Child of Tiamat

'Our TA is a model...'

'See, look, he has a low score but a chili pepper-'

"Can you be quiet!?" He slams his notebook closed, standing up at the lab table. "It's hard enough having to run these numbers without you talking about how our TA is hot or whatever!"

The labs goes completely silent, and he realizes that beside the roaming aforementioned TA, he...is the only one standing-

"I....I...that is...."

Or when another student decides to loudly proclaim he's hot and earn an onslaught of snickers. He's heard of this one, has seen him around, but it's the first time they've shared a class. Still, he makes a point of checking the roster and seating charts, as if he needs to in order to find his name.

"Mr. Velvet." He's not glaring, at least. "While I appreciate the enthusiastic defense of your work, the outburst is distracting. Kindly move there, and you...." Kingu points to a different table, all seats occupied, and then proceeds to signal over half the class to change seats. The complaints regarding seating are shut down with a quick you're at my mercy during lab. To his credit, it's a clean solution, the obvious friend groups aren't completely separated, but there's a buffer zone that should allow for enough quiet for those that want to focus, even with the muffled giggles.

"What, playing all calm and collected? Like you didn't crash a party you weren't invited to?"

... ...But the stranger doesn't seem to be joking. No, if anything, the earnest tone in his voice was a little disarming.

"Pause for a sec. Do you, not get what's going on here? Do I have to explain to you that I keep insulting you to get back at you for throwing that Lightner in the big pit in the middle of the city?"

Tenna, seems to deflate about five feet or so.

"Pal, a small inconvenience is something like cutting in line. Or missing a bus, or stepping in gum. Not, uh... not--"

"Oh, I realized your hostility stemmed from that, but commenting on my attire or calling me a vegetable is hardly insulting, let alone something to consider retribution." Still calm, still acting as if this means nothing. Really, Tenna has not attempted to harm him, there's hardly a need to escalate things. "Besides, he seemed convinced and accepting of his fate. I merely did what he claimed others were unwilling to, despite wishing it upon him. Ironic, the entertainer said it'd be, and a satisfying show."

"Plus, he'd come back, there's barely any harm being done." Where did the giant letters come from? Is that blood? Such a curious magic that is. "To call it murder is an exaggeration. Nearly wiping out humanity in Sumer is a more fitting use of the word. Mother and Goetia had been quite adamant on complete eradication."

...

Send “Roast Me” and my muse will roast yours with any manner of disses

This would be much more impressive if Kingu weren't used to beings the size of Tiamat or Gorgon. Tenna is... probably on par with an Ugallu.

"Is that so? I'd attribute your reading being off to my not being a servant, per se, though close enough." The Chaldeans always seemed to be able to gather data on him in a similar enough manner to the strays in Babylonia. "Not that it matters much here, with servants and mages taken from so many singularities and points in time."

Ordinarily, Tenna takes most improvisation in stride. Sometimes, things like this even added to the show. From a business perspective, this was a fantastic stunt. A twist, a conclusion a minority of people wanted, and--hey! Octavo flew on TV! Unbeknownst to Tenna, he would return soon, and it all would have passed like any other shenanigan in the city.

But in this moment, on wires already taught, the CRT turns slowly to the stranger that upstaged his stage!

Was that meant to be an insult? How peculiar, resorting to vegetables, of all things.

perhaps watching the wildlife pass, or just enjoying the scenery? it matters not which it is.

"you have a liking for these places as well?" the question is sudden and maybe unexpected, but it's that or intruding unannounced. he has no issue with either option of course. making a presence known is likely the preferable one to many though.

ABSOLUTELY UNHINGED COMEDIC RELIEF

ASSORTED QUOTES FROM TUMBLR TEXTPOSTS, X (formerly known as twitter) POSTS, TIKTOK, MEMES, AND OTHER SOURCES AROUND THE INTERNET

CHANGE gendered words and in-universe phrases as needed.

SPECIFY muse for multimuses.

“   Currently considering becoming a bother and a nuisance, maybe even a menace or a rascal. ”

“   Hungry? Eat the government. ”

“   Yes, I wanna fuck after every argument. ”

“   Silence, you uneducated peanut! ”

“  They should invent a being alive that isn’t so difficult. ”

“   Women have to think I’m hot or none of this matters. ”

“   Due to personal reasons I will be named an enemy of the state. ”

“   Being overdressed is a myth made up by people who didn’t want you to have fun and be sexy. ”

“   What even are daddy issues? Just traumatize your father back. ”

“   I LOVE complaining! You can’t take that away from me! ”

“   I went to the silly goose convention and they all knew you. ”

“   I’m simultaneously ‘I’m tired of this grandpa’ and ‘that’s too damn bad!’ ”

“   The word ew coming out of a pretty girl’s mouth holds so much power … I think that it can tear apart nations. ”

“   Someone made fun of my shoes and the whole time I just thought of ways to push them out the window. ”

“   If you’re short, simply get taller. ”

“   I better think twice? Buddy I don’t even think once. ”

“   My off putting looks, awkward demeanor, and strange behavior have captivated you. ”

“   There’s something deeply, fundamentally wrong with you. Can we kiss? ”

“   You are a fool. When you walk, clown music plays. ”

“   I mean yeah he’s evil and all but what if I were his favorite? ”

“   I really do hate thinking. ”

“   In my defense, I simply do not vibe with the law. ”

“   I’ve done nothing wrong. Except all the atrocities. Besides that, I’m innocent. ”

“   Sorry I couldn’t hear you over my internal monologue. ”

“   Of course you have white hair and trauma. ”

“   So apparently the bad vibes I’ve been feeling are actually ‘severe psychological distress’. ”

“   Stop calling me a bad person just because I’m orchestrating your downfall! ”

“   The more lip gloss I collect the longer I live. ”

“   Sorry that I am obsessed with you in the unhealthiest way possible. As if it's my fault ”

“   The multiple failed assassination attempts against me have helped build both character and self esteem. ”

“   I could be your loser boyfriend. Do you ever think about that? ”

“   Accidentally went and got myself killed yesterday, but god wont let me die so I’m back ”

“   What do you mean napping isn't a good coping mechanism? What do you mean my problems are still here? ”

“   Academic validation is required for my sanity. ”

“   RIP to everyone killed by the gods for hubris but I’m different and better. Maybe even better than the gods. ”

“   Researching the stages of grief to see if I can get them finished in ten minutes tops. ”

“   My parents were like I’m gonna make a child that is so beyond help. ”

“   It’s not easy to admit when you’re wrong, and that’s why I won’t do it. ”

“   Why can’t this family ever have a funky good time? ”

“   How do I show people that I’m more than my unethical career choice? ”

“   I fucked my way into this mess, and I’ll fuck my way out. ”

“   You look so biteable today. ”

“   Why am I suffering? I have so many correct opinions and takes. ”

“   I AM HAUNTED BY A PAST THAT I CANNOT GO BACK TO! anyways ”

“   Challenging authority, angering gods. The family business. ”

“   Third base is me telling you about my father. ”

“   Hey girl. Plagued by terrifying visions? ”

“   Got caught giving a fuck. Embarrassing. ”

“   I didn’t ‘miss’ the red flags; I saw them and thought that they looked sexy. ”

“   Do my dark circles and deteriorating health make me look hot? ”

“   I get my news from the only reliable source, cryptic symbolism in my dreams. ”

“   Another day of being a bisexual disaster. ”

“   I’m going to let myself be a little unhinged today, as a treat. ”

“   Some of you act like murder is such a big deal. ”

“   You wanna hunt me for sport so bad that it makes you look stupid. ”

“   You’re not a girlboss unless you’ve killed someone. ”

“   It’s so weird how no one ever has correct opinions about things except for me. ”

“   Hello, my love — I mean, my rival ”

“   No one is calling me baby and it’s outrageous I can’t believe it. ”

“   No talking stage. Mutual obsession and you see god in my eyes or nothing. ”

“   I DON’T UNDERSTAND HOOKUP CULTURE DIE IN MY ARMS ”

“   Yes baby your emotional walls are high and impenetrable can we kiss now? ”

“   Affection is disgusting. Drown me in it. ”

“   I am gatekeeping my respect from you. ”

“   Well, well, well, if it isn’t the consequences of my own actions. ”

“   I am equal parts fuck around and find out and please don’t yell at me I’ll cry. ”

“   Short legs, big butt. I’m a corgi. ”

“   Fuck being the bigger person; I’m going to start biting people. ”

“   Well that wasn’t very slay of you! ”

“   May I please get a crumb of affection? ”

“   I crave power! Please don’t yell, though; I’m sensitive. ”

“   You call it a near death experience; I call it a vibe check from God. ”

“   Here are some scissors. Now cut it out. ”

“   Might commit a little tomfoolery, maybe even some shenanigans. ”

“   All these flavors, and you choose to be salty. ”

“   How can I live, laugh, love in these conditions? ”

“   What if I said ‘to be honest’ but then lied? ”

“   I'm financially at a stage where I understand why people do fraud. ”

“   Yes I may be evil and morally corrupt, but I’m also incredibly beautiful and I think that makes up for it honestly. ”

“   Debates are stupid. Why would I want to sit down and argue with someone blatantly dumber than me? ”

“   I forget but I do NOT forgive.. I'm just walking around hating bitches can't remember why ”

“   Ding dong your opinion is wrong! ”

“   I’m coming for your kneecaps. ”

“   You dropped your nose you fucking clown. ”

“   Are you a fire alarm? ‘Cause you are really fucking loud and annoying. ”

“   Call me an escalator, because I let people down. ”

“   I love me a good lesbian scandal! ”

“   If you can’t run away from your problems, you’re not running fast enough. ”

“   Everything I want to do is illegal. ”

“   Don’t make me hit your ankle with my Barbie scooter! ”

“   I tell gay jokes because I am a gay joke. ”

“   Fuck! I dropped my mental stability! ”

"I commend your dedication to your craft, entertainer, it sounds like you truly value the audience's experience."

"Then again, that implies deriving more amusement from throwing you in themselves, rather than watch you being thrown."

          this, rocky was relatively sure, was a forest. the impressions he was getting from his surroundings were similar to the 'trees' grace had shown him, though the real things were quite a bit different than the impression he'd gotten from the image inducer. but, still. tall, with spindly limbs that reached far far upward into the blank vastness of the sky, clustered all around him. the wind rustled through their 'leaves', creating a great wash of noise for rocky to "see". it was... soothing, he supposed. he could understand why grace seemed to like them so much.

     at the moment, though, it was the little things underneath his claws that interested rocky. they swayed in the wind, sticking out slightly from what rocky assumed was 'grass'. their impression told him they had soft, oval-like protrusions radiating out from a circular center, and rocky got the feeling he would crush them if he touched them.

"Hm?" Kingu hadn't quite missed the unfamiliar presence, but Rocky seemed to blend in a little with, well, rocks. Its lack of a more humanoid body had him believing it was another creature native to the island, but it seems he's mistaken. Pushing himself to his feet, he approaches to see what the other is inquiring about.