#Though I did also see two pilots in uniform | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

dreamwreaver · 6 days ago

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Thank you for the welcome from my previous ask about Vox, I've been busy and finally I could talk about my thoughts on my favorite couple and the others around them. If it's alright, I'd like to be seen as the "rambling nonnie" because I ramble on too long.

About Vaggie, I noticed a lack of her presence in the leaks, which for me, means she's gonna be put in the back seat yet again. I also feel like whatever supposedly important role she's gonna get it's gonna be tied to Charlie. Again. Like everytime.

"Vaggie's the manager of the hotel!" Oh, wow, does she have a genuine interest in redeeming sinners? "No, she does it for Charlie!"

"Vaggie has an interesting arc regarding her thirst for revenge and she should fight for love instead of fighting her detestation for her awful fellow soldiers!" Well, did that arc thoroughly develop her as a character? "No, it was pointless because she didn't really show any signs of vengeful bloodlust before that song and she was already loyal and fighting for Charlie!"

Honestly, what really strikes out to me was the fact Vaggie didn't change her mind as an exorcist because of Charlie, she made the realization herself. But even though that's the case, why was a single demon child enough to shift sides? Are we just gonna gloss over the fact she killed hundreds of sinners each year and kept that from Charlie for years? And didn't punish her or give her huge consequences for her actions?? The most the show did was just make her and Charlie have a fallout for like half of the episode, then near the end of it, the two of them make up because of a shrunken head souvenir and a conversation with Rosie who was a third party that didn't even know Vaggie???

While Alastor and Vaggie were no different when it came to being murderers, at least Alastor didn't keep it a secret and he suffered the consequences of his actions anyway. What makes Vaggie better than him, really? That she didn't have a choice in it? That she didn't enjoy it? True, but keep in mind she most likely had a higher kill count than Alastor and those sinners will never have the chance to redeem themselves and she has never fully apologized for her actions to the princess of those people and likely never will. After all, her very kindhearted girlfriend forgave her, right? Without even having a long, hard conversation onscreen, right? And that's good enough for most of the fandom.

Allow me the indulgence of a rambley the raccoon gif for you nonny

And vaggie, I feel like she was flattened from pilot to series in a big way. Right down to her design. Like she went from having stripes and x's as a motif to just red and black. Wow, so different. It looks like a uniform. Charlie wearing a red suit makes sense since she wants to be taken seriously and we see in her battle outfit that she wears red so red could just be a favorite color of hers, or the color of the royal family given the apple is the fruit of knowledge they're going with here.

Alastor, well he probably didn't have much input on his design and color scheme. The suit is 30s based so I'm not surprised at the style, one of the older comics shows him sporting a straw boater which he then tosses to a group of cannibal ladies to watch them tear each other apart over it. He enjoys the attention but doesn't get much out of it. But vaggie?

The most insight we get into her character is likely her nightgown and her own battle outfit. But the nightgown is a reference to her heavenly origins and the battle outfit is clearly a Carmilla carmine design. And the soft femme angle could work if they didn't make her the straight man to all the other characters. And in a cast like this she's not the voice of reason so much as the stick in the mud. Half of the conflicts in the show are summed up as:

Vaggie: Charlie no!

Charlie: Charlie yes!

Usually with Alastor indulging her. And when things blow up in her face there's no moment of vaggie even getting an "I told you so" of ANY kind! And let's be real, I'm sure that Charlie loves vaggie, but I'm not 100% sold on Vaggie TRULY loving Charlie. I definitely think she BELIEVES she loves Charlie, but this is a white knight/savior complex. Charlie saved her when vaggie had nothing, therefore vaggie must protect Charlie to be worthy of being her partner. Vaggie was not ready to be in a relationship after being abandoned in Hell. Let's be real, there's a bit of prejudice to Vaggie's relationship. Isn't it nice that the person the fallen Angel is in a relationship with is of royal blood? She's half angel. Lilith was a full demon when Charlie was born, the only human thing Charlie likely inherited from her mother was her soul. I fully believe that Charlie would and has dated sinners. Would Vaggie? I highly doubt it. She can claim she "believes" in Charlie's idea and vision all she likes, like Rosie said; words are cheap, actions are not.

What about Vaggie's actions show us the audience her love for Charlie? The one instance I can think of off the top of my head is the commercial. That's the ONE time she takes initiative on her own to try and lighten Charlie's workload. The meeting with her father? Yeah she suggested it I guess but the thing about that was that Charlie knows her relationship with her father better than Vaggie does. And, to add, Charlie DOES NOT WANT parental aid in this. She wants to do it on her own. Charlie is both very ignorant and very aware of the privilege of her position. No one respects the royal family sure but she could still crush any sinner she wanted to with a flick of her wrist. And then after that? Vaggie tried to get out of going to heaven, vaggie didn't even attempt to nip the threat of Adam revealing her secret before the meeting, left Charlie open to Alastor's hands by giving her space, and then proceeded to scold her after let me remind you; SHE MADE A DEAL WITH ALASTOR IN EPISODE 1!

Vaggie has absolutely no right to admonish Charlie for making the deal that could save her people when she gladly made a deal with the radio demon just to get a commercial made.

And I know this seems like I hate vaggie as a character but I don't! I wouldn't even mind Chaggie being end game canon and us knowing that from the start so long as it meant we got to SEE their relationship evolve. But Vaggie as a character is inseparable from title of "Charlie's gf" that's it. And the out for love song, it's a banger no doubt about that but seriously?

When did we see Vaggie ever desiring revenge? Her seeing one child during an extermination made such a change in her that she was mortally wounded and left for dead. And she just... moved on? Okay cool. She doesn't hate the exterminations, she's not vehemently trying to stop them AND get the hotel up and running. She's fine hitting the streets to try and get patrons but that's about it. Maybe if we had a b plot of vaggie sneaking away for turf war carnage or being a sort of pentagram city vigilante I would understand the vengeance thing since at least we'd have seen her capacity for violence in action. But nope!

And I cannot tell you how much that stupid keychain frustrates me. Because it's symbolic of what doesn't work about chaggie as it stands. They DONT talk things out. Again, shenanigans are vaggie trying to tell Charlie to change something fundamental about herself or that some idea she has isn't practical, Charlie ignores Vaggie, chaos ensues and then... nothing. The fact that we saw Charlie apologize to angel dust for overstepping his boundaries before we ever saw anything between Charlie and Vaggie and their issue being SO MUCH BIGGER is so incredibly irritating to me. And here's the thing; both of them are valid. Vaggie had every right to keep a secret like that out of fear of being rejected by Charlie, and Charlie has every right to be upset by the fact that this person she's ostensibly shared her life, her heart, and her body with could keep something like this from her. Charlie's entire personality means she gives every part of herself to her partner, and for someone like Vaggie it's just not a healthy dynamic for either of them.

And Rosie, my sweet sadistic darling; you know nothing about Vaggie. Don't speak on her behalf. Yes, it can be hard to admit to something that would hurt someone you care about. But being the reason for countless mortal souls being destroyed? When your partner cares so deeply for her people? That's not something I really feel a romantic relationship should be able to survive. At least it shouldn't be resolved by the appearance of Vaggie's wings and a fucking keychain.

One piece of life advice I have heard that seems applicable here is always examine your thoughts. The first thought you have is what you're programmed to think, the second thought is what you actually feel? When Rosie asked Charlie if doubted whether Vaggie loved her she went "No, yes? No!" And that last one sounded more like she was trying to convince herself of it than she was really thinking through her feelings. Charlie sees the good in everyone, so Rosie's advice isn't super useful because of Charlie's own optimistic personality. Meanwhile Carmilla's advice to vaggie is just, not applicable at all. Everything she has done up to that point has been out of what she considers "love" for Charlie. Also... are we not going to talk about that line "fuel yourself with the fear of losing that someone who's your reason to live"?

Charlie would survive just fine without Vaggie. I cannot say the same about the reverse. There is this sort energy between them that just brings out the parts of them that on a straight couple would be red flags all around but get a pass because gay.

Charlie constantly ignores Vaggie's practical advice? Girl dump him he doesn't value you!

Vaggie as a male consistently tries to tell Charlie not to be herself. To change things about her to make her more palatable to a population that only respects brute shows of power and doesn't give a flying fuck about her? Girl dump him he shouldn't be trying to change you!

And I'll be real, a huge draw for a lot of Charlastor shippers is the "I can fix him/I can make her worse" angle. But here's the thing, both Alastor and Charlie enter that dynamic knowing exactly what the other's about. There's no pretensions or illusions. Charlie knows he's a dangerous overlord and a Dealmaker. Alastor knows she's got plenty of exploitable issues that he can take advantage of but the core of her convictions is entirely solid. Charlie making him better isn't the sort of redemption of him being charitable. It's the "oh fuck I have empathy now and I don't like it" kind.

I just don't see enough compromise in the personalities of Charlie or Vaggie that explain to me why they would stay together after the revelation? I don't see why Charlie would want to stay with someone who willingly slaughtered thousands of souls and never had a problem with it before. Nor has she demonstrated a change of heart regarding sinners and their ability to change. She cares about people achieving redemption because of how it will affect Charlie, not because she gives a shit about what happens to these sinners.

I am fairly certain I drifted from your ask entirely but I hope you enjoyed this ramble Nonny.

#charlastor #radiobelle #hazbin hotel #dream replies

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swifty-fox · 4 months ago

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so would anyone care for a Kfak-Compliant Brady one shot?

Telling Major John Egan to jump is the first and last time Johnny Brady gives an order to a superior officer. It’s automatic, not-thought out. A knee-jerk reflex; if I don’t make sure this man gets off my ship he’s not leaving.

He can’t go without him. The idea of facing Buck Cleven in a prison camp or in the afterlife however many hours, days, years from now and telling him he let his man die is unfeasible. It’s not how the rules work. Buck and Bucky make it, that’s the big rule. So if he breaks the little rules, ordering Major Egan to jump, taking him up in his fort even though he’s not supposed to be here, then he rationalizes it that way.

It’s quiet up in the sky, the sound of burning screeching metal snatched away in seconds by momentum and gravity. He’s alone for the first time in years, and it’s a disconcerting panicked feeling as he floats helpless in blue, blue heavens. When he hits the ground, rolling his ankle and gouging a furrow in thick peat mud and without his Major, he realizes just because he made John Egan jump doesn’t mean he’s saved his life. It’s automatic, standing and testing his ankle on the strange moss-covered ground that pitched and wobbled like the deck of a ship with every shift of his weight. Sinks his teeth into his wrist until blood bubbles to muffle his cry when his ankle barely accepts his weight. Bundles his parachute and stuffs it in the mud so the white color doesn’t give him away and rips his insignias from his uniform.

It’s the best he can do.

It’s not more than two hours before he’s captured, gun to the back of his head and harsh German voices telling him to kneel. Mud that’s also blood coating his face and burning with a rage so hard he shakes. It could be the cold, sunk down to his bones with damp and unfamiliarity. Soil that wasn’t his by birthright, you don’t belong here soldier boy. This isn’t your gravedirt. It could be cold and grief and fear, but he chooses to name it as rage and grits his teeth as he limps on his bum ankles and tells the interrogator his name rank and number and recites his mother's recipe for soda bread when anything else tries to come up.

Has Major Egan or Major Cleven come through? Did you pick up a man named Bernard Demarco?

They threaten to kill him. He’s reliably sure it’s a bluff, because there’s rules to all of this. They try to woo him and he knows that’s a bluff because you don’t make soldiers with kindness. He has his rules, he has his orders. He says nothing and wishes they would hit him so he could hit back. Wishes they would turn the blood he tastes on his teeth real so it feels less like terror.

They don’t. Everyone follows routine.

A RAF pilot binds his ankle on the train ride to the rest of his war, it rains and he cups his hands through the slats of the train to wash his face clean of peat-mud. Chill settles over them all at night, damp and horrible and he doesn’t sleep a wink, too aware of being surrounded by men who didn’t belong to him until David Solomon and Crank’s heads pop up from down the other end of the cart and the three of them fall together in a hushed pile of who made it who did they see who went down. Did you see John Egan? Did you see Bucky I got him out but I lost him in the clouds.

He wonders if maybe God snatched Bucky right from his parachute harness.

He gives Solly his crucifix, feels mildly sick when it’s pulled from his slack fingers and almost snatches it back until Crank takes in the look on his face and presses his rosary into Brady’s empty palm.

“Here. It’s my sister’s anyway, she’d rather it be on the neck of someone who uses it.”

“Thank you,” it’s unfamiliar against his chest, warm from Crank’s body heat and a different shape. But it’s got fifty-nine beads like all the rest and he counts them one by one with frozen fingers and recites the five decades in his head until he falls asleep on Crank’s shoulder.

He’s never been a good sleeper, even before he started dropping bombs. Now and then he rouses enough that he feels the phantom of his grandmother's fingers in his hair, gnarled from years of hard work and soft in their caress, brushing filthy strands off his forehead. It’s her spare crucifix around Solly’s neck. He thinks she would forgive him. He thinks she would find it a noble decision.

#john brady #kingdom for a kiss #swiftywrites #hes uh not very normal

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hanamiyama-basketball-club · 8 months ago

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So I was skimming the first episode of Bravern looking for something else entirely and ended up massively overthinking this scene in the bar instead, and I made a Tumblr to massively overthink things so here we are.

Now, I feel like there's a lot of stuff in Bravern left unsaid or up to (multiple possible) interpretations, which I guess is sort of how all of media works but somehow Bravern has turned on some kind of 101 lit brain that my mathematician ass does not usually have so bear with me here. And so the narrative I'm going to present here isn't an argument really. It's just a "wouldn't it be nice". This is the story I like to imagine in this scene. I call it A Tale of Two Wingmen.

We start out with Isami and Hibiki at the bar chatting about the war games exercise. (They seem to be the only ones at the bar rather than at a table, and don't have food; I like that Hibiki at least has a flower on her drink.) It seems clear that they're friends, probably a somewhat mismatched pair since Isami is in his dress uniform and Hibiki is out of uniform.

Isami has just started talking about the other TS that charged ahead with him when who should walk in the bar but the pilot in question with his friend Ryoma (soon to be RIP):

(I can't hear the dialogue for them tbh so I'm a little confused by the subtitles - it looks in the animation like it's Smith saying he didn't drink enough, but the phrasing makes it sound like it's Ryoma saying that. Whatever. Minor point.)

And then he sees Isami and stops suddenly, dramatically enough to get Ryoma's attention.

And heads straight for Isami (seemingly without saying anything to Ryoma, lol)

Hibiki actually spots him first, or at least reacts to him first.

Smith invites himself into the conversation:

Hibiki watches him a little warily at first and seems annoyed when he starts thumping Isami on the shoulder.

(I have a fondness for this whole interaction tbh because like Smith I am an American that reckons I can get through any social situation just by being really talkative, friendly, and complaining about authority figures. And like Smith I have often totally misjudged how to befriend people now that I'm in another country. "Mildly annoying American" is apparently louder and more negative than any Brit judging by the reactions I get, and I can only imagine the American-Japanese culture clash is worse.)

But once Smith starts praising Isami (and agreeing with the argument Hibiki was making), Hibiki seems to warm up to him:

By the time Smith starts challenging Isami to a duel, she's leaning in and grinning over her cocktail.

Ryoma also seems to be watching this conversation from across the room:

Isami needles Smith in a line that definitely isn't foreshadowing at all, and Hibiki whistles which is also very cute

Smith heads out once he has the agreement to the duel, Hibiki grinning after him

Hibiki seems deeply amused by this whole situation and entertained by Smith's laser focus on Isami (and maybe a little surprised that Isami hasn't seemed to retain as much about Smith as Smith has about him)

On the way out Smith bumps fists with Ryoma, who's also left the conversation he was in.

(Yes, they did introduce themselves; no, Isami does not seem to remember this, which is very funny considering what's going to happen tomorrow.)

So what's the narrative I'm enjoying from this scene? Basically, if you imagine that both of these friends know that their main character buddy is gay, it becomes kind of adorable. (Well, it's kind of adorable anyway, but an added layer of adorable.)

Ryoma is the guy who's been hearing all evening about this cool Japanese pilot and the way he maneuvered his TS even though they say they're not as good as the M2s, and he seems kinda shy but do you think he'd maybe go for a duel? You know, first you fight, then you team up? So he's maybe a little surprised when Smith wanders off mid-conversation, but he knows what's up. Once he hears that his bro has successfully secured the not-a-date he was hoping for, he's got to give him a celebratory fistbump.

Hibiki clearly knows Isami well, and I'm guessing that she has never known him to actually date anyone. Possibly he's never explicitly come out to her; I doubt he'd be generally out (even if that was a good idea in any military, which I imagine is rare), or that he'd talk about his personal life to most people even if he was straight. But I imagine that Hibiki teases him in a friendly way about it and, as someone who's familiar with Isami's impenetrable shell, is kind of interested to see what kind of romantic partner could possibly get through that. Kind of obnoxious but well meaning hunk shows up out of nowhere clearly hung up on Isami? This is either a love story in the making or something to tease Isami about at the bar for years, and either way she is in.

Or maybe she just thinks it's funny that he has a loud American obsessed with him now. That was my read at first, and is probably the most likely.

But if you imagine an Isami who is gay, then it's nice to think that he has somebody that he can, if not talk to about it directly, at least knows. (Obviously bisexuality exists and the above still more or less applies if he's bi rather than gay, but I personally imagine Isami as the type who has gone well I'm only interested in men so conveniently I can just put all of romance in the box of Sounds Hard, Not Doing That.)

Also considering how she reacts to Honoka I think Hibiki just thinks it's funny if anyone has a crush on Isami which is a fun relationship for a male and female best friend to have.

#bravern #overthinking it #there's so much going on in this one scene if you want it to be #again none of this is proof of any of that it's just nice if you think about it that way #I guess he kind of got that date but in the boxing ring instead?#if he had dueled bravern in his TS would bravern have let him win #bbbb #yuuki bakuhatsu bang bravern

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cwritesforfun · 6 months ago

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(Top Gun Maverick) Bob Floyd x Fem!Reader: I Like You

Inspired by the scene in which Bob is introduced lol ;) ***I do not own the lines from the scene - they're in italics and bold. I also do not own the Top Gun Maverick characters*** Y/N = Your Name & Your Call Sign is Lightstrike

Masterlist

Bob's POV

I've been eating my peanuts sitting here watching everyone talk. They talked to me and Hangman called me a stealth pilot. He did say it was a joke though. I don't get it. I saw this really pretty girl in uniform walk in and she went to the bar earlier. I wonder who she is.

I hear, "Hey, is anyone sitting here?" I turn to see the pretty girl standing there holding a beer in one hand and a basket of fries in the other. I shake my head and she sits down before asking, "What do they call you?" I answer, "Bob." She asks, "No, your call sign?" I answer, "Uh...Bob." She asks, "Bob Floyd? You're my new backseater? From Lemoore?" She is who I'm going to be working with. Oh boy, I'm not going to last long at all. I reply, "Looks like it. Yeah." She replies, "Very nice to meet you, Bob. My name is Y/N and my call sign is Lightstrike." I ask, "How did you get that call sign?" She answers, "My first Captain said it was because I fly super fast and can strike at any distance. Some of the boys say it's because I'm super light and I can hit any target. So either way, I can strike." I reply, "Well, it's super cool. It's way better than mine." She replies, "Then you should turn the negative connotation of baby on board into a positive one. For example, babies like to explore, so maybe so do you. I don't know. I'm just going to stick to my drink." I laugh and say, "It's okay. I've accepted it... do you know any of the others?" She answers, "I do, yeah. Phoenix is one of the only females I get along with. I grew up with Rooster. Hangman calls me his little sister. The others are cool too." He replies, "Oh cool. You grew up with Rooster?" She answers, "He's my twin. Can't you tell?" I cough on my peanuts and I hear, "Bob? Are you treating my sister right?" I see Rooster standing there in front of me. I do see the family resemblance now.

Y/N's POV

You look between Rooster and Bob. You think Bob had no idea that you were related to Rooster/Bradley. It's funny. You thought everyone knew. To be fair, you were the quieter one. People forgot about you until you outshined them... then they remembered... THE NORTH REMEMBERS!!! Haha Game of Thrones reference anyone?

Bob says, "I just found out you two were related." Rooster laughs and says, "Surprise! We're twins!" Bob laughs and his smile is so cute. Oh, it is over if I think someone I work with is cute... oh boy... You hear, "How are my favorite twins?" You sarcastically reply, "Funny I thought your favorite twins were Ellie and Ella from last summer? I remember you vividly telling us about your experience with twins and how it was the best you've ever had." Hangman gasps and says, "I'm shocked and proud you remember. How dare you bring up an ex of mine?" Rooster replies, "Technically exes in this case." Hangman replies, "Not you too, Rooster. Damn it, I hate you two. I'm going to get another round." You reply, "Ok, but let's not repeat last year on August 1?" Hangman flips you off before he leaves. Rooster says, "God I hate that he is on this assignment too. If I lose my temper, it's because of him. I'm calling it now." Bob replies, "He doesn't seem that bad." Rooster replies, "Just wait... I think I need another drink now that I'm thinking about this." He walks off and you say, "Rooster is just very negative sometimes. Hangman is overly confident in his abilities, but he is good at what he does. It angers Rooster and they're fierce rivals." Bob replies, "I understand."

Phoenix slings her arms around your shoulder and says, "Hi, please join my team for pool. I know we'll win if you're on my team. Please please please." You laugh and say, "Sure, Phoenix. I'll join. Bob, can you watch my drink and my food?" He nods and smiles.

You walk up to see you're up against Fanboy and Hangman. Hangman exclaims, "Lightstrike and Phoenix... you'll be tough to beat, but I think we can. Right, Fanboy?" Fanboy replies, "I think we can too." You exclaim, "Phoenix, we're going to crush the boys. Right?" Phoenix replies, "H**l yeah!" Phoenix and Fanboy do rock paper scissors to see who will start... unfortunately Fanboy starts... this could be bad. Hangman is good and given the chance to start, he can usually put at least 16 points on the board. Oh boy:( Sure enough, he does. Phoenix goes and ties up the game. Whew:/ ... You and Phoenix end up winning by 4 points. The boys ask for a rematch, but you accept only if they buy you both a round of drinks. They agree and they win round two. Bob chimes in occasionally with funny remarks and you're glad he doesn't seem as quiet as before. He's cute when he's happy.

SKIP TO TRAINING...

You're doing 100 push-ups, see a shadow, see Hangman, and sigh. You ask, "What's up, Hangman? I'm guessing you don't have to do 100 push-ups." He answers, "No I don't, sucker. But anyway, I wanted to talk to you." You reply, "Well, I'm kind of stuck here, so go ahead. Talk away." He laughs and says, "You have no idea how good that sounds. Well you see there's this girl that I really like and I'm trying my best to be on good behavior around her, but she thinks I'm a douche still. I want her to know that I want to go on a date with her and I was wondering how I should ask her out. I was hoping you have ideas on what girls like." You ask, "What are some things she's mentioned before that she likes?" He answers, "She always is drinking Corona and she wears these little charm bracelets every week to the bar. It's really cute how she has things she likes and she's loyal to them." You reply, "God, you're such a sucker for her. Listen, buy her a pack of Corona and a charm bracelet. There's a cute boutique on Main Street called Auntie May's Boutique and they have all kinds of bracelets. Just look around and pick one. When you give them to her, be upfront with her about your feelings for her and she'll be more willing to say yes." You hit 100, stand, and ask, "Why did you come to me for advice? You know my love life is pretty barren." He answers, "I trust you not to make fun of me, and come on girl, we both know Bob likes you. Do you like him?" You answer, "Even if I did like him, why would I date a coworker? It could ruin the mission." He replies, "But you don't know until you try. I don't think Bob is the type for a quickie or a fling. He has seemed all in for you since day one. When we were at the bar, you first arrived and I caught him watching you. He was blushing when I asked him about it. I'm not saying he's the one, but I'm saying, you should go for it." You nod and reply, "I might. Thanks for listening. Bradley will give me h**l if I tell him that I like Bob or if I tell him anything dating-related." He replies, "Yeah well he's your brother who needs to know that you can make your own decisions and live your own life. Screw him not literally but you get what I'm saying." You laugh.

Meanwhile ... Bob's POV

I find Rooster sitting on a bench and ask, "Hey man, mind if I sit?" Rooster answers, "Of course dude. I don't care." I sit down and stare out at the planes in front of me. Wow, I never sit here. I didn't realize how the planes looked from over here. I hear, "Dude? Bob? Hello." I turn to see Rooster looking at me and he asks, "Penny for your thoughts?" I answer, "I uh ... I really like a girl and I'm scared to ask her out." He asks, "Is the girl my sister? You can be honest if it is. I don't mind." I nod and answer, "Yeah, she's just perfect." He laughs and replies, "I wouldn't say that, but she's pretty cool. Look dude, I know you're into her. I see it all over your face whenever she's around. If you like her, I would just be honest and say it. The worst that could happen is she rejects you and you move on or you never ask her out and never know what could've happened with her. Wait for us to be at the Hard Deck this weekend and buy her a drink then tell her. I think she likes you too, but she doesn't talk to me about boys." I laugh.

The Hard Deck ... Y/N's POV

You just arrived at the Hard Deck because Rooster was supposed to drive you and he bailed. He's probably inside, but he didn't drive you, which is weird.

You see Bob waiting outside on his phone, so you walk up and ask, "Hey, is everything okay?" He asks, "Why wouldn't it be?" You answer, "You are outside and on your phone. I just assumed you were dealing with something serious out here." He replies, "No uh ... nothing serious. I was playing a word game as I waited for you. I wanted to see you and ask if I could buy you a drink." You reply, "Sure Bob, I would love that. Let's head in."

You both head inside and to the bar. Bob gets you both a beer then he leads you to a table away from your friends. You start sipping your drink and you notice him start fidgeting. You reach over, put your hands on his, and say, "Hey Bob, what's up?" He exclaims, "I uh... I bought you a drink because I like you. I think you're perfect despite what your brother says and I want to take you out on a date." You reply, "Despite what my brother says? I'm going to bring that up to him later... But wait you like me? I like you too. I was planning on telling you soon, but I didn't know how. Hangman told me to just go for his style, and I did not like that sound." He laughs and replies, "I don't like the sound of that either. So uh we like each other, that's good. Are you sure?" You answer, "Yeah I am. I've liked you since I met you. You're a really great guy, why wouldn't I be sure I like you?" He replies, "There's just other guys here that you could pick." You squeeze his hands in yours, kiss the back of his, and say, "I choose you, Bob. I really like you. I don't like the other guys the way that I like you. You're the only one I want to kiss and date." He smiles and says, "That's good... Um... Sorry if I seemed quiet when we first met, I was intimidated by how pretty you are." You reply, "That's okay, babe. I thought it was cute. You open up a lot more when we fly together, which was fun to discover." He replies, "That's because we're flying and I can't avoid or risk anything in the air." You reply, "Noted. Ask you important things in the air." He laughs and says, "No, don't. I don't want to mess us up." You laugh. 1 month later...

You've been on dates with Bob whenever you're both free. It's been great. You both have lots of fun together and he's been opening up to you more. You've been opening up with him too. He is really cute all the time and you try not to get flustered by it. Your time together flying has gotten more synchronized now that you both understand each other more. It's cool to see how the more you understand each other, the easier it is to interpret how each other will fly that day. The guys are constantly bugging the two of you for beating them at drills, which are not competitions ... they are literally just drills. The boys love to pester you both about your dating life too... they always try to ask questions that make you both blush so much. Rooster is supportive of you two but changes the topic every time someone tries to talk about your sex life. He always yells, "That's my sister!"

#top gun imagines #top gun imagine #top gun fanfiction #top gun movie #top gun maverick #bob floyd x female reader #top gun bob #robert bob floyd #bob floyd x reader #bob floyd

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fireinmoonshot · 2 years ago

Note

What did you just say?"

"B, please, not now..."

"No, I'm not letting anyone walk over you like that. A is the most beautiful, intelligent and kind person I've met in my entire life, and I definitely am not the only one who thinks that way,"

with bradley please !!

A/N: This is written with a female reader just for the sake of the story! Also... this prompt is so Bradley... obsessed. Thank you for requesting it! <3

Keeping your relationship with Bradley Bradshaw a secret had to have been one of the hardest things you’d ever done in your whole life. Loving the man as much as you did, you wanted to scream it from the rooftops, but Bradley wasn’t ready yet and you understood that. You were perfectly content to keep him to yourself for a little while longer, anyway.

The only time that it was especially hard to keep it a secret was on nights out when all the other members of the dagger squadron were flirting their way through the bar, insisting that you and Bradley join in when all the both of you wanted to do was flirt with each other.

You were grateful, at least, that you and Bradley got to sit next to each other. It was even better when Bradley excused himself to go to the bar to get a refill and you decided to join him because it meant that he’d sneakily be able to grab your hand as you weaved through the large crowd of aviators and regular bar-goers between the squadron and the bar.

He ordered his drink as well as your usual and the two of you leant on the bar, waiting for them to be made. He looked over at you with a smile. “You having a good night?”

“It could be better,” you flashed a grin at him and he knew what you meant immediately. Better if we didn’t have to hide this. “But at least we still get to be here together.”

Bradley was grateful that you weren’t the type to pressure him into revealing your relationship. He opened his mouth to reply when he was interrupted by the voice of a man sat on the other side of you.

“You two pilots?” He asked.

The two of you nodded, unsure what to make of the man. He made himself pretty clear only seconds after, though, given the way he looked you up and down in your uniform with a look of disgust on his face.

“Didn’t anyone tell you women should keep their feet on the ground?” The man said to you, venom in his voice. “Specifically in the kitchen, sweetheart, not flying a plane?”

You raised your eyebrows and then sighed, resisting the urge to roll your eyes since you knew that would likely just spur the man on even further. It’d been too long without having to deal with someone like this. You should’ve seen it coming.

“Thank you for your input, but I don’t really care what you have to say,” you said, picking up your drink as the bartender put it on the counter in front of you, along with Bradley’s. You looked at Bradley who was locked in a death stare at the man. “Come on, let’s go back to the others.”

You gave him a gentle push when he didn’t move.

The man across the bar continued to dig his hole. “Do the two of you fly together? He do all the flying while you sit in the back and look pretty since you’re not smart enough to actually fly it?”

There was no stopping Bradley this time. He stepped toward him, towering over the man.

“What did you just say?”

All the eyes of everyone else in the bar were on you now. You winced, not wanting to cause a scene, and placed a hand on Bradley’s chest, knowing that it probably wouldn’t look that great to the rest of your squadron, who were definitely watching, but also knowing that it’d be the best way to get his attention. “Bradley, please, not now.”

He shook his head and looked at you. “No, I’m not letting anyone walk over you like that, let-alone someone like him,” his gaze went back to the man. “She is the most beautiful, intelligent and kind person I’ve met in my entire life, and I definitely am not the only one who thinks that way. And I’d like to see you try and fly better than she can, prick.”

Bradley didn’t give the man a chance to reply as he turned back to you, placed a hand on the small of your back and started to guide you back to the others. They were all on their feet, having seen everything unfold and ready to step in at any moment.

“I was ready to go give that asshole a punch he’d remember if you didn’t step in, Rooster,” Natasha looked between the two of you, clearly bothered. “Still think you should’ve punched him. What did you even say to him to get him to shut up?”

Bradley shrugged. “Told him she’s more than twice the man he’ll ever be.”

You and Bradley took your seats again. You were especially glad to see that the man hadn’t followed you and was instead still sitting at the bar, glaring over at your squadron. They had all sat down again too and started to resume the conversations they’d been having before the drama had distracted them.

“You didn’t have to do that, you know,” you muttered to Bradley. He was sat close enough to you to hear your words even though you said them quietly.

Bradley raised his eyebrows at you. “Yeah, I did.”

“I just mean I could have handled it myself,” you explained.

“The point is that you shouldn’t have to,” Bradley sighed. “Pricks like that… don’t get me started. Just… I’ve got your back, okay? We all do.”

You smiled at him and nodded your head. “Thank you for having my back.”

He reached a hand over to gently give yours a squeeze. It took you by surprise a bit, seeing Bradley engage in physical contact with you in front of everyone else, knowing that anyone could look over and see at any moment. It was nice, though. Comforting.“Anytime, angel.”

#top gun #top gun x reader #top gun maverick #top gun maverick x reader #bradley bradshaw #bradley bradshaw x reader #bradley rooster bradshaw #bradley rooster bradshaw x reader

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commenter2 · 9 months ago

Text

The Show Must Go On episode review (Hazbin Hotel S1 finale)

The finale of season 1 of Hazbin Hotel. MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW! Also long post warning

Did the title of the episode strangely remind anyone else of the failed videogame “Showdown Bandit”? Anyone?

Charlie wishing her mom was there. Likely foreshadowing her appearing near the end.

Charlie really likes a man in uniform. Maybe take some notes on that Vaggie XD.

Looks like we got a glimpse at how Niffy sees the world, which is apparently similar to Randy Cunningham when as the Ninja.

Again CHARLE=PURITY

I’m not liking how Pentious said that quote about living and dying.

During Al’s speech, you can see Charlie realizing that Pen likes Cherri and being happy for him. Charlie is Pen X Cherri shipper confirmed XD

Could Al be really starting to care about the others?

Angel X Husk and Pen X Cherri fanservice, Charlie liking the last one XD

Oh now Cherri is interested in Pen.

COME ON, KISS YOU TWO! YES!!!

Gross, Adam’s personality is rubbing off on Lute. Even Adam is getting uncomfortable with it and considering its Adam that’s saying something.

The Heaven Bucks things sounds really fake, mostly cause I feel like money doesn’t exist/is necessary for Heaven.

WHAT THE HECK ARE THOSE OUTFITS CHARLIE AND VAGGIE ARE WEARING!?! And why am I getting She-Ra/RWBY vibes from them? Also Charlie is wearing her crown, cute.

I’m intrigued by Charlie’s shield cause I was kind of expecting to see Charlie use her pitchfork along with it, but the shield is still a nice bit of symbolism for how she wants to protect people and not harm anyone…that much. It also shows that she and Vaggie are a great team/couple as Charlie is the defense while Vaggie is the offense.

My fellow DEATH BATTLE fans (which is hopefully a lot of you) get ready to analyze Charlie’s powers, skills, and feats in this fight!

Al’s shield being another feat of how powerful Alastor is, though I wonder if his recent deal with Charlie helped with it?

Aww come one Niffty finally has a chance to go all psycho and all we see is her just stabbing corpses!

While Charlie’s crown is black on the outside, its gold on the inside/other side. Not only do I think this is a Dante’s Inferno reference (it reminds me of the hypocrites’ part but reversed) it also symbolizes how even though she is the daughter of the Devil, Charlie is still a good person.

Alastor’s using shadow jutsu!

OK I DID NOT SEE AL’S VOICE CHANGING after his cane got destroyed. At least this explains how those times I noticed his voiced changed in previous episodes.

Valentino was really saddened when Vox said seeing Alastor about to die was better then sex XD. It’s also funny cause there is a similar line in Netflix’s Castlevania series, which I could definitely see fans making parodies of soon.

Wait WTF is going on now with his voice? Ugh.

That’s our Charlie, even when in a war she is still apologizing. Also her glitter is WAY more effective than Dale Gribble’s pocket sand XD

Also if you slow down the scene enough, you can see that Charlie’s shield damaged and dented the angelic spear, meaning its likely made of something stronger then the angelic steel mentioned by Carmilla in “Hello Rosie”

Charlie shooting fireworks from her fingertips, a nice example of her powers AND a callback to the pilot.

NO NOT THE EGGBOIS! Luckily Angel finally used his secret set of arms to save one of them, we even get to hear his theme song.

And Pen X Cherri fans REJOICED! Also again showing how shallow Cherri can be.

Aww this can’t be goWHAT THE FUCK! I couldn’t even finish writing this sentence because of how fast Pen’s death was! I mean it was implied he was going to die but I thought it be more dramatic than that! Can the Helluva Boss writers at least do this for when they finally kill Striker, or have it happen in my episode idea where Moxxie and his father in law do it?

OOO ITS TIME FOR CHALIE’S DEMON FORM. And in a Sailor Moon kind of way too.

WAIT THAT’S IT? It’s just her regular horns and a tail. The writers really need to amp up these “full demon” forms of the characters as this, Ozzie’s, and Mammon’s forms have been really disappointing to me especially when compared to Stolas and even Helsa’s odd form from the pilot. I hope that this is some kind of semi form or one of many transformations of Charlie’s, and her REAL demon form is something more monstrous but it results in her losing control.

I do like Razzle and Dazzle being dragons, as I did recall them having such a power but this is better than what I was thinking they’d transform into.

DAZZLE NO! At least he died protecting Charlie.

VAGGIE VS. LUTE ROUND 2 (ding ding sound effect from episode)

(Adam slaps Charlie) Again we need fanart of Lucifer and Lilith kicking Adam’s ass.

So a part of me likes that Vaggie spared Lute cause it shows she is better than the so called “angel”, but a part of me knows this is going to bite back later on.

Lute riping her own arm off just proves the previous statement. Still I wonder what a cyborg angel will be like.

You can control fire and shoot fireworks from your fingers, you these things to make Adam let go of you Charlie!

SO Adam is wearing a mask, like I brought up before. I wonder what he looks like under it.

I’m not mad at Lucifer coming in late, cause he likely couldn’t as he probably realized it would just lead to more problems involving Heaven, but again he shows that he is the best dad so far in the series by coming in to save Charlie. Take notes Stolas!

Huh, Adam looks pretty normal looking, even looks a bit like Lute. I was expecting something really ugly under the mask like a pale complexion, sweat, and an unshaven face especially since he has worm that the entire time we have seen him.

OH HO now were getting that Adam ass kicking. Too bad that line from Lucifer kind of ruined it. I mean I can kind of see it being on brand with his goofy personality but still.

Again no one is saying Lilith’s name here. Also I know Lucifer is likely joking about him and Eve being together and just referencing the apple, but I really want to hear Lucifer say he’s only been with Lilith for all his life, then took a break after the divorce.

“NOT THE HOTEL”, is what I would be saying if the trading cards weren’t released early. Still devastating to see.

Like when Adam was choking her, Charlie had the means to save herself there as she is confirmed to have wings. Maybe their waiting for a special occasion to use them.

(Charlie transforms) What was that? At least this confirms that Charlie can transform and confirm that hoove/foot idea I brought up in the last review. I wonder if this is some kind of power from her mother?

Okay Lucifer’s demon form is pretty good. This does make me wonder what that shadow thing of his form the pilot is, if that is still canon. Hopefully it is and it confirms that Charlie can have multiple demon forms.

Holy crap they killed Adam off and Death by Niffy no less! I mean I wanted Adam and Lute to get out of the picture so someone better could take the role of angelic antagonist, but I never thought they would just kill Adam off. At least Vaggie is really happy about this, and I don’t blame her XD. It’s nice to see her smile like this.

Again we see that Lucifer has restraint, which is still interesting.

Lute took his halo. I sense some trouble coming from this. Fingers crossed that it involves how Heaven is okay with Adam being gone, and Lute becoming the thing she hates to destroy Hell AND the “traitors” of Heaven.

I’m still mix on Katie Killjoy being voiced by Brandon. It is making me wonder if Katie was always going to be like this or if they’re altering her to be more like Brandon’s female characters like Bryce. I mean I always though Katie would have a role where she just keeps spreading bad things about Charlie’s hotel, even making things up/ hire others to cause trouble for Charlie so the news can keep reporting on her. Heck she is even thanking them which I never saw pilot Katie never doing through she could be doing it to save face on livestream television. It’s still a funny idea and it has even remined me that there was a time in animation where shows had reoccurring characters whose main thing about them was being obvious references to other fictional or even real characters like Total Drama had characters such as Harold being a Napoleon Dynamite parody and Anne Maria referencing Snooki, Dr. Orpheus from the Venture Bros. was a cheap Dr. Strange knockoff (but still really funny), and there is one character in Atop the 4th Wall that I won’t spoil here cause it’s that crazy, so check it out for yourselves when you can.

Another cameo of Baxter and ARACKNISS!

I also wonder if the Exterminations will be put to a halt here as pointed out in the sliding text on the news channel. It would be interesting to see if Hell really does have an overpopulation problem, and what that would look like.

I’m surprised the V’s aren’t reacting to this more, more so with Vox but it’s likely that he saw the fight with Adam and Alastor and now has a plan on destroying Alastor. That would be cool to see in the next season.

THANK GOD FAT NUGGETS SURIVED! I think VIvzie would have had a riot on her hands if she allowed him to die.

Lucifer said the episode title!

So it looks like Alastor DID care for the others, but now he is dedicated to getting his freedom back from what I still think could be the Lilith imposter who will also be an upcoming deadly force/threat

KeeKee has a Keyblade form!

Yeah Vox and Val are definitely going to use this news for personal gain. The real question is if Velvette will aid them, as her recording them say all this feels like she will try and go out on her own, dragging her allies down in the process. Fitting given her song from “Scrambled Eggs”.

Nice song, great that both Sir Pentious AND Dazzle got memorials, and the new hotel looks amazing as it has a little bit of symbolism from all the others like Husk’s casino vibe and Angel’s career.

PEN IS IN HEAVEN! Emily is loving it while Sera looks confused and scared, BOTH cause she has never saw this happen before or knows that this will kick off some serious consequences like a version of the Armageddon prediction. This is great as now even if the recent fan theory of Emily becoming a fallen angel happens, Charlie now has another ally in Heaven to help spread her redemption plan on that side of things, great for what I can see happening in the next season.

Oh hey everyone its “Lilith”. Yeah I still believe in the “Imposter Lilith” theory that I’ve been talking about lately, and the sunglasses bit adds to it since it is hiding her eyes, like how her face was covered in “Dad Beat Dad”. Plus there have been many times in stories where sunglasses were used to hide something in fiction. Also in the past, we’ve gotten info on her saying how she would like to fight against Heaven, so its odd that she would want sanctuary in it unless she has plans that involve her being there. The biggest clue would have to be that the real Lilith would likely have cheered when she heard Adam was dead. I did talk about how the Imposter could likely want to destroy everything, so for all we know she is pretending to be Lilith who wanted sanctuary in Heaven (if they even know she is there) which is all just a ruse to get info on how to destroy Heaven to fulfill her life’s work and if anything ever happens, the Imposter can rely on her servant Lute and the Exorcist to aid her.

I will admit that it COULD be the real Lilith. I did make a recent post on my Tumblr going over how I think Lilith actually recruited the Imposter to help her take down Heaven a peg a long item ago, but she eventually realized the Imposter had bigger plans that involved destroying everything in existence and Lilith has since been trying to stop the Imposter. At one point things could have gotten so bad to a point that she had to hide in Heaven (again if they even know she is there) until she thought of a plan to stop it like having Lute work for her (again maybe Al works for the Imposter) and similar to what I have in my “Season 1 is a test for Charlie” Lilith knew Adam wasn’t up for the task of defending everyone from the Imposter, so she had to install Lute as leader of the Exorcist so there would be at least a small capable army to fight against the Imposter/upcoming threat if things got bad. However now that Charlie’s redemption plan is getting more support and is proven to be true, Lilith could be scared that the Imposter could go after her and Lucifer next, so I think next season she will try and convince Charlie to stop her goals until they have a plan of stopping the Imposter. Maybe since she made a deal with Lute, she has no choice but to stop Charlie or risk losing the one chance they have at saving everything from the Imposter…until she learns that her daughter was able to make an army to stop the Exorcist which could lead to Lilith changing her mind and maybe think that Heaven and Hell should work together to stop the Imposter/big threat. Even then there could be consequences as we don’t know what exactly happens if a deal with a demon is ever broken. Would said demon die or would the natural of the forces of the universe go crazy until something happens? For any non Percy Jackson fans and those that don’t care about spoilers for it, look up “Trials of Apollo” and “River Styx” to get an understanding of what I mean by broken deals.

That was a GREAT episode AND a great finale for the first season of Hazbin Hotel.

We got tons of action, drama, suspense, fanservice, and mystery just like how I like my shows. The finale was really good cause its on track for what I’ve been saying I would like to see Charlie go through when it comes to the next step of trying to convince the people of Heaven and Hell her redemption plan is a good thing in general for the afterlife.

The only minor problems I have with it is that they didn’t utilize Niffty as much as I thought they would in the battle.

When it comes to the season as a whole it was great, with episode 4 being the worst as we all knew those events were coming but thanks to Helluva Boss it was made less serious to me.

I also agree with other fans that biggest problem the season had was that there should have been more episodes. I mean people know how popular Hazbin Hotel AND Helluva Boss is so it’s a bit odd that they didn’t get more then 8 episodes, especially since they aren’t the usual hour long episodes that are everywhere. Not to mention how half the season came out all at once here on Amazon Prime.

Apparently this is a big problem with Amazon Prime shows in general, BUT luckily given how well received the whole season has been (wordplay pun not intended), I’m hopeful that this will convince the people at A24 and Prime to give Vivzie and the HH cast more funding to make MORE episodes for next season, like maybe 14 this time. Sure this could delay the release of season 2, which is apparently already being made, but I bet I’m not alone when I say I’d be okay with such a delay if it means more Hazbin Hotel.

Hopefully next season though there are less trailers and clips released, another reason why there should be more episodes to help dimmish such things, AND if there is another early release on A24 it should just be like 2 days before the season comes on Amazon Prime and NOT a whole week.

I’m also calling it now that the season 2 episode premiere of Hazbin Hotel will start with a news segment with Katie Killjoy and Tom Trench recapping some of the events of last season and telling us what has happened to both the characters and Hell/Heaven since the finale. I also predict that Lilith, whether the real one or the Imposter posing as her, will appear at the end of said episode starting off that season’s main story.

I definitely want to hear your thoughts on not only this episode, but also on the entire season so don’t be shy. What do you think/hope will happen in season 2? What kind of episodes or stories would you like to see in the next season? What theories do you have?

LET ME HEAR IT!!!

#hazbin hotel #vivziepop #hazbin hotel charlie #hazbin hotel vaggie #hazbin hotel angel dust #hazbin hotel niffty #hazbin hotel sir pentious #hazbin hotel lute #hazbin hotel adam #hazbin hotel lucifer #hazbin hotel lilith #hazbin hotel spoilers

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handspunyarns · 3 months ago

Text

You Were Marked: Days Twenty-Seven to Twenty-Nine (Din, Part II).

pairing: din djarin x *reverse age-gap* *plus-size* fem!O/C

word count: 7.4K

chapter summary: Din returns to Unmanarall to search for Marathel.

warnings:  angst, medical emergency, animal death, mention of physical illness / blood / violence / murder / suicide / rape / child rape / child sexual abuse / child death / object rape, English and Mando’a cursing

***Please feel free to comment, kvetch, or otherwise speak your mind about my work. ***

You Were Marked: Masterlist

You Were Marked: <- Previous Chapter

Din had the sudden sensation that a TIE fighter crash-landed on his chest, and he lurched upward towards what he believed was the excessively rude pilot who apparently couldn’t land worth a damn, uttering a gurgling rebuke as he grabbed his blaster.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, WHOA!” yelled the pilot.

“I’ll blast you both apart!” shouted Din, leaning on his elbow and alternating his blaster between the two men who hovered over him, his brain misfiring in every direction.

One of the men, wearing a light blue uniform, looked at the spent hypos in his hand and muttered, “Holy shit, I can’t believe that worked.”

Din’s heart pounded painfully in his chest, and he groaned. “What happened? Where am I? Who are you? Are we enemies? Where’s Marathel?” demanded Din of the man wearing an X-wing uniform.

The X-wing pilot held up his hands, and said, “Okay … Let me take those one at a time. You had … a cardiac-type … episode. We gave you a series of hypos for that. We didn’t expect you to react so quickly, though.” The pilot took a breath. “You’re on your ship. When you didn’t answer our hails following your distress call, we tractored your ship on board the Luisitz.” Din stared at the pilot. The pilot continued, “Yeah, it’s a dumb name for a ship.”

Din lowered his blaster, not because he felt safer, but because he couldn’t hold his arm up anymore. He was also too weak to keep himself up on his elbow, so he lay back down on the floor. The pilot visibly relaxed, and the man in blue — who was apparently a medic — held a scanner over Din’s chest.

The pilot continued, “That there is Corpsman Ka’nab.” The medic waved. Din nodded slightly in response. “I’m Captain Carson Teva.”

Din grunted. “My name is …”

“Din Djarin. Guild Bounty Hunter, Mandalorian. Yeah, we scanned you. Got your chip.” Teva pulled out his holopad. “Going back to your original questions, I can safely say I sure as hell don’t want to be your enemy. And as far as where is Marathel … I can’t say, because I don’t know who Marathel is. Is Marathel your cat?”

“My what?”

“Your cat, or whatever pet you have on board. Look, you said you were the only one on board, but we scanned your ship as we tractored it in…” — Din groaned inwardly — “… and there’s obviously a second, small, life-form aboard, but it’s in a shielded portion of the ship.” Din remained silent. “Hey, if I could have a pet in my X-wing, I would. So what is it?”

“A … pet, yes.” Sorry, kid. “Not Marathel. She’s …”

“That her?” Teva pointed at the console, and Din looked up to see that his holopad was now projecting the image Cobb had sent. Din nodded, and grunted in the affirmative. “Pretty. Heading out to see her, Djarin?”

“Something like that. Am I done, now? May I go?”

The medic said, “If you can sit up on your own, now, I’m done with you.” Din slowly pushed himself up and shifted so he could lean against the console. He looked down at himself and saw that the medic had pulled off his pauldrons and cuirass, and had sliced his flight jacket and his underthermal open to get at his bare chest, which had several adhesive sensors stuck to it. Din looked at the medic. “Hey, I only know not to remove a Mandalorian’s helmet. That, I did not do. You can take off those stickers yourself, and chuck them out. Captain, I’ll send you my report.”

“Was it a heart attack?” asked Din.

The medic frowned. “No … not as such.”

“Not as such?”

“Well, your blood pressure went to zero and your heart rate was spiking at 200. But the scans showed no heart damage whatsoever. Then you had some sort of seizure, like maybe you shot a clot through your heart into your brain, but nothing showed on neurological scans. So the only idea I had was to hypo you with what I would use on someone who was having a heart attack and a neurological seizure.” Din turned his head to look at Teva, who shrugged and continued tapping on his holopad. Din returned his gaze to the medic. “Hey, it worked. And I removed that bacta bandage you were wearing, you obviously didn’t need it.”

Din looked down at his chest again, looking for the bite mark … which was gone. Not just healed, but gone, as if he’d never been bitten at all. “What the …” Din looked up at the medic. “What did you do?”

The medic and Teva exchanged glances. “I … removed a bandage. If you had a wound under there, it’s obviously healed now.” The medic tossed his equipment into his bag. “I think I’m done here. Safe travels, sir. May the Force be with you.” The medic left.

“This is the way,” muttered Din as he looked again where the bite wound had been, looking for a pale scar, anything that would prove that Marathel had bitten him. “It’s like … it never happened.”

“Are you sure you were wounded, Djarin?” asked Teva, leaning in to look closer at Din’s chest.

Din looked up at Teva, then hurriedly closed his thermal shirt and flight jacket over his bare skin. The helmet was the most important part, but bare skin in general was still … difficult. Even in a medical emergency. “Would you believe that I had a human bite there?”

Teva went back to his holopad and chuckled. “This Marathel of yours gave you a what-for, did she? Or was it … your pet?”

“My … pet … is not human.”

“Djarin …”

“Mando is fine,” snapped Din.

“… Mando, look, I don’t care. I only care about weirdness on my patrol, and you brought me weirdness. For the second time, I’m pretty sure. You’re one long way from Nevarro. And from Maldo Kreis.”

“So are you, Captain.”

Teva chuckled again. “I said it first.”

Din looked up at the holo of Marathel. It occurred to him that he’d only seen her looking like this for seven days. Seven days. He’d known her almost three times as long in her injured state. It felt almost unfair. Which Marathel did I fall in love with? Was it the Marathel with the clear skin and the bright eyes, who called him Bounty Hunter and baked him bread? Or was it the Marathel who almost died in his arms and had nearly lost all her blood twice?

Whichever Marathel it was, she had given him his first kiss with a woman. And had broken his heart over and over and over. And had gotten him the closest to not only removing his helmet, but to leaving his Creed altogether.

Teva noticed Din staring at the holo. “Tell me about her.”

“It’s complicated.”

Teva nodded. “It always is. Believe me, I understand.”

Din considered the Dahls and a lifetime of torture starting with being sired by a murderous pervert. He sighed and said, “No, Captain, I don’t think you do.” He looked back at Teva, who was still tapping on his holopad. “Aren’t you done, yet?”

“Not even close. I would have fewer reports to process if you’d died. But then, I would have never known that lovely woman’s name,” he said, pointing at the holo. “And I’d also have to be responsible for your … ‘cat’.

Din went back to looking at Marathel’s holo. “Captain, let me ask you something. Say … say someone found a planet where women and girls … little girls … have been generationally tortured in the most reprehensible ways. Just how many need to suffer, or die, before the New Republic does something?”

“Is it a Republic or Empire-era planet?”

“Dank ferrik,” grunted Din. “Are you taking the piss?”

“I wish I were, Mando. So which is it?”

“It’s neither. The settlement is the only site of civilization on the entire planet. Everywhere else is … inhabited only by animals. But there might be artifacts from other planets within this settlement. And let’s say that one of those artifacts was … Old Republic.”

Teva frowned at Din. “Where is this planet?”

“I’m only speaking hypothetically, Captain.”

“How many hypothetical generations are we talking about?”

“Possibly two thousand Basic years.”

“Kriff.” Teva pinched the bridge of his nose. “Little girls. How young?”

Din swallowed. “Her first memories.”

Teva’s eyes flicked up to Marathel’s holo, then he harrumphed. “Have you ever heard that there’s always three ways to do things in the military? There’s the official way, the right way, and then there’s the way that us grunts take care of things.” He did some final taps on his holopad, then stood up. “It sounds like you know about the official answer to your query.”

“Primitive culture … blah blah blah.”

“Blah blah blah, indeed. Now, the way that a grunt — like myself — would take care of this … l would search for any artifacts on this hypothetical planet that give a clue where these hypothetical people might have come from, originally. That might be enough for some … hearsay … to get in the right ear, for the right thing to happen.” Teva sighed, and shook his head before he held out his hand to help Din up from the floor. “My report is good enough for government work. Let me see what I can do to speed up your release.”

Din nodded. “Thank you, Captain.”

“You’re welcome, Mando. May the Force be with you.” Teva stepped on the ladder out of the cockpit. “Don’t forget to get your pet out of the hold. And, uh … keep me updated on this hypothetical planet of yours.”

Shortly after that, the Razor Crest launched and exited the landing tunnel of the Luisitz, Din thinking to himself that it was indeed a ridiculous name for a ship. He set the coordinates back to Unmanarall, and throttled into hyperspace.

Once they were set on their way, Din dropped out of the cockpit and pulled the access panel open. “Kid? You can come out now.” He heard Grogu chattering, and then the boy jumped out of the access panel and into Din’s arms, bawling. Din was still unsteady after experiencing whatever it was that had happened to him, and he sat down hard on the floor, hugging Grogu. “It’s okay, kid. I’m okay. Everything’s okay. We’re going to get Mama back. We’re on our way to Mama.”

“Mamaaaaaaa…” wailed the tearful Grogu, and Din would have rather cut off his arm than to see Grogu cry. “Bah daws! Bah daws!”

“Bad Dahls, you got that right, buddy. We’re gonna show those bad Dahls a thing or two.”

Grogu stared at Din with his tearful eyes, runny nose, and trembling lip. After a couple of hitches, the child quietly asked, “Patu … Mama?”

Din sighed, and found a cloth to wipe Grogu’s nose. “Blow,” said Din, and Grogu complied. “Ad’ika … I wish I knew what to tell you about Patu Mama. The first thing to do is to go back and find Mama. We’re on our way back now. We don’t know what we’re going to find when we go back, so we need to be ready for anything. It’s time to be Mandalorians. This is the way.” Grogu made a bleat in the affirmative, but still looked incredibly sad.

With the time skips his mind had taken, Din figured they had a day or so to get back to Unmanarall. He stripped off his sliced jacket and thermal shirt and inspected the damage. He had some needle skills, but he didn’t think even Marathel could fix this. Din noticed that this jacket was one that Marathel had embroidered the Mudhorn signet, so he ripped off the embroidered pocket and deposited it into the bin with his other keepsakes. Getting full in there, he thought. He rolled up the cut shirt and jacket and shoved them down the back of his clothing bin, still loath to toss out something Marathel had held in her hands, despite his confusion regarding his feelings for her. He grabbed a clean thermal shirt and gathered it in his hands to pull over his head when his eye caught the yarn bracelet he’d bought. He’d originally intended to give it to Marathel. Now, he decided he’d wear it until it fell off, or until he and Marathel figured out just what the shab there was between them … if anything.

One thing at a time. For now.

Din redressed and collected all his armor. He cleaned and polished every surface and every crevasse of every piece of armor, saying each Mando’a incantation out loud. He did this not only for his own benefit, but also for Grogu’s, for it was high time the boy started learning these things. Din used one of the new felted wool cloths Marathel had made, and perhaps he was biased, but he thought the handmade cloth was far superior to anything he could have purchased for the task.

That chore completed, Din then moved on to his weapons. He’d been far too distracted recently, and he hadn’t been maintaining his weapons cache as he should have. Ni ceta, Manda’lor. He dismantled each weapon in his armory, cleaning, polishing, and calibrating each part to working perfection. He even tinkered a bit with his antique bolt blaster and vibro-blade, both inherited from his buir. Both weapons had been handed down in buir’s family for several generations.

When Din was a boy and still relatively new under buir’s care, buir had taken him out to the canyon the covert used as a shooting range, and let him fire the old bolt blaster. It was the first time Din had handled a weapon, and the recoil landed him right on his ass. Once buir stopped laughing, he began weapons training with Din. Buir had been the most patient of teachers, and it was his calm and positive reinforcement that Din always tried to emulate as he passed on the Mandalorian traditions to Grogu.

By the time the chores were completed, there were only a few hours to go until the Crest reached Unmanarall. Din made bone broth for both himself and Grogu, and they split a ration bar. Din decided that they both could use a nap, to be fresh for whatever awaited them when they returned to Marathel’s planet. Din put his feet up on the console, and Grogu curled up against him, murmuring Mama before he dozed off.

Din projected Marathel’s image again —the one that Cobb sent — and he stared at it for a while. Din worked out what she had been doing at the time this image was captured. Marathel was making bread at the palace while all the others watched and did their best to convince her to not return to Unmanarall. He was the only one not there. She had revealed to him her sad life, and he had rejected her because of it. But he’d always known, deep in his heart, the depth of her lifelong suffering, who her father was, but he wouldn’t admit it to himself. He’d been such an unmitigated asshole to her. All she’d wanted was kindness. He’d granted her some kindness, but not enough. Only enough to suit him. Only enough so that he could remain comfortably within his Creed.

Din absently put his hand over the bite mark — scratch that — where the bite mark used to be. Okay, why did the bite mark burn like I’d been dipped in lava, sending me into a ‘cardiac episode’ … and then disappear?

The bite mark burned on the second night of the Dahl’s mating, and then in the Hold, when Marathel told him to be still. Actually, any time she told him to be still. Din had believed that she controlled him through the bite mark, which … might be only partially true. She had told him to be still in order to make him remove his weapons, so that she could sacrifice herself. To make him take her back, and to leave her behind, in essence, to sacrifice herself again. And she made him be still to prove to him she was nothing more than a … body to be used for his pleasure.

The other times the bite had burned, he’d attacked her, brutalized her, frightened her, both awake and in his dreams. But in all those times, she never told him to be still … instead, she begged him to let her go.

But if she controlled me, why would she beg me to let her go? She could have just told me to do that! And once I’d taken her back, then why would the bite still burn? Why did I forget her? And why don’t I … love her anymore, for kriff’s sake!

Did I have a not-a-heart-attack and lose a scar because … Marathel is now …?

Din flat-out refused to complete that thought. He refused to believe it even if he did. So, instead, he decided to follow his buir’s advice: take a nap; things will be clearer when you wake up. It wasn’t until he was an adult that he realized what buir was actually saying: kid, shut the fuck up for a while; I need to rest my eyes. Din gently patted Grogu’s back and watched the little green boy sleep until Din dozed off himself.

Din woke up to the hyperspace alarm going off. We’re here. We’re back, Marathel. You told me to leave you here and not come back, but I’m not one for following orders. And I’m thinking about ignoring your request to not take revenge on that Hold. Especially if you broke the promise you made to me and leapt off that cliff after all.

Din dropped the Crest out of hyperspace above the planet, and his thoughts about the best way to reduce the Hold to rubble were suddenly stopped. He had entered orbit just above the Hold coordinates, and the atmosphere above that point was a cloud of grey smoke. The shab? Din looked down at Grogu, who looked back up at him, asking, “Mama?”

“Looks like Mama’s been busy, kid. Hold on.”

Din circled the Crest into the atmosphere and landed where he had the first time he’d been here. It was pointless to prevent Grogu from going with him; the boy was in his floating pram and waiting by the ramp door before Din could get out of his chair. As they made their way to the Hold gate, Din could smell something distinctly chemical in the air. He associated it with hot springs and geysers, which confused him as he did not recall this odor here before. They came out of the woods to see the large wooden gate leaning against the stone pilaster, and part of the stone wall collapsed. But these sights didn’t confuse Din as much as what he didn’t see, and that was the Round Building.

As Din stepped through the gateway, he could now see the where the Round Building had been was now a smoldering ring of rubble, blown from the center out. Dank ferrik; Marathel didn’t mess around. As he came forward, he heard a couple of shrieks and noticed some women scattering at the sight of him. One came forward, braver than the others. The blonde woman wore a light green gown that was torn and dirty … a Duke, thought Din. “You ... You came back.” She held what looked like a fireplace poker in front of her. “Stay back, metal man. You brought her back; are you here to finish us off?”

“I wish you no harm, madam, I am only looking for Marathel.”

To Din’s surprise, another nearby woman, this one with the curly black hair of a Captain, spat on the ground. “The Belwhyn bitch wrought this destruction. She and her demon creatures have killed us all.” This woman wandered off, wringing her hands and muttering.

Din returned his attention to the woman in green, asking, “Did she mean the Dahls?”

The blonde woman nodded, and lowered her poker. “They came in after her … we knew she’d gone into the Round Building, looking to kill the Elders. The building began to burn. The men were running out. But she’d left the gate open, and all the Dahls ran in, running straight to the men trying to escape the fire, and killed them all. Men were going back inside, preferring to burn than to face the wrath of the Dahls. The Dahls ripped them limb from limb. Then ... they went after the children ...” The young woman sobbed. “The children. The babies. Gone. The children ran to us for protection. The Dahls snatched them from us, and killed them too.” The woman continued to cry.

“All the children?”

“Just the boys.”

Din looked at the destruction around him. Bodies — parts of bodies — were still everywhere. Women wept, holding the corpses of infants. One, he saw, no longer had a head; but the woman cooed to it as if it were still living. Two other women were gathering remains of men to put into another pyre. A little girl, hardly larger than Grogu, helped the two women, carrying smaller human parts: a hand, something that looked like a child’s leg. Other females merely sat on the ground, rocking, their faces blank slates of horror. Grogu whimpered in his pram.

“So it’s true.”

Din startled; he had been focusing on the destruction around him. “I beg your pardon?”

The blonde woman pointed at Grogu. “Olba said you had a child with you. She only saw it from a distance. She said it was sweet. And green. And Marathel loved it.” She sniffled. “My boys are dead.”

Din reached out to the woman in green and she recoiled from his hand, brandishing the poker again. “Please, good lady, can you tell me what happened to the Round Building?”

The woman spread her arms wide. “Big boom.”

“Why did that happen?”

“Marathel.” The woman looked at his visor again. “You’re the one that brought her to the Hold. You took her away, and the marchwyl. I was whipped, because I wouldn’t tell them it was Hylma who stole the marchwyl, even though I was glad it was gone. But the others ...” The woman’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Others told. Then the Elders killed Olba and Hylma and Tymfy and Lorica. They’d brought her out, they’d taken the marchwyl, and she still had the Dilimgau. The Elders do not suffer thievery, but… I’m glad the Dilimgau is also gone.”

Din wasn’t sure whether this woman was going to remain relatively calm or not. So far, she’d been very helpful, but she was also using the same flat, unemotional tone of voice that Marathel used when she catalogued the terrible things the men did to her. This woman seemed to be unafraid of him as well as Grogu, and she didn’t seem to want to use that poker on him, and he wanted to keep it that way. “Marathel is not here now?”

The woman scrubbed her nose with the back of her hand. “She left and took the Dahls with her.” Din was relieved to hear that at least Marathel left here under her own steam. Then Grogu quietly whimpered Mama, which startled the woman. “That thing can speak? It can say mama?” She dropped the poker and sat down on the ground, weeping. “I’m not a mama anymore.”

Din knelt in front of her, not wanting to get closer. “I am so sorry.” He let her cry for a few moments before he asked, “Madam, may I look through the debris?”

The woman looked at him in confusion, as if she’d never been spoken to with deference before, which was most likely the case. “Why?”

“I want to help you. I can tell people to come and help you.”

The woman frowned at him. “Come from where?”

Din pointed skyward. “From up there. You saw my flying metal box? There are others out there, many others, and I think your people came from somewhere else, long ago. I need to find some evidence of where your people might have come from.”

The blonde woman looked around her in despair. “We are beyond help. We are all dead. No more men means no more babies. Some women have killed themselves already.” She began weeping once more, and dropped her poker on the ground.

Din muttered apologies again, but moved away from the blonde woman as quickly as he could towards the wreckage of the Round Building. Grogu stuck close and remained quiet, seemingly affected by everything around him. Din leaned over and touched his head to Grogu’s. “I know, kid. Some very bad things happened here. But no one will hurt you. I promise.” Grogu looked dubious.

Din peered down into the hole left by the apparent explosion. The chemical smell here was much stronger, and burned Din’s nose. Grogu began coughing, so Din closed the pram lid, and sealed his helmet. The smell was familiar, somehow, but he couldn’t quite place it. He carefully stepped down into the crater, sliding down what must have been a large door. There seemed to be a lot more metallic debris in the crater than he anticipated. He’d figured this building had been constructed of stone and wood, which it was, but it appeared that there was a large metal component.

The blast had obviously disintegrated the stone, and the wood had burned away, but the interior layer of the Round Building had been sheet metal that broke apart in panels, curling against the intense heat that had occurred from the fire. He moved towards the center of the crater, balancing carefully on the rubble. He turned in a circle, finally realizing that this building was not engineered in a circle, but was built around a metal cylinder. Din pulled out his holopad and began taking stills.

There is no way these people made a metal cylinder this large. They don’t have the means to make sheet metal like this.

Din moved towards a section that was still fairly intact and attached to other pieces. Riveted together.

It’s a ship. This was a ship.

Din nearly pumped his fist in the air. He had been right, after all. He got closer to what was undoubtedly part of a fuselage when some markings caught his eye. Bending down, he wiped some soot off the wall and saw what was unmistakably Aurebesh lettering. He could only make out a couple of letters, however.

Din then looked down to his feet, and he could see a sublevel below him. He picked his way to an area he could access, and dropped down. The flat surface he landed on shifted under his feet, and the section began to fall further into the hole, so he fired his jetpack so he would not fall with it. As he lifted into the air, he noticed some of the women shrieking and running again at the sight of him flying. Din sighed, remembering how jumpy Marathel had been when she first saw him and Grogu. He took a few holo stills from this vantage point, as it showed the fuselage/building well. A panel had fallen inward, and from here he could now see lettering on it, in both Aurebesh and an old script he did not recognize, but the inscription was obviously the name board of this ship:

DRESO LLONG’WYR SYSTEM LEW’EL

Lew’el. They came from the Lew’el system! There was also a string of numbers, and Din was unsure if it was the old style dating system, or the ship’s registration, but in any case, it was old.

Din then noticed several round objects behind the building, near the uprooted tree, the tree Marathel had nearly fallen out of. He touched back down to the ground, picking up one of the round objects, recognizing it immediately as a lid for a chemical storage barrel. There were quite a few of them on this side of the wreckage, making Din think that the blast was more directional than just up. As he dropped the lid, he noticed that his glove was coated with a blue-grey dust. What the … Mist? He looked over the area around him, and realized that this whole side of the building was covered with Mist dust. Why in Frith were they …

“Are you a machine?”

Din had not been expecting to hear a voice, and he whirled around to see a small girl standing behind him. She was a sweet-looking child, with long brown hair that was seriously in need of a good brushing. She also had large, dark brown eyes and a face full of dirt. Her dark green tunic and skirt were stained and torn, and her bare feet were utterly filthy. If he’d been running around this dirty at her age, his mother would have had a conniption and hosed him off in the front garden. His buir, meanwhile, would have simply drop-kicked him into the river. “No, child, I am a person.”

“Why are you made of metal?”

Remembering that Marathel didn’t understand the concept of religion, he said, “My people wear armor and a helmet. Those are the rules my people live by.”

Seemingly satisfied with this explanation, the little girl said, “Belwhyn Marathel did all this.” Din nodded. “The Elders made her a Belwhyn because she fucked you, and she was only supposed to be fucked by the Bishop.” Din could not reply, as he was stunned by these words coming from this little girl. She didn’t seem to mind, as she went on without prompting. “I was there when they made her a Belwhyn. She screamed as they all fucked her. The Captain kicked the Dilimgau into her cunt.”

“… What?”

“She came back and killed them all. The Bishop is over there,” the little girl said, pointing. “I was supposed to be the Hunter’s Whyn, but he’s dead now. I was branded and everything. See?” The child lifted up her skirt to show Din, and she was naked under her skirt. He turned away as she exposed herself to him.

“Lower your skirt, child,” Din muttered.

“But I don’t have an Elder anymore. Are you going to be my Elder?”

“No.”

The girl dropped her skirt and began to cry. “But … I’m supposed to suck your cock now, aren’t I?”

Din backed up from her. “No. No! Go back to the women, child. Just … get away from me.” The girl ran away, crying at being rejected by him, leaving Din feeling both repulsed and saddened. Mostly repulsed. It made him think of Marathel’s brand, made him think of her as a child just like the little Hunter girl. No wonder Marathel was so damaged in her mind. And hearing that the Captain had … His hands curled into fists, and he wished the Captain was still alive so he could kill him. Din considered burning down the rest of the Hold and killing the remaining survivors as a mercy to them. He took a deep, shuddering breath, knowing that he could not do that. Perhaps these women could be rehabilitated ... Perhaps their minds could be repaired ...

Perhaps I could just give up my Creed and join a traveling underwater circus!

Din lined up several barrel lids and took holos. He believed he had enough. Now he needed to find Marathel. He walked around the fallen tree and back out to where the women still milled around. He didn’t see the little girl, and he was thankful for that. Din approached Grogu’s pram, still closed, and he gently maneuvered it away from the fallen Round Building. “Kid? Are you okay in there?” He heard some shuffling inside. “Knock once for yes and twice for no. Are you doing okay in there?” There was a light, single tap from within. “Okay, buddy, just stay in there a little longer, alright?” Another tap.

Din looked over the yard again. Nearby was a dead body that was oddly enough, still intact. He went over and looked down at the corpse of the Bishop. His eyes were gone, and his mouth was open and full of blood. There were multiple stab wounds all over his body, a couple right in his crotch. Too good for you, you son of a bitch. Rapist. Child rapist. You carved a gash down a beautiful woman’s face. You destroyed her before she was even born. You broke her mind so much she dreamed I was you! And I wish you could come back to life so I could kill you myself, you … “MOTHERFUCKER HU’TUUN!” growled Din as he drew both blasters and alternated firing shots into the corpse, over and over. Din holstered his blasters, reared back, and kicked the corpse in the groin. He then raised his helmet enough to spit in the corpse’s eye socket before stepping back and setting it on fire with his flame thrower.

Finished now, Din turned, placed his hand on Grogu’s pram, and walked them both out of the Hold gate, not looking back at the women and girls who stood staring at him. “C’mon, kid, let’s go find your Mama.”

Din decided to return to Marathel’s hut on the Crest. On a normal hunt, he’d leave his ship where it was and walk. He liked having the time to settle his thoughts, make a plan, and creep up on his mark quietly. Right now, however, he felt the need to hurry. Although Marathel walked out of the Hold, he wasn’t sure how long ago she did that, which direction she was going, or what state she was in when she left. The rest of the women were still shell-shocked by the explosion and the Dahl’s attack, but they didn’t go on a rampage like Marathel had, fighting off and killing however many men.

Din and Grogu went back to the Crest, lifted off, and touched back down in the grassy field just outside Marathel’s yard. From here he could not see anything too out of the ordinary, but as he and Grogu approached, he could see that the brown panels Marathel had hung were no longer there. Then he saw her bag lying on the ground where she’d dropped it. Hoping she may be still in the hut, Din hurried forward but stopped short at the four rounded piles of flowers.

Four. The four women who brought her out.

“Stay here, Grogu,” muttered Din. He went up to the steps. There was a burned-out torch — Marathel must have intended to burn the hut down — a whetstone, and bloodied footprints. He looked up to the ridge pole to see the four ropes the women had been hanged from. He did not wish to unwrap the women to see what they had suffered. More of Marathel’s footprints went through the large blood spill under the four shroud-wrapped bodies. Din could smell the decay of flesh, and flies buzzed everywhere.

Olba, Tymfy, Lorica, Hylma. I am so sorry. Ni ceta. Thank you for being good women to Marathel. Thank you, Olba, for mothering Marathel the best you could.

Din took a step back and chanted the Mando’a prayer for the dead, something he hadn’t spoken since the death of his buir. He believed these women were fully deserving of this honor, and that Manda’lor would accept their souls for their sacrifice. This completed, Din stepped up into the hut. He decided that there were certain items that he needed to collect before he left this place. He rummaged around until he found what he wanted as well as a bag to carry the items in.

Din stood in the center of the hut and looked around one last time, feeling as if he were seeing ghosts of lifetimes past: Marathel cooking at the fire, Marathel playing with Grogu, Marathel in his arms. He took one last look at the post near the corner. Her leaning post. He closed his eyes, took a breath, and walked down the steps to the yard. Once there, he turned, aimed his flame thrower, and set the hut ablaze.

Din stood for a few minutes, watching the hut burn. The roof thatching went up like a rocket, and soon it collapsed, leaving just a burning shell of posts. Now, he was finished here. As he and Grogu returned to the Crest, Din snagged Marathel’s bag, hoping that she would need it back.

Din flew the Crest low, searching for life signs on the scanner and wondering where she would go. How far could she get? Din assumed she was injured in some way; Marathel was not a trained warrior and had probably been running on adrenaline. He felt fairly sure that she was heading for the cliff, but he had no idea where this particular cliff was. It was within running distance from her hut, he knew that. Grogu stood on the console, peering through the view screen as Din followed the coastline, searching for this cliff of hers.

The scanner began beeping. Din looked at the monitor to see a large convergence of life signs coming up ahead of them. As they got closer, the sensor picked up one single additional weak life sign. Din steered the Crest in from the high ledge, fifty or so meters above the crashing waves. The ledge was a mostly a grassy field with the foliage growing right up to the edge of the cliff. There was a large, flat boulder some ways away from the edge. Din was thinking he could see a couple of small objects on the boulder, when Grogu suddenly shouted “Mama!”

Din immediately brought down the Crest, and was out of his chair before the ship had fully settled, and practically leapt through the ramp door. He ran to the boulder, where he saw a cracked wooden cup, the remains of a spear, and a bloody handprint. Din immediately panicked, thinking, damn you, Marathel, you promised me you wouldn’t kill yourself! You promised me that you would live out the rest of your days on this fucking rock! I promised I wouldn’t take any revenge, and I promised that I would leave you behind. Well, I broke both of those promises and you’ve broken yours. We are just a fucking pair, aren’t we?

Din flicked the heat sensor on his helmet, and detected a life sign a few meters away. He ran over as fast as he could, sliding to a stop next to the crumpled form of Marathel. She lay in a heap, not far from the dead body of Rodanthe. Marathel’s arms were twisted beneath her as she half-curled into a fetal position. Under her hips was a pool of thick, half-dried blood. No, not again, thought Din as he leaned over her, touching her exposed and sunburned cheek with his gloved finger. Her eyelids flickered, and Din whispered, “Oh, ma’mwsh ha’laa.” He couldn’t tell where she was injured or where the blood pool had come from, but she wasn’t dead, oh, thank you, thank you, she’s not dead.

Din carefully turned her over, realizing that her collarbone was broken and her shoulder was dislocated. She had a gash on the side of her head, with maggots in the wound. She was terribly sunburned where her skin was exposed. How long had she been out here? But before he could fully assess any of her injuries, he heard Grogu cry out, “Patu! Bah Daws!”

Din straightened up, seeing Grogu standing on the flat boulder, pointing at the tree line at the edge of the grassy field. He looked at the tree line, and the heat sensor on his helmet showed many signatures, many living creatures, and they were coming straight for him. Din ran forward, brandishing his blaster as hundreds of Dahls charged. He skidded to a halt, firing at several Dahls, killing them, causing the creatures to trip over each other, but still they came. Din holstered his blaster and fired his flame thrower, but he’d been fire-happy recently and he could only swing the flame once along the front line of the Dahls before he ran out of fuel. It did, however, bring them to a stop, and they stood their ground, chattering their keh-keh noises at him, clawing at the dirt.

Din screamed at the Dahls, “Get away from her, you fuckers! You leave her alone! You’ve taken her entire life away! Get out of her head, get out of my head, and leave us both alone!” He grabbed both blasters, shot several more times at the feet of the closest ones, and the pack began to move backwards. “That’s right, you back the fuck up and LET HER GO!”

Unfortunately, this infuriated the Dahls, and they charged forward at Din once more. He lifted his blasters again, intending to strafe the front line for as long as his blasters held out, when the Dahls simply stopped, as if they were crashing into an invisible barrier. Yelping in pain, the Dahls clawed at the air, at each other, confused. Din was just as confused as the Dahls, and he looked back over his shoulder to see Grogu holding out his little hands, holding back the Dahls with the Force. Din returned his attention to the Dahls, who were backing up once more, now fearful of the metal man and the little green creature.

“Go away from here! Get out of her head and leave her alone. You’ve had her for thirty years! You’re done with her now. She doesn’t want you anymore. You let her SUFFER! You NEVER loved her! NOW LET US GO!”

Snapping, hissing, the Dahls continued their retreat as Grogu released the Force barrier and sat down in exhaustion. Din kept his stance, brandishing both blasters, firing a warning shot at the feet of any Dahls that attempted a forward move. Eventually, the Dahls disappeared back into the tree line, but Din held his ground until the creatures were out of range of his visor’s sensors.

Din slowly backed up himself, scanning the tree line for any sudden movement, until he was back within range of Marathel. Holstering his blasters, he turned to Grogu, sitting on the boulder. “You okay, kid?” Grogu bleated weakly. “You did good, buddy, I’m proud of you.” Din went to one knee beside Rodanthe, hoping that at least this one last Dahl had been true to Marathel. He stroked the animal’s head, wondering if his cardiac episode had occurred at the time of her death. If so, then what was the reason for him to lose his love for Marathel?

Not having any answers, Din decided that the best course of action was to care for the still-living woman. He carefully lifted Marathel from the ground and carried her to the boulder where Grogu sat. “Hey kid, grab that cup and spear, would you?” asked Din, figuring that if Marathel meant them as a suicide note, they were important to her. Grogu did as his Patu asked, and looked up wearily at Din. Din nodded his head at the ship and said, “Going my way, pal? Hop on. Mama won’t mind, I don’t think.”

Grogu leapt into Marathel’s lap, whimpering Mama, curling against her. Din carried them both into the Razor Crest, closing the ramp behind him. The Dahls moved forward again to the tree line, and watched as the small ship lifted off the ground, and winked away into the sky, leaving Unmanarall for what Din hoped was the final time.

Day Twenty-Nine point Five ->

#din djarin fanfiction #the mandalorian angst #mando angst #din djarin angst #star wars fanfiction #starwarsficnetwork #reverse age gap #pedrostories #pedro pascal character #mando x female oc #mando x plus size oc #mando x reverse age gap oc

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jurakan · 2 years ago

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Can I have a fun fact friday pls?

You’ve got it. Today You Learned about Robert Smalls.

[Maybe you knew about him; if so, I apologize. But he’s not that well-known of a figure, and it IS Black History Month, after all.]

Born into slavery in Beaufort, South Carolina in 1839, as a young man he was hired out into Charleston by his owner. This was a thing some slaveowners did and most of the money went back to them, but Robert was able to get a small wage for himself. He gained some skills working at the docks piloting boats, and learned a lot about Charleston Harbor. When he grew older he married another enslaved woman who worked in Charleston as a maid, and they had two children. He planned to be able to buy their freedom, but unfortunately the cost was too much.

And then the Civil War happened.

Robert was a good helmsman, so he was made the pilot of the Planter, a Confederate ship tasked with setting mines and transporting supplies and troops in Confederate waterways. But at this point, dear Robert decided to start planning escape, which is going to be difficult with the Union blockade of Charleston Harbor. But with the other enslaved crew members, they made a plan.

On the night of May 12, 1862, he and the other crew members (who were often left by the ship as long as they made curfew) managed to sneak off with their families. Robert wore the captain’s uniform and hat, so they were able to pass checkpoints by giving the correct signals, not getting too close to Confederate ships, and he copied the Confederate captain’s physical mannerisms. Confederate ships didn’t realize what happened until he was out of gun range.

He approached the Union blockade with a raised white flag, and surrendered the ship to Union forces. For this, he and his crewmen instantly became heroes in Union states.

As if that wasn’t awesome enough, Robert Smalls decided to use his knowledge of ships and the Confederate navy to join the Union military, taking part in over fifteen major battles in American Civil War. At one point he became captain of the Planter, the ship he had escaped on and given to the Union.

After the war, Smalls actually bought the house his enslaver used to own, and won the court case when that guy tried to get it back. He also let that man’s wife live in the house in the last few years of her life, which is probably a lot more gracious than I’d be in those circumstances. He was a part of the South Carolina State Constitutional Convention, and then the SC House of Representatives, working to make education free to all children in the state, and built a reputation as a good rhetorician. He then served in the US House of Representatives.

Look, Robert Smalls is The Man. The fact that he isn’t that well-known is incredibly disappointing, (he’s only got a couple small memorials and signs in Charleston) though there are some efforts to give him more recognition. he has an episode of Stuff You Missed in History and a Badass of the Week article.

There’s also supposedly a movie in the works. I’ll wait until I see a trailer to get excited for that though.

#Robert Smalls #Today You Learned #Fun Fact Friday #Black History Month #US history #American Civil War

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longbobmckenzie · 1 year ago

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Hellooo! There are so few Roberto fans around. I was wondering if you had any HC’s about his home life, like what he’s like as a boyfriend? What he’s like if they’re long distance? What kind of car he drives and things like that? Love our beautiful portugese man 🥺

Hello, sweet anon!!! Thank you for the ask, our beautiful Portuguese man deserves some lovin' 🥺🥰

Fusebox only gives us random facts, so it's up to us to fill in the details...

Roberto Headcanons

Home life

So, we know based on the date and how much Roberto talked about his family that he's very family-oriented and close to his parents, grandparents, and siblings. I think he probably lived at home for a while simply because he didn't see the need to officially move out while he was in school, and because as a pilot, he's often away anyway. But he did eventually move to his own place, but not too far from his parents. Probably with a cousin or two as a roommate, tbh. He still goes home all the time though because that's where his loved ones are.

We also know he can cook, so he's not just going home out of necessity. He's absolutely a mama's boy (and avó's boy), but he helps out in the kitchen because there'd be hell to pay if he didn't!

He's also the only boy with two older sisters. Despite being the youngest (and he was absolutely teased in every way growing up), he's fiercely protective of them.

As a boyfriend

Roberto has dated extensively, but he's ready to settle down and he knows what he's looking for in a partner. He's also ready to learn from past mistakes (and there have been a few).

Roberto is basically Prince Charming. He's attentive, romantic, and will do whatever he can to make his partner feel loved and appreciated. I think his love languages include quality time (especially receiving) and gift giving (how he shows love to others). He's outdoorsy, so he'd love a girlfriend who's willing to do some of his favourite activities with him, and he'll absolutely return the favour - romcom night? Roberto is there. He'll be the guy who buys opening weekend Barbie tickets for him and his girl before Oppenheimer, just saying. Will cook a romantic candlelight dinner. In his own words, he wants the person he's into to feel like his entire world.

He's just as attentive as a lover. He's sensuous. His girl comes first, literally. But he'll very much enjoy the process, teasing her to distraction and edging her until she's begging him to let her come. He's not a dom, not really, but if he's in the right mood, he'll take all the control. We also know he's into costumes and roleplay (no wonder he has a job with a sexy uniform). You might expect his favourite to be pilot/flight attendant or passenger, but that hits a bit too close to home. Plus, you know he's been there, done that 😏But he'll indulge his girl if that's what she wants to do.

Long distance relationships

He hates it. Absolutely hates it. He thrives on being around his people, and he wants his partner there with him. He's already away from home a lot, so not being able to come home to his partner being home for him sucks.

That said, he's on Love Island knowing that a long-distance relationship is a possibility. And he's willing to relocate for the right person, even if it means being long distance for a while before that happens to make sure it's right. He'll be facetiming his girl from hotel rooms all over the world - it's the first thing he does when he checks in - and begging her to travel with him. He's absolutely paying for her tickets, too. Trying to plan his flights so he can see her or take her with him for a mini-vacation. Flying her to Portugal when she's able to get away from her own work/family so she can be there when he's home.

Ultimately, he values experiencing life with his partner. So if his partner isn't around, well... things get difficult.

What he drives

I debated this one. I think he'd like something sporty, but not too flashy. But at the same time, he needs something practical because a) he's not always home to drive, and b) he likes to do sports and go to the beach, and he's not gonna risk getting sand in his nice car all the time.

So, he drives a Seat Leon Cupra. It's a hatchback, so it's practical enough for his outdoors activities. It's got a nice body, but isn't too flashy. It's a fun drive, and it's a good daily driver. Someday he'll get something flashier (possibly an Alfa Romeo Giulia), especially once he's worked his way up and has a bigger salary, but for now, this'll do.

---

This is long so I'll leave it at that, but I'm always happy to chat about our charming boy! Thanks again for asking!

#longbob answers asks #longbob headcanons #litg roberto #litg s6

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noxstrages · 6 months ago

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If it's not too much to ask, could we know a little more about your bug guy? Their design is sooooooo cool, I absolutely adore it! :D

auUaHGhHGhGh MAN I DID NOT EXPECT SOMEONE TO ASK ABOUT HIM SO SOON GHGHHG THANK YOU AHHH I DONT KNOW WHERE TO START

He's from a collaborative RP group I'm in! He's based off a coconut rhinocerous beetle and his outfit is based off WWI/II Pilot Uniforms. His ethnicity is filipino/malay, even though the world he's from isn't really parallel to ours exactly (Whole different continents, mythos, history).

If you ask him what his name is, he'd reply with "Knocks" or "The Wanderer", but this is because he doesn't know his real name. He was Vincent Marcus Catacutan, so you'll see me tag pieces with him as Vincent or Knocks, but they're the same character in two very different stages of his life.

Vincent is pre-[REDACTED] and is a bit of a bitch, but really smart, head of weapons research and development for his country. I typically draw him with long hair, but you can easily tell it's him by his horns/antennae/eyes, which are all brown/black, or a usually dour or maniacal expression.

Knocks doesn't know anything about all that though. He just knows he has an affinity for building machines and making potions, and that he was in a war. He's very jovial and friendly, making silly jokes and naming things weird things, but there's definitely a mean streak to him and he doesn't take social cues very well. That being said, he's undyingly (or, dyingly) loyal, which he shares with Vincent, and he has a big heart and boobs (also like Vincent, but he'd never admit it). Even though they're the same character, they're so different from each other in a lot of ways that he occupies two different spots in my mind. Maybe I can explore this some more if y'all/you're interested :>

Here's a portion of the page I posted earlier with colors, as thanks for reading all that if you did! I'm sorry for rambling, it's hard for me to summarize things, though I'm always eager to answer questions!

#original character #original art #oc art #nox asks #nox talks #nox art #nox ocs #(knocks)#(vincent)#WHOO SORRY DIDNT MEAN TO WRITE THAT MUCH #im a rambly little man #hes one of my ocs ever #he scratches all my itches #simultaneously evil lil meow meow and my poor little scrunkly #im glad you like his design though ;u;#he's sm fun for me to draw and i care him

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albertasunrise · 2 years ago

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Stuck in the Middle of it - Part 7

Masterlist

Summary: Years after breaking up, you bump into Benny Miller again one evening at a bar. He was one man you could confidently say you had loved once but you’d both agreed you were better off as friends. When he introduces you to Frankie Morales, you instantly feel connected to the man but unbeknownst to you… You’ll get thrown into a love triangle. The two men crazy about you. Only thing is… you have no idea who to choose.

Relationships: Reader x Ben Miller, Reader x Frankie Morales

Warnings: Like AO3, I choose not to give any warnings. This will be an 18+ fic

Series Masterlist, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6

War is hell.

You hear it in movies. Read it in books. Nothing can prepare you for the reality of that statement. In the movies though, they make it look so much less hellish than it actually is. War is grown men crying out for their mothers as they lat there desperately trying to hold their guts in. It’s them pissing themselves in fear. Shitting their pants when their life force leaves them.

Their reality right then was what Frank imagined hell to be like.

Bullets seemed to rain down on them left, right and centre. Smoke, ash and fire littered the sky as Frankie tried to steer them out of the line of fire. If anyone had told him that war could be this chaotic before he’d enlisted, he would have never done it. Fear coursed throughout him as he glanced at his co-pilot who had all but lost his nerve. The man was sobbing as he fumbled with the controls but in truth, Frankie was the only one in control. It was his job to get his broths home. Even if it was the last thing he ever did.

He barely heard the bullet pierce the glass. His partner's limp body was what alerted him to the fact that had been hit.

“SHIT.” He yelled as he glanced at his dead comrade.

“What's going on?” Demanded Tom but it took Fish a moment to answer “CATFISH??”

“Mullins is down.” He answered, his voice shaking as he spoke.

“What?” Blurted out Santi “How the-“

He didn’t get to finish his sentence. Next thing they all know, the was a boom and suddenly they were spiralling towards the ground but Fish being the pilot he was, managed to slow their descent.

“Prepare for a crash landing.” He yelled over the comes, straining to keep the bird as steady as he could.

Everyone strapped themselves in and braced themselves for what was to come. The craft was almost at ninety degrees as it plummeted toward the ashen battleground but as they edged closer, Frankie made a manoeuvre that he knew would likely spare his brother’s. But not him.

He said a silent prayer as he watched the ground come up to greet him and then as the bird connected with the earth, they were met with the deafening sound of metal buckling and glass shattering.

Then everything went black.

…

Ben blinked a few times as his head cleared. He could hear someone shouting but the ringing in his ears made it sound muffled and far away. Lifting his head, he noted his brother was calling to him from his seat in the chopper and as things cleared more, he realised it was his brother who was shouting. He then started to look around the rest of the craft and noted that Tom and Santi were also coming around, both looking a little knocked around but otherwise okay.

The smoke hit him next and that's what pulled him back to earth with a bang. Unbuckling his restraints he, along with his brother started to urge the others out but when Ben looked into the cockpit his stomach sank. Mullins lay there, eyes open with a bullet hole to the head and Ben let out a choked sob. He had been the newest member of the team, joining a little over a month ago and he had fit in with ease. Ben then turned his head to see Catfish slumped in his seat. Blook coated one side of his face and his uniform was quickly turning black as blood seeped from the gaping wound to his belly.

"FISH." He yelled as he clambered his way to him "Fuck." Ben choked as he took in the state his comrade was in.

"Ben." Frankie moaned, his eyes cracking open a little.

"I'm here Fish." Ben said gently "I'm gonna get you out brother. I promise you."

"BEN?" Called Tom as he made his way to wear the younger Miller was gently unfastening Frank's restraints "Evac is 5 minutes out." He stated as he took in Fish's condition.

"Tell them they need to get a medical chopper ready. Contusion to the lower left quadrant and a severe head injury." Ben stated, his voice never wavering.

"Copy that." Tom nodded before he head out to make the call.

"Right Fish, this is gonna hurt buddy so I'm sorry." The younger man stated as placed his hands underneath the man's armpits "Okay on three... One... Two... Three."

He pulled Frankie so his top half was towards the entrance to the cockpit, the pilot letting out a guttural scream that made Ben's blood turn to ice in his vanes. In any other situation, there would be a team of people that would be able to cut him out and get him to safety. Now though, they were in hell on earth so no such luxuries could be found.

When Frankie was in position, Ben supported his top half with one arm as he slid his other under the pilot's legs and lifted him, ignoring the pained cries this elicited. Frank's usual golden tone skin had turned a sickly shade of white and a thin layer of sweat glittered on his brow.

He was going into shock.

Ben wasn't an expert on field medicine. That had been Will's area of expertise but he knew enough to know that Fish was in some deep trouble. He needed to get the pilot out and get him stabilised if the man had any chance of making it out of this.

The blonde breathed a sigh of relief when he managed to get them out of the ruined craft and out into the hot, humid air beyond. Tom and Santi had already assembled the stretcher that had been stored in the rear of the craft and Will was prepping what he'd need to get Fish ready to move.

Ben gently placed his brother in arms down on the stretcher before taking his hand and whispering words of comfort as Will started to assess his condition. The younger Miller looked up at his brother and noted the grim expression on his face. He was stupid. He knew that Frank's chances weren't good but he'd be damned if he didn't do everything he could to save him.

After all, he'd done exactly that for all of them.

Ben held Frankie's hand and stroked his hair with the other as the group of them waited for the evac to arrive. They had crashed a fair distance from the active battle and for that they were grateful. They all knew that everything about how and where they crashed was deliberate. Catfish's last attempt to try and get them back safely, even if that didn't include him.

He was selfless to a fault.

When the transport arrived, Ben remained at his friend's side. He talked to him, held his hand and even wiped his tears as the vehicle drove them back to base as quickly as it could.

What felt like hours passed before they were finally within the manned fences of their base. Safe at last but none of them had much time to breathe before they were all whisked off for medical attention.

That was the last mission they ever did.

Standing in front of the mirror, Frankie's fingers traced the silver scar on his stomach. He had been in a coma for two weeks after the crash. The glass shard had pierced his bowel and after hours of surgery, he went on to develop an infection that almost killed him. His doctors told him he'd flatlined twice whilst in his coma. Once in front of Ben when he'd come to visit.

He'd always been grateful that the younger Miller had saved him that day. He'd been ready to die that day but Benny Miller was stubborn and there had been no way he was going to the man clock out. Through tragedy had come a friendship that he'd always thought would be unbreakable and yet everything that had transpired in the last year proved that to be wrong.

"Frankie, you okay?" Came your voice from the other side of the door, a soft knock echoing through the room.

"Yeah, I'll be out in a moment." He replied as he grabbed his t-shirt and pulled it over his head.

You were pouring coffee into two mugs when he emerged into the kitchen. Autumn was strapped to your chest as you floated around the kitchen with ease. You had taken to motherhood like a fish to water. It suited you and you revelled in it.

Autumn had proved to be the ideal first child. She hardly cried except to let you know she was hungry and already at two weeks she was sleeping most of the night. He smiled as he watched you pour creamer into both mugs as you hummed along to the radio, bouncing a little as you went.

His heart swelled as he watched you place a soft kiss on the crown of Autumn's head and he ached to hold you.

"Morning." The new voice made Frankie jump back as if caught doing something he shouldn't "There are my two favourite ladies."

Ben gave you a sweet kiss before leaning down to peck Autumn's cheek and Frank felt a surge of jealousy run through him. It should be him in that picture.

“How you feelin’ this morning Fishsticks?” Asked Ben, pulling the older man out of his thoughts.

“Little stronger.” Frankie replied, giving the man a weak smile before his gaze drifted to you.

He frowned at the expression he saw but it disappeared as quickly as it appeared and then you were unstrapping the baby.

“You want to take her for a while?” You asked and he nodded, taking her eagerly from your arms.

“Morning princessa.” He cooed as she looked up at him with her big eyes.

“Papiiiii.” Screeched Isla as she waddled into the room “Look what I drew.” She exclaimed as she waved some paper above her head with one hand and clung a crayon in the other.

Frank crouched so he could look, gasping as he studied it a moment “Wow, mi corazónc. Esto es increíble.” (Wow, my heart. This is amazing.)

“Gracias, Papi.” She replied bashfully and Frankie smiled.

“I was thinking we could take the girls to the aquarium today.” You stated, grabbing Frank’s attention “Ben’s got to work today so I thought it would be nice for us to do something as a family… You know, if you want to and you’re feeling up to it or whatever.”

“Sounds great.” Frankie replied, smiling sweetly at your nervousness.

“Great, well… I will see you later.” Said Ben as he pulled you in for a kiss “Have fun.” He finished before pulling away. Giving Frankie’s arm a friendly pat and affectionately pinching the apple of Autumn’s cheek.

An awkward silence settled over the kitchen then as Ben left. Frank had been staying with you and Ben since leaving the hospital a week ago. He wasn’t sure how things had ended up this way. The day he’d woken up, you’d kissed him. Gave him hope that perhaps you wanted to try again.

You were sitting at Frankie's bedside, nursing Autumn when the man stirred again. For the past few days, this was how you'd spent your time. Frank was in and out of it but the doctors had told you that he would be for a while, It was hard work waking up. Each time he was conscious though, he seemed to be a little more with it. His eyes shone for Autumn every chance he got a chance to hold her.

Isla had been brought every day also. Sitting with her dad on the bed and telling him about her day with Uncle Will or at playschool. He'd then talk to you for hours about anything and everything but the one thing that wasn't broached... The kiss.

You'd not really seen or spoken to Ben the last few days. Whether he was avoiding you or you just kept missing each other you didn't know. What you did know was that your guilt was eating you alive. His expression when he told you he'd seen you kiss Frankie had haunted your dreams. Played on repeat every moment you weren't distracted by your baby.

Frankie was looking at you differently too. His expression was warm and welcoming every time he saw you. He talked about all the things he wanted to do as a family. Day trips, vacations, all of them including you and excluding Ben.

You wanted the decision to be made for you. You hated how hard it was to choose between the two of them. Because, despite what he did, you loved Ben and he had proved a hundred times over that he loved you too.

But you loved Frankie also.

When you'd learned that it had been because of Ben that he'd broken your heart, all the anger you held towards him died away. You felt nothing but love and admiration for him and the fact you two shared a child together just made those feelings all the more intense.

But you had just spent the better part of a year with Ben. Building a life with him, a home. Were you willing to lose that to try and be a family with Frankie? What if it didn't work out? You'd end up alone. Just you and Autumn. The idea hurt.

This decision was going to mean you lost one of them anyway. You just couldn't bear the idea of being without either of them.

You smiled as you watched Autumn gaze up at the fish in Amazement. Her eyes were the size of planets as she watched the sharks swim overhead as you walked through the tunnel and when she watched the jellyfish as they glowed and danced in their tanks.

Isla had your hand and dragged you to each of the exhibits she wanted to see, demanding you pick her up when she couldn't see.

"Mummy look." Said Isla as she pointed at a sea turtle that swam overhead, seemingly unaware of what she'd just called you.

You and Frankie however were frozen to the spot. A small smile crossed his lips as he watched his daughter tug on your sleeve, pointing at another of the magnificent creatures as it swam over them. His eyes then drifted to you and his stomach dropped. He was at your side in a heartbeat, cupping your cheek in an attempt to get you to look at him.

"Hermosa I'm sorry." He said in a panicky tone, his heart in his throat "She's just a toddler, she doesn't know what she's saying."

"Mummy?" Isla pipped up, her little face scrunching in concern "Why are you crying?"

You choked on a sob before you picked the toddler up and pulled her close, smiling when she placed a kiss on your cheek.

"I'm not sad sweety." You assured her "Why are you calling me mummy sweetheart?" You ask and she gives you a look as if it was obvious.

"You and daddy made Autumn together." She stated matter of factly "She's my sister which makes you my mummy."

'Sweetheart it-"

"If you want me to be your mummy then I would be honoured." You piped up, cutting Frankie off in his tracks.

"I do." She said, nodding with surety and you smiled sweetly at her.

"Okay." You whispered.

The four of you then resumed your trip. Frankie watched you closely as you walked hand in hand with his oldest. Truth be told, he'd hoped that Isla would look at you as a mother one day but that had been when you were together and he could picture your future together.

Now he wasn't so sure how that future would look. Would you let him have Autumn for more than just the weekends? Would the two of you be parents that got on or would you grow to despise him?

"Penny for your thoughts?" You piped up, pulling Frankie from his own head "You were miles away there." You chuckled and he gave you a small smile as he shook his head.

"Sorry I was just... Stuck in my thoughts I guess."

"About?"

"Us." He confessed honestly "How all this is going to work."

"I know what you mean." You replied, your head dropping and suddenly your shoes were the most interesting thing in the room.

"We'll make it work." He piped up, leading the way to the gift shop where Isla was already busy picking out what stuffed fish she wanted.

After paying silly money for a stuffed turtle of Isla and a plush octopus for Autumn, you all decided to stop for a coffee before you headed back. Frank say with Autumn on his lap as he sipped at his coffee and you beside Isla as she babbled away in her highchair.

"Why did you kiss me?" Frankie said suddenly and you startled at it.

"What?"

"In the hospital, the day I woke up, you kissed me." He stated, his eyes drifting to you and you shrunk in your seat under his gaze "You gave me hope that maybe we'd get to be a proper family and then you stay with Ben.

"Frankie I-"

"I know he told you to choose." He interrupted, eyes now fixed on Autumn "I love you. We have a baby together. Don't you think it's worth trying to see if we'd work?"

"Frank, this isn't really the best time to talk about-"

"So when is?" He pushed "When Ben's there to hog your attention and cloud your judgement?"

You were shocked at his bold statement but you knew there was an air of truth to it. You had gone four days before Ben had reappeared all sweetness and kissed and you'd allowed yourself to fall back into that familiar feeling.

"I can't keep sitting there, watching him play house with my family." He stated plainly and you nodded "So I want you to make a decision."

"Frankie." You pleaded but he shook his head.

"I love you. When we were together, I started to picture our future together. We'd get married, have a few kids, and have a dog. Take trips together. I still want all of that with you but I'm not going to wait for you forever."

"What if we don't work?" You asked, your voice shaking "We might crash and burn and then what?"

"We might not." Frankie stated plainly "And I'm inclined to believe that we won't... Because I can and want to give you everything you've ever dreamt of but I'm not sure Ben truly does."

"But he said he's all in."

"But what does that mean?" He asked and you were left without a retort.

Because he was right... What did that mean?

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prince-of-elsinore · 2 years ago

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Dear M*A*S*H: S1 Ep 01 “Pilot”

I want to talk about M*A*S*H. The 50-year-old show that, completely unexpectedly, has captured my heart and mind. I finished the series just over one week ago and had to force myself not to immediately begin a rewatch. Now that I’ve had a bit of time to process, though, I’m eager to dive and dig back in, to pick apart what makes this show tick and what made it resonate with me. I want to take my time this go-around (though I expect that will be difficult) and document my thoughts on episodes and characters as the show morphs and grows. I don’t know if I’ll make posts for every episode (that’s a lot) or how long I can keep this up tbh, and I make no promises as to the eloquence or deepness of all my reactions (sometimes you just wanna stare at Mike Farrell’s fuzzy chest amirite). But this show left my brain buzzing with how much there is to talk about and, well, it’s my blog, so here goes.

Korea, 1950: a hundred years ago

What a line to open on. When the show first aired in 1972, it was only 22 years ago. But maybe for audiences jaded by 7 years of direct American entanglement in Vietnam, the first war with moving images broadcast directly into living rooms across the nation, swiftly drawing to an embarrassing and disastrous conclusion, this other war did seem like a hundred years ago. That other, “lesser” war sandwiched between the heroically fought Second World War and the unprecedentedly divisive living nightmare of Vietnam. The supertitle is a simultaneous reminder to the audience of a conflict not often discussed around dinner tables, despite its relative recency (almost as recent to them then as the Iraq War is to us now), and an acknowledgment of how very, very distant it feels. What fascinates me most is how it positions the story we’re about to see as a fable of sorts from a distant time and place, presaging--somewhat paradoxically--the show’s perpetual relevance. This is Korea. It is also every war.

Then, the rest of the cold open. Visual storytelling at its finest! In a brief series of images we glean not only a sense of who our major players are at their cores, but also the notion that at the 4077, not all is as it seems. Two men in Hawaiian shirts playing golf: a familiar sight, until--kaboom, the ball lands in a minefield. A surgeon and nurse work over an unseen patient--oh, no, it’s a bottle of champagne. A man and woman in uniform studiously read a Bible and medical manual--while playing footsie under the table. So, Hawkeye and Trapper are the happy-go-lucky types who don’t see being in a war zone as any reason not to get their kicks where they can; Henry may appear official on the outside (though as we’ll soon see, rarely even that) but really he’s concerned with having a good time with a nurse (it strikes me this could also be an appropriate establishing situation for our two leads, but it’s even more fitting for Henry who is consistently negligent in his duties as Commanding Officer for the sake of sensual indulgence); and Margaret and Frank put on a hypocritical show of military and Christian officiousness while succumbing to their baser desires like anyone else.

Perhaps the implied injunction to look beneath the surface is nothing more than a promise to audiences of what kind of comedy the show will deliver. Perhaps it’s a commentary on the absurdity of life in wartime and under military jurisdiction (people will be people, no matter how many rule books you throw at them). I doubt the show intended this at the time, but I also see an early indication of the ethos that will come to permeate the series: that the truth--and often, our shared humanity--is found in looking closer, not making snap judgments based on superficial features. In any case, this much is clear: your expectations will be subverted. What is familiar becomes foreign, what’s foreign is familiar. It’s a topsy-turvy world. That’s the oldest root of comedy; it’s also war.

“Par is a live patient”

We get Hawkeye’s first “Dear Dad” over our first O.R. scene, conveniently filling us in on the what and why of the 4077 and meatball surgery. It’s also a thesis statement of sorts. They’re there to save lives, not for glory or to be pretty or precious about their work. Life: the number one concern of a doctor, and the number one thing that war takes away. In some ways, a doctor in a war zone is a paradox. This will be Hawkeye’s struggle straight through to the end of the series. He’s more needed here than he could be at any General Practice or stateside hospital, but what the hell is he doing here? He keeps fixing bodies--just enough to keep them clinging to life--only for the war and the army he works for to keep breaking them.

Back at the Swamp, Hawkeye voices a sentiment we’ll often hear repeated over the 11 seasons to come: invite the North and South to a cocktail party. Last one standing wins the war. Here, it’s a throwaway joke, but as we’ll come to see, the tragedy of Hawkeye Pierce is that he simply cannot grasp, cannot accept, how human beings, given the chance to just talk to one another, cannot come to an understanding, or at least an agreement, and settle their differences without resorting to killing.

All right, on to Lieutenant Dish. The scheme to auction off a nurse, even for the good cause of sending Ho-Jon to college in the States, is cringe-inducing today, as is the awkward montage of Hawkeye’s dogged pursuit of the lieutenant. The show’s misogyny, especially in its early seasons, is by far the hardest aspect for me to stomach. If, however, you take what is shown at face-value, as intended, there’s no harm, no foul here. The Dish-Hawkeye dynamic walks a thin line. Yes, she rejects him over and over and he ignores her over and over. Yet, even as she claims to be saving herself for her fiance, Dish seems indulgent towards Hawkeye, and later at the party even flirtatious. So, she enjoys the attention. Convenient and typical of an attractive woman written by and for men. At the same time, it doesn’t take any stretch of imagination to see that flirtation and sex are some of the only outlets available to the women of the camp, and that they could enjoy it just as much as the men.

I do want to know what the hell the plan was with the raffle of the weekend passes. Father Mulcahy winning is simply too convenient. (Incidentally, I feel robbed of seeing William Christopher react to his name being drawn. I’m looking forward to more familiar faces rounding out the supporting cast.)

The party scene also provides the stark juxtaposition of revelry and Hawkeye dancing cheek-to-cheek with his conquest with the sobering reality of their purpose, the raison d’être of the whole camp. To his credit, Hawkeye looks appropriately grave as he informs Margaret that they’ll be operating on a fresh batch of wounded within hours. While the 4077 dances and drinks, Canadian troops are fighting and dying not far off. Not only is this the linchpin of the episode, the get-out-of-jail-free card for Hawkeye and Trapper after all their shenanigans behind Henry’s back, but also a stamp of credibility for so much of the show. How on earth can these clowns get away these schemes, in the army, of all places? Because they are indispensable. Not only are they surgeons, they are the best at what they do. And once again the hypocrisy of army rules and regulations reveals itself; if everything were done by the book, to the letter, the army would cease to function. It would regulate and court martial itself into obsolescence. (Though, as is pointed out more than once in later episodes, would that really be a bad thing?)

Okay, some more thoughts, now as bullet points so I can wrap this up:

I’m watching without the laugh track, and boy is its absence obvious here in a way it never is later on. The pacing is off, much of the comedy wooden. Still, I prefer this subdued, awkward version of the show to the one with the incongruous canned audience. I think watching it this way allowed me to see so much more.

We get a “Come on, Mary” from Hawkeye to Trapper in the first six minutes! And they facetiously, effeminately point their noses in the air in unison as they walk away from Frank. They’re so in sync straight from the start and I love to see it.

I’m so glad the show left these awkward montages and flashbacks (Hawkeye with Dish, Margaret with General Hammond) behind.

Margaret’s limp hair and awful bangs make me sad.

I forgot The Still (tm) is not with us from the start! I assume they build it after Frank breaks their rudimentary barrel gin mill.

Oh, the bucket hat. Odd that it stays with us in the opening credits for the entire series run, when it feels so odd to see Hawkeye wearing it.

Radar is a surprisingly smooth operator here, even devious. He’s no dummy but it’s odd seeing him like this before he became more the wide-eyed innocent kid.

What is the true origin of “Hot Lips”?? Hawkeye calls her that seemingly off the cuff, and her reaction makes it seem like it’s a new nickname. Then Hammond shows up and calls her the same thing. Is this simply a case of Impossible Coincidence Played for Comedy?

I don’t think I got it the first time around that Margaret recognizes the gauze-covered Frank by his butt when she goes to give him the injection. One of the better jokes of the episode imo.

I listened to the Mashcast podcast for the episode and they were puzzled by the use of Japanese covers of popular songs. I assume that this was because Japan was so firmly established as a base of US military operations, a place every G.I. would pass through on their way to Korea, and where they would hope to go for R&R. I assume (but have not done research to confirm) that radio stations they might get would play Japanese tunes like this. The Japanese cover of “Happy Days,” for instance, seems like a nostalgic choice for US servicemen of the era.

Biggest laugh for me: Such a simple moment, but when Hawkeye and Trapper come into Henry’s office and shake hands with a “How are you, Henry?” and he responds, a little wary and knowing, a little sad-sack, “That’s not what you guys came to ask. I mean, the last thing you wanna know when you ask ‘how are you’ is how am I.” God, I really love Henry.

Parting thoughts: In retrospect, the pilot does a better job than I would’ve suspected in setting up not only the characters but also the lasting themes of the show, even while striking a tone a world away from what the show would become. Not a particularly good or funny episode, but it’s rewarding to rewatch and see the pebble drop into the pool, sending out the rings that will reverberate far into the future.

#mash #mash meta #m*a*s*h #mash 1x01 #mash pilot #dear mash #my meta

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