I Really Do Love How Much You Can Tell About Doomguy Just From Looking Around His Room.

Wow, I live about 1-1/2 hours away from Gordon. Also, his clothes are absolutely something I see in the Seattle area and would 100% wear. 10/10. Peak character design.

Statement of : Gordon Martinez Freeman, 30 year old MIT graduate,Regarding a peculiar video game he’d found.

Recorded direct from subject, May 16, 200-

Statement begins.

Pt 1 > here

ABOUT 👇

Hello! I am the author of this AU, you can find my main at @inkzectz , for more meta questions about this AU, or for general comments about it, please go there.

What is the AU about?

LA : AI is a crossover AU of sorts, in the simplest way put, it’s TMA but with HLVRAI characters, TMA stuff happens but altered to fit the general HLVRAI narrative, and with my own changes, headcanons, etc. added

I will be updating/editing this post as I progress.

Will it have spoilers?

Yes, not a lot, but vague/mild spoilers about how the world works, plot points, and character.

It is best if you’ve seen it but as of writing it right now (early ep 4) there aren’t any spoilers. Once I am a little further ahead then you may want to listen to it.

Again the spoilers will be vague and mild at worst, as it progresses I would recommend listening to tma, but it’s sort of like how while half life knowledge is helpful in hlvrai it isn’t exactly necessary to enjoy hlvrai bc it’s different enough from it to not really matter (?) I hope that makes sense.

Asks rules

- No telling [ player ] exactly what happens ex : “omg [ player ] when you weren’t looking [ npc ] said this very important thing that is supposed to be kept secret for lore reasons”

- Please avoid asks like “tell this character they’re pretty” while I appreciate the compliment, I am trying to write a story and want to keep things as on topic as possible. Instead tell me on my main if you like the art, I’ll probably reply with a doodle or something, just not on here.

- Less so of a rule but more so of a general statement, I will be avoiding asks that either are too close to what happens or if answering would mean progressing the story too quickly, there’s a lot I want to happen and I want time to do it all.

- Another one that’s less of a rule and more of a general thing, if I don’t like what you said I won’t be answering.

- I also sometimes just don’t know how to answer some things.

- Please be respectful of the ships I choose to include and don't force your own, ship wars and such will not be tolerated.

- Please be respectful of others and do not spoil anything, not everyone has listened to TMA and knows it's themes.

I will not be answering everything, I cannot always get to every message so please be respectful of that.

Select character

Character abouts! [ Will be updating as I continue to work on the story ]

[ select ] > Mr. Freeman

> Gordon Martinez ‘Martini’ Freeman

30 y.o . 6’0 . 230lb . Romani / Puertorican . male [ he/him ] . bisexual

> Lives in Seattle, MIT graduate, left Black Mesa, works as a librarian IRL but also makes money via streaming video games occasionally, in real time it is 2018.

[ PLAYER ]

> Believes in the paranormal out of fear but tries to rationalize out of denial, he will never admit something is supernatural and will jump through hoops to rationalize even if deep down he does believe.

> Has a son named Joshua Medrano Freeman, who is 6 years old, Gordon and his old partner met in college but split up before Joshua was born, they remain civil but are nothing more to each other than Joshua’s other parent.

> Gordon rents an apartment with 3 rooms, his own room, Joshua’s room, and a third that used to be a guest room but he has so little visitors he’s just chosen to revamp it into a gaming room.

> Gordon works primarily in a library for now as he’s looking for a better job.

> Gordon often wears hoodies, sweaters, t-shirts, crew necks, and any general outfit one would wear at home, long curly hair that is beginning to grey due to stress, unkempt goatee, and almost always wears green tinted glasses [ he doesn’t need glasses he just thinks they’re cool ]

> His hair is usually pulled back in a ponytail but can also be found in a bun or just down.

< [ select ] > Mr. Coolatta

> Thomas ‘Tommy’ Coolatta, primary researcher, and technical head of the institute.

39 y.o . 6’7 . 190lb . Chinese/filipino . Male [ he/him ] . ???

> His father owns the Lambda institute and he grew up in it, he officially started working in the archives when he was 24, and of all the employees in the entire institute he has worked there the longest.

[ NPC ]

> No one knows who his father really is, Tommy being the only one who’s ever actually seen / spoken to him, his father is the real head of the institute but gives most his orders through Tommy, so Tommy is also technically the head as well.

> Not much is actually known about him, besides his father he doesn’t appear to have any other family, nor does he ever speak of his personal life much.

> Tommy primarily works as an archival assistant, specifically in research, he is the one who will verify details regarding statements or do further investigations into aspects of the statements.

> Tommy is quite the colorful character, often wearing colorful clothing and accessories, he seems to think doing so brings some cheer into an otherwise boring environment, he often wears patterned polo shirts, cheap company bracelets, pins, lanyards, pant chains, but is never without his signature multicolor propeller hat.

WC: 1515

Ships included: Tomzen, Frenrey in background, old men in background

@inkzectz idk if I should continue this, but here's a free trial of university professor x military recruiter. i opened the wiki so much i've learned so much. Forzen is canonly stupid, stubborn, and a compulsive liar

-Story begin-

Professor Tommy Coolatta, early as he normally is, watches as the new recruiter starts setting up his table by the entrance.  The previous one, a young man called Corporal Shepherd or something like that, got called back to the frontlines.  The new one is dressed in full military gear, something most of the students have probably never seen before.  His face has a nasty scar running over the left side of his face, and there’s a notable gap where his left eye should have been.  He notices Tommy staring and pulls an eyepatch over his eye, shooting the professor a glare.  Tommy, ever the oblivious one, decides to greet the man.

“Hello!”  Tommy smiles at the recruiter, holding his box of papers aside so the man can see him better.  “What’s your name?”

“Forzen.”  The man grunts, unfolding a chair and setting it by his little stand.  He takes a deep breath and stands up straight, looking Tommy in the eye.  He’s a little shorter than Tommy, although Tommy is abnormally tall.

“Well, hello Forzen!  I’m Dr Tommy Coolatta.  I take it that you’re the new recruiter here?”

Forzen sighs and glances away.  “...yeah.”

“Uhm…”  Tommy trails off, his smile turning a bit more awkward.  It’s hard to talk to somebody who doesn’t really respond.  “What, uh, squad are you part of?”

“Team-S Nice.  I’m the only one in it.”

“Oh, that’s cool!  You must be highly skilled to be in your own team.  Your boss must think highly of you.  What rank are you?”

“O-5.”  Forzen pauses.  “I’m a, uh, sergeant.”

“Alright!  I teach Biotechnological engineering in room 404, if you ever want to chat.”  Tommy waves.  “See you later, Sergeant Forzen of Team-S Nice!”

As Tommy walks away, he reflects on the conversation.  That was weird, wasn’t it?  What does “Team-S” even mean?  And what kind of name is Forzen?

He bumps into Professor Jason Bubby, who snarls out a curse.  Bubby had been holding a cup of hot coffee, and was now trying to get said coffee out of his shirt.  Tommy quickly apologizes and moves away.  Bubby didn’t like anyone, but that’s okay.  He’s going to retire soon.  Tommy still kind of liked the man, in a weird way.  Yeah, Bubby is rude and has very few redeeming qualities, but he’s a very efficient professor.  He’s so friendly with his husband, Dr Harold Coomer, that it gave Tommy whiplash the first time he saw them together.  Bubby lights up whenever he talks about Dr Coomer, even if the subject is gruesome.  Like that time Bubby went into detail about how Dr Coomer needed a colon replacement, and how Dr Coomer uses Biotech legs and forearms.

Tommy shows his school ID to the guard at the door, who lets him in with a disinterested hello (what was his name again?  Barrey?  Bourey?  Oh, right, Barney.  Officer Calhoun).  Tommy gives Officer Calhoun a quiet hello back, then waves as he sees another guard following a fellow science professor.

“Hello, Mr Freeman!”  Tommy calls over.  “Hello, Officer Benrey.”

Professor Gordon Freeman and Officer Benji Reymond wave back, calling a greeting.  Everybody shortens Benji Reymond’s name to Benrey, the first three letters of his first and last name smushed together.  Gordon, despite having a PhD, preferred going by Mr Freeman over Dr Freeman.  He says Dr Freeman makes him feel old, which he’s not, he’s only 27.  Benrey… well, nobody knows exactly how old he is, or if he’s human.  He doesn’t really act human sometimes.  Dr Coomer is 69, and potentially has minor dementia.  Bubby doesn’t tell anyone his age, sarcastically saying a very wrong answer when he’s asked, such as 6, 420, and newborn.  Tommy thinks that he’s about 60 or so.

“Hey Tommy!”  Gordon calls, walking over.  “Did you see the new recruiter?”

“I did, yeah!  I met Sergeant Forzen just a moment ago.  Do you think he’ll be around for the whole semester?”

“Yeah.”  Benrey leans against their partner.  He grins, smiling with a mouthful of sharpened teeth.  “He had to fill out a form saying how long he planned on staying, since he requested room and board.”

“He looks kind of like you.”  Tommy notes, peering under Benrey’s helmet.

“Huh?  What’d you mean?  I don’t look anything like him.”  Benrey blinks slowly.  Benrey has always looked a bit sickly with his grayish skin and yellow-tinted eyes.  That shade over his eyes… Tommy had assumed that it was because of his helmet, but his helmet is tucked under his arm at the moment.  His hair looks like the color at the bottom of a bottomless pit, matching the shadow over his eyes.  Tommy supposes he shouldn’t judge Benrey.  After all, he isn’t exactly fully human either.

“I mean, he sounds like you and kind of acts like you.”  Tommy corrects himself.  If this were a game, Benrey and Forzen would probably have the same voice actor.

“That doesn’t mean anything though?”  Benrey stares at Tommy.  “I- uh, does he have his, uh… passport?”

“WHAT.”  Gordon butts in, his mouth dropping open.  “Why would he have his passport??”

“It’s a, uh, rule.  Gotta have your passport.”  That was true, actually.  All staff members needed to bring their passport.  It’s a new rule.  Good thing Tommy brought his, although it seems that Gordon didn’t.

“Why the F-”

Tommy leaves them to their bickering, instead choosing to continue his way to room 404.  It’s upstairs, in one of the smallest classrooms.  The dean had told Tommy that he didn’t need a bigger room, because of how niche his class is.  Tommy passes Bubby’s class, already starting to fill up, then Gordon’s class (which only has a sleep-deprived looking young adult drawing at one of the tables).  He goes up the stairs, pausing only to grab a soda from the vending machine.  He greets former students as he passes them.

After Tommy’s class, he heads for the library.  He needs to print out some papers, and that’s the most convenient place.  Yeah, he could go to the computer lab, but that’s in the furthest building.  The library is just one building over, in the English department.  He waves hello to Forzen again just as a snowflake hits his nose.  The forecast had called for snow, but Tommy had hoped it wouldn’t start until 3, when his classes ended.

“Hello, Sergeant Forzen of Team-S Nice!”  Tommy calls over.  Forzen wrinkles his nose at Tommy, evidently not pleased by the name.

“What.”  Forzen spits out.  The sleep-deprived young adult looks up at the sound from where they were scanning over the papers that Forzen had laid out.  Tommy doesn’t recognize them.

“Aren’t you cold?”  Tommy stops by the stand.  He’s not exactly sure what to do.  Should he smile?  Say something more?  He settles for putting his hands in his pockets.

“Why do you care?”  Forzen gives Tommy a nasty look.  The young adult looks trapped, like they really want to leave but they don’t want to be rude.

“Because I’m a nice person.”  Tommy shoots back at Forzen, turning his attention to the young adult.  “Hello!  I haven’t seen you before.  I’m Dr Tommy Coolatta.  Are you a freshman?”

“I, uhm.  Yes…?  I’m… I go by a lot of names.  Maybe Fae?  No.  Uhm…”

Tommy takes pity on the young adult.  “How about Sam?”

“Oh, that works!”  Sam lights up.  Forzen scoffs.

“That’s the worst name I’ve ever heard.”

“Nobody asked you.”  Sam snaps, then immediately makes a face of regret.  They quickly excuse themself and hurry off, heading for the dorms.  Poor Sam.

“Why are you such an a-”  Tommy whips his head to Forzen.

“UGH, so annoying.”  Forzen interrupts.  Tommy pauses, mouth half-open.  He sputters out a few offended sounds as Forzen gets to his feet.  Forzen’s spine makes a popping noise, which Forzen pauses and grumbles about.  Tommy watches, flabbergasted, as Forzen casually strolls away.  Forzen pauses for a moment.

“Je ne t'aime pas, même si tu as un beau visage.”  Forzen shoots over his shoulder.

“What does that mean?”  Tommy, despite being fluent in multiple languages including Latin and Ancient Greek, never learned French.  He’s the leading edge in Musica Orationis, or as it’s commonly known at Black Mesa University, “Sweet Voice”.  Benrey often spoke with the strange musical bubbles.  Tommy had used some of the alien DNA the biology department had to make Sunkist, and Sunkist ended up speaking in only Sweet Voice.  This led to the idea that Sweet Voice isn’t actually a language at all, but is instead biological.

Forzen, of course, only flips Tommy off and continues walking.

Buby...

Bubbay…

I regret having hands to draw, your lordship.

wormaids. they're like mermaids but they're 1/3 human, 1/3 fish and 1/3 earthworm

the worm is the middle third

I don't know why I made this, but I'm too sick to care. Something something the player controls the game.

Hey I'm trans what do I do now?

You must journey through the western gates into the great unknown, past the black ridge, through the mires betwixt towering mountains, past the empty fields of gold that stretch on for miles, unto horizons anew.

I want a list of all the (english) webtoons that don't star twinks with concerningly detailed muscles, PLEASE. Please add to my list if y'all know of any

I'll start:

Return of the Runebound Professor, The Lone Necromancer, Surviving the Game as a Barbarian, Warrior Executioner, The Knight Only Lives Today, Return of the Mad Demon, Bad Ending Maker, Paranoid Mage

Honorable mentions:

Chronicles of the Demon Faction (dilf reborn as twink), I Was the Final Boss (actual goat demon reborn as middle aged man)

I might be severely depressed, but I can't die until my dog dies. I'm going to live until I'm 200 at the very least :)

dead cells au where when you show up to the hand of the king fight in the king outfit he recognizes you as the king and instead of “you stole his body! thief!” you now have a giant puppy bodyguard who loves you soso much and literally Will Not Leave You Alone. every time you go somewhere he cant follow you get a constant notification of “The Hand’s Misery Is Increasing!” until you literally cant hear anything else.