Kohi's Old Man Collection

inspired by various (romantic) shipping memes i've seen, this is a non-romantic shipping guide meme! this is for those who are interested in dynamics that are solely familial, platonic, antagonistic, and/or simply general, without being romantic or sexual in nature!

ㅤsend 🌊 (or wave emoji if unable to see it) and i will fill out the below form based on what i would like to see between our muses! alternatively, feel free to fill out the form yourself & send it in an ask if you would prefer to share your ideas! (please remember to specify what muse you're sending from or for with multimuse blogs!)

ㅤㅤㅤbold = absolutely, italics = maybe, strikethrough = never. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ(s) = sender, (r) = receiver.

FAMILIAL

blood relatives // half relatives // step relatives // adoptive relatives // found family // (s) is a parent(al figure) to (r) // (r) is a parent(al figure) to (s) // (s) is an older sibling to (r) // (r) is an older sibling to (s) // our characters were raised as siblings together // our characters are cousins // (s) is a sibling (figure) to (r)'s parent // (r) is a sibling (figure) to (s)'s parent

PLATONIC

childhood friends // family friends // teenage friends // university friends // work friends // adult friends // new or recent friends // best friends // queerplatonic // friends who live together // friends through circumstance // exes to friends // enemies to friends // (s) previously had feelings for (r) // (r) previously had feelings for (s)

ANTAGONISTIC

frenemies // rivals // friends to enemies // exes to enemies // family-based // work-based // circumstance-based // misunderstanding-based // ideology-based // (s) betrayed (r) // (r) betrayed (s) // (s) believes (r) is a villain // (r) believes (s) is a villain // (s) is a former villain // (r) is a former villain // (s) is actively antagonizing (r) // (r) is actively antagonizing (s)

GENERAL

coworkers // frequent the same locations/cross paths often // grumpy & sunshine // share a brain cell // begrudgingly connected // hot & cold // straight man & funny man // opposites attract // other not specified

specific dynamic(s) i'd like to see between our muses not specified :

Please! Please, help me avenge their deaths!

I traded in my human weaknesses for power long ago.

As old as he is and still acting like a helpless child.

I don't understand… how someone could give their own life for that of another.

I don't remember you ever being able to win one of our fights. Do you? How about it? You wanna try your luck?

…Why? I'm the one who should apologize.

I was told I had potential. But those words were nothing but a precursor to a decade of suffering.

When a person has someone they care about that much, giving their life is sometimes the least they can do.

I don't know…! I DON'T KNOW AND I DON'T CARE!

Why are you so surprised? Is my face that hideous?

Even in a world where fear and despair reign over the heavens, you must never forget where there is shadow, there is always light!

Hm. Luck is on your side.

I remember the report saying that twenty or thirty people suddenly vanished.

I used to be nothing but a stone in the river of time.

I don't know why they made me come up here and get you.

Evact complete! All injured have been removed to the transports!

You must fight him! I don't want you to die!

I don't know what you are up to, but I want absolutely no part of it.

Answer me this; do you know why you even exist?

It looks like I still have some work to do.

This feeling… is this what you meant… by doing something for someone… you care about?

You shouldn't leave those things lying around.

Can you at least pretend to be sympathetic!?

She didn't believe him. There was so much conflicting in his mind, it was jumbled. She could see the fragments of it all, intermixed within the flashes she pulled from everyone else's, too... a whole cacophony of minds together, each thinking different thoughts, too many to sift through. But, all circling around her... Seven didn't like it.

' I don't want to go back. ' Disobedient. She'd never been disobedient before... so well trained to listen to every command. But, that was back then. That was back in the Hall. ' I want to lay in the grass. They don't have grass in the buildings... ' Maybe if she just made the right argument, they'd all leave her alone? ' I won't make anyone's brain hurt, I promise. I'll be good... I just want to lay in the grass. ' Bargaining. Her voice tipped upwards at the end, as thought slipped from her mind to his, pleading.

Bear blinked, then froze. The realization suddenly dawned on him. 'I won't make anyone's brain hurt.' and he realized, through this whole thing, she hadn't moved her mouth once.

Could anyone else hear her? Was it just him? Were her words stringing together in his mind only?

"Fuck..." He whispered, breath caught in his chest.

The reaction didn't go unnoticed by Bear's teammates, at this point they almost worked like a hivemind, even Chase incredibly in tune with the body language of his team leader despite how new he was. They all stiffened along with Bear, readjusting their weapons and letting their eyes dart and dash among the scenery to double check for danger.

"What's going on, Bear?" Buddha asked when they couldn't find the source of Bear's sudden concern. "What happened?"

That question told Bear everything he needed to know. They couldn't hear her. They didn't know. He was the only one she was talking to right now.

"She's not gonna hurt us..." Bear replied, his chest heavy. This was a fucking risk. This was a gamble he was making with their lives. But she was a goddamn child, and all she wanted was to fucking lay in the grass. "Weapons down. She's not dangerous."

Caulder's brows furrowed with alarm and concern, "How the hell do you know that?"

"I said lower your weapons!" Bear repeated firmly. This time they listened, though hesitant, all trusting that Bear knew what he was doing.

It did nothing to lower the tension.

Bear swallowed hard, worked his jaw. He didn't want to make promises he couldn't keep. He didn't want to tell her he had the power to protect her when he did not. But maybe he could at least give her a moment in the grass. If she had to be a prisoner, maybe he could at least give her a little bit of relief before he took her back.

{ ♪ } -- She had heard his mumbled hope, and it struck her in the chest. Bella stopped long enough to take a deep breath to steady herself.

As much as she knew she needed to walk away from this situation, to let her rage boil until it slowed to a simmer then stopped all together, she couldn't just leave it. Yes, in her eyes, he'd been at fault. But he surely wasn't expecting to lose his lunch because of her emergency. So, she quickly ripped a page from a pocket notebook and scribbled her number and an address down.

"Here. This is my number, and this here is a cafe owned by a friend of mine. I'll buy you a new meal. Just text me when you'd like to get it, and I'll meet you there."

With that, she nodded her head and shifted her stance, clearly eager to bolt again. Checking her phone for an update, she looked up at him and slowly offered a soft smile.

"Thank you. I'll make sure she's okay."

Boyo held the paper in his hand as he watched Bella's receding form disappear back into the crowds. He was surprised that she'd made the offer, especially given the circumstances. He didn't deserve the kindness, he knew. Not after making an ass of himself.

Boyo's eyes panned down to the contact information, and he pressed his lips together. He had a phone, but he didn't use it a lot. He had a job to do, criminals to catch, a master to serve. He didn't have time for chats, and the device was usually used to get information from Mal. But maybe there would be no harm, just to have this information close. Being able to know when Bella was trying to contact him might not be that bad after all. Just to be aware, most assuredly not to develop any kind of friendship. Never that.

But he couldn't push the tiny thought needling the back of his brain away as he pocketed the paper and turned around to head back towards the cafe he'd just left. He'd get the food and then put her information into his phone, and then maybe send a text just to let her know who he was...

Definitely nothing else.

It took some time to replace the meal and get back to Mal, though he did the much smarter thing this time and hailed a cab. Mal was deeply interested in what took him so long, but mercifully didn't question Boyo too much about it. A bad run-in with a common and spilling the drink was enough of an explanation to get the man off his back.

And so it was that finally given some time to himself, not quite downtime but at least a moment to pause, Boyo stopped in an alleyway and pulled out his phone, putting the contact in and then sending a text along, jaw working as his nerves bristled:

"This is Boyo, the bloke that ran you over this morning, just to let you know this is my number."

A pause, and then, with deep hesitation guiding his fingers, he sent along another after the first:

dialogue starters for first time meetings in historical or fantasy settings.

“forgive my intrusion. have we met before?”

“you walk as one accustomed to long roads.”

“it is rare to find another soul in this place.”

“you bear the air of someone with purpose. may i ask your name?”

“the wind carries your scent of distant lands.”

“you seem far from home, stranger.”

“your robes speak of refinement, yet your eyes tell another story.”

“may i share your fire for a while?”

“it seems fate has led our paths to cross.”

“you handle that weapon with care. a practitioner, perhaps?”

“have you come seeking fortune, or fleeing something?”

“i did not expect company in such a lonely place.”

“you carry a heavy heart. the road must have been unkind.”

“are you a wanderer, or one with a destination in mind?”

“you move with discipline. do you belong to a sect?”

“the way you observe the horizon... what do you see there?”

“i could not help but notice your talisman. a charm for protection?”

“you seem unafraid, even here. that is uncommon.”

“your presence disturbs the silence yet i do not mind it.”

“do you often travel alone, or am i witnessing a rare moment?”

“you look as though you’ve seen ghosts.”

“the stars are kind tonight. perhaps that is why we meet.”

“a name has power. would you share yours?”

“i sense a story behind those eyes.”

“the tea is still warm, if you would sit and rest.”

“do you always meet strangers so fearlessly?”

“you wear no crest or banner, are you unaffiliated?”

“your aura feels… unfamiliar. what manner of cultivation is that?”

“there’s something about you the heavens seem to favor.”

“the world is wide, and yet we cross paths here. curious, isn’t it?”

“your silence speaks louder than words.”

“you carry an old wound. is it battle, or memory?”

“do you seek shelter, or solitude?”

“you’ve seen much, and yet your gaze holds wonder.”

“your voice carries conviction. you must believe in something deeply.”

“even the moon seems to follow you.”

“if i did not know better, i’d say destiny enjoys such meetings.”

“you seem out of place, or perhaps the place is out of time.”

“tell me, stranger. what is it you’re searching for?”

“the night is long. shall we pass it in conversation?”

“your weapon hums faintly. is it bound to your spirit?”

“you don’t avert your gaze. most would.”

“that pendant... it resembles one i once saw in the capital.”

“has the road been kind to you, or cruel?”

“you seem weary, but your steps haven’t faltered.”

“do you believe in omens?”

“you have the bearing of someone who’s seen battle.”

“tell me truthfully, do you trust me?”

“your presence feels... familiar, like a dream i’ve forgotten.”

“you stand as though waiting for someone.”

“if i asked what you’ve lost, would you answer?”

“your hands are steady. a healer’s, perhaps?”

“the forest seems quieter since you arrived.”

“you remind me of someone... though i cannot say who.”

“do you always travel under the moon’s light?”

“you seem untouched by fear. is that wisdom, or recklessness?”

“if we had met under gentler skies, would you still look at me this way?”

“the scent of rain follows you. were you caught in a storm?”

“i wonder, what kind of person leaves footprints like yours?”

Why I'm digging through the trash is none of your business.

We can introduce ourselves after it's safe to stop running!

So did you get suckered into helping as well?

I think I might be in the wrong class…

Sorry I almost ran you over.

Okay I don't mean to be nosy, but I have to know. Why are you buying 50 boxes of mac and cheese?

Excuse me, can you help me reach that?

I think your bag is on fire. Just thought you should know.

Well that was a dramatic entrance.

Why do you assume I'm to blame? You don't even know me.

You’re not supposed to be here, are you?

You know usually burglars steal valuables, not leftovers.

I think I accidentally got delivered your package.

I promise I have a perfectly legal explanation for this.

You might want to start running, this place is going to explode soon.

Do you know how to hot wire a car?

Hey, do you have a charger I can borrow?

Thanks for the help stranger!

I'm so sorry, I'll buy you a new coffee!

Quick, I need you to pretend you know me!

So is this your first time as a bank hostage or….

I think we're supposed to be running away from the scary noise.

Sorry about the window, I'll pay for it.

Uh…could you pretend you didn't see anything?

Oh hey, you're the one from the rumors.

It was clear the other man wasn't much for conversation at this moment. Given the way he'd been sitting out here alone, before Aedus planted himself leaning comfortably nearby, it seemed he wished to be left alone... but, the phoenix was here and intent on conversing, nonetheless.

Eddie shook his head, raising a brow at Aedus, "Didn't anyone tell you who I am?"

Okay, wait, that sounded pompous as hell. What was he, a celebrity?

He raised his hand to stop Aedus from answering that question, because he didn't want to know what kind of response that would elicit, "No, nevermind. All you need to know is I'm bad news, alright? There's a reason I'm– fuckin'... Always by meself."

It was uncomfortable to say. That even his own family didn't want anything to do with him. That he was stranded in this town without anyone who was willing to look at him without scowling. It was deeply isolating. It tore him apart.

An explanation... oh, gods, that was going to be difficult. Because there wasn't a good one --- that anyone unfamiliar with the world of the inhuman --- to give. Aedus kept his hands slightly raised. Palms even with his chest, in hopes that pacifying gesture would prevent the other man from reacting poorly. The phoenix was in no mood to be shot for a second time this evening... the first wound was still mending.

" I fear there may not be an acceptable one. It will have to suffice to say that I'm able to fend for myself... despite what those who know me might be inclined to say. " A quick smile, to himself, at that thought.

" ----- Judging from the way they were acting toward me, I'm going to assume these... gentlemen aren't entirely decent? And I'm also going to assume they've harmed a fair number of other people, am I correct? " He stepped around one of his groaning assailants still on the ground, risking a slow approach with hands still raised, " No issue with me stopping them? Although, I do think you should call for some help... a few of those burns are serious. "

Price gave a incredulous chuckle and shook his head, "I'll say you can defend yourself. No doubt about that. Right now I'm more concerned about your intentions with those abilities."

Granted... The way Aedus talked, it was clear that he didn't know these men, this group. He didn't know he was being hunted until this attack. Which meant the likelihood in Aedus being involved with them was slim...

"Keep your hands up," he said as he moved to the bodies piled on the ground in various states of injury. "Tell me if you know why they attacked you."