#woah that was a behemoth of a post

[jade-gemstone]

Danganronpa Ultimate Categorization

Welcome back to another episode of: Jade is a nerd about something absolutely useless! Today's topic: Talent classification in Danganronpa/Fangans.

In the process of making my own fangan/s, I've created a classification system for the types of talents you can give characters. These classifications are...

Arts: Talents that are involved in the visual arts, performing arts, or fashion. Encompasses performers of all types, any type of visual artist, or anyone involved in fashion. (Ex. Actor, Abstract Artist, Model)

Practical: Talents that focus on a specialized skill or work with your hands. Also includes any talents that are religious or spiritual in nature. (Ex. Mechanical Engineer, Detective, Shrine Maiden)

Academic: Talents that are recognized by how much knowledge or experience a character has in an academic field. Covers most science, literature, math, and research based talents. (Ex. Chemist, Theologian, Archaeologist)

Sports: Talents relating to athletic skill. (Ex. Footballer, Kickboxer, Bowler)

Novelty: Talents given to a person who is special simply by existing. Can also be given to characters who win a contest for their talent. Includes Lucky/Unlucky Students, royalty, and non-human characters. (Ex. Lucky Student, Student, Princess)

This system of classification was based on my experience in the community over about three or four years, seeing many other people's original characters as well as creating my own. I found many fell into these categories. My "perfect" ratio, which my friends and I used as a guideline for making our fangan casts, is 4 arts : 4 practical : 4 academic : 2 sports: 2 novelty. I felt this ratio kept things even and grounded.

A few months ago, I began to wonder if my "perfect" ratio was more of my own creation than an actual pattern I saw. I thought, in the event it was, that I would come up with a mathematically accurate ratio that better represented the talent distribution of Danganronpa and its fan projects. This was my attempt at doing just that.

Data Collection

For this, I tried to collect as varied of a sample as possible. I included the three mainline Danganronpa games and sixteen fangans, ranging from very popular ones to very obscure ones. The fangans sampled for this analysis were...

Danganronpa Another

Super Danganronpa Another 2

Danganronpa Despair Time

Brave Danganronpa Coward's Paradise

Project Eden's Garden

Danganronpa He(art)less Deceit

Danganronpa Hushed Whispers

Danganronpa Muave

Danganronpa Despair's Revival

Danganronpa Re:Birth

Danganronpa Twisted Truths

Danganronpa Survivor's Guilt

Danganronpa Despair's Flame (my fangan! also the one where the talent ratio originated)

Danganronpa Cyberspace

Danganronpa Akeda Amusements

Danganronpa Lost Paradise (my other fangan that isn't released anywhere but I'm counting anyway)

I figured out the talent ratio for each individual game by looking through their casts and sorting them with my classification system. Ultimate ???'s were thrown out if possible (such as in the case of Akeda Amusements, where Hanari was thrown out due to the fangan having seventeen participants) and if not, they were counted as novelty.

Also, shout out to Yuki Maeda and Teruya Ōtori for managing to count for two different data sets despite my best efforts at finagling a way to keep them confined to one.

Observations

The first thing I noticed in looking at the ratios for canon Danganronpa was that Academic ultimates are underrepresented compared to what I initially remembered. It had been a while since I revisited the mainline games, and it was a shock to be reminded of that. I was also reminded, but not quite as shocked by the greater emphasis on practical ultimates.

In fangans, the focus on practical ultimates continues to be heavy, with none having less than two. There was also less focus on sports ultimates, with the majority having only one or two compared to the three that the mainline games had a majority of the time. They also tend to have more academic ultimates.

I think that this could be explained by looking at the types of people who make fangans. The majority of people I know who make fangans have very particular knowledge about certain fields due to experience or heavy research, and more often than not these fields do not include sports. They are more likely to make characters based on their experiences and knowledge that they can then insert into the story to make it seem more authentic.

I also, unsurprisingly, found that my "perfect" ratio was not reflected in many of the fangans I looked at. There was only one besides my own that followed that ratio.

Now, if my "perfect" ratio is not the mathematically perfect ratio, then what is?

According to the data collected for the canon games, this is.

This just so happens to also be the ratio for Trigger Happy Havoc.

According to the data collected from the fangans, this is the perfect ratio.

The only fangan that followed this ratio exactly was Akeda Amusements. V3 also had this distribution.

When considering both mainline and fan made games, the perfect ratio was this.

Ironically, not a single mainline game or fan game followed this ratio.

Out of curiosity, I also calculated the standard deviation for each data set.

Canon Danganronpa has little to no variation, conveying that talent ratios are quite consistent between games. The biggest variation would be in the novelty category, making sense as V3 scaled down the amount of novelty ultimates compared to the other two games.

The fangans are shown to have a much larger variation. Though I can't be surprised by this, as perhaps it is an unfair comparison. The mainline Danganronpa games were written by mostly the same team and had less to sample from, while the fangans have not only a larger sample size in which to deviate, but many different writers that think differently about talent distribution.

Final Thoughts

In putting this all together, I found that my classification system, while not perfect in any sense of the word, has some validity to it. If I wanted to, I could definitely make some improvements to it (especially in distinguishing between certain academic and practical fields from novelty), but as of now it works perfectly fine as an aide in cast creation for me.

My ratio is also not perfect, which was an expected outcome. Really none of the ratios I found are perfect, with none of them representing more than one or two of any mainline or fan made game. While ratios like the ones I found can be good for making sure you have a balanced distribution of talents, they aren't required to make a good cast. Personally, I'll continue using my personal "perfect" ratio as a baseline for any cast I make in the future.

I also had a lot of fun making this, and hope I can find a way to make more posts like this in the future. Thank you for reading this.

[bun-z-bakery]

A/n: this took wayyy longer than expected! But we're so back! This ones a bit short but I still hope you enjoy. Thanks to everyone who's been reblogging and liking my stuff 🩵 also if you want to be tagged whenever I post the next chapter let me know!

Silent sun (8)

"Done!"

You exclaim as you finish tying off the string. You scoot back to admire your work.

"Looks good! I'm honestly surprised!"

Poppy praises your stitch work. Even you admit it wasn't all that bad at all. 

You place a hand on DogDays leg closest to you.

"Can you feel my hand, sunshine?"

His ears perk up at the nickname and he sits up. He tries to move his legs to no avail.

"Give it a minute."

Poppy is hopeful. She knows more about these things, so you don't question her. 

He sighs in frustration.

"Don't worry, I'm sure you'll– WOAH!"

You're caught off guard as DogDay grabs you and sits you sideways on his lap, his legs now crossed as he hugs you.

"Now I can finally protect you properly, Angel!"

"Aw, I'm so glad you– your tail!"

His tail thumps loudly against the floor.

The three of you laugh, and you rise from his lap. 

DogDay attempts to stand, but he wobbles like a newborn puppy exploring the world for the first time. You were much smaller than he was, but you still held his giant hands to help stabilize him.

It took a while for him to get used to the feeling of his legs, but once he became comfortable, it was like he became a whole different person with his new range of movement.

Oh my god, he's massive! 

You mentally freak out at the behemoth mascot towering over you.

"Shall we dance?"

He jokingly offers his hand and you take it.

"Gladly good sir."

You play along and dance to your own rhythm, the sound of your combined laughter fills the room, but that doesn't last long.

Unfortunately for you, he's observant.

"You're bleeding?!"

He grabs your arm and inspects the rip in your jacket. You haven't been able to tend to your wounds, nor did you think it was a big deal, your companions thought otherwise.

"Who did this?! When did this happen?!"

"Please calm down!"

You shout as you cover your arm, the guilt now washing over you.

"I'm sorry... It's just this was supposed to be your moment..."

"Can we see?"

Poppy adds, and hesitantly you remove your jacket, revealing the slightly tattered and dirty shirt that your jacket was protecting.

You hold your jacket in your free hand and show off the blood-covered makeshift bandage. 

"That looks pretty bad Angel..."

"I'll be ok guys, plus it's not my first injury, no need to worry."

"Come here."

DogDay frantically rips a clean part of one of the blankets and pats the open spot next to him.

"You really don't have to..."

"I–we can't have you dying on us! Please"

Dogday pleads, making you sigh in defeat as you hold your arm out. He unwraps the bloody bandage and does his best to tend to your wounds.

"How did this happen?"

He panics as he pulls out a shard of glass that is still in your wound. The thought of it being trapped under your skin makes you shutter.

"It's... A long story..."

If you told him he'd probably panic even more, plus you just didn't want to relive everything this place put you through again. 

"If you need more rest, we could stay!"

Poppy offers, at this point you've made everyone worried. It wasn't your intention, but that seems to be common when it comes to you.

You shake your head in response. 

Once DogDay is done tying your new bandage, you stand and offer to help him up. 

"Alright, let's head out!"

You clap your hands and head towards the door, the others following right behind you.

"It's clear, come on!"

You wave to others, you've never been so happy to see light, even if it's artificial. Before the four of you can go any further, a phone ringing catches your attention. 

"What's that noise?"

DogDay asks as he looks around. 

"Oh, it must be Ollie!"

"Who?"

They haven't met either? How odd. 

"Ollie is a friend of ours!"

Poppy explains while you answer the phone

“Hey, are you alright?! No ouchies or lost body parts?”

Ollie asks from the other side of the phone. You quickly glance at DogDay and continue the conversation. 

"Yep, I'm good! So is everyone else!"

"Everyone else? Who else is with you?"

He asks, confused, which in turn confuses you as well. 

Could he no longer see us?

"Well, I've got DogDay, Poppy, and Kissy with me!"

You exclaim, DogDay makes his way closer to you and places a hand on your shoulder hinting to you to 'hurry up'. 

"Angel who's–"

"Here!"

You shove the phone into his hand, he shakes his head, and you motion for him to speak. Reluctantly, he holds the phone up to speak to Ollie.

"Uh hello?"

"Who's this?"

"... "

"Speak"

You whisper to the giant dog, now frozen in place. 

"DogDay."

DogDay really didn't know what to say, he was too preoccupied with deciphering if this friend might be a threat.

"Hiya DogDay! I've been helping our friends locate their way around Playcare! I hope you're treating them well!"

From where you're standing, Ollie sounds muffled, but Dogday's response helps you piece together the conversation. 

"Well, of course! Angel has been nothing but wonderful. I owe them my life..."

He shifts awkwardly in his stance.

"Uh, who's this "Angel" you're talking about?"

“OH! It's a nickname."

He chuckles awkwardly, you hold his hand and mouth 'You're ok'.

"Oh, I get it now! I’m really glad you’re both okay… I don’t wanna lose any more friends in this place. So where are you four now?"

DogDay playfully places an arm on your head, careful not to put too much weight on you, his giant hand covers your view. You could hear Poppy giggling behind you.

"We're back at playcare, and we're unsure where to go next..."

"Hmm well, we're really close to the end! You're going to head to the Counselor's Office instead. It's not ideal... but it should have enough juice. If you can get that generator going and plug it in... Reroute the red smoke and ba-bam! I think we'll be done! See ya!"

"Wait!"

The line goes dead and DogDay puts the phone back.

"He's odd..."

"Pfft let's go!"

You lightly punch his arm as you continue making your way to the counselor's office. 

You know you can trust Ollie, he helped you get this far after all.

"If we make it out alive... What's the plan?"

You ask, breaking the uncanny silence.

"Well... We'll be free!"

Poppy replies as if it wasn't obvious. 

"No, no, I mean... What if I found us someplace safe?"

"That would be nice Angel."

DogDay adds, his tail wagging in excitement at the thought. 

"Hey, I'm going to check in here! Wait out here! I'll be quick!"

You quickly make your way into one of the rooms, leaving the three to stay on guard as they wait for your return.

"So when's the wedding?"

DogDays was caught off guard by Poppy's question. He knew what she was referring to.

"Oh don't act dumb, we can tell!"

She teases and giggles at him. He was clearly flustered by her remarks.

He catches sight of his reflection in the dark window across from the room you're searching in. Seeing himself instantly shifts on his mood.

"What's wrong? I was just messing with you, I'm sorry!"

"Do you really think Angel would willingly love a monster?"

They were silent, Poppy was about to speak up before you came out of the room with your new finds in hand. 

"Guys, look!"

You hold up an axe and a toolbox

"I can repair my grab pack now! Oh! And here you might find this useful, it's so heavy!"

You hand DogDay the axe. It seems to have been made for someone of his size. It struck you as odd, but you learned not to question it if it wasn't important.

"Hey, did something happen?"

You look between the three, hoping there isn't any bad blood brewing behind your back.

"No we just... Do you know how to fix your grabpack?"

Poppy tried to change the subject, but you caught on. 

"I'm a mechanical engineer, I can fix almost anything with the right tools. So what really happened? Was there a fight?"

"No Angel, we're ok I promise! Wait, is that how you've been getting around without issues?"

You giggle at DogDays curiosity. 

"Bingo! Now let's go you three!"

You were about to take the lead but DogDay decided to beat you to it. 

"Angel, stay close to me and don't leave my sight, ok?"

You hum in response.

"Yeah Angel, stay close to your protector~"

Poppy laughs out, and DogDay stays quiet through her teasing. You could've sworn you heard him growling, you wrapped your arm around his.

"No worries sunshine, I don't mind you being my protector."

You smile at him, even if it's just for a little while longer. He hopes this will last even after you escape. 

[theheartofone]

Steel in Her Veins, Chapter: Eight

Read On: AO3 | Table of Contents | Next Chapter

Characters: Fem!Reader x Roronoa Zoro

Chapter Eight: The One-Eyed Marimooo

The world’s spinning. You physically can’t breathe. This boy’s whooping in your ear, screaming, “LET’S GOOOOO!” over and over again.

Fucking great. This is it. The end of your journey.

You’re being dragged upwards, a body of limbs flailing from impact. Riding the worst escalator you’ve ever been on. Going up. Up. Up. Up. And up – until, finally, you’re nearing the tip of your ascent.

The moon swallows both of your shadows whole like a voracious celestial behemoth, hungry for the spectacle it's about to witness, and there’s this one second where you and Luffy turn to each other, both flailing in the air.

Just for one second, there’s silence. No whizzing of air or the flapping of bodies, no screams of terror echoing into the abyss – there’s just silence.  

Then, you begin your descent.

As the two of you plummet towards the ship, the world speeds up in a dizzying blur of sea and stars and trees and darkness. Ice-cold fear courses through you, as you feel yourself steam in terror, and for a moment, time seems to stretch as if reluctant to witness the impending impact.

Great. This is the way you’re gonna die. Awesome. Well, thanks for everything, Gramps. You shut your eyes tightly, preparing for the sound of God to come thundering down on you.

“Here we go!” Luffy bellows, his voice fighting against the current of the wind. You snap your eyes wide open, undecided on whether to scream at Luffy or at death itself.

With a sudden twist, Luffy's rubbery limbs twang into action. He wraps his arms around you, forming a makeshift cushion against the gravitational pull – you can’t lie, it's a bizarre yet effective mid-air manoeuvre, and you can't help but marvel at the sheer fucking audacity of it.

The wind howls around you, and the world regains its chaotic symphony while Luffy's laughter cuts through the air, a mix of thrill and exhilaration.

And then, with a jarring but surprisingly gentle thud, you land on the Sunny's deck; it's as if gravity itself had a change of heart, deciding to be merciful at the last moment. The ship creaks under the sudden impact, but still, it holds firm beneath you.

Immediately disentangling yourself from Luffy's curling grasp, you stumble off into a direction, steaming with sheer terror and fury. Liquid nitrogen spreads from your feet like wildfire, chilling the Sunny into a post-apocalyptic landscape.

“Woah, woah, what’s goin’ on?” Franky exclaims, gaping at the smoke crackling across the Sunny’s body.

"THAT WAS AWESOME!" Luffy cheers wildly, his arms flinging into the sky. “Did you like it, Raya? Was it fun? You wanna do it again?”

You, on the other hand, are about to throw major hands.

"What. The. Hell, Luffy? What the actual fuck?” you seethe, each word punctuated by bursts of ice shattering beneath you.

"You’re tough, Swordsy. You took it well!" he grins, slapping you on the back with gusto. You stagger forward from the impact, each unintended step leaving frozen disc-like cracks into the floor.

“Raya! Stop moving!” Franky cries out, helplessly gaping at the glacial destruction of his beloved ship.

Arching an eyebrow at Franky's evident distress, Luffy shifts his gaze down to the deck. With a sudden yelp, he exclaims, "WOAH! Why's it snowing in this kinda weather?"

"It's not the weather, Luffy," Robin calmly remarks as she and the others begin boarding the ship. She observes you with a surprised curiosity. "It's Raya."

“But you’re a fire-user…” Sanji’s questions, a curious cigarette dangling in his mouth. His eyes flicker to the floor, staring at poor Franky who’s knelt over the damage, helplessly scraping his metal fingers through the mist. “Isn’t this liquid nitrogen?”

“Yeah, um…I ate the Burn-Burn fruit…” you quickly answer before looking down at Franky. Guilt washes over you as you realise the extent of the damage to his hard work. “I’m so sorry, Franky…I’ll fix this for sure.”

“Mmmh,” Franky responds miserably.

“What’s a Burn-Burn fruit?” Usopp pipes out, squidging his face in the small gap between Zoro and Robin.

Robin smiles at you, her eyes lighting up.

“You burn things?” Chopper cocks his head, crawling all over Zoro’s shoulders.

“Yeah – I mean, I’ve been using fire for my whole life, but I’ve recently been trying to…to burn things with ice…” your voice awkwardly falters when you and everyone else diverts their attention to the snowstorm on the floor, your face heating up – and because you’re aware that your face is heating up, your face starts to grow even hotter.

Fuck. You’ve been working on ice for months, and a single fucking fright leads you to unleashing frostbite hell. You knew it’d be too risky - especially with how closely your Burn’s tied to you and your feelings – but Gramps had insisted…

Well, at least you went with ice. At least you didn’t choose electricity…or, heaven forbid, chemicals…

You want to get stronger, don’t you? Gramps’ voice rings in your head like a persistent echo, urging you forward. Fear is a blockage of spirit.

You mutter to yourself, wondering how the hell to shut this man up in your head. It's a constant nagging now, always lecturing, always trying to sound deep and wise beyond his years and he's all so Wano-esque.

Maybe that's why Gramps doesn't complain anymore; he's living rent-free in your head, and he's probably loving every minute of it.

In a heartbeat, the urgent staccato of anxious heels reverberates against the wooden boards, instantly capturing everyone's focus.

"Out of my way!" Nami's commanding cry slices through the air, prompting Usopp and Chopper to emit startled yelps. They stumble away as a streak of vibrant orange hair charges through them like a bolt of lightning. "Raya! Are you okay?!"

"Absolutely," you respond with a wry smile, your sarcasm laced with a lingering adrenaline rush pulsing in your head. “Had a fantastic flight.”

Nami immediately swivels around to Luffy, seizing his head in a firm chokehold. “Don’t ever do that to people who aren’t part of your crew – you got that?”

Luffy, garbling in her grasp, still manages to force out a pout. “Wh – gah – why not?”

“I mean, it doesn’t look that bad…it kinda suits the atmosphere of my show, if you think about it ….” Usopp thinks to himself, tapping a finger to his chin. He stares at the ice cooling over the deck, then at Zoro straight in his eye. “Cold, brittle and painful to the touch. Juuust like the one-eyed marimooo.”

"Quit that," Zoro hisses, narrowing his eye at him. "I'm not here for your one-eyed marimo exposé."

Gramps Suki amusedly sighs whilst cleaning his hands with a rag. "Enough with the theatrics, already! Don’t you all have a party to host?”

“Yes! Let us commence!” Usopp shouts in his deep, theatrical voice, jumping on the stage with an air of intrigue and mystique. “Gather, my fellow comrades, and let us begin! Jester, play your most foreshadowing tune!”

Brook grins, and with a -- “Yo-ho-ho! I shall!” -- His fingers begin to strum dramatically across his guitar.

Luffy bursts into excited cackles, dashing to take a seat in front of the stage; Chopper's eyes light up with enthusiasm, and he tugs at Zoro's hair like Ratatouille. Zoro huffs, stumbling forward to gently place them both on the unaffected floor.

Usopp gestures everyone else to sit, and as they all obey his command, he raises his arms to begin.

Brook plays the opening to an intense heavy metal riff. Angular shadows crawl up onto Usopp's face like an army of black ants, moonlight shining a thin silvery trail across his silhouette. Then, he smirks.

“Now, let us unravel the story of the One-Eyed Marimo. Possessing three swords in his reservoir, he has no other room to consider fear…

“I don’t care what society says…” Usopp rasps in a Zoro’s low voice, his marked eye shut firmly as he scowls at the audience. “I’ve never regretted doing anything...”

The crew erupts into wild cackles, caught off guard by Usopp's spot-on impersonation of Zoro. Even Luffy’s rolling on the floor, clutching his stomach with laughter.

Nami shoots a playful glare at Zoro. "Well, it seems Usopp has you figured out!"

Zoro grumbles in response, feigning indifference, but there's a subtle twitch of amusement playing on his lips; Sanji, puffing away on his cigarette, can't help but grin at the accuracy of it all.

Usopp, revelling in the attention, continues the act with theatrical flair. "Strive to be complete with everything you have!" he mutters coarsely, mimicking Zoro's trademark three-sword stance. "No hesitation!"

In the midst of the laughter, Luffy, still rolling on the floor, manages to gasp out, "Let me have a go!"

With a burst of energy, Luffy propels himself off the floor and somersaults onto the stage, landing next to Usopp. His grin is infectious, and the crew watches in anticipation, wondering what kind of chaos Luffy's going to unleash this time.

"Alright, alright! Watch this!" Luffy declares, mimicking Zoro's posture with exaggerated seriousness.

Luffy slaps his hand to his forehead, his eye looking as narrowed and sharp as Zoro’s, scanning across the audience with apathy. Mimicking the marimo’s slouched posture and crossed arms, he lets out a half-hearted, "Mmmm. Where are those idiots? You idiots. Bastards. Stupid idiots.”

Nami, still holding onto Luffy's earlier attack on you, can't help but burst into laughter.

"You're an idiot yourself, Luffy," she remarks between fits of giggles.

Luffy continues with the impersonation, exaggerating Zoro's stern expression. "Why are we even doing this party thing? Shouldn't we be out training and getting stronger? You guys are all a bunch of slackers."

Zoro, trying to stop himself from smirking, mutters under his breath, "Idiot captain..."

Usopp, fake gasping, his hands slapped on each side of face, joins Luffy on the stage. "Hey, marimo, look! It's your fan club!"

Luffy continues his impersonation, now adding a comically serious tone, kissing his teeth dramatically. "TCH. I don't need a fan club. I'm just here because I want to be. TCH."

Nami, still holding her laughter from Luffy's antics, suddenly spots Chopper perched on Zoro's shoulder. With a devious grin, she strides over, seizing the opportunity for her own brand of amusement.

"I'm taking over, Swordsmen!" Nami declares with a sly grin, directing a mischievous gaze at Luffy and Usopp. With a swift motion, she grabs Chopper from Zoro's shoulder and cradles him in her arms, adopting the same serious expression Zoro has.

"I'm not a caring guy," Nami says, mimicking Zoro's gruff voice with surprising accuracy. "I don't have time for this fluffy stuff."

Despite her stern words, there's a playful glint in Nami's eyes as she proceeds to pretend to wash Chopper's back, combing through his fur like a loving father-figure. The crew watches, thoroughly entertained, as Nami continues the charade.

"I'm really not!" Nami insists, patting Chopper's head sweetly like he's a child. "Shut up, Chopper! I'm a marimo, not a babysitter!"

With a flourish, Nami pretends to spoon feed Chopper imaginary food, all while maintaining the serious demeanour of the marimo she's impersonating.

"Swallow your food like a man, Chopper!" she exclaims, channelling the essence of Zoro's gruff and no-nonsense attitude.

You burst into laughter, raising your eyebrow at Nami’s interpretation. “Didn’t know you were a father, marimo?"

"More like the guy who tells brats to stay off his lawn," Zoro retorts, slightly amused by Nami's depiction of him.

Chopper, for his part, seems to be enjoying the attention, giggling between bites of fake food as Nami continues her exaggerated impersonation.

"BUT WAIT!" Usopp roars, reclaiming the spotlight at the centre of the stage. "With every move he makes, with every swing of his swords, he bears every burden without a single complaint.. The glint in his eyes mirrors the strength with which he unleashes his fury upon his enemies...While we actors may be well-refined, only the true master, the One-Eyed marimo, can reveal the elegance of his three-sword style."

He dramatically extends his arm, pointing directly at Zoro. "One-eyed Marimo, step forward and grace us with your power!"

Zoro, still feigning indifference but with a subtle hint of amusement, rises from his seat and ambles towards the stage. Everyone holds their breath, curious to see if their stoic samurai is going to play along.

Usopp, ever the storyteller, encourages the act with a flourish. "Behold, ladies and gentlemen! Witness the formidable three-sword style of our very own marimo!"

Zoro, with a smirk playing on his lips, picks up three scrap metal swords from the barrel with practiced precision. The moonlight casts a silvery glow on the blades as he assumes a battle-ready stance.

Usopp continues his narration, his voice filled with dramatic flair. "The marimo's blades move like an intricate dance, a deadly ballet choreographed by the hand of a true master. Each stroke is a testament to his skill and determination. A fearsome whirlwind of steel awaits any who dare to challenge him."

Captured by the performance, you watch as Zoro gracefully manoeuvres the swords, each movement embodying the essence of his true prowess.

Well... You lean further against the ship’s banister, folding your arms in intrigue. Maybe you underestimated his skills a little bit…

Nami, still in her Zoro persona, crosses her arms and watches with feigned indifference. "Hmph. Not bad, marimo. But you still owe me money."

Zoro, not missing a beat, retorts, "I don't owe you anything, navigator. Keep dreaming."

As Zoro continues his swordplay, the crew, now fully immersed in the theatrical atmosphere, can't help but marvel at their powerful friend.

Usopp, revelling in the success of his storytelling, raises his arms for a grand finale. "And thus concludes our tale of the one-eyed marimo and his legendary three-sword style! A round of applause for our fearless swordsman!"

☽

Luffy, having kicked up his feet, sprawls over the stage, his stomach emitting audible growls that resonate with exaggerated hunger. He moans theatrically, a performance of hunger so dramatic that even the stars seem to take notice. The sheer anticipation of food makes him twirl his fingers, mimicking a culinary dance in the air.

Beside him, Brook lies gracefully, his skeletal form seamlessly integrated with his guitar. The moonlight casts angular shadows across his bony joints as he strums, creating a hauntingly beautiful harmony that intertwines with the soft pop melodies. His fingers move with spectral precision, producing notes that linger in the night air like echoes of a distant serenade.

Gramps and Sanji, side by side at the grill, are a dynamic duo in the art of cooking. The sizzle of food on the grill mixes with their laughter as they exchange culinary wisdom. Sanji, a cigarette hanging from the corner of his mouth, moves with grace and precision, mirroring Gramps's knife techniques. The rhythmic dance of flames and the clattering of knives creates a symphony that harmonises against the rhythm of the sea.

Gramps, with a twinkle in his eye, reaches into his pocket and retrieves a set of culinary knives, self-crafted with meticulous care. He hands them to Sanji, a gesture of appreciation for the true artistry that the cook brings to the crew. Sanji, looking at the knives with admiration, expresses his gratitude, a genuine smile spreading across his face.

Meanwhile, Zoro lies sprawled on the deck, a bottle of sake in hand. He drinks with a contented expression, lounging beside Chopper and Franky. The trio shares a moment of loud discussion and playful arguments, their laughter blending with the distant sounds of music and fire. Zoro, with a playful glint in his eye, raises his bottle in a silent toast to the night.

Over in a quiet corner, Robin and Usopp are deep into a board game showdown. Glasses clink, and laughter breaks out as they banter back and forth. Robin, grinning with confidence, seals her fifth consecutive win. She shoots a knowing look at a defeated Usopp, signaling that he's now on the hook for three vodka shots to make up for it.

Nami, reclining on the banister beside you, holds a beer in hand as she gazes at the stars echoing across the rippling sea. The soft glow of moonlight highlights her thoughtful expression; the atmosphere is serene, a stark contrast to the energetic celebration unfolding behind you.

You turn to Nami, and a small, comforting smile plays on your lips. The distant laughter and music provide a somewhat comforting backdrop to the quiet moment between you and Nami. As you nudge your shoulder against hers, a silent understanding passes between you two.

In the tranquil embrace of the night, you speak with a gentle hush.

"You okay?" you ask, concern threading through your words.

Nami, drawn from her contemplative thoughts, manages a smile that carries a hint of melancholy. "Yeah, yeah… It’s just – I was thinking… Are you sure you don’t want to join us?"

A subtle ache tugs at your heart. It tempts you; it really does.

You avert your gaze, turning your attention back to the vast expanse of the sea. The horizon, bathed in moonlight, stretches out before you, almost too perfectly serene against the gentle lapping of the waves.

"I have so many responsibilities here…and joining you guys would just be dangerous – I don’t…" Your voice trails off, leaving the unspoken implication hanging in the air. This idea of duty, a tether to the ship and its crew, makes you worry.

Nami regards you with understanding eyes, her own gaze drifting towards the horizon. The night carries a delicate balance of joy and solitude, and in this quiet exchange, the weight of unspoken worries and unfulfilled desires lingers beneath the starlit sky.

“I know…it’s just – the offer still stands,” she says, taking a huge gulp of her beer.

As you casually lean against the banister, soaking in the excitement, joy, and life of these people, your attention is drawn to your old man. A subtle tension rests in his arms as he attempts to force a smile, scanning the surroundings with suspicion.

That can't be a good sign. It's never a good sign.

“Hey Nami, I’m gonna go refill my drink,” you say, your eyes never leaving your Gramps.

You leave Nami on the banister, the rhythmic sound of the sea and distant revelry accompanying your steps as you approach Gramps. He's standing near the edge of the ship, his eyes scanning the surroundings with a watchful intensity.

"Gramps," you call out, your voice a soft murmur, trying not to draw attention. He turns towards you, attempting to force a reassuring smile.

"What's going on?" You raise a brow. "You're on edge."

Gramps looks at you, his attempt at a smile faltering for a moment. He places a hand on your shoulder, a mixture of concern and reassurance in his eyes.

"It's nothing to worry about, Raya. Just being cautious, you know how it is," he says, his voice low and measured. "We're in unknown waters, and it doesn't hurt to keep an eye out. But trust me, everything is under control."

You glance around, still sensing an air of tension, but Gramps' words, combined with the steadiness of his gaze, makes you hesitate a little.

You cross your arms, giving him a look. “Are you lying?”

Gramps meets your gaze, and for a moment, his eyes betray a flicker of uncertainty. He sighs, dropping his hand from your shoulder.

"I won't lie to you, Raya. There's... something out there. A...presence," he admits, choosing his words carefully. "But we're prepared, and I don't want you to worry. I will keep you and everyone else safe."

You narrow your eyes, the worry in your chest tightening. "What kind of presence? Gramps, be straight with me."

"I can't say for certain," he confesses, his voice a low murmur, eyes flickering to the others, then to you. "Until we have more information, I need you to trust me and enjoy the celebration. We'll deal with whatever comes our way."

Your arms remain tightly crossed, the unease settling in the pit of your stomach. You shake your head stubbornly. "I can't just ignore this. What if it's a threat?"

Gramps places a hand on your shoulder again, his eyes conveying a mix of warmth and solemnity. "Raya, we've faced countless challenges together, and we've always come out on top. I promise, if things get serious, you'll be the first to know. Right now, I need you to be with your friends. We'll handle this. Trust me."

You pause for a moment, studying him. Your eyes search his face, catching the flicker of a weary resolve in his gaze. Gramps, weathered by years of navigating both treacherous seas and the complexities of life, stands before you with a quiet strength. The lines etched on his face tell stories of battles won and challenges faced, yet in this moment, there's an acknowledgment that the current unknown carries a unique weight.

Finally, Gramps breaks the silence with a reassuring squeeze on your shoulder, his eyes conveying both a plea for trust and a promise of protection. The distant laughter and music from the celebration underscore the gravity of the unspoken exchange, a delicate dance between the duty to protect and the need to savour moments of joy.

"Go back and enjoy the night. I've got everything under control,” he whispers.

As Gramps' words hang in the air, a sudden shift in the atmosphere unsettles the night. The sea, once a serene companion, seems to murmur in a language of foreboding whispers. The distant revelry dims, and an eerie quiet blankets the ship.

You cast one last glance at Gramps, his weary but determined eyes meeting yours. The unspoken understanding between you lingers, the weight of secrets shared beneath the starlit sky.

"Then keep me updated. Please," you whisper, pursing your lips.

As you turn away, a chill crawls up your spine. The night, once full of promise, now grasps onto something else that eclipses the celebration. With a tinge of tension in your body, you walk into the chaos, the unknown presence lingering in the back of your mind, shaping the contours of the abyss that unfolds. The ship anchors itself into the heart of uncertainty, leaving you to navigate the shadows that dance on the edge of the moonlit waves – one that even Nami won’t be able to foresee.

[overdevelopedglasses]

Tojoctober Day 26 - Salt

(Comin' out here to chase off enemies)

Title is from “My Own Style”, a fight theme in Judgment

While out on a case for Yagami, Kaito gets himself in a bit of a jam. A mysterious figure helps him out.

(no spoilers, takes place post Judgment though)

—-------------------------------

��Hey, you! Don’t ignore us!” one of the punks said, banging an iron pipe against his hand, in an attempt at intimidation.

Kaito looks up from his phone, thumb hitting the send button on his text of ~May be a bit tied up. Back me up?~ to Yagami.

“Huh? Talkin’ to me?” Kaito says, hoping to dissuade the situation entirely. 

“We know all about you, Kaito. You better watch yourself. The Green Tide is going to be the hot new thing, and you’re gonna want in early.”

“If you already know me… then you should know my answer is.” Kaito snarls, fists tightening at his sides. Who the hell are these assholes? Kaito asked himself.

The punk laughs. “HA! You really think you can take all of us on? C’mon boys, let’s get him!”

Kaito runs up to the punk at the front of the pack and wrestles the weapon out of their hands, tossing it aside.

“HA! Now you can really fight me.” Kaito taunts, adrenaline beginning to spike through him.

The thug punches Kaito in the stomach, barely hurting him. He laughs again.

“You might want to stop laughing…” The thug says, pushing Kaito into the wall. As Kaito pushes himself off, he realizes he is surrounded by them, and his back is forced against the wall. The thug barely put a dent in him yes, but he’s vastly outnumbered now. Even he knows when a situation is doomed.

Well, shit. This doesn’t look good…

He hears a punk way near the entrance of the alley scream.

“Now, this doesn’t look very fair, does it?”

Kaito hears someone speak, and a second punk falls to the ground. 

“Woah… wait a minute, that’s aaaaaaa!”

A third thug is cut off mid sentence, as they fall to the ground with a whimper, and Kaito can now fully see his savior as he breaches the front lines and faces Kaito fully. A behemoth of a man, right at Kaito’s height, he looks like he belongs in the military with his buzz cut and clothes. But Kaito gets a weird feeling… he’s seen him somewhere before. 

“Are ya gonna help out?”

Kaito blinks, and realizes he’s being addressed now. He pushes himself off of the wall.

“Uh, yeah? Ha! You guys really messed up now!”

Kaito turns his back to the man, holding his fists up, now properly ready for a fight.

The punks begin to fly in, and Kaito, along with his new helper, clean up easily. Kaito does find himself a bit envious, however, at the ease this man takes out the thugs, swinging them around like they are toys. The battle quickly draws to an end, with Kaito and his helper standing back to back. Kaito, breathing heavily, turns to face the other man at the same time he turns around, the two of them making eye contact.

“Yer not a bad fighter at all. If there were less of em, ya wouldn’t have needed me. What’s yer name?” the man asks, cocking an eyebrow.

Kaito puts on his trademark grin. “Kaito. I’m an investigator at the Yagami Detective Agency.” He puts his hand in his pocket, and internally curses, realizing he didn’t have any of the business cards Yagami made for him. He sees the man cock his head slightly before responding.

“Kaito-san. I’m Saejima. Ya have any idea what those guys wanted?” Saejima gestures to the men that laid groaning all around them.

“Well, whoever they were, they seemed to know me, and then got salty when I refused to join up with them.” Kaito surmises.

“Right.” Saejima nods, stepping over the bodies, and waving a hand to beckon Kaito out of the alley. “It’s probably best if we don’t hang around here too long.”

“Yeah.” Kaito and Saejima come out onto Nakamichi Street, the bustle of the city seemingly unaware of their altercation. They begin to walk towards the Millennium Tower, as Saejima speaks up.

“From the looks of it… yer ex-yakuza?”

Kaito nods, aware that lying to someone who could have a decent chance at pummeling him was a bad idea. “Ex-Tojo, Matsugane Family.”

“Matsugane, huh? Interesting. One of the lower families. Haven’t met too many of their members, but heard the patriarch is a good fellow.”

“How would you know?” Kaito asks, holding back on any snide remarks or accuracy comments. He blames the second instinct of correction on Yagami, who’s lawyer instincts seemed to be rubbing off on him.

Saejima laughs, “Let’s just say I’m pretty knowledgeable on the workings of the Tojo.”

“I’d say… hey, there’s the agency!” Kaito points up at the window of the Yagami Detective Agency. He sees the light isn’t on, meaning his partner was wandering around the streets. Probably getting into trouble himself, since Kaito had no idea where he was.

“Huh, now that ya mention it… wasn’t that Yagami guy in the news recently? Heard he was in the middle of bustin’ some sort of big scandal. Even had a few people in the upper reaches of the clan talkin’ ‘bout it.” Saejima scrunches his eyebrows at the office, then drifts his gaze back to Kaito.

“You could say something like that,” Kaito grinned, pride swelling within him at his partner’s accomplishments.

Saejima pulls out his phone and swears under his breath. “I forgot my brother wanted to meet me in the city. Seems like I better run. I’ll see ya around, Kaito-san.” Saejima gives a small salute, then turns to walk away.

“It won’t be hard to spot me. Don’t be afraid to say hi, Saejima-san!” Kaito waves at the disappearing form of the mysterious man.

Man, does Tak have it this easy when he makes friends? Maybe I should try to be more personable… Kaito thinks to himself for a little bit before a warm voice breaks him out of his thoughts.

“Kaito-san!!!”

Kaito turns, and sees the worn-out form of his partner, Yagami, sprinting towards him. Kaito saunters towards the detective, who slows and eventually stops, panting heavily. Kaito stops his advance as well, giving him a respectable distance.

“Woah, you ok?” Kaito asks, putting his hands in his pockets.

“I just saw your text. I got tied up in something. I thought… you…” Yagami pants, making Kaito smile. Nice to be worried about, he thinks.

“I’m alright, Tak. Some guy was able to help me out in the end. I can tell you about him… over drinks?”

“Let me catch my breath first, Kaito-san…” Yagami replies, standing up fully, throwing a lopsided smirk Kaito’s way. Kaito laughs, beginning to lead the way to Tender. He looks over his shoulder at his partner.

“And in return, I’ll tell you about the character I met today.” Yagami finishes, before following Kaito’s lead.

[catz-vs-zombiez]

I posted 2,090 times in 2021

84 posts created (4%)

2006 posts reblogged (96%)

For every post I created, I reblogged 23.9 posts.

I added 70 tags in 2021

#castle crashers - 19 posts

#the behemoth - 8 posts

#alien hominid - 8 posts

#nftumblcryptids - 7 posts

#south park - 7 posts

#battleblock theater - 5 posts

#madness combat - 5 posts

#friday night funkin - 4 posts

#nintendo switch - 4 posts

#pit people - 3 posts

Longest Tag: 140 characters

#i got this game on gamecube in 2014 and not long after i got sunshine and when i got sunshine i was like woah this looks really good for the

My Top Posts in 2021

#5

whitty my beloved

18 notes • Posted 2021-02-24 08:20:05 GMT

#4

HAPPY 13TH BIRTHDAY TO CASTLE CRASHERS HERE IS ART I MADE FOR THE OCCASION AAAAAAA

me and the sussy imposter

25 notes • Posted 2021-08-27 09:14:33 GMT

#3

FRIDAY NIGHT FUNKIN BROKE NEWGROUNDS HOLY SHIT

29 notes • Posted 2021-04-19 00:27:48 GMT

#2

i finally found out how to download shimeji after failing to as a child

31 notes • Posted 2021-09-05 00:34:44 GMT

#1

grey knight and necromancer fusion because they are 2 of my favorite characters and i would die for them despite the fact that necromancer would kill me instantly if he met me irl

32 notes • Posted 2021-07-11 08:40:41 GMT

Get your Tumblr 2021 Year in Review →

[moonraccoon-exe]

Young Regis HCs

I’ve shared this in multiple asks but not focusing on it, so I thought I’d make a proper post about how I think Regis was in his 20′s.

Hyperactive.

That’s the whole summary, he was hyperactive.

Young Regis was a reckless bullet.

Regis was/is too curious for his own good; in his youth, he had all the resources to exploit it, and he did.

He had ridiculous amounts of stamina.

You wouldn’t believe the quantity of energy this boy has.

He’s a bullet. Nobody can stop him.

Regis was curious + hyperactive. The perfect recipeh for DISASTER.

And he can warp.

Clarus is, by far, the Shield that has had to run after his charge the most distance and the more times.

It was a mess both in Insomnia and during their own journey across Lucis and Accordo.

During their journey it was much more often and much more caothic, though.

It was the first time Regis was outside the Walls, he’s the most curious creature on Eos, and he has stamina, you can’t blame him.

He’s warping across an entire city or town when they arrive.

Like, as soon as he put a foot out the Regalia, the group knew Regis was already gone.

Literally. Bastard warped away.

You give him ten minutes; when he appears again out of the blue, breathless, he’s going to rant for twenty minutes.

“WOW IT WAS GREAT, THEY HAVE THIS ONE BUILDING THAT LOOKS LIKE A PAIR OF GIANT PANTS, AND I SAW THIS MONUMENT, YOU’LL LOVE IT WESKY, AND I ALSO SAW A DOG AND I SAW A PARK AND I SAW A FOUNTAIN AND I SAW A SQUIRREL THAT WAS LIKE *gestures* AND I SAW-”

Cities and hearing him talk like he’ll die if he shuts up is the less troubles.

You should see him on the wild.

“*gASPS* WHAT. IS. THAT?”

“Regis, no-”

Too late, Regis already warped there.

“*GASPS* IS THAT A GARULA-”

“Regis, nO-”

Regis is already on top of that Garula, petting it. 

“*GASPS* Holy gods, what is that!?”

“Regis, NO-”

Regis already dashed away to poke a pool of green water.

“GASPS* GUYS LOOK AT THAT.”

“Regis-!”

Regis is standing on top of a ten-floors-building-tall lamppost, saying it’s “unstable, we should fix it.”

“Omg, that looks amazing!”

“Regis, nO!”

Regis is already standing on top of the giant rock formation nearby Coernix Station.

“Holy shIT IS THAT THE RAVATOGH, CAN WE GO THERE-”

“Re-!”

Regis is already dashing his way up the volcano.

“WOAH, it’s lava! Can I get closer? ヽ(°〇°)ﾉ ”

“Regis wtf no!”

“I won’t touch it-”

“Reg-!”

Regis is already standing on a rock among the lava. 

“wOAh look at that!”

“Regis, no!”

Regis warped down the crystal-like underground around Lestallum’s power plant.

“*GASPS*-”

“NO!!”

Clarus is always running after him all these times.

Sometimes Cor too, but sometimes he’ll just “wait here, he can die alone for all I care.”

Weskham will just smile and roll the eyes. 

Sometimes Clarus has little quarrels with Weskham because “Why do you not care when he runs off to his death!?”

Weskahm just shrugs and “let’s just let him be, he’s not stupid.”

Thing is, Regis is kind of stupid. Not as in brainless, but his common sense is a bbbbiiiittt....off.

“Have you guys seen Regis?”

“Hey, Clarus! Over here! You won’t believe what I just found here!”

Regis is in the bottom of some well.

“Guys, I lost sight of Regis, where is he!?”

Regis is currently hanging from his sword on a vertical MOUNTANSIDE because “the view was pretty.”

“Not again, I can’t find Regis!”

“He mustn’t be so far, relax :)”

Next thing they hear is Regis shrieking and they see him warp out of a hole in the ground....from where TEN ARACHNES CRAWL OUT CHASING HIM.

Regis is the kind to make questions but he’s not asking, he’s doing it anyway.

“Can we go there?”

He’s already there or already heading there.

“Do you want to see what’s in there?”

He’s already heading there.

“Can I touch it?”

He’s already licking it.

“What does this do?”

He accidentally electrocuted himself like 10 times across the journey.

“May I-”

”No.”

“Sho-”

“No.”

“B-”

“NO, REGIS, NO!”

Regis often pouts and feels sad and mops when any of the guys (usually Cid, Clarus or Cor) chide him.

You’ll see him thrown and sprawled at camp refusing to move from that one spot.

Drama Queen Regis.

Regis, like Noctis and every Lucis Caelum, does get his energy drained by the Crystal, so he does sleep a lot, but it’s the moments when he’s awake that he goes FULL HYPERACTIVITY MODE.

From the outrageous amounts of stamina he sweats out during the day and his constant coming and going and running and jumping, Regis is first to fall dead asleep.

He may also nap during car rides...except he’s like babies.

You think he’s precious as he naps, AHAHAHAHAH, he’s just recharging energy so that when he wakes up he’s back to being a human bullet.

Speaking of being like a baby, Regis’ intense curiosity often leads to make of him The Asker.

“Weskham, what is that thing? Oh, and what does it work for? Ah. How? Right, but isn’t it dangerous? Oooh. Why? Really? How? Oh? And Why? And why? More or less. So what happens if I- oh, okay. Why?”

“Hey, Cid, what is that place? Can we go there? Why not? Oooh, I see. Why? Ah! And why? Oooh. And why? *gasps*! Why!? Oooh, and how did they do that? Oh. Why?”

“Weskham, how does a clock work?”

“Are cactuars endangered?”

“So how do cat whiskers work?”

“Ever wondered about Nort and South and all that? I mean, who says the north is actually up? There’s no notion of up and down or left or right in space, right? What if all this time we’ve been seeing things upside-down? Who defines what’s up? What’s up, Cor?”

(Regis burst out laughing after that one)

“So what are rocks made of?”

You’d think Cor has poker face because war made him a dead, cold man? Nah, buddy. It was his journey with Regis.

Regis is also the king of stupid ideas.

“What do you guys think will happen if I mix these two liquids?”

Weskham was poisoned.

“What do you think will happen if I touch this?”

There’s a daemon going after them.

“OOH! Fluffeh. What do you think will happen if I take just one tiny hair? :)”

The behemoth is running after them.

“....so what wil happen if I-”

Regis was kicked in the nuts by a chocobo.

Regis is the kind of man that will end up in strange situations that, lacking context, are quite bizarre.

Like the once they found him tangled in the chocobo’s saddle while the chocobo was running in circles around a block of ice and how did you tie your own hands too omg what did you do.

The worst part is that Cid sometimes encourages him to be stupid.

“Hey, kid. Betcha ya won’t lick this thing.”

“Bet your ass I will!”

The prince almost died by poison.

Weskham too, but he’s more on accident.

“Hey, Wes. Do you think it’ll go wrong if I try to warp through a window?”

“Hm...maybe not? :)”

Regis split his forehead open.

Clarus too, by accident as well.

“Is that all you’ve got? I thought I was training a prince, not a baby!”

That’s the story of how Regis set the camp on fire when he tried to bomb Clarus with magic.

Cor too.

“Betcha I can smack that tree harder than you, kid.”

“Hell no, Your Royal Butt, I’m stronger.”

Somehow they ended up a thousand needled.

A summary of young Regis?

“Regis, no.”

“Regis, yes ヽ(ˇヘˇ)ノ ”

Extremely curious, reckless, silly 20 year old toddler.

And don’t get me wrong; he’s wise and can make choices, he’s a good and responsible prince. He just really likes shiny pebbles and wants to see what happens if you put shoes on a Cockatrice.

And that’s what I picture young Regis to be like.