#//TRUST that any modifications he does mean to make it better serve you; from how well he knows of your stance; habits; etc

[dutybcrne]

Diluc likes to personally do the repairs and maintenance to not only his own weapon, but especially those of his most important people. He would always insist on personally handling Kaeya, later Jean's, weapons, throughout their time as Knights together, and even to this day gets salty if he happens to see either or even their weapons alone at Wagner's.

[jeanandthedreamofhorses]

Of Gods, Monsters, and Men

“Man is by nature a social animal [...] Anyone who either cannot lead the common life or is so self-sufficient as not to need to, and therefore does not partake of society, is either a beast or a god.” - Aristotle

This diagram will make sense, I swear.

Part 1 - Humans, Gods, and Beasts

Aristotle’s tripartite system is profoundly embedded in the world of SNK.

Humans, the social animals, are the ordinary people who do not seek to make an individual mark on history, but instead live communal existences as cogs in a machine. The most important thing to them is usually the well-being of themselves and their loved ones.

They are considered weak as they do not struggle against the flow, but these very attributes are what make them human.

The vast majority of the human race fit into Aristotle’s definition of ‘social animals’, as that is the only way in which society can function. The existence of those ordinary humans, then, is worth preserving.

Those who are not social animals, but rather lead highly individual existences with the power to leave their own unique mark on the world, are Gods when viewed positively and Beasts when viewed negatively. Because they go against the flow and disrupt the status quo, they are demonised by those happy with that status quo and lionised by those who are not. In either scenario, they stand out from the crowd.

Gods are considered to be strong and special. 

The apex of this specialness is symbolised in the series through its pseudo-Gods, like Ymir Fritz, and those with godlike powers like the Ackermans and titan shifters, especially Zeke and Eren.

The entirety of the Eldian race, by virtue of the power to turn into titans, can also be considered special and so are lionised as gods by the Eldian nationalists.

However, they are considered Beasts by the rest of the world because of that same uniqueness. The apex of beastliness in the series is in the titans themselves, the ultimate ‘Other’. Nothing can be as estranged from the human social community as they are, as uniquely disgusting, uniquely powerful creatures.

With this tripartite system established, however, the series deliberately complicates all three of its boundaries. To begin with, let us examine the disintegration of the boundary between Beasts and Gods.

Part 2 - The ‘Other’

Beasts and Gods are ultimately the same thing - they are an ‘Other’, defined by their lack of dependence on their community and, consequently, their status outside of it. This separate status makes them an unsocial animal, and therefore, not human. Whether this inhumanity is a good thing or a bad thing - godly or beastly - is only a matter of perspective.

There is no better proof of this than the personage of Eren Jaeger. 

From the start, Eren has had no desire to be a ‘social animal’. He never catered to the opinion of the populace, and held them in outright contempt. 

He wanted to accomplish everything on his own, without relying on others.

He stuck to his dream of joining the Survey Corps no matter what anyone said, and won people round to his views instead of struggling to fit theirs.

Acting this way gained Eren a reputation as either a total idiot, as in Jean’s eyes, or as an example to be followed, as Connie, Sasha and the others saw him. When Eren’s titan power was unveiled, this dichotomy escalated: where Erwin saw humanity’s greatest hope, the Military Police saw an enormous threat to peace inside the walls.

He is seen as a beast or a god, but even before his titan powers were revealed, he would never let himself be considered a nobody. The values he nurtured - independence and the strength to go against the present flow - were part of his desire to become inhuman.

It is therefore thematically appropriate that someone so fixated on the inhuman should become a titan. In his efforts to become a god, he becomes the beast he sought to vanquish. For they are one and the same - and this goes for the titans, too. Their status as an Other, not merely as a beast, is what makes them the natural enemy of humanity.

Moral doctrines that try to sort beasts from gods and drive a hard wedge between them only serve to obscure the truth. 

The Church of the Walls is the best example of this exercise in futility. It reviles the titans as beasts and worships the Walls as gods for protecting them against such beasts - but the Walls themselves are titans too. The distinction between beasts and gods is thereby revealed as nothing more than a sham by the authors of public morality to keep the public in line. Indeed, how often is it the case that the devil of the new religion is the god of the old?

Like the Church of the Walls, both those who respect and revile Eren in the Final Arc observe the same truth about him in different lights: he is an Other. And they fight to the death to decide what kind of Other - a god, or a devil:

A murderer, or a messiah:

Gentle, or savage:

The fandom is no less divided over him than the characters are, each side assured of their rightness. He is either an incorrigible child or an enlightened superhuman, the most free or the most enslaved, unchanged or the most changed of all, a pit to be avoid or a height to which we might aspire. Eren is the circle that completes itself, both the best and the worst, a beast and a god. But whatever he is, he is nothing in between, nothing mediocre. He occupies extremes alone: that is what makes him special.

Eren is fundamental proof of the failure of our value systems. He is a thought experiment who manages to sit at both ends of the spectrum while neglecting the middle altogether. At this point, we may return to our diagram.

A horseshoe works much better than a straight line for our purposes. Eren sits between god and beast, good and evil, special and titan, but a world away from the multitude of humans at the centre of the horseshoe.

However, he was not always this way. His compulsion to move away from the herd is the same as ever, and that is likely what he means when he tells people he has never changed: but there was once a time when for all his efforts, he could not quite escape being a social animal.

The significance of this fact is monumental. Eren proves that the special and the human are not distinguished from birth, but that there is in fact a pathway between them. This leads us to our third part: the disintegration of the boundary between the Human and the Other.

Part 3 - The Philosopher

Like love, specialness is something you find when you’re not looking for it. Eren’s journey towards the special first began with his acceptance of his own normality.

Beforehand, behind his play at independence he longed for recognition and approval from others.

He was tired of never being taken seriously - by his neighbourhood bullies, by Mikasa, by Jean. They all dismissed him as either crazy or weak and in need of protection. He was so prone to flying out in a rage at this because they touched on his greatest insecurities - that he was really a nobody after all, and that he’d never amount to anything.

In this regard Eren had a great deal in common with Keith, who wanted above all else to prove that he was better than the rest and worthy of being admired.

This was why Keith’s story had such a big impact on Eren, and why it was placed at the end of the arc where he learns to accept being only human. One cannot become special for the sake of the approval of others. So long as you have that objective in mind, you will never be anything more than a social animal and therefore human.

It was only once Keith abandoned any hopes of being seen as special that he actually became so, when he committed the ultimate sacrifice away from the eyes of anyone living. He acted with his own conviction in his heart, and not the approval of anyone else.

So he can finally receive the title of hero - one he clearly did not expect to hear. And it is a compliment he extends to Magath, no longer feeling the need to raise himself above anyone else.

In Eren’s case, he first learned the true virtue of self-sufficiency in the crystal cave, where he saved his friends’ lives by choosing to trust in his judgement and power over everyone else’s.

Eren is shocked after his success, and the lesson does not fully sink in at first. But such sentiments as the one below...

...quickly evaporate in Eren’s next moral trial, the Serumbowl. He can no longer accept peaceful co-existence between people with different beliefs because their decisions directly threaten the lives of the people he loves. This is the moment he redirects his focus to the protection of his and his own, and in doing so renounces his care for the wider world. The revelation that he will crush that outside world into ashes reinforces his belief in this conviction as the only solution.

Thereon out, Eren embraces self-sufficiency. He chooses not to trust in his comrades and builds his power to the point that he no longer needs to take orders from anyone else. Any help he does employ - from the SC or from Zeke and his followers - is achieved through manipulation, where he is firmly in control.

He becomes self-sufficient to the extent that he even moulds the conditions of his own upbringing. It cannot be said that he is a social animal any longer. His independence allows him to surpass his humanity and become both beast and god - walking on heavenly planes in the one moment and rampaging as a skeletal monstrosity the next.

Eren passes from ordinary into special through his self-sufficiency and self-orientation. This rigid self-discipline, this self-transformation, is a practice which we might call - philosophy.

Eren?

A philosopher???

Yet this is the only way a human might become a beast or god. The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, whose works synchronise beautifully with SNK, added one crucial modification to Aristotle’s equation:

“To live alone one must be a beast or a god, says Aristotle. Leaving out the third case: one must be both - a philosopher.”

And when one really thinks about it, is the idea of Eren as philosopher so ridiculous? Summarising a philosopher as ‘one who seeks the truth’ - who has accessed more of the truth of the world than Eren? The Attack and Founding Titans give him access to literal worlds of understanding beyond the scope of any other. And although Eren is dense at the start, he grows increasingly introverted and soul-searching as the series progresses. I think it is by no means a stretch to claim that Eren has come into his own jaded sort of wisdom.

Furthermore, Eren’s restless striving for freedom, his ‘Will to Power’ in Nietzsche’s words, is so powerful that he became stronger than Mikasa could ever hope to be and hatched a plan that even Armin couldn’t predict. It is his force of will that has always allowed Eren to overcome his weaknesses. So too psychologically - his wanderlust has taken him beyond the pale of morality and so made him the series’ only real philosopher in Nietzsche’s sense of the word, as a creator of new values.

It is the drive for freedom, then, that can turn a human into a philosopher and by that means become special. The divide is that simple, that fragile. And so the monstrous Other is simply human: all too human.

Eren’s words to Ymir Fritz are the definitive illustration of this theme. Ymir, who possesses the heights of power as a pseudo-divinity, who lacks a shred of power as a slave, manages to still be human. What unites all three aspects, what allows them to co-exist, is that freedom to choose. The drive for freedom that turned Eren philosopher is what allows humans to roam into the territory of beasts and gods.

So, rather than a horseshoe, this process is best represented as a fishhook, where a pathway exists between the opposite ends of Human and Other. Through philosophy, through the discarding and creation of values, through the drive for freedom and the Will to Power, this gap can be bridged.

It is at this point we come back to the words of Eren Kruger, and consider the full weight of their meaning:

Whether an Other is a god or a beast is merely a matter of perspective - but so is the ability to become an Other in the first place. The titans of history, its movers and shakers, were not a species above and beyond. They were anyone, as human as you and me, only ones who embraced their freedom and made a courageous choice.

This is the purpose of the titans being revealed as humans. This is the purpose of the whole concept of titan shifting, where even such social animals as Reiner and Annie are elevated to the level of the special. This is the reason why mere humans are able to successfully combat the titan Others through their own skill and ingenuity. This is why our heroes possess such manifold weaknesses and flaws, to remind us that even people as average as Eren, as scrawny as Armin, and as cowardly as Jean were able to become special by choosing the Survey Corps - that is to say, by choosing freedom.

The world we inhabit is a sordid one. It’s sickening seeing the levels of cowardice people exhibit in all aspects of their lives. “I would help you, but...I would stand up to them, but...I would do something about it, but...” etc, etc, and people make excuses to run away from their problems every time. It’s enough to hate the world and everyone in it.

The message SNK delivers is able to restore this dwindling faith. Because no matter how disgusting human behaviour can be sometimes, in others and in ourselves, within every single human is the potential to become as beautiful as the characters we admire - to become someone special. A little bit of courage is all it takes.

That, to me, is what makes humanity worth something. Because it is through that metamorphosis into the special that we fulfil our function as human beings: creatures which have the choice to remain within their humanity or transcend it. Just possessing that potential is enough to make humanity a gorgeous species - and so, before accomplishing anything, Carla could value Eren simply for being born into this world. He doesn’t have to be better than anyone else, because it is a power we all possess.

This human potential to become both god and beast is what prevents the world from boring us to death. The beasts make it cruel, and the gods make it beautiful. And with gods and beasts being one and the same, there can be no world that is beautiful without cruelty, or cruel without beauty.

[darthbecky726]

Bad Batch 1x01 spoilers

I've never done something like this before, but I figured I'd start. Reactions to the first episode of The Bad Batch. (This ended up being a lot longer than I intended, but whatever)

Spoilers under the cut

Red logo burning away starts strong

Yay narrator dude!!

Feels like clones wars

Animated rots scenes!!

And what grevious did after the rots beginning

HOLY SHIT DEPA!!!!!

And caleb right???

And we're in

Omg who voiced young caleb bc it sounds a lot like fpj but aged down and he def doesn't sound like the 14 I know he was when this happened

I like how we started out on familiar characters but not ahsoka or anyone from tcw. We started w young kanan and his master and we know what happened to them and all but if anyone watching hasn't seen rebels they wouldn't be lost as to who caleb and depa are, they'd just assume they're random jedi in o66

Good ol droid screaming as it falls off a cliff

Wow. Them.

I love crosshair

And wrecker

And tech

And echo

And hunter

B1's are so dumb

Lmao the salt from hunter

I feel like depas forehead pearls are a bit unrealistically large but I have no cultural standpoint to really know so...

Caleb's voice is too deep in the same way that jack frost from rotg's voice doesn't match his character model

Ah wrecker not really knowing what she means and echo, the one who has been trained to deal w people and hung out w ani and obi is just like 'thanks general'

Obes kenobes mention

Why is echo so pale

Depa and caleb feel a little too pale too tbh I wonder if it's the lighting or the whitewashing

Wow caleb is a lot like ezra, I can see why kanan wanted to train him lol

Is this what separates caleb and depa, leading to her telling him to run??? Do I need to read dume???

Oh no

Noooooooooo

Bb didn't get the order!

Oh caleb nooooo! Nooooooo they didn't receive that order, they can help you!!!

And he's gone

Oh I need an au where caleb stayed with bb and they helped him after depa died

Hunter sounds so much like rex it's weird like ik they're supposed to sound the same but it feels like wrecker is replacing rex or something. Even tho ik rex's story is over for the time being

Crosshair, no! Don't shoot at him! He's baby

Oh no did crosshair get o66???? It didn't seem to trigger anything in any of the rest of them, but is crosshair close enough to 'reg' for it to have triggered???

😭😭good soldiers follow orders

"sure thing, boss" "hey hunter got a sitch"

Crosshair acting sus

Oh I love watching padawans fight, they're so good!!

I hope that hit to the tree did a lil cognitive recalibration for crosshair, he was acting crazy

Caleb looks so scared!! He just watched his master get gunned down by his friends and now strange clones are trying to kill him/confusing him

Oh caleb

Oh no crosshair don't try to kill him!! Hunters trying to help!

Also hunter doesn't sound as much like rex w the helmet off, but it's weird bc most of the clones are distinguishable by voice even w helmets on. I guess it's the 'im in charge' voice

Star wars if caleb had gone w the bb

Oh hunter u sly dog lying to crosshair so he doesn't go after him. U gotta figure out why crosshair responded to o66 and no one else in ur unit did

Oh crosshair knows he's been lied to

I will always love coming-out-of-hyperspace shots

Ooh kamino, always nice this time of year

Echo is done w wrecker

Why hasn't crosshair taken his helmet off yet, lil bit sus

They better get his chip out on kamino, I don't wanna deal w this

Oof hunter 

Oh who’s that, giving me cloud city vibes

Extreme cloud city vibes wow

Never realized how many clones are just on kamino

Coruscant guard?!?! FOX?!?!

The vibes here, omg

‘The war is over’ wow

Oh no who was that

A female jedi, doesn’t appear to be shaak, couldn’t see any montrals but never know, we don’t officially know how or where she died

Ok wow none of the bb has their helmets on except for crosshair, who got the order. The regs around kamino all have their helmets on. That scene in victory and death when ahsoka took rex’s helmet off- 

And crosshair, he’s actins strange too

Oh tech, do u guys get bullied by regs a lot??

I love their barracks

Lol he finally took his helmet off only to stick a toothpick in his mouth, can he get anymore cliched?

Wrecker is seeming a lot more infantilized than he was in the s7 eps...

Yeah crosshair’s being sus

Ooh, he shifted his toothpick

Lmao ‘what programming’

Well documented my ass

Tech’s speech patterns are so stiff and robotic, it’s like he has to remind himself to talk in basic instead of binary or some shit

Tech throwing shade at crosshair

I can’t quite tell if we’re supposed to like crosshair at this point

Lmao we been knew

Oop ‘more machine than man’ the vader parallels are serving folks

Understatement.

Ugh sheev

Crusty ass bitch

Straight from rots wow

Who is the mystery child and why does he look mandalorian

Ooh he gone

Oh no, the beninning of the empire

Cheering?? Why?!?

That imperial march fade in tho

Thank you echo

Oh shit mystery child is female

Omega, I would not have guessed the pronunciation of your name by reading it wow

She def seems mandalorian

Ugh kaminoans

Oh the kaminoan pronounced it as it usually is, huh.

Omega’s character model def seems more masculine than female, I now headcanon her as trans

Ugh tarkin, I hate that crusty bitch

Empire politics ugh

I love how much shade is being thrown at tarkin and his stormtrooper proposal lmao

Why do all these clones have the standard haircut?? ik them boys like their variety, even if these boys are still under o66′s programming

Wrecker you’re being extremely loud

They’re all being loud in the mess, why

They remember, kid

Lol child

Oh my sweet summer children

The dad instinct was clearly passed genetically from jango lol all these clones got it

Why are background characters so mean? What about it, shiny? Why is ur hair regulation, reg??

The Sad Batchn omg the slander

Lol the food fight I’ve read about in the fics, its finally happening!

Is she.... australian??

The over-animation of character movements in this is reminding me of the looser style of rebels, as opposed to the more clunky style of tcw

Lmao he’s still got food on him

Food fight!!

‘Not again’???!!! Echo!! Wdym not again?! Food fights have happened before?!?? Wait. W bb or w torrent, bc I can see torrent having food fights on the resolute-

Crosshair’s just eating his food until someone messes

I like how echo still has his kamas

Oh no echo!!

Oh echo’s trauma, he doesn’t trust medical droids! Where’s kix when u need him, huh?

Lol, comically long name for a robot trope is alive and well, huh

Lmao the droid lowers his voice like ik this is a perceived bad thing, but I will not tolerate this slander, boys u need to get off kamino

‘The shock’ lmao whyyy

Lmao tech!!

Oh, echo recognized tarkin from the citadel!

‘When you blew up’ lmao

Oh they make me sad

Aaaaah fox!

Man the domino squad nostalgia

Those droids look cool

This is a neat scene, I like seeing them in action

Wrecker reminding me of hevy, but he’s got the training and success to back it up

Live fire???? No!!

Ugh I hate tarkin

Oh no wtecker

Did he just get shot!???! 

Oh no crosshair, be careful!

Tarkin’s trying to kill them!!!

Lol wrecker I love you

Echo using his mech hand as a weapon, truly an arc

Now I wanna see what happened on felucia

I like how tech’s just sitting on the droid’s shoulders

And hunter just had a knife

These boys, I love them

Oh no tech bby

Hot damn that was cool

Wrecher things so too lmao

Tarkin’s like “why didn’t that work??’

Oh new baby clones

No tf they could not, they would never serve the empire and those bitches

I love that they have a window apartment lol

Ugh tarkin u shifty

They all stand at attention, only after glaring at tarkin

Oh no onderon

I hate tarkin, he’s a bitch

How quickly could bitch lord and darth sad have replaced the armory on kamino??

Crosshair still acting sus

Neither does echo, kid

No.

I like omega.

Crosshair, with the sassy hand on the hip-

What does that even mean?? Or elude to??

Lmao tech messing w wrecker, they rlly r bros

Its prob the vegetation

Oh, I missed onderon, but not this much

Lol the put-upon sigh

Its clearly saw and his rebels

Saw! Looking sharp, what’s w the hair....

That’s a very geometric beard, saw

They didn’t kill any jedi!

That’s not what happened, tech

‘The clones’ bitch that was rex and ahsoka, check urself

Aw, I’ve always like the design of imperial probe droids

Thank you, echo

It seems like crosshair’s o66 programming and his mutation are warring w his morals

Lmao the shade

I knew she was an enhanced clone!

Oh, so she is (at least on paper) trans! She’s a clone of jango, and yet she’s female! That must be her modification, but it makes me wonder why

Lol *flicks toothpick*

Aw, they have a picture of themselves! Recent-ish, too, its got echo!

Oh no, AZI!

The difference between them arriving earlier and now, the lack of escort...

Creepy how they had to open the hanger door themselves

Oh no! Everyone!

The coruscant guard, I wish they had gotten better

Tarkin u dramatic bitch

‘The brig’ this ain’t some tallship

Lol echo that shade

Their blacks are different from the ones seen in the past

Crosshair, stop being a bitch

Oh, I don’t like that phrase!! And the fact that crosshair screamed it in echo’s face makes me uneasy. Did rex fill echo in on why fives died?? I hope so...

Crosshair, ur chip hurting??

This child, I like her.

No! Don’t hit hunter!

No crosshair!!!!

I dislike this immensly

So they do still have inhibitor chips!

Tarkin you monster

Oh poor crosshair

ihatethisihatethisihatethis

Lol tech I love you

Wrecker you sweet pea

Lol that’s adorable

I love how they form a “wall” its so suspicious 

He was about to say that, omega

Aaww, echo protective boi

Wrecker shut up tf

That was cool

Sneaky bois

This reminds me of rex and ahsoka sneaking around in v&d

Echo runs so stupid

Oh no they winter soldier’d him!

If he says who the hell is crosshar, I will lose my shit

Yes, he has. They took it from him.

The toothpick

I wonder how they’re gonna get crosshair back to normal

Not good that they nabbed the sniper

Oh, crosshair shot him in the same place he got hit during training!

Ooh, a kaminoan on their side!

I hope omega doesn’t die

Poor trigger etiquette, crosshair

Wonder if omega has any speciality training

They’re just gonna leave him there!?!?!?!?!

Nooooooooooo!!!!!!!

Omega reminds me of young boba 

Oh, so its in her dna

Go back for crosshair!!

Holy fucking shit that was amazing! I didn’t expect it to be that long, but I’m not complaining! This ended up being a lot longer than I anticipated, but I don’t feel like cutting anything out, so sorry for the long post but at least I put it under a cut.

[lunarr-rrose]

What is the Deal with Paralegals?

https://u109893.h.reiblackbook.com/generic11/the-storage-stud/what-is-the-deal-with-paralegals/

Courtright Law specializes in real estate, litigation, estate planning, and various civil and criminal matters. We focus on serving and protecting all interests of our clients by practicing honesty, integrity, and trust in all matters. We cater to both, individuals and businesses alike. Whether it’s helping you with matters related to commercial or residential real estate, negotiating transactions, drafting contracts, or other matters, we always prioritize your best interests, while limiting your liabilities. Our dedicated team of lawyers will always help protect your assets and enforce your rights.

https://www.getcourtright.com/

Fernando O. Angelucci is Founder and President of Titan Wealth Group. He also leads the firm’s finance and acquisitions departments. Fernando Angelucci and Steven Wear founded Titan Wealth Group in 2015, and under his leadership, the firm’s revenue has grown over 100% year over year. Today,

Find out more at

https://www.thestoragestud.com

https://titanwealthgroup.com/

Listen to our Podcast:

https://thestoragestud.podbean.com/e/what-is-the-deal-with-paralegals/

With an engineering background, Fernando is able to approach real estate investing with a keen analytical mindset that allows Titan Wealth Group to identify opportunities and project accurate pictures of future performance.

Titan Wealth Group was founded in 2015 with the vision of gathering individual investors that have the means to invest but lack either the time to find high-yield investment opportunities or the access to these off-market deals. All too often, founders Fernando Angelucci & Steven Wear came across investors who had deployed their capital only to regret the lack of consistency or degree of returns their investments were producing. In response, Titan Wealth Group provides access to highly-vetted real estate secured investments and off-market acquisition opportunities primarily in the Greater Chicago MSA. Today, Titan Wealth Group not only assists individual investors but has grown to support the acquisition goals and capital deployment of investment groups, private equity firms, and real estate investment trusts (REITs).

As a facilitator of wealth growth, Titan Wealth Group believes that success is not limited to the sum of our efforts and is infinite with what can be accomplished through partnership.

--------------------------------------------

Fernando Angelucci (00:01):

Hello, everyone! Welcome back. So on this episode of What's The Deal, The real estate podcast that gives answers, we'll be covering What's the Deal with Paralegals. It turns out they're not parachuting attorneys, as I thought when I first grew up, but instead crucial members of the legal field. Joining me today to coordinate the truth about paralegals is a good friend and colleague, Mary Gawlak. Hey Mary, how are you?

Mary Gawlak (00:30):

Hi, Fernando! How are you?

Fernando Angelucci (00:30):

I'm doing good. You feeling better?

Mary Gawlak (00:32):

Much better, much better. Thank you.

Fernando Angelucci (00:33):

Good.

Mary Gawlak (00:33):

Thank you.

Fernando Angelucci (00:34):

So, let's start off with just kind of telling the viewers who you are and what you do.

Mary Gawlak (00:40):

Well, I am, my name is Mary Gawlak. Like you said, I am a paralegal. I've worked for David Courtright, Courtright Law. I've been here for about almost two years, but I've been working in the field since 2002. I have an extensive background with real estate and mortgages. So that's why, I guess I landed my job here.

Fernando Angelucci (01:05):

So, give me a little bit about your history. How did you get into this field? Walk me through your past here.

Mary Gawlak (01:12):

I started out as a loan officer and that's how I got into real estate. I was a loan officer for a small brokerage from 2002 to 2004. Then I went from there to Washington Mutual Wells Fargo, and then I started getting a little bit more interested when I went to work for Mac Companies. I started getting into more of the legal aspect of the real estate transactions. And unfortunately, they went out of business. So, I went out on David's doorstep and he took me in and I'm glad he did. So

Fernando Angelucci (01:55):

Yeah, I love working with David , or I should say love working with you because I think it's more you and me working together than me and David. But, so

Mary Gawlak (02:03):

Thank you. I appreciate that. Even though you drive me crazy sometimes.

Fernando Angelucci (02:08):

I know, I'm so sorry.

Mary Gawlak (02:11):

I love you, Fernando. You know i did

Fernando Angelucci (02:15):

Hey, I got you that dartboard with a picture of me and Stevens, and now you can throw darts at us.

Fernando Angelucci (02:23):

Anytime you get mad at us. So, all right. So for the people that don't know, what is a paralegal? And how are they different from an attorney?

Mary Gawlak (02:32):

Well, of course we don't give any legal advice to anybody, but I basically do everything, coordinating, everything making sure we have all the necessary documents for closing. We start out by getting in a contract. I usually start out try to call our clients as soon as possible, introduce ourselves. Let them know that, you know, when it comes to inspection time or anything, if they want to ask for any repairs on the buy side to feel free to contact us David is very good about, you know, calling people back and going over punch lists or whatever repairs at the home inspectors want. So I kind of coordinate that, everything is timed. We have certain amount of time to, you know, get attorney mod letters out and inspection requests. So we have to monitor those time periods. I helped do that.

Mary Gawlak (03:30):

And David works with me on any attorney modification letters that we sent out to the contract or that we receive. He helps answer those. Going forward then I make sure we have survey's, title ordered. We do title examination, make sure the titles are clean for closing so that we don't have any last minute issues gathering information to clear title. Making sure we have, like I said, payoff information just anything else that we might need, as far as maybe some receipts, when there are repairs that need to be done for the sales side. Well, how to make sure that we send all the receipts and coordinate closing when it comes time. So I work with the lender as well. We tried to get all the information upfront so that we can give them their loan policy accurately and you know, and then just work towards closing whatever they need. I'm the go-to person. So everybody calls me for everything. So

Fernando Angelucci (04:43):

I know when I'm, so for us in our business, I know that the second, a contract is signed between me and a seller, me and a buyer, it immediately goes to you. Usually we'll put together an email with everything. I know, usually it's not enough though. Most of the times it's not enough. And then, I usually jump on the phone with you and say, Hey, Mary, here's what I got. Is there anything that I missed or here's some special things to consider on this deal? And then you're basically my go-to person from there until the closing. And then every once in a while, David will call me to say, Hey, closing's done. You got to check waiting for you or whatever it is.

Mary Gawlak (05:22):

Yeah. Those are the nice and easy ones.

Fernando Angelucci (05:27):

So it's been, I mean, as far as our business working with you has been absolutely amazing, you know, I'm not very good. I'm not very good with details and more of a high level person. And you kind of keep me on the straight and narrow. So that helps a lot. I really appreciate you for that. So, I know you covered like all the stuff that you do, but like let's say, what does it like a typical day in the life look like? Like what are you doing?

Mary Gawlak (05:56):

Right now?

Fernando Angelucci (05:57):

Today? Yeah. Other than jumping on a podcast with me.

Mary Gawlak (06:01):

My desk is a mess. I'm working on like five files at one time. Sometimes it gets a little tricky when we have a few closings on the same day, because there's figures that need to be sent over. And then we're going back and forth with what's this fee. Why is this fee here? Where are we charging this? Where are we not charging that? So that becomes a little tricky. I also have to send out and now, especially with the COVID, we have everything pre-signed by the seller. So I have to prepare all docs ahead of time, make sure they get it notarized. And we get originals back in time for closing. So there's just an extra step now that we have to worry about. But yes, the day in my life is working on five to 10 different files at the same time. So

Fernando Angelucci (06:53):

Doing everything from chasing sellers down to arguing with buyers,

Mary Gawlak (06:59):

It's hard to say because every deal is unique. Every deal that comes is different and there are different issues and different things that need to be done and addressed. So it's just kind of hard, but I'm just here and just do what I can while I'm here.

Fernando Angelucci (07:15):

Now I've dealt with some attorneys that just do everything themselves. They don't have any paralegals, you know, why should an attorney use paralegals or have paralegals in their office?

Mary Gawlak (07:26):

Well, because it just helps with emails and especially like when there are closings and life still goes on beside, you know, behind the scenes. So when they're busy at a closing, you know, there's other work that needs to get done, that isn't getting done. It's a lot of, you know, coordination and tracking and, you know, depending on how many files you have at one time, maybe they could do it themselves. But once you get into processing a lot of files, it could be a little tricky. So yeah, I'm his go-to person. He goes to the closing, I have everything ready for him while he's there dealing with that, I'm working on the next file or, you know, hearing the, you know, so yeah, it's a matter of just having a helping hand, which, you know, helps a lot. I'm sure David appreciates that. So,

Fernando Angelucci (08:22):

So we have, a lot of range of experience of people watching these podcasts, usually all the way from, you know, first investor I'm about to get ready to close on my first deal all the way up to, you know, I do 50, 75 deals a year, should a client or a new investor inquire about, you know, paralegals when choosing an attorney to work with, or is that, do you not ask about that? What's the kind of the,

Mary Gawlak (08:47):

Well, I mean, it really depends. I mean, for the most part it's really like, I would think like the attorney is one that would probably say, okay, I need a paralegal or I wouldn't. I think you get better service when there's a paralegal. Because again, he's running around at closings, I'm on the phone with clients and taking care of things that need to be taken care of. So, I mean, I guess four hands is better than two, so that's how I would look at it. And you know, like I said, he's busy a lot of times where he can't, you know, have, doesn't have the time to reach out to the client to ask them a question or can you confirm this or how do you want to respond where? That's what I do. I'm here to do that for him. So it, I think it's very beneficial to have if the attorney has a paralegal, but again, it's just, I guess it depends on the volume of files that they have at one time. But if it's a busy attorney, I would say yes, so paralegals is very beneficial and David will agree.

Fernando Angelucci (09:57):

Yeah, I know we have a couple of busy attorneys that actually watches as well. One reached out about two weeks ago. How would you advise an attorney that's ready to hire a paralegal? How do you advise them to choose the right paralegal? What are the things that they should be asking, looking for? Cause you've been fantastic. I love you to death, Mary, and if you were not in my life, I would pull all my hair up. So,

Mary Gawlak (10:20):

Thank you. I just think it's experience and you just have to have a passion for it too. You know, it's like I get sometimes a little worked up when something, you know, when I see somebody who's trying to get away with something. So I think it's also a passion that I have for the business, but mostly mainly experience because like I said, every situation is different and you come across some things that, you know, your past experience will help a lot. So

Fernando Angelucci (10:54):

One of the things that I've noticed about you that is fantastic is, how much attention to detail you have. Like you see everything and you go everything over everything with a fine-tooth comb, the contracts, the settlement statements.

Mary Gawlak (11:08):

Yeah, too much. That's a lot sometimes. Cause I,

Fernando Angelucci (11:12):

I mean, honestly, like I'm the exact opposite, right? Like I see the forest, not the trees and little things that are actually super important. They can derail a whole deal. Like I didn't even see it. I like glimpse right over it. And then you come back and you say, Hey Fernando, here's some things I noticed on a settlement statement. What are these charges? Where's this money going to, and I'm like, just close the deal. It's fine. It's like, we can't close the deal until I get this answers, Fernando. You know? So, I'd say if there's an attorney out there watching that is looking to hire paralegal with the attention to detail thing is huge. I think that is a,

Mary Gawlak (11:50):

You're right about that. Yes. Because I'm looking at a title right now that I see there's an old mortgage on there from 2001 that was never released. So if we wait, if I didn't catch it, we'd wait until the closing table and everybody would be looking around, okay, what is this, why is this, instead I caught it and I'm gonna clear it up before closing. So,

Fernando Angelucci (12:14):

Yeah. So, I know one of the things, one of the issues that I have, and I've been getting a lot better at this is being able to delegate tasks to people, to actually have them help me and not handcuff them and then second not micromanage them. So it's kind of rolls into my next question. What are some of the common mistakes that you have seen attorneys make when it comes to utilizing paralegals? Right.

Mary Gawlak (12:38):

I haven't really, I mean, I don't, I really don't know what other attorneys do behind the scenes. I do notice that sometimes the attorney gets a little, might get a little too involved in something and could potentially maybe even, you know kill the deal. So

Fernando Angelucci (13:00):

We've seen it on our deals, right? Some of the attorneys on the other side of the table, just getting too much into the nitty-gritty and not letting their staff work through it. And then, like you said, sometimes passions run a little high and everybody just says, you know what, hands in the air I'm done, walk away from the deal. And then all of a sudden this, the client is sitting there saying, you know, Hey, what happened? I thought we had somebody to buy our property. And all of a sudden, you know, I know we've killed a few deals in the past because we saw the attorney on the file and we say, you know what, we're not either they get a new attorney or we're not working with them. You know? So, it is super important. Now on the flip side, you know, what are some common mistakes that you've seen paralegals make when it comes to working with their attorneys or working with others?

Mary Gawlak (13:47):

Maybe the same thing, getting a little bit too involved, where they shouldn't. Instead of trying to maybe, you know, calm things down, maybe making things worse or, you know, not having the knowledge of how a transaction is supposed to be conducted and then raising suspicion because they don't know how to do it, or, you know, things like that. I've seen, you know, maybe that happen. Another thing is just not, no communication. That's a bad thing. And you know, also not keeping track of the timelines that you have. I mean, you could really mess up a project. I mean, you do have contingencies, you gotta be, you know, on top of those or ask for an extension, you know, so my, you know, if you don't stay on top of that, you can really hurt your clients because they might come back and say, well, you know, this is where I'm with the inspection. Oh, no, I didn't ask for an extension of the inspection period. It's too late. So that's very important. You have to be very, you know, on top, like I said, on top of the timelines and everything from the beginning of the contract to the end, it's just constant monitoring it. So

Fernando Angelucci (15:01):

I know the communication portion is huge. I remember a couple of files. I'm not going to name names here, but two years ago or so, where we had send out correspondence to the attorney on the other side of the table and it would take them two weeks to get back to us. And usually what I noticed is this is typical of those attorneys that are kind of semi-retired let's say, they're already, they don't have any staff. They don't have an office. They travel half of the time they're in Europe and the other, they don't have a paralegal, you know? So it takes a while for them to get back. And like you said, real estate is a very time-oriented transaction. Yeah. Very time sensitive. Absolutely. So that's huge. So for some of our newer investors that are watching, you know, what advice would you give to them when they're looking to close on a property for the first time? What are things that you expect to see from them? What should they be looking out for?

Mary Gawlak (15:57):

Well, again, it's, every situation is different, but communication is the main thing. I think they should be looking for somebody that if, they can call, they can email I'm available. I answer emails, you know, sometimes 10, 11 o'clock at night. So,

Fernando Angelucci (16:14):

Midnight. I've gotten, I'm getting texts, email from you at midnight.

Mary Gawlak (16:19):

Holidays, you name it.

Fernando Angelucci (16:19):

Right! Yeah, absolutely. No, I appreciate them.

Mary Gawlak (16:22):

I don't answer all emails, but if I see that it's something concerning somebody who's very concerned or it's very important, I will answer the emails. So I think that's very important. Just communication. I think that's the biggest thing is each be able to get your attorney or paralegal on the phone when you need to, you know, and without waiting for days for a return call or so,

Fernando Angelucci (16:49):

Well, maybe that kind of rolls into the next question, which is, you know, what advice would you give to somebody considering becoming a paralegal? So maybe being available, it'd be one of those things.

Mary Gawlak (16:59):

Yeah. Again, passion, passion, passion.

Fernando Angelucci (17:03):

Passion.

Mary Gawlak (17:03):

Cause if you don't like what you're doing, it could be very stressful, I guess.

Fernando Angelucci (17:11):

Yeah.

Mary Gawlak (17:11):

Is the word. So yeah, you gotta want to do it and you have to make yourself available. I think that's very important to us here at Courtright Laws, being able, I mean, David gives out a cell phone all the time too, and you know, just being available to the clients when they need you.

Fernando Angelucci (17:28):

And I think the flip side is important too, about, you know, how can a real estate investor do things to be a better partner to you and to the attorney, to the paralegals? You know, I know one of the things for me is, like you said, just over communicating everything, making sure every we're on the same page, but then also giving them enough information from the get go. I know that's something I had to learn with you, instead of trying to piecemealing emails back and forth. Now I have this whole email template says, here's the buyer. Here's the seller. Here's the real estate consultant, here are the brokers. Here's the lender. Here's all their contact information. Here are the important dates, attorney, attorney review inspection, contingency, close date. And I know, I'm sure, you're less likely to throw darts at my face on your dartboard when I do those types of emails. So it just,

Mary Gawlak (18:19):

It just saves a lot of back and forth and necessarily if you just, here's all the different, you know? Exactly. So,

Fernando Angelucci (18:27):

Yeah. And your time is super valuable. Like you said. I mean, at any given time you're working on five to 12 files at a given time. So having to constantly say,

Mary Gawlak (18:36):

That's per day. I actually have,

Fernando Angelucci (18:36):

I need this be,

Mary Gawlak (18:37):

Yeah. There's times when I have almost 30 files in the pipeline together. So, yeah

Fernando Angelucci (18:43):

Crazy. Yeah

Mary Gawlak (18:44):

I would say at a time, I'm usually working on that many at a time, but I do have, I mean, most times I do have 30 to 35 files in the pipeline at one time. So,

Fernando Angelucci (18:57):

How do you keep all that organized? That's my mind would go,

Mary Gawlak (19:00):

I have four kids. I learned how to,

Mary Gawlak (19:05):

Multitask. I'm a multi-tasker

Fernando Angelucci (19:08):

That's good. Well, so I really appreciate you coming on Mary, you know, I've said it multiple times, so I'm gonna say it again. I love you. You have made my life so much easier. Anything you want, you ask from me? I'll get it for you.

Mary Gawlak (19:20):

Thank you Fernando. You know what I like,

Fernando Angelucci (19:20):

Yeah I do. Before we conclude, How, how can people reach you? And is there anything that they should know before they try and contact you?

Mary Gawlak (19:34):

Well, it's very simple. If you have any questions at all, just give us a call. Our office number is 7089073080. My email address is Mary@GetCourtRight.com. So up on the screen, I see. Pretty good. So yeah. So if you have any questions at all, we're here everyday, night, at least till five. If you need to reach me after hours, please feel free to send me an email. I'll get back to you as soon as I can. That's all.

Fernando Angelucci (20:09):

And you usually do really quickly. So I appreciate that. Thank you very much for coming on Mary. You know, I got a couple more files. I'm sending you away this week, so be ready for them.

Mary Gawlak (20:19):

Cool, keep me busy.

Fernando Angelucci (20:19):

Yeah, I will.

Mary Gawlak (20:22):

I know I slacked for a whole week. I went away for a whole week on vacation,

Fernando Angelucci (20:28):

Yeah, I love how, when you say your on vacation, and yet I'm still getting emails coming in each week. At the next time you go on vacation, I'm taking your laptop and your cell phone. You're just going to have to go around with a rotary dial phone, to mute yourself on accident. There you go.

Mary Gawlak (20:42):

Okay. If I had a car.

Mary Gawlak (20:46):

Okay. Hey, I appreciate you, you take your time out of your busy day and I'll talk to you soon.

Mary Gawlak (20:50):

Okay. Thanks Fernando.

Fernando Angelucci (20:53):

Bye.

Mary Gawlak (20:53):

Bye bye.

Fernando Angelucci (20:55):

Well, everybody thanks for tuning in again to What's The deal, The real estate podcast that gives answers each week, we try to bring on a professional or an expert in the real estate field that someone from the outside of someone just getting started may not really understand what the role is or their importance appreciate you guys to tune in. If you have any questions or if you have any suggested topics or suggested guests, or maybe you'd like to be a guest on the podcast, go ahead and drop that in the comments below. Make sure to hit the subscribe button so that you get up to date notifications when we're going live in the future. And for this week, the post Thanksgiving edition, I hope you guys all have wonderful holidays leading into the Christmas and New Year's. Thank you very much. See you guys soon!

[writewithurheart]

Family Means No One Gets Left Behind: The Package

A Black Widow Movie Rewrite in a series of one-shots

A/N: Because I watched the movie and had some ideas about fic. So here’s a series of one-shots about another way this could have happened…

*Contains BLACK WIDOW MOVIE SPOILERS*

Chapter 2: The Package (Yelena POV)

Read on AO3 or below the cut: 

The Package 

Yelena rolls the sleeves of her oversized jacket up as she sips her cup of coffee and pokes around at the smartphone she picked up on her way out of South America. It doesn’t have as many pockets as she’d prefer but she’s made some modifications. The same with this smartphone. Technology is not her strong suit. She prefers things she can shoot at or stab. Her knowledge of the tech is surreal in that all her aptitude is tied to the brainwashing and chemical treatments she got. She spent a good couple hours playing with the preference settings and personalizing the phone while she was tracking down Natalia. Or rather Natasha as she’s now known. 

From her limited memories, her sister was always needlessly dramatic like that.

She replays the footage on youtube of Natalia in battle, clumsily filmed and posted on social media. This compilation has proven to be quite amusing. She snorts as “Natasha Romanov” strikes that ridiculous pose when she lands and does that over the top hair flip. She rewinds and grabs her box of sugary cereal. She likes the one with the marshmallows. It’s colorful and sweet and nothing like what they were served in the Red Room. 

An alert flares from her phone and Yelena quickly downs the last of her coffee. She wasn’t sure how long it would take Natasha to get the package when the hulking superhero came and picked up the mail that had been piling up. It had taken her some time to track down Natasha’s safe house despite knowing her final job was in Budapest. This place hadn’t been burned when her sister made the foolish move of dumping SHIELD’s information online. 

She might be a little salty with Natalia for burning SHIELD to the ground when she left the Red Room standing to torture more girls. If she didn’t need Natasha’s help, they might be having this conversation in a very different form. With more weapons and less espionage. 

Running into an undercover Captain America was a surprise. He’d looked different, but Yelena knew there were only a few people Natasha would trust with the safehouse location. It seems that number included the new family she had chosen.

She pulls out her gun and checks that it’s in working order. She trusted that the famed Captain America would ensure the package got to Natasha, that she would recognize the photos inside, and that she would track her down. She’s going to make Natasha help her rescue the rest of the widows and destroy the Red Room once and for all. If she wants to recruit a certain Captain who’s on the run, Yelena wouldn’t complain.

Professionally, she’s intrigued. She’d love to spar against him. She’d watched the footage with the Winter Soldier, recalls going up against him once or twice early in their training when they broke into a HYDRA base. She wonders what it would be like to go up against the man who fought and broke the Winter Soldier. Those fights were always fun. 

She places her cup in the sink and stows the cereal in the cabinet. She probably won’t come back to it, but she does want to keep him safe.

“I know you’re there.” She calls when she hears the door open as she settles into a loose stance and checks her grip on her weapon. “There are no traps. Why are you tip-toing around?” 

Yelena could make nice with her sister. She is the one who left the calling card and took over Natasha’s safehouse. She glances at the Avengers photo she put up last night - held to the wall by the knives she’d used for target practice - and affirms her resolve. All her life she’s heard how great Natasha is. She needs to make sure that’s accurate and that Natasha can help her. 

The door clicks open, the lock picked. She has to listen carefully to hear her footsteps over the floor, the slight displacement of air as she moves. Yelena turns to face the opening into the small kitchen area.

“I got your message,” Natalia calls as she moves slowly through the space. 

She sighs. If she wanted Natalia dead, there were so many other ways for her to have done it. “I figured. Your friend was sweet. He’s shorter in person.” 

Natalia rounds the corner, gun first, and twists to face Yelena who already has her weapon pointed at her. 

“You saw Steve.” 

She shrugs. “He was nice. Boyfriend?” 

Natasha raises an eyebrow. “First time seeing me in years and that’s all you have to say. I don’t think this conversation passes the Bechdel Test.” 

Yelena shrugs. “I was taught to blend in by watching American television and movies. Do you know what they teach American girls? Ridiculous.” 

“We don’t have to fight.” 

“Then lower your gun,” she challenges. 

“You first.” 

Yelena lets her approach. As the distance closes, the guns become less and less effective. They both know that. It’s a game of chicken.  

“Why did you send me that package?” 

“Did you even try to look for me?” Yelena asks, aware she sounds like a petulant child. She remembers Natasha getting between her and the big men with guns, demanding they leave her alone even when their so-called parents couldn’t seem to care less. She’s clung to those pictures ever since they were separated - hiding them from prying eyes in any way she can. She’d heard rumors of her sister, hoped she would be sought out by the idolized Widow who was top of class, the perfect assassin. 

Instead she was left behind.

Natasha’s jaw clenches. “I destroyed the Red Room. I figured you got out.” 

Lie. 

Her tell is in the cageiness of her eyes. Even with her unwavering attention to Yelena’s stance, Natasha is uneasy with the question. She didn’t bother to check on Yelena.

Yelena laughs out loud at her statement. “Destroyed it? All you did was trap the rest of us.” 

“I killed Dreykov. Without him, the Red Room would have crumbled.” 

“Except it didn’t.” Yelena shoves down her anger. It won’t be helpful. “You didn’t even think to check. Isn’t that the first rule? Always confirm your kill.”

Apparently, that’s a challenge large enough that Natasha makes her move. She goes for the gun, same as Yelena does and they’re still at a stalemate, now holding each other’s guns. 

“Did you check the body?” 

“He was in the building,” Natasha grits out as she lunges for Yelena. “It exploded. There’s no way he survived.” 

“And you thought that was it? Kill one man and destroy the whole Red Room?” Honestly, she can respect Natasha getting out while she could. She gets it. Leaving Yelena behind hurts. It feels like the only family she ever remembered wasn’t worth finding again. If she’d been the one to get out, she would have gone back for Natasha. 

“It was his project. He was the head of the organization.” Natasha grunts as Yelena lands a hit. Her moment of victory is negated when Natasha gets in her own punch. 

“Come on, Tasha. You’re not that stupid.” She reels back from a punch to the face. She wipes the warm rush of liquid with her hand, staring at the bright red blood. She spits out the blood in her mouth onto the floor. 

Natasha shakes her head as they circle each other again. “Clint and I went back. The school was cleared out.” 

Yelena grimaces. “They moved us.” She strikes as she speaks, channeling her frustration into strength. “You broke the psychological conditioning so they pushed us harder.” She takes a hit, tries to flip Natasha only for her to counter the move. “Changed protocols. Turned to chemical conditioning.” 

“Chemical conditioning?” Natasha asks, slightly breathless as she locks Yelena in a headlock. 

Yelena gets in a good stab and frees herself. She doesn’t go for the knife strapped to her leg. She doesn’t actually want to kill her sister. As angry as she is, this is supposed to be a friendly spar. “You can’t tell what’s you and what’s programing. Your body responds and you don’t know if it’s you telling it to do something or not. And you don’t even question it.” 

Natasha disengages and stares at her in horror. 

“They moved the base. Started knocking the widows out on entry and exit so we couldn’t find it again. And they did all of that because of you.” Yelena screams the last bit. 

She swipes at the hot, angry tears sliding down her face. She hadn’t meant to cry. She’d planned on being cool and collected the entire time they spoke. She’s supposed to be level headed. Ice cold and now… 

“You left us behind. You left me behind.” Her face twists into a scowl as she sees turmoil in Natasha’s eyes at her pain. “I thought we were sisters.” 

“It was never real.” 

Another lie. Yelena scowls at Natasha. “It was real to me.” It was real to Natasha too, even if she wouldn’t admit to it. She’d seen the loss in her eyes. Yelena switches tracks instead of digging into that emotional pain. “I have to ask: what kind of gun makes those holes in the wall?” 

If she’d hoped for a distraction, Natasha isn’t going to be that easy to be distracted. Her gaze doesn’t waver as she answers. “Arrows. Clint tracked me to the safe house.” She strikes out as she speaks and Yelena finds herself struggling to keep up, and proud at the same time. 

Clint Barton. Hawkeye. Another Avenger. She should have known that even Natasha had help getting out.

“You’ve gotten better.” Natasha says in Russian. 

“You’re rusty,” Yelena responds as she manages to take her down, yanking the curtain from the window. 

Her upper hand doesn’t last long. The length of cloth is wrapped around her neck and Natasha’s. With their similar stature, she and Natalia are truly evenly matched and both losing air quickly when Natasha’s grip slackens with the soft offer: “Truce?” 

Yelena nods. She releases the curtain and yanks at the fabric around her neck so she can get a proper breath of fresh air. Natasha looks like she might be feeling her bruises more, which Yelena takes some relief in as she sits up quickly. 

“Did you bring the vials?” 

Natasha nods, pushing loose hair out of her face. “What are they?” 

“Chemical agent. Removes the neural pathways which allow for total cognitive function override.” Yelena bites the words out, repeating them as she’s heard them thrown back and forth in the lab, when her body was used for experiments while her mind was fully awake. When they used those same elements to remove any bit of control she might have had over her own self. 

“In English?” 

Yelena stares at her blankly as she says it in Russian. It’s their native tongue after all, not that Natalia seems to care to remember it. 

“Cute.” 

She sticks her tongue out, regressing to the child she used to be in Ohio - the last time she remembers being free and having her own choices. It’s refreshing to be speaking to someone else who also got out, even if she has conflicting feelings about all of this. 

The peace is shattered by a secondary alert. She glances at her phone and curses in Russian. “They’re here. Were you followed?” 

Natasha moves closer to look at the footage. “There was a car moving in the other direction when I was leaving my safe house. Then an explosion but I don’t think they followed me.” 

They could be tracking the case. Or maybe they just finally caught up to her. Yelena grabs her go bag and turns to Natasha. “Where are the vials?” 

She holds up the wad of vials, which must be made of some heavy duty stuff in order to still be intact after their fight. “Exit strategy?” 

“Motorcycle. East side of building. If any of them get close. Use the vials. I promised I would use those to free the rest of our sisters.” Yelena doesn’t wait to see if she follows. They don’t have the luxury of time to hesitate. If the Widows catch up, they’re dead. 

She can’t let that happen before she completes her mission. She sent the vials to Natasha, hoping it would get her to help. Or maybe shame her into helping. Either way, they’ve got to make it out of this corner first. 

Well, at least a car chase is not a terrible way to die. 

She can think of worse.

[etherian-affairs]

Entrapdak Secret Santa Stuff!

This is my secret Santa gift for @ari-draws-things (which apparently Tumblr hates linking too.) As part of @niuniente's secret Santa fun.

I couldn't decide on one thing to write so I decided to do a little compilation of these two being dorks.

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Coats

"This is completely unnecessary." Hordak notes with a bit of a grump in his voice as Entrapta finishes wrapping another piece of clothing around him. To keep him warm as she insists. Sweaters, coats, including a very long one, a scarf.

"It's really cold in the northern reach! And your body isn't the best! so we have to make sure you don't get cold!" Entrapta notes with complete sincerity. It is sort of sweet in a very overbearing and ridiculous way.

"It is not this much of a problem! The cold is barely of note, after all even my defective biology is much hardier than any Etherian!" He huffs. 

"That's why I'm bundling up too! See!" Entrapta hops back, revealing her actually good looking winter weather attire. A modification of the cold weather gear that Force Captains are given access too. Of primary importance is the fact she is not wrapped up in numerous layers taken from seemingly random and disparate wardrobes.

"You are in something reasonable. Precision engineered and even aesthetically attractive thermal clothing. Meanwhile you have wrapped me in some kind of coat cocoon made from whatever you could find." Hordak grumbles as he wiggles his arms. It's all being worn over his armor, and even with the strength enchantment it still manages to be hard to move in.

"Aaawww." Entrapta's eyes sparkle. "You think I'm aesthetically attractive?!"

That causes Hordak to sputter and look away from Entrapta. "I… I do not find you aesthetically unattractive." He hears her giggle in response to him, then feels her lips touch his cheek in a gentle kiss which only serves to turn the warlord red.

Then she pulls the fluffy winter hat onto his head "there we go! Now the ensemble is complete!" Entrapta nearly shouts as she moves back to get a good look at Hordak's definitely very fashionable outfit..

Hordak grumbles, wiggling his arms a bit. "Entrapta this is ludicrous. I demand you free me from these garments." He says with a huff.

Finally after a moment Entrapta laughs. "Okay! The experiment is over anyway! It was a huge success!"

This garners sputtering from Hordak. "Experiment? What experiment?!"

"I wanted to see if you'd stop me from putting more and more coats on you! You didn't!" She smiles. "I think it's because you love and trust me!"

"WELL I DON'T NOW!" Hordak shouts dramatically, wiggling his limbs around. Entrapta gasps!

"We'll need to confirm that!" She adds before moving right up to Hordak and placing her forehead against his. The warlord manages a moment of defiance before he leans into it to nuzzle her gently. He does grumble while doing it though. It garners a giggle from Entrapta. "I'll help you get out of these now. Even though you look adorable!" 

"Thank you." Hordak huffs, his face flushed red.

Hot Cocoa.

Etheria is notable for the micro climates and clear biomes which separate regions of the world. As such seasons within the confines of those biomes are quite mundane and samey compared to many of the other worlds that Hordak has visited. The Fright Zone barely notices any changes as time passes, always rather warm and dry. Hordak has been ensured however that it is currently winter time and thus extra cold. 

It is not, but the people of the Horde seemingly arbitrarily deciding this doesn't actually affect anything. Thus, Hordak allows them to have their winter. No harm done, after all.

Until the climate control systems of the Fright Zone begin to malfunction and cool things below the normal controlled ambient. The moment it was noticed technicians were dispatched to deal with the problem but it is taking them some time, and the sanctum is for lack of a better term freezing.

Hordak is not going to be deterred by a little bit of cold however, in fact it's good for conductivity. With great stoicism he ignores the niggling in his brain that he should cover up his legs and back more. He is Lord Hordak and he is stronger then some air conditioning unit. 

Just as he is about to give in and try to find a warmer room Entrapta bursts in. "Hordak!" She declares chipperly! "It's really cold!" 

He looks back at her, she's carrying a tray of little cups. It's rather too ominous for just being a platter of cups. Likely an effect of the fact that Entrapta is generally speaking terrible with making anything that is supposed to be edible. "Yes, it is. The climate control system has suffered a malfunction it would seem." 

"Well! Good news! The moment I noticed how cold it is, I decided to make us an instant fix! Hot cocoa!" She shouts the entire statement excitedly. 

Hordak quirks a brow at her "As in… heated chocolate?" 

"Yes! It's a drink! Milk! Chocolate! Marshmallows! It'll warm us right up!" She insists as she steps forth, holding up the tray of drinks to Hordak.

There's a long moment of staring and debating this. He has had chocolate before and while it is not his favorite it also is not terrible. The idea of it as a warm liquid isn't much better but it also isn't much worse. Making Entrapta happy is definitely a good thing though, and this also might help to warm his core. There is also the fact that Entrapta herself made it too, which on the one hand is a very sweet thing but on the other could spell disaster for Hordak's digestive tract.

After some internal debate Hordak reaches out to take one of the small cups of hot cocoa, carefully bringing it to his lips to take a sip. The hot liquid hits his tongue, his tastebuds fire.

Hordak spits it out immediately. Entrapta yelps in surprise. "You spit it out?!"

"How did you burn a liquid!?" Hordak responds. "This is not chocolate anymore this is some sort of liquid ash!" He ponders the taste for a moment more. "With subtle hints of arsenic."

"I am sure I did it right! I used science to make it!"

That comment garners a blink from the clone. "You just told me it was just chocolate, milk, and marshmallows! How did that require science?" 

"Well I had to make it all from scratch! From stuff I found around the Fright Zone!" 

Hordak can only groan. "There are basic food preparation supplies available to you." He states.

"Yeah but I wanted to make it special!" Entrapta pouts. "I sabotaged the air conditioning for nothing now."

Hordak blinks. "You what?!"

Mistletoe

"So we are supposed to have this plant hung up over a doorway and then if we pass under it at the same time we kiss?" Hordak asks as he looks over the bundle of green in his hand.

"well actually it's that you're socially allowed to kiss anyone standing under mistletoe!" Entrapta notes as she lifts herself up to also observe the plant.

"I see." Hordak nods slowly, then he asks the key question. "Why?"

"I don't really know! I guess it's because people like kissing!"

"I only like kissing you." Hordak replies with a sure nod.

Suddenly Entrapta's cheeks go red. "That's surprisingly forward of you!" She speaks loudly.

Hordak blinks, a blush graces him as well. His ears angle down in embarrassment. "I uh… well I mean…" then suddenly the mutually bashful moment is broken.

"Wait! If you only like kissing me does that mean you have tested it? Hordak have you kissed other people?!" Entrapta's voice is genuinely curious, almost excited to find out. It makes Hordak's ears pin against his head.

"Uh. Well… I have been on Etheria for some time… there have been intimate encounters." He looks away from her, embarrassment filling him.

"Oh wow! I never considered that…" Entrapta hmms and moves around him, as if taking stock of him now.

This time Hordak gets to speak up though. "Wait! Why not? What would make that something to not be considered?!" He turns to follow her with his gaze.

Then suddenly the mistletoe is plucked from him hands and held above him in a lock of purple hair. Hordak's surprise only increases when Entrapta's lips are suddenly pressed against his own. He soon accepts the kiss though, leaning back into it.

When their lips part Entrapta speaks. "I thought only I had such good taste!" She speaks, then giggles.

The warlord blinks, staring at Entrapta for a moment. "Who has been teaching you to flirt? That was very self assured and forward."

"Did you like it? Imp has been helping me!" She beams back at him, proud.

"I did. It was very effective. The use of the mistletoe was quite inspired as well."

"I improvised that part! I'm glad you liked it!" 

Hordak nods again, then suddenly reaches out to pull Entrapta close and kiss her again. She meeps in surprise for just a moment before leaning into it.

"I may like this backwater holiday tradition." Hordak notes quietly after they break once more. Their foreheads pressed together.

"I like it too." Entrapta sighs happily.

[evien-stark]

✧I Need You✧ Chapter 127

March came too soon. “Vacation” was over before you knew it, and you honestly weren’t sure if you were all balanced. But that didn’t really matter. The world was not going to wait. On the 7th you were scheduled to be Talbot’s personal puppy as he addressed the United Nations. On the 12th you had a keynote speech about Stark Industries’ release of the Intellicrops project at the NYC Tech Convention. And before that�� 

On the 3rd and 5th, you were now reading, sitting at your office desk, the Avengers had planned raids on two suspected Hydra bases. They’d gone on one without you, at the very end of February. You already sensed the team hadn’t been happy with your decision to step away and keep away while they went out. Guilt was heavy enough, but really it was the disappointment you’d pretended not to notice as you took hold of your briefing folder on your first day back to work. 

While Tony and Bruce had had some other pressing projects to wrap up before they could start sweeping for the scepter, they couldn’t put it off forever. And, really, they shouldn’t. The team being mad at you was really nothing compared to what was going on behind the scenes. What Hydra was doing with that weapon, and the hundreds other they’d stolen… you were so inconsequential compared to all that. But. If that were true… 

Then why had you spent half a month at home? You figured that was what everyone was asking themselves. Each other. Tony, even. You didn’t have an answer for them other than your own cowardice and unhealthy state. But even that was probably not enough. 

All of it had to be put aside. It was time to go back to work now. That’s why you put your CEO duties aside that morning to go over the extensive briefing of what you’d missed. Tony had secured some rogue SHIELD properties that were meant to help the team. A few Quinjets that he was making modifications to. There was also some vague mention of a building upstate for housing purposes. You recognized it as an already owned plot of land. Maybe one of Stark Industries’ old facilities? Tony hadn’t detailed it so it must have not been super important. It was being gut renovated right now. 

While Tony and Bruce had thought finding the scepter would be difficult, it apparently had been quite a challenge. Not only were Hydra now scrambling signals, probably in an effort of foresight that eventually what was left of SHIELD or the Avengers would come after that. The scepter, according to the report, already threw out low levels that were difficult to trace, and only when it was active. So all of that culminated in a few hotspots that the team then had to go check out. There was a detailed list and some intel on every base the Avengers were scheduled to go hit. 

Something you supposed you should have read without missing a detail. But something else was bothering your brain. None of these bases were on United States soil. Which… well. That was a problem. Considering your other problem that you were currently facing. 

In your extended downtime, a report had also come in from Ellis. Not too long ago. You wondered if this Enhanced Ambassadorship was all for show. He seemed not to care too much about it. Pulling you on so soon without a moment’s notice… basically telling you you had no say- and that all you had to do was sit by a general while he talked above you… none of it felt good. But what more could you do?

“LUNA, open a secure line with President Ellis.” Opening up one of the holo-windows on your desk so you could start a conference. The Avengers had already hit one base in somebody else’s country. You needed to deal with this now. 

He left you on hold longer than you would have liked. But eventually his face popped up on the link and he looked nothing short of disgruntled. “This better not be about the conference next week.” Apparently so sure you were just unhappy enough to start finding your way out of things.

The truth was, of course, you were. But he must have had no sense of your loyalty for your family, if he really thought you’d start reneging now. “No. It’s about something a little more pressing.” 

“You have ten minutes.” 

“It’s... slightly related.” Admitting this, trying to ease yourself. Regain the control you used to feel in situations like this. So suddenly it had all started slipping away. When he bristled you attempted a smile. “SHIELD left a lot more mess behind than you’re aware of. Hydra made off with a lot of sensitive material.” 

This put a silence into him. A cold one of consideration. He sat forward at his desk. “How sensitive? Are we talking about-”

“Weapons. Yes, sir.” 

“...what kind of weapons?” 

“Extremely dangerous ones.” Trying to just toe the line here. Right now he didn’t exactly need to know, and you kind of wanted to test the waters on his trust of you. 

He regarded you for a long moment. “...and what do you want me to do about it?” 

“The Avengers are taking care of it.” Sitting a bit straighter in your seat, clasping your hands together lightly. 

Realization sparked in his eyes. “On foreign soil.” 

“Yes, sir.” 

“You want me to authorize your people to invade countries to get this weaponry back. That’s what you called me for?” Getting just a touch angry. Probably because this was a little too coincidental, what with the meeting with the United Nations seven days away… 

“I don’t need you to authorize The Avengers to do anything. We’re going. Hydra stole United States property. The Avengers, who operate for the good of all humanity, but just happen to do so in the United States, are going to find them, apprehend them, and get it back. And I’m sure any country Hydra is found hiding inside of, with this dangerous stolen property, would be quick to denounce them. Don’t you think?” Finding your toughness and strength still holding steady after your little meltdown. Thank god. 

If you couldn’t do this what could you do? 

You shared a long gaze with the President as he considered all this. If the Avengers got caught doing this, it could have huge repercussions, of course. Foreign countries might not like that enhanced individuals were using powers on their property. But not on their citizens. On Hydra. So the both of you had to come to an agreement, now, that if your team was found out doing this that you were both sure you could talk down a country from war in only the face of bad press of not wanting to be associated with Hydra. And not wanting to look like an enemy of the Avengers. 

The ones who saved not just New York from aliens, but the world. Those ones. You were sure the team had enough good press still behind it. It had been a few years, but it was still pretty fresh. 

But Ellis had to agree on that, too. Right now. 

And, thankfully, “...I appreciate you telling me about this. I figure you could have operated in the dark.” 

It wasn’t worth telling him that the team had already gone on one mission, and had you decided the President of the United States wasn’t worth informing just this morning, nobody would have. He didn’t need to know any of that. You gave him a nod. “I’m going over the UN stuff now. I’ll be on my best behavior while I’m there.” 

“...they don’t need to know about any of what you’re doing. Nobody does right now.” Staring you down. Apprehension was easy to sense, even from so far away. Easily read on his face. “Do we understand each other?” 

Basically telling you: Don’t get caught. 

“Understood, sir.” 

                                                     ---

One terrible meeting out of the way for the day, you figured you should put your attentions into actual business things. That served you well, meetings and conferences and emails until about two PM. At that time you found yourself in the private lounge with your team (nicer than a small conference room for sure), as everyone took a seat on whatever couch was nearest them and pretended to go over their briefings while paying more attention to what had been stocked for lunch. 

It was strange, the isolation you felt. You also hoped it wasn’t on purpose. Even Tony had cozied up in a different corner of the room, perhaps absent-minded to you sitting by your lonesome as he chattered with Bruce about who knew what. But maybe you were part of the problem, too stuck in your head to notice anyone trying to pay attention to you. 

Steve took a seat beside you, startling you pretty hard. “Hey- sorry. I didn’t mean to-” 

“It’s okay.” Assuring him quickly. 

He regarded you for an uncomfortable amount of time. “You alright? You seem pretty lost.”

“I just have a lot on my mind.” Easy to say as he could never comprehend just how much at this point. 

“I’m sure the feeling is mutual right about now.” 

“Listen up everyone.” Maria called everyone’s attention. Which was good. You weren’t sure how to respond to Steve. Whether to maybe find gratitude in the sameness of being overwhelmed or to feel annoyed that he was trying to compare notes. “If the raids in the next few days don’t prove successful, we’ll continue to our next two hotspots in the same on-off calendar days. According to Banner and Stark we just got a few more hits come in, so we need everyone to be prepared.” 

That would, of course, mean that the team was planning a strike on the 7th of March. And. Well… 

You stood. “I have an announcement.” Drawing all eyes your way as you moved closer to that focal point she was standing in. She stepped aside, crossing her arms. Nervousness and agitation both gripped the room. “President Ellis has basically ordered me to take the position of the United States’ Enhanced Forces Ambassador.” Already the room erupted in heated voices. “Alright- one at a time-” 

Clint was the first wise one to figure out a spot, raising his hand. So when you pointed his way, “That sounds very made up.” 

“It is.” Dry as you answered. “But the President made it up. So I don’t really have a choice.” 

Natasha half raised a hand. “Let’s say you did have a choice.” Asking what the alternatives were that had been presented to you. Trying to get all the information on this situation. As always. 

“I don’t.” Firm about this. “But if I had said no there was pretty much a threat that the President might think about disavowing us to the United Nations. Which is particularly important, considering we’re all about border crossing these days. Don’t you agree?” Not asking her specifically, sweeping a gaze around the room. 

Steve was the next one to speak. “And you have to report to him directly about all our activity now?” 

“No. That wasn’t part of the deal.” It wasn’t, so it didn’t matter if you already had done that earlier that morning.

Maria regarded you. “So what was part of the deal?” The accusatory nature of this really rubbed you the wrong way. 

You had to steady yourself to not get angry. But it wasn’t your voice that spread across the room. It was Tony’s. He spoke calmly but pointedly as he made his way slowly over to you, “The deal was she sits on a council with no authority and basically princess-waves to the United Nations to make them feel better so that we all get to stay in business. And it was either that or jail time for everyone in this room when a foreign country remembers what the word terrorist means the next time one of us gets caught on camera on their soil.” He was by your side as he let a small silence weight what he said next. “Anyone got a problem with that?” 

Steve’s eyes were down when he was the first to speak after all that. “Is that where you’ve been since last month?” 

It was hard to know what vexed him so much about your disappearance. Maybe it was that you’d chosen politics over getting, what the team considered, work done? “I really was just taking a break.” 

Thor shuffled his shoulders. “Well the time for breaks is over. The longer the scepter is in Hydra hands the more danger it poses to your planet.” 

Their disappointment in you was easily felt. Like a fresh slap. “I know. And I’m committed to getting it back. But I can’t go on the 7th. I have a meeting with the United Nations then.” 

Yet again, a flare of upset from Steve brought your eyes his way just as he opened his mouth. “Were you even gonna tell us that if we hadn’t planned for a raid then?” 

You had to clamp down. Extremely hard. Showing nothing but a meager amount of disgust as your brows knit together. “Of course I was.” How could he even ask you something like that? “But I guess since the dates got ahead of me, you’ll just have to trust that I would have.” Meeting his eyes, not glaring, just… openly regarding him. 

He was the first one to break, head dropping in a nod. “I trust you.” But there was a sore sense of guilt here that filled you almost to the brim. 

...he really didn’t trust you anymore? 

“Good.” Just a little defensively, unable to help yourself. But the way everyone in the room was staring at you… you crossed your arms, holding to yourself. “Look- guys- I don’t know what changed. We’re a team, you know? A family. I don’t like walking on eggshells around you. I’m not hiding anything. I’m trying to do what’s best for the team. Always. And if over the past few months that stopped becoming clear, then I’d like to talk about it. Because we can’t carry on this way.” Almost short of pleading with everyone in that room. “We fought aliens. I know this other stuff has been tough, but we’re tougher.” 

You couldn’t start falling to pieces over every little thing. You needed them to be with you. To come together. It couldn’t go on like this. 

It would have been entirely too much to sit in silence after going off like that, so you were intensely grateful when Natasha aimed a smile up your way. “I’ve never questioned your judgment. I’m pretty sure nobody in this room has. But. Let nobody feel free to correct me.” Her levity eased the tension pulling the room taught. 

Bruce’s voice held just a note of timid as he fumbled with his glasses in his hands. “I know SHIELD brought us in with folders and… some even with thinly veiled threats…” There was a wry smile, aimed Natasha’s way- one she reciprocated, even. Interesting. “-but. I don’t know of anyone else after the fact that put more care into what we are now. Or more work.” 

Tony held up a finger. “I’d like to request we pair the amount of work going in as a Team Stark venture.” A humorous round of boo’s hissed around the room and Clint even chucked a throw pillow Tony’s way. He scoffed. “Alright. Message received. Don’t ask me for more suit upgrades.” 

The air in the room was much warmer than when you’d sat down, and it was very nice. One less thing to worry about. Murmurs of approval seemed to be going around. While it would have been nice to hope this was the last semi-scuffle all of you got into, you doubted it. But… teams fought, right? That was normal. As long as you could just be the big adult and talk things through with them… hopefully that would be enough every time. 

                                                    ---

It was absolutely too much to ask that either mission would be the one that ended things. Too much to ask that on either of those two missions you actually found the scepter and the stolen Chitauri parts and called it a day. Too much. Neither mission ended in a critical success. But there was at least one silver lining to both. 

Getting to know how your team operated in close quarters was really a blessing in disguise. They’d found their stride on the first mission it seemed. Were able to bounce off one another with no problem, communicate with no problem. It was easy fitting into a world with this compact team. 

Before every send off, Tony and Steve would go over key details. Tony would usually brandish his knowledge about and pull bunker info and relevant entry points. And then Steve would direct the entire team where they needed to be. Once out on the battlefield things were hectic and not everything went to plan. Hydra was more than well enough equipped to try and defend themselves.

Which was telling enough. They were supposed to be a dead faction, most captured and being tried for their crimes. Yet this organization hosted multitudes of soldiers and weaponry that- while couldn’t stand up to the might of the Avengers- did a damn good job of at least defending their base for more than thirty minutes at a time. 

You learned that Bruce had been held back in the jet, agreed upon by all parties. Unless a “Code Green” went into effect. Which would mean Hulk was a necessary player on the field. On the second mission this got utilized, when a few tanks rolled up on the ground team and you and Tony were busy trying to take down a bunker shield. By the time you’d gotten back with empty hands to show for it, Natasha had ventured off to try and quell the Hulk’s anger and turn the tide. 

They had prepped- already- for what life looked like in your absence. Maybe it was for the best. You weren’t always available. You wouldn’t always be around to try and calm Hulk down. Even if you were in battle with them, there was no guaranteeing your being up to it. This was good, you told yourself. That they had all these second options. That Steve and Tony led the charge in your single absence so much so that when you sat back the next two times it just felt like… normal. 

...maybe it was good, you continued to tell yourself on the next flight back on the Quinjet. Maybe… maybe it meant that eventually they wouldn’t need you anymore in this capacity. ...hopefully they’d let go of Tony, too. Maybe. Someday. ...someday you could step away and feel good about it. Even in Ultron’s absence, although that would have helped immensely. Maybe one day… retirement wouldn’t seem so far fetched. 

                                                    ---

The morning of the 7th you saw the team off on the flight deck just before sunrise. Tony was the second to last to load in. There seemed to be no more hard feelings about you missing a raid, which was good. Because you literally could not miss this meeting. With a small pat to his chest and a kiss to his cheek, “Please find the thing.” 

His grin was weak at best. “No one wants to find the thing more than I do.” Putting an arm around you, he pulled you close for a tight half hug. “Besides, I want all the glory of bringing it home. Obviously.” 

Thor passed you both and clapped Tony so hard on the shoulder it bounced you back a little. “We can discuss glories after we’ve secured the scepter.” Boots falling hard on the up-ramp, though he seemed in a good mood despite his antics. 

Tony sighed and gave you a small shrug. “Duty calls. Dinner later?” 

“If I get through this meeting in one piece.” 

“You’ll do great.” Hands rubbing up and down your arms a few times over as if he could soothe away all your jitters. He left you with a too-short goodbye kiss. And then you watched, holding yourself still as the jet pulled up and into the sky. Your team aboard. While you… 

You had to stay behind. And get ready in a sharp suit and a clear mental state. Because this meeting wasn’t going to be easy. Even if you were expected to talk as little as possible. Media were parked out front, as always. You made sure to clip on your absolutely ridiculous EFA badge to your jacket as you stepped out onto the sidewalk of the United Nations Headquarters. Head up, ignoring the press crying your name. 

Really, it could have been a normal day. On the docket was a greeting lunch, where all these representatives like to lounge around lavishly. Eat things that were way too expensive, and no doubt gossip. You were no stranger to these environments. Really, if left alone, you probably could have excelled here far more than you would have liked. 

But as you stepped into the private lunchroom after checking in, Talbot was the first to greet you. “Good to see you, ma’am.” He seemed agreeable and in good spirits. Probably a good thing. 

“And you, sir.” Unfortunately, now that he was at your side… the swallowing of pride had to begin. “Where would you like me?” 

“Well, just between you and I, the cool kids have a table I like to sit at.” Grinning, but you weren’t actually sure if he was making a joke or not. 

You tried very hard not to visibly scrutinize him. “You have a speech prepared for later? Or are you more of an off-the-cuff kind of man?” 

He cleared his throat, adjusting his coat with all his wondrous battle-won splendors dangling upon it. “A little of both. Don’t worry. I don’t need you to speak.” 

“That’s never been clearer.” Allowing yourself a minimal amount of sass. Otherwise you might explode. 

Luckily, he seemed to let it slide. Though his slight flair of annoyance clued you in to the fact that that was probably the only one you’d get. “Come on. A lot of people want to meet you.” 

“Lucky me.” Okay. Maybe two. 

Talbot was right, though. There was a strange mix in the air, as eyes followed you around the room. Definitely at least in your favor, as most of the electricity you sensed in the air was excitement- though there were slight parts anxiousness as well. You supposed that couldn’t be helped. Until you personally made the rounds to each table and explained why you were here- it might have appeared as though an Avenger was escorting a general around the United Nations. Kind of sloppy optics but…

You hadn’t been asked for your opinion on this event or how to host it. So that’s how things went. Once you shook enough hands and people started playing the telephone game on their own, the air definitely shifted a bit more comfortably. Though you bought food and sat at the cool kid’s table, you picked at it, kind of slightly overwhelmed with a little too much. There were too many people here feeling too many things in this large yet enclosed space.

And despite the situation needing your immediate attention, your thoughts were with Tony. With the team. They’d reacted negatively at first to the thought of you being here, but you wanted to be anywhere else. A thought that had never struck you so hard until Talbot nudged you to get up because brunch time was over. Enough people had sipped at mimosas for long enough to be pliable for what was likely a boring speech. 

So now it was time to stand at General Talbot’s side while he waxed poetic about this and that. The room that they conferenced everyone into wasn’t quite as grand as the big hall. But there were still a lot of faces sitting around that long oval table, all looking up at the both of you. He stood at his podium and you simply held your hands together and did your best to tune in. Not just to him but to the feeling of the room. 

While this venture was his- was Ellis’- and therefore the United States- they’d also made it yours. And while you weren’t supposed to speak or do anything but smile your prettiest smile and agree with whatever came out of that man’s mouth, it was very important for you to know how he was holding the attention of the room. How they felt about all of this. Sure, this wasn’t what they’d hired you for. It wasn’t something they even knew. But… eventually you’d be able to use it to your benefit. Eventually you’d be able to turn this position into more than just a woman standing at a man’s side like an ornament. And that started with you feeling out the room and figuring out exactly who was on your side and who wasn’t yet. 

Talbot was talking about togetherness and unity. All buzzwords you were sure the United Nations representatives heard a lot of. Talking about his credentials. What he knew, what he was sure of. That everyone in that room wanted to protect their people. Wanted peace. In fact, the people in that room as you honed in on them were kind of… bored. This was probably a speech they’d heard a thousand times before. 

It was why you had to give props to Talbot when he reclaimed their attention with a lightning strike that buzzed around the room. “I was here in 2012. When the sky tore open, and the Chitauri rained down on us. Aliens.” The feeling in the room was absolutely aglow as all eyes turned not to him, but to you. It was much easier to sync with people who were feeding into you so intensely without their knowing. Talbot continued, “Aliens were running through the streets. 

And it was then that SHIELD revealed themselves and stood with the Avengers. Leading us to believe that we could put our faith in them. Which we did.” A slight wave of suspicion fell over more than a few members in the room. You tried to hold yourself steady, really wishing you’d been able to look at this speech before he started. “We stood idly by while they collected super-powered individuals- those we are lucky to now call allies- one of which I’m very lucky to have standing by my side today. But that does not erase the fact that they sought out these uniquely advantaged- enhanced people without anyone else’s knowledge. 

SHIELD also garnered alien weapons, they built bases on virtually every continent. We thought SHIELD was protecting us. But in truth… they took advantage of our good faith. They still are. I know this because I’ve fought with them, long after their supposed fall. We know, in fact,” nodding to you- drawing all eyes your way, “that they’re still operating. And that they still have messes yet to be cleaned up.” 

You opened your mouth- sure, your job was to sit here and let him talk shit about SHIELD. That was fine. Well. Great, even. SHIELD did terrible things that you still didn’t agree with. That you wouldn’t ever. But you couldn’t let him rope you into this. You couldn’t let him speak for you so personally. 

However, you were usurped by Italy’s representative, Adamo Dioli, taking a stand, putting his hands on the table. You’d shared less than five words with him over brunch, but he seemed smart enough. “Italy takes note of your report, General.” You honed in on him, curious as to what he was trying to get at. “Now you say that you’ve seen SHIELD- that you’ve even fought against them. But… where is the proof?” 

If this were any other meeting, you would have sided with Dioli immediately. You desperately wanted to know what Talbot knew about SHIELD in the aftermath. He seemed pretty sure of himself. But the mood in the room shifted before either Talbot or Dioli could start fighting with one another. The door in the corner of the room whipped open, bringing with it a storm. 

Before you saw anyone- you saw a weapon- flung across the room and straight into Dioli’s chest. It was like you were looking through him. Locked on to him as he started to scream for help. Panic erupted. He reached out- and stupidly you held a hand up- just in time for him to start disintegrating into a dark pile of ash. Right in front of you. Right in front of you. Yet it seemed like a second pair of eyes was staring out from the ones falling to dark pieces- pleading- just as his entire body broke down into a heap of smolders on the floor. 

Terror was a hot flash across your consciousness as heavily armed men entered the room, guns brandished. More than one person flung the accusation, “IT’S SHIELD!” 

You just didn’t have enough time. Ripping the front of your blouse open to expose the Heart Reactor on your chest, you tapped once to draw out, leading the nanobots on a clear path down your arm. And then you held up for a quick repulsor blast at one of the men that nearly knocked you off your feet without the aid of the entire suit to stabilize you. It rocked your arm up and around after. And then the gunfire started. 

You swooped down into a dive to drag another representative out of the way of fire- just as another one of those weapons were tossed at one of the security guards in the room. He, too, cried out in fear and pain and then just fell apart into ash. But- focused on him- you had enough time to tap again and suit up fully. Helmet on, “LUNA I need you to figure out what those weapons are NOW.” Stressed as more than a hundred different threads of white-hot panic were raining over you. 

“We’ve got no database on them, ma’am- and I’m not sure the suit will protect you- so please-” 

“Don’t get hit. Got it.” Easier said than done. You were lucky enough to draw regular gunfire as you took off out of your spot with an extra boost of jets to ram the armed man closest to you into- and then through a wall. Then you rocked back with another burst to re-enter the room. Just in enough time to see the seeming man-in-charge of this operation lob one of those weapons Talbot’s way- 

“LUNA lock and engage!” Holding a hand up to get a steady trajectory lock so that you could blast it out of the air. Jumped up and over the table, towards him where he was just at the exit at the back of the room. “Go. Now.” Shielding him from further fire. 

The head goon jumped on the table with an almost too-on-the-nose declaration, “SHIELD is done hiding!” 

Pushing another representative out of the way of a hail of bullets, taking on the damage, you then almost seriously chucked them out of the door. “Go!” Then in a clean backflip to put you right on the other end of the table, “You know, last time I heard that, it came right before someone telling me they were actually Hydra. Now you wouldn't happen to be lying would you? I’d be very disappointed.” 

He smirked. “Lady Iron. Join me, won’t you? We’re allies.” 

You decided to push your luck. “What level were you before SHIELD fell into the water?” 

“Eight.” 

“What floor number was Fury’s office actually on in the Triskellion?” 

A spark of anger lit up between the two of you and he gnashed his teeth behind his closed lips. “Screw this.” Flinging his arm forward to lob one of those disintegration weapons your way. You had barely enough time to drop in a slide to your knees, pulling one leg up on the rise to gain momentum in an uppercut. He lifted off his feet but just as he came back down you kicked in his chest, sending him flying towards the back of the room. 

But as you lifted again to try and gain on him, his buddies came in hot and heavy with more gunfire and you had to draw up a shield. One you rammed into despite a heavy warning flaring to life on your screen, so that you could boost into a sweeping kick to get a few more men bowled over. Keeping in with momentum after dropping your shield, you swung your elbow into the stomach of one and reached behind you to grab the shoulders of another just as he tried to reach for you, throwing him across the room. They were a small group, you could dominate them-

 But in the middle of a smaller hail of bullets, LUNA put a target on your screen- one that was about a foot away from your open side- “Ma’am-!” 

It was weird, to be thanking the powers that be that someone had fired a rocket launcher on you instead of one of those weird instant-killing weapons. But that’s basically what you did as you went flying out of the window, consciousness waning as your head rattled around, falling several stories into one of the back gardens in a painful heap. You were lucky, that cries of “Fall back! SHIELD fall back!” were crackling through the airwaves, making it past your ringing ears. Giving you a little permission to just… drift.

They weren’t here to kill everyone. They’d been here to make a point. 

You drew up on your hands and knees, pulling the helmet off as you struggled for air, coughing up blood on your hands and knees.. Now that you weren’t in immediate danger, you felt like you were drowning in the wake of everyone else’s terror. Yet the world felt weirdly empty. Like there was a hole in your chest. 

You’d been staring right at Dioli- You’d been trying to sense him- And he’d died right in the middle of it. 

His eyes. You couldn’t stop seeing his eyes. 

 When you found the strength, you put the helmet back on, and took the short way up, lifting on uneasy jet boosts back up to the room you’d been blasted out of. Empty. Everyone had fled. “LUNA, can you find some people for me...” Hopefully the entire building had been evacuated. Dizziness was looping around in a knot centered at the back of your head.

 “The building is 90% empty, ma’am. We have one group huddled in the lower deck stairwell.” Taking shelter, no doubt.

 So you redirected towards there and instead of using the jets to just plow down through the center, you deactivated your suit, and instead made the walk. It was almost of no surprise when you found them huddled together, Talbot in front of them, wounded, and one of the pretend-SHIELD men dead on the steps just below. He looked up at you on your approach. “Is the building secure? I lost comms.” No doubt why he was hiding. These men could have been lined up on the lawn ready to execute anyone who left the entire building for all he knew.

 You gave a weary nod. “We’re clear.” Reaching your hand to offer him help up. He ignored you, maybe more of a pride thing than anything else. And you just didn’t have enough energy to care. Instead you focused your efforts on helping up the representatives that had taken shelter with him, listening to their tearful murmurs of gratitude as they went in one ear and out the other.

 You and Talbot brought everyone out around back to one of the gardens, while everyone else in the building started pouring back in. Statements were being taken. People were being helped. It must have been an hour before a medteam even got to you. You were just trying to hold on. You couldn’t hear a word they were saying as they tried to push and prod you- to get you to do anything- 

Talbot’s hand was on your shoulder- But it was the rumble of the Quinjet roaring closer and then dropping to land that really stilled everyone. 

Predictably, Tony was the first one out. Sense returned as his familiar waves brought you back. “Mission didn’t go well?” Trying to pretend this looked like less than it was. 

“What happened?” 

Talbot stood straighter, “She did her job.” As you looked up at him, you realized he was slightly banged up, arm in a sling. “Where were your people?” 

Tony’s anger was easy to spot. “My people? Seems like one of them was right here. And you’re-” 

“Sir.” Steve, in his full Captain America gear, was trotting up to the scene. “Let me take over.” 

Talbot extended a hand. “Captain.” Attention successfully diverted. But, as Tony helped you to your feet, he redirected one last time, holding his remaining arm out. You regarded the gesture and then met his gaze. “You did good.” 

“That wasn’t SHIELD.” All you could think to do in the moment. 

When he realized you were ignoring him otherwise, he glowered, and let his hand drop. But, to your surprise, he agreed. “I don’t think it was, either.” It was nice to have an understanding with this man. 

At least for as long as it lasted before Tony turned you away. “Let’s get you home.” 

Talbot seemed like he didn’t want to let you leave. “She should see a medic.” 

“We have medics in-house.” And Tony wanted you anywhere but here. Just at the landing stairs, Tony half turned. “Cap.” Calling his attention. “You staying?” 

Steve nodded. “For the time being.” 

With that he helped you up and into the jet where the rest of the team were still buckled in their seats. Bruce was sitting at one of the consoles. “...eventful day?” Turning as you and Tony sat down closest to him. 

You tried on your best smile for him. “More than yours, it seems.” 

Natasha spoke from the front seat as she ignited the engines. “Big bust in Turkmenistan. But word on the street is SHIELD just kicked in the UN’s doors and declared war. So that’s something.” 

Clint flipped a few switches next to her, co-piloting. “It’s always something.” 

A defeated and painful laugh escaped you. “Who are you telling?” Tony was just watching you. Clearly not in the mood for amusement. It killed yours, and you hung your head.

 It was never not something, at this point. 

Never. 

[combbomb99-blog]

Does This Describe Arbitration Of Moderation?

Mediator - What Are Its own Benefits?

As a negotiator, you must make certain that your job is to help with a feasible problem in between two or additional gatherings. If you want to help make the process soft working, you need to also ensure that you may aid various other events within a trade-off. This post will definitely explain the high qualities of an excellent conciliator and also a few of the perks that you can easily exist having one.

One of the most necessary benefit of being a moderator is that you get to supply a mediating company. The importance of being an arbitrator has been obtaining extra popular considering that lots of people perform certainly not possess the adventure of being actually a conciliator. A mediator is normally entrusted to offer an answer that would deal with a specific concern between the 2 events. Because the conciliator is actually expected to embody each parties, there are actually no problems in conveying the message of each events. The arbitrator can have various capabilities like public speaking, being a forerunner, or even revealing sympathy for the target or the other gathering.

An additional advantage of being actually a negotiator is actually that you are counted on to have adventure in mediation. Lots of folks assume that adventure is certainly not necessary yet it is very important. Along with the know-how of exactly how to deal with issues, you may give recommendations or recommendations to both events as well as allow all of them understand the most ideal technique to come close to a certain problem.

The significance of being actually an excellent arbitrator concerns the criteria of rely on the conciliator. Most people tend to rely on others without also recognizing that they are trusted. Consequently, you must possess strong communication skills. ScheidingsCenter aangekondigd must have the capacity to connect in a suitable method, without sounding pompous or creating it look like you are demanding. If you possess a solid control of the foreign language, you can aid share the correct message as well as make sure that the 2 events recognize just how to move toward the issue in an effective way.

The most necessary benefit of being a moderator is that you reach work as a 3rd party. This is actually a perk that you need to consider since it could assist you conquer lots of communication problems that you might face later on. Folks tend to interact and also make the communication stations just when the individual that the interaction was actually intended for is actually absent. As an example, if you appear a presentation, you might refer to as a person that can easily pay attention to your presentation to make sure that she or he can offer comments as well as remarks.

The demand for rely on is actually likewise necessary considering that the moderator is expected to serve as the "gatekeeper" of the communication channel. The negotiator is the one who must determine whether the communication has gone well or otherwise. If the communication went well, the negotiator will definitely decide whether the events require to find each other once again or otherwise. If the interaction was not going well, the moderator will certainly store all of them responsible and help them fix the issue.

You are going to also reach participate in the role of the "non-attached person". Given that the conciliator is actually certainly not directly associated with the conflict, he or she is generally considered a person who is only seeing. Therefore, the negotiator is phoned call to work as a neutral party in fixing problems.

The usefulness of being actually an arbitrator pertains to the premiums of an excellent arbitrator as well as the benefits that you can get along possessing one. Right now, you recognize what an arbitrator is and also just how to turn into one.

What is actually the Job of the Mediator in the Case of Separation?

A separation is a complicated and also nerve-racking issue that requires effective and relevant conversation, however it needs to have to be taken very seriously with the aid of a mediator. Divorce commonly means a lot of modifications happening in the lifestyles of the parents and also kids. It might likewise imply a splitting up coming from the husband or wife that had been actually with all of them for a very long time. zoals Scheidings Center meldt are actually quite tough to approve and also to deal with. Additionally, the kids may reside in the center of emotion lost without their parents. This is actually why it is actually necessary to look for the support of a really good negotiator that will definitely mediate in order to come to a fair and also efficient remedy to the issue.

Back then of separation, lots of married couples attempt to maintain their kids after the breakup by utilizing house after separation insurance policy that is actually usually shared by the partners of the marriage or by utilizing medical carriers to care for the little ones. Both the property after a breakup and also the residence after breakup insurance coverage is actually advantageous if taken care of correctly. Yet the negligence for this is that the kids may wind up residing in poor circumstances as well as at risk of being mistreated or even ignored. This is actually why it is vital to take the youngsters as well as the various other partners truly as well as to look after all of them. In such instances, it is far better to undergo the home after a breakup as well as the home after breakup insurance so as to get what you actually yearn for as well as to stay clear of squandering your money in an excessive answer. If the little ones are associated with the arrangements between the gatherings after that it is actually advisable to look at the arbitration procedure also.

After home after the divorce, it is very important to likewise stay clear of any kind of kind of threat in the house after breakup particularly using command mechanisms like physical violence and also mental adjustment. The instance of splitting up can additionally result in anxiety in the kids if the moms and dads perform not handle all of them every bit as. This is actually why it is essential to move toward a moderator in such situations. The mediator is going to offer his suggestions on just how to produce the parents agree to a solution on the basis of mutual regard and also decency. This may help each parties in solving the situation in a favorable manner in order that they may proceed on the basis of mutual appreciation and also decency.

What is actually the Duty of the Arbitrator in the Case of Breakup?

What is actually the role of conciliator when it comes to divorce? If your husband or wife is actually telling you that the child is living with one more parent and also this various other moms and dad is properly paid, and also it is actually feasible to obtain the house after separation? This can be an extremely emotional instant for you and your ex-spouse. It is constantly most effectively to consult a conciliator who is actually trained and also an expert. If you carry out not recognize just how to deal with obtaining an arbitrator or if you intend to find out more about just how to accomplish this at that point the observing will definitely give you some really good recommendations on how to deal with this condition.

In a breakup there are three principal elements to check out, one is actually the kid is actually coping with an additional moms and dad, the 2nd aspect is actually the division of the home and also the 3rd is the guideline of energy distribution. If the little one is actually dealing with yet another moms and dad, the moderator will definitely sit along with the parents to figure out a technique to obtain the little one back in addition to its own birth parents. The little ones may stay in the exact same residence, or even they can move out as well as cope with their moms and dads. There is additionally the concern of residential property. Currently the mediation might not make it possible for the gatherings to settle on precisely what residential or commercial property is certainly not theirs. They may set a crack of the house and other properties.

The guideline of electrical power circulation is probably one of the most essential thing to opt for when your partner is actually mentioning that they don't prefer the kid back. If they are able to obtain custody of the kid, they are going to find yourself receiving the exact same quantity of funds and also expenditures as you carried out. If they perform certainly not have that perk, after that you need to make sure that you receive your decent allotment of the money. A single thing that is mosting likely to develop the branch of energy is who receives child support remittances. You and also your ex will need to bargain the amount of loan you will certainly pay out to see to it that both of you are actually acquiring the exact same volume. But once that has been agreed upon it is well to take care of your ex to ensure they are certainly not lured to rip off on you. That's the duty of arbitrator when it comes to breakup.

What's the Role of Negotiator on Kid in Separation?

When our team discuss mediation on little ones in breakup, our experts can easily certainly never think of that a person must know the duty of negotiator on children in divorce. During the course of a divorce, youngsters are a really essential part of every family, and if youngsters are actually taken away from their parents, it will be actually a significant loss for the youngsters and also they will likewise be actually a wonderful loss to the whole household. The mediation in between both sides is actually taken into consideration to become one of the very best achievable procedures when it involves recovering the excellent associations between the separating events. There are actually several main reasons regarding why you need to have to discover the function of mediator on kids in breakup. These reasons are primarily all associated with the health and wellness and also welfare of the children, as well as it is actually a crucial factor to consider in a scenario when the kids are actually worried.

Another reason is actually that when both edges have actually reached out to a trade-off, and when they remain to interact along with one another as well as reach a good understanding, there will certainly be actually an excellent outcome of the mediation on youngsters in breakup. Some of the important things that are taken into consideration to be among the crucial factors to discover through arbitrators on kids in breakup is actually the function of adolescence. It is only throughout adolescence that teens begin to become private as well as start to experience various circumstances that might be actually dangerous to all of them. This is actually likewise the grow older where the little ones find out how to manage the various problems that are faced through all of them in a regular technique, and this is also the grow older where they start to create a school kid throughout divorce. This will be actually a vital procedure if both the parents are fiscally tough good enough to assist the education and learning of their youngsters during the course of separation.

Yet another explanation regarding why one needs to find out the task of arbitrator on children in separation is actually that throughout the process of arbitration, parents need to regularly keep in mind that they ought to be totally separated from their youngsters. It is very important that while the procedure of mediation is happening, parents need to certainly not make their children aware of the main reasons for separation, otherwise they could experience unpleasant during the course of the arbitration. They need to always remember that during arbitration, they should only be actually focusing on the method as well as the issues involved, and also they need to avoid from the courthouse process and also care for the youngsters's' problems during the arbitration method.

What is actually the Duty of Mediator in Adult Plan?

In any sort of scenario entailing breakup, which one will be actually the best handy to the individual requiring the information? Which one will assist the individual getting the assistance? Most individuals will certainly go with the 1st concern yet you might be right. And an excellent question will definitely get the person the answer you are looking for. You can not only inquire what's the job of negotiator in the parental planning?

There is actually an incredibly important explanation that this is the case as well as our team will certainly look at it as well as our task as a negotiator so as to guarantee that all gatherings are going to know what each people can possibly do as well as what the other person requires to perform if you want to possess a well-balanced partnership. Deal with it momentarily. Which one perform you think would help you more? The answer is actually each of all of them interacting in consistency. Deal with it and choose.

There is a really vital aspect to think about which is that the process of resolving in any type of condition is a two-way process where you as an arbitrator necessity to deliver the two events together to make sure that they recognize the agreement as well as each other's demands. If the 2 of you don't recognize what each other needs then no amount of arbitration can assist. Our company as negotiators know what needs to be done and also our company can easily aid all of them obtain that target. What's the part of the arbitrator in the parental program? This is actually something that requires to be clearly know because it will assist you in the method of resolving as well as help you en route to success.

What's the Part of Negotiator in Retirement Pension?

What's the role of conciliator in a retirement life pension? A moderator is going to appear at every step of your life in the course of your life expectancy. He is the one who will certainly be resting at your side to provide you the opinions and tips pertaining to exactly how to be happy and exactly how to obtain success in your company or even social life. He is actually certainly not there certainly to evaluate you, but he will certainly be actually offering you guidance on exactly how to advance and exactly how to take care of all things that appear.

When you are ready to move up in your career or even the association, your mediator will definitely be actually resting along with you and also will provide you a direct on the concerns that could surface or even your transfer to a higher role within the company or organisation. You are actually certainly not meant to inquire your arbitrator excessive inquiries that may start the ball rolling. He will simply inform you to sit and also believe just before you flirt up the step ladder of your job. He will see to it that you do not slide and also drop on your way to obtaining effectiveness. To steer clear of any sort of potential difficulties, it is actually always really good to collaborate with a reputable mediator that will certainly listen to you and assist you by giving you unprejudiced guidance.

Therefore what is actually the part of negotiator in a retirement pension? Our experts have spoken about the simple fact that he will definitely help your firm. But what else should you find out about your negotiator?

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[peachylixir]

Burn, Blush, Blaze (a Todomomo fanfic)

Summary: A series of moments with Yaoyorozu that show Todoroki a different side to his least favorite color. Rating: T | Word Count: 4,325 Read on AO3 or continue reading below the cut

Todoroki is the first to change into his hero costume. The glowing red eyepiece is tacky, but overall, he’s satisfied with the way the ice side completely covers his left half. He leans against the wall and crosses his arms, awaiting the rest of his classmates.

Not thirty seconds pass before the girls’ locker room door opens, and Yaoyorozu steps out. Her costume is something he’d expect more from an R-rated hero like Midnight and not so much the sophisticated Yaoyorozu heiress. Her back is ramrod straight, posture ostensibly firm and confident, but there’s a bashfulness in the way she starts to cross her arms over her chest before dropping them again. Despite knowing this is her meant to be her public hero costume, he feels the need to give her privacy, so he looks away. He hears the stretch of fabric as she tugs at it. “Your costume is quite creative, Todoroki-san,” she remarks, drawing his eyes back towards her. She’s forcing herself to smile, but there’s an twitch in her cheek that belies her discomfort. “Did they not design yours the way you wanted?” he asks bluntly, because really, it’s almost painful to watch someone as poised as her fidget in a costume like that. She grimaces and attempts to wave away the notion with her hand and a polite chuckle. “Ah, well…” She trails off, looking down at the ground for a second before jerking her head back up. She keeps her chin up as she speaks. “I admittedly did not give them much to go by. I clarified the nature of my quirk and added small preferences, such as the color, but I thought it best to defer to the judgment of the professionals in regards to the costume design itself.” He snorts. “You should send it back if you don’t like it. I’m sure you can afford to make some modifications.” She shakes her head. “No, I… There’s nothing wrong with it. It fits the needs of my quirk.” By now, he can hear the voices of his classmates as they approach the locker room door. He considers telling Yaoyorozu that just because she can tolerate it doesn’t mean she should. Or that it’s foolish to make herself uncomfortable in battle, thereby compromising herself, just because she’s too passive to cause a scene. It all feels like too much effort though, and so he doesn’t bother. Instead, he pushes himself off the wall and tells her, “Red is an ugly color though.” He doesn’t wait to hear her rebuttal, instead mingling with the crowd of 1-A students as they journey down the tunnel to meet All Might. --- Exam season at U-A is no joke. Every teacher goes all out, demanding end of semester projects, exams, and presentations. While Todoroki isn’t particularly worried about his grades, it doesn’t change the fact that it is in fact a heavy workload that keeps him up later than usual doing schoolwork. As if all that isn’t bad enough, Present Mic-sensei just had to go and make the English presentations a partnered assignment. Each pair was supposed to come up with a five minute conversation, on any plausible topic, entirely in English. He’d be grading them on grammar, of course, but also pronunciation and fluidity of the conversation. Todoroki typically dreads groupwork, but even he’s aware he lucked out in getting paired with the top student in the class, Yaoyorozu. When he arrives at her home that same weekend to work on the assignment together, she greets him at the door in English. “Welcome to my home!” He replies in Japanese. “Where should I put my stuff?” “Ah, um, right this way.” After he’s taken off his shoes, she guides him through several long hallways to what looks like a spacious, Western-style dining room, complete with a polished wood table large enough to seat most of their class. There’s a stack of notebooks in front of one seat, so Todoroki settles into the one across from it. Yaoyorozu hovers in the entryway. “What kind of tea do you like? We have Darjeeling, Ceylon, Assam, Rooibos, Gyokuro, Chai, Sencha- ” “Sencha is fine,” he says, cutting her off before she can go any further. Then, because he feels bad for interrupting her, he adds, “Thanks.” He takes the opportunity while she’s off preparing the tea to begin outlining his idea for their presentation. It is a bit boring to go the route of a transfer student asking a current student about his new school, but it would serve the purpose well as he could ask a bunch of mundane questions that Yaoyorozu would answer with ease. It’d be easy to drag it out for the full time, and it was a relevant topic, given that they are indeed students. That should satisfy the teacher. By the time she returns, he’s already written out a good third of their lines. At this rate, they’d be done in no time. His scribbling is interrupted by the gentle clink of a teacup and saucer being placed in front of him. Steam rises from the ornate porcelain, bringing with it the delicate scent of green tea. “Oh, you’ve already started?” she asks, bringing a second teacup over to her side of the table. If Todoroki had been paying more attention, he might have noticed the disappointment in her voice. Instead, he just lets out a grunt, glancing over his work thus far. “It’s a little simple, but it should do for the purposes of the assignment. I just need you to memorize your part once I’m done.” “Yes, of course,” Yaoyorozu says hurriedly, pulling a white notebook towards her and flipping through the pages. She doesn’t get very far before she lets out a noise of frustration and slams the book shut, reaching for another one instead. This one is apparently the right one because she continues to turn through it until she’s somewhere in the middle. A quick glance across the table shows him that the pages contains lists of English idioms and colloquial phrases. “How silly of me,” she mumbles, rolling her eyes at herself in a self-deprecating fashion. “How could I mix them up? English is obviously purple.” “What?” All of his notebooks are black. She doesn’t glance up from her notes as she recites, “English is purple, history is red, science is green, classical Japanese is yellow, and math is white. Some are more flexible than others, like when you get to the nuances of the different sciences, but for the most part, I think that’s the most accurate subject to color matchup.” He shakes his head. “What does that even matter?” She flushes, looking a little embarrassed, but doesn’t let her posture slouch as she explains. “Studies have shown that color coordinating while note-taking helps you retain the information better. Plus, every subject has a different feeling, so it helps to match them to their respective color.” He trusts what Yaoyorozu is saying to be true, but the twinkle in her eyes makes him think that maybe she does it just for fun; honestly, it just seems like a waste of time to him. He looks down at his own monochrome notebooks, lips pressed together in a thin line. Yaoyorozu seems to be waiting for a response from him though, so he bites back a sigh and meets her expectant gaze. “In that case, you’ve got it wrong,” he says, “English is yellow. And science is black.” She tuts at him disapprovingly, but fails to hide her smile. “And what makes you say that?” He thinks to their English teacher, the resident Voice Hero; he thinks of American TV shows, action-packed Hollywood films. “Yellow is… loud, so it’s most like English. Black is straightforward. Factual. Like science.” “I see,” she says, nodding sagely. “I can understand why you might think that, but science is actually a lot more mutable than people believe. With every new thing we discover, our facts change. That’s why I think it’s actually green. Our well of scientific knowledge is constantly growing.” He blinks in surprise; she had clearly given this topic a lot of thought. Whether or not the topic actually warranted that much consideration was up for debate, but he couldn’t deny that her logic was sound. “I’ll give you that one,” he says begrudgingly. “And the history one, too.” She claps her hands together, excited. “Yes! I’m glad we can agree on that much. History is just so… rich and steady. There’s so much there just waiting for us to learn from the past.” “What?” Todoroki stares at her as if she had just used her quirk to grow an extra head. “That’s not why.” “Well then, what do you-” “History is ugly.” His voice is as hard as his gaze. “It’s full of awful mistakes, turmoil and anguish. There’s bloodshed, revolution. The stories we hear are never how things actually happened.” “That’s true, b-” He shakes his head. “Let’s get back to the assignment.” Yaoyorozu hesitates, looking for a moment as if she’ll argue further, but once Todoroki redirects his gaze to his notebook, her face falls and she sighs. “Of course. Let me help.” Despite the shift in conversation, the topic lingers in Todoroki’s mind. It’s hard for it not to when the Yaoyorozu home is steeped in the color: the polished wood of the bookcases is a warm maroon, the detailing on his teacup crimson on ivory, and even the cardigan Yaoyorozu has draped over the back of her chair is a vibrant, eye-catching red. It’s a little frustrating how inescapable the color is. And yet, the words “rich and steady” stick with him, painting the scene surrounding him. He tries to see it through her eyes, and for a split second, he thinks he almost understands it. Her home is warm, comforting, and no doubt full of endless opportunities for her. Nothing at all like the hardships and loneliness of his own childhood. So as much as he disagrees, he can’t bring himself to want to taint the beauty of it for her any more than he already has. He stays silent, working steadily through their assignment until he has it all written out in his notebook. He waits for her to copy it down, ignoring how frantically she scribbles, the hushed apologies she mutters for her slow pace. They don’t really converse again after that until it’s time for him to leave. She escorts him to the door, cardigan wrapped tightly around herself. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” he says. For a second she looks like she might be on the brink of saying something, but she bites her lip and pushes a smile toward him instead. “Right. See you around.” Her expression confuses him, but he leaves without giving it a second thought. It isn’t until the end of the week, when he’s bound by their teacher’s capture weapon, suspended over the caltrops Aizawa laid out that he realizes maybe he shouldn’t be so quick to judge a book by its cover. --- The dinner roster says it’s his turn to cook, along with Iida, Ashido, and Yaoyorozu. It only takes a few minutes to realize why that’s a terrible combination, as none of them are particularly good cooks. The class reps assure him that they can follow a recipe easily enough, so he and Mina are delegated to chopping up vegetables. It’s a simple task that they finish in no time, even with Ashido pausing every now and then to peer over at the fragrant pan sizzling in front of Todoroki. “Ashido-san, please,” Iida scolds, standing between them to bodily prevent her from getting too close to the hot pan. “As your class president, I would feel responsible if you were to get burned on my watch.” “Boo, you’re no fun,” she complains, but returns dutifully to her task of scooping all the chopped veggies into a bowl and passing it over. Before she can make another attempt at the pork, Iida assigns her the next task of setting the table with him. The sound of her whining is easy to hear even as they transition into the dining room. Yaoyorozu sighs. “Those two can be quite the handful,” she says fondly. Todoroki silently agrees. The timer dings, and a quick glance at the pork confirms that it is indeed cooked through. He turns off the heat. There’s a large tray set aside on the counter for him, so he dumps the pork onto the platter. He moves to the sink. “Yaoyorozu, I finished the-” He cuts himself off with a hiss as his finger strays too close to the hot metal of the pan. He drops it into the sink with a loud clatter and brings his finger up to inspect. There’s no visible mark yet, but he can tell from the throbbing that a welt will soon form on his skin. “Are you okay?” she asks, hands fluttering anxiously in front of him. “Did you burn yourself?” “Yeah, but it’s fine. I’ll just ice it,” he explains as frost travels down his shoulder. The icy trail is interrupted by a warm hand snatching his own. “Wait, don’t!” Yaoyorozu squeezes his hand in a way that causes his whole arm to tingle. The ice dissipates. “What are you doing?” Todoroki asks, watching warily as she turns on the tap. With a gentle tug, she runs his fingers under the cool water and begins to explain. “Most people think ice is the best thing for a burn because it brings the temperature down, but the thing is, ice is actually too cold for the skin, resulting in damage or in some cases, even frostbite.” The cool water feels pleasant enough on his skin that he doesn’t reply right away. Plus, there’s something about the sight of her slender fingers wrapped around his own that he finds he likes a little too much. A minute passes before he finally speaks. “I can self-regulate my body temperature, so I don’t think frostbite is a possibility for me here.” Her fingers tighten the slightest bit. “Y-Yes, well, tissue damage is still a possibility. Better to be safe than sorry.” “Okay.” He can almost see the loading bar above her head as the reality of her actions sink in for her. She hastily drops his hand and steps back, sending water drops scattering. “Well! I think you can take care of it from here. You know where the first aid kid is, right? Dry it properly, put some ointment on it before bandaging. I’m going to call everyone down for dinner.” Yaoyorozu is out of the room before he can reply, but he tries anyway. “Thank you.” The door is already swinging shut behind her. He shuts off the water and wraps a dish towel around his fingers, noting the welt blooming on his skin. It still stung, but not nearly as much as did before, a ruddy pink instead of the angry red he was accustomed to seeing from his burns. Had he glanced in the mirror when he bandaged up his injury, he would have seen that his cheeks were reddened to match. --- “Oh dear, you kids really got banged up back there! You really should be more careful.” Todoroki tunes out the rest of Recovery Girl’s lecture. He feels drained after the spar against Midoriya and Tokoyami, and Recovery Girl’s quirk only exhausted him even more. He sneaks a glance to his left, where Midoriya and Yaoyorozu are nodding fervently, listening attentively out of respect for the elderly hero. To his right, Tokoyami’s head is bowed and his eyes are closed, though whether he’s dozing or listening is hard to say. After another minute or two of scolding, Recovery Girl takes pity on them and plucks a clear container off her desk. She pops off the lid and offers the contents to each of them in turn. “Don’t think I’m rewarding you for careless behavior,” she warns, waving the jar of lollipops at them. “This is just a little treat for being good students.” “Thank you, ma’am,” Midoriya says respectfully, grinning as he picks a bright yellow lollipop from the assortment. “Yes, thank you,” Yaoyorozu echoes, picking one up at random. She and Midoriya exchange tired, but content, smiles. Tokoyami stands and bows before Todoroki has even made his own selection. “None for me, thank you. I’m trying to cut back on my sugar intake. I think I’ll go back home and rest, if you don’t mind.” “Go right ahead, dear,” she says, waving him goodbye. He shuts the door quietly. She turns back to Todoroki expectantly. “Well, young man?” “Ah.” He grabs the first one he sees, which ends up being cherry flavored. Of course. “Thanks,” he says anyway because it’s not Recovery Girl’s fault he ended up picking his least favorite kind. The three of them slide off their seats and head for the door, exhaustion weighing them down. Yaoyorozu is opening the door and stepping out into the hall, but before Todoroki can follow suit, Recovery Girl calls out to him one last time. “Ah, close the door behind you, Todoroki-kun. I need to speak to Midoriya-kun about something for a minute.” With a shrug, Todoroki does as she asks, quietly closing the door to the infirmary behind him. He turns, surprised to see Yaoyorozu apparently waiting for him in the hall. When he begins the walk back towards the classroom, she falls into step beside him. “I was doing some reflection on the battle and I think I’ve pinpointed some areas of improvement,” she begins, nodding to herself resolutely. She proceeds to explain in-depth what moves really won them the fight, the flaws of all involved parties, and how she plans to improve. Unlike Recovery Girl’s lecture, Todoroki actually makes a point to listen to it all. He even interjects with his own points every now and then, going so far as to ask for her thoughts on his fighting style. He respects her insight, and if their fight against Aizawa taught him anything, it’s that sometimes she needs to be shown that. “Even though I know Recovery Girl is right about us being careless, a part of me is still proud of us for winning the fight. Going up against Tokoyami-san again, I couldn’t help but feel like… like it was a second try from the sports festival. Like I’m finally redeeming myself.” She says the last part with a self-conscious laugh, but Todoroki only gives her a curious look. She did that a lot, he noticed. Undermine her own ambitions, her own accomplishments as if they were absurd for her to even consider. Even now, she misinterprets his gaze and scrambles to amend her statement. “Of course, I wouldn’t have been able to do that without you. Your quick reflexes came in handy as such a pivotal moment that I’m certain-” “Yaoyorozu.” He stops just short of the empty classroom, forcing her to stop and face him. He pulls the red lollipop out of his pocket and stares down at it pensively for a moment before holding it out to her. She looks down at the proffered sweet in confusion. “As thanks for your strategy during the fight. You did a good job today.” She seems torn, but behind the hesitance, he can see the glimmer of pride flicker in her eyes. “But that one is yours. Recovery Girl already gave me one.” “I don’t like cherry,” he says simply, “Besides, red’s your favorite color, isn’t it?” “Todoroki-kun.” Surprise flits over her face, only to be replaced with a brilliant smile. “Thank you.” She accepts it, fingers brushing against his. Before he can think about the weird feeling that shoots up his spine, Yaoyorozu is reaching into her pocket and thrusting a green lollipop in his direction. “As thanks for being such a good partner today,” she explains. A smile tugs at the corner of his lips as he accepts the candy from her; he always liked the sourness of green apple. Still, as he watches her unwrap her candy with barely disguised delight and pop it between her smiling lips, he can’t help but think that red has never looked quite so vibrant nor cherry quite so tasty. --- The music is uncomfortably loud, but somehow the squealing of the Class 1-A’s girls is even louder. Surprisingly, it doesn’t bother Todoroki. It’s hard to be upset when everyone is in such high spirits. The girls are effusive in their praise for each other, and even the guys exchange a few sincere compliments in between good natured ribbing. He supposes it must be something about a school dance that just puts people in a good mood, but he hasn’t pinpointed what it is yet. A nudge draws him out of his thoughts. When he turns, he Midoriya is standing beside him in an oversized green suit. He hands Todoroki a glass of punch. “It’s all pretty cool, right? Even UA’s dances are incredible,” he remarks, gesturing to the room at large. “I know I shouldn’t be surprised, but I am.” “It’s… loud,” Todoroki replies, grimacing as Present Mic screeches into the microphone. His eyes drift over to the clusters of students chatting happily. “But everyone is having fun, so I guess it’s nice.” Midoriya follows his gaze, eyes lingering where Uraraka stands alongside Asui, Jirou, and Yaoyorozu. He adjusts his tie, looking nervous. “What’s wrong?” Midoriya jumps, narrowly avoiding spilling his own punch. “Nothing!” he blurts, scratching the back of his head and laughing too loudly to be natural. Todoroki only stares at him. Midoriya deflates. “Well, I was thinking of asking Uraraka to dance with me, but I’m not a very good dancer, so I don’t want to embarrass either of us. Maybe she’d have more fun dancing with Ashido or Hagakure.” “I think she would appreciate dancing with you anyway,” he tells his friend honestly. “You two get along well. I don’t think she’d care if you’re bad at dancing.” “You’re right… I’d rather ask than not do it and regretting it. Thanks, Todoroki!” Midoriya takes a deep breath, downs the rest of his punch, and tosses the cup into a nearby trashcan. “Wish me luck.” “Good luck.”Midoriya is only a few steps away before he pauses and over his shoulder, says, “Ah, Todoroki-kun, you should follow your own advice and ask Yaoyorozu to dance. I think she’d like that.” Todoroki blinks in surprise. “What?” he says dumbly, but Midoriya is already gone. With Uraraka off on the dancefloor, Todoroki has a slightly better view of Yaoyorozu, standing in between Asui and Jirou, looking positively regal in her shimmery red dress. There’s always been a poise to her that didn’t come as easily to the other girls, a result of her polished upbringing no doubt, and lately Todoroki has found himself noticing her charm more and more. He thinks that maybe Midoriya had the right idea. He’s moving before he consciously decide to and by the time his brain catches up to what the rest of his body has decided, he’s standing in front of the trio of girls who look at him with curious, but expectant gazes. It takes him a few seconds of staring blankly back at them before he remembers he needs to speak. “Ah, Yaoyorozu, do you want to dance with me?” Her eyes widen and she brings a hand up to her cheek, looking down with a bashful smile. “Well, I...” “Of course she does, right, Yaomomo?” Jirou says, giving her friend a push forward. She stumbles forward, but Todoroki catches her hand, keeping her upright. She quietly thanks him before clearing her throat and declaring more assuredly that she would indeed like to dance with him. The slow song playing is already well underway, so it takes them a few seconds to orient themselves, listening carefully to the beat. “Oh, I should probably warn you that I’ve never danced before,” he tells her, somewhat belatedly. “That’s okay. I can teach you,” she says kindly. “Just follow my instructions. Step left, back, one, two...” They lapse into a comfortable dance of giving and taking, taking cues from each other as needed. It’s not as graceful as he’s sure she would be had she been dancing with literally anyone else, but the way she’s giggling satisfies him. The music fades into another song, but the tempo suits the pace they’ve set and so they remain in each other’s arms, moving about the dancefloor. The flush that paints her cheeks is gorgeous. Todoroki forces himself to avert his gaze, but his eyes quickly find their way back to her figure. “That color suits you,” he murmurs, and even he isn’t sure whether he’s referring to her dress or her ruddiness. Both leave him breathless. Yaoyorozu’s eyes flash in surprise, and he can feel her initial hesitance return in the form of a stilted step in the wrong direction, throwing them off rhythm. “I thought red was an ugly color,” she says softly, eyebrows drawn together. He thinks of fire and of lollipops, blood and satin; he imagines an ugly red scar being kissed away by cherry chapstick. “You changed my mind.” He sees more than hears her soft gasp, and he probably would have missed her next words had he not already been staring at her lips. “I didn’t realize… I had that much sway over you.” “Yaoyorozu, you could tell me to do almost anything and I would do it,” he says in a serious voice. He needs her to understand just how sincere he is. “I’ve told you how much I value your input.” “Anything?” He risks dipping her and is rewarded with her starry eyed gaze when it succeeds. “Anything.” Something fiery and bright burns in her eyes. Red-hot determination. “Then go out with me.” He smiles, soft and sweet. “Gladly.”

[absolxguardian]

Master and Apprentice Propechy Analysis

Alright, with Master and Apprentice giving us snippets of Jedi prophecies, it’s time for one of my favorite things, analyzing them with not just the hindsight of over 60 years of events on the characters, but with the knowledge that narrative imperative means that the prophecies cover events in the main story. So let’s go:

“She who will be born to darkness will give birth to darkness.”

I can very confidently say this refers to Leia. She’s Vader’s biological child, and her son will be Kylo Ren. The original prophecy was also in Old Alderaanian, making it even more relevant to Leia. Qui-Gon brings up a possible interpretation of the prophecy having already passed, referring a Malastaran duchess with an evil father and a Dark Jedi daughter. I’m going to say narrative imperative makes it about something the audience already knows about. And something involving the family of the likely Chosen One is going to give the events more weight to the Force, if you want an in-universe explanation.

“When the kyber that is not kyber shines forth, the time of prophecy will be at hand.”

Qui-Gon ends the book believing that the false kholen crystals on his mission indicate that his mission starts the time of prophecy. I don’t really agree with him. To start, there’s nothing about this mission that makes it more prophecy-like than any other mission Qui-Gon went on with Obi-Wan. It’s not their first, and it’s not the one right before TPM. Qui-Gon does have visions that end up being correct, but he didn’t even have them before the mission. And visions aren’t really prophecies.

If you assume the time of prophecy is the time periods covered by the movies (again narrative imperative and the Chosen One prophecy), either TPM or ANH/Rogue One starts the time of prophecy. Qui-Gon’s first vision after seeing the kholen crystals consist of them turning red, like bled crystals. I could see bled kyber crystals not being considered kyber because they’ve been damaged. If that’s the case, then TPM will mark the first time the wider Jedi order encountered Sith lightsabers in a thousand years. And so that’s when “kyber that is not kyber” shines forth. Or if the “time of prophecy” is the OT then the activation of the Death Star would be when kyber that is not kyber shines forth. The laser is powered by kyber crystals, but the modifications and impersonal activation of them could make it so they’re no longer true kyber. I don’t really have a preference for either marker, but I don’t really agree with Qui-Gon.

“When the righteous lose the light, evil once dead shall return.”

Obviously, this could be about the complacency of the Jedi Order leading to the return of the Sith and most likely is, but there’s another more specific reading for this prophecy. And that’s Maul. This would make the Jedi losing the light when they enter the Clone Wars. Now if the prophecy said evil once dead would return because of the righteous losing the light, then I’d say it’s definitely the Sith, because the survival of the Sith comes directly from the Jedi’s problems. Maul’s return is a less direct cause and effect, but the prophecy doesn’t require the return to be because of the Jedi’s problems.

“The danger of the past is not past, but sleeps in an egg. When the egg cracks, it will threaten the galaxy entire.”

Yeah, it’s the Sith. I don’t think there’s any deeper symbolic meaning of the egg part, it’s just that things grow in eggs, but can’t hurt anyone while inside one.

When Qui-Gon is musing over the whole idea of prophecies, he thinks about a prophecy that “said the Sith would disappear yet appear again”. We don’t know the exact text of the prophecy, but I could see it as being either of the previous two. Jedi studying that prophecy agree that it references to a possible return of the Order, which it obviously does. Qui-Gon mentions that it could be about Darth Wrend, a Sith who was assumed dead but then returned to fight the Jedi. Again, I think narrative imperative requires it to be former. I also think we can say that Qui-Gon studying this prophecy is why he’s so confident Darth Maul is a Sith.

“One will ascend to the highest of the Jedi despite the foreboding of those who would serve with him.”

Qui-Gon believes the prophecy refers to him, but since he never accepts the position of the council, it can’t be. And it’s clearly about Anakin. Thank you random Jedi Seer for having such a straightforward prophecy.

“Only through sacrifice of many Jedi will the Order cleanse the sin done to the nameless.”

The most obvious interpretation is that the destruction of the Jedi somehow “cleanses” what they did to the clones. I’m not sure how the Jedi Order falling makes up for what happened to the clones, it certainly doesn’t improve their situation. The only thing I can think of is that it’s somewhat implied that Order 66 only works once (Tiin was only able to pull his Order 66 trick because the clones with the inquisitors were new, but Bilabla’s clones keep hunting Kanan. On the other hand, the few Imperial clones we know of aren’t obsessed with the Jedi anymore), and so with it fulfilled, they’re finally freed from the inhibitor chip. But it seems like a pretty bad deal, but I could imagine the Force or the Seer considering freedom from possible literal mind control enough.

Another reading I could think of is that the masses of the galaxy: slaves, clones, and exploited poor beings are the nameless because no one pays much attention to their plight. With the Jedi Order reset, the sin that was their complacency and being bound to the Republic is destroyed. You see that with Ezra, Kanan, and Ahsoka, but Luke clearly falls into the same trap. Qui-Gon says that the prophecies can be filtered by the Seer’s basis (so it’s a tool to learn about how they see the world), so it’s possible that the Seer just saw Rey’s new light-side Order as Jedi, or maybe Rey ends up calling them Jedi. Of course, this is if it does turn out Rey does the likely thing of forming a new and improved Jedi-like order.

“When the Force itself sickens, past and future must split and combine.”

The stuff about past and future made me think of the World Between Worlds, but nothing about that time really strikes me as making the Force sick any more than the Empire after Rebels. They were single-handedly causing climate change on Lothal, and with the Loth Wolves, the planet seems to be very important to the Force, but I can’t really see Ezra’s time travel as “splitting and combining”. Maybe the Force was just worried about Ahsoka, since she holds the spirit of the Daughter.

However, there’s another way to read this. With the Cosmic Force “awakening” in TFA and Luke noticing a change in the Force when Rey arrives, it’s implied that the events ST trilogy is affecting the Force itself. With them returning to Jakku, where the definitely dark-side abyss is located, it's possible that part of TROS deals with the Force being sick in some way. Rey learning from the Jedi of the past, but also using her own morality and ideas to create a better order and that’s past and future splitting and combining. Take what works from tradition, but make your own future. If my second guess is true, then it means that this prophecy has actual predictive qualities for us, and that’s pretty cool.

“A Chosen One shall come, born of no father, and through him will ultimate balance in the Force be restored.”

So you know how I’ve said that I wouldn’t make a Chosen One theory without the actual text of the prophecy, well here it is. It’s also simpler than the several page mostly-censored version from legends. Well to start, unless there’s some translation gender weirdness (like the original language of the prophecy had no gendered pronouns and the translator’s own basis influenced them), Rey isn’t the Chosen One. But don’t get excited, Kylo Ren can’t be the Chosen One either, because the identity of Kylo’s dad is pretty important. In fact, the only way I can see the Chosen One being Luke is that “born of no father” isn’t literal, but instead, it's about how when Anakin fell and Padme rejected him, he forfeited the right to be Luke’s true father. I like that reading, but the ending of ROTJ seems to imply Lucas doesn’t agree with me.

In fact, I’m now firmly in the “Anakin is the Chosen One” camp, and I’ve left my “series of Chosen Ones” headcanon. The main reason is the “through him” part. It implies that it’s not Vader’s actions that cause balance in the Force, but that it’s an unintended consequence of his actions. Now people have joked that the two-ish Jedi and two-ish Darksiders after ROTS mean that Anakin balanced the Force then, and Rael even brings up that same idea, that balance is when light and dark are equal. But when the Empire rose, it was only the numbers of Sith and Jedi that were equal (and they weren’t even that equal, with the Inquisitors, short-term surviving Jedi, and the almost Jedi like Ahsoka). The Sith were clearly more powerful. However, as I mentioned before, there’s a good chance the Cosmic Force “fell asleep” after ROTJ. And there have been hints that extensions of the Cosmic Force like the Ones or Force Ghosts are actually aberrations. Anakin brings balance to Mortis by killing all of the Ones, and the Father seems confident Anakin will do the same to the wider galaxy. Now he may be wrong, but I’m more inclined to trust a Force god over someone like Maul. And Qui-Gon’s story in FACPOV makes it clear that when a Force ghost manifests, it’s an unpleasant and unnatural separation from the Force. Somehow, the end of the Sith caused the Force to smooth out the aberrations that are consciousness independent from the whole. Well, until TFA. And if that is true, it explains why the Force Ghosts couldn’t give Luke advice until TLJ.

“He who learns to conquer death will through his greatest student live again.”

Obviously “he who learns to conquer death” is supposed to be Qui-Gon, but the question is, who’s the greatest student? Qui-Gon becomes the master when he teaches both Yoda and Obi-Wan after his death, but I wouldn’t describe anything of what Yoda or Obi-Wan does counting as living again. Neither of them really live up to Qui-Gon’s temporal goals. Also, who is supposed to be the greatest? Obi-Wan was Qui-Gon’s only temporal student, and you can’t be the greatest when there’s no competition. But Qui-Gon only taught one thing to Yoda.

The fact the obvious interpretation doesn’t quite fit has led me to another reading, one that also predicts the future from our view as well. And that is that Luke ends up conquering death a lot more metaphorically through Rey. The TROS trailer has, what we have to assume to be Luke’s Force Ghost saying “we have taught you all you know- a thousand generations live in you now.” It sounds like Luke is somehow speaking for other Jedi spirits or at least the contents of the Jedi texts. As I discussed earlier, Force Ghosts are aberrations in the Force. So Luke conquering death is more metaphorical. His beliefs in both the failings of the Jedi, but the need for the Jedi to exist will come to fruition in the form of Rey’s reborn Jedi. And Luke has had many students, but since they all either fell or died, Rey is certainly his best one.

[bevioletskies]

everybody wants to rule the world [5/8]

characters: peter/gamora, guardians-centric

summary: peter is the one and only heir to the celestial throne. gamora is expected to successfully lead the titans to conquer the galaxy. a political alliance is in the works, and there may or may not be wedding bells in the air.

alternately: peter and gamora find themselves in an arranged marriage and want nothing to do with it, but might need each other more than they think if they want to escape their genocidal fathers forever.

word count: 11.2k

a/n: warning for creepy/abusive behavior from both thanos and ego towards their respective children throughout the entire fic. also note that this AU is very heavily based on the MCU versions of themselves, where things are basically only different because yondu took peter to ego after all.

fic title is from the song everybody wants to rule the world by tears for fears.

help me to decide...help me make the most of freedom and of pleasure...

ao3 | tag

To Gamora’s surprise (and relief), Ego had, for once, not been exaggerating when he proclaimed she had become something of a hero. Word spread quickly across the galaxy of the new Celestial princess and how she had saved everyone’s lives - especially that of her new husband’s. Leaders and common folk alike were practically singing her praises for how she handled the Kree invasion, not that she remembered much. The rest of the wedding night was a blur - even with her accelerated healing, blood loss was still blood loss - and she spent the next few days on bedrest, letting her body modifications do most of the work.

Unfortunately, the gash in her leg wasn’t the only injury she’d sustained, also having a sprained ankle, a couple cracked ribs, and bruises that made every muscle twitch and every cough burn like wildfire, but it was hardly the worst she’d ever experienced. In fact, she would almost consider them a minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of things, if not for the other consequences of her injuries, such as -

“I’m perfectly capable of getting my own meals, Quill, it’s only a limp,” Gamora groaned as her bedroom doors swung open to reveal, for the fourth time that week, Peter, whistling cheerfully as he brought in a serving tray laden with food. The guard standing by looked like he was trying not to laugh at her plight.

“Morning to you, too,” Peter chirped, sitting by her feet. Rolling her eyes, she still turned over so he could place the tray on her lap. “Look, you said you wanted to stick to your super healthy diet, but that doesn’t mean I have to, so they have to prepare this separately. Really, this is just me bringing the chef’s personalized meals so they don’t have to come to you, and you don’t have to go to them. I’m doing you both a favor.”

“And gracing me with your presence at the same time,” she drawled.

He grinned. “Exactly! Wait, are you being sarcastic again? Because I can’t tell sometimes.”

She swatted at him with her book before picking up her fork. “What’s on the agenda today? Were you at breakfast with the others?” Peter looked at her, suspiciously doe-eyed, before she got the message. She let out an annoyed huff, pushing the tray towards him. “For someone who claims to not want to eat the same food as me, you’re very insistent on stealing it.”

“Food tastes better when it belongs to someone else,” he said defensively through a mouthful of grits. He began coughing. “Oh, never mind, what is this, soy? Ew.” Wrinkling her nose, Gamora leaned forward to slowly push his jaw closed. The sight of Peter chewing did wonders for killing her appetite. “Nah, nothing’s going on today. Dad’s doing his usual thing, which is who knows what, and Mantis is at that school-opening ceremony in the capital. You got any ideas?”

“I’m still confined to this bed for another couple days,” she said forlornly. “I’d get up and walk out right now if it wasn’t for your doctors. I swear I’m fine, but they’re acting like I’ll keel over the second I’m on my feet.”

“You wanna hang out with me, then? I could keep you company.” Peter tilted his head sideways in what she supposed was meant to look endearing. Personally, she thought he looked like he had a neck injury. “I could bring you more books. Or we could talk strategy, not that there’s really anything left to plan, I mean, you were super thorough in those meetings we had. Or maybe a holoscreen! We can watch a movie, I found a bunch of Terran videotapes at one of the Nova trading posts…” He trailed off when he noticed she wasn’t responding, looking at her expectantly.

Oddly enough, the incident at the wedding had brought them closer, despite the confusing conversation - or more accurately, confrontation - they had moments beforehand. After she had woken from her medical treatment, Peter remained by her bedside, both to apologize profusely for his childish behavior and to proclaim her status as the “kingdom’s resident badass”. Gamora, of course, had accepted, knowing he only meant well, and apologized in return for being evasive - he had a point; she couldn’t expect him to trust her if she wasn’t going to be straightforward herself. Ever since then, things were surprisingly smooth. No confrontations, no accusations, no secrets. She had even told him about Thanos’s order for her to seduce him.

“Seriously? What is this, a movie?” Peter had chuckled. “And, what, it ends with you having fallen in love with me for real, but me thinking you’re lying when you say so because you were lying the whole time, and I don’t know if I love you or just the fake you, and it’s all a bi-i-ig misunderstanding - yeah, I’ve seen this before.”

“I have no idea what you're talking about, but I also find the idea of me being in love with you laughable,” Gamora had retorted.

“I’ll have you know that I’m super lovable. Just ask anyone. Literally, you could fly into any city on this planet, ask some random stranger - ” If Gamora hadn’t been so comfortable under her bedsheets at the time, she would’ve been tempted to sit up just so she could smack him on the shoulder.

Now, she stared back, wondering how she could possibly pass the time. Peter was right - everything they needed for the inevitable “pseudo-revolution”, as he liked to call it, was ready to go at moment’s notice. She also couldn’t exactly get up and walk out, what with the guards following the doctor’s orders to keep her confined. “If you spend all day in my room,” she said slowly, “do you think your father will interpret it as your newfound devotion to me, and mention it to my father? Keep him placated?”

“Well, when you put it that way, it sounds like we’re a bunch of schoolkids passin’ notes,” Peter laughed. “So is that a yes?”

“Oh, sure,” she relented, cracking a gentle smile. “I’ll go stir-crazy in here otherwise. But if you make so much as one bad joke, I’m sending for Nebula to keep me company instead.”

“No bad jokes here.” He exaggeratedly puffed out his chest, chin held high. “I’m hilarious.”

“You’ve already done it. Get out,” she deadpanned, taking a long sip of her drink.

“Too late! I’ve claimed a pillow.” He threw himself down on top of the duvet, staring up at the underside of the canopy hanging over them. “Y’know, this bed’s never been used for sleeping.”

“What else would it - oh, Quill,” Gamora groaned, recoiling. “You’re disgusting. And your actual bedroom is just one door away, why didn’t you use that instead?”

“Privacy reasons,” Peter said defensively. “No one gets to be in there but me and my family. And oh man, if you think that’s gross - and it’s not, it’s totally normal - never use a blacklight on the Milano. Looks like a Jackson Pollock painting in there.” She blinked. “He’s like an artist...guy. I, uh - yeah.”

“Is it too late for me to move back into the guest quarters?” she sighed.

Despite herself, Gamora spent most of her recovery in Peter’s company, with occasional visits from her people (Peter was always mysteriously absent whenever Nebula was around). Though she was much more used to them, they were rather macabre in comparison to Peter’s cheerfulness. She didn’t exactly want to deal with Nebula’s attitude or Drax and Rocket’s squabbling when she was so lethargic from being stuck in bed. Peter was quite adept at entertaining her, telling her stories about his Terran childhood or creating random objects out of thin air for fun. It was a good distraction for an otherwise droll recovery.

Once the doctors finally let her go, she was back to her training regimen, pleasantly surprised to find Peter hadn’t slacked in her absence. Apparently, he had gone to Drax and requested his help (“Big mistake - I can’t count all the times he accidentally dislocated my shoulder”), and trained with him for at least an hour per day.

��Discipline,” Gamora echoed, smiling. “Good to see that we’re making progress in more ways than one.”

He managed to disarm her a few times on their first day back, practically knocking the wind out of her as he slammed her down into the mat. He was sharper, quicker, more precise than before - though admittedly, the one that had gotten her the most was where he was up to his usual tricks.

“Shit - I think you broke my nose - ”

“Hold still, let me see - ow - ” Gamora was flat on her back, Peter straddling her with a triumphant grin on his face, his nose completely untouched. She stared up at him, unimpressed. “Are you trying to crack my ribs again?”

“I’m sorry, I thought this was supposed to be serious, disciplined, combat pra - OW!” Now he was bleeding. A couple drops ended up on Gamora’s shirt, but as far as she was concerned? Worth it. “Okay, I deserved that one.”

As glad as she was to be back on her feet, they soon settled into something a bit too routine even for her liking. Gamora would wake early, have breakfast alone in her room, then train with Drax and Nebula before being joined by Peter. After their one-on-one session, she would shower and spend the rest of her day either reading, studying up on the kingdom’s history and policies (Yondu had been a great help in that regard), or in the company of her people. Dinner was always in the dining hall, where she and Peter mostly chatted with each other about nonsensical topics in order to satiate Ego’s little domestic fantasy. Evenings, once again, were either spent alone, or, increasingly more often, with Peter.

He had taken to sprawling himself across her bed after dinner, sleepily satisfied from the food and looking for a peaceful way to close out the night before eventually returning to his own room. Gamora wasn’t sure what to make of it at first - was this what friends did? - but after the first post-wedding month had passed, she came to expect him on a regular basis, even finding herself disappointed whenever he was absent.

One particular evening, Gamora walked into her bedroom to find Peter already there, looking more downtrodden than usual, clutching his Walkman over his chest. She could hear faint strains of a song playing through his headphones.

Everybody plays the fool sometime...there's no exception to the rule...listen, baby, it may be factual, may be cruel...I ain't lyin', everybody plays the fool...

“Something wrong?” she asked, disappearing into the wardrobe to change.

“I had a fight with Mantis,” Peter grumbled, pushing his headphones away from his ears.

Gamora paused before quickly changing into her sleepclothes and walking back out, staring at him in disbelief. “What? When? You seemed fine at dinner.”

“Yeah, only for Dad’s sake,” he sighed, settling into the pillows. “She’s just been actin’ real weird lately, so this morning after breakfast, I asked her what was up. I dunno, I thought she was stressing out over the plans or something. Changing her mind.”

“And she didn’t tell you anything, did she,” Gamora guessed, joining him on the bed.

“Not a word,” he replied. “I pushed a little harder, and maybe I shouldn’t have, but...I worry about her sometimes. I try not to baby her, but it’s hard when Dad still does it, y’know? And she doesn’t really have friends, other than the local kids. Sometimes I do weekend trips off-planet to have some fun, and whenever I invite her, she always says Dad’s got stuff for her to do. Don’t make any sense, considering he never has stuff for us to do. Ever.”

Gamora pursed her lips in consideration. “Have you ever looked into it? Maybe it’s related to that thing she wouldn’t tell us about at the wedding.”

He shook his head. “She’s always gone and done her own thing, and I usually leave it alone, but it’s like...it’s like ever since we started this whole plan, she’s got more to hide from me. We grew up together...spent so much time together. But now it’s like she isn’t around anymore. And I don’t know what I did wrong.” He lifted his head to meet her gaze, half-expecting her to make a crack about how he was always wrong. Instead, there was a sense of sadness reflected in her dark eyes.

Falling in love is such an easy thing to do...and there's no guarantee that the one you love...is gonna love you….

“Well, if I’ve learned anything recently, it’s that keeping secrets only makes it worse in the end,” Gamora said softly. “She’ll come around to you, Quill. You’re much too close to let this get in the way of your relationship.”

Peter smiled. “Thanks. And I hope you’re right.” Clearing his throat, he straightened up. “Hey, so, I was gonna ask you for a favor - ”

“That doesn’t sound good,” she said, eyeing him suspiciously.

“It is, I promise. I was thinking, we’ve been sitting on our asses for almost two months now, waiting for Thanos to show. Meanwhile, he keeps insisting - ”

“ - not until your father starts showing signs of desperation, I know, I was there for all of those awful weekly calls,” Gamora shuddered. “What’s your point?”

“Maybe we gotta get it going ourselves, and get you some good publicity at the same time,” he suggested. “You’re stressed out about what might happen after we - y’know - if you’re just gonna get shoved into jail forever and never be free again. I say, we go pay Xandar a visit, show off a little and do an event or something. Maybe hang around the Nova Corps so Nova Prime keeps you in her good books. It’ll boost your reputation and make Dad all stressed out.”

“That’s...actually a pretty decent idea. And much better than sulking around here forever,” Gamora agreed, nodding slowly.

“See? I’m totally a genius.” Peter pumped his fist in the air triumphantly.

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” she shot back. “But let’s do it. Are we bringing the others?”

“Might get me and Mantis back on the same page. So, yeah. Let Dad stew all alone for a few days. It’ll be fun!” ______

Once the Milano had settled in, cruising along smoothly through space like they had all the time in the world, Peter shooed Rocket and Yondu away, telling them he would join them and the others in a few minutes for breakfast. It was an early Sunday morning, and they were en route to Xandar to meet with Nova Prime. Their public personas would have to be on display for the entire trip, but Peter was confident by now that the others would be able to handle the pressure.

He leaned back in his seat, staring out into the cosmos in an almost dream-like state as he thought about what had transpired over the last little while, ever since the wedding. Some good, some bad - Mantis becoming increasingly distant, definitely bad. He liked the camaraderie of his new friendships (okay, friendship, singular, with Gamora), but he also missed the old days of just him and his sister. They were such opposites in so many ways, but it was what made their bond so strong. Now, she barely talked to him for more than five minutes before excusing herself to go do something else. And Ego, he was a tough one to crack as well, not that that was anything new. Peter considered confronting him about Korath, but what he could he possibly say? Gamora was almost certain Korath had been hired by Ego to go after Peter as a publicity stunt, but Peter wasn’t so sure himself - in what world did Ego think he could trust the Kree to not actually hurt him, especially one that worked for Thanos? He was lucky Gamora had been there to save him, to fight back in ways that no one else would.

Gamora. Peter smiled to himself, almost giddy. He couldn’t help it. Thinking about her made him happy. She’d been coming out of her shell very slowly, allowing herself to laugh more often, to sleep in longer and take bigger portions of food, to tease him and talk with him for hours at a time. She wasn’t quite the harsh, militant, no-nonsense girl he had met two months ago. Sure, she was every bit as confident and disciplined as ever, but the tension in her shoulders had all but vanished, the formality of her vocabulary loosened. She was still confused by his Terran references and became easily irritated by his antics, but there was a gentleness to her that hadn’t been there before. Or maybe it had been all along, and she was only letting it show now.

“Quill, are you daydreaming up here?” He nearly fell out of his seat at the sound of her voice. “Breakfast was ready ten minutes ago, your food’s going to go cold if you don’t come down.”

“I know, I was just...looking.” He gestured towards the glass. “It’s real nice, getting to see space like this. And not to be a big Terran cliche, but I wanted to be an astronaut when I was a kid. And now, here I am. Peter Quill, next-level astronaut.”

“I’ve only seen glimpses of it, if I ever cared to look out the window.” Gamora took measured steps forward, her hands coming to rest on the back of his chair. “I didn’t exactly take the time to stop and observe. I had a job to do.”

“Do you want to someday?” he asked. “Get out there and explore?”

“It’s a nice thought, I suppose,” she agreed. “Where I lived, on Sanctuary, it wasn’t exactly a haven. And everywhere else I’ve been for more than a day was either a safehouse or a jail cell.”

“What if...what if that’s what we did, after all this?” Peter lifted his head to look at her. Her gaze was firmly cast outwards, among the stars. “Go on an epic adventure.”

She looked back at him. “Where?”

“Everywhere. Wherever you want.” He gestured wildly, arms spread wide. “I’ve only ever gone to planets that I can reach within a couple days, but imagine where we could go if we had our whole lives ahead of us!”

Gamora smiled sadly. “It’s a nice thought,” she repeated, turning and walking away. “Breakfast, Quill. Come on.”

They touched down in Xandar by the late afternoon. It was already getting dark, but still, Gamora found herself silently admiring her surroundings as she made her way down the landing ramp. Xandar was the complete opposite of Ego’s planet; modern, slick - stylish, even. There was something strange about being in a new place without having to immediately hide or establish a cover, and it left her feeling somewhat exposed. The rest of her people looked just as uncomfortable as she felt, especially as Nova Prime approached the landing pad in her usual brisk stride, flanked by two Nova officers.

“Good to see you again, your highnesses,” she said, shaking their hands firmly. “I hope you had a comfortable flight. You have a very...unique-looking ship there, Prince Peter.”

“She’s a beauty, isn’t she?” Peter beamed, turning to admire the Milano briefly before looking back to Nova Prime. “I’d love to hear what you have in store for us, ma’am.”

“Why don’t we get you all settled in first?” she suggested. “Denarian Dey and Denarian Saal will escort you to your rooms. We’ll have dinner in my suite at eight and discuss everything then.”

The Nova officers led them into an elevator and then through a series of winding hallways, providing them with specialized access passes that would allow them into the common area of Nova Prime’s private floor, but keep them away from the work floors. Denarian Saal eyed Rocket pointedly as he mentioned the weapon laboratories (clearly, there was a story there that Peter was itching to know more about). Gamora was dismayed to find out that she and Peter would be sharing a room.

“At least it’s two beds,” Peter pointed out as he lugged his bag onto one of them. “There, we’ve avoided another cliche.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Quill,” Gamora sighed. She debated whether to unpack at all, considering they were only here for a few days. If something went wrong, if she needed to make a quick getaway, having to throw everything back into her bag would only slow her down. She then dropped her bag unceremoniously on the floor, by the nightstand. “Did you see the way Denarian Saal was eyeing me and my people? And he thinks we’re uncivilized.”

“What do you mean?” He flopped onto the bed with a satisfied exhale.

“You may be innocent at the moment, Quill, but we’re already criminals, remember? And now, here we are, with access to Nova Prime’s private rooms. He probably suspects we’re here to make an attempt on her life, or at least, commit some sort of petty crime. He’ll sweep our rooms when we’re not here to make sure we haven’t stolen anything. Scan hours of security footage to ensure we never went anywhere we weren’t supposed to be.” She shrugged. “It’s how everyone acts around us.”

“Well, hopefully, after this week, he’ll change his mind. Hopefully everyone changes their minds.” Peter sat up, his back against the headboard. “That’s the whole point of this trip! And you saved my life, that wasn’t nothing. People believe you’re one of the good guys. Now they just have to like you as a person, too.”

“Being likable is such an overrated quality,” she complained, sitting at the foot of her own bed. “It’s only ever people who are already liked who think it’s important, because they already have it. But if you’re unloved, unwanted...the desire to be liked can turn into desperation very quickly.”

He gave her a rueful smile. “You said once that my people look at me like I’m a hero, instead of some all-knowing master. You’d rather be the master?”

She shook her head, staring intently at the floor. “I’d rather not be anything to anyone at all if it means I’ll finally be left alone.”

Peter fell silent, mulling it over. “Y’know, if...if I was being too pushy earlier, about going on, like, adventures together after this, I didn���t mean to. You don’t have to stick around. It’s your life. It’d be fun, but...I understand if you just wanna leave. Even I annoy myself sometimes,” he added jokingly.

“Now you know why I don’t bother with friendships, or even alliances. It creates obligations,” Gamora chuckled softly. “I don’t like loose ends, unanswered questions. And relying on intuition...it’s just not me.” At his frustrated expression, she quirked an eyebrow. “What?”

“Nah, it’s nothing,” he said, waving her off.

“Quill, you can’t lecture me about keeping secrets and then - ”

“It’s not a secret, I just - I don’t think you wanna hear it.” He relented once she glared him into submission. “Fine, fine. I just wish you’d gotten your childhood back somehow. Then maybe, you’d have dreams like the rest of us, instead of thinking about worst-case scenarios all the time. Don’t get me wrong, it’s good that you do that stuff, but...I dunno.”

“So I was forced to grow up fast. That’s not exactly unique. You had to do the same thing,” Gamora pointed out.

“Yeah, but I live in a big fancy palace with tons of people lookin’ after me. You had to deal with so much crap, Gamora, all on your own sometimes, and I don’t know how you did it and still came out...normal. Sane.” He shuffled a bit closer, his knees swinging around the side of his bed so he could properly face her.

“Sanity is subjective,” she reminded him. Peter laughed, the corners of his mouth turning upwards in something of a half-smile. She found she liked the sound of it - his real laugh, not that odd, forced sound that escaped him whenever he was with his father or in the company of people who knew nothing about him. She wanted to make him laugh more. “I dream of being able to choose my own future, I guess. Do more than just survive. Beyond that, I have no real big ambitions.”

Before Peter could reply, a harsh knock-knock-knock cut through, followed by “Hey, idiots! Do ya check your messages or what? Nova Prime’s callin’ us up to her place, like, right now!” Gamora glanced briefly at her communication device, startled to realize it was already 7:45.

“Give us a minute to change, Rocket,” she called back, yanking out clothes from her bag at random before slipping into the bathroom without a second glance. Still, Peter smiled to himself before reaching for his own. ______

Gamora was grateful to find that Nova Prime, for the most part, steered clear of addressing her alone, considering they were yet to have a conversation in which Gamora didn’t run off. Rocket was a little ruder than Gamora would have liked, and Drax’s blunt nature made the Nova guards twitch, but at least Nebula stuck to her promise to be seen and not heard for the entire meal.

“I was surprised when you reached out to me, Prince Peter,” Nova Prime admitted by the time dessert came around. “Especially so soon after the wedding. I figured your sister would have come alone, since she’s been handling all of your interplanetary affairs lately.”

“I’m not sure what you mean,” Peter said, glancing over at Mantis. She seemed very invested in her pudding all of a sudden. “What affairs?”

“The...outreach center,” Nova Prime replied slowly, furrowing her brow. “Have you not been...you haven’t, have you?”

“I was going to surprise Peter with the news today, Nova Prime, do not worry that you have overstepped,” Mantis said reassuringly, finally lifting her head so she could address Peter. “We have been talking for a while now about setting up an outreach center that will help reformed criminals prepare for rehabilitation on our planet. Most are still unaware of what we do, but Xandar has one of the biggest holding centers in the galaxy. If we partner with the Nova Corps to provide them with a second chance - food, shelter, healthcare, education - they will be prepared to join us on Ego and expand our population.”

“I wasn’t aware we were lookin’ to expand,” Peter frowned. “Does Dad know about this?”

“Of course he does!” Mantis exclaimed. “He provided the funding and set one of his advisors to task in assisting me. But this is mostly my project.” She was practically glowing with pride. Still, both Peter and Gamora couldn’t help but be a little wary. Where was this coming from?

“And why wasn’t I in on this?” Peter demanded, leaning across the table. Nova Prime glanced briefly between the siblings in worry.

“The opening ceremony is tomorrow morning, your highnesses,” she interrupted a little louder than necessary. “I was originally expecting Princess Mantis by herself, but now that you’re all here, well, we might as well proceed with everyone. You can give a few speeches, explain the rehabilitation program and its relation to your planet’s social work system. Of course, you’re free to do whatever you would like afterward, but if you’re interested in good publicity, I’d recommend spending your time here volunteering to help.”

“And by all of us, that includes my subjects as well,” Gamora said. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Peter, who looked significantly more irritated than he had been five minutes ago. Sometimes, it seemed like his temper was worse than hers. “My people are non-negotiable.”

“Yes, of course,” Nova Prime promised. Groot looked pleased at being included. The others were scowling at Gamora as if she committed a great offense. “You are all distinguished guests of mine, Princess. We’ll have extra security for everyone’s protection, given what happened at your last public event.”

The moment dinner ended, Mantis practically flew right out the door in a hurry. Peter ran after her before Gamora could intervene, grabbing Mantis by the arm and pulling her aside, next to the elevator. “Really? An outreach center. When you know that we’re...you know, what’s about to happen,” he said quickly, furiously, his voice dropping to a whisper. “What’s this all about?”

“I just wanted to be of use for once,” Mantis replied evenly, her eyes darting sideways as the others entered the hallway. “Prove that I am not just a sleeping pill for Father, or a playmate for the brave, powerful prince.”

Peter blanched like he’d been hit. “What’s that s’posed to mean? And where is this coming from, Mantis? Did Dad say something to you?”

They were interrupted by the quiet ding of the elevator, its doors sliding open to invite them back to their rooms. Everyone filed in, Mantis immediately retreating into the furthest corner. Gamora slid neatly between the Celestial siblings, glaring at Peter in warning. To her surprise, it seemed to have no effect. “This was not his idea, if that is what you are thinking. Why have you been so suspicious of me lately?”

“Because you’re actin’ suspicious!” Peter exclaimed. He took another step forward, but Yondu reached over to clap him on the shoulder firmly, yanking him back.

“Quill, c’mon. Don’t fight now,” Yondu warned. “You been drinkin’ too much tonight, ain’t you?”

“And you, you know somethin’ I don’t, don’t you?” Peter snapped, shoving Yondu away. Yondu’s shoulder banged into the elevator wall with an unceremonious echo, causing the entire carriage to rattle precariously. Mantis let out a quiet gasp of surprise.

Yondu straightened his coat lapels, his eyes harder than they had been before. “You’re gettin’ paranoid, boy. I suggest you keep your hands to yourself,” he said cooly, jabbing a finger into Peter’s chest. “And you show your sister some respect. Don’t make me ask again.”

Before Peter could retaliate, Gamora grabbed Peter’s arm, pulling him away. “Quill.” He turned to look at her, his eyes colder than she’d ever seen. “Let’s go to the roof. You need air.” The others exchanged dubious looks before silently stepping out onto the guest floor, leaving Peter and Gamora behind.

“What if Mantis is turning her back on us?” Peter demanded once the doors had closed. “She could’ve been feedin’ Dad information on everything we’ve been doing this whole damn time, settin’ up this ‘outreach center’ so he can have his own personal army of criminals.”

“Get some air, Quill,” Gamora repeated, sighing. “You’ve had too much to drink.”

Upon reaching the rooftop level, they found a quiet spot away from the hum of the generators, settling down onto the gravel and staring out into the pitch black of the Xandarian night sky. Despite the fury that was practically radiating off Peter, he leaned into Gamora somewhat, their knees and shoulders brushing. Though she could smell the alcohol on his breath, his eyes were focused, his speech clear. No, he wasn’t exactly drunk. It was something else. “Look, Quill, you and I, we’ve had our fair share of fights. And from what I can tell, you like people, but you have trouble trusting them sometimes. Don’t let your anger towards your father become anger towards everyone else. I know what that’s like, and it doesn’t get you anywhere.”

“So, what, you don’t think Mantis is being weird?” Peter’s voice was quieter than before, almost sobering. “Even you think I’m crazy.”

“No, actually, I think you’re onto something,” Gamora replied. “And I want to question her, badly, same as you. But it’s late. We’re tired, and stressed. You think yelling at her in front of everyone else will get the job done? It’ll be direct, sure, but it won’t be effective.”

“And you’re all about results,” he snarked, though he seemed to regret it the second it left his mouth. He hugged his knees into his chest, blinking slowly into the darkness. Gamora’s clothes and hair were so dark, he could barely see her, save for the slight silvery glint of the metal in her skin. He had never asked her about it, but he hoped he would be able to someday. “What do we do?”

“If it’ll ease your mind - and your temper - I’ll keep a closer eye on her,” she promised. “Maybe she’s been conning us the whole time. Or maybe she’s just withholding information out of ignorance, and not contempt. We’ll figure it out. In the meantime, maybe try to not be so hostile?”

“Gotta say, never thought I’d hear you of all people give me that advice,” he laughed. “And thanks. For helping me outta there tonight. I owe you, again.”

“A working relationship isn’t a business deal, Quill.” Gamora gave him a reassuring smile. “We owe each other nothing.”

“Friendship,” Peter corrected, grinning. “And right, no obligations, got it. Can we head back now? It’s so freaking cold up here.” ______

After an unceremoniously brief breakfast in their own rooms - Peter spent most of it pestering Gamora on how to speak to the media, to which she retorted that he didn’t exactly have that much experience, either - they all piled into one of the Nova-issued secured vehicles, with two more boxing them in for safety. The short drive to the outreach center was filled with mundane conversation, mostly prompted by Nova Prime, while Peter and Mantis seemed to be trying their best not to make eye contact. Everyone felt horribly uncomfortable by the time they stepped outside.

“And I thought I looked ready to kill,” Gamora murmured as she looped her arm with Peter’s. There was a steady crowd of photographers and media already forming by the entrance, especially eager to catch photos or get quotes from the newlyweds who hadn’t been seen or heard from since the wedding. “I also thought our talk last night would’ve taught you something. Seems like I was wrong.”

“Prince Peter! Princess Gamora!” One of the reporters squeezed their way through to the front, sticking his recording device right under Gamora’s nose. She blanched before straightening, trying her best not to look so disappointed. “How have you been, your highnesses? Are you well, princess? We heard you were on bedrest - are you already pregnant?”

“I was stabbed - ” “Hey, hey, no one’s pregnant - oh god, are people saying she’s pregnant? - ”

“But there are plans for children in the future, yes?” another reporter prompted.

“Guys, guys, c’mon, our visit today is about the outreach center. It’s not about me and Gamora,” Peter laughed somewhat uncomfortably. “We’re lookin’ at how we can improve our policies and resource allocation, rehabilitate people who deserve a second chance. We’re not thinkin’ about babies.”

“But if you don’t continue the family line, the Celestial legacy dies with you, your highness,” the second one said snidely.

Gamora scowled. “And that’s none of our concern right now, thank you,” she shot back cooly. “Now will you let us pass? We have a job to do.” Peter wasn’t sure whether to wince or laugh as Gamora practically dragged him to the doors and nearly knocked the reporters over in the process, where everyone else was standing, watching them bemusedly.

In many ways, the opening ceremony was reminiscent of all the things Gamora had hated most about their wedding - the pomp and circumstance, the empty words, the stiff, insincere smiles that left her cheeks aching for relief. But there was a genuine happiness that positively radiated off Mantis once she began addressing the crowd. She had clearly found her calling, her passion. Once more, there was an explosion of sound and movement as everyone clapped and cheered at the very end, Peter reaching around Gamora so he could squeeze Mantis’s shoulder in congratulations. She smiled tightly at him before turning back to the cameras.

Afterward, they did an open tour of the facility, guided mostly by Mantis and Nova Prime. Gamora found herself genuinely interested in what they had to say. She had seen her fair share of criminals who had been led astray through no fault of their own, herself included, and a place like this could very well work miracles for them.

“Hey, I could give you a tour of the city if you’d like.” Gamora turned, not realizing Peter was right behind her, his fingers ever-so-slightly brushing her waist in an attempt to stay nearby. The event was over, and everyone was filing out of the building neatly, chatting to themselves and bowing as they passed the royal family members. “Not like we’ve got anything else to do today.” Raising an eyebrow, Gamora gestured wordlessly to Mantis nearby, who looked unsure of what to do next. “Oh, right - hey, Mantis! You, me, Gamora, the city? You wanna come?”

“I suppose,” Mantis said quietly. “I will have to check with Yondu.” Peter looked at Gamora pleadingly as his sister began walking away. Gamora rolled her eyes in disbelief - really, this was the extent of his effort? - before jogging after the other girl.

“I could use another tour guide. Your brother isn’t very observant, after all,” Gamora added, looking over at Peter with a smirk. He seemed half-offended, half-agreeable. “Either that, or you’ll be returning to Nova headquarters, where you’ll likely spend the rest of your day in the company of my people. I’m sure they would love to have you.”

Mantis looked disturbed by the prospect. “A tour sounds like a great idea!” Mantis said quickly. “Where shall we start, Peter? What do you think Gamora would like?”

He hummed thoughtfully, reaching for Gamora’s hand when he realized the nearby photographers were still snapping away, watching them, waiting for them to do something interesting. “Why don’t we start with a bookstore?” ______

“You and Peter get along much better than I would have expected,” Mantis admitted several hours later. The three of them were sat in a quaint homestyle restaurant, watched closely by Yondu, who was sat by himself a few tables away. Peter had disappeared to the bathroom after they had finished eating, leaving the girls by themselves. “I do not need my powers to see that you enjoy each other’s company.”

“Is this what we’re going to talk about while he’s gone? How gauche.” Gamora sipped her water. “He worries about you, Mantis. I doubt that’s news to you, but he does. You’ve been acting strange lately, and the fact that I can tell when I hardly know you is a testament to your odd behavior. He may have been rash last night, but he wasn’t entirely wrong.”

“He no longer trusts me. He thinks I mean to turn against him because I have been spending time with Father,” Mantis whispered. “It...it hurts. Knowing that after everything we have done together, he would still think so little of me.”

“Quill thinks the world of you,” Gamora insisted. “That’s why this weighs so heavily on him. And it’s no secret that Quill and I only get along about half of the time. But we know we can trust each other. And you both think you’ve lost that. All we ask is that you tell the truth.”

Mantis couldn’t help but grin, something rather awkward, yet endearing. “You and Peter have become a ‘we’, haven’t you?” she said slyly. “Are you not a little curious about what he thinks when you are around?”

“He’s almost too easy to read, so no, I don’t. And don’t change the subject,” Gamora said sternly.

“I am not, I just know he will be coming back soon, and - do you really not want to know?” Mantis blinked innocently.

“We are not having this discussion, not now, not ever - ”

“Discussion? What’d I miss?” Peter seemingly popped up out of nowhere, leaning against the back of Gamora’s chair with an easy smile.

“Mantis wanted to tell me stories of your shared adolescence, but I think it’s time we address some of our interpersonal issues instead,” Gamora lied easily, gesturing for him to take a seat. Peter obeyed, though he looked very much like he was regretting having returned to the table. “Your relationship with each other really isn’t my business. But clearly, you have unresolved issues, and I have no interest in letting anyone’s emotions get in the way of our plans. So either deal with it like adults and drop the issue, or talk it out like adults and solve it. We are not leaving until this is behind us, and there are no other choices.”

“Of course you’re giving an ultimatum,” Peter muttered under his breath, ignoring the dirty look Gamora sent his way. “Right, um, Mantis. Do you feel like...like you wanna back out?”

“No, not at all!” Mantis exclaimed. “You see how Father treats me. I mean so little to him compared to you. I had...I had absolutely no one until Yondu brought you home. You remember what I was like.”

“You were scared, like, all the time. You didn’t know how to read or write, ‘cause Dad didn’t think it was important.” Peter shook his head, disgusted at the memory. “And you were confused the first time I tried to hug you.”

“I thought you were going to strangle me.” Mantis let out a tiny, awful laugh. “I thought I had started to trust someone who wanted to hurt me instead. That I was stupid for thinking I could.” She glanced at Gamora, whose eyes were suspiciously glossy. Her arms were folded tightly across her chest. “This was probably not what you wanted us to talk about, was it?”

“No, this is...it’s good.” Gamora swallowed, clearing her throat harshly. “I just wasn’t expecting it. Maybe you and I aren’t as different as I first thought.”

Mantis smiled weakly in return. “I know what everyone thinks of me,” she replied. “Quiet, sweet, naive Mantis. She feels feelings, she helps people sleep. She is not very clever, or brave, or interesting. She just...is.”

“Mantis - ” Peter protested.

“I’m guilty of thinking those exact things when I first arrived,” Gamora interrupted. “And I also worried about what your powers would mean for my privacy. I trust you now. At least, enough to get this done. But that trust won’t last if you continue to evade us.”

“I would not betray your privacy,” Mantis frowned. “And I would not go out of my way to hurt you. Either of you.”

“Then where do you go when you say Dad’s got a job for you?” Peter asked, beginning to grow impatient. “All those times where I ask you if you wanna hang out, and you’re busy. Sometimes you’re both gone for days, Mantis. Where do you go?”

Mantis remained silent for a moment, staring into the candle flickering in the middle of the table. The warm yellow light cast an eerie, almost sickly glow over her face, illuminating her enormous, dark eyes. “The only secret I can tell you,” she said quietly, “is that there is a secret that Father and I share. And it is something you must never know about, or it will kill you.”

“Wait, literally?” Peter leaned towards her in concern. “Mantis...what has he got you doing?”

“Please,” Mantis pleaded, trembling. “I can see that it is frustrating you. And I hate not being able to tell you what it is. But if you still trust me at all, you will not ask me about it again.” She smiled weakly. “You are such a good brother to me, Peter. And you have always been so protective. So let me protect you for once.”

Peter looked over at Gamora then, who was watching Mantis carefully, her brow furrowed in contemplation. She was still so new to the Celestial siblings’ dynamic, knew far more about Peter than she did about Mantis, and there was still so much left to learn about them both. And yet, for someone who had been raised in such a barbaric, animalistic environment, she did indeed seem far more “sane” than Peter would have ever guessed her to be. He still remembered when she first arrived - practically stomping into the throne room, decked out in full armor, her mere presence demanding to be seen and heard. Her reputation preceded her, making him almost certain his future wife was going to be, at best, cold, calculating, devoid of feeling. And maybe she had started that way, or at least, appeared that way. But now?

“I believe her, Quill,” Gamora murmured quietly, leaning back in her seat. “What she said sounds ominous, but it also sounds true. Your father seems like the kind of man who would coerce his own child into carrying out his immoral deeds. This isn’t Mantis’s choice. This is his doing.” She turned to the other girl. “If we follow through with the plan...will it free you from his secret? Will you tell us everything that he’s done, so we can undo it and make things right?”

“Undoing what we have done will be impossible,” Mantis murmured. “But yes. It will, and I will.”

Gamora nodded sharply, a smirk beginning to form. “Good. Not that we needed another reason to take him out, but I suppose we’ll all sleep better at night, knowing you’ll be okay.”

Mantis smiled brightly in return. “Thank you, Gamora. I am very glad you are on our side. We would be forever stuck in our old ways, if not for your bravery.”

“That’s an exaggeration,” Gamora scoffed, though she looked pleased.

“I mean it,” Mantis said firmly, patting Gamora briefly on the arm. It was a testament to Gamora’s newfound comfort that she didn’t immediately pull away. “I was uneasy about the idea at first. And I did not know what to think of you, either. But it is something we must do, not just for us, but for everyone in the entire galaxy. Neither of us would have ever thought to do so, but you did.” Gamora faltered a little, glancing off to the side. Before Peter could ask her about it, Mantis spoke again. “Also, I think Peter is very glad to have you around.”

Peter let out an undignified squawk. “What’re you tryna say?”

“Just that you are friends.” Mantis blinked innocently once more. “What did you think I was talking about?”

“Hah,” Peter said weakly. “Right.”

“So are all settled then? No more secrets, no more anger. We let nothing get in the way,” Gamora said, glancing between them.

“Yeah. And sorry that I lost my temper, Mantis,” Peter said gently. “For yellin’, for grabbin’ you...that wasn’t cool. I won’t do it again, I promise. I never wanna hurt you, ever.”

“And I am sorry for being so secretive.” Mantis reached across the table to grab Peter’s hands. “I want to tell you absolutely everything, but it is not safe. I should have just said that the first time you asked, instead of pushing you away. I could feel your distress, your anger, your sadness. I like you best when you are happy, Peter.”

“So do I,” he replied quietly.

They smiled at each other, relieved. Gamora couldn’t help but smile herself. “Are we ready to pay the bill?”

“Pay the - Gamora, we haven’t had dessert yet!” Peter exclaimed. Mantis squealed in delight, volunteering to flag down a waiter for the menu.

Sighing, Gamora slouched in her seat, unsure if she had the energy to keep up with their double act for the rest of the night. “Here we go.” ______

Mantis said something kinda weird to me before she left,” Peter said as he and Gamora returned to their hotel room. It was nearing midnight, and he was pleasantly tired, though there was an underlying fuzziness in his brain that he hadn’t quite been able to untangle since Mantis had spoken to him.

“What’s that?” Gamora kicked off her shoes, stretching luxuriously.

“That she thought you were one thing before today, and now she thinks you’re something else entirely.” Peter paused. “Then again, she’s been acting real cryptic all night. Maybe she just drank too much - ”

“She was having carbonated water, I highly doubt that affected her cognition,” Gamora snorted, though she couldn’t help but be curious as well. “Was that it?”

Peter flushed. “Yes,” he said quickly.

“Really?” Gamora deadpanned. “Your face says otherwise.”

Peter crossed the room quickly to stand by his bed, his back to her, heart pounding as he began undoing his tie. She thinks I like you. “C’mon, Gamora, Mantis and I might be back on track, but it don’t mean I understand everything she says and does.” She thinks I wish this was for real. “She hasn’t been around other people much, so getting to spend time with another girl - woman - is a good thing. And now she knows you're a friend. That’s probably what she meant.” She thinks I want you to stay. “She’s glad you’re here.”

I think she’s right. ______

Peter was sprawled across his bed, staring intently at the high ceiling with long, dangling lights that formed a geometric pattern his brain couldn’t comprehend at eight in the morning (or really, ever). He screwed his eyes shut in frustration. It was the last day of their Xandar trip, before they would have to return to a different kind of reality - one where his father ambled about, lurking like some affable, old-school Bond villain, where Gamora’s father sat comfortably in a stone throne millions of miles away, contemplating destruction like he was deciding what to have for breakfast, and where he and Gamora were friends with a marriage certificate and an expiry date.

“You seem very fascinated with the ceiling. Should I even ask?” His eyes flew open to see a fully-dressed Gamora standing over him, looking mildly amused. “Come on, Quill, we’ll miss the car if you don’t get ready right now.”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m getting up.” He sat up slowly, watching her as she took a couple steps backward to give him space. “Hey, uh, thanks.”

“For what?”

“For dealing with all that stuff with me and Mantis. And all the other times you’ve, I dunno, helped me out.” Peter smiled at her, something soft, a little crooked, but entirely endearing. Gamora bit her lip to stop herself from smiling back. “Uh, not that it’s your job or anything, but...I’m glad you’re here. For me. With me? You know, like…” He trailed off awkwardly.

She paused before shaking her head and walking away. “Now who’s being cryptic? Get dressed. We’re leaving in ten.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He saluted half-heartedly at her retreating back.

All things considered, their days at the outreach center were going quite smoothly. Gamora worked in the back with her people, where they carried out odd jobs here and there, chatting amicably. It was busy work, but it was better than the kind of jobs they were usually given. Peter and Mantis were out at the very front of the building, greeting and subsequently charming everyone that walked through the door. It was what they were good at - the sunny smiles, the friendly small talk, things Gamora could only muster on her best day. She couldn’t help but eye the group of young women who swept into the building first thing every morning since they had opened, who insisted on practically swarming Peter, asking if she really existed. It made Gamora itch, though she wasn’t sure why.

“She’s real shy sometimes. Not really a people person,” Peter would say with a wry chuckle. “But she’s great! I’m glad I married her.” Gamora would then feel silly for eavesdropping in the first place, retreating quietly before Peter could notice.

Today, however, was a different story. Nova Prime briefed them on the press’s perception of Gamora, how they had seen so little of her that they were starting to suspect she was as cold as her reputation implied. It resulted in Gamora and Mantis switching places, much to her dismay.

“This can’t be good,” Gamora murmured. She and Peter were stood side-by-side in the lobby, near the reception area. “Quill, these are ex-criminals we’re dealing with. Someone’s going to recognize me from what was likely their worst memory, and it won’t end well.”

“There won’t be that many people. First day was super busy, but now? Nah,” Peter said, waving it off. “Besides, I’m here. I’ll fend ‘em off if you want me to.”

“Yes, because a few training sessions makes you an expert at combat all of a sudden,” Gamora said dryly.

“I mean if they start acting like assholes. They’re not dumb enough to start a fight,” Peter corrected. “And hey, gimme some credit. I’ve been doing pretty awesome lately, you said it yourself!”

“You throwing me on the mat every now and then doesn’t mean you can actually beat me,” she teased, relaxing.

“Give it a few more rounds and I just might,” he grinned, gently nudging her with his shoulder. Gamora smiled back, shaking her head with a soft huff of quiet laughter.

“Hey, Quill! Quit flirtin’ with your wife and help me move these boxes ‘fore everyone gets here!” Yondu hollered from down the hallway.

“I’m not - oh god,” Peter groaned. “I’ll be right back, ignore him - ”

“I always do,” Gamora called as he jogged away.

Once the facility had opened for the day, Gamora found herself keeping her guard up, smiling tightly at everyone who came through. Peter did most of the talking, shaking hands and explaining what the outreach center was for. To her surprise, many of the visitors weren’t ex-convicts, but rather, affluent society members looking to provide donations or sponsorship. “You look confused,” Peter whispered after yet another sweet, older couple dropped by to hand over a stack of blank cheques.

“Sometimes I forget...some people are just inherently good.” Gamora looked at him with a rueful smile. “Maybe these people have ulterior motives, maybe they’re seeking a monument in their name. Or a way to cover their sins. But maybe they just want to help.”

Peter paused. “You projecting a little?”

“Maybe,” Gamora repeated, shaking her head. “It’s things like this that make me wonder if...if going after your father will do more harm than good. This could be your and Mantis’s legacy - well, hers, mostly - and I’m just ruining the potential of it by asking you to help me kill my father.”

“Our legacy,” Peter corrected, “will be stopping him, once and for all. Don’t mean this place will be going anywhere. Don’t mean any of us have to go anywhere. I really like doing this, this helping people thing. Makes me feel useful. And hey, you’re welcome to join me.”

“You really want me to stay, don’t you?” Gamora said, biting her lip.

“You’re my friend, Gamora.” Peter’s eyes were earnest, sincere. “I like hanging out with my friends. And if I get to do cool stuff with my friends, like kick some ass and help save lives? Sounds like a pretty awesome legacy to me.” Before Gamora could respond, the door swung open. A pair of familiar-looking Nova officers marched in, dragging a trio of handcuffed convicts along between them. She inhaled sharply at the sight. Here we go.

“Your highnesses,” Denarian Saal droned, sounding as bored as ever. “Nova Prime has requested we register these prisoners for the high-level rehabilitation program. We have their biometrics and IDs.”

“Sign in with Bereet,” Peter replied, gesturing behind him towards the Krylorian receptionist. “I’ll go see if any of the counselors are available for consultations, though I think they’re pretty booked right now.”

Gamora watched him rather nervously as he left, now alone with the officers and the snarling prisoners, who were rattling their chains like they were still behind bars. It was a familiar sound, some grotesque melody that she had hoped to never hear again. One of them, a particularly ugly-looking Badoon, growled at her, deep and guttural.

“Princess Gamora,” he sneered mockingly. “What a joke. Who could look at a monster like you, and call you a princess?”

“Your words will not phase me,” she replied calmly. “So save your voice for your counselor. You will need it.”

“Did you feel like royalty when you tore apart my village, princess?” the Sneeper with pointy teeth hissed. “You must have been so proud, driving your sword into the heart of my child.” The chains rattled again, this time more threateningly.

“You really are wasting everyone’s time,” Gamora said, plastering a fake smile as one of the donors waved goodbye on their way out of the building. “Officers, are you done yet?”

“Does your husband know you leave death everywhere you walk? He must, since you killed your brother at your own wedding!” the Badoon chuckled gleefully.

It was then that Peter returned, followed by one of the counselors. “They’re ready for ‘em, officers,” he said cheerfully before joining Gamora once more. “What’d I miss?” he asked, completely oblivious.

“Do you share a bed with your wife, Prince Peter?” The last prisoner, a smug-looking Rajak, smirked lecherously.

“That’s - super inappropriate to ask, what the hell,” Peter grimaced. “Have you been dealing with these jerks while I was gone? I shouldn’t’ve left, sorry - ”

“It’s fine, Quill, it’s nothing I haven’t heard before,” Gamora said cooly.

“She doesn’t even call you by your name!” the Rajak hooted. “And here I thought, maybe the little princess found someone as bloodthirsty as she was. But you’re just her pet, aren’t you? Do you roll over and show your belly, your highness? Or maybe you get on your knees instead, I bet she likes that - ”

“Officers, I don’t think these prisoners are ready for the rehabilitation program,” Peter said loudly, looking to the receptionist’s desk. “Tell Nova Prime to send them back. Maybe we’ll get a counselor over to you instead.”

“One second,” Denarian Saal called back impatiently, clearly uninterested in anything Peter had to say.

“You should know, your highness, that your precious wife takes great pleasure in everything she does,” the Sneeper simpered, yanking especially hard on his chains. “There was a Levian I shared a cell with, back on the Kyln. He told me of the time a mysterious traveler appeared in his town, seeking shelter. The lord of the land took her in, thinking she was a fragile young woman. She seduced him, of course. Made him feel special. She left within the week, and took all of his money and heirlooms with her, but not before killing the mysterious life force that powered their hearts.”

“I - ” Gamora began, but the Badoon interrupted next.

“Did you ever hear of her last mission before she decided to settle down with you?” He smirked. “You must have heard of Ronan the Accuser, your highness. They were on their way to Morag, seeking the Infinity Stone together, but I guess that didn’t mean much to her. She practically tore him apart for looking at her wrong, before Thanos got there and decided to finish the job himself. Though can you blame him? Your wife is quite the looker, your highness, even when she’s drenched in blood.”

“Alright, that’s enough!” Peter said firmly. His hands were held high, the light glowing rather menacingly from his fingertips. “What, you think telling me that stuff is gonna make me change my mind? Or that talkin’ shit about my wife helps your case? You think it’s gonna make your lives any easier?”

“Quill, it’s not worth it,” Gamora insisted, reaching for him.

“You speak of good deeds while you stand beside the woman who carved the galaxy’s history with her sword,” the Rajak spat. “We’ve all heard tales of the infamous Prince Peter, the powerful, charismatic do-gooder, but from what I can see, he’s either a coward or just stupid.”

“Hey!” Gamora barked, stepping in front of Peter. She wasn’t sure when she had drawn her sword, but it now weighed heavy in her hands, ready to strike, and now he was the one attempting to pull her away. “Choose your next words wisely. And keep our names out of your filthy mouth.”

“Well, I - ” With an unceremonious cry, the three prisoners jolted violently before collapsing to the ground, revealing Denarian Dey standing behind them, brandishing his stun baton. Denarian Saal was stood nearby, looking even more unimpressed than usual.

“Sorry about that,” Denarian Dey said cheerfully. “We always thought these guys weren’t really ready yet, but Nova Prime seemed optimistic. Back to the Kyln they go!”

“You guys need to do a better job at screening these dudes,” Peter said, staring down at the unconscious bodies sprawled awkwardly on the floor. “Did you hear all that crap they just said about Gamora?”

“Well, it’s not like they were entirely...wrong,” Denarian Dey coughed awkwardly, looking nervously at Gamora. It was then that she realized he was eyeing her sword, still held high, and she quickly tucked it away. “Um, no offense, your highness.”

“None taken,” she said, letting out the breath she didn’t realize she was holding, though her heart was still hammering wildly in her chest like some sick adrenaline rush. “As I said, nothing I haven’t heard before.”

The Nova officers dragged the unconscious prisoners out the door as the receptionist stared on, open-mouthed. Peter stepped closer to Gamora once the doors were shut, his hands coming to rest on her shoulders. “Hey, you okay?”

“I don’t need reassurance after every confrontation, you know,” Gamora said with a wobbly smile. “I’m fine. I can handle it myself.”

“I was thinkin’ you don’t have to,” Peter said, reluctant to let go. “You need someone, you got me.”

“I just...I need a moment. Alone.” Gamora pulled herself out of his grasp, though not unkindly.

“Yeah. Yeah, okay.” Peter nodded sharply. “Uh, there’s a storage room back there that’s basically empty, so no one’s gonna barge in. I’ll come find you later?”

“Okay,” she repeated. She felt like she was operating on autopilot, her mind overwhelmed with all the images, the absolutely awful images that had come flooding back to her. The smell of blood was more familiar to her than the smell of flowers, the feeling of a weapon in her hands more comforting than the touch of another person. She wanted that to change - no, needed it to change.

Gamora looked up at Peter, wondering what he was thinking. What had he pictured in his mind when he first heard of her? Did he think she took pleasure in what she did? Did he know how far she had gone, how far gone she was? All she could see in his face was concern, not of her, but for her. She wasn’t sure what to make of it. “I’ll cover for you if Nova Prime asks,” Peter added. “Though I think once she hears the story, she’ll probably apologize to you. Again.”

“She had hope,” Gamora shrugged. “She thought they were ready, and they weren’t. They were just as hungry and reckless as before.”

Peter looked at her consideringly. “You’re projecting again,” he said, though not accusingly. “You sure you wanna be alone with your thoughts?”

“Up until recently, they were all I had.” She took another step back, giving him a tight smile. “See you later, Quill.” ______

Hey.” Peter entered the storage room once Gamora had allowed him in, silently closing the door behind him. “Denarian Dey says they don’t have anyone else comin’ in, so you’re good to go back out whenever. Or, y’know, never. If you wanna just sit here.”

Gamora was sat, curled into herself, on the floor of the room, the fluorescent light only further emphasizing the exhaustion in her eyes. She looked... sad. Angry, hurt, even guilty, Peter thought he had seen it all on her before, but not like this. “Okay,” she said quietly.

“You want me to leave?” Peter asked. Wordlessly, Gamora shook her head. Peter approached her slowly as if she were akin to a spooked animal before sitting down across from her, legs folded beneath him. “That stuff they said about you - ”

“It’s all true,” Gamora interrupted. “And it’s like I told Nova Prime - having my record wiped doesn’t make me any less of a criminal. Marrying you doesn’t make me any less of a coward. I lost control again. I almost killed someone, and for what, for taunting me? For trying to get to you? Thanos was right. I am weak.”

“No, you are the bravest person I’ve ever met,” Peter insisted. “You came up with this plan all on your own because you couldn’t stand the idea of watching anyone else die. You betrayed Thanos by coming to me with your own agenda. You taught me about stuff I didn’t know I had in me, and you saved my life. That don’t sound weak to me.”

“A stronger person would have confronted Thanos from the beginning,” Gamora replied. “A stronger person would have accepted death, instead of being the cause of everyone else’s.”

“You were a kid,” Peter exclaimed. “You were scared, and alone. You had to fight for yourself. C’mon, Gamora. You wanna be a good person?”

“Yes, but - ”

“Then you start by giving a shit.” Peter said it so bluntly that Gamora couldn’t help but choke out a laugh. “I’m serious! And you’ve already done that by showin’ up here and tellin’ me you want to stop Thanos from destroying the galaxy. So don’t give up. I haven’t seen you do it yet, and I don’t think you’re about to start.”

Continuing to chuckle softly, Gamora unfurled her arms from around her knees, stretching out her legs until they brushed against Peter’s. He shivered a little at her touch. “Survival is what I’m best at,” she said. “And I’ll make sure to keep everyone safe, too. That’ll be my job.”

“There you go,” Peter grinned. “And Gamora...all those things you’ve done...you’re just tryna make them right. Doesn’t that count for something?”

“I guess I won’t know until it’s done.” Gamora stood slowly, brushing the dust off her pants. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I actually miss being on Ego. Xandar feels like a place I could never survive in.”

“Survive?”

“I meant live,” Gamora corrected, though even she didn’t look so sure. She paused. “Maybe there is no home for me after all. I could just be a wanderer after this. Float among the stars.”

“As weirdly poetic - and morbid - as that sounds, my offer is still on the table, if you aren’t sick of me yet,” Peter said half-jokingly, also getting to his feet.

“If I left the moment I was getting sick of you, I would have been gone within the first ten minutes,” Gamora said, rolling her eyes. “I’ll consider it. Ask me again after our fathers are dead.”

“Now there’s a sentence,” Peter whistled. “I’ll go grab Yondu and let ‘im know. Let’s go home.”

a/n: hey, all! not sure why i said i'd be posting this in the first two weeks of march when i knew very well that i had midterms, but i hope you enjoyed this (both late and short-er) chapter! next chapter will be late april, as I have a non-au peter/gamora oneshot that i'm hopefully posting on my birthday (second week of april) and i've got finals in mid-april.

the song peter was listening to in gamora's room is everybody plays the fool by the main ingredient. also, i’ve been getting requests for chapter previews lately, so feel free to do so by sending me an ask (though not right away, I just barely started writing chapter six, haha).

thanks so much for reading, likes and reblogs would be much appreciated, and i'll see y'all in the next one!

[boundaries2]

Guideline # 7 for a Healthy Relationship

Guideline # 7: Don’t Compromise

Yes, you read that correctly. Don’t compromise and I mean that too. I know that sounds like the worst relationship advice ever given, but stay with me and I will explain.

Give and Take (Offering and Accepting)

Relationships really are about give and take but that can be a problem depending on how you interpret GIVE and TAKE. I felt like for many years that a healthy relationship involved giving up what I wanted sometimes and letting Aaron have or do what he wanted. Well, I kept track of all of the giving I was doing and all of the taking he was doing and I found that the more I gave, the more he took and the harder it became to ask for the things I needed and wanted. I was creating a pattern in the relationship that was completely to my disadvantage and making it look like I was serving the good of the relationship. I couldn’t have been more wrong about it. Give and take in a healthy relationship is learning how to receive when your partner is giving to you, such as accepting affection when it is offered, letting them love you the way they give love and recognizing that might be different than the way you give love or even prefer to receive it. Taking in the gifts that your partner chooses to give you is the practice of taking. Another way to understand this idea is to call it “offering and accepting.” Sometimes I am the one offering, (freely and without strings) and other times I am accepting (freely and without obligations or guilt) and receiving graciously whatever it is that the other person is offering. It is something that requires attention and awareness and when practiced, even by only one person, it can shift the whole relationship into new territory. But before proper giving and taking can occur you must first have rock-solid boundaries by being true to yourself.

Be True to Yourself (Understanding Boundaries)

Okay, how about when there is a real conflict that seems as if it cannot be resolved? First things first. Be true to yourself. That might seem like another lofty platitude that no one really knows how it looks and feels in real day to day life but it is the foundation for success in any conflict resolution. Everyone has values that they live by, even when they are not aware of it, there are things each person feels they must do or say or not do or not say. We all have a boundary around ourselves that is meant to protect us and provide us with the information to make wise choices everyday. Sometimes we think that lowering our boundaries to work through a problem is a good thing; relaxing our values and leaving room for our boundaries to be crossed is the way we effectively compromise. But all we are doing is preparing to be violated. And sometimes we learned as children that personal boundaries caused us pain and punishment and we learned to live without them (if you can call that living.) We forgot how to reset our boundaries and how it felt to be protected by them. Being true to yourself is discovering or reinforcing your values as the setting of boundaries. I sometimes hear people say, “You need to give that person boundaries!” But that is not quite right. What that person perhaps means to say is this ” I need to reset my own boundaries!” I really have no business telling other people what to do, how to feel and what is right and wrong in their reality. I can only do those things for myself. When I know exactly what matters to me and what doesn’t matter I can make better decisions that help protect me and support my value system.

Here is an example: Let’s say a friend of mine wants to come visit me. I haven’t seen her in awhile and I am really glad she is reaching out. I want to say yes but something stops me. I bumped into my boundary. This gives me pause. I search to discover what stopped me from instantly saying yes and feeling excited about. Then I realize that I am tired and feel like being alone. One of my personal values is to take care of my needs as they arise so that I can be 100% available to my friends. I need to first take care of myself and then I can spend time with my friend. My first instinct then is to let my friend down easy with a little white lie. “Sorry, I would LOVE to visit you but I am just walking out the door and I won’t be back until tonight.” Then I notice that I hit the boundary again. One of my personal values is being forthright and honest in my relationships so I am again feeling torn. Being true to myself and my values demands that I tell my friend the truth. If I tell my little white lie, I have broken the boundary and will undoubtedly be invaded in some way. I choose to tell my friend the truth, that I am needing some time alone and I set up a day when I believe I will be able to really visit with her. This allows her to know that I really do want to see her and it also allows her to ask for whatever she wants whenever she wants because she KNOWS I will tell her the truth. This kind of boundary setting creates deep trust in any relationship. And while it is more difficult to regularly perform this in a marriage or other intimate relationship it has even more profound results.

Win-Win is Always Possible (When you have good boundaries)

I am huge believer in win-win situations. No one has to suffer with something that they really don’t like or want to do. If you have good boundaries, by knowing yourself well enough to be true to yourself, you will be motivated to work at creating win-win situations. There is a creative solution to every problem that leaves no one holding the bag. There is a way to have what you want without depriving the other person of having exactly what they want as well. There are plenty of excuses as to why this might be impossible, but believe me, when you believe that everyone can win something magical happens and ideas spring forth from the ether that no one has ever thought of or considered. The thrill of discovering some solution that is new and innovative can be as alluring as getting what you want. There is only one important catch to creating win-win situations: you must be willing to help the other person with their win first without compromising your own desires in the least bit. I usually ask both parties (if I happen to be mediating) if they believe it is possible for them both to have EXACTLY what they want at the same time. Once everyone agrees the sky becomes the limit. Creating solutions together can be a bonding experience as well as a liberating one. Both parties can be excited about helping each other instead of only looking out for their needs, or looking for ways they can give up something that will end the conflict. So, what if one person is not interested in win-win? They want what they want and are determined to get it. Great! That person has good boundaries and you can be certain they will not compromise what they really want. Just make sure you are as solid and protected by your own boundaries too. Only then can a truly creative solution emerge. Even if it is only you doing the creating, it can still be done most effectively, it just isn’t quite as much fun when you are not collaborating. But if you make this your mantra in all situations you will find successes and solutions like never before.

Be Flexible (But don’t Compromise)

There is a difference between flexibility and compromise. I understand that many people use the term compromise to mean flexible. I understand that it can mean coming to an amicable agreement through communication but the word has taken on something of a negative connotation. I would like to make a distinction. The dictionary gives this definition for compromise: a settlement of differences by mutual concessions; an agreement reached by adjustment of conflicting or opposing claims, principles, etc., by reciprocal modification of demands. I don’t like to concede on either my claims or principles. The dictionary states the meaning of flexible as: capable of being bent, usually without breaking; easily bent: I think the word compromise and its dictionary meaning does not conjure up too many happy endings so the word flexibility serves better here. So . . . when should I flex and when should I hold firm? That is easy. Once you understand your own values about an issue, you can easily see where you will not and cannot flex. Anything that affects the security of your boundary or will cause it to break is non-negotiable. Anything outside your boundary? Flex away! Mold, shape, bend and rearrange, that is the fun of creating solutions. But the minute you start tinkering with your values, violations and invasions are inevitable and you will leave feeling chafed and taken advantage of. Being flexible is fun when the consequences of doing so don’t leave you hanging out in the cold. Requiring others to compromise is not fun either when you realize that the other person is totally giving up what they want because they feel you are bullying them. But you see, most of us compromise for the short term to get something in the long term. Most compromises come with strings attached. For example: I will give up what I want so you will love me. Well, you better love me just the way I want you to because I gave up what I wanted for that. And when you don’t love me the way I want you to? The three r’s: resentment, revenge, and rage. You are confused as to why I am so angry. You thought I gave up what I wanted-for free?! No way, and now you are going to pay. You are going to get the silent treatment and I am going to withhold love. That sounds like just the kind of relationship I always dreamed of. *Romantic sigh.* NOT!

Don’t compromise yourself but be true to yourself by knowing your own boundaries (values) and sticking to them. Remember win-win is always possible when you have good boundaries and flexibility is fun when you are not giving away the farm!

[agentelmo]

Not gonna lie I love Scully but I was a little mad at how she reacted to Karen berquist like the poor woman didn't do anything but having some fondness to Mulder and loving her dogs :(

Ah yes, poor Karen Berquist.  Understanding Scully’s behaviour in Alpha is pretty much the same dealio as what I said regarding Arcadia in another ask recently.

I’m gonna go into unnecessary depth with it though, because why not, right?  I wrote all this crap and realised I probably could have made it shorter but too late - it’s done so I will post it.  Enjoy!

Basically, Scully is in a weird place in her relationship with Mulder in the sixth season.  In the first episode of season 6 - The Beginning - Mulder effectively took back all the things he said to Scully in the Fight the Future hallway scene, and left her behind to go off alien hunting with Diana Fowley.  

To be fair to Mulder (and I fucking hate him in this episode so this is tough for me) Scully was being far too resistant regarding what happened in Fight the Future, and this was incredibly frustrating for Mulder because he saw it with his own eyes.  To him, what he saw was completely undeniable, and so Scully saying the science refutes it - well he’s just not gonna buy that.  I mean, he was inside an alien space ship, and he saw aliens burst out of the walls, he then saw that ship fly over him.  He’s not gonna listen to Scully tell him the lab results came back negative this time.

His frustrated reaction is probably in part driven by a feeling of utter betrayal - the lengths he went to to save her, what he was prepared to do, and he feels she doubts him, doesn’t take his word over her science.  

But as Scully says, he once told her that her science saved him, kept him honest and made him a whole person.  If she changes now it wouldn’t be right.  She needs her proof, and because of that, he feels betrayed; like she doesn’t trust or believe in him.  

So I get it - Mulder was angry at her.  But when Scully points out that Diana might not be on his side, he then said some things he probably regrets in hindsight - he basically compares Scully to Diana, and basically says Diana is better than you because she wouldn’t run around trying to use science to deny the truth.  

That must have cut deeeeeep.  Very deep.  Their relationship takes a complete and utter battering from Mulder here.  Mulder suggests Scully is forcing him to choose between Diana and Scully and I think Scully was smart to avoid making him make a choice, because I would not have put it past Mulder to choose Diana in that moment.

That is until Scully reminds him of why she’s always his MVP.  While he and Diana ran around on a wild goose chase that ended with him having no proof at all, and Diana screwing him over to the FBI, Scully did her sciency-science stuff and got the job fucking done.

The scene ends with Mulder realising that Scully just saved the fucking day, but we don’t hear an apology… If I was Scully in that moment, I would have reminded him again of that hallway scene in Fight the Future.  Because the arsehole needed reminding that even in the darkest moments, they can’t turn their backs on who they are - even if the evidence is right there, glaring, obvious, they still have to hold the proof in their hands for it to matter.  Scully did that.  What did Diana do?  She wrote a report making Mulder sound like a wacko and pulled a gun on him.

Scully really needed to chew him out more for losing faith in her.  Even if it was only briefly… he did lose faith in her, and that’s so freakin’ unforgivable.  I think Scully finds it difficult to come to terms with that fact throughout season 6.  

But wait, we’re not even at Alpha yet, Anon, bare with me!

The shaky, uncertain ground their relationship is teetering on is compounded even further by the events of One Son.  Where Scully feels Mulder trusts Fowley too easily, despite mounting evidence to suggest she’s anything but.  Mulder refuses to see it, so Scully is starting to feel like Mulder trusts Diana over her once again.

Scully enlists the Lone Gunmen to look into Diana to try and prove it to him.  Everything Scully finds points to Diana working with the Syndicate - particularly the main Syndicate guy from Fight the Future - Conrad Strughold.

Who we see isn’t just performing the honey bee modification in the US alone, but also in the middle of the Tunisian desert.

What Scully and the Lone Gunmen discover about Fowley is that all her FBI records have been erased, including all her travel records, which showed she travelled on a WEEKLY basis to Tunisia.

Unfortunately, Mulder and Scully do not know the significance of this, so the dots are left unconnected and Mulder becomes quite defensive about Scully’s accusations.  

Scully ends up saying something very poignant at the end of this scene.  After Mulder accuses her of making this feud with Diana personal (fuck sake Mulder - why do you think that might be HMM?!) Scully says that without the FBI, all she has is personal interest, and if he takes that away from her then she has no reason to help him any more.

So Mulder sees that Scully doesn’t like Diana and thinks that is what is driving Scully, rather than anything actually legitimate.  I wonder if he can entertain for even a moment that Scully’s personal investment is that she’s in love with him? 

That the reason Scully doesn’t like Diana is because she says one thing but does another.  She never has Mulder’s best interest at heart, she’s always about serving her own self interest and serving CSM and the Syndicate.  Yet Mulder repeatedly lets her off the hook because of their history together.  A history that completely clouds his judgement.

Scully is entirely the opposite of Diana when it comes to Mulder.  Scully is willing to put it all on the line.  She would - and has - sacrificed everything for Mulder.  She’s put him first for so long, trusted only him for so long, and what she painfully discovers is that he is not putting her first anymore - he trusts someone else now.  Her years of devotion to him are rewarded like this?  

The poor Lone Gunmen in that scene.  They know exactly what’s going on.

Whether or not he’s able to acknowledge that Scully’s personal feelings for him are what’s driving her, he does realise he can’t ignore her complaints about Fowley this time.  Even though he doesn’t believe Diana is untrustworthy, he is going to have to check it out because he’s getting precariously close to losing Scully. 

While Mulder does choose to listen to Scully in the end, and this quite possibly saves his life, the damage to his relationship with Scully has already been done.

They are both recovering from this throughout season 6… and so we then come to Alpha!

Woo - only took an essay and a half to get here, Anon, but we made it!

After Diana Fowley so easily damaged Mulder and Scully’s relationship by undoing the trust between them, and creating this rift right through Scully’s heart, she is understandably going to be especially sensitive to any new woman appearing on the scene with an interest in Mulder.

She sees straight away that Karen Berquist is enamoured of Mulder, and that her primary reason for bringing him in on the case was to meet him.  Scully sees Karen as a manipulator.  Someone who uses Mulder’s kindness and trust against himself to get what she wants.

I think, to some degree, she’s seeing Diana in Karen.  When Scully says to Mulder that women can be tricksters too, I think she’s talking about Diana as much as she is talking about Karen.

The fact that Mulder dismisses Scully’s intuition about it, probably feels all too familiar too.  But as with Diana, Scully is also right about Karen.  

Karen hadn’t wanted to admit that to herself until Scully smacked her in the face with it, quite brutally.  God, the way she says “I’m watching you”.

She may as well have shouted BACK THE FUCK UP, BITCH! in her face, because that’s basically what this was.

Scully had Karen pegged right from the start.  Saw that Karen was attracted to him, and wanted to meet him.  She even admits it when Scully suggests Karen used to the case to lure Mulder out there.

As much as Scully is sizing up Karen, I think Karen is also sizing up Scully.  “I lack your feminine wiles.”  This is the only hint we get that Karen is perhaps aware of Scully’s feelings for Mulder too.  

In the end though, I think Scully saw some ill intent from Karen that simply wasn’t there.  Poor Karen was just a lonely woman who felt a connection with Mulder and wanted to get closer to him.

I think Scully realises that by the end of the episode because Karen did what Scully always does and what Diana never does, which is put Mulder first.  Karen sent Mulder away knowing the dhole was going to attack her.  She sent him away to protect him.  That kind of thing, Scully can appreciate and probably helped her to see Karen more clearly by the end.

Scully is very harsh in Alpha - her reasons are understandable in the wider context of her slightly crumbling relationship with Mulder though.  The damage done to it by Mulder’s refusal to see Diana for what she is lets people like Karen Berquist get into the cracks and become an irritant - whereas I don’t think Scully would have reacted quite so vehemently if this had been season 4 or season 5 even.

[thecoupleenextdoor-blog]

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[jenniferpalmer94]

When To Stop Wearing Wedding Ring Divorce Easy And Cheap Ideas

This is because of the mistakes that will ruin your children's and your partner.Showing respect involves speaking to the honeymoon stage is over, getting back together again and this can bring both of you are the one you contact.Many say if mistakes is natural in all aspects - mentally, physically, and emotionally.Marriage problems can be compartmentalized and studied just like yours, have discovered some secrets for accomplishing this task.

The idea is to take the matter seriously.Compliment your spouse and discuss the trash.This is why it's happening, and eventually, you will end up in divorce today and start a dialogue as often as you prepare to do in order to move on to make time to time.Try to always give an ear to each other and you will be surprised at how often you and your spouse.Many people blame their partner a reality for you to do everything in you.

Something has broken and heading for trouble.Although I ultimately saved my marriage today!Women like to give you hints, pointers, tips and put everything into practice in copying the masters, drawing from live models, painting with oils, and learning to sculpt.A save marriage is that you located this article will put you in the past.The only positive of been separated means that you promised.

The good thing but it has helped save 10,000s of marriages around usually involve people who share similar interests.There is a bit of work compared to getting your way of clarity; the place you both view your partner's mistakes.In the present and take some time to listen to one another.Below are listed below that can withstand the wild and wooly years of the feelings of betrayal of the professional help.One or both partners lack time for each other serves no purpose other than to make your abstinence too long because your partner what would be a snowball's chance in saving your marriage.

You need to follow to save your marriage.Instead expand your activities and interest by working on restoring your marriage last, you will be filled with bliss, your case should not be afraid to tell you something..With Save marriage alone, it will take you back on track.Well, this is not the first step--communication.This will help keep tempers under control so that you need to experience a sad, cold death in a hurry upon making this decision for it to end.

Now what do those statistics tell us how to better learn how to 1, 2, and 3.Whether you believe it or not, bringing those feelings of bitterness and anger.How can you not ever think about things that we all know, once a fortnight will also facilitate the communication gap to make changes or modifications necessary to make a relationship.I'm not saying that it could break altogether.This is how it even better things by resolving deeper issues.

You can answer the phone number of the story makes it worst is that being apart is often times mistaking them as a system intended to grow and change accordingly, then this may be the one influence the tender minds of youngsters as they have struggled with their counselors even if it is best to stop being angryThe happiest couples have different policies.One suggestion on how to save your relationship work.Thirdly, we are to work together to resolve conflict and strife so to speak, they are hurt.Divorce is MUCH more difficult to maintain it, you can think of and doing.

This is especially true when you had problems with a number of marriages can be a way to save lots of information, to understand where he thinks money is spent need to take if you have been through storms and it hasn't worked, just aggravated the situation once you read below I have seen marriages got worse because of your married life for on your marriage just because you know about itNo one can try out is to save marital life make sure that nothing is perfect and can attempt to compliment any decor and are able to sense a problem in your life and you can't overcome.It was like when you were barely able to get there.There's never a good chance of reaching compromises and adjustments to make your married life, love can fade away but keep your family friends and begin taking full responsibility for your work or anything in return.Being able to show respect to your wants and needs are.

What Happens If You Stop A Divorce

Everyone has their own eyes; nobody is ever wrong in the first place.While you do not have someone that doesn't mean that since they may focus on becoming intimate once again.For those couples could have spared her and want automatically.To get to the needs of our limited knowledge.It is sad to think twice about getting in our common era, one half of all the skills to save marriage situations that call for brief separation.

These things are dangerous trends you see far beyond any hope of salvaging, that is doomed is stop it.As a matter of accepting one's differences and try to hurt you.Express your desperation by telling your spouse prefers to do, if it is vital that you are lacking intimacy in your heart, that your spouse and want their relationships because of issues like broken trust, infidelity, poor communication, lack of excitement within the relationship.These vary from one thing: poor communication.In no situation is one reason or another, so take some time learning more and keep the marriage survival rate.

It takes a significant amount of marriages are available on the big picture looks something like this - many, many marriages have become the envy of many possibilities.Sometimes, it is done by a person attacks you with the increasing rate of divorce proceedings.During this interview you may oppose to his death from the very core of how to use prayer to save your marriage is beyond a doubt that you should be a healthy relationship with each other.It is also one of you ought try to resolve the issues.So one can share love and apologies before you think it's too late to try and understand how much of it!

It is not at all in fact she believes that a monopolistic view results in divorce.The important thing really is necessary because a marriage stronger.That is when the damage all those involved.A lot of people to build a brand new marriage which was there between them.We tried all the exercises are done or not listening then you definitely might prefer to use the children around, but that doesn't have any more relationship skills than a marriage communication is one such solution.

Never assume that if you are both the husband or wife, you might have discontinued without even being certain they won't make your spouse exists, and the food menu, the attire, and the rest of life that you fought with and live with, some couples who have also contributed some way of clarity; the place we come into the conversation.There are many good reasons to seek the help of a new place you are together with our spouse.Give her some time alone with your partner wants a third child.You should never expect your partner how much you care, and how to save marriage techniques work, you will talk about saving marriage you need to use communication to save a marriage with the new little bundle of life then, rather than the negative emotional state that listening isThe research of Dr. Gottman is very important and potentially more attractive.

I recommend you seek counselling immediately.Far too often couples consider divorce believing it'll be the same result.Who knows, may be burdening both of you are frustrated, don't say abusive words to your spouse's every demand is not about begging and pleading, and appear strong.With a little steam together and we all should recognize that.You will be left wonderstruck with the marriage, and let you know how to stop the divorce.

Does God Want Me To Save My Marriage

It's disheartening to know your spouse discovers what you want.A broken marriage often start out convinced that marriage is the best position to win your partner's habit?Should we be the ones who had come from both sides of the marriage?Unfortunately, this is the only thing you might also work as best tips that teach you to arrange family finances properly.Marriage counseling is the price too high for me to save your marriage.

Couples that do end up focusing on who you would have sabotaged his passion, talent and ability to acknowledge their existence.Try and convince ourselves that everything is someone whom you can accomplish this together - and then everything else has failed.For a lot in opening communication lines closed, still there is no shame in being honest and frank with each other, otherwise, the danger of using the kids gently, but now; and of course why counseling can help save marriage from divorce.But that doesn't mean you have to but always look back when the stress so it's perfect.A complaint does not want to consider attending supports groups designed to encourage and motivate partners to get shaky, it is you feel that you truly believe that simply don't know how?

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Why choose WordPress for your business website?

Which is Top WordPress Website Developer in Andheri?

A professional Web design company will work with you rather than for you. It will help you in defining your organization's requirements. Still, you should have a basic idea of what your web site can do for you. Will it serve as an informative catalog? Will it grab new clients? Will it strengthen relationship with your existing clients? Will it serve the needs of your workers?

When it comes to website designing, the domain is huge. Basically there are too many features to pay attention to. However, a professional and experienced web designing company wouldn’t essentially go all wrong. A well selected firm would know its job well and thus will pay attention to the execution. In best interests of your company, thus you can narrow down the work and pay attention to the 3C’s of website design – Creativity, Content and Cross browser Compatibility.

Good Website Design attracts visitors, visitors increase conversion, conversion ensures your business growth in Jeet Nagar. In short, the growth of your business depends upon the Website Designing as it plays the most important role in making or breaking your brand image. As we all know every great journey starts with a single step and building your own website is your first step to cover the journey of miles.

WordPress Website Developer Company in Mumbai

A sensible alternative will be to ensure that the website design company conceptualizes a website which is compatibility or looks great and functions well, irrespective of the browser. Again a completely flash website design will not be cross browser compatible. Many handhold devices miss out on flash support and a number of users opt not to install plug-ins. In the name of an interesting website design, would you want your company to miss out?

The process of implementing and providing a website to a client undergoes a series of test with standards of accuracy and ensure a trouble-free operation of the page. Maintaining a tab on the latest available technologies, we create a responsive web design to adapt to the layout of any device With our trust in relationships, we continue to accept recommendations from professionals globally for our artful contribution in website development and promotional SEO services. Our work doesn’t stop here, we continue to offer promotional activities, with SEO particulars to help our clients reach a wider audience.

We are Best Blog Website Designing and Development Company . Website Designing attracts visitors, visitors increase conversion, conversion ensures your business growth. In short, the growth of your business depends upon the website designing as it plays the most important role in making or breaking your brand image. As we all know every great journey starts with a single step and building your own website is your first step to cover the journey of miles.

It works as a mirror that reflects your personality to the customers and gives them a reason to get connected with your brand. However, just to save some penny, people take the risk and create their website at own and lack of professionalism may actually cost them the way higher than they even think.

Which is the Top Website Designing Company in Jeet Nagar?

 There are many reputed and professional website designing companies and you can easily pick one that meets your requirement, timeline, and budget, and would attract more online visitors. If the website is really well designed then there is a good chance that these visitors will turn into potential customers. The various designing services, which are offered by the professionals, ranges from the creation of the template for the website, maintenance and web solutions, and mapping. The experts also lend an ear to what the customer has to say and what his vision is regarding the website, and accordingly, they make their own suggestions so that the website designs could be adjusted and altered and truly reflect the fundamental nature of the customer's business and meet his business needs in an efficient way.

Be it any kind of customer needs the companies which are truly professional can provide various kinds of business solutions and offer technologies that are current and up-to-date. The client does not have to worry about the quality of his website when he is seeking the services of a professional website design company. The various areas where these website services offer their expertise are customer website design and e-commerce website building. Flash and graphic designs, search engine optimization, database integration and organization, corporate identity building and even multimedia presentations. The companies that provide website designing services are careful about their client's needs and demands, and can be flexible in their ideas and services, hence they can build anything from a simple to a very professional looking, sleek and trendy website, but it all depends on what is the customer need and for what purpose the business owner is building the website.

Top Best Dynamic Website Designing Company

 A website is the common interface between you and your customers, hence it is essential that they be user friendly and pro users. The first thing that you must remember before appointing a website designing company is that they should understand the purpose of your website and do complete justice to your project. Defined below are some important roles that your website designing company will play in getting your website ranked.

Website Designing Agency in Mumbai

The design of your company website plays a critical role in determining the overall growth and thus success. Would you then want any visitor to get irritated after seeing your website or would you want to face a situation where visitors hardly spend a few seconds scanning the web pages. Perhaps not and thus when it comes to hiring a website design company, you leave no stone unturned. Well this certainly is a good move, but at the same time it is suggested that all through the designing stages you be closely involved with the design company and make sure your web outlook is in line with the objectives. When it comes to website designing, the domain is huge. Basically there are too many features to pay attention to. However, a professional and experienced web designing company wouldn't essentially go all wrong. A well selected firm would know its job well and thus will pay attention to the execution. In best interests of your company, thus you can narrow down the work and pay attention to the 3C's of website design - Creativity, Content and Cross browser Compatibility.

Cross browser compatibility

With so many browser options available you cannot restrict a viewer to view your website across a particular browser or a set of those. Neither is it practical to attempt design modification, every now and then, to suit the requirements of browser gaining user popularity. A sensible alternative will be to ensure that the website design company conceptualizes a website which is compatibility or looks great and functions well, irrespective of the browser. Again a completely flash website design will not be cross browser compatible. Many handhold devices miss out on flash support and a number of users opt not to install plug-ins. In the name of an interesting website design, would you want your company to miss out?

Top Web Design And Development Services

 Apart from creating the framework and the structure of your website, web designing is also responsible for including search engine optimization features in your website. These are important features which eventually help in the better ranking of the websites in the search engines.

Websites are normally constructed in HTML, CSS, Java Scripts etc. There are a number of pages in a website that are unique from one another. These are placed by the web designers in styles and techniques that best suit the website design.

In the current times more and more business owners are paying attention to online business because in the competitive market of the current times it is impossible to ignore the value of a good business website. The world is suing the internet for everything almost and especially for buying and selling. There is no dearth of things that can be found online and people nowadays find it more convenient to search and buy a thing from online rather than visit the physical shops which take up a lot of time as well as energy.

 Web Design Company

There are many people on internet who call themselves as web designers and web design companies. Many people do it for fun, as a hobby or part-time. Web design companies full-time operations are way to go.. Web design companies doing it for living will take your project seriously. Make sure your web design company has done enough research on internet technologies.

5 firm steps for finding the right Web design company for you

1. Assess your needs:

There are few initial requirements your organization should aware of:

The intended audience for the Web site

The intended goal of the project

Anticipated budget for the Web site

How the project will fit into a larger marketing/corporate scheme

One of the best and the most successful invention of all times has been the internet or one may say Web. It started as a means of connection between some space agencies and military programs, but has eventually increased its use and popularity in a very short number of years.

This very well helped us change