Otterly Ruddertail

Crash Course On Heroism Ch. 01

Welcome to a whole new universe! I don’t write too much sci-fi, but a commissioner dared me so here I am. This story is planned for five chapters, but we’ll see how it’s going when we get there.

The idea for this one comes from Moonwing, who you may recognize as the guy who commissioned Becoming Monsters: Stay In Vegas.

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Chapter 1: The Crash Part

I was no stranger to waking up in unfamiliar surroundings that I had no business...

Otter Chat: Slowly Going

Alright, this should be short.

This week is Third Friday, regularly scheduled for Quaranteam: Remote Work. If the present pace of writing doesn't do something miraculous, that probably isn't happening. I'll do my best to get it out this month, but the combination of it being a longer chapter with life deciding that I didn't REALLY need all those spare hours I use to write for the last week and a half.

That said: this Friday will not be empty! Chapter one of a new story, Crash Cour...

Becoming Monsters: In The Mirror 2, Chapter 52

This is still a story of the Becoming Monsters universe by Ai Loves, setting used with permission. All canonical and mechanical errors are my own. The yarrb is the exceedingly cute creation of FelisRandomis, used with permission.

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Chapter 52: Meeting of Minds

I mentally prepared myself as I walked towards the Hall. With no real knowledge of what went on at the Conclave, I had to be ready for all comers. What could be there?

There would absolutely be a relat...

Becoming Monsters: I'm Blue Ch. 27

Becoming Monsters is the creation of AiLovesToGrow, setting used with permission.

Ashes to Ashes is a guild based in Chicago, from TheNyxianLily’s Blood And Chlorophyll tale. Lola comes from a different side story, Nine Lives.

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Chapter 27: On The Edge

When the sun rose, it felt heavy. Like the day itself had a weight that would not be denied. Justin had an entirely different but equally-undeniable weight on him: Abbey. Unlike the...

Becoming Monsters: Nine Lives Ch. 2

Becoming Monsters is the creation of AiLovesToGrow, setting used with permission

This idea comes from RetroLeopard.

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Chapter 2: How Much?

“We have talked around the point a bit too long, sir. I need to hear Golden Age’s offer so that I know if we can make a deal or if I need to talk to the other Majors.” Leo did not normally wear full armor and carry his weapons to sit-down discussions about selling components. This ...

Becoming Monsters: One Shot Stories 5

This is a short tale of the Becoming Monsters Universe by AiLovesToGrow.

The idea for this one comes from a commissioner. He gave me a story seed and asked that I use it in three different ways. This is me daring him to read the rest of Becoming Monsters, he came to me through other tales.

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Story 5: The Guardian

Five days after the Change

The situation was one Saul had seen many, many times in his life as a gamer. Hi...

Becoming Monsters: In The Mirror 2, Chapter 51

This is still a story of the Becoming Monsters universe by Ai Loves, setting used with permission. All canonical and mechanical errors are my own. The yarrb is the exceedingly cute creation of FelisRandomis, used with permission.

Annabelle Hawthorne once again appears briefly in person.

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Chapter 51: In Your Head

“Wh… What?”

My wife sat up and scooted a bit away from where we had been snuggling, though still the...

A quick apology

Apologies to all my regular readers, this week’s updates will be a few days late. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I won’t be home to do my uploads until this weekend. Next week will be back on schedule, don’t you worry! I will try to get them out here, but that historically has not worked out from my phone

I still remain on deck to answer any questions you all have!

-Otterly

Quaranteam: Remote Work Ch. 19

The Quaranteam Universe is the creation of CorruptingPower, used with permission.

For those of you who don’t know by now, all bands I cite are real. This includes Sabaton and Dragonforce this chapter.

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Chapter 19: Statistics

9 October 2020

Things settled into something of a rhythm over the next couple of weeks. At least as much as they could. Callie and Esther kept up their remote work. So did Shannon, though hers...

Otter Chat: April

Had to wait for today’s Tidbits chapter to come out before I could make this post, you all understand.

So! Let’s address the Succubus in the room: Tidbits is not over. It is, however, going on hiatus for a couple of months so that I can catch up on coms. I am presently working on the second chapter of Nine Lives, then a commissioned One Shot Story, then I need to catch up Ten Thousand Steps… then the first chapter of a standalone Sci-Fi project that is also being commissioned by t...

Becoming Monsters: Tidbits Chapter 28

Becoming Monsters is the creation and property of Ai Loves, setting used with permission.

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Chapter 28: Under the Sun

Todd opened his eyes. Friday. He’d made it to the end of his second week. Survived to get here, and given some of what had gone on that was an accomplishment. He glanced at his clock. Still early. His alarm wouldn’t be going off for another thirty minutes. The bed was warm. Comfortable. He didn’t want to move, and had no reas...

Becoming Monsters: In The Mirror 2, Chapter 50

This is still a story of the Becoming Monsters universe by Ai Loves, setting used with permission. All canonical and mechanical errors are my own. The yarrb is the exceedingly cute creation of FelisRandomis, used with permission.

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Chapter 50: Friendly Fire

The crowd thankfully backed off to get back to the track meet, other than people who had to talk to police and assessors about property damage. My part was done, though, we could leave...

Becoming Monsters: I'm Blue Ch. 26

Becoming Monsters is the creation of AiLovesToGrow, setting used with permission.

I also want to specifically thank JustAGuy, my longtime editor and AiLoves’s before me, for a couple of suggestions that really helped this chapter happen. Oh, and for putting up with my shenanigans for two and a half years now.

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Chapter 26: Black and White

Justin was once again sharpening knives for profit. The novelty was beginning to wear off a b...

Becoming Monsters: In The Mirror 2, Chapter 49

This is still a story of the Becoming Monsters universe by Ai Loves, setting used with permission. All canonical and mechanical errors are my own. The yarrb is the exceedingly cute creation of FelisRandomis, used with permission.

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Chapter 49: Working Together

The bus ride home was quiet. Pensive, in a way. There was a lot to chew on, both from what we had just escaped and what we were headed towards. Both Emily and Gloria leaned into me,...

AMA: All The World Ch 02

Been a while since I did the first chapter of this one, huh? Well, that’s what happens when life delays you but a commissioner has a request. I hope you enjoy.

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Chapter 2: Charging Up

The thought of what I’d done with Shara… and of what Diane had done with me as a result… was still on my mind a couple of days later. If there had been any doubt in my mind about Diane’s sincerity and excitement at the ide...

Quaranteam: Remote Work Ch. 18

The Quaranteam Universe is the creation of CorruptingPower, used with permission.

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Chapter 18: Home Economics

27 September 2020

Day broke, and it was not alone. The sound of Shannon calling out to the others drew Callie and Esther running to the bathroom next to the bedroom that Adam and Shannon shared, Kaipo and Allison close behind. They found Adam curled up on the ground, head on Shannon’s lap as she tried to console him. He ...

Becoming Monsters: In The Mirror 2, Chapter 48

This is still a story of the Becoming Monsters universe by Ai Loves, setting used with permission. All canonical and mechanical errors are my own. The yarrb is the exceedingly cute creation of FelisRandomis, used with permission.

Dev McTaggart is the creation of the author CorruptingPower, cameo here with permission. So is Niko, though in the original she is human.

Maia, you know who you are.

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Chapter 48: Service<...

Becoming Monsters: Tidbits Chapter 27

Becoming Monsters is the creation and property of Ai Loves, setting used with permission.

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Chapter 27: What We’re Here For

When she needed to be, Ghata was an impressive opponent. She was monstrously strong in her natural form, and her shapeshifting capabilities meant that she had no need to limit herself to that. Her roaring voice could be heard from literally a mile away. There was also a suite of illusion powers at her command, and though he...

Becoming Monsters: I'm Blue Ch. 25

Becoming Monsters is the creation of AiLovesToGrow, setting used with permission.

This idea comes from Amethyst Dragonfly. The song I reference is Rod Stewart’s “Rhythm of my Heart.”

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Chapter 25: Looking Ahead

It was a gorgeous morning on the beach. The sun was shining, a light breeze blowing, and Justin was not enjoying it in the slightest. 

He punched the sand in frustration. The previous hour had not gone like h...

A New Recommendation!

Hey everyone! Just wanted to say that a good friend just started his own Patreon page. Now that he’s posting regularly, I can recommend him. XelArtz is an amazing artist, and his pieces have affected how I personally visualize several of my own characters (most notably Whitney and Paige from In The Mirror). His OCs have shown up in my stories (including today’s chapter of Mirror), and if you search for The Shark And The Wolf on this page you’ll find more of his characters and art.

Becoming Monsters: Nine Lives Ch. 1

Becoming monsters is the creation of AiLovesToGrow, setting used with permission

This idea comes from RetroLeopard, and spins off from Going Batty chapters 2 and 4.

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Chapter 1: Which One Am I On?

Leo the Gray Cat opened his eyes, and immediately wished he hadn’t. What should have been comfortable light conspired to make the attempt feel like a pickaxe was being applied to his right eyeball. Leo squeezed his eyes shut. He could ta...

Wish Fulfillment Story 2

This series remains a place to put those random ideas which may not fit into longer tales. This one was requested by a Patron commissioner, and I’ll say “woman transforms to be sexy and powerful, and guy gets some benefits” is so directly up my alley he might as well have just told me to write whatever I felt like.

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His Essence

My wife and I stood before the little shop nervously. It was one of those places you sometimes hear about, little ...

Becoming Monsters: In The Mirror 2, Chapter 47

This is still a story of the Becoming Monsters universe by Ai Loves, setting used with permission. All canonical and mechanical errors are my own. The yarrb is the exceedingly cute creation of FelisRandomis, used with permission.

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Chapter 47: The Minefield

Sarah took slow, hesitant steps over to her enchanting table, removing the glass dome. The fist-sized construct of gold and crystal lay there, innocuous. It didn’t glow. It didn’t ...

Quaranteam: Remote Work Ch. 17

The Quaranteam Universe is the creation of CorruptingPower, used with permission.

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Chapter 17: Human Sexuality

25 September 2020

One quiet word escaped Adam’s lips in response to the sudden voice and knocking at the door. “Allison?”

Adam practically leapt up from the couch, moving towards the front door that was about the fastest the others had ever seen out of him. It was Shannon who yelled out “who?”

“Old...

Becoming Monsters: One Shot Stories 4

This is a short tale of the Becoming Monsters Universe by AiLovesToGrow.

Perhaps my most-requested short, from both readers and co-writers. There is no consolidated guide to the universe, and this is intentional, but a little primer of what “everybody knows” is apparently much desired. Thankfully, I happen to have a university and a friendly professor who happens to look an awful lot like me located there. This chapter is a bit denser than usual, but it seemed necessary...