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cardiac-arresting-sweetheart · 6 months ago

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Yandere Enneagram: The 27 Tritypes

please reblog. i'm begging you. this took 4 hours... open this link for the google document version open this link for the personality test for this system

Overview

Inspired by Enneagram Tritypes, I made this yandere theory system! It's just for fun, but feel free to type yourself or characters in it.

This is based on the idea that there are 3 centers to the Enneagram: the gut, the head, and the heart. They're made up of the 8, 9, 1, then 5, 6, 7, and 2, 3, 4 types respectively. The tritype is then all of the traits of one type from each center combined.

Some of the traits are negative and may not apply to a more healthy yandere, while some might be too positive for a more unhealthy yandere. It cannot describe the yandere 100% accurately, however, it can give a good description of their behavior.

The explanations will be explained in how each type interacts with each other in the tritype.

Terms

Core: Your main type.

Fix: Your secondary/tertiary type, one of the other 2 numbers in your tritype besides your core.

125 - The Guardian Angel

1+2: ♡ Stressed about darling's safety ♡ "I CAN FIX THEM" ♡ Critical ♡ Has a very specific ideal for darling ♡ Attracted to troubled darlings ♡ Feels like it's only right to interfere with darling's life, whatever that means to them ♡ Self-righteous ♡ Martyr ♡ Needs validation from darling despite how they may act ♡ Acts of service ♡ 1 fix can help core 2 be more careful about their actions/be more rational ♡ 2 fix can help core 1 be less brash and more emotionally comforting

1+5: ♡ Very meticulous ♡ A planner and a stalker ♡ Still somewhat critical despite idealizing nature of 5 fix ♡ Struggles with the touchy-feely part of relationship ♡ Often too cold ♡ Emotionally aloof ♡ Especially intimidating when angry ♡ Curious about darling ♡ Can seem like they're interrogating darling at times with their curiosity ♡ Perfectionist ♡ 5 fix can help 1 core see darling less critically ♡ 1 fix can help 5 core be more persistent and less susceptible to surrender

2+5: ♡ Needs alone time despite craving attention from darling ♡ Covert obsession ♡ Would set up cameras in darling's room and/or watch them at all times ♡ Needs to know they're safe and content ♡ Asks darling so many questions and wants to know exactly how they feel ♡ Keeps their true intentions hidden ♡ Interested in darling's connections with other people ♡ Likes to give advice to darling and to be of service ♡ Really, really loves analyzing darling ♡ Love letters and love poetry enjoyer ♡ 2 fix can help 5 core interact with darling more ♡ 5 fix can help 2 core become less suffocating to darling

126 - The Martyr

1+6: ♡ Very strict ♡ Wants to be aware of what darling is doing, not out of curiosity like 5, but out of fear ♡ Rigid expectations; will panic if they fail to follow their expectations or act differently ♡ Extremely controlling due to need for security and ♡ Criticism + paranoia = becomes very angry if they see something "wrong" with darling ♡ Imagines problems that don't exist and becomes upset about them ♡ Especially hateful of everyone darling interacts with ♡ 1 fix can help core 6 focus on an ideal and focus on something rather than irrational anxieties ♡ 6 fix can help core 1 be less harsh and more lovey-dovey

2+6: ♡ Strong desire to be of service to darling ♡ Most anxious about making a mistake and hurting darling rather than helping ♡ Hates hates hates being alone and separated from darling the most; most clingy and needy ♡ Needs security and plenty of "I love you"s ♡ Needy. Did I mention needy? ♡ Forgets their own needs and instead focuses on darling's ♡ Needs to be important to darling ♡ Becomes very flustered and upset if they don't know how to help darling ♡ Hates it when other people help darling with anything ♡ Often self-sacrifical for darling but not humble about it, at least not internally ♡ 6 fix can help 2 core be more understanding of darling and think things through more carefully rather than only seeking affection; helps 2 be more thoughtful ♡ 2 fix can help 6 core feel more of a specific purpose, to help darling

127 - The Savior

1+7: ♡ Very idealistic ♡ Focused on a dream/perfect world ♡ Serious but also enthusiastic ♡ Can get quickly bored of darlings if they aren't "good enough" ♡ Loves giving gifts to darling ♡ Unpredictable emotions; prone to anger issues ♡ Unpredictable and somewhat random in general despite desire for structure and control; 7 conflicts with 1 ♡ Likes to plan trips and dates in detail ♡ Romanticizes darling and gets upset if they don't match the ideal they have for them ♡ Desires perfection ♡ In love with the idea of darling ♡ 7 fix can help 1 core be less strict, demanding, and critical ♡ 1 fix can help 7 core focus and be more structured

2+7: ♡ Very social, even with those that aren't darling (but especially with darling) ♡ Possibly a bit delusional in likely thinking that darling is obsessed with them as well ♡ Friendly and upbeat ♡ More likely to compromise with others that get in their way of darling rather than act in a manner that is emotionally-charged ♡ Manipulative; love-bombs darling and even others ♡ Likes messing with darling and teasing them ♡ Extremely affectionate ♡ Probably enjoys physical touch ♡ Fantasizes about saving darling from danger ♡ 2 fix can help core 7 be more caring about darling's wellbeing ♡ 7 fix can help core 2 relax

135 - The Perfectionist

1+3: ♡ Strong desire to have a positive image of and with darling ♡ Needs a perfect relationship ♡ 2 wing is especially likely to sabotage darling then try to "fix" things ♡ Needs... everything to be perfect ♡ Sensitive ♡ Will completely break down if darling criticizes them; more likely sadly if 3 core, more likely angrily if 1 core ♡ Identifies with relationship with darling ♡ Expects darling and themself to be perfect ♡ Especially critical of who darling associates with ♡ Stressed out ♡ Perfectionist ♡ Works hard to please darling, especially with 2 wing ♡ Likely to see darling as lesser and like a pet or toy to them ♡ 1 fix can help core 3 control darling ♡ 3 fix can help core 1 consider the view of other people rather than only their own

3+5: ♡ Arrogant about how well they "know" darling ♡ Intelligent ♡ Meticulous and careful ♡ Stalker but likes to be a little fun with it ♡ Would secretly give possibly creepy gifts to darling ♡ Likes to look good for darling but is less flashy than a 3+7 for example ♡ Strong mask around everyone but especially darling ♡ Fearful of vulnerability ♡ Puts a barrier between themself and darling ♡ Fear of failure ♡ 3 fix can help 5 core be less reserved and act more on their desires, despite still having a mask of some kind ♡ 5 fix can help 3 core understand darling better and care more about darling rather than looking good together

136 - The Sculptor

3+6: ♡ Cares a lot about loyalty ♡ Wants darling to pledge their loyalty to them ♡ Needs darling to show how much they love them in actions ♡ Highly dedicated to darling ♡ Insecure about how others see their relationship ♡ Shows darling off to make sure everyone knows they're together ♡ Anxious ♡ Especially anxious if they feel darling has criticized them in any way ♡ Matching pfps, layouts, outfits, etc with darling ♡ Anxious about how their darling views them; needs to be perfect ♡ Wants to be extremely talented and accomplished so darling admires them ♡ Competitive to please darling ♡ Adapts to darling's preferences like a chameleon ♡ 3 fix can help 6 core be more confident ♡ 6 fix can help 3 core think more

137 - The Idealist

3+7: ♡ Flashy ♡ Positive and optimistic about their relationship ♡ Especially wants darling to think they're cool and the best ♡ Might be fake or two-faced ♡ Can manipulate others easily ♡ Doesn't hesitate to harm others if they're in the way of their relationship with darling ♡ Romanticizes darling and their relationship ♡ Loves doing cute couple things with darling ♡ Playful, likes teasing darling ♡ Drags darling into adventures with them ♡ Struggles with vulnerability ♡ Has a "mask" or false self ♡ 3 fix can help 7 core focus more on one darling rather than bouncing around as much ♡ 7 fix can help 3 core be more lovey-dovey and playful

145 - The Researcher

1+4: ♡ Most focused on darling being perfect ♡ Hates everything that isn't darling the most, finds them boring and subpar ♡ Hard to please ♡ Very particular ♡ Possibly follows religious ideals with darling ♡ Or might worship darling instead - or desire that darling worships them ♡ Harsh standards for themself ♡ 1 wants to control darling while 4 wants to simply love darling as they are ♡ Feels conflicted in how they feel about darling ♡ Manipulative ♡ Doesn't daydream as much as other 4 types and isn't as emotional; 1 stunts the dreamy, emotional part of 4 ♡ Erratic view of darling ♡ 1 fix can help 4 core romanticize things less and be more serious ♡ 4 fix can help 1 core love darling more comfortably

4+5: ♡ Detached from actually being with darling ♡ Watches darling from afar and daydreams about them rather than acting ♡ Doubled daydreaming aspects ♡ Quiet resentment towards others in darling's life; 4, 1, or 8 core more likely to act on resentment ♡ Deeply engrossed in analyzing darling ♡ Writes and enjoys love poetry and love letters ♡ Deep down, needs words of affirmation ♡ Sees darling as perfect (unless splitting or something of the sort, as is common with 4 types...!) ♡ Quite delusional ♡ 5 fix might make 4 core a little less emotional than other 4s ♡ Bizzare-seeking ♡ Struggles to explain their feelings for darling when asked about it ♡ Somewhat dislikes simple conversation with darling; prefers deep conversations with them ♡ 4 fix can help 5 core be more likely to act, though it is still a bit detached ♡ 5 fix can help 4 core analyze darling more and see them more as a person rather than entirely as their "lover"

146 - The Philosopher

4+6: ♡ Extremely sensitive ♡ Cries easily about darling ♡ Manipulative ♡ Definitely be the type to kill or at least hurt anyone in the way ♡ Only trusts darling ♡ "I fucking hate everyone but you" ♡ Tests darling's loyalty ♡ Soulmates ♡ Very delusional but especially persecutory ♡ Paranoid ♡ Vulnerable ♡ Empathetic to darling ♡ Likely reverent ♡ 6 fix can help 4 core be more careful and wary ♡ 4 fix can help 6 core stay in touch with emotions

147 - The Visionary

4+7: ♡ Dreamer and idealist ♡ Romanticizes darling a lot ♡ Rose-colored glasses ♡ Plays with darling ♡ Overindulges in fantasies and love for darling ♡ Prone to giving into desires, even darker ones ♡ Believes they and darling are special and fated to be together ♡ Manic ♡ Moody ♡ Can become bratty ♡ Childish at times ♡ "That's mine!!" ♡ 4 fix can help 7 core feel a stronger connection to just one darling rather than jumping around ♡ 7 fix can help 4 core get over any lost darlings quicker

258 - The Strategist

2+8: ♡ Very very very possessive ♡ Hates when people talk to darling ♡ Would lock darling in their closet and be their sole caretaker if t hey could ♡ Especially controlling ♡ Acts of service ♡ Likely physical touch for 8 core especially ♡ Dislikes being vulnerable and prefers to make darling vulnerable ♡ Conflicted between protecting their own needs and pleasing darling ♡ Aggressive in love and cute aggression ♡ Lovey-dovey ♡ Darling's hero ♡ Anger issues to both darling and others ♡ Sees darling as helpless and weak, needing their help and protection ♡ 2 fix can help 8 core care more about making darling happy and fulfilling their needs rather than simply possessing them ♡ 8 fix can help 2 core become less obsessed with pleasing darling and care more about protecting themself

5+8: ♡ Mastermind ♡ Often intimidating, darling may be afraid of them ♡ Quietly stalks darling and waits to pounce ♡ Invulnerable ♡ Dominant ♡ Watches from afar rather than closely interacting with darling ♡ Especially hates everyone in darling's life; possessive and jealous but wields it like a weapon ♡ Likely has street smarts ♡ Prone to manipulation and violence; lethal ♡ Hates superficiality and dislikes small talk, especially with darling ♡ Wants a true, deep connection with darling, especially with 4 core or fix ♡ 5 fix can help 8 core be less impulsive and reflect more ♡ 8 fix can help 5 core eventually pounce rather than never acting

259 - The Problem Solver

2+9: ♡ Most self-sacrifical ♡ Forgets own needs in favor of darling's ♡ Conflicted between hidden pride of 2 and self-abasement of 9 ♡ Deeply fearful of hurting darling or upsetting darling ♡ Very sweet to darling, probably the sweetest to darling except maybe 4+9 ♡ Passive-aggressive ♡ Lots of built-up resentment ♡ Might snap on darling one day ♡ Deeply afraid of losing darling ♡ Especially bad abandonment issues ♡ Prone to feeling unappreciated ♡ Denies their pride ♡ Wants to help darling ♡ Delicate and mellow ♡ 2 fix can help 9 core have some kind of pride and enhances desire to help darling, giving some kind of purpose ♡ 9 fix can help 2 core be less prideful and more gentle

5+9: ♡ Lots of daydreaming about darling ♡ May write love poetry that they will probably never share with darling ♡ Withdrawn ♡ Nervous ♡ Stalks darling out of curiosity and love rather than paranoia or for a desire to control them ♡ Seems to disappear ♡ Covert obsession ♡ Reverent ♡ Represses their anxiety and anger ♡ Might have a mask with darling, especially if 3 fix or core ♡ 9 fix can help 5 core be more submissive ♡ 5 fix can help 9 core understand darling more strongly

268 - The Hero

2+6: ♡ Strong desire to be of service to darling ♡ Most anxious about making a mistake and hurting darling rather than helping ♡ Hates hates hates being alone and separated from darling the most; most clingy and needy ♡ Needs security and plenty of "I love you"s ♡ Needy. Did I mention needy? ♡ Forgets their own needs and instead focuses on darling's ♡ Needs to be important to darling ♡ Becomes very flustered and upset if they don't know how to help darling ♡ Hates it when other people help darling with anything ♡ Often self-sacrifical for darling but not humble about it, at least not internally ♡ 6 fix can help 2 core be more understanding of darling and think things through more carefully rather than only seeking affection; can help 2 be more thoughtful ♡ 2 fix can help 6 core feel more of a specific purpose, to help darling

6+8: ♡ Most paranoid combination ♡ Needs to have control over darling ♡ Especially with 5 fix, wants to know what darling's up to, where they are, etc at all times ♡ Tests darling often in multiple ways (loyalty, their love, etc) ♡ Quick reflexes ♡ Almost always in attack mode ♡ Fight rather than flight ♡ Dominant and controlling ♡ POSSESSIVE. So possessive ♡ Denies their anxiety about darling but really is anxious ♡ Loyal and protective over darling (might hate 7s...) ♡ Confrontational and argumentative ♡ Would kill or at least hurt darling if they cheated ♡ Definitely the "Me murdering everyone he's ever looked at" type ♡ 6 fix can help 8 core bond with darling more ♡ 8 fix can help 6 core be more confident and act more rather than simply be anxious

269 - The Nurturer

2+6: ♡ Strong desire to be of service to darling ♡ Most anxious about making a mistake and hurting darling rather than helping ♡ Hates hates hates being alone and separated from darling the most; most clingy and needy ♡ Needs security and plenty of "I love you"s ♡ Needy. Did I mention needy? ♡ Forgets their own needs and instead focuses on darling's ♡ Needs to be important to darling ♡ Becomes very flustered and upset if they don't know how to help darling ♡ Hates it when other people help darling with anything ♡ Often self-sacrifical for darling but not humble about it, at least not internally ♡ 6 fix can help 2 core be more understanding of darling and think things through more carefully rather than only seeking affection; can help 2 be more thoughtful ♡ 2 fix can help 6 core feel more of a specific purpose, to help darling

6+9: (lol funny number) ♡ Very clingy and anxious ♡ Does not deny anxiety at all ♡ Gentle and agreeable with darling ♡ Reverent ♡ More likely to be honest than manipulative ♡ Changes to fit darling's desires, especially if with a 3 fix or core ♡ Absolutely terrified of conflict with darling ♡ Sees relationship with darling as their source of security and safety in their life ♡ Needy ♡ Needs reassurance often ♡ 6 fix can help 9 core be more proactive ♡ 9 fix can help 6 core be more accepting

278 - The Playful

7+8: ♡ Assertive ♡ Playful ♡ Likes teasing darling ♡ Enjoys intensity and seeks thrills ♡ Excessive and grandiose ♡ Hates being controlled, especially by darling! ♡ Wants to control darling and play with them ♡ Needs freedom ♡ Especially possessive ♡ Sees darling like their own toy that nobody else can play with ♡ Possibly a bit childish ♡ May switch between darlings frequently ♡ Indecisive ♡ 7 fix can help 8 core be happier and less serious ♡ 8 fix can help 7 core with idealizing darling excessively

279 - The Peacemaker

7+9: ♡ Dreamy and idealizes darling ♡ A bit more aggressive than other 9 types ♡ Childlike ♡ May get bored of darlings just as quickly as they get attached to darlings ♡ Seems to get addicted to darling ♡ Self-destructive ♡ Very idealistic ♡ Sees darling in a romanticized light, especially with 4 fix or core ♡ Probably gets along with darling well as they have a comforting energy ♡ Likes going on fun, cute dates with darling ♡ Not at all rough ♡ 7 fix can help 9 core be more confident and playful ♡ 9 fix can help 7 core be softer and less temperamental

358 - The Overachiever

3+8: ♡ Marks darling, probably would get them a collar or something like that! ♡ Wants everyone to know who darling belongs to ♡ Very aggressive and assertive to darling and others ♡ Dominant ♡ Intimidates others, especially anyone who gets in the way of their relationship ♡ Would kill for darling (...or maybe kill darling, too) ♡ Invulnerable ♡ Afraid of showing emotion to darling ♡ Has a "mask" ♡ Thinks those in darling's life are insignificant and weak ♡ Likely sees darling as their cute little pet or something of the sort ♡ 3 fix can help 8 core love their relationship with darling more ♡ 8 fix can help 3 core fight against obstacles more

359 - The Observer

3+9: ♡ Especially attached to darling ♡ Adaptable and accommodating to darling ♡ Most reverent 3 type ♡ Mostly stable emotions ♡ Clingy to darling ♡ Still cares about their image with darling ♡ Might want darling to take care of them ♡ Prefers a diplomatic approach to obstacles ♡ Avoids conflict ♡ Highly adaptive to darling's preferences; chameleon-like ♡ 3 fix can help 9 core be more confident ♡ 9 fix can help 3 core be more humble and careful

368 - The Owner

369 - The Attached

378 - The Energizer

379 - The Masked

458 - The Enraptured

4+8: ♡ Reactive ♡ Hates superficiality and small talk, wants to have deep conversations and understanding with darling ♡ Daydreams at times ♡ Feels like they're the only one who can understand darling and vice versa ♡ Needs to be the most important and needed person for darling ♡ Needs darling to need them ♡ Hates it if darling lies to them and can tell ♡ Controlling of darling ♡ Aggressive towards obstacles ♡ Easily made possessive and jealous ♡ Protective over darling ♡ Wants to deeply understand darling, even the dark and taboo parts of them ♡ Values that darling is completely vulnerable with them and DOES. NOT. LIE. ♡ 4 fix can help 8 core be more comfortable with vulnerability and emotion ♡ 8 fix can help 4 core be more protective and assertive

459 - The Dreamer

4+9: ♡ A daydreamer ♡ Dreamy ♡ Especially obsessed with the idea of soulmates ♡ Quiet resentment to those in darling's life ♡ Withdrawn from darling ♡ Prone to isolating self from darling when anxious or upset ♡ Jealousy is quiet but profound ♡ Hesitates to interact with darling out of anxiety ♡ Romantic and nostalgic ♡ Passive ♡ Fearful of conflict with darling ♡ Afraid of communicating feelings ♡ Strongest fear of abandonment ♡ Hides their sadness from darling ♡ 4 fix can help 9 core think more about their and their darling's emotional needs more ♡ 9 fix can help 4 core be more gentle and less likely to manipulate or hurt others on purpose

468 - The Fervent

469 - The Love-seeker

478 - The Love-struck

479 - The Romantic

Final Notes

I took inspiration from the explanations here. A few of the nicknames are the same.

My original post for the normal Enneagram system is here.

Feel free to comment any questions/comments or send me asks about any questions/comments about this system or the main Yandere Enneagram system ^_^!

#yandere enneagram #yandere #yandere theory #yandere blog #irl yandere #actually yandere #bpd yandere #yanderecore #yancore #yandere types #yanblr #yandere imagines #obsessive love #yandere thoughts #yandere aesthetic #yandere community

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leo-interactive-fiction · 3 months ago

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Progress Report 10/2/2024

Hello all! I hope you're having a good week so far. For my part, things have been calming down a bit, and I've been enjoying the small extra free time developing the upcoming scenes.

They are turning out well, as I've progressed about 1/5 of the way as I'm finishing up one of the father's scenes, with 3 more to go, along with Rachael's specialization scenes.

I'd like to go a little more in depth on these scenes, as they will basically flesh out the MC's personal development going forward. I wanted to give some hints at how the MC's S.T.E.M. ability will generally progress going forward. To this end, all of the scenes have a combat oriented focus, but I also wanted to focus on giving a bit more story and lore to the fathers and the organizations they occupy.

For MC's that have chosen to follow their military origin and hone their swordsmanship, your father will request a duel to see what you have learned from Lin, and determine whether or not you are ready for the path ahead. It will not be the practice and training you have undergone with him before. You will have to bring your all to bare against the full martial prowess of a seasoned war hero.

For MC's that have chosen to follow their scientific origin and seek to research S.T.E.M. in Rosaline's facility, your father will conduct his own tests to see if this newfound power is worth the risk, or an endangerment to you. Though this isn't the peaceful, carefree life he wished to give you as a father, he will spare no cost to at least ensure your safety against every unknown he could think of, even if it means disregarding protocols.

For MC's that have chosen to follow their performing heart and find themselves ingratiated in Simon's troupe, your father will be interested in seeing what new tricks you've come up with in his absence. With less and less guards to patrol the city, opportunists have set their sights on raiding and stealing from the seemingly defenseless Bermuda troupe. They could not have expected the troupe to contain its own secrets.

For MC's that have chosen to follow their parent's legacy of covert operations, Hoft leads them to the underground catacombs where a final initiation of the Faction of Beggars takes place: The Lightless Gauntlet. Overseen by a faceless jury, your actions will be the determining factor on your placement as either a clandestine Operative or a lethal Agent.

And for MC's that have chosen to pursue Rachael's offer, the fathers will be present as Rachael conducts tests to push the MC's limits and fully measure the potential of the S.T.E.M. product she's developed, even should there be pain and possible chance of dysmorphia involved. Depending on the father present, they will comment or even intervene in different ways. Thankfully, Rachael is not so crazed to risk everlasting harm or death to their subjects! On a good day, at least...

I'll be very interested to see how these new scenes will be recieved. I've also thought to implement some new stylistic choices in the writing with giving the character's named skills. It gives it a bit more of a gamey feel, and I will have to see how it feels going forward, I'm mostly using this as a test. I will probably cover that at a later date once it is closer to release haha.

I hope you enjoy what I have in store!

#triaina academy #progress report

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calderacitylovers · 1 year ago

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Zutara SlowBurn FanFiction: Personal Favs, part II

· DESTINY IS A FUNNY THING by Megara Pike | Published: 2020-08-21 | 198K Words | 45 Chapters

ATLA Season 3 rewrite, fills in a lot of blanks between canon scenes. From the Southern Raiders to Sozin's Comet through coronation and aftermath. Growing friendships, bonding, being there for each other, a carnival & a cave, epic spirits' appearance on the Ember island, sparring, nightmares, assassination attempts, political ruses, and covert operations. Lovely, sweet. Exciting plot.

· ATLA Book 4: Ashes by elayne_cypher | Published: 2018-10-27 | 306K words | 34 Chapters

This action-packed story picks up right after Ember Island Players and continues well after the war. Zuko is facing many challenges as a new Fire Lord. Romance, tough decisions, rebels, traitors, out-of-body experiences, secret headquarters, angst, teamwork, fire jets. The story has a bunch of OCs.

· Refraction by caroes3725 | Published: 2020-09-09 | 215K Words | 37 Chapters

After breaking up with Aang, Katara needs to figure out her place and role in the patriarchal world. As determined Katara stubbornly bulldozes her way through Fire Nation political scene, her feelings for Zuko grow. Diplomatic visits, Gaang reunion, bonding with Kanna, insights into the life of Caldera city, stuffy politicians, cute correspondence, tropical storm, women supporting women, assassination attempts, personal boundaries. A sweet well-written coming-of-age story with a healthy measure of slow-burn and mutual pining. Katara and Zuko are both POVs, but the story mostly follows Katara. Bonus: Mai is NOT a clingy resentful idiot, but a smart person and a good friend. Some explicit language here and there, a bit of mild smut.

· I Asked You First by halfhoursonearth | Published: 2020-10-03 | 142K words | 22/? Chapters

Ongoing, incomplete. Post Southern Raiders ATLAS3 rewrite. Mostly canon-compliant with blanks filled in between familiar scenes. Zuko and Katara develop a close friendship built on trust and sharing each other’s fears and hopes. Includes mentions of implied child abuse, Lu Ten’s diaries, exploring Avatar Roku’s legacy, sharing a balcony, heart-to-hearts, a hot spring under the stars, an actual date, and artbending. It’s incomplete, but what we have is bliss. Slowburn, mutual pining. Zutara-centric, but also explores the personalities of Team Avatar and their relationships.

· Katara Alone by cablesscutie | Published: 2020-05-31 | 21K words

Katara is not an “unnecessary accessory to a more powerful man”. After the war, she is willing to forge her own path as she turns to people who need her the most on her journey of self-discovery. Features character exploration, correspondence, exploring outback villages of Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom, sweet reunions, and new firebending skills.

· THE PHOENIX AND THE DRAGON - THE COMPLETE SERIES by JasmineTeaLatte | Published: 2021-06-11 | 100K words | 31 Chapters

This story picks up after The Ember Island Players. Zuko and Katara get to know each other during a late-night conversation by the campfire. In this story, you will find healthy boundaries, protective Sokka, a dash of Taang, sparring, funny banter & lots of flirting.

· HESITATE by tiffaniesblews | Published: 2020-07-11 | 22K Words | 12 Chapters

This story picks up right after Zuko's coronation and spans two years afterwards. Zuko & Katara talk, share a few beautiful moments, write to each other, and reunite for the 2nd anniversary of the war ending. Very sweet, fluffy story about two sweethearts figuring out their feelings for each other.

· LIKE WE'RE MADE OF STARLIGHT by Naladot | Published: 2021-11-28 | 5K Words

Katara leaves her post as the ambassador to the Fire Nation to take up a new one as the ambassador to the Northern Water Tribe. Her absence makes Zuko realize that he's got an unfortunate crush, which he is determined to keep secret. Unfortunately for him, subtly has never been one of his strengths—especially when he arrives in the Northern Water Tribe and she keeps taking him on what seem to be dates.

· FIGURE IT OUT by clearascountryair | Published: 2021-12-20 | 35K words | 13 Chapters

After choosing not to kill Yon Rha, Katara rethinks her sense of self and others' perceptions of her. Or, In which Katara learns that there’s a really big difference between being kissed when you don’t want to be and being kissed when you do. Aged-up 3B/Ember Island AU.

- I FOUND YOU by that_turtleduck | Published: 2020-11-01 Completed: 2024-02-24 Words: 157,541 Chapters: 28/28

After divorcing Aang, Katara uproots her family and travels to Caldera. There she finds comfort, kindness and support from an old friend. Katara tries to find her footing as an independent political figure. Great story & relationship dynamic of Momtara & Dadko in their early 30s (Ember island, diplomatic meeting, dancing, turtleduck pond, letters). Delicious slow burn with rewarding spicy resolution in the end (explicit open door). Titters on the side of Anti-Aang.

Here’s a link to Part I of my personal favorites.

Here’s a link to Wholesome Zutara Short Stories.

#zukoxkatara #Katara x Zuko #zutara #zutara fanfiction #zutara fic

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bfpnola · 1 year ago

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introductory excerpts on COINTELPRO

it came to my awareness that some folks don't know what COINTELPRO is still, so imma drop some excerpts from the wikipedia page. ofc there are a billion other resources you can check out, especially firsthand accounts, but this is always a good place to start! link attached below:

[Note that the embedded link above's photo has the following caption: "COINTELPRO memo proposing a plan to expose the pregnancy of actress Jean Seberg, a financial supporter of the Black Panther Party, hoping to "possibly cause her embarrassment or tarnish her image with the general public". Covert campaigns to publicly discredit activists and destroy their interpersonal relationships were a common tactic used by COINTELPRO agents."]

The Introduction:

COINTELPRO (syllabic abbreviation derived from Counter Intelligence Program; 1956–1971) was a series of covert and illegal[1][2] projects actively conducted by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) aimed at surveilling, infiltrating, discrediting, and disrupting domestic American political organizations.[3][4] FBI records show COINTELPRO resources targeted groups and individuals the FBI[5] deemed subversive,[6] including feminist organizations,[7][8] the Communist Party USA,[9] anti–Vietnam War organizers, activists of the civil rights and Black power movements (e.g. Martin Luther King Jr., the Nation of Islam, and the Black Panther Party), environmentalist and animal rights organizations, the American Indian Movement (AIM), Chicano and Mexican-American groups like the Brown Berets and the United Farm Workers, independence movements (including Puerto Rican independence groups such as the Young Lords and the Puerto Rican Socialist Party), a variety of organizations that were part of the broader New Left, and white supremacist groups such as the Ku Klux Klan[10][11] and the far-right group National States' Rights Party.[12]

Methods COINTELPRO Utilized

According to attorney Brian Glick in his book War at Home, the FBI used five main methods during COINTELPRO:

Infiltration: Agents and informers did not merely spy on political activists. Their main purpose was to discredit, disrupt and negatively redirect action. Their very presence served to undermine trust and scare off potential supporters. The FBI and police exploited this fear to smear genuine activists as agents.

Psychological warfare: The FBI and police used a myriad of "dirty tricks" to undermine movements. They planted false media stories and published bogus leaflets and other publications in the name of targeted groups. They forged correspondence, sent anonymous letters, and made anonymous telephone calls. They spread misinformation about meetings and events, set up pseudo movement groups run by government agents, and manipulated or strong-armed parents, employers, landlords, school officials, and others to cause trouble for activists. They used bad-jacketing to create suspicion about targeted activists, sometimes with lethal consequences.[74]

Harassment via the legal system: The FBI and police abused the legal system to harass dissidents and make them appear to be criminals. Officers of the law gave perjured testimony and presented fabricated evidence as a pretext for false arrests and wrongful imprisonment. They discriminatorily enforced tax laws and other government regulations and used conspicuous surveillance, "investigative" interviews, and grand jury subpoenas in an effort to intimidate activists and silence their supporters.[73][75]

Illegal force: The FBI conspired with local police departments to threaten dissidents; to conduct illegal break-ins in order to search dissident homes; and to commit vandalism, assaults, beatings and assassinations.[73] The objective was to frighten or eliminate dissidents and disrupt their movements.

Undermine public opinion: One of the primary ways the FBI targeted organizations was by challenging their reputations in the community and denying them a platform to gain legitimacy. Hoover specifically designed programs to block leaders from "spreading their philosophy publicly or through the communications media". Furthermore, the organization created and controlled negative media meant to undermine black power organizations. For instance, they oversaw the creation of "documentaries" skillfully edited to paint the Black Panther Party as aggressive, and false newspapers that spread misinformation about party members. The ability of the FBI to create distrust within and between revolutionary organizations tainted their public image and weakened chances at unity and public support.[49]

The FBI specifically developed tactics intended to heighten tension and hostility between various factions in the black power movement, for example between the Black Panthers and the US Organization. For instance, the FBI sent a fake letter to the US Organization exposing a supposed Black Panther plot to murder the head of the US Organization, Ron Karenga. They then intensified this by spreading falsely attributed cartoons in the black communities pitting the Black Panther Party against the US Organization.[49] This resulted in numerous deaths, among which were San Diego Black Panther Party members John Huggins, Bunchy Carter and Sylvester Bell.[73] Another example of the FBI's anonymous letter writing campaign is how they turned the Blackstone Rangers head, Jeff Fort, against former ally Fred Hampton, by stating that Hampton had a hit on Fort.[49] They also were instrumental in developing the rift between Black Panther Party leaders Eldridge Cleaver and Huey Newton, as executed through false letters inciting the two leaders of the Black Panther Party.[49]

...

In order to eliminate black militant leaders whom they considered dangerous, the FBI is believed to have worked with local police departments to target specific individuals,[78] accuse them of crimes they did not commit, suppress exculpatory evidence and falsely incarcerate them. Elmer "Geronimo" Pratt, a Black Panther Party leader, was incarcerated for 27 years before a California Superior Court vacated his murder conviction, ultimately freeing him. Appearing before the court, an FBI agent testified that he believed Pratt had been framed, because both the FBI and the Los Angeles Police Department knew he had not been in the area at the time the murder occurred.[79][80]

...

In 1969 the FBI special agent in San Francisco wrote Hoover that his investigation of the Black Panther Party had concluded that in his city, at least, the Panthers were primarily engaged in feeding breakfast to children. Hoover fired back a memo implying the agent's career goals would be directly affected by his supplying evidence to support Hoover's view that the Black Panther Party was "a violence-prone organization seeking to overthrow the Government by revolutionary means".[84]

Hoover supported using false claims to attack his political enemies. In one memo he wrote: "Purpose of counterintelligence action is to disrupt the Black Panther Party and it is immaterial whether facts exist to substantiate the charge."[85]

Intended Effects of COINTELPRO

The intended effect of the FBI's COINTELPRO was to "expose, disrupt, misdirect, or otherwise neutralize" groups that the FBI officials believed were "subversive"[58] by instructing FBI field operatives to:[59] 1. Create a negative public image for target groups (for example through surveilling activists and then releasing negative personal information to the public) 2. Break down internal organization by creating conflicts (for example, by having agents exacerbate racial tensions, or send anonymous letters to try to create conflicts) 3. Create dissension between groups (for example, by spreading rumors that other groups were stealing money) 4. Restrict access to public resources (for example, by pressuring non-profit organizations to cut off funding or material support) 5. Restrict the ability to organize protest (for example, through agents promoting violence against police during planning and at protests) 6. Restrict the ability of individuals to participate in group activities (for example, by character assassinations, false arrests, surveillance)

When did they start?

Centralized operations under COINTELPRO officially began in August 1956 with a program designed to "increase factionalism, cause disruption and win defections" inside the Communist Party USA (CPUSA). Tactics included anonymous phone calls, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) audits, and the creation of documents that would divide the American communist organization internally.[9] An October 1956 memo from Hoover reclassified the FBI's ongoing surveillance of black leaders, including it within COINTELPRO, with the justification that the movement was infiltrated by communists.[31] In 1956, Hoover sent an open letter denouncing Dr. T. R. M. Howard, a civil rights leader, surgeon, and wealthy entrepreneur in Mississippi who had criticized FBI inaction in solving recent murders of George W. Lee, Emmett Till, and other African Americans in the South.[32] When the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), an African-American civil rights organization, was founded in 1957, the FBI began to monitor and target the group almost immediately, focusing particularly on Bayard Rustin, Stanley Levison, and eventually Martin Luther King Jr.[33]

How did the news get out about COINTELPRO?

The program was secret until March 8, 1971, when the Citizens' Commission to Investigate the FBI burgled an FBI field office in Media, Pennsylvania, took several dossiers, and exposed the program by passing this material to news agencies.[1][54] The boxing match known as the Fight of the Century between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in March 1971 provided cover for the activist group to successfully pull off the burglary. Muhammad Ali was a COINTELPRO target because he had joined the Nation of Islam and the anti-war movement.[55] Many news organizations initially refused to immediately publish the information, with the notable exception of The Washington Post. After affirming the reliability of the documents, it published them on the front page (in defiance of the Attorney General's request), prompting other organizations to follow suit. Within the year, Director J. Edgar Hoover declared that the centralized COINTELPRO was over, and that all future counterintelligence operations would be handled case by case.[56][57]

#reaux speaks #black panther party #fbi corruption #cointelpro #counterinsurgency #revolution #martin luther king jr #black power #intersectional feminism #indigenous #young lords #history #wikipedia #communism #socialism #j edgar hoover #mccarthyism

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the-bad-batch-baroness · 10 months ago

Text

Infectious

TBB & Fem!Reader

Chapter 3: Rumors on Scorro

Summary: You're completing your final practicum on Kamino as part of the experimental non-clone Combat Medic program. After graduating top of your class, and being inducted into the prestigious 407th Medic Unit, you get assigned to Clone Force 99. Neither of you are excited to be working together and tensions run high. However, those tensions dissipate when the Bad Batch unexpectedly falls ill while on a covert mission. Running against an unknown clock, it’s up to you to figure out what’s causing the illness before it ultimately kills you all.

Pairing: TBB & Fem!Reader

Characters: Hunter, Echo, Crosshair, Wrecker, Tech

Tags & Warnings: BAMF fem!reader, enemies to friends, humor, action, angst, hurt/comfort, canon typical violence, mild suggestive themes, explicit medical descriptions, whump

Word Count: 5.7k

Author's Note: WE'RE BACK BABY!!! Yeah, that's right. Finally. After all of this time, the next chapter has arrived 🥳 I told y'all I would be updating my other series fics in the new year, and I meant it. This chapter has some Echo angst in it, because why not. FYI, since it's been 9 months, I went back and edited the first two chapters to match my current writing style. No plot elements changed, just style, grammar, word choice, etc. As always, please enjoy 💚

Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3

As the ship leaves the stormy atmosphere of Kamino, you turn your head to look out the transparisteel viewport and are greeted by the sight of endless stars twinkling brightly across the ebony horizon. You smile wide knowing this view will never get old. The galaxy is vast and beautiful, and getting to see it up close and personal, while also doing something you love, is priceless. This really is a turning point in your life. A new chapter to be written and explored.

When the ship levels out, you unstrap from the jump seat and start exploring the Marauder. You have a feeling you’ll be spending a lot of time aboard this ship, so you want to familiarize yourself with it as much as possible. You walk back towards the stern, where Wrecker is, and look around, but there's not much to see. Then make your way back up toward the bow and step aboard the bridge. You weave between Hunter and Crosshair, and stand behind Tech.

“So, where are we going?” you ask while looking over Tech’s shoulder at the controls.

Without turning around, Tech answers. “Agamar. It’s a rather barren planet found in the outer rim. The terrain is inhospitable to most, but we will manage.”

“What’s the mission?” you ask further, excited by the prospect and intrigue.

“There’s a separatist base they want us to route,” Hunter says. “A simple in-and-out mission.”

You nod your head at the explanation, but he makes it sound like routing a heavily guarded separatist base is a walk in the park. You have to remind yourself that they are an elite force of clones and are genetically modified for the toughest conditions. It amazes you that such clones can even exist and your fascination with them grows. You wonder how they look in action and if they live up to all the rumors the regular clones whisper about on Kamino. Only time will tell.

Hunter rolls his shoulders and cracks his neck. “Get some sleep, all of you. We’ll be there in a couple hours.”

You want to say something funny, like 'aye aye captain', but decide not. Instead, you simply nod and make your way back to the bunks. Laying down on the flat rack, you stare up at the ceiling. There are too many pre-mission jitters vibrating through your body to fall asleep. Even after shutting your eyes and calming yourself, it's just not enough. So, you toss and turn, getting more aggravated that your body won’t drift off, since being tired for your first mission is not an option.

You sigh and sit up, then peer around at the others who are soundly asleep in their bunks and chairs. You’re not sure how they can fall asleep so fast. It’s either a genetic thing or a military training tactic, but whatever it is, you don’t have it. You decide to get up and pace around to try and wear yourself out, and when you do, you hear something. The ship is quiet and your ears perk up immediately at the sound. Wanting to investigate it, you quietly slip around your squad.

One by one, you pass by them, waiting and listening to hear who made the weird sound. Not Wrecker. You move on. Not Crosshair either. You check the next one. He’s making noise for sure, but not the sound you heard. It’s not Tech either. You move towards Hunter, a little nervous that he might wake up and catch you staring at him, but you pause and listen. Nope, not him. You purse your lips. That only leaves Echo. Carefully, you tip toe over to him, wait, and listen.

He's not making a sound, and with a shrug, you turn to leave, thinking you’re a level of crazy for hearing things on a quiet ship. Then it happens again. You turn back around and look at Echo. He’s sleeping rather soundly, with soft rhythmic breaths and gentle rises and falls of his chest. No breath obstructions, you note to yourself. You wait and watch for a moment, then he says it again. It’s faint, breathy, and almost unrecognizable as a word, but you hear it regardless.

Fives.

You knit your eyebrows at the odd utterance, and wait a little longer, listening to see if what he mumbles changes or if he’s repeating the same word. After a couple standard seconds, Echo says the same breathy word again. Fives. You wonder what it means. Maybe it’s a special numerical sequence from his time back on Skako Minor? You shrug at the mystery, but are happy that it’s not a breathing issue. You turn to leave him be, but he mumbles something else.

Fives come back.

Oh. Your heart drops. It’s a person. He’s dreaming about someone he knows, or maybe someone he once knew. You sigh and let your eyes turn soft, knowing exactly what it’s like to dream about loved ones. It’s been several years, but you still dream about your parents. Sometimes you can’t fill in all the gaps of your dreams as you slowly forget things, but it still pulls at your heartstrings every time they show up to give you a hug in the realm of sleep.

As your thoughts wander a yawn escapes past your lips. Finally, feeling tired and ready for sleep, you return to your bunk and crawl onto the hard surface. Laying on your back, you close your eyes and take a few deep breaths to settle yourself. You still wonder who Fives is and what they mean to Echo. Your psychology books tell you that dreams can be a subconscious escape or a subconscious desire. Knowing next to nothing about Echo’s past, it could be either one.

You take another deep breath and exhale slowly. Closing your eyes, you let yourself drift off to sleep, but in a split moment, a rough hand shakes you back awake. You shoot up and hit your head on the bunk above you. Ouch. Nursing your newly formed bump, you use your other hand to rub the sleep out of your eyes. When you come out of your groggy haze, you can hear snickering coming from the rest of the squad. Ha ha, yes, very funny. You think to yourself.

“Rise and shine,” Hunter mocks as he walks away from your bunk. “We’re here.”

Gathering your composure, you swing out of the bunk and head over to the cockpit for the landing. You look out the viewport as you enter the atmosphere of Agamar and your face lights up with excitement. This is it. Your first mission. You want to squeal, but something tells you that no one else is going to appreciate it, so you keep it internal. The ship lands on the rocky surface of the planet with only a slight wobble. Tech wasn’t kidding when he said it was inhospitable.

Your excitement grows as the squad gears up with their packs, and you follow suit the same way. You double check your pack to make sure you have all the medical necessities and do a mental headcount of your supplies. Once satisfied with your inventory, you sling it across your back and toss your bucket snug on your head. You’re all set to go on your first mission. The ship door opens, light beaming in, and your heart begins to race. This is it. This is your moment.

You take your first steps forward to leave the ship when Hunter stretches an arm out to stop you. “Not you,” Hunter says. “You’re staying here.”

“What?” you question. “But what about the mission?”

“Your mission is here,” Hunter says. “You’re staying on the ship with Echo.”

“But, sir!” you argue. Your feelings of excitement crumble. “I belong in the field!”

“You belong where I tell you you belong, medic,” Hunter snaps back. “Or are you ignoring an order from your commanding officer on your first mission?”

You huff and clench your fist. “No, sir."

“I didn’t think so,” Hunter says, then turns to face Echo. “We may need a quick extraction, so keep your ears on.”

“Understood,” Echo acknowledges with a nod.

Hunter nods back and heads out of the Marauder with the rest of the squad, well, the rest of the squad except you. You remove your bucket, plop down on your bunk with an angry grunt, and lean your head back against the wall. This entire assignment has been one big pissing match, and every time you think you’re making progress, you get sidelined. How are you supposed to make Kix proud if you don’t see any action? You release another angry grunt and cross your arms.

“Careful,” Echo says. “You’ll lose your voice if you keep grunting like that.”

You roll your eyes. “Aren’t you upset being stuck here?”

“No,” Echo answers. “It’s not unusual for someone to be left back with the ship. Keeps people from stealing it.”

With such a small squad of men to work with, you guess that makes sense, and since Echo is your unofficial chaperone, it makes sense that you were left on the ship with him. However, even though you try to explain it to yourself in those practical terms, you still think it's to spite you. You sigh. At this rate, you’ll never get to prove your worth as a Combat Medic to any of them. To these special clones, you’re just useless dead weight and not worth their time.

As the planetary rotation moves forward, you find odd things around the ship to busy yourself with, but you’re still bored. Echo is not much of a conversationalist and he hasn’t moved from his spot in the cockpit. You end up sprawling yourself across the seat in the gunner’s nest and looking out the window at whatever draws your attention. There’s some trees, a little snow on the ground, and a few stray wildlife that come into view. Nothing too spectacular, that’s for sure.

Finally, after hours of sitting by yourself, you decide to go back to the cockpit and sit with Echo. You're still curious about this Fives person he mentioned in his sleep, and you think maybe now might be a good time to ask him about it. You walk into the cockpit and sit down in the chair across from him, bending one leg up onto the chair and resting your chin atop your knee. Echo silently acknowledges your presence and returns to looking at the setting sun over the horizon.

You fidget with your fingers as you mull over whether to ask him about what you overheard last night. It might be private, and he may not want to tell you, but your curiosity is getting the better of you. “Echo,” you ask. “Who's Fives?”

Echo shifts uncomfortably in his seat and stays silent for a couple of minutes. “How do you know that name?” he asks. His words hang heavy in the air.

“You…” you begin, then pause, unsure of how to tell him. You don't want to sound creepy, but honesty is the best policy. “You said it in your sleep.”

Echo sighs, but doesn't turn his gaze from the orange sunset. “Shouldn’t you have been sleeping too?”

“I’m not used to sleeping on ships,” you answer. You can tell by the tone of his voice that this is a sore subject and you're starting to regret bringing it up.

Echo swivels his chair to face you and worries his lip. His eyes are full of sadness and his countenance is engrossed in pain as he searches for the words he's looking for. A small smile flashes across his lips. You wonder if he's thinking about a memory.

“He was my brother,” Echo says, his voice quiet at the strain of saying his thoughts out loud.

You can tell by his choice of words and his tone of voice that this brother isn’t around anymore and you feel a twinge of sadness settle in your gut. You understand a thing or two about the loss of a loved one. “What happened to him?” you ask.

“He was murdered,” Echo says, his fist tightening as he looks back out the viewport. “By one of our own.”

Your expression turns from sadness to shock and then confusion. A clone killing a clone? Does that even happen? Why would a clone do that? Your mind rushes a mile a minute trying to wrap your head around the idea, but you cannot seem to reconcile it. It’s too bizarre of a concept to comprehend. Every clone you've ever met was a brother to the one next to him. So, for a clone to kill another clone, it’s like a family member killing another family member. It’s unheard of.

“I’m sorry, Echo,” you offer as a consolation. “You must miss him.”

“Yeah,” Echo says, his voice distant. “I do.”

“I miss my parents all the time,” you say, trying to bridge the gap and build a connection.

“I remember you mentioning they’re dead,” Echo says as he turns to face you.

“About ten years ago,” you add. Now it's your turn to look out at the sunset.

“I’m sorry,” Echo says.

“It’s fine,” you shrug. “It hurts, but it doesn’t hurt like it used to. I know they’re out there watching over me, somewhere.”

Echo snorts. “You believe in that Jedi force stuff do ya?”

“Not really,” you answer with a small laugh. “But everyone needs to believe in something.”

“That’s fair,” Echo says.

“When I look up at the stars,” you begin with a smile while staring fondly out at the horizon, “it’s almost like I can feel them with me, you know? Watching over me as I make my way in the galaxy.”

“Sounds nice,” Echo says.

“I bet Fives is watching you too,” you say, then look at Echo with soft eyes. “He hasn’t left you alone, just like my parents haven’t left me.”

“Maybe,” Echo shrugs, then chuckles. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he came back to haunt me.” His brief small smile fades as his countenance reverts back to a frown.

“We’ll see them again some day," you say, trying to stay hopeful. “I just know it.”

“That would be something, wouldn’t it?” Echo half-jokes, but you can hear the part of his heart that wants what you're saying to be true.

He wants to see his brother again, desperately. So much so that he calls out to him while he sleeps. He must agonize over Fives’ death. You understand because you’ve been there. You’ve stared death in the face, the kind of death that leaves you thoroughly alone. You don't need to understand psychology to know what his subconscious thinks about on a daily basis, and your heart hurts for him, but you know there's nothing in your medpack to mend a shattered heart.

You and Echo stare out of the cockpit in silence and watch the sun fall beyond the horizon, sharing in this solemn moment and appreciating the company. The veil of night arrives and the stars begin to shine in the dark sky. The billions of bright burning lights feel comforting. The stars aren't very visible on Kamino, but here, on this planet, they are bright and beautiful. You relax your shoulders and lean back, thinking that maybe this assignment isn’t so bad after all.

However, your sweet moment is interrupted by Hunter’s voice over the comms. He’s calling in that quick extraction now and by the amount of yelling and blaster fire in the background, this is going to be a hot one. Echo relays the affirmation, sets the coordinates, and lets Hunter know that both of you are on the way to pick them up. You're slightly surprised that Echo included you in the transmission, but now is not the time to be celebrating your first taste of inclusivity.

“Civvy, strap in,” Echo orders as he starts pressing buttons and flipping switches to get the ship going. “This is going to be a bumpy ride and I don’t need you falling out of the ship.”

Ah, there it is. You sigh and head back towards the jump seats and strap yourself in for the wild ride ahead. Echo expertly maneuvers the ship to the squad's location and brings it in low so they can climb on board. You can hear the blaster fire outside and as the door opens to the ship, you watch them file in while firing off blaster bolts to cover each other. It’s the first time you’ve seen any of them in action and you're a little awestruck. They don’t move like other clones.

Tech next to Echo and Hunter yells for them to get them out of here. The ship moves again, this time more aggressively, as the enemy continues to fire at the Marauder. Wrecker moves to the gunner’s nest and shoots down the vulture droids that are following behind. You tightly grip the bars on the jump seat as the ship rocks from the blasts. Thankfully, the shields are up. The ship flips upside down, sideways, and every other way you can think of to out maneuver the droids.

At long last, the ship breaches the atmosphere and moves into space. Tech initiates the hyperdrive and pulls the handle down to enter into hyperspace. Once safe in a hyperspace lane, you let out the breath you were holding in, then flick the safety release on the jump seat and push them over your head. You get up from the seat and wobble forward, not realizing your legs turned to jelly from all of the excitement, and let your feet stabilize before trying to walk.

“Woah, that was fun!” Wrecker hollers as he brushes by you and moves towards the cockpit. “Echo, you should have seen this place. It was crazy.”

“Not as crazy as being sling-shot across a ravine,” Crosshair grumbles and pushes past you. He sits down in one of the swivel chairs and starts cleaning his rifle in silence.

“I said I was sorry,” Wrecker apologizes. “But we won!”

“Correction,” Tech says as he lifts a pointed finger in the air. “I won.”

Crosshair rolls his eyes and pulls a few credits from his pocket and hands them to Tech.

“Much obliged,” Tech says as he stuffs the credits in one of his many satchels.

The exchange has you lost in bewilderment. Clearly, something happened during the mission and you’re curious to know the details. You look at Echo, hoping he'll ask for more information about it, but he doesn’t, leaving you more curious. You do find it odd, however, that they had some form of amusement out on the battlefield. From your time on Kamino, most clones don't find blaster fire fun. Clone Force 99 really is different compared to the rest of the clone forces.

“I assume your mission was a success?” Hunter asks while walking by you, breaking you from your thoughts.

“Yes… sir,” you answer with a twinge of hesitancy, a little unsure of what your mission was other than staying on the ship with Echo.

“Good,” Hunter says. He reclines in one of the empty swivel seats and clasps his hands behind his head. “Glad to hear it.”

You can’t tell if he’s being serious or if he's trying to make fun of you. Either way, you brush it off and focus on more pressing matters, like what's next on the mission agenda. Will you go back to Kamino? Or will you wait for more orders? That’s what good soldiers do, isn’t it? Follow orders? You’re still unfamiliar with all of this, so you’re not sure what to ask or what to do with yourself. Rather than make new issues by asking more questions, you retreat back to your bunk to relax.

But the boredom of waiting creeps in and you start to doze off. Your eyelids are heavy even though you barely spent any energy this rotation. It doesn't take you long to remember that you didn’t get much sleep the night before and now that the adrenaline is wearing off, your body is telling you it needs rest. You don't fight it and let your body go to sleep, hoping you won’t be woken up. As a medic, you must get rest whenever you can so you can be at your best at all times.

This time you wake up on your own terms, when your body feels rested. You’re not sure how long you were out, but no one bothered you so you assume everyone is still waiting for new orders to come across. You sit up in your bunk, without hitting your head this time, and stretch out your arms. You roll your shoulders and crack your neck. The bunks aren’t exactly soft, but they do their job. Swinging your legs over the side of the bunk, you get up to use the refresher.

As you head towards the refresher, the rest of the squad is huddled around and speaking amongst each other. Hunter looks serious and has his arms crossed, which can’t mean anything good, and Echo is arguing with him, again. You forget the refresher for a moment and walk over to add your presence to the mix. Hunter notices and glances at you before turning back to Echo. Not realizing where you are standing, Crosshair gives you a small jab on your behind with his rifle.

The sudden touch startles you. “What was that for?”

“You’re blocking my view,” Crosshair hisses. “Move.”

You roll your eyes. “You could've just asked me to move, you know. That's borderline harassment.”

“If you looked more like a window than a door, I wouldn’t have to borderline harass you,” Crosshair snarks and flicks his toothpick in your face.

Your nose scrunches and eyes close when the little wooden projectile hits your face. As your frustration builds, you take a deep breath to calm yourself. You want nothing more than to tell that sniper where he can shove his rifle, but you won't. It's not worth it because it will only fuel his bullying further. Instead, you choose to let it go. This time. There are points where you will cross the line, and he keeps dancing around that line. If he ever crosses it, you'll let him know.

“Can we get back to more important things?” Hunter asks, shifting his gaze between you and Crosshair.

Echo huffs and shakes his head. "I don't like it."

"We don't have to like it," Hunter says. "Orders are orders."

"What orders?" you ask.

Hunter swivels to face you. "There's rumors of an imperial base operating out of Scorro." Tech pulls up a holo of the planet and Hunter continues his explanation. "According to our intel, the GAR sent a squad of clones to scout the base, but their comms suddenly went silent. Another squad of clones were sent after them with the same result. Now they want us to investigate."

"Do they know what happened to the clones?" you ask, curious as to what's causing Echo's skepticism.

"No," Hunter crosses his arms. "They were never recovered."

"No one went back to get them?" you ask.

"It would be a waste of resources," Tech adds. "Besides, based on the trend, sending another clone squadron would yield the same results."

"But aren't we another clone squadron?" you ask, this time your nerves bleed through.

"Stop worrying!" Wrecker exclaims. "We can take on whatever they throw at us!"

His words don't make you feel better about the situation. While Echo is the only one openly objecting to the new mission, Hunter's facial expressions tell a different story than what he's leading everyone to believe. Your first inkling was the fact that he hasn't shoved you aside for this conversation. In fact, he's answered your questions without issue. He's serious about this in a way he hasn't been since you've met him. The fact that Hunter is worrying, has you worrying.

"I still don't like it," Echo frowns. "How'd they lose two clone squadrons without so much as one distress signal?"

"Maybe a new type of droid?" you offer. "Or their signals were jammed?"

"Groundbreaking ideas," Crosshair says.

"Everything is a valid option," Echo adds.

Crosshair rolls his eyes.

"Enough," Hunter says. "We're going to Scorro to investigate the rumors and to find the missing clones. Double-check our supplies and prepare for anything."

With the sergeant's final words, everyone scatters to prepare for the mission, except for Tech who punches in the new coordinates and sets the course for Scorro. You linger in the cockpit, silently observing Hunter as he pulls out his knife and twirls it around his fingers. The mission makes you nervous even though it shouldn't. You'll probably end up staying on the ship again, but maybe that's not a bad thing. You shake your head at the thought. That's not why you're here.

"Sergeant–"

"You too," Hunter says before you get a chance to ask. "You're coming with us."

You smile and nod. "Thank you, sir."

"Don't get the wrong idea," Hunter adds. "I need Echo for this mission, and I'm not leaving you alone on the ship."

"Yes, sir," you frown then turn back towards the bunks to get yourself situated.

Of course it would be too good to be true. For a second, you thought he actually wanted you on this mission, but he just wants to keep an eye on you. As a medic, you can help the missing troopers if they need medical attention, which you're confident they will. Your presence on the mission should be vital, not just an afterthought. Although, you shouldn't be upset that you're going on a mission, but you wish it was because of merit and not for the sake of babysitting.

Regardless, you will do your best on this mission and prove to Clone Force 99 that you are a good medic. That they need you. You're not sure how, but you will. When you get back to your bunk, you triple-check the supplies in your pack and stock as many bacta patches and stim shots as you can fit, plus some essential fluid and mineral packets, ration bars, and a few medical odds and ends that make sense to bring along. You want to be prepared for anything.

With your preparations made, it's another waiting game until you reach Scorro. You don't remember reading about that planet in your studies, but apparently it's rather primitive in nature, which is why no one has settled on it. It's an abandoned planet, making it a great outpost for mercenaries, pirates, and separatists. Pulling out your data-pad, you do a little more research to see what you can find out, but come up with the same dismal results that your holo-texts had.

It's not much longer before the Marauder drops out of hyperspace and the olive-green planet comes into view. When the holo-text said that Scorro was primitive, it wasn't kidding. It looks new and unabused by modern progress, and its vegetal hue is highly alluring. Your curiosity has now surpassed your trepidation about the rumors and missing clones. You're excited. This is a great opportunity, even if it's dangerous. The closer you get to the planet, the faster your heart beats.

“According to the scanners, there are no active fauna on this planet,” Tech states. "But the air is breathable."

“Just because the air is breathable doesn’t mean it’s good for you,” you point out. “Carbon monoxide is breathable but you’ll die before you figure out it’s bad for you.”

“Correction,” Tech adds. "The air is non-toxic towards human life-forms."

"Glad we could sort that one out," Crosshair says. "Any more words of wisdom?"

You narrow your eyes at him. "No."

"Take us in," Hunter says. "Land just outside the coordinates of the last clone squadron."

"Affirmative," Tech says, then flips a few switches before piloting the ship into the planet's atmosphere.

Once the ship has landed, Hunter addresses the group. "Our mission is to locate the two missing clone squadrons and investigate the rumors about an separatist base of operations. We'll use teams of two and spread out in an 800 meter radius from the last known coordinates. Keep the comm lines open and have your blasters at the ready."

Everyone nods and gears up, including you. Before you put your bucket on, you glance at the medic mark on your shoulder pauldron. No matter what happens, you have a job to do. You're a medic first. These men, your squad, are in your care and it's your responsibility to make sure they all survive. Steeling yourself for what's to come, you bite back every lick of fear that tries to take hold in your mind. You've trained hard for this, and you're not going to get cold feet now.

The side loading ramp opens and the bright sunlight of the planet blasts into the dimly lit ship. No turning back now. You follow the rest of the squad out of the ship and step onto the fresh earth of Scorro. For someone who grew up on Coruscant and spent the last cycle on Kamino, this much vegetation is mesmerizing. The sun is so warm, and the earth beneath your feet is so soft. This virgin planet is breathtaking. You take a few more steps forward, then Hunter stops.

"Tech, Crosshair, go east," Hunter says while pointing in that direction. "Wrecker and I will go north. Echo and Civvy, you'll go west.

The group nods and heads out in their respective directions.

"Stay frosty men," Hunter says over the comms. "There's no telling what we'll be up against out here."

You and Echo silently walk towards the western end of the perimeter, keeping your eyes peeled for any signs of the clone troopers or separatists. After a couple minutes, the silence grates on your nerves, but Echo seems focused right now. A little too focused. You know this mission bothered him from the beginning, but there seems to be something else about the way he carries himself that indicates it's not just about the mission being odd. There's something deeper.

As you continue forward, your foot kicks something hard. Looking down, you catch a glimpse of the familiar white plastoid clone trooper helmet, which is attached to a body shrouded by tall weeds. Your stomach flips. You weren't expecting to find one of them so quickly.

"Sarge," you say in the comms. "I found a trooper." Crouching down, you check for a pulse, but as you expected, there is none. "He's dead."

"We're making our way to your position now," Hunter says. "How'd he die?"

While your medic training didn't have an autopsy course, you inspect the body for the usual suspects. The armor is still intact and there's no signs of a struggle, which you find odd. There's no blaster marks, claw marks, bites, or scratches on the armor either. The black bodysuit isn't even ripped. He must have died from something. You pull back some of the black bodysuit and notice the tissue is necrotizing, but you don't see anything suspicious. Then you scan the body.

"Civvy, status," Hunter interjects over comms.

"I'm not sure how he died," you admit while reviewing the results of the scan. Echo looks over the body too, but doesn't come up with anything substantial. Not that you needed a second opinion.

"What do you mean you're not sure?" Hunter asks. "You're a medic, you should know how people die."

"There's no wounds," you explain. "He looks normal. Fine, even. Besides being dead." You don't mention it, but the fact that there are no organisms feasting on the clone's flesh also baffles you. You'd figure there would be more decay markers, but there's not even a single worm.

Hunter and Wrecker make it to your position and Hunter looks over the body, confirming what you said. "Then how the kriff did he die?"

You look up at Hunter from your crouched position next to the body and shrug. "We'd need a full autopsy to determine that, but the scans indicate no internal injuries either."

"So, he died from nothing?" Echo asks.

You shrug again. "Maybe he had a heart attack. That doesn't show up on portable scanners."

"Eighteen clone troopers died of a heart attack?" Hunter asks, his voice sounding distant.

"No," you rebut. "But maybe this one did."

Hunter points past you and you stand up to see what he wants you to look at. You tilt your head from side to side, scanning the area he's pointing at, when a glint of white pops up on your HUD. Then another. And another. Your eyes widen and your mouth gapes. The ground is littered with seventeen more troopers half-covered in tall weeds. The first squad and the second squad, dead mere meters from each other. You've never seen so many dead bodies before.

You feel your stomach grow queasy, and you rip off your helmet to vomit. As a medical student, you've seen cadavers, held organs in your hands, been bathed in blood, but nothing prepared you for the sight of a mass death. There's something menacing and sickly about it. You know most clones are never retrieved from battlegrounds and you know most clones will never see a proper burial, but knowing and witnessing are two different things. It's heartbreaking.

"You all right?" Echo asks.

You pant from the spasmic exertion, but find your voice. "I'm fine."

Tech and Crosshair arrive at your position soon after, and take note of the bodies. Everyone feels it now, the pressure looming thickly in the air. Something happened on this planet. Something killed these eighteen troopers and it killed them silently. There's an anxiety that creeps in as you wonder what it possibly could be. What is the silent hunter? How does it find its victims? And how can you and your squad escape from it? Perhaps, it may even be too late.

"I've got a bad feeling about this," Echo says to Hunter.

Hunter sighs. "Me too."

Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3

Masterlist

A03

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mercillery · 9 months ago

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➜ ZOGRATIS SIBLINGS AS TYPICAL COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO HAVE A CRUSH ON YOU

I gave up on Dante’s part oops sorry.. anyways, this was really cute and fun to write <3

WARNINGS: SFW + GENDER NEUTRAL READER + MODERN AU + HEADCANONS

CHARACTERS: Dante Zogratis + Vanica Zogratis + Zenon Zogratis + Lucius Zogratis (only mentioned)

Out of all his siblings, you'd never have expected him to have a crush on you. Zenon stands as the least popular among his siblings—well, he's still popular, but just a notch below the rest, you know? This is largely due to his tendency to avoid interactions with others. Overall, Zenon remains the same, even as a typical college student—quiet, intimidating, and stoic. He often gives off the impression that he'd rather be anywhere else, and at times, it seems like he simply hates everyone around him.

You, however, are the exception to Zenon's usual demeanor. Despite his typical aloofness, you hold a special place in his gaze. Always seated at the back of the class where he can remain unseen, Zenon steals glances at you discreetly, ensuring no one catches on to his actions. Even if you were to sit beside him instead of somewhere at the front of the class, he'd still manage to steal glances at you without anyone, including yourself, noticing. Zenon's ability to remain covert in his admiration for you is uncanny—he may even attend class solely because you're there.

Zenon's gentlemanly demeanor is reserved exclusively for you. Whether it's holding doors open for you, carrying your belongings, or coming to your defense, he goes above and beyond to ensure your comfort and safety. However, there's a quirk to his chivalry—oftentimes, he'll open the door for you and let it slam shut on the person behind you, ignoring the glares and comments that follow. In Zenon's eyes, your well-being outweighs any inconvenience to others.

The only ones who ever catch onto Zenon's crush on you are his siblings, with Lucius being the first to notice. Dante and Vanica catch on a bit later. Once the whole group is aware, the teasing becomes endless and is followed almost everywhere by none other than Vanica and Dante themselves. Lucius joins in with some teasing but acts more as Zenon's hypeman. Whenever the three are present while you and Zenon are together, Zenon notices Dante and Vanica exchanging smirks and mischievous glances, which makes him want to roll his eyes at their nosiness. He suggests that you both go elsewhere, not wanting to alarm you by mentioning his siblings watchful eyes. As he leaves the area with you, he spots Lucius in the crowd, wearing a smug smirk, clearly being nosey too, adding to Zenon's frustration.

Zenon's way of expressing his interest is through subtle gestures that might go unnoticed unless you're paying very close attention. If you happen to get glasses, squint, and observe his actions with keen eyes, you might start to piece together his crush on you. However, on the surface, you might just think he's being nice and considers you a close friend. Some of these subtle gestures include leaving helpful notes to assist you with studying, leaving thoughtful bookmarks in your locker or textbooks, and bringing up topics he knows you're passionate about.

ﾟ｡ ₍ ꙳⸌ ♡ CONFESSION TIME ♡⸍ ꙳ ₎ ｡ﾟ

It's a serene afternoon, the gentle sunlight filtering through the library windows as you gather your things. The study session with Zenon has come to an end, and as you glance at him briefly, you notice that he seems lost in thought.

"Are you okay?" you ask, breaking the quietude.

Zenon snaps out of his reverie, his gaze meeting yours. If you just squinted just a bit, you would’ve notice how his normally stoic eyes seem to soften at the sight of you.

"I'm okay," he responds, his voice calm but perhaps carrying a hint of something more beneath the surface. You give Zenon a small nod, trusting that he's being truthful about being okay.

Just as you're about to slide your textbook into your backpack, Zenon's voice pierces through the tranquil atmosphere. "I have something to tell you."

Zenon's gaze locks onto yours, the intensity in his eyes palpable as he holds a strong and unwavering eye contact. There's no doubt now—whatever he has to say is significant. The room feels charged with an intensity you can't quite put into words. It's as if the air has shifted, and you can feel a nervous energy creeping up your spine. Something important is about to happen, and the anticipation leaves you on edge, your heart beating a little faster in your chest.

“I’m listening,” you say hesitantly.

Zenon inhales deeply, closing his eyes for a brief moment as he gathers his thoughts, steeling himself for what he's about to say. Despite the rapid thud of his heart against his chest, he's determined to be straightforward and direct. With a steadying breath, he opens his eyes, meeting yours with unwavering resolve.

"I like you," he declares, his voice steady and confident. Each word is enunciated with deliberate care, ensuring that you hear him loud and clear. In this moment, there's no room for ambiguity or hesitation—Zenon is making his feelings known with absolute clarity.

As Zenon's confession hangs in the air, it's now your turn to speak. Your heart races in your chest, the moment feeling almost surreal. It's just the two of you in the library, the sunlight filtering through the windows at a perfect angle, casting a warm glow around you both. It's a scene straight out of a cheesy romance movie, and yet, here you are, faced with a real-life confession. Now it's your turn to respond, and the gravity of the decision weighs heavily on your mind.

Will you accept the confession of a stoic heart that's clearly deeply in love with you? Or will you play the role of the oblivious friend?

Vanica holds second place for the most popular Zogratis sibling. Wherever she goes, she becomes the vibrant center of attention, known for her enthusiastic nature and fearless personality. Despite her picky and selective demeanor when it comes to choosing friends, she's always surrounded by a circle of admirers and companions. So if this lively girl has a crush on you, it must mean you’re reeeaaalll special.

With Vanica, it's like being under a constant spotlight, her gaze fixed on you like you're the most precious gem in existence—a gem that she deserves to be the guardian of. You could be going about your day, engrossed in your work, when you suddenly feel the weight of someone's stare. You turn your head and see Vanica's eyes locked on you with an intensity that's almost unnerving. If anyone calls her out on her staring, she'll respond with a fierce scowl and a sharp retort, firmly asserting that it's none of their business.

Vanica shares some similarities with Zenon in the gentlemanly department—or should I say gentlewomanly? However, there's a twist to her approach. Instead of personally assisting you with tasks like carrying your belongings, holding doors, or helping you study, she leaves these duties to her friends, treating them almost like her personal assistants. For instance, if you need help carrying your heavy backpack, she'll eagerly snatch it away from you and assign one of her friends to carry it. If you mention needing to study, she'll dismiss the idea entirely—no need to study when she and her friends can just help you cheat! And if your hands are full and you can't open a door, fear not—Vanica will simply command another one of her friends to open it for you. Yes, she can be bossy with her friends, but it’s all in the name of ensuring your comfort and convenience.

Vanica would absolutely love it if you met her siblings—all three of them! So, don't be too surprised if you're just chilling in the field, minding your own business, and suddenly Vanica enthusiastically shows up with Lucius, Dante, and Zenon in tow to introduce you to them. Lucius maintains an amused but calm expression throughout the encounter, always polite and composed. Dante, on the other hand, wears a mysterious smirk that hints at hidden knowledge, but he remains friendly toward you. Meanwhile, Zenon appears utterly bored, his demeanor dry and uninterested. It's natural to feel a bit intimidated in their presence, but rest assured—Vanica will make sure her brothers play nice with you!

It doesn't take a keen eye for anyone to notice Vanica's unmistakable obsession with you—everyone knows, including yourself. She goes to great lengths to keep tabs on you, often sending a couple of her friends to discreetly stalk you during lectures. They'll message her updates and send photos of what you're doing, with Dante possibly being in on this as well. In the end, there's no denying it—everyone is well aware of Vanica's infatuation with you.

ﾟ｡ ₍ ꙳⸌ ♡ CONFESSION TIME ♡⸍ ꙳ ₎ ｡ﾟ

Alone in the dimly lit hallway, frustration mounts as the vending machine stubbornly refuses to dispense the water bottle you desperately need after a long day of classes. You scowl at the machine, wondering why this inconvenience seems to happen to you of all people.

The thought crosses your mind that you've heard more people die from vending machines than from sharks—was it true? Well, you're about to find out. Steeling yourself, you prepare to give the machine a good kick, risking life and limb for that elusive water bottle you crave. Just as you're about to deliver the kick, a sudden voice startles you from behind, causing you to jump.

"Having trouble there, sweetheart?" The voice is unmistakably Vanica's, laced with amusement and a hint of mischief.

Whipping around, you come face-to-face with Vanica, standing there with a playful smirk, her eyes glinting with amusement at your startled expression.

"Vanica!" you exclaim, your heart still racing from the unexpected encounter. "What are you doing here?"

She chuckles, stepping closer with a twinkle in her eyes. "I’ve been here, cutie. Here, let me help you." Without waiting for your response, she confidently presses a few buttons on the vending machine. And just like that, almost as if she was the chosen one, the vending machine miraculously springs back to life. The sound of the bottle dropping into the dispenser echoes in the hallway as Vanica retrieves it for you.

With a teasing smile, she holds the water bottle out towards you, a playful glint in her eyes. But just as you reach out to take it, she swiftly pulls it back with a mischievous grin on her face, her playful demeanor evident. It seems Vanica has other plans in mind, enjoying the moment of suspense as she holds the water bottle just out of your reach.

"Ah, ah, ah," she taunts, her voice laced with amusement. "What’s the magic word, darling?” she teases, wiggling the water bottle enticingly. "Or perhaps," she adds, leaning in closer, "there's another way you can convince me to give you what you want." Her gaze holds a challenge.

You narrow your eyes at her, both in suspicion and annoyance. Whatever she had in mind, it sounded sketchy. A part of you knew where she was going with this, but you could never be too sure. Especially with someone as unpredictable as her.

You sigh, placing a hand on your hip and tilting your head at her, “well, what is it?”

Closing the distance between you, Vanica leans in even closer, her presence practically enveloping you. If she wasn't close enough before, she's certainly close enough now.

"Be mine," she says, her voice carrying a mix of affection and intensity. You can feel a small blush creeping onto your cheeks, the proximity of her deep red eyes gazing into yours both lovingly and intensely. In that moment, it almost feels like she's not asking you to be hers, but rather declaring that you already belong to her.

It's decision time, and the choice is yours.

Do you deny both the chance to experience the chaotic yet exhilarating journey of being in a relationship with Vanica and the simple pleasure of quenching your thirst with the water bottle? Or do you open your heart to her, allowing her into your life while also satisfying your immediate need for refreshment?

As the charismatic and charming type, Dante is the epitome of popularity. He effortlessly navigates through various social circles, known for his charm, confidence, and even leadership roles in student organizations. Every girl wants him, and every guy wants to emulate his charisma and charm. This means he's never really had to chase after women—instead, they chase after him. Once he senses they've fallen hard, he confidently makes his move, to which they eagerly accept. However, the reality is often different—his approach ends up being more of a game, leaving them played and disappointed. So, for him to genuinely have a crush on someone is a literal shocker.

Despite the numerous admirers vying for his attention, Dante's eyes remain solely fixed on you whenever you're in the same vicinity. Whether you're in the lecture hall or the campus cafe, his gaze is unwavering, intense, yet oddly inviting. Amidst the chatter and laughter of those around you, it's as if you're the only two people in the room. Sometimes, just to mess with you, Dante winks at you from afar, even if other people are around, causing you to blush. The man truly has no shame.

A true gentleman through and through, Dante embodies chivalry in its finest form. He'll hold doors open for you with a polite smile, offer to carry your books without a second thought, and always be attentive to your needs.

In Dante’s world, where he’s used to being the one pursued, his interest in you speaks volumes about the depth of his feelings.

ﾟ｡ ₍ ꙳⸌ ♡ CONFESSION TIME ♡⸍ ꙳ ₎ ｡ﾟ

As you organize your locker, a nagging sensation of being watched persists, causing you to glance over your shoulder multiple times, feeling a bit paranoid. Shaking off the unease, you focus on arranging your belongings until a subtle clearing of the throat catches your attention from the left. Startled, you realize that your open locker had been obstructing your view, concealing someone who had been waiting patiently behind it. With a quick closing of the locker door, you come face to face with the one and only—Dante!

"Oh, hey—" you begin, but before you can finish your sentence, a bouquet of roses is suddenly shoved in your face, catching you completely off guard.

The vibrant colors and sweet fragrance momentarily stun you, causing everything to click into place. Suddenly, it all makes sense—the feeling of being watched while organizing your locker, the eyes seemingly locked on you. As you gaze at the roses, it dawns on you that they must be the reason for the attention. Everything seems to fall into place, like pieces of a puzzle coming together, and you find yourself understanding why all eyes were on you earlier. You hesitantly take the roses.

"I hope you find the roses to your liking," he begins, his voice smooth as silk. "They pale in comparison to your beauty, but I couldn't resist the opportunity to express my admiration for you." He meets your gaze with unwavering sincerity, a faint smile playing on his lips. "If you'd allow me, I would be honored to accompany you to dinner this evening, where I can properly convey the depth of my feelings.” His tone had a hint of seductiveness to it.

Dante's confession leaves you utterly speechless, the bouquet of roses still in your hands as the weight of his words sinks in. In the midst of processing his unexpected declaration, you fail to notice the gathering crowd that has formed around you and Dante. He's put you on the spot, and all eyes are on the two of you. Although he was simply confessing his feelings to you, it felt like a life-or-death situation. You had no option, really—he wasn’t giving you one. You’re the first one he’s bothering to actually chase for, there’s no way he’s letting you go—so what other way than to corner you in a crowd of people? You’re the first one he’s bothering to actually chase for, there’s no way he’s letting you go—so what other way than to corner you in a crowd of people? Trust, it’s in your best interest to accept his feelings for you.

Either you reciprocate his feelings or you destroy your life by declining them.

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mariacallous · 3 months ago

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Eric Adams wanted to see the world, to see it in style. But he wasn’t a rich man, just a former cop and rising politician in a largely ceremonial job, Brooklyn Borough President. Luckily for him, there were a number of benefactors who federal prosecutors say were ready to help him travel in a manner benefitting the position he was angling for: mayor of New York City.

According to a sprawling, 57-page indictment unsealed on Thursday, there was the chairman of a Turkish university; a promoter “whose business includes organizing events to introduce Turkish corporations and businesspeople to politicians, celebrities, and others whose influence may benefit the corporations”; and a senior official in the Turkish government, who, prosecutors say, “later steered illegal contributions and improper gifts to Adams to gain influence with and, eventually, to obtain corrupt official action from Adams.”

Adams in the summer of 2017 went with his son and a staffer to Nice, Istanbul, Sri Lanka, and Beijing, flying business class the whole way. In October, he went again to Istanbul and Beijing, and then on to Nepal. Those tickets were, all told, worth $51,000. But he got it all for free.

The relationship deepened from there, as Adams began to run for mayor in earnest. The Turks allegedly funneled money to his campaign through false entities, or “straw donors.” Accepting such donations is against the law — and Adams allegedly received public matching funds based on these contributions. Adams allegedly returned the favor, in part by pressuring the fire department to allow the opening of a $300 million, 36-story glass tower to house the Turkish consulate, just off of First Avenue and 45th Street, without an inspection and “in time for a high-profile visit by Turkey‘s president” — a diplomatic coup for a man who’s functionally a dictator.

Adams has vigorously denied all of the charges. And at least one Adams ally I spoke with in the immediate aftermath breathed a quarter-sigh of relief — this person was expecting even more, and more serious, charges. “It’s obviously not great but this is weaker than I thought it would be,” the source tells me.

But that exhale assumes that the federal charges against Adams begin and end in this document. They almost certainly do not, with at least four more federal probes reportedly targeting his inner circle and FBI agents searching the mayor’s residence shortly before the indictment was announced. It also assumes that the Turks were the only government to allegedly turn Adams into an unregistered foreign agent. That, too, could prove to be a dangerous supposition — especially given the U.S. Attorney in Brooklyn’s pursuit of Chinese influence in New York.

In the last four years, that federal prosecutor’s office alone has charged a dozen separate criminal cases of covert Chinese government interference in U.S. politics, business, and civil society. An aide to New York’s governor was indicted as a foreign agent on Sept. 3. An ex-corrections officer got 20 months for harassing an artist who lampooned Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Two more men were arrested for operating a secret Chinese police station out of the Manhattan headquarters of a group for expats from Fujian province.

The examples spiral out from there.In July, a federal jury in Manhattan convicted Robert Menendez, a Democratic U.S. senator from New Jersey, of taking bribes and acting as Egypt’s agent. In August, federal prosecutors in Brooklyn charged a hitman with trying to assassinate Donald Trump, allegedly on Iran’s orders. In September, prosecutors in Manhattan revealed an alleged Russian plot to funnel $10 million to MAGA influencers. This is a partial list. A snippet of a list, really. And all of these developments happened in just the last few months, just in and around this one metro area, where a wide array of foreign actors are looking to turn New York into something like Spy City.

The 20 experts, officials, and activists I spoke to couldn’t agree on whether these cases represent a major escalation in this covert activity, an increase in Washington’s willingness to combat it, or both. But they all agreed that such efforts are widespread and being directed by countries across the globe. And while it might be tempting to speculate about what this says about the various foreign policy strategies in foreign capitals, the clear takeaway is that malicious actors around the world see America as pliable, and influence as something that can be bought on the cheap. In other words, the most disturbing part about these covert foreign pressure campaigns is what it says about our politics, our society. About us.

ONE OF THE MORE disturbing foreign influence cases to recently come to light begins 35 years ago, in Beijing. Yan Xiong was a student activist there, jailed for being part of the big Tiananmen Square protests. When he got out, he made his way to America, enlisted in the U.S. Army, and eventually served two tours as a chaplain in Iraq. By 2021, Yan was running for Congress in lower Manhattan. He could tell that something was off. He’d show up to candidate forums, and then wouldn’t be allowed to speak. He’d try to raise money, no dice. There was an old man who wouldn’t stop taking pictures of Yan’s campaign. Yan would go out to his driveway late at night and find a car there, headlights blazing. It was unnerving, but Yan was used to looking over his shoulder.

Nevertheless, Yan was shocked when, in March of 2022, federal prosecutors revealed that he was being targeted by the Chinese government. The goal: to surveil and sabotage the chaplain’s long-shot campaign. “Go deep and dig up something. Right? For example, past incidents of tax evasion… if he used prostitutes in the past… if he had a mistress,” a member of China’s Ministry of State Security allegedly told a private investigator here in the U.S. If the private investigator couldn’t come up with — or make up — any dirt, the P.I. was encouraged to use other means to take Yan out of the race: “In the end, violence would be fine too.”

In the end, Yan’s campaign netted him only 750 votes — not great, but 50 percent more than former Mayor Bill De Blasio received. The P.I. hired by the Chinese government never found any dirt on Yan, or physically attacked him. But the attempt to ratfuck Yan’s campaign continues to leave a wound. Yan’s getting ready to move for the fifth time in two years — in part “for safety, for psychology.” In August, prosecutors unveiled another layer to the alleged plot against him. The old man who’d been taking all those pictures? He was a former Tiananmen Square veteran, too — one who was now accused of working as an unregistered agent for Beijing. To Yan, he’s another “victim” of a regime that’s all-too-willing to extend its reach here. “It’s a tragedy, that’s my opinion,” Yan tells me.

And Yan’s case isn’t the only one in which there seem to be shadowy figures just out of frame. Shujun Wang, another longtime Chinese dissident, was convicted in late August of working as Beijing’s spy. The other day, I called his lawyer to ask about a member of the defense team, a man listed in court documents as a paralegal, who was, in fact, a Florida realtor, recently acquitted of rape. What was he doing there? Who was he? “He is nobody,” the lawyer answered.

These influence campaigns by foreign governments, prosecutors allege, reach all the way down to the lowest levels of state and local government. Take Linda Sun, who started in 2012 as one of the more junior aides out of 200 or so in Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office. The former beauty pageant contestant and Barnard grad, who had come to New York from Nanjing when she was a kid, put in the work as a liaison to the borough of Queens and the state’s Asian American community. She’d help connect constituents to government services, make appearances at Lunar New Year events, write up proclamations, and liaise with foreign consulates. Over the years, she gained leverage. Cuomo’s communications shop — described by one former colleague as “95 percent Caucasian” — relied on Sun to tell them how a state proclamation or press release might resonate in Asian communities.

“She did her job. She went home. Didn’t cause any trouble, never caused any drama. But in hindsight, [there was] a lot of trust in that particular position. Because when you ask her opinion about how something plays, we were asking how it plays in, you know, [the Chinese American neighborhoods of] Sunset Park and Flushing. Not how it played in Beijing,” that source tells me.

By 2015, Sun had a willing ear in Kathy Hochul, the new Lieutenant Governor, who was iced out of Cuomo’s inner circle — and eager to build up her own political constituency. Hochul made sure to attend Chinese American community celebrations and events to promote trade with Beijing. (A Hochul aide notes that she interfaced with all kinds of foreign officials, including a half-dozen such meetings just with the Canadians in 2016.) Sun made sure there were all sorts of meetings Hochul wouldn’t take, wouldn’t even know were offered. For example, prosecutors allege, when officials from the rival government of Taiwan tried to get together with Hochul in D.C. in mid-2016, Sun scheduled talks with Beijing’s representatives instead — and then bragged to the Chinese consulate about what she had done. Hochul began to be quoted favorably and often by Beijing’s official state news agency. Sun started to receive gifts from Chinese officials, prosecutors say: tickets to Carnegie Hall, then a wire transfer for $47,895 for travel expenses.

As Sun’s responsibilities increased, her profile grew. She worked with legislators when Korean American nail salons were revealed to be serially underpaying their workers. She helped steer money to Asian American groups as threats to them rose during the pandemic.

By 2021, Hochul was governor. Sun had a bigger title, deputy chief of staff, and was displaying sharper elbows. “She felt very emboldened with making sure that there was a focus [on] protecting mainland China’s agendas,” State Assemblyman Ron Kim, who previously held Sun’s community liaison job, recalls. “That was universally understood, because when myself and other[s] carried certain resolutions to celebrate U.S.-Taiwan relations, I got calls from the governor’s office letting me know that the Chinese consulate is very upset with you, and they would prefer if I don’t do such resolutions again.” (Sun has pleaded not guilty to charges she acted as an agent of the Chinese government, and her attorneys declined to comment for this story.)

This might seem arcane and sort of small-ball. Who cares if some local pol doesn’t issue a Taiwan proclamation? But it’s part of a strategy, says Bethany Allen, author of Beijing Rules, echoing the sentiments of several U.S. officials. “If this is done extensively, consistently, quietly across many states, many state capitals, many state governments, local governments,” Allen tells me, “it can shape the debate. Have a strong downward pressure on the things that China wants to quiet.”

And it’s a strategy that Beijing is willing to pursue over the long haul — to influence people at the lowest levels of local government, and let those folks rise over time. Back when she was a reporter, Allen broke the news of a suspected Chinese spy in California who cultivated relationships from the political to the romantic with city councilmen, small-town mayors, and at least one Congressman. The spy’s true motivations weren’t uncovered until that Congressman, Rep. Eric Swalwell, was on the verge of joining the House Intelligence Committee and gaining access to some of the nation’s better-protected national secrets. (Swalwell denied any romantic relationship, and a House ethics panel decided to take no action against him after a two-year investigation.)

Linda Sun’s case never reached that kind of crisis point. But her value to Chinese officials was clear. The wire transfers were in the millions by 2021. The Chinese Consul General in New York — a sharp, genial diplomat named Huang Ping — sent Nanjing-style salted ducks to Sun’s parents, a half-dozen at a time. According to one source, she started showing up with a fresh tan and a new, high-end handbag to every community event. “People were definitely talking about how she went from rags to riches overnight,” Kim tells me. “Her parents lived in a one-bedroom apartment… She was trying to get a mortgage to buy a condo in Flushing, and she could barely get that. But all of a sudden, now she’s living in a mansion.” And in a sweet vacation home, too. Around the same time Sun and her husband bought a $3.6 million home in Manhasset, New York, they also, according to prosecutors, purchased “an ocean-view condominium on the 47th floor of a high rise building in Honolulu, Hawaii, currently valued at approximately $2.1 million.”

SUN AND ADAMS ARE the first local officials to be charged with acting as agents of a foreign power. They probably won’t be the last, or even the last in New York. (“What you saw with the governor in New York, that’s going to be scratching an itch that tickles in a lot of different places,” Bill Evanina, who spent seven years as the federal government’s top counterintelligence official, tells me.) The place has long attracted spies and clandestine power brokers, and not just because of the UN, or Wall Street, or all the corporate headquarters. America’s best city is, not coincidentally, also its most diverse; more than three million of the eight million-plus people living here are foreign-born. Those diasporas are often of intense interest to the countries from which they spring, especially if the countries in question are ruled by authoritarians. The revolutionary movements that took down the Czar, the Chinese Emperor, and the Shah were all incubated overseas.

These diasporas also can wield outsized power in local politics, too. New York’s election laws are so labyrinthine and complex, with elections held on off-years and on strange dates, that they’re practically designed to keep people from voting. (Ron Kim has 115,000 people living in his district in Queens, for example; fewer than 3,200 of them voted in his contested primary race, which is the only race that matters in a one-party town.) So if any one group gets behind a single candidate, or gins up turnout, or dumps in a lot of money, it can swing an election. Kim faced off against a primary opponent backed by a well-known local community leader who is openly supportive of the Chinese Communist Party. They each poured more than $600,000 into that tiny-turnout primary race. “I felt this was a clear effort to get a political seat for a person who is loyal to their agenda,” Kim says. “This isn’t about lawmaking in [the state capital of] Albany, but it’s about being the power broker of Flushing that will give them credibility and access.”

This is all happening in a place where the politics are — there’s no other way to put this — corrupt as fuck. The five federal investigations reportedly swirling around Adams and his closest associates involve everyone from the police commissioner to the schools chancellor to his top fundraisers to a pair of deputy mayors. Adams’ immediate predecessor, de Blasio, dodged indictment for violating campaign finance laws, but not by much. After leaving office, former mayor Rudy Giuliani took money from a North Korean gangster and then worked with a man he admitted was likely a Russian spy. Long Island’s George Santos was expelled from Congress after less than a year; he recently pleaded guilty to identity theft and wire fraud. One of Santos’ bigger Republican critics on the Island, Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, was just exposed for giving Congressional jobs to his lover and his fiancée’s daughter.

You get the idea: plenty of politicians with their hands out; elections practically designed to be swayed by small groups; those small groups susceptible to foreign infiltration and pressure, because they’ve all got family back home. “New York would be at the top of the list in terms of foreign governments, foreign regimes wanting to target,” says Casey Michel, author of the newly published Foreign Agents. “Especially New York City. I don’t think it’s any surprise that the major investigation into a municipal authority as a target of potential foreign influence is Adams.”

So let’s talk about the mayor. Adams has been ducking corruption allegations — and playing diaspora politics — for more than 15 years. According to the New York Times, a grand jury in July issued subpoenas related to Adams’ ties to six different countries: China, Qatar, South Korea, Israel, Uzbekistan, and, of course, Turkey. In his role as Brooklyn Borough President, Adams attended almost 80 events connected with Turkey, and at least 50 more celebrating China. Some of those events actually upset his Turkish government contacts, according to the indictment. In 2016, a Turkish official told Adams that a community center he used to visit “was affiliated with a Turkish political movement that was hostile to Turkey’s government… If Adams wished to continue receiving support from the Turkish government, Adams could no longer associate with the community center. Adams acquiesced.”

Adams also met multiple times with Huang Ping, the Chinese Consul General who prosecutors later identified as Linda Sun’s handler. And the politicking seemingly continued overseas. Adams took 13 separate trips to Turkey and China, which is a lot of travel to those two specific nations, considering borough presidents don’t really have foreign policy roles. “It’s totally appropriate,” he said after the first of the trips to China, in 2014. “I’m not going to be a MetroCard borough president — I’m going to be a passport borough president.”

City Hall won’t say what all of the trips were for. (They didn’t respond to requests to comment for this story.) The alleged purpose of the Turkey trips, at least, is now less murky after the indictment’s release.When it comes to the others, here’s what we can say for sure: We know that one of Adams’ China travel partners, his longtime Asian community liaison Winnie Greco, had her former campaign office and several of her homes raided by the FBI. We know that Greco and another Adams crony met separately in Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian province, with the man later indicted for operating that secret Chinese police station out of a Fujianese expat society in Manhattan. We know that Adams and Greco appeared onstage at a gala for that charity — the American Changle Association, named for a famed neighborhood in Fuzhou — shortly before it was exposed as a secret police front bythe New York Post. We know Adams was with Association bigwig Lu Jianwang days before Lu was arrested in the secret police affair. We know, thanks to local news outlet The City, that 121 workers at the New World Mall in Queens, the site of Greco’s 2021 campaign office, made donations to Adams of precisely $249 each, one buck below the limit for eight-times public matching funds. Several donors said they were reimbursed in cash, or had no idea they had been listed as contributors at all. This has all the hallmarks of illegal straw donations, as Adams’ team surely knows.One Chinese billionaire who gave money to Adams (and hosted his 60th birthday party) recently pleaded guilty to such charges.

MAYBE ALL OF THESE connections were on the up-and-up. Maybe Adams’ trips to China and extremely odd donations from his campaign office in Flushing were no more nefarious than the 70-plus flag-raising ceremonies for various countries he’s attended in his two-and-a-half years as mayor. Maybe it’s an accident of scheduling that Huang Ping, the Chinese Consul General, asked him to blow off a banquet with the Taiwanese president and Adams wound up doing just that. Adams may have rubbed elbows with people who were later indicted as foreign agents in groups like the American Changle Association, where voters gather for an old-country meal or speak in their parents’ dialect. There’s hardly an elected official in New York who didn’t make such a visit, or get his picture taken at some point with Huang. Of course they did. Huang was a gregarious, effective, charming diplomat. He may be accused of secretly handling alleged agents like Linda Sun, but chatting up local politicians was most definitely Huang’s job.

You don’t have to be some kind of simp for Beijing to find this kind of criminalization of foreign influence a little hypocritical, given all the governments the U.S. helped overthrow in the past century. You’re not necessarily an abolish-the-police type if you think the feds have gone overboard in their hunt for Chinese agents. “We’re not China. We’re supposedly a free country, and the government should take more care in prosecuting and, in turn, persecuting people,” John Liu, a state senator from Queens, tells me. This is personal for him. While he was gearing up to run for mayor more than a decade ago, the FBI ran a sting on him and his donors, part of a straw-donor probe he says was oh-so-subtly named “Operation Red Money.” They did find some straw donors, and a top aide did go to jail. But Liu himself was only fined $26,000 — proof, he says, that the whole investigation was overheated. Nor is it a one-off. Liu points to cases like Baimadajie Angwang, the cop accused of spying for China, only to have the charges dropped without explanation. By that time, the NYPD had fired him. “You know what? It wouldn’t be so bad if the government pursued these cases, made them as visible as they intentionally make them, and actually had a pretty good record of success,” Liu says. “It bothers me that there’s no accountability of any kind. You know, the government does this, and it doesn’t matter how many lives are ruined [or] the impact on the wider community.”

There’s no question there’s been overreach, including horror stories of Chinese Americans interrogated by the FBI, seemingly for no reason at all. “We should absolutely oppose any effort by any foreign government to undermine our American society, our way of life, our democracy,” says Rep. Grace Meng, who hired Linda Sun when she was in the State Assembly and now represents a large part of Queens in the U.S. Congress. But “there’s a lot of fear right now in the Asian American community,” she adds. “Every day, young, professional Asian Americans are really scared that these harmful stereotypes are being fueled… [by] questions that are asked only of us.”

As overzealous as some prosecutors may have been, though, and as ugly our recent turn toward anti-China and anti-immigrant politics, there are too many of these foreign influence cases, tied to so many different outside actors, to brush off. A former Republican Congressman is under indictment for covertly working for Venezuela’s dictator. A major Trump fundraiser pleaded guilty to doing the same on behalf of the Chinese and Malaysian government officials, in a case so weird and sprawling, a member of the Fugees wound up with a foreign agent conviction as part of it. Things are so bad, the guy that’s supposed to be leading the investigations into these cases in New York — the head of the state’s FBI counterintelligence division — was himself sentenced earlier this year to federal prison for doing the bidding of a sanctioned Russian oligarch. The MAGA crowd can whine all they want about the #resistance obsession with “Russia, Russia, Russia.” Folks on the political left can roll their eyes at what feels like a Trumpy obsession with Chinese influence, or another red scare. It takes a kind of willful blindness not to see a pattern here. Liu, for one, called on Adams to resign after prosecutors unveiled their indictment which showed just how deep the mayor’s ties to Turkey went.

“This isn’t a Republican problem or a Democratic problem — it’s completely bipartisan,“ Michel tells me. “And as we’re now seeing, it’s not just one level of government these regimes are targeting. It’s everyone.”

For half a century, the American government hardly bothered to enforce the Foreign Agents Registration Act, which requires influence-peddlers to disclose their overseas clients, at least. That changed after the 2016 election, when Trump recruited the O.G. of scummy foreign lobbying, Paul Manafort, to run his campaign and publicly begged for a dictator’s help to win. The Department of Justice went on to prosecute Manafort and so many others — from the Russian troll farm to the white-shoe law firm Skadden, Arps — for breaking that law. Brandon van Grack, who oversaw many of those prosecutions as head of the Justice Department’s Foreign Agents Registration Act unit, says the apparent surge in cases we’re seeing, eight years later, is a result of that 2016 wake-up call. He credits “greater resources and tools to identify and disrupt those influence operations than an increase in the operations themselves,” adding, “Foreign influence is not novel.”

It’s not exactly dying down, either. A few years ago, you might have thought that prosecuting folks like Manafort would at least serve as a warning shot. The sheer range of regimes trying to influence the 2024 election paints a different picture, and I don’t just mean the fact that Manafort is a free man and doing Fox News hits from the Republican convention. “I would say that a couple things are true in this specific situation. Yes, there are more investigations, because there are allowed to be. And I think our adversaries are more brazen than they have ever been,” Evanina, the former counterintelligence chief, tells me.

There’s a good argument that the number of prosecutions isn’t even the right metric to gauge foreign influence. Registering as an overseas lobbyist — dodging a FARA charge — that’s the easy part. More than 1,000 foreign principals have done so since 2016, spending more than $5.5 billion to whisper in lawmakers’ ears. At least 90 former members of Congress have registered since 2000 to push another government’s agenda. Scores of U.S. generals and admirals have taken jobs with foreign governments in the last decade, with Saudi Arabia alone hiring 15 retired flag officers. Biden talked in 2020 about banning former officials from lobbying for foreign powers. It was just talk.

The Supreme Court in recent years has radically raised the bar on bribery cases, and functionally removed any restrictions on campaign spending. That’s allowed Americans closely aligned with foreign governments to make enormous investments in shaping U.S. policy. The best known of these are the lobbyists pushing the agenda of Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu, who gave over a million dollars to the now-convicted Sen. Menendez, even after he was indicted, and spent millions more on successful primary campaigns to knock out two of Israel’s few critics in Congress. None of this violates any laws. But maybe that’s beside the point. The real foreign influence scandal, Michel tells me, is how much of it is “perfectly legal.”

If you’re mad at outside actors for exploiting America’s system, don’t be. The United States is still the world’s biggest power; of course every other nation is going to try to pull us in their direction. Try directing your anger a little closer to home. All of these politicians on the take, we voted for them. The bullshit China or Iran pumps out on TikTok? It’s downright factual compared to the nonsense we Americans push one another. And if you think a guy like Eric Adams is an outlier with his, shall we say, open-minded approach to campaign finance and outside influences, allow me to introduce you to the Republican nominee for president and his inner circle. The Congress we elected has bottled up nearly every attempt to close these foreign-funding loopholes. The campaigns we supported went along with the Supreme Court’s decision to make elections a feeding frenzy. This is a choice. Collectively, we made it.

IN THE HOURS AFTER Linda Sun and her husband were charged as Chinese agents on Sept. 3, Gov. Hochul urged the U.S. government to expel Sun’s alleged handler, Consul General Huang Ping, and a State Department spokesperson claimed that Huang had “rotated out of the position.” Yet on the night of Sept. 5, at Manhattan’s storied Plaza Hotel, Huang Ping appeared onstage at the China Institute’s $2,500-per-ticket Blue Cloud gala, looking rather dapper in a well-tailored tuxedo. Pictures were posted to the consulate’s website two days later. “Consul General Huang Ping is performing his duties as normal,” read a statement sent out to reporters.

A few hours after he was indicted, Huang’s longtime interlocutor Eric Adams promised to do much the same. “My attorneys will take care of the case, so I can take care of this city,” he said. “My day to day will not change.”

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absolutebl · 2 years ago

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This Week in BL

June 2023 Wk 2

Being a highly subjective assessment of one tiny corner of the interwebs. Organized by which ones (in each category) I’m enjoying most.

Ongoing Series - Thai

Step By Step (Tues WeTV & Gaga) ep 7 of 10 - I really adore the family/household dynamics in this show. All the relationships between siblings are so well executed. All the tension and sub text and covert glances in the first “modeling” sequence was so good. I really want to watch the BL within this BL. Bruce is THE BEST. Jeng shutting down everyone with a cool few words is genius (especially given the curt sharp flat way he speaks Thai). Why does nobody have parasols or sun hats or sunshades or sunglasses or anything? I’m actually not mad about seeing an attempted reunion with the ex, bc we are getting to see both that (and how) they once were good together, and also the cracks that drove them apart (and will not allow them to ultimately be together a 2nd time around). I do feel sorry for Jeng, he moved too slowly and lost the 1st round. The captions were not good in the trunk seen, but trust me it was totally hilarious.

La Pluie (Sat iQIYI) ep 7 of 10 - I finally figured out why I am so tense around this show. In openly taking to task and challenging the soulmates trope, this narrative is telling viewers not to trust it’s core trope - which means we cannot trust the main couple to end happily, nor can we trust those characters who believe most strongly in fated mates (Pat & Mai). This means I, personally, not only can’t rely on an HEA but (as someone who also does not believe in soulmates) I am not entirely sure I even WANT an HEA. This has NEVER happened to me before. It makes me uncomfortable because that’s a core part of my identify with these shows. I mean, good job La Pluie, but also.... huh. Back to this ep: Uh oh. The crush is obvious and the soulmate knows what’s up now. The sex scene twist was v interesting, v gay, and v unusual in a BL. Unfortunately it’s still a BL so the faen fatal just HAD to appear. Will there ever be one out of Thailand where this trope doesn’t show up? Next week is the tried & true uke damsels off into the woods alone. Sigh.

Our Skyy 2 (Bad Buddy & 1k*) eps 12-16fin - Jimmy, baby, why so hot in an engineering smock? Please have mercy. Aw, Marc is back in yet ANOTHER BL. Definitely the current record holder for most BLs at any one time. (His filming schedule must’ve been insane at the beginning of this year!) PatPran are still great, and their eps this had me hooting with laughter (startling the cat). I forgot how much I enjoyed this show and cast. (Ohm looks great with longer hair, but also he’s lost a lot of weight. I hope he’s OK.) OhmNanon give pitch perfect LTR energy. Throwing EarthMix into the, erm, mix is fun if awkward. NO SINGING. 2 damsels in the forest! Also PatPran = geniuses at mock fighting. So much flirting. It was all quite adorbs. But me-thinks Chief & Tian have been eating moonlight chicken. Full review below.

Be My Favorite (Fri YouTube) ep 3 of 10? - was enjoying it up until the last bit, why so digusted by smooches? Bad GMMTV no green tea for you. Trash watch here! Rollercoaster about to go DOWWNNNN.

Luminous Solution (Sat Gaga) ep 3 of 6 - I still only like the high school characters + Dome (WHY so gorgeous?). Is he a magical spirit too? Also, the subs were well off kilter.

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

Our Dining Table AKA Bokura no Shokutaku (Japan Thurs Gaga) ep 10 fin - God they’re so cute. This show used the manga as a storyboard, so I knew the “crisis of faith over possibility of loss” would happen. Still in live action this felt tonally off. While understandable given Yutaka’s character, and ultimately particularly important for the dad and a relationship with the family, I don’t know we needed it in this BL. The book does have a better ending second scene, but it wouldn’t be possible to do it on screen easily. Ultimately, this show had a simple, touching, quiet end to it. That’s very like the show as a whole. I did love it - it’s been top of my list all along. Full review after the special airs.

Love Tractor (Korea Weds iQIYI) eps 1-2 of 8 - I LOVE IT SO MUCH. IT IS EVERYTHING. SHUT UP I AM FERRIL FOR THE BEAUTIFUL CITY BOY AND THE YOUNG FARMER. Come on. Korea. SRS? Plus some language play? I just go die now.

Star Struck (Korea iQIYI & Gaga) ep 7-8 fin - Man this was a difficult show for me. I know we’re supposed to identify with HanJoon but I really felt for YooJae. I’ve been in his position more often than I care to count, and it’s terrible to lose a friend because they caught feelings and you did not. It’s an awful thing to hold a friendship hostage on condition of a romantic relationship. Especially if the other person is not sexually interested in you! All that said, the boyfriend ep was okay. Not sure I believed in this relationship, but it was cute enough. The final ep was (how do I put this?) a loser. We spent a lot of time with terrible home lives and then a semi happy for now final scene? Whatever. Full review below.

Vian the series (Vietnam YouTube ) ep 6 of 12 - somehow I keep missing this one, I’ll catch it next week.

Naked Dinner AKA Zenra Meshi (Japan Fri Gaga) ep 9 of 12 - I think the Taiwanese boss is my favorite character. Japan rarely (if ever ) trots out the faen fatal trope. I mean I named it with a Thai word for a reason, it’s not from origin yaoi at all. Yet still there she is. Sigh. This show.

Stupid Genius (Vietnam Fri YouTube) ep 1 of 6 - RL Studio (Stupid Boys Stupid Love) bringing us yet another high school set VBL. It’s actually not bad. I see a lot of common faces whom I’ve enjoyed in past VBLs.

It’s Airing But ...

House of Stars (Thai Mon iQIYI) 12 eps - I bounced at ep 3. Will binge if told it is worth it at end.

Stay (Pinoy YouTube) 7 eps - It’s mostly in English and set in LA so I’m not bothering but the first one did drop.

Ever After (Pinoy ????) - I got nothing.

Takumi-kun Series 6: Nagai Nagai Monogatari no Hajimari no Asa (Japan Sun ????) 10 eps - NO ONE ASKED FOR THIS and no, I have no idea where to get it, why would I? (Say it with me everyone: Oh Japan, must you?*)

Boys Love Omegaverse (Japan ????) - honestly tho? Who tf cares? You’ll still tell me if you find it, because inquiring minds... Irony of this airing at the same time as Takumi-kun. Full circle much, Japan?

Tin Tem Jai Special (Thai ????) - honestly I checked Gaga & iQiyi in my territory (craptastic hotel) and neither had it listed so I quickly gave up. I mean OF COURSE I WOULD LIKE TO SEE Lee Long Shi in a bathtub, who wouldn’t? But...

Just because I didn’t watch the special doesn’t mean I can’t gank Lee Long Shi wearing nothing but soap bubbles for you.

I’m not a monster.

Ended This Week

Our Skyy 2 final 4 eps thoughts: This was an interesting combination, and don’t get me wrong I very much enjoyed it, but it felt like the story was carried by PatPran’s characters while the setting and narrative followed an ATOTS arc - ultimately disjointed. OhmNanon are so bold and vibrant they’re too stark a tonal contrast to EarthMix’s more refined and elegant approach, so for me the screen presences and the style of story clashed. It was like a bouquet made up of tulips & roses: they are both flowers and they’re both pretty, but I feel like they actually belong in different vases. Still, enjoyable. And I got a crying kiss. Always makes me happy. Definitely the best of this bunch, and probably the best Our Skyy (and I genuinely loved both the NLMG historical installment and SOTUS.) 8/10

Star Struck. A friends to lovers story that felt more friends to tolerant yet disinterested partner. It was more about challenges with parents and class strife. I would’ve been disappointed if the show hadn’t come out of nowhere so I had no expectations. But as KBLs go, don’t bother. 6/10

Next Week Looks Like This:

Starting:

6/15 Tokyo in April AKA Shigatsu no Tokyo wa (Japan Gaga) 8 eps - Based on a yaoi, this is a reunion romance that takes place in an office. Japan does Our Dating Sim? Yes please.

Still Coming - June 2023

6/22 About Us but Not About Us (Pinoy movie from 2022 on Prime) - A professor grieving the loss of his partner meets an ambitious literature student.

6/24 Why You (Khmer BL ????) - Billed as a horror romance, not sure if this is a movie or a series where it will air... nothing except that it exists.

6/24 Tie The Knot AKA Under the Same Sky (Pinoy movie on Prime) Trailer - I guess Prime is coming for our Pinoy BL? From OXIN Films (Rainbow Prince), announced for 2022 based on a true story, Briggs's family runs a bridal business but he has never had a chance to fall in love until he meets Shao, a groom to be.

6/25 Dinosaur Love (Thai iQIYI) Trailer 5 eps - from Ultimate Troop about a uni student, Rak, whose partner cheats on him with Rak's best friend. This gives bad boy hazer Dino an opportunity to hit on Rak at last. From The Yearbook people so I will not watch this as it airs. After Remember Me? Never again with them.

2023 forthcoming BL master post (see comments, some are inaccurate, NOT KEPT UPDATED)

THIS WEEK’S BEST MOMENTS

Bruce is so damn fantastic in this show.

Consent comes in all different forms. (both Step by Step)

Fight fight fight!

Sex sex sex blow job! (both La Pluie)

Smartest boy in the show.

Not enough InkPa... never enough. Never never never!

Love the suit.

All from the Our Skyy 2 BB + ATOTS cross over.

(last week)

Current Kpop earworm? IVE’s I Am

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dindjarindiaries · 9 months ago

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Welcome to my WORKS IN PROGRESS page! Here, you can find details on all the stories I'm currently planning or actively working on.

main masterlist • last updated: october 5, 2024

ACTIVE WIPS

What constitutes a WIP as "active?"

I currently have the document tab open and I've added to it in the last week or so.

I'm constantly brainstorming new ideas to add to it.

I plan on posting it within the next month.

untitled din djarin one-shot • din djarin x reader Things don’t go as expected when Captain Teva sets you up on a solo mission with his newly recruited Mandalorian mercenary, for better or for worse. → details: What happens when an X-wing pilot goes on a mission with a handsome Mandalorian?

broken wings (chapter 3) • hunter x reader You embark on your first mission with Clone Force 99, where you stay under a certain sergeant’s protective eye. → details: Birdie and Hunter keep getting closer even in the heat of action. What's Birdie willing to do for her new group of allies?

son of mandalore (chapter 1) • din djarin gen fic Din, after finally finding his covert, recovers from his wound and decides on his next steps. → details: This is my take on what I think TBOBF through The Mandalorian season 3 could have looked like! This one will be exclusive to AO3.

untitled tbb story (chapter 1) • the bad batch gen fic Tech wakes up on Eriadu and is surprised to find he is, in fact, alive. → details: TECH LIVES!!!!!!!!! This one will be exclusive to AO3.

INACTIVE WIPS

What constitutes a WIP as "inactive?"

I don't have a document made and/or open for it and I haven't been actively working on it.

I still plan on working on it later on.

I haven't finished planning out all the details yet.

untitled tbb/din djarin story (chapter 1) • tbb & din djarin gen fic Clone Force 99 arrives to their mission on Aq Vetina just in time to save the small vilage's sole survivor: a young boy named Din Djarin. → details: What if Din was saved by the Bad Batch instead of the Mandalorians? Get ready for some perfect chaos amongst Clone Force 99, especially once Omega joins.

untitled hunter one-shot • hunter x reader When you, a Jedi, and the leader of your elite clone squad are tasked with going undercover together as a couple, repressed feelings begin to bubble to the surface. → details: Fake dating with a TWIST!

scarlet trail (part one) • din djarin x reader Now that you're actually married, you and Din decide to go on a well-deserved honeymoon with your old covers, just to find yourselves caught up in yet another risky mission. → details: This is the sequel to Bloodlust! ↓ take a look at the cover!

everything i needed • din djarin x reader Din seeks help from your Sorgan host, Omera, to find out how to confess his feelings for you. → details: This is Din's POV on Everything I Wanted.

spring • frankie morales x reader You spend the spring season falling in love with Frankie. → details: This is the final follow-up to my Seasons one-shot mini-series that I started four years ago!

main masterlist

#works in progress #dindjarindiaries

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merakiui · 1 year ago

Note

Incoming spoilers for tmdg!

OMG I JUST FINISHED TMDG AND IT'S SO SO SO GOOD!!!!!!!!! WAS GONNA COMMENT BUT I HAVE TOO MANY THOUGHTS, SO HERE WE ARE!

First, I love a Yan fic where if some of the details are slightly different it could be another fluff fic. And this gave me that! Like, wholesome Jade moments, where both of us are in a love circle/triangle thing, and eventually fall in love on our own is good, but the added darkness? Delicious!

Also, we love Jade and Azul plotting in the background while Floyd literally has no idea. The only truly innocent one in this fic, and if he did have a normal person crush (which I hc he did) he in some ways was the coolest guy.

Also!!!! I thought I was strong, but I got caught up in the delusion as well, sometimes forgetting that Floyd wasn't Floyd, oh lordy the writing.

And then there's the genuine nausea I had when we were about to seriously confess, knowing exactly what was about to happen. OMG got a little light headed 😭

Anyways, beautiful masterpiece, and out of all the iterations of Jade, I think this one probably has the best chance for a genuine happily ever after.

AAAAAAA THANK YOUUUUU!!!!! (´▽`ʃƪ)♡ I'm so very happy you enjoyed it!!!

I love writing yandere fics in which they're mostly soft, so you're left waiting for the kick to the stomach or the part in which the atmosphere changes drastically from soft and sweet to scary and sinister!!! I had so much fun writing all of the wholesome moments with Jade and all of the times where he's trying so hard (and sadly failing). T^T it gave me great satisfaction to write his desperate pining from afar. He is but a silly (definitely not menacing) eel in love. <3

Jade and Azul scheming…… aaaa they're so sly!!! >:( perhaps, on some level, Floyd suspects it because if anyone's going to know Jade the best it's his own blood. But then maybe he just chooses not to address it because he can't be bothered or doesn't want to get wrapped up in it. And the reader doesn't know the lengths Jade went to in order to orchestrate the perfect opportunity to have you truly alone (and what better place for that than the sea? >:D). I really love it when characters are scheming in the background while the others remain oblivious, and Jade and Azul make for such a scummy duo when it comes to covert plans.

I'm glad my writing could allow you to get immersed in the parts where Jade was playing Floyd. >:) those parts were very exciting to write because I got to write Floyd dialogue and actions while also mixing it with some of Jade's mannerisms and way of speaking. His little convenient slips where he speaks or acts as himself while being Floyd..... aaaaaa it's so fun!! And Reader's confession!!!!! Doomed from the beginning,,, (๑﹏๑//) I wanted to hug her while I was writing it, but that's what Jade is for hehe. :D he will give her lots of hugs and continue to slowly slide his way into her heart.

Thank you again for reading!!!! o(≧∀≦)o soft yan!Jade has a very good chance at procuring a happy end where it's mutual and willing. I cannot say the same for my other variations of Jade..... ^^;;;;;

#sweet messages #dotster001

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writerlyhabits · 2 years ago

Text

Ni Ceta

Pairing: Din Djarin x female reader

Word Count: 5.7K

Summary: Your second day in the covert reveals both new and familiar faces; hospitality and hostility.

Chapter 2 of the Shereshoy series | Masterlist | Ch. 1 | Ch. 3

Warnings: lots of Mando’a, mild language, soft Din, awkward Din, protective Din [he’s got a wide range, okay?], original Mandalorian characters… maybe a little bit of angst? It’s mostly worldbuilding, so I think that’s about it.

AN: A word from the author – "I'm in grad school, I take forever to write things." This is the second part of a sister fic for my fic Courting a friend of mine wrote based on this request, and I’m so happy she’s letting me share it with you guys! In this chapter, we get to see some new faces – or helmets, I should say – and I am here for what they have in store for us! Thanks for reading, we hope you enjoy 💛

This series is also on AO3, so you can read this chapter there too…

Translations:

Baar’ure: medics

Gotabor(e): (approx) mechanic(s)

(Lit.) engineer(s)

Aruetii(se): outsider(s)

Me’bana?: What happened?

Copikla bal mirdala: cute and clever

Copikla: meant to refer to babies and animals - never women unless you want your head ripped off

Could be considered a backhanded compliment or an insult

Ne shab'rud'kaysh, vod: (Approx) Don’t fuck with her, brother.

(Lit.) Don't mess with her, brother. (extremely strong warning, likely to be followed by violence)

N'eparavu takisit, vod: (Approx) Sorry, brother.

(Lit.) I eat my insult, brother

Me’dinui: share, give to one another

Aliit: family

Solus mhi oyacyi: (Approx) United, we remain

Buy’ce: helmet

Ik’aad: baby, child under 3

Jatne vod: “sir” or “ma’am”

Cabur(e): guard(s)

Kad: In reference to Kad Ha’rangir, destroyer god in the old Mandalorian pantheon

Utreekov: fool, idiot (lit: emptyhead)

Ni ceta: (Lit) I kneel, (approx.) I’m sorry

Ni ven’ceta par gar ratiin: I will always kneel for you

You feel the chill of the cave air settle around you as you rise from your slumber.

Opening your eyes, a soft glow leaks into your space from the room adjacent— signaling that Din is also awake. Not that he sleeps for very long anyway. Rather than immediately leaving the comfort of your sleeping mat to join him, you opt to spend a few extra minutes holding the little one close, hand on his back, as he continues to sleep soundly on your chest. Mornings like these are commonplace— cuddling with the Child until you feel ready enough to begin the day; making fresh caf for you and Din to share, feeding yourself and the little one, while enjoying the quiet company of one another in the cockpit. Perhaps our routine can stay somewhat the same, even here.

Mustering the strength to pull yourself from your warm cocoon of blankets, you slowly rise, trying to not disturb the Child. Two feet on the cold stone ground, and a blanket wrapped over your shoulders, you wander towards the common room.

In the corner sits a short-legged table, the perfect height to tuck ones’ legs beneath while enjoying a meal, or in this case, the morning caf. Din sits beside it, his shoulders and head leaning against the wall, his legs outstretched and crossed in front of him, and his hands interlaced across his abdomen. If you didn’t know any better, you’d say he was sleeping; but for the first time in a long time, Din is simply relaxing.

His head turns slightly to look at you as you approach, his arms slowly extending upward for the morning trade-off of the Child. Din guides him to lie against his shoulder while you ease yourself down to the floor, sitting across from him. Getting to watch Din with the Child like this was rare— it wasn’t often Din was able to decompress, allowing his body a break from the constant weight of armor. With bounty hunters and Imperials searching for the three of you, danger lurked around every corner. Din had to be prepared to fight at any moment. Seeing him unarmored and at ease— getting to enjoy the simple action of cuddling with his Foundling— makes you feel more calm, despite how unsettled you had been the day before.

“Did you sleep well?” Din asks— his voice soft, to not stir the Child.

“Yeah…” you nod, your fatigue causing you to trail off, leaving your thoughts incomplete. When Din shut out the lights before falling asleep, the pitch black of the cave was not unlike the darkness in the Crest every night. Despite the sleeping mat not quite matching the feel of your bed on the ship, the familiarity of the darkness had been a comfort, allowing sleep to come easily.

However, it wasn’t entirely refreshing— with the usual lag of being on a new planet, as well as the ever present nip of the air throughout the night. Feeling the chill of the bedrock beneath you, you pull your blanket tighter around yourself. “...but it’s colder here than I expected.”

He readjusts, shifting the child to his other shoulder before replying. “The temperature underground remains constant,” he tells you, not unkindly, “It’s best to dress warmly— prevents the stone from absorbing your body heat.” He taps his fingers on the ground to emphasize his point. You nod, and the three of you ease into a comfortable silence, Din continuing to lie against the wall as you pull the blanket tight around you once more, hunching forward to rest your arms on the table, and your head atop your arms. It’s almost too easy to doze off again, your grogginess coupled with Din’s calming presence.

Before you’re able to drift back into a light sleep, he gently places his free hand on your arm, giving a light squeeze. His gruff voice just barely above a whisper, “I know you’re tired— but we won’t be out long… You’ll meet the baar’ure and the gotabore, and we’ll come back here.”

Gotabore— that’s a new one. The mechs?

Your eyes meet his visor again, and with a small sigh, you nod at him. “Let me get dressed… then I’ll make the caf.” Giving him a weak grin, he gently removes his hand from your arm, allowing you to stand back up and return to your sleeping area once again. While changing into a set of durable work-clothes, the time alone offers you the chance to reflect on the current arrangement— reiterating once more where you’ve come to, and why.

Recalling back to the discussion with the Alor the day prior— inquiring about some of your aptitudes and skill sets, tasking you with specific labor, and instructing Din the same. Being a guest in their home; shielding you from any dangers, being given a bed to sleep in and meals to eat— requesting that you earn your keep seems reasonable. But why did she ask— tell— Din to bring you here? When you first met, she did not deem you as a member of his clan, despite your… relationship with Din and your role as the other caretaker of the Child. Currently— the populace of this pseudokarst-hidden covert regard you as nothing but an outsider. An invader. A danger. A threat to their safety. An aruetii.

And yet, no matter their levels of distrust, you are here, by the Alor’s request.

This is not the first time you have had to deal with unpleasant people— those that make the day seem unending or unyielding in its discomfort, or work with ones who question your intelligence or ability at every turn. The only surefire way to ease the inquietude of your cohorts is to employ the same tactics that you always have— by simply doing your best. With Din, this came naturally. As a pragmatic man, he values and trusts both competency and integrity. Showcasing both traits allowed him to ease his habitual suspicion of strangers and eventually, after enough time, foster a fond friendship between you. Perhaps utilizing the same tactic can render a twin outcome.

It can’t hurt to try, at least for Din’s sake.

You understand, at least to some degree, what the concept of clan and community mean to him. After the tragedy of Nevarro, you watched him silently mourn his many losses, not just of the individuals, but the purpose he held in providing for his people, his sense of worth intrinsically tied to the survival and prosperity of his tribe. Whilst those who are gone will never return, this new collective of Mando’ade could present Din with an opportunity to release his residual guilt and shame, resuming his role as a primary generator of income, sponsoring many Foundlings and adults alike for many years to come. In essence, Din could finally come home.

Your place, for now it seems, is to make this arrangement with him, and them, work. To not instigate or incite any conflict, to not act out of turn or be discourteous. The way to the heart of your companion was through patience and compassion; and thus cooperation and communication is the way to solidarity with his comrades. Presenting yourself as an equal, as someone who has earned the respect and trust of one of their own can give them the freedom to do the same, without fear. And perhaps, one day, to care for you and about you just the same as Din does every day.

—

The workshop is lively— abuzz and boisterous.

The cavernous walls echo and amplify the clangs and thumps of the tools, muddling together with the chatter of the Mando’ade working together. In the mess of noise, you can distinctly make out their laughter, of all things— and with it, their camaraderie. At this moment, you can’t seem to recall a time in which you were that happy to be working on anything— undoubtedly, you’ve enjoyed some jobs and some people, but you can practically hear the smile in their voices hidden beneath their buy’ce.

For a group of ‘fearsome, ruthless warriors’, this isn’t what I expected.

The workshop appears to double as a port for the strange variety of ships they have stored, ones they must have collected over time, perhaps as more Mando’ade arrived at this covert. Anything from speeders to small transports. Most of them don’t appear to be in the best condition— and by the looks of others, not entirely operational either. At the far end of the shop is the hangar door, which presumably leads to the outside, where two Mandos are working on a small ship— a CS fighter. A small single-manned starfighter designed for combat, so customizable and versatile they’ve withstood the tests of time— most models still in existence are decades old.

Another pre-Empire ship, I’m sensing a trend.

The two Mandos underneath the ship pay no mind to you and Din as you approach, instead focusing on trying to remove a part from the underbelly of the starfighter. Upon closer inspection, you take note of their appearances. One Mando adorned in armor painted a faded mauve— old paint, chipped on the thighs and chest piece; and the other a light blue, with gray accents detailing the armor throughout. The two of you watch them work for a minute before Din speaks, getting their attention.

“Perhaps my friend could be of some aid.”

Their heads snap to you in unison, staring at you both for a moment. Mauve tilts her head, “Nice to see you too, Djarin.”

You give a slight chuckle at her response. Din can be the worst at introductions sometimes. You look back over to him, waiting for his own retort. Rather than greeting her, he nods his head once, and gestures towards the starfighter, “Me’bana? What’s wrong with it?”

Mauve pulls herself out from underneath the ship, wiping the oil on her gloves on the unarmored sections of her pants, and leaning herself against the wing.“Engine keeps overheating— we don’t have enough parts to replace every cooling unit, and I haven’t figured out which ones are failing or why,” she says casually, crossing her arms. She nods at you, “What do you think?”

You match her stance, crossing your arms, leaning your weight to one side, giving the question a moment of thought. “A ship as old as this? Check the ground conductors. The one’s on the Crest fry pretty often, especially with how manically he flies it.” In your peripherals you see Din turn his head to look at you, as if your jab at his pilotage genuinely offended him, but hearing a snicker from Mauve, he looks away.

Listening to your suggestion, Blue works to take apart the cooling unit they had already removed, working his way down towards the center. In less than a minute, he’s able to remove one of the culprits responsible for the malfunction— a very fried ground conductor. With a little, prideful smirk, you turn your head slightly to look back at Din, your eyes meeting his visor. He gives you a short nod, a silent approval of your correct assessment, his own unique way of telling you, Good work.

Blue rises from his back to a seated position, setting down the tool he has in hand. He refuses to look at you, to address you— to even acknowledge you, instead staring at Din. “Copikla bal mirdala— I see why the Alor let you keep her.”

What the hell is that supposed to mean?

If you’re dastard enough to undermine me, have the gall to do it in Basic, asshole. You want to conjure some sort of response to him, but ignoring his attempt at a crude remark may be the best course of action— to retaliate with your own insult will do nothing but escalate this dispute. As you have come to learn, anger is prone to rashness. And anger, whether it’s yours or Din’s— or both, is what he wants. And you won’t give him the satisfaction of having it.

“Ne shab'rud'kaysh, vod.”

Din, however, gives in to the bait. His voice irate— a warning, a threat. For a brief moment, there’s a passing worry about the possibility of Din igniting the flames of his gauntlet, a favorite weapon of his when he’s provoked. If anything, a knife fight feels more likely. The silence between the four of you somehow drowns out every other noise in the shop. The two of them continue to glare, both waiting for the other to make the first move.

Your eyes watch back and forth between the two of them, waiting with baited breath. When Blue slowly raises both his hands in a mock surrender,“N'eparavu takisit, vod—“, and Din finally looks away from him, you know things have settled… for now.

An uncomfortable silence returns for a few moments, and Din is still not at ease. Mauve finally quips, “You saw it for yourself, go find another conductor.” She waves her hand, gesturing for Blue to leave. He rises, walking towards the other ships in the center of the shop— “You too, Djarin, find some.” She adds, casting Din away in the same manner she did with the other gotabor.

Din hesitates. He doesn’t want to leave your side— and looks to you, with a silent question. You nod at him, an unspoken It’s okay— with a sigh, he complies with her command. “Fine,” he swiftly turns around, leaving the two of you alone.

You watch them descend further into the shop, until they disappear from your sight. You’re left with the sounds of the distant chatter of the other Mando’ade, continuing to echo as it did when you first arrived.

Well, that could have gone worse.

Of the six Mando’ade you’ve met, three of them have not been hostile. It’s a start.

Continuing to stare off, Mauve speaks once more to get your attention. “Come help me check the rest of them.”

Her request brings you back to the present moment, turning around to see her lying underneath the ship again, hands deep in its underbelly, loosening some things and pulling others. You kneel down, until you’re able to lower yourself to the ground completely, lying next to her. She hands you the cooling units as she pulls them out, and the two of you work to take them apart, sitting beside one another.

“Jado doesn’t like you. But pay him no mind.” She states, matter-of-factly.

Yeah, he looks like a ‘Jado.’

This revelation of Jado’s discontempt is unsurprising— and not unexpected. “He doesn’t know me,” you say. Asking a question of why would be inane, you already know the answer.

“Well… none of us do. You’re an aruetii.” That moniker makes your stomach churn, but her lack of malice allows you to diminish the feeling of dejection quickly. “But that’s not inherently a bad thing. We’ll all get to know you soon enough.”

…What?

She continues, nonchalantly, “Djarin and the Alor trust you; so that’s all that matters. Aruetii or not.”

You continue to work, letting a short-lived silence settle between you, before she speaks again. “I’m Odona. Clan Drii. Unfortunately, Jado’s a part of it too. My little vod.”

You listen as her spiel drags on, leaning in to signal she has your attention, “We both usually work on the ships here, but he’s still pretty new at it— and I haven’t worked with many Pre-Imperial ships. When I heard that you were coming, after being on Djarin’s ancient me’sen?” She raises both her hands dramatically, “Briikase tuur. Happy day.”

Listening to this Mandalorian monologue feels like an oxymoron— given the usual disposition of your companion, and the general taciturn reputation that all Mandalorians seem to hold amongst the outsiders. Regardless, her comment and theatrical gestures make you grin.

“Don’t tell me you’re another ‘strong and silent’ type… Djarin’s sulking is enough for me.” That makes you laugh.

He does sulk a little, doesn’t he?

Smiling, you finally respond, “No. I think I’ve just grown accustomed to the sulking.”

Odona snorts. “Sorry to disappoint you, but you’ll get none of that from me. You’ll replace Jado for now, we’ll likely get more accomplished that way.” You’re not disappointed, the change of pace will be interesting— a new opportunity to learn a lot from. You feel a little prideful, knowing that she’s pleased with your knowledge and ability.

Before Odona can begin another monologue— and perhaps to disprove her claim of yours and Din’s shared hobby of sulking— you seize the chance to ask a question of your own. “I’m surprised by how many ships are here— but why are so many of them stripped out?”

Her hands stop, a pause in her tinkering as she ponders your enquiry. With a tilt of her head, she finally answers. “Whenever we get a new ship, it gets…” she hesitates for a moment, attempting to better articulate herself, searching for the precise word; “...triaged.”

Interesting connotation.

You suggest, “...As in, you decide whether to fix it, or scrap it for parts.”

“Exactly. We don’t have the resources to fix everything. It’s best to spend our time efficiently— focusing on the ones that will yield the greatest benefit in the long run.” The explanation is sound, yet Odona sees your underlying confusion still present. She asks you, “Why?”

Din would blow a fuse if someone tried to strip the Crest… again… Damn Jawas.

You point in the direction Din and Jado wandered towards, “I can see why he landed the Crest over a mile away from here.” Odona chuckles at the light joke, and you continue, “But— people are… okay with their ship getting scrapped?” On the surface, the concept almost sounds absurd. For Din, the Crest is another home. Everything meticulously ordered, from his weapons to his food stocks. Despite the frequent abuse his ship endures, he works to ensure its continued functionality, it’s almost a second layer of armor, one he cares about greatly.

“Well, no one has a personal ship— whenever any newcomers settle into the covert, any ships they once owned join the tribe’s fleet,” Odona explains.

Your brows furrow. They just give away their ship to the covert?

She elaborates more. “I guess it could be difficult for someone outside of…” she gestures to your surroundings, “...this… to understand. We share things— me’dinui— do what we can to contribute to each other, to our community.” She shrugs, watching you, gauging your reaction. “A ship doesn’t mean anything… But supporting your aliit? Your family?” She pauses again, her voice passionate, “...It’s everything. All we truly have is each other.”

In a galaxy so wrought with selfishness, greed, and ‘survival of the fittest’— the thought of anyone doing anything for a collective good is almost inconceivable. And yet, hearing the emotion of her voice, listening to her speak of the tenets you see Din adhere to so unfailingly, the concept of unity seems more tangible, more apodictic.

Setting down the tools you have in hand, you softly lament, “Sadly, I think I’ve become a little jaded to that idea...” you look at her, hoping to meet her eyes behind her visor, “...but I’m open to having my mind changed.”

You nod at her, and she does the same. In a familiar tone, Odona enounces, “Solus mhi oyacyi— this is the Way.”

—

Upon Din’s and Jado’s return with the necessary parts, Din extends a hand to you to help you rise from the ground.

As you stand, Odona quips “Making me do all the work with these?”

And with Din’s reply— “We have other matters to attend to;” you make your way towards the exit, giving Odona a wave, and she returns with a nod.

As you both close the heavy metal doors of the shop behind you, the hush of the cavern is jarring— the noise of the chaotic banter suddenly silenced. You’re only left with the sound of your blood whooshing in your head, and again, the persistent gelidity of the cave air forcing a chill up your spine. You exhale, removing your hands from the door, and slowly turn around to face Din. You stare at one another for a moment, before taking another breath.

“Odona said you sulk too much,” you say, your voice light and soft, to break the quiet tension without dissettling the quiescent chamber.

He huffs at your teasing remark and tilts his head, “...It seemed like the two of you were getting along?” He matches your volume, inquiring gingerly.

There’s worry in his voice, you recognize. Lingering feelings of contrition for the unnecessary antagonism Jado had given you. It must be strange for him, you contemplate, this role reversal of sorts. Outside these walls, he’s a living embodiment of minatory. In his day-to-day, he has to make an effort to appear benign to sociable strangers— whilst you, on the other hand, are as regular as any other citizen in the galaxy— posing passivity is the goal, a fine balance between being amicable but guarded. But now, in his enclave, you have to think and behave as he does when he interacts with everyone else in the galaxy— an intriguing juxtaposition.

You smile, “Yes, she’s interesting...she reminds me of Peli.” That’s not all he wants to know. It’s another tacit question, a chance to tell him how you feel without him having to ask. You take a step closer, letting your eyes meet his visor, “She also assured me that continuing to ignore her brother’s jibes is the best course of action.”

He sighs, and his shoulders drop. “I told him not to do it again.”

Din isn’t good with words. He’s curt, sometimes to the point of being tactless. On Sorgan, when faced with the obligation of informing the villagers of their predicament— Bad news, you can’t live here anymore— his delivery, at best, was uncouth. Nice bedside manner— Cara had told him, which earned a chuckle from you. He usually thrives more in one-on-one interactions; he can be amenable— kind, even. He ensures to give people thanks when necessary, listens to others without interruption; and attempts to be a calm presence, especially in times of turmoil.

Where he excels, however, are in his actions. Whether it’s the softer things— letting the Child grip his finger for comfort, a gentle hand to help you; or the more intense things— fighting his way through an army of Imperials to ensure the safety of his aliit, Din shows his care through his actions. He didn’t protect you from the enmity of his cohort because he thought you were incapable of vying against another Mando’ade. He wasn’t attempting to patronize you— but rather displaying his respect, to not stand idly by when someone is attempting to ostracize you.

His care is a reverent kind, one he conveys with both his body and his mind, a message given with nary a word spoken.

You stare into him once more, hoping to meet his eyes. You grin, and give a soft “Thank you.”

He doesn’t respond, he simply nods.

You gaze at one another for a few moments, before you nod your head to the side, gesturing to him to start walking; just as he did to you the day prior. Together, you walk beside each other through the various halls and passageways— working to build a mental map of the cave system— until you reach the medbay.

It’s a small room, one equipt to host only a few residents. Along the chamber walls are privacy shields— drawn to create different spaces for individual patients. Towards the back are tall shelves of med supplies— anything from syringes and needles, blood tubes, to disinfectants, gauze, and kits for intravenous fluids— supplies that would allow for basic blood tests, and treating minor to moderate wounds. Near the entrance sits another Mando, the baar’ur— their armor a deep green with teal sigils along the side of their buy’ce; holo pad in hand, seemingly deep in focus.

The sounds of your footsteps pull her attention. “Ah, su cuy'gar, Djarin, it’s been a while. How’s your ik’aad?”

He extends a hand for her to grasp, pulling her from the ground. “Fine. He’s with the other ade.”

She looks at you, “Jatne vod, I’ve been waiting for you to arrive.”

“I hope I can assist.” You give her your name, she replies with her own; Mavis.

She sighs, exasperated. She points to the first room, “One of the idiot cabure just showed up for the third time in two weeks, and…” She stops, and takes a deep breath, trying to ease her agitation, “... and I don’t want to deal with him again.” She holds the holopad out for you to take, “Can you handle this for me?”

Reading through her notes, you skim over some of the details.

G: He is in no apparent distress. He is alert and oriented

S: No open fracture or bony abnormality

E: Laceration to left shoulder, 15cm x 1 cm, simple, shallow

A simple laceration… “No sutures or staples?” You ask.

“No. Just use a tissue adhesive— I would have just made him do it himself; but he can’t reach it.” Her annoyance seeps through her voice again, “So, don’t waste any bacta on that,” she replies, pointedly. She mumbles under her breath, shaking her head, “Kad knows that utreekov will be back here next week.” She looks at Din, who gives her a sympathetic shrug.

She must be the only medic here.

You nod in understanding, “...I’ll take care of him, Mavis.” You turn around to walk towards the room, reading through the rest of her notes. Din and the baar’ur carry on in conversation as you approach the line of privacy shades.

Standing before the first room, you use the corner of the holo pad to tap upon the pole holding the curtain— a sound to alert the patient of your arrival, “Can I come in?” you ask.

A moment of silence greets you, before a deep voice answers “...Sure.”

Slowly drawing back the curtain just wide enough to allow you entry, you step in.

A familiar Mando sits before you. The idiot cabur.

The same idiot cabur you met yesterday— the very one that glowered into your karking soul like he craved nothing more than to break you in half. The sight of him makes your stomach sink— dread coursing through your bones, your nerves firing to prepare for his inevitable attack— skin electric, heart racing, blood cold.

You’re not safe.

You breathe, trying to will your voice to return once more. Taking a moment, your eyes scan up and down his form— assessing his position. He’s slouched, sitting atop the bed, one leg tucked underneath the other, a hand pressed against the injured shoulder. His pauldrons and chest piece sit beside him, his shirt half pulled over his form, revealing the nasty gash across his shoulder blade. Your eyes finally meet his visor— almost hoping to find his own beneath it, only to greet the same abyss that bore into you upon your first meeting.

Breathe. You nod at him, feigning nonchalance, “What happened?”

He observes you in return, tilting his head.

His gaze, though not predatory, reveals his intrigue. You’re enigmatic, oracular— he’s studying you, fixated on your features; searching for the apologues and adages that have sculpted your spirit— the flame of your psyche he yearns to succumb to. For a moment, he too is breathless, lost in the sea of your presence, desperate for a mast to secure himself to. He yields, finally looking away from you, to bring his attention to his injured shoulder.

He considers his response, and answers your question; almost timid, but with an obvious lightness to his voice. “I— uh… bravely protected the covert from an invader.”

You blink, and furrow your brows in confusion. You slowly shake your head at him. “No.” You reply, unconvinced. “Try again.”

He straightens his posture, looking at you once more. After another pause, he argues his second retelling of events. “Okay… again, I bravely rescued a Foundling lost in one of the Back Caves,” his voice less shy, but still chary.

His witticism begins to thaw the icy tension between you, reforming to liquescent diffidence— your pulse easing back to its restful tempo, the slight tremor of your hands gradually ceasing. You stride towards him, equanimous and assured, until you’re close enough to inspect his injury. A nasty gash, skin frayed along the edges, with smaller abrasions surrounding it— the beginnings of a bruise coloring the area. Dust and tiny shards of lava rock are settled on the skin throughout, peppering the wound. It looks painful.

Your eyes meet his hidden ones, desperate to conceal your amused grin he’s given you, “No,” you challenge, an insincere jest, “...last chance.”

He chortles, looking away again, almost bashful. “I fell,” he responds, resolute. “In the Back Caves… Lost my footing on an unsteady rock, and landed on a sharper one.” His coyish inflection shifting to one aflutter— in a moment of confidence, he returns his gaze to you, illuminated by your amused expression, having caught on to his jocular antics.

You nod, and try to hide your simper, “That sounds right.” You gesture to his shoulder, “May I?”

“Please.” He moves slowly, turning slightly, allowing you easier access to his shoulder.

With the wound in full view, you work to treat him.

It only takes but a few minutes to clean the area, the two of you spend that time in silence. He fidgets, not in a way that indicates he’s in pain— but rather that he’s unnerved, nervous, even mousy. This massive Mando’ad sits beside you with such tension in his form, as though he’s bracing for an impact; on the precipice of the inchoate attack— waiting for the aruetii to spit their vitriol, to exploit his vulnerable position and leave him more scathed than when he arrived.

With your hands gently pressing over his shoulder blade, sealing the adhesive in place; he releases a long held breath, the anticipated aggression absent. The tautness of his muscles gives way, highlighting their definition across his back as he decompresses. Stop looking. His heat radiating into your palms, a warmth you’ve been starved of since entering this frore catacomb, you’re reluctant to pull away— longing to linger in the intimacy of this untrodden amity that has just scarcely begun.

Slowly, you will yourself to retreat, discarding the soiled gauze and removing your disposable gloves. “Does the brave cabur have any other battle wounds?” You tease, disrupting the prolonged silence.

“No, ma’am,” his tone reveleaving the alacarious smirk hidden behind his buy’ce. As you turn away, he maneuvers his arm back into his shirt. He continues, “...thank you. Vor entye.”

You look back to him and nod, “Of course.”

Just as the silence settles again, and you attempt to leave, he recommences. “Before you go…” He waits for you to stop, “I was hoping to speak with you?” His inflection returns to one of timidness again; but he sits straighter, his legs wide and relaxed, his hands resting over his thighs. Even without his armor, his broad form fills the space around him. Don’t ogle. “We didn’t get to talk much yesterday.”

Difficult to chat when you think you’re about to die. “No, we didn’t.”

His voice turns gentle, almost placating, as if he heard your thought. “I’m Ikarus, a guardsman for the covert. The other cabur was Sabe.” He breathes, tilts his head, fidgets like he’s considering every word before he says it. “It’s our duty… to ensure the safety of everyone here. Including you.”

You’re frozen in place, refusing to cross the threshold to him again, despite his words wanting you to ease yourself closer.

“I—” the words are trapped in his throat, “I failed that duty yesterday. I failed you.”

He pauses, looking down to the floor, gathering his thoughts once more. “I’ve been here a long time. We’re very careful who we allow in here. Having a new Foundling and an outsider come in like this is unusual, to say the least.”

He looks to your face, meeting your eyes, “But this… inordinate circumstance… doesn’t give me the right to scare you. Being leered at by a giant, armed, faceless stranger should not have been your first impression of us… of me.”

His guilt bleeds into his speech, a sadness overcoming him. “I’m sorry.” For a moment, Ikarus envisions you, the terror in your eyes upon your first meeting, your protectiveness of the Child, of Djarin shielding you from his ravening presence, keeping you away from him. “Ni ceta, I’m sorry.”

You stare at him, speechless, in awe of his confession.

Ni ceta. I kneel.

A rare, groveling apology you had only heard once before— in an unfortunate situation with Din that left you both upset— he found the Basic phrase I’m sorry could not express his attrition wholly. He had explained the Mando’a words to you; their connotation, their significance. Kneeling, you learned, was one of the highest forms of respect to another Mando’ade— not only a display of humility, but reverence, obedience; and at certain times, even submission. Whilst his genuflect never came, his declaration was enough for you both to reconcile.

But the person before you is not Din Djarin.

Having a man like him brought to his knees would be a sight to behold.

In a moment of boldness, you slowly step towards him— soft on your feet— until you stand a mere meter apart, never looking away from where you presume his eyes to be. In a quiet, demulcent tone— barely above a whisper; before you can even think to reconsider your words, you ask him, “Are you going to kneel, Ikarus?”

Thence, he is in free fall. Your emollient voice and temerarious inquiry luring him into the vast unknown of you— succumbing to the pull of your orbit, the fire of your spirit. In an instant, his body relaxes— his eyes bore into yours, as he slowly rises from the medical bed to his full height, before bending the knee to kneel below you. After a moment, he extends his hand for you to grasp. Whence his hand grips yours, he answers your question in kind; “Ni ven’ceta par gar ratiin.”

Thanks for reading!! If you’d like to be notified when I post a new fic, be sure to follow @writerlyhabits-library + turn on post notifications! 💛

To show this author your direct support, go ahead and check this story out on A03 + leave some kudos and a nice comment 💜

#din djarin #din djarin x reader #din djarin fluff #the mandalorian #the mandalorian x reader #mando'a #original mandalorian characters #they're my favorites #i love them #shereshoy series #shereshoy sister fic #not my writing #i have permission to post this

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androxys · 1 year ago

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Task Force What? An Incomplete (Yet Still Very Long) Guide to Some of the DCU’s Government Groups [Part 2]

Welcome back to my writeup on 13 of the DCU's government organizations. Recognizing that everything in Part 1 was a ton of information to parse through, here’s a rough timeline of some of the groups’ movements and reorganizations. This time, I’ve put important people’s names in bold so you can track them. Again, much thanks to my editors and beta readers.

Part 1: Organization Descriptions and Histories

Part 2: Timeline

Part 3: Reading Suggestions

1940s-1980s

During WWII, Squadron S earns the nickname “The Suicide Squad” due to its high morality rate. Rick Flag Sr. is brought in to turn the squadron around, eventually making it a highly decorated and effective unit.

Senator McCarthy tries to force the Justice Society of America to unmask. They refuse, instead choosing to go into hiding.

Without the Justice Society to protect the U.S. from “extraordinary” threats, the President authorizes the creation of Task Force X. This group consisted of two wings: Argent and The Suicide Squad.

Rick Flag Sr. is killed in action during a Suicide Squad mission. This version of the Squad is disbanded.

Control, the leader of Argent, kills someone involved in JFK’s assassination. He subsequently directs Argent to go underground.

A new version of the Suicide Squad is formed, led by Rick Flag Jr. This version disbands after a mission in Cambodia. Flag’s supervisor reveals that the Squad was ultimately doomed anyway due to budget cuts.

At some point during the Cold War, Spyral is formed by the U.N., led by Otto Netz.

Project Cadmus is founded.

Sarge Steel becomes a leader in, if not the director of, the Central Bureau of Intelligence.

Katherine Webb Kane becomes Batwoman to try to uncover Batman’s identity for Spyral.

The Agency is founded by Valentina Vostok. The Agency’s work includes Project: Peacemaker.

Roy Harper joins the Central Bureau of Investigation. He meets Jade Nguyen through his work with the CBI.

Katherine Webb Kane is apparently killed by Ben Turner, the Bronze Tiger, while he is under the control of the League of Assassins.

Otto Netz is revealed to be a double agent and is imprisoned.

Mr. Bones is a quasi-member of Infinity Inc., legacy heroes springing from the Justice Society.

1980s-2000s

Amanda Waller presents her plan to reactivate Task Force X. This new Suicide Squad will use supervillains for high risk, covert missions. The Agency will be brought into Task Force X and subsequently reorganized as Checkmate, though Project: Peacemaker remains independent.

Rick Flag Jr. is made field leader of the Suicide Squad. Ben Turner, seeking atonement, becomes his second in command.

Sarge Steel is officially the Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Harry Stein is made King of Checkmate.

Amanda Waller and her Suicide Squad discover the remenants of Argent. With the majority of its members gone, Argent is officially declared to be disbanded.

The Janus Directive occurs. Massive reorganizations happen.

Task Force X is dissolved as an umbrella organization.

Amanda Waller is left in charge of the Suicide Squad.

Harry Stein remains as King of Checkmate, but they are forced to relocate. Project Peacemaker is incorporated into Checkmate.

Sarge Steel is made the Director of Metahuman Affairs, and is the direct supervisor for all other metahuman related agencies. He continues to oversee the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Amanda Waller disbands her Suicide Squad.

After the death of Superman, Project Cadmus tries to clone him. This results in the creation of Superboy.

Project Cadmus fires “mad scientist” Dabney Donovan.

A “clone plague” begins to affect Project Cadmus creations. This is revealed to be the creation of Dabney Donovan, who kills Paul Westfield.

Mickey Cannon becomes the new head of Project Cadmus. He keeps Dabney Donovan as an imprisoned scientific advisor and brings in geneticist Serling Roquette.

Harry Stein resigns as King of Checkmate. Phil Kramer and Kalia Cambell are made King and Queen, respectively.

Roy Harper leaves the CBI.

Mr. Bones is made the Director of the Department of Extranormal Operations.

Cameron Chase joins the Department of Extranormal Operations.

The Department of Extranormal Operations subcontracts A.P.E.S members Donald Fite and Ishido Maad for a recovery mission.

Lex Luthor becomes president.

Amanda Waller replaces Sarge Steel as Secretary of Metahuman Affairs in the Luthor Administration.

Knightwatch, a more militaristic branch of the Department of Extranormal Operations, protects the U.S. President from metahuman threats.

Director Bones manipulates the Justice Society into going against Kobra on the DEO’s behalf. This is not well received by the JSA.

Lex Luthor starts the Human Defense Corps to try to build a non-metahuman response team to extraordinary threats.

The Central Bureau of Investigation is absorbed into the Department of Extranormal Operations.

Sarge Steel becomes the head of the Department of Metahuman Affairs, a subdivision of the DEO.

Sasha Bordeaux is recruited into Checkmate by Jessica Midnight.

David Said is promoted to King

Helena Bertinelli is blackmailed by David Said into accepting a position as a Queen in Checkmate.

Lex Luthor leaves the White House. Amanda Waller subsequently leaves her position as Secretary for Metahuman Affairs.

Director Bones and Cameron Chase recruit Kate Spencer, the Manhunter, to work for the Department of Extranormal Operations.

Maxwell Lord becomes Black King of Checkmate.

Infinite Crisis happens.

Maxwell Lord kills Ted Kord once Kord uncovers Lord’s plot to use Checkmate against metahumans.

Sasha Bordeaux sends Batman evidence of Kord’s death, leading Lord to activate the OMACs to try to exterminate all Checkmate agents and metahumans on Earth.

Maxwell Lord is killed by Wonder Woman.

One Year Later

After Checkmate is rechartered as a U.N. organization, Amanda Waller is made White Queen. Due to her involvement in the Luthor White House, the U.N. only agrees to let Waller into Checkmate if she does not run operations. This means she cannot run any operations. The other initial leaders of this new Checkmate are Sasha Bordeaux, Alan Scott, and Taleb Beni Khalid.

Wonder Woman joins the Department of Metahuman Affairs in her new identity as Diana Prince.

Alan Scott resigns from Checkmate, tapping his Bishop–Michael Holt–to be the new White King.

Despite being prohibited from running operations, Amanda Waller reactivates a Suicide Squad and begins Operation: Salvation Run.

Once other Checkmate officials find out what Amanda Waller is up to, she is forced to resign from Checkmate. However, by that point, most supervillains had been deported via Operation: Salvation Run.

Squad K is developed out of the Human Defense Corps to specifically deal with Kryptonian threats.

After the events of Brightest Day, Maxwell Lord returns to life. He erases most of the world’s memory of him and begins a discrediting campaign against Checkmate in an attempt to regain power.

Talia al Ghul creates the Leviathan Organization. She frees Otto Netz from his imprisonment so that he can assist Leviathan.

Batman Incorporated begins to move against Leviathan, clearing the organization out of St. Hadrian’s Finishing School for Girls.

Damian Wayne kills Otto Netz to save Batman from a trap.

The New 52 Happens

Spyral takes control of St. Hadrian’s

Katherine Webb Kane reveals that she faked her death to lead Spyral in secret.

A.R.G.U.S. is founded to support metahumans at the federal level.

Dick Grayson is unmasked as Nightwing, and is recruited by Helena Bertinelli to be an agent of Spyral.

Bertinelli and Grayson leave Spyral. Tiger becomes the new Patron of Spyral.

#dc comics #amanda waller #sasha bordeaux #suicide squad #checkmate #meta #my writing #chit chat

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justafandomfollower · 5 months ago

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I'm sharing my opinions about Umbrella Academy Season 4 in the form of thoughts about the character's arcs. I'm giving two ratings, one for internal character moments, and one for external relevance to the plot. The latter is harder to judge, given that the resolution of the plot was 'we can't do anything', but, I'm giving it a go anyway.

Throwing it all under the cut because it gets long. Really long.

TL;DR: I think the season got worse as it went on. For most of these characters, the early episodes were their best episodes (and the episodes I liked the best). Luther and Diego had decent character arcs, Viktor had a decent role in the overarching season long episode arc. Lots of bits were fun to watch, and remain so if you don't care about logic and plot. That's part of the fun of the Umbrella Academy, I think, but in this season it kinda fell flat for me. The ending itself wasn't so much disappointing as it was the way they got there.

Not saying I hated it, because I didn't, and I might even watch it again someday, but, well... 😐

Internally:

Luther: He didn't grow any this season, really, but he had some nice growth the previous seasons so I can't complain too much. I liked it when Luther was on screen, I liked his enthusiasm, his status as a 'lovable idiot', and I liked his obvious care for his family. Only downside was he didn't really have a purpose and didn't really seem interested in getting one. (And didn't mention Sloane enough, didn't even say he'd looked for her.) 4/5 stars.

Diego: He was an absolute idiot at times here, but I liked Diego's internal arc, the growth from wanting desperately to get back into the action to realizing what he has in his family was great, and it actually felt like a complete arc for the season. But while the idea was good, the execution was lacking (fat jokes anyone 😐). Also 4/5 stars.

Alison: What was her arc this season? I liked seeing her interact with both Claire and Klaus. I liked at the beginning when Lila had to drag her into the party. Otherwise... she didn't really have an arc? There were comments about her job (B-list) that went nowhere. There were comments about Ray that went nowhere. She didn't grow in her relationships or personal thoughts about herself, either positively or negatively. 1/5 stars.

Klaus: This one's... interesting. On one hand, the idea of him not wanting his powers back, getting them back anyway, and going off the rails is a good one. It fits his character. It was fun to watch him. I liked his interactions with Alison and Claire. I enjoyed his plot while it was on screen. But, even ignoring that it didn't fit in the season (that's the external assessment), it didn't go anywhere? Like, there was no regret at turning to drugs again or, opposite that, no real downward spiral. He can float now, but otherwise there's no fear of the ghosts. He gets rescued and then that's just it. Plot over. 3/5 stars for an interesting start to an idea that went nowhere.

Five: What was his arc this season? Finding love? Five's plot was just... weird. It was good at the beginning - he found a job in covert ops that brings him purpose - but then that went nowhere. His only purpose in season 1/2/even 3 was stopping the apocalypse and saving his family. Here he just... wanders around? Falls in love with his brother's wife/ex-coworker/person whose parents he killed in another timeline? 0/5 stars. Didn't like Five's character at all this season.

Ben: Separating Ben's internal arc from the external arc is difficult - because I don't think he had one. Again, no character arc, negative or positive. He forces his family to get their powers back against their will, then ditches them when he gets infected/irritated with them. That's it. The rest of his arc is just following in infected-love with Jennifer. 0/5 stars. Disappointing, even if he was fun in the first few episodes.

Viktor: Internally, this is difficult to judge. He had his confrontations with his father (or, alternate Hargreeves, anyway), which showed a culmination of 3 seasons of growth that I really liked. Like Luther, there's less growth here because he's done that already. I liked his confidence and how he was the one getting things done this season. The external plot was fine, but internally... He was doing it all for his family, but he also didn't even really ever spend time with them? During the season or the six years before? And yeah, family is complicated. IDK. I could be persuaded either way for Viktor. 3/5 stars because I'm on the fence.

Externally:

Luther. Didn't do anything to the external plot. Saved his siblings once (a nice moment), got his memories back, realized the CIA was dirty (which helped nothing), and otherwise was completely inessential. 0/5 stars.

Diego. Same as Luther. He only had one good moment I can recall of him using his powers in a fight, beyond the fight at the CIA. 1/5 because he provided the transportation for most of the season.

Alison. She bossed Reginald around a bit, but was nice, but then left to go rescue Klaus. 0/5 stars, didn't need to be there.

Klaus. He had the least involvement in the plot. He showed up to get shot so they (the writers) could get the marigold in him and that was it. -1/5 stars.

Five. One of the more plot relevant characters, because he figured out they just had to let things happen, but that realization came from one scene in the final episode. His plot with Lila was garbage. 1/5 stars.

Ben. Technically the most plot relevant of all, but, there was also literally no reason it had to be Ben that triggered the Cleanse, was there? 1/5 stars because we got some backstory from original timeline Ben.

Viktor. Literally the only one actually focused on saving the world this time. I'm giving him 5/5 stars because his arc was the only saving grace this season (regarding the season-long plot at least) and I liked seeing him interact with Reginald, even if it didn't really go anywhere.

Other character thoughts:

Lila: 🤮 I did like her comment to Diego that at least she took her issues out of the house instead of complaining all the time like he did. I liked her scenes at the end when she reunited with her family after years away and her obvious desperation to protect them. I even liked the way she told Diego they needed a break right before gagging him so he couldn't talk back, because that was quintessential Lila. Her relationship with Five, however, dominated the season, and I thought that was garbage. 2/5 stars.

Reggie: Okay, Reggie was great this season. An asshole, funny, seemed to grow to respect Viktor, had an inkling of a heart in there somewhere. 5/5 stars.

Abigail: I'm confused here? She set everything in motion to make up for what she'd done, but, also, like... was she ending her and Reggie's existence as well? The Umbrellas no longer existed, but were she and Reggie still alive? Was Reginald fine, just never released the marigold? IDK how I feel about her. I liked the reveal that she was Sy, but... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ She technically caused the whole plot by bringing together Ben and Jennifer, so, 3/5 stars I guess.

Gene and Jean: Didn't do anything. Fun to watch for a bit but got old; we didn't really know anything about them. 2/5 stars.

Jennifer: Who on Earth was this woman? We know nothing about her. I can excuse the hand-waving on her background but also, I didn't care that she died? And I didn't care about her relationship with Ben, which might not even have been real. 0/5 stars.

Claire. Nice interactions with Alison and Klaus, but not much to her. 3/5 stars because she was included at all after so much time spent talking about her.

#The Umbrella Academy

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contemplatingoutlander · 2 years ago

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Contemplations on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 16, 2023

The coming Republican nightmare | Cartoon by Ann Telnaes

Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream.

Sadly, what is currently happening the in U.S. isn't it.

Given the anti-CRT movement in red states, the rampant banning of books by Black and Brown authors across the U.S., the vitriol on the right regarding the BLM movement, the unrestrained right-wing zeal of the conservative justices on the Supreme Court who have been slowly dismantling the Voting Rights Act and who are now poised to ban affirmative action programs at universities, and the acceptance of blatant racist remarks by many of today's GOP politicians (most notably their leader Trump), Martin Luther King would probably think that what is currently happening in the U.S. is indeed a nightmare.

Finally, MLK would be livid if he knew that the GQP anti-CRT, covert white nationalist movement has been repeatedly misusing his "dream" quote:

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” --Martin Luther King Jr.

According to Melinda Guerra this quote has been:

Used: to defend the incredibly patronizing and trivializing thought that claiming to be colorblind is something laudable, rather than a way of discounting the fact that people of color have the privilege of being because we have to deal with the fact that our non-whiteness dictates parts of our experiences in ways those who talk about being will never understand. Also used to defend the idea of America being post-race, which would be laughable if its very falseness lead to so many awful things. Also used to suggest King would be against affirmative action, as if he hadn't been part of a group of leaders proposing an affirmative-action-like employment program (See #5 below).

Guerra goes on to suggest that we

Remind people: 1. This speech actually consists of more than the 2-3 sentences that get quoted. (Seriously, remind them of that. I'm almost convinced people don't know that.) 2. It is foolish and trivializing to claim you don't see color or suggest America is post-race, and flat-out wrong to suggest King wouldn't support affirmative action programs. 3. The march at which he delivered this speech was the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. As a result of that march, meetings with administration, and a ton of work done by other leaders in the Civil Rights Movement of the 60s, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights act of 1965 were passed, with provisions reflecting the demands of that march. But, contrary to popular opinion, that didn't lead King to suggest we’d “arrived” and the civil rights movement should pack up and go home [...] 4. King’s speaking and activism stretched from before this speech to after it. This speech–and even the passage of important (but baby step) laws like the aforementioned Civil Rights Act and Voting Act–was not some final “end” to all he’d said. It was but one speech (and the lines people love to claim were but a few lines) in a long legacy of things he said, and his lifetime should not be reduced to a few nonthreatening lines white people like to remember. 5. King and others actually proposed something that sounds an awful lot like the affirmative action programs people use this quote to suggest he was opposed to. He supported a “massive program of economic aid, financed by the Federal Government, to improve the lot of the nation’s 20,000,000 Negroes.” Answering an interviewer’s question about whether it was fair to request a “multibillion-dollar program of preferential treatment for the Negro, or for any other minority group,” King responded as follows:

“I do indeed. Can any fair-minded citizen deny that the Negro has been deprived? Few people reflect that for two centuries the Negro was enslaved, and robbed of any wages—potential accrued wealth which would have been the legacy of his descendants. All of America’s wealth today could not adequately compensate its Negroes for his centuries of exploitation and humiliation. It is an economic fact that a program such as I propose would certainly cost far less than any computation of two centuries of unpaid wages plus accumulated interest. In any case, I do not intend that this program of economic aid should apply only to the Negro; it should benefit the disadvantaged of all races.”*

I’m sure you’ll see plenty of your own memes misquoting King this year. If you have the emotional energy (and I do understand if you don’t), consider using some of the above responses (or researching your own) and responding, instead of just scrolling past them.

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day!

_____________ * http://playboysfw.kinja.com/martin-luther-king-jr-part-2-of-a-candid-conversation-1502358645

#martin luther king jr day #mlk day #dream or nightmare #us racism #us politics #anti-crt movement #gop #republican house #melinda guerra #ann telnaes #the washington post #fourth & sycamore

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sashketter · 6 months ago

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Close Quarters - Part 1

Summary: Frustrated by the difficulty of gathering intel for the Clone Underground, Captain Rex finds comfort in Senator Riyo Chuchi and her bedroom on Coruscant. The two persuade Echo to join them.

Pairings: Captain Rex x Riyo Chuchi (Rexiyo), Echo x Riyo Chuchi (Echiyo)

Word count: 2.2k

Warnings: Smut. Porn without Plot. PiV, oral (F receiving). Implied established relationship between Rex and Riyo. Mention of Foxiyo.

Notes: The total word count for the whole fic is around 15k. I hadn’t intended to divide it into parts, but even I had trouble keeping it straight as I was writing it in one giant doc. And given these aren’t popular pairings, I want to keep it short for anyone who wants to dip in without committing to a 10k+ fic. No disrespect meant to Foxiyo, I included it because I prefer the idea of Riyo and the clones as sexually experienced, so a little history helps, and I genuinely believe it motivated The Bad Batch writers to characterize Riyo as a clone rights advocate, i.e. they couldn’t give her Fox because canonically, he’s dead by the time “The Clone Conspiracy” takes place, so they gave her every other clone in the galaxy instead lolol And so, in honor of the Senator’s de facto status as mistress protector of clones, I give you this. I am both deeply sorry for and profoundly proud of it.

Parts 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7

Rex hurls his helmet across the room. It bounces off the transparisteel and lands between the sofa and the coffee table. He follows after it and sits with a groan on the lounge chair by the windows.

“Feel better?” Riyo stands on the other side of the room and quirks an eyebrow.

Rex looks up, his anger beginning to burn out, and shakes his head. He rests his elbows on his knees, one bouncing to the beat of his heart, and rubs his scalp with both hands.

The passage of the Defense Recruitment Bill had accelerated the clones’ obsolescence. Disgruntled troopers were leaving the Empire in droves, and Rex and Echo were having trouble reaching them. Public assurances from the Imperial Information Bureau maintained that the clones were free to leave and retire peacefully, but Howzer’s intel suggested otherwise.

Rex needed more information before he could decide on a course of action, which meant he and Echo were spending more time on Coruscant than they had planned. They insisted that Trace’s garage was secure, but after witnessing the violent deaths of Slip and her guards, Riyo was convinced that the only safe place for them was her apartment where no one would dare attempt another attack topside. The clones, for their part, thought it best to stay close to their new ally and protect her from any more assassination attempts. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Echo stands in the doorway and turns to the Pantoran guards flanking it. “Why don’t you two get some grub? Rex and I will be up for a while.” He seals the door shut and keys the lock on the panel as they leave.

Riyo kneels in front of Rex. She brings his wrists down and meets his furrowed face with a gentle gaze. “It was never going to be easy, Rex.”

He searches her soft features for comfort and finds it instantly. He sighs, closes his eyes, and leans forward to meet her forehead. She follows suit and finds his cheek with hers, their noses slotting next to each other. She massages his jaw with both hands and presses her lips to his temples, his cheeks, and his nose before lingering on his lips and finding an open-mouthed kiss.

Rex and Riyo had spent enough nights together that she knew how to soothe him.

Echo looks down, unsure of what to do. He clears his throat to remind them he’s there. “We need to rethink our strategy,” he announces to the air.

Rex moves his lips to Riyo’s cheek with a sigh, steadying his breath. “We need to rest.” A full standard year of building a covert network on his own had started to weigh on the Captain.

“Echo,” Riyo, still kneeling, swivels around to face him while Rex buries his face in her hair and his hands in her waist, “why don’t you take a shower? Rex and I need to—”

“Understood.” Echo eyes the floor and heads down the hall. He’d gotten used to making himself scarce while Rex and Riyo “talked.” Not that he begrudged them their time together — he was happy his brother could find relief with someone like the Senator — but he wishes he could find something similar elsewhere. As it is, his one good hand wasn’t providing nearly enough comfort, and he didn’t dare venture out into the lower levels while clone deserters were still being hunted down.

Echo takes his time in the fresher. He’s giving the Captain and the Senator their space, but he’s also enjoying the clean facilities. The Marauder wasn’t equipped with a lavatory, and the Batch rarely stayed at any one location long enough to secure ready washrooms. They often had to make do with the sink at Cid’s Parlor or otherwise incur another charge per hour to use her shower. Echo was just glad he didn’t have to rush.

When he finishes and exits the fresher, he finds the usual arrangement: pillows and blankets piled on the lounge chair by the window, a tray of food on the dining table, and Rex and Riyo confined behind her bedroom door. The apartment is quiet for now, but Echo knows their muffled sounds will float down the hall soon. Rex always assures him that they try to keep quiet, and Echo always assures Rex that Fives had been worse. They both know that all clones are accustomed to being within sight and earshot of each other’s trysts — unpredictable leaves and voracious appetites had often made every nook and cranny of every Republic base a hotbed for all kinds of sexual activity — but they make the effort to respect each other’s privacy anyway.

After eating quickly, Echo arranges his bed on the lounge chair, lies down, and stares at the lights dancing across the ceiling, the low drone of Coruscant’s nightlife speeding past in shadows. He hopes he falls asleep soon, but a part of him waits for the telltale sounds of the Senator. He’d gotten to know her moans well in the past few weeks, and given Rex’s agitated state tonight, Echo knows she’ll sound especially pleased. And sure enough, her moans reach his ears not long after his hand had found his shaft and started pumping. He closes his eyes and pieces together several scenes.

Riyo on her hands and knees as Rex slams his hips into her haunches. Rex flat on his back as Riyo grinds her hips into his pelvis. Riyo on her back and Rex letting his full weight fall into her with each thrust. Riyo writhing with Rex’s head buried between her thighs.

Echo loses himself in his fantasies. He spits in his hand and finds a rhythm to match Riyo’s moans. He tries to contain his breath, but low groans escape. He’s so focused on release that he misses the sounds from the bedroom stop minutes ago.

“Need a hand?” Riyo’s voice floats soft and light from the end of the hallway.

Echo’s eyes snap open, his hand flies to his side, and he sits up to face her. His feet find the floor, and he tilts forward to hide his erection. “Senator, I-I was, uh… mmm…” He clears his throat, looking for creative inspiration, and finds none.

Rex appears behind Riyo. He’s bare-chested with a Pantoran guard’s purple pants hanging loosely around his waist. He squeezes her side through her silk robe and kisses her cheek before heading towards the kitchen. “Everything alright?” The lilt in his voice and the spring in his step announce his lighter mood.

Echo’s trapped motionless by Riyo’s gaze. She smirks and offers a modicum of relief.

“I apologize, Echo. It must be har— difficult,” embarrassment flashes momentarily on her face, “for you to be here while Rex and I—”

“I-It’s nothing, Senator, really. I-I’m used to it.” He rubs his knee, trying to disperse some of his heat through the cool titanium. “Most clones are.”

“All the same, is there anything I can do?”

Rex chimes in as he crosses from the kitchen, a glass of water in hand. “When was the last time you got any action? You can’t get much time away from Omega and the rest of the squad.” He hands Riyo the glass and extends an arm to the wall, framing her as they face the windows.

The clones had never broached the subject before — their mutual reassurances had always been hurried — and to do so in front of the Senator felt like a slap to Echo’s ego. He’s sure that Rex already knows the answer and is just flexing his newly released frustrations and, evidently along with them, inhibitions. Rex watches him expectantly, waiting for a response. Echo looks down, his face starting to warm red, and rubs the back of his neck. “Yeah, I haven’t had much free time since Skako Minor.”

Riyo looks up at Rex who smirks and nods. She crosses the floor, setting the glass down on the corner of the coffee table, and kneels in front of Echo. She looks up and holds his gaze. “Tell me what you want, Echo.”

His eyes go wide, and his face heats up. “I-I just need some sleep.”

Riyo looks down in his lap and back up to his eyes. “Are you sure that’s all you want?”

“Echo, it’s fine.” Rex sits in the armchair on the other end of the coffee table. “We’ve talked about it. Besides, it wouldn’t be my first time sharing someone with a brother.”

Echo shifts as if slapped, shocked less by Rex’s admission — valuable currency among troopers of the 501st were stories of catching glimpses of the Captain's liaisons — and more by Riyo’s calm demeanor. She watches him carefully. Her face betrays no surprise or apprehension, only a warm and steadying openness.

He had had his fair share of exploits before his capture by the Separatists — his promotion to ARC trooper had been accompanied by an increased interest in his downtime — but never with a politician, someone with enough power to render his life moot with a few well-placed words. He pries his eyes from the Senator and addresses the Captain. “Fives?”

Rex nods. “Mm-hmm, a few times. I’m surprised he never roped you into—”

“He tried, but I could never get it up.” Echo matches Rex’s candor, his annoyance flaring into bravado. Rex clocks the shift and smirks.

“If it makes you feel any better, Echo,” Riyo rests her hands on his knees, “it wouldn’t be my first time with a few clones. I got to know Commander Fox and a few others from the Coruscant Guard pretty well.”

Rex scoffs. “What do you say, trooper? Let’s show her how the 501st did things better than the Corries ever could.”

Without averting her eyes from the clone in front of her, Riyo speaks up. “Rex, why don’t you clean up while I play with Echo for a while? Join us when we’re ready.”

Rex hums and stands up, giving a curt two-finger salute to Riyo’s back. “Sir, yes, sir.” He disappears down the hall.

“Think you can warm me up for our Captain, Corporal?” Her hands start to travel up his thighs.

Echo tries to smile but is still unconvinced. He raises his scomp link. “Not sure I’ll be up to the task with this.”

Riyo wraps her fingers around his rotating end and shakes her head. “That’s not a problem.” She leans up and meets his mouth with a kiss that knocks Echo breathless.

It had been longer than he could remember since he last met lips as soft as the Senator’s. He yields to her pressure, her motions sure and firm. She brings gentle hands to his jaw and prods her tongue to the seam of his lips. He groans at the contact, opening his mouth and melting instantly into hers. He didn’t realize how much he’d missed just the simple act of kissing, damp and balmy and inviting. He wraps his arms around her waist and pulls her up into his lap. He breaks from her mouth and groans when she lands on his hard shaft.

“Oh! I’m sorry,” she puts her weight on her knees and backs up to sit on his, “did I hurt you?”

“No, it’s just,” he tries to shift their bodies but to no avail, “uncomfortable.”

Not that the sensations of his hardening cock or tingling skin at the Senator’s touch had changed with his cybernetics and prostheses. Those still felt the same and were all the more comforting for their familiarity. He’d had enough time in his new body by now to know its weight and movements and limitations, but he hadn’t tested out sex with his new shins and scomp link. The few times the Batch had had enough downtime to entertain their appetites all occurred during the war when he was still unsure of himself. Rex was right: Omega had shifted their priorities in ways he hadn’t anticipated and prepared for. He could fight his way through countless battle droids and bounty hunters without hesitation, but he faltered at the thought of sex with the Senator.

Riyo giggles, her cheeks turning lilac, and stands up, taking his hand. “Let’s get more comfortable in the bedroom.”

Echo hears the shower running as they pass the fresher. The bedroom ahead glows blue and white in the darkness, Coruscant’s nightlife continuing to cast its fluorescence through the large windows. The bedsheets are strewn, and as the door hisses shut, he can smell the faint scent of sex lingering in the air, a mix of sweat and cum and Rex’s musk and Riyo’s perfume. She turns around and guides Echo by the hand to sit at the foot of the bed. She kneels between his legs and starts to run her hands up the insides of his thighs.

“S-Senator, I’m not sure—”

“You can call me Riyo, Echo, please.”

“Riyo,” he swallows hard, “I-I’m not sure I can,” he inhales deeply and steadies his breath, “perform a-as well as I used to. I haven’t— since the war, I-I haven’t…”

“It’s okay,” she soothes, pressing her forehead to his and ghosting the rest over his lips. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. I’ll take whatever you give. But,” her hands had found their way to Echo’s fly and freed his turgid cock from his trousers, “can I at least help you with this?” She gives him two slow pumps, and he heaves a long, satisfied sigh.

“Yes, please,” he growls desperately.

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