Mod Gryphon Rambles

So everyone is aware, I am in my early-30s. Sometimes I have silly TAOCC thoughts and I never post them because I don't want to clog up my personal or Grif's blog with them, so here's this blog for those silly thoughts!

[modgryphonrambles]

Hiya it's Mod Gryphon/Vian here!

This is just a silly place for me to talk about TAOCC without clogging up my other blogs.

I'll still reblog other people's art to my personal though, because it's all wonderful and it's more likely to get reblogs/likes from outside of TAOCC over there!

Feel free to send asks or messages to me here instead of my personal, though honestly I don't mind which of the two you use! Only thing I ask is please don't send anything flirty or suggestive. I'll let you know privately if you do send something I'm uncomfortable responding to.

Apologies if I seem really formal or awkward, I have social anxiety, and it expresses in weird ways sometimes. I'm trying to get better at being more casual though. Hopefully having a blog to ramble will help with that!

Also, here have a couple of little drawings of my sona!

RP status of my characters:

Red: Not available atm, Orange: available for limited RPs (send a DM to ask if unsure), Green: open for RP! Feel free to ask for an RP, even if my OC is unavailable, I'm happy to queue up a couple of RP plans for each character.

Grif: Going to Fadeaway Town after getting a message from Remnant

Curious: Curious can be in two places at once, and can go to every digital world, so it's pretty much always open for interactions.

It's just wandering about at the moment.

Husam: Current plan is sticking with Rubio until they're back in Egypt.

The Desert Denizens:

Tefibi is on guard duty.

Nen is dead.

Faiza is resting at home.

Latifa is helping the nurses with treating the freedmen.

Tags and such below the break:

Tags:

#Vian's Lyrical Musings (TAOCC ramblings based around music)

#Vian's OC Brainrot (Rambling about OCs and/or plots they are involved in)

#grif lore (Grif stuff)

#curious lore (Curious stuff)

#husam lore (Husam stuff)

#desert denizens lore (for my other Egypt OCs)

#Vian's Random Thoughts (Basically anything TAOCC that doesn't fit into the other categories, mostly jokes/memes)

#Vian's Art Tag (as it says on the tin)

#Vian's Askbox (for asks I've answered)

#vian's Incorrect Quotes (because I have an addiction)

ADOPTABLE DESIGNS HERE

[modgryphonrambles]

Well I was going to do a more cute Crocgrif art for Pride Month but I was struggling so hard with poses. And then I saw a photo on Pinterest with this pose that screamed these two so I knew what I had to do.

Whoever pissed Husam off is very lucky that Essam is hugging him right now, else they'd be in for a world of hurt.

@shot-of-hopes-and-dreams

[modgryphonrambles]

While we’re on the subject of Husam and Steven universe songs— oh. Oh that’s just me?

Oh.

Well! Anyways!

https://youtu.be/4yG8caPPY1Y?feature=shared

Husam training Kyle

Husam no, don't teach Kyle to be a martyr to protect Bastet! /silly

But yeah, I really do like Do It For Her as a Husam teaching song! This part in particular is very him (though replace her with them).

On the battlefield When everything is chaos, And you have nothing but the way you feel, your strategy and a sword; You just think about the life you'll have together after the war! And then you do it for her, That's how you know you can win, You do it for her, that is to say You'll do it for him.

And then this very much fits Kyle!

Deep down you know You weren't built for fighting, But that doesn't mean You're not prepared to try.

And then this is exactly how Husam thinks about protecting his loved ones, and I see it fitting Kyle too!

What they don't know Is your real advantage, When you live for someone You're prepared to die.

But yeah Husam can be a pretty good teacher, but could easily get carried away like Pearl does and instill some very unhealthy ideas in whoever he's teaching.

Guess I need to add another Steven Universe song to Husam's playlist. I already have Here Comes A Thought on there as a Rubio and Husam song!

[starrygalazy]

So I was reading the new info for The Kingdom Isle on your Toyhouse. I like the descriptions of the different places they seem quite interesting, and it's fun to see which groups of characters are living in the same areas!

I'm curious about something though, and feel free to not answer if you don't want to. It says that all but one of the gem siblings are stagnant. What do you mean by that?

The fact you were reading up on it and wanna know abt this genuinely makes me so happy and relieved, you have no idea

What I mean is that all but one of the gem basically stay in one area. They don't venture out much, they have their own shop set ups, etc. And I'll give it to you now, the one sibling that doesn't have their own shop set up and who's basically a traveling merchant, is Citrina. Bc she has to be some kind of different from her family lol.

However just due to the nature of what she does, I may change it in the future to be smth else. We'll see.

Thank you for asking!

[modgryphonrambles]

Ah, that makes sense, and I kinda figured Citrina would be the one travelling it made the most sense in my mind when I read it.

And yeah of course I'm reading up on it! I already adore these characters, and I'm really interested to see what happens with them in this new project!

[modgryphonrambles]

Was in a drawing mood, and looking through my art refs on Pinterest I saw one pose that I immediately wanted to draw Tefibi in.

So here's the silly dogperson giving Hafizah a hug. She's not particularly impressed by this...

[modgryphonrambles]

Found this meme, decided to fill it out for Husam. The pink dots on yellow means he's only okay with it from lovers.

Blank meme under read more.

[modgryphonrambles]

Well this is a heck of a thing for me to wake up to... This might not be too coherent since I'm still pretty tired but anyway.

My thoughts on this are basically, if anyone wants to leave, or cancel projects, or take a break, then I fully support you. While I'll miss seeing your writing and characters, taking care of yourselves and doing what's best for you is the most important thing.

I apologize if I've made anyone feel left out, that's not anything I'd ever intend to do to someone. And going forward I'd like to remind people that my DMs are always open to discuss anything, whether that's about something happening in an RP that you'd like to change like if I'm going too fast during a multiple mod interaction or doing something you're uncomfortable with, wanting to ask for an RP or discussing ideas for RP plots, or just chatting about things in general.

And my DMs will always be open for you all, even if you do leave TAOCC, you're still all my friends!

[modgryphonrambles]

Oh, I should have added, I have no intention of ever leaving TAOCC, I love it so much and have too much fun to be able to leave it!

[modgryphonrambles]

Well this is a heck of a thing for me to wake up to... This might not be too coherent since I'm still pretty tired but anyway.

My thoughts on this are basically, if anyone wants to leave, or cancel projects, or take a break, then I fully support you. While I'll miss seeing your writing and characters, taking care of yourselves and doing what's best for you is the most important thing.

I apologize if I've made anyone feel left out, that's not anything I'd ever intend to do to someone. And going forward I'd like to remind people that my DMs are always open to discuss anything, whether that's about something happening in an RP that you'd like to change like if I'm going too fast during a multiple mod interaction or doing something you're uncomfortable with, wanting to ask for an RP or discussing ideas for RP plots, or just chatting about things in general.

And my DMs will always be open for you all, even if you do leave TAOCC, you're still all my friends!

[modgryphonrambles]

Was listening to some of my fave Epic songs again and as I was listening to Open Arms I found myself imagining Kyle as Polites and Husam as Odysseus!

I dunno it just feels very them, Husam being all tense and untrusting and quick to turn to violence and threats, and Kyle being full of naive optimism and trying to convince Husam to relax and be a bit more friendly.

@thatonegayspacerock

[thatonegayspacerock]

Every so often I think about this post, especially with recent Kyle developments

Because now I think it’s amusing that, in my head. Kyle is both ‘open arms’ and ‘monster’

[modgryphonrambles]

Yeah, this is accurate! Kyle barely manages to explain just one of the traumas he's faced before Husam looks over at Bastet and asks "So what weapons ya got in your armory that I can teach Kyle ta use?"

[modgryphonrambles]

Probably won't be doing any RP today, I'm a little bit sick and my head hurts too much to think too hard right now

[prideful-khopesh]

*As the two guards leave the party, they make a quick diversion towards the kitchens. It’s clear they’re attempting to be stealthy, but they’re doing a very bad job of it, stumbling, giggling, and not-so-subtly shushing each other. The kitchen staff that are still working choose to look the other way, chuckling quietly at the antics.*

*The two manage to complete their little raid, only losing half of their prize to the floor as they wrap a plate of baklava in tin foil. And with the mission a success they retreat back to the barracks for a well-earned sleep.*

*When Husam wakes up it’s to a warm fuzzy body cuddled next to him, a head pillowed on his chest. He tenses for a moment, worried that he’d taken things a bit too far last night. But he relaxes when he opens his eye to see not a stranger in his bed, but a still dressed Tefibi. This is a little awkward but fine.*

*Husam gently taps Tef on their back to wake them up, and the younger man squints his eyes open.*

Couldn’t make it ta your own cot last night then Tef?

You’re in my one.

*Husam sits up just enough to have a glance around the room, Tef whining in protest at the movement. Some of the cots around them are also occupied by guards sleeping off hangovers, though his one is empty save for Hafizah dozing next to a covered plate.*

Oh, 𓋴𓉔𓇋𓏏, you’re right.

*He flops back down and Tefibi makes himself comfortable against him again. Husam sighs a little at it, but before he can say anything Tef whimpers.*

My head hurts…

*Husam can’t help but chuckle.*

Yeah, hangovers, the penalty for havin’ a good time. Is it just a headache?

*Tef nods with another little whine.*

That ain’t too bad then. Hopefully that means ya ain’t gonna throw up on me.

*Another chuckle and Husam gently pats Tef’s back again.*

I can get ya a painkiller if ya let me up.

Do I have to? You’re comfy and warm.

I’d prefer it, ain't a big fan of bein' cuddled...

Oh… Oh!

*Tef suddenly sits up blushing bright red. And then clutches at his head as the movement makes his headache worse. Husam sits up more carefully.*

Take it slow. You’ll make yourself worse if ya move like that.

‘M sorry, didn’t mean to make you uncomfor-

It’s okay, 𓋴𓉔𓇋𓏏 like this happens after drinkin’, it don’t really mean anythin’.

O-oh…

*Husam notes the disappointment in Tef’s voice, and as he leaves the room to get painkillers and water, he murmurs under his breath.*

اثنان في يومين. كيف تمكنت من فعل هذا بحق الجحيم؟

*Well now he really needs to sit down and think about how he’s going to explain things to both Essam and Tefibi. He just hopes he isn’t going to ruin the friendships he has with both of them by doing so.*

[modgryphonrambles]

Why whatever could you mean, Star? /silly

But, yeah Tef developing a crush on Husam has been planned for a little bit now, the party just gave me an excuse to go forward with it more. And between Tef and Essam, Husam now has to really think about things. He's never had to deal with friends having crushes on him, all the relationships he's had before started with someone he barely knew flirting with him or asking him out.

[stellatagalazia]

Valid, valid

And iirc, Husam isn't really the kind for a typical romance, yeah? Is he more like, an open fwb/one night stand kinda guy?

[modgryphonrambles]

Yep! Open fwbs, one night stands, and occasionally short flings are what his relationships normally are.

Husam's demiromantic and almost never gets crushes on people. The only actual boyfriend he's had started out as a fwb, and it took about 9 months before Husam started actually crushing on him and wanting to do more typical romantic stuff with him like cuddling and holding hands and such. And that guy was a bit of an outlier since they were going through army training together and so were around each other almost every day.

He's also used to people ending their fwb relationship with him because they wanted to move on to actually dating him and all the affection that comes with it (and sometimes wanting exclusivity as well), and that's just not something Husam is particularly comfortable with.

There's a reason why Tongues and Teeth by The Crane Wives is the song I most associate with Husam's love life.

[prideful-khopesh]

*As the two guards leave the party, they make a quick diversion towards the kitchens. It’s clear they’re attempting to be stealthy, but they’re doing a very bad job of it, stumbling, giggling, and not-so-subtly shushing each other. The kitchen staff that are still working choose to look the other way, chuckling quietly at the antics.*

*The two manage to complete their little raid, only losing half of their prize to the floor as they wrap a plate of baklava in tin foil. And with the mission a success they retreat back to the barracks for a well-earned sleep.*

*When Husam wakes up it’s to a warm fuzzy body cuddled next to him, a head pillowed on his chest. He tenses for a moment, worried that he’d taken things a bit too far last night. But he relaxes when he opens his eye to see not a stranger in his bed, but a still dressed Tefibi. This is a little awkward but fine.*

*Husam gently taps Tef on their back to wake them up, and the younger man squints his eyes open.*

Couldn’t make it ta your own cot last night then Tef?

You’re in my one.

*Husam sits up just enough to have a glance around the room, Tef whining in protest at the movement. Some of the cots around them are also occupied by guards sleeping off hangovers, though his one is empty save for Hafizah dozing next to a covered plate.*

Oh, 𓋴𓉔𓇋𓏏, you’re right.

*He flops back down and Tefibi makes himself comfortable against him again. Husam sighs a little at it, but before he can say anything Tef whimpers.*

My head hurts…

*Husam can’t help but chuckle.*

Yeah, hangovers, the penalty for havin’ a good time. Is it just a headache?

*Tef nods with another little whine.*

That ain’t too bad then. Hopefully that means ya ain’t gonna throw up on me.

*Another chuckle and Husam gently pats Tef’s back again.*

I can get ya a painkiller if ya let me up.

Do I have to? You’re comfy and warm.

I’d prefer it, ain't a big fan of bein' cuddled...

Oh… Oh!

*Tef suddenly sits up blushing bright red. And then clutches at his head as the movement makes his headache worse. Husam sits up more carefully.*

Take it slow. You’ll make yourself worse if ya move like that.

‘M sorry, didn’t mean to make you uncomfor-

It’s okay, 𓋴𓉔𓇋𓏏 like this happens after drinkin’, it don’t really mean anythin’.

O-oh…

*Husam notes the disappointment in Tef’s voice, and as he leaves the room to get painkillers and water, he murmurs under his breath.*

اثنان في يومين. كيف تمكنت من فعل هذا بحق الجحيم؟

*Well now he really needs to sit down and think about how he’s going to explain things to both Essam and Tefibi. He just hopes he isn’t going to ruin the friendships he has with both of them by doing so.*

[modgryphonrambles]

Why whatever could you mean, Star? /silly

But, yeah Tef developing a crush on Husam has been planned for a little bit now, the party just gave me an excuse to go forward with it more. And between Tef and Essam, Husam now has to really think about things. He's never had to deal with friends having crushes on him, all the relationships he's had before started with someone he barely knew flirting with him or asking him out.

[thatonegayspacerock]

Everyone in all of Egypt: Rightfully partying, being happy, and getting shitfaced, as they should

Kyle’s Sideplot:

[thatonegayspacerock]

2 hours later btw

I’m starting to think I’m not the only one who like tormenting this poor boy.

[modgryphonrambles]

Poor Kyle, he should have just gone to the party. At least he would've been uncomfortable and overwhelmed in a mostly positive environment, instead of... well... what's happening now...

[thatonegayspacerock]

At least at the party there’s booze…

[modgryphonrambles]

I dunno, I think accidentally revealing being human and Bastet's boyfriend is quite a bit better than being forced to kidnap someone /silly

[thatonegayspacerock]

Everyone in all of Egypt: Rightfully partying, being happy, and getting shitfaced, as they should

Kyle’s Sideplot:

[thatonegayspacerock]

2 hours later btw

I’m starting to think I’m not the only one who like tormenting this poor boy.

[modgryphonrambles]

Poor Kyle, he should have just gone to the party. At least he would've been uncomfortable and overwhelmed in a mostly positive environment, instead of... well... what's happening now...

[scrybe-of-death]

Very important question. What's the drinking age in Egypt?

Hmmm, 18 cause if youre old enough to die in war then youre old enough to down a couple of beers in my happy little utopia

[modgryphonrambles]

Husam: Ya hear that Tef! It ain't illegal for me ta give ya booze!

Tef: Can I still say no?

[modgryphonrambles]

Hey YouTube why did you recommend me an Ancient Egyptian love song that mentions a crocodile? You've never recommended me actual Ancient Egyptian music before, why did you do this now and why this specific song? I mean, I'm not complaining, this is cool, but how?

It's a sweet song too, about a guy saying that the love of his beloved is so strong that not even the floodwaters or crocodiles can bother him as he crosses the river to see her. Adorable!

[scrybe-of-death]

One without shading

note this is not a guard outfit shes chilling

[scrybe-of-death]

i felt like zsuzsi's original design (in terms of her body type and general appearance, not her clothing) was kind of boring and didnt reflect her character very well

like, think about it, this woman's a Head Guard, a warrior so esteemed shes literally at the top of her entire country's military, right below the pharaoh himself. she has to earn that somehow, and part of it is through her being incredibly good at what she does; she was fighting that whole final battle and barely came out with more than a broken ankle and some scars on the arms

she wouldnt be small or curvy by itself, she would be big and bulky and muscular, and strong enough to be able to challenge people with ease

i changed her braids a little bit too, the old design it didnt really represent what box braids actually look like properly, they just kinda looked like rectangles on her head, i think this drawing distincts it a little more and makes it more clear the boxiness is a stylization of ethnic features instead of just really weirdly shaped straight hair

and also i changed her arm stripes, while they didnt look bad i wanted their color changed because the gold felt too bright and flashy on her and i wanted her skin to be a closer color across her body than before so that her clothes and accessories (which she would likely use to express herself much more than makeup (she likes it, but it feels bad on her face and also shes a busy woman) or pins/patches/etc) stood out more

finally, changed where her mandibles were just cause it didnt look good LMAO. so now her mandibles are more properly in her mouth, less 'accurate'(?) and makes her look a little less like a scarab but i think its much nicer

also she has coffee cause thats 100% her lifeboat on a bad morning

i think it looks much better now and i am very proud. uvu

[modgryphonrambles]

You should be proud, she looks amazing! In particular, I love how bulky she is now! Before I kinda assumed she was more of a speedy fighter that couldn’t take many hits herself, but now she looks like a real powerhouse, like she could easily overpower many of the other guards. And I mean scarabs are such strong beetles, it makes sense that Zsuzsi would be too.