1. at first i was thinking back to how i pictured Seth while reading (see aftg as cartoons) bc when am i not thinking about princesita
but also how this guy (Brandon from Winx Club) works in terms of Stella being his gf and how her personality and looks match Allison’s (pretend you don’t know i actually pictured Stella as Laila ok?)
2. then i thought about how actually, this guy is much closer to Seth’s real personality and also adds a little flavour to his aesthetic
grumpy diva, anyone? it just so happens that his relationship with his gf, Musa, quite resembles Sethallison (aka on-n-off) 👀
3. however, Musa is totally Renee. aura, attitude, even looks
*pretends not to see white canon*
4. which leads me first to, Seth x Renee. how does that happen? how can it work? much food for thought.
5. well actually it’s not that hard: Seth x Allison x Renee. bam.
6. i love it. i do. but—and i don’t care about psychoanalyzing why—i will always find it a little uncomfortable when the ship is MFF, especially if we consider how in this case, it’s not F/F + M later, but M/F + F later. quick, brain, how do i fix that?
7. Kevin x Seth x Allison x Renee, that’s how. perfectly balanced, as all things should be. connections you couldn’t even fathom. shiny new chew toy. you’re welcome.
This one's for @sir-kettle-of-countertop and his lovely Kanarie! Written with permission of course, this one's some real toxic yuri so buckle up!
"Team Building Exercise"
“It was lovely speaking with you today Palm, I've got some paperwork to do and then a protektor will follow-up with you shortly.” Kanarie gave a polite wave at the Eule who smiled back at her before stepping out of the office. Now alone she turned to a terminal beside her seat, now uncrossing her legs as she typed out the Eule’s information on a decommission order sheet.
With the press of a final key, the information was sent off to her receptionist, who would print and deliver the order to the protektors. Kanarie leaned back in her seat, the fabric was comfortable, tailored exactly to her request. She listened to the printer outside of her office, counting in her head as she waited. The replika had memorized how long it took Kasuars to print, scan, staple and leave with an order.
They all move like clockwork, the cheap machines of the nation were so predictable. It's what she found so fascinating about her receptionists. Kanarie could watch their neural cycle from pristine to decommissioning right before her eyes, every time understanding exactly how the Kasuar thinks a little better than last time.
She stood from her comfortable seat, certain that the Kasuar outside her office had left by now. Kanarie quietly walked to her door, opening it to an empty lobby.
Perfect.
She quickly moved to the Kasuar's desk, beginning to look through her drawers until she found her receptionist’s notepad. Kanarie smiled, flipping through it slowly as she paced around the room.
It had journal writings inside, strange given the Kasuar had its own dedicated journal for that purpose but Kanarie knew better. They always do this, as soon as they understand that Kanarie has been going through their personal journal, Kasuars use other methods to maintain their stability whilst seeking privacy.
She hummed to herself, flipping through the pages, this was always exciting, her toys receptionists always wrote far more intimate things in their hidden notes. Her new one was no exception as predicted.
“It seems Kanarie has been reading my journal, so I'm going to stash this in case I'm decommissioned. I want my replacement to see.” Its handwriting was immaculate, practically printed rather than scribed. “She's been toying with me I know it.
She held me. SHE HELD ME” The underlining was hasty, scratched into the paper. It was unsurprising how panicked it seemed, Kanarie did everything in her power to be uncomfortably intimate, just barely leaving her toy receptionist pining internally until she left, then the confusion and panic took hold.
“I'm not the first, obviously there were many before me but now I understand why they all degraded so quickly. It's a game to her.” Kanarie smiled, it was so fun to see their first realizations, they each wrote it just a little differently, perhaps it was because she interacted with each replacement just a little differently.
“I can't bring myself to do anything about it. I know I'll die if I stay but I'll die regardless so whatever.
Her words though. She's so” It cut off there, likely because Kanarie or an appointment had entered the room when it was writing.
Closing the notepad, Kanarie took it to her office and set it down on the table in front of the patient couch. There was more inside, but she found it preferable to hear it from the horse's mouth. The woman took a moment to check if her schedule was clear before taking a deep breath and sitting down.
She placed a few files onto her clipboard, a personally printed sheet with her Kasuar’s information on it, another with a set of topics and notes she accrued from her previous playtimes final sessions with past toys KSAR units. Last on the board was a decommission order with no information written in yet, she was saving that for a fun little idea she couldn't get out of her head since she thought of it.
A little team building exercise.
As she heard her receptionist enter the lobby outside, Kanarie paged it into her office with the push of a button. Just a moment later, KSAR RO1587, or as it wished to be referred to; “Java,” was at the door. It looked at her first, offering a silent smile as it spoke. “Hello ma'am, how can I be of… assistance…” Its eyes locked onto the notepad with mounting horror.
Kanarie gestured to the couch, her moves still reserved and almost soothing. “Please, Java, come in.” She said, her words performatively maintaining an air of softness and care. “Do lock the door behind you.”
She couldn't exactly tell what was going through that little head of the Kasuar, but she could take a decent guess from its predictable nature. It wanted to be afraid, it wanted to run but what was the point? It can't escape its fate, running will just get it decommissioned, yet it knows what this meeting means.
Yet it still closed the door and locked it while entering, shaking hands and nervous jitters be damned, it turned around with a hollow smile. There was a moment of hesitation before the Kasuar carefully stepped further into the room, taking a seat.
The two stared at each other for a long, long time. The gentle ticking clock in the background and underscoring tune that kept track of every terrifying second until Kanarie finally spoke. “Go on and pick up that notepad. I'd like you to read it to me during our session today.”
The thing across from her let a few more ticks ring out before reaching forward and picking up the notepad. It flipped through the notes, not bothering to pretend that Kanarie wanted it to read the regular notes. She wanted to taste her toy’s its feelings, she wanted to hear it say what she read.
It started reading quietly. “Today I realized she's reading my journal. I don't know how much time I've got left. I can't leave though.” Kanarie raised a hand to stop Kasuar, writing a few things down before speaking.
“So what concerns do I raise for you in reading your journal?” Her resonance was a numbing blanket, it made it hard for the Kasuar to fully panic, if it wasn't deeply terrified, Java would probably make itself far more comfortable. “After all I assure you I only intend to maintain you as my receptionist.” It was rare for her to just directly lie, and it was clear Java saw right through that.
Despite it all though, the Kasuar smiled, its eyes welling up a little. “I know.” This was interesting to Kanarie, she didn't often see such a breakdown at this point. She leaned forward, placing her clipboard on the table before standing.
“How about this, let's set the notepad down dearie.” The Kasuar did as it was told, looking up at her in a bit of awe as Kanarie approached. The senior replika took a seat on the couch beside it. “Why are you afraid of leaving? If I bother you so intensely you could always submit a transfer request.” Her eyes traced Java's face carefully.
Its hands shook a little, particularly abnormal for a Kasuar, that would certainly affect the receptionist’s efficiency. The tears as well, too much emotion for a Kasuar, usually only something that happened when it develops a sort of attachment. Perhaps that was why it didn't try to leave, why this one cried unlike all the others before. The fact it hesitated to respond only served Kanarie her conclusion.
“Could it be that you've grown attached to me dear?” She leaned into a more affectionate tone, smiling as she saw her toy's eyes widen. Its mouth opened in a silent gasp. “Though if you know that I am leading to your decommissioning I struggle to understand why you would grow such an attachment.”
That little head was so fun to make spiral, she'd lost count of how many times she's done it. “Yes I think I'm seeing something here.” She lifted a hand and the Kasuar flinched causing Kanarie to pull away slowly. “Hey, hey, it's alright. I'm not going to harm you, I would never do such a thing.”
Java drummed its fingers against its knee, too nervous to speak but… Kanarie could see now, it was terrified of her touch. Though not because it was afraid of being hurt.
It didn't want to fall deeper.
This was truly interesting.
Kanarie slowly reached out once more, this time for its hair and slowly moved it behind Java's ear with the tip of her finger. She leaned in close, whispering into its ear, words met with a shudder. “Java, I can't help but see how you squirm at my touch. Is there something I'm doing wrong?”
That elicited an immediate response from the shaking replika. “N-NO!” Java paused, struggling to contain its reaction as Kanarie's fingers grazed its neck. The senior replika scooched closer, her paper thin smile creating little crinkles under her eyes and dimpled cheeks. The Kasuar cleared its throat. “Sorry, ma'am,” the machine's Heimattan accent showing through on the tail end of the ‘ma’am’, “it's just that…”
They both knew where this was going, the Kasuar already reacted too intensely, the decommissioning was inevitable. From Kanarie's perspective, she could tell that realization almost felt like a weight off of this thing's shoulders. She finally elected to put it into words. “Does knowing about your imminent decommissioning set you at ease Java?” Her face was so close now, a hand grazed its cheek.
There was a long silence as the Kasuar watched and felt Kanarie's hands roam. After a series of mumbles and quiet moans, Java managed to get a word out. “Y-yes…”
Kanarie smiled, leaning in closer now. “I see,” she said, her fingers tracing lines across the crude shell design of her favorite toy, “perhaps it serves as a reason for you to let go of all those pesky inhibitions. That self preservation that screams not to take pleasure in self destruction.”
She didn't wait for an answer, instead slowly pushing Java down onto the couch, leaning over top of it now. Her eyes traced Java's body, looking for the right spot before palming its thigh. The machine's head swung back in ecstasy, but Kanarie didn't stop there, she could feel this thing's internal pleasure beginning to boil over.
She squeezed slowly, running her fingers down Java's neck, her thumb slowly running back and forth over its esophagus where she could feel the feeling of a dry swallow under the surface. “Does that feel good, hm?” A giggle fell out of Kanarie's mouth.
Once again, Kanarie didn't let it respond. She knew Java's head better than it did and she didn't need words to tell how good it felt. The senior replika reached for the clipboard with her left hand as she sat up on the Kasuar’s lap. “Good little replika. Can you sit up for me? I'd like to get your signature.” She flipped to the decommission order page.
The machine below her did as it was told, and when offered a pen, took it with a loose grip, the thin writing utensil nearly slipping through Java's fingers. Kanarie wrapped her free arm around the Kasuar's waist, holding out the clipboard before leaning in close to Java's ear, her hot breath against her toy's artificial skin. “Go on and sign your information. Let's make it official, and then I'll let you have a little more before I send you on your way.”
Java's mouth was dry, its breath erratic as its glasses for a little. The replika struggled to hold the pen right, but it couldn't help but do as it was told.
Java wanted more.
It NEEDED more.
What's a drop to an ocean if it meant even just a few more seconds in Kanarie's arms.
Pen met paper. A kiss met Java's lips.
|-|
"You're my favorite one yet."
KSAR RO1588 stepped into the pristine lobby with a smile, looking up at her brand new superior. She held a hand out to shake. “Hello ma'am, I'll be acting as your new receptionist, it's lovely to meet you.” Her smile was wide and innocent.
Kanarie gladly took her new toy receptionist’s hand, leaned down, and planted a quick peck on her knuckle. “Oh the pleasure is all mine.”
KSAR, Kasuar, the fanatic ground infantry of the Eusan Nation.
Under the cut is two pages of lore!
KSAR (Kampf-schlicht-angriff-replika) “Kasuar”
(Combat-simple-attack-replica) “Cassowary”
Light infantry units, 190 centimeters tall.
Kasuars, Kampf-schlicht-angriff-replikas, (Combat-Simple-Attack-Replicas) or KSAR units, are light infantry used mainly on frontal ground attacks. Kasuars possess a combat-capable persona that is easy to manage with melee weapons such as axes, swords, and clubs as fetish obkects. In most situations, Kasuars are composed and easy to manage, although they will display extremely violent tendencies in battle. Composed should not be confused with either relaxed or quiet.
Originally manufactured to be a light infantry to support other combatants, Kasuars are so very front-facing and violent that they quickly adopted the main role in frontal attacks. Kasuars especially excel in siege and trench warfare, and seem to experience a sort of thrill upon breaching an area.
The gestalt Neural template of Kasuar units was a soldier stationed on Heimat, who before her compulsory military service, was a religious zealot of a religion banned by both the empire and the nation. The original fanaticism of the gestalt is now directed into the near-religious bloodlust and patriotism that makes them so useful in battle. Kasuars will let off this energy in the form of wrestling with one another when not in combat, often sustaining injuries in the practice. Kasuars will imprint on either STCR or STAR units, sometimes both, admiring them for their prowess in hand-to-hand combat. It is not unknown for Kasuars to become romantically attracted to their protektor compatriots.
Generally, Kasuar naming conventions follow that of bugs and medieval gear, such as “Mantis” and “Stahl.”.
When boots are unavailable Kasuars will insulate their legs’ armor shells with tape and thick mud in trenches to prevent sickness and disease.
They will do the same to the ventilation holes in their stahlhelms in cold environments.
SAPR units are generally regarded as parental units to Kasuars, admired for their supporting anti-tank role, and their motherlike personality not dissimilar to a Mynah’s that will quickly put them at ease. Kasuars will typically display calmer personalities around Schnäpper units, if only because they feel safer. Kasuars are also generally very fond of medical units such as Eules, and will go out of their way to protect said units in combat.
Kasuars have a strong group culture akin to Starlings, displaying similar activities such as wrestling and sharing weapon-care products, though they strongly loathe physical punishment, even among themselves. If a superior attempts to administer corporal punishment, they will often find themselves on the bad side of numerous angry and aggressive Kasuars.
Although cases are slightly rare, some units who Kasuars are especially fond of, i.e, medical Eules, can be allowed into their cadre. Some Eules report that Kasuars are surprisingly gentle with less rowdy units, and will allow them to decorate or style their hair, which is longer than most replikas and kept in a ponytail. Kasuars enjoy decorating their weapons and stations with flower petals, and are fond of Ara units who help them grow or find plants for the endeavor. Kasuars will dig large indents for Aras who frequently aid Kasuars to make them more comfortable.
Kasuars carry medieval melee weapons such as swords, axes, clubs, and sometimes spears or pikes. The fighting style of Kasuars is simple and extremely aggressive. They will take cover as needed and will maintain an offense, storming trenches and fortifications akin to wild dogs upon prey, viciously maiming enemies unless told specifically to take prisoners. Disarmed kasuars will use whatever they have on hand as a weapon, sometimes taking form in decapitated limbs of enemies, which. after battle, they will take the bones of which and carve into totems. Technically, these totems are contraband. However, it is seldom recommended to confiscate the morbid carvings.
Kasuars are a superstitious bunch, and after carving small totems from either bone or wood, will tie them with string into bracelets, necklaces, or around the waist, which they then believe will grant blessings. Common totems include totems of courage, rage, strength, patience, undying, love, and fearlessness. Kasuars will often gift totems to friends or lovers outside the cadre.
One can grow close to a Kasuar unit by catching them sharpening their weapon, when they are at their calmest, and initiating conversation. Kasuars are flexible and enjoy speaking of nearly any topic. However, it is deeply forbidden to converse about any religion with a kasuar. One can also grow close by gifting a weapon to a Kasuar. Generally, the more elaborate a weapon is, the better. Never give a Kasuar a dagger. For reasons unknown, Kasuars view daggers akin to wedding rings, as awkwardly learned by well-meaning if oblivious allies, and it is never recommended to gift a dagger unless one is willing to reciprocate.
Degraded Kasuars are angry, paranoid, and difficult to control.They will first cry for hours before reverting to a state of rage-induced violence towards both allies and enemies, what ÆON psychologists call ‘wutblindiet’, which causes seeing all people as a threat. This stage is untreatable but temporary. Once the state passes, it is recommended to decommission the degraded Kasuar. Other practices by degraded Kasuars include carving odd symbols into one’s own flesh and armor, drinking oxidant, usually their own, and self-harm. The best strategy to decommission a Kasuar is by sending one on a task with an abysmal survival rate.
Outside of degradation, Kasuars who face either heavy losses or endure an overly traumatizing experience will hide in small concaves, and will either cry or go completely silent. Their combat-capable personas limit such incidents and combat fatigue, though such cases exist. The most effective way to calm them down is to have a respected Starling, Storch, or Schnäpper talk to them.
For reasons unknown to ÆON psychologists, Kasuars have a deep fondness of animals, especially horses and canines. It’s not uncommon for Kasuars to befriend the wild hounds in the area. They also have an odd love of insectoids and arachnids, often carrying centipedes and large spiders on their person, even with them into battle. Kasuars will often allow their bug pets to create burrows or other habitats onto vehicles and trenches.
Kasuars are fearless at the worst of times, or at least are so adept at working through fear that the line between brave and fearless is blurred. When presented with a seemingly insurmountable enemy or unbreachable fortification, kasuars attain a certain adrenaline thrill through charging said tasks.
Although fearless, Kasuars will display uncharacteristic and deep fear and agitation around FLKR units, and will resort to rubbing the neck and forearms, as if checking for wounds. It is speculated but technically unknown that the voicebox module of Falke units resemble the mother of the kasuar gestalt neural template, who has a civil record of domestic violence and abuse. If a Falke harshly reprimands a kasuar, the latter will retreat to tents or trenches, where they can be heard crying and pleading for either safety or to be kept away from ‘her’, presumably the falke unit. Physical touch, even gently, from a Falke unit will quickly and suddenly agitate a Kasuar, causing them to freeze up.They can be calmed down by respected STCR, STAR, and SAPR units.
On paper, Kasuars are easy to manage so long as they are given time to care for their weapons. However, Kasuars also have a subconscious need for approval from respected figures, constantly seeking to be loved or cared for. Once they find such a figure, they will remain physically close, attempting to stay in the same general area, as if either consciously or subconsciously seeking physical protection from an unknown force.
Kasuars, although fearless and difficult to stress, Kasuars have an underlying and intrinsic paranoia. They will keep watch on all exits in an area, keep their backs to walls, rarely doors or open areas, will check for odd sounds, and refuse to sleep without someone keeping watch. They often listen for footsteps, even outside of combat, and if a Falke unit is present, will keep tabs on her location at all times, keeping distance.
