I Literally Just Watched Puss In Boots: TLW Less Than An Hour Ago And, Umm...

That's adorable!!!🥰

Stupid Human

Modern AU where instead of being Nome's hero, Balto ends up unwittingly adopted

Word Count - 4494

AN - Seeing him on everyone's 'hear me out' cakes reminded me that as a kid, all I wanted was a dog like Balto. So, I wrote a story about it.

“Balto!”

His ears twitch at the sound carried across the snowed tundra.

It’s faint, even for him with his impeccable hearing. He ignores it, getting comfortable beneath the blanket again.

The wind howls loudly outside, but worse is still to come. He knows it, Borris knows it, all the animals know it. A blizzard incoming, a bad one.

The humans noticed it a lot later than the animals. They only began leaving their work places to head home and prepare just before lunch. The animals had sensed it this morning.

Balto knew finding a place to try hide out in town wasn’t a good idea, had almost died the last time he’d tried it. Everything was closed and barricaded, nowhere to hide.

He was safest on his boat, beneath the blanket and in the captain’s hold. He was safe here, had been the last time a blizzard had slammed over Nome. He hoped the humans would make it in time, be safe in their homes.

At least, he hoped one human was.

He did feel the cold ache in his stomach from having missed seeing you after school. Cold from hunger and from worry. He knew you were smart, but you had not been in Nome long.

No, the older humans would make sure you were safe, would keep you indoors.

“Balto!” you called again, voice carried in the wind.

He was just imagining it. You were safe, at home already. You were safe and protected from the storm that was coming. Indoors, with food to last you a few days when the town was snowed in, and warm.

The wind howled again, so harsh and loud.

Balto buried his head beneath the blanket. He didn’t like the sound of screaming wind. He could sense the storm clouds getting closer, building on the horizon, rushing across the sea. A few more minutes, maybe half an hour, and it would be here.

“Balto!”

This time you sounded closer, but again it was just his mind playing tricks on him. There was no way any of the adults would have let you leave town.

He wished you were coming, bringing him some food before it was days of not being able to leave the boat. But no, that wouldn’t happen because then you’d be unsafe.

You were a smart human. You wouldn’t be here.

Balto’s ears pricked up at the sound of footsteps approaching the boat in a hurry. Muk and Luk coming to seek shelter no doubt.

Borris heard them too, and stuck his head out to squawk at them, but he froze.

Feet rushed up the plank. Only two feet. Only two feet used to step.

Balto just managed to get his head out of the blanket before you rounded the corner.

You looked down at him, panting and face red. “What? You going deaf?” you accused.

Balto stared up at you, unsure if madness had finally come to claim him or not.

“Come on. We don’t have time.”

You removed your backpack and began taking things out of it, your lunch and some school books. Opening a rusted door, the placed the items into the locker and closed it. Then, you yanked the blanket off Balto, and he was still too surprised to growl at the sudden coldness, and threw the blanket over Borris.

“What is this idiot doing?” He tried to flap around, but you quickly picked him up, and shoved his body into your bag. Then, you zipped the bag so that only his neck stuck out, and lifted the backpack onto your back again.

Borris was now also too stunned to speak.

You looked down at Balto expectantly.

“Come on. We gotta go before the storm gets here.”

Storm, right. The blizzard! Oh, please don’t say…

“What the hell are you thinking?” Balto barked, standing.

You were a smart human, he thought. Now, you were risking your life with a blizzard moments away just for him?

“You’re an idiot!” Balto moved past you, rushing down the plank.

You followed, careful not to slip on the wood. “We gotta hurry.” you said, starting to head towards town.

Balto was right, the storm was gathering. The dark clouds were relentless as they rushed towards the shore. Balto looked between them, then the town, then you. At this pace, you would never make it. And there were few things worse than being lost in a blizzard.

“You need to go faster.” Balto said, starting to begin walking faster, hoping you’d follow.

You did, but he could tell you were struggling. The colder air made your chest tight, and the run from town to here had exhausted you already. And, snow fell faster now, making it harder to walk and you had to lift your feet higher above the white powder.

Balto looked at the clouds again. You still weren’t going to make it.

Damnit! If you had just been a good human and listened and stayed in town then this wouldn’t be happening. Why did you have to be so stupid and risk your life? And for him!? He wasn’t worth it.

You needed to be safe, in town and away from danger. This was all his fault, you being here his fault. If he had just ignored your kind words and food then you would be safe.

Balto looked to the clouds again. There wasn’t time, you needed to go faster. The storm was going to eat you before you made it to town.

“Faster!” Balto barked, beginning to run. He heard you follow, but it didn’t last long. He turned and rushed back to you, his keen ears hearing how your lungs shuddered to try take in air.

“Faster Kristin! You need to go faster!”

“She can’t.” Borris spoke up from his place at her back.

If Balto thought it would help, he’d pull Borris from your back. But the old goose would never make it to town in time. And Balto wasn’t ready to lose two people he cared about today.

Borris was right, you weren’t managing going fast to get back to town. But there wasn’t time to be going so slow. Balto took your jacket sleeve into his mouth, jaw locking around the blue material, and pulled.

You almost fell, but managed to regain your footing as you began running again, being pulled by Balto. You gasped behind him, begged him to slow down with what little breath you had, but Balto didn’t stop.

He pulled you, eyes darting between the storm and town. It was close, going to be close. Town was right there, and the clouds were right there.

With a sudden knock to the gut, Balto realized none of you were going to make it.

 It was the edge of town, so close, when the clouds swallowed you.

The wind slammed into you, knocking you to your knees as you tried to keep from falling over completely.

Balto spun, putting his body between you and the oncoming snow. You wrapped your arms around him, burying your face into his neck.

The snow, while only blinding him, probably bit into your skin like cold needles. He had fur to protect him, and while you did have a thick jacket and gloves, your face was exposed.

The snow swirled around him, around you, getting into his eyes as he tried to look to town. The wind roared in his ears, deafening him as he pushed his ears back to try stop snow getting in them. He could see in the dark, he knew you couldn’t. It wasn’t night, but there was almost no light. The clouds were so dark they blocked out the sun, and the snow so thick he couldn’t see the street light above.

Balto had been so close to getting you home safely. So close.

“I’m sorry.” he heard you over the wind. “If I had just stayed at the boat.” you whined, burying your face into his fur.

No! He wasn’t going to let you die here. You weren’t dying today because he couldn’t get you home.

Gritting his teeth, Balto took a step forward. He knew this town better than anyone. He knew the side trails, back alleys, short cuts. He knew how to cut between and beneath buildings to get you to your home fastest, out of the wind the best. He wasn’t letting this human, his human, die.

You felt him move, raised your head to him. He looked at you, eyes locked. He wasn’t going to let you die.

You nodded, standing slowly. You gripped the back of his neck, both hands burying into his fur and holding tightly.

He loved the sting of his fur being pulled, because it meant you were still holding on.

You ducked low, and held on.

Balto led you purely based on memory, taking quick breaks within the shelter of alleys as he planned the next trail. Close. The house was so close. Just one final trek across the road and you would be home.

Beside him, Balto felt you struggling. Your lungs still fought to get air, your fingers were losing their grip, your teeth clattered so loud. He needed to get you across the road, quickly. Into the warmth.

 You weren’t going to survive much longer.

“Just hold on. One more. You can do it.”

Borris had wrapped his neck around yours so his head buried into your jacket just below your chin, and from within his hiding place Balto heard him say, “You can do this.”

One more push, just a few steps. He turned towards you, licked your ice cold face. He felt you nod, your eyes struggling to stay open. You could do this, he knew you could.

Taking a deep breath himself, Balto began across the street. The wind assaulted him and you on all sides, pushing you this way and that, forward and back. But Balto kept you on your feet, kept you on a true path.

Balto hadn’t ever been more at ease to step onto a wooden porch as he was right now. He pulled you up the stairs, his fur begging you to let go as he took almost all your weight. Just 4 steps, then you were at the door.

The snow had already risen to block ¼ of the door. This storm was the worst Balto had ever been in.

He pulled you up the steps, and when the green door was in front of him, he raised his paws and began scratching against the door, barking as he did so. No way you would manage to get your keys, you were almost passed out as it was. He needed the adults, your parents.

You found the strength to join him, knocking against the door.

Balto heard footsteps approach, and the door handle rattle. The door opened, and light greeted all of you. Light, and warmth.

“Where the hell have you been?” a man yelled, pulling the door further open so you could get inside.

Balto stood back, expecting you to enter the house first. But then yelped when you bent down, placed your hands on either side of his back legs just below his butt, and shoved him forward. He tumbled into your house, you following behind in an uncoordinated stumble.

The man slammed the door shut, locking it. You sat down beside Balto, panting. He did the same. Borris lifted his head from beneath your jacket.

“This is not bad.” he complimented the warmth that began to settle.

Balto could hear a fire crackling somewhere in the home, smell the smoke of burning wood.

A woman came down the hall, rushing towards you. “What were you doing?” she demanded, kneeling in front of you.

“Savin’ the dog.” you panted out, smiling despite it all.

“You’re an idiot.” the man spat out, heading into the house. Balto didn’t like him, and watched him go into the house with a glare.

True, he’d been calling you that for the entire rush back to town, but the way the man said it wasn’t a way Balto liked.

The woman had begun worrying over you, saying she was going to fetch a towel so you could dry yourself. She left you all sitting by the front door, the reality of what had happened sinking in.

You’d run all the way to the boat, ignoring the risks, to save Balto. In turn, Balto saved you by getting you through the blizzard.

You moved, slowly taking off your backpack and placing Borris beside you both. “Saved ya.”

“Only because you put us in danger.” Borris shot back, knowing humans wouldn’t understand him.

 You shivered violently, trying to shrug off your coat. Your cheeks and nose were a light purple while the rest of your face stood pale. Balto didn’t know a lot about humans, but he knew purple wasn’t good.

Snow began melting in your hair, wetting it. You tried to stand, trying to make it easier to remove more layers of clothes. Your legs couldn’t hold you, your body shivering too much.

Balto whined when you fell, using himself to catch you. The snow on his fur began to melt too, soaking his skin beneath.

He’d be fine. You weren’t. He needed to get you to the fire, warm you up.

The woman returned with two towels. She wrapped one around your head and began shaking your hair dry. You took the other from her and draped it over him, beginning to dry him.

He wanted to move away, insist you were more important first, but he now knew you weren’t a smart human and would put him above yourself.

The woman helped you remove a second layer, and then a third. Now you were just in a shirt, the other layers discarded. You shivered violently, curling in on yourself.

“Why is there a duck in your bag?” the woman asked.

“Goose.” you and Borris both corrected at the same time.

“He’s Balto’s friend, and he was going to die out there.”

“The dog’s friend is a goose and you decided to save the goose and dog?” the woman asked.

You nodded, shifting to be closer to Balto as you continued to dry him with the towel. Borris seemed content to continue sitting in the bag. “They’re both my friends.” you defended.

“They are wild animals.” the woman reasoned.

And Balto agreed with her, wanted to anyway. But the smell of something food in the kitchen and the promise of a warm fire kept him from wholeheartedly siding with the woman.

You tried to stand again, and this time managed to keep some weight beneath you. “I’m going to shower.”

“And they are going back outside.” The woman moved to open the front door.

“No!” you cried, slamming yourself against the door, keeping it closed. “Please, just till the storm is over.”

The woman looked over at Balto, who did his best to appear cute, and then to Borris who didn’t bother covering his scowl.

“Please.”

“Till the storm is over.” the woman agreed. “But you are cleaning goose and dog shit.” The woman began heading into the house, towels in hand. “And they aren’t going in the kitchen.”

You smiled down at Balto, and he sighed. Stupid human.

You bent down to pick up Borris, holding him close to your chest as you moved into the house, Balto following.

The fire was in a room which had a large black rectangle mounted on the wall. Chairs faced the rectangle. The fire was in the corner of the room, glowing and warm.

You ignored it, heading into the room opposite it.

Balto had never actually been in a house, or at least no one thought he had, but he knew what a kitchen was. You were in the kitchen, he wasn’t allowed in the kitchen. He stood outside and watched as you went in, Borris still in your arms, and opened a cupboard and pulled out a bunch of newspapers. Satisfied with your find, you moved back towards Balto, and then went up the stairs. Balto followed.

You went to the last room in the hall of doors. Your room, it seemed. A bed, desk covered with books, a collection of papers on the walls showing you and other people, and… a lit fire place.

Balto didn’t need an invitation or instruction. He headed over to the fireplace and sat in front of it, his eyes closing in bliss as warmth began to seep through his fur, drying it as the heat went.

You laughed at him, and he felt agitation grow.

“What were you thinking?” He turned his head to face you, keeping his chest to the flames. “Do you have any idea how dangerous that was? What could have happened to you?”

You, of course, were unaware of his words, busing yourself by placing the newspapers down beside him.

“Balto, she cannot hear you.” Borris tried from his place on your bed, still in the bag.

“You were so stupid! A stupid human!” Balto was getting more angry, furious at the fact that you couldn’t hear him. “You could have died!”

You moved from arranging the newspapers, going to your bed and opening your bag. Reaching in, you removed Borris, placing him down on the ground. He flapped his wings, untangling them and stretching his bones.

You took the blanket he had been wrapped around in and made a ring with it, a circle within the newspapers. “There you go, Goosey Man. Now if you crap, I only gotta change the newspaper. And you got a nice nest.”

“Thank you.” Borris moved to his new situation, inspected it briefly, then hopped into his nest and settled down.

Balto looked at him, hoping he’d have something to input. The goose did not.

Balto sighed, this was useless. You couldn’t understand him, and even if you did, you wouldn’t listen.

He knew you weren’t stupid, you had known the risks before running out to find him. You just didn’t seem to care. You left the room, shutting the door behind you.

“She saved us, Balto.” Borris spoke, his eyes still closed.

Balto watched the flames. Instincts told him to run, that fire was dangerous. But right now, fire was warmth he needed.

Borris was right. From what he had felt out there, what he could hear, this blizzard would be one of the worst Norm had ever had, worse than anything he had ever lived through. If he and Borris were still out there, neither would have survived till morning. As it was, the storm sounded like it was getting worse with every second that passed.

“I know.” Balto finally admitted.

Then, he settled down before the fire place, closing his eyes.

You returned a while later, a towel wrapped around your body. You had some color again, which Balto believed to be a good sign. You opened a door on the wall that revealed clothes, and dropped your towel.

Balto closed his eyes, moved his head away. Stupid humans, needing layers of things to keep themselves warm. Why didn’t they have fur? Fur would keep them alive. Humans and their weak bodies.

You got dressed into clothes, then left the room again. You returned a short while later, a piece of food in your mouth. In your hands, a slice of bread and a plastic box of something. You sat between the boys, holding out the bread to Borris and placing the box before Balto.

It was a triangle, with orange stuff on it. There were three triangles actually. And they smelt good and warm. Balto devoured them quickly.

“Dogs aren’t supposed to eat pizza.” you remarked, watching the fire. Borris was still nibbling away at his slice of bread.

Pizza, Balto thought. He’d smelt pizza before, from a shop where a lot of people went the evening before the first day of no school for two days. He liked pizza enough.

“Geese shouldn’t eat bread either.” you added.

Borris didn’t care. He was probably just as hungry as Balto.

Once Borris had finished, you took the plastic box out the room with you, and then returned again with a bowl of water. You placed the bowl to the side, away from where someone may step on it.

Then, you closed the bedroom door and tiptoed over to your bed, slipping beneath the covers. The fire remained the only light in the room.

Balto could hear you beneath the covers, your teeth still chittering from the cold. Sitting by the fire would probably warm you better. Balto tried to think of a way to get you to come to the flames when you called him.

He looked up, and froze. You lifted the blankets you had climbed under, and patted the bed.

What? Was he supposed to jump onto the bed with you? Sleep on the bed with you? Like a real dog, who had a real house, and a real human.

This was only temporary, just a tonight thing. Why were you doing all this anyway? It’s not like this really meant anything.

Yes, he waited for you after school, ate whatever you did not finish for lunch, then walked you home. It didn’t mean anything, at least not to you he thought.

Why had you risked your life for him? Why were you telling him to climb into your bed? Why was any of this happening?

“Balto,” Borris interrupted his spiral, his voice unusually soft. “Women do not like to be kept waiting.”

Balto looked from the goose to you, and you were still waiting for him with the blankets lifted. Balto rose to his feet, padded over your bedside softly, and tested the waters by putting his front paws on your bed. When you didn’t react, he lifted his one back paw, then the other.

You shifted backwards, giving him more space. He turned, his back to you and he settled down. You dropped the blankets, the layers settling over him as your arm wrapped around him, holding him close.

He froze, head on the other pillow beside your head. Then, he felt your entire body convulse as another shiver overtook you. He then noticed how cold you were, despite the dry clothes and under the warmth. You were freezing.

Balto whined, beginning to get off the bed.

You whined as well, trying to hold onto him. “Balto, stay.” you begged.

Balto looked to the closed door, then back at you.

You couldn’t keep your eyes open. You needed help, but he wouldn’t be able to get out and get the other humans. He needed to do this, somehow help you. He needed to get you to the fire.

Moving to the end of the bed, he took a mouthful of blankets and pulled. You protested at the loss, curling into yourself more.

“Hey,” your words slurred like the men who spent too much time in the place that had loud music all through the night.

Balto didn’t like hanging around there, but their trash always had a lot of food. The men, the ones who slurred their words, were always so angry and violent when they left, smelling vile.

But you hadn’t been near that place, which meant something was wrong.

He turned back to the door. Even if he did manage to get out, go to the other humans, he doubted they would listen to him. Or care enough to help you. The man showed he didn’t care.

Balto left the blankets in front of the fire, then went back to your bedside and pulled out the pillow from beneath your head.

You protested, but didn’t stop your head from flopping onto the bed. Something was very wrong with you.

Balto went and put the pillow by the fire too.

Now all that was left, getting you to the fire. Balto went back to your bed, and lifted his paws onto the bed, nudging you with his nose.

“Come on, Kid. You need to get warmed up.”

 You opened your eyes briefly, then closed them again.

“No, Kid. You gotta wake up.” Balto nudged you again, but you didn’t stir.

Your body shook so violently Balto was sure you would fall off the bed soon.

“Borris,” Balto called, moving to the other side of the bed, to your back. “help me, please.”

Borris stood from his nest and waddled over, flapping up onto your bed.

“I’m going to pull, you push. When she’s on the floor, I can move her.”

“Balto, are you sure this will work?” Borris had already gotten into position, he head bent as he readied to push your chest.

“I’m not giving up on her.” Balto said through his teeth as he gently took a mouthful of your clothes and began to pull.

You groaned at their attempts, grumbling inaudibly as you tried pushing Borris away.

Neither stopped, continuing to try edge you off the bed. With one final heft, you fell from the bed.

Balto moved fast, putting himself below you. He grunted as you fell onto him, but kept you draped across his back. He took you to the pile of blankets and pillow, gently rolled you off him and onto the carpet before the fire.

You had just enough energy to maneuver your head onto the pillow.

Balto pulled the blankets over you.

Borris returned to his place in his nest, watching you as Balto did.

Your breaths were slow, soft. Your body still shivered, your lips blue.

He should have gotten you home sooner, should have made you go faster. You never should have been out there to begin with.

“She will be ok. The fire will warm her.” Borris reassured, but it did little to calm Balto.

You were so fragile and weak, a human. You had no fur or feathers to protect you, no teeth or claws to defend yourself. You were weak, and it had been his job to protect you.

Balto spent a long time sitting over you, watching you. When the fire began to die, he fetched more wood from the pile and restarted it, praying for the flames to warm you.

Finally, hours into the worsening storm and close to nightfall, you stopped shivering. Your breaths became deeper, your lips gained some color. You were going to be ok.

Balto wanted to continue to watch over you, stay a silent sentinel above you as you slept, but his own exhaustion was coming to take him.

Reluctantly, he lay down, his back pressed to yours.

You moved, whether in your sleep or conscious, and turned to face Balto, lifting the blankets over him once more, wrapping your arm around him and pulling his close to your chest. You buried your face into his neck scruff, your nose still cold, and snuggled close to him.

“Thank you, Balto.” you whispered, and then you both fell asleep.

Hey, herbivore! Surprise?

Well, you shouldn't... Do i look so different than before?

You know, since the new Avatar movie came out, the Internet has gone crazy, and this days i return to watch the Twisted Wonderland newest Events... so came to my mind... This. So why not? Twst with AvatarAU?

100000 curtidas!

Cool!

i showed my bf the art of megs squishing soundwaves face and he said “when he pulls his hand away it just stays like that. the faceplate’s just bent now”

Knockout is so tired

5 posts!

Cool, i guess?

So,so relatable....

Face stripes for forest Na'vi tutorial

Sooo my friend was struggling with na'vi stripes so I made this whole tutorial so you won't struggle anymore like he was! Excuse me for my english mistakes Let's start! Shape

Examples:

Arrangement

Examples:

Thickness and frequency

Summary!

Important! All the described rules are not axiomatic, and the structure of the stripes is very flexible and unpredictable. This tutorial isn’t intended to drive the authors of the OCs in the frame, but only to help those who have problems with this topic 

Interesting Facts

Let's finish this short tutorial with a few facts about Na'vi stripes that you need to know:

- The pattern of stripes is independent of genetics. That is to say, nothing, not the shape, not the location, not the thickness, not the frequency is dependent on the parent. It's absolute randomness, just like fingerprints - The stripes don't have to be perfectly symmetrical - They can likely change with age as the skin renews itself, but not significantly (examples: Neytiri in the first and second movies; Kiri, who supposedly has stripes identical to Grace's but slightly different) - The type of stripes on the face aren’t entirely dependent on the stripes on the body. The face, for example, may have frequent stripes, while the body stripes are rare. (Should we expect a tutorial for body stripes?) - The rough type appears to be the most common, especially among male characters - The sharp type comes next, but is more common in females (from what I've noticed) - The watercolor type only appeared in The Way of Water, so we haven’t seen these characters in the first movie, however this type is also valid

Thanks for reading!

I never expected for such deep dive in a show like this... Really good!

Society's Sins

@laughingsour: You mentioned before how Mammon is the only one of the sins who doesn't sing a song to introduce himself and his character during his own first apperance, rather his introduction is by him stealing songs from more talented performers. You noticed how Satan stands in between as he does steal Stolas and Blitzø's song but unlike Mammon he's actually singing himself?

Thank you so much for this ask! It gives me the chance to share some thoughts I have about the episode (which I loved) and the series, as a whole. So, the focus will be the Sins and their thematic role in the story.

First of all, some considerations about the Sins in general.

So far, Ozzie, Bee, Mammon and Satan are the Sins, who have been properly introduced.

Lucifer is a Hazbin Hotel character, so he will most likely not appear in Helluva. However, he is referenced multiple times and his character is very important, even if he is absent (precisely because he is absent tbh).

Leviathan and Belphegor have appeared, but they have yet to speak, so we know very little of them. They will probably get a proper introduction later on in the series.

So, let's focus on the 4 Sins that got at least one episode dedicated to them:

Season 1 has Ozzie and Bee appear - They are positive characters and helpers, as Ozzie gives Blitz the crystal and Bee is kind with Loona at her party. Even in Mastermind, they are the only Sins, who speak in I.M.P.'s favor.

Season 2 has Mammon and Satan appear - They are negative characters and antagonists, as Mammon mistreats Fizz and Satan punishes Blitz and Stolas. Mastermind has them being the most vocal against imps, in general.

At the same time (and here we come to your ask), each Sin gets an introductory song about their vice. Let's go deeper.

SINGING SINS

Asmodeus, King of Lust, has House of Asmodeus:

Asmodeus: You singing love songs in my lustful lounge? Fizzarolli: Ozzie's ain't the place for sentimental sounds! Asmodeus: What'd you expect from a proprietor like us? Fizzarolli: Your demon host, Asmodeus, the embodiment of lust! Asmodeus: Give me a thrust! Fizzarolli: Bwabwabwabwa bwaaaah- Asmodeus: Show me some lust From the groin to the bust In desire, we trust In the house of Asmodeus

The song is an exploration of lust (FizzXOzzie) vs love (MoxxiexMillie) and it's solved by Moxxie and Millie winning and kissing. The final message is that romantic love doesn't weaken lust, but makes it stronger. Later on in the series Ozzie himself embraces this idea and sings the song "Crooked", which empowers his "lust" with "love".

Beelzebub, Queen of Gluttony, has Cotton Candy:

Hey! I'm whatchu need, I'm watchu want I got it all, a carnival I'll bring you up, I'll take you down I'm sticky sweet, stuck in your teeth Like cotton candy Cotton candy (Ah-ah, ah-ah) Cotton candy (Ah-ah, ah-oh) Cotton candy (Ah-ah, ah-ah) I'm whatchu want Not watchu need (Ah-ah, ah-oh)

The song is Bee introducing herself as "cotton-candy". She is an "eye-candy", who loves partying and sharing food with her guests. In exchange, she enjoys others' emotions of happiness and fun, in a virtuous cycle. She basically likes eating healthy, at least emotionally speaking :P

Mammon, King of Greed, sings no song, but has his debut episode called: "Mammon's magnificent musical mid-season special (ft Fizzarolli)".

In other words, all the songs featured in the mid-season special are Mammon's songs. They do not directly say anything about greed, but they comment on this sin in a meta-narrative way. The Sin of Greed is a talentless performer, but he steals others' talents, so his songs are stolen songs. Loo Loo Land is the perfect example of this:

I have a dream (He has a dream) I'm here to tell (He's here to tell) About a magical fantastic place Called Loo Loo Land

After all, the song itself is about Mammon profiting of Lucifer's Lu Lu World theme park. It's sung by RoboFizz, which is Mammon's way to exploit Fizz's voice and body. As a cherry on top, it is a rip off of Charlie's Inside of Every Demon is a Rainbow. It is the perfect embodiment of greed.

What about Satan, King of Wrath?

Satan is just as special a case as Mammon is, but in a different way. As you said, he sings, but not his own song. Rather, he steals Stolas’s. Why? I think that he sings someone else's song to convey he is trying to pass up as someone he isn't:

Satan: I am the mastermind, and here I am the law I've ruled the endless dark Since long before the golden angel's fall

He claims he was the First King of Hell, before Lucifer's fall. However, Word of God clarified this is a lie. So, Satan isn't the Master of Hell, but he acts like him. Similarly, Mastermind is not his song, but he takes it over to affirm his authority. Not only this, but his stanza is pretty ironic:

So you see Next to me, your master plans all look so small Little mice When you break my rules You pay the price!

Satan says he is able to see through others' plans, but throughout the episode he is tricked by everyone.

Andrealphus sets up the whole rigged trial by foreseeing how Satan will react to the whole situation

Striker lies to Satan about who the instigator of Stolas's murder is

Blitz convinces Satan to let the rest of I.M.P. go

Stolas tells Satan he is the one behind everything, when it makes no sense

So, Satan insists that he is a mastermind, but he isn't. That's the point of the song. He presents himself in a way, which is false, hence why the song isn't really his own. Maybe, just like it happened with Ozzie, Satan too will get another song, where he will sing his true heart out (I sure hope so because Patrick Page's voice is wonderful). This would work also because Mastermind is different from the other Sins' songs, in the sense it isn't really about the Sin of Wrath. Why is that so?

SATAN, SIN OF WRATH

Satan: I am the mastermind, and here I am the law (Deadly Sins: He is the law) I've ruled the endless dark Since long before the golden angel's fall So you see Next to me, your master plans all look so small Little mice When you break my rules You pay the price!

Satan's section of mastermind introduces the Sin as the law, so he embodies the wrath against trespassers and rule-breakers. In this sense, he is the physical personification of a draconian law system, which is why he is... well, a dragon :P

Still, this is a very specific interpretation of the Sin of Wrath, which gets weakened by Satan being the only Sin, who doesn't thrive into his vice:

Ozzie owns a sex club, mass produces sex toys and enjoys a healthy sexual life with Fizz. He joyfully sings how he embodies lust and is proud of it.

Bee organizes parties, gives everyone alcohol and food and even shares her own Bee-Juice with others (Verosika), so that they can have fun at their own gatherings. She is the best Queen of Gluttony ever.

Mammon is obsessed with money and is able to market and profit of everything and everyone. He steals from imps, other Sins and even the King of Hell himself. He is a douche bag, but he lives up to the expectation of what Greed is.

Satan is instead shown to try and keep his Sin in check:

Yogirt: Um, Satan? Sorry. W- wh- what did we say about negative energies in our mind temple? Yeah, remember to take deeeep breaths.

He even needs to, if he wants to be functional as the Judge of Hell. This ties with Satan's contradiction: his name means "accuser", not "judge". In a fair trial, the person, who makes a judgement shouldn't be the same, who accuses. However, Satan is uninterested in listening to the different parties:

Satan: Why don't we take a vote. Who wants to listen to hours of testimony? Who wants to kill this imp bastard and get home for lunch?

And he focuses on finding someone to punish:

Satan: You dare try to tell me how to PUNISH!?

He is an "accuser" forced into the role of a "judge". This is why he doesn't sing much about wrath. He is trying to step into the role of another Sin.

I wouldn't be surprised if it were revealed Satan himself is a little bit frustrated by this. Who knows? Maybe the Sin of Wrath is so prone to bursting into rage because deep down he is angry at a certain someone :P:

This is a headcanon of course - During the episode, we see a door with all the Sins' seals on it. However, Lucifer's seal is broken. This could be just a symbol of Lucifer's absence and loss of influence. However, wouldn't it be interesting if in canon someone broke it? And who could be both big enough and so prone to anger that he would lash out against an absent king? Maybe the Sin of Wrath himself.

Whatever the case, it is obvious Lucifer's absence has progressively messed up the balance among the Sins. This is why the episode draws a lot of attention to the missing Sin of Pride.

LUCIFER'S ABSENCE

Mastermind offers us a pretty clear idea of the Sins' political standing:

Ozzie and Bee are sympathetic towards the lower classes. They date respectively an imp and a hellound and would like to hear Blitz defend himself.

Satan and Mammon are classist and racist. They look down on the lower classes and are the most eager to kill Blitz.

Leviathan and Bellephagor are more difficult to pint-point, but I think there are two possibilities: 1) They are both neutral, as Levy's two heads can't agree on a political stance (she can't make up her mind :P) and Belle would just sleep throughout most of the discussions 2) Levy is more on Mammon and Satan's side, as she sits closer to them, whereas Belle leans more towards Bee and Ozzie, as her sit is closer to theirs.

In any case, it is probable most of the Sins' disputes would end up in a tie (either 3 vs 3 or 2 vs 2 vs 2), which means a 7th vote is key for deciding. As a result, Lucifer (and Lilith)'s presence was probable pretty important to make the group work. Now that Lucifer is inactive, Satan is using his power and influence to impose himself in every discussion, hence why Ozzie and Bee are annoyed:

Still, there is more to Lucifer's absence. For example, isn't it interesting that so far he has been mostly referenced in two episodes? The first is Loo Loo Land and the second is Mastermind.

In Loo Loo Land, Lucifer is mentioned directly:

Octavia: Is it true this park is just a really shameless spin-off of Lucifer's far more popular Lu Lu World?

And both his face and symbols appear here and there:

This checks, as Mammon's Loo Loo Land is a rip off of Lucifer's own park. Mammon is so unimaginative that he keeps the apple as a mascotte and Lucifer's head, as one of the attractions. You can also read a sign, where Mammon claims he did not copy Lucifer's ideas.

In Mastermind, Lucifer's name comes up twice:

Stolas: Oh, my Lucifer! What are they doing?

Satan: What in LUCIFER'S HELL IS THIS?!

He is called the Golden Angel by Satan, several symbols related to him appear in the courtroom and his empty seat is shown:

These details are there to remind everyone that he is the true King of Hell. After all, Hell Nobles and the Sins themselves use his name as a swear word and it is implied he is the one who built the courtroom they are all in.

Why is Lucifer so heavily referenced in these two specific episodes? It's because they show two Sins trying to take over Lucifer's Kingdom in different ways.

Mammon copies Lucifer's most commercially successful ideas and takes advantage of Lucifer's depression to evade his lawsuits. He makes cheap rip offs of the King of Hell's greatest hits and grows richer and richer.

Satan takes Lucifer's spot as the leader of the Deadly Sins and rules Hell in his stead. He presents himself as the legitimate King of Hell and imposes his will on the other Sins, who can do nothing, but accept it.

In short, Mammon is taking over Hell's economy, whereas Satan is taking over Hell's politics. They are spreading their influence by using the power vacuum left by Lucifer. Basically, they are trying to become Lucifer. Hence, why they end up referencing Lucifer so often. At the same time, they are clearly creating a society, which stands in opposition to Lucifer's old dreams.

This is obvious in Mastermind, where Stolas's situation is clearly meant to be compared to Lucifer's own one:

Some villain's grand design To use the book To breach the world of man!

Stolas describes his crime as using a dangerous artifact to mess with the world of man. This is exactly what Lucifer and Lilith did, which is why it is not by accident Lucifer's symbol is in focus, as Stolas sings this part.

Not only that, but Stolas's punishment echoes Lucifer's.

Lucifer is banished from Heaven by the Six Elders:

He is condemned to spend the rest of his life in Hell, with beings considered inferior by angels.

Stolas is stripped by Six Sins of his title and power:

Satan: STOLAS! I hereby strip you of your status, your power, and your title for the next hundred years.

He is condemned to spend 100 years as a normal citizen of Hell, with beings Hell Nobility sees as inferior.

It is basically the same punishment. So, the irony and tragedy of Lucifer is that his own Kingdom ended up becoming a grotesque copy of Heaven. And he actively contributes to it by staying inactive.

At the same time, I don't think it is a chance that the two Sins, who are thriving in this environment are Satan (Wrath) and Mammon (Greed). Rather, I think this ties into Helluva Boss's social commentary.

GREED AND WRATH - SOCIETY'S SINS

Hell is a society where Greed rules the economy and Wrath rules politics. This is why it is a hellish society :P Of course, this doesn't mean every problem society has can be tracked back to Mammon and Satan. Rather, it means these two Sins are so influential because society as a whole lets them. Both the Ars Goetia, who support them to keep their privilege and the lower classes, who adore them. For example, many imps and hell born demons:

Refer to Satan as a deity and idolize him

Love Mammon and buy his merchandise

Moreover, the influence of these two sins comes up in different plot-lines. That's because all the recurring villains so far are motivated by either wrath or greed.

I.M.P. have two recurring villains getting in their ways:

Striker, who is introduced in the Ring of Wrath and is mostly motivated by his resentment for both Hell Royals and Blitz

Crimson, who is introduced in the Ring of Greed and is mostly motivated by money

Stolas has two main villains, who target him:

Stella, who hates him and is mostly motivated by anger

Andrealphus, who wants Stolas's assets and richness

Earth has two recurring groups of antagonists:

The Cherubs, who by this point are bursting with anger against I.M.P.

The Dhorks, who are using their investigation on I.M.P. to get more fundings and technological gadgets

The Cherubs and Dhorks aren't connected to this theme perfectly, but it checks, as they are not part of Hell's society.

That said, Blitz's personal villains and foils (Striker and Crimson) and Stolas's ones (Stella and Andrealphus) all fit the pattern. This was shown also during the trial:

Blitz and Stolas are defeated by their dark foils:

Striker is who Blitz would be, if he gave in to his wrath towards the system and the world, in a destructive way. He is an imp, who hates society, but is so weak and exasperated he can only lash out against those like himself. All to feel some satisfaction and power.

Andrealphus is who Stolas would be, if he only thought about his privilege as a Goetia. A person, who is so sexually repressed everyone can see it and who is motivated mainly by a thirst for power and material gains.

So, Hell Society is broken, but it is broken because both the higher and the lower classes are animated by wrath and greed.

The highest classes are so greedy, they only think about enforcing the status quo. Moreover, they punish violently, who tries to change things.

The lowest classes are so angry, they would lash out against any scapegoat, who is offered to them (see imps hating on Stolas, even if it's obvious he has just saved Blitz). At the same time, they are so blinded by greed, they would do anything for a quick buck, even if it is detrimental for them in the long run.

These are my thoughts on the Deadly Sins so far. Obviously, I may be wrong and things may change as the Sins get explored more. As for now, though, I think this is their thematic meaning and importance for the series as a whole!

Thank you and have a nice day!

Things like this...simply brings me joy..

OH THIS IS COOL

starscream based and kianapilled ⁉️

based on a tf doodle request from my instagram story

(will be posting the other requests here later when I finish all of em ^^)