can now be found @from-across-the-stars

For characters who are deaf (these would either be signed, written down, or spoken):

“Being deaf doesn’t automatically mean you can’t speak.”

“Most people aren’t completely deaf, so you don’t need to shout in my face.”

“I do know sign language.”

“I don’t know sign language.”

“Not everyone who knows sign language can speak to each other. There’s several different types of sign language. Most languages have their own versions.”

“I do have a hearing aide/cochlear implant, but it’s not a miracle cure.”

“I don’t wear hearing aides or cochlear implants, they’re not for me.”

“For the last time I don’t want a hearing aide/cochlear implant!”

“I can lipread some, but it isn’t that accurate.”

“Oh I’m sorry I didn’t realise that my ears drove the car.”

“Fair warning I sign while I drive the car, don’t worry its safe.”

“For the last time: I do not read braille. My eyes work fine.”

“Not all deaf people want to hear, you know.”

“Either you aren’t a virgin or vegetable, I can’t really guess from context.”

“Sometimes I just wish I could just be _. Not deaf. Not hearing. Just me.”

For characters interacting with deaf characters:

“I know the alphabet in sign language.”

“I’m sorry if my sign language isn’t very good.”

“Sign language is weird. How can hand movements be words?”

“I thought that being deaf means you can’t hear at all.”

“If you met up with a deaf person from… Australia or something, you’d be able to talk to each other, right? You’re so lucky that sign language is universal.”

“Wait, how can you be deaf and not know sign language?”

“Can you teach me to sign rude words?”

“How can you talk if you can’t hear what you’re saying?”

“You read braille, right?”

“Well what if I just talked really loud?”

“How did you get a driver’s license if you can’t hear?”

“Why wouldn’t you want a hearing aide/cochlear implant? Wouldn’t it make your life so much easier?”

For characters who are mute (these could either be signed or written down):

“Just because I can’t speak doesn’t mean I can’t hear.”

“There are multiple reasons for muteness. Some people don’t speak because of anxiety, some physically can’t… there’s a whole range of reasons.”

“Selective mutism doesn’t necessarily mean that I can’t speak at all. It just means that certain situations trigger me and make it hard to talk.”

“I hope they realise that just because they’re shouting it’s not going to somehow make me talk.”

“For some reason someone just got mad at me for giving them a note/using sign language. They said I should just speak up.”

“Selective mutism doesn’t just affect children.”

“I know __ just as well as you do, I just can’t physically speak it.”

“No, sign language isn’t just used by deaf people. It’s a way for anybody who can’t physically speak to not have to use their voice.”

For characters interacting with mute characters:

“I’ve only heard of selective mutism in children. Doesn’t it go away once you’re older?”

“Why were they screaming at you? They know that just because you don’t talk doesn’t mean you can’t hear, right?”

“Oh, I thought you have to not be able to hear to know sign language.”

“You can speak in some situations but not others? Why don’t you just speak all the time?”

“Dude, it’s cool. We can just text!”

For characters who are deaf (these would either be signed, written down, or spoken):

“Being deaf doesn’t automatically mean you can’t speak.”

“Most people aren’t completely deaf, so you don’t need to shout in my face.”

“I do know sign language.”

“I don’t know sign language.”

“Not everyone who knows sign language can speak to each other. There’s several different types of sign language. Most languages have their own versions.”

“I do have a hearing aide/cochlear implant, but it’s not a miracle cure.”

“I don’t wear hearing aides or cochlear implants, they’re not for me.”

“For the last time I don’t want a hearing aide/cochlear implant!”

“I can lipread some, but it isn’t that accurate.”

“Oh I’m sorry I didn’t realise that my ears drove the car.”

“Fair warning I sign while I drive the car, don’t worry its safe.”

“For the last time: I do not read braille. My eyes work fine.”

“Not all deaf people want to hear, you know.”

“Either you aren’t a virgin or vegetable, I can’t really guess from context.”

“Sometimes I just wish I could just be _. Not deaf. Not hearing. Just me.”

For characters interacting with deaf characters:

“I know the alphabet in sign language.”

“I’m sorry if my sign language isn’t very good.”

“Sign language is weird. How can hand movements be words?”

“I thought that being deaf means you can’t hear at all.”

“If you met up with a deaf person from… Australia or something, you’d be able to talk to each other, right? You’re so lucky that sign language is universal.”

“Wait, how can you be deaf and not know sign language?”

“Can you teach me to sign rude words?”

“How can you talk if you can’t hear what you’re saying?”

“You read braille, right?”

“Well what if I just talked really loud?”

“How did you get a driver’s license if you can’t hear?”

“Why wouldn’t you want a hearing aide/cochlear implant? Wouldn’t it make your life so much easier?”

For characters who are mute (these could either be signed or written down):

“Just because I can’t speak doesn’t mean I can’t hear.”

“There are multiple reasons for muteness. Some people don’t speak because of anxiety, some physically can’t… there’s a whole range of reasons.”

“Selective mutism doesn’t necessarily mean that I can’t speak at all. It just means that certain situations trigger me and make it hard to talk.”

“I hope they realise that just because they’re shouting it’s not going to somehow make me talk.”

“For some reason someone just got mad at me for giving them a note/using sign language. They said I should just speak up.”

“Selective mutism doesn’t just affect children.”

“I know __ just as well as you do, I just can’t physically speak it.”

“No, sign language isn’t just used by deaf people. It’s a way for anybody who can’t physically speak to not have to use their voice.”

For characters interacting with mute characters:

“I’ve only heard of selective mutism in children. Doesn’t it go away once you’re older?”

“Why were they screaming at you? They know that just because you don’t talk doesn’t mean you can’t hear, right?”

“Oh, I thought you have to not be able to hear to know sign language.”

“You can speak in some situations but not others? Why don’t you just speak all the time?”

“Dude, it’s cool. We can just text!”

@grimmmedic from (X)

Teddy's fingers tightened around the knife as the RED came to a stop a short ways away. There was no way in hell he could take this guy one on one, but he could definitely outrun him, that much was a given. He was the fastest after all. The knife was more an intimidation tactic than anything, but Teddy had a feeling that wasn't going to work here.

He stared at the man's unblinking eyes, trying to discern what exactly this guy was doing over by BLU. He has seen the ARC on the field, he didn't seem like one to lose his temper easily, and he definitely didn't seem the type to randomly pick fights off the field. Teddy could be wrong, and if he was he would be a dead man if caught, but...

His grip on the knife loosened slowly until it was simply resting under his hand against the rock. It was there if he needed it, but he did his best to show that he wasn't about to attack unless provoked. It kind of reminded him of befriending stray cats in his neighborhood as a kid.

Of course, that little nagging voice in the back of his head warned him of the danger. This was a RED, the enemy. He could just be trying to get close so he could catch him, to wring information out of him then cast him into some sandy ditch until respawn picked him up. If it picked him up. He ignored these thoughts, as he did in most situations where his fight or flight would kick in, but he did quickly pocket his knife, making sure it would stay out of the larger man’s reach. It wouldn’t matter much, should things take a turn for the worst, but for now it made him feel better. 

“Oh uh, you can call me Scout, obviously.” Teddy said suddenly, remembering his manners. He wasn’t sure if the ARC would want to share his name, since most of the guys choose the go by their titles for some reason or another. He wasn’t against sharing it so long as the other did as well, he just didn’t want to make things weird by sharing too much, as he so often did.

@jacqueline-of-all-trades from (X)

Teddy jumped when Jack suddenly appeared at his side, his own knife covered in peanut butter falling from his hand and clattering against the countertop. He hadn’t known she was in the room, too caught up in the tragedy of losing his sandwich to process it. Though, judging by her comment, she had seen the whole spectacle.

The Scout cussed at the fallen knife, moving to grab a few sheets of paper towel to clean it and then the counter off before scooping out more peanut butter from the jar. This time he was very careful to make sure it actually made it onto the bread. “Fuckin, tell me ‘bout it.” He grumbled in reply, trying to keep out of her way as he reached for the jelly, sliding over the peanut butter for her to use.

As Teddy began to spread the jelly on the bread, a cascade of words fell from his mouth about how horrible the week has been thus far. He didn’t mean for it to happen, but Jack’s acknowledgment had broken the dam.

He bitched about how multiple of his brother’s kids were sick, having passed around some sort of head cold at the last family gathering, how his favorite shirt had disappeared in the wash sometime between last night and this morning, and how his Ma had gotten a new puppy, and he wasn’t even there to meet it!

“And then I drop my fuckin’ sandwich! Like what the hell, man! I can’t fuckin’ win.” He glared down at the slice of bread in his hand, growing frustrated with how difficult the jelly was being about spreading onto it. He finally set the knife down with a huff, slapping the two pieces of bread together and taking a huge bite in anger.

“Yikes, sorry ‘bout that.” She hadn’t meant to startle him.

She took the peanut butter wordlessly and prepared her own sandwich as she listened to him rant.

She kept her gaze averted, sympathy creeping in. She knew how it felt to just have one thing after another be thrown at you, as if the universe didn’t care whether or not you could roll with the punches. She’d learned how to do that pretty quickly, but everyone copes differently.

As evidenced by Scout voicing that he wanted to go for a run afterward.

“Heh, sure. Better safe than sorry, yeah?” she replied half-jokingly, trying to keep her tone soft as she reclaimed her seat at the table.

i wanted to make some more options, especially for muses who are quieter or nonverbal (whether permanent or selectively mute) . i added some basic sign language prompts as well. 

[ contact ] one muse touches the other’s arm in a sympathetic gesture.  

[ attention ]  one muse puts their index finger underneath the other’s chin to hold their attention.

[ direct ]  one muse holds the other’s jaws in their hand for their attention or to redirect their gaze. 

[ tender ]  one muse brushes their fingers over the other’s jaw.  

[ bristle ]  one muse plays with the others facial hair. 

[ guard ]  one muse puts their arm around the other’s shoulder to make them feel protected. 

[ claim ] one muse puts their arm around the other’s waist in a possessive manner. 

[ comfort ] one muse pulls the other to their chest to hug them after a dangerous moment. 

[ seeking ] one muse embraces the other after feeling scared/upset. 

[ check ] one muse takes the other’s hand to silently ask if they’re okay.

[ hold ] one muse cradles the other’s face between their hands ground them. 

[ rest ] one muse comes and sits in the others lap. 

[ intrude ] one muse walks in on the other while they’re treating their own wound. 

[ tiles ] one muse finds the other sitting on the floor and joins them. 

[ boop ] one muse playfully taps the tip of the other’s nose. 

[ heal ] one muse kisses the other’s forehead after treating their injury. 

[ two ] one muse holds the other’s shoulders with their hands to make them calm down. 

[ clear ] for one muse to clean blood off the other. 

[ prevent ] for one muse to wrap their arms around the other from behind to stop them from running towards danger. 

[ away ] for one muse to pick up the other and take them to bed. 

[ rescue ] for one muse to carry the other to safety because they’re injured. 

[ heart ] one muse places their palm against the other’s chest in a soothing manner to indicate they aren’t alone. 

[ insist ] one muse keeps a firm hold on the other and gives an expression to indicate they want them to open up/tell the truth. 

[ pulse ]  one muse rubs a finger over the other’s wrist. 

[ direct ] one muse grips just above the elbow to guide the other while they walk. 

[ wrinkle ]  one muse curls their fingers into the other’s shirt to make them stay put. 

[ subdue ]  one muse places their hand on the other’s forearm to try and calm them so they don’t lash out at a third party. 

[ parallel ] for both muses to lay on the floor beside each other but going opposite direction with their heads side by side. 

[ reveal ] for one muse to take a hold of the other’s chin/jaw to stop them from hiding their tears. 

[ inspect ] for one muse to take hold of the other’s face while inspecting a bruise or cut. 

[ caress ] one muse kisses the other’s cheek as a gesture of gratitude. 

[ keeper ] one muse watches over the other while they sleep with their head on their shoulder or in their lap. 

[ coax ] one muse strokes the other’s hair until they fall asleep. 

[ bear ] one muse lifts the other off their feet a little while they hug.

[ leap ] one muse jumps into the other’s arms,  legs wrapped around their waist. 

[ mirror ] one muse has the other hold a hand to their chest so they can mirror breathing to calm them down. 

SIGN LANGUAGE

sign: are you okay? 

sign: i’m fine. 

sign: i can’t speak right now. 

sign: i need help. 

sign: leave me alone. 

sign: please stay. 

sign: what happened to you? 

sign: let me help. 

sign: don’t go. 

sign: i love you. 

sign: i hate you. 

sign: who did this to you? 

sign: why won’t you talk to me? 

sign: i don’t know what to say. 

sign: you’re upset. talk to me. 

sign: i won’t leave you. 

sign: i missed you. 

sign: i need you. 

sign: wait. 

sign: what can i do? 

sign: do you want me to stay? 

sign: you can talk to me. 

sign: you can trust me. 

sign: you’re not alone. 

sign: i feel so alone. 

sign: you’re beautiful. 

sign: i feel safer with you here. 

sign: i want to make you feel safe. 

sign: where are you going? 

sign: i have to do this on my own. 

sign: i don’t know how to ask for help. 

sign: i don’t want to lose you. 

sign: i’m afraid you’ll get hurt. 

sign: you don’t have to worry about me.