about joe & friends
Who the hell is Joe?
A 37-year-old mechanic with daddy issues, a beer problem, and the emotional range of a rusty wrench. He's fat, bearded, grumpy, and somehow the heart of this whole thing. If you need more than that, read his page.
Is Joe actually your self-insert?
No. But yeah, parts of him. That's how writing works. Next question.
Why is Joe so grumpy all the time?
Trauma, unresolved anger, toxic masculinity he's trying to unlearn, and the existential dread of being in your late 30s wondering if this is all there is. Pick one.
Does Joe ever get therapy?
Lmao no. That would require emotional vulnerability and admitting he needs help. This is Joe we're talking about.
Why does everyone tease Joe so much?
Because he reacts. Because he's soft under all that grease and cigarette smoke. Because watching him squirm is entertainment for the rest of them.
Is Mike actually that perfect?
No one's perfect. Mike just knows how to hide his shit better than everyone else. But yeah, he's pretty close to being the group's emotional support human.
What's Sergei's deal? Is he secretly dangerous?
Sergei looks dangerous. He's actually the softest one in the group. If that disappoints you, skill issue.
Why is Chad so loud?
Because some people just are. Not everything needs a tragic backstory. Sometimes a golden retriever in human form is just that.
Who is Pav/Pawełek?
Polish guy, 35. Owns a game and console repair shop that smells like solder, dust, and old plastic. Total nerd about hardware, obscure games, and weird tech fixes. Can take apart a Game Boy blindfolded and diagnose a fried capacitor by sound alone. His shop is a cluttered shrine to gaming history where dead consoles go to get resurrected.
Is Pav autistic?
Not officially stated but if you're reading between the lines, draw your own conclusions. I'm not here to diagnose fictional characters.
Why is Pav's humor so dark?
Because that's who he is. Dark, dry, unhinged sometimes. Delivered deadpan like he doesn't care if they land or not. And honestly? He doesn't. If you can't handle that, he wouldn't like you anyway.
Does Pav actually care about people?
Yes. He just shows it quietly. Fixes things for free if he knows someone's struggling, shows up when people are spiraling with a weird game or distraction, pretends not to notice. The quiet helper who never makes it a thing. Hands stuff back like it was nothing.
What's Pav's shop like?
Chaotic. Shelves lined with consoles in various states of disassembly. Smells permanently like solder. Organized by a logic only Pav understands. Not fancy, but real—a place where nostalgia goes to get fixed.
Is Pav socially awkward?
Yeah. Sharp as hell but awkward with people. His jokes are blunt and unfiltered. Sometimes they kill, sometimes they bomb, and his expression stays exactly the same either way.
What does Pav bring to the group?
Tech expertise, deadpan comedy, and quiet reliability. He's the friend who fixes your stuff without being asked, drops brutal jokes, and cares way more than he'll ever admit. The lifeline nobody asked for but everyone needs.
Does Pav have a favorite console?
Probably. He'd never tell you because then you'd ask him to explain for 3 hours why it's objectively superior and he doesn't have the energy for that conversation.
about duke/kira/jared (me)
Wait, so you're a character in your own story?
Yes. It's my site, my OCs, my rules. If that's confusing, read slower.
Joe thought you were a girl?
Yeah. And? Gender presentation is a spectrum. Joe's oblivious. Mystery solved.
Are you and Joe... you know?
Ask me that again and I'm blocking you. But also maybe. Mind your business.
Why do you order soda at a bar?
Because I can. Because I don't drink. Because watching drunk people is more entertaining sober. Pick whichever makes you feel better.
Can I ship you with Joe?
You already are. Stop pretending.
other ocs you'll probably ask about
Who the fuck is Scum?
A character study in extreme isolation, mental illness, and the darkest corners of human psychology. He lives in filth, works in cybersecurity, and exists in moral gray areas. Heavy content warning. If you can't handle disturbing themes, skip his page. I'm not joking.
Why did you make a character that disgusting?
Because fiction is where you explore things that make you uncomfortable. Because mental illness and isolation look like this sometimes, and pretending it doesn't exist is cowardice. If you think depicting something means endorsing it, you're not mature enough for this content.
Is Scum in the same universe as Joe?
Yes. Same dimension, same reality. They'll never meet. The world is big enough for multiple stories.
What's the deal with Spider?
A French special forces operative in Task Force 141. 5'5", always masked, expert in infiltration and hacking. Think Ghost but quieter and with spider motifs instead of skulls. She's got severe PTSD, autism, and a body count.
Is Spider related to Joe's story?
Same dimension, different world. Joe's in Texas fixing cars. Spider's deployed globally doing classified military shit. They exist in the same reality but will never cross paths. Stop trying to connect everything.
Does Spider ever take off her mask?
Not to anyone in Task Force 141. Her face is heavily scarred and that's her business. Asking this question makes you sound like the people who harass cosplayers to "prove" they're the character. Don't be that person.
What's your Undertale AU about?
It's called "Final Battle for Eternity." War comes to the Surface, bombs hit the Underground, and a human girl falls into absolute chaos. It's darker than canon Undertale—war, death, monsters forced to fight or die. Sans uses Gaster Blasters reluctantly. Papyrus learns what "kill or be killed" really means. It's brutal.
Is your AU just edgy Undertale?
If exploring the consequences of actual war is "edgy" to you, then sure. Call it edgy. I call it "taking the premise seriously."
Why is Chara alive in your Genocide route?
Because I wanted to explore Chara trying to STOP the genocide instead of enabling it. It's my AU. I do what I want with the characters.
Who is Ryven?
An ancient shapeshifter who's over 100 years old and sees humans as insects. He has three forms, can turn invisible to humans, and operates on logic that spans centuries. He doesn't hate humanity—he just doesn't consider it important. Cold, detached, nearly impossible to understand.
Is Ryven a villain?
He's beyond human concepts of good and evil. He's not cruel for fun, but he's also not kind. He just is. If that makes you uncomfortable, good. That's the point.
Why do you have so many different types of OCs?
Because I contain multitudes. Because I'm interested in different genres and themes. Because limiting myself to one type of story is boring. Next question.
Do all your OCs exist in the same universe?
Most of them, yeah. Same dimension, different corners of reality. Joe's world is grounded and human. Spider's world is military operations. Scum exists in digital shadows. Ryven wanders between spaces humans don't see. They're all part of the same reality, they just never intersect. The world is big enough for all of them.
Will any of these characters ever meet?
Probably not. That's not how reality works. You don't meet every person who exists in your world. Most lives never intersect. That's the point.
What about Pav? You barely mentioned him.
Pav's the Polish guy who owns a game repair shop and makes deadpan jokes that either land perfectly or crash spectacularly. He's in Joe's crew. He fixes consoles, smells like solder, and pretends not to care while clearly caring. Read Joe's page if you want more.
shipping, romance, and other nonsense
Is there gonna be romance?
Yes. Slowly. Painfully. You will suffer. That's the point.
Can I ship your characters?
You're already doing it. Don't lie to me.
Will you confirm any ships?
No. I thrive on your uncertainty.
Is Mike gay?
Mike is Mike. If you need a label that badly, that's a you problem.
Why is Joe jealous of your friendship with your best friend?
Because Joe wants what he can't have. Because he doesn't know how to connect like that. Because watching other people be close reminds him how lonely he is. Take your pick.
worldbuilding and timeline stuff
When does this take place?
2024-2025. Joe's 37 turning 38. His nephew's 15. Math it out yourself if you care that much.
What city is this set in?
Doesn't matter. It's America, probably somewhere with dive bars and repair shops. Use your imagination.
Why do they all hang out at the same bar?
Because that's what adults do when they don't know how to make plans. The bar is the default. It's ritual.
Do any of them have real jobs?
Yes. Joe's a mechanic. Mike works an office job. Pav owns a repair shop. Sergei does... something. They all have jobs. Rent exists.
I don't understand the timeline.
Skill issue. Read again.
about the site itself
Is this site NSFW?
No. It's mature. There's a difference. Violence, language, adult themes, toxic masculinity, trauma—yeah. Explicit sexual content? No. If you can't handle swearing and emotional damage, leave.
Why does this site look like this?
Because I made it myself and I like it this way. If you want clean corporate web design, go to Medium.
Is this site finished?
No. It will never be finished. Websites are living things. If you're waiting for a "complete version," you're gonna die waiting.
Why is the navigation confusing?
It's not confusing, you're just impatient. Click around. Explore. Remember when the internet required effort?
Some pages feel unfinished.
Correct. Congrats on your observational skills. Want a sticker?
Can I use your code/layout?
Yeah. Steal it. Credit appreciated but not required. Gatekeeping HTML is pathetic.
Why Neocities?
Because I wanted a site that's mine. No algorithm, no ads, no engagement metrics. Just content that exists because I made it. Revolutionary concept, I know.
Do you have social media?
Maybe. Not telling you where. If I wanted you to find me, I'd link it.
Why don't you have comments enabled?
Because I don't want to moderate your opinions. This isn't a democracy. It's my site.
Will you add a guestbook?
Maybe eventually. But knowing the internet, it'll get spammed with garbage in 48 hours. We'll see.
Why does this site hurt my eyes?
Skill issue. There's a brightness slider on your device. Use it.
Is this site mobile-friendly?
Mostly. I tried. If something breaks on your phone, that's between you and your screen size.
about the writing and content
Why do you write journal entries from Joe's POV?
Because getting inside his head is the only way to show how emotionally constipated he is. Also it's fun.
Are you gonna write more?
When I feel like it. Don't rush me.
Will there be explicit content?
Maybe. If it serves the story. If you're asking nervously, probably not what you're hoping for.
Can I write fanfic about your characters?
Go ahead. Just don't send it to me unless I ask. And don't make it weird. Actually, do whatever. I can't stop you.
Why are your characters so messed up?
Because real people are. Because pretending everyone's fine and well-adjusted is boring and dishonest. If that bothers you, you're not ready for this site.
So you agree with how they act?
Depiction is not endorsement. If you can't tell the difference, that's on you.
Is this autobiographical?
Parts of it. Which parts? None of your business.
interacting with me
Can I send you fanart?
Yes. I will cry. In a good way.
Can I ask you questions about the characters?
Sure. But if it's answered on the site already, I'm ignoring you.
Do you take criticism?
If it's constructive, thoughtful, and I asked for it, sure. Otherwise, keep it in your notes app.
Why don't you respond to every message?
Because I don't owe you a response. Silence is also an answer. Learn to read it.
Can we be friends?
Maybe. But don't trauma dump on me unprompted and expect emotional labor. I'm a stranger on the internet, not your therapist.
Why are you so hostile?
I'm not hostile. I just don't sugarcoat things. If that feels hostile to you, maybe examine why you expect strangers to baby you.