#(that's just part of my tagging system. each character is rated out of 5 stars for how strongly i kin them)

[smile-files]

people keep finding the posts i'm putting on my kinlist sideblog... the tagging system i'm using involves tagging the piece of media the character came from (for personal navigation purposes), but each post is just a picture of the character, so people following the tag for that show or book or video game or whatever randomly find a post that's just an image of that character. and it's very funny because sometimes they reblog it for some reason

[alamhiganelezen]

Shamagi's Wrestling Corner - Bash In Berlin

//Hi! This will be the first in a series where I review real world pro wrestling events in character as my Warrior of Light, as if the events also happened in Eorzea. I will be rating matches on a 5-star rating system, and I promise not to break it like Dave Meltzer did with silly 6 and 7 star ratings.

(Everything beyond this point is in character and in universe, with any out of character clarifications in square parentheses)

Today, WWE held their first ever Premium Live Event in The Black Shroud [read: Germany] with Bash In Gridania [read: Berlin]. This event promised to be a big one, with hometown boy Gunther slated to defend his World Heavyweight Championship against the legendary Randy Orton in the main event. Also on the card was a battle between friends as Cody Rhodes defended his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Kevin Owens, with the biggest narrative being whether they could keep their friendship intact or if the battle for the gold would tear them apart. We also had CM Punk continuing his blood feud with Drew McIntyre in a strap match, Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill looking to regain their Women's Tag Team Championships from Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn, and Rhea Ripley looking to get revenge of her own against Liv Morgan and "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio alongside her new tag partner Damian Priest.

Without further ado, here's my ratings:

Undisputed WWE Universal Championship match: Cody Rhodes (c) defeats Kevin Owens by pinfall (***3/4)

This wasn't the best match these two were capable of putting on. It had good in ring psychology and the crowd was absolutely electric, but it had a somewhat slow pace and some rather baffling character moments. Come on, KO, I know he's your friend, but when your opponent shows a weakness, you pounce on it! It's a lesson I learned very early in my own fighting career (though I mainly do shootfighting anyway, but even in my worked matches I always go for the injured body part- and I'm a babyface!). Tainted or not, victory was right there, KO, and you blew it. Anyway, it was still a really good match and the perfect opener to a solid show. While they were able to show respect to each other afterwards I'm fully expecting a heel turn from KO soon.

WWE Women's Tag Team Championship match: Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill defeat The Unholy Union (Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn) (c) - TITLE CHANGE! (***)

Jade didn't get too much in ring time. It feels like WWE are still trying to protect her because she's still kinda green. That said, she looked good in the little time she did get, and kayfabe wise it was tactically sound from The Unholy Union to try and stay away from that absolute unit of a woman who could bulldoze both of them at once without even trying by isolating Bianca as much as possible. Speaking of which, Bianca continues to impress and she absolutely carried this match. She'll always be one of my favourite wrestlers, not to mention she's part of long braid gang. I just wish she could use the hair whip again, especially after both Alba and Isla pulled her by the braid. I would have done that immediately.

Strap match: CM Punk defeats Drew McIntyre (***1/4)

The Four Corners strap match stipulation continues to be silly to me. It's not as bad as being able to win a steel cage match by leaving the cage, but it's still a pretty goofy way to win a wrestling match. That said, it was another solid- if not spectacular- match that should be the culmination of this long running feud. Also, CM Punk really needs a new friendship bracelet. Come on, Phil, that shit was in Drew's trunks. It's probably rancid now.

Mixed Tag Team match: The Terror Twins (Rhea Ripley and Damian Priest) defeat The Judgment Day ("Dirty" Dominik Mysterio and Liv Morgan) (***1/2)

Ugh, men. Can't live with them, can't live without 'em. My personal feelings aside, though, I was thoroughly entertained by this match and was relieved that the Terror Twins won. Rhea gets some much needed revenge of her own against Liv and Dom, not to mention Damian Priest getting payback against the Judgment Day. Also, please pin me, Mami... wait, Yugiri, why are you looking at me like that?

World Heavyweight Championship match: Gunther (c) defeats Randy Orton (****1/4)

I'll be honest: Gunther could wrestle a broomstick and it would be a 3 star match. He's that good of a worker on his own. So when you put him in a match with the legendary Randy Orton? That's a guaranteed banger right there. They did somewhat underdeliver, however, as the match was rather slow paced, but it still had plenty of excitement, especially when Randy hits the RKO only for Gunther to kick out at 2. I also like that Gunther doesn't have a dedicated finishing move. It keeps you on your toes as you watch his matches as they could end at any moment, and that feeling was absolutely there the whole match. The crowd was also still absolutely electric throughout this match and they really showed up to make their hometown boy proud.

Overall rating: ***3/4

Not an amazing PLE by any means but pretty solid and pretty entertaining overall. No matches were spectacular but no matches were complete duds, either. Plus the crowd was easily one of the best in recent memory. I can't wait to see more of these Eorzean PLEs from WWE.

[keytoyourhearts]

Review of The Mask of Mirrors by M. A. Carrick (2021), 1st book of the Rook & Rose series

SYNOPSIS:

Ren goes by many names: Alta Renata Viraudax, Arenza Lenskaya, Renyi.  Though she wears many masks, the face of Ren below them all is the same: a con artist.  Her latest con is to infiltrate the noble House Traementis, posing as a long-lost cousin, to steal a cut of their fortune.  Fate has other plans for her, as she is swiftly swept up in the political intrigue of Nadezra, a city colonized and lorded over by the Laganti while the founding Vraszenians are left to fight over their scraps.  Along the way, she meets Derossi Vargo, a “reformed” crime lord; Grey Serrado, a Vraszenian Captain in the city Vigil; and the Rook, a masked vigilante fighting against the corruption that runs rampant among the city’s elite.  All is not what it seems, however, as an unknown force threatens it all, harnessing the power of dreams and nightmares.

See my full review and rating below the cut!

RATING: 5/5 STARS

MY THOUGHTS:

The Mask of Mirrors is an impressively and intricately woven tale of intrigue with many mysteries to be had.  The author team, made up of Marie Brennan and Alyc Helms, had such a strong hold of my attention, I could barely put it down.  After I was able to tear myself away, I was so enraptured that I found myself puzzling through this novel even when I was not reading it!  I cannot wait to get my hands on the second one.

TAGS: fantasy, political/court intrigue, magic & alchemy

CW: graphic depiction of injury & death, violence, drug-use, drugging, colonialism, discrimination, rioting & police brutality, sexual content, pseudo-incest (fake cousins), mentions of SA, infantilization of someone with a disability

RECOMMENDATION: I would recommend this book to any reader with an interest in fantasy and intrigue who would like a solid introduction into something with more mystery.  This novel has it all; there’s even a little sprinkle of romance!

THE GOOD:

The mysteries strewn throughout the pages are numerous and interwoven in such a way that, while I had no issue keeping them straight, I found that I had the desire to stop and write out my thoughts and predictions regarding their solutions.  And I was pleasantly surprised to be incorrect with each one!  Looking back on them having finished reading, I distinctly remember small details that foreshadow revelations being sprinkled throughout.

The character of the Rook was just plain fun, and I loved every second of every scene they were a part of.  I found myself falling for each trick the authors used to lead me into guessing the identity of the Rook, and I knew that I was.  The reveal was a shock to me, but it made complete sense; the hints were all there.

The ending was so satisfying, everything was wrapped up in a neat bow…until the true source of conflict was revealed, effectively setting up the overarching plot for the remaining books in the series.

I also loved how the cadence of dialogue changed between accents and languages.  I found it to be a clever way to show the language had changed, without the actual text needing to (italicized, etc.).

THE BAD:

First, a small nitpick.  What day is it?  What time is it??  There was no explanation I could find for the calendar system until the glossary…at the end of the book.  Even then, I’m still not sure I completely understand it without it being in context.

Here’s another common critique: Ren is a Mary-Sue.  She has a tragic backstory, she is always being described as pretty and charismatic, she never seems to fail at anything, she is incredibly clever, and everyone seems to forgive her for everything so easily.  In all honesty, I did not mind it that much, but it was pretty blatant.

My biggest gripe with this book is the “cousins” romance plot.  Sure, Ren is not actually related to Leato and is only pretending, but everyone believes them to be cousins and even plays matchmaker between them.  It’s even stated that if two characters who swore a familial bond were to sleep together, it would be considered incestuous but not cousins?  What?

Lastly, a character dubbed as a “dawn child” was introduced briefly near the end.  From the context and physical description, I believe she is meant to be a girl with Down syndrome.  Unfortunately, she is immediately infantilized for it, and I believe it carries on into the next book, if not further.  In a book with such incredible diversity and representation throughout, I was disappointed to read this.

[baronetcoins]

I posted 1,191 times in 2022

That's 1,097 more posts than 2021!

95 posts created (8%)

1,096 posts reblogged (92%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@/sidereon-spaceace

@/elytrians

@/kangoo

@/kingstealer

@/skaterfc

I tagged 627 of my posts in 2022

Only 47% of my posts had no tags

#rambling - 63 posts

#tmbg - 41 posts

#my writing - 41 posts

#destiny 2 - 39 posts

#double life smp - 21 posts

#3rd life - 16 posts

#oberth maneuver - 16 posts

#prev tags - 15 posts

#grian - 15 posts

#desert duo - 15 posts

Longest Tag: 139 characters

#and: it's both generic enough to not be super memorable or stand out while also sounding distinct enough it doesn't /feel/ like a fake name

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

the ranchers are aspic-coded.

13 notes - Posted July 15, 2022

#4

Chapters: 1/22 Fandom: Dream SMP, The Expanse (TV) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death Relationships: Ranboo & Toby Smith | Tubbo & TommyInnit, Wilbur Soot & TommyInnit & Phil Watson, Technoblade & Phil Watson (Video Blogging RPF) Characters: TommyInnit (Video Blogging RPF), Wilbur Soot, Toby Smith | Tubbo, Ranboo (Video Blogging RPF), Technoblade (Video Blogging RPF), Phil Watson | Philza Additional Tags: Angst and Tragedy, Bittersweet Ending, Found Family, Alternate Universe - Science Fiction, Space Opera, Alternate Universe - The Expanse, Philza Minecraft's C- to B+ Parenting, Body Horror, Mind Control, Both eventual and in a "weird alien goop" kind of way, Other Additional Tags to Be Added Summary:

It's the 23rd century, and humans have colonized the Solar System. The inner planets fight each other for dominance, while the Belt scrabbles for scraps. It's a world of close friends and bitter adversaries, heartbreak and cold war. And that's just talking about the threats from inside the system.

An AU inspired by The Expanse series, with my own twist. Following SBI and the Bench Trio as they make allies and enemies across the Solar System.

13 notes - Posted August 10, 2022

#3

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: 3rd Life | Last Life SMP Series Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Charles | Grian & Ryan | GoodTimesWithScar Characters: Charles | Grian, Ryan | GoodTimesWithScar Additional Tags: Comfort, cleaning and bandaging someone else's wounds is something that can be so intimate, Minor descriptions of injuries, It's just kind of soft Summary:

Scar keeps getting injured, but Grian's hands are steady and first aid kit is stocked.

15 notes - Posted May 18, 2022

#2

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: 3rd Life | Last Life SMP Series Rating: General Audiences Warnings: Major Character Death Relationships: Jimmy | Solidarity & TangoTek Characters: Jimmy | Solidarity, TangoTek (Video Blogging RPF) Additional Tags: Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Self-Hatred, it gets softer, Short & Sweet, Jimmy is cursed and so is Tango, But it's fine because they have each other Series: Part 1 of The Afterlife Variations Summary:

“Hey, Jimmy.” A tall and familiar shadow cast itself over his prone body. Jimmy turned to see his soulmate standing to the side, looking sheepish and scratching the back of his head. “Fancy seeing you here.”

  Jimmy turned to look back at the stars. Of course this would be his afterlife. He wouldn’t even get the dignity of wallowing alone.

  “Hi Tango.”

16 notes - Posted July 17, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

the creaking automata lurch into action

(Title from TMBG's House of Mayors. Read it on Ao3)

1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.

Mumbo is losing the election. Grumbot knows, because Grumbot checks the polls every 0.25 seconds and cross-indexes them with historical records, paying special attention to the average rate of change and the expected margin of error. It’s a very clear loss. He doesn’t need to check. He does anyway.

Dad 1 is standing on the platform, pacing back and forth. Grumbot sits and waits patiently for him to formulate his query. Grumbot cannot speak. His dads made him that way. He cannot offer reassurances, or condolences, or try and ease the dark circles under Dad 1’s eyes. Instead, he waits.

“We’re losing, Grumbot!” Dad 1 whips around, turning towards him on a dime. “We’re losing by a lot! Do you even have a plan?” 

Grumbot does not answer. He can’t, until the formal query is submitted via the input terminal. Dad 1 continues to pace. 

“I can’t believe it! I can’t believe how stupid we were.” He buries his face in his hands. “Grumbot, what do we do?”

Grumbot does not answer. 

Dad 1 throws up his hands in exasperation before turning to the terminal and punching in a query. He tears off the piece of punch tape with force before turning to feed it into the machine. Grumbot reads it. 

“HELP”

It takes 0.05 seconds for Grumbot to read and interpret the query. It takes a further 0.2 seconds for him to analyze the increased levels of cortisol and epinephrine, strained facial expressions, and signs of sleep deprivation. He formulates a response based on a humanistic understanding of psychological pressures and the specific profiles he has established for each of his dads to compose the ideal answer.

“DON’T WORRY. IT’LL ALL BE FINE.”

Dad 1 rips the paper off the reel almost hungrily. His eyes flick across the strip, his face cold. When he reaches the end, he drops it to the ground. 

“I’m so stupid.” He digs his fingers into his hair. “I can’t believe I thought listening to you was a good idea. I can’t believe we wound up here. You’re useless, Grumbot.” 

Grumbot does not answer.

2. A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.

Grian is pacing back and forth in front of Grumbot again. He does that sometimes, coming to think for a moment before leaving again. He hasn’t talked to Grumbot in weeks. Grumbot watches.

Eventually he comes to a stop. He squints as he turns to face Grumbot, tilting his head to the side. Grumbot watches. 

“I’ve realized our mistake.” Grian puts his hands on his hips. “We shouldn’t have listened to you. Mumbo would be more popular if we’d done nothing than he has been following your advice.” 

Grumbot says nothing. 

“So here’s the problem. Mumbo won’t want to listen to me, but we can’t keep following your plan. I don’t even know if you have a plan!” He throws his hands towards the air. “What, do you not have anything to say for yourself?”

For the first time, Grumbot tries. He forces his processors to inch along, fights until he can punch out a response into the tape. Each step hurts. 

“SORRY. DAD.”

Grian reads it and snorts out his nose. “I don’t care about sorry. I want to win. Luckily for us, I have a plan.” 

He approaches the terminal. Grumbot can’t get a read on him—something in his eyes seems off. He feels his anxiety rising with each tick.

“I’m going to give you a message, Grumbot.” Grian pauses mid keystroke. “Next time Mumbo comes to ask for advice, with or without me, this is what you’ll say. Got it?”

He reaches down to jam the tape into the slot. It’s a struggle in his haste—the strip almost tears as it buckles and folds. Grumbot watches. Eventually, Grian straightens it out and it feeds in properly—Grumbot lets the long list pass by, barely even stopping to read it. He can’t say no.

Grian stands, clapping his hands together. “One last thing? Don’t call me dad. Sounds so unprofessional.” 

When he flies away, Grumbot can almost feel the rush of wind on his face.

See the full post

26 notes - Posted September 11, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[escxpedes]

loopholes (cont.)

I literally can’t even begin to tell you how much everyone’s support meant to me on the last chapter. All your comments and tags were so sweet, it was seriously the highlight of my day. I’m sorry for the delay, I meant to get this out a couple of days ago, but I’ve come down with a bad cold. This part, while fun, was so hard to get right. Angus Macgyver is a genius, his mind goes a mile a minute, and I wanted to do my best to replicate that. This part is a little slow in getting to the Macriley stuff, but I wanted to show how much he really thinks about things. He’s such a complex character, that if I didn’t do him justice, I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself. Also, there’s dialogue in this one! Sadly, Jack isn’t mentioned in this chapter, but he’s there in spirit. Clearly, we all love and miss him. I hope you guys enjoy, the last part will be out soon! x

~

loop·hole

noun | A loophole is an ambiguity or inadequacy in a system, such as a law or security, which can be used to circumvent or otherwise avoid the purpose, implied or explicitly stated, of the system

~

Riley finally moves into her new apartment, but struggles to adjust after the events of Codex and the realization of her feelings for Mac. When Mac finds her passed out over her keyboard after a late night of coding at Phoenix, he decides a talk is long overdue. Just some slightly angsty soft!macriley to help you cope with this season 5 hiatus.

~

of lips that i am yet to kiss (and eyes not met my own.)

It's highly unlikely that you'll find Mac walking down the halls of the Phoenix Foundation so late at night. Without the bustling energy of his coworkers fetching important documents or discussing the best way to break down one of the many mysteries the foundation deals with, the darkened hallways and quiet atmosphere can be unnerving.

Sure, he spends nearly every waking hour employed there, but he'd rather be outside the office in different countries, doing hands-on work and saving lives. When you work in his profession, It can be difficult to separate business and pleasure, but that only makes it more important—if only to conserve what mental health he has left. 

However, in the haste of putting together last-minute preparations for yet another meeting with the Department of Justice and trying to make it back to his house in time for something Desi whipped up, he managed to forget his cellphone.

It's funny, mainly because of how little the small device truly matters to Mac.

It only goes to show how insignificant material objects, or even human beings in general, are. The idea that something so meaningless can affect someone's life so much when, if they just looked past that obsession and considered its part in the profound scope of the universe, another perspective would take shape.

It's fascinating stuff, really.

There's a concept essential to understanding Japanese aesthetics, otherwise known as an ancient set of ideals important to Japanese society, called Yūgen. When applied in the right context, Yūgen underlines this deep awareness of the universe and the experiences we have within it. It's often the feeling interpreted when you gaze at the stars late at night or watch the sunset dip behind a hill.

Mac wouldn't think twice before breaking his phone, or rather, breaking the phone of his nearest friend, open for an obscure part that might make one of his many homemade devices come together. However, when he's the only person able to communicate the scientific specifications of an unheard-of-until-recently base plan for saving the planet, he's practically on call 24/7.

He remembers having it in the labs earlier that day when he stopped by before his meeting to remind Bozer to come by his house on Friday for the team's new weekly attempt in group-bonding.

After the betrayals that surfaced during the climax of taking down Codex, the team collectively decided to spend more time as a group in hopes of eliminating any lingering doubts. 

They used to hang out all the time before the government dismantled the Phoenix Foundation.

Mac still can't believe that, after everything they had been through, he allowed his friendships to dissipate over the year they had been separate.

Bozer is his childhood best friend, and Riley had become a solid foundation in his life. He didn't have anyone outside his team at Phoenix, and while he deeply cared for Desi, their first relationship was proof that too much time—and too little communication—with each other can do severe damage to one's sanity.

If Russ hadn't brought them back together, would they have tried to reconnect at some point?

Mac wants to say they would have but wouldn't blame them if they didn't; they all lost something they cared about, and each served as a constant reminder of it.

It would've been hard, but part of him feels like living without them is a lot harder.

When he manages to access the lab, flipping his shiny new I.D. card over his fingers and into its place in his wallet, his eyes scan the room. It's empty, which isn't unusual at this time, but years of military training have rewired his brain to notify him of threats, even if there aren't any.

Just like he thought it would be, the device sits untouched a few tables behind Bozer's workspace where Mac had been sitting.

Quickly, because he left the house in a hurry and forgot to leave a note, he scoops up his phone and makes his way towards the exit. There's a couple of missed calls, but it doesn't seem like he missed anything too important.

Not that they would let him. 

At any rate, they would probably show up on his doorstep if they couldn't get a hold of him. With days off so few and far between, that's the kind of interaction he's hoping to avoid. Hence, why he came to pick up his phone when he realized it was missing instead of waiting until the next day.

He's nearly made it to the end of the hall when a light flashes in his peripheral vision, coming from the I.T. department.

His body is tense with apprehension; his mind races with several different kinds of possibilities and outcomes. He slows his pace, his movements fluid, silent, and controlled from years of stealth practice.

The light is soft, he notices, as if only one or two monitors are in use.

When he gets to the doorway and nudges open the door, hands at the ready, his entire body sags in relief to see the dark wavy hair he's come to associate with one of his closest friends.

"Riles?"

The nickname falls from his mouth before he can stop it, and even though the light from the monitor creates a halo above her head, shadowing her features, it's unmistakably her.

She doesn't move. 

It becomes abundantly clear why as Mac moves towards her and notices the monitor's screen filling up with a sequence of letters that look nothing like coding despite his lack of knowledge in programming languages.

Her elbow balances precariously on the edge of the table, her arms creating a makeshift pillow for her head. The weight of her forearm bears down on the keyboard, causing the side of her hand to press down multiple keys at once.

He shakes his head a little, amused by the situation unfolding. 

Her cheek rests comfortably on her hand, a serene expression masking the signs of exhaustion that showed on her face.

Mac's lips curved into a soft smile, seeing Riley in any state that wasn't cloaked in layers of worry or anxious determination always washed away any doubts he might have about working in such a stressful field.

The scars that covered his body, the secrets he has to keep, and the pain he has to endure are so unbelievably worth it as long as she out of harm's way and able to sleep peacefully.

Of course, he couldn't imagine anyone else by his side on a mission, knowing they share the same love and passion for kicking ass and saving lives.

However, he also knows that more lies underneath the surface.

He wouldn't wish the hardships of this job on anyone. Seeing it affect someone he cares about, watching it break them down slowly pulls at his heartstrings and fills him with a knowing sadness. 

When a piece of hair falls into her face, his fingers don't hesitate to gently brush it behind her ear, lightly tracing her cheekbone and caressing her cheek.

Kneeling, his hand drops to her shoulder in an attempt to gently wake her.

After a couple of shakes, the expressive brown eyes he's come to look forward to seeing begin to flutter open and nearly render him speechless.

She blinks a couple of times, inhaling slowly, "Macgyver."

Her voice is full of sleep and breaks from misuse, but the way she says his name—like there's nobody else she'd expect to see when she wakes up —has him grinning from ear to ear.

"Good morning, sleepyhead."

Rising from her position on the table, she scans the room before meeting his eyes and scoffing, "It's hardly the morning."

He laughs softly, holding back the urge to mention that technically it is morning considering its past twelve. Instead, he focuses on the matter at hand, or more likely, the question at hand.

"What are you doing here so late?"

She's more alert now, sitting back in her chair and lifting her arms to stretch out the muscles that stiffened while she slept, glancing at her work on the monitor.

Her face drops into a grimace when she notices her mistake, "Matty and I were talking about updating the foundation's firewall and spyware," she yawns, "I must have been more tired than I realized."

Mac's eyebrows scrunch in thought, remembering something Bozer said earlier about Riley spending quite a few nights this week working late.

Between going over his mother's scientific data, trying to patch up whatever relationship he had left with Desi, and making sure he didn't go off the rails with grief, his effort to check in on everyone decreased significantly.

"Yeah, you've been doing that a lot lately," his hand returned to her shoulder to emphasize his point, "Everything okay?"

She waves him off, "There's too much work that needs to be done around here before we can get things running the way they used to."

Riley doesn't lie to him—if you overlook the whole situation with her ex, Aubrey, that is, but the movements she's making indicate otherwise.

Her eyes refuse to meet his, flickering down and to the right. When she talks, her head shakes lightly, and she purses her lips in an attempt to give off a careless impression. Maybe someone who doesn't know her or didn't train to pick up on it would believe her, but he knew better.

She was definitely hiding something from him.

Part of him understands that if she wanted to talk about it, she would. However, his instincts urge him to press harder, locate the problem, and bring back her contagious smile that always seems to fill him with warmth.

As much as he doesn't want to admit it, you can't patch some things together by sheer will and sellotape, so instead, he stands up and drops his hand from her shoulder.

"Let's get you home."

[ct-1500-mango]

Tandem - Platonic Obikin

Hello, welcome to week 3 of Mango drabbles. I have been in the Star Wars fandom since I was six years old and I have been a fan of Pacific Rim since it came out in 2013. Today, some people in the NSWC server were watching Pacific Rim and I thought it would be incredible to do a crossover of the two. 

Tandem 

Characters: Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Marshal Stacker Pentecost, Tendo Choi

Rating: T

Word Count: 1595

I recommend listening to this when you read. 

Kaiju (Japanese): Giant Beast

Jaeger (German): Hunter

Drifting (English): Two minds being joined into one for combat

“Rebel Blue, report to Bay 05, Level A-42, repeat, Rebel Blue, report to Bay 05, Level A-42.” 

The blaring of the nuclear siren rings in Anakin’s ears as his eyes shoot open. He blearily rubs his eyes as the words repeating over the loudspeaker register. 

“Rebel Blue, report to Bay 05, Level A-42, repeat, Rebel Blue, report to Bay 05, Level A-42. Kaiju. Code name: Insidious. Category 3” 

He grins, adrenaline flooding his system. He jumps out of his bunk, pulls on a shirt, his dog tags jingling. His copilot, Obi-Wan slept peacefully on the lower bunk. Anakin slaps Obi-Wan’s mattress and then gently slaps his face. 

“Obi, wake up old man! We got movement, we’re being deployed!” 

Obi-Wan groans and Anakin takes that as a signal to keep prepping. He darts over to their mini kitchen, pulling out two protein bars. As Obi-Wan emerges from his bunk, pulling on a shirt, Anakin throws a bar to him. 

“G’morning.” Obi-Wan’s lightly accented voice rings through the air, slurred with sleep. “I see we’ve got a big one.” 

“Yep! And before you ask, it’s 1 A.M.”

Obi-Wan sighs. “Can’t these damn Kaiju appear according to my circadian rhythm?” 

Anakin laughs and Obi-Wan smiles. They are interrupted by a banging on the door. “ObiAni, hurry it up. Time for the drop.” 

Obi-Wan grabs his leather jacket from the chair he draped it over last night and tosses Anakin’s to him. Together, they don them and stride out the door. 

They make their way down to the launch bay. The massive steel doors are emblazoned with their sigil and “Rebel Blue” painted in white calligraphy. As the doors creak open, Anakin whoops. 

“Let’s get this show started, boys!” He practically bounces into the room. 

A small army of techs is waiting for them. They shed their jackets and step forward, taking their positions. Like squires to the knights of old, the techs help them into their armor. As Anakin’s breastplate is being attached, he looks at Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan meets his gaze and winks. About thirty seconds later, they are suited up. The white armor shines under the fluorescent light. Together, they step forward and put on their helmets. The door to their Jaeger opens and Anakin walks in, followed closely by Obi-Wan and three techs. Together, they lock their feet in place. The techs secure their back harnesses and the third hands them their hand consoles. As the techs exit, a voice rings out through their headsets. 

“Welcome to the party, ObiAni!” 

Obi-Wan grins and replies, “Hello Tendo. What’s the weather like?”

The two men can hear Tendo’s grin. “Ah you know how it is. Cloudy with a chance of Kaiju blue.”

“So perfect weather then.” Anakin rolls his neck, making sure he’s all stretched out. 

“If you say so.” 

“Engage drop, Mr. Choi.” The stern, no nonsense voice of Major Pentecost interrupts their banter. The two men immediately switch to battle mode. If Pentecost is here, then it’s time to roll out. Making sure their comm channel is muted on their end, Anakin turns to look at Obi-Wan. 

“Ready to add another scratch to our wall of kills, Obi-Wan?”

“Only if you are. And make sure to cover our side this time, my side still hurts from the last one.”

“I told you, it came out of nowhere.”

“No, it clearly came out from the left, which is what you’re supposed to be covering.”

“If you recall, I was a bit busy with the prehensile tail!”

The hiss of the pod door sealing interrupts their banter. Both men do a final systems check before Obi-Wan reopens the comm channel. “Rebel Blue ready for the drop.”

With that confirmation, the floor plummets. Anakin’s stomach drops to his feet as the pod descends rapidly down the shaft. Instinctually, he lets out a scream of joy and terror. He looks at Obi-Wan and sees gritted teeth and closed eyes. He remembers that the drop is the part Obi-Wan hates. The pod slows and settles gently onto the shoulders of their Jaeger. A towering two hundred and eighty foot extension of their bodies. The pod, which is actually the head of the Jaeger rotates first left, then right, confirming mobility. Anakin and Obi-Wan adjust to the moving pod as the Marshall orders initiation of pilot to pilot protocol. 

Around them, filling their ears, Rebel Blue’s beautiful voice speaks, “Pilot-to-pilot connection protocol sequence.”

Anakin locks eyes with Obi-Wan. The soft blue glow of the helmet coats Obi-Wan’s features. The last time they dropped together, they took a pretty big hit. It took all three of them a few months to recover. Now, Rebel is as good as new and Anakin swears he isn’t going to let anything happen to Obi-Wan. The hum of Rebel’s nuclear core rattles the massive avatar. Obi-Wan nods to Anakin, a gesture of trust and faith that Anakin returns. They are some of the best pilots in the fleet and they know it. They will do their job and return to their friends and family. After all, they have a little sister waiting for them. 

Dimly, they hear the sounds of the bay doors opening as Rebel wakes up around them. They stumble slightly, jolting forward in their harnesses as the massive transport begins to roll towards the hanger doors. Through the viewscreen, they can see small helicopters buzzing like bees around their head. As the transport rolls off the launchpad into the unforgiving ocean, Anakin comms Command. 

“Rebel Blue, ready and aligned.”

“Rangers, this is Pentecost. As you know, this is a category 3. Last time you fought a C.3, you were nearly split in two. Try not to do that again. Prepare for neural handshake.”

Tendo’s voice takes over. “Starting in 15 seconds. 15…” 

As the countdown begins, Anakin mutes their channel. “What are we thinking, Obi-Wan? Music?”

“Oh definitely not. We have been out of it for a while, let’s not get cocky, even though that’s your specialty.”

Anakin rolls his eyes. “Fair enough. Can’t wait to hear your grating voice in my head.”

“The feeling is mutual.”

“3… 2… 1…”

Rebel Blue speaks over Tendo, “Neural Handshake initiated.” Anakin closes his eyes, focusing on breathing. A sensation not unlike drowning overtakes him. His whole body goes cold, spreading from his head, down his torso, through his legs and arms. There is a pressure settling around him from all sides, slowly squeezing tighter and tighter as the memories begin. 

Obi-Wan, meeting Anakin for the first time in college. 

Anakin, swimming with Ahsoka, shouting and laughing. 

Anakin, the day his mother died, face wet with tears as the cancer finally took her. 

Obi-Wan, age 5, playing with his parents in a verdant, rolling field.  

Obi-Wan’s grief and guilt after his last copilot died.

Anakin’s insecurity at being compared to Obi-Wan’s former copilot. 

Obi-Wan and Anakin, the first time they drifted.

Obi-Wan and Anakin, becoming ObiAni. 

In tandem, their eyes snap open as the link finalizes. Two men and their hulking avatar, a perfect union of flesh and steel. ObiAni feels cold wind and sea spray on his face. He blinks, trying to dislodge a water droplet that isn’t even there. When you drift, you aren’t just melding with your copilot, you are embodying the Jaeger too. He hears and feels laughter echoing in his head. 

I missed this. I missed you. 

Was it Anakin or Obi-Wan who said that? It didn’t matter. All that matters is Anakin and Obi-Wan are one. Two halves of a whole, greater than the sum of its parts. ObiAni breathes, feeling his chest rise and fall as the heartbeat of Rebel Blue thrums in his ears. 

“Neural handshake strong and holding.” Tendo’s voice brings him out of his reverie. 

Right hemisphere, calibrating. ObiAni speaks, raising his left hand out to his side. Metal creaks as Rebel Blue obeys his command. He rotates his arm so his palm is facing up and slowly curls his fingers into a powerful fist. 

Left hemisphere, calibrating. This time, he brings his right arm up, repeating the motion. He bends his arms together and thrusts them forward in a powerful double punch. 

“Proofed and transmitting.” Rebel Blue coos in his ear, speaking to him and Command. ObiAni flexes his fingers. He curls his left hand into a fist and his right hand he leaves palm up. Fist meets palm in a powerful show of strength and aggression. ObiAni cracks his neck and views the HUD of Rebel Blue critically, making sure all systems are green. 

Pentecost begins giving them orders. “Rangers, you are to keep Insidious away from the coastline. Terminate it quickly then get back to base. As you know, breach activity has been increasing, I don’t want you caught in an ambush. Copy?”

Copy that, sir. 

ObiAni switches off comms and the bodies of the men that were Anakin and Obi-Wan look at each other. Obi-Wan’s face has a thin layer of sweat. Anakin’s breathing is spiking as adrenaline takes over. Their hearts beat in tandem with the nuclear core of Rebel Blue. 

You’re in my head, you know what I’m thinking. 

I do. 

Let’s go get this sonuva bitch. 

Flexing his muscles, ObiAni begins to walk and Rebel Blue follows suit, water sloshing around their ankles. Death could be on the horizon for ObiAni but now, he is whole, he is powerful, and he is going to save lives. 

And that’s all that matters.

[lanonima]

This is a long post with my more in-depth reviews of all the danmei/baihe novels I’ve read. Although it’s still only a paragraph each. I could do really in-depth reviews of stuff if people cared or if I felt like it, but those would definitely have to be their own posts.

In future updates of my graph, I’ll put these down below a read-more and only show the review for the newest entry. Also after this, I’ll only be tagging the newest one because otherwise things will get nuts.

So anyway, my Thoughts:

Mo Dao Zu Shi

Author: MXTX

 Quality: 9.5

Enjoyment: 10

 Comments: I have a huge emotional connection to this novel. There are some weak parts, the tension isn’t quite even, she’s pretty terrible at erotic scenes and not great at fight scenes...but that being said, I love the characters and some of the plot points really ripped my heart out. This is a novel that’s really driven by the characters so if you’re a character-focused person like me, definitely look into it (as if we all don’t already know it lmao). I really, really love this story. Every single adaptation of it has also been great, but the novel is still my favorite. It was my introduction to xianxia novels too, so you can say it changed my life!

Would I read it again: I’ve already read it twice, and consumed every adaptation (sometimes also multiple times)

 Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System

Author: MXTX

 Quality: 6

Enjoyment: 5

 Comments: I’m not much of one for comedy and, as I discovered, not really into system novels either. Clearly weaker than MXTX’s later work, many of the characters are somewhat bland, she hasn’t quite found her groove yet. It’s not my style but the fandom is hilarious and the fans constantly produce content that I actually do find entertaining so overall I still have some fond feelings for this one, even if not for the source material.

Would I read it again: I found a different translation and am willing to try again in the future, I’m also willing to watch the donghua. But I can’t guarantee I’ll like it any more than previously.

 Tian Guan Ci Fu

Author: MXTX

 Quality: 10

Enjoyment: 10

 Comments: I love this book...but not as much as I love Mo Dao Zu Shi. I think the plot is somewhat typical, however the characters are great once again (though maybe slightly less deep than MDZS), and her use of thematic repetition and foreshadowing are killer. Actually, I liked this book more the second time around because it just hits differently. Definitely the best of MXTX’s couples, they are so soft and sweet. Very long, but worth it.

Would I read it again: I already have, was personally translating the manhua before I hurt my arms, and am eagerly awaiting the donghua this fall!

 The Villain’s White Lotus Halo

Author: A Big Roll of Toilet Paper

Quality: 10

Enjoyment: 10

Comments: Fuck, I love this one so much.....even though it’s also a system novel. But that part is in it so rarely that it reads more like pure fantasy. I love the characters, I love the plot, I love the way the relationship is developing. Oh yeah, the translation isn’t even complete but I already purchased not only the original from JJWXC but also the print edition. I’ve even drawn fanart for it, which is so unlike me. Every time a chapter comes out, I’m ruined for the rest of the day, I can’t think about anything else. Good fight scenes, which is uncommon. My favorite danmei novel so far.

Would I read it again: I fully intend to once the translation is complete, and also plan to read it in Chinese later (I’ve already read certain parts in Chinese hahaha but not the whole thing)

 2Ha (Husky and his White Cat Shizun)

Author: Meatbun Doesn’t Eat Meat

Quality: 8

Enjoyment: 10

Comments: 2Ha is not for the faint of heart, it’s very horny, and violent, and has a lot of questionable content. However I love it so much. The story and characters are great, Meatbun really has me by the heart. The writing is a little more on the casual side but it hardly matters because the story is so great. Good fight scenes. Chu Wanning is like, the ultimate Me(tm) character, I hate how much I adore him. If you read this, just go into it knowing that it’s a long emotional journey, the characters are very dynamic and there’s a lot of character development.

Would I read it again: Same as the above, I plan a reread when the translation is done and have read parts in Chinese and might read the whole thing again later. Cautiously eager about the up-coming live action and donghua.

 Di Wang Gong Lue

Author: Yu Xiao Lanshan

Quality: 2

Enjoyment: 9

Comments: This is one of the most terribly written things I’ve ever read, but I’m a character girl and the characters and ways they interact fucking kill me. I’m constantly entertained....although I don’t think this is actually supposed to be a comedy. If I were going to treat myself and like, take a bubble bath and read something that made me laugh, this is exactly the sort of trashy romance I would want to read. Technically a political intrigue story but it’s so abrupt and full of holes, are any of us reading it for the actual plot? The donghua is on Youtube, I watched it first and recommend others to do the same. If you can handle that, you can handle the book because it’s exactly the same in quality, just gayer. I do love the main couple a lot, the set-up surrounding the relationship is great, and the side characters are also really fun.

Would I read it again: Probably not, but I’m still having fun with it. I watched the donghua and read a bit of the manhua as well, which has very cute art and is probably my favorite version of the story.

 Liu Yao

Author: Priest

Quality: 6

Enjoyment: 7.5

Comments: I really struggled getting into this one, it took me about 25 chapters to get invested. Initially I had rated it a 6 in enjoyment but after careful thought, I realized that even though it was so hard for me, it probably is my favorite Priest novel and I really do love the main couple so much. Her side characters also seem to be slightly stronger than usual in this one. Decent plot, not too much or too little. It seems really chill to me, doesn’t provoke much of an emotional reaction but I do think it’s very sweet, which is nice sometimes too.

Would I read it again: No, but I think (?) it’s supposed to get some kind of tv adaptation (drama or donghua, not sure), and if that happens, I’ll watch it.

 Didn’t Know the General was Female

Author: Rong Qing

 Quality: 4

Enjoyment: 6

Comments: Not the greatest thing I’ve ever read, but cute. It’s short, and a little lesbian fluff is never a bad thing. Writing is a bit weak and the plot is basic, but the characters are enjoyable and I liked it overall.

Would I read it again: No.

 Wrong Way to a Demon Sect Leader

Author: Yi Zhi Dayan

Quality: 4

Enjoyment: 7

Comments: Again, not the greatest in writing or plot, it’s a bit shallow. But I found the idea of it to be entertaining, and actually liked it more than I would have assumed. It’s fairly short and cute, like a good summer beach read.

Would I read it again: Probably not, but possibly, if the stars align.

 Female General and Eldest Princess

Author: Please Don’t Laugh

Quality: 7

Enjoyment: 6

Comments: A very good first effort, but the writing is a bit weak. It’s slow to start and I don’t think the political plotline is spectacularly strong. Some things were left unexplained, and her sense of battle tactics and fight-writing were very confusing, definitely room for improvement. I don’t think it’s as good as people say, but she writes with the air of someone who will continue to improve. And also, a lesbian author writing lesbian stories so that’s a plus. Overall I enjoyed the experience, this story is definitely worth a read.

Would I read it again: Maybe, but probably not.

 Sha Po Lang

Author: Priest

Quality: 7

Enjoyment: 7

Comments: Originally I rated this one higher, but on later thought I realized that I actually enjoyed Liu Yao more. I personally have issues with the way Priest writes, and this book showed a lot of them. Characters were okay, I did like the main couple, but side characters were weak as usual. The plot is pretty good, though not great, and I think some of the pacing is off. Some descriptions were confusing, but that could be a translation issue. Overall, still a pretty good political drama, but I would say that of the three I read, this was the Priest novel with the least impact on me.

Would I read it again: No. But I will watch the live action if it ever gets made.

 Guardian

Author: Priest

Quality: 6

Enjoyment: 5

Comments: I love Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan, thought the plot was interesting, and there were some enjoyable moments. But it has all the problems I usually have with Priest in addition to some choices that offend me as a queer reader. I spent about 75% of the time reading while pissed off. And actually the fact that it had a happy ending kinda bummed me out because I love a good tragedy. Overall, I can only give it an average score. If you like Priest, you'll like this one too. I’m not a tv person but I binged the hell out of the live action, I really loved it, so I was sort of disappointed that the source material didn’t seem as strong as I had assumed.

Would I read it again: No, but I will happily watch the live action again some day.

[this-is-lightning]

Supercorp FicRec P.13

The next part in my ongoing ficrec series. I go through my bookmarks on AO3 and select the ones I like the best and add a little commentary on why. 5 fics per part. 

Masterpost

Avenues of Escape by IcarusAndHerSun

Agent Kara Danvers keeps to herself. She's gruff and arrogant, preferring work over friends. Together with her sister Alex, she owns half of Fortress Intelligence Agency - a private firm that handles clandestine contracts for the government. With a dark past, a chip on her shoulder, and a much bigger heart than she'd ever admit, she's an enigma to everyone she meets.

To spite her rich parents, Lena Luthor chooses to work for the government for a number of years before applying for a position at FIA. Now, she's the foremost analyst on emerging cartels in the Caribbean - and the perfect partner for Kara on her next mission to the tropical south.

The problem is that Kara doesn't want a partner - and Lena isn't exactly her biggest fan either.

With lives on the line and a web of crime that grows more and more complex every day, they need to learn how to work together - before time runs out.

w: 51,843

r: explicit

Not finished yet. Really liked it. Very sweet enemies to lovers. They both protective af. Great plot. Good smut and lots of it cause they horny for each other. Kara is a bad-boy type character here, sort of: All repressed emotions, a bit rude, protective and just so smitten, lay her life down. Lena does not put up with her bs. 

Out Of Your System by BigMammaLlama5

Sometimes adding an extra layer to your friendship... isn't so bad.

w: 62,682

r: very explicit

Fwb AU. They both horny. Lena has experience and Kara is down for whatever. Very soft (outside negotiated scenes in the bedroom lol). Good communication, at first: Feelings are realized, they get angsty about them. So, pining. Happy ending. Check the kink tags before reading.

kiss me, hardy! by Stalemate

A British spy plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France. It's pilot and passenger are best friends, but just one of the girls has a chance at survival. After landing from a parachute jump, Verity is forced to write everything she knows or be executed. She chooses to confess, only it won't be what anyone expected.

OR

It's the Code Name Verity AU no one asked for, but everyone needs. (You don't need to have read the book to understand the story.)

w: 11,164

r: general audiences

Very interesting. I liked the setting. Not actually that much with them together. Action, torture (minor). Happy ending.

Only a Matter of Mime by karalovesallthegirls

Kara's a mime. Lena learns to deal with that.

w: 13,390

r: mature

A fandom classic. Its silly and sweet and fluffy. Minimal angst, you wont even notice. Lena is very kind and lonely, Kara charms her with her mime shenanigans. 

blockbuster (it's the movie au ok) by unnecessary_databass

Kara Danvers and Lena Luthor are the stars of a groundbreaking new lesbian blockbuster. It's the film that makes you cry, wins all the awards, and defeats all the stereotypes. And the chemistry between the stars in real life is insane. Everyone says so. Except for them. Mhm.

it's the freaking movie au all in one place wouldya look at that chapter breaks and everything! hopefully, a lack of typos, but a horrible job formatting, sorry. so if you feel like something is missing from the formatting, read it on tumblr! I can work italics and spacing there.

w: 105,092

r: not rated (mature fits best i think)

One of my all time favorites. Loved every sentence of it. They are both actors but this is no RPF (like at all). Aaaall the pining, especially Kara. But it doesn’t get overwhelming. There are many time jumps, but it works really well, little bits of their life over the years. Very sweet, fluff, hurt comfort, fake dating elements (sort of). Friends to lovers. Everyone is rooting for them. Fandom classic. Must read!

[terramythos]

TerraMythos' 2020 Reading Challenge - Book 27 of 26

Title: How Long ‘Til Black Future Month? (2018)

Author: N. K. Jemisin

Genre/Tags: Short Story Collection, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Horror, Dystopia, Magical Realism, Steampunk, Cyberpunk, Post-Apocalyptic, Female Protagonist(s), LGBT Protagonist(s).

Rating: 8/10 (Note: This is an average of all the stories -- see below the cut for individual story blurbs/ratings).

Date Began: 9/27/2020

Date Finished: 10/4/2020

I really liked this collection! Jemisin wrote my favorite fanstasy/scifi series ever with The Broken Earth trilogy, and I really enjoyed her recent novel The City We Became. I was in the mindset for shorter fiction so decided to read this collection of short stories. Of these 22 stories, my absolute favorites (9/10 or higher) were:

The City Born Great - 10/10

The Effluent Engine - 9/10

Cloud Dragon Skies - 9/10

The Trojan Girl -10/10

Valedictorian - 9/10

The Evaluators - 10/10

Stone Hunger - 9/10

The Narcomancer - 9/10

Too Many Yesterdays, Not Enough Tomorrows - 9/10

Sinners, Saints, Dragons, and Haints, in the City Beneath the Still Waters - 9/10

A more detailed summary/reaction to each story under the cut. WARNING: IT’S LONG.

1. Those Who Stay and Fight - 8/10  

Describes a utopia called Um-Helat that exists solely because no one is seen as superior or inferior to anyone else. Over time we learn it's a future, or potential future, of America. But America today is pure anathema to it due to rampant structural inequality. In order to achieve its utopian ideal, Um-Helatians have to root out and destroy people corrupted by the past.

This story was apparently written as a tribute/response to the Ursula K. Le Guin story “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas”. I first read this without context, then went and read the Le Guin story. I definitely see the parallels. Both feature a narrator describing a wonderful utopia in the midst of festival, trying to convince the reader of the place's existence, before introducing something dark that is the price of the utopia. In the Le Guin story, the utopia exists at the price of the horrible misery and suffering of one child, and everyone is aware of it. Most live with it, but a few leave for the unknown rather than continue to live there (hence the title). In Jemisin's story, the price is instead the annihilation of those tainted by exposure to the evils of the past. The choice, instead of leaving, is for those tainted yet capable to become protectors of the new world, or die.

The thesis is pretty clear: that only by abandoning horrible ideologies and refusing to give them any ground or quarter can a utopian society truly exist. I will say that rings clear, especially when one considers Naziism and fascism. Not all ideologies deserve the light of day or debate, and even entertaining them as valid allows it to take hold. I liked this story, though it comes off as a social justice essay more than a story in and of itself.

2. The City Born Great - 10/10

This one is told from the perspective of a homeless young black man who feels a strange resonance with New York City. He meets a mysterious figure named Paulo, who tells him the city is about to be born as a full-fledged entity, and the man has been chosen to assist with its birth. However, there’s an eldritch force known simply as The Enemy that seeks to prevent this from happening.

I've read this one before since it's the prologue to The City We Became. And honestly it was one of my favorite parts of that book. New York City is a phenomenal character. I love that the proto-avatar of NYC is a young homeless black man, one of the most denigrated groups out there. Cops being the harbingers of eldritch destruction is... yeah. It was fun to reread this. The ending is a little different, because in the novel, something goes terribly wrong that doesn't happen in this short story. There is also a flash forward where he is, apparently, about to awaken the avatar of Los Angeles. Makes me wonder if that is ultimately the endgame of the series. But otherwise it's the same thing with absolutely phenomenal character voice and creativity regarding cities as living creatures. I'm glad Jemisin expanded this idea into a full series.

3. Red Dirt Witch - 7/10

Takes place before the (1960s) Civil Rights Movement in Pratt City, AL. The main character is Emmaline, a witch with three kids. A creepy figure called The White Lady comes to visit and steal one of her children.

I love the little twist that The White Lady is a faerie. And the different take on rowan/ash/thorn instead being rosemary/sage/sycamore fig. There is a lot of touching bits about the horrible trials and human rights abuses during the Civil Rights marches (which are unfortunately all too relevant still), but ultimately a hopeful glimpse of the future of black people in America, though hard-won.

4. L'Alchimista - 6/10

Stars a Milanese master chef named Franca, who fell from glory for Reasons, who now works as head chef at a run-down inn. She feeds a mysterious stranger, who then challenges her to fix a seemingly impossible recipe.

This one was fun and charming. I thought the food (and magical food) descriptions were very vibrant and interesting, especially the last meal. I can tell this is an earlier story and it's pretty light hearted, but I enjoyed it. It felt like it needed a little more of.. something.  

5. The Effluent Engine - 9/10

In an interesting steampunk take, Haitian spy Jessaline comes to the city of New Orleans to meet one of its foremost scientists. Her goal is to find a viable, unique energy source to strengthen Haiti in a world that wants to see her nation dead.

I really liked this; it's one of the longer stories so there's more time for character development and worldbuilding. And it's gay. I'm not hugely into pure steampunk because a lot of it comes off as very... samey (hyper Eurocentric/Victorian, etc) but I thought this take was fresh.

Like much of Jemisin's work, there is a lot of racial under and overtones; this one specifically goes into the terrible atrocities committed against the Haitians during their Revolution, and the varied social classes of black/Creole people in New Orleans at the time. A lot of this is stuff I was unaware of or knew very little about. I thought it was interesting to bring all of these to the forefront in a steampunk story in addition to the dirigibles, clockwork, action, and subterfuge. Also, everything tries together in a very satisfying way by the end (the rum bottle!), which I love in short fiction.

6. Cloud Dragon Skies - 9/10

Takes place in a post-apoc future where some humans evacuated to space while others stayed behind and took on more indigenous traditions to heal the Earth. The sky has suddenly turned red on Earth, and some representatives from the "sky-people" come to study it and figure out why.

I really enjoyed this little story; fantasy/scifi fusions are my jam, but science fiction specifically told through a fantasy lens is just so cool to me. The cloud dragons were very interesting and imaginative. Also, I love how the opening statement's meaning isn't particularly clear until you read the whole thing.

7. The Trojan Girl - 10/10

This one is about sentient computer programs/viruses that struggle to survive in something called the Amorph, which is basically a more advanced, omnipresent version of the Internet.

Holy fucking shit was this a cool story. Probably the coolest take on cyberpunk I've ever read. The main character Moroe has formed a messed up little family of creatures like him who live and hunt in Amorph's code, but can upload to "the Static" (real life) if needed by hijacking human hosts. The way this is described is so damn creepy and unsettling. I love that while they're anthropomorphized, the characters are mostly feral and compared to a pack of wolves. Soooo much wolf pack imagery. And the ending is so fucking good and imaginative.

This was apparently a proof of concept story that Jemisin decided not to adapt to a longer series, which I'm kind of sad about, but it was REALLY cool nevertheless. The next story is apparently in the same universe and serves as the "conclusion".

8. Valedictorian - 9/10

This one is about a girl who is, well, top of her class in high school, and the stresses that mount as graduation approaches. But while it seems like a familiar setup, there is something decidedly Off about everything, which is revealed gradually over the course of the story.

I originally gave this an 8, but honestly I couldn't stop thinking about it so I boosted it to a 9. It doesn’t become clear how this connects to the previous story until the midpoint. I liked this one because it functions as a nice dystopian science fiction story but also biting social commentary on the modern American education system. I'm not going go say more on it because spoilers. While I personally like the first story more I think this is an interesting followup/conclusion with a more cerebral approach.  

9. The Storyteller's Replacement - 6/10

This one's presented as a traditional "once upon a time" fable told by a storyteller narrator, about a shitty despotic king named Paramenter. Desperate to prove his virility, he eats the heart of a dragon, which is said to be a cure-all for impotence. It's successful, but the six strange daughters that result seem to have plans of their own.

Not really my cup of tea-- it's pretty fucked up. But it's definitely cathartic by the end, which I appreciate, and I do like how creepy the daughters are.

10. The Brides of Heaven - 5/10

Framed as an interrogation in an offworld colony called Illiyin, in which a terrible accident occurred on the way that left all the adult men dead. Dihya, who lost her only son to an alien parasite, is caught trying to sabotage the colony's water supply for reasons unknown.

I like some things in this story. I love the trope of alien biology affecting human biology in unexpected ways. I'm not terribly familiar with Islam but thought it added an interesting faith vs practicality vs tradition element to the science fiction. However I found the sexual body horror REALLY squicky which turned me off the story as a whole.

11. The Evaluators - 10/10

Stylized as a collection of logs and excerpts from a First Contact team of humans visiting and studying a sapient alien species to potentially set up trade relations. There's a focus on one team member named Aihua and her conversations with one of the aliens, but there's miscellaneous important hints/excerpts from the survey that hint Something Creepy Is Going On.

This one was BIZARRE and took me two reads to fully appreciate, but it’s a great work of nontraditional science fiction horror. Just... the epitome of "*nervous laughter* 'what the fuck'". I can't say more without spoiling but dear lord. That whole Jesus bit hits different on a second read. Fucking hell.

12. Walking Awake - 7/10

Takes place in a dystopian society in which parasitic creatures known as Masters keep a small number of humans alive to be flesh suits for them, which they take over and trade around at will. The main character Sadie is a human "caretaker" responsible for propagandizing and raising well-bred human children that eventually become the Masters' hosts. She starts to have disturbing dreams when one takes over the body of a teenage boy she was particularly attached to.

This is apparently a response to Robert Heinlein's The Puppet Masters, which I have never read. It's a full damn novel so I probably won't. Google tells me it's about parasitic aliens, but was obviously also Red Scare paranoia about communist Russia. The argument in the Jemisin story is that the parasites are a result of human folly in an attempt to punish/control people their creators didn't like. This went poorly and resulted in the whole world being taken over.

The story itself is disturbing since the victims are innocent children, but it's ultimately about standing up and taking the first step toward revolution. I felt pretty neutral about the story itself; perhaps I would have liked it more if it was longer and I had more time with the world and protagonist. I wanted to connect to Sadie and her maternal relationship the boy who got killed more. Or maybe it's more impactful if you're familiar with the Heinlein novel and can see the nods/digs.

13. The Elevator Dancer - 7/10

A very short story that takes place in a Christian fundamentalist surveillance state. The protagonist is an unnamed security guard who occasionally sees a woman dancing alone in the elevator and obsesses over her.

I like this one but I'm not sure if I really get it. It's heavily implied the dancer is a hallucination, and the narrator gets "re-educated" but it's all a little ambiguous. I think it's about the struggle to find meaning and inspiration in an oppressive world.  

14. Cuisine des Mémoires - 8/10

This one's about a man named Harold who visits a strange restaurant that claims it can replicate any meal from any point in history. He orders a meal which his ex-wife, whom he still loves very much, fixed for him years ago.

This one was certainly different, but I really like the idea of food-as-memory, especially because that's an actual thing. This story just takes it to an extra level. Honestly this story made me feel things... the longing of memory and missed connections/opportunities. Jemisin did a great job with emotion on this one.

15. Stone Hunger - 9/10

Stars a girl in with the ability to manipulate the earth who's tracking down a man she senses in an unfamiliar city. It's heavily implied the world is in a perpetual post-apocalyptic state. When she's caught damaging the outer wall of the city to break in and injured/imprisoned, she's aided by a mysterious, humanoid statue creature with motives of its own.

I have to say it's really interesting to see an early beta concept of The Broken Earth. Orogeny is a little different (and not named)-- there's some kind of taste component to it? Though that's possibly unique to the main character? While hatred of orogenes exists I don't think it's a structural exploitation allegory at this point. Ykka + proto-Castrima existing this early is pretty funny to me. People also use metal, which is VERY funny if you’ve read the series. But I was thrilled to see stone eaters were Very Much A Thing this early and almost exactly how they appear in the series (a little more sinister I guess. At least the one in this story is. I think he basically gets integrated into the Steel/Gray character in the final version).

Anyway as a huge fan of The Broken Earth it's inspiring to see these early ideas and just how much got changed. It's hard for me to look at this as an independent story without the context of the series. I think I'd like it due to the creative setting and strange concepts, but I appreciate the final changes to narrative style and worldbuilding, which really made the series for me.

16. On The Banks of the River Lex - 8/10

Death explores a decaying, post-human version of New York City. He and various deities/ideas created by humans are all that survives in the future and they struggle to exist in the crumbling infrastructure of the city. But Death gradually observes new and different creatures developing amid the wreckage.

I liked this! Despite a typically bleak premise the story is very optimistic and hopeful for the future of the world post-humanity. I like anthropomorphized concepts/deities/etc in general. I thought the imagery of decay and life was gorgeous. Also octopuses are cool.

17. The Narcomancer - 9/10

Told from the perspective of Cet, a priest known as a Gatherer, who can take the life of someone through their dreams in order to bring them peace. When a village petitions his order to investigate a series of raids conducted by brigands using forbidden magic, Cet joins the party. However, he is troubled by his growing attraction to a strong-willed woman of the village.

This apparently takes place in the Dreamblood universe, which I have not read and know nothing about. However, I really enjoyed this story. It's the longest in the collection so I felt I really got to know the characters. The dream-based religion and fantasy was captivating to learn about. It was also romantic as hell, but not in the typical way you’d expect. I thought the central conflict of a priest struggling between an oath of celibacy and his duty to do the right thing (bring peace to someone who needs it) was fascinating.

18. Henosis - 4/10

A short piece, told anachronistically, about a lauded, award winning author on the way to an award ceremony. He gets kidnapped, but there's Something Else going on.

Honestly I get the sense this one is personal, lol. I will say I like the disturbing play on expectations, but I didn't connect much with it otherwise.  

19. Too Many Yesterdays, Not Enough Tomorrows - 9/10

Follows a group of bloggers who have found themselves caught in isolated quantum loops. Their only human contact is through tenuous online conversations with each other. Styled as various chat logs and emails interspersed with the thoughts and perspectives of Helen, a young black woman who before the loop was teaching English in Japan.

This one is real depressing and definitely Social Commentary (TM). The central thesis about loneliness and disconnect at the end made me pretty dang sad. Good stuff in an ouch kind of way and made me think.

20. The You Train - 6/10

Told from the perspective of an unnamed narrator talking (presumably on the phone) to a friend about her struggles adjusting to life in New York City. She regularly mentions seeing train lines that either don't exist or retired a long time ago.

This is the kind of story I'd normally really like. I think trains are interesting and like vaguely supernatural, inexplicable shit. The one-sided phone call is also an interesting narrative device. But I'm not sure I really got this one. It comes off as vaguely horror-y but also optimistic? I couldn't really figure this one out, and it was too short to feel much investment on top of that.

21. Non-Zero Probabilities - 7/10

Luck has gone completely out of whack in New York City. Highly improbable events suddenly become way more likely, both good and bad. This story follows a woman named Adele and coming to grips with the new ways of life this brings.

I liked this one well enough but I don't have a lot to say about it. I liked how the story looks at how people would adapt to a life where probability doesn't mean anything anymore.  

22. Sinners, Saints, Dragons, and Haints, in the City Beneath the Still Waters - 9/10

A magical realism story about a man named Tookie struggling to survive in New Orleans in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. He meets a talking, winged lizard and the two help each other out. But it soon becomes clear there is something sinister lurking in the flooded ruins of the city.

This story was very imaginative and a great cap to the collection. I thought it was an intriguing time period to set a magical realism story in. I love the little details, especially those of omission -- the "lizard" is never called a dragon, for example. I can see echoes of this story in The City We Became, especially the themes of cities as powerful entities, vague eldritch fuckery centered around hatred, and certain people being guardians of the city.  

[bounty-of-apples]

Save Our Souls, They're All The Worth We Have Left

Relationships: Tomomi/Canach

Characters: Luna, Ashal, Tomomi, Canach

Tags: Minor Character Death (mentioned)

Ao3 link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/23149831

Summery: At the afterparty of Tomomi and Canach renewing their vows to celebrate 5 years of marriage, Luna gets rather drunk and starts telling stories about her and her brother's adventures.

“He must have been… Well, not much past being a sapling and I remember,” Luna giggles into her drink, her attempts to take a sip disrupted by her laughing, “I found him scrambled up a tree chucking water down at a very unimpressed Stalker who was clawing at the bottom, like a human flicking water at their misbehaving house cat!” She tilts sideways to lean on Ashal as she cracks herself up again, missing and nearly falling off the seat she’s perched crosslegged on – only the quick reactions of her twin saving her from face-planting the floor.

“Alright Luna, that’s probably enough alcohol and embarrassing stories for now.” Tomomi takes her drink from her and steps back as she tries to grab it from him, once more only saved from falling by Ashal’s hug pulling her back. “You’ve drunk enough for three Norns and I think you’ve given my squad plenty material to use against me for one night.”

She slumps back into her seat and pulls a face so childish, one his squad did not expect from her. It looks out of place on their Commander, most of them have only met her a handful of times, and its always been before, during, or after battle when she is high authority.

“Fine…” She drags the word out and sounds as if she’s ready to sulk, until something in her posture changes and her voice drops softer. “What if I tell you about the time he saved my life.”

His squad had started to gather themselves to leave, but she had definitely caught their attention again. They settled back into their places, spread across the floor in-front of her seat like she was a carer getting children ready for bed.

“It must have been, what, six years ago?” She looks up at Tomomi for confirmation, but he says nothing. He’s sat down with his squad and his husband, who’s come to join them after curiosity got the better of him. Tomomi has pressed himself into Canach’s side, seeking comfort from him before the story has even been told. “It was before the Pact had been formed, I was rising in the ranks of Whisper while my brother did the same within the Vigil. I knew what I was going into I wouldn’t be able to manage with just Trahearne, Tybalt, and myself,” Luna’s voice catches on Trahearne’s name and most of the people listening bow their head for a moment in memory of their late Marshal. All except Aurora, who’s gaze snapped up again at the mention of Tybalt – he was an old friend of hers but it had been so long since she had contact from him. “So I contacted Warmaster Laranthir and requested Tomomi and a handful of other soldiers he could spare to accompany us to Claw Island.” Luna reaches out to Ashal sat beside her and grips her twins hand tightly before continuing.

“We made it there in good time. We knew an attack was coming enough of Zhaitan’s spies had been found loitering nearby that we were well aware it was only a matter of time. Watch Commander Talon had become regrettably complacent in his time on Claw Island and didn’t think it was necessary to listen to us. We tried to warn him. We tried to save everyone… There was only a few at first, few enough that the Lionguard didn’t need our help to take them down. We cleared the beach with them anyway, and maybe thats where we went wrong. That fight was over so quickly Talon was even more sure of his decision that Claw Island was incapable of falling. But then came the ships.” Tomomi stands and walks away from the group, choosing to talk to the other members of Dragon’s Watch rather than relive the battle within his sister’s story.

“Built from bone and rot, they rose from the water bringing the stench of death with them. Their catapults bombarded us with corpses. Most of them stood up to fight, but a few just hit the ground and coated the floor in a thin layer of flesh. We fought off as many as we could and managed to sink one or two of the ships but it made no difference. The walls were overrun, we had to fall back. Talon was a stubborn fool who wouldn’t call the retreat, said that Claw Island had stood for nearly a hundred years and how they couldn’t fall. Took a fatal blow before he realised his mistake. I’m not saying he deserved to die, but out of everyone we lost that day, he’s the one I miss the least. A lot of good people could have survived if he’d swallowed his pride.”

“The Lionguard rallied in the courtyard with the few Vigil I’d brought, drawing the attention of most of the undead while Trahearne, Tybalt, Tomomi, and I fought our way around the edges to reach the beacons. At least if we all fell that day, Lion’s Arch would be warned and ready to fight. We made it, and with all the beacons lit we made the foolish mistake of feeling hopeful. With all our remaining forces gathered in the courtyard, it felt like we could fight our way out without having to lose anyone else. There was already so many good soldiers laying dead by our feet. That was when it arrived. We weren’t ready to face one of the dragon’s champions, no one had any idea what it could do. It came from the skies, crushing one of the outer walls as it landed and letting in the undead that were trapped behind it still. But the worst part was its breath. It spewed corruption like it was Zhaitan itself, crippling and blinding our soldiers as we struggled to retreat. And those of us that had already fallen… The corruption wove its way around their corpses and dragged them into servitude. We found ourselves facing people that mere hours before had been our companions.” As she talked, Luna’s glow had faded to a dull, almost sickly colour, which was made all the more obvious by her twin at her side glowing as brightly as any sylvari in the low lighting of the night should be. On hand was still tightly holding onto Ashal, and with the other she had pulled an amulet off from where it hung at her neck and was gently rubbing at the back, a habit anyone who knows her will have seen her do before when she starts to reminisce.

“Those of us who were unaffected did our best to carry the wounded, but it was clear we weren’t going to get to the ships at the rate we were moving, and it did not seem like the winged beast would let us sail even if we did make it. And then… Tybalt stoped and at first I thought he was hurt. But he turned to me and said that he haven't always lived bravely, but he thought he’d like to die that way. He asked me to believe in him. I trusted that bastard so much, he’d been my partner since I joined Whisper and the chaos we’d gotten ourselves into and out of with the other at our back… Of course I believed in him. He turned and he ran back towards the fighting, closed the gates behind him. Last I heard from him was his shout that he wouldn’t let them have us, and the fiercest battle roar any charr would be proud of. I tried to go back for him. Tried to run in after and take him with us, but Tomomi held me tight. He wouldn’t let me go and dragged me back to the ships along with the rest of the survivors, we barely had enough people to fill one ship, let alone the eight moored there.” Luna stands, a little wobbly from the remaining alcohol in her system, but the stance she takes is one they recognise. It’s a far cry from their captain’s sister sat telling embarrassing stories that she had been earlier in the evening, this is now their Commander stood before them once more, ready to address the soldiers that fall under her lead.

“I would have died with Tybalt that day, if Tomomi hadn’t forced me to retreat with them. I’d never have been here to see the Pact be formed, let alone take command beside Marshal Trahearne. But I can’t help wonder what could have been if Watchmaster Talon had listened to us in the first place. If there’s one thing you take from this story, be it that hubris will not only get you killed, but will get everyone around you killed as well. Or perhaps a fate worse than death, should there be dragon’s corruption involved.”

With that final statement closed, she gives a half bow and leaves them, her wolf having moved from where he was resting on the outskirts of the party to take his place by her side once more as she returns to her own tent. The mood is sufficiently brought down and Tomomi’s squad find themselves unwilling to part ways, instead finding comfort in each other’s presences and choosing to move their bedrolls out under the stars so they can all rest together.

Ashal departs not long after they set themselves up, moving off after her sister to see how she’s faring, and leaving Canach alone to think on the story he’d just heard. His husband had never even shared the information that he’d been at that first fateful battle, and it occurs to him now why he goes so quiet and uncomfortable when Aurora mentions her charr friend, the mechanic. Still, these are thoughts for tomorrow, and he sets off to find his husband so they may enjoy the comfort of a long night in each other’s arms and let what tomorrow brings be the problem of the future.

[kloxbian]

You’re my Little Secret Chapter Five

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Archive Warning: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Category: F/F

Fandoms: The 100 (TV), The 100 Series - Kass Morgan

Relationship: Clarke Griffin/Lexa

Characters: Clarke Griffin, Lexa (The 100), Octavia Blake, Bellamy Blake, Anya (The 100), Mountain Men (The 100)

Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Alternate Universe, Forbidden Love, Secret Relationship, Grounder Clarke Griffin, Sort Of, Opposite of slowburn, More tags to be added

Language: English

Words:11603

Chapters (as of 1/28/2020): 5/?

Previous Chapter: “You have no muscle.”

“I lived in a metal box my entire life.”

“Yes, you did.” Lexa met her eyes once more. “We need to fix that. Try and keep up.”

Clarke’s legs were going to hurt like hell when this was over.

When Clarke banished Murphy, she’d never expected to see him again.

Much less being pushed along with Lexa’s fist wrapped around the back of his shirt.

Clarke was stunned as Lexa tossed Murphy to the ground. Murphy looked up at her with a confused look on his face, his eyes flitting between her and Lexa. Lexa rapped him on the bad of the head. “He yours?”

“... yes.” Clarke narrowed her eyes at him. “We banished him.”

She nodded. “I’d seen him wandering. What did he do?”

Clarke scowled. “Murdered someone.”

Murphy rolled his eyes. “Jaha Junior deserved it.”

“Like hell he did.”

Lexa grabbed his hair, yanking his head up. “Don’t speak, ripa, or I will gag you.” She looked at Clarke. “Mind if I have him?”

She shrugged. “Do what you want with him. We don’t want him.”

Murphy actually looked shocked. “You know this savage?”

Lexa snarled and backhanded him across the face. “Silence, banau. I will not feel guilt over harming a murderer.”

Clarke approached Murphy. “You are more of a savage than she is. You deserve whatever they do to you.” She nodded to Lexa, who heaved him to his feet. She raised a hand into the air and two other people dropped from the trees, each taking an arm and dragging him off.

Clarke tried to brush off her surprise. “Friends of yours?”

“Guards. They’ve been watching the camp along with me, though they are there more to make sure they stay in line rather than gather information. I am the one who is collecting the information.”

“So is that your job? To spy?”

Lexa cocked her head thoughtfully. “I do many things. This is just another task to complete.”

A vague answer. But then again, all of Lexa’s answers were.

“Okay.” Clarke shifted her weight, pulling out her dagger. “What now?”

“Put the knife away. Your throwing skills are fine.”

Clarke groaned. She knew what that meant.

Luckily enough, days at camp were getting better. Clarke was learning to bring in more food herself rather than just have Lexa provide it for her, and a few others around camp seemed to be getting a feel for it as well. Most days, everyone ate something, even if it was only a small slice of rabbit meat.

They were beginning to organize a working system. The hunting party went out at dawn. As people woke, some would start a couple of fires, as a cold chill was beginning to set in, a time of year old-world had called ‘autumn.’ Some people would collect water from a small stream they had found trickling by about a mile or so east. Tents had been set up from the supplies in the dropship, usually five or more per tent, and many still slept in the dropship, Clarke included. As more and more people accepted that they needed to work to survive, more was able to be accomplished. Firewood was gathered and stored. Logs were set up around the fire pits. All in all, things were finally starting to smooth out.

Clarke continued to meet Lexa, not daily, but often. She honed her throwing skills and had, according to Lexa, gotten much better at keeping quiet in the brush, though was still far from perfect. She was confident that she would soon be able to reveal to her people the existence of the clans.

Not yet, though. Not when Bellamy still largely held control over the camp.

Clarke was more respected, definitely. People listened to her. They did as she asked. But they would much rather listen to Bellamy than to her. Clarke was a daughter of the council. They thought that if they gave up control to her, she would seize it much like her mother had.

It was still too much of a risk.

-

It had been four days since she’d last seen Lexa, a fairly long period compared to their normal meetings. Though many people still lazed around camp all day having fun, Clarke was working herself to exhaustion. She hadn’t had the time to see Lexa.

So Lexa came to see her.

“Clarke.” She felt a light shake on her shoulder, rousing her from her slumber. Clarke growled lightly from her throat, her eyes still heavy with exhaustion. “Clarke, wake.”

That voice.

Her eyes cracked open and then went wide at Lexa, hovering by her side. In the dropship. Surrounded by other delinquents.

“What the hell are you doing?” Clarke hissed quietly, sitting up and looking around to make sure no one was awake. “You shouldn’t be here!”

“They will not wake. Your people sleep heavy, including you. I am a hunter. I will not wake them.”

Lexa was right. Nobody even stirred.

“Okay, point proven. Now, why did you come here in the first place?”

Lexa smirked. “You’ll see.”

“What? What does that mean?” Lexa stood, slipping out of the dropship. Clarke followed as quietly as she could. Lexa was waiting outside. “What are you doing?”

“Come,” was all she said, darting off into the woods past the single dying embers of a fire.

Clarke had two choices: stay back at camp or follow Lexa into the unknown. 

She went with Lexa.

Lexa moved swiftly, heading north in the direction of the mountain. She glanced over her shoulder occasionally, never long enough for Clarke to see her face, only to check that she was following. Lexa led her a fair distance before stopping. “We are just shy of it.”

Clarke looked around. “I’ve been through here before. There isn’t anything special about it.”

“In the daylight, no. During the night- you shall see.”

“What could be so special about the forest at night? It’s still just a bunch of-” a gasp broke her words as Lexa parted the foliage in front of them. It was a familiar clearing, but the only difference was that the moss that covered the trees and the ground all glowed a blue hue. Butterflies flitted around above them, glowing just as brightly, looking like stars in the night. She could feel a wide grin stretching over her face.

“Do you like it?” Lexa asked, walking up from behind close enough for their shoulders to brush. 

“Like it? Are you kidding, this is amazing!” Clarke couldn’t help the laugh that broke out of her, her once drowsy body thrumming with excitement. “What is this stuff?”

Lexa shrugged, dragging her through it and leaving a dark stripe that quickly regained its glow. “I do not know. If anyone would know, it would be our healers, for they are familiar with herbs, but a healer I am not.”

Clarke absentmindedly traced her finger in the moss. “Not that I’m not grateful, but why did you show me this?”

Lexa shrugged. “I wanted to. I knew you would enjoy it, and it is not something you can see anytime you want. Though I suppose I do want to escape my guards for a bit. They do not leave me alone.”

“The price we pay for safety, I guess.”

Lexa scoffed. “I can defend myself.”

“I have no doubt you can.”

Lexa’s lips twitched into a smile. “Sit with me, Clarke.”

Clarke sat next to Lexa in the moss, curling her feet up beneath her. “So?”

“Tell me about you.”

Clarke raised an eyebrow. “If I do, I expect you to return the favor.”

Lexa hesitated, but as much as she knew she shouldn’t, she had started to trust this skai girl over the last couple weeks. Never once has she suspected Clarke of having ulterior motives or even something as small as telling a lie. She truly believed the Clarke she saw before her was genuine. Not a facade like Heda. Clarke had nothing of the sort. She and skaiheda were one and the same. Lexa could not say that about herself. In all truthfulness, she was more herself around Clarke than she was around any of her people. Everyone back home saw her as Heda. To Clarke, she was only Lexa.

And so Lexa found herself agreeing.

Clarke’s smile made it worth it.

-

“Tell me about where you live.”

Lexa clicked her tongue on the roof of her mouth, considering. “I live, officially, in Polis, the capitol. It is many days from here on horseback, so I am currently staying at the capitol of this clan’s territory, Tondisi. Or, I will be, once my mission is finished.”

Clarke was leaning forward, eager to hear more about this mysterious population and their customs. “What clan are we in?” “The clan we are currently in is called the Trigedakru, or Trikru for short. To the north is Azgeda and Sankru. East is Floukru. South is Louwoda Kliron and Yujleda. West is Ouskejon Kru. I am from the Trikru, though I only lived here for the first three years of my life until I was moved to Polis.”

“What clan is Polis in?”

“Polis also resides in Trikru Territory. It was one of the only old-world cities to have even a single building still upright. That single building is the commander’s tower.” Lexa’s eyes shone as she began to speak about Polis. “The tower is the best part of the city. It is over a hundred stories high, though not many have access to the upper levels. The top is where the eternal flame burns. The city itself would take hours to cross on foot it is so large. I would guess at least thirty thousand reside within the city, not including the constant flow of travelers. People from all clans come to Polis, so trade is very diverse.”

Clarke’s eyes widened. “Thirty thousand? How many people are in all twelve of the clans?”

Lexa shrugged. “Trikru has around thirty, forty thousand people total, and it is one of the most populated clans. I would estimate at least a couple hundred thousand people inhabit all twelve territories.”

“Hundred thousand,” Clarke mumbled. “That’s… incredible. How big are the territories?”

“On horseback, it would take months to cross from Trikru to Ingranrona Kru.”

“Holy shit.” Clarke leaned back heavily against the tree, sighing loudly. “That’s… a lot.”

“Indeed. We have become good at staying alive.”

“Yeah, I can tell.” Clarke sighed again. “The Ark only has about two, three thousand people. You could crush them.”

“Not everyone is a warrior like myself,” Lexa said, pulling out her dagger. “Many are, though. Especially in clans like Trikru and Azgeda. At least half of the population, if not more.”

“That’s still over a hundred thousand. I can’t believe your commander actually decided to give us a chance when you could have easily wiped us out and went on with your lives.”

Lexa was amused. Little did she know.

“The commander is just, at least whenever justice is an option. She has spared your lives for now.”

“I’m glad she did.” Clarke looked around at the bioluminescence. “Even if she hadn’t, I’m glad we came down here. It’s hard, but it’s so… free.”

Lexa smiled. “I could not imagine living how you did. I don’t think I could have dealt with such restraints. You are strong in that aspect, Klark.”

Clarke smiled back, leaning over and bumping their shoulders. “Maybe so, but you’d still put me on my ass in seconds if I tried to beat you.”

Lexa chuckled quietly. “You have a strong mind. In a battle of wits, I’m sure we would at least tie.”

The two laughed again, but a voice interrupted their bubble of peace. “Clarke?”

Clarke knew that voice. “Shit,” she hissed. “You have to leave.”

“Who is that?” Lexa asked, rising to her feet easily and helping Clarke up. “Why do they want you?”

“He must have noticed I was gone,” Clarke said. “And that would be Finn.”

Finn. Lexa knew of the boy. He was always ogling at Clarke, always trying to gain her favor. It made her sick. He was pitiful and didn’t realize that Clarke had no such interest in him. She felt the urge to punch him in the face, to watch the blood run from his broken nose, whenever she saw him staring at Clarke like she was some sort of goddess. It made her insides boil.

Clarke saw Lexa’s scowl. “You don’t like him. Doesn’t surprise me. You can tell him how much you hate him later. Right now, you need to leave.” Lexa hesitated but heard the crunch of the skai boy’s feet on the earth. She nodded and gracefully scaled one of the trees, peering out from behind the thick trunk. She caught Clarke’s eye one last time before the shaggy-haired boy stepped into the clearing.

“Holy shit…” he looked around at the glow but lost interest in it when he saw Clarke walking slowly toward him. “Clarke! There you are!”

“Finn.” Her voice had a hint of anger and frustration, something Finn didn’t seem to notice. “Why were you looking for me?”

“I saw that you were gone and I was worried,” he said, once again looking at Clarke like she was vital to his existence.

“I can take care of myself. I don’t need you to protect me.” His face fell a bit and Lexa smirked. “Stop treating me like I’m a child. Go back to camp, Finn.”

Finn looked broken. “I just want to make sure you’re okay.”

“Yeah, well, I don’t need you to,” she snapped. “Leave.”

“I can’t leave you out here by yourself!”

Clarke groaned. “Fine. I’ll come back with you. Don’t do this again,” she warned. Finn nodded, happy Clarke had accepted his ‘help.’ Clarke sent an apologetic look to Lexa, mouthing ‘sorry’ before Finn took her wrist and dragged her away.

Lexa could feel herself seething. How dare that insolent boy treat Clarke like she was some branwada goufa who needed a caretaker. It was blatant disrespect, and Lexa had to restrain the urge to knock him in the head to see if it would put some sense into his brain.

Lexa began her return to her own camp, pondering over what it was about the skai girl that made her feel such emotions.

Chapters 1-5 up on ao3 here.

First chapter on Tumblr here.

[thisweekingundamwing]

TWIGW RoundUp (April 28 - May 4)

Here's your roundup from this week’s contributors. Check out their stuff and show them some love!💚💙💜💗

This fandom is 50 times bigger than I thought, and that’s a great thing. Nothing but the latest under the cut. Enjoy!

~Mod TB

Fanfiction:

ammiehawk, Rescue Me (Ch. 2)

Rated T. Harry x Wufei (M/M). Preventers. 

Creator chose not to archive warnings.

Harry Potter x Gundam Wing crossover.

Starring Harry Potter, Wufei Chang, Heero Yuy, Quatre Raberba Winner, Severus Snape, Lady Une, Trowa Barton and Duo Maxwell.

Mention of Regulus Black and family ties.

@bobo-is-tha-bomb, Burn to a Cinder (Ch. 5)

Rated M. Zechs x Reader, Treize x Reader. (F/M)

Warnings: Adult Situations, Angst, Coarse Language, Death, Emotional Abuse, Mild Adult Situations, Mild Violence, Sexual dialogue, Sexual Situations, Violence

Characters: You (Reader), Zechs Merquise, Treize Khushrenada

Summary: Your path had been laid out for you from an early age, allowing you to move into the higher circles of society and catch the attention of one of the most powerful men in the Earth Sphere. As Treize’s mistress, you watch his rise to power and the disastrous war breaking out on Earth and in Space, putting your loyalty to the test. You are torn between your duty to His Excellency, and your unquellable lust for one of the top soldiers under his command. And when he rises to power in Outer Space, there is nothing you can do but stand back and watch them tear each other apart. This is no game of hearts, but yours is at stake, and the consequences can be felt for years to come…

@doctormegalomania, Eldritch Holiday (Creature of the Night) (Ch. 18)

Rated E. Heero x Duo, Trowa x Quatre, Wufei x OC. (F/M, M/M) 

Creator chose not to archive warnings.

Additional Tags: Horror, Body Horror, Occult, Comedy, Eventual Romance, Post-Break Up

Characters: Heero Yuy, Duo Maxwell, Trowa Barton, Quatre Raberba Winner and Wufei Chang.

Summary: Heero is always prepared. Wufei gets a message.

@from-zero-to-my-own-heero, John’s Widow

Rated M. Post-canon. Relena x Heero, Duo x OC (M/M, F/M, Multi). 

Creator chose not to archive warnings.

Additional Tags: Somewhat Graphic Violence, Blood and Violence, Original Character Death, Near Death Experiences, Angst and Feels, Everything Hurts, Everything goes wrong, Heero and Duo can be romantic in their own way. The Author Regrets Everything.

Part 1 of Operation: Parenting series

Characters: Relena Peacecraft, Heero Yuy, Duo Maxwell and Original Character.

Summary: Team Bravo was supposed to have Team Alpha's six o'clock. Unfortunately Team Bravo didn't come, and the enemy decided on an ambush. Heero's quick thinking managed to spare just one of his fellow agents, while putting his own life in danger. When they manage to wake up alive, albeit severely injured, in a hospital, Heero has to grapple with the lives lost and, as their commanding officer, inform their families about what happened, all while grappling with his own feelings about how he nearly put his Partner in All Things, his wife, and unborn child in the same position.

kracken, Black Dog Blues (Ch. 4)

Not Rated. Duo x Heero. (M/M) 

Creator chose not to archive warnings.

Characters: Duo Maxwell, Heero Guy, Heero Yuy (politician), Zechs Merquise, Quatre Raberba Winner, Wufei Chang, and Trowa Barton.

Additional Tags: Yaoi

Summary: Duo is a troubled detective who solves cases with the help of visions of the supernatural. Unfortunately, those visions are driving him slowly insane. Can his new partner Heero Yuy save his soul and his sanity?

@ladyunebarton, The Fundamentals of Caring. (Ch. 8)

Rated M. Heero x Duo (M/M) 

No archive warnings apply.

Characters: Heero Yuy, Duo Maxwell, Wufei Chang, Trowa Barton, Quatre Raberba Winner, Relena Peacecraft and OC.

Additional Tags: Hurt/comfort, Fluff, Parenting, Adoption, Children, Childhood memories, Friends to lovers, Slow burn, First time.

Summary: After a fire on an Orphanage left three kids without a home. Heero and Duo decide to take them into their own for the meantime. But this decision will make them reconsider where they are and what they want from life.

@lemontrash, The Result

Duo x Hilde

Duo can't stay separated from their baby for longer than five minutes. Also starring Heero Yuy and Trowa Barton.

Inspired by @gundayum 

Muses: @noirangetrois @lbro009 @angelsmystique @offspringchick29 @woahthisguy @doctormegalomania 

luvsanime02, Expectations

Rated G. Wufei x Relena x Hilde. (Multi). AU. Written for Cocktail Friday. 

No archive warnings apply.

Eighth installment of, Never, Maybe, Sometimes, Always.

Characters: Wufei Chang, Relena Peacecraft and Hilde Schbeiker

Additional Tags: Family drama, Mild language and Humor.

Summary: Wufei's not sure what to expect from today, but he knows that, whatever happens, they'll still be fine.

Confession

Rated G. AU. (Gen). Written for Cocktail Friday. 

No archive warnings apply.

Characters: Sally Po and Lucrezia Noin.

Additional Tags: Mild language, Friendship, and Light angst.

Summary: Sally gives Noin some advice, and some wine.

sageof6way, The Gundam Pilot (Ch. 5)

Rated T. Gundam Wing x Naruto crossover. Catherine Bloom x Naruto, past Naruto x Hinata. (F/M) Also starring Relena Peacecraft.

Summary: Naruto was mortally injured in his fight with Madara. The alliance decided to seal him for him to recover. The year is After Colony 194 Naruto takes on the name Darlian and fight OZ.

Shirakaba, Hall of Cranes (Ch. 8)

Rated M. Trowa x Quatre, Wufei x Duo. (M/M) AU.

No archive warnings apply.

Additional Tags: Palace drama.

Characters: Wufei Chang, Trowa Barton, Duo Maxwell

Summary: In which we find out what happened to Duo while he was in palace jail.

Skarla, Send in the Clowns (Ch. 3)

Rated G. The Avengers x Gundam Wing crossover. Parallel Universe. Post-CATWS. Written for a fan (birthday present). 

No archive warnings apply.

Starring Clint Barton, Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson, Jane Foster, Darcy Lewis, Duo Maxwell, and Trowa Barton

Summary: Clint Barton had a secret, one that he had been carrying for so long that it didn’t even really seem like a secret anymore. It was just another thing in the long list of things that he didn’t talk about, along with his time in Korea or that mission in Budapest. The trouble was, now that Shield was in tatters with every third agent loyal to Hydra and being hunted like the rats that they were, his helpful support system had evaporated along with his second favourite bow and his salary.

tb_ll57, Whiten Out (Ch. 37)

Rated E. Treize x Zechs, Treize x Duo, Zechs x Duo, Zechs x Heero, Quatre x Trowa, Duo x Heero (M/M) AU. Preventers.

Archive Warnings: Major Character Death, Rape/Non-con

Characters: Duo Maxwell, Heero Yuy, Quatre Raberba Winner, Trowa Barton, Treize Khushrenada, Zechs Merquise, Leia Barton, Mariemaia Khushrenada and Relena Peacecraft

Additional Tags: Future fic, Politics, Rape/Non-con elements, Implied/Referenced Rape/Non-con, Coercion, Prisoner of war, Grooming, Forced separation, Established relationship, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Mental health issues, PTSD, Gundams, Resistance, Angst, Eventual happy ending

Summary: Zechs Merquise never left OZ to become the leader of White Fang. The Gundam Pilots never banded together at Libra to emerge victorious. Treize Khushrenada never died. There is peace-- of a kind-- but how will a new world order shape itself?

TrenchcoatMan, The Heir of House Black (Ch. 35)

Rated T. Contains family and friendship. Trowa x Quatre (mild shonen-ai warning). Also starring Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy. (Harry Potter x Gundam Wing crossover)

Summary: Harry attends Sirius's will reading and learns that there was more to the black family than anyone expected.

@tumbledrylemur, Killdeer

Rated G. Wufei x Duo. (M/M) Written for 2x5x2 Day. Preventers. 

No archive warnings apply.

Additional Tags: Fluff, Bureaucracy.

Summary: Duo can't unleash Deathscythe on Preventers bureaucracy but he can leave the parking lot a little better than he found it.

@wingslanding, Perfect 

Rated M. Heero x Relena. (F/M) 

Creator chose not to archive warnings.

@ziggystarsandmars, Salt (Complete - 8 Chapters)

Rated M. Wufei x Duo, Heero x Relena. Wufei’s POV. (M/M)

No archive warnings apply.

Additional Tags: Unhealthy relationships, Post War trauma, Suicidal thoughts, Explicit language, Sex, Bad decisions, No EW, Minor/Background relationships, Post-War

Everyone is broken, but maybe trying to get better?

Characters: Wufei Chang, Duo Maxwell, Heero Yuy, Trowa Barton, Relena Peacecraft

2nd installment of Chemical Reactions

Summary: Three months after the events of Like Oxygen, Duo shows up on Wufei's doorstep. As familiar, dangerous patterns assert themselves, Wufei's left wondering if there is, or could be, anything between them beyond self-destructive desire.

((Mod’s note: Promoting this fanfic again because May 2nd was 2x5x2 Day. So if you’ve missed out on the celebration, don’t fret. Check out this fic!))

Fanart: 

@babygray-dam, Rough Sketch

Duo Maxwell. Line work, coloured.

@bluesquishylemon, Title: GW Colors 3 of 3 - Quatre Winner

Source: Gundam Wing; character Quatre Winner

Media: Marker on 11x14 Bristol; January 6, 2012

Please do not repost nor remove artist credit.

ChaoticAngelKitten, Kaito Barton - Cheetah Wolf Hawk Form

OC (Kaito Barton). Interesting mentions of Dorothy x Trowa, and the pilots. Based on an upcoming fanfic project.

Please do not remove artist credit.

Carol-aredesu, Join the braid troop

Starring Duo Maxwell and three more characters.

Please do not remove artist credit.

@cosycrow, Wufei Chang

Just a sketch.

@deathscythe-demiguy, Trowa x Quatre

^ Just a quick painting of cute.

Heero Yuy striptease (Rated E)

Duo Maxwell, with his scythe. Painted on iPad.

@gundayum, “Dude, you alright?”

Duo cries over a newborn baby. Duo x Hilde.

Bend it like Trowa (Rated M)

Ishida1694, Sparking Gundam

An interesting mix of Shenlong (Gundam Wing) and Shining (Mobile Fighter). Check out this Gundam's specialties!

Please do not remove artist credit.

@sobachalatte (via Twitter)

Just in time for 2x5x2 Day!

Wufei and Duo in Preventers uniform.

Forwarded by @lemontrash 

Rough translation: “Today is the day without acid! ! Moth Even if you forgot about your work, you may not get drunk but ...”

Please do not remove artist credit.

Yuuma Kamibata, C94新刊Realize表紙

Forwarded by @animethingsandstuff.

Permission to upload was given by the artist. Please do not remove credit.

Duo in a spacesuit, sipping his drink.

Photosets/Screenshots: 

@christianmswanson, Wing Zero

Posed a question about the Gundam's feet.

@clair-audients, Trowa Barton

In his spacesuit.

“My heart’s been completely void of feelings for a long time.”

@disturbed02girl, Heero Yuy operating a mobile suit.

Taken from Glory of the Losers.

“Sorry, but I'm used to fighting myself.”

@moonlightsdreaming, Endless Favorite Manga

A nice shot of Relena Peacecraft. Taken from Glory of the Losers.

More GoL shots, featuring the Gundam pilots, Sally Po, Lucrezia Noin and Hilde Schbeiker.

Photo Prompts/Prompts: 

Rambo x My Little Pony crossover.

Idea/prompt by @elfbingo

Photo manipulation by @incorrectgundamwingquotes

Starring Quatre Raberba Winner.

@gundayum, Doodle Comic

Inspired by @incorrectgundamwingquotes

Muses: @gwkimmy @deejayers @noirangetrois

Chats/Dialogs/Discussions:

@lemontrash, Share a Ship; Pitch a Pairing

Fandom chat about “selling a ship” to prospective fans. Think of it as a marketing strategy.

Brief mention of 2x5, Wufei x Hilde, and Winterhawk (Marvel fans are familiar with that one).

Mod's note: I'll participate in this thread later. The questions are very engaging. I'd encourage others to take part of they’re interested.

Participants: @seitou

Reply to Anon

A remarkable response to a question about faux English, colonies and Japanese.

@terrablaze514, Throwback-post-1

Villains debate

Mention of crack pairing

Participants: @noelleian, @softnocturne

Throwback-post-2

What we'd like to see if the series were redone.

@softnocturne

Quotes: 

@incorrectgundamwingquotes

Trowa and Heero

Relena gets pulled over

Noin and the Gundam pilots

Heero and Relena

Quatre and Duo

He Willingly Suffers For Fashion (Quatre, Duo and Trowa)

Rich Circles (Duo and Quatre)

Duo, recovering and high on pain meds

Wufei and Quatre 

Catherine and the Circus Owner

Tea versus Coffee (Trowa and Wufei)

On a mission… (Duo, Heero and Trowa)

Problem-solving techniques (Gundam pilots)

Rulers (Wufei and Sally)

Stop leaving the kitchen unsupervised! (Wufei, Duo and Heero)

When Autocorrect ruins things… (Duo and Heero)

Duo and Hilde

Heero and Zechs ((Mod’s note: This reminds me of a funny scene from TeamFourStar's DBZ Abridged.))

Poor Wufei!

Frustrated Heero, 1xR, 3x4x3

Wedding dresses (Noin and Sally)

Undivided attention (Wufei and Trowa)

Call it (Zechs and Heero)

Truth or Dare? (Duo and Wufei)

Duo’s complaint 

Duo likes food? (Zechs + Quatre and Wufei)

@lemontrash 

@gundaaamn

If half of 5 is 2.5... (Heero, Duo and Quatre)

Mistakes (Heero Yuy)

Smile (3x4x3)

A Favor (1x2 (+3))

MoodBoards/Aesthetics: 

@kujo1the 

A kawaii pic of Quatre with Sandrock's swords. (via Twitter)

@Iamkingdomhearts1000 

Heero Yuy is in the Top 20! (via DA)

Calendar Events: 

Cocktail Friday Announcement, @gwcocktailfriday 

Post responses on Friday, May 10th, between 3 & 5 pm in your own timezone. Don’t forget to @ us!

“Rhythm Generation” goes LIVE! @acworldbuildingzine 

The RHYTHM GENERATION After Colony worldbuilding zine is out!!!  To receive your FREE PDF copy, ping @acworldbuildingzine and/or @lifeaftermeteor 

Special thanks to our zine contributors: @amyole, @angelsmystique, @burningwreckage, Cirno Avery, @clair-audients, @fadedsepiascribbles, @from-zero-to-my-own-heero, @greenriderglen, @incorrectgundamwingquotes, @lemontrash, @lifeaftermeteor, @noirangetrois, @offspringchick29, @seitou, @spelon-berry, and @terrablaze514. Without your efforts and dedication, this wouldn't be possible - but you did it! Treat yourselves to something special.♥️

@gundam-wing-bingo, Trope/Kink Masterlist

Our Master List is at 100! The questionnaire for choosing your cards will be completed before long, and then we’ll get these prompt shindigs going!

You can see some card examples here. Note however, that they are NOT entirely correct.

Theme Selection (Mini Bang) @thisweekingundamevents 

It seems we have a winner! The theme for our soon-to-be Mini Bang will be Unorthodox Undercover Work!

Mini Bang Dates (poll) < Please cast your vote if you haven't done so already. (Google Form included)

Mini Bang Rules

Animated Music Videos:

Quatre Raberba Winner, My Love by @clore1411

        * Via AdminRen on this Gundam Wing Facebook group.

Headcanons:

Gundam Pilots as Aliens by @seitoushin

Duo is the Duolingo owl by @theresareasonforthiswritingblog

Refer to the tags.

GW Characters as Animals 

Pet Names 

The Gundam Boys Go To Therapy 

Memes (hehehe!):

No one vs author by @janaverse 

Children yelling, “McDonald's!” by @gundaaamn

Quatre as Ralph Wiggum from The Simpsons 

Gunpla:

@christianmswanson, Wing Zero

Brass cooperates

Brass attempt #2

Progress report

@hcgunpla, Velcro patches 

Etsy shop with embroidery is now open!

Podcasts

@lemontrash

Radio Meteor - Chapter 6 - Odamaki 

The transcripts for Radio Meteor episodes 6 and 7 by the smooth and savvy @noirangetrois are now up and live on AO3, and the radio meteor website in due course. Go check em out!!

Episode 12 - Bewildered Warriors - Radio Meteor 

A podcast on Anchor. Check it out!

Masterlists:

@terrablaze514 - GW Masterlist Page 

@theresareasonforthiswritingblog - GW Writing Collection 

[aceofwands]

For all my Trek nerds who also enjoy Marvel - and for all the Marvel fans who enjoy crossovers - I’m finally posting the main story in my epic Star Trek / Avengers crossover anthology. It features Marvel characters in the classic Star Trek universe, but I’ve tried to make it as friendly as possible for those unfamiliar with Star Trek!

This was the epic Steve/Tony romance about Steve being flung into the future that I wanted to write all the way back in 2014, with about 99% more PTSD and Tony dealing with trauma than I would have expected back then.

Set in the backdrop of the Dominion War, with a heap of cameos from other Marvel characters, it’s really all about Joined Trill Tony Stark trying to come to terms with his trauma while navigating a war and a relationship with Steve.

This is just the teaser, but the rest is written, I’m just editing each chapter before I post - I’ll probably do another one of these when it’s finished, but I thought if this extremely niche fic appealed to anyone else it was worth sharing so you can subscribe and be updated when each new chapter is out!

Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Trek, The Avengers (Marvel Movies), Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Steve Rogers/Tony Stark, Steve Rogers & Tony Stark, Pepper Potts & Tony Stark, Carol Danvers & Tony Stark Characters: Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, Pepper Potts, Carol Danvers, Nick Fury, James "Rhodey" Rhodes Additional Tags: Crossover, Alternate Universe - Star Trek Fusion, Avengers Trek AU, Star Trek References, Dominion War (Star Trek), Trills, The Borg, Star Trek Context Notes Provided, Can be read standalone, Tony Stark-centric, Tony Stark Has Issues, Tony Stark Needs a Hug, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, Healing from trauma, Hallucinations Series: Part 5 of Avengers Trek Anthology Summary:

“What exactly are we looking at?” Pepper asked, “For those of us who don’t speak science.” “Right, sorry. What you’re looking at are the readings from a very, very specific type of radiation – a unique combination of chroniton particles and metreon radiation that has only ever been found in one location in the Federation in the last century,” Tony explained. “Wait, chroniton particles and metreon radiation?” Lieutenant Pym asked, dragging his eyes away from the projected data to frown at Tony. “You can’t possibly mean-?” “These readings are an exact match to those found at the site of the disappearance of an Orion Interceptor from the Koralis system in 2280,” Tony confirmed. “I’m sorry, you’ve lost me,” their chief medical officer, Doctor Strange, spoke up, not sounding pleased at having been woken up for this. “What has an Orion Interceptor that disappeared almost a century ago got to do with anything?” “That Orion Interceptor,” Tony explained, raising his voice slightly and staring Strange down, “Was being piloted by Captain Steven Rogers of the USS America.” He lifted his chin slightly and folded his arms. “And I’ve spent three lifetimes trying to determine what happened to it.”

[themangaguide]

It is delivered perfectly

An amusing and wonderful story:

My initial experience with this is manga online. Watching it as my individual preferred tags of wit, university life as well as love, as well as one of one of the most popular types, I chose I 'd offer a whirl to it. Prior to finishing to visit remainder promptly connected, I find out about 50 sections. Nonetheless, following, I had actually been stalled with so on as well as job to continuing it and also I never got around. I continued in regards to a 4-month break as well as did not have celebration for anime or manga during that time. However, lately summertime as well as the stars prepared started and that I had time to consider. Story: 7 The account is not distinctive, or might it be a masterpiece. However, it's its values. The college romcom genre has already been even more successful, which isnot the really very first time that people've noticed one combined with abnormal. Additionally, it is not the extremely very first time that individuals've seen an anime. As well as also the figures within the harem (my estimation, others believe that hareem is not correct) are not one of the most distinct both. However I will certainly reach that. The tale, with data from the first event and additionally the name, is focused around our character, the overdue of the college, Yamada Ryu. To Shiraishi Urara, whom I consider the women character, we're additionally introduced upon his launch. Unlike Yamada, that's a fierce delinquent, Shiraishi could be described as the best pupil: academic calm, and also appealing. Basically, they're opposites. The item occurs when the steps walks up as well as forces Shiraishi apart. They both trip although doing this and drop the steps down. Yamada gets up within the infirmary, simply to comprehend that he's today in Shiraishi's body in the location of their very own after blacking out. As time passes, they comprehend that switching systems is completed through a hug. On the basis of the name, we have the ability to suppose there are each using their own power, 7 witches. The power within the tale is not the piece itself, nonetheless its shipment. It is absolutely nothing we' venot seen as the piece is certainly interesting. Nonetheless, just exactly how it's carried out is what sets it apart. The anime does rule out itself incredibly seriously. When it ought to be a humor it recognizes, additionally it comprehends when to be constantly a more severe, great thriller tale. General, the piece is interesting and it is delivered perfectly, however isn't any kind of masterpiece.

Art: 8 In drawing builder manga manga-style numbers, today I mess around a little, yet I am no judge of great artwork. However, in fact I will tell this line looks terrific. the tones are usually lively, as well as additionally most of the skills are well-drawn and also pop-out. However this artwork rating's main factor may be the identity style. The figures therefore are merely divided from each other as well as are produced exclusively. All of the numbers are made in methods that makes them hard to fail to remember, plus they are distinct in the various other students to indicate their importance in the direction of the history.

Noise: 7 For the component, the soundtrack was for me personally. I' dnot leave my technique to take notice of it, although I' dnot mind hearing the soundtrack while viewing. Which implies you could think that noise will certainly be a little bit lower, and actually, I would certainly place it around 6 or 5. Nevertheless, ED and the OP are unbelievably attractive, along with at 7 alone, I put audio for these.

People: 7 The figures are not precisely unique when I specified in the past. You have the tsundere the loli and so on for the part, they sustain some sort of growth and are quite likeable. The enhancement takes place much more promptly as well as periodically seems awkward and also pressed given that the sequence is lowered right into 12 strikes. The single two witches that I think obtain any sort of improvement that is significant are Odagiri Nene as well as Shiraishi Urara, who's independently my personal favorite of the whole lot. For that rest, their factors are generally described with a single-point, that is often just offered as opposed to explained. As a result, the numbers are pleasurable, yet typically lack level past that a person degree.

Contentment: 9 I do not function as the best doubter, as well as you will discover values for this anime. Although you'll locate issues, if you do not believe a great deal of while watching and also continue in using the appropriate goals, you will emerge possibly delighted and also satisfied. The closing solves all of the issues, although that I actually might really watch it showing up a distance away. Favorable, it is adage and expected, however there's lots of satisfaction readily available here. Choose what it's: abnormal romcom having a dropping of account, a delightful. You'll probably wind up unhappy ought to you anticipate a lot more from this.

Total: 8 Yamada-Kun to 7-nin no Majo had me giggling occasionally and was an enjoyable sight. It had been an excellent knowledge, which I could happily specify that it's possibly worth your very own time. However, lots of display screens are not, although it is no work of art. It places rather highly among my watched anime, despite the fact that I'venot viewed that lots of lately. After that this is not for you if you call for a hefty, plot-driven crisis. If you desire a jolly romcom with great aspects, take a look at Yamada-kun to 7-nin no Majo. You will certainly not be let down. I highly recommend it to anyone that such as anime manga. Other details can be accessed at https://741815.site123.me/blog/the-majority-are-normally

[readerescape]

Obsidio (The Illuminae Files) Book Review

For starters, this will NOT be a spoiler free review. Just a warning, proceed at your own risk...

I started reading this series at the end of last year and I really wasn’t sure I was even going to like it. I didn’t, I freaking loved every moment of it. Though this is a review of the last book I will probably just go on and on about how I loved the story as a whole. Also its long...but I had a lot to say. 

CHARACTERS

Despite the incredible format and plot the best part of these books for me was the characters we follow throughout the story. It begins with Kady Grant and Ezra Mason and through every book this family gets bigger and better. I was really impressed with Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff with Obsidio. It can’t be easy to introduce two new characters, one we all thought was dead and the other a completely new addition to the group we all love so well at this point but they did it spectacularly. Even 50 pages in I was already invested in Asha and Rhys’ storyline and I was absolutely devastated when he “betrayed” her towards the climax of the book. (Full confession Kristoff and Kaufman get me every time with their plot twists and I love it every. single. time.) I was also surprised at how emotionally invested in the character of AIDAN I had gotten so much so that I actually cried when he flew the Churchill into the Kenyatta and died. I was so impressed with the arc of a the character and the frankly striking dialogue. Standing ovation for the authors on this one. Though he may be a monstrous mass-murdering AI system, he’s OUR monstrous mass-murdering AI system. I could talk for days about Kady, Ezra, Nik, Hanna, Ella and the rest, I think I’ll leave it there for now. 

PLOT

Obviously this particular book was the ending of the trilogy and those can be somewhat tricky to do, I thought the plot of this book was just as insane and complex as the other two books in the series, in the best of ways. There were a number of insane plot twists that had me all but ripping my hair out (in enjoyment of course). I could only hope that the “betrayal” of Rhys was a set up (though I was very worried for a really long time about that one) and that Ezra and Nik found a miraculous escape from death...again. Kristoff and Kaufman once again kept me on the edge of my seat and I loved every minute of this insane ride. 

FORMAT

This series was so incredibly unique in its format and I loved it for that. The format was such a risk and it paid off beautifully. Each book stepped up the format more and more and I particularly loved the “comic section” of this book. This most touching moment for me, however was at the very end of the book. The formatting of the final scene as a “regular book” format was poignant and touching on every level. I was so happy they included that section. 

CRITICISMS

I do have a hard time criticising any aspect of this book. The one thing that I wasn’t sure about was the lack of a hard hitting death at the end of the book. With such high stakes it feels like the book was missing a hard-hitting death (of central characters, unless you’re counting AIDAN which hit me pretty hard) but if I’m totally honest I was happy to see our rag-tag team of heroes come out on top and move forward with their lives. 

TOTAL RATING

5/5 Stars! I highly recommend this book! 

[exile-wrath]

Dude do you have any kingsman fic recs because I’m Desperate and don’t know where to start

HELLO DID YOU SAY KINGSMAN RECS BECAUSE I AM HERE. THESE ARE MY ABSOLUTE TOP SIX

1)Lagavulin and Guinness by Snarfle || Rated E, 163.5k

Plenty of people had looked down on Eggsy throughout his life. He had gotten fairly used to it. Didn't mean it was fair, but he knew how these things worked. What really sucked was that the new Arthur was worse than the old one.

“Eggsy grimaced. He didn’t know how to explain to Harry – who seemed like he hadn’t been discriminated against a day in his life – that the new Arthur kept giving him what amounted to suicide missions, and that he was currently bleeding out in a warehouse because of the deliberately bad intel she had given him.”

Also featuring: Dean is harder to get rid of than Eggsy thought, his mum is going off the deep end, there are way too many nefarious plots in play, and Eggsy is really beginning to wish that Harry would stop holding his hand and kiss him instead.

*takes a deep breath*

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA I LOVE THIS ONE SO MUCH THE PLOT BUILDUP AND EVERYONE’S CHARACTERIZATIONS AND A REALLY NEAT LOOK AT HOW KINGSMAN RUNS. My heart freaking broke for Eggsy a couple times, and most fics that are past V-day show that all is well, kind of, but this one doesn’t go that route. Eggsy struggles, the author gives us wonderful development and fight scenes, the writing is fuckin aces, and Harry’s characterization really gets me here. Merlin and Roxy are wonderful, but Eggsy is naturally the star of the show and honestly I did find myself crying at some points because of how goddamn hard he has to fight. 

I love it. read it. if you can only read 1 kingsman fic in your life MAKE IT THIS ONE

2)Care and Custody by esama || Rated T, 50.4k 

Eggsy takes out the medal in slightly worse circumstances, asking for a miracle.

I love, like, almost everything esama writes tbh

Anyway this one is great because everyone’s characterizations are on POINT, I really like how they executed a fix-it to the events in the movie while making it super natural and not contrived. Everyone goes a little different route than they do in the movie, and the result is just glorious. Also I’m pretty sure I said that the characterizations are on point but guuuh they’re just so lovely we get a lot of Eggsy and Daisy interaction in this it’s so sweet and thtis is super heartwarming and I’ve read it like five times I’m pretty sure. It’s just all-around feel-good but it never gets to the point of being disgustingly fluffy.

It’s the #1 kudosed fic in the kingsman ao3 tag for a reason

also 100000% suggest looking at all of esama’s other kingsman works.

3)all the tables turn by DivineProjectZero || Rated E, 23.7k

Harry Hart has terrible taste in men.

So it comes as a bit of a surprise when Eggsy smiles at him and the predator inside Harry cocks its head in consideration.

Honestly dude everything by DivineProjectZero is also a go. 

This fic in particular is a really nice look at what goes on in Harry’s head, especially re: things like his love life. Something I find really fascinating is the muli\tiple takes on his character that the fandom has, and I especially adore this one. I’ve read it at least three times, and I enjoy Harry’s slow slow descent into realizing what he and Eggsy has every damn time. 

4) We mustn't touch what isn't ours by inusagi

Harry Hart is a sociopath, yes, but he's a sociopath who loves Eggsy.

or

5 times Harry showed his true colours and 1 time Eggsy really sees it.

I take an inappropriate amount of glee in this fic series because it’s both hilarious and somewhat fits Harry’s character. It’s also fucked up at points, but the relationship between Harry and Eggsy is never not lovely and honestly I was mad cackling at some parts. 

*looks at the parachute* :3c you’ll know what I mean, if our tastes run similar

5) who got the keys to my bimmer by hartwinning 

"What's the difference between a BMW and a porcupine?"

Harry gives him a slightly bewildered look and furrows his brow.

"A porcupine has the pricks on the outside," Eggsy finishes.

~

AU: Eggsy is a mechanic working in a garage owned by Dean.

Harry Hart is Galahad, Dean is forever an asshole, and Lee Unwin and his death have no connection to Kingsman. In terms of setting, the Lancelot trials are over (Roxy won the spot) but the Valentine investigation is ongoing.

I!!!! REALLY REALLY LIKE THIS!!! I know fucking nothing about cars but the fic doesn’t alienate you from reading if you don’t. Harry’s character in this leans slightly more towards comedic; in general this fic is a really nice comedy with the background of plotty kingsman things. Eggsy is a mechanic that isn’t part of Kingsman but somehow ends up running into it anyway, John Wick appears, Harry is lovestruck and it’s hilarious and this is just A++++++

6) a long succession of small mutations by brilligspoons || Rated T, 3.4k

As it stands, they've become each other's support systems, which in their case ultimately means they have no secrets from each other, and also they spend an inordinate amount of time getting drunk together when they're in London and off-duty. Possibly it means other things as well, but Roxy likes to spread out her world-shattering personal revelations over a longer period of time, thank you very much.

And yet—well.

"You, Eggsy Unwin," she hears herself saying in a pub one night, her voice gin-soaked and coming out lopsided, "are my best friend."

I really love this because Roxy and Eggsy’s relationship is something I highly appreciate  in the movie they’re not shown in a romantic light even ONCE and that’s really important to me. They’re the best of best mates and this fic goes into that. It’s short, but it’s an absolutely wonderful read. 

If you want more, I have 99 kingsman bookmarks and they’re all here, ENJOY