entropy.

[unsavedx]

moved to : heartbloomd (oc & canon multi)

[ether--net]

[dcviated]

Unfortunately for Amber, it's not hard to knock her away. She's got tons of bark, and capable of biting- but throwing weight around? Not happening. She doesn't fall over at least, but it doesn't leave her any less frustrated.

"Agh, yeah! What you think I was lyin'? What the fuck, dude." She rolls her lip in a sneer, shoving hands into her coat pockets and looming over the claw machine. Staring into the cage. "I almost fucking had it too. I work with old crap like this all the time. Got a whole stack of vcrs in my apartment I've fixed up." Though to what end, she would have no answer besides she could and did. "Give it another month before they update to the new plastic stuff that uses all the proprietary screws and latches though."

Now she's just grumbling for no good reason.

"More to the left, no the other left!" She hisses after the first coin is dropped in and the claw starts its movements. Even if shit was rigged, you could at least put in effort to be accurate. That was how she saw it. "Fuck."

"Don't tell me you'd plan on dumping all of those? Could buy a half decent sandwich with all that over at Freddy's."

[unsavedx]

"VCRs? Those're almost as old as me."

But a suitable project for a young, technologically inclined person...? Junior shrugs off the statement despite his retort; after all, she might not have any other choice, considering all her griping about money. Better to hone one's skills on street scraps than nothing at all. And better for him to not stick his nose into another person's finances.

Besides, his priority remains the same: cat plush. The most effective means of acquiring it. Preferably without requiring yet another trip to the ATM. It's so close, yet so far...

And though she swears at him, there's a method to his madness. Just let him to his thing. Granted—-she's planted another idea in his mind. Or... the culmination of hers, or something along those lines.

"Let's make a deal, then." He inches the claw lower. "However many quarters I have left once I get my kitty, ya can have 'em all. So, ya wanna gamble on my skills, or do ya want that guy off your back? Ya'll have t' do your thing quickly after that."

There's the little issue that his illusions don't work on technology, so security cameras might still catch her in the act. They are conveniently near a support pillar, though, so that could help obscure them.

[dcviated]

There are no friends and foes in this scenario, there is only the can and the fragrance of processed fish and other vouched byproducts. The cat is, at the very least, cognizant of the one carrying it not giving airs of trouble. Eira, however, may be a little intimidating. Perhaps too earnest.

In the idol's defense, this cat was very cute- even if it did need a bath. Her tunneled vision is pulled back, taking inventory of what else could be of use in this little alleyway, thinking on her feet. Something she wasn't always the best at doing.

"Something to climb on...? You mean like onto a trash can or a dumpster?? That's hardly a safe option for either of us. If I hurt my leg, I'd--" Be in great trouble, chance of infection aside. The choreography wouldn't take pity on her for rescuing a cat. Eira looks at Junior again. And its like a pungent odor. The recklessness. A fussy woman like her can discern none of that matters.

...so it may be their best option when pressed.

"My idea was to use my hoodie and catch it in that, though it only introduces other issues. Ah. Look there. That dumpster. Can we... push... no, but maybe if you called it over this way? It follows that can quite keenly. Oh. But what if it slips on that ledge. Sweet hungry baby."

[unsavedx]

Ah, an overthinker. She might not be the ideal partner for a task like this, but Junior won't voice that thought aloud. Cats get stuck like this because they're too fussy about what they'll step or jump onto; they need a sturdier option than a hoodie—-and she's correct that the ledge is too thin for a mortal creature to risk walking across. Which is exactly why he didn't voice the suggestion of him going up there, since that'd necessitate an awkward explanation about why he isn't afraid of falling.

"Don't wanna touch th' dumpster?" he guesses, the faintest teasing lilt to his tone.

But hygiene aside, it's not a viable option; the lids close over a load that threatens to overflow, and super strength is not among his gifts. Not one that can be used in a mundane situation like this, at least. Best to leave that stone unturned.

Junior peers one way down the street, then the other. There's not much in the way of stability—-flimsy boxes and bags of garbage, a bicycle or two. Maybe he should just climb up there...

A suggestion she's already vetoed. Well, time to think outside the box (literally).

"Ya think that if ya got on my shoulders, ya'd be able to grab him?" He squints at her. She's average height or so—-better than short. He sighs and sounds vaguely displeased as he adds, "Rest assured it's not somethin' I'll enjoy. No offense."

[theircurse]

✦ . 　⁺ 【 @unsavedx / STARTER CALL. 】 ⁺ 　 . ✦

˗ˏˋ *⠀★⠀‿︵⠀˗ˏˋ⠀𝑰𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂 𝒉𝒖𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒅𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈, something that would have certainly KILLED HIM if he were to continue going. Yet, that large bulb clearly meant for LAMPS continued to inch precariously towards the man's mouth; directed by his very own hand. The man seemed so UNBOTHERED by it too; as if he were about to bite into a mere RICE BALL.

⊱ ★ ⊰ㅤ˗ˏˋㅤEither way, they were about to witness the death of the MAN or the death of the LIGHTBULB.

⊱ ★ ⊰ㅤ˗ˏˋㅤStill, maybe they should say SOMETHING.

⊱ ★ ⊰ㅤ˗ˏˋㅤ❛ㅤAre you SUPPOSED to be putting that in your mouth ?ㅤ❜

[unsavedx]

Junior's never certain what to do with light bulbs once they burn out. Hypothetically, he could throw them away, but won't they rip the bag if the glass shatters? Do they qualify as electronics, and aren't electronics supposed to be disposed of (or recycled) in some troublesome way that takes too much effort to actually do? That is, of course, weak justification for his habit of eating them... except that people's reactions can be funny.

When all else fails, at least there's that.

"Really?" He blinks, eyes wide as though he's surprised by the child's question, and he regards the bulb with intrigue. "Are ya sure it's not one'a those breakaway types that're made'a sugar? That's what it said on th' package..."

[april]

for all intents and purposes

i am NOT real

i do NOT have a legal name

i do NOT have a “face”

Do Not Think About Me

I Am Not A Concept

[byimagination]

-Hibiki blinked. That... well, that kind of made things easier, didn't it. He rubbed his eyes a little as he took a deep breath.

"...Well, clearly not," he noted at the mention that the other was not a normal demon. He stared blankly then for a moment once the other made a rather... grim attempt at a joke. The sheer audacity of it, however, was enough to at least get a bewildered smirk out of the summoner, either that was a provocation or a genuine jape. He opted to think on the benefit of the doubt and lean towards the latter.

-Ironically now, He felt more confident in speaking with some of the air cleared. Even if the situation itself was nothing short of way strange. Fake friendliness didn't really suit him, anyways. The real deal was way easier. He hoped that would work better.

"Okay, fine, you got me. I'm a demon summoner, and working with many who are the same. I've been at it for a while, believe it or not, so I guess I just felt something familiar."

-Taking a mindful glance at the cans of cat food, taking them in hand, he noted that it was some form of evidence this demon was, in fact, at least making an attempt at normal civilian life. Most demons were too impatient to go so far in their deception, or too arrogant to lower themselves to something so human, or... just plain not smart enough, depending on the demon. Basically, it felt unlikely to be anything else, as far as his instinct told him. As such, Hibiki cleared his throat and spoke further.

"Sorry about the caution, I have to deal with a lot of hostile demon incidents from time to time, but this is probably the first time I've dealt with one that is just... acting human and minding his own business, as far as I can tell."

-He exhaled, his smile remains despite the fact his mind raced to figure out the course of action for an unorthodox situation.

"...Tell you what, will you be alright with just giving me a few more answers after I pay for your... interesting choice of meals?" he questioned, gesturing towards the products he carried, very much playfully implying it was meant for him as opposed to any pet. A joke of his own should hopefully make it clear he was also looking for de-escalation before anything else. "If you really aren't trouble, I'll get right out of your hair right after."

[unsavedx]

It's obviously a joke. It couldn't be more obviously a joke, one that Junior is fully aware of. But words have consequences, and he pauses for a brief moment before he backtracks to grab two more cans of cat food—-and haphazardly tosses them on top of the others, uncaring if this guy fumbles and drops them as a result. He'll give the least damaged ones to his cats.

That's for later, however; between this guy's request for more information and his own commitment to the bit... well, his late-night convenience store trip will keep him out even later. Good thing no one's starving.

"Demon summoner?" Junior echoes, nose scrunched up as if baffled by the concept. This too is a joke: he himself was summoned from another world, once upon a time, so he's familiar with the concept. Both in the occult dumb teenagers messing with ouija boards way and the various real ways to conjure supernatural entities. "I'd never let anyone summon me."

Hypothetically. If he had a choice in the matter. And where would they summon him to? He's already been in this realm for so long. Would they try to send him home?

Plenty of people have surely wished for that throughout the centuries. He has, after all, gotten on many a last nerve. Many a weapon have been shredded down to atoms upon entering his flesh, and that trend is liable to continue.

"But I suppose I can allow a few questions. It's top secret stuff, though, so don't expect too much. Only a tiny handful are privy to that information."

For once, that's not a lie, unlike almost everything else he's said tonight!

[magnusalterum]

Lovecraft hummed in acknowledgement, his opinion of Junior remaining entirely unchanged. Their unfortunate first meeting aside, Lovecraft had always known that his friend was something other, just like himself. Not once had he considered anything else, only allowing himself to be more comfortable in the other's presence. Hence his willingness to tell Junior of his recent dreams.

❝ They've been...contacting me, ❞ Lovecraft's fiddled with a hand turned tentacles, ❝ Every time I fall asleep, I see them in my dreams. They try to talk to me, but they're too quiet for me to hear them. They run their claws through my hair && caress my cheeks with their tentacles. They keep looking at me, like they expect something from me. It's almost like...a parent fawning over their child. ❞

Compared to the elder gods in all their eons that they'd been alive, Lovecraft was young, not even two thousand years old, but he was no child.

❝ I haven't been able to figure out what they want from me && this has been going on for weeks now, ❞ he sighed, flopping down onto the beneath him, ❝ I'm one of them, but I still struggle to understand. It's so tiring.❞

[unsavedx]

Junior isn't exactly the best at offering advice, guidance, or even just a shoulder to cry on. It's not that he lacks empathy—-not really. But a part of him tunes out whenever serious issues are brought up, and his attention wanes. A vain attempt, perhaps, to prevent the broken shards from crumbling even further.

Somehow, he expected this to be different when it regards Lovecraft, an other similar to himself, yet that persistent numbness creeps in nonetheless. A mental list of his current foster cats pops into his mind, his most recent Tetris score.

Anything to keep the lid tightly screwed on, to keep the darker parts of himself in the shadows where they belong.

For what it's worth, his expression doesn't change, and he nods at all the correct times; there's a disconnect between his mental and physical existence. Lying, pretending—-it's all too easy.

"Yeah, I doubt they really make it easy on ya. Is there any way ya could... I dunno, visit them? T' ask what they want? Granted, ya might have the same problem. Ancients love bein' weird an' cryptic, huh?"

[hoshirae]

' oh that makes sense. i didn't even think about that. '

laptop is taken out of bag and set on table, coffee set to the side now that she's settled. it's opened and signed into, her paper that she'd been working on at her apartment popping up immediately on her screen. she takes note, as she's doing this, that he's doodling in his notes. she thinks they're cute, the little cats that are drawn.

' i imagine it'll be much quieter after that. until then just gotta do what we can do, huh ? ' a soft laugh as she tugs out a notebook from her bag and sets it beside her laptop. ' what are you working on ? or trying to work on i guess. '

[unsavedx]

"A psychology paper. Nothing too exciting."

Junior offers a flippant shrug as he continues drawing a tabby's stripes. The majority of the actual work is finished—-it's just a matter of putting it all together. Once the noise dies down, he'll be able to compile and polish the rest, and it'll be complete with a whole day to spare.

Of course, he doesn't want to sound like a responsible student, so he won't voice that aloud. Nor will he admit that he enjoys the process of researching and writing. He has a reputation, after all.

"What about you? Do you work here often, are are you just looking for a change of scenery?"

[unsavedx]

continued : @ensxrcelled !

No matter how much Alice insists that he's not an actual demon, that calling him such is a misnomer, Junior can never believe her—-and this type of situation always proves him correct. People react to him like he's a demon, and that means that he is one; that's how language works, after all.

His home realm was corrupted, split apart from the pure and respectable version of his kind, its residents left to crave what they can no longer attain. The impure desire to be healed, their pollution washed away. To be accepted by those who've abandoned them.

And that's the problem—-that's why they're reviled.

Junior lets out a melodramatic hum of contemplation, arms crossed over his chest, head canted one way and then the other. "Infernal," he echoes as if he's never heard the word. "Where I'm from's pretty cold, actually."

Though he has enough sentience to rebel against his natural instincts, to avoid causing trouble because of him, does that make him any better than the rest? Is he just an aimless fool, spinning his wheels for an eternity and accomplishing nothing of value?

"In th' grand scheme'a things, my origins are rather obscure. I doubt ya've heard'a th' place before. We don't often cross over to this realm, or any others."

At least, their presence tends to be a brief flicker, easily extinguished. Junior is just an outlier, someone who doesn't match the pattern.

[andatsea]

Temporary passenger.

–

Twitter / Shop / INPRNT / Patreon

[dcviated]

"Noooo. I'm not about to eat them. I'm not that kind of freak." A freak to be sure, this he couldn't deny. But a cannibal? Nah. "They took some candy from that stand before Officer Duty got hit with the shenanigan blast. Tch. Was gonna... ah, anyway."

This day Wylan Rechtur would not be a wise teacher- a guiding hand- of pranksters and prospective criminals. And. To a degree that bugged him. The shadow on his expression a notable one before he abandons the pursuit and the pair turn on their heels for the southern side of the mall.

"Yeah yeah. We're going. They got a bunch of that weird novelty stuff anyway. Which, while scary expensive, is pretty funny. You had one of those giant gummies?" A brow lifts, that frustrated emotion abandoned as quickly as they'd evaded their pursuers. "...wait a sec."

"Am I buying your loyalty and silence with sugar?" Comes the query, two steps ahead of why the other was continuing to follow him. And where their interests lay.

[unsavedx]

Extortion hadn't even crossed the demon's mind, which seems like an oversight on his part. Yeah—-he decides that he will extort this guy, since he's offering so generously. What a rare level of kindness and benevolence! Junior ought to take advantage of such things when he can. Who knows when the next opportunity will arise?

"My silence isn't cheap, y'know," he declares with a solemn nod. It's not just cheap, it's absolutely free—-but no one needs to know that. This is all in service of his candy acquisition, after all. If someone else pays for the bulk of it, then he can buy even more. "It's gonna be at least three giant gummies, bears or otherwise."

He has tried them before, though he doesn't recall them tasting particularly good. Everything in moderation and all, and that's simply too much gelatin.

It might be fun to bite the head off and swallow it whole, however, to witness some innocent bystander's reaction.

[dcviated]

"Why on Earth would I want that?! No." Suzy recoils, defensive posturing at the mere mention by the bizarre stranger. Jest or not, she's now wary of distance between them. Recognizing she's shorter doesn't mean it needs to be called out in such a childish way. Is that how she looks to him?! Ugh.

This should be enough for her to walk away from the encounter entirely. But now she doesn't know if she can trust the man to pick up after his own mess. Just how hard had the books hit them?

"If you're brain damaged-" She remarks when the ladder is put into place. "The last thing you should be doing is climbing things. Which of these were you after anyhow... no reason to put it up and let you repeat the injury."

[unsavedx]

"Wasn't it funny, though? Worth repeatin' t' laugh at it again?"

Maybe Junior should keep his mouth shut and let her climb in peace. He hovers nearby, one hand gripping the side of the ladder, prepared to catch her if she happens to fall. He may be impervious to damage, but most aren't so blessed; a distraction could throw her off her rhythm, cause her to lose balance.

And anyway, which book was he reaching for? He's never going to beat the allegations that he's just a little stupid, is he?

"A history book, maybe," he answers after a moment of contemplation. The only issue is that they're all history books. "One of 'em had a familiar title. I'll know it when I see it again.

[phantomemes]

starters  /  prompts taken from various characters starring in the game   fire emblem : three houses .  feel free to change pronouns  /  tenses as necessary .

“  feel free to say hi whenever you like  ”

“  don’t hold back for my sake  ”

“  you think I’m so clumsy that I need someone to watch over me ?  ”

“  you act like you’re full of regret  ,  but I know you don’t really mean it  ”

“  you actually look more handsome to me with honesty on your face  ”

“  don’t be ashamed of crying  ”

“  could you keep quiet for a bit ?  ”

“  you’re actually kind of amazing  ”

“  do you mean to imply you have no intention of acting a bit more respectably ?  ”

“  stop acting so nonchalant about getting hurt or killed  ”

“  naive and uptight is no way to live your life  ”

“  you’d better watch that temper  ”

“  i am absolutely disinterested in spending any time with you  ”

“  your lack of self-awareness is deeply troubling  ”

“  I’ll just be straightforward about taking advantage of you  ”

“  when will you tire of challenging me in pointless competitions ?  ”

“  you expect me to believe that ?  ”

“  i’ve had enough of your foolish antics  ”

“  i wish you would not sneak up on me like that  ”

“  before you reprimand me  ,  take a moment to consider your own failings  ”

“  it is like hearing a snake sing an aria  ”

“  am I hearing a deathbed confession ?  ”

“  i never have any idea what you’re talking about  ”

“  don’t walk away when i’m talking to you  ”

“  you’ll be the death of me for sure  ”

“  i do not intend to die  ”

“  i can’t believe you put yourself at risk for my benefit  ”

“  i don’t think i’ve ever seen you smile  ”

“  i do not desire your gratitude  ”

“  you’re surprisingly strong for how slender you appear  ”

“  perhaps i was flustered needlessly  ”

“  i had forgotten how charmingly ethereal you can be  ”

“  you’re going a little overboard  ”

“  you have shaken me to my very core  ”

“  so this is what death is like  ”

“  if you get sick of me  ,  i’m sorry ahead of time  ”

“  i’m embarrassed just thinking about it  ”

“  you’re like a little brother to me  ”

“  spending the rest of my life with you doesn’t sound so bad  ”

“  if our roles were reversed  ,  I don’t think I’d be able to forgive you  ”

“  you actually hate me  ,  right ?  ”

“  you haven’t stabbed me yet  ”

“  i want to be more like you  ”

“  i actually envy the size of your heart  ”

“  i don’t think you can solve all your problems by throwing a few punches  ”

“  there aren’t a lot of people like you in the world  ”

“  sorry I’ve been so oblivious to your needs  ”

“  sometimes you just can’t afford to wait around for someone else to notice ”

“  yesterday’s enemy is today’s ally  ”

“  you have to abandon old feuds  ”

“  learn to protect yourself before trying to protect me  ”

“  i always trust that you’ve got my back  ”

“  if only people could be more like flowers  ”

“  if you promise not to resort to violence  ,  I’ll do whatever you want  ”

“  i can’t stand the sight of me either  ”

“  i would be even more impressed if you hadn’t been screaming the whole time  ”

“  i did what was necessary to get you to comply  ”

“  you have so much power in you  ,  just waiting to be unleashed  ”

“  i’m hopelessly terrified of you  ”

[unsavedx]

WHAT FOLKLORE MONSTER ARE YOU DESCENDED FROM

Banshee

There is something inside you that hears the end before it comes. Your instincts ring like a distant wail when something is about to break — relationships, opportunities, trust, illusions. This inner warning system makes you hyper-attuned to shifts in tone, silence, and subtle signals others dismiss. People may call you dramatic or sensitive, but really you are prophetic in ways that unsettle. You sense decline, endings, and emotional death with painful clarity, often long before anyone else does. Though this gift can isolate you, it’s also your greatest protection. You carry the grief of generations in your voice, and when you speak, something ancient listens.

Tagged by: @dcviated <3 Tagging: steal it!

[dcviated]

She's so visibly perturbed you'd think she needed to leave to handle something. Subtlety is not her strong sort, which is little to surprise to anyone who's had a minute of exposure to her. Junior may be the best example, now. Frustrating her even more is that despite knowing how the crane was going to fall and the strength it'd possess. It was just impossible for her to get the toy in a first go. At least it was the coin she found on the ground that was lost?

At least that provides a cover for why she's actually bothered.

"Ah fucking DAMNIT." The mechanic shoves herself off the control console narrowing an eye at Junior once he makes his not so grand reappearance. Almost scares her. "Pfwah? Nah, uh...it was the principle of- hey whattya even mean your plush?" Amber shells herself of the frustration and failure with a little put on indignation. "Maybe I was trying to get it for ya. Like I said not much I can do with these fuckin things."

Still holding onto the puppy plush you better believe.

She wrenches her lips.

"...yeh, got an eye on the panel but- pf, ain't no fuck of a way I'm getting that bitch off and your lil kitty out with bozo over there. Try-hard asshole." She grumbles and shoots a look before rolling those eyes back to Junior. "You get your coins, kid?"

[unsavedx]

Kid? Junior's pretty certain that they're about the same age appearance-wise, but whatever—-she's far from the only one throws around terms like that willy-nilly, and it's not as bad as son. Besides that, his cat plush is of the utmost importance right now, and she may or may not have compromised his plans to acquire it.

"Maybe ya were tryin' t' get it for me," he echoes under his breath, disbelief coloring his tone. The truth doesn't matter anyway; regardless, she attracted the attention of this employee, who could decide to slap an out of order sign on the machine to prevent meddlesome adults from messing with it. Hard to guess what an annoyed, underpaid person will do, really.

He bumps his shoulder against hers to nudge her away from the controls, then rattles the quarters gathered in his palm. But he doesn't bother pointing out that for all of her talk, she caved to the temptation of cute stuffed animals.

Well, that's one quarter saved for him, at least. And it doesn't look like she messed anything up in the machine's landscape...

"Tell ya what—-if my way fails, we'll try yours. I can get that guy off our backs if need be."

[unsavedx]

What Tarot Card is Your Muse?

the star

there is something wonderful stirring in the depths of your being. something within you– something latent– is sleeping there, in the cradle of your mind. creativity comes naturally to you, just as breathing or blinking. you have the capability to extend yourself through art. but are you afraid of it? creating something– terribly afraid that it will never be as good as you hope? it will never be made unless you use your own hands. / NUMBER: 17 / UPRIGHT: hope, faith, purpose, renewal, spirituality / REVERSED: lack of faith, despair, self-trust, disconnection

Tagged by: @cloudpools <3 Tagging: steal it!