I think we need to get freakier with the concept of living armor. Not the inverse of the living weapon trope(though I do think it would pair incredibly well with this) I mean like. The genre of monster. Haunted armor, animated armor, cursed armor, etc. Where are all the living armor characters whose stories don’t boil down to not wanting to be what they are? Why is there so little exploring the various things living armor could potentially do or the relationships it could have? I mean yeah obviously there’s just the fact it’s harder to draw armor than, like, a blood-drinking sword, or The Evil Amulet, but that doesn’t explain the lack of writing! We already know armor is hot, but what if it could be a friend, or a lover, or a threat, or a freak(not mutually exclusive with the previous options)? Yeah they don’t have any junk but when has that stopped anyone, it just means you gotta get creative! In fact for me the lack of junk is part of the appeal…
Like, hear me out, I’ve got a few different basic character/story ideas for consideration. Admittedly I’ve already done stuff with a few of these concepts, but I’m too afraid to share unless interest is expressed. Cut is just so this isn’t a big text wall in tags.
1. Haunted armor who is convinced it was a knight, but is only close to correct; it was the favored armor of a knight centuries before awakening… In the modern day. It knows no details of “its” past life, but it greatly misses being alongside others, the embrace of other people, the warmth of a body… The longer it exists, the emptier it feels, and the more depressed it becomes, believing there is a life it is supposed to be living which it cannot, or does not properly understand. The world is so different from how it used to be. People chase it away believing it is a monster, and the weapons they draw are not blades or bows. It cannot tell where it is because it cannot see the stars at night. So it hides away, alone and unfulfilled, wondering why it has been cursed to live in a world where it does not belong… Until someone shows up and starts to give it what it’s been lacking.
2. Cursed armor that does something akin to the demonic sword trope. It grants unparalleled protection in exchange for needing its host to kill others for it to feed on (be it literally or blood drinking or something like magic/souls/etc), lest it grow impatient and devour them instead. It has no grand ambitions, seeking only to survive, and you just happened to be the latest fool to answer its call. The armor is a bit blunt, making no effort to hide its true nature once you can’t do anything about it, but it gets attached… Only physically, at first, but it warms up to you on a more personal level over time. You can’t take it off, but it gradually shifts to best suit your body until you don’t really want to, logistics of certain activities be damned. It does a fantastic job of keeping you safe, even in spite of your new and totally natural desire to run your enemies through with a sword. There’s never a time when it feels like an extension of your own body or something like that, but it certainly feels like a partner. What kind of partner is up to you.
3. Animated armor that blurs the line between dutiful service and utter obsession. The world outside is so dangerous, and you’re so soft and vulnerable without it. It only wants what’s best for you. If keeping you safe at all times isn’t the right thing to do, why does having your squishy body inside itself feel so good? Why else would it love to hold you as you eat and drink, to feel your chest expand against it each time you take a breath, to listen to your voice resonate with its helmet now and again? It would never hurt you, certainly, but you almost pity the fools who try; in a fight between skull and boot, or ribs versus arms and breastplate, your guardian does not lose and does not hold back. To be its wearer is to be the most precious treasure in a dragon’s hoard, and it will protect you with just as much ferocity. Maybe it’s terrifying to witness what it is willing to do in the name of guarding you. Maybe it’s exhilarating to know something so powerful is nonetheless utterly taken by you. There are times it simply must be taken off, of course, but though it always longs to be worn, it is happy just being alongside you. The same gauntlets you have watched effortlessly lift your enemies by the wrist, ankle, or neck always seem to tremble when you polish its cuirass. It can hardly look you in the eye when you tell it how well it’s done. It cherishes every word of praise or appreciation you offer, leaning in to your touch. Its surface is hard, its body is cold without you inside to warm it, and yet when you hold each other close it is as if none of that matters. You didn’t used to wear it so often, but now you often find yourself sleeping in it, safe and secure at the cost of waking up a bit stiff. It’s begun to seem like far more than just armor at this point…
4. Living armor who only uses its position as a guard to find and capture intruders who fit its build. It’s light, as any armor should be, but for most it moves with a somewhat lumbering pace, striking heavy blows with a sword others would struggle to wield but never seeming entirely motivated or concerned in combat. Such behavior is dropped in favor of acting with unexpected speed and precision when it finds an ideal target for its true goals, however. Though you are spared from its weapon, it is hardly gentle with you as it pins you to the wall or ground, feeling heavy when you try to push it away, its gaze piercing despite its lack of eyes. The more you excite it, the warmer it becomes, burning with desire as it explores your vulnerable body, pressing its gauntlets against your cheeks, hips, stomach, adoring the sensation of your flesh beneath its touch. It could easily kill you if it wanted, but it doesn’t like breaking its toys if it doesn’t have to. Struggle, and it will give you a loving hug… As in, it will love the sound of your back popping as it forces the air from your lungs and holds you tightly until you submit or pass out. Surrender, and it will be gentler when coaxing you to put it on, taking its time to run its gauntlets through your hair, squeeze your hips between its cuisses, take hold of your wrists to feel your pulse… Its metal confines welcome you when you’re eventually suited up, holding you quite snugly— it prefers when its wearers are just a tad too large. Perhaps you’re uncomfortable, or perhaps you feel oddly cozy and secure as your captor takes you away to be enjoyed in private. For the most part it just seems to enjoy having you inside it, not actually doing much beyond moving around to feel you shift with it, occasionally opening its visor to caress your cheek, or place a finger over your lips to hush you, or even to feed you… Its touch is far more gentle now that it has already subdued you. You can’t tell if it sees you as prisoner or pet, but the way it seems to almost dote on you suggests the latter, if not something more. You get the feeling it’s going to keep you for a long while… But maybe it doesn’t have to be such a bad thing.
5. Totally normal suit of armor. At least until you notice the eyes, sharp teeth, drooling tongue, and growls of the vocal and stomach variety… Oh dear. Seems the mimics here have learned chests are scrutinized way more than anything else, but it just so happens people like to make a different thing big enough to fit themselves inside. Maybe you’ll be lucky to have met one that’s friendly! Otherwise…
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