#shut up pm

[hawkeshep]

one of these things is not like the others 😌

[fiyaharts]

ok now im having fun

[cupcakewebkinz]

A Mother's Day to remember

♡ Shelly and Vee want to do something special for their moms on Mother's Day, even though they're completely broke, they do their best (with Sam's help lol) ♡

ᰔ Caretaker Shanon au is mine! ᰔ

ʚɞ As always, much love to my bestie @soupiestzilla , keep slaying queen ʚɞ

────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────

To Shanon, it was just another day. She was grateful she had the day off of work, but she had no idea her 'kids' knew anything about Mother's Day, or even would celebrate it. She slammed the snooze button on her alarm clock like she always did, checked for Vee like always, then went and did her morning routine as always. She left her hair down today though, she didn't plan on leaving the house at all, but she did change into her favorite dinosaur themed sweater and favorite pair of jeans in case the two did plan something weird. She never knew with those two, they're always up to something. Shanon yawned as she walked out of her room, hoping they weren't destroying anything- and surprisingly they weren't. The two were politely sitting at the table, holding hands, talking in a different language in hushed tones. Vee beeping every once in a while, for some reason.

"Good morning girls, why is Vee making beeping sounds?" Shanon decided to ask, getting Vee's attention.

"Oh I'm just messing with my settings, it's nothing to worry about mom." The robot casually reassured, then a long beep was heard. Vee turned back to Shelly, whispering something in a different language, who just nodded. Vee's screen then changed to have a white theme- white eyes and mouth, light blue blush and little white star freckles. Shelly studied it, then shook her head. A beep was heard before her face went back to its usual green theme. Shanon giggled, finding it really cute that Vee could do that.

"You guys are so silly, what did you two want for breakfast?" Shanon asked softly, but she didn't get a reply. Shelly instead got up and ran off into the kitchen, Vee now looking excited as her tail wagged. Shanon just stood there, not sure what to expect - and was absolutely not expecting Shelly to bring out a tray full of really good looking breakfast foods, a few cups of coffee and a bag of muffins in her mouth. Shelly just set everything down on the table, then set out the plates of food at everyone's seats, then the coffee, then the bag was opened and everyone got a muffin. Shelly then sighed, sitting back down at her spot beside Vee. Shanon sat at her usual spot, speechless. They had made pancakes, eggs and bacon without her even realizing they were cooking anything, the muffins definitely were Sam's though-

"Thanks, girls, I didn't even realize you two were cooking." She said after she got her thoughts together, getting two sleepy smiles and two wagging tails, Vee soon shoving a pancake into her screen like the weirdo she was.

"Oh it's no problem mom, Sprout helped me learn how to make food so I can cook when you're at work. I hope it's good..." Shelly explained, getting a look from the robot with pancake stuck on her screen.

"GIRL YOUR PANCAKES ARE SO GOOD!! STOP DOUBTING YOURSELF!!" Vee hyperly yelled, getting laughs from the two somewhat sane women sitting near her.

"Okay, okay! They're good-"

"AMAZING." Vee corrected.

"Fiiiiine~ I'm an amazing cook and I'll stop doubting that." Shelly agreed with a sigh, getting a nod of approval from Vee as she stuffed even more pancake into her screen. Shanon just chuckled as she ate, loving her two children's absolute nonsense, finding them to be really adorable. The trio just happily ate breakfast together, Shelly often cleaning up the robot's screen and scolding her for being so messy, Vee just being her little chaos self, it was so cute. Shanon loved every minute of it, though once breakfast was done, Shelly did the dishes while Vee attempted to drag Shanon off to do something.

"Mom come, come with me, lemme do your hair and make you look pretty mom. Please." Vee begged, so Shanon sighed and gave in.

"Fine, but only if you promise me you won't put glitter in it." She said, making Vee pause.

"Do glittery accessories count?"

"No, those are fine."

"Then I'm doing your hair, come." Vee stated, grabbing Shanon's arm and gently leading her to her bedroom, where she got Shanon to sit on the floor beside a chair before she ran off. Vee soon was back with a box tight in her arms, a pink bow tied around an antennae and a look of pure joy and excitement in her eyes and unhinged smile. Shanon just sighed and closed her eyes, knowing Vee knew what she was doing - but now was wondering about the bow. She didn't ask, however, as Vee immediately went to work on her bangs.

"I have ideas mom, I have ideas. You're going to look so cool, like dinosaur cool, I swear." Vee said as she started combing Shanon's bangs and very gently styling them.

"I know I will Vee, I trust you, you did everyone's makeup for your shows after all."

"Yeah Glisten taught me how to do that, he was so cool like that. Sure he was a dumbass, but... He was... So cool." Vee commented quietly, sounding a bit devastated by the topic, but she didn't stop doing her hair anyways. She gently clipped on sparkly hair clips to pin her bangs in place for now, then climbed onto the bed and started brushing her hair out, soon carefully braiding two parts of it.

"He would've had such a great fashion show, ya know? He was super into fashion, and makeup. He'd help me with outfits for my shows, he helped me with my feelings too, because it was really hard for me to understand them. He was always there for me when I'd have bad days on stage, he was just... The coolest gay brother ever. Him and Brightney both helped me so much, they were so cool. Bright was so smart, she'd help me with trivia questions when it wasn't dinosaur related, she'd bring me books when Shelly couldn't get to my room without being noticed by Delilah. I debated joining her book club, but I ended up not doing so- Del would've been so mad if I took time out of my work just to read a stupid book." Vee went on, putting Shanon's hair into a ponytail before making that a really fancy bun, then wrapping the braids around it. She then styled it so the bun looked like a flower, smiling as tears ran down her screen. Shanon was silent, just listening, knowing that's what Vee needed right now. Someone to just listen. Someone who wasn't judging, just existing with her as she talked through her favorite memories. Vee got off the bed gently and started putting bobby pins in her hair to hold the braids in place, then gently put sparkly heart pins and flower shaped ones in for decoration. They were the same colors as her sweater, and it really was coming out better than Vee expected.

"I'm not pulling too much, am I?" Vee asked after a good minute of silence, making Shanon look at her without moving her head.

"No you're fine, just listening to you. Thanks for telling me about that, I'm happy you are so open to telling me about your old friends." Shanon replied, getting a chuckle from the robot as she walked around to the other side, making sure everything was as symmetrical as possible.

"Thanks for letting me ramble about them, I, I'm still not used to that, honestly. I'm so used to Delilah telling me to shut the fuck up by now. Did you want me to do your makeup too, mom?" She asked, getting a shrug from Shanon.

"If you want, I don't mind. Why are you putting so much effort into everything anyways?" Shanon asked, getting shushed by Vee immediately afterwards with a finger to her mouth and everything.

"Surprise, mom. Don't make me spoil it." Vee stated seriously, going right back over to her pink box of mysteries once she was done with her hair and grabbed a sparkly green makeup bag, then went right back over and sat down in front of Shanon.

"Stay still, don't sneeze and don't cringe." Vee demanded, and soon was gently working on Shanon's makeup, the human just silently cooperating with her. Vee soon was softly singing a lullaby in French as she worked, which Shanon nearly fell asleep to several times, but she managed to stay awake. Somehow. Once Vee was done, she patted her shoulder and gave her a mirror, which Shanon immediately looked at herself with. Her makeup was as flawless as she expected, matching her favorite sweater too, her bangs perfectly curled, her hair looking flawless. She was near tears, speechless.

"Thank you Vee, I look amazing, but I wasn't planning on going anywhere today-"

"That's why Sam planned for you to go somewhere today, and we're going as soon as you get ready!" Vee explained, getting right up and brushing herself off, then grabbing her makeup bag.

"Which you are now, so once I get everything put away, I'll meet you in the living room." Vee continued as she picked up her box and swiftly walked off. Shanon blinked a few times, not sure if she should be excited or scared, but soon got up anyways and walked into the living room, finding a very excited looking Shelly in a matching outfit, and soon Vee came back, also in a matching sweater and similar jeans, her pink bow now tied around her neck. They had their pop tab rings on too- even though they never take those off now lmao

"What are you two planning?"

"Nothing mom!" The two replied in unison, both grabbing Shanon's hands and soon were leading her off to the cafe. She just allowed it to happen, since Shelly closed the door behind them and the two were giggling excitedly as they lead her off. Shanon soon found out why, as she noticed Veronica's car in the parking lot. Of course they'd plan something with her... She hoped they didn't try to set them up again, she would crumble and admit to their relationship before they were ready to tell them. The two were oblivious, as Vee soon swung open the door cheerfully.

"MOOOOOOOM!"

"I see you honey, I'm here." Veronica softly spoke, waving from the counter. Shanon blushed a little as she let the two lead her over, soon sitting on the barstool beside the other, looking down at the plate of dinosaur shaped cookies between them. Shelly and Vee went right to their favorite spot, a couch by the window, and Sam just stood behind the counter as usual, cleaning a baking tray silently before they put it back. Veronica just took a cookie and nibbled on it, Shanon soon doing the same. It was oddly quiet, though they didn't have to say anything to know what the other was feeling.

"You two are oddly quiet, feeling okay?" Sam asked, and the two nodded, looking at each other. Cosmo soon came out of the kitchen, looked at the two, then slowly backed back into it. Sam giggled at that.

"Was that Cosmo-?" Veronica immediately asked, getting nods from the two.

"Sprout saved him with the power of gay kisses and lots of cleaning up ichor." Sam stated casually, making the two laugh.

"Sounds like something he'd do alright, good for him." Veronica said, Shanon immediately nodding in agreement.

"Yeah, Sprout would save anyone with lots of love and cleaning up ichor if he could." Shanon stated.

"Oh definitely!" The two immediately agreed, the trio soon laughing yet again at their sweet berry man's shenanigans. Cosmo slowly came back out, getting a gasp from Veronica.

"It was you!! Hi little buddy!!" She immediately happily said, getting a shy smile and wave in reply. He then gave Sam the tray of chocolate chip cookies he had before rushing off yet again, getting a sigh from Sam.

"He's still a little shy, I'm sure he's happy to see you too Veri." Sam gently reassured, then they leaned against the counter, looking at the two secret lesbians as they ate cookies together in peaceful silence.

"Now have the girls told you what evil they've plotted or do I have to tell you?" Sam asked, making Veronica sigh as Shanon looked scared.

"They didn't tell me anything..."

"They set us up on a museum date, be prepared, I'm not holding back on the hugs." Veronica teased, making Shanon gasp dramatically.

"Nooooo not the hugs!! Oh I am so doomed!!" She said dramatically, getting fits of laughter from everyone, even the boys in the kitchen. Shanon soon found herself also laughing, though she sighed after a good laugh and looked back at the plate of cookies, then at Sam. Sam, somehow knowing what she was about to ask, just nodded and started boxing up the cookies. Veronica watched quietly, then looked at the girls, who were silently watching them intently. They wanted them to hug, to kiss, and she knew it. She wasn't going to give them that though, unless Shanon did so.

"So, ready to see your favorite dinosaurs?" Veronica asked when Shanon got the cookies, getting a nod from her. The two then got up, the toons getting up with them, and after they waved Sam off and grabbed their cookies, the four were off to the museum - via Veronica's car. It was a quiet trip, but at the museum, it was not quiet at all. The Dinosaur Nerds struck, and Vee and Veronica soon were being dragged around by their partners, who were yelling about their favorite dinosaurs and showing off their knowledge super excitedly. And the two were loving it, both happily listening to their beloved nerd out, following them like lost puppies with curious eyes. Veronica wasn't lying, she was hugging Shanon at every opportunity and sneaking kisses - Vee doing the exact same thing with Shelly the entire time. They had completely missed lunch, nearly missing dinner, but they didn't care. The four had a great time, and Veronica decided to take them out for a great dinner too, the two humans sitting beside each other and the two toons sitting across from them. All laughing, blushing, holding onto each other.

Loving each other.

It was obvious they were dating now, Shanon having her head on Veronica's shoulder, the two snug beside each other, laughing at a dumb joke Vee had made. They didn't care, it just felt... Right.

"So, moms, when were you gonna tell us?" Shelly asked after eating her share of the pizza they had gotten, sleepily putting her head on Vee's shoulder, who immediately hugged her close and gave her a kiss on the head. Shanon looked at Veronica, who was blushing, hair a mess from being dragged around, messy makeup from laughing so hard she cried a few times, eyes tired but full of love and joy. She just looked back at Shanon, then wrapped an arm around her, grinning like she just won an award.

"Whenever we actually made it official, which is right now." Veronica stated, getting a snort laugh out of Shanon.

"What?! You just claim me?!"

"Mhm, yup, totally." Veronica stated with a nod. Shanon laughed a little more, then sighed and put her head back on her shoulder.

"And what happened to 'I'll think about it, Shanon'?" Shanon teased softly, getting a gentle kiss on the forehead.

"I thought, I accept. Happy mother's day, you yet a girlfriend too!"

"And two happy kids who are glad you finally got together!" Vee exclaimed, getting a look from Veronica.

"Girl-"

"Nuh, Nuh uh, don't "girl" me, I told you that Shanon liked you. You didn't believe me!" Vee retorted, making Shanon and Shelly laugh. Veronica faked being offended, but she soon was laughing right with them, while Vee just yawned and stole the last piece of pizza, using their distraction to her advantage. None of them cared, they just were happy to be together, as one weird gay family.

-

Back at Gardenview however, it wasn't as happy. Gi had came back and had found the original Gigi, and was now sitting beside her, rubbing her back as they ate chocolate together. Gi was at peace, Gigi was at ease, and the two were just enjoying the peace while it lasted.

"I know we never talk, because you can't, but - I hope I make you feel at ease like you do for me. I hope you find peace one day, and I hope I made today a little less painful for you." Gi softly told the twisted, getting a soft hum-like growl in reply. Gi just smiled, leaving a box of chocolates beside the original Gigi. She took it gently, careful not to hurt the clone. Gi then stood up, brushed the dust off her black pants, then gave Gigi a pat on the unbroken capsule part of her head.

"Stay safe for me, okay? You're so loved up there, never forgotten. They tell me so many good stories about you... You're cherished, Gigi. You always will be. Goodnight." Gi reassured, and after waving the twisted off, she left through the fire escape once again and went home. She snuck in through Sam's back door and went to her room, shutting the door behind her and sitting against it. She took a minute to catch her breath before she got up and changed into the clothes she usually wears to bed, then quietly left her room to go greet her new family whenever they came home. A note was left on her bedroom floor.

"Even though I don't have a mom, I love you as one. Stay safe out there, Gigi, much love! ♡ - Gi".

A note that will never be given, yet never be forgotten. Filled with love, yet filled with grief. A bittersweet end for her happy day.

[plutoschiild]

something really angst in puzzleshipping is how you may think that yugi is the only one insecure between the two, but atem just doesn't show his vulnerabilities. deep down, he's thinking of how he can never be enough for yugi, how he would just be stealing from him the life he could live with someone else.

in the beginning, i believe he would constantly remind himself of how he can't let himself fall for yugi -even though he already did from the very first moment, because yugi was chosen by the destiny to be with him, they were meant to cross paths and change each other's lives eternally. but in his spirit form, he would never be enough. even the thought of confessing to yugi would seem unfair, because he thought yugi didn't deserve to live a life trapped to a form trapped in a puzzle. no, he deserved everything; the fancy restaurants, the ice cream with just one spoon, the exuberant marriage, the mending screams in the local amusement park's rollercoaster. someone to kiss good night, someone to make love in the morning. atem was nothing but a shape, a lost boat with yugi's eyes as his only lighthouse. how could he be in the way of the life yugi dreamed of?

so, to placate the desolation in his core, he would be watching yugi's every move, from his contagious laughter, to his silent tears; from his humming in the morning while doing the breakfast to his silence when he was deciding which card he was going to play; from the moment he woke up to when he turned off the bedside lamp, and even when yugi would be sleeping, atem would be memorizing, admiring every one of his details. because he knew that yugi would be someone else's one day, but, just for that time, he wanted to have that bittersweet contemplation.

and, when yugi would be in the parties jonouchi forced him to go, it was inevitable for atem to feel jealous of the people yugi flirted -tried to at least- with. not just jealous because yugi would be flirting with someone, but because he wishes he could be in that person's place. because no one knows yugi like him. so, bearing so much pain in his chest he almost feels alive again, he notices how people get things about yugi wrong all the time. it's constantly "no... he doesn't like it"; "you're wrong, he's not like that"; "that's not the way you're going to make him fall for you". but there's nothing he can say, nothing he can do.

[t-w-i-l-l-e-r-t-i-m-e]

i fear i’m thinking about horrortale sans and undyne again. what a shakespeare-level deadly miscommunication, what a tragicomic mess. her taking his eye. killing him. killing that version of him, that version of herself. now they’re matching corpses, each with one bloodshot eye. they’re both responsible for so much, too much, it’s eating them alive and they resent it. they’re violent, selfish, and more than a little sadistic. they’re too similar to ever be friends, but they used to be. they used to be.

[ratwithhands]

I made another concept in the span of 5 minutes while on the bus.

Anyways Oracle AU Submas (Oraclemas?).

Ingo and Emmet have the ability to divine the future, with one issue. Ingo can see the timeline of fate, Emmet can see the events to unfold, and neither can see what the other does. Ingo doesn't know whether what is to come is good or bad, and Emmet can only see events out of order.

They are able to bypass this by holding hands and using full concentration (aka co-divination) to see the full future, however they usually just use their individual visions and piece them together. Co-divination is reserved for either actual fortune-telling services or to investigate a vision either one feels may be concerning.

anyways other fun notes:

Ingo's ability to know when things happen but not what they are make him patient and paranoid. There have been instances where he predicts an event and prepares for danger, then when it actually arrives it turns out to be something perfectly fine (eg. a surprise birthday party)

Emmet's knowledge of future events stresses him out, he gets wrinkles and creases much faster than Ingo, and essentially ages earlier

The twins often used these abilities to aid them in battle growing up, which later led to them pursuing the skill further until they developed their own sense for battle

Besides working as Subway Bosses, they sometimes operate as fortune tellers for those who request their help

They have seen a whole scope of different events, good and bad, and are generally used to talking about any kind of scenario. Some people interpret their lack of reactions to mean that they don't care about the future, but that is not the case

There are anomalies in their visions, certain periods or events don't make any sense to them and they can't make them out clearly

Anyways this is just a little shitpost concept but I mean hey you guys can let me know what you think. Hope you guys enjoy the art and see you later.

also bonus doodle (this is not how it happens but still):

(Emmet sometimes curses his bloodline for having this ability)

[cold-black-and-infinite]

My honest reaction:

[crypt1dcorv1dae]

I haven't been very active on here lately (been mostly using bluesky and I'm bad at using two platforms at once) but every time I come back on and I just see someone going thru like... All my static posts ? That makes me so happy ... Like legitimately it brightens my day to see people who still like that 25 year old cartoon, not just in a "oh I remember that from my childhood" way but in a "I actually still like this NOW" kinda way ... Makes me happy ... Especially when people like my silly virichie posts cus... Man..... MAN..... I love those dumbasses so much ... Need to get back there tbh. I miss them.

[lesbiansanemi]

So tempting to text my roommate “can you shut the fuck up” every time she starts singing

[simptasia]

you know britpicking? like where an american writes a fanfic set in england, or with an english character, and they get an english friend to look through it and check through it to see if the terms and phrases are accurate? (eg. flat instead of apartment)

well i propose there be such a concept for star trek

because people in star trek talk differently than modern humans. they use different words, different slang, phrasings. yes, they can speak casually but mostly it isn't like us. watch any of 90s trek and you'll see These People Do Not Speak Like Us

and, no disrespect, a lot of fic does not reflect this. and it irks me. they just speak like modern day people instead of... star trek characters. i personally think part of the fun of writing trek characters is writing it out to how they speak and how they would think

hell, this isnt even a fanfic problem. modern trek has this issue too. i think outta laziness. they have their people talking (and when in casual wear, dressing) like 2020s people and it pisses me off

its part of why strange new worlds feels like a high budget SNL skit

annnnyways. i propose this idea be called fact trekking

[lethalwizard]

my fucking god i just made a post being like “hey australians : ) remember that our electoral system means you can vote for the party that most aligns with your values and your vote isn’t wasted” and all the freaks are crawling over to add their paragraphs

[tetzoro]

i’m soooo sleepy .. i think i just need a cozy blanket and a forehead kiss & i’d be fixed 😔🤍

[jorrated]

betterhelp is a shit service and horribly capitalizes on peoples mental health, but it somehow makes me madder when people people make ad reads for them saying that therapy "makes you happier and helps you relax :)". bitch therapy isnt you gossiping with a dude its a healing tool that its sometimes uncomfortable and thats necessary for you to confront with some issues within yourself

[inumkii]

losing my mind in my six hour class when rhis isnt even my last class of the day

[razzle-zazzle]

Whumptober Day 05: Sunburn

Healing Salve + "If my pain will stretch that far"

2385 Words; Raised by Serpentine, sometime before "Can of Worms"

TW for mentions of past attempted indirect genocide (the serpentine entombment)

AO3 ver

“I wonder if we should go down to the lake later.” Lou mused.

Skalidor turned his attention to Lou, “You hate the lake.” It was true—the lake was a deep half-flooded underground cavern that seemed to stretch on forever, the other end unlit and unreachable. Lou did not consider himself a strong swimmer, and rarely went down there if he could help it.

Lou shrugged. “I was thinking we might have fish for dinner.” He stepped to the side as an overexcited hatchling barreled between them, a harried parent chasing after them.

Skalidor hmmed. “That does sound good. Perhapss Cole and I can go down there to surprisse you with one.” The tunnel they were in opened up as they reached the central chamber, torches and patches of growing moss illuminating a spiral up to the ceiling high above. Chanting filled the area—there was an active Slitherpit in progress towards the center.

“You and I can what?” Cole arrived before them, the same hatchling tucked under his arm and squirming furiously. He turned his attention to the hatchling—ah, Skalidor recognized this one. Little Pebbline, the youngest in the entire tomb. “You can’t just run around recklessly,” Cole was chiding, as Pebbline struggled valiantly to return to the ground. “You’re going to break your face on a wall.”

“Will not!” Pebbline protested, hanging upside-down in Cole’s arms at this point.

“Pebbline!” And there was Bytar, her father. “Thank you for catching her, Cole.” He smiled, taking Pebbline in his arms, and she hissed her displeasure before subsiding.

Cole grinned. “Of course!”

Bytar turned back into the tunnel, then, heading off with Pebbline in tow. Skalidor could faintly hear her begging to go back so she could see the Slitherpit.

“It’s a good thing you don’t run around like that anymore.” Lou commented, as Cole fell into step with them. “I could barely catch you back then, I wouldn’t want to imagine having to catch you now!”

Cole opened his mouth to respond—

A terrible grinding sound filled the central chamber, the sound of stone against stone harsh and loud. Screams broke out as everyone looked for the source of the noise, and Skalidor clutched his staff and pulled Lou against his side. Cole leapt forwards, arms outstretched as though he might prevent the inevitable cave-in—as though he was yet capable of moving more than small pebbles.

“It’s coming from above!” Someone shouted.

“The ceiling will crush usss!” Another voice realized.

“EVERYONE OUT OF THE CHAMBER!” Skalidor commanded, watching as Dweller and Constrictai alike dashed for the tunnel entrances lining the wall. He started to slither back, Lou still close at hand, once it seemed as though almost everyone was out—Cole!

“Cole, what are you—” Skalidor started, almost ready to go back in just to drag him out. This reckless boy—!

“It’s not caving in.” Cole’s arms had fallen to his sides, and he was gazing up into the shadows of the ceiling with an unreadable expression. “It’s—”

He stumbled back at the same time that the grinding stopped, arm raised above his head as he stared up towards the ceiling.

“Cole.” Skalidor hissed. The whole chamber was clearly unstable, after a noise like that—or worse, it had been one of the tunnels, and Skalidor’s order had seen several of his people buried—

“Skal,” Lou stepped forwards, pointing up towards the ceiling, “dear, look up.”

Skalidor looked up.

His staff clattered to the ground from a suddenly boneless hand—Skalidor ducked down to pick it up, keeping his eyes up on the ceiling—at the top of the stairs that wound around and up, a remnant of when their community had first been entombed generations ago—

Eyes locked on the bright circle of light where before there were shadows.

The light shooting down the stairs was brighter than any torchlight Skalidor had seen before, brighter than any glowing moss. It almost didn’t seem real—never, in all of his decades, had Skalidor conceived of the tomb being opened. But that was what the light had to be, right? Surely, it couldn’t mean anything else.

Faces were peeking into the central chamber from the tunnels scattered about, curious mutterings filling the air as everyone present took in the new development.

“Open?”

“That light!”

“Impossible! Nothing can break the barrier!”

“It’ss ssso bright…”

“How did it open?”

“A monster! A monster iss coming down to kill uss all!”

There was a shape casting a shadow upon the steps. Skalidor gripped his staff, and slithered forwards. Cole fell into step beside him, and Skalidor held his staff in front of the boy to stop him.

“Wh—lemme help!” Cole protested, voice close to a whisper.

“Sstay here.” Skalidor hissed. “I will invesstigate. You will protect.” Cole made a face, but backed off, standing beside Lou as Skalidor ascended the ancient steps.

That the stairs were completely out of use wasn’t actually true—though the tomb was magically sealed, the stairs allowed access to the upper walls of the central chamber—Skalidor passed by murals and carvings that had existed long before him without a second glance. He slowed down as he reached the top, squinting against the light.

The form that cast the shadow stood at the entrance, backlit by light so bright that Skalidor couldn’t make out any features. But their shape was vaguely serpentine—they would likely be strong, if it came to blows. They might even have some of the strange adaptations Skalidor had heard the supposed other tribes of Serpentine possessed.

“Who goesss there?” Skalidor asked, when the figure remained still. After a moment, they moved, slithering forwards and ducking their head. Their neck was very long—a potential handhold for grappling, then.

“Greetingss, my Constrictai cohort.” Their voice was smooth and even, and they moved to the side of Skalidor. They were scaled, just as he expected—but where Skalidor bore the blacks and oranges of a Constrictai, they were violet.

“An Anacondrai?” Skalidor asked. He’d heard the tales—they were the strongest of the Serpentine, the fastest and most resilient. They outmatched every other tribe, and lead the charge in the ancient war—but even they, too, had fallen, or so every tale assumed.

The Anacondrai nodded his head. “Oh, where are my manners?” They offered a hand, “Pythor P. Chumsworth, at your service.” He smiled, then, pleasant and disarming.

“How did you open the tomb?” Not even an Earth Master could break the barrier, nor could they tunnel around it—though there had been plenty of attempts. The tomb was meant to be permanent—a resting place, where those entombed were to die and never return.

“Curious, no?’ Pythor inclined his head towards the entrance. “Far as I can tell, for all the effort they put into making the tombs inescapable from within, that same effort wasn’t given to prevent them being opened from the outside.”

Skalidor balked. “That easy? But why?” There were no intentions to let the entombed out—or else they wouldn’t have been trapped down there for generations. Right?

Pythor shrugged. “Well, the rock was rather heavy. But yes, I could feel the magic breaking as I moved it. The seal didn’t wear off.”

Skalidor hissed. The light seemed to beckon him, and he tore forwards, needing to see for himself that the tomb has well and truly been breached—

Skalidor recoiled as the light from outside the tomb hit him in full. After a moment, he reopened his eyes, slowly enough that, though the light still burned, it did not sear quite as bright as before. His eyes adjusted, to a light level they had never experienced before—

Skalidor gasped.

Pythor slithered up beside him. “Well?” He prompted, staring out at the sights he had already seen.

“It’s…” Skalidor searched for the words. He had thought nothing could dwarf the underground lake in terms of sheer size—and yet. The light bearing down was hot, far hotter than any torchlight, and brighter as well. It reminded him of a festival years past when they had set up a bonfire in the central chamber. Back when Lilly… back when she had still been alive, standing at his side and making sure the smoke didn’t flood the caverns.

But not even the bonfire had anything on this. Skalidor turned his head towards the sky, eyes squinting against the light raining down. It was so bright. He could hardly see—and yet it was still better than when he had first emerged, and couldn’t see at all.

Pythor watched as Skalidor breathed in the outside air—it was hot, bone dry, so different from the caverns—patiently allowing the general to adjust. “Incredible, is it not?” He asked.

Skalidor breathed slowly, just trying to take in the enormity of the sky above him. Brilliant blue—he wasn’t sure he had seen blues so deep—cascading from horizon to horizon like the roof of a cavern—and yet the sky seemed to go on forever in a way that stone did not.

“It’ss something.” Skalidor breathed, dizzy from the magnitude of it. “I never imagined…”

Pythor chuckled. “I think we’ve all felt like this.” He swept an arm out, “I can’t believe this was kept from us—and for what?” his expression darkened. “Because of some trifle like a war that ended long before you and I were born? For generations, we’ve suffered beneath the surface, locked away from all of this world that they’re not even using—!” He paused, taking a breath. “My apologies,” He bowed his head. “I lost control of myself. But the knowledge of all that we’ve been denied—” He cut himself off with a hiss, shaking his head.

“No, I think I get it.” Skalidor spoke. “There’s just. Sso much.” From this perch atop—a mountain, was that the word? Skalidor had to think back to the stories of the surface passed down through generations—but from up so high, Skalidor could see so much. And yet he couldn’t make out anything living—that he recognized. All this space…

The tomb was never really cramped, in Skalidor’s memory—there simply weren’t enough Constrictai or Dwellers in it. Maybe it had been cramped when the original community had first been sealed away—but that had been long before Skalidor’s time. But he had heard the stories, of what could grow up here, of animals much bigger than cave newts. The vast distance laid out before him suddenly seemed so ideal—and yet he couldn’t spot a single surface human, nor any sign of their communities. He absently noticed his tail buzzing. He didn’t quite care to stop it.

“They have all this space that they’re not even ussing.” Skalidor hissed. “We have had to sscrape together what little we could find—”

“They don’t deserve this.” Pythor agreed, “Not one bit. Not after locking us away like vermin!”

Skalidor’s grip on his staff tightened.

“Skal, you ok—OWWW—” Skalidor turned around to see Cole poking his head out the entrance—well, no, the boy had stumbled back into the shadows of the entrance, what little of his face wasn’t hidden behind his arm scrunched against the light.

Skalidor chuckled. “Bright, isn’t it?” Beside him, Pythor’s eyes narrowed.

Cole tentatively reached his hand out into the light. “It feels like I’m sticking my hand in fire.” He muttered, before pulling back. Slowly, he lowered his arm, eyes blinking open—and immediately squinting against the light.

Pythor grimaced. “There are humans in your tomb?” He sounded put out by the very idea.

Skalidor regarded him curiously. “Sssurface humanss were willing to entomb their own kind.” He spat. “But now the dwellers are simply more of our kind—our community—” He looked at Cole with fondness— “Cole is our Elemental Master. Earth, in fact.” There was uncontained pride in his voice, for all that Cole had yet to fully inherit Lilly’s mantle and powers.

Pythor hmmed. “I had heard that a Master of Earth took up arms on the side of the Serpentine.” He stared at Cole curiously. “I had thought it just a tale to tell hatchlings, to give them false hope.”

“Well, I’m real.” Cole replied. He glared at Pythor for a moment more before schooling his expression. “Thanks for opening the tomb.” He said, in tones of quiet disbelief.

Skalidor could hardly believe it himself. “We can leave the tomb.” He murmured. “We wouldn’t be trapped anymore—what you’ve given us access to, I—I don’t know how we could ever repay you.”

Pythor waved his hand dismissively. “Oh, no no! I don’t need anything in return! I just abhorred the thought of any of my fellow Serpentine continuing to suffer in their tombs.” His mouth curled in distaste, “It really was cruel of the humans to entomb us all. They don’t deserve this pristine surface of theirs.” He hissed. “Not one bit.”

Skalidor nodded. “You have my agreement on that.”

Cole leaned against the side of the entrance, arms crossed. When Skalidor glanced back, he could see others had climbed up the stairs—even if most of the watching faces were sticking to the shadows, eyes squinted against the light.

Pythor’s head tilted as he regarded them all. “Well, while I did say that I didn’t need anything in return…” He mulled over his words before continuing, “I was hoping you might join me in my endeavor to reunite the Serpentine once again. It would be so wonderful to take the surface back from the humans, don’t you think?”

Skalidor wanted to. Just looking at the open space spilling out before him, and knowing that there was yet more that had been denied to his people by the sealing of the tomb—he wanted the surface humans to pay for their crimes. To deliver the grievances of hundreds of Constrictai and Dwellers from generations of suffering unto them, and make them pay.

There was one problem, though. “We barely number two hundred.” Skalidor pointed out. “And many of our number are not built for war.” There were the elderly, the young, the sick and those disinclined to fight. Nobody was at full strength—especially not with the current blight. “How will we ever defeat the surface humans, when our ancestors could not?”

Pythor chuckled. “Oh, my practical friend, I have just the plan for that!” He looked to Cole, and then to the cautious faces peeking out of the tomb’s entrance, and spoke.

“Have any of you heard of the legend of the Great Devourer?”

[toyatenmacanon]

good night