#aquatroll

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another doodle for artfight, this time as revenge on the lovely @fnatrolls of Voxade, <3

[astrumocs]

memory + odarem

This one... got long bc i'd actually been meaning to write this drabble for a while,,

Characters: Odarem Mortis, Julian Mercur (AKA Julius), and Kaliya Mortis Setting: Odarem and Kaliya's Hive in the past; Occurs during Julius and Odarem's college days

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Odarem and Julian's shared late-night class had just come to a close, leaving the two to chat outside the classroom and briefly deliberate before deciding they'd be better off working on that evening's homework assignment together.

The duo makes their usual way back to Odarem's hive without issue, making teasing and flirty small talk along the way, with the bump of an elbow or push of a shoulder here and there. As Julian heads to the living room coffee table to set out their assignments, Oda makes his way to the kitchen to start brewing some coffee for himself and some tea for Julian.

From out in the living room the bronze calls out, "Are you putting tea on out there? These formulas seem needlessly overworked and I'm going to require the extra energy," he remarks, pinching his nose.

"Already on it, Juli, but I make no promise it's caffeinated and not actually sleepy-time tea-- wouldn't kill you to get some rest for once, frankly." There's a cheeky smirk practically laced in his tone as he calls back.

"You're right, it'd be much better if I fell asleep and left you alone to botch the assignment, Mortis."

"Harsh! It was your idea we work on it together, wasn't it?"

Julian clicked his tongue in a derisive tsk, a tinge of embarrassed blush coloring his face unseen. Odarem, who anticipated such a reaction without even having to look, smiled to himself without turning around.

"Yes, but that was for your sake, not mine."

"My sake, is that right? I didn't know--"

At that moment both of their heads turn towards the front door, whose handle had suddenly begun to shake as someone attempted to put in a key. Julian's eyes anxiously flit over to Odarem, whose own stayed locked on the door.

In a loud whisper, Julian spoke, "You said she'd be out until tomorrow evening..."

In a more level voice Oda replied, "That's what he said, but-"

Before the teal could finish speaking, the door swung open, revealing the younger of the two Mortis siblings, Kaliya.

"I'm back-- Oh? what's this? Rem, you have a cute little friend and you didn't tell me?" their gaze immediately swept over from Odarem to Julian, who shuffled ever so slightly under her gaze.

Julian opened his mouth to speak, but Odarem quickly beat him to it, "Ah, yeah, this is my Kismesis. Guess schedules never linked up for you two to meet until now."

Though he wouldn't admit it, Julian was thankful for the diversion, knowing Odarem did it for his sake.

Kaliya frowned and raised a skeptical brow, "Your first real friend and you start dating him? And you just never mentioned him to me, your own sibling?" his eyes dart between Odarem and Julian before he chooses to settle back on the bronze.

"You and I haven't spent much time together lately, must've just slipped my mind, sorry Kali," Odarem offers as he pulls out two mugs to fill with his and Julian's respective beverages of choice.

The younger teal ignores the explanation offered and speaks instead to Julian, "Sorry he's so embarrassed about you, you're his first friend, so I think he's self-conscious--" They wave their hand in Odarem's direction dismissively and continue, "He's such a weird one, isn't he? What is it you like about him, the putting his hands on dead animals or the nonchalant ego?"

Julian turns towards her as she starts asking a bunch of questions, about to give an answer when, once again, Odarem swoops in.

"Kali, we're trying to get an important assignment done, and it's getting late, would you interrogate him another time?" Odarem half-chuckles as though amused by her behavior.

Julian fights the urge to give his boyfriend a knowing look at the fake laugh, instead keeping his eyes on Kaliya.

She taps her foot on the floor for a moment before finally leveling her eyes at Odarem, "Fine-- pardon me for being interested in my older brother's flourishing social life." With that, she walks briskly to her room past them both and closes her door with a notable thud.

There's a long pause before Julian looks toward Odarem, who's now walking over with two drinks in hand. The teal sits on the couch beside his friend, opening his mouth to speak, but before he can get a word in it's Julian's turn to interrupt.

"...I don't like how they speak about you," he says finally, with a hint of gentleness.

Instantly Odarem offers a reassuring smile, "It's alright, that's how he is- I've gotten used to it."

"Odarem..."

"It's okay, Jules, really. Sorry you got grilled like that, I really thought he wouldn't be back until tomorrow."

"That's not-- don't be stupid. You have a lot to apologize for, but that isn't it."

Another long beat of silence as Odarem sips his drink without a rebuttal to offer. Suddenly, Julian begins packing up their homework, sliding things into folders and bags as needed to clear up the space in front of them.

"Jules?"

"We're going to my hive, I forgot a textbook we're going to need there. I know it's late, you can spend the day so we have time to get things done." The whole time he's avoiding eye contact, putting things away while the tips of his ears burn.

There's a moment when Odarem considers pointing out that whatever textbook his kismet could be referring to is almost certainly here under his own possession, but a knowing smile takes its place instead.

"That's a smart call, it's good to see you using that big brain of yours again Jules."

"Shut up, don't make me regret taking you along before we're even out of the door"

An earnest, barely stifled laugh escapes Odarem at that, "Sure thing, love."

[astrumocs]

do you have any fun facts about excirz now hes more of an established character here

can be anything

He's always kind of been middle-of-the-road established, but I'm finally starting to put effort into making him more prominent and stuff,!

Some misc fun facts:

The wood cabin that he occasionally lives in he built himself (Strong..)

He is a Priest of faith in the form of morals and dedication rather than to an entity or god; Although the symbol he uses to represent his faith is that of his former best friend, Parlus

Despite how gloomy and gruff he is, he likes colorful things (So long as it's not eye searing and such)

He's sensitive to spirits and ghosts and can sometimes even see them if they're present enough (even when others couldn't otherwise see them)

Has traveled a large part of Alternia on foot, he's very well-traveled and often does so during the day to avoid other trolls and to kill undead

He owns a hat and a handkerchief that he'll wear on rare occasions, but he doesn't make a habit of doing so

One of his favorite snacks is blackberries...

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ohhh do that bingo thing for mel and wil!

Bingo's for my beloveds (Mel left Wil right) <3 @afallatmak

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leo behaviour

"I have to be honest I have no clue what that means, but I'm hoping it's not a bad thing at least, yeah?"

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If you feel like you know anyone of mine well enough to assisgn them a pokemon please do let me know… i think oda with a cubone or marowak is a pretty cute combination, and paswon with a mienfoo or other cute but strong fighting type makes sense to me!

These are my picks for Cheine...

also I love a marowak for Oda wth... augh, And Mienfoo paswon makes sm sense too thank u Aqua <3

[astrumocs]

and chart + marlox

This may be the only time a joyful sprite is witnessed...

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☀️🧘🧑‍🤝‍🧑 odaodaoda

☀️ What do you use your abilities for most of the time?

"I use 'em for work nearly exclusively, I don't really have a reason to go tracking down dead bodies for kicks. That being said, I can never stop smelling the death and rot, so I'm always using them on some level."

🧘 Do you spend much time practicing your abilities?

"Not sure I can really practice them intentionally-- The only way I get better with identifying and picking out specific death scents is by encountering them over and over, but I'm not keen to try finding more dead people than I have to."

🧑‍🤝‍🧑Have you ever met someone else with the same abilities?

"Achlys mentioned a form of death scent in his journals, though I don't think his version was as specific as mine is. He couldn't really determine the cause of death, only the age of the decay, which I can also do."

"Kali got an even weaker version of the scent tracking and the other power they have is completely new to the bloodline, as far as I'm aware. Other than that, though, I can't say that I have, actually."