#(Rei in Free! among many various others...)

[transhawks]

Genuinely confused about the arguments on twitter about dabi not being abused among other “hot takes.” I didn’t really understand why fandom people sometimes say there are 0 reading comprehension until today ….

I'm allergic to anitwitter, but I'm guessing there are people saying Touya wasn't abused? Because I know for a fact emotional neglect is abuse, and that's among what happened to Touya besides other emotional abuse from his father. Not to mention no one took him to therapy after he snapped at Shouto as a kid.

(please don't come in here with a 'culture' thing, I know, and if they have mental hospitals he can lock Rei up in, they have therapy for disturbed children like Touya)

Add to that the physical abuse against his wife and youngest son, and we have seen him handling Touya roughly. Just... no.

I think this is exactly why so many of us were so hard on people for years about excusing Endeavor. We knew when we had the real truth out there people would find anyway to excuse and minimize what he'd done because we all grow up in a "well you must have done something wrong; was it really that bad mentality".

If we break ourselves free from it, we start seeing how regularly fucked up a lot of things are, which isn't making people happier. So a lot of people are very happy to stay in a state of dissonance and delusion about things like emotional abuse.

"It wasn't that bad." "That's just how it is for non-Westerners." "I grew up with stuff like that and I am fine."

It always tells me more about the person than their reading ability. Most of us don't really want to unpack our cultural norms around families and parents, especially in those of cultural backgrounds known to have ideals of filial piety and family above all else. To challenge these norms and ideals is to question one's identity and family, and how many of us want to do so?

Horikoshi has explicitly laid the blame for the death of Touya on the conditions of the Todoroki house, on his father's actions.

There is, of course, the other side of this where this is fueled by the consistent lack of empathy we have towards imperfect victims. I can likely go dig up my myriad of answers on this exact topic but it boils down to the idea that victimhood is noble, virtuous.

When someone has been wronged that must mean they're in the right. An abuse victim must suffer and not retaliate and remain Good in order to get our collective pity and outrage.

Dabi doesn't fit a normal victim. Rei is almost a perfect victim on a surface reading. She was abused, hurt, trapped. She did have a psychotic break with reality and hurt her kid, and hurt her other kids too for years with her parenting (according to novels and Touya's recollections), but she fits very much what we think of when we think of abuse victims.

We don't like thinking of people like Touya.

Dabi brings up the painful moral quandary of how much of a person's actions are their own and how much are of an environment or a result of actual brain damage from trauma. He brings up the moral quandary of how we do we treat abusers when they're "good, talented, valued" people outside of their abuse, and whether the actions of the victim matter in this case.

There are other messy lines of thought - do we owe abusers forgiveness? Is forgiving morally good? Is then seeking any retribution morally wrong? Can one remain a good person if one refuses to forgive those who have harmed them? Does it matter then if that person seeks revenge or simply wants a life apart?

The issue with this convo is that it's one not made for twitter discourse. It's a societal reckoning that we see play out, from various celebrity abuser scandals, to courtrooms, and our own living rooms.

Some people simply do not want to have these conversations. That's what those takes are telling me. That for whatever reason, accepting that Dabi is a victim and someone who has hurt others, is beyond them. That looking at the society itself with how it defends people like Endeavor means looking at our own society, when we watch men who have sexually harassed women be awarded Oscars, when we ignore whispers of abuse among our own families because they implicate people we love, is too big and painful a burden.

I'll end this like this - abuse victims are everywhere. They are watching. They watch as their friends argue that something they have experienced "wasn't that bad", and that they should swallow all the resentment, rage, and grief that come with abuse because their abuse isn't enough to care about.

Is a rt to show your dislike of a character worth that feeling?

[hypmic-translation]

Naniwa Paradise Sake

CHORUS Down your glass and sing along This is Osaka drunkenness Division shit One drink, two drinks; it all tastes good No, I still haven’t had enough yet Naniwa-nyway, let’s keep on singing (1) Any division compared to ours is all full of shit Merrymaking; idle gossip The sunrise brings proof of our drinking spree Dotsuitare Honpo shit

SASARA Osaka Division’s formation celebration ROSHO Naniwa’s neon lights are looming overhead (2) SASARA The truth is, it’s difficult to know where to go REI How ‘bout a night of mistakes around Chayamachi? (3) SASARA Having a lively talk about nothing important is Nurude Sasara and his merry band of friends ROSHO Passing through Ame-mura, noisily wasting time (4) REI Crossing that border brings you into a new world SASARA Okonomi! (5) ROSHO Kushikatsu! (6) REI This is the nation’s kitchen (7) SASARA Let’s have a toast! Count to ten, if ya please REI Hey, we only just got here ROSHO That was very sudden (8) SASARA Our suddenly-formed team is sure to run into trouble It’s not really worth much, but I still wanna thank you (9) Us three are the best! SASASA/REI Cheers to that! SASARA We’ll be champions! ROSHO Yeah, champions of flour-food (10) ALL Those eastern divisions aren’t such a big deal (11)

CHORUS Down your glass and sing along This is Osaka drunkenness Division shit One drink, two drinks; it all tastes good No, I still haven’t had enough yet Naniwa-nyway, let’s keep on singing Any division compared to ours is all full of shit Merrymaking; idle gossip The sunrise brings proof of our drinking spree Dotsuitare Honpo shit

REI Alcohol is the best medicine around Kill the beat, make some noise, 108 desires in all (12) Word games are just instances of luck So it’s been decided, I’m tonight’s designated driver Irregular noise, a gold driver’s license (13) In our own private world, go straight Don’t drink if you drive, don’t drive if you drink (14) You’re only allowed to ride this track tonight

ROSHO Drank so much saké that I can’t stop laughing Stuck here in the same boat as this crook (15) Authority and wolves both will be forced to bow down (16) (24) Rivalry naturally gets me fired up (hic!) REI In simpler words, chop end-roll (17) ROSHO We’re gonna climb to the very top of this thing SASARA Aren’t you raring to go, Rosho~ Hm? ROSHO Huh? SASARA Oh, it’s your eyes? They don’t seem focused?

CHORUS Down your glass and sing along This is Osaka drunkenness Division shit One drink, two drinks; it all tastes good No, I still haven’t had enough yet Naniwa-nyway, let’s keep on singing Any division compared to ours is all full of shit Merrymaking; idle gossip The sunrise brings proof of our drinking spree Dotsuitare Honpo shit

REI Without following trends we’re burning through spirits (18) Instead of chilling at home, this is the DH way SASARA Wholeheartedly playing around? Overdrinking Chamisul, the Makgeolli’s here! (19) REI Before dawn arrives we’ll keep emptying shot glasses Quietly smoking cigars with unsteady hands Celebrating life is us nightwalkers C’mon, until the morning sun rises, let’s go SASARA Drinking a lil too much turns into a touching memory ROSHO It’s always the same with you, isn’t it (20) The good and the bad, all of it bare (21) We’ll find a clear solution to that centre party for a one-shot, one-kill (22) SASARA I don’t like rock as much as hip-hop, yanno Once the beer gets here I’m gonna gulp it all down with a “bang!” and a “boom!” ROSHO Hold on! What are you talking about! SASARA This was all un-alcohoidable! (23) ROSHO The hell are you saying? Whatever, that’s enough! I’m done here!

CHORUS Down your glass and sing along This is Osaka drunkenness Division shit One drink, two drinks; it all tastes good No, I still haven’t had enough yet Naniwa-nyway, let’s keep on singing Any division compared to ours is all full of shit Merrymaking; idle gossip The sunrise brings proof of our drinking spree Dotsuitare Honpo shit

NOTES (Under the read-more because they got very long!)

I’m so sorry for this one, but it was the only way I could think to incorporate the joke here organically. The line reads “ナニワともあれ歌いましょ (naniwa tomoare utaimasho)”, Naniwa being Osaka’s original name, as well as the name of one of its wards. The pun here is that “naniwa tomoare” sounds a lot like “何はともあれ (naniha-tomoare)”, which means “at any rate/in any case”, so a more literal translation would be “regardless, Naniwa, let’s sing”.

A more literal translation of “looming all around” would be “forward-bent posture”.

Chayamachi is a popular downtown district among young people in Osaka’s Kita ward. The shops there sell various kinds of food, fashion and forms of amusement.

“Ame-mura” or “Amerikamura” (American Village) is another one of Osaka’s popular entertainment areas, this time in their Chuuo ward. Has many Western fashion retail shops, bars, and nightclubs.

“Okonomi”, short for okonomiyaki, which is Sasara’s favourite food. “Okonomi” on its own means “how/what you want” while “yaki” is “cooked”, so altogether it’s “cooked how you want”, referring to it’s versatile fillings. I think this is probably supposed to be a pun, but I wasn’t sure how to reflect that and Rosho carries on with the food naming anyway, so I went more literal here.

Kushikatsu is deep-fried meat and vegetables on skewers. Its origins can be found in Osaka, and both it and okonomiyaki are popular there.

Osaka was once called “the kitchen of the nation” during the Edo period, where many different kinds of food from all over Japan gathered due to the city being a warehouse and trading port.

This is a nice example of how these three use wordplay very effectively - Sasara says “ten-count”, written in katakana. Rei uses a word that can be read as “ten” (but isn’t, in this case) and Rosho does the same with “count”. Likewise in the line following, although Sasara doesn’t use the same word for “sudden” he does use onomatopoeia that essentially means the same thing, bringing the joke full circle.

“碌でもない” means “good for nothing/worthless”. “後光がさしてる” means “to be very thankful towards someone” (enough to make them look like an angel with a halo). I’m not sure I got the meaning of what Sasara’s saying exactly right, but this is how I’m interpreting it. I didn’t pick up on this myself, but someone pointed out to me how this section is in itself a count-down from ten - Rei and Rosho say 10 and 9 respectively, and then Sasara incorporates the rest of the numbers into his lines from 8 to 1. I have no idea how to make that look good in English though...

“Flour-food” refers to how most classic Osakan foods such as okonomiyaki and takoyaki are made with flour.

“Aren’t such a big deal” is more literally read as “how much is monjayaki worth” (なんぼのもんじゃい), the answer being “not much”.

“Kill the beat” (apparently a common phrase in breakdancing referring to being able to skillfully stay on rhythm) and “make some noise” are two different sentences in this line, but they both include a use of the word “hame” (はめ/ハメ) which, when put next to each other, is slang for “having sex”. “108 desires in all” is a reference to the Buddhist belief that humans have a total of 108 “worldly desires”, or polluted thoughts. “Worldly desires” is usually written as “煩悩”, however Rei uses “欲望” which also means desire but in a lustful sense.

A gold driver’s license is what you can get if you’re a “safe driver” in Japan with a standard license (you get points for driving violations, so only people with 0 points can get gold). Apparently these can occasionally get you discounts in hotels and shops.

This is apparently a popular slogan in Japan in order to discourage drunk driving, and according to one source I saw while investigating it’s been in use for over 30 years.

“Stuck in the same boat” is my loose interpretation of “呉越同舟”, which is the concept of working with someone you consider an enemy in order to achieve a common goal.

Rosho says “okami” twice in this line - or at least that’s how it sounds. The first is “okami (御上)” and means “authority”, so referring to the government/Chuuoku. The second is “ookami (狼)” which literally just means wolf, likely referencing Matenrou as the 1st Division Battle winners.

This gave me agony for ages, and to be entirely sure I’m still not sure if it’s right, but whatever. Tell me if you have a better alternative. I’m choosing to interpret “chop end-roll” as “cutting off before the end of a movie”, as “end-roll” in Japanese is how you refer to end credits, so I guess what Rei’s saying is basically “we’re finishing this now”. Also he uses “言の葉” for “words” which is also the name for the Party of Words - but he doesn’t actually say “party (党)” so I don’t think he was referring to them.

“Spirits” being liquors.

Chamisul and Makgeokki are both Korean alcoholic drinks. Also, I was informed that the line “Makgeokki’s here” (”Makkori ga kuru”) sounds a lot like “Maddotorigākurū”, which is “Mad Trigger Crew”.

So this gets interesting. The things Rosho says in both this and the next line are slurred, which gives them a double meaning - he’s saying one thing, but what they sound like are alcohol puns. In this case, “always/frequently (shotchū)” sounds like “shōchū”, which is a kind of Japanese liquor.

Here, “good and (iimo)” sounds like “potato (imo)”, which is something you can make alcohol out of. The same goes for “bare (mukidashi)”, the first half of which sounds like “wheat (mugi)”.

I’m a little vague on this one so take it with a pinch of salt. Rosho says “チュー輩” which is “chuu” and then “party”. “Chuu” isn’t exactly “Chuuo” and “輩” is the kanji for neither “political party” nor “ward”, but considering how drunk he is here I’m willing to believe he’s referencing Chuuoku. You’re free to correct me if I’m wrong though, I’m still very unsure.

Again, I’m really sorry for this. The joke here is that Sasara says “酒ては通れない (sakete wa tōrenai)”, which… doesn’t really mean anything sensical, but literally something like “alcohol can’t pass”. However, it sounds almost identical to “避けて通れない (sakete tōrenai)” which means “unavoidable”. So… un-alcohoidable. Haha.

Bonus fun fact; “okami” is also a reading of the obscure kanji “龗”, which (basically) means “water dragon”. However, as with most kanji, “龗” has multiple readings, one of which (kan-on) has it read as “rei”, just like “零” (Rei’s name). I don’t think it’s necessarily relevant to the song because of the obscurity, but it is an interesting tidbit.

[unexpectedreylo]

Congratulations, You Played Yourself?  Why We Didn’t See TROS Coming

I read a great meta by @ariainstars​ and it inspired me to finally address something I’d been meaning to write about since TROS came out.  How were so many smart Reylo fans and Bendemptionists convinced things were going to turn out with a happy ending, Rey and Ben riding off into the sunset, when JJerio as well as fired writer Colin Trevorrow clearly had other ideas?  

This isn’t a defense of TROS or its spin-out-and-crash ending.  I still think Ben’s fate was totally mishandled and it leaves DLF with the choice of a) never addressing the post-ST galaxy or b) resurrecting Ben from the dead in one form or another.  (When that will happen is of course a mystery.  My guess is not for at least not another decade.)  Returning to Rey Whateverherlastnameis without Ben is to dig their hole deeper, especially since I think the pop culture gods will determine that Ben’s departure was premature and unlike the deaths of Boba Fett or Darth Maul, materially damaging to the overall story.

This is an object lesson though in how fans and creators can end up on different pages and also how creators underestimate the power of their own work. 

I thought that death was always on the table for Ben but TLJ’s compassionate treatment of the character and his relationship with Rey as well as piles of well thought-out metas convinced me he was going to survive.  I was sure they were going for an unabashedly happy ending because it was the last film (not simply because it was Disney) and they would want to go out on an up note.  I didn’t think a Dead Ben would end things happily (and really I was right...the air gets sucked out of the movie the second he abruptly dies).  I also didn’t think they would solve the Skywalker problem by tacking the name onto Rey at the very end of the movie (sigh).

I think the fundamental problem was highlighted in @ariainstars​‘s meta:  many thought we were getting Pride And Prejudice or 50 Shades Of Grey while they were riffing off of Phantom Of The Opera.  All of those stories are variations of La Belle Et La Bete, Beauty And The Beast.  POTO though ends tragically because Erik is too much of an outcast and his crimes are too terrible.  @ariainstars​ states that Kylo/Ben was always doomed because he’d killed his father.  A happily ever after was never going to be possible for him.

Why did so many of us reject the idea that killing Han meant Ben had to die in TROS?  Because a lot of sequel fans grew up with Asian and Asian-influenced media, namely anime, manga, and shows like Avatar:  The Last Airbender or Dragon Ball Z.  Serious crimes weren’t necessarily bars to redemption or a happily-ever-after.  There were and still are lots of comparisons between Kylo/Ben and Prince Zuko, who was redeemed, survived, and marries (though not Katara).  Dragon Ball Z’s former villain Vegeta sacrifices himself but is allowed to return to his body and he gets to be in love with Bulma.

JJerio and Trevorrow though didn’t grow up with that stuff.  They grew up with Star Wars and everything else Hollywood produced in the ‘60s-’90s.  While I’m pretty sure Rian Johnson would’ve sold it better if he’d directed and wrote IX, I am not sure if Johnson would’ve let Ben get a happily ever after either.  While Star Wars always had an Eastern influence, it still is very much a product of the West and all it entails.  

Maybe the trouble with Ben’s arc is Abrams and Kasdan deciding he had to kill Han Solo.  When I saw TFA, my first thought was Kylo would redeem himself in the last movie but he was toast.  Which is too bad, because you doom your character in the very first movie and that’s not fun.  TLJ then only offered false hope that this would not be the case.  I get that Johnson was making redemption credible but either he was too optimistic that whoever followed him would consider letting Ben live or he unwittingly oversold Ben to the point where you not only wanted him redeemed, you wanted him to survive so he’d have a chance to be happy and free.  (And of course that Rey would have lasting companionship with an equal.)

Another reason why we thought we’d get a happily-ever-after is because Kylo/Ben was the son of Han and Leia and the only Skywalker scion, this meant he was somehow bulletproof and his importance in the story was only going to grow.  Adding to this assumption is Rian Johnson referring to Ben and Rey as co-protagonists.  But to Abrams and company, these movies weren’t about Ben.  This was Rey’s story and in case you don’t understand that, she appears in nearly every scene in TROS.  While Kylo/Ben leaves a big impression, if you pay attention you’ll notice he gets less screen time in the movies than guys like Poe or Finn.  To those who made TROS, Kylo/Ben was little more than a foil, a catalyst for their heroine.  He was supposed to be Darth Vader to Rey’s Luke Skywalker.  (If you want to understand why some fans who clearly aren’t TFM types don’t like these movies, there’s your answer...the Skywalker family got sidelined in the last third of their own saga.)

Perhaps though there’s another simple answer and that is fans are great at being in denial.  If we want a certain outcome, we’re going to bet the farm on it.  Soon among a subset of fans, it’s practically a tenet of being a part of that subset.  This led to what I call following “signs and wonders,” fans believing there are secret codes they were putting out to reassure us we were going to get what we wanted.  I”m seeing a lot of that now with regard to Ben returning, though I don’t buy they are really giving it much thought right now.

Reylos correctly predicted that Ben would turn and there would be some acknowledgement of the attraction between Rey and Ben.  We actually got most of it right.  But Ben’s death wasn’t an outcome most Reylos entertained to any extent.  There were fans who predicted Ben’s demise but they didn’t talk about it very much and those metas weren’t as enthusiastically shared.   Why?  We didn’t want it to happen and we didn’t want to think about its possibility.

Whatever JJerrio’s and Lucasfilm’s intentions, Ben Solo was a character who had escaped.  I guess everyone knew Kylo Ren was going to be popular and iconic but those guys severely underestimated his power.  It’s due to the mystique built up in TFA, the revelation of his humanity in TLJ, being the last Skywalker, and his relationship with Rey over the course of the films, all expertly performed by someone who always brings his A game and had plenty of charisma to spare.  Some sympathetic story groupers added further pathos to his back story in various comics and novels.  He, like the cinnamon roll The Onion made famous, was too pure for this world.

Moreover, they severely underestimated the power of Reylo.  They unwittingly tapped into something primal and mythic with those two.  Nobody could’ve foreseen their incredible chemistry and they didn’t fully understand or appreciate  how epic the pairing truly was.  Or at least those not named “Rian Johnson.”  But many in the audience could see it.  There was a lot in the media about Reylo.  The two times I saw TROS in the theater people applauded when Rey and Ben kissed. It was the gas in the ST’s tank.

That’s why we bought it.  It’s amazing to me how often studios, filmmakers, and show runners miss this stuff while fans keep expecting a different outcome.

[konpithepuppy]

[TRANSLATION: サンデー毎日 04.25.2021]

7 MEN SAMURAI

Proofread by aji10647731 (Twitter)/ @janiappend

Scans of the interview from @/kyomot_hoe (Twitter)

Neither an English nor a Japanese native speaker

Feel free to correct me, thanks

7 MEN 侍

NONCONFORMISTS GIFTED WITH BOTH INTELLIGENCE AND BEAUTY

MEET THE TWO WAY IDOL GROUP WHO BOTH PLAYS A BAND AND DANCES!

Not only good-looking faces, but each one also has a variety of talents, competing for tomorrow's star are Johnny and Associates's young Johnny's Jr. Excelling in the field of arts and sports, the multi-talented Samurais appear for the first time!

ーFor the readers of 「Sunday Mainichi」who still do not know well 7 MEN 侍, please introduce your group and yourselves.

Nakamura Reia: We, 7 MEN 侍, are doing our best in playing a band and in dancing, we are a nonconformist idol group. I am good at skateboarding, snowboarding, drawing, and playing games. My strong point is being positive, my weakness is that I am too much of a positive person (LOL).

Sugeta Rinne: At the same time with band activities as our strength, we have members who are good in different fields like studying, acrobats, and drawing, we are a group with overflowing individualities. I am good at athletics and acrobats, and I was able to appear in SASUKE (TBS) last year, and I cleared the first stage in my 1st participation!

Motodaka Katsuki: Such as having a member with excellent reflex, a member who is attending college of music and can play various instruments, a member who participated in skateboard tournament, we are variety-rich-6 people who wouldn't be able to meet if not because of Johnny's. Among those, I'll be a graduate student in Waseda starting April and I have the character of a prodigy for now, but since I like eating, I think my real intention is that I want to be in charge of the food (LOL).

Konno Taiki: The way how everyone's special skills are different is our strength after all. Singing is my special skill, and being praised by Johnny (Kitagawa)-san many times is my pride. I am especially good in singing ballads.

Sasaki Taiko: Even among a group with diverse members, I am particularly being called the "mad dog", even in videos that are open to the public in the internet, I do challenge doing different things. Like wearing a frozen T-shirt while holding harmonica in my mouth (LOL). We are often being told that we are nonconformists, but we do the things that each one of us wants to do, and we are a group who wants to create the best moments with the fans who support us [in doing what we want].

Yabana Rei: Among the 6-member-group of guys who dances and plays band, I am the mood maker (T/N lit. tension maker), band leader, and in charge of bass, I am Yabana Rei who is an active student from college of music. The musical scale that I like is the Okinawan scale.

ーWith everyone performing in 「Johnny's GINZA 2021」this time, what point do you want to focus on?

Nakamura: After all, this time we can perform our original songs in front of our fans for the first time. We are also looking forward to that.

Sugeta: Yes, you're right. Since performing our original songs in front of 痺愛 ("Hime"; name for fans of 7 MEN 侍) is something that we wanted to do for a long time now. It has been a while since all of us did a live in front of the audience . With the 3 other groups not having a flashy band performance, we will fully have a blast!

Motodaka: The venue too, since it has the right size where you can hear the raw sounds, I think the audience cannot only fully enjoy [the performances] through their eyes, but also through their ears. Since I think for our performances, there are a lot of things that couldn't be transmitted through videos after all.

Yabana: Through videos like online streaming, there are performances that cannot be captured outside of the frame. Being able to fully see that is something unique to live stages.

Sasaki: That and after all, if you talk about the highlight of our group that won't lose to other groups, it is the fact that we are both playing a band and dancing!

Konno: Right! Performing with instruments and dancing, I think the audience can enjoy both. Since this is a performance in front of the audience after a long while, I want to do it a stage that can be enjoyed more than our previous lives.

ーA new fiscal year just started. The entertainment industry is slowly showing recovery from the Corona virus, I think this year will be the year in which the strengths that are gathered last year will be shown. A year from now, please tell your your aims as a group and as individuals.

Yabana: Certainly, using the strengths that have been accumulated last year, we will create a blast! I want for everyone to continue working on our mission with all our might. Personally, rather than going against the trend, I would want to pursue new possibilities that fit the current times, and together with researching on next genaration's presentation and production, I will make and arrange a lot of songs, I will devote my self to productions this year more than I did last year.

Motodaka: My aim as a group is for our name to get bigger than last year even just for a bit, and to have more presence among the numerous Johnny's groups. And my aim as an individual is to contribute to the aim of the group. Since my number 1 desire now is for my efforts to contribute to the growth of the group, I am thinking of challenging different things.

Konno: It's the same with me. Since each one of us received various works, I want to gain a lot of experiences this year too and widen our existence to a lot more of people. Last year, I was given the opportunity to perform in a non-Johnny's play, since I really felt the fun in acting, not only in plays, but I also want to try challenging acting in dramas and movies.

Sasaki: With being diligent in improving my skills, my aim is to be told, "You are more amazing than the previous year" next year. I want to do my best for our group name to be known more and more in the society.

Sugeta: In the previous fiscal year, I left a mark in my sports-related job, and also in my cats-related job (LOL). This one year too, I want to properly achieve results. Since I was given the opportunity to star in a stage play in March, not only variety shows, but I also want want to challenge acting jobs like acting in a drama. As for the group, I want us to have a regular variety show and to increase our exposure in television. And, because we are a band group, it would be nice to be noticed by our seniors in Johnny's and work as a back band so a lot of people can see our performance.

Nakamura: I am looking forward to the live that both the fans and us follow the rules. Also, as soon as possible, [I want to have ] a live where we don't have to care about social distancing like before and where we can spend a sweet time. That is what I am aiming for the most after all!

[insomniacowl]

Neon Genesis Evangelion analysis chapter 4 and 5: Human instrumental project original version, and Ikari Gendou’s version

Trigger warning: Language that may metaphorically depict rape.

Chapter 4: Human instrumentality project (HIP): Original version

Adam, now reduced to a fetal from due to the explosion. Gendou acquired it through Kaji

By deliberately inciting the “The second impact”, Seele was able to retrieve Adam’s soul and body parts. They realized that stopping the annihilation of humankind required pocessio of power greater than what they could muster. To solve this problem, Adam being under their control was a necessity. Once done, Seele and Gehirn (later Nerv) initiated project-E Using Adam’s body; began the construction of Evangelions. 

Do keep in mind that at this point in time, the motivation of Seele was to repel the angels and prevent the occurrence of “Third impact”. In other words, to prevent the annihilation of humankind; tp prevent the “Third impact”. 

Seele has three key projects that they were undertaking during the timeframeof the series:1) project-E, 2) The Adam project, and 3) HIP. However at the point of “The second impact”, they were focused only on project-E; the construction of Evangelions by making artificial copies of Adam using the sample of his body that was retrieved.

Picture of the real dead seas scroll, of course, its contents would be different from that of the series

“The illegitimate successor of Earth, the descendants of Lilith who pushed aside the true successor Adam shall atone for their sin” – while Seele originally focused on protecting humankind from such faith, as time passed, their view of this statement changed. “If the dead seas scroll speaks of dozens of Angels that need to the fought off, is it possible for us to survive through that?”, “Do we have that capability?”, “If so, should we not attempt at becoming a god in preparation for the battles?”. These questions began making the deviation of Seele’s goals over time.

Evangelion unit-01 was the only model built using Lilith as the base. Why?

In simple terms, Seele, to refute the accusation of being illegitimate successors, decided to make humans the true successors of earth. Evangelions are all built with Adam as their base but there was an exception with the second unit that was built. Unit-01 was based on Human’s ancestor, Lilith. Seele believed that by using the Evangelion that was built with Lilith as the base, Humankind could be reborn as a more perfect and unique, unified being. 

*How it is suppose to will be covered later

Therefore, Evangelion unit-01 was planned as the body to house the new humankind that was to be born. Thus turning Seele’s goal into the creation of a perfect descendant of Lilith, or perhaps, to be reborn as Lilith herself. This is what we refer to as the original HIP, and the person made to bear the highest responsibility of this project was Ikari Yui.

*This too will be further elaborated later, but this changed version of their plan we refer to as original is in direct contradiction of the initial HIP of Seele

Ikari Yui became an influential member of Seele following her parents’ footsteps.

 Even though the plan itself was proposed to Seele by Gendou, it was Yui who was behind all of its planning. Even if Gendou carried out most of the project after Yui’s death, it was Yui that detailed out the plans, and allowed Gendou to gaim the influence within Seele to get it approved and initiated.

While we are not made very clear of Yui’s ability in the series, she was much more than just a loving mother.

 Yui graduated from Kyoto University and married Rokubunki Gendou, later mothering Shinji. 

Her final (?) moments as we are told was when she was absorbed into Unit-01’s core during an experiment. We need to understand that this was not an accident. Rather it was a part of Yui’s plan. While it is unfortunate that Gendou was unable to accept that Yui was gone, resulting in a different set of problem (to Yui’s HIP among many other), Yui was aware of the consequences of being absorbed into Unit-01’s core, that it did not mean death but that it is a way of immortalizing herself. She perceived this to be a good thing and thus decided to take on the core-experiment herself.

 Fuyutsuki: To become as though god and creating Adam with human hands. Is that what you want?

 Yui: Yes. Eva will be able to live forever along with the heart and soul of everyone in her. Even after 5 billion years, when the earth, and the moon, and the sun are long gone, she will live on. It will be a lonely journey, but to live is what matters.

“Goodbye, mom”

Life is full of pain suffering. But even so, since we are alive, it is is meaningful in and of itself to continue surviving; to live on. We need to see that Yui prioritized survival over the pain of solitude. This is the most surface level, but also the most important idea of this series, and Ikari Yui is the character that embodies this idea to the fullest and with the most sincerity.

Yet, it is also interesting that Yui attempted to solve the most human question; one of dealing with the feeling of isolation ingrained into the human condition via unification of humankind into a single being, centering the original HIP with this idea at its core; from the current form of grouped individuals that are inherently isolated, to unify as a single being like that of the angels. But as we all know if we have watched the series, at the very last moment, this idea is rejected by her most beloved son. 

What makes understanding HIP complex are the intertwined motivations, goals, and perspectives differing among the stakeholders and this not being clearly categorised for us; left for us to piece together by ourselves. The reason why we named this the “Original HIP” is that after her death (?), Gendou and Seele began deviating from it in their various ways.

Chapter 5: Human instrumentality project. Ikari Gendou version

While Gendou was falling apart from Yui’s death, it was the effort of Fuyutsuki that Gendou did not give up on Yui’s HIP (at least in principle). Throughout the series, we can glance into such efforts from their conversations, such as this one in episode 12.

Fuyutsuki: Antarctica has become a death world, or should we call it hell on earth? It no longer allows for any life in it.

Gendou: But we stand here as humans. As living beings. 

Fuyutsuki: Because we are shielded by the powers of science

Gendou: That “science” is the strength of humans

Fuyutsuki: Its that kind of hubris that caused the second impact fifteen years ago. And  the result. It is too much punishment even if it’s for our hubris. 

Gendou: Yet this is the world free of the original sin; pure

Fuyutsuki: Even if we are to carry the burden of that sin, I would prefer a world where humans would go on living.

Here, we can see Fuyutsuki embodying Yui’s version of HIP, even more then Gendou. But note also that their conversation highlights the main conflict point between Yui’s and Seele’s versions of HIP.  

So let us try to understand how the disappearance of Yui influenced Gendou and his reasoning. For this, we need to understand the character named Ikari Gendou. He will have a whole chapter for a deep dive later on, so I’ll focus on what is important in understanding his version of HIP.

Ikari (Rokubunki before marriage) Gendou, husband of Ikari Yui, and (at least biologically) Shinji’s father. Beyond his cynical and cold-hearted demeanor throughout the series, deep down, he is just like his son. Crucially that both of them have difficulty getting along with other people. Remember that the only being that Gendou opened up to after Yui’s death was Ayanami Rei, an artificially created human.

 The idea to be reborn as a singular, unified being had different meanings for the two Ikaris. While for Yui, it was to develop a blueprint of ideal humankind, for Gendou, it was to escape the “Fear of other” that he was constantly under. Similar in their goals but differing in their motivation. It does not seem likely that this difference served as a reason for conflict between the two, however it was the key reason why Gendou became astray from Yui’s version of HIP after her disappearance. The reason why we see him referring to HIP as a method to ’complement the imperfection” is that he is aware of flaws in his personality

 After Yui’s disappearance, Gendou submits his proposal of HIP to get the project running in full gear. While the goals and methods were mostly the same as the original version, there was a key difference, that is that ‘defeating the angels’ was no longer the end in and of itself, but a means to something else.

Even if Seele’s goals differed from Gendou, due to the motivation being the same (to make perfect the imperfect humankind”, they approved of it.

Fuyutsuki too was in ‘love’ with Yui

Yet looking at the timeline, it seems that Gendou began working on the project only after Yui’s death, and from this, we can conclude that his true motivation was to reunite with Yui’s soul that now rests in Eva Unit-01.

 So, Gendou’s version of HIP is neither like the Original versions that seek to become a perfect version of Lilith, nor Seele’s version that seeks to repent for the Original sin by casting Lilith away; it is very personal. Yet, this reason is exactly why, Fuyutsuki, who does not harbor kind feelings for Gendou, cooperates with him. He too seeks to reunite with Yui’s soul. He too holds great affection for Yui.

In all honesty, Seele’s greatest mistake was in hiring Gendou

Of course, this selfish reason was to be kept secret from Seele. However to undertake such a monumental project, a great deal of economic investment was required, and this shaped Gendou’s HIP proposal to be more in line with that of Seele’s version; this serving as the main conflict point between Gendou and Fuyutsuki.

 The Seele Version of HIP, I’ll go into depth in the next few chapters, in summary, is this. “Since Humanity is hopeless and has no future, we should cause our own annihilation to atone for our sins. If such is the fate that is inevitable with the arrival of angels, we should choose the honorable suicide. This might allow us to be forgiven and be allowed rebirth and live among the gods”.

What those mean to be more than human?

Yet, Gendou’s version of HIP was different from Seele, and to achieve the goal of reuniting with Yui’s soul, there were two premises. 

One: The impact has to occur with Eva Unit-01 (With Yui’s soul) as the centerpiece

Two: To maintain his selfhood after the impact, Gendou had to become something more than human. If not, the one who would be granted selfhood would be Shinji whom Yui would have chosen.

This is a very problematic scene if you think about it.

To summarise Gendou’s HIP that required these premises is the ‘fusion of Adam and Lilith’; to fuse Adam into his body, to plant this into Rei that holds Lilith’s soul, and enter Lilith’s body.

 When this is carried out, using Lilith’s body as a vessel for his, and Eva Unit-01 as Yui’s soul, they could become the ancestors of new humankind; to write a new book of Genesis, and place the two in the position of Adam and Eve. (Of course, as we know, this is rejected by Rei at the very last minute. Keep in mind how both Yui, and Gendou were rejected by Shinji, and Rei respectively.)

Keel Lorenz, the head of Seele. What then is his version of HIP?

In Seele’s point of view, This was akin to Gendou making an attempt in becoming a god. For Seele, who wanted to purify and cause the rebirth of humanity, this was an unforgivable show of hubris.

Thus Seele began working on their own version of HIP. Post Script. Unlike the time when I was writing this, there has been an increase analysis of looking at characters’ actions as depicting them in the autism spectrum. Both the reason to the depiction, and the normalisation of that in media is something that could be a topic of interest.

[allgirlsareprincesses]

Another Search for the Lost Husband: Reylo as the Ballad of Tam Lin

This was originally going to be just a short post (HAHA) to cover a variation of the Search for the Lost Husband folktale type that wouldn’t fit into my previous metas, but then I did more research and BUCKLE UP, friends, because there’s lots to unpack here. Among my illustrated fairy tale collection is a version of popular Scottish ballad Tam Lin retold by Jane Yolen, and I noticed pretty quickly that this was another Cupid and Psyche tale (ATU 425) when I was doing research for my first post on the same topic. With the benefit of further research on Swan Maiden tales and various ways to disenchant fairy husbands, I realized that the Sequel Trilogy aligns surprisingly well with Tam Lin, and the story may offer yet more clues as to the ultimate fate of our heroes in The Rise of Skywalker.

While there are many, many different versions of the Ballad of Tam Lin (which dates to at least 1549 and probably well before), the basic outline of the story is thus: In the Scottish borderlands, young women are warned not to venture into the enchanted woods of Carterhaugh, where the faery prince Tam Lin dwells to steal their symbolic or literal maidenheads. A headstrong maiden, usually called Janet or Margaret, brazenly defies this warning and enters the wood to seek flowers, or to lay claim to the land which she says is her birthright. When she plucks a rose, Tam Lin appears asking by what right she enters his wood and “breaks his wand.” Unintimidated, Janet tells him that she is the rightful heir to Carterhaugh, and that she will come and go as she pleases.

Tam Lin then takes Janet by the hand or the waist, and she returns home to discover she is with child. When her family realizes it, they try to pressure her into marrying a suitable man, but Janet declares that her baby’s father is a faery whom she will not forsake. She returns to Carterhaugh to question Tam Lin as to whether he was ever human. The faery prince shares his sad story, that he was a mortal man who many years before was traveling in the wood when he fell from his horse and was abducted by the Queen of the Faeries and forced to serve with her knights. He tells Janet that he has been a captive for seven years, and he fears that on Halloween he will be offered as a tithe to Hell. However, Janet may free him if she carefully follows his instructions for breaking the enchantment.

[Original Art by Wylie Beckert]

At midnight on Halloween, Janet returns to a crossroad or bridge in the enchanted wood once more to carry out her lover’s rescue. When the faery company appear, she sees the knights on black, brown, and white horses. Recognizing Tam Lin on the white horse by his signal of having one glove off, she pulls him from his mount and holds him fast. The Faery Queen demands his return but Janet refuses, so the Queen transforms Tam Lin into a series of terrifying beasts in his lover’s arms. They bite and scratch her, but still she holds on until finally Tam Lin becomes a burning coal or cinder. At this moment, Janet plunges the fiery coal into a well, and Tam Lin emerges as a naked man. Still following his instructions, Janet throws her green mantel over him protectively, and the Faery Queen must acknowledge that the curse is broken, lamenting that she did not replace Tam Lin’s heart with stone and his eyes with wood.

That might seem like a lot of unnecessary detail, but what’s fascinating is how closely the Sequel Trilogy tracks with the folktale. To begin with, we have the menacing faery prince, Kylo Ren, who threatens the righteous and is feared throughout the galaxy. The heroine, Rey, ventures into a forest and finds him there, after we have seen rose imagery once in her AT-AT home on Jakku, and the “broken wand” in the form of the legacy lightsaber that she discovers in Maz’s castle in the same wood. She has in that sense “plucked” the rose which rightfully belongs to the Skywalker child, thus summoning him to demand of her why she treads on his birthright. When Kylo tries to intimidate her in the interrogation, she rebuffs him by turning his own powers back on him.

Just as Tam Lin takes Janet by the waist as a sign of his sexual conquest of her, so Kylo Ren lifts Rey into the distinctively romantic bridal carry in The Force Awakens. While Rey is of course not pregnant after this encounter, a bond has been forged between them, which is effectively the purpose of the pregnancy in the folktale: it signifies that the lovers now belong to one another and that they have a bond that is not easily broken. Soon, we learn more of Kylo Ren’s tragic past, that before he was the faery prince, he was a mortal man, Ben Solo.

Much as Tam Lin fell from his horse to be then abducted by the Faery Queen, young Ben fell from his path when his uncle Luke betrayed him, then turning to the controlling and manipulative Snoke. We further learn in the novels, comics, and other supplemental content that he was twenty-three when he fell to the Dark Side under Snoke’s tutelage, and we know that he is twenty-nine in The Force Awakens. We have been told that the events of The Rise of Skywalker occur roughly one year after TFA and The Last Jedi, which means that by the end of the story, Ben Solo will have spent seven years as a captive of the dark otherworld. In the folktale, Tam Lin has been a captive of the Faery Queen in her realm for seven years, after which he loses her favor and fears that he will be offered up as a sacrifice to Hell on Halloween.

A note about Halloween in this tale: Scottish folklore blends pagan and Christian traditions in its stories, so this holiday can also be understood as the Celtic celebration of the new year, Samhain. This was a time of change, when the barrier between the mortal world, underworld, and faery worlds became very thin and the likelihood of the dead visiting the living was high. This might not have had sinister undertones when it was first practiced by ancient Celts, but with the arrival of Christianity, such pagan rituals were assigned demonic connotations, which is why Tam Lin expresses his fear that he will be sacrificed to Hell (as he claims the faeries do every seven years). On Halloween, the faery company will cross into the mortal world, which is when Janet will have a chance to rescue her lover.

In the trailer for TROS, we hear Palpatine rasp “Long have I waited, and now, your coming together will be your undoing.” It seems from all the hints that have been dropped so far that the timing of his return is due to some event that offers a conduit from whatever state he’s in to greater influence over the mortal world. He’s either returning in corporeal form, or he’s somehow able to control the corporeal world enough to threaten our heroes and the galaxy as a whole. There are various theories as to how this might happen, but the point is that Palpatine has mythologically been confined to the otherworld since Anakin chucked him down the Death Star II shaft, and only now, at the same moment that Ben finishes his seventh year on the Dark Side, can Darth Sidious return.

Still more parallels appear when you consider the Knights of Ren, though we don’t know their full story yet without Charles Soule’s much-anticipated The Rise of Kylo Ren comic run. However, just as the Faery Queen forced Tam Lin to join her company of knights, so it seems that Snoke manipulated Ben Solo into joining the Knights of Ren and finally becoming one of them. In the folktale, several of these knights ride forth before Janet is able to identify her lover, a motif suggested by the appearance of the helmeted Knights in TROS along with the now-helmeted Kylo.

But how does Janet identify Tam Lin? He has one glove removed as he rides. This is certainly an image that appears in the Sequel Trilogy, as Ben Solo removes one glove to touch Rey’s hand in TLJ. It is this action that finally allows her to recognize him as his true self rather than as Kylo Ren. As I’ve discussed in other posts, seeing or knowing a lover is often the key to rescuing them from the dark power of the otherworld, as is being seen and known oneself. The removal of the mask and the removal of the glove serve the same purpose: these allow the mortal lover to recognize her true husband and claim him as her own.

While we eagerly await the ending of the Sequel Trilogy and the saga as a whole, the folktale offers tantalizing clues as to what might happen. In the ballad, Janet must hold tightly to Tam Lin as the Faery Queen transforms him into various beasts and finally into a burning coal, in an effort to make Janet release him. This Protean motif might appear in TROS as Palpatine trying to convince Rey that Ben is not who she believes him to be, that he is a monster beyond saving. The motif of fire is also likely to appear, as leaked concept art suggests that Mustafar is likely to make an appearance in the final film. Transforming into a fiery coal is another expression of burning the beast’s skin, a sort of baptism by fire which cleanses the faery husband of his beastly form.

Speaking of baptism, the last thing that Janet does to save her beloved is throw the burning coal into a well, after which Tam Lin emerges as a naked mortal man. The connotations here are obvious: the healing power of water appears in all mythologies, so the well in this instance serves to douse the fire and baptize the fallen prince, both healing and cleansing him of his connection with the faery realm. Many have theorized that Rey’s association with water in the production design suggests she may gain healing powers, but even if she’s not the explicit agent of Ben’s healing, we know that water in several forms will factor heavily into his redemption, as we’ve seen both snow and a raging ocean in the trailers so far. It seems likely that Ben Solo will rise from the water at some point a new man, no longer under the power of the Dark Side and ready to be united with his true bride.

While the original ballad does not record much beyond the Faery Queen’s anger at losing Tam Lin, the children’s book version I have has Janet marrying her prince and having children with him at Carterhaugh, her inheritance of which kicked off the whole story. This enchanted wood is the magic of the folktale, so it seems to me much like the Force is to Rey and Ben Solo. Ben was the original inheritor of a Force legacy, but after his fall, that legacy eventually went to Rey. Only when they are united can the Force be new and whole again, rather than the forbidding ruin it has become. This is why I find it so intriguing that John Boyega said he had expected Episode IX’s title to be “Heirs to the Force.”

So there you go; yet another rambling post about how the Sequel Trilogy is totally the Search for the Lost Husband and Rey is going to get her man by the end of TROS. I hope you liked this latest installment, and please let me know if you discover other variations of this folktale!

[jeremys-blogs]

My 10 Comfort Films

Movies have been a big part of my life for as far back as I can remember. And like any movie-lover, there are some I'll be more inclined to watch than others. Not my absolute favourites or the ones I think of as "the best movies ever" necessarily, but ones I'll always come back to when I have a free afternoon to watch them. And those are the ones I want to list out here. Films that might not be the objective best of their respective fields and franchises, but ones that I just always enjoy watching whenever they're on my screen.

The Isle of Dogs (2018) - Now, I realise that the visual style championed by Wes Anderson (lots of symmetrical shots, characters looking directly into the camera, and so on) can be a bit of an acquired taste, but it definitely works for an animated outing like this one. A story of a bunch of dogs living and trying to survive on an island covered in trash doesn't admittedly sound like the most appealing of movies, but let it never be said that Wes can't make film look good. Voice talent like Brian Cranston and Bill Murray help provide a deadpan style of humour that, while certainly not to everyone's liking, had me hooked from moment one. And of course, as someone who grew up with stop-motion animation, it's always nice to see someone try to keep that style alive, and yes kudos also has to be given to Laika for that. Anderson has only done one other animated work, Fantastic Mr Fox, and between them this is definitely my favourite. I have no idea if he'll ever return to animation, but I have a good feeling it'll be great when he does, because as unpolished as this might sometimes appear, it's nevertheless a great watch.

Porco Rosso (1992) - I may have watched a good number of other anime films in my day, but few have ever managed to match the enjoyment given to me by the movies of Studio Ghibli, and especially not against those of Hayao Miyazaki himself. In fact, I'll even go on record now and say that he might be my all-time favourite filmmaker, since he's never made a movie I didn't like, which I've never been able to say about anyone else. Porco Rosso might not have the kind of deep characters and story of Princess Mononoke, and it might not be anywhere near the sheer visual brilliance of Spirited Away, but it nevertheless engages me deeply whenever I watch it. Of all Miyazaki's films, this might have the fewest fantastical elements to it, with the only real bit of other-worldliness being that the main character is under a curse that turns him into a pig, but never let that lead you to think this doesn't have Miyazaki's signature whimsy all over it. Porco is often an overlooked and under-appreciated movie when compared to Miyazaki's other films, but as far as I'm concerned it deserves to stand alongside even the best of them.

Hercules (1997) - The Disney Renaissance is often lauded for its critically and commercially successful films, and rightfully so. From classics like Little Mermaid to Aladdin, this ten-year stretch of Disney's history has a lot to be pleased about. So it might seem odd that my personal pick from this era is the film often regarded as one of its lesser entries. And I'll grant you, compared to revolutionary films like Little Mermaid, this might not seem particularly special. But it still has a lot to enjoy, especially by me. Yes, the mythology buff in me does indeed wince whenever I see some inaccuracy, but the sheer joy I feel at watching Hercules always negates that. And of course, who could forget one of the most enjoyable villains ever to grace a Disney production, courtesy of the great James Woods. But don't think the movie is carried by him alone, as plenty of the other cast, including Susan Egan and Danny DeVito in particular, do great and making this a fun ride. Between the animation, the voice work, the often-catchy musical numbers and the simple pleasure this film offers, Disney's Hercules proves that it is indeed a hero, and not a zero.

Toy Story 4 (2019) - Toy Story was a groundbreaking movie that kicked down the door for the success of all future computer-animated films. Toy Story 2 was a more-than-worthy addition to the ultra-exclusive club of sequels that were better than the original. Toy Story 3 was a poignant and heartfelt goodbye to a franchise and cast of characters that we had come to know and love over the years. Let's not mince words here, people. Being tasked with creating another sequel in a franchise that had been capped off almost a decade earlier in a way that led many to calling it one of the greatest trilogies of all time must have been an exceptionally daunting prospect. But let it never be said that Pixar can't rise to the challenge when one is presented to them, as Toy Story 4 is a hugely engaging and entertaining flick. Is it as good as those that came before? Well, it's certainly not pushing any boundaries like they did, with the exception of the clear advances in animation that have been made, but even wit that taken into account, it's just a nice film to watch. The farewell given to us here might not have brought a tear to my eye the way the third movie did, but I'd still be happy to have this be the final word on the Toy Story theatrical releases.

The Avengers (2012) - Like everyone, I had been watching and enjoying many of the MCU movies that had been coming up in the years leading up to this big crossover, and like those other people I too had been learning about the eventual team-up through all the various end-credits scenes Marvel had become so famous for. But whether the eventual film would be good was still up in the air. I certainly hoped it'd be entertaining, but I also didn't want to get too hopeful, just in case. Thankfully, Marvel met my expectations and smashed through them, delivering what is, quite possibly, my all-time favourite superhero film. The idea of comic book continuity and crossovers working in a live-action movie had been thought of as almost a laughable notion, but Marvel proved those naysayers wrong in the biggest way possible, showing that not only were these movies capable of being good when all these disparate characters got together, but that they thrived while doing so. Avengers was the first of these big team-ups, and in my eyes it has remained the gold standard. Other entries like Age of Ultron or Infinity War all had their value, but to me nothing will ever quite measure up to this first meeting of such iconic and wonderful characters.

Star Trek Beyond (2016) - I'll be upfront, I wasn't a big fan of the 2009 reboot of the Star Trek franchise, nor was I particularly fond of its 2013 sequel, Into Darkness. For me the movies were just trying too hard to be serious and heavy, and while I fully acknowledge that the Trek fandom has a lot of people who enjoy the more gritty directions the franchise has gone in, I cannot count myself among them. Beyond, by contrast, actually seems like it wants to just be a fun ride, which is something I appreciate a great deal. This is not, in any way, a deep or complicated movie. In fact, when you get right down to it, what we have here is just an episode of the original Trek show just blown up to feature length with some modern-day visuals and cast. But you know, that's okay by me, as the end result was hugely enjoyable. Pine and the rest of the cast, in terms of their acting, seem far more comfortable here than they were with the other films of the trilogy, and special mention has to go to Zachary Quinto as Spock, who was able to perfectly balance not only the character's famous stoicism, but also the moments of drama and humour the role called for. This is not the greatest Star Trek movie ever made, but it's one I enjoy more than anything else in the franchise.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) - A common trend with me as far as Star Wars trilogies are concerned is that the first movie in that grouping will always be the one I enjoy watching most, and it seems that pattern continued with the release of Disney's foray into the franchise. Force Awakens is often maligned as being too similar to the original 1977 film, and while I can certainly see those similarities, that isn't anywhere near enough of a reason for me to dislike it. New characters like Rey, Finn and BB-8 were instantly endearing to me and I always enjoyed seeing the three of them together and working off one another. Harrison Ford's return was welcome and he definitely gave it his all, though Carrie Fisher was no slouch either. There's nothing especially revolutionary about this movie, and really the only thing that gets it on this list is just pure likeability. But as far as I'm concerned, that's all a movie needs. Abrams has a noted talent when it comes to recreating the look of sci-fi movies of past decades, and that talent is on full display here, as the movie looks right at home with every other Star Wars story out there. Disney's other films in this trilogy might not have brought me as much joy, but I'll always have this one to pick me up again.

Shin Godzilla (2016) - Okay, given that this is a list of movies I like to just watch while chilling, Shin Godzilla probably seems like an odd pick. I've talked about it before and mentioned repeatedly how it's probably the most serious and unhappy Godzilla film to date. So why go for this instead of something more exciting like King of the Monsters? Well, it's hard to put into words, but there's just something about this movie that draws me to it. It's one I respect certainly, owing largely to its goal of recreating everything that made the original Gojira movie great but putting it in a modern setting, but besides that there's just a quality that I can't put my finger on. Maybe it's the fact that, despite my previously-mentioned dislike of movies trying to be serious, this is one of the rare examples of that seriousness actually fitting the kind of film I'm watching. It's a movie of Godzilla at his most dangerous, horrific and nightmarish, and whose great terror is thwarted only by the collective efforts of a group of political, scientific and military misfits, yet I'm on the edge of my seat unable to look away throughout the whole thing. No idea if that rumoured sequel will ever come to pass, but I can only hope it's as engrossing as this one was.

Legend (1985) - By far the oldest movie you'll find on this list, this gem of a story by famed director Ridley Scott is a fairy tale of a young woodland boy hoping to rescue his fair love from a wicked demon. Now that sounds about as generic a fantasy story as you can make, and in truth the movie is more interested in creating as unique visual portrayal of that classic setup than it is in revolutionizing or pushing it in any way. But what a visual spectacle it is. It's really hard to put into words just what it's like to watch this movie, and most of the time it feel like you're watching some feature-length dream sequence. That certainly makes it an oddity among other fantasy flicks of its era, but "classic fairy tale executed perfectly" is a pretty good reason to love it. Thankfully, it also has some great performances to help bring that whole thing to life, with the star-making turn of course being that of the great Tim Curry as the movie's central antagonist. If there's a list of great movie fantasy villains out there, Curry's character absolutely deserves to be on it, and chances are he'll be the thing you end up remembering most if you ever decide to watch this yourselves.

Demolition Man (1993) - I'm admittedly not a big watcher of the big, muscly action flicks that dominated the 80s and 90s, but this one actually caught my interest a few years back. A film that, while certainly showing off some pretty intense fight scenes, also had a lot of smart things to say. Ideas that you didn't normally see in beefcake action titles, like the importance of the balance between personal freedom and the collective good. A society where murder has been eradicated, but at the cost of many of the things we know and love today. It might not be the best at that particular discussion, but it's certainly something to note given that I don't normally consider this particular genre to be the place to think about it. But of course the big draw is the two leads, Stallone and Snipes, and yeah they are definitely having fun in their roles. Stallone is a far better actor than most people give him credit for, and this is definitely a role I enjoyed watching him in, especially since they actually allow him to be occasionally funny. Any action movie that remembers that you need to tell a joke every once in a while has my respect, and it's just one more thing about this fine move to like.

So yeah, those are my regular comfort movies. Some odd choices maybe, but hey, I like what I like 🥰

[saccharii]

Todofam Month, day five: 冷

Yukimi

AO3 Link

Todofam Month masterpost

@todofammonth

Notes: The kanji 冷 means cold, and it is the kanji for Rei’s name. “Yukimi” can be written a few different ways. 雪見 means “snow viewing” and refers to watching the snow fall. 雪美 is a girl’s name, and consists of the kanji for snow and beauty.

Rei wiped the sweat from her brow and set aside her snow shovel. She stretched backwards, her hands on her hips, to relieve the ache in her back from the exertion of shoveling an entire driveway and sidewalk. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, relishing the feeling of the cold air slicing through her lungs. 

“Thank you so much Koorihada-san,” Muraoka said, hobbling down the now snow free walkway. She rummaged through her purse. “Let me get you some money...”

“Please don’t,” Rei said, waving her hands in front of her face. “I really don’t need any.”

Muraoka pulled a white envelope out of her purse and pointed it at Rei with a glint in her eye. “You will take this money, or I will break into your house and leave it under the pillow.”

Rei hesitated. Muraoka was a sweet old lady, but she did some wild stuff sometimes. (No one in town was likely to forget the incident at the mayor’s office.) She might actually do it. Rei reluctantly took the envelope. She wasn’t in the position to be turning it down.

“Thank you, Muraoka-san,” Rei said quietly. 

Muraoka waved her hand dismissively. “Think nothing of it. Buy yourself something nice. Tell your mother and father hello from me.”

“I will.” Rei bowed and said her goodbyes.

The walk back home was short, but refreshing. Wind combed through her hair, cooling her, and the falling snow whirled in little tornadoes.

When she reached her house, instead of going straight inside she headed around the fence to the garden. She brushed a thick layer of snow off of the wooden bench, sat down, and pulled off her gloves. She reached out and caught snowflakes on the palm of her hand—tiny, fragile crystals, barely visible against her skin.They didn’t melt.

The snow laden branches of the trees swayed under their burden. Snowflakes swirled around Rei, and stuck in her hair and on her eyelashes. 

Many other people wouldn’t be able to stand being out in this weather in only jeans, a jacket, and thin gloves, but not Rei. She could sit outside and watch the snow fall for hours. She had watched for hours, hypnotized, as clumps of snowflakes floated to earth to turn everything white.

Hokkaido really was the perfect place for a family full of ice quirks.

“Rei! Look what I’ve got!” 

Rei startled, shook out of her daydreaming, and turned towards the voice. Her sister, Yukimi, grinned back at her over the fence. She energetically waved a brown paper bag over her head.

Yukimi shoved the top of the bag between her teeth, grabbed the large, metal gate that opened to their courtyard with both hands, and pulled with all her strength. The gate groaned as it slowly opened. Yukimi was small, even for a fourteen year old, and the gate was heavy to begin with.

She skipped over to Rei and sat down next to her. She opened the bag and a tantalizing aroma wafted out. Rei’s stomach twisted in hunger. She hadn’t realized how long it had been since she last ate. It was almost dusk already.

“Akio-kun from the bakery gave me their left over kare pan. Here, have some.”

Rei fished one of the buns out of the bag. There were quite a few in there. She bit in and hummed appreciatively. The Ueda family made their kare pan entirely from scratch, including the curry. Nothing tasted quite as good.

“You do know he has a crush on you, right?” she said after taking another bite.

Yukimi made a funny face. “He does not. Why does everybody say that? He’s just really nice. That’s why he’s so popular.”

Rei smiled at her sister’s naivety. There was no way that this much kare pan was left over at the end of the day without someone setting them aside for her. Winter was the most popular time of the year for them.

“An’way,” Yukimi said around a mouthful of kare pan. She swallowed. “Did Muraoka-san pay you? She better have. Her driveway is huge and she’s loaded.”

Rei sighed and shook her head. Her sister was far too focused on money. “She did.”

Rei handed over the envelope. Yukimi stuck the rest of her bread in her mouth, her cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk’s, and ripped the envelope open. She choked and spat her mouthful of food out into the snow.

“Ten thousand yen? Wow. Maybe I’ll shovel her driveway next time!”

Rei took the money back. Ten thousand yen. That was a lot more than she expected. (Todoroki-san offered her thirty million yen to marry him.)

“You’re too busy studying for your entrance exams and practicing your figure skating to worry about things like that.”

Yukimi scoffed and kicked the snow. “I don’t know why I have to go to high school. I’m almost old enough to compete in seniors. I don’t need school to skate. It’ll just take up too much of my time.”

Rei sighed. This again. “You won’t be able to skate forever. You’ll need at least a high school education, if not a college degree, if you want to go into coaching.”

“I guess.” Yukimi slouched over, arms crossed, and glared at her feet.

She needed new skates soon. She might be small for her age, but recently her body seemed to be determined to catch up. Already her shoes from last year were too tight for her. Ill fitting or worn out equipment could result in an injury or worse.

Between skates, costumes, and coaching fees, it added up. Not to mention the cost of flying her out to various competitions. Yukimi was good, but the prize money was too little and too unpredictable to cover it all.

If Rei accepted Todoroki-san’s offer, the money would cover all that and more for years.

“Where are Mom and Dad?” Yukimi asked. 

“They’re working on a commission. They won’t be home until well after dark.”

“Which one? The ice castle or the giant snow lady?”

“Ice castle.”

Rei didn’t like that her parents worked such long hours in the winter. But they were among the best snow sculptors in Japan, and there was a lot of work available for them this time of year. They had to save up for the summer, when there wasn’t high demand for snow sculptures and money was tight.

Rei loved the snow. It was in her blood. If she married Todoroki-san she’d have to move south, where it barely snowed in the winter and the summers were scorching and humid. She’d be so far away from her family. She wouldn’t see them that often, even if they had enough money to travel.

Arranged marriages weren’t common nowadays, but they weren’t unheard of. Rei knew a few people in arranged marriages and they seemed happy enough. Todoroki was upfront about why he wanted to marry her. She could work with that. 

Rei didn’t love Todoroki, she barely knew him, but she was never the romantic sort in the first place. She never dreamed of her wedding or what she would name her children. She always thought that if it happened, it happened, and if she never met someone she wanted to marry she’d just live her life single and be perfectly happy either way.

Her parents said it was her decision. They didn’t try to influence her either way. It was her future and her choice. She didn’t have to choose right now.

(Her family could really use that money.)

Rei took another bite of her kare pan and watched the snow fall around her.

[thessalian]

Thess vs MCM Expo Spring 2019 - Day 2

More bullet points. I am too tired for much else.

Saw @elenilote and caught up on several years of missed news, mostly about various job woes. I delivered unto her some perfume. She was squeeful. Short chat, hug, off in our separate directions. Given that that’s about what I did with @vehlr back in October, it seems to be a theme.

Also delivered perfume to Marco Drago, which went over really well. Apparently he messaged all his friends going, “YOU HAVE TO COME AND SMELL THIS IT’S MY BOY!” so it’s probably good that I passed him one of my business cards. I also commissioned him one last time - while I wanted to commission the NPC that became a GM PC through no fault of my own (I KILLED HER, PEOPLE; NOT MY FAULT YOU WOULDN’T LET HER STAY DEAD), what I needed was a sketch of li’l ol’ me reflecting the new haircut. He apologised for it ‘probably taking a few hours’, particularly when Ava’s needed some redoing so she looks a little less like ... erm ... well, white-haired Remi; I told him it was totally fine because we do not rush our busy artists who are probably stressed enough as it is dealing with the convention. The fact that he was so grateful for my patience speaks volumes about how we need to treat our commissioned artists better. I told him to ‘be kind’ about my selfie-sketch, because I do not photograph well (apparently still images don’t convey the parts of me that others find attractive). He told me that of course he would and thanked me repeatedly for being so kind myself. He deserves all the hugs and all the commissions. I link to him again.

Talked to James Gifford again too. Bought his Dungeon Diaries comic (sample here), which is actually a great way to teach beginners how to play D&D - it’s like Handbooker Helper, only it’s static and on a page for you to flip through. Or on his website. He actually asked me what I thought of one of his Enchanted Items flashcards (coming to Kickstarter in about two weeks) and we had a great conversation about balance in creating enchanted items and I have to remember to send him a copy of Arcane Ink because he was really interested. Asked him to autograph my copy of Dungeon Diaries - again, because I really wanted to show appreciation for these guys coming out and facing the crowds and the being ignored and all the shit I remembered hating from my own time running a stall.

And then there was the charming Jon Lock, with the comic Afterlife Inc. This looks great and it’s free online, but I’mma probably buy the first volume anyway just so he can sign it. I said I’d try to stat one of his more puissant characters for D&D 5e and he was thrilled at the idea.

As you can probably tell, my goal today was to make everyone I interacted with feel valued and appreciated. They work so hard. I want the people I had interactions with to, when asked “How did it go?” to maybe think back to the woman that made them smile and say, “It was great“. The people who run booths deserve to be able to enjoy the place too, and not just when they’re on break.

I don’t think British penis-owners have heard of dance belts; or if they have, they don’t seem to feel they need them when wearing tight costumes. News flash, people: YOU NEED THEM.

Awesome cosplay today included the usual Overwatch gamut (Mercy was most popular among the women with D.Va a close second but there was a trio of French girls rocking a Grecian Angel Mercy / Ash / Zarya thing; mostly Soldier 76 among the guys), a whole lot of Umbrella Academy people (Klaus, Vanya, Hazel), a surprising number of South Side Serpents, many many MANY Captain Marvels, a whole lot of Miles Morales Spider-Men (which was good because all the vanilla Spidey cosplayers were the ones who didn’t know what a dance belt was), a Disney!Maleficent who had to have been in her 60s and rocked the hell out of it, many Reys and surprisingly few Kylos, and a lot of Suicide Squad Harleys - one by a bald guy with a beard.

No. Seriously. Someone teach the cosplayers of the UK about dance belts.

Had a conversation about whether or not the finale of Game of Thrones was a disappointment with Joffrey Baratheon and Danaerys Targaryen. Escaped alive. ^_^

I need to put together some dinner and prep for Shadowrun tonight. Tomorrow is the last day of con and while it will be rough, I want to be there for tomorrow of all days because my friend Alasdair is going to be there and I have never met him in person and dude, he sent me to interview Colin Ferguson so I need to meet him.

[luckyfeettemecula]

Things to do in Temecula

Whether you're checking out for company or enjoyment, there are many enjoyable things to do in Temecula, California. For example, you can go on a hot air balloon flight! While you're up in the air, you'll have the ability to see the city from a distinct point of view. The scenic estate is the excellent location for this adventure, and the trip starts and also ends right at Vindemia Winery. After the flight, you can enjoy a range of food and beverages.

While the city's vineyards are a great location to begin, you can also take a breathtaking excursion of the city. You can choose from different courses that are breathtaking, as well as there's also a ghost scenic tour club crawl. While it could not be for everybody, it's a fun activity for family members.

Temecula is home to a number of museums as well as destinations. Among the top destinations for families with children is Pennypickle's Workshop. This interactive gallery is simply a brief drive from Old Town. Afterward, you can delight in snacks and mementos at the onsite cafe.

Old Town Temecula

Temecula, California is a well-known destination for all sort of activities. Its Old Town has something for everyone, consisting of families, couples, and also groups of buddies. Old Town Temecula provides a selection of tasks, consisting of shopping, dining, and also entertainment. Mercedes-Benz of Temecula has actually detailed several of the best points to do in Temecula.

The heart of Old Town Temecula is a bustling neighborhood of antique stores, stores, as well as specialized food purveyors. The community is lively, with a farmer's market every early morning and a variety of special events. If you intend to walk through all these areas, we recommend to obtain a pair of shoes at Lucky Feet Shoes, a shop with not just comfortable shoes yet also shoes that deals with a wide array of foot issues.

The Old Town Sweet Shop revives childhood memories, with aisles lined with wonderful treats. This popular location lies on Old Town Front Street. It offers an extensive option of pleasant deals with, including gourmet apples and also handmade personalized delicious chocolates. It additionally supplies real-time songs programs. You'll take pleasure in the environment of a village and also an enjoyable evening out.

Temecula Valley Museum

Historic museum including city artifacts. Among the highlights is an irreversible exhibit of jobs by regional artist Erle Stanley Gardner. Various other exhibits consist of a collection of art by the late Richard Serra. The Museum is open to the public and also has normal totally free events. The gallery likewise houses a gift store.

The gallery additionally provides exhibits concentrating on the early history of the Temecula Valley. These exhibits include artifacts, cultural things, ranching equipment, as well as photos. Visitors can find out about the area's history with the displays, including the Luiseno Indians, Mission San Luis Rey, as well as railroads. A kids' discovery location is likewise available in the gallery.

The Museum is likewise house to a special display focusing on the life and times of the late Jimmy and also Peg Moore. The couple were committed public servants as well as acted as the President and Secretary of the City Incorporation Committee. During this moment, they increased funds for the application procedure as well as received strong support from local homeowners.

Pennypickle's Workshop

Found in Old Town Temecula, California, Professor Pennypickle's Workshop is a fun area for youngsters to learn about scientific research. The workshop uses unique events, day trip, and even a scavenger hunt for kids of any ages! It's a place packed with creations, gizmos, and also enjoyable toys for everyone to appreciate.

Site visitors will certainly love the big space that illustrates the professor's residence, laboratory, and also workshop. All kind of experiments and also unique developments are on display, and also children can explore all of them. Although the workshop is geared towards children, parents and grandparents can likewise appreciate it as much as their youngsters do!

The fun at Pennypickles Workshop never ends! There are eleven different activity spaces to explore, and also the kids won't be able to get tired. The activities are exciting, as well as there are no regulations or results to worry about. The ambience gets along and also tailored towards toddlers as well as young children.

Pennypickle's Workshop is an acclaimed scientific research facility and also museum for youngsters. This museum is full of interactive displays and also fun, kid-friendly steampunk equipment. The rooms have more than 25 interactive aspects and are a fantastic area to get the children delighted concerning science. Whether you're interested in scientific research, engineering, or art, there's something for everyone at this gallery.

Oil sampling at Temecula

Temecula is a terrific area to go olive oil sampling. Because my last visit, the city has grown significantly, with more wineries popping up around the city. Yet it still maintains its sectarian charm. You can attempt the olive oil of the Olive View Ranch, a family-run operation.

The area is additionally house to more than 40 vineyards. A glass of wine enthusiasts can discover the area by vehicle or by Uber. Uber prices vary depending on vineyard website traffic, and the delay times can be much longer on weekends. If you're on a spending plan, take an Uber, however note that waiting times can be lengthy.

The Temecula Olive Oil Company has actually opened up an expanded sampling area. Guests can delight in sampling complimentary added virgin olive oils, balsamico vinegars, and also red wine. There are also outdoor tables for tasting. The firm also serves little attacks as well as white wine to couple with their olive oils. You can learn more concerning the procedure of making these products and take pleasure in the sight while you're there.

Old Town Temecula is an enchanting 12-block pedestrian-friendly area, which is house to numerous antique shops, stores, as well as specialized places. The city is house to the Temecula Wine as well as Hot Air Balloon Festival, which occurs in June. The occasion includes white wine tastings and hot air balloon trips. Visitors can purchase a 3-day masquerade $100 and also experience the celebrations. The Temecula Valley Museum is likewise worth taking a look at. It has an extensive collection of historic exhibitions on the background of the region, including ranchos and Indian heritage. It also highlights social occasions in the location.

Rose Haven Heritage Garden

The Rose Haven Heritage Garden is a stunning exterior room with a variety of various climbed varieties. This yard features walking paths as well as barbecue areas for site visitors to take pleasure in. It also hosts youngsters' programs as well as offers a variety of rose-related activities. Its objective is to create an atmosphere where people of all ages can appreciate the beauty of roses.

The garden is beautifully maintained and has an intriguing blend of roses as well as succulents. There is likewise an area that includes old English roses. The entire place scents stunning and is full of life. Throughout the yard you'll see humming around and also reptiles rushing in and out of hedges. The entire environment is very positive, as well as the roses are beautiful and fragrant.

This garden is among one of the most unique places in Temecula. It has nearly two thousand climbed bushes in a gorgeous designed setup tha you can go through without any hesitation with your comfy sandals from Lucky Feet Shoes. The garden is open to the general public everyday of the year, from sunrise to sunset. The roses at the garden remain in their prime flower from April via December. The garden hosts workshops on climbed care and also pruning for site visitors.

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Lucky Feet Shoes 29700 Rancho California Rd g7, Temecula, CA 92591 +19512973411 https://luckyfeetshoes.com/pages/temecula

[lj-writes]

What is, in your opinion, the biggest battle (Republic v. Mandalore, Republic v. Separatist, Rebellion v. Empire, Resistance V. First Order) in the entire Star Wars franchise, and how would you try to top all of them in your version of IX?

What an excellent question, and it really helped me focus my Episode IX feels. I’d say the Battle of Endor from RotJ was the biggest with significant resources thrown in on both sides with a ground battle element, though the Battles of Scarif and Yavin were IMO better written with higher emotional stakes.

My Episode IX could roll all those elements together and bring the trio of trilogies full circle to… the Second Battle of Tatooine! The existence and plans of the Galactic Union have been revealed, and while it has failed to take Coruscant the worlds loyal to the Union have declared their allegiance. The Republic is split in two and turning on itself, while Mandalore faces an impossible dilemma: Must it fight its own stolen children? See also my alternate Episodes VII (link) and VIII (link).

The action would be divided into three parts: space battle over Tatooine, ground battle on Tatooine, and an uprising plot with Finn turning the Union’s Crusaders. The newly reinstated Chancellor Leia Organa together with Admiral Ackbar leads the Republic forces to Tatooine and Geonosis space, where the Galactic Union had been hiding a large part of its fleet and personnel now ready to deploy and take Naboo, Takodana, Jakku, Hosnia and more.

Leia implores Boba Fett for help, but the Mandalorians have their own problems. The part of the Republic now loyal to the Union is continuing the assault against the Mandalorians, tying them down.  The Mandalorians are also hesitant to fight the main body of the Galactic Union and the Crusaders who were revealed to be Mandalorians stolen as children. Unable to count on Mandalorian help Leia nevertheless continues to Tatooine, Lando’s fleet from Bespin joining hers. Poe and Black Squadron have scouted the area and report back that the Union fleet are close to deploying. Luke has already been on his home planet a while, brokering a peace treaty between the Republic and the various factions on Tatooine with the help of C3PO (link).

Rey is on a separate mission looking for Finn. Finn himself, imprisoned and being reconditioned, tries desperately to hang onto his sense of self. Rey senses his pain and resolve, and dives into a dangerous defunct hyperspace route in search of him. She makes it through a hyperspace storm that she barely steers the Falcon through before finding herself in a regular hyperspace route alongside the Union flagship. They drop into normal space and so does she, and is tractored on board. Taken prisoner and facing Kylo Ren with the Knights of Ren arrayed around him, she finds Finn–standing guard next to Kylo, staring straight ahead, not seeming to hear her pleas. Ren offers her a place in the Union and she refuses. Ren then orders Finn to fight Rey, and during the fight reveals to her that Finn’s father killed her parents. Rey realizes he’s telling the truth and fights back in hate and rage until she realizes she is falling to the Dark Side and, remembering her love for Finn, throws down her saber.

Ren orders Finn to kill Rey and he marches forward, seemingly about to strike her down before he turns his attack on Phasma. He had been repeating a phrase drilled into him, a Mandalorian motto that the Union had stolen and twisted around, and held onto it while he was being reconditioned. Now, with the revelation of his heritage by Ren, his memories rush back and he remembers his fathers, his sense of belonging, Mandalore in whose ways he had been brought up all along though in a way that was twisted to serve his kidnappers. He rallies the Crusaders, reminding them that they are Mandalorians even though they were stolen and bred as weapons. They are not weapons, however, they are warriors. Some of the Crusaders rally to him, others turn on them, and there is enough confusion for Finn and Rey to escape with the freed Mandalorians and damage the flagship in the process.

Back on Tatooine the Tatooine Alliance of Hutts, Jawas, Tuskens, and farmers attack the Union ships and supplies, destroying a significant number of ships before they can launch. Luke is in the thick of the fray, with C3PO complaining about how disorderly everything is and also directing a droids for espionage and sabotage.

In the space above Tatooine Leia and Lando’s fleet shoot down the Union fleet while Ackbar blocks off the perimeter with mines and bombers. The Union fleet is still an enormous force and are wearing down the Republic fleet. They need help and have nowhere to expect it from.

On Mandalore, the warriors are defending the home world from Union forces while a Union dreadnought moves into position for bombardment from orbit, a move that would wipe out all life on the surface. At that desperate hour more Union ships emerge from hyperspace and it looks like all is lost–but these are the free Mandalorian warriors led by Finn and they fall on the Dreadnought, destroying it! Finn informs the Mandalorians by comm of what happened. Watching this brave young man, Idrian Fett and Teros Kryze are gripped by the strangest feeling of recognition while telling themselves it can’t be. The Mandalorians together send the Union fleet into a route.

The Mandalorians must now decide whether to stay and protect their homeworld or go to Leia and the Republic’s aid. Finn argues that they must save the Republic’s fleet. The Union’s entire strategy consisted of sowing dissension between the Republic and the Mandalorians, and it is only together that they can win the day. Idrian, thinking of the long-ago tragedy his own anger caused, backs him up, convincing the Mandalore.

Over Tatooine Lando personally shoots down a number of ships at the head of the Bespin fleet. Leia crashes enemy starships together using the Force. Ackbar’s defense never wavers, despite great sacrifices. Droid-piloted ships crash into the enemy, leaving holes in their lines. Poe and Black Squadron bring down a capital ship. If the Republic is to fall here, they will make every death count to at least give a fighting chance to the rest of the galaxy.

That is when new Union ships arrive, alongside Mandalorian ships! There is confusion for a moment before they realize the Mandalorian cavalry is here, and the day seems to be theirs.

Meanwhile, the Tatooine Alliance back on the surface of the planet discover among the captured Union equipment some kind of regulator that is connected to one of Tatooine’s suns. Luke is stunned when he realizes that, essentially, the suns of Tatooine have been turned into bombs. The Union must have been waiting for their enemies to gather in one place and one of the suns will engulf the entire system in twenty minutes, setting off the other in a chain reaction.

Luke warns Leia to get the fleet out of harm’s way while he attempts to evacuate the planet, but when none of the ships can jump into hyperspace they realize that the Union has blocked off hyperspace travel in the area.

Then Kylo Ren’s Union flagship bursts into normal space. Ren informs his mother by comm that this system is about to be destroyed and he will take her away, installing her as the political head of the new Union to rule the galaxy as she sees fit–as she deserves to, as their family deserves to after all it has done for the universe. Leia flat-out refuses, saying she won’t be a puppet front for a mass murdering regime. She urges her son to stop the bomb and Kylo is angry with her, berating her for her ingratitude when he has paid such a high price for her. He tries to tractor and drag her ship into hyperspace, but she orders thrusters reversed and holds fast.

Ren, now panicked at the thought of losing his mother as well as his father, leads a boarding party to her ship to extract her. When the hatch opens he is greeted by Finn and his Mandalorian warriors who jump into battle with Ren and his Knights.

Meanwhile Rey is on the Falcon, having hit on a plan with Luke over the comm to try and open a hyperspace route to divert the solar flare from the first sun before it hits Tatooine and reaches the other sun in the system. Luke, with no time to join her physically, goes into Force meditation on Tatooine.

Finn and Ren have a rematch and it looks like Finn is done for when Ren disarms him. But Finn takes Ren’s lightsaber to replace his own, wins the fight, then pulls a T’Challa and captures Ren before he can kill himself. Ren needs to face a tribunal–and worse, his mother–for his crimes.

Together Rey and Luke manage to open a route into hyperspace and Rey disappears into it ahead of the flare, trapping it in hyperspace. Back on Tatooine Luke disappears in the light of the binary sunset, too much of his essence poured into the Force. Finn and the others watch and wait for Rey to emerge into normal space and contact them, but she doesn’t.

The battle won, the captured Union database gives the freed Mandalorians information of their origins and Finn reunites in an emotional scene with Idrian and Teros. Leia, unsmiling, tells an arrested Ben that he is grounded for life. A memorial is held for those lost in battle, and Rey’s name is among them.

After a time skip Finn is proclaiming the creation of a new joint force between the Republic and Mandalore to keep peace in the Outer Rim and root out slavery. At that moment a ship jumps out of hyperspace, its hull red-hot and visibly falling apart, and a giant gout of flame follows in its wake. Finn recognizes the Falcon and tells Rey through the Force to eject, which she does just before the Falcon is consumed by the flames and blows up. Told you my version of Finn solves far too many problems by ejecting people into space Finn blasts into space to catch her and they bring her in, burned, frostbitten, and barely conscious but clinging to Finn as she tells him she followed him home, his light burns so bright.

When Rey comes to she is safe and in treatment. Her right hand was damaged and had to replaced with a mechanical prosthesis. She is, little by little, introduced to the new reality and we learn it through her. The Galactic Union is in disarray, and Republic and Mandalorian forces are hunting them throughout space. Leia is working to pull the Republic back together and bring the pro-Union leaders to justice. Hearings are beginning on Ben’s trial. Rey talks about her own ordeal, how she was lost in space and time and thought she was going to die, how she found Finn’s Force signature in the maeltrom and made her way out.

Hesitantly Finn introduces Rey to his fathers, and Rey hears from Idrian himself what happened. She learns that her mother is alive, though comatose, and goes to see her in the same hospital. When Rey stands over her mother’s bed she and Finn both feel Irena trying to wake up and reach out to her daughter, and they clasp hands to join their Force powers and bring Irena back. You see glimpses of Force ghosts around the bed, Qui-Gonn, Obi-Wan, Yoda, Anakin, and Luke, helping them. Irena opens her eyes and, without a moment’s hesitation, calls her daughter’s name. They hug, camera pans out, credits.

[forcebaby732]

Why Didn’t You Kill Me - Epilogue

NOTE - I’ve loved writing this story and all the wonderful people who have commented on it, truly, Thank You for making my day. As you’ll see, I really struggle to end things. I don’t plan on writing any more on this, but if Anyone would like to pick up where I left off and continue the adventures of these characters I would really love that. Thank You Again! *muah!*

------

Family?

Our…family?

It takes a moment for Rey to understand. The warmth of Ben’s hand radiates on her belly.

But, It’s so alien, so unbelievable, so…

A child? Our child? In me?

She thinks… well she doesn’t know what to think. She knew that what they had done was how procreation happens, but she had thought, I don’t know, that she’d have to want for it to happen. There’s elation and fear, wonder and anxiety. She looks at him with tears in her eyes…

Then Rey thinks about her parents and his… her childhood and his… and she feels a woops of terror go through her.

“Don’t be afraid,” he murmurs, his grip tightening, moisture in his eyes matches her own.

 “We are not your parents or mine,” Ben says firmly. “We’ve changed the future, and now, we’ll make this right too.”

A rush of relief and exhilaration fill Rey to the brim and she meets his determined gaze.

She just opens her mouth to speak when they both feel it. Rey and Ben gasp and turn their heads, sensing a tugging of the force. A familiar aura is flickering. A powerful will is fleeing the force.

They’re running and before they know it they’re by Leia’s bedside. Rey is curled up beside Leia on the bed as Ben stands, stoic and unmoving, looking out of place and at a loss for what to do. He doesn’t deserve his mother’s forgiveness, after all the pain he’s caused, and the pre-mature death he’s the cause of. He took her husband, broke her heart, failed to protect her from the missile that pierced the bridge of the Raddus.

But there was still much he didn’t forgive her for either. For sending him away, for fearing his darkness instead of acknowledging that darkness lives in us all. It’s a part of the balance. He wishes his parents had known to embrace him instead of isolate him. He wishes it could all be different, that they could have a second chance.

Then she opens her eyes.

With her final strength Leia lifts a shaking hand towards her son, a glimmer in her gaze. Rey sits up, already crying, watching the scene unfold before her.

Ben lets out a ragged breath, before his large trembling fingers engulf her own.

“I’m sorry,” comes Leia raspy, struggling voice.

His heart feels like it’s being ripped from his chest and it takes all his focus the keep himself from breaking down entirely in that moment. Deep brown eyes snap up as he feels his mother’s life slipping away beneath his fingertips.

“Me too,” comes his deep, broken voice. His throat burns with suppressed emotion as Leia, winces and closes her eyes.

Her voice fails her, as does her body. And with her last thread of consciousness she reaches out to her son with her mind.

I’ll be with you. Always.

As she fades from the force Rey lowers her head, kissing Leia’s hand and laying it on her chest. She stands, taking Ben’s hand instead and giving it a squeeze. She can feel his giant frame shuttering, wrecked with suppressed sobs. He kneels, thinking he doesn’t deserve his mother’s love but desperately relieved to have had it in the end. Rey’s hands move to his shoulders and that’s how they stay for a long time in reverence of the life force that just left them.

Neither knows how long they’re standing like that when their mourning is interrupted by… what’s that?

Something they didn’t sense before. Ben spins around placing his hands on Rey’s belly and she gasps, meeting his eyes with awe. The tiny heart beat within her is not one, but two. And they highly suspect they know, who has joined her sibling.

The force has truly given their family a second chance.

----

11 YEARS LATER

Mara and Gray stand among the landing party on the small shuttle, descending from the mega star destroyer down to the dreamscape that was the lake country of Naboo.

They huddle together in the cramped quarters among their secretive personal guard, flanked by two Knights of Ren and a few paces behind their indomitable father. Clad in his black armor and robes, he commands these forces, and all the Free Order forces across the galaxy. They know by now they are expected to behave, at least, that is, until they can get away from prying eyes.

Mara and Gray have always been heavily guarded, and often didn’t see or speak with anyone but their parents, their parent’s close friends and a handful of students. The twins have grown up onboard various giant Free Order ships, at times alternating between Coruscant and Naboo. But they are never far from their parent’s sides, always with either one or the other, but rarely with both together.

That’s why the 10-year-olds are so excited. For three glorious days they are going to be together as a family, thanks to some big galactic meeting. Plus, they’ll get to see Uncle Finn and Auntie Rose, who they haven’t seen in close to a year.

Gray is a happy go lucky, sweet and bubbly boy, much like his mother. Mara is more reserved and serious like her father, but with a wicked sense of humor.  Even now she pinches her brother using the force, he winces, whining, “Stoppp,” as low as he can.

A moment later they both wince.

“Ow!”

Both are pinched on the arm at the same time and they look up ahead to see their father shoot them a mischievous smirk, followed by a definite sense that if they didn’t cut it out, they’d feel it in training later.

You got us in trouble.

Maybe if your face wasn’t so punchable I could control myself.

You’re not funny Mara.

No, I’m hilarious.

Ben lets a deep sigh escape his throat as he tries to tune out his children’s mental squabbling. He can’t wait to see his Rey.

The twins crane their necks to look out a tiny view port as they zoom over their family’s Naboo lake house. A minute later the shuttle shutters as it lands on a platform before a collection of what look like small castles surrounding a large lake, framed by mountains that are alight with the reds and oranges of the early morning sun.

The ramp descends and as the troops file out Mara and Grey catch sight of their mother in billowing white and grey robes, her hair in a half bun and a giant gleaming smile on her face. Their 5-year-old brother Jace is wrapped around her leg.

“Mom!”

“Mommy!”

Shucking all decorum, the twins break from the landing party rushing their mother who they haven’t seen in three months. They tackle her into a heap of happy giggles, hugs and wet kisses. It feels so good not only to be in her presence after so long, but to be able to call her mother without fear of discovery.

After taking hold of the First Order, Rey and Ben began a long, arduous process of transition with Ben commanding the military might of the First Order as Rey led the great galactic negotiations for autonomy and free governance. There were still a great many dissenters, but what came of it all was the Free Order.

Galactic governance, with the safety and order of those worlds guaranteed by Ren and his forces.

He took the mantel of Supreme Commander Solo of the Free Order forces while Rey temporarily became leader of the new Galactic Senate, with the power to veto if things got off track of their vision.

It had been incredibly stressful, especially since they had chosen to keep her pregnancy a secret. They knew their family would be the ultimate target.

It took a long time for the twins to understand that it was for their own protection. It’s still a sore spot in their little souls that they can’t always acknowledge their parents when they’re before the other students or in public. For Mara, it’s more of a sore spot than for her sweet, sensitive brother. Gray has always been a peace-maker and Mara loves to tease him. But she also is never quite as enraged as when someone makes him cry. Mara often wonders if the world is as dangerous as their parents make it out to be…

But right now, there is only bliss.

“My lovey monsters how I’ve missed you!” Rey calls as she hugs her children close.

Eventually the twins move on from their mother, to grapple with their younger brother.

Ben approaches, dark robes billowing, his deep brown eyes devouring the sight of her. He offers her a hand, lifting her effortlessly up and into his chest.

“Husband,” she breathes, arms circling his impossibly broad chest, made more-so by the armor.

“Wife,” he rumbles and Rey delights in the sound.

They savor their brief display of affection before breaking away, knowing they’ll have time to catch up soon. Rey steps back and they take each other’s hands and squeeze.

To most they are saviors of the galaxy. An undefeatable couple bound by marriage and the mystical wonder of the force. But their greatest achievement, they feel, is as mother and father. Mara, Gray and Jace are strong and loved and SAFE. It’s a significant achievement considering the magnitude of threats they’ve both fended off. 

After Rey handed off governance responsibilities to an elected leader, she was able to focus on finding and training force sensitives from dozens of worlds. That allowed Mara and Gray the chance to meet new people and act like normal kids. It also gave their parents time to conceive their brother ;)

Rey and Ben took turns teaching about both the light and dark sides of the force and in so doing they were able to pass the children back and forth. The truth only known to their inner most circle.

Finally tearing his eyes away from hers, Ben steps over, reaches down into the fray of little bodies and pulls up Jace, holding him high above his head at full arms-length. 

“Did you take care of your mother? Did you protect her? Did you do everything she says? Did you get stronger?” 

Little Jace giggles, nodding his head as he stretches his little arms down trying to embrace his father.

“Hug!”

“Did you take a bath and do your weapons training? Did you eat your vegetables?”

Chuckling he finally lets the boy down and lets his little arms wrap around his neck in a crushing embrace.

“I see these little rathtars are sooo much more-tame after their time with Daddy,” Rey says with sass as the twins try to scale their tiny mother.

He just scoffs.

“They have too much of their mother in them.” 

She scoffs back and punches him playfully (too hard) in the gut and they share an electric, knowing glance. He’ll get her back for that when they’re alone.

They need to make an appearance at the palace before the galactic summit. 

Reluctantly they entrust their children to the care of their human nannies and the two Knights of Ren who are accompanying them on this particular mission. They’ll be safe for the time being. 

….

Bliss personified is the only way to describe their day.

Once the preliminary meetings with dignitaries at the palace are over, Ben and Rey return and sweep into the wide marbled entryway of their castle-like home, shucking their capes and gathering screaming children into their arms. As Rey swings Jace and Mara around, Ben flings Gray into the air with the force and sends him soaring up to the very top of the vaulted ceiling. 

He plummets into his father’s arms, landing with an Oomf before erupting into hysterical laughter. Rey shoots Ben a sharp look once her heart starts beating again.

“What? I caught him,” Ben says defensively, as he chuckles, mischief in his eyes.

Then the other children are clambering around their father with arms up, begging to be thrown as high.

“You always were a fan of inappropriate uses of the force,” Rey laughs.

Ben gestures as if to say, ‘who me?’ in a way highly reminiscent of the scoundrel Han Solo. Then he scoops up Mara and Jace and flings them both in the air.

“Rii’a’s beard,” cries Rey as she dives to catch a shrieking Jace. Mara lands in her father’s big black arms, her wild hair falling over her face as she giggles madly.  

Later, in an expansive kitchen, Ben and his best kitchen droids prepare a delectable dinner of favorites from across the galaxy. Rey, Gray and Jace are not allowed to help because they eat the ingredients but Mara is an eager student. Cooking time with Dad is her favorite time.  Ben floats some Endorian beats her way, and flicks Mara’s little high top pony tail when she’s sliced them correctly. She beams at the affection.

Ben had vowed long ago that their children would never be left alone with any droids. Though, practically being raised by a kitchen droid did leave him with some impressive culinary skills. What a strange but wonderful thing this was. Giving what he always longed to receive, living through his children’s happy smiles. There was a time in his life of only darkness and despair, he could have never imagined this life for himself. And now, he knew he could never be without it. These small moments, rare as they were, meant everything.

…

Later that evening the family walks along the lake front as the sun sets brilliantly over the mountaintops. 

Lush cliff faces surround the water in all directions, accented by wildflowers and babbling brooks. 

Their parents are fighting again.

Well, play fighting.

Beside the shimmering country lake, with twilight sending a million sparkles off the gently rippling waters… Ben and Rey stand facing off against each other dramatically.

They’ve dressed down to more casual attire. Ben in a cool thin black shirt with a soft folded fabric v-neck collar flapping in the wind. His pants are also black but thinner. Rey is wearing an airy, sleeveless beige tunic and gray capris.

“Fight me Jedi,” Ben booms, pointing a wooden training staff in her direction.

She laughs in his face. “You know you’re no match for me. I’ll destroy you.”

Their normally stoic father gets way too into it. Standing tall upon a rocky hill he proclaims, “You may try, but you will see that the force is stronger with me.”

Their boys giggle while Mara rolls her eyes. They’re playing on some boulders nearby.

Mara whines, “Really? You guys do the same thing every time. Then disappear for hours…”

“I will defend my honor,” Rey proclaims, stepping up with her own play staff.

Grey shouts excitedly, “Yeah! Get him mom!”

Mara scoffs. “Please, we all know Dad is the strongest. All he has to do is tickle her...”

Rey attacks! Ben blocks her blows above his head then spins blocking another blow from behind, then stabs at her. Rey leaps, twisting over his head and landing behind him. Their fight carries over the boulder and down onto the beach where Rey uses the force to hit him with a wall of water. He slices through the water sending streams of spray all around him, soaking his short sleeve shirt so that it now clings to every sinewy muscle flexing and striking with power. He blocks an intensely quick series of strikes and force pushes her back towards the woods.

The children try to follow cheering, but it isn’t long before they lose their parents like they always do.

Rey and Ben are working up a sweat, not pulling any punches. They put power into their strikes causing tremors in the ground. It’s too much for their staffs. The wooden swords shatter sending splinters flying. It gives Rey time to scramble back into a cool cavernous cave.

This was carved out by water. Tree roots are snaking through the stone making the air sweet and damp.

Ben recovers quickly, stalking his prey into the cave.

“Yield,” he demands in a sultry boom.

Rey backs into a wall and Ben pulls her hands above her head.

“Never,” she proclaims and he captures her mouth with a passion. Ben kisses his wife like it’s the first and the last time.

She whimpers into his mouth, throwing her arms around his neck and leaping up. He easily catches her by the bottom, pressing harder into her against the cool cave wall.

An overwhelming sense of peace and gratitude swell within him. Ben halts his moment of passion and pulls away letting his head fall on her shoulder and pulling his Rey into a tighter embrace, breathing her in. Rey smiles knowingly and hugging him back. They share an overwhelming sense of relief.

“I missed you too,” she whispers, answering his unspoken sentiment.

He growls his contentment.

“Now kiss me.”

She doesn’t have to ask him twice.

And for two hours Ben gets reacquainted with his wife several times.

…

It’s on their return, just as they emerge from a clearing approaching their estate that the blast happens.

A massive explosion rattles the ground, and off in the distance, in the direction of the palace, a giant fireball rises into the night sky.

They run back to the family compound, skidding to a halt in the courtyard.

Gray and Jace are frightened and hugging. Their small staff are gathering together looking off to the distance where thick black smoke is rising.

Looking around, Ben makes a sinking realization.

“Where’s Mara?”

“She ran towards it, after the knights left. I couldn’t stop her…” says Gray.

Ben is off before he can finish talking.

“Stay here, don’t move!” Commands Rey as she takes off after her husband, leaping onto a sleek land speeder. Catching up to Ben, she holds out a hand. He takes it, leaping onto the speeder behind her and together they race towards the palace.

...

Mara has always been daring, always eager. She doesn’t want to be left behind, especially when she thinks she can help. She waits until the knights guarding them take off, before bolting towards the thrill of danger.

That thrill is quickly extinguished when she runs right into a full-scale assault!

Mara gasps and throws herself to the ground as laser fire zooms over her head. This is too much! She must get away!

A large part of the palace is burning, the charred bodies of men and women lay strewn across the grounds. She’s never seen a dead body before and the sight alone is like a punch to her chest, followed by the percussion of another blast nearby. Mara screams a little and starts crawling back towards the tree line when something comes walking over the hill. With thunderous steps she sees a line of modified AT-AT Walkers, all in black.

But those are Dad’s weapons, she thinks wildly to herself. This can’t be right! What is happening!?

The ground rattles as a walker crashes through the trees beside her, shattering trees and blocking her route of escape.

The massive machine turns with a sickening whine, training its weapons on Mara scrambling in the grass.

She cries knowing there’s nowhere to run and then…!

He’s there like a wall of darkness. A crushing blackness sweeps before her, halting a massive blast dead in the air. The viciousness of it chills her to the bone. Mara is left shaking, looking up to see the face of her savior when he turns to look over his shoulder and it’s her father! He’s grimacing at the weight of the force holding the blast. It’s the first time she’s ever witnessed the true crushing intensity of his dark power. Was this really her Daddy?

“Run!” He screams.

She’s too petrified to move.

Ben screams agagin, throwing the blast back from where it came. It strikes the walker with a blinding explosion. Then he jolts her back with the force and it’s finally enough to snap Mara into action.

“Go protect your brothers!”

“But dad…”

“GOOO!” he roars, just as another barrage comes their way.

There’s a sweep of light and her mother is there. Rey’s power is just as intense but with a smoother, brighter texture, not as terrifying as her father’s. It is pure awe, like the energy of the earth itself rising up around her.

Mara closes her eyes and she can feel her parents’ energy flowing around each other, repelling attacks, predicting new ones. It’s like life itself. It’s total awe.

She’s pulled out of her wonder by a tug in her chest…

Gray! He’s in trouble! She can feel her twin’s panic. She’s dashing off like a rocket, willing the force to make her faster.

…

It’s mayhem back at the estate.

Their staff lay stunned and bloodied across the courtyard. Gray and Jace are huddled in the center, surrounded by dark figures. One reaches down lifting the both of them easily. She hears their screams as Gray fights to keep his little brother in his arms.

It’s her only chance.

She grabs the practice saber at her side. It won’t kill but she might be able to stun some of their attackers, causing enough confusion for them to get away.

She screams a warrior cry and dives at the group. Her brothers fall to the ground and she swings her blade as quickly as she can. But she’s met with red energy weapons she’s never seen before. Just two of them attack her, the others looming, dark humor and murderous intent spilling from them in waves.

They’re too strong, too fast!

Moments later the saber is flung from her hand and Mara is force thrown back at her siblings. She lands with an oomf and hugs her sniffling brothers close.

“You will learn to obey little Skywalkers,” comes a low, almost reptilian voice of one of the hooded figures.

All seems lost when…

VROOOM

The Millennium Falcon swoops in! Uncle Finn and Chewie at the controls. They open fire, taking out several dark figures. The attackers around the children scatter. The Falcon lands continuing a barrage of fire, as Mara pulls her brothers out of the courtyard and behind a stone wall.

Seconds later two familiar presences in the force are back. Rey and Ben descend on their enemies in a blur of light. Ben and Mara peak over the edge of the wall at the brutal power of their parents’ attacks. The twins for the first time begin to understand who their mother and father truly are.

Moments later the sounds of battle quiet. The would-be kidnappers lie dead, but for one.

“Get the children,” Rey calls to Finn and Chewie.

Ben towers over the last living assailant, Rey joining him at his side.

“Who are you,” his voice is deadly.

 That reptilian creature just laughs and gasps a bloody breath.

“Who. Are. You,” Ben booms, laying all the weight of the force to compel the creature’s compliance.

“Sith,” it hisses.

Rey and Ben share a stunned look before Ben drops to his knees, pulling the black assailant up by its tattered robes.

“What’s your purpose here?”

“The heirs of Skywalker will join us or perish. We will restore the First Order and destroy all your foolish sentiment.”

BAM! Ben slams the evil thing down on the ground, breaking into its mind with his outstretched fingers. “Tell me everything.”

…

“I didn’t know Snoke had other apprentices.” Rey can’t keep the fear from her voice.

They stand outside the childrens’ chamber. The three young siblings are finally asleep after their terrifying ordeal, snuggled up in a giant bed with their Uncle Chewie keeping watch.

“I made an effort to dispatch them once Snoke was gone. There must have been a survivor.”

“They know who our children are. They won’t stop.”

“Nothing will tear us apart. We take the fight to them. NOW.”

Rey puts her hand upon his shoulder.

“We can’t leave the children alone. We can’t hide them. But if they come with us, we’re taking them right into the heart of danger. No one is powerful enough to stop this threat but us. And no one is powerful enough to protect our children but us. We can’t trust your Knights. You know as well as I how restless they are. If there’s a new apprentice to Snoke, a new Sith… they could turn on us. They won’t protect our children. What do we do?”

Ben wraps his arms around his wife, taking some solace in her light. He hates to admit that she’s right. His Knights grow tired of peace. He will have to test their loyalty again.

“No one is taking this from us,” He rumbles into her hair, kissing her head. “We’ll fight them. As a family. The children stay with us.”

At daybreak they set out together in a hunt for the monsters that would tear their family and the galaxy asunder.

—-

ON Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/13990587/chapters/32213859

—

Part 1: http://bit.ly/2IdHDTN

Part 2: http://bit.ly/2Ie5q5G

Part 3: http://bit.ly/2oVTDRD

Part 4: http://bit.ly/2HztYF7

Part 5: https://bit.ly/2G8K7RP

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Part 7: https://bit.ly/2upJMJa

Part 8: https://bit.ly/2JbkYaW

Part 9: https://bit.ly/2GZFflF

Part 10: https://bit.ly/2HnC9FF

Part 11: https://bit.ly/2HucNsb

Part 12: https://bit.ly/2vt5sED

Part 14: https://bit.ly/2KxOWGN

Part 15: https://bit.ly/2Kt5r6l

Part 16: https://bit.ly/2x5QLYR

-----

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THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES- From The Douay-Rheims Bible - Latin Vulgate

Chapter 9

INTRODUCTION

This Book is called Ecclesiastes, or the preacher, (in Hebrew, Coheleth) because in it Solomon, as an excellent preacher, setteth forth the vanity of the things of this world, to withdraw the hearts and affections of men from such empty toys. Ch. --- Coheleth is a feminine noun, to indicate the elegance of the discourse. It is very difficult to discriminate the objections of free-thinkers from the real sentiments of the author. It is most generally supposed that Solomon wrote this after his repentance; but this is very uncertain. S. Jerom (in C. xii. 12.) informs us that the collectors of the sacred books had some scruple about admitting this; and Luther speaks of it with great disrespect: (Coll. conviv.) but the Church has always maintained its authority. See Conc. v. Act. 4. Philast. 132. C. --- It refutes the false notions of worldlings, concerning felicity; and shews that it consists in the service of God and fruition. W.

The additional Notes in this Edition of the New Testament will be marked with the letter A. Such as are taken from various Interpreters and Commentators, will be marked as in the Old Testament. B. Bristow, C. Calmet, Ch. Challoner, D. Du Hamel, E. Estius, J. Jansenius, M. Menochius, Po. Polus, P. Pastorini, T. Tirinus, V. Bible de Vence, W. Worthington, Wi. Witham. — The names of other authors, who may be occasionally consulted, will be given at full length.

Verses are in English and Latin. HAYDOCK CATHOLIC BIBLE COMMENTARY

This Catholic commentary on the Old Testament, following the Douay-Rheims Bible text, was originally compiled by Catholic priest and biblical scholar Rev. George Leo Haydock (1774-1849). This transcription is based on Haydock's notes as they appear in the 1859 edition of Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary printed by Edward Dunigan and Brother, New York, New York.

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES

Changes made to the original text for this transcription include the following:

Greek letters. The original text sometimes includes Greek expressions spelled out in Greek letters. In this transcription, those expressions have been transliterated from Greek letters to English letters, put in italics, and underlined. The following substitution scheme has been used: A for Alpha; B for Beta; G for Gamma; D for Delta; E for Epsilon; Z for Zeta; E for Eta; Th for Theta; I for Iota; K for Kappa; L for Lamda; M for Mu; N for Nu; X for Xi; O for Omicron; P for Pi; R for Rho; S for Sigma; T for Tau; U for Upsilon; Ph for Phi; Ch for Chi; Ps for Psi; O for Omega. For example, where the name, Jesus, is spelled out in the original text in Greek letters, Iota-eta-sigma-omicron-upsilon-sigma, it is transliterated in this transcription as, Iesous. Greek diacritical marks have not been represented in this transcription.

Footnotes. The original text indicates footnotes with special characters, including the astrisk (*) and printers' marks, such as the dagger mark, the double dagger mark, the section mark, the parallels mark, and the paragraph mark. In this transcription all these special characters have been replaced by numbers in square brackets, such as [1], [2], [3], etc.

Accent marks. The original text contains some English letters represented with accent marks. In this transcription, those letters have been rendered in this transcription without their accent marks.

Other special characters.

Solid horizontal lines of various lengths that appear in the original text have been represented as a series of consecutive hyphens of approximately the same length, such as ---.

Ligatures, single characters containing two letters united, in the original text in some Latin expressions have been represented in this transcription as separate letters. The ligature formed by uniting A and E is represented as Ae, that of a and e as ae, that of O and E as Oe, and that of o and e as oe.

Monetary sums in the original text represented with a preceding British pound sterling symbol (a stylized L, transected by a short horizontal line) are represented in this transcription with a following pound symbol, l.

The half symbol (1/2) and three-quarters symbol (3/4) in the original text have been represented in this transcription with their decimal equivalent, (.5) and (.75) respectively.

Unreadable text. Places where the transcriber's copy of the original text is unreadable have been indicated in this transcription by an empty set of square brackets, [].

Chapter 9

Man knows not certainty that he is in God's grace. After death no more work or merit.

[1] All these things have I considered in my heart, that I might carefully understand them: there are just men and wise men, and their works are in the hand of God: and yet man knoweth not whether he be worthy of love, or hatred:

Omnia haec tractavi in corde meo, ut curiose intelligerem. Sunt justi atque sapientes, et opera eorum in manu Dei; et tamen nescit homo utrum amore an odio dignus sit.

[2] But all things are kept uncertain for the time to come, because all things equally happen to the just and to the wicked, to the good and to the evil, to the clean and to the unclean, to him that offereth victims, and to him that despiseth sacrifices. As the good is, so also is the sinner: as the perjured, so he also that sweareth truth.

Sed omnia in futurum servantur incerta, eo quod universa aeque eveniant justo et impio, bono et malo, mundo et immundo, immolanti victimas et sacrificia contemnenti. Sicut bonus, sic et peccator; ut perjurus, ita et ille qui verum dejerat.

[3] This is a very great evil among all things that are done under the sun, that the same things happen to all men: whereby also the hearts of the children of men are filled with evil, and with contempt while they live, and afterwards they shall be brought down to hell.

Hoc est pessimum inter omnia quae sub sole fiunt : quia eadem cunctis eveniunt. Unde et corda filiorum hominum implentur malitia et contemptu in vita sua, et post haec ad inferos deducentur.

[4] There is no man that liveth always, or that hopeth for this: a living dog is better than a dead lion.

Nemo est qui semper vivat, et qui hujus rei habeat fiduciam; melior est canis vivus leone mortuo.

[5] For the living know that they shall die, but the dead know nothing more, neither have they a reward any more: for the memory of them is forgotten.

Viventes enim sciunt se esse morituros; mortui vero nihil noverunt amplius, nec habent ultra mercedem, quia oblivioni tradita est memoria eorum.

[6] Their love also, and their hatred, and their envy are all perished, neither have they any part in this world, and in the work that is done under the sun.

Amor quoque, et odium, et invidiae simul perierunt; nec habent partem in hoc saeculo, et in opere quod sub sole geritur.

[7] Go then, and eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with gladness: because thy works please God.

Vade ergo, et comede in laetitia panem tuum, et bibe cum gaudio vinum tuum, quia Deo placent opera tua.

[8] At all times let thy garments be white, and let not oil depart from thy head.

Omni tempore sint vestimenta tua candida, et oleum de capite tuo non deficiat.

[9] Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest, all the days of thy unsteady life, which are given to thee under the sun, all the time of thy vanity: for this is thy portion in life, and in thy labour wherewith thou labourest under the sun.

Perfruere vinum cum uxore quam diligis, cunctis diebus vitae instabilitatis tuae, qui dati sunt tibi sub sole omni tempore vanitatis tuae : haec est enim pars in vita et in labore tuo quo laboras sub sole.

[10] Whatsoever thy hand is able to do, do it earnestly: for neither work, nor reason, nor wisdom, nor knowledge shall be in hell, whither thou art hastening.

Quodcumque facere potest manus tua, instanter operare, quia nec opus, nec ratio, nec sapientia, nec scientia erunt apud inferos, quo tu properas.

[11] I turned me to another thing, and I saw that under the sun, the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the learned, nor favour to the skillful: but time and chance in all.

Verti me ad aliud, et vidi sub sole nec velocium esse cursum, nec fortium bellum, nec sapientium panem, nec doctorum divitias, nec artificum gratiam; sed tempus casumque in omnibus.

[12] Man knoweth not his own end: but as fishes are taken with the hook, and as birds are caught with the snare, so men are taken in the evil time, when it shall suddenly come upon them.

Nescit homo finem suum; sed sicut pisces capiuntur hamo, et sicut aves laqueo comprehenduntur, sic capiuntur homines in tempore malo, cum eis extemplo supervenerit.

[13] This wisdom also I have seen under the sun, and it seemed to me to be very great:

Hanc quoque sub sole vidi sapientiam, et probavi maximam :

[14] A little city, and few men in it: there came against it a great king, and invested it, and built bulwarks round about it, and the siege was perfect.

civitas parva, et pauci in ea viri; venit contra eam rex magnus, et vallavit eam, exstruxitque munitiones per gyrum, et perfecta est obsidio.

[15] Now there was found in it a man poor and wise, and he delivered the city by his wisdom, and no man afterward remembered that poor man.

Inventusque est in ea vir pauper et sapiens, et liberavit urbem per sapientiam suam; et nullus deinceps recordatus est hominis illius pauperis.

[16] And I said that wisdom is better than strength: how then is the wisdom of the poor man slighted, and his words not heard?

Et dicebam ego meliorem esse sapientiam fortitudine. Quomodo ergo sapientia pauperis contempta est, et verba ejus non sunt audita?

[17] The words of the wise are heard in silence, more than the cry of a prince among fools.

Verba sapientium audiuntur in silentio, plus quam clamor principis inter stultos.

[18] Better is wisdom, than weapons of war: and he that shall offend in one, shall lose many good things.

Melior est sapientia quam arma bellica; et qui in uno peccaverit, multa bona perdet.

Commentary:

Ver. 1. Of God. He seems to treat both alike, so that the just themselves cannot say whether their sufferings be a punishment or a trial. S. Jer. C. --- Knoweth not certainly, and in an ordinary manner. W. --- Hatred. Heb. and Sept. "yet love and hatred man knoweth not." H. --- Prosperity or adversity proves nothing. C. --- Mortals cannot tell whether their afflictions tend to their greater improvement, like Job's, or they are in punishment of sin, like those of Pharao, and of the Egyptians. This they shall know after death. W. --- Yet the wicked know already that they are displeasing to God. Salmeron in 2 Cor. xii. "The just and...their works are in the hand of God, even love and hatred; men know not," &c. Dieu. Amama.

Ver. 2. But. Heb. joins this with the preceding not, "by all that is before them. All things come alike to all, there is one event to," &c. Prot. H. --- The pagans distinguished real goods and evils from those which were only apparent, like prosperity and adversity, which are determined only by the good or bad use. S. Jer. --- Thus religion looks upon virtue and vice in the former light; and riches, poverty, &c. in the latter. It may be difficult to decide, whether, under adversity, the just have supported themselves better by virtue, or the wicked by vanity. God will manifest the truth. C. --- Perjured. Heb. and Sept. "swearer, so he that fears an oath." H.

Ver. 3. Evil. People hence take occasion to indulge in vice, (C. viii. 14.) though the conduct of God be irreproachable. C. --- Shall. Heb. "they go to the dead." H. --- Many think that these are the sentiments of the impious.

Ver. 4. There. Even those who have had the vanity to claim divine honours, never could persuade themselves that they would escape death. But the just forms a different conclusion from the wicked. He looks upon his life only as a preparation for the other, (Heb. xi. 13. Eph. ii. 19.) while libertines make haste to enjoy the fleeting pleasure. Is. xxii. 13. To the former death seems desirable, (C. iv. 2. and vi. 3.) to the latter it is a subject of consternation; and he prefers the vilest creature living, to the most noble when dead. C. --- Heb. "for whosoever is chosen (yebuchar. Marg. yechubar, "is united") to all the living, has hope; for a," &c. H. --- Moderns generally follow the marginal reading of the Masorets. C. --- "For who shall live for ever?" Sym. "Who partakes with all the living? There is hope." Sept. H. --- During life alone the sinner may amend. C. ii. 3. The Gentiles are preferred before the Jews. W.

Ver. 5. Know nothing more, viz. As to the transactions of this world, in which they have now no part, unless it be revealed to them; neither have they any knowledge or power now of doing any thing to secure their eternal state, (if they have not taken care of it in their lifetime) nor can they now procure themselves any good, as the living always may do, by the grace of God. Ch.

Ver. 7. God. Be grateful to him, and make a good use of his benefits, (S. Jer. exp. 2.) or these are the words of libertines. Boss.  S. Jer. 1. explicat. C.

Ver. 8. White. As in times of joy, and among people of quality. C. x. 17. Prov. xxxi. 23. --- Head. Our Saviour reproaches the Pharisees for neglecting this. Lu. vii. 45.

Ver. 9. Wife. Some translate, "the woman," or harlot; as if the wicked still spoke.

Ver. 10. Earnestly. Live in delights, or perform many good works. C. ii. 5. Our Lord seems to allude to this passage. What thou dost, do quickly. Jo. xiii. 27.

Ver. 11. All. Thus it appears to the inattentive, and to the wicked. For Solomon frequently inculcates that Providence directs all wisely. Human industry is not always attended with success. Deut. xxix. 19. This is a fresh proof of the vanity of all things. C.

Ver. 12. With. Heb. adds, "evil." Net, (Mont.) or hook. H. --- Them. They may use precautions; but, without God's aid, they will not succeed. Ps. cxxvi. 1. C.

Ver. 14. And the siege, &c. Heb. has only "great bulwarks over or against it." H.

Ver. 15. Afterward, is not in Heb. The poor man was unnoticed before. C. --- Vulg. insinuates that he met with no return of gratitude, which is but too common; (H.) and this shews the vanity of the world.

Ver. 16. Heard? Eccli. xiii. 28. Men are so unjust as to despise wisdom, if it be in a poor man. The prudence of an individual has often saved cities, as was the case at Abela, and Bethulia; (2 K. xx. 22. C.) and Syracuse was defended a long time by Archimedes against the whole Roman army. Plut. in Marcel.

Ver. 17. Fools. Though the wise often meet with contempt, it is only among fools, who form the majority. C. --- Vain declaimers in the Church shew their own folly, as well as that of their hearers. S. Jer.

Ver. 18. Things. A woman saved Abela; and Achan almost ruined Israel. Want of prudence in a general is often fatal. Virtues are connected, as well as vices. C. - For one transgression, many acts of virtue are lost. S. Jer.

[theresistanceandtheforce]

Chapter Thirteen: Spark Fury in an Unstable Mind

“I hate this city,” Rey snarled, lunging at Finn with her lightsaber.

He jumped back, a large grin on his cheeks. He couldn’t hide his happiness at her coming to him, finally. Ducking, he swung Rey’s staff towards her legs, “Why? It’s incredible here.”

Rey jumped up, dodging Finn’s swipe and rolled her eyes, stepping back and wiping the sweat off her forehead with the back of her arm. “There’s nothing natural here. No trees, or grass. No rocks or sand.” Turning her lightsaber off, she slumped to the floor, panting from their sparring session. Finn joined her on the ground.

The two sat outside on a landing pad at the back of the housing quarters that members of the Resistance had been given for the summit. All around was an expanse of blue, puffs of clouds and towering buildings of metallic hues, the sounds of whirling ships commingled with the chaotic rifts of a sprawling city.

The familiar thrum of an engine coming to life made both Finn and Rey turn. At the far end of the landing pad sat the Millenium Falcon preparing for a test flight. It had sustained some significant damage on Tatooine and Poe, with Chewbacca’s help, had been been spending significant amounts of his time working on the ship ever since.

A similar thought passed through Rey and Finn's minds. They’d suspected he was still mourning the loss of Leia; his mentor, and a motherly figure in his life. Her death had struck him particularly hard. Although he never outwardly showed it, inside his heart had broken, and repairing the Falcon had become a project to not only distract him, but had been a way for Poe to feel, once again, close to Leia, as well as in a metaphorical sense repair himself in process.

The craft slowly ascended as it’s landing mechanisms folded under before it sped off.

“I don’t understand why we can’t be out there, helping someone, anyone. The fight is far from over. We won one battle, we have the upper hand, but they are rebuilding, and still fighting on other planets. We’re still needed out there.” Rey sighed, pointing out beyond the clouds, beyond the stars, at the rest of the galaxy above. She truly did hate this city. As impressive as it was, it was cold, and unfeeling; even the sands of Jakku allowed her some comfort in their warm embrace. On top of it all, she didn’t understand the summit, the point of it. Why did they need to regroup, consult the New Republic. Why couldn’t what the resistance had been fighting for for years been finished before all of this political restructuring could occur.

Finn felt the same way. He felt idle there. Although it had been nice to enjoy time alone with Rose, mentally and physically recovering, it hadn’t felt right to sit in comfort while others still fought for their freedom. He knew, perhaps more than some of the others, what it truly was to lack free will, to have one's decisions made, actions sanctioned, life, home, parents, all taken away.

“I think maybe soon, when new governance is put in place, and new plans are drawn. When the summit is finished, when uh…” When the trial is over. He turned to steal a glance at Rey’s face. It was a mask, hiding what he could only imagine were her conflicted feelings on the subject, his own mirrored her, but he had to help her push through this time of limbo, this time of uncertain inaction.

She grabbed a canteen of water next to her and took a sip, staring off at the city’s commotion contrasted against the calm of the skies. “I’ve been asked to give testimony.”

***

He’d lost track of day and night days ago, so it hadn’t surprised him as much as it should have when guards awoke him from his troubled sleep, chained his wrists together, and led him out of his sterile cell, two momentos of love tucked away beneath his clothing. No one had come to see him but Rey. No one had said anything other than the trial was coming on a horizon he could not see.

He’d become numb to whatever would become of him in the hands of the Resistance, of the New Republic. It made no difference to him, as long as he was chained, controlled, kept caged like a rabid mutt. He had decided long ago, as balance rippled through his cells, that he would do whatever he could to help make right what he had wronged; that he would give every intelligence, every piece of information he could give to aid in the last struggles of this war, as long as he was kept contained.

That was what was now being asked of him.

He was led passively through back passage ways of rusted metal, tunnels of the city unknown to its own inhabitants who only saw the glossy veneer of white. The smell of metallic moisture filled him; it reminded him of blood, of battle, of strength.

He shook his head, clearing his mind of the thought.

The guards flanking him suddenly gripped harder as they rounded a corner, stopping in front of a set of doors, the rust seeping downwards taking on the shape of dripping blood. One of them rapidly punched in a security code and bent down for a retinal scan. The doors slid open and led in to a large chamber. The room was enclosed, no mirrors looking out at the night. The walls were the same white as most of the interior of the city. Across the room was a large desk of white, at which sat an unfamiliar figure, a human, a woman. Her silver hair was pinned up atop her head in an elaborate design of interlocking loops and knots. She wore what appeared to be plain robes of brown. She sat patiently, her hands folded above the desk. In front of the desk was a chair. The guards led Ben to it slowly before roughly pushing him down, and quickly unlocking his wrists then leaving the room from where they came.

Ben rubbed the red lines arounds his wrists from where the restraints had dug in, and looked up at the woman expectantly. He could feel the calm determination coming from her. There was no malice, no ill intent, only a desire for the truth.

“We thought, given your, shall I say obedience since being put under arrest, that for this moment the restraints would be unnecessary.” Her voice reverberated off the walls of the almost empty room.

Ben raised a brow, “We?”

The women relaxed her rigid stance and raised an arm, indicating the wall behind her, “Others are here to witness and to listen.”

He nodded his head in understanding and waited for her to continue.

“We have decided to have your trial now, in secret. Your case will be deliberated on by senators of the New Republic shortly after we are done here listening to your testimony. We have already heard the testimony of others already, and now we are here to hear yours. We advise you give truthful answers to all you will be asked. When we are done discussing your words, you shall hear your fate amongst all who wish to know the verdict laid against the fallen Kylo Ren.”

Ben’s heart fell through his chest like an anchor in open sea. “But I thought I had more time.” He hadn’t had a chance to see Rey one more time, held her fingertips once more. If it was execution, it would be brought swiftly and without delay he knew.

“Matters have changed, a deliberation is required tonight.”

***

Pacing had become almost routine for her at this point; the anxiety eating her up from within; nails chewed down to nubs; dark circles under her bloodshot eyes. Her fingertips shook with exhaustion.

Tonight was no different.

After a day of deliberation a verdict would be passed the next morning, or so she still believed, uninformed that the trial would end early.  No one knew what options were up for debate, whether he even had the potential to be freed for his sacrifices in battle, or whether his crimes were stacked too high to be forgiven, or whether said crimes would require his life as reparation.

She couldn’t take the waiting any longer. She’d seen, she’d felt, futures yet to pass, but his was now a blur to her. She felt once again a hopeless waiting, reminiscent of her agonizingly lonely days on Jakku waiting for someone to come for her. Now she waited for someone to leave.

She stormed out of her living quarters and headed towards the docking bay where Resistance members had docked their small, damaged fleet.

She stealthily peered around the corner when she finally arrived at the bay, having encountered only empty halls on her way there.The bay was empty, most pilots having gone to sleep, and most droids in sleep mode.

She wasn’t sure why she was trying to be secretive, she was free to leave if she wished but too many questions would be asked if anyone saw her, and all for what, a short trip in to orbit to clear her mind, to escape the unnerving chaos in the force.

She spotted the Falcon at the end of the bay near the entranceway. It would be more difficult to pilot alone, but it was still doable, especially for a short trip. She tiptoed her way around various ships, most of which were still in varying degrees of repair since the battle, until she came to the Falcon. It had survived it’s recent test flight thankfully.

Making sure no one had come in to the docking bay behind her, Rey turned to the small code panel beneath the ship that activated the entrance ramp to be lowered.

“Going somewhere?”

Rey let out a short yelp of surprise which she quickly muffled with her hands. “What on earth are you doing here? You nearly scared me half to death.” She whispered angrily, turning around.

Poe smirked, wiping off a smudge of oil from his cheek. He was leaning against the side of the ship dressed in an orange jumpsuit. “Oh me?” He motioned to himself sarcastically, before standing straight and using the dirty rag hooked to the side of the utility belt to wipe clean his hands. “I was doing some final repairs on your ship.” He emphasized the ‘your’ making a point that Rey had seemed to all but forget about the ship as of late.

BB-8 at his fear chirped in disappointment at her.

Rey cut the pretense and sighed, “I can’t stand being here. I needed to clear my head, I needed to breath among the stars.” She crossed her arms, waiting with a lifted brow to see whether he would stop her or not.

“Well perfect, I’ll come along.” He pushed by her and punched in the code for the ship.

“Well, uh, the whole point was to go alone” She shuffled in front of him, blocking him from entering up the ramp. BB-8 just rolled on ahead up the ramp, chirping merily.

He smiled and patted her on the armed, “No can do,” then sidestepped by her and climbed up the ramp, waiting expectantly at the top for her to join him.

Rey grumbled to herself and begrudgingly walked up the ramp, which quickly closed behind her. “I could have flown the Falcon alone you know.” She wiped the stinging sleeplessness from her sore eyes.

He looked her up and down, scrutinizing her tired features, “Oh I'm sure. Anyways, it’s not about that,” Poe called over his shoulder lightheartedly as he made his way to the cockpit of the ship, taking a seat in front of the primary controls.

Rey followed and took the accompanying seat, helping him prepare the ship for take off. “Then what is it about?”

The ship rose off the ground of the docking bay, and with precision, Poe steered it through the narrow entrance doors, then up and above the sleeping city passing by as the ship picked up speed as it prepared to exit Bespins atmosphere.

“To be completely frank Rey, I’ve been asked to make sure you do not leave the planet unaccompanied.” He shrugged as the ship shuddered briefly before passing through Bespin airspace in to open space. He adjusted the controls so that the ship would stay docked.

Before Rey could gather her thoughts he left the cockpit.

She sat stunned. Was she really trusted so little now?

She left from her seat and followed him, finding him laying down in one of the small bunk beds aboard the ship, his arm behind his head, eyes closed.

“What are you talking about.” She loomed over him with frustration. Her arms crossed.

He raised a eyelid, then opened both, rolling his eyes at her. “It’s nothing personal kid, just until the trial is over, they need to make sure you aren’t going to do anything brash. It’s not about where your allegiance lies, it’s about what you’re willing to do for him.”

Rey’s mouth dropped in surprise. She’d known there had been rumors and whispers about her, about her allegiance to the Resistance, but she hadn’t known that any of it had been legitimate, no one had told her. In shock, unable to process, she left him in the bunk and returned to the cockpit of the ship.

I would never, she thought to herself, I would never betray the cause, I was willing to kill him for what I felt was right, and I’m willing to let him die now if that is what is decided, and yet, I’m not trusted.

Hurt, she slumped into the captains chair and leaned back, resting her chin in her palm and staring out at the blackness all around, disturbed by small specks of light that were stars and planets and suns far away.

Tears of stress began to pool in her eyes. Could no one see the sacrifices she was willing to make.

At her testimony she had poured her heart, her memories, her inner conflict out to the judges. She'd told all the pain and horror she'd felt and witnessed at his hand. The murder of Han right before her eyes, done with such callous determination and hatred. Her mental torture as he sought entrance into the confines of her mind by force. But she also told them of the struggle she had felt within him. She'd described for them how stepping in to his mind had felt like a prisoner being drawn and quartered, fate, Snok, a familial legacy, the force, and herself, all pulling him in different directions. She'd described how at times he was still the scared boy who had been betrayed by his master, unable to turn off a path of hatred before it was further forced upon him by Snok. She spoke of how their connection had grown in to tangible feelings of respect, clouded by hatred, but blurred by love. She cried relaying the decision she had had to make to end his life by her own hand, describing in detail how every blow against him, how every kick, every clash of lightsaber against lightsaber had, like an acid, corroded away at her heart. Finally, in quiet awe, they had listened as she tried, in perfect words, to tell them just exactly what she had felt as life re-entered her like a newborn's first breath, and how that life breathed in to her the knowledge that balance had been achieved in the pouring rain, amongst the bodies of her comrades, because of what they had had, still had, together.

She wiped her tears away slowly with her fingers, thinking how strange it was to once again be alone, yet surrounded by loved ones.

Suddenly, in the blink of an eye a spacecraft appeared in the distance, having come out of lightspeed.

Something felt wrong, there was a disturbance in the force. The calm of space had been replaced with an impending dread, a feeling of wrong. Rey couldn’t quite hone in on what it was, but it was coming from that ship. She could feel it as a tightening in her chest, a pressure in her head.

“Poe! Come here!” She called through the shipwide speakers.

He rushed in to the cockpit, eyes groggy from sleep. “What, what’s going on?” He was panting from the brief sprint over.

Rey pointed out across at the ship. “Do you recognize that ship? Look I don’t know how to explain this but, something is either wrong with that ship, or someone is wrong in it.”

Poe leaned in to the control panels and quickly punched commands in to the controls and magnification disk was lowered in front of his awaiting eyes. He peered in, trying decipher if he recognized the ship.

Rey’s heart was aflutter with panic, but that panic rose as she noticed Poe suddenly freeze with recognition.

“No, it can’t be.” His voice faded out with the intensity of his shock.

Rey leaned in, trying to see what he had noticed. “What? What is it?”

“That is an MRX-BR Pacifier. Those things haven’t been around since the heyday of the Empire.”

“So? What does that mean.” Rey didn’t understand his shock.

Poe pointed out across at the ship in the distance. “That ship only has two purposes, one, making first contact for expedition missions, or two, heavy assault. Now seeing as Bespin has already been established and colonized, I’m thinking we’re dealing with an option two situation here.”

Rey jumped out of her seat, “We have to call in to Cloud City! We have to tell them about that ship!” She grabbed hold of Poe’s arm, “I can feel it! We need to stop that ship!”

BB-8 let out a sad chirp at their feet, spinning around worriedly.

Rey looked from BB-8 to Poe, “What do you mean the communication system is down? I thought the ship had been repaired.”

Poe scratched the back of his head, “Just about everything, just not that.” He paused, trying to formulate a plan of action. The ship had just as well seen them as they had seen it. Chances of following the ship undetected were small, but, if the ship made a brash move then they could follow close behind, but then again, if the ship attacked, they had no chance because, although the craft could be manned by a single individual, it’s gunners were computer controlled, and it’s sensors had been the most powerful in the galaxy at one point. Although the ship was dated, and seemed like the years hadn’t been kind to it, Poe did not want to test if the ships blasters still worked or not. He was pacing in a small circle, BB-8 following on his heels. They themselves couldn’t just attack, the ship hadn’t done anything. All they had was the type of ship and Rey’s connection to the force.

Poe stopped pacing. “Is there any chance that you can do your force thing and figure out where they are going? If you sense that they mean to do harm you must be able to sense where. Figure that out and we can try to race them back in time to alert whoever or whatever they plan to target.”

Rey gave him a curt nod. She would try her best. She lowered herself to the floor of the cockpit and crossed her legs, placing her hands on her knees, palms outstretched. She closed her eyes and reached out as both Luke and Ben had taught her. She felt the calm emptiness of space around her like a pool of still water, disturbed by a whirlpool; whatever was coming from the ship. She felt out further. There was one individual on-board. She sensed the deliberation coming from them. The Falcons presence had been unexpected. They knew the ship. Courses of action raced across their mind, an obedient torrent of hatred. They clearly planned to destroy something, make everyone burn, spark fury in an unstable mind. Kylo Ren. She felt the name like a sting pass from their mind to hers.

Her eyes flew open. “Cloud City! They're going to bomb the trial!”

[architectnews]

Enric Miralles Architect Tribute, EMBT Barcelona

Enric Miralles Architect Tribute, Catalan Architecture, Photos, Spanish Projects, Designs

Enric Miralles Architect Tribute

12 May 2021

MIRALLES events in Barcelona

MIRALLES, a tribute to the architect that holds several events during 2021 in Barcelona, Spain.

You can review the press conference here:

Español: https://youtu.be/Glemy3aGZyc

“MIRALLES” A tribute that remembers the architect in all his facets

The Fundació Enric Miralles, with the support of Barcelona City Council and the Generalitat of Catalonia, is promoting a tribute to Enric Miralles, whose death marked 20 years in 2020.

Exhibitions and activities will show throughout 2021 his many facets as a creator: architect, designer, photographer and teacher, bringing his professional and human figure to the general public.

The curators of the tribute, Benedetta Tagliabue and Joan Roig i Duran, have selected for the exhibitions, original and unpublished materials from the archives of the Fundació Enric Miralles.

Barcelona – Fundació Enric Miralles, with the support of the Barcelona City Council and the Generalitat of Catalonia, is promoting a tribute to Enric Miralles, one of the most emblematic figures in contemporary Catalan architecture, whose death marking 20 years this past 2020.

MIRALLES is a program of exhibitions and activities that shows the public the legacy that the architect left, with works in Barcelona -a city where he lived and worked-, Catalonia and worldwide. The tribute addresses his different facets as a creator: architect, designer, photographer and teacher, offering a multifaceted and personal look at his career.

The activities of MIRALLES are curated by Benedetta Tagliabue (Miralles Tagliabue EMBT) and Joan Roig i Duran (Batlle i Roig), and organized by Fundació Enric Miralles with the support of the Barcelona City Council and the Generalitat of Catalonia through their Departments of Presidency, Culture and Territory and Sustainability, in collaboration with the Barcelona School of Architecture (ETSAB), the Architects’ Association of Catalonia (COAC) and the Miralles Tagliabue EMBT architecture studio.

This tribute “not only wants to remember the human and professional figure of Enric Miralles, but also wants to keep the spirit of the visionary, of the experimentalist, alive, as a way of working and seeing the world. And to leave his legacy also for the future generations.”Benedetta Tagliabue emphasizes.

The program extends to representative spaces of the city of Barcelona, starting with the Saló del Tinell, which is home to the exhibition about Miralles as architect, and also was chosen to host in 1956 the first retrospective of another illustrious architect of the city, Antoni Gaudí. The other venues for the activities, which are also emblematic, will be at the Centre d’Arts Santa Mònica of the Generalitat of Catalonia, the Disseny Hub of Barcelona City Council, the Architects’ Association of Catalonia (COAC), the Barcelona School of Architecture (ETSAB) and the Fundació Enric Miralles.

Through these spaces a “Miralles circuit” has been designed that can be visited at various times of the year and that is accessible to all audiences. Thanks to the different formats: talks, debates, photography, videos, plans, drawings, models, notebooks, sketches, collages … anyone, whether or not linked to the world of architecture, can get closer to the human figure life of one of the most international contemporary Catalan architects.

Miralles has an exceptionally prolific career: in just 26 years of profession, from 1974 to 2000, he received 62 awards, participated in 68 competitions and was a finalist in many others. In addition, he has carried out installations and executed different projects. Among all these aspects, a total of 225 works and projects are collected in different countries such as Holland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Scotland, Japan, Austria, Argentina, United States, Brazil, Greece, Finland, France, USA, England, Ireland, Switzerland, and Denmark.

He taught in Barcelona, Frankfurt, and at the most prestigious universities in the United States such as Harvard, Columbia, Princeton, and Yale. He is the most studied and imitated architect by students in the western and eastern world. The foundation that treasures his legacy receives more than 2,000 visits from all over the world each year. The tribute prioritizes the documentation and materials that Miralles made in his lifetime, some of them unpublished, which will come out of the archive for the first time.

But MIRALLES is also an act of affirmation of the heritage it has left in the history of architecture and in the academic world, extending its gaze to the imprint that the EMBT studio has been able to follow.

Curator Joan Roig i Duran explains that “a meticulous research effort has been made within the archives to find those documents and materials that can best explain Miralles to the general public. It is not a tribute made from a distance; it has been thought from the front line to make it accessible to everyone.”

Agenda – Events at “MIRALLES”

MIRALLES. A quarts de quatre… From 15.04.21 to 04.07.2021 Saló del Tinell. Plaça del Rei, 10 Barcelona Entry fee: 3 € (general fee MUHBA)

Exhibition co-curated by Benedetta Tagliabue and Joan Roig that shows his work as an architect focused on four of his most representative works: the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, the Igualada Cemetery, the Santa Caterina Market in Barcelona, and the Sports Pavillion in Huesca. Original and unpublished material will be exhibited: models, plans, photographs and videos. The entire creative process of Miralles that will show to the general public, from the first approaches to the construction.

MIRALLES. Photos & Collages From 15.04.21 to 30.06.21 Centre d’Arts Santa Mònica. La Rambla, 7 Barcelona Free entry

This exhibition shows part of the photographic documentation of the life and work of Enric Miralles. Photographs taken by himself that cover both his personal and professional life. Directly from the private archive of Enric Miralles, his emblematic photographic collages will be shown for the first time. This exhibition is coordinated by Salvador Gilabert, professor and project manager at Miralles Tagliabue EMBT architecture studio.

MIRALLES. To be continued… From 15.04.21 to 23.12.21 Fundació Enric Miralles. Passatge de la Pau, 10 bis Barcelona Free entry

The Fundació Enric Miralles has, among its objectives, the preservation of the architect’s works, ideas, and creative spirit for the benefit of future generations. ‘MIRALLES. To be continued…’ covers the legacy that Miralles left in his studio and how it has marked the trajectory of Miralles Tagliabue EMBT throughout these 20 years. Models at different scales and referring to various phases of creation, sketches, photographs, correspondences, collages and projections are the protagonists of this exhibition project that will feature reflections by Martha Thorne.

MIRALLES. Perpetuum Mobile From 27.05.21 to 29.08.21 Disseny Hub. Plaça de les Glòries, 37 Barcelona Entry fee: 3 € (buy at Disseny HUB)

Exhibition of Enric Miralles as a designer. Furniture and objects that he designed along his life for his own use will be shown together for the first time. ‘Inestable’, ‘Dolmen’, ‘Troncos’ and ‘Tropical’ tables, the ‘Lelukaappi’ shelving inspired by the work of the architect Alvar Aalto and several chairs and unpublished lamps. The exhibition, curated by Benedetta Tagliabue and Joan Roig, and organized with the support of American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) with wood donated by AE Maderas, is completed with unpublished plans, drawings, and sketches of the design process of these pieces.

MIRALLES. Converses 03.06 – 10.06 – 17.06.2021 COAC. Plaça Nova, 5 Barcelona Free entry

The Barcelona College of Architects of Catalonia (COAC) joins the tribute to Miralles with a cycle of three talks with international guests. Architects, academics, and artists will share their experiences with Enric Miralles and will talk about his career and influence. Meetings between Rafael Moneo and Benedetta Tagliabue, Liz Diller and Beatriz Colomina; and Soraya Smithson and Carme Pinós.

MIRALLES. A l’escola From 22.09.2021 to 24.11.2021 ETSAB.  Av. Diagonal, 649-651 Barcelona Free entry

His work as a teacher was a very important facet in the life of Enric Miralles, who worked as a professor at various universities. The exhibition ‘MIRALLES. A l’escola’, curated by Carme Ribas and Ton Salvadó, focuses on the activity of the ETSAB, where he trained and to which he dedicated most of his teaching activity.

Enric Miralles Benedetta Tagliabue – Embt Arquitectes Associats SL

EMBT : current page for this Catalan architects studio

Enric Miralles Architecture Books

Buildings by Enric Miralles / Benedetta Tagliabue

Buildings Selection

Trinity Quarter, Leeds, West Yorkshire, northern England, UK Design: EMBT+ Stanley Bragg Partnership image from the architect Trinity Quarter Leeds design by EMBT – this retail building project is now using other architects.

New Scottish Parliament Building, Edinburgh, Scotland Design: EMBT/RMJM Scottish Parliament Building – master work by this Catalan architect practice

Santa Caterina Market, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain Santa Caterina Market Barcelona Building

Barcelona Architects

Barcelona Architecture

Architecture Studios

Buildings / photos for the Enric Miralles Architect Tribute in 2021 page welcome

Website: Building

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