voidamphibian

[voidamphibian]

dimensionhoppinghybrids​:

Dave had more or less made a building to technically house and separate all his work stations. It had more or less a roof and everything ready. The door open as he had yet to really get a door yet. Inside, Avent could see the first starts of what would be a forge, an enchanting table, and a station to craft fabric and other means. All of the tools looked new, and were exuding with mana and power. He had gotten these things from somewhere, and they didn’t look cheap.

The dragon paused, then looked back. He didn’t look hostile, but certainly surprised to see someone in this place. Dave looked at her, his eyes narrowing in slight, and understandable suspicion.

“Forgive me for answering a question with a question, but it is something I could say the same of you.” He said with a slightly guarded expression. He wasn’t sure what she was, as this was new to him here. He wasn’t being hostile, but certainly guarded and cautious.

“I didn’t expect anything to really live here. This place seemed quite empty.”

voidamphibian:

Of course, she could tell the place was still unfinished, but that didn't take away from the fact that the basic structure was already there -- or that it was the kind of structure meant to stand permanently, not just a temporary outpost.

Not that that had to be a problem, necessarily. But if someone was going to set up shop here in the void, let alone make themselves at home, she at least wanted to get to know them.

The look in Dave's eyes when their gazes met caused her to stammer for just a moment, mouth opening but with no sound coming out, until she blinked and found her voice again.

“My name is Avent Epta. This... this is my home."

Fearing he'd take that the wrong way, she hastily added, "N-not that I would not allow you to build your... house here. I meant this place, as in, er... the realm between worlds. Where we are now. My home home is quite a ways from here."

She waved a hand in a placating gesture. "Please do not mistake my curiosity for disapproval. I only, well, would like to know who you are and what it is you wish to do here. As much as you are willing to tell me, at least. There may even be some way I can help," she finished with the first hint of a polite smile.

[voidamphibian]

Unto the dawn of void, where restless creatures sleep, peering into the material of the world's beyond.

Awaiting but a slip, to bring the void to us.

- an unknown letter found in the void.

Unsure who'd left it or how else it might have ended up here of all places, Avent nonetheless decided to hold onto the cryptic note. Who knows, she might come across more later.

[voidamphibian]

promiseofdawn​:

Thankfully Akram doesn’t seem too keen on holding her outdated vocabulary against her, so she has successfully avoided alienating this particular youth. 

For now, at least.

Akram, eager to see her reaction, watches her throughout the entire song, letting out a short, amused snort when she starts to bounce to the rhythm. He finds himself joining in about halfway through the song, bobbing his head in time with the music.

When the song finally ends, he lifts the tone arm and gently slides it back into its original position, giving them ample time to talk before he plays the next song (or before she plays the next song, if she so chooses).

“‘Energetic’ is definitely one way to describe it,” he replies “and hey, if you wanna dance, just dance! Kinda goes against the whole spirit of it if you ask for permission before trying to express yourself.”

voidamphibian:

“I would, but, well... I must admit I am afraid I will look silly. I am not used to having an audience.” There’s a slight blush on her face as she says this, still not fully accustomed to the fact that she has a full-on family now. And while she knows Akram won’t judge her per se, her own thoughts can easily do so for him.

Regardless of his response, it’s Avent herself that ends up being the one to convince her. “...well, all right. I will try.”

She floats over to where he stood a minute ago, hesitates, and then reaches for the tone arm. Her movements are slow, delicate, as if one wrong move could snap any part of the device in two -- which it very well might, considering how deceptively strong she could be.

“Do I just...” she mutters, trying to turn and slide the arm back where she’s pretty sure Akram lifted it off from under the assumption it’ll continue where it left off.

[voidamphibian]

dimensionhoppinghybrids​:

Dave had found out the hard way that his magic now had more… severe side effects in power.

Specifically if he wanted to forge anything, then it had higher chances to explode. Specifically since he had his current equipment.

His tools? His forge? It was all suddenly inadequate. And that had hurt. Especially his location, as it would likely risk his family, again. That was if he didn’t move.

So, he had to hunt down a way to get a better forge. Leading him to go further and further into lands of pure magic and fantasy. Making more then a few enemies as he found that there were people, specifically clans and old misers that coveted everything like that, and tried to defend their petty secrets. Secrets that Dave found easy to rip away or get. Their ways didn’t work on him as they used it, but he could get schematics and memories. So he.. liberated a few things, and for good measure made sure that those greedy fools couldn’t talk about him. Better to be safe than sorry.

After that, he got everything he needed, except a location.

So it took a bit of exploring and wandering to get what he needed. He was in a place. A place that was in-between worlds, and it was a void of anything else.

It was perfect for him.

So, he found himself a proverbial corner, and started to make himself at home. Working on putting his work station and to make his forge. The resources he'd needed were supposed to be infused with pure mana and reforged in some way or another. He just knew the material was sturdier than he’d seen before, so it was interesting to him.

And the flames he'd use were pure mana, and hotter than ever before.

So, he just smiled as he got settled, getting everything ready to try out.

voidamphibian:

With so much light, heat and sound coming from one place, Dave would have alerted anyone in a several-mile radius to his presence. Fortunately for him, the void was almost as vacant as it had seemed at first glance... almost. Another presence, flying high overhead, was bound to notice the new arrival sooner or later.

If anything, it should have come as a surprise Avent took this long to spot it, let alone venture in for a closer look.

The flames that burned inside the strange forge might not be quite the same as her own, but their heat didn't bother her either way. She'd recognized the structure as clearly artificial, but couldn't deduce its purpose from just the fact that there was clearly some kind of fire inside. Her best bet for getting answers was to find its builders and/or occupants.

On any other occasion, she might have been more open and outgoing right off the bat, but something about this place struck her as... off. Enough so to make her approach the entrance with some due caution.

What she saw just from peeking in caught her by surprise. That was a dragon. A real, living dragon. Sure, she'd met some on her travels across many worlds, but this was the first time one had ended up in the extramundial void. From what she knew about dragons, he probably didn't need her help getting out... which could only mean he was here of his own volition.

At least he didn't seem hostile. After mustering up her courage, she cleared her throat and knocked on the doorframe.

"Excuse me," she called out, softly, only raising her voice just enough to be heard over the sounds of the fire burning and the dragon working. "May I... ask who you are?"

[voidamphibian]

Reblog if your muse would befriend an alien if they could!  👽

[voidamphibian]

// Warmup sketch of baby (semi-tadpole) Av. She’s only just started growing legs, give her time. //

[voidamphibian]

promiseofdawn​:

“A ‘grammy-phone’?” He snorts, taking the record with almost equal amounts of delicacy “I mean, I think they technically count as the same kind of machine? but nowadays we just call ‘em turntables.“ 

He looks down at the sleeve he’s holding, which depicts a blue and white guitar against a black background. The words “BLOODY ARKADE” are written in red spray paint font towards the top, with the words “DOWN TO THE WIRE” written in a yellow, exploding font at the bottom.

“And don’t worry, they’re pretty easy to use!” he removes the disc from the sleeve and sets it on the turntable, taking a step to the side so she can see what he’s doing before turning it on. “Good choice, by the way,” he flicks a switch at the side to release the needle, setting it at the edge of the now-spinning record “I haven’t listened to a lot of Bloody Arkade’s stuff yet, but what I’ve heard so far is pretty good.” 

Within a few moments, the room is filled with the sound of fast-paced drums, guitar, and a masculine voice lamenting a broken relationship and pleading with some unknown listener to take back every kind word they’ve spoken to him.

Akram doesn’t speak, instead watching Avent for her reaction.

voidamphibian:

“Ah, I see. I apologize.” She may not have been wrong, but her vocabulary still proved itself outdated, and she already feels like she’s made a mistake. Even she knows there’s no better way to alienate today’s youth than to butcher the names of things they like.

Still, she closely watches Akram set up the turntable, put the record in place, and set the needle where it belongs. It’s deceptively simple, to the point where she’s already decided she wants to try setting up the next one.

The sudden sound of drums causes her to flinch a bit, but she continues to float in circles around the table, ear frills stirring this way and that as she takes in the complex mixture of sounds. Her face shows a mix of excitement, confusion, and slight worry for the sake of the singer -- needless to say this isn’t your average ballad, hymn or ode, let alone any of the classical pieces she’s used to.

And yet she finds herself bouncing in midair ever so slightly along with the rhythm, and when the song ends, her only comment is: “Wow!”

Depending on if there’s time to say more, she goes on, “That was very, er, energetic.” Her eyes stay glued to the turntable for a moment, before she tears her gaze away and back onto Akram. “Is this the kind of music one is expected to dance to? I’m sorry, it is just... well, it seems I am more new to this than I thought.”

[voidamphibian]

promiseofdawn​:

“Nah, not an instrument,” he sets the box down on the nearest table he can find, along with the still open backpack, which spills a few records onto the table. Titles such as Backwoods Poetry and Static Generation can be seen, their titles set against black and white photos. “You’re kinda close though! It’s my record player!”

Akram opens the wooden box, revealing a turntable with a black circular patter, it’s edges painted with swirling gold clouds. Several parts have been replaced or repaired, with it’s tone arm and several of the knobs coming from more recent models.

“You said you had a few records yourself when we first met, right? You wanna go get those? Or should we go through my collection first?”

voidamphibian:

The portal Akram entered through leads directly into one of the few parts of Avent’s vast palace complex that she actually uses, and that’s no coincidence -- although it’s hard to decide which came first.

She floats over to the backpack and lands, giving him a look that silently asks for permission before gently, almost delicately, browsing through the records. Their titles, while easily legible, don’t tell her much; some just sound like random combinations of words to her.

Her attention is then drawn to the device just as Akram finishes setting it up, and realization dawns on her face. “Oh, I know what that is! It is called a... Grammy-phone, is it not?”

In her hand, she’s already holding one of his records, which she holds out to him as if one wrong touch could destroy it. Which it very well could, considering her internal temperature is more than high enough to melt vinyl. “Could you demonstrate how to use it, please, Akram?”

[voidamphibian]

promiseofdawn​:

“YO! AVENT!” 

Akram’s voice echoes across the halls as he steps through the portal of colorless flame and into the castle, carrying a cherry red wooden box in his arms, along with a backpack stuffed with different records hanging from his arm. 

 “I…” He clears his throat, he probably doesn’t need to yell like that “I uh, brought my record player! I figured I could show you some music from back home!”

voidamphibian:

Avent’s body tenses up at the sound, and for a split second she doesn’t recognize whom the voice belongs to. Before she’s fully turned around to go on the defensive, though, realization washes over her and she instead greets her... adopted stepson? ...with a nervous, but genuine smile.

“Welcome back, Akram! I was not expecting you again so soon,” she admits, before her attention is drawn to the various objects he’s carrying -- most of all, the mysterious red box. “Oh, how nice! Did you bring an instrument?”

[voidamphibian]

ogloriousoristria​:

For a second, Karma was inclined to swing his sword towards the voice… But, all the same, the melancholy bid him to forget it. Even if they had some way of attacking and killing it, it didn’t matter, did it? He’d just come back. Instead, he morosely turned his head towards Avent. He’s seen a few Axolotl Kobolds, this is true, but something about… her seemed different.

“Hello.” His voice, already echoing with supernatural effect, replies, the Death Knight’s tone dry. “Is this hell? Am I finally dead?” His voice brightened at the end, before he finally looked down. Nope, he’s still in his cursed, undead form. Though his face was hidden, the way his body went slack and untensed didn’t exactly convey happiness.

“No. Now it seems I’m in a place just as hollow as I feel inside. Wonderful.” Karma deadpans, before leaning his head back. “So, what do you want.”

voidamphibian:

Despite a passing resemblance to many different creatures on various worlds, Avent couldn’t easily be classified... but she definitely wasn’t a kobold, just by virtue of being about twice the size of one.

“Hello,” she replied almost automatically, a flicker of hope passing across her face, however briefly. Maybe he wasn’t doing all that bad?

His words made short work of that hope, though. They’d only met moments ago, and he had already managed to make her feel even more morose. The sound of his voice alone made a heavy feeling grow in her chest that she had hoped never to feel again.

“I... do not want anything.” She blinked. “At least, not from you, sir.” That... was how to address knights, wasn’t it? He was probably a wandering warrior that had taken a wrong turn and ended up in the void by accident -- he wouldn’t be the first to end up in that strangely specific situation.

“Are you lost? If you wish, I could help you find your way back home.”

[voidamphibian]

// Sorry for the radio silence, everyone. Have a quick beach Av. //

[voidamphibian]

promiseofdawn​:

“Hell yeah I’d like to see them! Even if they don’t work with what I’ve got, I’m sure we can figure something out and make it work!”

At first, Akram is too absorbed in talking about music to notice her outstretched hand, but once he‘s done talking he’s quick to notice and shake her hand vigorously. Though both his grip and his grin falter at her last question. That isn’t a story that either sibling likes to bring up.

“He probably didn’t want to say anything without our input,” Atoya replies, standing up a bit straighter. She isn’t the most expressive person in most circumstances, so her discomfort is hidden… for the most part. 

“He may not have told you the details,” Atoya starts, deciding not to beat around the bush “but he must have told you what we are, and what we were supposed to be, yes?”

The twins don’t know all the details themselves, not that they’d want to. They both hoped that the intricacies of their creation would stay buried with the desperate madmen who made them in the first place. Still, they know the original goal: man-made replacements for a dead god.

“He found us when we were still very, very young,” Atoya continues, while Akram stays silent, pulling his hand away to rub the back of his head. “and he saved us from a cruel fate. We were failures after all, and represented centuries of progress amounting to nothing.”

voidamphibian:

“All right!” His tangible enthusiasm is enough to make Avent chuckle. “I will make sure everything is organized when you do.” Collecting things is a lonely hobby, but sharing the memories that come with every item she’s held onto? That, she figures, is as good a bonding experience as any.

While she’s busy shaking Akram’s hand -- and trying not to be thrown into a midair barrel roll in the process -- she does catch Atoya’s words. A hand cups her cheek and she nods in understanding.

“Of course. That is why I did not ask him to explain. I would rather hear it from you directly.” She gives a grave nod. “I believe I do know what you are, or... at least, I hope I understand and remember it correctly.” As far as she remembers, they’re artificial constructs of some kind, made by a group of humans -- or at least mortals -- to serve as... vessels of some kind?

“You do not need to tell me the details if you would rather not.” Her gills stir a bit, and after a moment of deep thought, she smiles. “It seems Galen has always been a good man. That must be why the two of you turned out to be such kind, well-mannered people.”

The twins’ origins matter little to her, and not nearly as much so as the journey through life they’ve both made to get where they are now. Who could have thought they’d end up on a visit to the void between worlds, let alone on their own terms?

[voidamphibian]

// You know what time it is! //

[voidamphibian]

// You know what, consider this a starter call for a thread where a muse of yours has reason to fight Avent head-on, all-out. She may be strong, but that doesn’t mean she’ll automatically win! //

// Not me wanting some fight threads with Av. //

[voidamphibian]

promiseofdawn​:

“What we’ve been up to?” Akram asks, scratching his chin in thought “…Well, most of my time is taken up by missions for the order.” Akram answers, “I actually took my oath a few months ago, you’re looking at a Paladin of the Shield, just like dad.” There’s a hint of pride in Akram’s voice towards the end, and for good reason. He struggled a lot during his days as a squire, and he’s proud to have made it this far. 

“…Aside from that? I’ve been collecting albums, mainly. I actually got my hands on an old school record player recently, and I’ve been trying to get it to work again.”

“And I have been following my own path,” Atoya responds “mostly through traveling.”

“You mean wandering off for days on end?” Akram asks

“The world is a large, exciting place,” Atoya defends “I wish to explore as much as I can, and chart a path for others, so that they may do the same.”

voidamphibian:

“That, I believe I have heard, now that you mention it! Congratulations!” By now, Avent has a slightly-above-basic understanding of paladins and their oaths, just enough to know how significant it is to have taken one. She holds out a hand to congratulate him, but she won’t take offense if he’s too busy talking to notice.

“How nice! Would you like to look at the ones I have collected? They, er... might not work on your record player, but...” Who else can say they own records from other worlds? Not many can, and even she knows that.

“Exploring is a very important thing, too.” She nods, acknowledging Atoya’s answer next. “It is how I met all the friends I still have today. Well, most of them. Your father wandered in here of his own accord.” A soft chuckle is added to the end of her sentence as she remembers their first encounter. It was awkward, but first meetings tend to be just that whenever Avent Epta is present. “I hope you make some good friends on your travels!”

Okay, next question. The ones that crossed her mind when the siblings mentioned their origins now resurface, and she’s no closer to figuring out the answer to any of them.

“If I may ask, Akram, Atoya... how did you meet your father? I understand you are not, er, biologically related, but I believe I never did hear the full story.”

[voidamphibian]

// Not me wanting some fight threads with Av. //

[voidamphibian]

xilienmultiverse​:

Covering his Animus Speculum with his arms, he tried his best to not let such a piece of equipment be damaged. It was one of the only things that he could use to channel his Pariah Gene- Without it… Well, he’d be unable to reign his Anti-Psyker Aura, and who knows how that’d go. Though the pain was nothing he couldn’t handle, it was what she was trying to do that really concerned him. Emil recognized the tactic of trying to get a moment of reprieve.

Thankfully, his training taught him to seize this moment. Grabbing a Psyk-Out Grenade, he pulled the pin. Though, instead of throwing it, he instead kept it within his clutch. Closing his eyes to try and concentrate, he knew this was going to be rough for both parties. Once again, he thanked the multiple lessons and lectures he received for resisting the mind destroying effects of such a device.

It was a gamble, but it was one that could hopefully pay off.

With a giant plume of White Powder filling the space between them, he could instantly feel the powers of the Grenade start to erode his mind. But, with his Soullessness, and his strong will power, he quickly forded through the cloud of Anti-Psyker Dust. Rearing a fist back, he went for a straight right towards her gut, even if the dust was impairing his vision. 

voidamphibian:

Avent Epta honestly doubted the half-hearted flame attack could do much damage to Emil’s equipment, let alone burn its way through that suit of his. It looked far too advanced to fall to a simple burst of plasma that wasn’t even hot enough to cause anything beyond first-degree burns... but she hadn’t been trying to cause any real damage to begin with.

Her attack had been a reflex more than anything, and an attempt to stall for time as she floated to what she hoped was a more manageable distance. This way, she should be able to anticipate his movements and react to them more quickly.

That distance might just have saved her life, as she didn’t even have time to close back in on him before the grenade in his hand detonated. Still, that didn’t mean she was outside its range; a hoarse cry of pain escaped her as she once again found herself clutching her temples, doubling over in pain... but this time, she was more prepared, pushing through the pounding migraine even as her face was contorted into a cramped grimace.

She was fast enough this time.

Instead of the soft, vulnerable flesh of her abdomen, the assassin’s fist met with her palm -- and, holding her breath as a crude precaution against the dust, she gripped it and used his own momentum to send him flying behind her before turning around and gliding after him.

The frills growing on the sides of her head, which until now had seemed more like fur or giant feathers than anything, had begun to glow and flicker as if made of the very same flames she’d thrown at him moments prior. Whether from sheer emotion or because she was calling upon more of her power, not even Avent herself knew -- but it meant one thing: she was ready for a real fight.