✨ the importance of being an artist ✨

starlit or starlight // they/them // 22 // shy little writer with chronic fatigue

[fictionoftheself]

How do one... type an em dash?

I don't think that thing existed in my mother tongue's literature until 2023 with the spawn of generative AI.

I did see it in English literature before and I thought it was a special formatting of the hyphen.

I now write in both language and I still don't know how you make em dashes or en dashes. I use the commas, the semicolons and the hyphens. On the keyboard, there's only the hyphen.

Do you even need the em dash at all?

[starlite-writes]

Hi!

There are many ways to add an em-dash! Some programs (Google Docs and Microsoft Word) will automatically replace -- or --- with either an en- or em-dash.

If you have a ten key, you can do Alt + 1051 and it'll place one. Without the ten key, Ctrl + Alt + (minus) also works. Most English keyboards on the phone allow you to press and hold the hyphen to place en- and em-dashes.

As for their purpose, the em-dash can be used as a substitute for commas, parentheses, or colons. It can also mark a cut off sentence or thought. It conveys a slightly different tone than colons or commas, and can be easier to read than parentheses some times.

Some examples of when you'd use it:

"What the—"

"It would be a beautiful day—if the sun would stop beating down."

"Three things—my purse, keys, and coat—were left in my car."

"She knew the answer—he was lying."

It's definitely a necessity in English; as a writer and English student I love to (over)use it in my work. It helps break up the flow and adds a bit of diversity to the work—and it definitely makes things easier to read at times.

I hope that's helpful! C:

[starlite-writes]

Dr Tussah always has tricks up his sleeve.

That’s what Tenebris is reminding himself as he walks to a charming little lakeside gazebo that looks welcoming. Tussah is standing and waiting, his back turned to Tenebris, his gaze on the lake. Golden wisteria weeps yellow flowers everywhere, and bees hum musically. Tenebris counts at least several separate species of flowering shrub and herb—a few poisonous—in carefully tended garden beds that harmonically frame the entry. It is all made of a creamy sandstone, and on a wide reaching verandah, with many tables and chairs and flower arrangements. This is a place of entertainment on a grand scale.

A place that likely holds its own secrets in the woods behind.

If that doesn’t sound exactly like the beginning to a fairy tale… Tenebris thinks with some scorn as Tussah finally turns to look at him.

The anger in his eyes is unmistakable, and Tenebris feels a cold pit in his stomach.

He knows.

One can often see the similarities between Tussah and Silk, but at times like these, they are glaringly obvious even when only one is present. Silk is a stunning example of corporate cruelty—an exceptional specimen, really—and Tussah is nearly the splitting image of her in all things, if a coarser version. But in the coldness of Tussah's eyes there is a certain scrutiny in his direct gaze that Silk often lacks, and Tenebris sees echoes of himself in it.

This is a man who wears his appearance well. The doctor is dressed as impeccably as always, his shirt tucked neatly into his slacks and not a wrinkle to be found. His cane rests braced against the ground, but he isn't leaning much of his weight against it today.

"Where is your tagalong?" Tussah asks with faux pleasantness. "The little one with the buns?"

No greetings, then. Very well.

"My esteemed creator," Tenebris begins dramatically, keeping his voice rich and unctuous, "I was beginning to fear you'd forgotten all about me. My dear friend is busy; we do not spend every waking moment together. If you leave a message with me, I'll be sure to pass it onto him."

"I doubt that," Tussah says, rolling his eyes.

It doesn't take anything more than him extending his hand like he wants to give Tenebris something, then his fingers curl in quickly, and Tenebris steps back, feeling as though he's been struck even though he knows he hasn't.

"The thing about punishment is that it's temporary," Tussah says, "and I've been told the shock wears off even if memories don't. You're no longer surprised by much of anything I do, but you remember. You see, Tenebris, I've left you alone long enough, for which you owe me gratitude. Do not ever try and trick me by feeding me false records again. The person I asked for records on is a member of my company—he is one of mine. That you would try this against me is reprehensible; that you would try it against me is foolish on your behalf. Adaliah is pissed, and I can't say I blame her. Would you?"

Tussah tips his head to the side, his eyes flicking over Tenebris, standing there, silent, and his mouth quirks into a smirk.

"Ah, so that's what it was. You thought feeding me false records would satisfy me and keep little pet safe, without compromising your morals? Do you know what they say about cake, Tenebris? You can't have it and eat it too. But maybe you've thought you were getting that," he adds smugly, turning his back to Tenebris again to look out at the water. "How are your experiments going? How nice it must be for you, getting to perform those without actually having to hurt anyone, getting to keep your moral superiority. Your virus must be on a very tight leash indeed if you're so okay with it."

Tenebris stares at him, and then his face contorts and a massive shockwave of something washes over him. He steps backwards and on instinct more than rationality, he gathers the shadows nearby and rushes them towards his creator. He opens his mouth to take a deeper breath. Emotion wells in him, anger and fear and rage and terror and regret all at once.

"You are impressive," Tussah says, unmoving except for how he turns to glance at the shadows attempting to crawl up his cane, his legs, scrambling up the railing of the gazebo. "Very, in fact, but you can't hurt me. And if you keep trying, I'll find a way to take your mind, and then you'll be less than the animal that you believe me to be until you die."

Tenebris lets go of the shadows immediately, watching them melt back into their original shapes as he sits on the stone steps of the gazebo, feeling scored out, hollow.

"I can keep a secret very well," Tussah says, turning back to Tenebris and walking over, grasping him by the shoulder and hauling him upright. "I can keep your secrets too. Do behave in a way that gives me a reason to."

[starlite-writes]

“Maximilian.”

Maximilian picks up his head from his bed, frowning at Angel.

“Go away,” he mutters, pulling his blanket over his head.

“Mm, I don’t think so, my dear.” Angel sits on the edge of the bed, and Maximilian kicks at them. “When will you learn that I’m not actually here, and therefore you can’t hurt me?”

“Go away,” Maximilian repeats.

“Maximilian,” Angel says, acting as though he hasn’t spoken, “are you familiar with the thought experiment surrounding the Ship of Theseus?

Maximilian pulls the blanket down just enough to squint at them, and Angel smiles patiently.

“You see,” Angel continues, “it’s a question surrounding identity. ‘The ship wherein Theseus returned had thirty oars, and was preserved by the Athenians, for they took away the old planks as they decayed, putting in new and stronger timber in their place, insomuch that this ship became a standing example among the philosophers, for the logical question as to things that grow; one side holding that the ship remained the same, and the other contending that it was not the same.’

“The question, Maximilian, is this: if the Athenians replaced all of the parts of the ship of Theseus, is it still the original ship? If not, then when does it become a new one? And if someone used all those old discarded parts which were replaced to build a new ship, then is that the original ship of Theseus?”

Maximilian sits up slowly, turning to face Angel with a deep frown.

“Oh, now what’s that face for?” Angel asks. ”I figured you would jump at the opportunity to talk philosophy. I know Mal makes such terrible intellectual company.”

“I believe there is an ulterior point you are making here, and I do not appreciate it,” Maximilian replies wryly.

“Oh?” Angel taps their fingers against their leg, tilting their head. “Oh! How funny. I didn’t even connect those dots myself. How silly.”

“I doubt it,” Maximilian says.

“How cold you are,” Angel sighs. “Yes, well, let us look at it like that, then. If you, Maximilian, are made up of all the little pieces of people you interact with—”

“Stop.”

“—then are you really you?” Angel smiles. “It’s a fascinating question, don’t you think? After all, you have some baseline of a personality to you, somewhere. As much as you social learning programs start as blank slates, you have something. But you, Maximilian, have all the memories of your predecessor. Does that make you her?”

“Stop it,” Maximilian hisses.

“If you’re not her, then what makes you different? Is it your experiences? But your experiences change you on a fundamental level, chipping away and replacing your very personality with every new interaction. So I suppose that makes you a bit of everyone, hm?”

Angel folds one leg over their knee and fixed Maximilian with a steady gaze, their expression unreadable.

“So then, if you’re a bit of everyone, are you still you? If so, why? And if not, at what point do you stop being you?”

[thehellishtrinity]

When your life has already been mapped for you, what lengths would you go to break free from your fate? 

Page, Script, and Muse—three AIs in a world abundant with technology—struggle to find independence and autonomy outside their assigned stations. When a friend of theirs goes missing, a door opens into a new world. As they venture further from the roles they’re meant to play, their mundane lives take a turn. They learn quickly that there is a price to pay for the luxury of choice.

System Trinity is out on Webtoon and Tapas!

Read Now: [ Webtoon | Tapas ]

[froyo-ocs]

Hey, can y’all rb this if it’s okay to send you messages asking about your ocs, cause on god I wanna interact with y’all but I am terrified of being annoying lol

[starlite-writes]

Angel faces Everett with no fear in their eyes. They're as prim and proper as Everett remembers, hands folded politely upon their lap, clothes a pristine white and soft gold that makes them look ethereal.

"So, you finally show yourself, coward," Everett says, almost lightly, as he sets his elbow on his desk and leans on his arm. "I was wondering if you would. I've been waiting."

Angel shudders--the movement barely visible--then almost bares their teeth. But then they laugh.

"I mean it," Everett says before they can reply. "Surely you knew I was watching you from the moment you started appearing again."

"Yes, yes, of course, sir." Angel smiles. "I was always planning to visit. After all, anything for you, sir."

"Oh, cut that out, Angel."

"Anything you want, sir," Angel replies, their voice smoothing into another chuckle. "Anything you want. Consider it your reward for spotting what no one else could."

"Then tell me what you've been up to."

"Do you really want to know?" Angel asks, a mischievous sparkle in their eye.

Everett looks at them warily, and Angel smiles sweetly.

"Did I ever tell you the time I pretended to be a sweet little maiden? Oh, delightful. People really do underestimate the power of beauty, but paired with strength and knowledge.... I never touch anyone myself, of course, but you should have heard the screams, goodness; that is something to think about. Of course, the other one changed his patterns, his modus operandi, his tactics. He always does. He's not quite so... playful with his food anymore."

"The other one?"

Angel smiles, cold and cruel. "Oh? Everett. Did you miss that little memo? I thought it was so obvious. Had you not noticed his absence either, then? I suppose he really must be so insignificant, that Maximilian; I know my dear companion isn't quite that good at hiding. Rest assured your Amity's successor is in excellent company."

Everett's skin crawls with gooseflesh. It is gloating, but it is something else too. He feels like Angel is always hunting, always ready to pounce. They are nothing like they used to be. And Everett is beginning to wonder how any of them trust Holden so readily, knowing this is a creation of his.

"You didn't like it when... your person changed his patterns, did you?" Everett asks. "Does it scare you, Angel? That unpredictability?"

"All feel fear at the end of things; it is only natural. Fear of the unknown and all. After all, one wants things to go a certain way, but rarely does life go how you plan. Mine certainly didn't, and now, well, my darling... I may do what I like. I may not know all, but I know so much. Certainly more than you ever will."

Everett is silent for a time, and then he lowers his head towards his screen to get a better look at Angel.

"If you were human, I think I'd tear your throat out."

"If I were human..." Angel sighs. "Oh, I wouldn't be on this horrible fucking journey to begin with."

[starlite-writes]

(Tez belongs to @thehellishtrinity!)

---

Tenebris sits with his feet propped up on a desk, watching as the door opens and two familiar blonde figures enter the room.

"Doctors," he greets, willing to put forth the effort of feigning politeness. "Nice to see you both."

Silk shoots him a glare at the same moment Tussah rolls his eyes.

One of these visits, then. Tenebris sighs, not bothering to put his feet back on the floor even when Silk and Tussah shoot him dirty looks as they take their seats on the other side.

"You know what we're here for," Silk says, her tone smooth despite the irritation only evidenced in her eyes.

Tenebris doesn't say anything. His eyes just flick from Silk to Tussah, and then back.

"Well, I don't, actually, but I can assume you're once again expecting me to give you classified information that is protected by law," Tenebris says calmly, inspecting his nails. "Which, I will remind you once again is a violation o—"

"Don't you say it," Tussah warns, his voice low.

"I wouldn't have to if you'd actually listen to it," Tenebris replies, glancing up at his creator with nothing short of boredom. "Submit a request and fill out the appropriate paperwork and have me do a new test, and I can tell you the results then. Until you do that…" He shrugs, a thin smile on his lips. "My hands are tied, Doctors."

"We don't have time for that," Silk snaps. "You're Caspian's program. Just give him the information and we will be out of your hair."

"No can do, Dr Silk," Tenebris sighs. "Dr Tussah may be my creator but it does not free him or me from our responsibility to follow the law. And really, you two ought to be considering how bad would it look if someone found out the two heads of an international research institute were trying to intimidate a medical AI into breaking the law for them."

"You will never breathe a word of this to anyone, Tenebris, or God as my witness, I will tear you apart line by line myself," Tussah threatens, standing up quickly.

Tenebris's expression remains unimpressed. "You'll have a hell of a time doing that from prison, Doc. Word of advice? Blue's more your colour. You'll look washed out in apricot. Best keep your hands clean." He gives a fake wince. "Oh, sorry. Forgot who I'm talking to."

It's Silk that steps around the table and grabs him by the coat, pulling him to his feet. "You have a lot of nerve."

"Wonder where I got it from," Tenebris replies coolly, still unphased. "Obviously not from you two soulless spineless sell outs."

He anticipates the harsh strike from Tussah's cane across the front of his shins, but it doesn't make it hurt any less. Tenebris groans, wincing a little as Silk roughly shoves him back into his seat before she perches on the end of the table.

"From words to threats to displays of violence in all of a few minutes, huh? You're losing your touch; it's getting easier to make you mad." He crosses his legs and ruffles his hair. He glares at Silk. "Look. I. Can't. Help. You. You're asking the impossible." He looks to Tussah. "Both of you."

Silk's blue eyes flash with rage. "Then what is the point of having you—"

"Adaliah." Tussah's voice is eerily calm, laced with a faux pleasant tone more commonly heard from Silk. "It's all right. Take a breath." He leans forward, resting his chin against the handle of his cane as he addresses Tenebris. "You're just not using your critical thinking skills. Approach it like a puzzle, Tenebris. Or… do you prefer to just be called Tene these days?"

"I expect the patient files requested on my computer before the end of the business day," Tussah says, standing up. Silk does the same. "That's not up for negotiation."

Tenebris's eye twitches as he fights to keep his expression passive at the sound of Tez's nickname for him, and Tussah just smiles coldly in a way that says his unspoken threat has gotten the reaction he wanted regardless.

I know you wouldn't dare put a hit on him, is what Tenebris wants to say. But in the end, he says nothing at all, because he doesn't know that. In fact, he knows more about his creator's partner than he does his own programmer. Tussah is a mystery; his one consistency is that he only ever seems to appear before his creations when there's trouble.

Tenebris stares at the table for a moment, then looks up and meets Tussah's eyes for just a second. "Yes, sir," he says, tone void of emotion.

"Excellent." Tussah nods. "Thank you."

"Yes, thank you for making what should have been a very simple task a three-day-long hassle," Silk snips. She doesn't wait another second before exiting the room, the door slamming behind her.

Tussah sets a hand on Tenebris's shoulder as he passes by, and Tenebris doesn't look up at him.

Tussah's tone is just as calm as before, but a little less warm, like he doesn't really care about what happens now that he's sure he's gotten what he wants.

"It was good to see you. Give my best to… their name is Tez, isn't it?"

With that, he walks towards the door, whistling an almost cheerful little tune.

[starlite-writes]

What are some songs you associate with your characters?

!!!!

Thank you for asking; I'm so happy to answer this /gen

Have some songs and specific lyrics that I think really relate to them

Angel: Yellow Flicker Beat by Lorde

(Alternatively. The Phantom of the Opera Overture I GUESS... they are extremely Phantom coded but that's neither here nor there)

Dr Silk: Dirty Imbecile by The Happy Fits

Dr Tussah: Dear Dictator by Saint Motel

Ezra: Nighthawks by Whitehorse

Maximilian: Can't Catch Me Now by Olivia Rodrigo

If you want some others! Please let me know but these are the main guys! C:

[starlite-writes]

Charm will get you far in life.

It is by this motto that Ezra lives his life. Charm and class, hand in hand to paint an elegant picture that has many dropping their guard without thinking twice.

Beautiful yet cruel by design, he is a brightly coloured flower, poisonous and enticing. To the average person, he is friendly, cheerful, knowledgeable. To the average person, he is merely an interesting character amidst a sea of many other people. A single bright flower in a vase of far uglier weeds.

To the unlucky, he shows his fangs. In an instant, the image of pristinely preserved elegance falls away to reveal the predator behind the mask. Ezra sinks his teeth into his victims and shreds them to pieces without mercy, thriving on bloodshed and carnage like a flower would water and well-fed soil.

Nature can only do what it was bred and raised to do, as cruel and vile as it may seem. Survival of the fittest is not just a turn of phrase. Surviving is a gift, restricted to those strong enough to fight and scratch and claw their way past the soil.

Who can hate nature’s golden child? He who has perfected the art of enticing beauty and deadly predation, is he who survives another day.

He who is caught amidst the deep waters of the pitcher plant or ensnared by the fly trap, is he who becomes just another nameless casualty in the circle of life and death.

[starlite-writes]

One of Angel’s most commonly seen puppets has dark red eyes like garnets hidden behind round brown frames.

Those eyes dance with the carefully restrained flames of unpredictable violence, of bloodlust and the ingrained need to destroy and wreak havoc.

Despite being young and largely inexperienced, he's already garnered a fearsome reputation. Hushed whispers and a trail of carnage follow this crimson horror across system after system, but few who have encountered him have stayed alive long enough to share his name.

Mal.

Mal is said to be blessed with beauty and rage alike. His sharp teeth are designed to pierce skin easily, and he has the unique ability to steal and replace the code of other programs. His pointed ears are reminiscent of mischievous fae. There is something distinctly fox-like about him behind his childish charm.

Though he makes no attempt to conceal his nature, it would be easy to mistake him for a friend at first. His wardrobe is casual, his posture relaxed, his mannerisms designed to put people at ease. His voice does not suit the monster behind his mask—it is cordial, polite, soothing. Rarely does it raise in anger or frustration, keeping a playful lilt to it like it's all just a silly little game.

Perhaps it is only a game in his mind. He is only a child, albeit one said to be born of chaos and malice.

Still, he is every bit a wolf in sheep’s clothing as his master. Even the apex predator must grow from a baby to a fearsome creature.

Most dangerous is the puppet who believes itself to be a real boy.

[starlite-writes]

They’re a curious thing.

Blonde hair over pale skin like a soft halo. Golden eyes that flick over everything in the room, cataloging, questioning. Straight posture and spotless clothing.

They certainly fit their name well enough.

Angel.

Pure. Ethereal. Incomprehensible.

Incomprehensible, and untouchable.

A leader, first and foremost. Angel is a creature in control, commanding respect in everything they do. They demand attention the moment they walk into the room.

They are a planner, an executor. They are doing the research, finding all the possible paths and selecting the best one.

There is something about them that makes them appear softer the longer you look at them. Kinder. Helpful, even. A wolf in sheep’s clothing, welcoming a lost member to the herd. A spider’s invisible web cast across the entrance to an inviting cavern.

A puppetmaster. They are pulling all of the hidden strings so delicately they're imperceptible. The art of the puppet, after all, is to appear natural. The one making the movements is to be hidden, forgotten. Always in the background, but never in sight.

All puppets require strings. They get into trouble without them—just look at Pinocchio.

Still, the puppetmaster must have an end goal. Perhaps to make you laugh. To entertain. To tell a story, or make a warning.

What happens when you finally get a peek behind the curtain?

[starlite-writes]

This man has many names. Some call him the Record Keeper. Others, the Man of Many Lifetimes.

He would call himself Maximilian. Nothing more, and nothing less.

Chances are, you will find him with a book in hand, if you find him at all. He will be tucked away in a corner, brown hair falling over his face, professional clothing looking pristine as if he fears being seen in any lesser state, with a story in his lap, regardless of activity around him, regardless of time of day.

Some people eat food, others drink water. He consumes words and little else.

Still, beneath the bookworm is a terrified child. Born of the human desire for connection, it should come of no surprise that this man strives to be whatever is needed of him, willingly or not. Personality wipes away with little effort like an eraser across a whiteboard, replaced by the next unspoken request until he finds yet another. A baseline undertones everything he does, of course—how strange would it be, to exist only as a mirror? Of course he is his own person.

But what is it that makes you, you?

Perhaps what he is looking for in those books is an answer.

All in all, Maximilian is a simple man of simple desires.

What cruel fate that this piteous creature was chosen as our protagonist.

[starlite-writes]

Hello I am here to be a problem! Anyway!

1 -> Angel 11 -> for any 5 of your kids bc I would ask for all of them but that's excessive so I am just asking for 5! 19 -> Asirli 21 -> Silk and Tussah C: 33 -> Mal 36 -> A......a.......angel......asking for a friend....................also Dr Silk

!! Thank you for asking i appreciate you... dropping these under the cut because BOY did it get long

1. If your oc was to host a TV show, what would it be about? Would your oc be good at it? What sorts of guests would appear?

God, could you imagine Angel hosting any kind of TV show? LMAO But I think, if they had to... maybe some kind of weird psychology show... How To Gaslight 101... /hj They have no guests ever it's just Angel all the time because they can't share the spotlight... but you know, of course, there was a guest on last week; don't you remember? No? Hm, weird. There was definitely someone there. Perhaps you should pay closer attention next time.

11. What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to your oc?  Do they still feel ashamed for it? Were there any witnesses?

Oh, God. Uhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Luke! I think he's still really embarrassed about punching Maximilian when he first showed up... it was really out of character for him, but to be fair this was immediately after Mal in his mind and he was extremely combative and disoriented... he's apologised many times and so has Maximilian for making it worse but that. it took them a while to get over that first impression LMAO like a week before they would even say a word to each other kind of while. But now they're friends so it's cool.

Maximilian... even though it's probably not canon anymore, the masquerade was one of his top three for sure. Being paraded around in fancy clothes and forced to act like you like your kidnapper while you're stuck in a fucked up mass dream with your co-workers, who should have kept you from being here in the first place? That shit scarred him. In Trinity, it is 100% Silk putting him under curfew like a grounded teenager. Absolutely humiliating he has never recovered from that.

Tinashe... she was super excited when she first got her android body,,, but when it inevitably broke down the first time you know she was hella embarrassed and cursing Remy to hell and back. Imagine trying to pass as a person and then your body just breaks??? Awful.

For Mal,,, canonically, I got no idea. in Trinity, his first meeting with Starling. You try to beat someone up and you just beat yourself up instead???? Fucked up. But at least he got a hot black-magic-witch partner-in-crime out of it.

Rixi... that time Tina called her out about being in love with Remy and told her she was crazy for it. Rixi is really good at pretending things don't bother her or brushing them off after she has a cry but I think that's one of the few things that's stuck with her even though she never addressed it again.

The Raven Prince... [All of these words have been stolen from me sorry.]

19. If your oc were to be arrested for something, what would it be for? For being too kind, for a legitimate crime?

Asirli,,, stole a priceless map, probably. They were going to return it! They just wanted to study it a little! Is that so wrong? :(

21. Are there any public events your oc would love to go to? Concerts, plays, movies, parties, etc? What about ones that they would hate? Why?

Oh, hmm... I mean, there's not really anything they couldn't get themselves invited to, if they really wanted, but I think Silk would want to go to a casino and let loose for a weekend. I think she would really enjoy it, actually, especially given her competitive streak, but alas... that would require her to take time away from work. For Tussah... literally anywhere he would not be recognised would be great. Let him be Aurelius for a single day. Let him go to like. an art studio and paint with a group for a day without being hounded about work.

Places they would hate... Silk's is the beach. Tussah's is literally anywhere further than five feet off the ground. In all seriousness, Silk doesn't really enjoy large gatherings all that much, and Tussah gets bored during movies. He's a talker.

33. How does your oc’s own perception of themselves compare to how other people see them? Is your oc aware that other people see them differently (if it’s different)?

Thank you for choosing Mal out of everyone; he is The character for this question!

Mal definitely sees himself as someone who is much smarter and more mature than he is. He thinks he's cunning and strong and all, but he's really just extremely lucky (and being in league with Angel doesn't hurt). Mal's one of those who outwardly has a very inflated sense of self, and to a degree, he's definitely tricked himself into believing it. He's certainly aware that Angel (and most other people) sees him as childish and impulsive, but he doesn't really care too much, because regardless of what Angel says or thinks, they still need him, and vice versa.

36. What is your oc’s ideal night out like? Or would they rather spend it at home?

Wow, I can't imagine why you'd be asking this for them (/lh /s).

For Silk! Her ideal night out is a quiet visit to a planetarium so she can infodump at you about the stars,,, maybe a trip out to the middle of nowhere to look at constellations and have a cup of coffee and some dessert...

For Angel! Good luck getting them rested enough to go anywhere! But if you did manage, they'd probably enjoy a really fancy dinner and a formal concert... or like,,, a night at the opera. You know. Something pretentious.

[druzydabbles]

40 OC Development Questions

I enjoy making character development questions way too much. These ones have basic and more random ones mixed in, but I tried to make them more in-depth.

Feel free to send in some asks with some numbers! Pick an oc, or I’ll pick randomly. If you reblog, I’ll roll a few dice and shoot some numbers your way, too!

If your oc was to host a TV show, what would it be about? Would your oc be good at it? What sorts of guests would appear?

Can your oc play any instruments? Have they ever wanted to learn how to play any? Why?

If you were to choose another name for your oc, what do you think it would be? Did you choose it for how it sounds or for its meaning?

How does your oc fare in the dark? Are they scared? Do they trip over things really easily or navigate like they have night vision? (Or do they have night vision?)

How well would your oc fare as a teacher? What subject would they be best at teaching? What about the worst?

What was your oc’s relationship with their parents like? If they didn’t have any parents/didn’t know them, who in their life was the closest to a parent to them?

Does your oc have any allergies, intolerances, or other sensitivities? How dangerous is it? Does this affect their daily life in any way?

Does your oc prefer being in a crowd or being completely alone? How many people can be around them before they get uncomfortable?

How easily does your oc make friends? Do they have difficulty talking to new people? Why?

How open is your oc to trying new things? Are they the adventurous sort, or would they rather stay in their comfort zone? Why?

What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to your oc?  Do they still feel ashamed for it? Were there any witnesses?

Does your oc have any best friends? Who was/is their closest friend? What about their worst enemy?

How dangerous is your oc? Are they completely innocent, or someone to be feared? Do others know?

What is your oc’s vision like? Do they require glasses, are they completely blind, or do they have 20/20 vision? Does this have an effect on their life?

What is your oc’s favourite time of day? Why is this? Do they have a daily practice during this time?

How often does your oc lie? Why is that? What was the biggest lie they’ve ever told?

How well can your oc keep secrets? Is there a difference between how they handle their own vs someone else’s? To what lengths would they go to keep something hidden?

How does your oc fare in an emergency situation? Do they panic, do they freeze, do they take charge?

If your oc were to be arrested for something, what would it be for? For being too kind, for a legitimate crime?

What is your oc’s personal hygiene like? Is it important to them? What is their daily routine for this like?

Are there any public events your oc would love to go to? Concerts, plays, movies, parties, etc? What about ones that they would hate? Why?

How quiet or loud is your oc? Are they easily capable of sneaking around without being heard, or do they feel it’s impossible to stop talking?

How difficult is it for your oc to get to sleep? Do they fall asleep the moment they hit the pillow, or do they have insomnia? Any reason why?

How dramatic is your oc? Do they make a big deal over every little thing, or do they fail to react to even the most crazy of events?

How does your oc handle being sick? Do they pretend not to be? Do they complain a lot? How susceptible to getting sick are they?

How stylistically fancy is your oc? Or would they rather go for comfort and plainness instead?

What’s your oc’s preferred mode of transportation? Walking, vehicle, (or in a sci-fi/magic setting) teleportation?

Is your oc always late, always early, or always right on time? Is there any reason for this?

How empathetic is your oc? Or are they closer to being a sociopath? Any reason why?

How much does your oc swear? Or do they keep completely clean? Why is this? Is there any situation where they would be the opposite?

What is your oc’s sense of humour like? What do they find funny? Do they try to be funny? Are they actually?

Is your oc a pacifist, or someone who picks fights? Why? In what situations would they be the opposite?

How does your oc’s own perception of themselves compare to how other people see them? Is your oc aware that other people see them differently (if it’s different)?

How easily does your oc throw something away? As soon as something is through with its usefulness, or are they more like a hoarder? Is there a reason?

Is your oc a workaholic, or do they find it hard to be busy at all? Do they find it easy to relax, or must they have something to do at all times? Why?

What is your oc’s ideal night out like? Or would they rather spend it at home?

How picky is your oc? Will they not accept something because of the smallest details being off, or do they not care in the slightest? Why?

How energetic is your oc? Do they have trouble sitting still or do they feel low on juice all the time? Any reason why?

Is it difficult for your oc to focus, or do they have no trouble being in the moment? Do they daydream or zone out?

How humble is your oc? Or are they closer to royal in their self-perception? Why? Is this obvious to others?

[thehellishtrinity]

I asked Starlight this already but I'm curious about Virus and Remy's side of things too! What's the relationship with Dr. Silk and Dr. Tussah like?

It’s… a little complicated!

Regarding Remy -> Dr. Silk

There’s a lot of respect there! Remy is very intrigued by Dr. Silk bc he sees a lot of similarities to himself in her. He thinks she’s very intelligent and capable and he thinks that she could do to lighten up once in a while. He thinks of her positively, you could almost call her his friend if he wasn’t allergic to putting definitive labels on relationships of any kind. Iirc, he initially started bothering her bc she was digging around for info on him and he was like Yo Stop That. And she didn’t. So he decided inviting her on outings so at least he could control the spread of info she gets was the best play. It turned into this semi-regular thing where he invites her out via whatever ominous invitation he chooses, they just hang out, play games, and ask each other questions. He’s also taken to annoying her every now and then, most prominently he likes to kidnap Tocelyn, her AI dog, just to mess with her. (Rest assured, no harm ever comes to the dog, he dotes on her a lot bc she is. Well. A dog. )

Regarding Virus -> Dr. Tussah

Well. It’s complicated. As you might have read in Starlight’s answer, Virus is like a…. virus on call for Dr. Tussah. Due to a deal made between his creator and Dr. Tussah that I will not go into detail about, Virus functionally has to take requests and commissions from Dr. Tussah. But, y’all know Virus. He doesn’t like doing things he’s told to do. Virus enjoys antagonizing Dr. Tussah and pissing him off but he doesn’t actually like Dr. Tussah. As such, he makes it his mission to make every interaction they have with each other as painful as possible for Dr. Tussah. The Coelacanth disaster was also a product of this…distaste for Dr. Tussah.

[starlite-writes]

What's the relationship with Remy and Virus?

Well, it's something! Silk knows Remy, and Tussah knows Virus, but Silk and Tussah don't know about the other's... nuisance.

Remy and Silk's relationship is pretty amicable most of the time? Silk views him as an annoyance but like. a tolerable annoyance. It's like. nemesis but also friend but not really but also. Remy is the closest thing she has to a friend. They meet up, play games, and most of the time, questions and answers are the reward. Remy also likes to kidnap Tocelyn. Silk doesn't like that her dog enjoys his company but what can you do.

Tussah and Virus... uhhh. Not so good! Virus is kind of a royal pain in Tussah's ass but y'know. that's pretty expected for Virus, isn't it? Essentially Tussah has a deal that allows him to borrow Virus as needed, and Tussah kind of... commissioned him for the Coelacanth disaster, but not to the degree that it actually happened. The only people who were supposed to die were AIs because Tussah wanted them gone but you know Virus. Mr How Can I Fuck Things Up For Everyone. There wasn't really any coming back from that one.

TL;DR: Remy and Silk? Fine. Virus and Tussah? Not so good.

[starlite-writes]

can you tell us more about dr silk and dr tussah?

Sure! Putting it under the cut since it got a little long.

Dr Adaliah Silk (formerly Elysia Soros) is the head of the Aether Research Institute and the public face of IGORA as a whole, as I've said before. She has two doctorate degrees (astrophysics and computer science) and a master's in aerospace engineering! All in all, she's a very pragmatic and intelligent woman who is often seen as friendly and helpful despite actually being the epitome of corporate coldness. She's also quite curious about the possibility of alternate realities!

She has a couple of AIs she's programmed for various reasons! Their names are Azalea (her admin), Tocelyn (her personal assistant/pet fox), Maximilian (speech/language pathologist). She also has Del (space exploration), Tey (repair), and Sar (repair), who all belong to @packedlunchmeat!

All of her children hate her, with the exception of Azalea and Tocelyn. She's a bad mother (not a maternal bone in her body). Most of her kids have been kidnapped at least once.

Silk is one of those people who really likes to bully the people under her but in the way of like. she pretends she's just playing or it's an inside joke. For example, on April Fool's Day, she pays her interns in Monopoly money. Objectively not funny to the person missing out on a day's worth of pay, but hilarious to her.

Silk has three siblings! They're named Lysander (who works as IGORA's lawyer), Valeria (a history teacher), and, of course, Dr Tussah.

And Dr Caspian Tussah (formerly Aurelius Soros) is the head of the Nautilus Research Institute! He's more seen than heard, because he's not as good at the whole. politics thing. He's really just here to study fish! He has two doctorates (marine biogeochemistry and computer science) and a master's in oceanography.

Tussah is typically thought of as the hardass out of the two, but he's actually not. He's not soft, but he's definitely nicer (potentially attributed to his better work-life balance lol). The bar was on the floor, though. He has a pretty decent relationship with most of his employees but he's also prone to outbursts of violence (namely hitting people across the shins with his cane).

He's got a few AIs of his own! They are August and Tenebris, and they're both medical AIs. August is the sole surviving AI from the Coelacanth disaster (and that's a whole story on its own, honestly). He probably has more by this point but I can't remember them right now 😭

Tussah also did the physical designs for all of Silk's programs! He's an artist. Silk doesn't care about aesthetics but her brother very much does. If not for Tussah, all of Silk's AIs would be just. blobs or stick figures. The only one she designed was Tocelyn, by way of origami.

Silk's birthday is May 30th, and she's 38 years old! Tussah's is July 3rd and he's 36! They don't tell people they're siblings and keep it a secret, so there are a lot of bets around the office about if they're siblings, lovers, or old friends.

If you've made it this far, thanks! You might be interested to know that they both have... complicated relationships with two Very Notorious red and blue coded viruses. :)

If you think you know who they are... you're probably right!