Tumgik
#angler cabin
vsemily · 1 month
Text
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
What is a Timorvas?
759 notes · View notes
zelterxc · 11 months
Video
thank u @vsemily for letting me pay you to draw this so i could make it into a video (:   
54 notes · View notes
randomgooberness · 2 years
Text
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
Believe it or not his day gets worse like 2 hours after this
Rp doodle! Chris belongs to @vsemily :>
37 notes · View notes
galaxyferret · 1 year
Text
I hate the canon that Leshy is like eight feet tall- not because I don’t think it works, but because the Angler’s sprite is the same size as Leshy and he is sitting down.
How big is he.
How big is the Angler.
Tumblr media
135 notes · View notes
silent-scribbs · 1 year
Text
Tumblr media Tumblr media
Minescryption >:3 I have a couple more sketches I probably won't get finished but meh
192 notes · View notes
msnihilist · 3 months
Text
Tumblr media Tumblr media
One might also say it's counter-productive. Or hypocritical. Incompatible, even.
11 notes · View notes
dndsettingsinfo · 1 year
Text
Angler's Retreat by Zen Maps
Tumblr media Tumblr media
3 notes · View notes
randomgamefan · 2 years
Note
HI ID VERY MUCH LIKE TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR KAYCEE AU,, (also ik we haven't properly talked in a while so hey what's up !!)
HI YES I DO HAVE CONTENT FOR YOU
(also hi!! It has been a while, I'm doing okay!! Wbu? ^^ love your art and content as always!!!! :D your Kaycee design has inspired me a BUNCH it's so cute,, the way you draw her is 10/10 if anyone reading this hasn't seen said design PLEASE go follow Kal and look at it (I reblogged the specific art recently if you can't find it >:) ))
As a quick note, I haven't finished KM and this AU was made before a lot of that so no KM spoilers, at least not intentional ones lol.
(tossing in a readmore as this rant got long)
OKAY SO
This AU is called Inscryption devs because surprise surprise, it follows the development of Inscryption.
In my funky headcanons, there's been two main development teams for Inscryption. The first one had a bigger team who worked on some other GameFuna games, where everyone slowly either quit or met their fate in a... Sadder way. Generally I've always thought of the characters of Inscryption as being poor unfortunate souls rather than simply sentient AU, but both are fun! It's not like they would remember their past anyways. (If you wanna look for sentient AI in my headcanon, ya gotta look to the Hex. Big call-out post for everyone who got me into the Hex, SO worth it.)
But, then Inscryption gets shelved for a couple years. The office is full of rumors and no one is interested in really touching it, GameFuna is just glad to have the code. (tbh I don't fully know what it does, the ARG confuses me LMAO)
Then comes along Kaycee! She's been working there for a while, avid card game fan, and she's well liked for her dedication to the company and work on other games. After finding out about the Inscryption project, she grows incredibly intrigued by it, and convinces the company to give her a second chance with the game. However, she must work with a smaller team, to prove herself for now.
So, gets into the part where I get to be cringe - my original characters. The Inscryption developer team consists of..
Kaycee Hobbes, the project lead, dedicated and hardworking. She's an overworker with the tendancies to stay late and try to get a lot done on her own all at once. Despite her dependence on herself she's an understanding manager who won't let people walk all over her.
Spencer Kragen, the coder, put on this project as punishment. Spencer is the son of one of the higher ups at the company. Not only does he not want to be here, he's activley making it as insufferable as possible. Through the dedication of Kaycee and slowly learning others perspectives, the stuck up rich kid slowly becomes more accepting of those around him, and learns even a bit about himself.
Diana, the main story builder, is a loving mother of two twin girls. She is overall a very kind and loving figure, becoming a mother figure type to the rest of the group. She has to have a lot of her focus away from work, but she works very hard when she is there. However, when something catches her eye, it's unlikely she'll leave without finding all the details...
Last but not least, Akira! They are the main artist, and a nervous wreck. They tend to overwork a lot, desk full of concept doodles for what they could do with the story. When not working it's likely you'll find them bickering with Spencer. Overall, though, Akira is just a kind and dedicated gamer who is trying their best.
So that's the crew! They spend a good period of time developing the game, obviously, but when it comes down to it..
Everyone in this story is dead by the point of the main events of Inscryption.
It's just fun seeing how they got there! And if you think I write a single story without found family, you are so wrong. /Pos
This also leans into a lot of my headcanons if I am prompted to rant more, so get ready to see things such as the woodcarver as the scrybe of beasts, or just how P-03 acts. Plus uh, all of my Hex headcanons shoved in there, somehow.
And of course, this goofy team of devs lead by the amazing Kaycee.
Okay I'll stop rambling in this longass post I'm sorry for this taking so long hope it's interesting byeee
12 notes · View notes
bigslootadventures · 4 months
Text
youtube
1 note · View note
perpetualcynicism · 8 months
Text
…𝚂𝚞𝚖𝚖𝚊𝚛𝚢: In which Dan Heng discovers how difficult it is to keep an interaction casual when he’s both sleep-deprived and yearning. …𝙶𝚎𝚗𝚛𝚎: Fluff, pining. …𝚆𝚊𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜: None. …𝙻𝚎𝚗𝚐𝚝𝚑: 2,481 words. …𝙰𝚍𝚍𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚊𝚕 𝚒𝚗𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗: Gender-neutral reader, reader is shorter than Dan Heng, awkwardness.
… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …
𝚂𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝙽𝚒𝚌𝚎.
It must have been around three in the morning when Dan Heng heard a soft knock on his door. 
He frowned, glancing up from the data bank’s screen and wondering who else would be awake at this time of night. He pushed himself from his seat and stepped towards the door.
“Who is it?” he asked.
From the other side came a slightly muffled reply. “It’s, uh. It’s me.”
Ah. So that’s who it was. Dan Heng shrugged to himself, having few qualms (but some questions) about spending a little time with you.
“Come in.” 
The door slid open to reveal you standing in the corridor. Your hair was dishevelled—you must have just woken up—and dark circles rimmed your bottom eyelids. A mug of steaming coffee was held in your hand. Dan Heng raised an eyebrow.
‘Should I ask why you’re knocking on the Archive door at—” He glanced at the digital numbers flashing across one of the room’s many screens, “—half past three in the morning?” 
“I was hoping I could borrow a book from here,” you said, rubbing your neck. Dan Heng’s eyebrow only rose higher. Borrowing a book at 3:30 in the morning? You really were interesting.
Nevertheless, he gestured towards the inside of the cabin. You mumbled a ‘thank you’ and slipped inside. He didn’t miss the way your body seemed tense when you brushed by him, or the strands of hair sticking to your scalp as if with sweat. His eyes followed you as you reached a bookshelf and began rifling through its contents.
For a moment, there was no sound but the hum of the dimmed overhead lights and the shuffling of books on the shelf. 
“Which book are you looking for?” he asked, breaking the silence. 
“‘The Angler Mystery’,” you sighed. You sounded tired. “It’s a detective novel from the Xianzhou Luofu.”
“You’re currently looking in the non-fiction section,” he informed you bluntly. You breathed a half-hearted laugh.
“Right. My bad.” You moved your efforts to the shelf below.  
“That is… another non-fiction section.”
“Oh.”
Dan Heng’s eyebrows stitched together. It wasn’t like you to be this oblivious. 
“Is there something wrong?” he found himself asking. 
Your shoulders fell with a sigh. “Well… I had some kind of bad nightmares,” you admitted. The shadows under your eyes suggested to him it went deeper than ‘kind of bad’. Dan Heng stepped towards you, hesitated, then pulled himself back when you turned to him. “I was hoping to read for the rest of the night. I don’t really want to go back to sleep.” Your voice was quiet, and your eyes didn’t met his when you spoke: you didn’t seem to want to talk too much about it. 
Retaining his distance but wishing he was closer, Dan Heng hummed and nodded across the room. “The fiction shelf is over there.”
You flashed him a brief but fatigued smile. He tried to ignore the stammer in his chest. “Thanks.”
Dan Heng inclined his head: No problem.
You moved to the bookshelf in question. Some moments later, you clicked your tongue with dissatisfaction.
“Is the book not there?” he queried, frowning. “It ought to be there.”
“No, I’ve found it, it’s just…” You scratched your ear, sheepish. “It’s a bit too high up for me.”
The corner of Dan Heng’s mouth pulled up. “I see.” He walked to the shelf and, leaning over you (your torsos touched), pulled the book from its position. You froze, staring at him with stunned eyes when he leaned back and held it out to you, nonchalant. Your fingers brushed as you took the book from him, sending butterflies up his arm.
“Are you sure you’re fine with me staying here?” you asked quietly, pulling the book into your chest. “I kind of turned up really suddenly. If you don’t want me here or you’re trying to sleep, I can always go b—”
“No,” he said. It came out faster than he’d meant it to. You blinked at him, a touch surprised. Dan Heng cleared his throat and corrected, more evenly, “No, I don’t mind.”
You eyed him uncertainly. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. I’ve been organising the data bank, and there are still some new entries I haven’t had the time to document yet, so I’ll still be awake for a while, as well.”
“If you say so,” you sighed, but relief crossed your face. You gestured to a chair. “Can I sit here?” Dan Heng nodded. You sat down and opened the book, taking a quiet sip of your coffee. “Let me know if I’m bothering you at any point, by the way.”
You won’t be, he thought, but only grunted in response as he returned to his own seat. 
The silence which ensued was a pleasant one. The scent of your coffee was on his tongue with each inhale. It made the air taste… more comfortable, somehow.
Occasionally, Dan Heng’s eyes drifted over to you and rested there for a moment. He made mental note of the subtle expressions you made as you read, like the little smile which tugged at your lips or the furrow of your brow when you considered something. If he were a romantic, perhaps he’d describe these expressions as ‘endearing’.  
Each time he looked across at you, he thought about what it would be like to tell you everything. If you’d be okay with it. If you returned it. He almost considered it seriously, for a moment, wondering how it would be to hold you close and feel your body’s warmth against his. To let his hands cup your face and take in every detail of your features, no matter how small, until he knew you like the back of his own hand.
Dan Heng was not one for daydreaming, but you almost made him change that. 
He looked for a little too long, once, and had to glance away when you caught him. He told himself that he wasn’t staring; he was just checking you were comfortable.
Yes. Checking you were comfortable. That was it.
For some reason, though, updating the data bank took a lot longer than usual. It was half past five when Dan Heng finished. 
He looked over to you and found you still reading. The low lighting brought out the colour of your eyes as they moved over the page. 
“I have finished with the Data Bank,” he said. You glanced up. “I’ll go to bed now.” A pause, before he added, “You should, too.”
You closed the book with a sigh. “It’s alright. I can keep reading back in my cabin. I didn’t intend to get any more sleep tonight, anyway.” You stood up and began moving towards the door.
Before he knew what he was saying, Dan Heng had blurted, “That isn’t what I meant.” 
You stopped, hovering by the exit in confusion. He was all too aware of your expectancy for his elaboration.
“I meant…” He furiously wracked his brain for an explanation. In truth, he simply hadn’t wanted you to leave yet: he didn’t know what he’d meant.
Slowly, his lips formed words, and he was shocked at what he heard coming from his mouth.
“I meant you can sleep… here.”
…What?
Your eyebrows shot up your forehead. “Um. R-Really?”
No. “Yes,” Dan Heng said, internally wincing as he did so. 
Well, he had put one foot in the grave already; he may as well jump in at this point, no?
“You said you had nightmares,” he continued, clutching at straws for some reasonable explanation. “As someone who has them myself, I know some methods to get back to a peaceful sleep.”
As he said this, he was painfully aware of the fact that he was speaking complete nonsense. ‘Methods to get back to a peaceful sleep’? Dan Heng knew nothing of the sort: whenever he was awoken by nightmares, he simply distracted himself with the data bank for the rest of the night. Not unlike you, he supposed. 
“Erm.” You swallowed. “Okay, then.”
Brain on what must have been autopilot, he sat cross-legged on the floor mattress and gestured for you to join him. After a moment, you placed your now-empty mug on the table and sat beside him, hugging your knees. He could feel your legs touching his. 
Don’t say anything stupid. Whatever you do, be sensible.
“Lie… lie down,” he instructed. With horror, he realised he’d gestured to his lap as he spoke instead of the bed. You hesitated, swallowed, then slowly lowered yourself so your head rested on his legs, and stared blankly up at him. Dan Heng’s brain faltered as he stared back. 
You were so close. Almost too close, because his heartbeat was starting to go haywire; he could hear it in his ears. His eyes searched your pretty ones, flitting from your right to your left. Down to your lips for a split second, then back up. Any thoughts he’d had at saving this situation melted into a useless puddle at his feet.
Okay, Dan Heng. Stay calm. 
What might a reasonable action look like in this situation? 
Gingerly, he raised a hand and plonked it on your head. You blinked at him, eyes wide. He noticed your pupils were dilated. Dan Heng swallowed once. Twice. Tried to ignore how warm your skin was. His breathing was shallower, now, and quicker.
Okay. Now… do something. Anything. Anything at all to take his mind off how close you were. Occupy his hands somehow. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could stare at you without breaking.
His thumb began to move, grazing a repeated arc up and down your forehead. Your eyelashes fluttered against his finger as you sucked in a breath.
What was he doing?
Whatever it may be, he did it for a while, trying to ignore the heat blooming on his face and hoping to the Aeons it didn’t show. This was perfectly normal for travel companions to do, he reassured himself. 
His other fingers absentmindedly tugged at your hair. Your eyes were still on him, practically unblinking with shock. The silence was growing so thick it was tangible. 
“Is this… working?” he asked, speaking more softly than he planned to. 
“I—” you began, only for your voice to break. Your throat bobbed as you swallowed, and you tried again. “I think so.”
Good. That had been a perfectly sensible conversation. 
Now, whatever you say next, don’t make it stupid. 
“When do you plan to sleep with me, then?”
You choked. His blood ran cold when his words registered. Oh, f…
It could have been anything. Anything at all.
Why, out of every possible option, did he choose to say that?
“Not—not like that,” he corrected hastily, hating the lump in his throat which made him stammer and the way his face was burning like a fire had been lit on it. “I meant… sleeping. Proper sleeping. Not…”
“Yeah,” you croaked. Dan Heng flushed further. “I, uh. I think now should be… fine. Probably.”
“Of course.” 
“There’s… only one bed, though.”
“…That’s true, yes.”
“So are we going to…” Your voice died away. Very, very quietly, you finished, “…share it?”
Dan Heng’s tongue was lead in his mouth. “I… can sleep in a chair,” he said decisively.
Finally, he’d said something normal. Thank the Aeons. 
“Are you sure? I can take the chair if you’d pref—”
“No, it’s alright. You take the bed. It’s important to be comfortable if you want a good night’s sleep.”
“Okay, then. Er. Thanks,” you said, and shuffled out of his lap. Dan Heng had to stop himself from reaching back out to you. He looked down at his legs, which felt oddly bare without the weight of your head. 
He stood up and reached out to the wall to dim the lights. The room darkened. He lay back in a chair, folding his arms over his chest, waiting to fall asleep.
For a while, neither of you spoke. Dan Heng wondered what it might’ve been like if he’d chosen to share the bed with you and after some consideration, regretted that he hadn’t.
“Do you sing?” you asked quietly, out of the blue. 
Dan Heng opened an eye which fell on you. “…Why?” 
“I was wondering if you know any lullabies.”
His mind faltered. “You… want me to sing you a lullaby?” 
You shrugged a nod. Dan Heng’s mouth stitched into a firm line, unsure whether you were serious or not. If you weren’t, he would make a fool of himself. If you were… well. He’d rather be a fool than disappoint you.
He cleared his throat, mentally skimming through the countless lullabies he’d heard during his time travelling on the Astral Express. There was that one about the moonlit bridge, but the tune wasn’t his favourite. The one about the cat and bird had a nice melody, but the lyrics were bland. 
…How about the lullaby about the parting lovers? It had a beautiful tune, and the lyrics were equally so. ‘No Separation’ was its name, if he remembered correctly. 
Dan Heng took a breath to steady himself. He usually tried to keep some dignity around people, but somehow, you made him throw that out of the window and into a black hole. He closed his eyes.
In a soft voice meant for only you to hear, he began to sing. (He didn’t see the way your lips parted in surprise when he abided by your request.)
He wavered on the first few notes, nerves drawing thickness from his throat, but he slowly fell into the tune of the lullaby, gaining certainty as he continued until his voice was steady and sure, filling the small room with a gentle melody which could soothe any mind. 
“Was that… okay?” he asked once he finished. There was a tremble in his question. 
“Yeah,” you whispered. He thought he caught the hint of a smile in your voice. Dan Heng breathed a sigh of relief. 
“Sleep well, then. Wake me if you need anything.”
“Thank you, Dan Heng,” you said, and his heart fluttered at the way you spoke his name. “Good night.”
He hummed, closing his eyes. “Night.”
Silence fell upon the cabin. For a moment, Dan Heng could almost imagine it was only you and him on this train, perhaps even in the whole universe, rattling down impossible tracks through an ocean of stars too deep or dark to ever comprehend. 
Just you, him, and all of infinity at your fingertips. 
That sounded nice.
He glanced over to your silhouette, eyes softening. The blanket rose and fell with your even breaths. He imagined what it would be like to lie beside you and press a kiss to your brow.
Even nicer, no doubt.
In the dark, lingering on that thought as sleep came to embrace him, Dan Heng smiled.
227 notes · View notes
radioactivepeasant · 15 days
Text
Snippets Thursday: Meddling Mar (part 1 of 2)
A two-part piece to avoid a super long post, jumping ahead to how Damas and Phobos got their suspicions about the boys confirmed (part two is Damas confronting Jak over it)
The net thumped against the supports of the dock as Phobos hauled it upward. The catch was small for the evening; normally she wouldn't have even considered bringing it in so early. But the scanners had picked up a storm blowing in, and the last thing she wanted was for her net to get dragged out over the reef -- or for the Scylla to get any ideas about free snacks if she decided to shelter in the lagoon. Small though the catch may have been, it would just have to suffice until the weather was more favorable. Phobos supposed she could always take another overnight trip for larger fish later in the week. Maybe Jak would agree to let Mar tag along.
Phobos's hands stilled over the net of wriggling greenbellies. She stared out at the water without really seeing it as her thoughts drifted to the two boys who had drifted into their lives. Or, drifted back into their lives.
She knew her son when she saw him. He could have been five or eight or twenty-five and she would have known him. Denial at this point was foolish. But what she couldn't understand was Jak.
Phobos knew the child she'd borne. Knew every curl on his head, every dimple and birthmark. But to her knowledge, she'd only given birth once. And Jak...
Jak looked at her with Mar's eyes. He smiled with Mar's left-cheek dimple. And according to Damas, beneath the scarf he never took off, Jak had Mar's portwine stain on the back of his neck.
Phobos didn't need the blood results from the monks to know who Jak was. What she didn't understand was why.
Why had the Precursors given their lost son back, in two different bodies? Why did the older Mar call himself Jak? How had he come to be? And did he even know the impossibility of his own existence?
The wind began to pick up, sending a spray of salt into Phobos's face. She sputtered and spat. Served her right for getting distracted. Grumbling to herself, the angler slung the net over a pole and balanced it across her shoulders. It was getting to be time to take shelter, and her dawdling meant she might not make it to the tower before the sands picked up.
As she trudged through the West Market, shops closed their shutters and people nailed down tarps over stands. The walls and cliffs would protect most of Spargus from the winds, but the West Quarter was open to the sea. Things sometimes got a little dicey on the coast.
"Captain!" Someone called across the street, and Phobos spotted one of the summer semester teachers for the little ones.
"Oye, Captain Phobos!"
"Wind's picking up, Korah," Phobos warned her, "Is everyone home?"
The younger Spargan shook her head with a worried frown. "Not yet! I've got Seek with me -- the new boy? Seek? -- he refuses to go home! Says he needs you."
Phobos dropped the net immediately.
"Clean the net and those are yours," she said hastily to the startled shopkeeper beside her. Then she raced across the street.
Sand was beginning to carry along the wind, stinging her face as she caught up to Korah.
"Where is-" She caught herself quickly before saying Mar. "Where is he?"
The teacher gestured with the stump of her right arm. "I convinced him to wait in the Chime Sisters' place so I could look for you. I'm sorry, Captain. I know you're busy. The little guy's really taken a shine to you, though."
She ducked into a half alley between shops, looking for some relief from the wind.
"Don't know if he's showed you any of his classwork or not, but he picked you for his presentation on important roles in the community."
Despite her worry, a warmth filled Phobos's chest. "I uh. I know," she answered, just a little bashful. "It's taped up in my boat cabin."
So much had changed. Mar didn't suck his thumb anymore. He didn't respond to old nicknames. He didn't snuggle anymore, or want to be carried. He didn't call her Mommy -- that one hurt most -- but something, something was still there. Perhaps it was instinct. Or perhaps she'd rebuilt it with her own two hands by simply being present.
Phobos followed Korah to the two story building that held the Chime sisters' shop and apartment. Just as the teacher had said, Mar sat just inside, huddled next to the door with his knees drawn to his chest. He looked sullen. Like he couldn't decide between anger and sadness. Immediately, Phobos knelt in front of him with a worried frown.
"It's about to storm, minnow," she said, "Why aren't you home? Where's Jak, he usually picks you up by now, doesn't he?"
Apparently this was the wrong thing to say. Mar's brows fell into a fierce scowl.
"Jak left me!" he answered in short, terse signs.
That didn't make any sense. Jak was devoted to his little brother! Phobos glanced at the women sheltering around her and then back at Mar.
"I'll take him up to Damas’s," she said. "We'll get this straightened out after the storm blows over."
Nadia Chime clucked her tongue and nodded. "You get that little sprout out of this weather, cap'n!'
Phobos held her hands out to Mar. "Come on, you. Let's go see Damas, eh? Bet you he kept Jak late for training again."
Mar shook his head angrily. This time, tears beaded up in his eyes. But he reached out and grabbed Phobos's hands anyway, using them as leverage to propel himself into her arms.
Something was very wrong.
"Hey, hey," Phobos murmured, returning the embrace, "It's okay, baby, I've got you."
She shoved down the beginnings of anxiety fluttering in her stomach. The sooner she got to the tower, the sooner she could regroup with Damas.
"We need to move fast if we don't want to get sandburn. Can I carry you, minnow?"
Silently, Mar nodded into her chest. Phobos took a breath, scooped up her little boy, and made a dash for the residential sector.
Something's wrong with Jak. He's hurt, or he's sick, he must be. He wouldn't leave Mar. He wouldn't!
By the time she'd made it to the bridge tunnel that led to the tower door, the storm was beginning to sweep across the eastern part of the city. Wind howled down streets an alleys like a dune-wolf looking for prey, and kangarats scurried for cover while Leapers bedded down and covered their heads with their vestigial wings, as they did in the wild. Phobos hefted Mar higher in her arms and made for the door marked with the great spiral wyrm.
"Almost inside, Mar," she said, trying to comfort him.
Just as he had every time she'd slipped his name into conversation before, the child failed to correct her.
The walls of the tower were thick, almost erasing the wind entirely. Phobos stepped into the elevator and sat down as it rose. She set Mar down on her lap and took advantage of the silence to ask, "What did you mean "Jak left"? Is he on a mission?"
Mar still looked angry, but tears stained his dusty cheeks. "He left!" Stupid Haven's stupid governor whined about all the trouble happening -- but it's only happening because they tried to kill us, so stupid Jak left to keep them away from Spargus because they're all so STUPID!"
Phobos felt a knot forming in her stomach.
"Haven?! Why the- why in the world would Jak listen to them? And why would he try to keep them away from the city by himself?"
And with that, the dam burst. The silent trickles of tears turned into sobs that shook Mar's little body as he signed, "Because of me. I'm a bad brother."
"What?! No, nonono you are not a bad brother!" Phobos wiped tears from round cheeks and rocked her son back and forth. "Why would you think that?!"
"Cause it's my fault he left!" Mar hiccuped, and his signs shook. "The Council guys in Haven are looking for me, cos I go where Jak goes. And he- he- he-"
"He left so the council would look for you somewhere else," Phobos guessed grimly.
A fresh flood of tears soaked the front of her tunic as Mar cried. He clung to her the way he used to as a toddler, wailing into her chest. The elevator locked into place and Damas was already running towards them, having heard the cries, before Phobos even had a chance to stand up.
"Pho! What's wrong? What's happening?"
Phobos's face was pale as she looked up at him.
"Daym," she asked, "When did you last see Jak?"
Damas’s blood ran cold.
Part Two
20 notes · View notes
vsemily · 1 month
Text
Tumblr media
:D
169 notes · View notes
zelterxc · 1 year
Photo
Tumblr media
a gift for @vsemily for his bday (: his oc Oleander from his story/ocverse Angler Cabin
28 notes · View notes
determunition · 1 year
Photo
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
hey, it’s the retyrement au’s anniversary! it’s been a year to the day since i posted my first crusty design iterations of these guys in response to my buddy @squid-hug’s funny textpost about human scrybes in a retirement home. i had no idea i would stick with the idea as long as i have, but i’ve been having so much fun with these characters in this setting
so, i gave them a bit of a glow-up! their designs have all been tweaked a little, and everyone’s got a bit of flavor text this time; i haven’t included all information i find pertinent about these guys because i didn’t want this to turn into a text-filled mess lol; that said i did wanna set the record straight on pronouns so those are all under the cut!
thanks so much to everyone who’s read OLD_FOLKS HOME up to this point, and to those who have enjoyed my art of this silly niche concept! though school’s slowed me down a bit, i have no intention of stopping, and i welcome anyone for whom this is your first proper introduction to this goofy AU ^^ hope you all enjoy it as much as i do
plaintext transcript under the cut:
Grimora Patel (she/her): Semi-retired pulp author; widowed under entirely inconspicuous circumstances
Kaycee Hobbes (she/her): Developer at Gamefuna; just kind of over her grandma’s supernatural antics
Royal Dominguez (he/him): Kaycee & Sawyer’s older cousin; works with the Angler
Sawyer Patel (they/them): Youngest grandchild; most interested in the paranormal
===
Leshy (he/him): “Retired” photographer; divorced from the Woodcarver; misses living in the wilderness
The Angler (he/him): Leshy’s closest friend, looks after his cabin; works as a fishing boat captain with Royal
The Trader (she/her, he/him as the Trapper): The Woodcarver’s granddaughter, not related to Leshy by blood; the Trapper is her TTRPG persona
===
Magnificus (he/him): Retired art professor; no descendants, but his students won’t leave him alone; used to have a glass eye, but lost it in a bet with Leshy
“Goobert” (he/they): Has a prolific online channel & shop; specialty: slimes & resins
“Pyrometrik” (she/they): Pike for short; avid LARPer; specialty: pottery
“The Lonely Wizard” (they/them): Wiz for short; online lurker; specialty: ballet & theatre
===
P03, or Poe Carder (he/him): Retired from middle manager position at Botopia Labs; Visited regularly by Luke, his grandson...
Luke Carder (he/him): Same old card youtuber; happy to be reconnecting with his grandfather
334 notes · View notes
chronical-ly · 11 months
Text
Beyond The Sea
Fisherman!Bucky Barnes x Mermaid!Reader
Warnings: Cursing, sexual themes, smoking, slight mention of attempted suicide, mature themes.
Tumblr media
°•°•°•°•°•°•°
Mermaid and Sirens: In this story my version of the mythical creatures are a bit different. Sirens aren’t as beautiful as their fellow Merpeople, their skin is sickly pale, clouded gray eyes and mouths that contain more razor sharp teeth and bottom jaws protruding like a angler fish. Sirens tails contain spines on their dorsal fins that excretes paralytic poison, they use their tails for self defense and for hunting prey. But Siren main use of weaponry is their voices, they sing to lure men into the sea, commanding them do to whatever they please.
Sirens as well as their counterparts possess magic, but they use Dark Magic. Making their victims see them as beautiful women as they drown them under water, calming their mind to make them fight less. Sirens are also capable of keeping their victims alive for long periods of time.
Now, Mermaids aren’t that gorgeous either but their upper half resembles a human rather than a humanoid angler fish. Their skin is discolored, more gray than pale unlike the Sirens with sunken checks. Their eyes are seal like and reflect iridescent light once caught in other light. Mermaids tails come in all different shapes and sizes but are all the same glaucous color to blend in with the darkness of the depths with jellyfish like tentacles allowing capture and immobilize their prey and they also have shape nails.
Unlike the Sirens, Mermaid merely use their singing to play with the human men or merely out of curiosity. They can mimic other sea animals calls but have their own language and sounds to call out for help or warning. Mermaids are docile creatures but will use their voice if threatened, they have no taste for human blood and usually stays away from the shore but they curious creatures which can come at a cost.
Mermaids possess Light Magic. They to can create hallucinations and have the ability to heal wounds on others and themselves and can undo any Dark Magic.
In honor of Mer-May
Chapter 1 (2)
°•°•°•°•°•°•°
The boat jerked harshly, jolting him awake as he looked around the cabin with a racing heart. Before he could process what was happening the boat rocked once again, moving him side to side. Bucky looked at over Steve who showed no sign of waking up, unbothered.
He would’ve gone back to sleep if it didn’t feel like the boat was being dragged under, of course, one of the crew left the net in the water again. Cursing to himself, he got up and left the warm cabin, the cool breeze of the night sent a shiver down his spin as he stumbled to the control room trying to keep steady as the boat continued to rock.
Bucky was going to wring Sam’s neck, he was the only one who kept forgetting to lift the net out. He maneuvered it out of the water, using the dim moonlight to decipher what animal had got caught. From the high pitched noises it made the tail that was thrashing around he made it out to be dolphin of some kind as he laid it down on the deck.
Locking the gears in place and flicking the spot light on, Bucky left the control room, wasting no time he pulled his pocket knife out and kneeled down next the wailing animal preparing to cut it free if need be. The more it cried out the less it sounded like a dolphin and more like a fusion of distressed animal calls, maybe it was the few too many beers he knocked back earlier that night with his crew that was silencing every red flag that popped up.
Or maybe it was the fact that as the animal stared up at him with seal like eyes, it’s black pupils almost reaching the edges of their white irises but as the boat gently rocked; moonlight caressed it’s face the black pupils seemed holographic, showing off multiple bright colors.
Bucky didn’t realize when the creature’s yowling turned into a euphonious melody, it urged him to pick it up. He was yelling but it seemed to only to be in his head, the creature was compelling him to walk over to the edge of the boat and he couldn’t stop himself. It felt wrong for something else to control him this way, he wanted to drop her- Her?
The thing in his arm’s definitely had a tail, a heavy glaucous colored tail with jellyfish like tentacles littered around until the scaly skin turned to smooth flesh. Bucky caught her black eyes one last time before being forced to toss her overboard, instantly he gained controlled of his body again feeling relief as the hold she had on him abated.
Bucky never went back to sleep. He laid in bed and stared into space trying to make sense of what occurred just hours before, those terrifying noises she made morphed into a song unlike any other and those black shimmering eyes imprinted themselves in his mind, there was something unnaturally… Beautiful about them. It had to be real, he could still feel her weight in his arms; That should scare him shouldn’t it? Bucky had just encountered a siren, or least he thought he did.
“Riddle me this, what’s the difference between a mermaid and a siren?” He asked the crew, leaning against the side of the boat and watching the blue water ripple the sun light across its surface.
“I don’t think you know what riddles are.” Natasha commented as she walked by, carrying a crate over one shoulder. She joined them not too long ago, had no experience under her belt but was a fast leaner.
Sam chuckled. “Mermaids are the hot ones and Sirens are the ugly ones.” He swiftly dodged a punch from Bucky, raising his hands in defense while quickly promising to never leave the net out again for the umpteenth time.
“Nooo, sirens are the hot ones because they lure the fishermen to their deaths. Have you never seen Peter Pan?” Joaquin dropped the anchor, locking it in place before moving on.
The cabin door slammed loudly, grabbing everyone’s attention as they watched Steve use the railing to walk towards them, squinting at the bright light. “Look who’s finally up!”
Steve held his hand up, shushing Sam as his other hand held his head. “How are you so loud?” He peeked one eye open, glancing at his crew mates. “Are none of you hung over?” Bucky pushed himself off the side, walking over to pat his best friend on the back,
“That’s because we know how to hold our liquor. And you woke up just in time, we’re about to pull up the first batch of the day.”
With each net and crab trap they retrieved Bucky searched through through, hoping that they would somehow catch the same creature from last night, but it never happened. He needed to know that he wasn’t going crazy, that the alcohol was what was messing with his mind.
He wondered if he should tell someone, no, they’d properly make fun of him tell him he’s got scurvy or something stupid. Steve, being the nice guy he is might believe him or maybe play along with his delusions until proven otherwise. Bucky didn’t want to risk sounding crazy.
They were out all day, the sun resting just above the water a tell tale sign that it was time start packing the gear up, their criteria for the day had been well over met and as the hours passed Bucky couldn’t help but look over his shoulder ever now and then, it felt like someone was watching him but every time he turned around to look out at the horizon nothing was there.
“Ah shit.” Joaquin leaned over the railing, staring down at the water in defeat.
“What’d you do?”
“I dropped my nic in the fucking sea…” Bucky laughed, staring down with him as the black pen sank further and further into the abyss. “You’re never getting that back.” He glanced upward before leaving but stopped to do a double take, out in the distance something bobbed in the waves seemingly facing towards them.
“What are you looking at?” Joaquin took his attention away for a second and by the time he looked back the thing was gone.
“Thought I saw a whale… Come on, Sam wants us to have dinner at the pub tonight.”
°•°•°•°•°•°•°
Tony’s Pub was the hot spot for fishermen, it was a place to swap stories, hang out, get drunk; get laid, what have you and from the looks of it Natasha already had her eyes set on a certain blonde woman. Tomorrow was the only day of the week they didn’t have work, his crew would return to their respective homes while Bucky, well, he’d go back to the vessel.
There wasn’t anything special there, he could do the same things on “The Sea Commandos” he could do at home but on the water. Bucky thought about getting a cat, that’d make him stay home more.
“That chick has been eyeing you since you walked in.” Steve gave him a nudge, slightly tilting his head to the right. Bucky pretended to scan the pub, catching a beautiful brunette glancing his way and giggling with her friend.
He shrugged, “Not really my type.”
Steve gave him a sorrowful look. “It’s been how long, Buck? Three years? I know you miss her, I miss her but you know she’d want you to go out and find someone new, right? She’d want you to be happy.”
“I am happy, Steve. I just… She’s not my type.” He stared down at the brown liquid deep in thought. She would want him to find someone new, to share his heart with another person instead of keeping closed. But he didn’t want to risk feeling that kind of pain again, he almost didn’t make it last time.
Bucky finally turned to his friend, brother even, and gave him a small smile. “I’m alright, I promise.”
“Another round for Freddy!”
“Here, here!”
Most of the people in the pub raised their glasses and shouted, drawing their confusion from both men. “Tony, what happened to Freddy?” Steve waved him down as he filled a few pitchers of beer.
“You haven’t heard? He died yesterday.” He would be the fourth person who passed this past month. Their little fishing town rarely had people dying unless they were old and ready to go, it was a little strange.
“Damn… What happened?” Bucky asked, he didn’t know Freddy enough to actually be his friend but it was enough to know that he was a hard working guy and kind to everyone he met.
“Now, don’t look at me crazy because I’m not the one who said it but… Carter there,” he pointed to the dead man’s crew mate. “Says they were all leaving the docks when he suddenly stopped. The next thing he knew, Freddy jumped in the sea with no warning but get this, when Carter went in after him he swears he saw something drag him down.”
That filled him with dread. Bucky was never the one to believe in myths but the past deaths all ended with their fellow fishermen acting strange then… Was he next? Was she going to come back and finish the job? Just the thought made him down his drink faster to try and calm his nerves. Now Bucky really wondered if he should tell Steve.
“But if you ask me, Freddy wasn’t too straight in the head towards the end.”
Steve raised a brow. “Why do say that?”
“‘A drunken man’s words are a sober man thoughts.’ They sometimes tell me things they wouldn’t tell their friends…” Tony paused for a second, he felt that Freddy’s death was his fault. He could’ve told someone to keep an eye on the man, Carter would’ve checked in on him in a heartbeat. “Anyway, there’s nothing to do now but remember him for who he was.” He picked up the pitchers and went to drop them off at the tables.
“I think I’m gonna turn in early, I’m getting pretty tired.” Bucky pulled out his wallet and placed a bill on the bar, enough for them both. Saying their goodbyes he stood up to leave, the woman from earlier got up as he did heading his way but he sent her an apologetic smile before walking away.
Bucky took his time returning to the docks, there was no rush. It gave him time to think, maybe he should go back and talk to that woman the pub. She seemed nice enough, truthfully it’s been a while since he’s had sex and-
Behind him the water splashed, wetting his back and pants. He spun around expecting to Steve standing there but it was just him, until a spurt of water shot up and nailed him right in the face followed by a call from a dolphin.
Slightly annoyed at the animal he wiped his face before kneeling down and searched for the trouble maker but what stared back up at him wasn’t a dolphin. She rose out of the water quickly, making Bucky back up and fall to his ass scrambling to get away as she used her webbed hands to crawl forward.
“What the fuck?”
Seeing her hand fly up Bucky flinched, covering his face to shield from the attack. But it never came. Slowly, he put his arm down and opened his eyes, she was holding Joaquin’s alto body tipping it forward for him to take.
“What the actual fuck?”
112 notes · View notes
hexagonalhavoc · 1 month
Text
The Memento
Platonic Leshy + Subordinates x reader
[Author’s Note: I wanted to make something angsty. Also reader can be seen as a child, teenager, or an adult
⚠️ Reader gets injured and kinda dies]
     Another challenger has come to try and overthrow the Scrybe of Beasts. It had become a routine he was starting to get bored of. It’s been so long since he’s met a challenger he’s fond of. Their faces are starting to blend together within his memory.
This one is no different than the others. The Scrybe’s fingers tapped against the wooden table as they put their grubby hands all over his possessions. He just wants to get this over with as soon as possible but this Challenger knows how to draw things out. Leshy is considering using the bear wall sooner than he usually does. 
The talking cards had told the Challenger that there was one more of them to look for but they already searched every crevice of this cluttered cabin. Where could it be?
The Challenger ends up opening a secret compartment within the wall and after tinkering with yet another complicated puzzle, they are permitted to see inside the mini-safe mounted inside the wall. As expected, it’s another card. 
Oddly enough, this card isn’t an animal. It’s a blacked out silhouette of a person with a smile on their face. Both the power and health on this card is five with the repulsive sigil, meaning that nothing can attack it. The Challenger brings the card closer to their face to read the name at the top:
Y/n
“Have you no respect for other people’s belongings!? This card is not for you to utilize in battle. Return it to me this instant.”
The Challenger has never heard Leshy speak like that, as if he was restraining himself from ripping them to shreds. He’s never really had a problem with them going through his belongings until now. What was so special about this card? 
—————-
The forest had been your home for as long as you could remember. You knew about the dangers that lurked within but you didn’t take them seriously. 
You had been with the others for so long that they had forgotten you weren’t like them. You were a fragile human who was more susceptible to injury and deadly infections from those injuries. 
Now they were all paying for their negligence. 
The various pelts you were bundled in did nothing to stop your shivering, you were a shade paler. Leshy was beyond human but he wasn’t a healer. The only thing him and his subordinates could do was watch as your condition got progressively worse.
You were a fighter, you always had been but this was a battle you couldn’t win. Your mind was getting hazy to the point where sometimes you didn’t even know who your forest family was. 
The Trader dabs the sweat off of your forehead with cloth. The Prospector’s hound refuses to leave the foot of your bed, occasionally letting out soft whines and whimpers. The Trapper sits by your bed as he holds your clammy hand in his. The Angler allows no one to venture into the forest right now but everyone knows he volunteered to be lookout because he couldn’t bear to see you in your final moments, no one could blame him. 
It had been decided amongst the Scrybe and his subordinates that there’s no chance of your condition getting any better. They didn’t want you to suffer anymore so they were going to do the best thing they could think of.
Leshy steps into the room on the side of his cabin. In one hand is an unfinished card and in the other is his legendary camera.
They’re all reluctant but his subordinates step away from you, giving their master space so he could say his proper goodbye. 
He kneels by your bedside, eyes drooping down in a sorrowful expression you never thought you’d see in such an unbreakable being. You turn your head to face him as his hand cups the side of your head. 
“There will never be a challenger as worthy as you. You have inspired me in so many ways. I’ll make sure to honor you.” 
There’s so much you want to say to the cryptid in front of you. You want to tell him how grateful you are to him for taking care of you, treating you as if you were his own. You think about the nights you’ve spent laughing with Leshy and his subordinates underneath the stars. You would ramble to him as he carved another figurine out of wood. 
You were the joy of the forest.
“You need not say anything. I know it’s a struggle.” 
He lowers his head and rests his forehead against yours for a moment. He’s hesitant but he steps away from you with his camera ready. 
“Goodbye, Y/n. You are loved by this forest and the creatures within it.”
It takes you everything you can to muster a smile as you want your death card to reflect the fulfilling life you once lived, even if it was cut short.
10 notes · View notes