#replicamodel

[bravewolfvesperia]

@replica-model | continued

"Oh. Now that's a low blow." He was kidding of course, but being compared to Jade was its own very weird experience. As much as Yuri was joking about the melodrama, too, he wasn't joking about the original topic. It was mainly just his way of keeping it more lighthearted and from getting too dark. Maybe it was weird of him to do that, because he certainly wouldn't have worried all that much about it with his own home group, but he was trying to put at least a bit of a lid on it with other groups from the other worlds.

After getting Ix back, Yuri had hoped that would be the end of dealing with Living Dolls. Not only had it not been the end of that, but it gotten even worse - more out of hand. It still made him angry, but as he understood it... he was starting to scare people a bit with that anger. Not that he blamed them, but... seeing Demetrius toy with people's lives so easily and carelessly still set him off.

As Yuri set the filled dinner plates on the table, he moved back to get the drinks. "Just me and you in this branch for dinner. Most of the teams are out. Speaking of, Jade did tell me Asch would contact you though if anything comes up. Mentioned something about being glad he wasn't the one on the receiving end of Asch's impatience. Said it with a smile too. Pretty pleased with himself, that one."

[osovereign]

☆ — @replica-model

kind,   luke   had   called   him   kind.   while   kratos   knew   he   was   giving   and   compassionate,   kind   was   not   exactly   his   first   word   of   choice   of   words   to   use.   true   kindness,   in   his   eyes   did   not   require   seeking   atonement   nor   redemption   for   past   atrocities   committed   in   misplaced   grief.   kindness   was   found   from   a   heart   that   picked   love   instead   of   hate—joy   instead   of   sadness   even   in   a   world   that   gave   it   nothing   but   misfortune   back.   how   often   had   a   boy   with   a   fondness   for   the   color   red   bestowed   upon   kratos   new   perspective? the   crackling   of   the   fire   gleamed   as   a   glowing   ember   engulfed   in   twilight,   kratos   used   one long   log   to   twist   and   turn   the   others   to   keep   the   flame burning   hot   and   bright—celeste   hued   divinity   appear   as   stained   glass   broken   off   a   shrinechurch   behind   his   person,   the   slight   chill   in   the   air   was   unaffecting   the   angel   (   being   able   to turn   on   and   off   senses   at   will   had   perks   ):   it   allowed   him   to   do   something   else   ‘kind’   as   luke   would   put   it—such   as   giving   the   replicated   man   his   cloak   to   use   as   a   blanket   as   a   way   to   keep   himself   warmer.

❝   there   is   much   more   to   humanity   than   common   decency.  ❞   or   rather,   kratos   had   kept   daemon   and   creature   that   sometimes   had   more   morals   and   ethics   aligning   with   humanity’s   law   than   humanity   itself.   it   was   an   age   old   question   he   pondered   on   from   time   to   time—what   it   meant   to   be   a   human   and   what   it   meant   to   be   something   far   more   grandiose   or   horrifying.   was   it   the   ability   to   rationalize   thoughts   into   the   categories   of   emotion   or   logic   (   or   perhaps   it   was   some   other   third   thing   inbetween?   ):   even   a   man   past   ten   thousand   still   had   questions   the   universe   at   his   fingertips   had   yet   to   give.   ❝ but   mayhap   it   is   that   common   decency   ideology that   makes   one   human.  ❞ kratos   stares   at   luke,   his   visage   slightly   distorted   by   the   fire   between,   and   within   him   sees   someone   that   has   over   gone   much   change   on   a   journey   like   himself—but   luke   still    had   much   growing   to   do—but   so   did   kratos—   (   did   people   ever   stop   evolving?   could   a   person   ever   truly   be   complete?   ):   maybe   they   did,   maybe   they   did   not   but   kratos   was   proud   of   the   fact   the   man   he   occasionally   saw   in   the   mirror   was   like   nothing   of   the   him   of   the   past—but   pieces   of   every   version   of   himself   lingered   behind   his   eyes   and   deepest   memories   just   out   of   reach—some   more   tragic   than   the   last. ❝   every   kind   deed   has   come   at   a   cost—some   great   and   some   small,   but   a   price   was charged   all   the   same. ❞

[mcgilou]

🃏@replica-model

" SAY . . . do you happen to know how to make dove sounds? coo-coo? "

[diysonline]

#repost #reproduction #replicamodel #scratchbuild #miniaturescale #miniaturehouse #mi...

[ikarosxflight]

"What the hell? Are those wings?" Luke asked, not even trying to hide the fact that he's staring at the appendages. He leans in close, but at least he has the self-control to not outright touch them...

'Aw, man! I think I'm lost. Maybe I shoulda taken the north wind instead?' Perched safely within a tree, Pit scans a sacred scroll given to him by his Goddess, not once or twice but three times. His unwavering faith in Palutena's intentions with this world is unshakable, even if he didn't know what those intentions were. Picking an apple from the nearest branch, Pit conceals his scroll, warping itself in light and vanishing. He pushes himself off the sturdy branch's edge, his sandaled feet contacting the ground. With one hand on his hip, as he continues to enjoy the juicy apple, Pit takes a moment to appreciate this world's natural beauty. The vibrant colors of the flowers, the gentle rustling of the leaves, and the sweet scent of the air all combine to create a scene of breathtaking beauty and the perfect opportunity for a stranger to sneak up on him. "What the hell? Are those wings?"

"Mà tòn Palutēnâ!" Ivory feathers ruffle as the bastardized angel's wings span out, startled. Quick on his feet, Pit faced the stranger, panting and flustered, "WHOA WHOA! DON'T DO THAT-ICUS! WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH YOU!? YOU SOME KIND OF WILD ANIMAL, HUH!?"

[bravewolfvesperia]

@replica-model | continued

Yeah, training might not be good right now. For a while, actually. The last thing Yuri wanted to do was seriously hurt a training partner because his mind was elsewhere. Distracted and angry. Luke had sparred with him enough by now that he probably had a handle on his swordplay, but... he hadn't exactly sparred with Yuri when Yuri was distracted by thinking about things that made him angry.

"Look, I appreciate it, I just... don't wanna end up thinking about why we're training and risk hurting you. Just... not sure I should be pointing a weapon at my allies right now even for training." Not to say Luke was bad at swordplay and would get injured, but... he hadn't dealt with erratic behavior from Yuri before. As much as Yuri would like to think he could stay composed, if his mind wandered to the wrong place, it could certainly cause an unwanted burst of negative energy.

And of course, they also couldn't take too long. This whole thing was affecting Ix too, and it was weighing on Mileena. Honestly, it occurred to Yuri that he and Mileena might have been having a hand in making the mood sour at their base, but... it was difficult for him to think of anything else now. No doubt it was the same for her.

Actually, Yuri wasn't sure he'd ever been this angry in his entire life. Sure, there had been times when he'd felt outraged. Cumore and Ragou were perfect examples. This though? This was... a lot more personal than that. "I've been searching for Flynn for a year now. Always keeping an eye out, an ear out, hoping for anything. Then I find him like... this? I know we need a plan, but... it doesn't change that I just wanna run out there and get rid of these guys. But... we can't just do that either, because we need to know how to restore Flynn and anyone else in his situation. I was gonna capture them, or at least that Baldo guy and get answers if I could, but... they got away. It's hard to just sit around and... wait for a plan. Even being out in the field with that in the back of mind is... difficult."

[bravewolfvesperia]

"Is everything okay? You seem annoyed about something."

@replica-model

Those words from Luke snapped Yuri out of it. His moodiness, his aggravated tone... For the most part he had recovered from the constant anxiety when they were on their Ix rescue mission. Flynn was here, he was safe, he was himself... but Yuri also recognized that what was happening to these new beta Living Dolls probably would've been Flynn if they'd decided to do this to him later on. In some sick way, Flynn was lucky he was chosen earlier.

But now a lot of people were starting to get it. Yuri's frustration and focus all that time. There were more people now watching their loved ones be turned into these robotic dolls, and in these cases, not even with a human soul. With... nothing. Worse, it was a lot of them. A lot of people known to the people Yuri and Luke knew. There were a lot of unhappy faces lately. Though he'd left her alone at the time because he knew sometimes emotions just needed to happen without someone trying to help a person restrain them, he did pass Anise crying once, and he knew that hadn't been the only time she'd done so.

"Sorry, just... noticing a lot of people seem down in the dumps. Lots of people having to come to terms with the fact that people they care about are soulless, robotic dolls and that the only way to save them is to happen to find their core and hope we can get it to them. Not that I think it's anyone here's fault that the mood is so sour around here, just... it's pretty miserable."

Worse, he couldn't help the guilt he felt around others who were still separated from people they cared about. It was almost as if he and Mileena got their wish, and now everyone else had to take their turns. "Sometimes I wonder if people look at me and think about how I'm lucky to have Flynn back. Like they all pitied me at first, and now I'm the outlier in the opposite way this time. I know they wouldn't mean anything by it, it's just... I don't know. I start thinking about it and the whole thing feels even more awful. I guess not being out in the field as much lately is giving me too much time to get into my own head. Gives me too much time to think about how twisted the bastards we're still dealing with are."

[ikarosxflight]

🍡

☠ ― 𝑀𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑆𝑦𝑚𝑏𝑜𝑙 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑜𝑛𝑠.

🍡 - Can your muse cook? Can they bake? How well can they do either? Do they have any kitchen disaster stories?

Yes, but expect something small. Skyworld's savior is always on the go and, just by habit, eats pretty lightly. His food choice is usually fresh, raw ingredients to snack on, such as fruits, vegetables, dried meats, nuts, cheese - whatever is accessible on the go. One would think that being alive for centuries, Pit would put more effort into cooking, but if he had company, he'd make more of an effort. He'd go about it by making a simple but hearty meal to feed everyone, which is very Captain-like. Usually, a good stew with artos is the first thing he'd go for. As for baking? That's a no-go. The Captain personally prefers to be pampered by others and their cooking. It's one of his favorite things he looks forward to whenever he has to attend diplomatic matters in different regions outside Skyworld, such as Egypt or Hyrule.

As for kitchen stories, does sneaking into the kitchen to steal wine count?

[osovereign]

adam’s  ale  but  a  pastime  amongst  life’s  expanding  tributary  as  there  was  a  certain  tranquility  that  came  from  basking  under  a  night  sky.  modern  mythos  hailed  him  more  celestial  than  man  ---  something  far  more  holy  ,  something  far  more  advanced.  but  ,  to  kratos:  he'd  always  be  just  a  man  deep  down.  to  one  kratos  aurion  ,  surpassing  humanity  in  lifespan  ,  ability  ,  and  creed  was  something  many  a  deity  such  as  he  had  done  before  and  would  do  so  again.  emotions  ,  that  was  something  all  of  creation  allocated  with  mighty  zest.  what  was  godhood  to  a  man  who  had  one  been  less  and  what  was  the  weakness  of  a  mortal  to  a  being  that  knew  more  could  be  obtained?  luke's  eyes  held  sorrow  but  where  also  gleaming  with  unspoken  victory  and  the  terrors  of  a  million  ghost  ( a  melted  pot  of  the  richest  ,  finest  emeralds  and  captivating  like  the  light  of  warming  sun ):  yet  ,  even  a  candle  could  cast  a  shadow:  even  the  most  intense  holy  light could  still  birth  darkness  in  the  hollows  said  divinity  could  not  reach.  ❝  those  of  us  that  aren’t  human  ,  still  hold  some traits.  ❞  what  made  one  mortal?  kratos  had  pondered  this  for  thousands  of  years.  was  it  the  ability  of  heart?  to  give  and  take  emotion?or  was  being  human  as  simple  as  being  able  to  die  and  if  so  ,  than  is  any  creature  capable  of  death  just  a  more  advanced  rendition  of  mere  men?

the  crackling  firepit  filled  the  silence  when  neither  of  their  words  did.  ❝  luke  ,  those  of  us  caught  between  man  and  something  else:  may  it  be  labeled  more  or  less  have  certain  things  in  common.  ❞  he  begins  ,  his  breath  forming  small  clouds  of  visible  condensation  whenever  he  exhales.  ❝  even we  can  have  bad  days.  i  ,  too  ,  have  had  a  bad  few  millennium.  i  can  draw  the  stars  from  the  very  skies  and  mere  man  and  those  that  carry  elvin  blood  hail  me  a  god  but  i  ,  too  ,  am  just  a  man.  i  am  glad  you  do  not  think  such  thoughts  any  longer.  you  are  more  a  man  than  some  ever  maybe.  ❞  the  gentlest  of  smiles  paints  his  features  as  a marbled  canvas  ( bursting  from  a  sanctitude  of  his  own  fabrication ):  it  was  a  fundamental  kindness  in  how  he  choose his  vernacular  and  mannerism  towards  the  fellow  person  that  walked  the  path  of  inbetween  just  as  he. it  was  fundamental  in  how  in  his  most  hollowed  and  vexation  filled  moments  kratos  did  not  further  bring  the  world  to  its  knees  ,  instead  choosing  to  correct  all  of  his  wrongs  of  yesteryear.

to  be  nice  and  to  be  kind  where  not  mutually  exclusive  ,  kratos  had  learned  this  concept  through  lived  lesson  very  well.  nice  was  following  the  path  of  a  dear  friend  (  even  if  it  was  one  paved  in  war  crimes  ,  genocide  ,  and  a  false  goddess  ):kindness  ,  was  kratos  ,  standing  up  against  such  a  power  and  ending  his  life.  kindness  was  not  always  nice  and  just  because  someone  was  nice  does  not  mean  they  held  kindness.  ❝  everyone  walks  with  a  certain  kind  of  sadness  ,  now  they  may  choose  to  be  nice  and  hide  that  sorrow  away or  they  may  be  kind  while  still  feeling  depressed.  it  may  not  be  worn  on  sleeves  ,  but  it's  there  if  you  look  deep.  is  it  truly  so  different  for  us?  that  is  to  say  ,  i  have  spent  more  eons  in  grief  than  not.  do  you  understand  ,  young  luke.  what  i  mean  by  kindness  having  a  high  cost?  ❞ kratos  had  given  luke  his  coat.  it  was  nice  ,  he  did  not  need  it.  a  fabric  merely  worn  for  upholding  societal  customs  (  men got  cold  in  winter  ,  the  night's  chilled  air  meant  for  you  to  bundle  up  and  stay  warm  ):  his  wings  flutter  ever  so  slowly  behind  him  ,  it  was  rare  for  him  to  ever  have  them  visible  but  this  was  just  another  kindness  he  was  extending  to  like.  mayhaps  ,  even  an  act  of  niceness  as  he'd  grown  just  a  bit  fond  of  the  boy  over  their  travels.  life  experiences  ,  a  bit  different  but  nonetheless  had  led  the  two  of  them  to  shared  thoughts  and  feelings.  but  ,  kratos  did  not  need  sleep  (  in  fact  ,  he  did  not  need  many  things  ):  but  ,  he  knew  luke  did.  ❝  it  is  quite  late  ,  luke.  we  can  discuss  more  with  first  light  if  you  would  like.  ❞

"You think so?" Luke asks, holding a cup of warm coffee close to himself. It isn't enough to completely warm him, so the cloak Kratos had gifted him helped out a lot. Luke feels grateful right now, so he decides that he wants to keep talking to him. "I guess I wouldn't really know much about being human."

That's not a self-deprecating remark, or at least, Luke tells himself that it isn't. He isn't human. Nothing will change that. But that doesn't mean he isn't still a person. It's taken Luke a long time to realize that the two aren't mutually exclusive. Meeting Kratos reinforces that in his mind. To be something inhuman and yet still capable of care and compassion...

"I used to think that I'd never understand anything because I wasn't human. That being something else must mean that something was wrong with me on some kind of fundamental level." Luke squeezes the mug a little, eyes growing a bit distant. The smile still remains on his face. "But... I don't think so anymore."

Though, he realizes part way that he hadn't really addressed something that Kratos had said. His smile grows a bit more embarrassed and he laughs to himself. "Anyway, sorry. What was that you said about kindness having a cost?"

He frowned to himself now as he thought about it, then looked back over at the older man. It's hard to tear his eyes away from the bright wings fluttering behind him. "What kind of cost?"

[bravewolfvesperia]

Yuri gave a small, apologetic smile at the ever so inviting enthusiasm about Asch contacting him. Even if Yuri couldn't imagine the feeling of having someone literally talking to him through a mental connection, he did know Asch at least well enough to know he had a bit of a temper. Apparently one that had been worse before he'd arrived here, no less. Given how this was "mellowed out" for Asch, he could only imagine how the old Asch was.

"Yeah, I assume we'll be backup assistance. Well, it's a bit of a break at least from all the insanity going on lately, so I don't personally mind. Might be good for you too to be able to be on standby for a bit. I can't imagine all this stuff with your Ion friend is easy on you guys." As much as Jade tried to hide his own feelings on the topic of Ion, it wasn't like Yuri couldn't see through it. Maybe it was obvious and maybe anyone could, but Yuri could at least relate to Jade in the "hide your feelings" department.

Sometimes it made Yuri wonder if there were people he used to know in this world, too. People who were long gone. He wasn't really sure how far back from exoflected worlds that exoflection itself could go and what the limits and constraints were. On top of that, wasn't Mercuria trying to revive a Bifrost that existed a long time ago? Something like a decade ago or whatever?

If... exoflected worlds could go back that far, and people could be brought in from different times from the same world, wasn't it possible that Yuri from the present was brought here, but people from even ten years ago also were? Wasn't it... possible that... Don, Niren, Lambert... Jiri... and Jareth... could all also be here somewhere?

"... ...Say... how far back do you think exoflection goes? Mercuria... is trying to exoflect an entire country from over ten years ago, right? And her aside, there are people here as it is who supposedly have already passed away by the time of others of us exoflected here. Even if I'm here from the time I was an adult, if I knew someone who died when I was a teenager... couldn't they still be here from the time they were last alive?"

Couldn't they... have a second chance? A chance to not die?

He was getting way too ahead of himself with the way pressure was building in his throat, but if he wasn't on standby right now with Luke, he might have gotten up and just left on his own, with nothing but a note left for Flynn if he even remembered to leave one in his hurry.

"Oh. Great." Luke can't help the sarcasm, even though he knows that this is all for the best. It really is convenient that Asch can contact him so easily, and he knows that taking advantage of that is the smart move. It's something that only the two of them can do.

But why does it always have to hurt so much!?

Luke does his best to swallow the sour look on his face, letting out a long sigh. He props his head up on his elbow, looking down at the plate of food in front of him. Food that looked so normal could have been found anywhere on Auldrant. Food that still somehow always tasted just a little bit off when it was these people from the other worlds who cooked.

Not that Yuri's cooking was bad. It was great! He was a really good cook! Way better than Luke was, and Luke had actually started warming up to it now that he was living here.

"I guess I'll just be standing by here to receive the intel, then." Luke picked up the pair of chopsticks and broke them apart, starting to idly toy with the food while he waited for Yuri to return.

"Are we going to head out together if something comes up?"