Ask the Ruminerds; Royal Blue the Two.

 Melly: I love and hate the second installment.

Dawn: Hate? I happened to think the story was really good. I loved the transition between the two time periods in the book. And the sort of ‘passing of the torch’ with some of the old characters to the new ones.

Gus: She likes that, she just hates that Garrett died…

*Melanie starts sniffling* Melanie: My perfect feathery little bean...*Sniffle* And he was still sort of on the outs with Rowan when he died…

Vernon: I mean, Rowan died too...and Dolly…

Dawn: I mean, it is sad, but aside from that business with Garett and his book, most of the old hooves from the first book led happy lives. It’s probably the best you could hope for…

Broomie: Don’t forget the Warrowick Ripper…

Melly: Sweet Cervidwen’s Hooves...I’m glad the author left a good chunk of the nitty gritty details of his crimes out, but the parts he did write...*Melly shudders, rubbing her upper arms.* What a vile shoat he was…I felt so terrified and then horrified for his victims.

Dawn: I felt terrible for Rowan and Dolly too…especially Rowan, considering…

Joel: It was bad ass I’ll give it that. Rowan’s last bounty, his own firstborn son! That duel in the mine? He didn’t even let him monologue...I did not see that coming!

Talia: Creatures like Elijah are empty and cold. You cannot hesitate, not even for second. He is true predator, in the darkest sense of term. Rowan did what had to be done.

Megumi: It really ended up setting the tone for the noir-style cases in the latter half of the book. OH EM GOODNESS! Can we talk about how adorable Lucius and Elanor are!? Canon and my OTP in one shot!

Talia: Am I strange one for thinking Lucius should be with Talia?

Megumi: Pft...there’s a crack ship…

Gus: And we’ve devolved to shipping. Sweet Sawgrass, what’s the point in shipping? Lucius and Elanor marry at the end of th-

Megumi: GUS! DAMARE BAKA! SPOILERS!

Gus: I’m just saying I don’t see the point of shipping against established couples.

Broomie: AU’s are a thing Gus…

Kodi: Am I the only one who felt like Paul Ryder was...basically just Colt again?

Dawn: THANK YOU! *Gestures to Kodi* See, someone agrees with me!

Vernon: Paul is fine...he feels different enough…

Cameron: At least the Ryder family still has a presence in the series...it feels weird there isn’t an Odran descendant...*holds paws up defensively* Not that I loved the character, mind you...My favorite was actually Irene and Aleksey in this book...They remind me of...well... never mind...

Melly: I think the author got my feedback on that one. *Snickers* But if I’m being serious, it was nice that this book both passed the torch while making room for new characters. It’s a little something for everyone. Plus, you can more or less pick up this book without having read the first one...which is novel.

Vernon: Gives you just enough about what happened before without totally retreadin’ it.

Dawn: It gently encourages but doesn’t demand that new readers read the first installment.

Broomie: I’m eager for the last in the trilogy. The one set in like the eighties...Love me that eighties nostalgia.

Dawn: I’m just glad he didn’t start in the eighties era, since Granger Things came out, everyone’s been doing the ‘set in the eighties’ thing...it’s getting a bit…stale.

Gus: It never gets old for me...the cradle days of B&B…

Cameron: I lived it...well some of it...I wasn’t really conscious of the era till it was more than half over. *Chuckles* But for what I was aware of, it was pretty great.

Vernon: I think we can all purty much agree Royal Blue two was a solid entry...about as good as the first one...Though I am more partial to the western settin’…

Dawn: I think it was better...now all the author needs to do is nail the last installment, and I’m sure it’ll be a classic series!

Gus: At the rate his contemporaries are working on their own trilogies, if he just puts the book out at all, he’ll win by default. *Laughs*

Ask Gus and Melly; Mewrio and Smash Burrow Characters

 

Melanie: Daisy in pretty much any Mewrio game you can play her in. Zero Suit Samoose up until they brought Daisy in as more than just a Peach Palette swap. Also Jigglypuff and Ganonhorse.

Gus: I usually play the Werio brothers in any of the Mewrio titles I can play him in. Sometimes Donkey Kong. And in Smash I tend to main Star Fox...or Falco...or Wolf...

Melanie: Ugh, with no items, on final destination every time or you whine...

Gus: *Is clearly flustered* H-Hey! Cut me some slack...it's like, the one fighting game I'm good at, so I take it more seriously! *Scoffs* Like you have room to judge me!

Melanie: Smash Burrows is designed not to be taken seriously! *Laughs* It's not King of Fighters or Marvole Versus Catcom, it's meant to be goofy and lighthearted...

Gus: If that was the case you wouldn't be able to shut items off! And hey, they added that whole 'omega mode' that gets rid of stage gimmicks for a reason!

Melanie: All I'm saying is if you take it so seriously, maybe you should take it to an official tourney rather than take it out on the rest of us! *Laughs* Unlike me, the only thing keeping you out of those tourneys is lack of confidence!

Vernon: What's keepin' ya'll out of 'em?

Melanie: The stench...Seriously, I don't know what it is with Pro-smash Burrows players and finding the concept of personal hygiene entirely foreign to them. *Melanie visibly cringes* Gah, the last time Gus hosted a tourney here I couldn't even come downstairs, let alone anywhere near the game room. *Shakes head* There was this one skunk player, I sweat by Cervidwen's hooves, his stink gland must have not only been intact but hanging out into the seat of his pants like a hemorrhoid. *Melanie retches*

Gus: Yeah that..I had to ask half the players to leave...and it took three days to air out the back room. Still...I only really want to play with my friends...not professionally.

Melanie: Then stop forcing us to make it professional.

Joel: *Snorts* He just wants to be the big fish in the small pond. He revels in holding the victories over us...same thing with Humon's battles...he always took it so seriously.

Gus: I just played with my favorites!

Joel: And was it a coincidence that your favorite Humons always were the ones with the best in game stats, with perfect EV/IVs and nature combos? 

Gus: Y-Yes! I Ju-!

Joel: You even stopped liking certain Humons the moment they'd get nerfed...

Gus: I swear on Cervidwen's Hooves-Look, it's just a coincidence!

Vernon: Now y'all know why I started refusin' to play with him unless it was co-op when we was teens...*Snickers* Turns out you and Melly ain't too different after all...

Gus: *Crosses arms, letting out a huff* Okay, but when I lose a game, at least I don't yank the fight stick out of the cabinet, and try to bludgeon Kodi's Sister with it! 

Melanie: *Narrows gaze, looking miffed, although slightly hurt.* Hey! I told her not to keep picking Big Lamb! He's a Boss character! It's not fair! *Snorts* That was a cheap shot...

Gus: Replacing the arcade cabinet's fight stick wasn't cheap, that's for sure!

Ask the Ruminerds; Weirdopolis Races

 Vernon: Welp, I guess y'all er' up now...seein' as how Dawn and me already answered thissun'...

Gus: *Places his hooves to his temples, massaging them softly* Cervidwen's Hooves, I'm not looking forward to crunching all these species stats if we play with these.

Talia: *Stabs claw downward onto the table aggressively, tapping it down at the end of each of her sentences as if to emphasize her points.* I am choosing big, strong ogre, *pauses for a moment* No cyclops police girl...I protect the weaker creatures of the city and make it my mission to crush and destroy all of these evil 'Bad Guys' you mention...

Vernon: I mean...iffin' yer playin' a cop...y'all gotta abide by...y'know...laws. Y'all can't be judge, jury, and executioner. Ya gotta stop at arrestin' 'em and let the legal system sort out the rest...

Talia: *Waves a paw out dismissively* Bah, no one will miss. No trial needed.

Broomie: *Snickers* Maybe a bounty hunter would suit you then?

Joel: That's mine, I call that! 

Broomie: Not that I was planning on that being my role, but I...uh...I mean, we can have more than one Bounty Hunter in the party...

Gus: As long as the whole party isn't bounty Hunters...that would be kinda boring...

Joel: As for my species...I'd want to be...*Scratches chin thoughtfully* Either a hydra, or like a classic Chimera...

Megumi: Ooh..We could be the same Chimera! You can be big head, and I can be the snake tail head!

Joel: I like that idea.

Gus: I don't- I'm not sure if I'm stating the sheets for one or two characters there...or how you'd even play...

Melanie: And who's going to be the third head? Y'know, the goat head?

Joel: *Glances at Broomie* How about it?

Broomie: *Shakes his head dismissively.* I'd rather be a Leprefaun if I'm honest...I already had a pretty firm idea I was happy with the moment Dawn and Vern shared this question with us, plus I'd rather have my own 'dedicated' character...

Joel: *Rolls his eyes* Really, you came up with something that fast?

Broomie: He's a bit of a prankster and a drunk with no real job, and in debt up to his ears with some bad fae folks. Mainly makes his money by cheating and gambling and acting as an informant to those willing to pay a pretty penny.

Joel: *Snickers* Mam', you get a prompt and you just hit the ground running don't you? *Shakes head* Oh well, I guess we'll have to take turns piloting the third head if Gus is okay with our choice.

Megumi: Well, I was thinking a fae for my backup, that is if co-playing a chimera with Joel was off of the able. Fairy demolition expert...loves blowing up stuff maybe a little too much. *Giggles*

Gus: How would that...work in the world? Are you a merc for hire, or doing legit work?

Megumi: I was thinking she work in construction, which is very different for Fae...sort of like mice here in city. All small scale, but also magical. Molding trees and plants into homes...but demolition is still demolition.

Kodi: Oh, I want in on this. I-

Val: I'll pass, dork...

Kodi: *Flustered* You're no fun!

*Val rolls her eyes and scoffs*

Gus: So you were saying Kodi?

Kodi: Yeti! The mysterious, massive forest ape with an actic flavor matching yours truly. *Stabs a finger toward his chest.* As for work...hmm...how about a forest ranger? Do you think Weirdopolis has a Forest Preserve?

Gus: I don't see why it can't...

Kodi: Expert survivalist, king of the campout, unmatched knowledge of the unforgiving wilds!

Val: *Snickers* Alright, settle down boy...

Vernon: I think that just leaves you and Mel Gus...

Melanie: As much as a 'bearded doe' is interesting, I tend to favor playing really different species from my actual one, so...I'm going to be a little standard here and go with a vampire bat noble...*Snickers* I know it's a little boring, as there are plenty of other systems accounting for Vampire Bats, and those infected by them...but I'm a fan of the whole...'Glamour' and 'seduction' angle...

Dawn: I see you too are a fan of "Anne Mice's" works...

Melanie: *Blushes slightly, a chuckle escaping her muzzle* Oh don't even get me started...That series was probably the hallmark of my burgeoning 'nannyhood'. *Laughs* Definitely fueled my sexual awakening.

Gus: I'd go for a highly scientific 'Lizardman'. The race that competes against the Illubaahnati and the greys for subverting mammalian society...at least as we know them anyway. In reality, they're just another race in Weirdopolis society, an old and wise one, but just that.

Vernon: *Shakes head, chuckling softly* Someone was payin' more attention to Ulric's ramblin's than I was growin' up, that's fer sure...that's more than I remembered about lizard folks.

Gus: I imagine my character being fixated on trying to understand the nature of the universe, which is only all the more complicated by all of the Wierd creatures existing alongside normal society. As well as more than likely working in a more official capacity trying to improve the defensive technology used to protect the city from outsiders overall. So a tech expert with lots of gadgets...and maybe natural camouflage like a chameleon. 

Vernon: I'm real interested in actually seein'...like not necessarily how some of our characters would get pushed together into workin' with some of them key figures in Dustin's thang...but what kinda circumstances could pull the entire group together fer some grandiose adventure...

Kodi: You know I'd want to train under King Sasquatch...and he'd sound just like Macho Mam' Randy Savage...*Laughs*

Vernon: I could see myself havin' to maybe be Mel's bodyguard too...dependin' on iffin' I gotta run my own bodyguard thang or work fer a firm.

Dawn: *Huffs softly, crossing her arms* Like I'd let you...You're full-time Puppy...The Flockness Monster needs twenty-four seven protection.*Snickers*

Gus: I'm guessing you guys slipped being a couple into the angle already? *Laughs*

Vernon: *Rubs the back of his head awkwardly* Not at first...*Chortle*

Joel: I could see you working alongside me and Meg too...or against us... depending on who's paying. *Laughs*

Vernon: I'll snap all three of them neck's er yer's clean off iffin' ya try to lay a paw on my scalie green queen. *Laughs*

*Dawn giggles, blushing slightly as she nuzzles into Vernon's side*

Gus: With some time, I could probably figure out a throughline that would pull us all together. Maybe a bunch of split team things leading up to bringing us all together for one, grand arc. That said, good luck with your world-building Dustin. Always fun to discuss this sorta stuff with a fellow creative.

Dawn: Absolutely, I wish you the best of luck. Maybe Weirdopolis could be as big as Game of Bones, or even Royal Blue someday...

Joel: Is...Royal Blue really that big? Or do you just have a soft spot for that series cause the writer said he was inspired by your and Vernon's family lineage and current relationship...

Vernon: *Crossing his arms* It's in the top ten, and Gus is making a campaign off o' that too, that's good enough fer me...*Chuckles*

Ask the Ruminerds; Weirdopolis and 'being different'.

 

Dawn: Well, removing my past trauma and my relationship with Vernon does cut...actually, it doesn't cut as much as I'd like from my answer. I do still have...quite a bit of prey baggage that isn't necessarily connected directly to my Father. Both from Predator and Prey alike...

Vernon: I'm sorry Darlin'...*Gives his mate a gentle side hug*

Gus: My health problems made me a bit of a target in high school...especially the fainting issue. *Shakes head and lets out a derisive snort.* Once Yuri let the entire student body know I had a fainting disorder, there was a good month and a half where I was getting spooked by the bigger pred and hel even some prey students at least three to five times a day. So they would watch me fall over and crack up while I spazzed out on the floor for a minute or more.

Vernon: I'm real sorry about that...*Sighs* Ya'll know how my brother is...

Dawn: Didn't you have medicine to suppress your fainting disorder?

Gus: *Nods* I did, and still do take it regularly. But the key word is 'suppress' in that sentence. And that's what it does... it makes it harder to get a faint out of me...but it still happens.

*Melanie plants a kiss atop Gus' head, wrapping an arm around his neck affectionately and nuzzling against his cheek.*

Gus: Thanks Mellomar. *Gus pets her hoof with his gently* Thankfully everyone started to lose interest after a while...but I was still razzed pretty regularly by predator and prey bullies alike. Predators because I was the prime example of 'weak, submissive prey' that pred supremacists love to point to. And Prey, because I was weak and strange and kept weird hobbies. *Chuckles* Plus my best friend was the biggest wolf in school...

Vernon: Hey I caught my own share of flack fer bein the resident "Sheepdog". I was the wolf who had exclusively prey friends, not even an omnivore among 'em. When it wasn't Yuri cracking jokes to my face about my "Nerd Herd", it was the other Pred students whisperin' about me, and leavin' little graffiti remarks in various places in the school.

Dawn: Aww...Puppy...*Pats his leg affectionately.*

Vernon: Thankfully I never got harassed fer' it outright though, aside from Yuri o'course, cause there weren't many mammals bigger than me in school, and my former reputation kept me outta the targetin' line...But prey folks outside of the club suspected I was cultivatin' a food supply by keepin' close the Beasts and Battlefields club...*Shakes head*

Joel: Seems like they were right after all, seeing as how you eat prey on the regular these da-OW!

*Megumi slaps Joel's snout, causing him to recoil back from her, scrunching his nose and rubbing the paw impact site.*

Megumi: Do not be rude. *Snickers*

*Dawn blushes slightly before doing her best to shake off Joel's incomplete comment.*

Dawn: A lot of the outside abuse I endured was more psychological. I went to an all Prey school after Vernon and I got separated. It was very traditional, so much so they actually separated the males and females. And if there was one thing the prettier, 'normal' prey girls loved to do, it was to spread rumors and badmouth a small, weak, little sheep like me. Especially when I'd turn up to class every few weeks in a new cast or sling...*Shudders* Just thinking about the vile stuff they used to say about me...about my family...

Melanie: Most mammals really don't consider just how bad bullying can be. They underestimate just what kind of nasty stuff kids already know about, and can use as ammo against other kids...I remember being told by some rich bitch nanny that my mother earned our family fortune blowing billy's in back alleys in a marathon. I was seven years old when this happened by the way...

Gus: *Winces* Yeesh..wait...is that the one who you punched hard enough she had to get her braces re-aligned?

*Melanie crossed her arms, a proud smile crossing her muzzle as she spoke.*

Melanie: The bullying stopped after that...save for the muttering about me being a psycho when they thought I couldn't hear them... *Chuckles*

Dawn: I wish I had been strong enough to do something like that to be honest...*Shakes head* I know it's not the most mature way of dealing with that sort of thing...but if it put a stop to my bullying for even a few weeks it might have helped...

Vernon: Being a brute ain't a quick fix fer yer mental health either Honey Lamb...*Shakes head* Trust me, I'd know...

Dawn: It didn't really change in college, or even when I was a civil servant...I just had a bigger pool of mammals that mocked me more quietly. I was back to Pred and Prey alike mocking me, belittling my studies, my work...and all the while I had someone like Doug whispering in my ear that it was mostly predators treating me that way...feeding into my developing tunnel vision...*Sighs* But while there were predators that went out of their way to make me feel like weak, powerless prey...like Lionheart...it was largely prey mammals who were tearing me down with whispers and rumors...

Broomie: I mean...It makes sense statistically...what is the pred-to-prey ratio again? Nine to One in prey's favor?

Dawn: *Nods* Especially sheep. We're a pretty populated prey species compared to others. Probably in the top ten...

Joel: At the end of the day, being a predator or prey mammal plays a part in the reason some mammals will tease you...but more often than not, it's just because you're weirder than the status quo that will earn you the ire of your 'peers'... It was all that mattered when I got teased growing up. Then again, I also had the misfortune of growing up exclusively in the city, and Kuzco knows that's already putting you in a worse situation no matter how 'nice' the city is.

Vernon: Right, y'all was a city Alpaca...cause yer aunt right?

Joel: *Nods*, I never had a Dad, and my Mom died in a car accident when I was like one...I was in the car, but thankfully I lived somehow...

Dawn: O-Oh Joel..I'm so sorry...

*Joel holds up a hoof, shaking his head.*

Joel: It doesn't matter...I never got to know her so I really... can't miss her...I mean I can...but it's...*Shakes head again* I've already had to deal with that in therapy. Feeling guilt over not missing her as much as I felt I shoulda'. But...*Sighs* Anyway, my Mom lived in the Mesa Valley Federation territory, specifically Anacozona, and my only living relative was my Aunt Karla. Granted, my Aunt is awesome, and she raised me like I was her own Cria...but she lived in Zootopia, and so I had to grow up in the Zootopian public school system. Specifically the one in Sahara Central...

Val: Big Dune High?

*Joel Nods*

Val: Yeah, it's got a rep...not that I had issues...but my Dad...*Pfft*...

Kodi: It's probably one of the few times I've seen him get that weird...thousand yard stare while talking about it...other than when he talks about your Mom...

Joel: Alpaca's aren't rare in Zootopia... but there aren't a lot of us, and most of them live in the high mountains of Alpine Glade...so I was an oddity...Most mammals made fun of my gangly features and long neck, and the other mammals with long necks that should have been sympathetic mocked me for being a 'lesser version' of a camel. And once I got into Animalme the teasing got way worse. I had so many Mamanga's stolen out of my bag and ripped up, or dumped in the school toilets...*Sigh*

Broomie: I feel you...I had to stop bringing my comics in to read at Lunch in Meadwoland's Middle School because bullies would shred them up for kicks...Thankfully in High School having Sheep Dog in our group's back pocket stopped that from happening for the most part. *Chuckles*

Joel: I was ready to write off all mammals, Pred and Prey alike until I got to college...then I met these guys, *Gestures to the group* and my faith in mammality was slightly restored. *Chuckles*

Kodi: I can sorta relate to that...what with all the moving around as a pup I really started to feel like an alien in my own pelt...I was always just that weird wolf in the back of the class who was oddly close to his sister and then gone six months later...

Val: Well, we all know why you were close to Yukon...*Snrk*

Kodi: *Crosses his arms defensively* Hey! I-It's-look, I said before we were the only friends we got to have. Experimenting as teens aside we-we were all alone alright? Of course, we had to be each other's best friends!

*Val rolls her eyes but nods, however, Vernon simply offers a derisive snort.*

Kodi: Oh, what now? *Huffs*

Vernon: Still makin' wolves look bad Mam'...

Val: Oh please, you wolves just look bad in general...*Chuckles* Marshmellow's experiences are a drop in the bucket in comparison.

*Kodi's ears sag slightly, the wolf looking at his diminutive vixen with sad, pleading eyes. With a sigh, Val pats his arm affectionately.*

Val: *Sigh* And I don't think you look bad Kodi...at least, as bad as wolves in general.

*Kodi immediately perks up, smiling at his mate as his tail rapidly starts wagging.*

Val: And honestly...I mean it's not like I didn't have my own issues in school. 

Gus: *Feigns shock* Really, you? Queen antisocial?

*Val rolls her eyes, exhaling a sharp snap of air causing her quiff to bounce on her snout.*

Val: I had Ellie, that's all I needed. Other than that I laid low...I didn't want to deal with 'clique crap' and 'social politics'...though that didn't stop rumors. *Snickers* I am a fox after all, and one that tried to steer clear of dealing with others. Clearly, that meant I was up to something to both students and teachers alike. I can't tell you how many times I was getting grilled in the principal's office over something the staff was sure I had a paw in.

Gus: Again, unsurprising....*Snickers*

Val: Rut you stumpy, they were only right like...half the time...

Gus: Sure...half the time...

Val: If it were worse, surely my Dad wouldn't have been able to sue the school on two separate occasions and win?

Joel: Really? Was it a big payout?

Val: Good enough to pay for Ellie and my College...or rather, Ellie's college, my technical schooling, and his and Clover's new Jacuzzi and greenhouse...*Huffs*

Dawn: You act like your Father did something wrong indulging himself and my Mother. He did give you and your sister your family home to share when he moved in with my Mother...that's quite a big boon...

Val: I mean, *Huffs* yeah....but I could have used the remaining money as a starter loan for me and Amelia opening our own garage...

Talia: *Tch* Are all Zootopian pups so spoiled?

Megumi: I was infinitely grateful to inherit my grandmother's store...even if I did change exactly what I was selling out of it. She never had to do something like that for me.

Dawn: Not all Zootopian kits, just her...*Snickers*

Val: *Sneers at Dawn* Watch it Fluffball...

Talia: In Grussia, teasing was brief in my puphood...working family farm made me strong, and shows of strength from work kept other mammals out of fur. Most of my sad stories come from war, and horror of battle...it makes teasing pale in comparison...

*Broomie places a concerned hoof on Talia's paw as his mate grows quiet and somber.*

Val: *Pointing at Talia* That's the stare! The same one as my Dad! *She elbows Kodi playfully, only for the arctic wolf to gently grab her arm and glance down at her warily.*

Kodi: *Quietly* No that's a slightly different stare...one I'm well aware you don't 'joke' with a soldier about if you value your safety.

*Val turns her attention back to Talia, the wolf now glaring at her as a soft growl starts to emanate from her throat. Broomie's gentle reassuring pats have increased as Val shrinks into her shoulders.*

Megumi: *Megumi cuts the tension by clearing her throat.* Anyway...I was teased not only for being into Mamanga and Animalme but being an omnivore. Where I live Red Panda population is not so dense. There are more otters there, with chips on their shoulders due to the Red Panda's of old invading the land and driving one species of river otter to extinction...*Sighs* I am...not proud that my species did that while fleeing the Panda hordes...but I am also not my ancestors...still, it didn't stop me from being singled out.

Joel: Sorry to hear that babe...*The alpaca opens his arms, inviting Megumi to crawl up his neck, which she obliges and nuzzles into his fur.*

Megumi: We moved just before high school to a more Red Panda dense area, and things improved...but my Grandmother's store is still in that district so I'll often get glares from the local otters...still it is less bad now...*turning her attention back to Joel, Megumi smiles*

Megumi: And for the record, I happen to like your long neck Joel...

Joel: Yeah, cause you like nuzzling my legendarily soft, high thread count wool that Alpaca's are famous for...

Megumi: You act like I'm the only one here who likes their mate's fluff...surely I am not alone, right? *Megumi glances at the group.*

*Dawn, Vernon, Val, Talia, and Broomie all exchange nods of agreement.*

Vernon: Yer wool got nothin' on my Honey Lamb's...

Val: Take an arctic wolf's winter fur for a spin and get back to me...seriously, the comfort is practically orgasmic.

Talia: Broomie is softer than cloud, I will fight you...

Gus: Ugh...guys, how many times can we have this argument?

Vernon: As many times as we need to!

-------

Wasty: As an aside, I spent most of my childhood being picked on and teased. Ended up getting beat up a few times myself. I was a larger kid, but gentle, so I seldom raised a hand to anyone else despite my treatment. I never had friends at my grade level, and so I only really got to see them outside of school Laughably, it was actually in college that I realized that 'nerds' were a thing, and they had clubs because of how withdrawn and disconnected I became from schooling and my peers. However, even with that, I've never made more friends than I have doing what I do now.

As far as I know, I'm not on the spectrum myself. Never been tested but I lack a lot of the symptoms, and the others are covered by general neurotic disorders and OCD. That said, don't feel bad about having an odd comfort character. Dawn is just one of mine, and I've got stranger ones. We're all just trying to get through life trying to put more good in the world than bad. And we need all the little boosts we can get along the way, even if it comes in the form of said comfort characters.

Thanks for the ask.

Ask the Ruminerds; Royal Blue Book 1

 

Broomie: I don't really go for westerns...

Gus: *Laughs* Then you aren't gonna like the next campaign I'm cooking up...as it's set in the Royal Blue universe...

Joel: *Tch!* Dude, can you at least wait until the guy finishes his trilogy series before dropping us in the setting based on his books?  I'm not looking forward to mid-arc plot adjustments to account when the next book in the series drops!

Gus: It's not like we're playing mains! *Laughs*

Dawn: Honestly, it was super flattering to hear the author of the series had loosely based two of his titular characters on Vernon and myself...

Vernon: Less so that he made the fella based on me help a vixen commit adultery...even if he wasn't 'with' his mate at that point...

Dawn: *Snickers* Puppy... I did use the phrase 'Loosely based on' for a reason.

Melanie: *Chuckles* I actually low-key love Widow Farrowfaighle. And it's not like Rowan cheated on Dolly...he was trying to run away from her so Dolly could have the life he thought she deserved. 

Gus: But all she wanted was him.

Melanie: And no matter how hard he tried to push himself away from her, no one else could ever be her. It's actually very sweet.

Joel: I'm kinda low-key hoping Dolly gets 'the consumption' too so Rowan ends up with Widow Farrowfaighle...

Vernon: JOEL!

Joel: *Shrugs* What? They have better chemistry. They'd make a badass bounty Hunter power couple. Besides, she's already having his kit! *laughs* I can totally picture her with a hybrid wolf pup in one arm and a double-barrel shot gun in the other. *Joel mimes the pose he's describing, pretending to let off a round.*

Melanie: Funny, I'm hoping O'dran dies. I hate that character archetype. Even if they keep hinting at his o' so tragic puphood.

Megumi: Rut you! I love O'dran. I've been shipping him and Allana since that whole bit with the illusion beer!

Gus: You'll have to excuse Melly, she's not a fan of any character in the series who dumps on her precious wooby widdle owl boy Garret...

Melanie: Garret is a precious little wooby boy, and I'm not ashamed to admit I love him.

Gus: I gotta admit, I do love Garret and Rowan's buddy cop movie dynamic. *Laughs*

Dawn: I'd be lying if I said I didn't like the O'dran and Allana ship myself *Giggling* There's something kinda cute about the tough little bunny taming a burly, prideful, fancies himself a ladies mam' type of fella who thinks he's untamable...even if he's a little speciest...*Giggles* And for the record, I also think Dolly and Rowan's dynamic is adorable...

Joel: That's bias right there...*Laughs*

Vernon: I mean, look at the end of the day I ain't gonna get all twisted over somethin' fictional....I am flattered. But the fact the fella really did a great deal of research on me and Dawn a'fore building Rowan and Dolly up...Like it makes it a little to...uncomfortably close to the genuine articles in a way that I guess makes me take the the affair thang a lil' personally.

Gus: What, he read 'Predator seeking Prey'?

Vernon: Not just that, he dug into our family histories all over the place...includin' The Blackwool's in Scotram, The Norwulff Düclaws, and a whole bunch of Hunter relatives scattered all over North Mammalia. *Chuckles* Even my Pa's study is mostly made up o' stuff that came over from Norwulff, and stuff that was written by those who stayed in Zootopia, with a stray series of letters here and there from the Hunter's that spread out. I actually learned more about the Hunter's that settled down in the Mesa Valley Federation durin' the actual Wild West era through one of the author's interviews than I ever learned about it from my folks.

Dawn: The same interview where he explained that Rowan and Dolly are sort of a mash-up of not only us, but Lady Blackwool and Erik...as well as several other ancient Hunter relatives rumored to have kept sheep wives?

Vernon: *Shakes head* We can thank Ulric fer that' one I guess...Once he blew the lid off of Lady Blackwool and Erik's little pack, Norwulff dropped a whole lot of...censored history once the cat was out of the bag...that's how I found out it seems like there's always a Hunter er' Düclaw, at least in every three generations, that has a cravin' fer mutton over a she-wolf. And...I ain't proud to admit that not every one o' them stories were examples of a star-crossed lovers sorta thang...

Dawn: Between the much earlier ancestor in the Düclaw's lineage who couldn't bear pups due to an injury early in life deciding to take on a harem of captured ewe wives, each taken from every invasion of Scotram he was a part of. To the sheriff of 'Tumbleweed Flats' in the Mesa Valley Federation who for all intents and purposes was an honored and beloved sheriff, but was also rumored to be frequenting the local ewe brothel fairly regularly late into the evenings...and the rumors made it very clear he had a favorite ewe...but yes, not every tale from the Hunter/Düclaw lineage was...well...'wholesome'.

Joel: Oh yeah, I remember that guy...Ur? Or Fjor? Wait...no, Fenrir...named after the god. Yeah, the most hilarious part of that story was that the ewe's quickly grew attached to him, and accepted all being his wives...And the rest of the pack looked the other way because he was their best warrior.

Melanie: Hilarious...if not a little messed up.

Vernon: Knowin' that I'm part of that character's DNA, along with the other more questionable Hunter's...I....well I don't love it...

Dawn: *Chuckles, giving Vernon an affection pet on his paw.* Oh Puppy, it's not like my widespread family history was much better...and I'm sure that extends to everyone here's history if you dig far enough back...besides, it's all made for very compelling characters. At the end of the day, we aren't Rowan and Dolly.

Kodi: Good thing too, otherwise you'd have to worry about that 'only She-wolves can really keep a male wolf' thing. *Laughs* The gods know we're sexual tyrannosaurs!  

Val: Hey, you know that's true Fluff...granted, foxes are even worse...hence how I can keep up with you. *Laughs*

Vernon: *Scoffs* Tell me the author of the story ain't a wolf without tellin' me he ain't a wolf directly.

Melanie: *Giggles* Oh come on, it's treated as a stereotype in the books anyway. No need to get your hackles up Vernon.

Gus: Jeeze, if I knew you were gonna get this twisted over fictional characters that were more or less inspired by you and your mate because he was such a fan of yours, I wouldn't have started crafting a campaign in the setting.

Dawn: Incidentally...I should point out he probably listens to our podcast Vernon...he's more than likely going to hear this...

Vernon: *Tenses up, his ears sagging sharply* I uh...I mean, I'm sorry! It's really flatterin'! Honest! 

Joel: Excellent save...*Chuckles* Not clumsy in the slightest.

Dawn: Please get in touch with us, we'd love to talk to you, and maybe I could send you a signed copy of our book? At least until the Roaropean book tour gets off the ground and we could meet in person!

Joel: Farrowell....Howellofaighle?

Vernon: Joel...*The wolf grumbles*

Joel: Okay, okay, how about we take a page from ol' Fenrir then? Farrowellpard? Shepowefaighle?

Vernon: Sweet sawgrass Joel enough!

Joel: At least give me a catfight in book two, that's all I'm asking for! For Kuzco's sake...maybe I should ship O'dran and Farrahfaighle...have the ol' buff blaggart step up to the plate a-.

Vernon: NO!

*Vernon's sharp exclamation draws the gaze of the entire group, Dawn tilting her head as she squints up at her mate with suspicion. Vernon starts sweating, rubbing the back of his neck in clear discomfort as he averts his gaze.*

Vernon: I mean...er...look...that fella is the last character who should be rasin' a pup...let alone Rowan's pup...i-it's a parentin' thang...not a...er...stakin' claim thing...

Joel: *Snickers* Shepowefaighle it is eh Fenrir?

Vernon: *Growls* Shut up Joel...er' I'll make y'all eat yer hat...

Ask the Ruminerds; Teenage mutant Ninja Turtle Incarnations

 

Gus: Original.

Joel: Original.

Vernon: I wasn't into it...

Broomie: Original.

Gus: I can't believe you didn't like any of them Vern!

Vernon: I mean, I missed the boat in terms of 'em airin'...I was born in 1990...I missed out on even most o' them reruns of the eighties shows...I'm surprised y'all got into that when all of y'all were born around the time I was...

Dawn: I guess it depends on what you had access to...?

Vernon: I mean I wasn't into a lot o' them 'action shows' I guess...I didn't get inta He-mammal, er' G.I. Jowl...er' none of that stuff...Oh course, we never exactly had premium cable...

Gus: There's the explanation...

Vernon: Well Lah-Dee-Dah...Y'know just cause my family had its own land fer over a century er' two don't mean we was exactly the wealthiest family in the North Meadowlands...*Vernon scratches his chin thoughtfully* I mean, look...I ain't sayin' we lived hand to paw...but my Mah and Pa was supportin' seven pups. Different thangs were prioritized when we was real little. Lotta hand me-down old Looney Tunes tapes, and whatever VHS tapes our parents picked up at the store...we didn't get exposed to most of them more...broad cartoon channels till they went basic in the late 90s...

Joel: My Aunt had the full package since I was a Cria, even the smutty channels...though they were locked behind a password. It had everything! Even imported Animalme...in fact, you can say that's how I got started.

Gus: We had expanded channels at my house...

Broomie: Same...so we got the old stuff, and the reruns...

Vernon: Also...me and my brothers missed out on a lotta...Saturday mornin' cartoons...just by virtue of bein' wolf pups...

Gus: *Chuckles* Yeah, whenever I slept over I remember you and your brothers would sleep till like, one in the afternoon...

Vernon: Can y'all blame us!? We're nocturnal mammals who had school and helpin' Ma with the farmin' and housework all week...o'course we slept like wolves on the weekend!

Dawn: *Giggles* That hasn't changed...any day you aren't working, we both sleep in...that is if you can keep me from slipping out of your paws...

Vernon: *Smirks* Again, can ya blame me...nuzzlin' up to you is the coziest, most comfy way to sleep I think I've ever experienced. It's like sleepin' curled up with a lil' slice o' heaven...

Dawn: *Leans up, smooching Vernon on the side of his muzzle* I could say the same about you Puppy Love. *Laughs* Why do you think I give in nine times out of ten?

Broomie: Actually, to get back on track...I really loved the OG comics. Though the 87' show was pretty fun. Granted I discovered the old-school comics later in life...I mean, after the show aired.

Gus: I think we can probably agree that the old movies were also good...well the first one was anyway, with diminishing returns on each sequel.

Joel: And that we blew off the Micheal Bay movies entirely...

Broomie: Hey we gave him a chance with Transfurmers, that ship has sailed.

Joel: Ugh, yeah, nah...those were rank...almost as bad as the Ruminant Evil film adaptations! *Spits in disgust*

Gus: Ugh! Don't get me started! We'll be at this all night and I actually want to get to playing tonight's campaign!

Ask The Ruminerds; Couples Songs Part 2

 

Gus: It's kinda corny but... you guys know that song from Goatsbusters 2?

Joel: "On Our Own" by Bobby B'aahrwn?

Gus: No! Not that one!

Vernon: Wait...that one...the one about love liftin' ya?

Gus: Yes! 'Higher and Higher' by 'Howard Huntsburro'!

Vernon: Yeah, I remember that one....y'all snuck it into the playlist o' songs fer our tithe iffin' I remember correctly. *Chuckles* That's yer song?

Gus: *Taps his hooves together nervously.* I-I mean we played it at our wedding too...It's a good dancing song! And it-.

Melanie: It may be a little more light and upbeat than I'm sure most of you guy's couples songs are going to be. But the lyrics I think are...pretty fitting for us.

Gus: Well, I think you do more of the heavy lifting in this relationship Mellowmar...*Chuckles*

Joel: Dude, Goatsbusters 2 is so lame compared to the first one...and that song is so 80s it's practically 'pizzle music'.

Gus: Hey! Goatsbusters 2 is an underrated classic! It may not be as great as the first, but it's a damn fine entry into the series!

Broomie: Especially compared to Goatsbusters 2016...

Gus: *Narrows his gaze at Broomie* We don't talk about 2016. Nobody does.

Joel: The memory hole runs deep...shame, they missed a real opportunity to canonize "Extreme GoatsBusters"

Vernon: My favorite bit is the bit with the Taurtanic pullin' up to the dock. *Chuckles*

Dawn: That, and when they turn the Statue of Lipurrty into what is essentially a golem.

Joel: Speaking of, considering how much you dug that movie Gus, I'm surprised you never statted a Statue of Lipurrty Golem for a campaign.

Gus: *Chuckles evilly* Who says I haven't? Both it and Mount Rushmoose, the problem is crafting a campaign that would be fitting to deploy them in.

Vernon: *Chuckles* We've gone purty far off track here...much as I'm lookin' forward to whatever campaign y'all can cram them into. Since y'all protested so much about Gus and Mel's song, what's yer and Megumi's song Joel?

Megumi: The 'Wolf Whistling Song' by Ringo Baahori.

Gus: *Chuckles* An Animalme intro song, color me shocked.

Joel: It's a very pretty piece. 

Vernon: Y'all pick that 'cause y'all see Megumi as a wild, untamed wolf goddess? *Chuckles*

Megumi: *Laughs* More so that I see Joel as my Prince. In song, the Prince is specifically referred to as golden swan...even if the prince is actually a fox. Regardless, my Joel does has the neck of a swan. *Snickers*

Joel: And Megumi is pretty close to a feral wolf-girl who eats like a little gremlin. And she loves Apples.

Megumi: *Swats joel playfully* Baaaaaka! *Laughs, then clears her throat as best as she can as she adjusts her glasses.* I-It's true, I do love apples though...*Snickers*

Dawn: Not to...judge, but I am wondering if we'll get an answer sufficiently as exotic from Dylan and Talia.

Talia: Звёздное Лето, K Алла Пугачёва.

Joel: *Laughs* What was that!? Did you just hex us!?

*Talia growls at Joel, and Broomie places a hoof on her forearm, gently petting it to calm her down.*

Broomie: Animanglish please Babe...

Talia: *Huffs* 'Starry Summer', by 'Alla Pawacheva'...

Vernon: I ain't really...I mean...I wasn't familiar with Joel's choice neither, but...I'm really lost when it comes to Grussian chart toppers...

Talia: It is song about the beauty of summer...which as you imagine is very short....how you say 'fleeting',  time in Grussia...but it makes me think of Dylan because...he is my starry summer...

*The girls in the group, aside from Val, let out a collective 'Awww...'*

Dawn: That's so sweet...

Talia: He is summer that doesn't end, and he is always with me...also...his wool is soft and warm like caress of meadow grass on breezy summer day...Я люблю тебя, милая, Dylan.

Broomie: я тоже тебя любл Talia...

*The group looks at Broomie with a mixture of skepticism and confusion.*

Broomie: *Shrugs* What? I'm taking Duolamgo courses...

Joel: Duuuude...do Roesetta Stone, or actual classes...Duolamgo is terrible!

*Vernon now turns his attention to Kodi, who's tail is already wagging furiously. The older wolf rolls his eyes, as does Val.*

Vernon: So I guess that leaves y'all t-.

Kodi: *Cuts Vernon Off* "I can't fight this feeling anymore!" By REO Speedwaggin'!

Val: Uggh...

Dawn: Val sounds like she's disagreeing with you there Kodi. *Snickers*

Val: *The vixen huffs, causing her fur tuft to bounce on the tip of her snout. She turns away from the others, crossing her arms.* L-Look, I didn't...I...Uggh...*shakes head* my Damn Dad...

Joel: What, that's you and your Dad's song? *Chuckles* I knew wolves had that stereotype about inbreeding, but foxes too?

*Val stares daggers at Joel, her muzzle curled into a snarl. Vernon simply sighs.*

Kodi: Hey, not all wo-!

Vernon: *Now cuts Kodi off.* YOU DON'T GET TO TALK SISTER RUTTER! *Shakes head* Yer part o' the damn problem!

*Kodi's ears flatten, the wolf letting out a soft whine. Surprisingly, Val pulls Kodi's head into her arms, snuggling it and petting the top of his head gingerly.*

Val: Hey, give the guy a break...he's a Marshmellow. *Val loll's here head as if she's weighing over something* And kind of an idiot...

Kodi: *Perks up an ear* HEeeeeyyy...

Val: A cute idiot.

Kodi: Thank you. *Chuckles*

Val: I get like...half of my musical tastes from my Dad...and he likes a bunch of real cheesers...ones that found their way onto my phone in some form or another.

Kodi: And the night I said 'I love you' for the first time, "I can't fight this Feeling" was playing on my trucks bluefang from my little Velvet S'more's phone.

Val: *Shakes head* Yeah, talk about atmosphere...sadly, that cheeser really stuck though...

Dawn: Well, I happen to think it's a lovely song, surprisingly lovely coming from...er...well...

*Val furrows her brow at Dawn* Watch yourself puffball...or else I'm gonna call up Dad and ask what's his favorite slow jam to rut your Mom to...

Dawn: *Rolls eyes* Oh please, like that's going to-.

*Val pulls her Carrot phone from her pocket, tapping a few buttons before revealing she's brought up her father's contact info. The vixen hovers a single claw over the call button. In response, Dawn holds out her hooves in desperate protest*

Dawn: OKAY! OKAY! Lamb Sakes! *Dawn crosses her arms and huffs* No need to hit under the wool, please...

*Val smiles smugly*

Ask The Ruminerds; Horror Film Fears

 

Gus: Melly loves dumb, mindless slasher films, the gorier the better... *Chuckles*

Melanie: Oh hell yeah! Blood! Blood and death! *Her giggling turns into a snort* I'd be hard-pressed to find a slasher movie I didn't like, from the cheapest of trash to the finest of treasures. If I had to pick an absolute favorite....hmmm....*Scratches chin thoughtfully*

Gus: It's going to be weird and obscure isn't it?

Mellanie: I mean, I could go with something like the Saw movies for something new...mostly cause I love the traps, and the saw puppet design...To a real classic like the Freddy Cougar movies...oh and Jason! *Chef's kiss*. 

Gus: *Chuckles and rolls his eyes*

Melanie: But I'm even into really dumb stuff like Gingerbread Mam', or Jackal Frost...It's just, soo, soo corny!

Gus: I think Chickie sorta falls into that category...although the production value is better than those films.

Melanie: *Snickers* At least at first...but like all franchises, they just get cheesier with each new installment. Of course, I can appreciate that too...though my favorite of all time has to be 'Basket Case'...

Gus: *Guffaws* The one with the dude with the malformed twin brother that he keeps in a wicker basket!?

Melanie: *Nods Briskly* It's just so dumb, but also kinda good...despite the budget. Granted the...rapey scenes are...*Winces*

Joel: Yeah, that was all B-movies from the eighties. A not so tactful, hamfisted way to shoehorn in some bare pelts to hopefully sell more product.

Megumi: I also like Slashers...though less than Kaiju films. The Ring is a good series...at least the Japandese version. *Scoffs* Howlywood ruined it like everything else they try to...what is the word? 'a-adapt'?

Joel: *Nods*

Melanie: Yeah, the North Mammalian adaptation is a little dull....still nowhere near as bad as found footage horror though...that's my least favorite horror film genre. The fad started by the Hare Witch really wrecked horror movies for a while.

Vernon: Much like reality TV shows ruined TV...

Dawn: *Rolls her eyes* Ugh, Reality TV, I could chatter on about the worst examples I've seen for hours...

Vernon: That said we ain't really into slasher films...

Dawn: Not that either of us find them particularly scary...more just dull...aside from a few exceptional meshes of more cerebral films with horror...like The Thing, or In the Muzzle of Madness...

Melanie: OOOH! The Thing's great. Hey, have I shown you two 'Event Horizon'? That one is great!

Dawn: Yes, right after we watched 'chopping maul' on double date movie night. *Giggles*

Melanie: *Laughs* I like to balance out the scarier ones with a goofy one when watching back-to-back.

Joel: What about you Brooms, you've been awfully quiet...

Broomie: We...sorta have a ban on Slasher movies at home...war films too...

Dawn: Really? Why?

Vernon: Is Talia scared of a few cheap jumpscares and blood made to look like chocolate?

Broomie: No...*rubs the back of his neck uncomfortably.* But with her...history, some of that stuff can really...touch some psychological sore spots... *winces*

Gus: Right...her PTSD...I totally forgot.

Broomie: The last thing we tried to watch was Mammalian Centipede, and as goofy as it was, something set Talia off so bad she was ready to tear the TV in half...

Vernon: Geeze...that's-

*Nearby door suddenly busts open, revealing Dom, looking as though he just came from running a marathon.*

Dom: WHO'S TALKING ABOUT MAMMALIAN CENTIPEDE!?

Ask the Ruminerds; People of Weirdopolis

 

Vernon: Sweet sawgrass son...y'all are firin' such a scattershot in terms of who yer lookin' to answer questions I'm thinkin' we're gonna need to rent a stadium just to get all the answers...*Chuckles* Might as well just ask the city at this point.

Dawn: *Pats Vernon's paw affectionately* Puppy, be nice...

Vernon: I am, I'm just kiddin'...*Laughs*

Dawn: Anyway, we were happy to answer your questions. We do our best to try and answer everyone who messages us to the best of our abilities, and your line of questions about your work and writing plans has been particularly engaging.

Gus: Especially to those of us who are...well...

Melanie:  Nerds. *Snickers*

Gus: Right, I was looking for a nicer term there...but...eh. *Shrugs*

Dawn: That said, we'll probably keep this question strictly among us Ruminerds, for convenience and simplicities sake.

Vernon: So with that cleared up, we'll answer yer new question...

Dawn: Well first off I want to compliment his character design. It's a really cool mashup of elements from those characters...

Broomie: I ain't gonna complain...I loved Hellboar and Savage Dragon...Also got a little Etrigan the Demon vibes off of your design. 

Gus: Going for the deep cuts huh? *Chuckles*

Broomie: Entrigan the Demon is not a deep cut...the dudes showed up in cartoons...he's not 'the brick wall', 'Egg Fur', or gods tremble, 'Snowfang'...

Joel: Isn't that the cat who got his powers by doing like toad drops...or coca leaves?

Broomie: Coca leaves. Yeah, he got high and fought crime...it's nuts...

Joel: At least none of those are dabbling in out there fetish territory, which I would probably stress you shouldn't even dip your hooves-I mean-paws, into that kind of territory even as a gag. 

Gus: You talking about the blueberry thing?

Joel: *nods briskly* Trust me, you don't want to open that door even a crack, lest all the weirdos will come out of the woodwork with requests...

Megumi: Takes a pervert to know a pervert huh? *Giggles*

Vernon: No, Joel is speakin' from experience...I remember him fallin' down a 3D modelin' rabbit hole involvin' those folks with a Wonkat Blueberry fetish.

Megumi: *Surprised, glances at Joel* Woah, what is this?

Joel: *Snorts* I was young, I wasn't familiar with the idea that literally any weird thing could be a fetish and someone wanted a model of their character as a blueberry ball like in the movie...

Gus: And he took the job thinking it was just for a gag...

Joel: Once it went out on my work pages, all the weirdos started skittering out of the shadows asking me for increasingly twisted fetish models. *Spits and snorts in clear irritation* 

Gus: Hey Joel! C'mon Mam' we talked about the spitting! At least use a damn cup!

Joel: Sorry, sorry! I just still get heated thinking about it...Anyway, about three commissions in I discovered the fetish and it made my wool feel like it was crawling with nits...I had to shut my store for a while, crop up a list of 'I won't do this' catch-alls for my commission page and wait until the messages trickled to nothing before starting to work again...

Broomie: I'm surprised you have standards...*Chuckles*

Joel: Hey, I specialize in cake and giant robots, things you can actually rut and cool stuff...that other stuff is too far even for me...though I will admit some of the offers were tempting...were talking triple or even quadruple my usual rate...and this is back when I was seventeen...

Vernon: But ya didn't?

Joel: I wasn't sure if I'd ever be able to feel clean again if I went down that path...

Megumi: Well...relative clean-ness yes?

Vernon: Anywho...er...I'm not sure what I'd suggest...my mind first went to like...creatures outta fables but I thought that might be too... close to that comic series from a little while ago...

Broomie: Wolf Among Us?

Vernon: That's the one!

Joel: Tulpa-ish things would be cool...although I guess that's borderline what your other book is...

Gus: Tulpa?

Joel: Something you imagine that becomes real...

Gus: Ah...

Gus: How about aliens...but specifically the aliens that all the abduction stories are about...the greens.

Joel: Oh yeah, but like specifically not outer space aliens, but our weird perception of them...right down to being obsessed with rectal probing.

Melanie: I feel like that's drifting back into fictive territory. *chuckles* And fetish territory for that matter.

Dawn: Shadowmammals, pelt wearers, maybe creatures that see themselves as ancient gods...but it's questionable as to whether or not they are or were...

Vernon: Those all sorta border on cryptids, don't they?

Dawn: True, true...Mutton chops! this is harder than I thought it would be.

Gus: Oh, continuing that theme...how about all the terrible knockoff cryptids that we see as obvious fakes...Like the Mawlaysian mermaid, the fur trout, or even the Jackalope.

Joel: The Lepridchaun, but looking exactly like the amateur sketch from that one meme...

Gus: Right!

Melanie: *Giggles* That'd be hilarious, like some sort of cryptid island of misfit toys...

Broomie: You could also throw in some stuff in the vein of those SCP things...not direct copies, but stuff inspired by them.

Dawn: Ohh, those are fascinating...Edi got me to read quite a few of them and I'm honestly tempted to throw my own entry in and see if it would get approved...Anonymously of course.

Broomie: Why anonymously?

Dawn: I'd like to get approved or denied on the story's merits alone, and not by name. at the very least it's a good way to take a stab at some sci-fi horror and see how it is received.

Joel: How bout...randomly animate objects...?

Gus: What do you mean?

Joel: Well, you know how mammals lose all sorts of small stuff, like sole pads and keychains and so on...historically that stuff has been attributed to like...borrowers. But what if it was just cases of literally someone's left sole pad coming to life for no reason and running off?

Megumi: That's actually a good one I think. Very creative!

Vernon: A good one to end on too I think...we've been chatterin' about this fer a while, and the longer this goes on, the longer my Honey Lamb's gotta play stenographer.

Melanie: I still don't know how you manage to type so fast Dawn...it's practically blinding...

Dawn: *Giggles* I am a ewe who wears many hats.