#But it actually took her quite some time to ACTUALLY actually trust him yanno?

[hi-i-just]

Zack is so fun as a character bc when it comes to his relationships, whether the nature is romantic or platonic it still works. The chemistry is so fire, the feelings of love and care are sincere. Zack loves the people in his life, the people loves him back. Whether they're similar to him in personality or complete opposites — it still hits off. Zack and Aerith? The OG, first love forreal. Zack and Cloud? The loyalty, the dedication. Zack and Cissnei? Genuine appreciation and trust. Zack and Sephiroth? Treated each other like actual people. Zack and Tseng? The extra mile, the exception. You genuinely can't lose when it comes to shipping with this guy

[francixoxoxo]

BILLY THE KID BASED OFF OF TAYLOR SWIFTS SONG ‘you belong with me’

Like he doesnt realize readers feelings for him because maybe hes caught up with some horrible girl but then ends up with reader after reader silently pining for forever 💕💕

You belong with me⋆.˚𖥔

Billy the Kid x fem!reader

desc; Billy mistakes infatuation for love, choosing another woman over you. You try to keep your feelings for him stifled, as you always have. But you can’t just stand by and watch him be played.

𝐈’𝐯𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐬𝐰𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐢 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐱𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨 𝐨𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐢 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞! 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐢 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐗𝐨𝐱𝐨

You loved Billy since you could remember.

Even when you first met him, shooting empty bottles off a fence, you found him handsome. Though you watched from afar, sitting in the crook of your claimed oak tree, you could see the practiced skill in his movements. He wasn’t doing anything fancy, wasn’t showing off. Just a young man practicing his aim.

The second day he came to that field, dotted with daisies and wildflowers, he noticed you and Introduced himself. Struck up conversation with the pretty girl up in the tree, reading away. Wasn’t long until he spent more time talking with you than shooting, wasn’t long at all until you knew everything about him and he knew everything about you in turn. A few months until attraction turned into love.

Billy trusted you with information he wouldn’t even tell Jesse, that later on he wouldn’t even tell Charlie or the Regulators. Information he would’ve taken to the grave, had you not come along. And you told him things you never dreamed somebody would lend their ears to. You never loved someone like you loved Billy. You held out hope that he loved you the same. Held out hope for many, many months that as the seasons changed, so would his feelings.

Your hopes were shot when Billy came to the field, full of glee as he sat down beside you against that old oak tree. “What’s got you smiling so hard?” You furrowed your brows, smiling at him. You hadn’t seen him in at least a week. “Where’ve you been?”

“Met a girl.” Billy couldn’t keep his joy to himself. He took off his hat, putting it behind his head as he leaned against the tree and sighing like a wistful teenage girl. You felt anything but euphoric. Your stomach sank to your knees, quite frankly. “She’s great, just great. You’d love ‘er, yanno. I— well, I think I love ‘er.”

You felt like throwing up. Truly sick to the stomach, not even trying to put on a smile. “Love her.” You repeated. He nodded, eyes wide as saucers. He was serious as death, wasn’t he? Oh, God. “How long have you— Who’s ‘her’?” You traded the first question for the most important in your spinning mind.

“Joan.” Billy said the name like it had been the only one he remembered how to say. You swallowed hard.

“Joan Black.” You breathed. You knew her. Your fathers were good friends, actually. She was a sweet girl. Beautiful, too. Oh, you really felt ill at the way he beamed and nodded. “That’s nice.”

It was not nice. Billy’d known her for a week, you found out after you circled back. Walked her home from the market when he saw she had three bags to carry all on her own. One week. One week, and he said he loved her? You felt like something had been torn from deep within you before you could truly appreciate it. Well. You couldn’t be upset, could you?

He wasn’t yours to begin with. So you bit your tongue to stifle a scream, to muffle a good telling-off about the difference between puppy-love infatuation and true, deep love. You sat through excruciating stories and ramblings about Joan for weeks. Painfully sweet descriptions of her dark hair, her gentleness, her apparently expansive knowledge of just about everything. You tried to brush off obvious red flags, because you didn’t want to seem jealous. Which you shouldn’t be.

Because he wasn’t yours to begin with.

What hurt most was that Joan seemed to be a good girl. You couldn’t blame Billy for finding her attractive, both in looks and personality. You tended to beat yourself up over that, until Joan and her father called on your father. It had been maybe two weeks since Billy broke the news to you. While the men talked in the sitting room over a bottle of whiskey, you had the chance to chat with Joan. You let her sit in your favorite rocking chair on the porch, trying to keep from glaring at her, from judging every hair on her head.

You’d never been so jealous. It was vile, the way you thought of her! She was just another girl who’d fallen head over heels for Billy, wasn’t she? You two should’ve gotten along. You opted to bond over him. “I heard ‘bout you and Billy. How’s that going?” The words were like bile on your tongue despite your sugary tone.

Joan shrugged, fixing her dark curls over her shoulder and smiling knowingly. “He’s all-right.” You couldn’t help furrowing your brows.

“Just all-right?”

“Well. He’s like a puppy dog, s’ almost annoyin’.” She rolled her eyes, smirking in good fun. As if this was just girl talk. You felt your stomach wrap itself into tangles. All you managed was a meek, “Oh.”

But she continued over your lame response, “I’m kinda twixt men right now, yanno? There’s Billy, sure… But you know David Peña? The ranchers son?”

It took you a moment to collect yourself enough to speak. What the Hell? Joan had a man like Billy, and she couldn’t accept just that? She just had to have it all, didn’t she? Oh, your blood was bubbling over, you wouldn’t be surprised if you looked down to find your dress stained crimson. “Yeah.” Joan looked at you expectantly, as if she wanted more of a response, so you shifted uncomfortably and nodded. “Peña’s handsome.” You really had to swallow down the bile in your throat to say, “I don’t blame you for wanting both.”

You absolutely did blame her. Billy being taken hurt you, but if you couldn’t have him then you’d atleast want it to be a woman who’d treat him right. You’d at least want to be able to admit that she was better than you. Joan smiled appreciatively, going on to talk about something you couldn’t care less about.

All you could feel was a strange.. satisfaction. It was selfish. So, so unbelievably selfish of you. But this meant that you hadn’t been bested. Joan wasn’t the better woman for Billy, not even close. It meant that you may have a chance.

Your hopes soared as you met Billy at the oak tree again. You weren’t sure how to break it to him, and suddenly, when you were looking into his eyes, you felt awful. How could you have been happy? Joan’s infidelity would crush his heart. What was a chance at being Billy’s girl when he’d be heartbroken?

Atleast, you felt bad until you finally got the words past your lips, and he looked at you like you were the devil. His jaw ticked, his eyes harshening as he stood up and told you, “Joan’d never. Don’t you say that about her, goin’ ‘round spreadin’ rumors ‘bout my girl.”

You’d been furious. But you swallowed it down along with every other emotion you felt about Joan. You remember shaking your head. “Do what you want. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” he mirrored you, shaking his own head and huffing like a stubborn bull. When he stormed off, you’d only see him again in passing glances in town. Oh, did that hurt you. You should’ve kept your mouth shut. But you couldn’t bear the thought of such a good man as Billy being mistreated. Now he must’ve hated you for such a silly reason as talking badly about Joan.

He must’ve told Joan about it as well, because her eyes seemed locked in a perpetual glare at you. When her father called on yours again, she didn’t accompany him. Whatever. She wasn’t exactly a friend of yours, anyway. What you really mourned was the loss of Billy’s friendship. You considered it good as dead.

Though, when your father told you to put on a nice dress and come with him to a party Joan’s family was putting on, your hopes soared despite yourself. As you brushed a comb through your tresses, your mind dreamt up scenarios of running into Billy again. Maybe he’d forgive you for slandering Joan (even though it was for his own good!) and, in your wilder dreams, would confess that Joan was no good for him, and sweep you into his arms, kiss you like the fairytales…

You were being daft. Stupid. You put your hair into a neat bun, sighing at your reflection. Billy just couldn’t see that you were the one for him. Perhaps that was selfish, but lately you were finding that you were more selfish than you thought.

As soon as you arrived, a few daughters or other well-to-do ranchers and businessmen swarmed you, beckoning you to sit with them. You were actually grateful for the company. Though you were having a nice time, you didn’t see Billy anywhere. Your hopes stayed high, eyes darting around the room and training on any dark-haired man. None of them were him.

Joan, on the other hand, arrived soon after you. You couldn’t help staring at her as she kept to the edges of the room, talking to a girl you knew when you were young. You couldn’t decide whether to be disappointed that Billy wasn’t with her or sick that her other man must’ve been.

You forced yourself to avert your eyes when said man sauntered up to her, greeting her with a kiss to the cheek. Why did you do this to yourself? You shouldn’t have cared so much for a situation that— Billy had made very clear— didn’t involve you. But you cared for Billy. Even if he wanted nothing to do with you, you wouldn’t stop desperately wanting him to be happy.

You hesitantly sipped a mock-tail one of the girls had given you, pushing away thoughts of him, trying to have a good time. That was, until you felt a hand ghosting on your shoulder, and threw your head over it to see Billy, looming over you from behind the couch and smiling crookedly down at you. God, did he look handsome. He was wearing that navy hat, shading his eyes yet not hiding the beautiful azure of them. He was dressed well, too, not to the nines as you and practically everybody else in the room, but as good as an outlaw could get. A new navy button-up, a black vest and even a neck scarf. His clothes were only a ribbon, anyway, a neat little bow tying off the strikingly handsome man wearing them. Who, did you mention, was smiling at you for the first time in weeks?

“Hey. Long time no see.” Billy said it with a grin in his voice, so easily, like it was nothing. It was everything to you. You bit back a snarky Whose fault is that? In favor of smiling and nodding almost shyly. Words seemed impossible with how tight your chest was from happiness. You thought you caught him glancing you over quickly, your pretty dress and up-do. Billy threw you a little wink and nodded politely at the other girls around you. “Hope y’ladies don’t mind if I borrow her a sec?”

The girls nodded passionately, smiling and raising their brows at you in mixtures of second-hand excitement, congratulation and surprise. You set down your drink, excused yourself, and let Billy guide you to the porch. You gave Joan another look, grateful that she was busy.

“What is it?” You couldn’t help picking at your nails, pinching your brows. God, this was all so nerve wracking.

Billy stopped only a foot in front of you, his jaw tensing and his gaze flicking away for a brief moment. When those brilliant, gorgeous eyes settled on you, with so much intensity, you almost felt weak in the knees. “I wanted t’say m’sorry for bein’ so cold. It was petty of me. And wrong.”

Damnit. You wanted to be mad. You wanted to yell at him for treating you so badly for just looking out for him, but… you couldn’t. Damn him for being such a mature man. Looking up at his expression, his eyes, the set of his mouth, (you shouldn’t be looking there!) he was so sincere. He wasn’t staring at you expectantly, he wasn’t waiting for your forgiveness because he wasn’t apologizing to receive it— he was apologizing to apologize.

You weren’t too in love to be honest even with how hard your heart was thumping. You’d been waiting for so long for those words to slip from his lips, too long to let them pass by with a simple it’s okay. “It hurt. I never meant to upset you, Billy, I was just..”

Billy shook his head, reaching a gentle hand to your forearm before letting it slip just as fast, as if remembering something. “Y’didnt deserve that. Y’were just tryna help, I shoulda known that. I shoulda known you were just misled.”

You pressed your lips at that. Sure, you had your apology, but he still didn’t believe you. “I wasn’t misled.” You huffed, and Billy didn’t reply. His eyes brushed you up and down, but you didn’t lose become shy this time. “I’m serious. Joan isn’t good for you.”

Billy sighed your name, a bit exasperated but trying his very best to be polite. He shook his head, those baby blues bare and honest. “Why don’t you like her?” You opened your mouth to protest but he lifted a hand and huffed. “No, I can tell. Since the beginnin’ you haven’t liked her any further than you can throw her.”

“Because, Billy, she’s not an honest girl!” You scoffed, crossing your arms. Realizing you’d raised your voice, you took a breath and muttered a lame apology. “You barely know her, n’ you already trust her. You don’t have any reason to, if anything you have reason to hate her!”

Billy’s eyes were buggy, staring down at you in shock at this outburst of passion. But you wouldn’t give him a chance to reply. If anything, you stepped closer. He didn’t backpedal. “You deserve a girl who wouldn’t take advantage of you. She’s playing you, Billy, and I’m sorry for overstepping but I can’t stand by and let you devote yourself to somebody who won’t do the same!”

Billy turned his cheek a bit, eyeing you as if seeing something new. Something he didn’t exactly mistrust, but something so unbelievably foreign in you that he couldn’t help being skeptical if he was seeing it at all. Suddenly his gaze was so honest, so raw and searching you felt a bit self conscious, that gumption wearing off to fumes.

“I am the woman who wants you to win, and I’ve been waiting for you to love me.” You breathed, swallowing hard you wondering if you might’ve gone too far. You’d only just gotten Billy back a minute ago, and here you were jeopardizing the most important friendship you’ve ever had. “You belong with me.”

The friendship of the most important man in your life.

The man who was staring down at you, close as he could be without blatantly touching you, his brows furrowed and his eyes raw. opening his mouth to speak but being oh so cruelly cut off by a man barging outside.

“Charlie?” The name was put to the face as Billy eventually and reluctantly turned his head to him.

Charlie had a remorseful expression, beckoning Billy inside. “You’re gonna wanna see it f’yerself.” When Billy stepped inside, you trailed after him, expecting a commotion but not finding one. Just a beautiful, dark haired woman kissing a mediocre (to say the kindest) man.

“What the fuck?” Billy breathed, stomping closer and shoving Peña off Joan roughly, his nostrils flared. He looked to Joan with wide eyes, huffing, “Joan? Are you fuckin’ kiddin’ me?”

Now there was a commotion. Socialites stared and chattered, Joan desperately tried to explain a situation that didn’t need explanation. Much less such a feigned one. “Billy, he’s not— oh, it’s not what it looks like!”

Billy shook his head, rubbing his temple and throwing a look over his shoulder to you. Maybe he was expecting an I told you so, but you didn’t give him one. You frowned deeply, hoping that your eyes were enough of an apology for the time being.

If it wasn’t a scene a moment ago, it certainly was now. All the room’s eyes were on the three, and Billy must’ve known that, because he muttered something to Joan to be kept twixt them. Her face fell, and she reached out for him, but he was already storming to the door. Now it seemed to be Peña’s turn to be upset with Joan, but before you could see anything else your father grabbed your elbow and declared it was time to leave— A blessing or a curse, you were too confused to say.

But one thing that reared its ugly head through the blur was heartache. Heartache for Billy. You’d warned him, you had every right to feel righteous, but you loved the man too much for his pain to be anything but excruciating. Even if this opened the door for you, how could you be certain Billy wouldn’t close it for fear of another broken heart?

The next day, you returned to the field and the oak tree. Maybe you were expecting Billy to show up, because you didn’t bring your book. You simply tied your Appaloosa to the tree, sitting in the overgrown grass and looking out over the plains. They were dotted with wildflowers this time of spring, dappled yellows, purples and whites. It wasn’t long until you heard hoofbeats, as you expected to, making you quickly rise to your feet and dust off your riding pants. You picked against your cuticles as you watched Billy tie his quarter-horse to the tree with yours.

“I’m sorry about Joan.” You blurted the moment he came close, watching him adjust the brim of his hat. That easy smile he wore faltered.

“Not your fault, sweet. If anything it’s m’own fault for bein’ so dumb.” There went those brilliant blue eyes, flicking over you and making your belly erupt in butterflies. “You’ve been the one person on my side since the beginnin’. And I didn’t appreciate you.”

You shook your head passionately, pinching your brows and training your own eyes on your boots. You had to change the subject before your heart gave out. “You still love her, though?”

Billy shook his head and snorted. Actually snorted, as if anything about this was funny. You hadn’t realized he was so close until he used a bent finger to tilt your chin up. “Puppy love, m’ realizin’.”

If his hand were to drift to your neck he’d find your pulse frozen. That gentle set of his lips, the subtle draw of his draw brows, shaded by the brim of his hat— Oh, Christ. You were always comfortable around Billy. But something about the air here was charged. Your words on the porch rang in his head like the echo of a birdsong, he just couldn’t help confront them.

“But this ain’t that, is it?” Billy mumbled, as if the words were a secret twixt you two. Your eyes widened, you had to swallow down any rash words. Rash words like I love you. Your mind was swimming, until Billy’s hand moved to your rosy cheek. Something about the touch made everything still.

“No.” You admitted gently. That hat was casting too deep a shadow over his handsome face in the noon light, and you reached forward to tilt it upward. Much better. “It’s never been puppy love.”

The corner of Billy’s lips pulled a bit. Once again you’d disregarded just how close he was, because when his nose nudged yours, you sucked in a soft gasp that made his eyes flick up to yours. He made a move to back away, your anxiety jumping at even the slight movement, as if he’d run away and never come back. Your hand flew to the back of his neck, your lips crushing against his as you pulled him down to your level.

The kiss was not bruising. It was not demanding. His lips were just as lovely as you dreamt, slightly chapped and warm. This kiss as ardent and loving as you’d read in the fairytales. This kiss was honest.

So of course you went for more the moment he pulled away. You had nostrils for a reason— and Billy had no problem with kissing you until his chest was tight. By the time your lips disconnected, his hand was strong on the small of your back, the other threaded in your hair.

Billy let out the softest laugh after a moment, you couldn’t help breathlessly giggling. Here was everything you’d ever wanted, in your arms, pressing another kiss against the corner of your mouth and smiling broadly. You were the woman who loved him all along, and now he was the man who loved you just the same.

“What took you so damn long?” You couldn’t help jest, wrapping your arms around his neck (with only your toes on the earth, mind). Billy shook his head, that grin softening to a sweet smile that barely pulled his lips over his teeth.

“What, y’don’t like my timin’?” Billy squeezed his arms tighter around you at the sweet sound of your laugh.

You pressed another peck to his lips, unable to resist for a moment now that you’d gotten a taste. “No, not one bit.”

“When would’ve suited your schedule better, miss?” Billy cocked an eyebrow, nose nudging your cheekbone a bit. Oh, you could get used to this.

You pursed your lips in thought. “Last year.” You decided, making Billy’s grin grow impossibly until his eyes crinkled along with it. He hummed thoughtfully, lifting you up with the arm ‘round your back and giving you a little spin that drew sweet giggles from your lips. “That so, lil’ lady?”

Billy didn’t set you down without another, lingering yet chaste, kiss. “Better make up for m’mistakes, yeah?”

Idk how I feel abt this one but it cured my writers block so thank you for the ask!!!

Bonus points if you can clock the Fiona Apple lyric lol

[liukangmybeloved]

everyone else is fighting for second {Mortal Kombat (2021)}

SPOILERS FOR MORTAL KOMBAT (2021)

Summary: Canon Divergent AU. Crack & Fluff. The team develops into something of a found family, which happens to include Cole's actual family. They take a day off from fighting to go to the fair, where the biggest question is 'who is Cole's daughter's favourite in the team?' Besides her dad, of course. Kano is very competitive about this question.

A/N: 1968 words. I will take a meat-tenderizer and FIX the canon and make it SOFT. i love cole young and mk 2021, if you don't like that, you've been warned. everybody lives/nobody dies AU & kano isn't a traitor. also imagine there's just like.... more time before the tournament. enough to become a found family. like i said, fluff & crack. warnings for swearing.

If Cole had it his way, Emily and Kano would have never met. He would be perfectly happy letting everyone else on the team meet her, but he's yet to hear a single sentence leave Kano's mouth that didn't include some colourful variation of 'fuck', 'shit', 'wanker', or 'cunt'. So unsurprisingly, he wasn't exactly eager to let his teenager daughter near the man who Sonya had literally called 'scum of the Earth', but alas.

"I'll be on my best behaviour, pinky-swear!" Kano's grin was all teeth as he'd held his pinky finger up to Cole's glowering face, wiggling it a little when Cole made no move to finish the pinky-swear.

"If you say - cunt -" and the word sounds so uncomfortable coming from Cole, he damn well looks uncomfortable just saying it, "within a hundred feet of her, I'll get Kung Lao to cut you in half." And he gesutres over to where Kung Lao and the rest of their ragtag bunch of misfits; the man in question had forgone his usual weapon for a more modern, soft-brimmed sunhat, but his jaunty wave to Kano at the sound of his name still managed to be menacing. The Australian shuddered in horror at the mere thought; at least he took the threat seriously.

"You don't have to be jealous, man," the threat seemed to only have dampened Kano's jovial attitude momentarily, as he's got a spring in his step as he follows Cole to the rest of the gathered champions, "Uncle Kano's gonna set a fuckin' - flippin' -" he corrects himself as Cole shoots him a warning look, "great example." Sonya barks a loud, derisive laugh as Cole sees fit to remind him that he's not Uncle Kano.

"Emily's a good kid," Liu Kang assures, kind and sincere.

"Yeah, she never even believes me when I tell her Kano's a dirty, little rat," Kung Lao smirks in the face of Kano's sudden outrage, and Cole is pretty sure that, despite it being Emily and Alison's idea, to give the team a day of levity and to bond, this might be the worst plan he's ever agreed to.

"This is a day of bonding, not of infighting," Raiden's voice joins them, followed by the God himself only moments later, which is enough to unite all the champions in confusion at his choice of wardrobe for the day. While still sporting a majority of his usual attire, somehow he'd managed to procure a t-shirt with a meme of all things on it, a personalised meme!

"I designed it myself, I think it turned out pretty okay; whaddya think?" Kano sounded far too proud of himself, looking at the cartoon drawing of what could only be Raiden himself pointing awkwardly at Thor as depicted in Marvel Comics, who was pointing back.

"We are both Gods of Thunder," Raiden explained, pointing to his own shirt; Sonya had gone wide-eyed, unsure of how to react, while Jaxx was doing his utmost not to burst out laughing.

"I... didn't know you knew what a meme was," Cole admits, though honestly, once the shock had worn off of, it was rather charming.

"I didn't know you knew what a meme was," Kano fired back, equally confused.

"I have a thirteen-year-old, of course I know what a meme is -" but then it seems to hit him just as it hits Sonya and Jax, and the three of them turn to the pair of confused, cave-dwelling, internet-free champions. None of them knew where to begin trying to explain the whole situation, but thankfully, Raiden chose that moment to open a lightning portal, and they all headed through quickly.

----

The night that Cole and his family had gone home after everything had gone down, the fighting, Sub-Zero, and the man he's pretty sure is the ghost of his ancestor, Emily had looked him dead in the eye and called him a super hero.

And then told him that his friends were really cool.

This was a sentiment that his new friends seemed to share about his family.

Cole quickly comes to realise that family isn't something a lot of the rest of the team have nowadays; they have each other, but for a lot of them, that's mostly it. He sits on an invite to dinner that he'd already ran past Alison several days ago, before inviting Liu Kang and Kung Lao over, if nothing else, to repay the hospitality they'd shown him so early on.

Alison's rule was that there was to be peace on their property; no training, no fighting, but the team was welcome as long as they didn't bring trouble to the door.

So then it was Sonya and Jaxx, who brought dessert when they came over.

Emily once asked what Thunder Gods ate. Did they eat? Cole wasn't sure. He extends an invite to Raiden anyways, but it's politely declined. The next time, however, he took up Cole's invite, mostly for the company, and to thank Alison and Emily for their patience; having Cole away so often wasn't easy, he'd be the first to acknowledge that. Alison appreciated the sentiment, as did Emily, though she was also just bursting with questions for the God, and he did his best to answer what he could.

Then finally - finally - after so long spent with the team, of most of them coming to find comfort and serenity in his home on the occasions that they need it, Kano is invited to Sunday lunch too.

----

"I know us champions and our super powers are pretty cool," Kano says to Emily, the moment they step through the lightning portal and emerge into the sunshine and the noise of the fair, "but I'm your favourite, right? Besides your old man, of course," and he rolls his eyes a little at that, as does Cole, for very different reasons, while Alison shoots Cole a questioning look. Thankfully she still does not trust Kano as far as she could throw him.

For her part, Emily answers incredibly diplomatically, sounding much older than her thirteen years, and quite a bit like her mother;

"Kano, you're a grown man, my approval shouldn't matter to you," she sounds sincere, which is completely undercut by Kung Lao sliding into step beside Kano.

"Which means you're not her favourite," he teases, and Kano practically growls back, embarrassed, while Emily calls out to Raiden that she likes his shirt. He practically beams.

"Not a lot of people will really get it, though," she points out, and Raiden muses on that for a moment.

"But I get it, and it's mine."

"Fair point," Emily nods at that, as their strange group steps up to buy tickets.

---

Emily spends more of the fair of people's shoulders than she does actually walking, which delights her endlessly. Mostly she's up on Jax's shoulders, and charges her cotton candy for the ride, ripping a small chunk from the one Cole had bought for her.

"It's weird seeing you all look so normal," she says to Sonya, the two of them in line for the Dodge 'Em Cars alongside Liu Kang and Kung Lao. Sonya grins, knows exactly what she means, gaze turning to the two members of the Shaolin Order of Light, not that anyone would know simply from looking at them now. Where Liu Kang had found a pair of trendy, ripped jeans was beyond Sonya's imagination.

"You look cool, though," Emily amended quickly, "I didn't realise you all would come to the fair, but I'm glad you did," she's smiling brightly as they get closer to the front of the line.

"Who did you expect to come along today?" Liu asks, eyes wide and curious. It wasn't that he was as competitive as Kung Lao or Kano, but he still found the child's interpretation of their group to be interesting. She knows, in some capacity, what they're capable off; she'd watched her father slice, dice, and kill Goro after all. The fact that she could think so highly of them speaks a lot to her capacity for kindness, or perhaps her childish naivety, but Liu preferred to think it was the former.

Emily, however, goes quiet, seems to be a little embarrassed. She mutters something, avoiding eye contact with any of them, and Liu goes to ask her to repeat herself, but she interrupts him while doing so;

"I wanted Dad to have a day off," she admitted, before adding, "and... and Lord Raiden; I don't think he's had a day off this millennium."

"It's good of you to look out for them," Sonya tells her fondly, "our team can be pretty single-minded, but we needed this day off, I think." And she gives Emily a pet on the shoulder, and lets her steer the tandem Car when they finally get a turn.

----

"It's me, right? I'm your favourite," Jax asks Emily over lunch, not because he genuinely believes it, but because it riles up Kano, and to a lesser extent, the competitive Liu Kang.

"Jax is one bad day away from pledging his allegiance to Skynet, he can't be your favourite -" Kano grumbles.

"Dad's my favourite," Emily reminds them sternly, and Cole has to hide his proud little smile, before she adds, "and mom's my favourite too, the rest of you, well of course you're all badass as hell -"

"Is it Liu? 'Cos he's pretty and you're, yanno, a teenage girl," Kano scowls at the warrior who'd been attempting to just quietly enjoy his basket of fries. Both Cole and Alison are wearing similarly murderous expressions, and Kano raised his hands in mock surrender, dropping his gaze.

"Actually," Emily said pointedly, despite the embarrassed flush on her cheeks, though she was mirroring her parents intensity, "my favourite is Raiden because he's literally a God that shoots lightning out of his hands, and you're now my least favourite because you're a rat bastard."

"I taught her that," Kung Lao was grinning from ear to ear, and when he and Emily look to each other, they share a definitive nod.

"How come he's allowed to teach her words like bastard?!" Kano demanded to know.

"Because you're a bastard," Sonya interjects.

Kano is thankfully quiet for the remainder of lunch, sulking at his end of the table as chatter returns to normal, returns to talk of how everyone else had been enjoying the day.

----

At the end of the day, Kano shoves a large, stuffed kangaroo at Emily that he'd won at the booth where you had to knock over bottles.

"Didn't even use me eye or anything; lost an hour of my life and fifty fuckin' dollars," he was grumbling, while Emily was examining the prize.

"You won this?" She seemed endeared by it, endeared by the thought that he'd put the time into winning it for her.

"'course I won it, can I stop being your least favourite now?" He asked, and Emily tucked the kangaroo beneath her arm, giving him an appraising look.

"You can't buy my loyalty -"

"Wouldn't want it if it could be bought, I know that shit from experience," Kano interjected, crossing his arms defensively, ignoring where Cole was glowering at him every time he swore.

"But you put time in, and effort, so you're back to third with everyone else."

"As long as none of those bastards is beating me, I'm okay with that."

As they headed to the exit, to where Raiden had created a lightning portal for them all to go home through, Emily reached out and punched Kano lightly in the shoulder.

"Thanks, Kano, it's pretty sweet that you care so much."

"Don't tell the others," he grumbled back.

"We've been with you all day," Jax calls out, "we already know."

[sparkles-and-trash]

My fav 3 versions/interpretations of South Park characters thing!

I’m so sorry this took much longer than anticipated, I was gonna do it Friday but then I had a panic attack for the first time in forever because my CFS have been real bad lately and I was in such bad shape my BFF had to come and smack me back to life, and Sunday was suddenly full on breakdown day, a bad BPD episode and yeah, it was rough, but today I’m doing better and I realize nobody really cares about my personal issues lol but I just have a need to excuse myself here and I realize that’s kinda dumb but here we are ANYWAYS I hope these are okay, and that these are in no way the RIGHT interpretations, just my personal favorites! 

Kyle:

suggested by the wonderful  @otherluces <3

#1 

I’m not gonna lie, I love nerdy, preppy Kyle. Sweater-vests, collard shirts, doesn’t realize how attractive he is Kyle, oblivious to people having crushes on him Kyle, set on Harvard to become a lawyer and fight for justice and argue for a living, yanno? 

#2 

I also really like the more dorky and nerdy Kyle, where he has really niché interests that he gets totally invested in and talks about 24/7, loves reading and studying, but not just to get good results, but because he genuinly enjoys it.

#3

The last version I can think of with him, is the tall, lanky and kinda hard to read Kyle. He keeps a lot of his feelings to himself, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have them. He plays basketball, he’s good at it too, and while he does well in school and everyone expects him to go into law, he has some totally different dream he keeps to himself for now. He kinda perks up a bit when in smaller crowds, esp with his cloest friends, but he still carries a lot of secrets that some time needs to come out.

Tweek:

suggested by my new fren  @soft-craig-and-tweek ^^

I like Tweek in so many ways these were hard to pick, but I’mma try to narrow it down a bit and not go totally off haha

#1

I actually quite enjoy the jagged, tired Tweek, the one who with help from friends and family manage to get off the meth his parents feed him secretly, but who still struggle with withdrawal, dark bags under his eyes, kinda pale and with sharp features, but he’s still a sweet and kind boy, a boy who wants to make the right choices and change the world to a better place, but who still has a darkness he carries, and the fact that he never gives up that fight is what makes him so special 

#2

and okay I have to be honest, I do love myself some sunshine boy Tweek. This Tweek still has issues, he is maybe even more anxious than the last one, but he’s also just as vibrant and energetic as he is anxious! He is an artist, he paints with bright colors, he composes beautiful, hopeful melodies, he feels everything so much,  and he is a contagious and exciting person to be around. Cannot dress for the life of him. So much mis-match and odd outfits, but it kinda works? 

#3

The last one I’m gonna mention for this wonderful boy, is the more alternative Tweek. He writes obscure poetry, he watches too many conspiracy theory videos on youtube, he draws the monsters in his mind, and he writes the scariest, most hauntingly beautiful stories on the internet, and people online love him. He has no idea how to deal with being popular in that sense, because irl he is the type to not belong to a certain friend group, but he does go along well with most people on a surface level. Dark circles, shaky hands, crooked and cute smiles, baggy t-shirts and ripped jeans. When he first opens up to someone, he really, really does, and he will always support and be there for you. If you deserve it, that is. 

Nichole: 

also suggested by  @soft-craig-and-tweek <3 

#1

I love nerdy Nichole who isn’t afraid to show it! Maybe she’s a streamer or youtube gamer even, I can def see her writing fanfiction, and being hella good at it too! Makes quite a name for herself online, and hangs out with the boys a lot irl, has game nights with the boys from Board Girls (even Cartman sometimes), is funny in a sarcastic way, but never mean. 

#2

Popular girl Nichole is also a favorite for me, but not in the “classical” sense. I imagine her to be a sporty, maybe on both the basket and volleyball team, captain for the basket one, she’s a born leader, she’s kind and fair, but can also be strict, and people always trust her to be honest and true.  

#3

Artsy Nichole!! I imagine her in bright yellow dresses and with her hair flowing and free, with flowers in her hair, freckles on her face, a big, genuine smile, a loud laughter that is so contagious, she loves spending time with Jimmy because they have a very similar humor, and she’s a theater kid, she sings like an angel and can act, oh boy can she act, she can make anyone laugh or cry in just a blink of an eye, she’s just a human sun-ray and I love her a lot 

Butters: 

suggested by @kinguidamundo, thank you so much!! 

#1

I love edgy Butters soooo much??? Like, he’s still a kind and bright boy, but he can also stand up for himself a lot more, he likes fashion a lot, he gets tattoos and piercings, he explores tons of ways to express himself, he’s a yes-dude, he goes out on dates a lot, but isn’t ready for a “real” relationship yet, but he enjoys meeting people and testing out himself around different types of people! Also he is a bi icon change my mind jk u can’t 

#2

I have a weak spot for the kind of soft and timid looking Butters too, who wears pastel colors and have big, innocent eyes, he is genuine and kind, but he carries something darker inside, something he isn’t sure how to deal with, something that scares him, but in reality it’s just normal feelings, anger, resentment and fear, but he’s lived his life ignoring them so much they catch him off guard at times. He learns to live with them slowly, and he does so with lots of help and patience from friends and loved ones. 

#3

Okay, last one, totally self-indulging here, but yeah, happy sunflower boy is also a big favorite. He is more confident than the previous version, but in a gullible way if that makes any sense? He believes the best in people, and if he is proven wrong, he’s willing to try to help them become better people, if they want to or not! This is honestly the version I love most with Stan, Butters being the ray of sunshine in Stan’s life and Stan being the realism to keep Butters grounded and them both supporting each other so much? Fuck yeah that’s the good stuff. 

Clyde:

suggested by @horrorpumpkin, ty sm friend! <3 

#1

Himbo Clyde!!! Jock dude who genuinely loves sports, he’s a team player, and while he might not be super intellectual, he is very socially smart, he is kind and empathic, he is funny and likable, he always tries his best to make everyone feel included, and while he loves chicks a lot, and is a sexual dude, he does it with nothing but respect and admiration for the ladies! 

#2

Bisexual disaster Clydeeee <3 obv being bi isn’t a personality trait, but he is very open about it, he wants to be confident and good at flirting, but goddamn is he a MESS! He’s also a huge supporter of every single relationship his friends is in, he loves love, in all shapes and forms, he is emotional and kind and awkward in an endearing way. 

#3

Can’t leave out crybaby Clyde, can we now? He’s a bit of an awkward bean as well, but he owns it a bit more. He is kinda like a puppy, a cute, excitable and emotional puppy who loves his friends, video games and lazy movie nights, kinda chubby, he loves baking and does it a lot with Tweek, he is also a huge nerd for Harry Potter and totally geek out over it with Kyle and Nichole sdhlksgdhl

Kenny: 

suggested by anon! 

#1

First up I guess I should put my high school AU Kenny. I know it’s controversial, but I imagine this Kenny to be more on the quiet side, but not really in a shy way. He’s just a bit of an observer who doesn’t speak unless he really sees fit, and while he still has his crude humor and is kinda rumored to be sleeping around a lot, he actually struggle with intimacy issues. He never imagined them to include sexual stuff, but turns out they do, and balancing being sexually open and curious and having these issues ain’t easy on the boy, let me tell you that. 

#2

This one is kinda heavily inspired by Luces, but I love him as kind and loyal, but also a bit more chatty and charming, but not for his own gain. He wants others to feel good about themselves, in social settings, his friends, during sexy times, he is selfless and good, but he is also living for the moment, he is a likable and wonderful guy, but he does still only REALLY open up emotionally to people he really trusts. Not traditionally attractive, but interesting looking in a way. Lots of freckles, bit of buck teeth with a big gap between his front teeth, messy kinda curly hair, long straight nose. Always wears baggy hoodies and worn out jeans, shrugs and gives that lopsided smile when people ask him about anything personal.

#3

Mysterious Kennyyyy. You think you know him, everyone does, but in reality, very few have seen the real him. He likes people, and he likes to help them, he’s always down to listen to people’s problems and help them, he wants to inspire kids like himself to never give up and think there’s only one path for them, because he knows there is not. Volunteers at the animal shelter with Stan, works part time at Tweek Bro’s and is good buddies with Tweek. Had a early sexual debut, slept around a bit and got his heart broken unexpectedly when he was a Freshman, so there are some walls there now, but he ain’t usually one to turn down someone who’s up for it and whom with he has good chemistry either. 

[feather-dancer]

THAT SCENE for Stars, please?

There never was one for chapter 1 of Stars as I blitzed the entire thing in a week of getting the original idea because it wouldn’t let me go somehow. Chapter 2 though, boy there was multiple and one had to be moved to cut the length but includes this since it’s sitting on my server until I can put back in:

“See contrary to popular belief I do not have a single straight bone in my body and we live in a new-fangled age of cool merch being created so you’re supporting smaller artists to boot” 

The only trace of this entire mini tangent is Archie and the cream, alas! One that did make it has to be this as marked on my spreadsheet:

This was another one I actually had notes for that encounter in the handwritten notes I did when my monitor died in November which since I typed them up at the time and changed quite a bit in the final:

My apologises but I really don't appreciate being yelled at in my face. Could you start over, please?

I'm sorry for your loss, he must have been a great warrior for you to defend him so valiantly.

Hate to break it to you and ruin any illusions you had about me but I work in customer service. I live for the opportunities to tell them to simmer down some just, yanno, politely

Yeah he's the nice one, I just kick them out

Assuming they don't back down first of course

That too

Trust me never piss her off, she's terrifying

Oi! I'll revoke your sordid secrets licence!

Gasp! Guess I better get everything out now while I still have the chance like the fact yo-

Don't you DARE, Casperan!

:)

Everything around was completely changed which meant it took even longer until he got spritzed in the face that was really upsetting though Draal ended up trying to attack them which didn’t happen originally so win win? Apparently it’s really really stupid things or something that punches you in the emotions (Ghost!AU chapter 3 finale heh heh) that I’ll juggle everything to make happen. I’ve not got a note for it but there’s a really sweet scene in chapter 3 of Stars I can’t wait to do because FLUFF and thankfully for me it’s early on.

[one-spidey-boii]

BUMMER SUMMER || peter parker; ch. two

read chapter one here

masterlist

an; welcome back y’all. thank you to all who have read so far, even tho it’s only chapter two. i’d love to hear your feedback! enjoy!

**italics indicates flashback**

warnings; mentions of battle wounds (i.e. blood/scars/etc), future smut, mature language, fluff, angst, both peter and oc are 18+!!

word count; 2.2k+

edie's pov

so that's spiderman? seems like a fun guy, i think as i walk through the dark alleyways so i don’t draw unwanted attention to myself. it's late and i'm navigating my way home, still thinking about my run-in with the red and blue clad boy. it's easy to tell he's young by the sound of his voice, leading me to believe he’s twenty at most. that doesn't bother me of course, as i too am considered young for a crime-fighting vigilante.

i turn the last corner before reaching my street and sigh with relief at the sight of my apartment building. the light in my window is off, aiding in the illusion that i'm asleep so my mom doesn't come in while i'm away on my semi-nightly adventures. just before i can touch the brick stones of my building as i pass by, a mechanical swoosh comes down and picks me up off the ground. i let out a small yelp and quickly find myself placed on the roof.

"hey, wolfie." mr. stark says as he walks out of his iron man suit. i let out the breath i was holding and turn around to face him. i offer him a small smile and take my hood down.

"mr. stark, hello, sir."

"school's almost out, right?" before i can answer, he keeps talking, "good. i'm gonna need your help with something."

i wipe away the beads of sweat running down my forehead as i bend down to pick up my throwing knives from the concrete ground. i steady myself and focus on the tattered piece of cardboard nailed to the wall that is my makeshift target. with a small grunt, i fling one towards the center of the red dot, hitting it dead on. i continue this activity until i run out of things to throw and my arms feel like jelly. i lost count of how many times i'd hit the center of the target in a row.

stepping back with a satisfied smirk, i collect my knives, shoving them back into their rightful place in my bag or around my waist and turn on my heel to head home. i manage to take two steps before a voice stops me in my tracks.

"hey, don't walk away now, kid, the next one would have been fifty." my eyes widen at the familiar voice that often appears on my living room television. i slowly move to face the man and gulp, mouth opening and closing like a goldfish, not being able to say a word.

"come on, one more. show me what you got." says tony stark, with a loose smile on his face.

without a word, i force my trembling hands to grab my favorite knife from my right boot and brace myself for a throw. my breathing is shaky as i raise my right arm and inhale along with it. i can feel the sweat running down my back as i close my eyes for a moment. don't embarrass yourself, e, i think to myself. with that i snap my eyes open and silently chuck the knife towards the target.

i missed.

"oh for fuck's sake." i groan into my hands before i remember who i'm with and freeze. i keep my head in my hands, making sure to cover my face, only gathering enough courage to peek at tony stark through my fingers.

"well, that's awkward, i won't lie," he says, looking uncomfortable, "but i think i saw what i needed to see beforehand. i'm tony stark, or iron man if you wanna get fancy." he reaches a hand out in my direction.

"edie wolfe, hi." i reply with a defeated and lame handshake. to save both of us from looming silence, he pulls at my hoodie before continuing on, "okay, ms. wolfe." he pauses to inspect my attire, "what is this? leggings? and a hoodie? kid, if you're gonna be throwing knives, you gotta expect people to throw them back at you. this isn't going to cut it." he motions to the thin fabric covering my arms and chest.

i laugh at his words, "oh hey i see what you did there."

not catching on to his own pun, he moves on again, "what? actually never mind, we have a lot of talking to do, wolfie."

ever since that night, he took me under his wing- and a week later i got a package with a brand new suit in it. one that would protect me a whole lot more than what i was working with before.

"earth to wolfie, beep beep boop," mr. stark says as he pokes me in the forehead. i swat his hand away and give him my full attention. he continues on, "so you're in? a summer at the compound, being scary and keeping bad guys away?"

i raise an eyebrow at him, "what makes you think my family will be okay with that?" i ask. mr. stark simply rolls his eyes, "i already talked to your father, need i show you the proof?" i shake my head and he nods with satisfaction.

"okay, kid. see you in a few days." he says, preparing to get back into his suit, but before he can fly away i stop him, a question looming over my head, "am i doing this alone?"

"of course not. i wouldn't leave you alon- well actually i can't leave him alone so that's why you're gonna be there," he explains with a shake of his head.

"and who exactly is this person?" i ask with my arms crossed.

"how about one friendly neighborhood spiderman!" he yells and takes off before i can say anything back.

-

finally, the last day of school was upon us. it seems that the ending of every school year is bittersweet, and to be honest it hasn't quite hit me yet. senior year was way lamer than everyone played it off to be. you're told that you're officially ‘top dog', but let's be real- no real credit is given until you've graduated. but hey, here's to making it this far.

i'm sitting at my usual lunch table, surrounded by peter, ned, and mj. we pass jokes around the group and take in every moment we have left of our time together, yanno, since peter is leaving. but so am i. which is something i still have to share with everyone.

"uh, hey, guys. can i be a debby downer for a moment?" i ask, clearing my throat and disturbing the light mood of the afternoon. the table quiets down and all eyes are on me. "so you know how peter is leaving this summer?" i ruffle peter's hair in an attempt to not make that statement so sad.

"yeah, edie, we know." mj says with an eye roll as she picks at her cold french fries. i roll my eyes back at her and mock her voice. i can't help but notice peter's guilty face sitting next to me, little does he know i am going to make it a whole lot more weird up in here.

i take in a big breath and hold it to up the anticipation, "well it looks like i'll be gone too."

ned drops his chicken wrap and shakes his head furiously, "nuh uh, nope. no way. sorry, e, i can't allow that to happen," he says with a stern voice. peter chooses this moment to negatively highlight my new confession, "edie, how dare you! someone needs to be here to look after the kids."

i lower my head in shame, god this was so hard to do. faking a playful smile, i try to make light of the situation, "hey, c'mon, we all know mj is the mom friend of the group."

mj shakes her head violently and protests against my statement, "absolutely not. i veto that with all of my being, ned is the mom." she insists as she points to the pouting boy. we all laugh at that before falling into an uncomfortable silence. i glance in peter's direction and try to smile at him. doing this to him was the hardest, i tell him everything and knowing full well that i can't tell anyone about my stay at the compound, it just hurts my heart. we won't be able to communicate all summer.

"my mom signed me up to be a camp counselor...at, uh, a self-defense camp." i panic at the last second, realizing i never thought about what kind of camp i would fictitiously be a part of. the whole table bursts out into laughter.

through short breaths and a hearty laugh, ned pokes fun at me, "edie? teaching children how to kick someone's ass? look at you, you're like a soft pillowy little marshmallow." i stick my tongue out at him and cross my arms.

"hey, i wouldn't shut down the idea too fast, remember e's dad is like, an actual fbi agent. i'm sure he's taught her some stuff," peter chimes in, coming to my rescue. i nod along and hum a 'mhm', snickering inside at how much they don't know.

-

once i'm home, i pack my suitcase with all the things i think one would need to stay at a high tech superhero compound. i grab all of my knives and shove them into a utility pack, along with my suit.

my parents know where i'm going, and lucky for me they’re okay with it. well, at least my dad is.

my father, sam wolfe, works for a hidden branch of the fbi that trains government spies and the occasional assassin. thus being the reason i grew to be so good at combat. he would take me onto the roof of our building and have me shoot at targets and hit punching bags. we would practice for hours at a time, his booming voice critiquing my every move and decision as i worked. i've never been comfortable with a gun, so i stuck with knives and made that my craft.

i haven't seen my dad in a few months now. to 'protect' me and my family, we weren't allowed to know where my dad was going or why he had to leave in the first place. once mr. stark came into my life, he and my father became close, putting his trust in mr. stark to watch out for me whenever he was gone.

my mother on the other hand, she hates everything about it. she’s afraid of the world and all the things that lurk behind closed doors. when dad isn't around, we aren't allowed to talk about anything related to knives or fighting or tony stark. and for my nine-year-old brother's sake, i oblige.

pulling my bag onto my shoulder and lugging my suitcase through the hall, i meet my mother and brother in the living room. she meets my eyes with her cloudy ones and closes the distance between us with a strong hug. i chuckle at her before wrapping my arms around her plump frame.

"mom, it's okay-" i start, before she cuts me off, "shhh, edie. let me have this moment."

i shut up and continue to embrace my mom. i know this is hard for her, but she needs to understand that this is an amazing opportunity for me. i'm being put in charge of the avengers compound for the entire summer. i wish i could share this excitement with my dad, but i know he's happy for me, wherever he may be.

"edie, promise me you'll come home if you can't handle it. no one is going to judge you for that. you're only eighteen. i can't believe your father is letting you do this." my mother rambles as she pulls away from me. i smile at her and just nod my head.

my little brother looks over in our direction with a shy smile on his face. i ruffle his hair and pull him to me for a quick hug, "take care of mom for me, booger." i whisper into his ear. he gives me a simple nod and backs away.

my phone buzzes in my pocket. i pull it out to see a message from mr. stark.

'beep beep, i'm here'

i sigh and look up at my mom one last time, "that's my ride." she lets a single tear stroll down her cheek before wiping it away and shooing me out the door.

once out of the apartment, i lug my suitcase down the three flights of stairs and out onto the sidewalk. mr. stark is pulled up to the curb in his fancy black car. he rolls down the passenger side window and yells at me through it, "time to party, wolfie."

i stroll to the car and pull the back door open to throw my stuff down. then i hop into the front seat and look at mr. stark, "you know, you could have come in."

"yeah, well we all know your mother doesn't like me very much. i don't wanna poke the bear," he says as he pulls his sunglasses over his eyes and revs the engine, "let's get you to your new home for the next three months, shall we?"

|| taglist; @my-patronus-is-mabel-pines

[luminousbeansarewe]

wandering stars

ch 12: clean slate

pairings: none || rating: teen || characters: original characters, original clone trooper characters

tags: talking about medical procedures

chapter list

tagged: @yourbitchystudentartist​ @lordimperius​ (message me or reply if you’d like to be tagged!)

*************************************************

Kamino, Tipoca City, Clone Military Education Complex, 22BBY

    Sol waded into the long, narrow paths between the mess hall tables with habitual apprehension. Six months had gone by with her having to choose the seats that were the farthest away from anyone else, and despite the fact that her first day back in training had gone much more smoothly than ever, she hadn’t considered just how fundamentally things had changed. 

    So, when Grip called out and waved her over to where Cronos Squad was sitting, she almost suspected a trick. “Sol! Over here!” 

    “Uh, hey,” she said, voice quiet as she approached the table.

    “Nice job targeting today. You’re almost as good as me,” Swift joked with a sly grin. 

    “Hopefully one of us beats you someday, takes you down a peg,” Twofer commented dryly. Stone was scooting over, making a place for Sol to sit between himself and Grip on the long bench seat. She put her tray down and climbed into the vacant spot, jaw a little tight. 

    “Vor’e,” she said to Swift. “Today was... good.” 

    “Except for the kriffing hand-to-hand. In which case, you kicked all our shebs,” Grip pointed out. “Which was good for you, I guess. Have you been holding out on us all this time?”

    “Well… yes,” Sol replied awkwardly between her first few bites of food. Mostly because she didn’t need the clones being pissed off about losing to her on top of everything else. But the energy had been different, that day, like they’d wanted her to go all-out.

    “Hell,” Twofer muttered. “You trained before you got here, right?” 

    “Quite a bit.” 

    “With the Jedi?”

    “Just a little. Before that, my father trained me for most of my life.”

    “He must’ve been pretty good,” Swift said. “You took us down with your bandages still on.”

    “He was.” Her tone was heavy, but she pulled it back in. “He was a bounty hunter.” 

    “Not all bounty hunters are that good with hand-to-hand,” Grip said.

    “How would you know?” Sol laughed. “Have you ever met one?”

    “Many of the Mandalorians who’re training us here have been bounty hunters,” Stone said. “And our template, Jango Fett, was as well.”

    Sol blinked. Jango Fett was the genetic template? For all of these men? His was a name that echoed through her memory, but it did so because he was the object of envy and reluctant admiration from every bounty hunter Sol and her father had ever met. Of course, his actual origin was a mystery— he’d worn a Mando helmet, but the official word had been that the Mandalorians wanted nothing to do with him. Her father had avoided him, regardless.

    “All bounty hunters aren’t good at unarmed combat. But all Mandos are,” she said, swallowing her surprise with a bite of her dinner. All the eyebrows at the table shot up, and the boys all glanced between each other with curiosity.

    “You sound pretty sure about that,” Swift said with an obvious lead in his tone. Sol, realizing her misstep, advised herself silently not to speak ever again.

    “Mandalorian skill in fighting is legendary,” she pointed out, as though she had no personal knowledge of this herself. It was a weak fallback, and she knew it. 

    “Yeah, but you also know an awful lot of Mando’a, too,” he replied, a smirk sneaking over his expression. “How’s that, exactly?”

    “How do you all know so much Mando’a?” she countered weakly. Not being bonded with any of these men before now had really screwed up her game of laying low. She felt like an idiot.

    “We’ve picked it up from the trainers,” Twofer said. “But it’s sort of in our blood, if you think about it.”

    “Are all the trainers here Mandalorians?” She’d almost never seen anybody but the clones, Shaak Ti, Sergeant Apma, and the Kaminoans. But she hadn’t been everywhere among the facilities; hell, she hadn’t even been everywhere in the Military Education Complex. 

    “Here in the commando units, they mostly are. Jango picked ‘em himself, and there used to be nearly a hundred of them,” Grip replied. “After Geonosis, many of them retired. But Apma and a few others stayed on to train the likes of us. Last batch of Alphas, and all.” 

    That settled that, she thought. Fett was a Mandalorian, or else none of them would have come at his call. 

    “They giving you lessons?” she asked, tone dry.

    “I know they’re not giving you any,” Swift said, pressing his agenda firmly. “So, you gonna tell us about that?”

    Sol looked between the men around her with a dubious expression. They’d only just begun to treat her like she was allowed to be here; it was far too soon for her to trust them. But some part of her, a part that she rarely engaged with, wanted to. The camaraderie between them was more than just that of regular soldiers. It was infused with what she’d always imagined were Mandalorian sensibilities, the same ones that had kept her father troubled even as he cursed them.

    But, it was something else, too. They were created, literally designed for war, and bred inside of tanks (she’d seen the growth chambers once, and found them strangely disturbing) and trained from birth to fight. They were clones, and that singular and very strange reality knit them together in a way she knew she would never understand. Something inside her wanted to believe these men could find a place for her among them, but it leaned sharp against the fact that she could never truly be one of them. And assuming they’d not miss her when she was gone had already caused her to reveal too much, anyway.

    “I might tell you,” she replied finally. “One day.”

    “Awwww,” Twofer booed, Swift and Grip joining him. “C’mon!” But she only shook her head a little and gave a small smile. Swift threw his hands up into the air. 

    “Alright. I can wait. I’m patient,” he announced, lowering his hands to cross his arms over his chest and lean back.  Grip snorted at that. 

    “I’m not,” Twofer said with a snicker. “I’ll keep asking about it.”

    “And I’ll keep not telling you,” she replied coolly. 

    “Don’t harass her, vod,” Stone said to his brother. “We may just need to earn it.” 

    “That’s fair,” Grip nodded. “We deserve that.” Sol had to admit she appreciated their acknowledgement, however indirect, of their past sins. 

    “In that case,” Swift said, raising a brow at her, “can you at least tell us about that hair?”

    Sol frowned, her hand flying unconsciously up to the side of her head where pins held said hair up in a bun behind her head that was trying valiantly to be neat. “What about it?”

    “How much of it is there?” Grip asked.

    “How do you keep it under your bucket all kriffing day?” Twofer added.

    “It’s so white,” Stone said, looking at it almost with awe. He knew better than to ask if it grew in that color; her white brows and eyelashes gave that away. 

    “I mean, you’re human, right?” Swift asked. “But you have pretty strange features, for a human.” 

    “My mother was half Ferroan,” she said, hand falling back down to her lap. “So I’m still mostly human. She didn’t have their blue skin. The white hair is a dominant genetic trait, but my eyes are a recessive trait.”

    “Did she have gold eyes and white hair too?” Stone asked. 

    “Yes.” 

    “Huh.” Twofer was rubbing his chin thoughtfully, as though he was trying to remember how dominant and recessive genes worked.

    “Are you ever gonna cut it? It looks like more trouble than it’s worth,” Swift remarked. Suddenly his face fell. “I don’t mean it looks bad, just— ”

    “Really can’t fathom sticking it up under a helmet all the time,” Twofer said, shaking his head, “is what he meant.” 

    “It’s not that hard,” Sol told them with a chuckle. “I just… wrap it up. Like this. It’s messy at the end of the day, but not unmanageable.”

    “I think it’s beautiful,” Stone said with a smile. He was still gazing at her hair, entranced, which was actually rather endearing. 

    “Stone wants to grow his out once we get outta here,” Grip informed her. “He’s just jealous.”

    “None for me, thanks. You two go right ahead and grow your tresses. I’d like a tattoo, though. I hear once you’re in the GAR you can get whatever you want as long as it’s not… yanno. Vulgar, I guess.” Swift made a face, like he wasn’t sure what that really even meant, rule-wise.

    “Or if it’s vulgar, it better be under your armor, ey?” Twofer chimed in, snickering and elbowing his brother. 

    After that, the table devolved into playful antagonism, and Sol lost track of everything the clones talked about. She chimed in sometimes, but mostly she just watched them and smiled. It was a strange experience, like being inside her own special transparisteel box while they acted like they always had. Eventually the squad was ushered out of the dining hall, and they lured her into a quick game of grav-ball in the rec rooms until lights-out. She moved through it all while watching herself, there and yet strangely far away. She wondered when she would believe these men who had so suddenly offered her their favor. 

    That night as they all climbed into their little sleeping tubes, Swift leaned over towards her while she was getting comfortable. 

    “How’re you feeling?” he asked, and she noticed how quiet his voice was below the chatter of their neighbors. He was a persistent one.

    “What do you mean?” She feigned ignorance, but kept her voice low as well. 

    “You know what I mean,” he said flatly.

    “No, I—”

    “Sol.” Now he was frowning. “Your pain thing.”

    “Kuur,” she hissed, and he saw the frustration on her face. “I’m fine, Swift. Don’t worry about it.” 

    “Hey, don’t shoot me for being concerned!” 

    “That’s not what I’ll shoot you for,” she muttered, arranging her blanket with undue busyness. 

    “Then what is?” 

    “Telling anyone.”

    “Sol—”

    “Not a single soul. Nobody.” Her look was fierce, and it was evident that this topic really made her uneasy. Which, she had a bad feeling, would do the opposite of get him off her back. “Tayli’bac?”

    “Okay, okay, I won’t,” Swift grumbled as he began to lie down. “Ori’haat.” 

    “Vor’e.” She slid onto her back and tugged the blanket up around her chin. The clone just nodded at her, resigned to his vow of silence for the time being. 

    “G’night,” he said, letting his voice return to its more usual volume. For what felt like the hundredth time that day, Sol felt a pang of surprise at being treated like someone who was supposed to be there.

    “Swift?” she asked, almost hesitantly. 

    “Yeah?”

    “Do you know what a cin vhetin is?” 

    His brow puzzled for a moment. “A… clean slate?” That would be the simplest way to explain a very old Mandalorian idea, she thought. But it worked.

    “More or less. Is this… that?” Her eyes, for the first time since she’d arrived on Kamino, were full of doubt and hope in equal measure. “For me?” 

    Swift’s expression was subtle. He knew that it was not quite fair that she required a ‘clean slate’ in the first place, and felt a little guilty for having to offer it now, about six months too late. But he looked at her with fresh awareness of her endurance, her skill, and— more than anything else— her loyalty. Taking a plasma shot for him had left a profound impression he was unable to take lightly. 

    “Yeah, I reckon it is.” 

    A whisper of a smile strayed across one corner of her mouth. She nodded at him.

    “Goodnight.” 

[katedoesfics]

Shadows of the Yiga | Chapter 8

Talon wasn’t around when Link and Aryll got to the ranch, but they made their way into the paddocks, anyway, each retrieving their favorite horse and bringing them into the barn. The old, battered farm truck pulled up in front of the barn as they brushed and saddled the horses. Talon stepped out, grunting and muttering under his breath as his stiff joints cracked. He stretched his arms over his head, then mosied toward them with his rifle in hand. He spat at the ground before entering the barn, acknowledging Link with a nod and tipping his straw hat to Aryll.

“It’s yer day off, Kid,” he said in a gruff voice. “Fact, shouldn’t she be in school?”

“We’re playing hooky,” Aryll said with a wide grin.

“You know,” Link started, “you’re not supposed to announce it to everyone you talk to.”

Aryll rolled her eyes. “It’s not like I’m telling my teachers.”

Talon smiled and nodded. “Right, then. So, yer cleaning dem stalls afta, hm?”

“Link said I could do it,” Aryll said, still grinning over her horse’s back.

“I dun care who does it,” he said. He thrust the rifle into Link’s arms. “Dem bears ‘ave been out ‘n about, yanno. Shoot ‘em ‘fore they get at my cuccos ‘gain.”

Link shrugged and secured the rifle onto the saddle. It wasn’t the first time he had to shoot a bear or two that had wandered onto the property. Link would have allowed them to take a cucco or two, mainly out of revenge, but it would have only made them come back more frequently, and then he’d never hear the end of it from Talon.

“You trust this idiot with a gun?” Aryll said, frowning.

“If ‘e can defeat the great Ganondorf with a sword, I think ‘e can handle a rifle.”

“He can’t shoot himself in the foot with a sword,” Aryll pointed out.

Talon grinned. “Would you ratha I give ‘im a sword, den?”

Aryll seemed to consider her options for a moment.

Talon slapped Link on the back with a wrinkled hand and tipped his hat at them once more. “‘Ave fun, now.” He shot an invisible rifle. “Shoot ‘em dead.”

“Poor bears,” Aryll said as Talon mosied back into his truck. “All they want is dinner.”

“They’ll eat you for dinner,” Link said.

“Beats peanut butter and banana sandwiches,” she said with a shrug.

They brought their horses out of the barn where they both climbed into their saddles. Aryll took a moment to coo to her horse, reaching down to scratch the gelding’s ears as Link and his steed started onward. Her gelding trotted to catch up to his companion, slowing to a walk as he reached his side. His ears and tail flicked happily as they walked.

They followed the path around the open pastures, along the tree line, and eventually into the woods, where they continued to follow various trails as they twisted this way and that. When the path widened and flattened, they broke into a gallop, racing one another. Most of the time, Link let Aryll slip passed him.

She stood in her stirrups, thrusting a fist in the air and whooping loudly in an attempt to rub her victory in Link’s face.

Before long, the trees thinned, and they eventually stepped out of the forest and into a clearing. Rolling hills stretched out into the countryside of Hyrule and to the horizon. To their right, the land sloped downwards toward a dirt road. Beyond the road lay a thick forest, and the mountain range seemed to spring up from the trees. To their left, the land stretched on until it met the edge of Lake Hylia. The lake was far too wide to see beyond it, but somewhere, the highway stretched over the lake, busy with passing motorists oblivious to the landscape that Aryll and Link enjoyed.

It was like a secret only she and her brother knew about, and it quickly became Aryll’s favorite place to escape to. They often rode out to it, letting their horses stretch their legs, galloping along the ridge of the hills, without a care in the world. It didn’t matter who won or lost; it wasn’t a race, but an escape from their own realities.

This time, however, they did not run away from their lives. Instead, they looked out over the landscape as the horses grazed quietly. A gentle breeze blew through their manes and tails and Aryll sighed. It felt like the first time in a long time where she felt relatively at peace. Despite all that had transpired, she and Link had both come out on top, and she was reminded that over the years, they always did. No matter what life threw at them, they always prevailed, and she felt comfort in that. Link would never let it be otherwise. And neither would she.

She turned to her brother, who was no longer enjoying the peace that came with the view, but instead had his nose in his phone, his fingers flying along the screen as he texted. Aryll took out her own phone, flipping through the filters on her camera until she settled on one with dog ears and a tongue. She held it out at arm’s length until Link was in the picture. He glanced up with an annoyed look on his face, and she snapped the picture.

“Mipha says hi,” Link said dryly as he turned back to his phone.

Aryll glanced at him. “You’re texting her?”

“She called Saturday asking about you.”

She pinched her lips together. “Whatcha talkin’ about now?”

“How many kids we’re gonna have.”

Aryll frowned. “I know you’re being a jerk, but I’d be okay with that.” She watched as he snorted and otherwise ignored her comment, recalling the end of the conversation she overheard in the hospital. Link and Kit were talking about some kind of Yiga Clan. She hadn’t thought anything of it then, or the days that followed, but the more she recalled the moment, the more intrigued she became. It seemed a serious topic, or, at least at one point, but Link had blown it off completely.

“So,” she started, keeping her gaze on Link, hoping to catch a reaction from him when she continued. “What’s the Yiga Clan?”

Link’s fingers paused, but his gaze did not move off the screen. He continued the message after a moment, then slipped the phone back in his pocket. He turned his gaze to the horizon. “The Yiga Clan?”

“Yeah,” Aryll said carefully. “I heard you and Kit talking about it in the hospital.”

His brows furrowed. “You mean his crazy conspiracy theories?”

“I thought the Yiga Clan was real,” she said. “Dad mentioned them once or twice, didn’t he?”

“Yeah, the cult of losers, sure.”

Aryll hesitated. “You said they were rogue Sheikah.”

Link’s gaze met hers. He was angry and suspicious with her. After a moment, he turned away. “They’re nothing to worry about.”

“I don’t know,” Aryll said slowly. “Rogue Sheikah sound like a big problem. What do they want? To bring Ganondorf back or something?”

Link hesitated. “There’s nothing they can do to bring him back,” he said. “Not without breaking Zelda’s seal. And there’s no way to do that without…”

“Without?” Aryll pressed.

“Without the Master Sword,” he said simply. It was the truth, anyway. But he was sure that if it came down to it, they could do whatever they wanted if they had another piece of the Triforce to aid them.

“Oh.” Aryll turned her gaze away. She sensed her brother was hiding something more, but she didn’t press further. “Well, that’s good, then. I don’t want you to be a hero anymore.”

“It’s not exactly a job I can quit,” Link muttered.

“Well, if there’s no danger, then there’s no need for a hero, right?”

Link shrugged. “Sure.”

“You have no sword anymore, anyway,” she continued. “You’d be useless.”

“I don’t need a sword to be useful,” Link said.

Aryll glanced at the rifle on his saddle and bit her lip. “I guess,” she said. “Either way, you don’t stand a chance against a rogue Sheikah.”

“Nope,” he said with a sigh.

Aryll frowned. “Are you sure? That they’re not… a problem?”

Link glanced at her. “Don’t you think if we were in danger, I would have done something about it by now?”

“I guess.”

“Don’t listen to Kit’s shit,” Link said. “The war’s been over for ten years. Everything’s fine.”

Aryll nodded. Of course she was being ridiculous. She got herself nervous over nothing. If the world was in trouble, Link would know about it. And he would fix it.

It was just after noon when they returned to the barn. Once the horses were untacked and back grazing in their paddocks, Link and Aryll turned to the task of mucking stalls and otherwise cleaning the barn for Talon. Talon moseyed into the barn a couple hours later as they were finishing up, and he had his hands on his hips as he inspected the barn with a nod.

“Guess I gotta pay ya for the day,” he said gruffly. “Even though ya came in on yer day off.”

“Nah,” Aryll said with a grin. “I did all the work today.”

“So, I gotta pay you?”

Aryll put a hand on the old man’s shoulder and winked. “This one’s on me since I took your horse out.”

“Ah, he could use a lil’ work,” Talon said. “He’s been gettin’ fat out there on that grass all day.”

“Any time,” Aryll said as she dusted her hands together. “I can drive now. Link said I could take his car whenever I want.”

“The actual phrase was ‘over my dead body,’” he reminded her with a sly glare.

“We’re still working on it,” Aryll said with a nudge to Talon. “Someday.”

“Guess I’ll see ya this weekend?” Talon said, tipping his hat to them. “Don’t  work too hard there, Kid.”

Aryll let her brother drive on the way home, and Link opted to stop to treat them both to ice cream sundaes before making it home for the evening. Both of their sundaes were much larger than necessary, which made up for the fact that they hadn’t eaten lunch, and it seemed reasonable enough to label it as their dinner, too, as neither of them would feel hungry for the rest of the night.

When they got home, Aryll plopped herself down on the couch, letting her legs hang over one end as she lay against the couch on one side. While Link busied himself with the mail, Aryll flipped through the channels on the tv. After finding nothing of interest, she let it stay on a channel that had soap opera reruns playing and instead occupied herself with her phone.

Still, nothing on it caught her interest, and when Link finally sat beside her with a sigh, she took his phone and decided to flip through his apps.

“There’s nothing weird on here, right?” she asked carefully. She opened his social media apps, and finding nothing of interest, chose to send suggestive emojis to Revali insead. She then moved on to searching the internet, particularly searching for an obscene image to plaster on Link’s background. After saving to his phone a variety of images, from fat, naked men, to pink unicorns, She opened the gallery to select one to make as his new background. She scrolled through the albums in search for the images she downloaded, but a few particular albums caught her attention instead.

One album in particular seemed to have images from years ago. Some of them included Link and Mipha together, while others ranged from Link and Riju posing with laser guns and Revali flipping the camera both middle fingers. Among these were even a young Aryll, and a few of her and her father together. It seemed even then, she felt the need to steal her brother’s phone and put ridiculous pictures on it.

A particular video caught her attention, and she opened the file to play it. A six year old Aryll held the phone out in front of her, making faces at herself and giggling. It shifted and moved violently as she skipped about the room. Her face returned, and her tongue stuck out at the corner of her mouth as she concentrated. The image on the screen flipped to her father leaning against the counter. He looked up from his phone and grinned.

“Stop playing with my phone,” came Link’s voice from somewhere off screen. The camera turned to her older brother, standing in the doorway, his brows kit together in annoyance. Aryll giggled from behind the camera and the video jolted again as she hurried out of her brother’s grasp.

“Argh!” came Link’s voice once more. “What the hell? Stop it!”

The video spun around, revealing Link’s head in his father’s arms as Rusl proceeded to dig his knuckles into his son’s skull. Link squirmed in a desperate attempt to get out of his father’s grasp.

“You’re an immature weasel!” Link shouted.

“No evidence!” Rusl shouted, throwing his hand out in a playful attempt to block the camera. Link took advantage of his dropped stance and freed himself. He rubbed his head with his hand and frowned as Aryll giggled.

“I think he lost some brain cells,” Aryll’s voice said.

Rusl grinned. “How can he possibly lose any more? There’s nothing in there!”

The camera dropped and Aryll giggled as her father scooped her up, and the video ended. Aryll held her gaze on it for a moment with a smile, then closed the gallery, completely forgetting her mission to plaster ridiculous images all over her brother’s phone. She let it drop to the couch and sat up, pulling her knees to her chest.

“I’m glad you let me steal your phone all the time,” she said. “And you kept everything.”

Link had been watching her at the corner of his eyes. He turned his gaze back on the tv. “That’s not true,” Link said. “I deleted all the poop emoji pictures you downloaded.”

Aryll grinned. “I forgot I was obsessed with those.”

“You were a weird child,” Link said. “It was mildly concerning.”

Aryll threw a pillow at him. “That’s because I grew up in a weird family.”

“For the record, I was completely normal.”

“Yes, because having the spirit of a hero and a magic triangle on your hand is totally normal.” She rolled her eyes.

“And I still managed to barely skate by in high school,” he reminded her. “Totally normal.”

“Totally lazy.”

“I saved the world. How does that make me lazy?”

“Is that on your resume?”

“Right between barely passed high school and college dropout,” Link said dryly.

“Employers must have been throwing themselves at you.” She sighed and got to her feet. “Speaking of passing high school. I do have finals next week I need to study for.” She offered him a crooked smile. “Thanks for today.”

“Sure.” Link watched his sister leave the room. When she was gone, he trudged into the kitchen, pulling a beer from the fridge. He popped the top, tossed the bottle cap on the counter, and dropped back onto the couch to zone out in front of the tv.

*****

Kohga stood on the cliff just outside of the hidden base, overlooking the vast, empty desert. He had heard Dorian’s approach, but offered the Yiga soldier no greeting. Dorian stood a few yards away from the Yiga leader in silence, making no effort to move any closer, waiting for him to speak. And he did.

“The ward remains over the city,” Kohga said. “All these years it has held strong. But I’m not surprised. Even in her aging years, Impa has remarkable abilities.” He glanced over his shoulder at Dorian. “I would have preferred it if you had killed her when I asked, but I can’t say I didn’t understand your resilience. You’ve gathered a lot of intel from within the city walls. And it seems you were right, afterall. My patience has paid off.” He turned to look back out over the desert. “I knew it would be next to impossible to get my hands on Zelda, but it seems Link has finally come out from the shadows, just as I hoped he would. The ward is strongest inside the city. Every time he leaves those boundaries, it grew weaker around him. My men have found him at last. We can finally get our hands on the great Chosen Hero and his little piece of the Triforce.”

“Zelda will look for him,” Dorian confirmed with certainty. “I cannot promise she will be alone, however.”

“I am not concerned about those Champions,” Kohga said, blowing him off with a wave of his hand. He looked over his shoulder at Dorian once more and grinned. “Are you?”

“Of course not.”

“Good,” Kohga said with a nod. “I know you will be able to finish them just as you did Rusl. They will hardly be a hindrance in our plan. It’s only a matter of time before we have the Triforce in our possession. I am confident we will be able to use it to its full potential and revive Ganondorf once more. And I will have much pleasure in turning Hyrule’s Heroes against them.” He turned to face Dorian completely. “You have done well, Dorian. Keep up your appearances with Impa and Roham. Should anything more of note transpire, do be sure to let me know, hm?”

[subnova-scion]

🟊⟅⸉ IM GONNA TALK ABOUT NOVAVERSE CYM AND WHAT HAPPENS AFTER CAUSE  I HAVE THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS LETS GO ⸊⟆🟊

During the final confrontation with White Diamond, not only were the CG’s unable to help Steven, they were turned against him. If the B-team had come in at that moment, they would’ve been turned against him, too. Can you fucking imagine? Seeing your family and friends slowly being possessed? Screaming, howling in agony as they’re turned against you? And you can’t do anything to stop it? And all you’ve got to back you up is your human friend who the person controlling everyone else thinks is disposable? And will not hesitate to try and kill her? 

And you’re just a child? 

Yeah!!! Steven doesn’t just end up having nightmares about being ripped apart from his gem once this is all over! He also has nightmares about the White Puppets. He had to see them turned! Every adult figure he’s ever trusted and loved had been turned against him by a villain who LITERALLY TRIED TO KILL HIM NOT EVEN MINUTES LATER. LIKE. WHITE DIAMOND DID THAT, KNOWING THAT THE ‘HUMAN CHILD’ PINK WAS ‘HIDING IN’ WOULD PROBABLY, IF NOT UNDOUBTEDLY, DIE. 

“I’m tired of this shit, Pink. Time to end it and kill the organic parasite so you can’t run from your problems anymore.” 

This is why Steven’s relationship with White Diamond in NOVAverse will be far from canon. He will always be scared of her!! AND THAT’S THE TEA! 

As for the attempted murder, Steven barely remembers what happened when it comes to getting his gem removed and seeing his other half. Because when his gem was taken out it was, uh, very bad. Like,, from a gore standpoint. He only remembers vague feelings and images. Both halves experienced the same event, but from their own separate perspectives. One half was bleeding out, though, and your memory kind of takes a back seat when you’re LITERALLY DYING. So Like? He remembers it? But it’s mostly one sided, through his gem half. And that’s why it feels so bizarre when he tries to remember what happened. It feels like an extreme case of out of body dissociation. 

Meanwhile, Yellow and Blue and the CG 3 couldn’t remember anything. They didn’t know what was happening, just what they were feeling as White was controlling them. It was severely emotionally and physically painful, and that’s all they knew! So they had no idea what happened, and the crystal gems freaked out when they were freed from White’s control and saw the state of their kid. Because there was still blood!! Everywhere! All over him! And Connie! Since she had to carry Steven over to his other half while he was BLEEDING OUT WITH A HOLE THE SIZE OF HIS FIST IN HIS GUTS. 

And these two kids were too relieved and in shock and generally traumatized to answer their questions! They couldn’t even begin to process what exactly had nearly happened to him. Nova had already started to dissociate as soon as he was whole again? Cause his brain was like: ‘Haha gonna just black most of that out and go numb to protect you and keep you functioning through this hellish experience lmao.’ 

Considering he was almost killed for like the 12th time in his 14 years of life, there are VERY obvious reasons as to why he began falling into a state of dissociation, but what he started dissociating from first is deeply rooted in what happened to him. The first thing he dissociated from was his feelings. See, after his human half sustained serious damage, guess which half has to kick into higher gear to keep him alive and functioning after going through awful trauma? 

The gem half. Which is well… Numb. We see that PINK!Steven literally cannot process emotion other than the intense, overwhelmingly negative ones. That sudden outburst, the literal grief and rage of a young god that is sick and tired of everyone wanting his mother to be alive over him. Quartz (That’s what I call Nova’s gem half) didn’t hesitate to strike at all of Nova’s loved ones. He had no attachment. He was doing what he needed to do to protect himself and his other half so they could be whole again. Everyone else was an afterthought. 

And that’s how you know Quartz is different. Because the human half, and even as a whole, Steven puts everyone else first. Human Nova (who I call Universe) is literally bleeding out and he’s crying out for his other half to stop because he’s hurting them. But that half is a part of him. And it’s a part he’s been needing to get in touch with for a long time. Considering Steven puts others before himself even to his own detriment, and the reactions of his human half only solidify this fact, if his gem half was anything like that, Steven could have died. He couldn’t afford to strain or distract himself trying to help or protect others. He needed to help himself. Save Steven. That was the objective.

And even as two halves are united again, the gem half is still more or less handling the reigns because of how straight wrecked the human half is at the time. It’s still working to protect himself as a whole. And the first sign of this emotional change is shown in the first thing he says to white after she tried to murder him. 

“I am a child. What’s your excuse?” 

See, now that he’s been reunited with his other half, he has all the emotions and feelings his human half provides, too. So he’s able to actually lay down some sick burns and common sense without going absolutely apeshit and creating craters with his screams. And this boy didn’t leave quietly with ‘If you let everyone else be whoever they are, maybe you can let yourself be whoever you are, too.’ No. That didn’t quite happen in NOVAverse. Yanno what happened? Yellow and Blue confronted White first, and since she had yet to regain her composure, she was shaken and defensive. 

They almost started fighting all over again. They were all terrified and scrambling in fear of the unknown. Until White’s attention was on Steven again. Because, who is this little creature supposed to be if they aren’t Pink??? What the fresh fuck is going on?! Now, we all know PINK!Steven is Mcfuckin Pissed. The gem is back-loaded with thousands of years of emotional turmoil and trauma, most of which isn’t even his own. And this is related to WHY he initially goes off on the diamonds, too. 

Because he goes off on them defending Pink Pearl. 

Steven had to relieve through so many of his mother’s memories of abuse, and her painful memories of regret regarding what happened to her best friend??? So to actually see Pink Pearl okay and looking like herself again was so important to him. He didn’t just go 'welcome back’ and pat her on the shoulder, HE HUGGED HER AND HELPED HER TO HER FEET. HE WAS IN TEARS. He walked her over to the CGs and said, “ You’re coming with us. ” 

LIKE. SHES BEEN SUBJECTED TO MENTAL AND PHYSICAL TORTURE FOR +8,000 YEARS??? GET HER AWAY FROM WHITE. And when White managed to regain her composure and what he was doing caught her attention, she asked him what he could possibly be doing taking her pearl? That’s when Nova went off. 

“ She was never yours. She was my mother’s best friend and you took her away and turned her into a puppet and used her as an emotional manipulation tactic to keep my mother under your thumb. 

You have kept her like this for thousands of years. It’s time she comes home with us so she can finally start to be herself again. Far away from you. 

Die Mad About It.” 

Boy put his foot down not just on that, but about his mom and why she left, and why he came here in the first place, that he needed White’s help. And everyone was in such shock and was so overwhelmed and lost because of what just happened that they listened to what he had to say and they did what he told them to! They didn’t know what else to do or how to move forward now that their worlds have been turned upside down! 

The night they got back to Earth, the diamonds had to hang around for a while because Steven and Connie are a mess and the CG’s have to take care of them before anything else happens. They have to get them checked out (thanks Dr.Maheswaran.) It was determined they were both in shock, but Connie wasn’t too badly injured. Steven, however, spent the night in the hospital due to blood-loss. He was in enough pain that he had to take it easy and mostly stick to staying in bed. It was fine, as he was majorly exhausted and slept like a rock. 

His nature as a demi-gem allowed him to heal faster, but the human half was still seriously damaged. He has to take painkillers and not be too physical for a while. He also has a sicknasty scar around his gem because it was ripped out so that’s Neat. When he uses his powers and his gem glows, you can really see the scarring. It looks something similar to what it looks like when his body comes into contact with destablizers. (He decides to wear bigger t-shirts from now on. He doesn’t want it to be exposed, and he doesn’t want his family to see it) 

Then, the next day was the big Bubble Bath. They were all up late, so the healing party happened the following afternoon. Once he was cleared, they checked him out of the hospital, and went straight to the fountain to meet up with the diamonds and finally cure corruption. The water from the fountain helped him heal more, too, so he was feeling better already. He loved meeting all these new friends and was so relieved it was all over. But after a few hours, as it usually is at parties, he just kept talking to so many people and getting distracted and, god, he just couldn’t leave. 

Yanno? You just keep trying to leave a party but someone or something keeps sucking you back in. All the people there. How loud they all are. Using his voice becomes exhausting. Thinking becomes exhausting. People talking to him becomes like nails on the chalkboard? Suddenly, everything is so irritating and blurry and painful and so, so loud he feels like he’s going crazy. And when he finally has a quiet moment to himself to be mindful of his own state he’s like, “Oh. I’m having an anxiety attack in slow motion and probably experiencing sensory overload. Cool.” 

He’s so mentally overwhelmed and burnt out that he just felt himself having a meltdown at ¼th the speed and knew it would speed up or blow up if he didn’t leave. They had to take him home and he just went to bed. From that day on, for another week or two, Steven is under the constant watch of the Crystal Gems and doted on. He didn’t particularly mind some affection, because he was just so relieved to be home. To be safe. To be alive. Understandably, his family and friends were worried, of course they were. How could they not be, with the state he was in after that fight? 

He looked like a dead boy walking, clothes and limbs absolutely bloody. They hadn’t the slightest clue what happened after White Diamond took control of them, and they could only look to Steven for answers. Steven always told them he doesn’t really remember what happened, which is only partially true, and they say that since then, he hasn’t seemed like himself. They say that in the aftermath, that he acted strange and cold, that now he seems ‘far away’ and is too quiet. 

While that was true, it was only the case at a certain point because Steven found it harder and harder to be around them when they looked at him like he could die at any second and talked to him like they want to scrape the inside of his skull with a spoon. 

See, Nova is struggling with his emotions a lot more now, in terms of emotional detachment and his literal demi-god power showing through in his personality a bit more? He was BORN a fusion, but reflected his human half more than the gem half for so long because he wasn’t in touch with gem stuff for the first 10 years of this life. 

This is why he couldn’t use his powers for a long time. But NOW that he’s come so far and has seen his gem half for what it really is, seen himself for who he really is, it’s changed the cognition of the human half. So now that they're whole, the gem half and all the Diamond Powers are like, ‘Hello, I am here now. I am also you.’ 

And both halves are struggling to balance the whole self out again. This is why his Pink Power™ is more obvious from this point onward. It’s the “Light of his gem shining through”, as White Diamond put it. Now, Steven himself doesn’t know this, so he can’t put his finger on why it’s so hard to talk, why he feels distant, not only from his family, but his own feelings. 

He needs time alone to work through them, to try and understand what exactly happened, and why he’s feeling so odd. At times, he feels simply… indifferent to everything, some kind of numb. But there is another uncommon feeling that frightens him more; Anger, it rises within him frequently, so much so that he almost feels bad about it when it does. He was never one to feel this way so easily before. 

Not to say he doesn’t have things to be angry about, to be emotional about. He’s angry because wasn’t even allowed to leave the house by himself for a whole week. He hadn’t seen Connie since they got back, and it seems that he could never get enough time with his father, the only other person who being around would make it easier to breathe. Every conversation with the gems eventually leads to being about what’s wrong, the questions Steven couldn’t answer, that he doesn’t want to answer. It’s hard to express this when they’re each being their own ways of overbearing about his well-being, and his anxiety is off the charts. 

The question of the Diamonds and what they were going to do, how they were going to continue, looms over him. It’s such a source of his stress that he has as much trouble falling asleep as he does staying asleep the whole night through. He has to know what’s happening. What they’re doing. He couldn’t just leave them be and expect things to not go back to how they were before. At times, he feels like he has to go back to Homeworld, but how could he? 

Especially if he told his family what happened to him? Steven knew that if he did, that they wouldn’t let him, and who knows what else would happen. Truthfully, he’s afraid they wouldn’t see or treat him the same anymore. He feels like he has to be okay as soon as possible so he can do what he feels needs to be done, but the longer this goes on the more he feels like he’s having a meltdown in slow motion. 

The peace he was hoping to have after going through such a harrowing time is yet again out of his reach… and it’s getting harder and harder to swallow his slowly boiling frustrations.

[storyknitter]

The Old Guard (3/7)

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7

The ‘message received’ notification pinged Theron’s implants as he was finishing up a meeting with one of his Zakuulan contacts. When he saw who the message was from, he fought to keep a smile off his face.

When you get back tomorrow, would you like to have dinner? I’ll be reviewing reports (ugh, forever) in my quarters.

-Sanna

Theron tamped down a swell of impatience as he dragged his focus back to the rest of his mission. It would be stupid -- not to mention dangerous -- to get sloppy simply because he wanted to see Sanna. As soon as he was able, he responded:

Wouldn't miss it. I should be back on time, so I’ll grab us something from the cantina on my way in. Then we can both deal with reports, but hopefully it won’t take forever.

T

Theron had been off-planet for almost three weeks at this point; he also knew that more likely than not, he was going to be heading out again shortly after his arrival. Sighing with disappointment, he tried to think positively -- until a few months ago, he hadn’t seen Vassanna in five long years and had believed her to be dead for two of them.

Knowing that Sanna was only a holo-call or text message away didn’t completely ease the sting of being away from her -- she still felt just as out of reach during those nights as she had been while in carbonite. Theron knew it wasn’t true, but damn, he wanted to see her for more than just a few days at a time. If this intel panned out, though, the two of them would be heading to Zakuul -- together. Yeah, it would be for Alliance business and yeah, it would be dangerous... but it would be just the two of us. I could deal with that.

Despite his frustration, Theron couldn’t keep a smirk off his face for most of the shuttle flight back to Odessen. All that he really wanted to do was spend time with her... and it appeared she felt the same.

By the time Theron arrived on Odessen, the dinner rush was already over; the only food he was able to acquire were cold sandwiches which, while still good, weren’t quite the same as steaming hot nerf burgers and fries. It didn’t help that practically every person he’d walked past needed “just a minute” of his time, for one reason or another. Food in hand -- finally -- he turned towards the elevator leading to the Commander’s quarters.

Theron sighed in relief as he cast a glance around the War Room and found it nearly empty. I swear, if one more person stops me, I’m gonna punch ‘em in the teeth--

“Theron! One moment, if you please,” called out a very amused-sounding blonde Sith, as she walked in from Aygo’s military wing. He paused, taking a deep breath and squaring his shoulders, and turned to meet his cohort.

“Lana. Good to see you.” His smile was more forced than he thought, judging from Lana’s raised eyebrow and the glimmer of mischief in her golden eyes. “Uh, hang on a sec, I have that intel we discussed...” Theron handed her one of the drink cups and began shifting around the rest of the food he was holding, attempting to dig out a data spike from one of his many jacket pockets.

“Excellent. What else did you find out about this Firebrand character? I’d love a summary of your trip, if you can spare the time.” Lana said, seemingly ignoring Theron’s clenched jaw. “We can discuss it over dinner, since you’ve so kindly brought me a sandwich. How did you know that I hadn’t eaten yet?” she asked, chuckling at his narrowed eyes. “Oh, just go have dinner with Vassanna already. She’s missed you, you know.” He fought down a broad grin as the blonde Sith handed him back the drink container.

“We can discuss business tomorrow morning, Theron. Shall I find you in the Commander’s quarters, as per usual? Perhaps 0930? I trust you won’t be as... distracted as you’ve been on prior occasions.” Theron shot Lana a look that would have melted durasteel as a flush of embarrassment crept up his neck. His relationship with Sanna -- whatever it was -- had to be one of the worst-kept secrets on base. And Lana had a front row seat.

“Yeah, that sounds great,” he said, voice strained. Lana gave him an innocent smile and bid him a pleasant evening, the emphasis she placed on her words causing the blush to inch up into his ears as he walked the last few meters to Sanna’s room.

Stacking the cups on top of one another and balancing the wrapped sandwiches in his arms to reach the keypad, Theron opened the door and walked in, a greeting dying on his lips. Sanna was fast asleep, balled up on the couch and lightly snoring, datapad on the floor. The corner of his mouth quirked up, realizing she was wrapped in his old red jacket, though it was far too large for her: her head was pillowed in the collar and shoulder, arms tucked to her chest, and green fingers peeked out of the sleeves, curled delicately around the edge of the cuffs.

The sound of the door latching into place behind him was enough to wake her from her nap. Vassanna’s eyes flew open with a sleepy gasp, before breaking into a sweet, contented smile when she saw Theron. She sat upright with a yawn, stretching and rubbing the sleep from her eyes. “Mmmm... hi,” she said in a quiet, drowsy voice.

“Hey. Nice jacket you’ve got there,” the spy said with a raised eyebrow and a smirk. He set their dinner on the table and took a seat next to her as she glanced down, blushing furiously and biting her lip when she realized what she was still wearing. “It suits you, Sanna.” He ran his thumb along her jaw and leaned in, her cheek still sleepy-warm under his lips, imprints from the jacket seams sharp on the side of her face.

She snorted, a wry expression on her features. “Please. While that’s sweet of you to say, the combination of green skin and red leatheris makes me look like a Life Day decoration.”

Theron chuckled and couldn’t contain a grin. “Well,” he drawled, “you look like a very pretty Life Day decoration.”

Sanna rolled her eyes with a smile as he tugged gently on the collar to pull her into another kiss. His hand slid to the nape of her neck as his other reached for her waist, slipping under the jacket and drawing her closer. With a contented sigh, she shifted and swung her leg over, straddling his lap. Lips still pressed to his, her hands found his face, one drifting back to tangle in the hair at the nape of his neck.

The flare of possessiveness that Theron felt went hand in hand with the smug satisfaction of seeing her wearing his clothing. It -- whatever this relationship was turning into -- felt more real for some reason. As though it were a display of her feelings, that she’d chosen him, nevermind the fact that he hadn’t really worn said clothing in ages. You’re really reading too much into this, Shan, he thought. It’s just a jacket. He gently broke the kiss and pulled back to look at her, smirking to cover his thoughts.

“Just out of curiosity -- is there any reason in particular you raided my closet instead of your own? I don't mind, but if you were cold, I know you've got a handful of sweaters that actually fit you and aren't monstrously huge,” he said, flicking back the edge of the collar. “And yanno, there are blankets.”

“First of all, you left it here,” she said defensively, brows furrowed, and gestured to her quarters. Glancing at him briefly, Sanna bit her lip before dropping her eyes and nervously scratching the back of her ear. When she finally spoke, it was quiet, faltering. “It... your old jacket I mean, it’s-- hmm. It’s comfortable? And it still smells like you. Just a little. Just enough.” She picked at the shoulder seam of his current jacket in an effort to avoid looking at him.

There was a pause that felt like an eternity before she spoke again, her voice low and timid. “And it makes it easier to fall asleep when you’re not here. I could just be making this up, I don’t know, but it feels like I--” The words tumbled out in a rush, the self-conscious blush creeping back to her cheeks as she spoke. “It feels like I dream less and sleep more.” Theron ran his thumb along her jaw again, eyes softening as he gazed at her.

“Well, if that’s the case, I did promise you that I’d keep things running smoothly. I’d say that requires a well-rested Commander, don’t you?” Vassanna peeked up at him, violet eyes meeting his below long dark lashes, and his heart stuttered as she gave him that warm smile of hers. “I’ll make you a deal, Sanna. You can keep the jacket, wear it whenever you want.”

“And what would you like in return?” A raised eyebrow accompanied her question.

You, he thought. Just you. “How about dinner?” Theron suggested.

A blindingly bright grin appeared on Sanna’s face before she kissed him soundly. “You drive a hard bargain, Theron Shan, but you’ve got yourself a deal.”

That evening on Odessen was the beginning of a small and lovely -- yet mostly unspoken -- ritual between the pair: anytime that one had to go on a mission without the other, or would be apart for more than a day or two, Theron would wear his old jacket around their quarters so she could wear it when she was on her own.

He pretended it was solely for Sanna's benefit, but inwardly knew the truth: he was being selfish. He rested easier and worried about her less, knowing that she had some small comfort when he wasn't there. Maybe Vitiate wouldn't torment her as badly while she slept. Maybe he still would, but hopefully, she'd feel better after waking up alone.

Theron had promised Sanna that he would take care of things, herself included, and he was going to do his damnedest to keep that promise.

[cloverly-ponies]

Sorry for the OOC ask, but... I'm struggling with pony names!! How do you get a 'ponysona' to be so perfect and all encompassing... when I make one, I'm happy with it, then stress that it isn't FULLY me... I can't get one I'm happy with. ;o;

DON’T APOLOGIZE, peeps don’t worry I’m just here enjoying my ponies I’ll worry about polish later when I’m physically capable of it. Right now we’re just all having a good time, talking about ponies, building up lore and worlds around them. This is a perfect question to hoof around with.

Let me answer flat out. I have no idea, Starcrossed was drawn on a goofy whim then never... changed. She’s just been exactly perfect for my personal sona and I could not be happier. SINCE I DON’T HAVE A GOOD ANSWER, WE’LL JUST REVIEW MY PROCESS! That way maybe you can try my tricks and see if you can’t find good ways to name up your ponies.

I’ve been... typing a lot lately. So as a precaution I’m going to put the rest under a read more.

For as long as I can remember, my joke “pony self” has always ALWAYS been a light purple (lilac) pony with bright yellow blonde mane and tail. Never stuck too much with a cutie mark so instead I just put stars on her butt because I have a very personal memory tattooed on my hand.

Here is a doodle I found, not entirely sure how old it is? 2011? Maybe older? I know this more “defined” version of the ponysona came out around 2011 since that’s when the reboot started I think. 

like dang, haha. ponies are hard to draw right? Apparently. Now my whole life I kinda color coded myself with lilac and yellows. I had a lot of bad shit always going on IRL so in my head I wanted to think about anything other than that. What better than ponies? Bright, colorful ponies. (Or whatever fursona I had at the time, always seemed to be purple. lol)

I see a lot of people refer to human skin tones or just flat browns when making sonas - at the time it was popular to draw yourself as a pony nearly everyone I saw did. It irked me a bit as I was stuck living in a horrible reality so I wanted to make sure mine was.. literally the happiest me. But still me. So she was purple. And her eyes were clear blue like I wish mine would be and her mane so bright. But I couldn’t bring myself to totally make her totally happy. I love pegasi the most personally, I think Starcrossed’s biggest dream is to have wings of her own. /clovercanons

But I also knew that because of the life I have lived... I knew I couldn’t have everything I wanted. That was a really huge impact I learned as a small child. So I didn’t give Starcrossed wings. Instead I gave her the loneliness of them. The cravings, the need, the want... To know she was born without, she will never have them. I wanted her to be sad like me, not completely like me my IRL story just sucks. But Starcrossed fantasy version of me could also experience sadness and longing for something. So I gave her longing for wings. Because I myself am limited in so many ways, I have chosen to limit starcrossed as well, and that’s why I picked her to be an earth pony instead of my dreamy pegasi. Despite her being a “happy fantasy” of myself. This anchors her to me on a very deep emotional level.

Next up? What is her true meaning. What does her cutie mark reflect? Now we brushed on that - AJ you literally just gave her your tattoo? Yep. But there is a story behind my tattoo.

As a kid, I frequently was locked out of the house, so instead I’d go and sleep at the park and stargaze in the field. I would stare at them until they were gone or I fell asleep. Something I typically don’t share is that I, like any other child, would make wishes on the stars. For a better life, for better things, for love and safety. I would whisper these wishes into my hand, kiss my knuckle, then “throw” motion at the sky as if I were actually sending my wishes up to be heard by someone, anyone. It’s a habit I did outgrow. But even though I never got help, I never really felt alone so long as I could see the sky. It made me feel small, but wonderful. Like a star in the sky. There are numerous stars yet none are less beautiful than the other. And so, on my 21st birthday, I had a bit of extra cash and I went and got a tattoo on my hand where I use to kiss it. I asked for 3 stars since I typically made wishes in threes. This way even though I couldn’t see the stars in the sky, I carried them with me always. This was my way of trying to convince myself to be strong for myself.

So this obviously got a bit emotional and messy. Who the heck saw this coming for a stupid purple pony amiright? Haha. Starcrossed’s natural “talent” in the mlpverse is Perseverance. Because it doesn’t matter how many times she fails, gets hurt, or falls down. She will always get up again. She will always keep looking up.

(Sorry we made this into Starcrossed’s life story, we’re getting to names now!!!)

Starcrossed got her name simply because... She had stars on her butt. I wasn’t fond of any specific objects or items to think of anything. And anything space/galaxy related didn’t fit either. So I literally sat down at my computer with a note book and wrote down every single-star related name I could think of. Because back then I assumed ponies HAD to  be named after their cutie marks or themes? (obviously now I realize durr of course not??? Why am I putting all these crazy invisible rules on myself???)

But seriously. I just.. googled, and googled, and googled. I checked baby names, I listed any silly items I liked? Pennies, rocks, bottles, flowers. There were 2 categories, first one appealing to her star theme directly and the second category just.. random objects I like, like popcorn?? Just anything you can come up with. Then you google those, then you check the thesaurus and then you check those words and it just.. yanno, link after link. Finally you have this HUGE list of potential names. You just... kinda talk out loud to yourself, try saying the name. See how it feels, do you like how it sounds? Would the character like it? Would the character be excited to hear their name from somepony they knew? Just.. Shrug??? I dunno I get a little TOO into this sometimes I swear.

I was trying to google something for modifying some other name I can’t even remember now and I accidentally got Romeo and Juliet covers, and it just said “STARCROSSED LOVERS” and it hit me. Starcrossed. Fated for each other but never to be? That... felt perfect. For her, for me, for our life. It was perfect. And so it stuck. I never once regretted.

---

✦ SIDE STORY; you peeps gotta notice all my pony names aren’t gold. I mean come on AJ, Bud? Divide? Princess Charming???? Are... you trying? YES I AM I SWEAR - it just took me a while to figure out I don’t have to follow anyone’s rules. My ponies names do NOT have to be canon-like. Take Dusty Lace for example, she despises her name so she FORCES everyone to refer to her only as Miss Lacey. Some of my pony names are perfect; Starcrossed, Smitten Sweets, Mocha Delight, Harvest Tale, these are all names I’m extremely happy with.

But you all want to know who I think my best named pony is? Welp, he’s not my pony even. It’s @provinite‘s ponysona! Providence. I know, how silly. It doesn’t even sound like a real mlpfim name. But that’s okay, it sounds... so perfectly pony and cloverly to me.

His ponysona doesn’t have nearly as deep as a backstory as mine, I literally just asked him what colors he likes so I could draw him as a pony and draw us together, he played along and helped me design it for him! He wanted nice rich greens and golds, very irish feeling. And he wanted his pony to be large size like big mac. The #7 cutie mark just because it’s his favorite number!

Now for me his name was a play - it was suppose to sound and make you think of a province. Like a piece of land or territory. It’s only right now as I googled it did I realize I mistook province and providence as the same word. But... hilariously we’re getting to the point I was going to make. Providence often refers to: Divine providence, divinely ordained events and outcomes. Because my husband, @provinite, is literally one of the biggest influences and saving graces of my life, he is quite literally my divine providence.  (You know that episode where big mac is an alicorn? That’s how starcrossed see’s prov all the time. Capable of anything.)

So the pony names I’m def most proud of stamping to my characters (err his character too) is Starcrossed and Providence.

Oh by the way if none of you guessed yet, Sleepy Star was always an alt sona of mine from Starcrossed only she’s a lot more canon/in-character where as Starcrossed is completely silly and OOC (like pinkie pie and the 4th wall whatever). I literally named her Sleepy star just because I’m always so fucking tired. That’s it. Trust me if you just commit you can pretty much make ANYTHING work for a name. Just put heart into it and enjoy the character building experience!

---

TLDR VERSION: Fuck rules, name ponies whatever the hell you want. Anyone gives you shit for it you send them to me and I’ll show’em. >:C

Make big fat fat fat lists pertaining to anything you know about your pony (OR ANYTHING YOU LIKE IN GENERAL?). Personality, region where they grew up, looks, colors, favorite tastes/smells/things, their job/occupation, things their parents expect of them/want for them, seriously I even just google like phrases and shit and try to compact them if I can. Just... literally go nuts. Use song lyrics, fairy tales, foods and drinks, all sorts of silly stuff you love and want to make a huge part of your ponies life! HAVE FUN!!!

PS this is stupid and long and I’m sorry.

[radiantmists]

mirror mirror, now we’re done

Weiss needs a little help getting out of Atlas. Thankfully, she knows exactly where to turn.

Read on AO3, or under the cut!

Weiss took a deep breath and stepped out of the taxi. It wasn’t the most untraceable form of transportation, but there were enough black cabs in the city that it would take time to find her. Besides, she was one of the most recognizable faces in Atlas; taking public transportation would have been like running back home.

Not that Weiss wasn’t considering going home as she walked alone to the door, the night wind nipping at her calves. She knew quite a lot of people in Atlas, but very few that she could trust not to send her back. These people wouldn’t do that, but she hadn’t been able to tell them she was coming, either—it was entirely possible that she’d be kicked out onto the street, and Weiss had no idea what she would do then.

It was one thing to resist begging for her father’s money back when she had a school, a home, a team. It was entirely different to be alone on a separate continent from everyone who really cared about her.

Stop overthinking, a mental voice reminded her. It sounded a lot like Blake-- and it was right. Weiss squared her shoulders. She was a Huntress, and she could survive anything.

She knocked on the door. There was a pause, and despite herself, Weiss started to panic again. What if they weren’t home? What if someone else answered the door? What if-?

The door opened.

“Schnee?” asked Flynt Coal, disbelieving.

“Weiss,” she said, “Please.” One day, Weiss would clear her family name of the taint her father put in it, but for now she preferred to be addressed with a little less poison.

“Right,” he replied, still sounding incredulous.

Weiss shifted her grip on her suitcase, uncomfortable. “Um… May I come in?”

Flynt blinked, then smirked. “Sure,” he said, stepping aside.

See? said a voice not unlike Yang’s. That wasn’t so bad.

***

Weiss had spoken often with Flynt and Neon, with many of the foreign students, in that interminable period when Yang, Blake, and Ruby had been lying side by side in their hospital beds. (Blake had woken up, had run, before Weiss’s father had arrived, but for all she knew, Yang and Ruby were still lying there. She shook the thought out of her mind: they were Huntresses, and they had each other. They would be fine. They had to be fine.)

Fighting for her life with them, and the comfort of their company in the aftermath, meant that Weiss was willing to put up with Neon’s… energy.

“So you ran away? I can’t believe you got disinherited in favor of your weasel of a brother—no offense—but really, you’re pretty and smart and talented and a Huntress, and he’s just sort of—rodentlike!”

Which wasn’t to say it wasn’t tiring, or a little dizzying. Neon chattered on while Weiss tried to come up with a response.

“Like, aren’t evil corporate executives supposed to be, yanno, intimidating? I don’t think he could take a Beowolf!”

Weiss snorted, amused despite herself. “Whitley? I doubt he could ‘take’ a large cat.”

Neon grinned. “Cats are pretty tough, you know,” she said, swishing her tail.

Recalling Blake, a quiet, deadly presence by her side, Weiss’s throat tightened. “I know.”

Flynt entered the room, handing Weiss a cup of hot coffee, and Neon’s attention immediately jumped to him. “We’re helping her sneak out of Atlas, right, Flynt? She was awesome at Beacon, and her team are reeeeeally cool, and it’ll be fun! Like playing spies.”

Weiss wondered how Flynt stood years of exposure to Neon, then figured she herself had learned to tolerate Ruby. (Or perhaps Ruby had learned to tolerate Weiss? She was the team leader, like Flynt, after all. Weiss was briefly and horrifically fascinated with this concept, before dismissing it on the grounds that in no possible universe was Ruby the sane one in their relationship.)

Flynt crossed his arms, and Neon fell silent. Weiss tried not to look too desperate, even though she was. Getting out of the country without being found was going to be hard even with help, and there’s no way she’d make it before the borders closed without them.

After what seemed like forever, Flynt tilted his head to eye her over his sunglasses. (He wore them inside: clearly he hadn’t actually endured years of Neon unscated. Weiss was among mad people.) “I guess it’s a good chance to stick it to old man Schnee,” he allowed.

“Fantastic!” Neon actually squealed, then grabbed Weiss’s arm. “Come on. Flynt can take care of passports and all that boring stuff, while I give you a makeover. We’ll dye your hair, and do your makeup, and find you some clothes. The all-white thing you had going on before was regal or whatever, but you need some more color!”

***

Weiss stared at herself in the mirror. The black hair looked foreign, especially down and gently curled rather than in her signature ponytail, but it was simultaneously comforting. She wondered if she should get a bow.

She stepped out of the bathroom and looked at the clothes Neon had laid out for her before being dragged from the room by Flynt. They were surprisingly tasteful, though not really Weiss’s style. Which, she reminded herself, was the point.

Finding herself drawn to one, she picked it up. It was a bit longer than the rest of Neon’s combat skirts, something Weiss appreciated. But the real reason she chose it was the color: a golden yellow bodice fading to a dusky orange skirt, like it was made of flame. She hesitated a moment longer, then put it on.

It was followed by tights and no-nonsense black boots without heels: Sensible shoes, commented Weiss’s inner Ruby. It was actually the most pragmatic choice: Weiss had been wearing heels since she was twelve, and if she seemed shorter than usual, it would only reduce the probability that she’d be recognized.

Dressed, she headed back into the bathroom. Weiss was a stage performer and no stranger to makeup; she changed the apparent shape of her eyes, covered her scar, dotted freckles across her nose and cheeks.

Finally, she glanced at her lipstick, then picked up a tube of dark red.

Looking in the mirror now, Weiss could barely recognize herself; hopefully neither would the people watching the airports. Her skin was still as white as the snow her family was named for, but her lips were blood-red like roses, her hair black as ebony or an unlucky cat. She smoothed her hands over the yellow of the dress.

Weiss had never worn armor, but she imagined this, wearing the colors of the first friends she ever made, is what it felt like: heavy, knowing she was turning away from the Schnee name for now, but made worth it by the feeling of safety.

Onwards, cried the Ruby voice. We have a world to save!

Weiss rolled her eyes a little, but couldn’t suppress a smile. In the mirror, a Huntress of team RWBY smiled back at her. She picked up her suitcase, and the passport which she knew read “Blake Rose.” (Weiss doubted they’d mind her borrowing their names.)

To Mistral, then. To Winter, and eventually her team. To her family.

Weiss was going home.

[valeskaisdaboss]

The Suburbs | Chapter One: Sienna

Usual night. The famous Saturday nights. Will we regret everything in the morning? Maybe some but on the most part we didn’t care. I was starting to grow bored of staying in one place. I wanted to do something new. I wanted a change. Instead I was sat there watching Davina smoke weed with Marcus and Grey flirt with anything his eyes landed on. Such a man whore. Davina snapped me out of my thoughts; passing me another drink. I obviously accepted and smiled at the beautiful Brunette.

“What are you thinking about, Red?” Davina said cheerfully. Red. The nickname she had given me when we were four years old. She gave me that stupid nickname which I held dear because of my red hair. Davina calls Grey, ‘Ginger’ because of his red hair.

“Nothing.” I giggled in response as we curled into eachother for warmth from the chilly afternoon Summer air. Well, it wasn’t actually that chilly. As it draws into the night it gets a little chilly but still boiling as the days get longer.

I watched as Grey shamelessly flirted with some black-haired girl who was just falling into everything he said. I rolled my eyes at this. How could she even believe the crap he comes out with? She probably just liked him for his looks? He was too cocky and smug to actually be liked more than a friend.

Davina put her head on my shoulder and slurred something in which I couldn’t make out what she actually said.

“Yeah? You really think so?” Grey said smiling at the cute naive girl sat by him. He smiled at her with his winning smile. She smiled back at him; her blue eyes gleaming. It was cute really how innocent she was to trust the cocky redheads words.

“Keep it in your pants, Grey.” I scoffed as I held Davina up so she wouldn’t fall off the outdoor couch we were sat on. The cute girl laughed at this. I smiled sweetly at her.

“I’m Sienna.” I introduced. She shook my hand softly. Instantly, I could sense she was shy.

“I-I’m Samantha.” She replied happily but was still meek.

I leaned in close to her whilst still making sure Davina didn’t fall on her face. Davina snuggled into my said. “If I were you, I would go for someone with way more class.” I said to Samantha and this made her giggle.

“It was nice to meet you.” Samantha said as she got up and walked towards the back gate leading out on to the street. I smirked at Grey as he huffed and glared at me.

“Gee, thanks, Si.” Grey groaned as he took a swig of his alcoholic beverage in the red cups.

“Aww, did Si screw up your chance of getting laid.” Marcus joked. We all laughed at this as Grey through his head back and groaned. It was like 11pm but it was only just starting to get dark. I through my dark green jumper over my black bralette. I had wore a black lace bralette with high-waisted black skinny jeans which probably wasn’t a good idea in the boiling August weather.

Realising it was time to go because of how drunk Davina was I stood up and tried to keep Davina’s balance. Davina’s curly brown hair fell over her face and she clinched onto my right arm, trying to balance.

“Come on, D. Let’s take you home.” I ushered her as I pulled her arm over my shoulder and put my right arm around her waist to hold her up. She lazily smiled at me through hooded eyes before she buried her head into my neck again.

Marcus bounced up off the cream couch. He pulled the car keys out of his back pocket. Grey lazily stood up and huffed as if this was a lot for him to do. He looked at me and smiled like a child, mocking really.

He held out his hand as an offer before pulling Davina out of my grasp and holding her bridal style. He did this easily.

“Thank you soooo much, Grey.” Grey cheerfully stated, trying to imitate my voice with a wild grin on his face.

“Thank you.” I laughed walking ahead.

“Why don’t you do a cartwheel for me love?” Grey suggested cheekily. “Yanno, as I’m helping you out and all.” I stared at him with the 'are you serious’ stare. This only earned more flirtatious comments until I finally did a cartwheel.

Once we arrived home. What I mean by home, is mine. Not Davina’s. If her father saw her like this he would go ballistic. Marcus and Grey had already drove off when I sneakily sauntered into my hous with Davina stumbling at my side.

Pulling along Davina up the stairs to my bedroom before anyone could notice was actually quite easy. I guess it was a skill I had acquired because of all the practise I got. Davina literally fell onto my bed. I pulled Davina’s converse off and put the covers over her. She fell fast asleep and climbed in next to her; too tired to get changed into more comfortable clothes.

[the-self-exiled]

garinna:

“Or maybe I’ll just find a way to ask the lady herself,” she said, not really meaning it. Though… She would ask, if given a chance, if the Queen felt like telling a strange wandering story collector about it.

Wasn’t like it would hurt right? And if she got tossed out or tossed in jail for being so presumptuous… Well it wouldn’t actually be the first time she’d have to escape jail, or a country.

“For now, I’d like to hear your thoughts on it, and what you have heard, different views is always good yanno?” She was listening intently to him talking, making her feel more than ever that she really did want to meet, or at least see, this strange lady. “A celebration? How soon do you think that would be? I mean, faery soon isn’t exactly always the same as human soon.” Poor little mortals just didn’t have the same levels of time. “If it is something near enough to human soon then it might be nice to stick around for that.” 

She couldn’t help but laugh, a tiny smirk appearing, and a faint redness to her cheeks as she answered him. “I mean, I’m not saying that wouldn’t interest me? It’s always nice making… Friends, with new people, and it certainly don’t hurt if they are easy on the eyes as well.” Shrugging slightly she looked down again, the picture starting to look rather nice, though she found herself gently shifting the expression she’d been drawing to match the teasing smirk he’d just showed her. She had to admit, the man in the picture was looking awfully charming, and she’d not trust him an inch.

The faery laughed and nodded along. “New friends indeed... watch the butcher boy though. I think he fancies the shop assistant and he gets himself a bit tongue-tied. Better at pushing to show he’s unhappy,” he admitted. Although from what little attention he paid, it did seem that the young one was getting better about that.

“The celebration will be more likely human soon... or sooner... I would say about a month. I believe since we do have nocturnal residents she’d like to plan it on a full moon. Not that there won’t be bonfires, but I’m sure it’s meant to be more inviting to those who might be a bit tense in the dark,” he reasoned.

Being just about done with his sketch, the faery settled in and sighed. “Well as we heard it, she arrived rather unexpectedly. She hadn’t actually intended to take over, but knowing as much as she did, our queen had been quite ready to offer her services as far as medicinal herbs and growing crops. This didn’t sit well with .... oh I don’t remember his name,” he waved it off, “but that’s not the point anyway. He wished to have her tried and burned as a witch; and as it turns out, this didn’t bother her in the slightest. We heard it said that she simply stepped out of the flames and took it with her or some sort of seeming action, and burned him in his seat instead. ... Even then she hadn’t actually intended to rule, but it seems to have fallen in her lap, and since then she has made a great many changes and attempts to create something better out of this territory,” he finished.

Hail to the queen (closed@garinna)

[write-rhiwind-blog]

The Con: End

Recently I’ve been somewhat trapped. I trapped myself in a relationship with a boy, I met through our mutual friend at a sushi restaurant, and I fell instantly. Everything else around me disappeared. We became quick friends because we got along great. Plenty of common interests and laughing. The three of us became quite close smoking and skating together along with other hooliganry. In fact the first night I even met him. We all almost went to jail, like I said hooligans. But we didn’t. So we celebrated by getting more fucked up and skating down hill at top speeds with sliding gloves. Well, he did anyway. Mutual friend and I stayed back and drove the car down to meet him. Only to find out he biffed it right at the bottom and tore his elbow up. Of course being the caring person I am. I jump to tend to his wounds. After laughing and taking pictures of course. Later after he injured himself again. All three of us hanging out turned into him and I hanging out every single day, even at least a little bit even when we told ourselves we wouldn’t. We ended up in bed quite fast. Faster than I’d like to admit.. it didn’t matter that he had a girlfriend at the time for some reason. And I’m not normally that type of girl.. He had told me about her, she was constantly belittling him, stressing him out. He showed me messages of how rude she would be sometimes. But their situation prevented him from being able to leave her.. I got so upset every single time I’d see or hear of her treating him like trash then kissing up to get what she wanted from him. I hated the way she manipulated him. So I always calmed him down, made sure he was comfortable and taken care of. He’s kind of a health nut, so he’s constantly drinking water. Honestly this boy is so nuts about water, it’s kind of adorable. Only purified drinking water though. So I always made sure he had some when he was thirsty. He also really likes natural medicines like flower concentrates and coconut oil. So I’d just listen to him spew off facts about that and any other little thing he learned on Reddit. I loved it though. I’m getting off topic. I always wanted him to be happy, I wanted to be his happy place. Eventually his girlfriend who is also cheating on him, just like he was her.. decides she would rather go hangout with another guy than him. (Again) It broke his heart. Because despite the way she treated him. For some odd reason he was still so in love with her. But it hurt him really really badly, more than he would admit at the time.. And he ended up staying with me that night. We just hung out with my roommates, trying to keep his mind off of it smoking and laughing yanno. I can’t remember but Im pretty sure we just cuddled and held each other real close all night.. now that he was free from the relationship that stressed him every time it was even brought up. We were together, all the time. Neither of us had jobs. He had been struggling for some months, and I was newly unemployed due to the massive amount of turmoil erupting in my life. So it was just us. Living off what we had. Kind of just messing around all the time. Having fun, going to sprouts just to look around and get a sandwich. He loved sprouts, so he would always tell me little facts about this drink or that organic coffee. But hes also kind of an expert thief.. he doesn’t do anything more than little trinkets or alcohol. But he’s good. Real good. And the two of us were Bonnie and Clyde with out a doubt (yes I am ashamed of my actions but it was exhilarating and new. Wild and spontaneous, judge me). So if we weren’t doing that we were celebrating. Or driving to wherever just to chill and smoke a joint, because he was also an expert at rolling. Or laid up at my apartment watching movies or playing GTA. Well he was. I just laid in his lap and cheered him on, he’s really fricken good at that game. We even cooked dinner for us and my roommates. Cleaned up the kitchen afterwards like real adults. It was amazing. We took my pupper to the dog park. Who actually ended up being more his son than my dog anymore. It was so great, everything about him was so great. My dog loved him, I’d introduced him to my entire family (which says a lot because my family is full of interesting and unsavory characters) and they all loved him and he loved them.. we never ever argued. Not a single time, it was almost like we just understood each other. I knew when he was uncomfortable. Like certain social situations. I saw this boy in so many different lights, a million different sides. His hungry side, because trust me, he isn’t himself on an empty stomach. A man completely motivated by food. Yet, he was still fit and lean. I’d seen his charming and cleaned up version. His silly stoned, reckless character. His comedic side, which is almost always prominent. I always fell even harder for him when he’d take a silly joke too far. Others made fun of him or stared awkwardly but I lived for it. His silly jokes taken too far were always my favorite, even though I’d never let him know that. I’d also seen him cry because of the guilt that haunts him because he knows he’s a sinner and how he wants to change himself but is unsure how. Being so interested in psychology, I was so fascinated by such a character as him. We came from slightly similar backgrounds. He even compared me to him when he was 18 several times. He is 20, I am 18. I felt perfectly content with him, I was comfortable in my own skin around him. I felt safe and happy, everything I could ask for was there. Eventually he got hired as a server at a nice restaurant, perfect for his charismatic self. Things were working out. I gave him the space he needed to cope and be comfortable. Completely understanding that he doesn’t trust easily.. but a little over a month after him and her had broken up. He had to move back in with her. The situation that I mentioned prior, well he lived with her and her parents. He owed them rent money and needed to pay it off.. I trusted him with my whole heart at this point. Of course I didn’t want him to move away from what we had started. But he reassured me that nothing would change him and I would still see each other and he would come back and we could live together again. I had no reason not to believe him. Over just 2 months of knowing him at this point. I had already started to fall for him and everything he was. He moved back in. We hung out still just like he said. The first night I dropped him back off at home, he kissed me goodbye for a real long time and told me he was happy to see where this was going with us. The next day he came over same as before. We took a shower together after lunch. He got out early to go get something from the store. And when I got out, I saw he had left his phone. I wanted to take a cute picture for him as I do often. I never ever would have thought to look through his phone. I trusted him and saw no reason for it. But when I unlocked his phone.. it was already all right there for me to see.. they had started talking again. Not romantically. Sexually. And reading the sexts between the two of them made me physically ill. My heart shattered in that very instant. Along with my trust, that would never be fully repaired. And that’s how it started. The downfall and the falling out of love. After that he didn’t hesitate to mention that we hadn’t yet put an official label on us. Even though he was living at my apartment, driving my car, we went on dates, he told people at the restaurants we dine n dashed I was his girlfriend. But nope, it wasn’t official. After this my heart broke over and over again. Because he started to lie to me, he’d never done that before.. he continued to lie to me. Over and over. I had watched him smooth talk waiters and anyone else. He was a magnificent con artist to put it in harsher terms. but when he started to lie to me, I felt no more important than the Apple bee’s waitress he finessed into free food that one night.. I tried so hard to believe him but my gut told me otherwise. I caught him and I got my feelings hurt every single time. At some point I threatened to tell her about him and I, because she still didn’t know.. would I have done it? No. Probably not. But I wanted him to see how hurt I was by his actions and understand how far he was pushing me. I wanted him to feel the consequences of playing these games.. after this he never saw me the same I don’t think. Because our drama drags out for another 2 months up until this very moment as I type this. At some point. My voice became annoying to him, the way I “talk at him” when I’m upset and ranting. I don’t ever know the right time or place for things. I just couldn’t please him anymore. That’s how it felt. I still wanted to make sure he was taken care of, I still wanted to make him happy. But my feelings kept getting hurt when he continued to choose her. I was working and trying for him so much harder than she was. I still took him to work, even moments after wiping my tears from an argument that we’d just had.. I still wanted him to succeed. I didn’t want to stress him out but after being sidelined for so long it just built up. This goes on for what seems like forever. And outside sources started to tell me I should give up on him, “just let him go” “why do you still try” “he’s using you” “he doesn’t care”. Because after learning bits and pieces of so many different things about him, I know that no one ever treated him the way he deserved. I knew that he had to fend for himself. He had to lie for his own survival in the lifestyle he had.. I didn’t want to give up on him like every one else. I wanted to prove to him that he can be loved. There are people who will treat him right. But as time went on, my feelings for him got more invested and more hurt. Me trying to talk about things became me being upset all the time and arguing because he refused to talk about these things. I just became one of his stressors. The one thing I never wanted to be. And that was exactly what I became. Over 4 months, I have fallen in love, fallen apart, fallen out of love. And now I’m putting myself back together again.

((1/14/17))