Mr.Crocodile

A RadioJoy MiniFic.

By Dragonfoxgirl.

At this point it’s a habit well established. To find each other away from the throws of sleep. What started as common pleasantries born from awkward beginnings ended in easy banter. Ultimately, it has culminated in a comfortable aura born from seemingly natural synergy.

It is odd. But in times like this, the mere presence of such deity inside these walls ends up being a common occurrence. Much to his begrudging delight.

For it is rare to find genuine comfort in conversation. Even more so with an individual who holds no bargains or deals. With her, there is no veil of fraternity for convenience. For she gains nothing from his company.

Nothing that is worth under his conception, that is. Everyone has a motive. A price. He certainly has one. Or that’s what he repeats to himself mentally whenever he feels his frame relax a little too much. Like a mantra meant to cast away the spell he’s seemingly under when he feels at ease. Calm. Serene. No. He’s not a creature made for such ease of self.

But again and again, the lull returns. Deeper. Stronger. When she gazes straight into his eyes with bright, genuine interest. When she asks about the topics he enjoys that have followed him in death. When she laughs at the worst jokes under his repertoire.

Is it strange? That a being who has never been human, reminds him so much of being one?

Well, not himself. But the humans who were rare. The unspoiled ones. Who hadn’t been corrupted by the monstrosities of their own kin.

An adorable, lovely and unsullied creature. Ripe for his machinations.

But he finds himself not having time for schemes. Because he’s too preoccupied by the absolute delight of finally having someone willing to understand just why the radio is the only medium worth something.

He’s gotten too much joy from seeing her struggle on the piano keys. 

When was the last time he’s had the privilege to teach proper dance moves to an eager partner?

Decades. That’s how long it’s been since he’s had the opportunity to fully immerse himself in his earthly pleasures. Music. Books. Cooking… It's been a while. It has been so long. A very long time since he has been able to remember the other things that made him, him.

So much time spent as the Radio Demon. The Overlord. The Pet. At every turn, fear. At every stop, another adversary. Who has time to remember their favorite authors in such environment?

But times have changed. With freedom, empty pockets of silent thoughts emerged. Like bubbles from a deep, murky swamp. He does not enjoy having a quiet mind. A quiet mind invites mania.

But just like that, like she senses his distress, she appears. 

Wings tucked away. Barefoot and in only her camisole. With a tired, weary smile she joins him wherever he decides to stew in his silences and kills them with an effective:

“Can’t sleep either?”

“What are you reading?”

“Can I join?”

That’s how it started and how it’s been ever since. Only now, he expects her rather than be surprised. The gaps have filled and without really remembering how, or caring for that matter, she’s found her place cuddled up to his side. Proper decorum be damned against the commodity of delightful conversation.

He’s always starved. But in this case, it’s for something he dares not name. Yet, it is there.

Connection. Genuine connection that leaves him hungry again when she bids him goodbye.

And he despises himself for it. He shouldn’t want anyone’s company.

But there she is. Playing with his claws and touching his hands as if it weren’t the most blasphemous thing to let such an angel touch a sinner’s claws which has torn flesh with glee.

She presses her finger tips against the points, testing their sharpness. It’s like she’s purposefully tempting him. But she isn’t. She just keeps talking. Calmly.

With a soothing tone, she shares about how she feels in regards to her stay in Hell and he listens. But not really. Because it’s been years since he’s felt the beating of his own heart and her head is casually resting on top of it. It’s like she jumpstarts it simply by being close.

It isn’t racing or anything like that. But he simply becomes aware of it. Like it’s supposed to be there. He would rather not think about such things. So he does what he does best. He entertains.

By filling the silences of his mind with tales of memories only recently unearthed. Much less shared in company. So he tells her stories. About a time long gone and a man turned bones. 

And she listens.

BUT, and here comes the criticism, the players can't help but poke fun and criticize them, or find the flimsiest excuses to side with the working class locals. Because those are just their real stances (which, like, I agree with).

And sure, they are trying to play it as being manipulative of said locals, but you know that when push comes to shove, they will find the "good guys option." Like, the bloodsucking venture capitalists (bloodsucking is basically redundant here) and the blue-blooded manipulator shouldn't be having such a "positive" impact and making these deeply awere criticisms of the things happening in Purpee. Zac seems to be the only one truly committed to playing Zaeth like the flippant and annoying nepo-baby his character was set up to be.

BUT, and here comes the criticism, the players can't help but poke fun and criticize them, or find the flimsiest excuses to side with the working class locals. Because those are just their real stances (which, like, I agree with).

And sure, they are trying to play it as being manipulative of said locals, but you know that when push comes to shove, they will find the "good guys option." Like, the bloodsucking venture capitalists (bloodsucking is basically redundant here) and the blue-blooded manipulator shouldn't be having such a "positive" impact and making these deeply awere criticisms of the things happening in Purpee. Zac seems to be the only one truly committed to playing Zaeth like the flippant and annoying nepo-baby his character was set up to be.

This is a Vampire game where no one at the table is truly committed to playing with vampirism.

BUT, and here comes the criticism, the players can't help but poke fun and criticize them, or find the flimsiest excuses to side with the working class locals. Because those are just their real stances (which, like, I agree with).

And sure, they are trying to play it as being manipulative of said locals, but you know that when push comes to shove, they will find the "good guys option." Like, the bloodsucking venture capitalists (bloodsucking is basically redundant here) and the blue-blooded manipulator shouldn't be having such a "positive" impact and making these deeply awere criticisms of the things happening in Purpee. Zac seems to be the only one truly committed to playing Zaeth like the flippant and annoying nepo-baby his character was set up to be.

Its World Crocodile Day!

These powerful, primitive reptiles have survived over 80 million years without changing much. But today they are threatened due to habitat loss and conflict with humans. Understanding these remarkable creatures is crucial to ensuring their survival and of the ecosystems that sustain us.

Let’s play the biggest game of kick the can on the internet.

However the drunk guys are also drinking, and eventually she can't afford to buy another pitcher for the table so she can't keep up the ever-full beer glass trick. At this point she has to resort to setting up the pool trick shot that she's never seen anyone but her boyfriend pull off, and says she'll leave with whoever manages the shot first.

Yes, the main reason why Brexit succeeded was English (not British, there's a big difference there) nationalism and fear mongering. And yes, leaving the EU basically destroyed the UK's economy.

But that economy didn't collapse because of a lack of Polish immigrants. Poles (and other peoples I'm greater numbers) have kept moving to the UK. The UK's economy is in the shitter because they had spent decades building themselves up as part of an integrated European economy and suddenly they weren't part of it anymore.

And the reason why Poland is doing so well isn't that its young people are staying in the country and building it up. Poland has continued to suffer brain drain and a receding workforce. The reason the Polish economy is booming is because joining the EU 2004 kickstarted the economic boom Poland had been strangled out of having by the USSR for decades. That's why so many of the other countries in the upper half of the list are also Soviet ex-subjects, Poland just happens to be the largest and most resource rich of said countries in the EU.

Legendary fantasy artist John Blanche has died. He is known mostly for his long association with Games Workshop, where he served as art director and created many of the iconic images that shaped the Warhammer and 40K worlds. He was capable of working in diverse styles, but much of his art and his own creative miniature conversions made his name synonymous with the "grimdark" aesthetic, mixing elements of moody gothic architecture and body horror with a limited color palette.

This species of rodent, much like its freshwater cousin, builds complex wooden structures, creating artificial reefs to farm fish and seaweed. Unlike their relatives, though, their supply of wood is limited. While most rely on driftwood or tear down human docks, some populations have opted to construct intricate lures, possibly to attract human attention and provoke shipwrecks. This brings in a new source of materials to grow their ever-larger barriers.

Obviously, it's a much more recent affair between Jews and Muslims that it is between Christians and Jews, but that has clearly not worked to weaken the older form of antisemitism. So you sadly can't even take solance on the possibility of it fading away.