@metrictita said.º

“ How do I show people that I’m more than my unethical career choice? ” (from crow, for cú 💀i am so sorry)

Ah, he understood where Crow was coming from! As an S-ranked BSA agent and the best fighter of the Mictíre clan, Cú also had trouble with people not seeing past his profession and many titles. Sometimes, the opposite happened, with others just refusing to believe that he really was Cú Chulainn, King of Warriors, but that was an entirely different thing.

"Well, you can always start with showing the sides of yourself that don't involve your unethical career choice. You're fun and have a unique personality that many would like if they got to know you. You aren't the shy type, so it shouldn't be difficult to find people to connect with. But it also means that you need to be less elusive, and let them inside." Surprisingly, not bad advice. But it was an interesting topic of conversation they were having, considering the two men were covered in the blood of a pack of monsters of darkness. "Unless you're talking about the ones you hunt down. Then, it's going to be a little more difficult than that, but not entirely impossible."

ABSOLUTELY UNHINGED COMEDIC RELIEF

@metrictita said.º

“ Being overdressed is a myth made up by people who didn’t want you to have fun and be sexy. ” (from gaia, for cú 😭)

"That's what I've been saying! I don't care if I'm just going to the supermarket to buy groceries. If I want to look like I just came out of an underground concert from the 80s, I'll do it and no one can stop me. And the people that act as if 'dressing good' is just putting on some luxury brands as if that somehow compensates for their lack of originality? Where's the personality? Where's the personal style? Just why are these people so allergic to serving? I really don't get it." Finally someone who understands! The BSA agent was so tired of people who lifted an eyebrow at his eccentric fashion choices, yet only wore the most basic pieces from luxury brands. In other words, the fashion equivalent of adding a little bit of pepper and calling it 'spicy'.

That aside, he noted a small detail that was a little... "Gaia... Gaia... Gaia... Where are your shoes?"

ABSOLUTELY UNHINGED COMEDIC RELIEF

@himedachi said.º

The horse is approaching Cu with his long dark hair loose and entirely soaked to the roots, like a pathetic sad wet dog. What is he gonna do next?

Killian was one of the few servants who could keep up with him when it came to running. He didn't need to slow down for the Saber nor look back to make sure he hasn't lost them. So it was quite the surprise when he reached the agreed destination and, when he turned around, didn't see the other anywhere. Briefly, he got worried and wondered if an enemy ambushed them. But those thoughts were thrown aside when he saw a completely soaked Killian walking towards him. It was then that he remembered that they had to cross a large river to get here and, while he had no trouble getting to the other side thanks to his salmon's leap... It seemed that such feat wasn't one of Killian's skills.

"Damn, we should do something about your hair... and clothes." In other words, everything. Unfortunately, he didn't have any towels available to help them, so... He simply grabbed his great kilt and used it as an improvised towel. The Ulsterman didn't mind that the only thing he was wearing now was the black skin tight onesie he wore under his great kilt for 'modesty's sake'. "You know, if I didn't know you, I would've thought that you were a water horse in disguise. A tall and handsome man soaked from head to toe near a body of water? Yeah, you can bet that the kids and young maidens would've started running in the opposite direction," he joked as helped the Saber dry their hair.

"Your spirit origin should go back to normal in half an hour or so. Want to sit under the sun until then?"

that slow but terrifying realization that pat has a thing for the mentally unstable nepo babies with an attitude and long hair...

She didn't answer immediately, images and sensations were slowly taking shape and forming sentences in her head. How was she supposed to describe a nightmare when the explanation was already portrayed on the canvas? It wasn't easy to put into words, but... "Because of the way it's constructed. Dreams are the succession of images, emotions and sensations that lack a degree of logic and continuity. The brush strokes, the colors, the details are all different, as if each creating an individual image and sensation that isn't fully tied to the rest. But, as a whole, it creates the atmosphere of a nightmare. Suffering, anguish, dread, suspicion, panic, they're all present, but there's a theme that encapsulates them. It's very well-thought."

In general, Deirdre didn't understand many things, with people and their emotions were at the very top of the list. But, as an oracle of doom, she knew the wide range of negative emotions humans had like no other. Fear, especially the type of fear she saw in visions, tended to be more precise. The fear of death, of tragedy, of violence, of loss, all of them could be represented with a single image that was unique to the individual. But the amalgamation in the canvas was the less 'logical' in that sense, almost like a dream that leaves one thinking for the rest of the day.

"That's my interpretation but, of course, the one who knows the true meaning of the painting is the artist who created it." And it was then that Deirdre turned around to see and greet the vampire. To think that she would see the High Lord of Merichelle on her first visit to Novae Ari... "Was I too far from the truth?"

@caemthe, unprompted / always accepting, send a letter to be answered ̖́- ↪ [ deirdre ] Her eyes were locked on the largest painting of the art gallery, her gaze following every brush stroke immortalized on the canvas as if trying to decipher riddles hidden between the shapes and colors. But there was nothing for the BSA agent to decipher this time, she only had to admire the striking depictions on the canvas, which was odd. But she now understood why her colleagues insisted that she visited the Novae Ari. “I didn’t know nightmares could be brought to life, nor that they could be so bewitching,” she said to the only person who remained in that room. 

he'd been watching her, from the shadows, where the dark meets the unseen. following the way her gaze swept across the canvas, the captivated look within her eyes, the silence with which she took in his master piece. there were many that had become addicted to the hauntings within the canvas, the dreadful pull of colors & detailed imagery. some struck by the terrified notion that their own nightmares were hidden behind swift brushstrokes or was it the other way around ? did they had that nightmare because they saw the painting first ? nevertheless, novae ari was as enchanting & illusive as it's owner.

it was without soundless steps that the nightmare king entered the version of the gallery where she was ( for there many and in each layer / version there were different visitors ). he makes no effort in approaching her just yet, opts to simply wait, wait and see. it's only when her voice fills the space that he moves. soft clicks upon the ground made my expensive red bottom shoes. long black tresses had been artfully pulled together by a ribbon, heavy ink touched waves resting across his shoulders ━━━ shifting and sliding with every step he took.

the eldritch vampiric creature comes to stand behind her, one or two steps, towering like an endless shadow that cast none of itself upon the canvas before her. ❝ what makes you think that these are nightmares ? ❞ voice a whisper, a secret in the dark. then he leans down, near her shoulder line but never too close, a distance kept but his words follow the form of her body & settle there to burrow themselves into it, much like the twisted and gnarled souls of his victims within the canvas.

❝ i am curious to know. ❞

Deirdre didn't know the full story about the ties between the Landau family and the Supreme Guardian, but the way people in the Underworld sometimes looked at the Captain of the Silvermane Guards, and now Serval... She didn't need to ask to know that it wasn't nice. But... "I think of you as Serval first before a Landau. I'm sure that Natasha and the people of the Underworld will think the same when they get to listen to your music," she said as a matter of fact. She wasn't trying to cheer up the mechanic (as that still was asking too much of her), just saying what she thought of the whole thing.

The only employee at the music shop was a teenager that looked like they were forced to look after the store while their parents or older relatives were busy with something else. Few words were exchanged and, soon enough, Deirdre was looking at various solo records. A good portion of them were over a decade old, before the connection between the Overworld and Underworld was severed. But there were more recent ones as well, the design of the covers tended to be more 'punkish' as well. "I wonder if these bands still are together. It looks like they had lots of fun when recording and making these songs."

"Now that I'd love to hear!" Anything to expand her horizons and influence her sound really. If her only inspiration is her internal rage and the nature of the Overworld, she'll run our of new material more rapidly than she would like after all. It is easy to see that Deirdre has made a place for herself among the Underworld as they walk with the gentle greetings she receives and Serval does her best to duck her head and greet alongside her, to show that she is not someone to be afraid of.

"I would like to do something for them down here... it would be amazing to play to a whole new audience, to even work with some of the artists of the Underworld..." She smiles and glances around at the buildings and towns here, and lets a soft sigh escape her lips. "But I'd have to see what Natasha thinks first... Being a Landau... well my family aren't looked on too fondly down here, even if I'm barely a part of it any longer."

The traveler hummed to himself, pensiveness disguised with the soft smile he often wore regardless of the situation. Vega's words were crude but made complete sense. Unfortunately, he wasn't talking about friends. Sure, after many years of fighting side by side, the bond made from the blood spilled on the battlefield often was even greater than family ties, but they were his allies before his friends. "You're right, but it's a little more complicated than that when the lives of many good men and women are involved. I can't simply turn my back on all who relied on and looked up to me."

"You would think that people will put their differences apart after years of war to defeat the common enemy, but soon you realize that the pride and stubbornness of those in charge can easily surpass their compassion for their brothers-in-arms." In a way, he understood why that was but, at the same time, it made no sense. Just why.

@eldwitchsteria • cont.

The change in the other's expression was subtle and only lasted for a second, but Patroclus noticed it. He found it a little odd and made him wonder if they had been on the receiving end of one of Lazarus' less than ethical missions. After all, most people's eyes tended to widen with surprise when he mentioned that he used to work for the military corporation. It only accepted the 'best of the best' so solo mercenaries that didn't leave the company in a coffin had worked for the company tended to have it easier when looking for solo jobs and joining gangs and the like. But, hmmm, best to not mention Lazarus again then.

"Sure thing," Patroclus replied as he took out his phone, showing the qr code with his contact info for the other to scan. Jianyu, huh? "I'll make sure to remember it." He looked at the other man one last time and wondered if he had seen them before. Their face wasn't completely unfamiliar to him, but... no, it didn't matter.

When he was eventually called and asked to meet at a certain location, Patroclus smiled and waved at Jianyu when he saw them. He also was expecting to see a lot more people applying for the crew, but... he was the only one? Could it be that he arrived too early? "Oh, so it's the one-on-one type of thing?"

LAZARUS. THAT WAS A name that made many a Nomad narrow their eyes with displeasure, and so narrow his eyes he did. It was instinctive, more or less, the disdain that was felt. However, was he one who could really judge when he had worked for Militec? When he had been their attack dog who followed orders without question and to the letter? When Militec was equally as terrible as Lazarus? He schooled his expression, returning back to his usual unreadable stare soon after. ❝Mm…yes, I have heard of it.❞ Heard. Not experienced. He did know how lacking in empathy many a company was when someone who worked for them was forced to medically retire. He had seen that many times with those he had worked with, many of which struggling to make ends meet, or just struggling in general from phantom pains they couldn’t afford medicine for due to exponential pricing. This man seemed to be doing well enough – on the surface, at least. Which did make Jianyu wonder something: why had they left at all?

      ❝A good answer. If that’s the case, then you will find yourself right at home, then.❞ Jianyu pitied those who simply couldn’t be content with what they had, but many young edgerunners wanted to either die in a fiery ball of glory enough to be remembered in the Afterlife with their own signature drink, or make it rich beyond anyone’s wildest dreams. The downside of that was that…no one was ever fine with where they were. As such, he would hear the same responses each and every time as to why they hadn’t left this life. ❛I’m going to do just one more big gig and then I’ll stop,❜ was what he normally stated with such certainty -- certainty he knew never lasted. Those words were cursed he had come to learn, for whenever they were uttered, that individual would eventually be another dead body in the streets of Night City. ❝There is. Give me your contact information and I’ll make sure Rami is aware of your interest.❞ A pause. Patroclus. An interesting name. ❝Name’s Jianyu, by the way.❞  

So a tiny hc i have is that everyone in cú's family (mother side) blush in a way that is just... doesn't matter that they're the most unhinged and bloodthirsty warriors from the most brutal family of Ulster (and from Irish mythology tbh), doesn't matter that getting on their wrong side essentially guarantees you a horrific and painful death... it's nearly impossible to not think 'cute...' when they blush. It's much easier to get Cú (and Naoise) to blush than the other cousins (like Cormac or Conall) but when they do blush, it's quite the spectacle as well tbh.

so a teeny tiny silly hc i've is that, in his modern verse, cú saw gurren lagann as a little kid, saw kamina and went 'i wanna be like him', and that's one of his core memories, and main reason why he started dying his hair blue since he was a young teen.

@darabeatha said.º

Cat mocte is reaffirming his authority by stepping on top of ur papers

"..." Cú (aka the Hound) was less than pleased with the sudden turn of events! He needed to check those papers! The Master asked him to please help with a couple of things and, even though he hated the more tactical and administrative tasks, he agreed because he simply couldn't say no to the Master. But how was he supposed to finish the paperwork when Cat Mocte was sitting on the papers?!

So he looked at the papers... then looked at Cat Mocte... then looked at the papers again... He was very tempted to just reach out and pull the papers away, but... what if... Cat Mocte hissed and scratched him? No, no, who cares for a little scratching? "..." And yet he wasn't doing anything to push the other away. Then, after failing to win a staring competition, the hound Cú whined and lied down.

Like this post for an ask!

Feel free to specify a muse and/or verse. Or you can give me the power, and I'll pick whichever I feel like writing.

This has been on my mind for long but I’m gonna do this - please reblog this if you’re comfortable with pre-establishing relationships. I do not mean “met at the grocery store two weeks ago” or “have a common friend”, but rather stuff like “have been best friends since kindergrden”, “go for a beer every friday”, “friends with benefits”,��“dated in highschool”, “hate each other’s guts because -insert reason-”  etc. Something meaningful (but not necessarily shippy) and I mean with muns/characters you have not interacted with, because I cannot believe I am the only one who prefers jumping right into the heart of the human interaction.

ooc: one of my mom's cats had surgery on tuesday and i've been helping to look after her and taking her to her daily checkups so that's why i've been not very active on anything the last few days. but tomorrow is her last checkup, and she's doing a lot better now so i'll get to write soon ✨

So a tiny hc i have is that everyone in cú's family (mother side) blush in a way that is just... doesn't matter that they're the most unhinged and bloodthirsty warriors from the most brutal family of Ulster (and from Irish mythology tbh), doesn't matter that getting on their wrong side essentially guarantees you a horrific and painful death... it's nearly impossible to not think 'cute...' when they blush. It's much easier to get Cú (and Naoise) to blush than the other cousins (like Cormac or Conall) but when they do blush, it's quite the spectacle as well tbh.

Masquerade Ball-themed otome game in which your options are:

Cú Chulainn, prince of Ulster and foster son of King Conchobar, aka the one throwing the party. He's a spirited young man whose sweet and laid-back disposition doesn't fit the tales of the bloodthirsty warrior who has participated in various wars, of someone born in a family of 'wolves'.

Patroclus, prince of Opus and a representative of the Achaean Empire. No one expected for an Achaean diplomat to show due to the war that has been afflicting the empire for almost a decade, but there he is. A pleasant and charming young man who has a way with words yet sometimes looks somber.

Deirdre, a thief who disguised herself as a servant for the night. Such displays of opulence and wealth but, as time passes, security becomes less tight and give people like her a chance to take advantage of the situation. There's not much to say about the young woman other than she just wants to get away from this land as far as possible and never look back.

He offered praise to the pups wobbling towards him, making it to his arms without falling to the sides. The demigod made sure to place a kiss on their furry foreheads before placing them down so they would go greet Kerberos. Some of them did, clearly curious about the new addition, while others still wished for Cú's attention. He wasn't going to deny it to the pups, so he picked them and placed them in his lap, gently caressing their backs and heads as they all cuddled closer for another nap. To be expected considering how they just fed and walked a few meters all on their own. It was then that he sensed the prince's sudden mood drop, which made the demigod worry and wonder if he said something he shouldn't have. "I would like to meet the hellhounds of your homeland too, if that's okay. I heard that they only appear to humans who are about to die or will die in the near future." So, needless to say, he hasn't seen any of them yet.

Meanwhile, the mother of the pups was wagging her tail, happy with the praise received, but soon accommodating to lie down and rest now that the pups were away. "I bet she can't wait for me to take over and start their formal training, so they stop pestering her all the time," the demigod joked, but the mother woofed as a response. The pups who received a bath were quickly wobbling their way towards him, whinnying the whole time as if to express their displeasure for being cleaned. The demigod couldn't help it but laugh as he picked the last two pups and lulled them to sleep. He knew he shouldn't spoil the pups too much, but it should be fine when they were so little.

His gaze drifted to Kerberos again, the sides of his mouth curving into a soft smile when he noted how well-liked the prince was by the pups. They looked very little next to the man. "You know, our wolfhounds are the closest we get to see from newborns and children in the Otherworld," something he felt like saying at the moment. It was no secret that fae couldn't have children of their own as their kind wasn't born the same way humans and most creatures did. That's why they replaced human babies with hastily made imitations that weren't meant to live long. Of course, the same didn't apply to fomorians and gods, but the last child to be born among their kind was... well, him. And he was born a very long time ago. "You'll have to excuse me if this comes off as an odd question, but..." The tips of his ears started turning red. "Children, I know it'll be part of our duty once we marry, but... first, I wanted to know how you feel about them." This was embarrassing. The demigod knew these were conversations they needed to have before making things official, but still... embarrassing...

It was without a doubt that Kerberos was in for a lifetime of fun if things were to be seen through here. Travelling to these lands held little excitement in the long term in his eyes - but everything he's so far came across speaks of nothing but promise. Stepping through halls and trail ways that the Prince knew for himself. Arriving at the pen that held the wolves family was nothing short of divine for the hound to stare upon. Ghost wolves were a rumour even amongst the hellish lands of his own home - yet this, this was just proof in the pudding. Like the first sight of ice in their fiery domain. Transfixed, Kerberos did nothing but allow the weight of the Pack leader settle on his shoulders. He needn't hold her ribs to stabilize nor brush her fur to coax friendliness. He could see a smart animal when he saw one.

"What beauty." In awe, as his Hounds were as black as night, sooty and greyed. Red eyed and white fanged - monsters that blend in the shadows of a war and take the throats of the unexpecting. Standing nearby and watching the canines get tended to by the Mother, Kerberos stare with ease. Tension in his bones ease aside, overall relaxing as he watched with the pups. Silence to Cu's question as Kerberos felt homesick all of a sudden - a longing to be pampered with his parents and given that usual attention he gets for being one of the neediest children. He smiled with sadness at the bundle of canines though… He was happy they were happy. Thriving in a decent weight, pelts looking immaculate. Really living up to the glow of ghost hounds, that's for sure.

Blinking aside the fuzziness in his mind, he straightened up a bit more before taking it upon himself to hop the fence and settle upon his ass without shame. Far enough to not pose a threat but also in clear view of the mother, welcoming the wobbling pups that would no doubt come over to him since they were so eager and needy with their noises. "A beautiful family - strong and tenacious. I can see some right warriors in this pack. A proud mother you must be." He spoke towards the birth mother, raising hands to gather pup into hands and stroke over ears and pat with no harm in his intention but adoration for such small killing machines. "Your methods of rearing shine through their pelts. Well-loved and tended too, no?"