Beetle
@usb-kord.bsky.social
Ted Kord / Blue Beetle
#DCRP / 30 / MDNI / A #Vague idea
#DCRP / 30 / MDNI / A #Vague idea
"...One of the most interesting facts about the sabertooth longhorn beetle is that, despite being one of the largest beetles there is (if the mandible measurement is included), it has a long childhood and a short adulthood.
They're larvae for most of their life."
He faces Esme.
+
They're larvae for most of their life."
He faces Esme.
+
He gently squeezes Ted's arm with a delighted sigh.
❝ I honestly just want to listen to you talk. It's adorable, hearing you so excited about all the insects and bugs ❞
❝ I honestly just want to listen to you talk. It's adorable, hearing you so excited about all the insects and bugs ❞
January 20, 2026 at 5:40 AM
"...One of the most interesting facts about the sabertooth longhorn beetle is that, despite being one of the largest beetles there is (if the mandible measurement is included), it has a long childhood and a short adulthood.
They're larvae for most of their life."
He faces Esme.
+
They're larvae for most of their life."
He faces Esme.
+
"Insects are fragile. They might be strong for their size, but they're still living in a world that's hostile toward them."
He gives Esme a playful kiss on the head.
"I'm going to focus. I want to see all of the bugs and insects before the day is over."
+
He gives Esme a playful kiss on the head.
"I'm going to focus. I want to see all of the bugs and insects before the day is over."
+
He giggles, giving Ted's arm a gentle squeeze.
❝ It was really sweet, how protective you got. ❞
❝ It was really sweet, how protective you got. ❞
January 20, 2026 at 4:40 AM
"Insects are fragile. They might be strong for their size, but they're still living in a world that's hostile toward them."
He gives Esme a playful kiss on the head.
"I'm going to focus. I want to see all of the bugs and insects before the day is over."
+
He gives Esme a playful kiss on the head.
"I'm going to focus. I want to see all of the bugs and insects before the day is over."
+
Ted nods.
"Call me Ted."
His gloves are discarded, and repeats exactly what he did before. He uses soap, he counts the seconds, and he properly dries his hands.
"We're going to look at the rest of the exhibit. Have a good day, Perry."
+
"Call me Ted."
His gloves are discarded, and repeats exactly what he did before. He uses soap, he counts the seconds, and he properly dries his hands.
"We're going to look at the rest of the exhibit. Have a good day, Perry."
+
❝ I like bugs, but I don't like the feeling of them crawling on me. ❞
❛ Fair enough! Remember to wash your hands again, Mr. Kord! ❜
Esme giggles softly at Perry's enthusiasm. It really is contagious...
❛ Fair enough! Remember to wash your hands again, Mr. Kord! ❜
Esme giggles softly at Perry's enthusiasm. It really is contagious...
January 20, 2026 at 4:16 AM
Ted nods.
"Call me Ted."
His gloves are discarded, and repeats exactly what he did before. He uses soap, he counts the seconds, and he properly dries his hands.
"We're going to look at the rest of the exhibit. Have a good day, Perry."
+
"Call me Ted."
His gloves are discarded, and repeats exactly what he did before. He uses soap, he counts the seconds, and he properly dries his hands.
"We're going to look at the rest of the exhibit. Have a good day, Perry."
+
"You can do better than that. I wasn't a thought in anyone's head until my dad tossed his small business on me like a brick through a window. Your name might be in the papers more than me one day."
He watches the roaches, considering their gesture a way of saying hello and goodbye.
+
He watches the roaches, considering their gesture a way of saying hello and goodbye.
+
Perry's eyes light up as he looks at Ted.
❛ Really?? I mean- that would be great! I'm really into tech and stuff, so- maybe I'll be working for you one day! ❜
No beetles actually move onto Ted's hand... they may be done for now.
❛ Really?? I mean- that would be great! I'm really into tech and stuff, so- maybe I'll be working for you one day! ❜
No beetles actually move onto Ted's hand... they may be done for now.
January 19, 2026 at 6:09 AM
"You can do better than that. I wasn't a thought in anyone's head until my dad tossed his small business on me like a brick through a window. Your name might be in the papers more than me one day."
He watches the roaches, considering their gesture a way of saying hello and goodbye.
+
He watches the roaches, considering their gesture a way of saying hello and goodbye.
+
"Don't be impressed yet, I haven't done any tricks."
Once Rose is down, he takes a moment to lift his hands up slowly and rub them. Just something that will let him hold them perfectly still again.
+
Once Rose is down, he takes a moment to lift his hands up slowly and rub them. Just something that will let him hold them perfectly still again.
+
❛ Isn't she sweet? I love her to death. ❜
January 19, 2026 at 5:48 AM
"Don't be impressed yet, I haven't done any tricks."
Once Rose is down, he takes a moment to lift his hands up slowly and rub them. Just something that will let him hold them perfectly still again.
+
Once Rose is down, he takes a moment to lift his hands up slowly and rub them. Just something that will let him hold them perfectly still again.
+
"Perry! Nice to meet 'ya. I'm Ted Kord. I've been passionate about all sorts of bugs and insects for a long time, but I'm particularly fond of the ones I get to meet."
He carefully and slowly slides his other hand next to his first one, creating more of a platform for Rose to walk around on.
+
He carefully and slowly slides his other hand next to his first one, creating more of a platform for Rose to walk around on.
+
'Rose' himself perks up.
❝ Oh! That's my name too! ❞
Perry blinks before laughing.
❛ What a coincidence! She's actually part of our Golden Girls. We have four roaches named after each of them! ❜
He points to three other roaches.
❛ Here are Blanche, Sophia, and Dorothy! ❜
❝ Oh! That's my name too! ❞
Perry blinks before laughing.
❛ What a coincidence! She's actually part of our Golden Girls. We have four roaches named after each of them! ❜
He points to three other roaches.
❛ Here are Blanche, Sophia, and Dorothy! ❜
January 19, 2026 at 5:26 AM
"Perry! Nice to meet 'ya. I'm Ted Kord. I've been passionate about all sorts of bugs and insects for a long time, but I'm particularly fond of the ones I get to meet."
He carefully and slowly slides his other hand next to his first one, creating more of a platform for Rose to walk around on.
+
He carefully and slowly slides his other hand next to his first one, creating more of a platform for Rose to walk around on.
+
"Really? Their loss!"
He waves off the idea.
"He knows he can trust you. I'm just some guy that he met two seconds ago, I'd call that reasonable behavior."
He slowly (maybe a little too slowly) lowers his hand in.
+
He waves off the idea.
"He knows he can trust you. I'm just some guy that he met two seconds ago, I'd call that reasonable behavior."
He slowly (maybe a little too slowly) lowers his hand in.
+
He gestures to the tank with a nod of his head.
❛ Go ahead! Lower it down, and one of them will crawl on! ❜
He smiles nervously as he gestures to one of them.
❛ Don't be upset if this one ignores you. He really only crawls on me. ❜
❛ Go ahead! Lower it down, and one of them will crawl on! ❜
He smiles nervously as he gestures to one of them.
❛ Don't be upset if this one ignores you. He really only crawls on me. ❜
January 19, 2026 at 4:58 AM
"Really? Their loss!"
He waves off the idea.
"He knows he can trust you. I'm just some guy that he met two seconds ago, I'd call that reasonable behavior."
He slowly (maybe a little too slowly) lowers his hand in.
+
He waves off the idea.
"He knows he can trust you. I'm just some guy that he met two seconds ago, I'd call that reasonable behavior."
He slowly (maybe a little too slowly) lowers his hand in.
+
"We can hold them!?"
He's already rushing to go wash his hands, but he doesn't rush the process. He uses soap and water and counts the seconds properly. When he's done, and his hands are dry, he shakes out his hands to regulate himself.
He looks at Esme like he won an award.
+
He's already rushing to go wash his hands, but he doesn't rush the process. He uses soap and water and counts the seconds properly. When he's done, and his hands are dry, he shakes out his hands to regulate himself.
He looks at Esme like he won an award.
+
It reads:
- Use a pair of gloves
- Wash your hands before and after
- Be very slow and gentle!
Rose looks over the list, fidgeting with his glasses.
❝ Looks like that guy is letting people hold roaches! ❞
- Use a pair of gloves
- Wash your hands before and after
- Be very slow and gentle!
Rose looks over the list, fidgeting with his glasses.
❝ Looks like that guy is letting people hold roaches! ❞
January 19, 2026 at 4:34 AM
"We can hold them!?"
He's already rushing to go wash his hands, but he doesn't rush the process. He uses soap and water and counts the seconds properly. When he's done, and his hands are dry, he shakes out his hands to regulate himself.
He looks at Esme like he won an award.
+
He's already rushing to go wash his hands, but he doesn't rush the process. He uses soap and water and counts the seconds properly. When he's done, and his hands are dry, he shakes out his hands to regulate himself.
He looks at Esme like he won an award.
+
Ted remembers what he said.
"You're trouble."
He kisses him, but he keeps it quick. As happy as he is, he doesn't want to get the both of them kicked out.
"..."
+
"You're trouble."
He kisses him, but he keeps it quick. As happy as he is, he doesn't want to get the both of them kicked out.
"..."
+
He promised Ted a kiss, after all...
Once in front of the first case, Rose bats his eyelashes.
❝ Oh, Ted~ Look at where we are~! ❞
Once in front of the first case, Rose bats his eyelashes.
❝ Oh, Ted~ Look at where we are~! ❞
January 19, 2026 at 4:04 AM
Ted remembers what he said.
"You're trouble."
He kisses him, but he keeps it quick. As happy as he is, he doesn't want to get the both of them kicked out.
"..."
+
"You're trouble."
He kisses him, but he keeps it quick. As happy as he is, he doesn't want to get the both of them kicked out.
"..."
+
"I'm not gonna say that's his whole thing, but I am gonna point out that you think he's hot, and that's definitely part of it for you."
He kisses his cheek.
"Regarding what you do...if you still feel confused, I'll explain more about what I meant when we get some more privacy."
+
He kisses his cheek.
"Regarding what you do...if you still feel confused, I'll explain more about what I meant when we get some more privacy."
+
He wants to be a little coy about it. He likes when Ted is direct.
❝ Besides, look at what you wear! Always some odd combination- you dress like Gene Raslo! ❞
A pause.
❝ ... do you think that's why Gene Raslo does it? ❞
❝ Besides, look at what you wear! Always some odd combination- you dress like Gene Raslo! ❞
A pause.
❝ ... do you think that's why Gene Raslo does it? ❞
January 19, 2026 at 2:27 AM
"I'm not gonna say that's his whole thing, but I am gonna point out that you think he's hot, and that's definitely part of it for you."
He kisses his cheek.
"Regarding what you do...if you still feel confused, I'll explain more about what I meant when we get some more privacy."
+
He kisses his cheek.
"Regarding what you do...if you still feel confused, I'll explain more about what I meant when we get some more privacy."
+
"Don't worry, I already started the process for us.
We put on bright coats before we left the house, and the purpose of the dance is to show how bright their shells are. It's about the visual."
He taps one of the pins on Esme's coat.
+
We put on bright coats before we left the house, and the purpose of the dance is to show how bright their shells are. It's about the visual."
He taps one of the pins on Esme's coat.
+
He gives Ted a teasing smile, leaning closer to the other.
❝ I'll admit, I'm not the STRONGEST dancer... ❞
❝ I'll admit, I'm not the STRONGEST dancer... ❞
January 19, 2026 at 2:05 AM
"Don't worry, I already started the process for us.
We put on bright coats before we left the house, and the purpose of the dance is to show how bright their shells are. It's about the visual."
He taps one of the pins on Esme's coat.
+
We put on bright coats before we left the house, and the purpose of the dance is to show how bright their shells are. It's about the visual."
He taps one of the pins on Esme's coat.
+
"Some would say it's a difference between the men and women, but I'm an expert, and I say it's because the ones with the longest necks are carrying too many secrets."
He shakes his finger disapprovingly.
"Once they put those secrets down, they shrink."
+
He shakes his finger disapprovingly.
"Once they put those secrets down, they shrink."
+
❝ I think it's to promote the exhibit! They're only showing off a few of their rarest... ❞
Rose gasps, covering his mouth.
❝ Oh my god, they're adorable!! Their necks are so long! ❞
He pauses, pointing at a few of them.
❝ Wait- their necks aren't as long... what's the difference there? ❞
Rose gasps, covering his mouth.
❝ Oh my god, they're adorable!! Their necks are so long! ❞
He pauses, pointing at a few of them.
❝ Wait- their necks aren't as long... what's the difference there? ❞
He guides him to see a new insect. They're the complete opposite of the first one Ted mentioned; they're tiny and kind of silly looking.
"I love these. These are giraffe weevils."
One flies, and he gets an idea for a handheld weevil-inspired-copter.
"Aren't they cute?"
"I love these. These are giraffe weevils."
One flies, and he gets an idea for a handheld weevil-inspired-copter.
"Aren't they cute?"
January 18, 2026 at 11:19 PM
"Some would say it's a difference between the men and women, but I'm an expert, and I say it's because the ones with the longest necks are carrying too many secrets."
He shakes his finger disapprovingly.
"Once they put those secrets down, they shrink."
+
He shakes his finger disapprovingly.
"Once they put those secrets down, they shrink."
+
"A very big insect in general. Beautiful, but I'd never want to be surprised by one."
He tilts his head slightly as Esme describes the museum.
"And they're showing off here of all places? Oh, that museum is about to cause some trouble."
+
He tilts his head slightly as Esme describes the museum.
"And they're showing off here of all places? Oh, that museum is about to cause some trouble."
+
❝ Yeah! Apparently, the museum all these bugs came from paid a crazy amount of money for some exotic bugs to show off! ❞
January 18, 2026 at 11:00 PM
"A very big insect in general. Beautiful, but I'd never want to be surprised by one."
He tilts his head slightly as Esme describes the museum.
"And they're showing off here of all places? Oh, that museum is about to cause some trouble."
+
He tilts his head slightly as Esme describes the museum.
"And they're showing off here of all places? Oh, that museum is about to cause some trouble."
+
Entering the exhibit lobby goes exactly how anyone would expect.
Ted was visibly more carefree than usual, his poses more Beetle than Kord. Not quite as exaggerated, but they had the same fluid quality that Ted intentionally dropped during the average day.
And then they got further inside.
+
Ted was visibly more carefree than usual, his poses more Beetle than Kord. Not quite as exaggerated, but they had the same fluid quality that Ted intentionally dropped during the average day.
And then they got further inside.
+
❝ Well, if you're sure... I'll make them nice and pretty for you. ❞
Rose beams when he's kissed once more, a bright smile on his face.
❝ You're welcome, babes. Now let's go! We have bugs to see! ❞
Rose beams when he's kissed once more, a bright smile on his face.
❝ You're welcome, babes. Now let's go! We have bugs to see! ❞
He gives him another kiss.
"Thank you."
"Thank you."
January 18, 2026 at 1:57 AM
Entering the exhibit lobby goes exactly how anyone would expect.
Ted was visibly more carefree than usual, his poses more Beetle than Kord. Not quite as exaggerated, but they had the same fluid quality that Ted intentionally dropped during the average day.
And then they got further inside.
+
Ted was visibly more carefree than usual, his poses more Beetle than Kord. Not quite as exaggerated, but they had the same fluid quality that Ted intentionally dropped during the average day.
And then they got further inside.
+
"I made a toaster that charges phones. People do not take me seriously for other reasons, and I will embrace that exactly as much as it lets me have fun. I'll take the pink nails."
Ted finds a mirror and makes a show of looking at himself in it.
"Well, well, well! Look at me!"
+
Ted finds a mirror and makes a show of looking at himself in it.
"Well, well, well! Look at me!"
+
❝ Me? Like- giving you pink and charcoal nails? ❞
Rose snickers at the idea.
❝ I dunno. People may not take you too seriously if your nails don't match your outfit. ❞
He makes sure to use his nails, gently scratching Ted's scalp.
❝ And... there! It should dry by the time we get there. ❞
Rose snickers at the idea.
❝ I dunno. People may not take you too seriously if your nails don't match your outfit. ❞
He makes sure to use his nails, gently scratching Ted's scalp.
❝ And... there! It should dry by the time we get there. ❞
"Great opportunity to come up with a new idea, right? I'd love to have new nails again. Maybe something "you" next time."
He relaxes as Esme works, melting at the feeling of it.
"I forgot how nice this was."
He relaxes as Esme works, melting at the feeling of it.
"I forgot how nice this was."
January 17, 2026 at 10:14 PM
"I made a toaster that charges phones. People do not take me seriously for other reasons, and I will embrace that exactly as much as it lets me have fun. I'll take the pink nails."
Ted finds a mirror and makes a show of looking at himself in it.
"Well, well, well! Look at me!"
+
Ted finds a mirror and makes a show of looking at himself in it.
"Well, well, well! Look at me!"
+
Theodore Stephen Kord The Second but Actually I'm The First.
What is your muse’s full legal name?
January 17, 2026 at 10:03 PM
Theodore Stephen Kord The Second but Actually I'm The First.
"Great opportunity to come up with a new idea, right? I'd love to have new nails again. Maybe something "you" next time."
He relaxes as Esme works, melting at the feeling of it.
"I forgot how nice this was."
He relaxes as Esme works, melting at the feeling of it.
"I forgot how nice this was."
❝ Oh, that would be lovely! I'd love to... if I could remember what I was going to do. ❞
He laughs, pulling out some mousse and spraying some onto his palm. Then, he massages it into Ted's hair.
❝ I'll happily do your nails again, though. You looked good with blue. ❞
He laughs, pulling out some mousse and spraying some onto his palm. Then, he massages it into Ted's hair.
❝ I'll happily do your nails again, though. You looked good with blue. ❞
"Oh, really?"
And then he also winks. It's because the spraying started. He smiles and badly contains a laugh.
"You're already deep in the zone, I trust your direction. Sometime, I need to let you finish that makeup look you didn't get to put on me."
And then he also winks. It's because the spraying started. He smiles and badly contains a laugh.
"You're already deep in the zone, I trust your direction. Sometime, I need to let you finish that makeup look you didn't get to put on me."
January 17, 2026 at 9:58 PM
"Great opportunity to come up with a new idea, right? I'd love to have new nails again. Maybe something "you" next time."
He relaxes as Esme works, melting at the feeling of it.
"I forgot how nice this was."
He relaxes as Esme works, melting at the feeling of it.
"I forgot how nice this was."
"Oh, really?"
And then he also winks. It's because the spraying started. He smiles and badly contains a laugh.
"You're already deep in the zone, I trust your direction. Sometime, I need to let you finish that makeup look you didn't get to put on me."
And then he also winks. It's because the spraying started. He smiles and badly contains a laugh.
"You're already deep in the zone, I trust your direction. Sometime, I need to let you finish that makeup look you didn't get to put on me."
❝ I'm also looking forward to getting home... ❞
Wink! He runs his fingers through Ted's curls.
❝ Hmm... I don't want to take away from your curls. So let's enhance them! ❞
He grabs his spray bottle, spritzing Ted's hair.
Wink! He runs his fingers through Ted's curls.
❝ Hmm... I don't want to take away from your curls. So let's enhance them! ❞
He grabs his spray bottle, spritzing Ted's hair.
Ted takes a seat.
"I'm looking forward to it. Actually, between getting out of here and seeing what you're going to do, I'm looking forward to a lot."
"I'm looking forward to it. Actually, between getting out of here and seeing what you're going to do, I'm looking forward to a lot."
January 17, 2026 at 9:36 PM
"Oh, really?"
And then he also winks. It's because the spraying started. He smiles and badly contains a laugh.
"You're already deep in the zone, I trust your direction. Sometime, I need to let you finish that makeup look you didn't get to put on me."
And then he also winks. It's because the spraying started. He smiles and badly contains a laugh.
"You're already deep in the zone, I trust your direction. Sometime, I need to let you finish that makeup look you didn't get to put on me."
Ted takes a seat.
"I'm looking forward to it. Actually, between getting out of here and seeing what you're going to do, I'm looking forward to a lot."
"I'm looking forward to it. Actually, between getting out of here and seeing what you're going to do, I'm looking forward to a lot."
❝ Mm~ You're a sweetheart. ❞
He kisses Ted back.
❝ Alright. Quick styling, then we can go! ❞
He kisses Ted back.
❝ Alright. Quick styling, then we can go! ❞
"Absolutely."
He kisses him.
"You look incredible.
I'll take the pins off at the end of the day; we can wear these out any time you want to match with me."
He kisses him.
"You look incredible.
I'll take the pins off at the end of the day; we can wear these out any time you want to match with me."
January 17, 2026 at 9:21 PM
Ted takes a seat.
"I'm looking forward to it. Actually, between getting out of here and seeing what you're going to do, I'm looking forward to a lot."
"I'm looking forward to it. Actually, between getting out of here and seeing what you're going to do, I'm looking forward to a lot."
"Absolutely."
He kisses him.
"You look incredible.
I'll take the pins off at the end of the day; we can wear these out any time you want to match with me."
He kisses him.
"You look incredible.
I'll take the pins off at the end of the day; we can wear these out any time you want to match with me."
Rose gasps as soon as he sees it. He takes it, carefully slipping it on and smoothing it out.
❝ Well? ❞
He looks up at Ted with a big smile.
❝ Shocked and awed? ❞
❝ Well? ❞
He looks up at Ted with a big smile.
❝ Shocked and awed? ❞
He walks in holding Esme's coat. It's decorated in cute bug pins in the same way that Ted's is. Esme's coat is pink that fades to blue, Ted's coat is blue that fades to pink.
"...It's right here!"
"...It's right here!"
January 17, 2026 at 7:39 PM
"Absolutely."
He kisses him.
"You look incredible.
I'll take the pins off at the end of the day; we can wear these out any time you want to match with me."
He kisses him.
"You look incredible.
I'll take the pins off at the end of the day; we can wear these out any time you want to match with me."
He walks in holding Esme's coat. It's decorated in cute bug pins in the same way that Ted's is. Esme's coat is pink that fades to blue, Ted's coat is blue that fades to pink.
"...It's right here!"
"...It's right here!"
Mhm. You better.
... now. Where's the coat you bought me-
... now. Where's the coat you bought me-
Where are you gonna kiss me instead?
I'm kidding, I'll behave.
I'm kidding, I'll behave.
January 17, 2026 at 7:15 PM
He walks in holding Esme's coat. It's decorated in cute bug pins in the same way that Ted's is. Esme's coat is pink that fades to blue, Ted's coat is blue that fades to pink.
"...It's right here!"
"...It's right here!"
Where are you gonna kiss me instead?
I'm kidding, I'll behave.
I'm kidding, I'll behave.
I- don't finish my sentences now! Maybe I won't kiss you in the roach exhibit, if you're gonna tease me.
Or you'll get a big head, yeah yeah! Let me know when it starts working!
And I hope you do!
And I hope you do!
January 17, 2026 at 6:59 PM
Where are you gonna kiss me instead?
I'm kidding, I'll behave.
I'm kidding, I'll behave.
Or you'll get a big head, yeah yeah! Let me know when it starts working!
And I hope you do!
And I hope you do!
THE WHAT YOU WHAT?? Ted! >:( You need to quit buying things for me-
Aww. Cute. I'm gonna kiss you in the roach exhibit.
Aww. Cute. I'm gonna kiss you in the roach exhibit.
Fine! I'll bring you the matching bug coat I got you!
Because you're awe-mazing.
Because you're awe-mazing.
January 17, 2026 at 6:48 PM
Or you'll get a big head, yeah yeah! Let me know when it starts working!
And I hope you do!
And I hope you do!
Fine! I'll bring you the matching bug coat I got you!
Because you're awe-mazing.
Because you're awe-mazing.
I know! But matching outfits are sooo cute... :((
And you're shocked and awed by most things I do, babes.
And you're shocked and awed by most things I do, babes.
You don't need to match me!
I will be shocked and awed by the outfit you have on, bug-themed or not!
I will be shocked and awed by the outfit you have on, bug-themed or not!
January 17, 2026 at 6:32 PM
Fine! I'll bring you the matching bug coat I got you!
Because you're awe-mazing.
Because you're awe-mazing.
You don't need to match me!
I will be shocked and awed by the outfit you have on, bug-themed or not!
I will be shocked and awed by the outfit you have on, bug-themed or not!
Iii will not! I know you love bugs.
Oh, I should have found a bug shirt to wear...
Oh, I should have found a bug shirt to wear...
I'm so excited.
Try not to be shocked and awed by my bug-themed apparel when I get over there.
Try not to be shocked and awed by my bug-themed apparel when I get over there.
January 17, 2026 at 6:27 PM
You don't need to match me!
I will be shocked and awed by the outfit you have on, bug-themed or not!
I will be shocked and awed by the outfit you have on, bug-themed or not!