#New Centrif

[sw5w]

My Troops Are in Position to Begin Searching the Swamps...

STAR WARS EPISODE I: The Phantom Menace 01:18:29

[charico]

the thin bug with 1million shoes…🐛

[saphronethaleph]

Generically Identical

A door chime rang, in one of the finest hillside estates near the town of New Centrif on the beautiful planet of Naboo.

Several seconds later, an elderly man in flowing robes opened the door.

“Yes?” he asked, before taking a step back at the sight of the dozen individuals in identical black robes. “...oh, Sheev sent you, did he?”

“Sheev is dead,” one of the robed men replied. “I am the Rising, named successor to Yupe Tashu who fell on Jakku. I await confirmation to become the viceroy of the Eternal. We have need of you.”

“Dead? Really?” Ken Palpatine asked. “You’re sure?”

The robed men exchanged glances.

“...how did you not notice?” the Rising asked, hesitantly. “He was on board a space station which exploded with enormous violence. It was all over the holonet last year. The Empire has been collapsing for months.”

“Oh, I don’t pay much attention to the news,” Ken said, shaking his head querulously. “I know how much of it is nonsense. Dead? You’re certain?”

“Yes,” the Rising replied, a mite testily. “We have need of you.”

Ken frowned.

“I’m not sure what you could possibly need me for,” he said. “Sheev did rely on me a bit during the Clone Wars when he absolutely needed to be in two places at once, but that was decades ago. I’m a bit out of practice pretending to be him.”

“You are the twin of the Dark Lord of the Sith,” the Rising stated. “You are his blood. You are the best choice to lead the Sith Eternal.”

“What about that apprentice he had?” Ken asked. “You know, Anakin. Vader. That one.”

“He killed your brother, and is also dead,” the Rising answered. “For both of those reasons, especially combined, he cannot lead the Sith Eternal.”

Ken still seemed a bit confused.

“Isn’t there anyone else?” he asked. “Sheev always has other plans. I know that much about him. He planned the death of our father when he was very young, you know. Precocious. I was never like that.”

“Had,” the Rising told him. “Though… we did not come to you first.”

“I should hope not, if it’s been a year,” Ken said, shaking his head. “Or you’d have been very lost. Who did you try, then?”

Another exchange of glances.

“We began by attempting to clone Sidious,” one of the other cultists said.

“Oh, yes, that was his cult name, wasn’t it?” Ken asked. “Oh, I haven’t thought about that in years. It’s quite nostalgic… where were we? I do apologize, you mustn’t let me get distracted like that.”

The Rising rubbed his temples.

“We attempted to clone Sheev,” he said. “Unfortunately attempting to flash-grow a clone that force-sensitive did… not go well. The result has skin that looks like corduroy and it’s impossible that anyone is going to think it’s you. I mean Sheev. Whichever. And there is no sign of his spirit returning from after death.”

Ken blinked at him.

“...you think that’s possible?” he asked. “If it was possible, how would any Sith ever die? The galaxy would be full of them.”

That led to some muttering among the cultists.

“Not the point,” the Rising said, firmly. “The point is, we’re not sure what to do with the corduroy clone – but you are the best choice we have to lead the Sith Eternal.”

“I’m not a Sith, though,” Ken protested. “Which sort of puts a damper on the whole plan, I’d say.”

“That is a problem that can be solved,” the Rising replied. “We will teach you.”

“...I can’t use the Force,” Ken replied.

“You can,” the Rising told him. “You have not been taught. We will teach you.”

“I’m over eighty years old,” Ken said. “Are you sure I can learn?”

“I don’t see why not,” the Rising answered. “It might take decades to become as proficient as Sheev was, but you will have those decades.”

Ken frowned.

“That bastard,” he said, absently thinking about his twin brother who’d assured him that only one of them was able to touch the Force. “All right, whatever. I’m in.”

He frowned. “And we could probably bring my son in on it, as well. He’s a bit of a deadbeat, but he does have his own starship… I don’t suppose you’ve checked him first?”

“We did, actually,” the Rising replied. “He is not Force-Sensitive.”

“Well, whatever,” Ken said. “I suppose it’d be nice to get to be the one ordering people around again. The problem with a comfortable retirement is that you don’t get much to do…”

[bobathirstaccount]

Extra Credit: Slow burn + Sharing a bed Prompts

Boba x fem!reader, vague plot w porn 2nd part, feels, fluff, more spaceship talk than I was prepared to research, slight action/adventure moment

2 Parts

Boba POV 1st part, Reader POV 2nd part

PART 1

PART 2

Your datapad beeped. Curious, you checked who the sender was. It was 2am local time, but you saw this was interplanetary. It was from a private number. Boba? You tried not to get your hopes up. It had been about 3 weeks since the job had ended. You were finally healed up, but with a new scar along your left thigh. You opened the DM.

- Hi. Found you that ship. 80,000 credits you want it?

You smiled. Boba.

- Does it have a sick paint job?

The reply was immediate.

- No but you can fix that

Your smile grew wider.

- Where?

You wanted to leave now. Maybe Boba would be there?

- Naboo. Go to the main hangar in New Centrif, dock 320. I have to be there to get you the price; it was a special negotiation

You hummed contentedly to yourself. How to respond? You decided to play it nice and easy.

- Ok cool. I’ll be there within a day

The ping was again immediate.

- K

You hopped out of bed while typing a response. Once you were dressed and packed, you checked the wording once more before sending it.

- Will you help me find someone that’ll mod her? I need a paint job asap. What’s her call sign?

You checked out of your motel and headed to the intergalactic transport. Once you got there, you bought your 1-way ticket and got comfy at the gate. You were four hours early. You checked your DMs again.

- Call sign Baze II. Yes

You grinned to yourself. More time with Boba.

- I’ll be omw soon

His reply was quick.

- K

You decided against responding. Best to not seem too chatty or excited. But you were.

***

“So, you’re the special ‘associate’ Boba’s been so secretive about?”

Boba spoke before you could formulate a response. ‘Enough chatting; let’s do the deal.”

The Gungan laughed. “You’ve got my interest, what with this negotiating a price for someone else, is all. Now lemme talk to your attractive friend.”

You tried to keep a neutral expression. Boba readjusted his blaster. “I’m busy, hurry up.”

The Gungan looked from you to the blaster to Boba. He opened his mouth, “Okay but, just one question -“ Boba cut him off.

You laughed softly as the Gungan grumbled quietly, doing the sale. Boba stood stoically. Finally it was time. You pressed your thumb to the datapad to complete payment. 90,000 credits, after local taxes. So you had 10,000 left to get a paint job. You wondered if Boba would help you with the price of that too.

“Let’s go see your new baby,” Boba swept out of the office area and into the corridor leading to the docking bay. You hurried after him.

“She’s real ugly right now. But she’s got a lot of promise, and is already fitted with turboblasters and a laser cannon.”

You realized even 100,000 was low for this ship. “How’d you get that price?” You blurted out.

“Oh, he owed me, no big deal,” Boba dismissed. He turned a corner and you followed, looking adoringly at him. He stopped short and pointed. You followed his direction. Your ship. You ran up to her. Circling her, you made plans to get her fully repainted.

Boba followed you up through her to the cockpit. He settled into the copilot’s seat. “Test drive?” He asked casually.

“Totally.” You hopped into the pilot’s seat. She started smoothly. You took her up and out of the hangar, through traffic and up into the atmosphere. Zooming around, you went nowhere in particular as you acquainted yourself with your new ship.

“What do you think?” Boba put his feet up.

“Love her, she’s so smooth. Can’t wait to get her painted up.” You turned to him happily.

He nodded. “Well I found a place.”

Smiling, you asked, “They owe you too?”

He laughed, “Nah, but I heard she does good work for good prices.”

You turned around and headed back to the hangar. “You wanna get some food?” You asked, a bit nervous.

“Okay. What do you like?”

***

Dinner over, Boba walked you back to your ship. “So, what ya gonna paint her?” Boba had drunk a lot of fire whiskey.

“Mm, something with a flaming skull for sure,” you joked.

“Hah, that’s funny, you’re funny.” He took a step towards you.

You looked into his helmet, wondering if you could ask him to take it off.

“I’m- I should get back to my ship.” He didn’t budge.

“You wanna… hang out?”

“Yeah, alright.” He turned abruptly and went into your ship without you. You followed him, closing the ship up as you did. You had plans.

He stumbled into the passenger seating area. Sitting, he kicked his feet up again. “So, now what?”

You sat down next to him.

“You gonna try to take advantage of me? I’m not that drunk… yet.” He produced a small flask.

You couldn’t believe your ears. You took the flask from him and took a sip as he removed his helmet. Passing it back, you said, “Better hurry up and get drunk, then.”

He hmmmed at you before taking a big sip out of his little flask. Nudging you, he passed the drink back. Sipping, you tried to think of what to do next. Boba had ideas.

Suddenly he started squirming in the seat, until he figured out how to lift the arm rest. He immediately laid his head in your lap. Looking up at you, he said, “The view is nice here.”

Whoa. Your mouth got dry.

“We should race our ships sometime,” Boba played with the zipper on your jacket.

“Yeah, okay,” you felt giddy. The hand playing with your zipper slipped under your jacket. It rested lightly on your side. “Hi,” he said.

“H-hi,” you murmured.

“You uh, wanna show me where you’re gonna sleep? I wanna see if it’s bigger than the bed we were sharing.”

“Okay,” your body started tingling in anticipation.

He stood and helped you to your feet. Instead of letting go, he held onto your arm. He pulled you close against himself. “Or we could just hang out here,” he offered, arms around your waist.

You thought about pros and cons of having a bed right now. “Mm, bed,” you decided. Smiling mischievously, he released you, “Lead the way.”

He was close on your heels the entire way there. You started to present the bed, a respectable twin size. He pushed you down into it. “Hmm, too roomy,” he complained, crawling in on top of you.

“You think so?” Your body was buzzing and your panties were damp. Boba groaned softly. “Let’s test it out.” He pressed the bulge in his pants into your thigh. Electrified, you wrapped your legs around him.

“I’m gonna take that as a ‘yes’ cause mmm…” Boba kissed up your throat slowly. You kissed each other feverishly when he reached your mouth. His hands went to your hips, where he pulled your pants down and off. He kept kissing you hard as you heard him undo his belt.

Your body lit on fire and you found yourself softly whimpering. “I like the way you sound right now,” Boba grabbed your hips and pulled you across the bed and against himself. His shaft rubbed into your panties.

”Hmm, so naughty… you’re so wet for me, hmm?”

He kissed you again. “You’re gonna get dicked down,” Boba slid one finger under the hem of your panties. You felt the fabric glide down your skin, making you shiver. Boba tossed your panties over his shoulder.

“Omigosh,” you managed to get out before he was rubbing himself into you and grunting obscenely. As his shaft slid in between your wet folds, you arched your back and begged for More.

“You sure you can handle more?” Boba teased. His hands felt up and down your body, lightly massaging you. “I have a confession - I’ve been wanting you since we shared that bed,” he kissed your mouth.

His touch became slightly harder, “Can’t get you outta my head, in fact… no one else will do.” Before you could think, he had flipped you over and pulled your hips up so you were on your elbows and knees. You felt the mattress shift as he positioned himself. His hands caressed your hips for a moment before gripping them firmly.

“You look great from this angle…” He pulled you back onto himself. Groaning, he pushed in the rest of the way. His hips set a hard pace as he grabbed your neck with one hand. The other was still gripping your hip harshly.

Your eyes nearly rolled back in your head. As he slid in and out of your pussy, he groaned, “I’m so hard, you’ve really done me in. Now I’m gunna do you in.” He quickened the pace, still holding you in place by your neck. You felt him bringing you to orgasm already; his thick length felt like the perfect tight fit for your pussy.

“Oh dank ferrick, shit, fuck,” you moaned. Boba continued to pound into you, grunting under his breath. You squirmed and bucked your hips as your pussy grew tighter and you felt yourself on the edge of cumming.

“Oh fuck, mmph, baby,” Boba grunted as you came hard on him, moaning his name and nearly going limp in his grasp. Rocking your hips, you mumbled nonsense as Boba’s hips continued to snap into you. When you were spent, he released you and pulled out abruptly. He grunted and you felt him cum on your ass. He flopped down beside you. After a moment he wiped his cum off you and rolled you over so you were on your side. He cuddled into you so that you were little spoon.

“I like you a lot,” he whispered.

“Me too,” you blurted out.

He squeezed you momentarily, then further confessed, “I wanna keep seeing you… just you.”

Your heart fluttered and you felt like you might cry. You sucked in a big breath before exhaling and saying more calmly this time, “Me too.”

He squeezed you again. Kissing your shoulder, he murmured, “so now that you’re my girl, I’m gonna confess again… I couldn’t find you a ship within your budget, but I really wanted to talk to you again. So, I found this ship and just paid the difference.”

Your eyes widened. “How much?”

“Oh… like $90,000 give or take.”

“You paid $90,000 credits just to talk to me again?!” You exclaimed.

“Yeah.” You felt him shrug.

You felt warm all over. Sniffling a bit, you felt grateful. “Now that I know my worth, you’ll never get away with anything,” you sniffled, laughing a bit.

He kissed your shoulder again. ��I’m fine with that, princess.” His hand slid into yours. Holding hands lightly, you both fell asleep.

[beginningspod]

It's time for Beginnings, the podcast where writer and performer Andy Beckerman talks to the comedians, writers, filmmakers and musicians he admires about their earliest creative experiences and the numerous ways in which a creative life can unfold.

On today's episode, I talk to musician Marina Allen. Originally from New Jersey, Marina's moved back and forth across the country a couple times, and now lives in Los Angeles. She began to write music in earnest her late-teens/early-20s, and her first album Candlepower came out in 2021, followed one year later by Centrifics and her latest Eight Pointed Star was just released last week on Fire Records, and it's wonderful!

I'm on Twitter here and you can get the show with:

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[daggerzine]

Marina Allen- Centrifics (Fire Records)

Another late review as this came out back in September so even though I'm late on it, I wanted to write a few words. I really enjoyed this Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter's 2021 debut, Candlepower and liking this one even more.

If you've heard her music you know she's from the Joni Mitchell/Carole King/Karen Carpenter school of songwriting. In other words, completely dedicated to songcraft.

The first thing you may notice is the lilt of her soaring voice which is lovely in every respect. Allen wrote the songs on guitar and piano but a whole host of musicians helped  flesh the songs out. The record was produced and engineered by Chris Cohen who did a great job and perfectly captured Allen's feelings and moods.

A few of my favorites on here are the spare, beautiful "Superreality," the heartfelt "Getting Better" ("I go faster and faster, am I getting better?"). "Or Else" takes the road less traveled and "New Song Rising" is gorgeous vocal workout (and don't miss the flute on the enchanting "Smoke Bush" or the almost baroque of "Halfway Home").

To say that Allen is a unique talent is quite an understatement and despite being a mostly quiet record, Centrifics is a loud, bold statement.

www.firerecords.com

www.marinagallen.bandcamp.com

[nabooro]

Somebody (me, it's me) forgot to mark Naboo's canon cities on the map and really doesn't want to rearrange things to put more labels in on this day:

Note: some of these are no longer Canon or just in Legends or... whatever. They're all there though maybe not where they're said to be on Wookieepedia. It's fine.

Chafala - Central Danank

Dee'ja Peak - in the valleys of the mountains in Shisén, roughly between Bisemb and Jémid

Ferentina - north Arind

Harte Secur - west coast of Halân

Kaadara - north coast of Danank, not too far from Theed

Keren - the city on the map in Deetân currently named Cankab. I will amend that later

Kwilaan - south Nirerd

Moenia - central Arind, maybe a large-ish city at the base of the hills

New Centrif - Halân

Oxon City - central Danank

Parrlay - Halân

Pontel - Arind

Port Landien - Arind

Selton - somewhere in Deetân

Spinnaker - north-west Danank

Vis - Halân

Gungan cities:

Jan-Gwa City: Northern Ojian

Otoh Gunga: Lake Paonga, north of Theed

Otoh Jahai: Central Ojian

Otoh Langua: South Nirerd

Otoh Mandassa: Danank

Otoh Raban: Arind

Otoh Sancture: North Deetân

Otoh Urs: the only Gungan city on Halân

Rellias: Off the west coast of Nirerd

Shoril: Shisén

Spearhead: Danank

Umberbool City: North Arind

[wild-karrde]

Guarded - Part 19

Master List | Previous Part | Next Part

A/N: As always, thank you to the lovely @teletraan-meets-jarvis for editing this chapter for me! Reminder that there are spoilers for "In Command" beyond this point!

Crosshair winced as Echo carefully pressed on his side. A massive bruise was radiating across his ribcage, and he snarled as Echo’s fingers once again seemed to find the most painful place to apply pressure. Echo ignored his animosity, furrowing his brow as he focused on his brother’s side. “I don’t think you’ve done more than maybe crack a few ribs. You’re lucky.”

“Where’s that magical little droid your friend has with her?”

Echo glared at him. “D-4 is tending to more injured parties right now. You’ll have to wait your turn, but I’m sure he’ll tell you the same thing.”

Crosshair rolled his eyes as he pulled the top half of his blacks back over his shoulders gingerly. He was covered in scratches and bruises, but knew overall, he was fortunate. Some of Gadge’s men had been ambushed by a group of reinforcements when the troops from New Centrif had arrived, and at least one of them had been killed with a few more barely hanging on. I imagine that’s where that med droid’s buzzed off to. He was sitting on a bench just inside the city gates where a large group of the injured had assembled to be evaluated. Echo was moving among them, assessing sprains and bandaging wounds where he could. Crosshair pulled his chestplate back on, swearing under his breath as he twisted to fiddle with the buckles and clasps.

Once he’d gotten his armor pulled back on, he leaned back against the wall behind him, breathing heavily from the strain. Only cracked. Don’t be such a child. He took a few deep steadying breaths before allowing his eyes to scan the area around him.

Moenia was certainly not a city built with defense in mind. The outer wall didn’t even encircle the entire city, serving more as symmetry for the decorative front gate that was barely hanging above the ruined tank. The buildings were architectural wonders with stunning views of the surrounding cliffs and forests. Gardens and greenery were tastefully peppered throughout the city with plenty of gathering places for the artists and great minds of Naboo to commune. Crosshair rolled his eyes at all of it. He’d been frustrated trying to find a vantage point for when the second Imperial wave had arrived, having to settle for the roof of one of the administrative buildings near the main road.

They had easily managed to hold the city, having several hours of time to prepare for the second wave since Hunter and Typho had relayed what number of troops and types of weaponry were on the way. It had taken a little longer than the original attack, but they’d eventually managed to take out the walkers and troop transports, capturing a few Imperials in the process. There had been debate about what to do with the prisoners, but ultimately, they’d opted to let them go after stripping them of their armor and weapons. Crosshair had watched as the troopers had trudged off back towards New Centrif, a toothpick tightly clenched between his teeth.

Iden had ordered it, and he could understand her reasoning, but he still felt it was a mistake.

“You know they’re just going to go get new armor and weapons and come back,” he had said quietly as they stood next to one another, watching the figures recede into the distance.

“Let them come. We’ll push them back again.”

“You’re being naive.”

“Perhaps. But I have a code I follow, and that dictates I don’t execute people that surrendered willingly. I will not be like them.”

Crosshair had to turn away to hide the wave of nausea that overtook him. Gerrera’s people. The civilians. I ordered their executions. Their murders. The screams haunted him at night sometimes, causing him to wrench the covers off of himself as his chest heaved. He knew it hadn’t been his decision, not really, but it had been his finger that pulled the trigger, his voice that had given the order. He wasn’t sure how much Iden knew about his past, but he wasn’t about to let her see him like this, to know what a monster he was. He had stalked off without another word.

Now, he pushed the memories away again, letting his head drift back against the wall as his eyes closed. He took a few more deep breaths before allowing his eyes to open again, his gaze immediately settling on Iden.

The lieutenant was speaking with Jex, Sabé, and Gadge. She was laughing, her head tipped back to where he could see the white bandage that covered the cut on her head. He realized that he was smiling, and he had no idea why. Quickly, he leaned down and popped a toothpick between his teeth as he watched Iden clap Gadge on the shoulder before giving her a firm handshake and turning back towards him with Jex and Sabé following her.

Crosshair stood, walking to meet them with Echo.

“Gadge and her people are going to hold the city for as long as they can. They’ve got a few more groups coming in from the surrounding areas to help out with the recovery effort. It’s time for us to head back.”

“That’s it?” Echo asked incredulously. “We’re just going to leave them to fend for themselves?”

Iden smiled tightly. “We have to head back to Fellen to better coordinate with the queen and Captain Typho. I’m skeptical that the Empire will waste resources to try and retake the city. Gadge is broadcasting the news of the victory using the frequency Tech and Kestia took advantage of for their holo. Soon, everyone on the planet will know we’re still fighting for them.”

Crosshair scoffed. “You don’t know the Empire.”

She glared at him. “I know that once word of this gets out, the Empire will likely focus its effort on finding the queen and holding Theed. They’d be foolish to send troops out this way to try and take this city back, particularly after they’ve been beaten back twice.”

He shook his head. “They’ll rain everything they have down on you, and you’re a fool if you think otherwise. The Empire isn’t about what’s smart, they’re about complete domination and subjugation of the people underneath them, at any cost. What’s stopping them from sending another star destroyer here? Do you truly think they won’t?” He realized his voice had gotten louder, drawing the attention of those around them.

Echo glanced around nervously before speaking quietly. “We are here to help them Crosshair, remember that. This is their fight. We’re just here to help.”

“Help them get themselves killed.”

“Oh, I guess you’re the expert on the Empire then and what they’ll do. Tell me trooper, do you suddenly have the gift clairvoyance? Or some direct line to the Empire that you’re not telling us about?” Iden’s eyes were glowing like hot coals.

“He knows because he was one of them.”

Crosshair and Iden whirled on Jex, who had spoken up. “I thought everyone knew that,” he mumbled. “I heard the captain talking to the queen about it before they arrived. He was an Imperial commander.”

Iden turned to Crosshair, confusion clouding her features. “Is…I…I didn’t know.”

Anger surged within him. “Well, now you know. So maybe, just maybe, I do know what I’m talking about.”

Echo was staring at the ground as the silence dragged on. Iden finally shook her head as if she was clearing her mind. “We’re leaving.”

Crosshair’s anger surged again. “Iden-“

“It is Lieutenant, and I have given you an order. I will not repeat myself again.” Her nostrils flared and her eyes were daring him to question her again, and he considered it for a moment before snatching his rifle up and slamming it on his back, storming off towards the speeders.

Iden watched his back as he moved into the distance, her teeth worrying at her bottom lip. Echo raised his eyes, glaring at Jex.

“That wasn’t yours to tell.”

“He’s an Imp. We have the right to know.”

Echo surged forward, gripping the guard by his shirt collar, snarling at him. “He didn’t have a choice. I know you natborns don’t get that, but we weren’t given a decision. Our minds were not our own, and we weren’t given an option to choose sides. He fought it, all on his own, with no help from us or any of you, so don’t you dare question his loyalty. There are plenty of clones that served the Empire to the end, and he wasn’t one of them. If you question his loyalty, then you question mine, and you spit on the graves of all of the clones that died trying to hold the Republic together.” He released him, shoving him back. “You will never understand what we went through, what he went through.”

Jex straightened his shirt, staring Echo down as he walked away from them. Iden glanced at Echo before following Jex. Echo felt a hand on his shoulder, and he turned to see Sabé giving him a small smile. “I didn’t know you had that in you.”

Echo sniffed, flexing the fingers on his cybernetic hand. “Neither did I. But it needed to be said.”

“It did.”

The two of them followed the others to the speeders.

---

For most of the ride back to the safehouse, Tech remained quiet. He couldn’t stop thinking about all of the regrets he’d had in the moments where he was certain they were beaten, how afraid he’d been of losing Kestia all without telling her how he felt. Luckily for him, Senna and Kestia hit it off immediately as the Jedi dug out the medkit and bandaged Kestia’s arm. The wound wasn’t terribly severe, but it would take a few days to heal. At least there’s that.

“How did you find us?” Kestia asked.

“I had heard rumors of Force sensitives on Naboo that were looking for training, and I figured I’d make my way here. I’d been searching for a few months by the time the Empire decided to show up, and hadn’t had much luck until I caught your Force signature. I can’t explain it, but you burn incredibly brightly in the Force, almost like a beacon. I’ve been looking for you for the last week or so, trying to find you, and today, that calling in the Force tugged me towards New Centrif. I have to say I wasn’t anticipating finding you, m’lady, or Tech for that matter.”

“How do you two know each other?”

Senna smirked. “Tech and I go way back. He and his brothers got me and another friend out of trouble on Lothal, and we ran a few missions for the rebellion after that. Tech here is one of my favorite sparring partners and,” she said, waving her cybernetic around, “he and I designed this hand together after I lost it to an Inquisitor. Last time I saw the boys was on Ryloth.” Her voice drifted off and her gaze grew distant.

Tech’s heart ached at the memory of the day they’d discovered she had left. Rex had been inconsolable, and even though he never admitted it, Tech was certain Echo had known Senna was leaving. The Grand Inquisitor had already taken her hand, and she was terrified he’d come after all of them to get to her. She’d left in the dead of night, leaving a note for Rex and hopping a flight offworld before they had even woken up. He said nothing, not sure if Senna really wanted to relive the memory either. He hadn’t missed the Jaig eyes that she’d etched faintly on the ring finger of her metallic left hand.

“I heard you found him,” Senna said quietly, snapping Tech out of his memories. He turned to look at her, a hopefulness in her eyes. They had wanted to find Crosshair on Ryloth, but they hadn’t been able to get to him. They hadn’t known he’d been dragged there as a prisoner at the time.

“We did. Not on Ryloth, but we were able to get to him. He’s with Echo in Fellen.”

“And Hunter and Wrecker?”

“In Vis. They staged the attack on the front gates and gave us the diversion we needed to escape.”

She laughed softly. “I’ll bet Wrecker loved that.”

“They’ll be happy to see you.”

“And I them.”

“If I may ask,” Kestia broke in, “why did you come to find me?”

Senna eyed her. “Like I said, I heard there were Force users in need of training. Your signature is bright, but not consistent, if that makes sense. It’s something I used to be able to sense in padawans, a fluctuating strength in their connection to the Force. Yours is of course more consistent than the younglings I knew, but…unrefined? I’m not sure how to describe it with words really, but I wanted to see if you were one of the ones I’d heard about.”

Kestia’s mouth fell open slightly. “You’d be willing to train me?”

“If you’d like. I don’t think you need much. I wouldn’t try to make you a Jedi; there’s no reason to do that, but I could help you refine your control of the Force. Might be able to help you with those sabers too if that appeals, although I never trained in Jar’Kai. Just knew a few who did.”

Tech’s mind drifted once more as the two women spoke, Kestia practically vibrating with excitement next to him. Apparently she was less affected by their brush with disaster. He was sure his knuckles underneath his gloves were bone white as he gripped the steering mechanism of the bongo. He was particularly glad in that moment that Kestia had allowed him to pilot it rather than punching on the autopilot. It gave him something to concentrate on as his stomach twisted with unresolved nerves.

As soon as the bongo was parked in the cavern, Tech was out of it like a shot, and he heard Kestia call after him, but he ignored her, walking quickly through the cave and heading towards his room, trying to clear his mind. Kestia stared after him with a puzzled expression.

“I’d go after him.”

She turned to look at the Jedi Master, who was carefully climbing out of the vehicle. Senna straightened, casting a smirk in Kestia’s direction. “I’ve never seen him like that, but I sense something unresolved between the two of you.”

“You sense that, do you?”

“Oh, my dear, I don’t have to be Force sensitive to see how he looked at you when he thought it was all coming to an end. His signature was practically screaming for you.”

Kestia’s cheeks flushed pink and she stared at the ground, toeing at one of the smooth stones. Senna grinned. “I’m going to give you a piece of advice his brother gave me once. Life is short, particularly during war. Don’t waste time doing the calculations about whether or not you should. Now, go to him.”

Kestia’s green eyes met Senna’s blue ones, and a small smile passed between the two of them before Kestia turned on her bootheel, jogging after Tech. Senna sighed.

“Alright, let’s see if I can find something to eat while they figure that out.” She stalked down the hallway to the kitchen, yanking her datapad out as she went.

---

Tech stepped inside the room, tossing his helmet on the desk and leaning heavily against the wall. What would you have said? What would you have done differently if you’d known? What if that had been it? His breathing was shallow, and for once, he felt completely at a loss of what to do. The only thing he knew for sure was that he didn’t want to have those regrets again.

He was a trained soldier, someone who had mentally prepared for the possibility of death from the moment he understood the concept. Tech had always taken a pragmatic approach to facing his own mortality, and had never feared it once, at least not until today. The logical side of his mind was screaming that he was being foolish, cliché even, but the other side, which had been growing progressively louder since the first night in the garden with Kestia, was yelling that he should tell her. Just tell her. Because next time you may not make it out.

Before he could gather his thoughts, Kestia was right behind him, concern etching her features.

“Tech, I’m sorry. I know it was foolish. I put us in danger back there, and for that-“

His lips were on hers before she could finish her sentence. He cradled her face in his hands, his fingers tangling in her hair. It was frantic, messy, and above all, urgent as Tech kissed her like he’d wanted to since the first day he saw her. His eyes were closed behind his goggles while hers were wide open, staring wildly at him for a moment before he broke away, resting his forehead against hers.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. But I can’t lose you, and I almost did without doing that. Forgive me.”

He opened his eyes and stepped back from her. She was searching his face, her emerald irises boring into him before she stepped closer again, closing the gap between them, her fingertips grazing the back of his head as she pulled his face to her.

“You have nothing to apologize for. Well, other than maybe waiting so long to do that.”

Then she kissed him back. Hers was much less frantic, her lips melding against his perfectly. His hands came to rest on her waist, pulling her closer to him. They stayed like that for several minutes, their lips gently working against one another until Kestia pulled back, resting her forehead against his once more.

“I do apologize for waiting so long to do that,” he said quietly, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips, and Kestia laughed softly.

“I forgive you.”

“Well, still, I’d prefer to find ways to make it up to you. If that’s alright.”

“If you continue kissing me like that, I think you’ll make it up to me in no time at all.”

He leaned down one more time, pressing a final chaste kiss to her lips, his gloved hand resting against her cheek.

“I find that acceptable.”

They laughed together softly, standing in silence for a few minutes just staring at each other. Finally, Kestia slipped her arms around his waist, pulling him into an embrace before she nuzzled against his jawline. “We should go find your friend and try to contact Typho and the others.”

He sighed, giving her a slight squeeze. “You’re right.” Leaning down, he pressed his lips to the crown of her head. “More of this later though, if you don’t mind.”

“Oh, definitely.”

---

They found Senna with her nose buried in her datapad, poking at a half-eaten bowl of noodle soup that was growing colder quickly. She grinned when she saw them both.

“Alright, now that that’s settled, what’s the plan?”

Kestia and Tech both blushed furiously. Kestia recovered first. “I-er…I’d like to try to call the others. Would you care to join us, Master Aven?”

Senna pushed back from the table. “Senna, please. And I’d like to listen in if you don’t mind. I understand if you’re hesitant since we just met.”

“If Tech trusts you, I trust you.”

“Alright.”

Kestia turned and led them down the hall towards the communications room while Senna clapped Tech on the shoulder.

“Well done, Legs,” she whispered cheekily.

He just rolled his eyes at her.

---

“Incoming comm from the queen.”

Hunter, Typho, and Wrecker scrambled from the kitchen table in the cabin where they’d been sitting, racing for the cellar. They’d been in the middle of trying to tally the injuries and amount of munitions they’d used during the attack. Their group had been very fortunate, only losing three militia members in the fight. Since they’d made it back to Vis, they’d just been holding their breath, waiting to hear from the others.

The queen and Tech’s holograms glowed blue on their usual side of the table, and as they descended the stairs, Iden and Echo popped into view on the other side. Hunter noted Crosshair’s absence but did not acknowledge it out loud.

“M’lady, it’s good to hear from you. I trust you made it back without incident?” Typho’s eyes lingered on the bandage on Kestia’s left bicep, but he said nothing about it.

“We did, Captain. All thanks to a new friend.”

Hunter’s breath caught in his throat when Senna stepped into view, and Wrecker let out a loud cackle behind him.

“SENNA!”

“Hey Wreck! Good to see you!”

Echo was flabbergasted. “How-“

“That’s a long story for another time, my friend. Let’s just say I’m here to help in any way I can. I yield the floor back to the queen,” Senna teased, the familiar twinkle still in her eye.

Typho raised an eyebrow at Hunter questioningly. “You know her?”

“Yes, and I trust her with my life,” he said firmly, trying to ease some of the worry he could see creasing Typho’s brow.

The captain nodded. “Alright. Good.”

“Where do we stand, Captain?” Kestia pressed.

Hunter noted the small smile Typho allowed himself. “In a better place than anticipated if I’m honest. We had minimal casualties in New Centrif, and from what we’re seeing on the news holos, Bail Organa of Alderaan has called an emergency session of the Senate to discuss Naboo’s current state. It’s not a guarantee, but it’s not nothing.”

Kestia’s brows furrowed. “How many casualties?”

“M’lady-“

“How many, Captain?”

It’s admirable that she wants to know, but I don’t think she realizes how those numbers will weigh on her, Hunter thought. Death is a part of war. To expect us to walk away without a single loss isn’t realistic.

Typho took a deep breath. “We lost three in New Centrif and one in Moenia. There are a few more that may not pull through, but overall, far fewer than anticipated.”

Kestia nodded, swallowing hard. “I’d like their families notified as soon as possible.”

“It shall be done.”

The queen clasped her hands behind her back, pacing slowly. Hunter could sense Typho’s unease, his fingers flexing nervously at his sides. “M’lady, this is a victory. A massive one if I do say so myself. I understand the desire to recognize those that died, but this is a time for celebration-“

“I am perfectly capable of feeling two things at once, Captain. We were victorious, but we lost people. That cannot go unacknowledged.”

The captain nodded. “Understood.”

“Moenia remains under our control?”

Iden stepped forward. “For now, m’lady. We are leaving it with a few of our more capable factions. They plan to hold the city for as long as they can.”

“Don’t have them take any unnecessary risks,” Kestia said. “While the victory at Moenia is important, there are other places I would rather capture and hold. I would prefer our more skilled militias not become martyrs holding a city with little tactical value. So, have them stay in control as long as they can, but the second the tides turn, they must evacuate.”

“I will pass the word along.”

Kestia’s pacing slowed. “What’s our next move then?”

“I think we should wait and see what the response is before we start making our next play,” Typho replied.

“You don’t think we should strike while we’ve got them on their heels?”

“I think if we do too much too quickly, we risk overtipping our hand. The Empire still doesn’t know our complete numbers or capabilities. If we see how they respond to this first poke at them, then we can gauge what our next campaign should look like.”

Hunter disagreed with the approach, but he held his tongue. Here to help. That’s it. He’d always preferred to keep the enemy off balance, and this seemed like the best chance they’d have, but he also understood Typho’s caution, particularly with a largely untrained force at his disposal. He stood silently, but he became aware of the queen watching him.

“Sergeant, do you agree with the captain’s assessment?”

Hunter’s mouth went dry. “I understand his reasoning and stand behind it.”

“That wasn’t what I asked.”

Hunter’s eyes flicked to Typho. The captain was watching him carefully with his good eye. This was the last thing Hunter wanted, to openly be pitted against another commanding officer, but Typho surprised him. Nodding, the captain stepped back.

“I would welcome your input, Sergeant, even if it is opposed to my own. You’ve got far more experience than I have.”

Hunter felt some of the tension leave his shoulders, throwing a grateful smile at Typho as he stepped forward. “In this situation, I would recommend continuing to press. I think we could drive the Imperials out of smaller cities. I wouldn’t recommend staging another large attack just yet for the reasons Captain Typho mentioned, but I think we could continue to drive back the Imperial forces, at least for now. I suggest activating more militia groups and having them assess their situations, move factions around to help where needed. It’ll have to be well-coordinated, but I think pressing where troop presence is thin will at least drive them back for now and show the people of Naboo that we are still fighting for them. This fight must be done in public as much as it’s done in the shadows.”

Kestia nodded. “Very well. I’d like you all to pursue Hunter’s recommended approach. I think it’s a good compromise for now. Please begin coordinating with the more remote militias and having them move in to help those in the smaller townships. Above all though, please be careful my friends. I don’t think we will be able to hide in the shadows for much longer. Be wary of those that are new, vet everyone carefully, and continue to only communicate using these encrypted channels. Captain, keep me apprised of how the Senate session turns out. I’m not hopeful there’ll be much action, but at least maybe if our plight is well known across the galaxy, it’ll inspire others to push back.”

“I will, m’lady.”

“Very well. May the Force be with you all.”

The table went dark as the holos flickered out, and Hunter released a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. As the room cleared out, he realized Typho was lagging behind with him. Taking his cue, he went and leaned against a back wall as the captain approached him.

“I appreciate your candor, Sergeant,” he said, giving him a small smile.

Hunter ducked his head. “The last thing I want to do here is step on your toes. Please know that.”

Typho chuckled. “I do, but I’m not such a fool as to let my pride get in the way when I lack experience or perspective. I value your input and don’t want you to be afraid to speak up if you disagree. I know it comes from the right place.” He clapped Hunter on the shoulder. “Now, let’s go get some food.”

---

After wrapping up their call with the queen, the small group in Moenia piled back into the speeders and headed for Fellen. Iden was silent for the entire ride, and Crosshair just sat in the back seat fuming. He’d have rather walked back and avoided all of them, but after weighing his options, he had decided to not give in to his sullen urges. Instead, he’d slipped his helmet back on and opted to stare at the countryside as it rushed by. Inside the helmet, conflict raged within him. I should just leave. They’ll never trust you now, just like your brothers.

Once they reached the house, he brushed past Inez, who was waiting eagerly by the door for Jex. Crosshair immediately went up the stairs, closing the door to his room behind him, ignoring Inez calling out after him that she’d made dinner for them.

Iden and Echo stepped inside behind him with Sabé bringing up the rear with D-4. Jex had swept Inez up off of her feet when she’d rushed him, and it was pretty clear to the others that they needed some time to themselves.

“Smells amazing in here,” Iden commented. “It’ll be a nice upgrade from the rations we’ve been eating.”

Together, they all sat down at the table that Inez had cleared off in the back room. The mood should have been light, but a heaviness weighed down Iden and Echo.

“Do you think Crosshair will want some food?” Inez asked.

“Yeah, save him a plate,” Echo replied as he gave her a tight smile. He felt Jex’s eyes on him, but he ignored the guard.

Iden sat quietly for a minute before pushing back from the table. “Leave his plate there. I’ll be right back.”

The others watched as she quickly moved to the stairs, disappearing to the next level with heavy boot thuds.

Iden stormed across the landing to Crosshair’s room, bursting in without knocking. The sniper was laid out on his bed, still in his full kit, his arm across his eyes.

“It’s rude to barge in without knocking.”

Iden fumed, closing the gap between them as she knocked his boots off of the bed forcefully. “Enough. Get up.”

“I’d rather not.”

“I wasn’t asking.”

“The response is the same.”

Iden had finally hit her limit. She gripped his forearm with a force that surprised even her, yanking him to a standing position. “Enough of this bantha shit,” she growled. “You have no right to be upset with us. None.”

He leaned forward, his voice dripping with venom. “I would beg to differ.”

Iden met his gaze, her eyes burning fiercely as her jaw clenched. “You’re a hypocrite. All that time you called me a liar, and now I find out you lied to me.”

“I’m an Imp, remember. That’s what we do.”

“You’re not.”

“But I was.”

“I don’t give a damn what you were, don’t you get that? You’re here now. You’re with us, but you lied. You hid yourself, and you acted like you couldn’t possibly comprehend why Kestia would do the same. And now you’re up here sulking like a petulant child. Grow up, Crosshair.”

He leaned down so close she could feel his breath on her face. “I’d be very careful how you speak to me.”

Her glare hardened. “I’m not afraid of you. If anything, I pity you.”

“I don’t want your pity.”

“Then what do you want?”

The silence hung between them as they glared at one another, neither of them flinching away.

“I want to be trusted again.” The words slipped out before he could stop them, and he wouldn’t have been sure he’d said them out loud if Iden’s eyes hadn’t softened slightly.

She stepped back from him, her gaze never leaving his. “No more lies then.”

He nodded silently.

“Good. Now come down to dinner.”

“I’m not-“

“You want to build trust? Come down to dinner. Inez worked hard on it. It’s the least you can do.”

With that, she turned on her heel, and he heard her footfalls recede down the stairs. He released some of the tension in his shoulders before removing the top half of his kit and following her downstairs to eat with the others.

A/N: Senna Aven is my OC, first introduced in my fic "In Command". If you'd like to learn more about her, I'd check that fic out! :)

Tag List: @imalovernotahater

[jrumblrconfessions]

DON'T GET PETE WENTZ AND MIKEY WAY INTO THIS. PLEASE. I BEG YOU.

FUCK YOU CENTRIFIVE IS THE AMAZING NEW MEXICO SUNSET

[dubmiho]

When Téa walks into their apartment, there is a new, heavy-looking, real wood dining table. It’s nowhere near full-sized--more of a dinette, even--but it’s still taking up a not insignificant part of the little apartment’s combined kitchen/living room space. 

This is not as noticeable, however, as the fact that Mimi is standing on top of the table, eyes closed, somewhere between singing and shouting into a soup ladle. 

“It’s! The way you love me! It’s! A feeling like thiiis! It’s centrifible motion, it’s perpetual blii-iiss--!” 

Téa putting down her bag alerts Mimi to her audience. Grinning from ear to ear, she scrambles off the table and runs up to give her a kiss. 

“What do you think??”

Téa’s smiling fondly, but: “Don’t stand on the furniture. And it’s a little big, isn’t it? Couldn’t we have gotten a folding table or something?” Mimi pouts.

“I want real furniture! Real adult furniture for our first real adult apartment.” 

Téa laughs, taking Mimi in her arms and kissing away the familiar pout. “This is our third apartment since moving to New York, you know. Or did I imagine those?”

Mimi rests her head on Téa’s shoulder to hide her face. “Yeah, but... this is our first apartment we got being, you know, together...” She turns her best puppy eyes on Téa. “We can keep it, right?”

Téa casts her eyes to the ceiling, but it’s too late. “Yes,” she sighs. “Also, the line is ‘It’s centrifugal motion.’” Mimi squeals happily and runs to the kitchen to get another microphone stand-in.

Téa calls after her. “Were you planning to get any chairs for this table, too?”

[lacramorga]

— SHIP QUESTIONS

PRE-RELATIONSHIP

° How did they first meet?

  -The Centrifical Carburettor, a newly constructed experimentation hall for steam locomotives. Ondolerinde had just been sponsored by Dean Valkner An and was a full citizen of the Clockwork City, receiving a tour of the Brass Fortress.

° What was their first impression of each other?

  - Sotha Sil? Mildly impressed at the new addiction to the Apostles. He thought he was...cute? Why did he think that? No, no, he can't find anyone cute. It was unprofessional.

  - Ondolerinde? He was infatuated immediately, like instantly. Love at first sight. There was a Living God in front of him and Sotha Sil was better than anyone could describe. He was so in awe he dropped his books and notes in a flustered mess.

° Did any of their friends or family want them to get together?

  -Neither of their families, alive or otherwise, don't know so they have no say.

° Who felt romantic feelings first?

  -Surprisingly? Sotha Sil.

° Did either of them try to resist their feelings?

  -Both. One out of professionalism and the other respect. Ondolerinde saw Sotha as a person that shouldn't interact with mere mortals to begin with, much less have a romantic relationship with.

   -For Sotha Sil he initially believed similar. It was rare for him to interact with people, Apostles or otherwise. He couldn't single out one of his own followers...could he?

° If you had told one of them that the other would be their soulmate, what would they think?

  - "You really think so? At least I'm not the only one." Ondolerinde would be so happy someone would agree.

  - What's a soulmate? Sotha would be confussion. He's never heard the term before among the youngins but he never put any stock into such a preposterous idea.

GENERAL

° Who initiated the relationship, and how did it go?

  - Sotha Sil. It was very...awkward.

He marched right up to Ondolerinde and said, matter-of-factly, "We're dating now".

° Did they have an official first date? If so, what was it like?

  - Date? Like spend time with each other? Nothing but each other? With no one around? Just them? That was Sil's shit.

They had a relaxed date where they walked to the Pavilion of Artifice and Sotha explained various Fabricants along the way.

° What was their first kiss like?

  - Random, forceful and lead to tongue.

° Were they each other's first anything (kiss, relationship, etc.)?

- Sotha Sil experienced many things in his time. Kissing, love, and such. The only 'first' for him was the prospect of marriage.

- Ondolerinde on the other hand...experienced nothing in his childhood and teen years. He wasn't allowed to have crushes, first-loves or casual relationships in Alinor and when he worked with his Legion, that mindset continued.

Sotha Sil was his in every aspect.

  ° What's their height difference? Age difference?

  - Inside the Clockwork City? Only a few millimeters. On the outside? Roughly sixteen inches.

  -Sotha Sil's exact age is a mystery. I would put the difference around 3,390 years.

Ondolerinde is 50 years of age and Sotha Sil is 3,440.

° Who takes the lead in social situations?

  - It depends on the social situation.

If the situation is Apostles and Factotums then Sotha Sil takes the lead, as it should be. He's the boss, the main man, he shouldn't have a mouthpiece around his own people and creations.

Which means Ondolerinde picks up the slack for every other situation, which is fine to him. If for some reason they're outside the Clockwork City Ondolerinde is dealing with dignitaries, students and his Tribunal siblings.

° Who gets jealous easier?

  - Ondolerinde, but not in a traditional sense.

His partner is a Living God, who built an entire city, everything in it and he has to run the place. He's never jealous for Sil's time and attention but maybe once in a while he gets jealous by that new Factotum that's being built.

LOVE

° Who said "I love you" first?

  - Ondolerinde!

° What are their primary love languages?

  - Sotha Sil: Giving and receiving gifts, quality time.

  - Ondolerinde: Acts of service, touch.

° How often do they cuddle/engage in PDA?

  - They cuddle quite often, almost constantly but the Somnolostation isn't the optimal for being near each other. The 'Nestleberth Crucible' is an invention Sotha Sil made specifically designed to allow them to cuddle, work and be together for lengthy amounts of time.

  - As for PDA its uncommon. Sil doesn't want to appear he favours one of his Apostles over any others, he might loose credibility and followers. So the closest PDA will be a lingering touch on the small of Ondolerinde's back or touching his wrist.

° What are their favorite things to do together?

  - Explore Dwemer ruins, if there's ever a moment they get more than a days reprieve they're in a far flung corner of the world being adventurers! Finding remnants and knowledge left behind that could aid them.

  - If they aren't working or learning then they're being catty. There are instances of Sotha Sil being a petty bitch and sassing though never out of malicious intent.

Almalexia especially, that's their favorite topic to gossip about.

° Who's better at comforting the other?

  - Ondolerinde, by far.

He has a special view on the world, or that's how Sil interprets the Altmer's way of thinking. He knows exactly what to say and when to say it and it helps immensely. No matter what the situation is.

° Who's more protective?

  - Sotha Sil.

He's seen too much death, destruction and lost too many people in his life. It drives him to be better for Ondolerinde, to be there more and do more things so he doesn't loose him like his last Lover.

It also keeps him up, over-thinking and worrying.

° What kind of nicknames do they call each other?

  - Silly and cheesy names.

My Heart to Ondolerinde.

My Architect, Tinker and Thinker to Sotha Sil.

DOMESTIC LIFE

° If they get married, who proposes?

  - Sotha Sil.

He had a ring on him for years if not a century or two always waiting for that opportunity to spring the question. The perfect moment never arose so he popped the question in the middle of the night, no warning.

Thankfully Ondolerinde said yes!

° What's the wedding like? Who attends?

  - The wedding is small and takes place in two areas. The Basilica and a sequestered area in Alinor.

  - For the Basilica service the Congress of Calibration and the Tribunal were invited, Divayth Fyr showed up, so they'd be made aware of their relationship and how much it meant to both of them.

  - In Alinor, as strenuous as it was, Ondolerinde's parents and immediate family were invited for a private reciting of their vows.

° How many kids do they have, if any? What are they like?

  - A boy, Othalos Sothal.

Othalos is a pretty solid mix of his parents.

He's logical, calm, generous and compassionate. Too smart for his own good and dangerously curious, a volatile combination.

° Who's the stricter parent?

- They're equally as strict, which isn't much as they're complete pushovers.

° Who kills the bugs in the house?

- Skeevatrons!

° How do they celebrate holidays?

- They don't.

° Who's more likely to convince the other to come back to sleep in the morning?

- On any given morning it could be either.

Mostly it's Ondolerinde asking for a few more minutes of contact before Sil is off to make sure the world hasn't imploded on someone else's watch.

° Who's the better cook?

- Sotha Sil.

He finds cooking to be similar to building a fabricant, different parts going in and a whole new item being discovered and when he discovered his then crush didn't like the Nutrient Paste, he decided to change the game.

[peony-pearl]

We got the dog a new toy that has a rubber toy hidden inside it for when he eventually tears through the plush. That makes this thing incredibly top heavy. He started whipping it around and the centrifical force of it made him to start spinning in a circle and he almost couldn’t stop. I just finished eating dinner and was laughing so hard I was nearly sick.

Sonny has achieved CENTRIFUGAL FORCE

[nwdsc]

(Centrifics | Marina Allenから)

Centrifics by Marina Allen

Metamorphosis seems enchanted to the untrained eye—butterflies magically appearing from the chrysalis, the interiors of which we can’t see. But the reality is messy. One body dies to make space for another. It’s easy to forget the discomfort it takes to transform, seductive to behold only the beauty on the other side. Not so on Marina Allen’s Centrifics, the follow-up to her critically-acclaimed debut Candlepower (2021). Over ten songs, Allen is clear-eyed, wading into the lake of her own sorrow, unsure of what awaits her but unwilling to remain on the comfort of dry land. “I was fed up with hiding myself,” Allen says of the intention behind the songs. “I just kept saying ‘yes’”. There’s joy in permission, but saying “yes” always requires negation of something else. This duality of grief and mirth permeates the record, which sees Allen at her most confident and embodied, flinging her voice into the stratosphere and digging it into the earth. Humor duets with wisdom as her lyrics circle around the biblical, taking on the weight of prophecy without the prophet’s pride. “I can’t bring you where I’m going,” she sings both sure and soft. “New light seeps in, a new world is coming.” Allen’s searing vocal presence is supported by Chris Cohen’s production, which weaves far-flung influences that resonate cinematically throughout. The contrasts are held tenderly, crafting a record that’s both larger than life and intimate in its restraint, each song a portal between an old self and a new. ~Olivia Gerber クレジット2022年9月16日リリース

[double-croche1]

[INTERVIEW #366] L’artiste Marina Allen basée à Los Angeles dévoile aujourd’hui son deuxième album ‘Centrifics’, qui est ce qu’on appelle dans le jargon un “classique instantané”. Elle nous a parlé de ce disque et de ses inspirations. Est-ce que tu avais des idées précises de ce que tu voulais quand tu as commencé l’écriture de ce nouvel album ? Marina : Je pense que oui. J’aime vraiment les débuts d’une phase de conception, à passer du temps dans mon esprit à réfléchir à ce que je veux. La moitié de la réalisation de ce disque consiste en ces moments à imaginer ce qu’il deviendra. C’est presque comme quand les gens attendent un bébé et ils mettent tout en place avant que cela arrive. Il faut alors que je construise un monde pour moi-même. Cela a finalement été très différent de ce que j’avais imaginé mais il y a tout de même une identité que j’avais voulue dès le départ. Est-ce que tu était plus confiante que pour l’écriture de ton premier album ‘Candlepower’ (2021) ? Marina : Plus confiante mais également plus vulnérable. J’avais souvent peur mais j’avais plus de confiance au sein de cette peur, si cela fait du sens. En termes d’instrumentations et de mélodies, l’album sonne plus lumineux que ‘Candlepower’. Tu es d’accord avec cela ? Marina : ‘Candlepower’ était un album vraiment fait avec les moyens du bord. Le fait qu’il existe est même un miracle pour moi. C’était une sorte de collection de chansons que j’ai écrites et choisies dans une période de temps bien spécifique. Pour ce nouvel album ‘Centrifics’, j’avais plus de budget et plusieurs collaborateurs. Dans le processus, je pensais que cet album allait être plus bruyant parce qu’il y avait tellement de gens dans le studio. En l’écoutant à nouveau, je me rends compte que le son n’est pas aussi chargé que ce que je pensais et j’en suis heureuse. ‘Candlepower’ se situe dans une obscurité pesante, alors que ‘Centrifics’ est plus brut.

A quel moment tes collaborateurs sont entrés dans le processus, en particulier Chris Cohen [notre interview avec lui par ici] ? Marina : Presque dès le début, quand j’ai fini d’écrire les chansons. J’avais été en contact avec Chris Cohen depuis longtemps. Le premier jour de l’enregistrement, il y avait tous ces musiciens avec qui je n’avais jamais joué auparavant. Je n’avais jamais fait quelque chose comme cela, c’était effrayant. C’était dingue mais aussi difficile et bizarre, je n’étais pas très à l’aise avec tout cela. J’étais assez intimidée de jouer avec tous ces superbes musiciens. Je suis une grande fan de Chris Cohen, il fait de superbes albums depuis vingt ans. Emily Elhaj joue de la basse sur l’album. C’était dingue qu’elle ait bien voulu le faire. Cela m’a pris pas mal de temps pour que je trouve le bon espace pour ces collaborations sur les chansons. Est-ce que ces collaborateurs ont aussi participé à l’écriture des morceaux ? Marina : Cela dépend des chansons. Celle qui a été profondément co-écrite est New Song Rising, qui est un peu plus jazzy. Joachim Polack, qui est français, a été d’une grande aide pour ce morceau en particulier au niveau des voix. Il a vraiment permis d’élever le morceau. L’album plus généralement a été très collaboratif. Ce n’était pas nécessairement ce que j’avais imaginé au début, mais je suis heureuse du résultat. Tu as invité ces gens au studio ou les choses ont été faites à distance ? Marina :  Chris Cohen était assez occupé. J’ai fait venir Ben Varian au studio, qui avait déjà travaillé avec moi sur ‘Candlepower’. Sur ce nouveau disque, il a beaucoup arrangé les instruments, notamment les sections de cordes. Il a travaillé sur toute la seconde moitié de la conception de l’album. Puis j’ai recontacté Chris Cohen qui a mixé le disque. Pourquoi l’album s’appelle ‘Centrifics’ ? Marina : Cela convient bien d’une certaine façon. Quand je relis les paroles, je me dis que cela ne signifie rien de particulier, mais c’est un peu comme dans ‘Candlepower’, Il y a ce sens où tu ne comprends pas tout. Cela sonne presque comme un article scientifique, ce que j’aime beaucoup. C’est aussi très spirituel. Cela parle de trouver son centre dans le monde sauvage. J’ai voulu à un moment appeler l’album ‘Yes yes yes yes’ mais je me suis ravisée. (Rires)

Crédits photo : Kathryn Vetter Miller A ce propos, on a lu dans le dossier de presse que toi même tu voulais dire “oui” à tout, qu’il n’y ait aucun ordre ni obstacle dans ta musique. Marina : Oui ! C’était vraiment ma devise sur cet album. L’album n’a pas à été simple à faire, donc je me suis dit qu’il fallait que j’avance quoi qu’il arrive avec cette idée en tête. (Rires) Sur la pochette, on voit une photo avec par-dessus le titre ‘Centrifics’ manuscrit plusieurs fois. Comment as-tu pensé à cette pochette ? Marina : Mon ami a pris une photo de moi. Mon petit-ami l’a photoshopée. Il est designer graphique. Il a testé plein de choses avec. Il voulait obtenir un aspect rétro. J’ai commencé à dessiner dessus. C’était juste moi en train d’essayer des choses avec son petit stylo d’illustrateur connecté à son ordinateur. Je ne connais pas bien la technique. (Rires) Cela m’a rappelé l’artiste Cy Twombly (1928-2011), comme une métaphore visuelle sur le fait d’exposer son imperfection, son innocence et même son ignorance parfois. C’est une façon de montrer la beauté privée. Tu as sorti deux vidéos pour l’instant pour Superreality et Or Else. Comment as-tu travaillé sur la vidéo de Superreality ? Marina : J’ai travaillé avec mon ami Rocco Rivetti avec qui on avait déjà collaboré par le passé. On se connaît très bien, c’est une raison pour laquelle tout s’est si bien passé. La communication a été facile. C’était très fun de brainstormer avec lui. Je savais que je voulais être dans des espaces vides. Pour moi, c’est parfois difficile de collaborer parce que j’ai une vision spécifique. Il se passe très peu de choses dans la vidéo, ce qui m’allait bien. Ce n’est que moi et l’espace qui m’entoure.

Est-ce que certaines de tes chansons ont trouvé leur inspiration dans des images ou des films ? Marina : Je pense que l’album est cinématographique. Je ne sais pas s’il y a un film spécifique que j’avais en tête. J’ai ce réservoir d’inspirations vers lequel je reviens toujours. ‘Le Magicien d’Oz’ (film musical de Victor Flemingest, 1939) est une grande référence pour moi. Les chansons les plus jazzy, comme New Song Rising, sont comme des réminiscences pour moi de vieux films où les personnages commenceraient à chanter un thème. (Rires) Est-ce que tu as vu des bons films plus ou moins récemment ? Marina : J’ai récemment vu ‘Breaking the Waves’ de Lars Von Trier (1996). C’était incroyable. L’actrice principale Emily Watson est captivante dedans. Avec une autre actrice, cela aurait rendu vraiment différemment, mais elle est parfaite. Le film est très spirituel également, tout en étant tragique. Est-ce que tu aurais des groupes à nous recommander ? Marina : J’aime beaucoup l’artiste Macie Stewart. J’ai fait un concert avec mon amie Lael Neale. Elle est vraiment douée. Sinon, j’ai écouté beaucoup de musique country ces derniers temps. C’est comme une compagnie instantanée. Ton nouvel album nous a fait penser à l’album ‘Tapestry’ de Carole King (1971). Marina : ‘Tapestry’ est un album génial ! Et Carole King est une personne incroyable et si intègre. Je l’aime beaucoup.

Crédits photo : Eve Neuhart Tu as participé au groupe Sylvie, au moins sur les chansons Falls on Me et Further Down the Road [chanson à paraître le 14 octobre sur l’EP éponyme de Sylvie]. Quelle est ton implication dans ce projet ? Marina : Je ne fais pas partie du groupe mais j’y contribue. Benjamin Schwab [par ailleurs dans le groupe Drugdealer] est la tête pensante. On est sortis ensemble, voilà comment on a fait connaissance. On écrivait parfois des morceaux ensemble. Falls on Me est assurément sa chanson mais j’ai aidé sur les paroles et j’ai chanté sur le morceau. Il a laissé une grande marque sur ma façon d’écrire, je suis très reconnaissante de ce que j’ai appris grâce à lui. C’est le genre d’auteur de chansons qui essaie toutes les options pour trouver la bonne. Je suis bien plus impatiente que lui. La joie pour moi dans l’écriture des chansons se trouve dans le fait de capter la spontanéité. Il y a eu un moment sur mon album où Chris Cohen, qui est un auteur incroyable, m’a dit : « Tu devrais faire tout ce que tu peux pour être sûre que c’est vraiment ce que tu veux. » Et je lui ai répondu que je n’allais pas faire cela, parce que je ne vais probablement jamais ré-écouter cet album. (Rires) Les enregistrements ne seront jamais parfaits mais une part de la raison pour laquelle on les aime est justement qu’ils sont imparfaits. Il y a tellement d’approches différentes. Ce qui devrait être célébré est le résultat final et moins la manière toujours différente d’y arriver. Crédits photo de couverture : Eve Neuhart Le nouvel album ‘Centrifics’ de Marina Allen est désormais disponible et hautement recommandé ! A&B

[markwatkinsreviews]

FIRE AT THE DOUBLE! Two new “indie” albums released September, 2022.

FIRE records bring out two new albums in September, 2022. The first is by AIR WAVES called, The Dance, released on 9 September, followed a week later by, Centrifics, from MARINA ALLEN.

Let’s start with Nicole Schneit aka AIR WAVES and nine, new songs presented for your delectation on, The Dance. 

Three years in the making, four tracks are collaborations, namely: ‘The Roof’ (featuring Luke Temple & Rina Mushonga); ‘Star Earring’ (featuring Lispector); ‘Alien’ (featuring Cass McCombs) and ‘Black Metal Demon’ (featuring Frankie Cosmos & Merce Lemon). 

Supreme creator, Nicole, builds-up layers and layers of dance music using high levels of imagination.

On. ‘Alien’, Schneit asks, ‘Who’s gonna be your setting sun?’ 

In this Heatwave, surely THE answer is AIR WAVES.

https://www.firerecords.com/product/air-waves-the-dance/

Rating: 8/10

Next up, CENTRIFICS by “one of the most beautiful and honest new voices” (Rough Trade). 

This one’s the follow-up to Marina’s 2021 debut album, CANDLEPOWER. The LA based musician has been compared to the likes of Fiona Apple and Neko Case. 

Allen’s, ‘Superreality’, is already hot off the press as a single. 

https://youtu.be/7VNAaSZddbQ

UNCUT magazine call MARINA ALLEN “A Rare Commodity” and on CENTRIFICS, she has ten, rather than six, new songs rising.

Her next scheduled gig is at Highland Park, Los Angeles, California on 21 September, 2022.

Rating: 8/10

https://www.firerecords.com/product/marina-allen-centrifics/

Mark Watkins, Dare radio, 15 August, 2022