#mind murklins

Edlin, arms crossed: We are . . . a bit divided on that matter.

Newlin: Mama is wonderful and has taught us a lot, both about our magic as a shadow demon and about various techniques for working with fabric. She and Mom are both very dedicated to their work and being the best in their fields. I admire them for that.

Edlin: Mom taught us how to fight, hunt, and survive. Honestly, I don't think we would have survived even a week lost on the Surface without those skills. I appreciate that both of them are so willing to answer our questions on a lot of topics. Hell, Mom was the one who encouraged us the most when we told both of them we were planning to participate in Master Stolas' essay contest.

Valin: I say we should cussing leave them! We can live with Master Stolas.

Darlin: We can't just leave. It would break their hearts! Plus, they are our parents! I love them! And where else in Hell are we supposed to receive physical affection?! None of our friends do that kind of affection with us, and Master Stolas is sparse with it. The only person who has given us more consistent affection is Lei, and who knows when we will actually get to see her again!

Edlin: And this is where we are divided. Newlin and I are still on the fence about whether we should stay or go. And Valin isn't strong enough on his own to convince Darlin to let go of his love and loyalty toward our parents.

CW: Mention of child abuse under the cut.

Darlin: *pouts*

Valin: Oh great, now he's going to be sulky. I'll go first then. Bendy has a lot of potential to be both a valuable ally and business partner. It's why we approached him in the first place. Now, if he could be more *reliable,* then that potential would turn to actual value.

Newlin, sketching frantically: He has been a good creative outlet! And his friends! Sun, moon, and stars! I want to use those dishes as models! And fix his new dad's pallet! The shades are all off! And-

Edlin: He is a puzzle. For every answer we get about him, a dozen new questions pop up. The worst thing is that he doesn't even know the answers! . . . Or perhaps that's the best thing, since he comes to us to help figure them out.

Valin: Are you done sulking yet, Darlin?

Darlin: HE STOOD US UP!

Valin: Ah, there it is.

Darlin: He's supposed to be our friend and he stood us up! Again!

Darlin: Kaden is great! It's nice to have a friend who doesn't care about our high-class status! I like our other friends, but it's different.

Newlin: I'm going to design an outfit that he *loves,* even if it's the last thing I do!

Edlin: I have to agree that figuring out a design Kaden is happy with is a delightful puzzle. But what I really want is to sit down and ask him questions. The way he's grown up is so different from how we have grown up, and I want to know more!

Valin: That soft hide is either a brave idiot or an optimistic fool. I can't decide which.

Darlin, affronted gasp: Those are not nice things to call our friend!

Valin: What? Murklin calls his school friends "his idiots" all the time!

Darlin: That is also your fault!

Edlin: Alright, why don't we move on to our opinions on Reide?

Valin: He's wishy-washy and confusing. I don't like him.

Darlin: But he helped us when we almost went beastly by the magma flows! That has to count for something, right?

Newlin: Eh, I'm pretty indifferent about that wolf. He doesn't take our work seriously, so I am not going to give him the time of day.

Valin: Another reason to not like him!

Edlin: I . . . am conflicted. He's a different sort of puzzle than Bendy or Kaden. I'm not sure where to start to figure it out.

Edlin: Wait, the readers can perceive us now? Fascinating! How does that work?

Valin: Well, of course they would want to know about us. Especially me, since I'm obviously the best dressed of all of us.

Darlin: Guys, we should introduce ourselves! I'll go first! Hi! I'm Darlin, and I am Murklin’s innocence, affection, and loyalty!

Valin: I am Valin, Murklin’s pride, ambition, and courage. I-

Edlin: Alright, my turn! I'm Edlin, Murklin’s persistence, determination, and curiosity. Now, how does this ask thing-

Darlin: Newlin. Newlin. Newlin!

Newlin, looking up from his fabric swatches: Huh?

Darlin: Introduce yourself to the readers!

Newlin, blinking at the readers: Uh, hi? I'm Newlin, Murklin’s creativity, innovation, and industry.

Edlin: Great! That's all of us. Now I have more questions about-

Valin: Well, I would be the obvious choice to be in charge.

The others: Absolutely not!

Valin, chittering in displeasure: Cowards.

Edlin: Darlin tends to have the most control, mostly because Newlin would have us buried in projects, Valin would have us posing in front of a mirror or something all day, and I-

The Mind Murklins are each dressed in outfits he's been wearing at some point in the main or side stories! As such, they all wear shorts of varying materials. XD

Valin is dressed to the nines in a tailcoat and bowtie with his hair slicked back like he's going to a party.

Edlin is in a simple and nice turtleneck-tanktop tucked into belted shorts - like Murklin's reference image for ABooH on the IM wiki.

Newlin is wearing a button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up, top button undone, and tucked into shorts with suspenders - this is one of Murklin’s most frequent look nice while getting stuff done around the shop outfits.

Edlin: I like things that are simple and stylish. The kind of thing we can run around and search for answers in without it getting in the way.

Newlin: I will make anything and everything! As long as it looks good, it's fair game. I prefer wearing things that are functional, though. Nothing too casual or too fancy.

Valin: As long as I can make an impression or have the movement needed for a physical fight, it will do. But we better be the most fashionably dressed person there, or I will riot.

Newlin: Edlin's tendency to redirect Murklin's focus to what techniques may have been used to make others' outfits has saved us from ending up in a well-dressed brawl on more than one occasion . . .

Darlin: My favorite style is anything that holds sentimental value. Right now, I am wearing the shirt Lei made for us! Before that, I wore the first outfit Mama helped Murklin make for himself.

Valin: As for the others, Newlin already designed Bendy a whole new waredrobe, so he's been moved down to low priority on the project board.

Darlin: Unless he asks for more clothes! We could make him more if he asks!

Edlin: I've been working with Newlin to try to figure out a solution to design something Kaden will like, but it's been slower going than anticipated. But we have some ideas! We just have to test to figure out what will work with Kaden's spikes.

Newlin: Reide gets cussing nothing from me until he acknowledges the quality of my work.

Newlin: Some new materials would be nice! Maybe something we could use to make some decorative pieces!

Edlin: I'd like a guided visit of the Surface. Though, maybe to a city this time. I want to do more research before visiting a forest again.

Valin: Having more honey to serve at our party would be excellent. We can use it as a marketing opportunity to drum up interest for the honey shop, start building the anticipation.

Darlin: Oh! Oh! I want Leila and Kaden to come to our party! All our other friends will be there, so I want to invite them too! 🤩

Valin: There may be a few hurtles for that one . . .