Duth "Chloe" Olec
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dutholec.bsky.social
Duth "Chloe" Olec
@dutholec.bsky.social
370 followers 140 following 1.4K posts
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35 and getting older. Leave if you're under 18! Cute silly hypnosnakerotica and romance by an ace genderfog cloud. You can find my works here https://cloudycuckoocosmos.com/hypnosisnakerotica/
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dutholec.bsky.social
Duth "Chloe" Olec @dutholec.bsky.social · 15d
Today's new Lamia Pathsways is a long segment! After the lamia saves your friends you agree to let her snuggle you for the night in her coils. You trust her not to try anything sneaky if she gets her one night. #LamiaPathsways #Hypnovember #lamia #naga #snake
cloudycuckoocosmos.com/hypnosisnake...
Lamia Pathsways 226
You trust the lamia not to try anything if you let her snuggle you in coils for one night. She wraps you up, thick and tight and heavy, and you snuggle deep into the night…
cloudycuckoocosmos.com
dutholec.bsky.social
Lamia Pathsways 239, the other path from 236. Nothing that makes you feel so good could be dangerous. Along with the usual hypnosis and coils CW, this has lust and arousal.
#Hypnovember #LamiaPathsways #lamia #naga #snake #hypnokink #hypnosis
cloudycuckoocosmos.com/hypnosisnake...
Lamia Pathsways 238
You can’t be in danger from the lamia. It feels so good to sink into her coils, so arousing to be hypnotized, and nothing that fills you with such lust could be dangerous…
cloudycuckoocosmos.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Reposted by Duth "Chloe" Olec
gemma.transwrites.world
Idk how many times people are gonna have to say "stop using ai it is literally killing us" before people listen.

No not even as a joke. don't go near this shit.
rollingstone.com Rolling Stone @rollingstone.com · 1d
In Morrow County, healthy adults were coming down with unexplained medical conditions, including diseases that usually afflicted the elderly.

In a survey of 30 homes, at least 25 miscarriages and a half dozen people living with one kidney were reported.

🔗 www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...
November 25, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Reposted by Duth "Chloe" Olec
davekeating.substack.com
BREAKING: This is huge news, the EU's equivalent of the 🇺🇸Supreme Court's 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling.

🇪🇺Court of Justice just ruled all 🇪🇺countries must recognise same-sex marriages granted in other member states.

This effectively legalises gay marriage across 🇪🇺
www.reuters.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:10 AM
dutholec.bsky.social
I like Duval getting invested in the tournament, as well as Anne unable to think of anything Jb has done that isn't mind control.
#Hypnovember #lamia #naga #snake #Gardevoir #Dragonair
Bracket with a mark at losers round 4 match 1, between Jb and Enna. “Still no sign of Dr. Fara, my lady,” Eduards says. He searched the stadium, even obtaining pass to search the competitors’ rooms, but if she’s in any of them she’s hiding well. “At this point perhaps it is best to prepare for her inevitable attack, then,” Veda says. “She may try something during this next match with someone powerful like Jb there, but now that Alya is in the losers bracket she may be more willing to follow any plan Dr. Fara might approach her with. There are only five matches left, so she could make a move at any time.” “Understood. I will make preparations to intercept should she interrupt any of the matches going forward.” “Thank you,” Veda says. “You know,” Debora says, she and Duval still trapped in Veda’s coils, “we could help look for this Dr. Fara person if you let us go.” Veda laughs. “Don’t be silly, I don’t want to see you put yourself at risk.” “Besides,” Duval says, “I’m glad to see these matches play out. I hope Enna can win.” Debora sighs. “Hey, it’s great to be here, and still hanging around,” Dragovoir says. “How have you handled your earlier loss?” Belle asks. “I was pretty frustrated at first,” Dragovoir says. “I was going to break ties with Enna, but seeing her face the same person I lost to, I’m hoping she can win.” “Have you two met?” Belle asks. “We have,” Anne says. “Of course Enna introduced me to her new friend.” “It was so nice to meet such a refined lady,” Dragovoir says. Anne chuckles. “She’s sweet, isn’t she?” “Dragovoir, you say you’re hoping Enna can win,” Belle says, “how do you think her chances are?” “I think she has a chance,” Dragovoir says, “but it’s an uphill battle against Jb. She just needs to focus on what sets her apart.” “She likes swinging from her own tail,” Anne says. “One of these days she will get hurt. But that is a good point, she could snatch Wren before Jb could.” “And correct me if I’m wrong, but have we actually seen Jb do anything besides try to mind control people?” Dragovoir asks. “Well, there was—” Anne shakes her head. “No, that was mind control. She did try—no, that was something else. Well—hm, I suppose not.” “For all her tools, she has a one-track mind,” Dragovoir says. “Enna could focus on the fact her interests are more varied.” “Interesting to think she has a one-track mind,” Anne says, “when she directs the tracks of other minds to herself.” She smirks. “She trains the trains of other minds to train on herself.” “That’s a lot of trains,” Dragovoir says. “So you’re suggesting, rather than focus on controlling Wren like Jb will,” Anne says, “Enna should focus on her fashion and photography?”
November 25, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Reposted by Duth "Chloe" Olec
acvalens.com
Spoke to my source familiar with internal workings at Mastercard. The holiday call campaign re payment processor censorship is working, there is a lot of pressure being felt from your calls. This is resulting in increased response times at a core moment for Mastercard due to the holiday season
November 24, 2025 at 5:05 PM
dutholec.bsky.social
I think I actually made an image reference for the room placement in the living quarters, but I'm not sure I still have it. Though I also think I might've just like... divided the bracket into four quarters and matched them by placement, so Lila, Alya, Maestra, and Mira had adjacent rooms, etc.
Bracket with a mark at winners round 3 match 2, between Alya and Mira. “Welcome back to the tournament!” Belle says. “Today’s match is between Alya Slacen and Mira. I’m joined today with Ms. Lila Pachis and Mr. Persnakety. Lila, congratulations on winning your last match.” “Thank you,” Lila says, “I’m really excited to have made it this far.” “Are you nervous about reaching the semifinals?” Belle asks. “A little,” Lila says. “I don’t get another chance now, right? There’s no losers bracket for losing the semifinals.” “But you’ve done spectacularly,” Persnakety says. “Your last two matches were splendid to watch. No matter what happens, be proud of how you’ve done.” “Thank you,” Lila says. “I am proud.” “Now you were assigned a room in the competitor suite across from Alya’s, correct?” Belle asks. “And you’re right next door to Mira. What do you think of them from what you’ve seen?” “Mira is so serious,” Lila says. She chuckles. “A little intimidating, in fact.” Persnakety nods. “Yes, indeed, that’s very true.” “She’s actually pretty nice, though,” Lila says. She even offered me a bit of food she cooked in her room, it was wonderful. I feel kind of bad I couldn’t give her something in return, if my next match is against her I should find something to share with her.” “What do you think of Alya?” Belle asks. Lila laughs—she laughs until she fakes it while she blushes. “She’s flirty. Very flirty.” Lila leans forward. “In fact, she actually propositioned me to stay the night over, I told her I was busy preparing for my matches and politely declined, though eventually I just had to tell her I wasn’t interested.” Belle gives her a flat look. “I know what you mean.” “Actually,” Lila says, “didn’t—didn’t I see you leave Alya’s room once or twice?” “Ahh,” Belle babbles loudly to drown Lila out as she blushes, and she shouts, “Persnakety! You know Mira, and you’ve faced Alya, who do you think will win the match?” “Huh? What?” Persnakety asks. “Oh! Right, well, that’s a tough call. This is the first time we’ve seen Alya face a lamia, and as we just established, she’ll proposition lamias as much as she will humans.” He shakes his head. “Mira is too focused for that, though.” His mouth hangs open a moment. “I think? I know she always goes after challenges. Maybe she’ll see Alya as a good challenge. Oh, I don’t know!” “I think Alya has an edge,” Lila says. “She’ll woo the audience pretty well. Mira is—well, I almost want to say more respectful, but I’m not sure that’s it.” She looks down. “I think Alya has a tendency to treat her dates as—like a piece of meat. Mira seems to appreciate them as they are, more.” She looks at Belle. “But given her exhibitions with Wren, I think that’s because she’ll treat them as game. Like, wild game. For sport.”
November 24, 2025 at 7:12 PM
dutholec.bsky.social
Oh yeah, here's Anne pointing out Enna has done very little hypnosis in the tournament.
#Hypnovember #lamia #naga #snake #vampire
Bracket with a mark at winners round 1 match 1, between Lila and Enna. “Welcome back to the tournament!” Belle says. “Today’s match is between Ms. Lila Pachis and Ms. Enna Koizumi. With me today is Enna’s sister, Lady Anne Koizumi, along with Lila’s opponent in her last match, Mx Vil Garrido. Thank you for joining me today.” Vil’s large tail is curled throughout the interview tent, while Anne, clothed in her slinky green dress and wide-brimmed hat, curls her shorter tail around her chair, but the end of her tail slithers over the table. “You’re quite welcome, Ms. Peltonen,” Anne says. “Happy to be here again, Belle,” Vil says. “And I’m quite happy to meet a fellow lamia of such noble bearing,” Anne says with a nod to Vil. She takes Vil’s hand in hers. “Likewise with you, Lady Koizumi.” “So how do you feel about your sister’s chances this match?” Belle asks. “She certainly needs to apply herself,” Anne says. “Ms. Pachis is popular. I believe my sister can do it, but I’ve told her she has to be aggressive. She has done very little actual hypnosis in this tournament. That needs to change.” “While I don’t normally recommend one go against their typical spirit,” Vil says, “Lila does take the full package in, so to speak. She has brought her long tail and hypnotic eyes to the table in her previous matches, and she has a beautiful singing voice. Enna has designed beautiful outfits, but that is difficult to show off in this sort of exhibition.” He turns to Anne. “What other hobbies does she enjoy?” “She found an old camera a while ago and got into photography,” Anne says. “She likes to take pictures of me modeling her outfits.” “Perhaps she can find a way to incorporate that into her exhibition,” Vil says. “The important thing is to stay true to yourself. That will draw voters more than trying to fake it.” “No worries,” Anne says. She nods. “I do expect my sister will flub the match in the end.” “She does bring a lot of energy to the table,” Vil says. “Does she dance at all? That would make a good counterpart to Lila’s singing.” “She plays sports,” Anne says. “She is definitely energetic, but grace—well, I’m afraid I got all the grace in the family.” “Still, if she focuses on that boisterous energy, she could set her apart from Lila,” Vil says. “Lila is rather nervous before she gets started.” “It’s time to find out how the competitors will handle their exhibitions,” Belle says. “Thank you both for being here today.” “It’s my pleasure,” Vil says.
November 23, 2025 at 10:34 PM
dutholec.bsky.social
Lamia Pathsways 239, following 236. If she hypnotizes you, that's a bad thing. But it feels so good. You're in danger. But it's worth it... #LamiaPathsways #Hypnovember #lamia #naga #snake #hypnokink #hypnosis cloudycuckoocosmos.com/hypnosisnake...
Lamia Pathsways 239
You know you’re in danger of falling under the lamia’s spell completely, but as she kisses you and caresses you in her coils, you realize it’s worth the peril. You don’t car…
cloudycuckoocosmos.com
November 23, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Reposted by Duth "Chloe" Olec
sheepysleepy.bsky.social
really like the image of pissing off a hypnotist enough they grab you by the shirt and yank you right up close to look into your eyes. i've tried to draw this pose many times and this is the best i've gotten it to look so far
Sketch of an upset naga grabbing a human by the shirt and pulling him close to gaze into the naga's hypnotic eyes.
November 23, 2025 at 6:16 PM
dutholec.bsky.social
I love late fall/winter.
My energy bill is 2/3 what it was last month.
November 23, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Reposted by Duth "Chloe" Olec
hypnomothy.bsky.social
kissing you until you’re out of breath, panting and whimpering, only for me to kiss you again and again, your mind is so hazy and you’re weak and whimpering
you can barely breathe and when you gasp for air I smother you in my tits
November 23, 2025 at 6:14 AM
Reposted by Duth "Chloe" Olec
gigglinggoblin.bsky.social
The horny meme month is almost over, and we're about to hit Day 23 of the shamelessly cringe Hero's Journey microfic series! Today, the main character contends with a condescending honeysuckle dryad mommydomme.

Catch up on the whole 30-part series on itch!

gigglinggoblin.itch.io/the-heros-jo...
Creeping honeysuckle vines cover the ancient bubbling fountain, filling the air with sweet scents. They also seem to grow amid the pleated green locks of the tall dryad who stands before it, twining around her cow-like horns and trailing from her flicking ears like verdant earrings. She beams down at you as you struggle to recall your words. “Ma'am?” She giggles, taking another step closer. At first you thought the vines wrapping around her lower body were somehow binding her to the fountain. Now you realize they’re more like a woven skirt. That tight yellow crop top visibly strains to contain her ample cleavage and yet hides less than it reveals to your hopeless, horny gaze. Your [blurred] is still rock-hard in your trousers, and your armor is only partially strapped on, many of the buckles undone or broken by the farmgirls' eager... attentions… “Aww, are you sure that’s the right word, little one?” “M-Ma'am,” you repeat weakly, “I... I must be...” “Shh.” She shakes her head and reaches forward again. She moves with such utter confidence, you don’t even think to stop her as she tenderly cups your chin. She moves as if everything she does is perfectly obvious, as if everything she says is perfectly true, and her hand is so perfectly… soft. She looks so soft. “Hush, wittle hero. It's okay~”
November 23, 2025 at 5:58 AM
Reposted by Duth "Chloe" Olec
somniadoll.bsky.social
So uh..I got fired tonight, once I finished owed work I'll be opening up 5 slots for comms. Please consider sharing. Thank you
November 23, 2025 at 5:48 AM
dutholec.bsky.social
You can't just have your characters announce what they're doing! That makes me do angry!
otsumamiboy.bsky.social Lupita Nihongo @otsumamiboy.bsky.social · Dec 27
ENOUGH 🤬🤬🤬
DiscussingFilm @DiscussingFilm Follow Netflix execs tell screenwriters to have characters "announce what they're doing so that viewers who have a program on in the background can follow along" They also have thousands of micro-genres including "casual viewing" which is used for movies/TV that go down best when you're not paying attention.
November 23, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Reposted by Duth "Chloe" Olec
sheepysleepy.bsky.social
attempted a buncha more ambitious hypno art today but none of it was looking right so i drew this guy instead
November 22, 2025 at 11:58 PM
dutholec.bsky.social
I accidentally deleted half my notes for this match because I thought it was one I posted, and Bluesky is useless and won't let me schedule posts like a real posting website.
I guess technically Mastodon doesn't either. Social media is just useless now, we need to all go back to real websites
Bracket with a mark at losers round 3 match 2, between Revasa and Ageul. “Welcome back to the tournament!” Belle says. “For the match between Revasa and Ageul today I’m speaking with the witch Ms. Erada Lielayn, although as she has returned to her shop since we last spoke we’re speaking remotely.” A screen above her shows Erada in her shop watching someone off-screen. She sits forward on a stool, one hand on her hip and another on a counter. “You only asked for slime, honey, you didn’t ask for a way to reverse it,” she says. “If you’d wanted that, it would have cost double.” “Erada?” Belle asks. “What?” Erada glances at the screen. “Hang on a moment, I’m dealing with an irate customer.” “Irate? You turned me into a slime!” “You turned yourself into it, I only gave you the slime potion, not the reverse potion, if you’d wanted both you should have asked to begin with, now are you going to buy the potion to reverse it or not, because I got things to do, so if you’re not going to buy it get going or I’m grabbing the hose.” “Oh, fine.” A slimy hand places slimy money on the counter. Erada smiles and hands a bottle over. “Here you go, sir, just pour it over your body and that whole slimy complexion thing will clear right up, and have a nice day.” The customer’s grumbles fade. Erada looks at the screen. “All right, let’s go quick, Belle, since my term in the tournament my business has picked up, it may be the lull time now but it won’t last long.” “Good to see you’re doing well,” Belle says. “On the topic of slimes, the next match is between Revasa and Ageul.” “Oh, so that sweet slime gal beat that snooty princess, that’s great, a shame to hear about Persnakety, but I guess he was too much a wimp for the voters.” Belle forces a short laugh. “I wondered if you had any thoughts over Revasa’s time abilities,” Belle says. “Rumor has it she was once a witch’s familiar.” Erada looks at the screen. She cranes her neck to see if any customers might enter soon before she huddles close to the screen. “All right, Belle, let me tell you quick, I’ve heard more than that rumor, it’s said in Italy there was this witch, you see, with a beautiful blue snake as a familiar, and this witch, she was eventually burned at the stake because people are nasty little things, and that snake disappeared, but there are conflicting reports about her familiar trying to stop that burning before disappearing entirely.” She leans back. “Now, this is hearsay, mind you, but if that snake and Revasa are connected in any way—Well, let’s just say it would be a very faulty story for Revasa to be haunted by a witch and the similarity to just be a coincidence.” “She’s haunted by a witch?” Belle asks. “Oh, yes,” Erada says. “I’m sure you noticed her talking to herself a couple times. That’s the witch that’s haunting her.” “Maybe she is, or was, a witch’s familiar, then,” Belle says. “That must give her an edge, and might explain the time powers.”
November 22, 2025 at 10:47 PM
dutholec.bsky.social
i just made a mistake and i REALLY FIGGIN WISH BLUESKY WOULD HAVE BASIC FUNCTIONALITY LIKE SCHEDULED POSTS
i don't know why we don't just treat this as a place solely to link to our blog posts on our actual websites like the internet was meant to be
November 22, 2025 at 10:18 PM
dutholec.bsky.social
this is why ace attorney is an important video game series
popeguilty.bsky.social Abby of the Autumn @popeguilty.bsky.social · 4d
Fun fact: this is explicitly why Dick Wolf created Law & Order: he violently hates defense attorneys and felt tere weren't enough shows about how defendants and their lawyers are scum

(also when somebody "gets off on a technicality" that actually means the cops committed a crime against them)
A tumblr post from telltaletypist: "one particularly sinister way that cop shows use propaganda is portraying defense lawyers as sleazy, opportunistic scumbags for committing the heinous sin of making sure their clients' rights aren't trampled over. cop shows are designed to make you hate your own rights and perpetuate the disgusting idea that only the guilty would try to defend themselves."
November 22, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Reposted by Duth "Chloe" Olec
popeguilty.bsky.social
Fun fact: this is explicitly why Dick Wolf created Law & Order: he violently hates defense attorneys and felt tere weren't enough shows about how defendants and their lawyers are scum

(also when somebody "gets off on a technicality" that actually means the cops committed a crime against them)
A tumblr post from telltaletypist: "one particularly sinister way that cop shows use propaganda is portraying defense lawyers as sleazy, opportunistic scumbags for committing the heinous sin of making sure their clients' rights aren't trampled over. cop shows are designed to make you hate your own rights and perpetuate the disgusting idea that only the guilty would try to defend themselves."
November 22, 2025 at 3:55 AM
dutholec.bsky.social
Following 228 is #LamiaPathsways 236, where you try to call for help, but the lamia asks you to be silent lest Bagheera catch you letting her hypnotize you. Wait, would that be a bad thing or a good thing? #Hypnovember #hypnokink #hypnosis #lamia #naga #snake cloudycuckoocosmos.com/hypnosisnake...
Lamia Pathsways 236
You’ve already looked at the lamia too long. You try to call for help, but she shushes you, remolding your mind to want her. But a spark of memory asks–are you in peril?
cloudycuckoocosmos.com
November 22, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Reposted by Duth "Chloe" Olec
vamparchivist.bsky.social
DAY 20 - WEBS

[TW: Arachnophobia - webs, spider monster]

First, dealing with ghosts in this old manor to now a spider lady in the attic. Our protag has gotten himself into a bind, literally!

#bunbothypnovember #hypno #teratophilia #drider
[TW: Arachnophobia - webs, spider monster] Our protagonist has gotten himself into a bind, literally by a drider/spider like humanoid. She is hypnotising him to be aroused and fall in love with him.
November 21, 2025 at 6:57 AM
Reposted by Duth "Chloe" Olec
altcdc.altgov.info
Do you hate the new Vaccines and Autism webpage revisions as much as we do? Yes? Great. Some action items:

1. Submit your concerns through CDC INFO: www.cdc.gov/cdc-info/for...
2. (if not a fed employee) Consider adding "vaccines do NOT cause autism" to your signature line 😈
Email CDC-INFO
Users can use this form to direct questions to the CDC.
www.cdc.gov
November 22, 2025 at 12:32 AM
dutholec.bsky.social
Veda is very interested.
but no time for extra hypnosis scenes, it's tournament time!
Also I like Debora referring to Dragovoir as a wyvern.
#Hypnovember #lamia #naga #snake #hypnokink #hypnosis
Bracket with a mark at losers round 3 match 1, between Jb and Dragovoir. “Fascinating. You’ve truly traveled a long ways to get here.” Veda sips her wine as she sits across from the single body of Duval and Debora. Debora’s arm is crossed, while Duval’s relaxes on his lap. “Not that this is where we were headed,” Debora says. “It is lovely to visit, though,” Duval says. “The stadium is impressive, and it’s an honor to meet one with such noble bearing as yourself.” “Thank you, and it is a treat to meet such a well-traveled pair,” Veda says. “I’m glad our host requested you visit.” “What do you know about that Duth person, anyway?” Debora asks. “All they said was to stop here, but they never told us why or anything. I’m surprised it wasn’t a trap at this point.” “Duth is on the level,” Veda says. “They like being mysterious, but they mean no harm.” She glances to their glass of wine. “Do you not drink wine? You haven’t touched a drop.” “I’m afraid we prefer to be at full capacity for our journey out,” Duval says. “Very wise,” Veda says. “Feel free to partake of one of these delicious Queijos de Figo, though.” “I would love to,” Duval says, “but Debora—” “This entirely tournament is about warping the senses,” Debora says. “I don’t trust anything here. We already got waylaid by a sort of wyvern for a while.” Duval chuckles. “She was truly passionate about those kisses.” “I understand,” Veda says. “This tournament can be an assault on the senses.” Debora sits up as the room around them rustles. She glances down to see Veda’s swirling black and white tail surround their chair. The end of her tail she slithers over Duval’s shoulder, and he takes it in his hand. “A beautiful assault, indeed,” Duval says, “but nevertheless a dangerous beauty.” “Oh, not always,” Veda says. She leans closer and grins. Duval and Debora stare as Veda’s red eyes darken into splashes of pulsating dark indigos. “After all, it’s all in good fun, my handsome dears.” Down in Belle’s interview— Wait, we’re just going to shift scenes as soon as the hypnosis up there stars? Yes! Yes we are! I’ve got a tournament to write, I can’t be getting distracted! Down in Belle’s interview— Wait, we’re just going to shift scenes as soon as the hypnosis up there stars? Yes! Yes we are! I’ve got a tournament to write, I can’t be getting distracted! So! Today Belle is interviewing the twins, Anne and Enna. “Welcome back to the tournament!” Belle says. “With me today are the sisters Koizumi, Anne and Enna.” She nods to Anne. “Lady Koizumi, my condolences for your loss last match.” “Thank you, Ms. Peltonen. As disappointed as I am, I choose to face this loss with grace.” Anne grinns pulls her sister’s arm in hers. “Besides, we still have one member of the Koizumi family poised to win.” “Oh yeah, sure, totally,” Enna says. “But let’s talk about my protege first!” “Oh, yes, you did make a new friend here,” Anne says. “Of course, training a pet can be a fine pursuit for those of our noble bearing.” Enna laughs. “Don’t let her hear you call her that.”
November 21, 2025 at 10:00 PM
dutholec.bsky.social
A brief intermission to introduce a new character, since I was so busy with the tournament it was hard to introduce them otherwise. This was the first time I wrote Duval and Debora. #Hypnovember
New Character Intermission “Hello! Belle here. Preparations for the next round are still under way, but in the meantime, we have a visitor I managed to catch before they left the stadium. With me today is”—she looks at the person sitting across from her—“Duval and Debora, correct?” “That’s correct, and thank you so much for having us.” Across from Belle sits a single person. They lean forward on their left and rest their left hand on the table, while they lean back on their right, their right arm slung along the back of their chair with their long hair trailing over it. “Now, you may need to put this in your own words for me,” Belle says, “but you are two separate people inhabiting one body, correct?” “That’s about the long and short of it,” Duval says, voice smooth and rich, warm as a friendly fireplace. The right side of their mouth curls in a smile, even as the left half remains flat. Their right arm nudges their left. “Come on, Debora, say hello.” “Hello,” Debora says. Belle flinches as their voice changes to a harsh and cold growl, like the remains of a long-gone fireplace. “I am not good at this sort of thing.” “She’s better at chopping than chatting,” Duval says. Debora rolls her eye—which is to say, their left eye rolls as their right remains watching Belle. “Now, let me know if I overstep with the questions,” Belle says, “but how does it work? It appears you each have control of half the body.” “That’s about right,” Duval says. “We coordinate the legs but usually keep our halves otherwise.” “We swapped when younger,” Debora says. “It didn’t go well. It’s easier to take sides.” “We grew rather naturally into this arrangement,” Duval says. “So you’ve always been like this? I mean, both of you in the same body,” Belle says. “As long as we remember,” Duval says. He chuckles and thrusts a thumb to Debora’s side. “I don’t remember a time I haven’t been with Ms. Distant.” “Duval has always gotten us into trouble,” Debora says. “And you so graciously get us out,” Duval says. Their head nods, the only time Belle has seen the entire head make one motion aside from speaking, though even in speaking their mouth often looks lopsided. “Duval gets us into situations, bad or good,” Debora says. “I get us out.” “Bad or good.” Duval chuckles. “No, the friends we meet come to accept you, Debora, bark and bite.” “Yes,” Debora says. For the first time Belle sees their full mouth smile. “I admit I would be lacking in friends without Duval. He’s just lucky I’m here to discern who can be trusted as a friend.” “So where do you hail from?” Belle asks. “I understand you’re a—you’re travelers.” Duval and Debora look down. They knit their brow before they look back at Belle. “For our sake, we believe it best not to divulge our home,” Duval says. “There is some bad events we’d prefer not to rise again.” “Oh, that’s fine,” Belle says. “If you don’t mind me asking, what happened?” “We once tried to separate,” Debora says. “We were young and irrational, I’m afraid,” Duval says. “We wished to be apart.” “A young fool’s desire,” Debora says. Duval chuckles. “We’re stuck together through thick and thin, methinks.” “We made a grave error, and it cost our home dearly,” Debora says. They nod. “We could never go back,” Duval says. “Our—” He chokes. Debora clears their throat. “The last we saw, the farm that was our home was burning,” Debora says. She sighs. “We were a curse on our home.” “No, no,” Duval says with a sigh, “not a curse. We simply made a mistake.” “A costly mistake.” “We fled, and for safety we joined the army in the nearest big city,” Duval says. He smiles. “Our past a secret, we made many friends during our days there.” Debora scoffs—or, Belle wonders, was it a laugh?
November 21, 2025 at 9:45 PM
dutholec.bsky.social
NATO is trending so reminder that it is and always has been an imperialist response to the Cold War.
A lot of the geopolitical situation can be explained by NATO needing a Bad Guy to justify its existence, which it needs to do to justify massive military spending.
November 21, 2025 at 9:21 PM