec-units from, I dunno, Palpatine Industries (Insidious Industries is more fun, but a little too on the nose). Of course, these sec-units come with pre-programmed sabotage routines up to and including Order 66, and of course sec-unit Rex manages to wriggle around those.

The more interesting idea I had was a bit...messier.

The plunnie starts with the notion that for a full three hot seconds, some megacorp in the galaxy decided that clones were the next big thing and just mass-produced a whole bunch of them. There was enough outcry that the project was scrapped, the company went broke, and the clones were shoved in cryostorage to become someone else’s problem when all the lawsuits were done. Shortly thereafter, sec-units became a thing because that skirted some all the nasty ethical issues.

Decades if not centuries later (...I have no idea when the Murderbot books are supposed to be other than The Future), whatever megacorp bought up various assets discovers they have a bunch of illegal product sitting around frozen in a warehouse. It turns out that the cheapest method of disposal is actually to thaw them and toss them a small agro planet to colonize (the potential fallout if they just space the clones or keep them in a basement somewhere is just too high for profit margins, much to the relief of everyone else).

And that’s how Rex and his brothers end up thawed, with some nice genetic repair work, on a brand new planet all their own, and no idea wtf to do now since they aren’t expected to just fight something. Since Rex is one of the more restless clones, he ends up doing resource management, taking surplus out for trade and scrounging interesting stuff to bring back. And one day he walks into some space!army surplus store to discover in the back there’s an old sec-unit and its cubicle. Rex starts off feeling weird but wildly sympathetic to this deactivated fighting unit, only to become REALLY creeped out when he asks in passing about it – and learns its being kept around for eventual spare parts.

Rex is not okay with this. He dithers a bit, but ends up purchasing the whole unit and brings it home.

Cody gives him a bit of hell, but he gets where Rex was coming from, so he sort of resignedly welcomes their new sec-unit: [some clever punning/l337 speak version of Obi-Wan Kenobi].

So it turns out that this sec-unit is defective. It’s good at fighting, but it doesn’t like to fight. It talks. It talks a LOT. It’s astonishingly good at negotiating.

It also flirts with everyone except for Rex, which Rex is absolutely not put out about in the least. Really. He’s not irked. It’s a good thing. This damn thing comes out of the box flirting, that’s disconcerting so it’s kinda nice that Rex doesn’t have to put up with that – especially since it’s quickly decided that since the sec-unit does talk anything in circles, it’s most useful going with him to help him barter. And hopefully keep him out of trouble, though Cody is the only one to say that, the bastard.

Since this is a Murderbot AU, that means it turns out that there’s actually something Very Valuable on the clones’ new homeplanet, and at some point they’re actively defending themselves and/or having to diplomat with hostile bodies who are Not Impressed that a sec-unit is one of the main negotiators.

(It helps when things go pear-shaped, of course, since said main negotiator can dish out and take some extreme damage. So that's not too different from canon.)

Things finally settle down, Rex and Obi-Wan return to venturing out on the regular, until one day – probably after some spectacularly vicious flirtation with someone trying to kill them – Rex just blurts out, “I have never been able to figure it out. You will flirt with anyone and anything, the more hostile the better.”

“It’s a wonderful distraction tactic.”

“Oh, I’m aware. You specifically pick out pet names to enrage people.”

“It’s hardly my fault the Duchess didn’t like to be addressed as ‘my dear’!”

“It kind of is, but…” Rex hesitates, then shrugs, still not looking at Kenobi. “You have never once flirted with me.”

Silence. Rex sneaks a few glances, and Obi-Wan is refusing to look back at him. Finally, when it’s clear Rex will play the waiting game, Obi-Wan just shrugs right back. “I don’t know how to do it sincerely. Flirt for real with someone I like.”

Rex goes through several stages of oh with embarrassing speed. He twists around to stare. “What – but – even from the very beginning?”

Obi-Wan continues to not look at him. “I might have been...less unaware than my prior owner believed.”

Rex blanches, well recalling his own long time in stasis – a cold, mostly dreamless state of unconsciousness. The notion of being even somewhat lucid across those long decades is nightmare fuel even before considering the indifferent way the guy at the store had talked about spare parts in a box.

Then there are super-awkward cuddles, eventually leading to some kind of queer platonic aro and/or ace ship happily ever after. ^_^

Thank you, this was a fun challenge!

[thewindsofsong]

so, probably a pretty dumb idea, but its stuck with me now so I' going to get it out:

Sabo getting his memories back because one of his old dine and dash victims moved to another country and ends up serving young, revolutionary Sabo: restaurant owner: YOU! You and your shitty brothers ate me out of my last restaurant! Get out!

Sabo in the process of getting beaten out of the establishment with a broom: Brothers?

Whatever revolutionary is supposed to be supervising him: how was our cover blown?!

[sadnesshotline]

I'M THE BOOGEYMAN, OOGA BOOGA

[elevenharbor]

what if No-Face from Spirited Away...

...is actually a lonely boy behind the mask, befriends/helps Chihiro/Sen while she struggles in Yubaba's castle because he sees her, alone and scared, just like he is.

Then one day, while Chihiro is crying, No-Face comes out to comfort her...but somewhere down the line Chihiro gets curious enough to ask him about why he wanders...and asks if she could remove his mask... which he lets her.

...and Chihiro is blown away because he is beautiful, even in his sadness.

No-face realizes he likes seeing her face light up, something he has never experienced with another, human or spirit or any other creature. It makes him feel a certain way. For the first time, he isn't outed or disregarded, like the pariah he is. He decides he wants her company and wants to see her smile at him like that again, no matter what it takes.

Armed with this mission/new purpose, he tags along wherever she goes. Always invisible, but always watching her, making sure she is safe from harms way. He shows up occasionally when he feels like she needs him or when she is feeling melancholy. Chihiro does most of the talking, No-face just listens (he can't speak yet.)

One day, No-face sees Chihiro writing something on the ground, gets curious enough to ask what she's doing (non-verbally.) Chihiro, already attuned to No-Face's ways, seizes the opportunity to teach him basic characters. No-Face is receptive to her instruction and it's not long that this becomes routine for them: Chihiro spends time teaching No-face after her shift at the bathhouse ends; No-face the ever-diligent student, never missing a day. Rain or shine.

Fast forward to Chihiro meeting Haku at the pigpen, and Haku comforting Chihiro by offering her food. No-face sees them, but they can't see him. It's probably for the better as he is assaulted with a pang in his chest and a sour expression behind his mask, especially when he glances at Haku.

He doesn't know it yet, but he is actually jealous of their closeness. Chihiro was his friend first.

He doesn't bring up what he saw during his and Chihiro's next lesson, however. He figured her ignorance means she won't hate him, and he can continue to see her, their shared moments becoming the splash of life in his dull existence.

With the amount of time they have spent, No-Face sees her kindness and compassion, and falls in love (but he doesn't know what the feeling is...) Right then and there he gets this overwhelming feeling to protect her, help her, and keep her safe and happy, at all cost. He consumes and absorbs others to get a better understanding of her, and to be able to communicate with her. He is disheartened when she rejects him and fears losing her after the scene he caused at the bathhouse, and vows never to do it again.

At this point, he's learned enough to be able to compose a small letter that he wants to give her. It was part an apology letter, part something else. As he accompanies her in her journey to Swamp Bottom, he internally wrestles with the best time to give it to her - and to ask her if he could stay with her forever. He feels nervous about doing the latter - in fear of being rejected again - and him being alone once more.

At Swamp Bottom and under Zeniba's instruction, No-face overcomes his fear of approaching Chihiro by constructing something that he decided she could wear so that a piece of him will always be with her, even when she goes back home.

The thought makes him sad, but seeing her unhappy here makes him sadder. So with a reluctant heart, he decides to stay with Zeniba and lets her go.

Right before Chihiro and Haku take off, Chihiro embraces No-face, whispering that she hopes they meet again, somewhere in the future. No-face slips the letter in her pocket without her noticing, hugs her a bit longer, knowing this is going to be the last, and quietly nods.

As he watches them take off, he doesn't notice the single tear that rolls down his cheek (behind the mask.) The others don't notice except Zeniba, who casts a saddened glance his way, seeing through his mask, and seeing his handsome face; beautiful, and brokenhearted.

Chihiro makes it home. Once in her new house, Chihiro feels the letter in her pocket. She opens it and quickly bursts in tears. Her silent friend had meant every word, even if the word arrangements are awkward and broken. She reads his apology, his gratitude for keeping him company, and finally, his promise to her:

I am with you, always. You are my home. I hope I will be yours, someday, somehow.

She lets the letter fall to the ground as she mourns her loss. She touches the hair tie he helped make, missing him more than she ever realized, and wishing that she could see that beautiful, broken boy again in her world, in her lifetime. .

[ryoalouette]

Of which Crowley gets school staff in the Usual Way (2/?)

Moon illuminates two figures running on the rooftops of an undisclosed location. One of which human-being with skintight suit, and the other being a very fluffy cat.

Oh no, it’s Phantom Lexicon Thief, who had stolen a very expensive jewelry! Actually no, he just stolen a priceless book from a nearby museum. There’s a reason why he’s called a Lexicon Thief. He’s a massive historical bibliophile. His cat is the ultimate watchout, and if there’s cat fur in the area, that’s like a tiny callout card(?) from this one particular thief.

But anyways.

At least this start doesn’t literally start with murder like Sam.

This one starts with thievery of a book.

And lo! Suddenly a crow-man appeared and somehow managed to harass this one history-bibliophile thief into being a teaching staff for his school.

And that’s how Trein and his cat Lucius got the history teacher position in NRC.