For Someone Called PearlescentMoon, Pearl Can't Help But Be Drawn To The Sun. Some Part Of It Is A Fascination,

i love that discord doesn't tell you if someone's read your messages. like genuinely. normalize others not needing every second of your time right away. normalize taking time to formulate a proper answer. normalize this.

Welcome in Blaze! Blaze is my own take on a Villain version of the Tango of the Tek variety!

This is also the final art piece of this post and the result of this poll I did a while ago! I'm really liking this little series too! Not only is it helping me to draw more, but with each one, I'm also trying to do something a little different to get better at using bases so much. Who knows, by the time I'm done drawing everyone maybe I won't need to use bases anymore than just an inspo.

Anyways have the art process, from base to final!

I hope you've been enjoying this little journey with me as well!

Timebomb :]

Generally uninterested in pretty much everyone but they may or may not have a soft spot for a few different people

everyone. post ocs. NOW

genuinely if you are scared: DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. if you are angry: DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. if you are sad: DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

this isn't just a mantra of "nothing will change if we do not persist and act", although that's true. nothing will change if we do not act. this is just also a mantra of "frequently the best way to counter despair is to simply take an action, any action at all". it is hard to feel despair when you are moving. it is hard to feel hopeless when you are moving. but you've gotta start moving first. you've gotta.

Flowers and Wolves

Characters: Pearl, Scar (Life)

To @allay-uxini for the @mcyt-drabble-exchange's free treat. ALMOST IN TIME ;A;! I saw what you asked for and Needed to. This is just an excuse to write something very self-indulgent. Enjoy.

Wc: 300

Ao3: Here!

She knew to find him here. It was no secret, Scar’s connection with plants. The flowers blooming from his face, the sunflower towering from his nape. The question was… why?

The crunching of grass marked Pearl’s footsteps. Enough noise to clue him in to her presence, not enough to sound alarm.

Scar looked up. He seemed so small, sitting in the middle of the clearing. 

Pearl sat next to him. 

“You know,” Pearl said with good humor. He was looking too pensive for her liking. “You're lucky the moon’s not full today. The others would've had to find you instead.”

Scar hummed. “It can’t be that bad.”

“Oh, it is! Sharp claws, teeth… Last time, they found me eating a rabbit.” She laid back, arms supporting her weight. “They don’t mind, though. Grian’s the same.”

Scar hummed.

“What are you doing?”

He plucked a blade of grass, feeling it under his fingertips. “Getting used to it. How did you…?”

“It was just us three. Didn’t want to stay alone. Easier to make amends when you’re forced to.”

“They didn’t remember you.”

“Maybe not Grian, but Scott did. Sort of.” She looked at his profile, blossoms across his nose.

He furrowed his brow. “Doesn’t that make it worse?” 

Pearl stayed silent, thinking. “It was, for a while. I got used to it.”

“...How?”

“Don’t like who I became. They didn’t know that me. I could restart.”

“You don’t remember me.”

“Not from yours. But I remember you. Thank you.”

He huffed a laugh. “If anything, I should be thanking you.”

“Hm?”

Scar stopped, face pained. “We teamed up, in the end. Not for long, but…”

Pearl smiled. “Well, we’re here now.”

“Yeah…” he met her gaze. Uncertain— “Want to go back, now?”

“No.” She let herself fall. “The others can wait.”

Conflicting Lives- Character Ships and Sexualities

Hi! Author here! I both decided and realized that there are probably a hole lot of unclear ships, atleast here on the Tumblr side, so I've made a list of all the ships in this AU, as well as some character's sexualities and orientations if they are not in a ship. I am always open to suggestions or just general opinion, and encourage them, just please don't be an asshole while you do so is all I ask.

Ships

Scythe x Ella

Flower Ranchers: Tango x Jimmy x Scott

Shadowsmalletho: Joel x Etho x Lizzie (I tried to combine smalletho and 'shadow' from most of lizzie's ships)

Mumscarian: Mumbo x Scar x Grian

Rotshine: Cleo x Pearl x Gem

Impdubs: Impulse x Bdubs

Tree Bark: Martyn x Ren

Other Characters

Cub: Demisexual

Joe: Aro Ace

Sam: Bi-romantic Aro Ace

Xisuma: Pan-romantic Ace

Zedaph: Bisexual

Hypno: Bi-romantic Pansexual

Iskall: Straight Ally

Lunar: Bi-romantic Demisexual

BigB: Gay

Doc: Bi-romantic Polygender

Augustus: Bisexual

Jevin: Pan-romantic

Skizz: Multisexual

Also, thank you to @starcrossedandstupid for helping me get pretty much all of the ship names I didn't know lol (fr I really appreciate it)

Ngl i forget i have tumblr sometimes even tho i doomscroll through my feed alot-

ANYWAYS i made another silly little animation that posted yesterday (oops)

Can I... talk about the theory that winners help craft the next game?

Because, and I really can not say this enough, it puts So Much into perspective.

Everything starts out Normal. Three lives, simple, cut and dry, there hasn't been a winner yet. No one to help craft the game. (And there's something to be said about how simple it really was. Not even a real expectation of the world becoming pvp or combative. No idea of the war to come)

Then Grian wins. The green killer, the man who vowed his first life to the one whose life he took. The next game the boogie man is born. A mechanic that allows and, in fact, demands, a green kill. People can trade lives back and forth, currency and debt wrapped up in one. (can we still be friends? Said the red partner. A life time later and reds are hostile, alone. Maybe it's an answer: No. Not anymore)

Scott wins this time. He refuses to play the game. He will not kill his team, he will love and he will do so fiercely and with all of himself. The next game people are attached through to their very souls. Every bit of damage to one soul is done to its twin. There is no boogeyman. (There is no way for a widow to be left without their love)

Pearl wins and she wins a blood bath. Spent the game draped in red, only wolves for company. Sitting in her tower, shivering in ice, maybe she wanted it to end. To see where it would. Limited life rewards you for killing, limited life has a clock tick tick ticking down, you always no how long you have. A curse yes, but a blessing too.

Now It's Martyn's turn.

And what a turn it is.

Keep your secrets, says the disloyal man, keep them well. Everything hurts, everything Matters, says the man fracturing with every loss. (What if we could love each other without hurting? Says The Hand, who never wanted to be coated in blood)

More importantly, Martyn has always seen the watchers below the surface. Now, they're right here in front of him. Something that could almost... be rebelled against, no? Something that someone else could finally point to and say: hey, hey isn't that familiar?

Conflicting Lives- Incorrect Quotes 2

Have some more silly little things lol. from the same website as the last one, here

Lunar: I sleep with a gun under my pillow. Sam: I sleep with a knife. Ella: Both of you are pathetic. Lunar: Oh yeah? What do you sleep with? Ella: Scythe.

Etho: You really believe in Joel? Lizzie: Mmm… Luckily, he believes in himself enough for the both of us.

Ella, turning to Scythe: Stop calling yourself hot, the only thing you can turn on is the microwave.

Tango: Jimmy, you’re in charge! Scott: Jimmy, can we start a fire?

Scott: Tango isn’t answering my messages. Jimmy: Allow me. Scott: I tried 6 times, what makes you thi- Tango: *replying to message* Hello.

Mumbo: *is wearing silk pants* How does this look? Scar: Like its slips on and off really easily. Mumbo: Scar: No, I didn't mean it like that- Grain: We know what you meant.

Cleo: So are you gonna explain how the hell you crashed my car? Pearl: Well we were driving and there was a deer in the road, so I said "Gem, deer!" Cleo: ...And what did Gem do? Pearl: …They said "Yes, Honey?"

Ella: Come on, Lunar. Nobody actually believes that Scythe is in love with me. Lunar, to The Squad: Raise your hand if you think that Scythe is helplessly in love with Ella. *Everyone raises their hand* Ella: Scythe, put your hand down.

Pearl: We’ve been conducting an ongoing study to see what Joel will and will not eat. Sam: Grass? Yes! Pearl: Moss? Yes!! Sam: Leaves? Ohh, yes! Pearl: Shoelaces? Strange but true! Sam: Worms? Sometimes! Pearl: Rocks? Usually nah. Sam: Twigs? Usually! Pearl: Scar's cooking? Inconclusive! Jimmy: How did you… test this? Pearl: You just hand them stuff and say ‘eat this’ and if they eat it, they eat it. Jimmy: ... I don’t know how to feel about this. Scar: IS THAT WHERE ALL MY SPARE SHOELACES WENT?

Scar: Show me Pennsylvania. Scythe: I don’t know Canadian geography.

Cleo: I have a question. Scythe: Shoot. Cleo: Is the S or C in scent silent? Gem: Fuck you, I’m going to be thinking about this all day. Scythe: Okay well, cent is pronounced the same way as scent so I’m gonna say the S is silent. Cleo: Okay, but sent is also spelled the same way. Gem: Google says that the C was added in the late seventeenth century, so I guess the S is silent. Joel: Plot twist, both the S and the C are silent and the E actually makes the sss sound. Gem: Joel is not allowed to talk anymore.

Scythe: You are the love of my life and I would do anything within reason to make you happy. Ella: I would be happy if you ate, stayed hydrated and got a reasonable amount of sleep. Scythe: I said within reason, Ella. How about I murder that guy? Ella: So murder is in reason but proper self care isn't? Scythe: Well, duh. What kind of question is that?

Conflicting Lives- Chapter 3: Plans Put Into Place

Word count: 2262

It had been about a month and a half since the agency meeting. Scythe and Joel made a plan to slowly stop going out as much, but waited for about a week of usual chaos before they actually slowed down.

Joel had also spoken with his partner, Etho, that was “looking into him” on behalf of the agency, and they came to a sort of compromise about what to give and what not to give to Voidling and iWork; Joel would tell Etho some of his routes and what directions he usually heads in, and Etho would simplify and brief it in a way to seem like he was observing the paths, not being told them.

Scythe spoke to his two friends as well, first to “Storyteller.”

~~~~~~~~~ Five Weeks Prior ~~~~~~~~~

Scythe was waiting on the patio table of the small café, admittedly a bit anxious. He knew Lunar wasn't always the most timely, considering she lives in Wynnra and the small shop was located on the western-ish side of Hermiton. Thankfully, he saw them walking up to the café just as he was starting to get the most anxious, and she sat down across from him at the small metal table.

“So I’m going to assume this isn't just a catch-up brunch?” Lunar asked after the waitress came by and got her drink order.

Scythe sighed, “As much as I wish it was, no it’s not.” He shifted in his seat, nervous and unsure on how to start the conversation. 

“Stop that,” Lunar said almost as soon as he started fiddling, “I know what you do when you're nervous. We’ve known each other for years, Scythe.” He silently cursed himself for being so anxious about such a little thing.

“Void, I really wish you didn't know me that well sometimes,” Scythe said after taking a deep breath. “I do want to catch up, but there is also something that’s come up that I feel like we should probably talk about too.”

The waitress came by to deliver Lunars drink with a smile, and asked if he would like a refill, to which he accepted and she took the cup away. “I’m going to assume this ‘something’ is what V contacted me about a week and half ago?” Lunar asked as she took a drink.

“Yeah, exactly that actually.” Scythe wasn’t very surprised that she knew what he meant. It wasn't all too hard to guess anyways. “Joel has already talked with Etho about what they’ll give to V, but I thought I should probably talk to you and Augustus before things get too far in.” He had turned his head down as he spoke, Scythe realized, and looked back up to Lunar looking at him with an expression he couldn't quite read.

After what felt like days, they finally replied, “Alright. I suppose we can start with the route info. If I could ask though, what did Joel and Etho come up with?” she looked expectantly at Scythe.

“Oh. yeah no problem, I don’t really know everything but i can tell you what I do know.” Scythe said after a few seconds of silence. “If i’m remembering correctly -- and don't quote me on this -- but Joel was going to give Etho our normal routes and what directions he left in after, and Etho would turn it into a sort of way where it was like he observed the info, not asked for it.” He realized that probably sounded strange to a normal person and quickly added, “If that makes any sense at least.”

Lunar slowly nodded, likely making a plan for how she would do something similar to get the information to Voidling, then looked back at Scythe with an expression mostly unreadable, but with a tint of curiosity. “Please dont look at me like that Crystal, come on.” he complained.

And Lunar laughed. Crystal was a nickname Scythe had given to them when he was younger, and lived in Wynnra. The nickname didn't seem to make sense to anyone not close to Lunar, but if you knew her like Scythe did, it made all the sense in the world. When the pair were younger, Lunar would always wander about in the middle of their adventures, and almost always came back with a handful of small crystals. As this kept happening as they got closer to Junior High, Scythe started calling them Crystal, and the name still stuck, 8 years later.

“Damn I haven't heard that in a while.” Lunar said when she finally stopped laughing. “That is exactly how I know it's been too long since we last talked, Scythe, I stopped getting used to Crystal again.”

Scythe chuckled too. “What were you thinking about Crystal? I know you too and that look means you had something in that head of yours about this whole situation.” He looked at them, and she looked down slightly before locking eyes with him once more.

“Maybe we could do a similar sort of thing to what Joel and Etho are doing, but maybe since I’m usually in Wynnra, it’s a bit more obscure. Kind of like I had someone travel to the area for me to scope out the situation, since it's hard to get there myself. Information does change the more it gets passed on after all, so it can't be all too suspicious can it?” She finally said after a few more moments of thought.

Scythe was honestly kind of surprised that he didn’t think of something that seemed so obvious sooner. But yet again he often got that kind of feeling when Lunar was talking, maybe he was just stupid but who knows. “That's… actually really smart. I’m not surprised that you thought of that, I'm more surprised that I didn’t.” he chuckled when he finished, realizing just how stupid that probably sounded.

Lunar laughed too and teased Scythe a bit, making him pout and try desperately not to laugh. They discussed their plan further, and ended up just hanging out for most of the afternoon.

When they said their goodbyes and headed to their own homes, Scythe thought about what he would do as a plan for his other friend, and decided that tomorrow was better than trying to get it done today.

~~~~~~~~~ One Day Later ~~~~~~~~~

Scythe heard a knock on his door, and opened it to reveal Augustus.He had been sitting and watching the TV for the better part of an hour while waiting for him to get there.

“What’s up man? Thanks for having me over!” Augustus said as he stepped in and pulled Scythe into a quick hug. The two guys laughed, and walked further into the dorm room to sit on the couch.

“Not a problem dude, but I only wish I asked you to come over to have fun.” Scythe confessed. That much was true, he did wish that he called Augustus over just to hang out and probably play some video games, but he didn’t. When he looked at Scythe curiously and a bit confused, he continued, “I know you mostly do Weapon Development* stuff, but I’m also pretty sure you got contacted by a certain someone about a week and a half ago.”

As soon as he mentioned being contacted, Augustus’ demeanor very noticeably changed, there wasn't going to be much fun today, at least not without this discussion, and he read the room and changed himself to match (something he did quite often to be honest). “Yeah, I did think that was a bit strange. I wasn't expecting it to be about information, especially from Voidling, but even more so about you.” Augustus said at last.

“Yup. Joel too. I've already talked to Crystal, and Joel has already talked to Etho, but I wanted to maybe try and work out something with you as well.” Scythe said, and Augustus looked back up at him. It took a few minutes for him to respond, but at least he did. “That makes sense. What do you have figured out already?”

Scythe exhaled, not even realizing he was holding his breath a little. He explained once more what he and Lunar went over together the day prior, as well as what Joel and Etho had worked out between themselves. It took a few minutes to clear the couple of questions that Augustus had, but eventually they were able to start making a plan of their own.

“Alright, that all makes sense. V asked me for more of the type of damage and stuff that you guys do, and not so much the routes or anything of that sort. I'm guessing he did some research into what I usually do, and I guess I would be the guy to talk about weapons and fighting styles rather than other kinds of info.” Augustus said.

“That checks out. He did say in the meeting that he had done some research of his own, so I guess I can try and get you that. Maybe we can spar a bit? I have no clue how I would describe the way I fight so maybe just mock-fighting would be more useful.” Scythe reasoned. It made sense to him, and the two often though similarly, so Augustus was bound to get where he was coming from. “If you need, I could ask Joel if he can stop by as well, or we could see if the two of us would be able to convince security into letting you into the training area of the Agency building, and we can spar there. Pretend like we’re training in case we encounter ourselves or something.”

Augustus was silent for a minute or two, mulling over what he could do. “Sparring would probably be best, since I'm usually too busy otherwise to actually go and watch what you guys do. Though, he didn't ask for how you fight per say, but rather what kind of damage you guys do. I'm sure I could maybe fit some sort of fighting information in there, like maybe you argued with each other or something and fought a little bit, but other than that I think I might just tag along in the shadows these next couple of nights. Would that be alright?”

Again, Scythe wasn't necessarily surprised b6 how smart his friends could be. After all, he was kinda dumb most of the time, and thought more in the moment, than thinking ahead. “Yeah I'm sure that’ll be fine. I’ll text Joel real quick to make sure he knows and is good with that too.” And he did just that. Within the next minute, Joel had responded with conformation, and they were good to go.

For pretty much the rest of that entire day, Scythe and Augustus just hung out in the dorm room, playing games and poking fun at each other. Augustus kept going back to fighting games, specifically to absolutely wreck Scythe at them. Scythe would always complain and just button mash his way through them, but it was still a lot of fun for the both of them.

~~~~~~~~~ Present Day ~~~~~~~~~

Scythe walked out of the office of one of his professors. It was one of the days he had his class with Scar, but this professor was for the class after Scars. The one he had missed a little under two months prior because of the sudden Agency meeting. Thankfully, his next class of that day wasn't until several hours later, and he was especially thankful for that when his phone buzzed.

New Message from Spore: All recipients to report to the Agency Building ASAP. Details will be discussed once everyone arrives.

Well, Scythe can’t say that he wasn't expecting it to be an Agency message. Swiping the message away, he pulled up his messages with Scar and asked if he got the same thing, which he did once more.

Scar wasn't always the brightest, but he also wasn't as dumb as Scythe, so he guessed that Scythe was going to ask for transportation there so he wasn't exhausted. Scythe laughed to himself and replied with a “yes please,” then start3 walking towards Scar’s classroom so they could be on their way.

It only took the two men about 5 minutes to get to the Agency building, compared to the 20 it took Scythe on his own. He was forever grateful that Scar knew him as well as he did, but not too well either, and he told him that he owed Scar something, and wouldn't take no for an answer then he was told not to worry about it.

At last they got there, and as they were getting out of the vehicle, Scythe realized he didn't have his outfit or his illusion up, and Scar seemed to notice in the same moment as well. “Oh shoot.” Scar said as he realized. “Is it going to be too hard to put up a skin and the clothes illusion?” he asked worriedly,

“It shouldn't be since I haven't been teleporting, but I’ll have to tell X that it's all an illusion when we get in there. Hopefully I can just whisper it to him.” Scythe said, sighing. Scar mumbled an alright in response before getting out, and Scythe had to focus a little to get his illusion right before he stepped out as well.

Walking up to the building, Scythe could tell that it definitely wasn't going to be easy to put up this illusion, especially for how long the meeting was likely to last, but he’ll get there when it comes to it.

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