#and to be traveling looking for appropriate pilots

[coolauntlilith]

Every now and then I replay the first episode of VLD and I wonder why I thought it be a good show lol

[ashwhowrites]

Yay! Your request is open!! 🥰 I hope this makes sense to you. I don’t see any rules that you don’t write for but I’m going to giving try. If you’re not comfortable with, ignore it.

Rockstar!Eddie x pregnant!reader: angst/fluff; eddie have gone pretty much all over the world for the band. He kept the promise that he’ll be home to his wife before a baby comes but the flight was delayed and worried he won’t be home. He really needs a miracle.

I hope this is what you wanted and you enjoy it. Thank you for requesting 🫶🏻

Dad's promise

Eddie was having the time of his life on tour with his band. They traveled all over the world and had their last show. He couldn't wait to be home with his wife. She was amazing and supported Eddie's dream. She only had one rule- he HAD to be home for the birth.

He promised he would not miss the birth of their first child and he did everything in his power to stand by that. He was rushing the band to the airport, refusing to let any of them stop for snacks or even use the bathroom. He wanted to be on the flight on time and go home to his wife.

He talked to her every day and he missed her like crazy. He got her and the baby a gift from every stop on the tour, he didn't care that he had to pay for another carry-on. His phone was blowing up from Y/N, alerting him that she was going into labor and he needed to get home as fast as he could.

He was sitting in his seat, practically shaking as he looked around. A flight attendant walked past and he was quick to call out to her.

"Excuse me, how long until we take off?"

"Should be any minute, sir." She said, a big smile on her face as she walked away. Eddie groaned but accepted the answer. He tried to calm himself down but it was clear he was panicking.

"We'll get you there as fast as we can, kid." Eddie's manager said as he placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"I have to make it back. If I don't she'll never forgive me and I won't forgive myself." Eddie said he closed his eyes as he tried to keep his breathing stable.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is your pilot speaking. We are looking at an hour delay and will continue to give updates throughout the hour. Thank you."

"Are you fucking serious?" Eddie groaned, and a few people turned to look at him with a disapproving look. But he didn't care, he was about to have a panic attack.

"Just breathe, Eddie. There's a chance she still might be in labor by the time we arrive." His manager said but Eddie was unbuckling from his seat.

"Not a chance I'm willing to take. I made a promise and I'm not letting her do this alone." Eddie snapped, grabbing his bags and demanding for the doors to open.

~~~

"Where is he?" Y/N cried, sweat covering her body as she screamed out. The pain was becoming unbearable and she was getting scared Eddie wasn't going to make it.

"I'm sure he'll be here any minute. Keep breathing," the nurse said as she allowed Y/N to grip her hand.

"How close am I?" Y/N asked, her eyes traveled to the door.

"The baby is ready now," the doctor said, Y/N shook her head no as he sat down.

"No, no. We have to wait for my husband! He's coming!" She panicked

"I'm sorry but we can't wait," the doctor said. Y/N begged and begged but the doctor continued to prep for the baby.

Y/N cried but did what she had to do. She gripped the nurse's hand and began to push.

~

Eddie ran into the hospital, smacking into the front desk as he frantically asked for his wife's room.

"I'll take you there and prep you"

Eddie breathed a sigh of relief that he made it in time, following behind the lady as she took him through the doors.

He listened carefully as the lady told him what to do and how to wear the appropriate clothes. His hands were shaking, wishing the lady would stop talking and let him in the damn room.

Once she told him the number, he was running down the hallway. His eyes scanned the numbers as fast as he could.

~

Y/N screamed as she continued to push, her sweat and tears mixing as they fell down her neck.

"I see the head, keep pushing, Y/N. You got this!" The doctor encouraged. Y/N nodded and took a second to breathe.

The door burst open, and Eddie came running in. Once they made eye contact, they both sighed with relief.

"Oh, thank God," Y/N laughed. Eddie smiled and was quick to switch spots with the nurse. He grabbed her hand and gave it a small kiss.

"I'm here, I'm here. You can do it, love." He whispered to her, but she kept her eyes on him. She smiled through her tears and nodded.

"I tried to make them wait"

Eddie chucked at her words, "That's okay. I'm here so let's do this, yeah? Have us a baby?"

She nodded and turned back to the doctor, her hand holding Eddie's as she began to push again. She felt far less scared now that he was here.

With a few final pushes, the sound of a baby crying filled the room. Eddie kept his hand with her but moved to see the baby.

"Congratulations, you have a baby girl"

Eddie leaned over and kissed Y/N's sweaty forehead, pushing back her hair.

"You did it!" He smiled, kissing her again and again.

Once they cleared the baby up, the doctor passed her to Y/N.

"She's beautiful," Y/N gasped. She held the tiny baby in her arms, her heart full.

"Just like you," Eddie whispered, speaking as softly as he could. He reached over and softly touched the baby's head.

"I can't believe I'm a girl Dad"

Y/N looked up at him, watching as his eyes filled with tears. Eddie felt her staring and looked back at her. He never thought he'd have his own little family in a million years, but here he was.

"You two are going to be my whole world"

@bmunson86 @mxcheese @ladymunson @michaelfuckinglangdon @z0mbie-blah @biittersweet @mirrorsstuff @somethingvicked @micheledawn1975 @ago-godance @magnificantmermaid @tlclick73 @hargrovesswifee @cityofidek @silky-luxe @lokiofasgard616 @loving-and-dreaming @eddiemunsonsbitch69 @thegemaqua @ashlynnkennedy @strangerthingsstories5255 @harringt8ns @pleasinghellfire @whoscamila @stusdollface93 @gretavankleep37 @bellaisswagger @arlx @ineedmentalhelp123

[dickgraysonsptsd]

okay and what about YOUR dickie suit opinions? im curious

OKAY YAYYYYY this is very long so do not click the expand button unless you want this thing unleashed on your dash!!

mulletwing + gliderwing. absolutely radiant. stunning. masculine in a deliriously gay manner. the gold feathers/plating look SOOOO good. the wing-like cape is elegant and cheesy in equal measure. he looks COOL and BEAUTIFUL and DISTINCTIVE and ICONIC and OF THE TIMES and LIKE MEN LUST FOR HIM

2. every robin suit with his legs fully out.

3. nightwing 1996 suit. my favorite post-disco suit! the V chevron looks so much sleeker and more beautiful without the bird head imo and it comes with the beloved fingerstripes <3 if i'm just rotating dickie in my mind it's nearly always in this suit <333

4. classic discowing. you look BEAUTIFUL babygirl!!!! special mention to the front of the suit being zippable.... why do you have a zipper there if not for men to use it to expose your chest mid-combat ?

5. riddle of the beast elseworlds corpse fit. this is such a great fantasy reimagining of mulletwing and also bruce keeps dick's corpse in it next to his throne after dick dies which rockets it up the list by sheer brudickosity. (his actual riddle of the beast outfit is so-so, i'd put it in the bottom quarter of his suits total)

6. agent 37. that chest harness is clearly designed for men to grab onto to yank him closer to them. and such a brave choice deserves respect.

7. white knight. for a comic that made me viscerally disgusted with its spineless centrism and sheer fumbling incompetence, dick looks good here! i love his jacket, and although the suit is a fairly generic variation on the rebirth suit as far as i can tell, it still looks sleek and stylish!

8. renegade. as an evil variant on his nw '96 suit, GREAT!!!!! i love that the renegade logo still looks vaguely birdlike but looks MORE like some kind of military plane or drone... very fitting :)

9. redondo suit. i don't care for redondo's art but this suit really has that "mecha pilot's suit getting shredded apart moments before sex" energy and that compels me

10. btas comic sugar glider. look at him. i want to snap him out of the air like a dog biting a floating soap bubble.

11. hipstripes suits. very kind of the artists to mark exactly where men are supposed to grab him

12. n52 suit. i like the chest logo design on this suit A LOT but it's ruined by not being blue T_T and also T_T by being n52 T_T

13. teen titans cartoon time travel episode. the bird logo is far too chunky. points deducted. i also don't care for the silver/metal belt and gauntlets, but they're appropriate for the overall design choices in tt cartoon so they can be forgiven...... THIS time.

14. young justice cartoon. you are nothing to me.

15. titans tv. i love this version of dick as a character (he's sooo pathetic he has such big wet brown eyes he's so pretty he is SO tormented) but the armor on this suit makes it look terrible imo. leaning into a more masculine armored Cool Super Hero vibe for dick is just not the play

16. gotham knights video game suit. the same "you tried too hard to make him masc" issue as above but without brenton thwaite's air of tragic bisexual melancholy

17. all robin costumes with pants. get his thighs out. what's wrong with you. are you jacking off to him with pants ON? what kind of freak pervert are you

18. batman. it makes me so unbelievably sad LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!

and a link to strawbearri-frog's which is good and funny

[tokuvivor]

Duckverse June Week 2: Travel/Vacation

@duckversejune2024 @secret-tester @queer-in-a-cornfield

Appropriately enough, I’m going on vacation myself tomorrow. And now, I give you…

Launchpad’s Week Off

“I still can’t believe that Mr. McDuck gave you the week off!” Drake exclaimed. “This is so exciting.”

“Oh, I know,” agreed Launchpad. “Just what we need-a relaxing week at the beach.”

“How long is it gonna be for us to get there?” Gosalyn asked.

“Nine hours, give or take,” Drake told her. “But I promise you, it’s going to be worth the wait.”

“Awesome!” grinned Gosalyn. “Not the long drive, of course. No offense to Duckburg, but you can only look at the pier area so many times before you get tired of it.”

“Fair point,” Launchpad noted. “Plus, even we need a little distance from the chaos once in a while.”

“Alright,” Drake said. “Looks like we’re all packed. Let’s go!”

The Mallard-McQuacks left for their trip fairly early in the morning, so that would hopefully get them to their destination by late afternoon. Of course, in all the planning, Drake had forgotten to account for…

“…morning traffic,” he grumbled. “Of course.”

“This is gonna take us ages to get out of!” groaned Gosalyn.

“Hey, cheer up, you two,” Launchpad persuaded. “It’s not so bad.”

“Really?” Gosalyn asked. “Can you use your crazy driving skills to get us out of this mess?”

“Driving on city streets is a lot different from driving on the highway, Gosalyn,” Drake reminded her. “Besides, Duckburg is just…well, it’s different from other cities.”

“He’s right,” Launchpad agreed. “So for now, we just gotta roll with it.”

Well, every once in a while, the car did gradually move forward. But not by much. Gosalyn decided to just put in her earbuds and play a game on her phone to pass the time. The slow passage of time was even getting to Drake.

“Let’s see-nope. No new e-mails.”

“Babe, that’s the third time you’ve checked your e-mails,” Launchpad noted.

“I’m sorry,” Drake responded. “It’s just all this traffic. Can’t it go any faster?”

“Traffic goes only as fast as it wants to go,” Launchpad told his boyfriend. “It’ll thin out soon. I guarantee it.”

About 20 minutes later, traffic started thinning out, and the car really began moving again.

“Alright!” Drake exclaimed. “Let’s see-we lost about an hour in all that, but we could still get there before…6.”

That was the usual dynamic the superhero duo/couple had when it came to driving-Launchpad was the driver, Drake manned the GPS. Gosalyn-well, she just let them do their thing. She took a break from her game, and just took to staring out the window, other cars passing by, Muse playing through her earbuds. She wondered what it would be like if Launchpad really could maneuver through all those other vehicles on the highway. Was it possible? Probably not. But a girl whose dad’s boyfriend was an insanely brilliant pilot/chauffeur could dream.

Eventually, several hours, several miles of highway, one lunch stop, and one gas refill later, they made it to their destination.

It was a nice little beach house, not exactly a shack, but not overly fancy, either. It was just off of the main drag along the coast, which was convenient.

Drake checked his watch. “5:24. Could be worse.”

“Well, the important thing is, we’re here,” Launchpad put in.

“Finally!” whooped Gosalyn. “Let’s check this place out.”

They quickly got their bags out of the car, and made their way inside.

“Well, this is nice,” Launchpad remarked.

“It’s cute,” Drake added.

“Keen gear,” Gosalyn finished. “I like the digs.”

It took a bit of time to get the two bedrooms set up, but by the time they were done, the three of them were starving.

“Well, since we’re at the beach, I think it’d be appropriate to get seafood our first night here,” Launchpad suggested. “Apparently, there’s a place not too far from here. We could easily just walk.”

“Then ice cream, possibly?” Drake posed, knowing what his daughter’s answer would be.

“Yes,” agreed Gosalyn. “Also, are we gonna have time for the beach tonight? I really want to check that out, too.”

“Alright, alright,” Drake replied. “The sun doesn’t set until after 8, so we won’t be bumping into anything.”

“Dad,” commented Gosalyn. “It’s not like there’s a huge risk of that happening, considering beaches are flat. Mostly.”

Launchpad sighed. “Let’s just go and find some food,” he chuckled.

Well, it was nice to have some time off. He, Drake, and Gosalyn certainly needed it. He couldn’t wait to see how the rest of it would go.

[burnwater13]

Grogu lying next to the rancor. Both are sleeping. Image from The Book of Boba Fett, Season 1, Episode 7, In the Name of Honor. Calendar by DateWorks.

Yes, Grogu was sleeping. He’d had a long, eventful day. He’d left Luke’s Jedi Sleep Away Camp. He and R2 had determined that the Mandalorian had ended up on Tatooine. They’d gone to Tatooine. Found Peli Motto. Took her droid cart to Mos Espa from Mos Eisley. Found Din Djarin. Messed up the Scorpenek Annihilator Droid and then soothed a very upset and hurt rancor. Grogu saw the advantage of taking a nice nap at once. No one was going to wake him up at the risk of waking up the rancor. Right?

He had hoped that he would dream of simple, lovely things. Soft things like moss bunnies, and sweet things like honey stacks, and kind things like the tickle bugs from Coruscant who acted like alarm clocks. Grogu had always enjoyed waking up laughing. Ian hadn’t liked them at all, but then Ian didn’t always appreciate the early hour that the Masters expected them to be out and about by. 

But he hadn’t dreamt of simple comforts. Nope. He also hadn’t dreamt about the Mandalorian, which was a little surprising, all things considered. No. His dream was all about going on some sort of smuggling run. He wasn’t sure why he was doing that. He didn’t really think he was cut to be a smuggler. In fact he’d been the thing smuggled more than anything other than just being himself. But in this dream he wasn’t the prize. 

He was in a YT-1300 light freighter, sitting in the pilot’s seat. Another Jedi was sitting next to him, but it wasn’t Luke or Ahsoka. He looked like an older version of Obi-Wan Kenobi, but Grogu knew it wasn’t Obi-Wan. This Jedi looked like he’d never lost a lightsaber or forgotten his cloak anywhere.

“Do you two have the course laid in? She says we won’t have much time when we get there and every minute counts.”

The Mandalorian walked into the small bridge and spoke to them both with something like panic in his voice. Grogu glanced over his shoulder to say something soothing, but stopped as soon as he saw his dad’s face. What!? Why wasn’t Din Djarin wearing his helmet? He didn’t want to go to Mandalore and find out whether or not it was safe, just so he could swear by the Creed again. They clearly didn’t have time for that.

“Tell my daughter that we will get there when we get there and not a minute sooner. She should know by now that the Force doesn’t always show you exactly what you need to see.”

“Seb, I invite you to tell your daughter that. The last time I said that I received a very cold cup of caf and a raised eyebrow along with two hours of silence.”

“That sounds like a gift, not a threat. But you two live your lives as you see fit. Grogu, is the course laid in to Coruscant?”

Grogu nodded because he was too flabbergasted to do anything else. Coruscant? Why were they going there? Had they run short on Imp-sympathizers? Or did they need to find a Sith artifact? The place was riddled with them. 

“Excellent. Okay. Time to go.”

Seb pushed the appropriate control and the next thing Grogu knew was they were being bathed in the strange light that was the hallmark of hyperspace. At least this time he didn’t see any space whales. The first time he’d seen those he thought he was dreaming. But he hadn’t been. They’d been real. He’d found out that they were called purrgils. They used the Force to travel through hyperspace. It was fun as a fact but better as a dream.

“Okay. It’s going to a take a while to get there. I’m going to take a nap to avoid listening to your parents complain at each other about why we didn’t leave yesterday. You should get something to eat. I can hear your stomach growling, young one.”

Grogu looked up at Seb, with his beard and fading ginger colored hair and smiled. Whoever Seb was, Grogu liked him. He seemed like the sort of person who had seen a lot but it hadn’t affected him other than to make him kinder and funnier. 

“And we would have been able to leave yesterday if you hadn’t left your lightsaber in the twins’ room and Djarin and I hadn’t had to rebuild that part of the house when they realized what it was and started to argue over it.”

“Daughter, don’t get me started on the many things that you did as a child that created havoc among our family’s plans. I am surprised that we managed to get here at all, given all of that.”

Seb laughed as he exited the bridge. Grogu was still reeling from the various announcements that Seb, the Jedi had made. He had a daughter? His daughter was with them? She called Din Djarin, Djarin and they had twins?  And she was his mom?! He had a MOM?!

Grogu woke up with a start and looked around, his eyes wide and his brain racing. Where was this mom lady? And Seb, where was Seb, the Jedi? Where was his dad?!

“Buddy, how are you? You took a pretty big risk with that rancor. I can’t thank you enough for saving me.”

The Mandalorian picked him up and held him close. Grogu sighed. For once he was glad that Din Djarin was wearing his beskar helmet. Things were the way they were supposed to be, at least for now. He’d just have to be prepared for what was coming. And prepare his dad for that as well. Uff. 

A future where Din Djarin had a wife and kids and didn’t wear his helmet all the time sounded like a dream, but Grogu knew that Force dreams were only ignored at your peril. He’d spent too much of his life in that state to want to spend more time there. For him, this dream was just reality showing up late to the party and he hoped he had enough food for everyone. He would hate to run out of fire stacks, even though he had no idea what they were. Dank Farrik!

[whohasfourthumbsand]

[Theres a gentle hum of a printer, the clatter of a socket wrench. You think for a moment you can smell that old workshop again.]

[A single unlabeled hard-drive falls out of the envelope, it's clearly roughed up. Scratches cover its surface, but on the top is the same pilot icon you once looked out into the horizon for. The same one that sat on his shoulders, the same one engraved into the chassis of that intimidatingly tall metalmark. A coyote, teeth bared yet simplistic in design.]

{Mj%pst|x3}

+ Ten years old, my first time on a Core World;

+ The streets of Carina were nauseatingly overwhelming. I had never seen so much motion in one place, yet, despite my case worker's protests, I had walked out into the heart of IPS-N's empire without a hand to hold. The city called to me; My own curiosity got the better of me.

+ It was there, battered by the crowds, half-trampled and twice as lost, that Kennedy and I met. He stood taller than the crowd, staring down at me like a lighthouse in the middle of a turbulent sea; His eyes held such a weight, such an impossible depth of turmoil and unease. I could tell, even then, that- for a moment- he considered pretending he hadn't seen me. He could have just as easily turned away, feigned ignorance and slept that night all the better for it. For some reason, however, he didn't. He walked over, leaned down, and offered me his hand. A traveling mercenary, he knew how to navigate as though the world were a map and he the cartographer. His confidence became mine, and, as soon as my hand touched his, that man became my big brother.

+ It was Kennedy that introduced me to the idea of independent Lancers, to the world beyond Leicester and Carina, to the school of experience and the semantics of mech warfare. His Metalmark, Crimson, and its NHP co-pilot HOWL became my inspiration for what GRAE and I would eventually model ourselves after. + Every time he'd depart, leaving notes on the fridge, patting my head and promising he'd be right back, I'd sit by the window in class and stare out at the street, waiting a stranger to lift their face and reveal his. My case was passed from handler to handler, case worker to case worker, until eventually they stopped bothering with the foster system and allowed me to raise myself. Besides GRAE, the only consistency I had was Kennedy; He'd return in the middle of the night, bruised and broken, so I would sleep with an IFAK next to the door to my dorm. I'd write notes each time I moved, leave sticky notes on the fridge when I left the house, but I figured out pretty quickly that he didn't need those, that he'd find me no-matter where I went. His presence became a consistent weight, a grounding force in my studies, the closest thing to family that I had- even in his absence.

+ The last time he and I spoke, it was brief. He seemed tense; His eyes were heavier than usual, just as sharp and cunning as before (they called him Coyote for a reason), but almost haunted in the way they lingered for just a moment too long on the door's deadbolt. + Maybe I wasn't surprised when he disappeared. Maybe it was something a long time coming, and maybe that was something he and I both felt.

+ . . . Maybe. + I think that- I know what is on this hard-drive. You can't give me anything of Kennedy's, I know that. Nothing he had could be copied or traced, save for- this, this one piece of his handiwork. + I'll build her a casket, and, in time, a body. Something appropriate, something well-suited to the machine that she's used to embodying. If only to have a companion- if only to have a piece of him to hold onto.

+ If it really is her- then, I'll have someone to remember him with. And that's the only thing I could ever stomach to ask you for. + Thank you.

[monarch-afterdark]

After Dark Special Report: The Skull Island Survival Guide

Welcome once again to Monarch: After Dark, the digital gateway between you and the organisation dedicated to understanding and navigating this troubled new world we live in.

We find ourselves once again putting a pause on our coverage of Titans and other superspecies and talking about something a little different. Given our recent streak of covering the unique fauna of Skull Island, we felt it appropriate to make this special report about the island as well.

Speaking with those still around who have had firsthand experiences on Skull Island, as well as reviewing various notes and Monarch files, After Dark is proud to present the definitive Monarch survival guide for Skull Island.

(Pictured above: Global view of Skull Island, taken by Landsat in 1973)

The Skull Island Survival Guide

Of course, it should be stated before we begin that Skull Island is now considered generally uninhabitable. A combination of a storm generated by Monster Zero in 2019 and the perpetual storm system surrounding the island ravaged the ecosystems and left the island desolate. While some species managed to persist, and others were rescued and relocated to Outpost 236 (formerly the Kong Containment Dome), the island itself has become an environment that has yet to be explored due to the hostility of the elements.

Now, to save a little bit of time, we won't spend too long on the process of getting to Skull Island. While a perilous task in 1973 that could well have spelled doom before making landfall, Monarch technologies have advanced so much that the perpetual storm system concealing the island from the outside world isn't as drastic a threat to expeditions as it could have been. So long as Ospreys or other aircraft deployed are well-maintained, you've nothing to worry about.

Travelling by sea to the island is a great deal more dangerous, even for our advanced oceanic crafts. Rough tides and large waves can wash away deck crews with great force, and fauna lurking in the surrounding waters can cause further menace. Prior to 1993, oceanic travellers would have had to contend with the mysterious Titan Kraken, who'd viciously destroy anything it came across. In the following years, particularly large Sirenjaws can be a problem if not properly avoided. Shocker Squids are another threat with the potential to disrupt electrical systems. Again, so long as you go in sufficiently prepared, nothing to fear.

(Pictured above: Artistic depiction of a Monarch team jumping out of an Osprey)

Step One: Don't Trust Your Surroundings

As we've been exploring in our Superspecies History series, Skull Island is home to a diverse range of florafauna that have near-perfect camouflage capabilities, owing to their partial plant-based biology and physical characteristics. Skull Island is a place where even the ground beneath your feet may want to kill you, and as such extreme caution must be taken when navigating any of the island's environments.

Hank Marlow, a WW2 pilot who had been stranded on the island for nearly 30 years prior to his rescue in 1973, had seen much of Skull Island's horrors in his time there, some of which he and rival-turned-friend Gunpei Ikari had to fend against without protection from the native Iwi. When interviewed by Monarch regarding Skull Island's ecosystems, he had this to say:

"You know, it's all just...everything's nasty. Everywhere you walk that's not the village, some bastard's waiting to sink its teeth into you. Big spiders in the forests, massive fucking ants that sound like birds, mini islands with teeth...whoo, let me tell ya, you start to appreciate a good wall when you take a look outside on that island."

When navigating Skull Island, a constant watch must be kept on your group's surroundings. Front, back, sides, above and below, all possible angles must be taken into account. Technologies such as motion or thermal trackers, flares and other tools designed to help spot visually obscured creatures are part of the standard Skull Island toolkit.

Training protocols for Skull Island missions involve placing personnel through simulation experiences replicating the environments of Skull Island to test reaction times and reflexes.

(Pictured above: Sketch by Stephanie Levallois, depicting a bird with fern-like wings and tail feathers encountered by Monarch soldiers)

Step Two: Stay Together

Safety in numbers is a general piece of advice that has existed for just about as long as humanity has. It's well known that your chances of survival shoot up dramatically so long as you are around others who are able to protect you. Someone in a group with their friends is less likely to be assaulted than someone alone, and similarly, someone is less likely to be singled out as a prey item if they are surrounded, instead of alone.

On Skull Island, this advice should be heeded more than ever. Breaking away from your party is an almost surefire way to land yourself in trouble and potentially be killed. Leading off from Step 1, staying close to your group can aid greatly in navigating your surroundings, and more pairs of eyes can make the job of watching out for creatures lying in wait far easier.

Plenty of Monarch expeditions to Skull Island have their own stories of those who broke away from the group or got separated at some point along the expedition, and how they met an untimely and often gruesome end. Even the 1973 expedition has such stories; while William Randa got lucky and was able to escape a battle between a Mother Longlegs and Mantleclaw, Jack Chapman met his end at the jaws of a Skullcrawler despite remaining put near his Sea Stallion.

A Monarch interview with James Conrad, former SAS tracker, yielded a piece of his insight when it comes to travelling through Skull Island:

"Even in groups, you can never be truly safe navigating terrain you are unfamiliar with. We got lucky, with the Iwi taking us in and providing shelter, but not everyone can say that. From my experience, there is absolutely no way anyone going to that island should be doing so alone, even for a second. My best advice, keep plenty of arms on your party. You're still food, but, with luck...you won't be the food that they want to go to the effort of eating."

(Pictured above: Artist rendition of the Valley of the Fallen Gods, created by Zachary Berger)

Step Three: Beware the Boneyard

Out of all the different areas on Skull Island, none hold as much risk as the Boneyard. Also known to the Iwi as the "Valley of the Fallen Gods", the Boneyard was the original territory of Kong's ancestors, before it was overtaken and turned into the killing ground for the Skull Devils. With Kong the last of his family left, the Skullcrawlers formed a territory within the boneyard that nobody dares cross.

Both the 1973 and 1995 expeditions made their way through the boneyard, with the former facing disastrous loss of life when a Skullcrawler shredded through their ranks. The latter were more fortunate, though still had to take care to avoid a pair of Skullcrawlers patrolling the area.

The first piece of advice an expedition team would be told when exploring Skull Island is that the boneyard must not be approached. Even with our modern advances in weaponry, the Skullcrawlers remain a significant threat to human life. Nothing short of Kong himself can take down a Skullcrawler without expending a significant deal of effort.

Speaking with Houston Brooks, a survivor of the 1973 expedition who went on to become a significant figure within Monarch until his retirement in 2021, he had this to say when asked about the dangers of the boneyard:

"It's been so many years since that mission, and I still see it in my dreams. One second Randa was there, the next he was already halfway down a Skullcrawler's gullet...I still miss him. Even after we got Outpost 33 set up, we only ever went near the boneyard if we really had to. All I can say, is make sure you're armed to the teeth if you plan on going in. You'll need all you can bring, and then some."

(Pictured above: Uncovered cave painting of Godzilla locked in combat with a Kong-like creature, with human spectators watching below, circa. 2019)

Step Four: Respect the King

Out of the advice given out in this guide, this step might be the only one that would no longer apply with the way Skull Island is now. While Kong has now relocated permanently to the Hollow Earth, he was the undisputed ruler of Skull Island for centuries. Nobody stepped foot on the island, his territory, without him knowing about it.

The 1973 expedition incurred Kong's wrath rather quickly by dropping seismic charges to map out the island's surface, disturbing the Skullcrawlers that lurked in the thermal vents below. He entered further conflict with the survivors of his initial attack, due to Colonel Preston Packard's crazed desire for vengeance. Luckily, he came to their aid when battling the Skull Devil and allowed the remaining survivors to be safely extracted from the island.

The 1995 expedition saw Kong come to their aid more than once. First, warding off a pack of Death Jackals that had attacked them upon making landfall. Second, killing a Sirenjaw that had been chasing them. Third, he came to the rescue of the Iwi village when a member of the expedition team used seismic charges to destroy the wall blocking the village from the rest of the island.

It's the one thing everyone coming to Skull Island would have had drilled into their heads by higher-ups; Kong must be respected. No action taken by Monarch on the island can be done that would cause Kong to become hostile toward them, for fear that it would lead to Kong not tolerating Monarch's presence on the island any longer.

(Pictured above: Artistic rendition of helicopters approaching Skull Island, by Zachary Berger)

Concluding Remarks

Of course, this is just the speedrun of what Monarch have on file for exploring Skull Island. We could write a novel of all the advice, dos-and-don'ts, general tips and words of warning that are on the Monarch database regarding Skull Island, but we've just compiled the most essential tips that would have to be adhered to on expeditions.

Sadly, with how much Skull Island changed following the incident with Camazotz and the storm, there have yet to be further expeditions exploring the island. As of right now, there are talks within Monarch to commence a new expedition, but they are early stages. We will update with any progress updates as they come.

Until next time,

Monarch: After Dark

[clarktooncrossing]

HEY THERE PEOPLE OF TODAY AND ROBOTS OF TOMORROW! IT'S ME, CLARK!

Oh dear, it's been a while since I last posted anything, hasn't it? Time to fix that! I've been working all week on a commission for my friend @burningthrucelluloid involving his two cosmic characters, Jackie Valentine (left) and Princess Exa (right). Here's the end product:

Life on Earth was not easy for young Ms. Valentine. Being a determined black woman in the mid-1920s meant her options were limited and people were always looking down on her. Or at least they would be had she not spent most of her time in a rickety, rusty, reliable ol' biplane named Ghost Echo. It was while flying the Echo one day that our hero had an unusual encounter of the otherworldly kind. Before she could mount a proper attack, Jackie was whisked away off world by humanoid alien wasps! Y'know, that tale as old as time. On board the wasp's warship she spent many nights shivering in their cell whenever not being subjected to torture. Making matters worse was her inability to comprehend the language. Not that it mattered. Figured life would suck in the stars as much as it did back on terra firma. Nothing had changed.

At least not until a curious visitor stopped by the cell. Unbeknownst to our hero at the time, it was the Wasp queen's daughter, Exa. Being a naturally inquisitive insect by sort, the young princess was amazed by this human's tenacity and spirit. Especially in light of all the stories regarding those pesky 'fleshies'. She had to get a closer look. Over the time the two built up a report, so much so that the language barrier stopped being an issue. There was a certain look in their eyes that made everything crystal clear. Finally, after months of suffering, the two hatched a plan to free the adventurous astronaut from her captors. Exa would feign being a hostage as the Earthling carried her away on the biplane to parts unknown. Earth was now too far away to travel, but luckily a close-by planetoid provided plenty of parts to upgrade the ship, along with a much needed translator. Now the two could communicate and Exa could mistake her 'captor' as the Ghost Echo. What? It's written on the side of the ship, clearly that's the pilot's name. Jackie couldn't help but laugh. On that day forward, the Ghost Echo would defy the brutal bugs, foil the plights of space pirates, and continue courting that lovely insectoid that helped her so long ago. Heck, for one instance she even got dolled up for the occasion, complete with an appropriate 1920s style outfit. Sure, it was a tad girlier than she prefers, but Exa clearly didn't mind.

Neither did Alec when I showed this to him. Usually when artists draw Ghost Echo she's in her space suit. My masked amigo allowed me the freedom to be creative with her ensemble. So I figured I'd go all out and give her a nice formal outfit for a swanky date night. On top of that, I figured I'd include my character Rosie Stardust in on the fun:

She ships it. As I hope all of you will as well! By the way, if you're interested in a commission from me, ask me about my prices! With any luck, a proper Commissions Menu will be posted soon!

MAY THE GLASSES BE WITH YOU!

[beardedmrbean]

The House approved a measure late Tuesday that would slash Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg's taxpayer-funded government salary to just $1.

The bill — which was introduced by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga. — was passed via voice vote Tuesday as an amendment to the 2024 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, the standalone funding bill for the General Services Administration, Securities and Exchange Commission and other related agencies.

"I’m proud to announce my amendment to FIRE Pete Buttigieg just PASSED the House. Pothole Pete staged fake bike rides to the White House and used private planes funded by taxpayers to receive awards for the way certain people have sex," Greene said in a social media post Tuesday. "American taxpayers should not be on the hook for paying for his lavish trips or his salary."

"Pete Buttigieg doesn’t do his job. It’s all about fake photo ops and taxpayer-funded private jet trip to accept LGBTQ awards for him," Greene added. "I’m happy my amendment passed, but he doesn’t deserve a single penny."

Since taking office in 2021, Buttigieg has faced criticism for Republican lawmakers in response to several crises that have faced the Department of Transportation.

For example, in February, after a train carrying vinyl chloride, a dangerous colorless gas, derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, Buttigieg was criticized for his apparent inaction and for waiting several weeks before traveling to the site of the derailment. 

In addition, there have been multiple instances of mass commercial airline cancellations during his tenure for various reasons, including a pilot shortage. Republicans and Democrats alike had called for Buttigieg to take decisive action to ensure air travelers are protected from such cancellations.

And while Buttigieg has spent much of his tenure addressing commercial delays, he has used government-managed private jets on at least 18 occasions since taking office. Those flights sparked an ongoing inspector general probe and, according to information obtained by Americans for Public Trust (APT), have cost taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars.

PETE BUTTIGIEG TOOK GOVERNMENT JET TO NYC FOR RADIO INTERVIEW, ACLU MEETING BEFORE FLYING BACK HOURS LATER

In one instance in September 2022, Buttigieg used a government jet for a roundtrip journey to Montreal. During the visit, he attended a ceremony hosted by a large Canadian gay rights organization and received an award for his "contributions to the advancement of LGBTQ rights."

Buttigieg's office has further stonewalled additional information about his use of the executive fleet.

Secretary Buttigieg continues to blow off the American people who simply want to know the true cost of his taxpayer-funded private jet trips," APT Executive Director Caitlin Sutherland told Fox News Digital on Tuesday. "After multiple FOIA requests, a lawsuit, and an ongoing inspector general investigation, Buttigieg's office still refuses to provide vital details about using a private government jet for a swing state tour, which appears more akin to campaigning than official DOT business."

"Buttigieg looks to be politicizing his role and making it clear that he believes he’s above accountability and transparency, a dismissive attitude that seems to be endemic throughout the Biden administration," Sutherland said.

And the transportation secretary came under fire last year after it was revealed he vacationed in Porto, Portugal, while his agency and the White House were locked in tense negotiations with rail worker unions to avert a strike that could have had a dire impact on the U.S. economy. The Department of Transportation said at the time that the vacation was a "long-planned personal trip." 

[rabbitcruiser]

National Aviation Day

National Aviation Day on August 19 should make us stop and think about the power of flight. Yet, some scientific and technological marvels become so commonplace that we seldom take the time to re-examine their revolutionary impact with an open and inquisitive mind.  In just a handful of generations, aviation went from pure, pie-in-the-sky speculation to a mundane reality that inspires about as much wonder as a trip aboard a Greyhound bus.

It’s that ho-hum attitude to the miracle of flight that makes National Aviation Day such an excellent national observation.  Plus, it takes place on  Orville Wright’s birthday!

Let’s take a closer look.

National Aviation Day timeline

1st Century ADChinese emperor

Legend has it that Chinese Emperor Wang Mang ordered a soldier to strap two wings to his back, who then flew 100 meters.

9th Century ADAn Andalusian takes flight

Abbas ibn Firnas is said to have covered himself with feathers, attached wings to his body and (according to Algerian historian Ahmed Mohammed al-Maqqari) "flew a considerable distance."

1799Cayley is the "father of aviation"

Sir George Cayley, an English engineer, described the model for a modern airplane — a fixed-wing machine with lift, propulsion and control mechanisms.

August 19, 1871Brother Orville is born

Orville Wright was born in Dayton, Ohio. His older brother, Wilbur, had been born in Millville, Indiana, on April 16, 1867.

December 17, 1903Orville pilots a plane

The Wright Brothers — with Orville at the helm and Wilbur making a final wing adjustment — completed the first sustained flight of a heavier-than-air aircraft on a spit of land four miles south of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

National Aviation Day Activities

Take a trip to North Carolina

Build your own airplane

Go "planespotting"!

What better way to commemorate the achievements of the Wright brothers than by flying to North Carolina and visiting the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills? Think of it as a pilgrimage to the spot where American flight first took off.

It doesn't have to be a real one, of course. You can build an airplane using Legos. Or, you can go for that old school-days standby — the paper plane.

Gather with a group of friends where you can watch airplanes taking off and landing. Bring food if the spirit moves you — a "planespotting" picnic!

5 High-flying Facts About Aviation

There aren't that many aviophobes

Maybe that's because so few have flown

A president flies

It started with bicycles

Who needs an engine?

Although it may seem like a lot of people are afraid to fly, aviophobia afflicts only about 6.5 percent of the population.

Worldwide, only about 5 percent of the population has been on an airplane.

The first U.S. president to fly in an airplane was the adventurous Theodore Roosevelt, who flew in a Wright Flyer on October 11, 1910.

The Wright Brothers got their mechanical training as owners of a bicycle shop.

A Boeing 747 without engine power can glide about two miles for every 1,000 feet or so that the plane is above the ground.

Why We Love National Aviation Day

We always choose the window seat

Space is the final frontier

The proclamation is simple and beautiful

Yes, some of us still stare in wonder out the plane's window as we ponder something that seems delightfully impossible. We are, after all, sitting inside a giant flying machine traveling many hundreds of miles per hour, thousands of feet above the landscape below. How can this be?

Many of the mechanical, technological and scientific breakthroughs in space travel would be unthinkable without the advancements inspired by the Wright Brothers' original experiments on a sandy strip of North Carolina coastline.

The National Aviation Day proclamation invites "the people of the United States to observe National Aviation Day with appropriate exercises to further stimulate interest in aviation in the United States." In short, it's a day to keep planes on the membrane!

Source

[beskarinhyperspace]

Moon Dust

Who knew that keeping you safe and free was going to be a challenge? 

More Chapters | MASTERLIST

2. The Cargo

*Mature, Explicit, NSFW*

Din Djarin x fem.readee

Protective Mando, Mean-degrading brother, Violent brother, spouse to be is a bit handsy, Canon typical violence, Mando is obsessed with you, Mando have angst and ptsd, he needs a hug, feelings, you’re scared of the big bad bounty hunter  

A/N: We're diving into emotions, if you have ptsd or trauma proceed with caution.  

Word Count:  3.6k 

The Mandalorian spent his time in the darkness of his ship. Getting out only a couple of hours a day. Just enough to keep his legs moving a bit. He even took the time to do inventory, which was usually something he tried to avoid. Karga kept coming to him. Making sure he was okay and invited him to hang out, but he declined them all. Finding comfort in the gray, silent walls of his ship. It brought him a sense of safety when he felt his mind drifting away.    

Getting ready to fly off nevarro to pick up the girl, he sat into his pilot chair. Just taking a moment before starting the engine. He looked straight in front of him, simply taking in the view.   

It's not that he didn’t want to do the contract. He just couldn’t think about anything other than the empty pit inside him, keeping him awake at night. When going back to nevarro, he wasn't expecting to spend a whole week and a half with someone else. 

It’s only a week, right?   

Without waiting furthermore, he puts his hands on the wheel. Starting the ship before taking off slowly off the ground.   

A week, almost two. I can do that. Pick and drop, pick and drop, easy enough.   

__   

In the meantime, your house was a mess. People running left and right for preparations and you couldn't hide in the high walls of this mansion. A dressmaker was sent to tailor you for your announcement ball. “The wedding of the century!” Your father kept calling it.   

If you could talk, you would scream... Your father was walking around, keeping an eye on things. Making sure some of the preparations were appropriately taken care of. The ball was tomorrow, and it was planned in your new house. The one your father already bought even though you weren't married to the man yet.    

A rich, arrogant man. Entitled by his success and status. You remembered the first time your father introduced him to you; 

He was smiling at you like he was shopping for a horse. “Beautiful face, with nice hips!” Turning to your father, he exclaimed with a grin, “She will bear my many children. Hopefully, I will be luckier than you were.”   

Facing him, your father spoke, “Mine gave me a son, that’s all a man could wish for.” Your father glanced at you with a serious face, then back to him. “Hopefully she will give you many of them.”   

You were looking outside the window as you remembered the details of it.  “Ouch!” you exclaimed as you looked down. Seeing a dot of red on the fabric over your thigh.    

“I'm so sorry Miss!” the seamstress stressed out.   

You simply gave her a smile and a nod. Raising your head back up, blowing some air out.   

Soon, all of this will be over.   

As the day was coming to an end with the sun finally settling down. You couldn’t wait to finally be free from this hell. Your transport will be there tomorrow, you tried to calm yourself. He will take you far away from here and all of this will be over.   

Your transport, the Mandalorian.   

You knew that you’d never be able to fight off a Mandalorian. You feared him, but it scared you even more knowing you will have to spend time traveling with him. What is a man like that anyway? He must be cold to the world to do such a job willingly.   

As you're pondering, your mother came to you from the opposite end of the hallway. “Finally! I was looking everywhere for you!” she said, moving her arms up to greet you.    

You embraced her tightly before replying. “Sorry I was kept by the seamstress. Didn’t thought it would be this long..”   

She rolled her eyes, “well, your father took the best of the best from the city. Her work is out of this world, but she is meticulous.” She said as she walked with you. She opened the door to your room, letting you in first before going in herself. “Are you all ready for tomorrow?” She turned to you, asking quickly.   

“Yes mother, the bag is in its place. I will also have my blaster and knife on me. I'm getting out of here, don’t worry.” you said, taking her hands into yours trying to reassure her.   

She looked into your eyes, all wet from unshed tears. “You’re so strong. I wish I could do more. Hopefully the Mandalorian will be able to finish what I can’t.” Kissing your forehead, “I will miss you, be sure to use your strengths and weakness to your advantage my brave girl.” She stopped to cup your cheek and began to cry. 

You raised your hand to pet her head, knowing you will also miss her deeply. “I'll be fine. I'll write to you, I promise.”   

__   

After your mom finally left. You were left alone in your room, who had nothing much going on. Since you just moved in, half of your belongings had been on the floor and the rest of them were still in boxes.   

You sighed, bending to your ankle to get your knife and holster off. Placing the blade under your pillow as usual. You paced around the room before moving towards the bathroom. You needed a bath. something, on the water tap from the bath. You needed something, anything to keep your mind occupied. Plus, you didn't know the next time you'd have this kind of luxury, why not take advantage now? You put all the stuff the maid brought in yesterday, salt, bubbles, dried whatever. It was all in there now.  

As you were getting undressed and entered the water. You couldn’t stop thinking about what was coming. You were scared for the escape plan tomorrow. Even if you were prepared and armed for it, you knew it could all go south.   

You let out a big puff of air, as you sinked deeper in the water.    

Traveling with a Mandalorian... It’s only for a short time, right? Everything will be just fine. Just need to stay focus.. 

__   

Evasion Day   

Morning came faster than you would’ve wished. Still in bed sleeping, your maid entered inside your chambers. Waking you up in the process. She placed the dress you were trying on yesterday on an armchair. She turned to you, bowing and looking down. “Good morning, Miss, your father wishes to see you before the festivities. Asking you to meet in his office.” She bowed again and left. 

You grunted, shifting on your back and spread your arms. What does he want now...   

__   

You entered his study, glancing at your father. His face hidden from the newspaper he was reading, sitting comfortably in his seat. From the corner of his eyes, he noticed you,  

“I would’ve thought you’d be more enthusiastic this morning. Knowing you will be announcing your big news tonight, no?” he asked, raising an eyebrow at you over the paper.   

You stayed still, trying not to enter the game he was obliviously putting down. Looking over to him with a forced smile. “I am father, everything is ready on my side. Tonight, will be a great night. Finally joining forces with one of the most influential families.” You frowned your eyebrows, giving him a more serious look. “You trained me my whole life for this. It will be a privilege to bring honor to our clan.”   

He stared at you, putting his paper down as he was through your words. “I always thought that training you with your brother would make you a great warrior. I was right, but this, this is bigger than you and I. I can’t refuse this proposition. This union will change all our futures. Your mother’s, your brother’s. You are the key to our legacy.” He followed looking back at his journal. “That is why your brother will be escorting and keep an eye on you tonight.”   

“What? Why? I’m in no danger, I can take care of myself!” You stood from your seat, starting to panic. That wasn’t part of the plan.   

He looked back at you squinting his eyes. “Your brother will be close to you. I cannot have other men roaming around you. Thinking you’re free before we make the announcement and that is final.”    

__   

You searched for your mother, but she was nowhere to be found. What will I do, what should I do?? Time was moving quicker than you realized. Having no choice but to start getting ready for the night on your own.  

You sat on the edge of your bed. Feeling half defeated, my brother... Urghh, he always thought he was better than you in some way. 

Right now, at this moment, you felt alone. Shedding one single tear while staring at the dress you didn't even want to wear. You got out of bed, with a hand going under your pillow. Taking your knife out, putting it in its holster before strapping it to your ankle. You do the same with your blaster, strapping it on your thigh on the other side. You put the dress over your body and made sure your weapons didn't show through. While looking in the mirror, you felt sad but also driven.  

This is not my life.  

__   

As you walked down the stairs, your leg was peeking out the slit on the side of the dress. The color of it was this gorgeous emerald green. Long to the floor, accentuating your silhouette and moving fluidly with every step.    

The end of the staircase brought you to the back of the house in front of already opened double doors. The mansion was incredibly well decorated for the event. Flowers and fairy lights everywhere. You could see towers of drinking glass filled to the brim. Waiters and servants moved all around to assist guests with food and drinks. Everyone was dressed for the occasion. Suits, ball gowns and feathered hair. If you weren’t so eager to leave, you might've enjoyed it.   

And still, no matter where you looked, you couldn’t find your mother. While your eyes glanced outside, your brother came to you, stepping on your side. “How does it feel to finally bring honor to your clan?” he smirked.   

You refuse to look at him as you answered, “I didn’t choose this, Rylan.” 

He chuckled, “It doesn’t matter, you're still fucking your way to daddy’s little heart like the good little slut that you are.”   

You looked at him, straight in the eyes with a fierce look. “And you’re not doing anything to stop it. As a matter of fact, you’re protecting me tonight for him. Aren't you not? Always father’s little lap dog.” 

He grabs your wrist with pressure, dragging you to a corner. As he hovered over you, he puts a hand to your throat. Squeezing tighter as he spoke. “You're over, father will never put you as clan leader now that you’re going to get married off. I, will be its true ruler.”   

“Unless I bear a son.” Trying to breathe through it.    

He dropped his hand instantly. Almost as if your skin was burning him. “What do you mean!?”    

Passing your hand on your throat, you tried to swallow. “That is why you killed our younger brother, is it not?”   

He looked at you in shock from your accusation.   

You tilted your face up to him, still bent over as you tried to catch your breath. “I know for Yusa. I was there that night.” You pulled yourself up before continuing. “You would do anything for a secure place in the clan.” You took a step forward before speaking again. “But you’re not only a bad brother, you’re also a terrible warrior. Letting your ambitions and your avaricious appetite blind you.” You followed, frowning your brows. “The truth is, father would much prefer to put me, a girl, at the head of the clan instead of you.”   

Before you could say another word, he reached out, grabbing your wrist.   

“There you guys are! Come sweetheart, I have people I want you to meet.” Your father said while you yanked your hand out of your brother's grip. Walking towards him as he took an arm out to invite you closer.    

__   

While you were introduced to people you didn’t care about. The Mandalorian was landing to one of the stations. He kept grinding his teeth before standing down. Opening the ramp to be greeted by Eyla.   

“Your travels weren’t too difficult?” she asked with a bright smile.   

“Went through the security like a piece of cake. There were so many people, they didn’t check twice. Almost as if you invited half the rim.”   

“Almost, is the word.” Before asking more out of him. “You will forgive me for this last-minute information, you see my husband made my son her chaperon this evening. I’m afraid it might complicate things.”   

Without hesitating he nodded. “I will keep an eye on things. I will also retrieve the bag that was mentioned.”   

“Yes, the bag” She turned around, before leaving. “Thank you again for your help. My daughter has the payment with her. Keep her safe.” She bowed before going.   

While watching her leave he gets a piece of paper out of his pocket with the location of the bag. Better get it now, telling himself as he glanced at his watch. 

After securing the bag onto the ship. He realized that you were five minutes late. He waited another five just to make sure. As time passed, he began to feel anxious, now looking in the direction of the house. Tapping with his finger on the edge of the open ramp. He sighed as he walked out of his ship why can't anything be simple?  

He tried to hide himself. Even at night, his beskar could be reflective.  Crouching behind trees and bushes. He looked around from a distance but couldn’t seem to find you. 

__   

Meanwhile, you were bored at the ball. Done with the chit chats and false caring. People were starting to all look the same, blending in one. As you looked at your watch, you noticed that you had little time before meeting with your new travel buddy. You walked towards the bathroom to get ready to leave as you bumped into your future husband turning the corner.    

“You’re here!” he said smiling, “I’ve been looking for you.” as he caresses the back of your hand.   

You pulled it back, not looking in his eyes as you answered. “I’m sorry, I was kept by our guests. The announcement will be made shortly. In the meantime, you will have to exc..” You didn’t have time to finish before he took your arm, moving to the first room on his left. 

Closing the door, he turned around and began walking towards you. “Have you no shame to push aside your husband.” He came closer. So close you could smell the alcohol and cigar smoke in his breath.    

You tried to keep calm, “We are not married yet. I will not tarnish my name.” Saying with a straight face.   

He chuckled as he looked at you. Taking his hand to caress your cheek with his knuckles. “My sweet flower. How can you be tarnished, when I'm the one touching you?”  

He grunted, pushing you back to the desk behind you before moving his hips in between your legs. You quickly moved your leg up, grabbing the knife on your ankle. With a single movement, you pass the tip of blade on his cheek quickly. Taken aback, he brought his fingertips where blood was now slowly dripping.    

He looked at you horrified. “Look at what you've done! Savage! You’re a savage!”   

While he was still panicking. Your brother entered the room, joining you. Having one look at you and your spouse to be. “We’ve been looking all around for you both... What in the maker’s name?”   

You looked Rylan in the eyes as you tried to speak. “He tried to touch me.”   

“Well, he’s going to be your husband, you stupid girl. Of course, he wants to fuck you.” He replied as if it was obvious.   

You rolled your eyes back to him. Your fiancé grabbed your wrist, squeezing, “You’re mine, you will have to accept your duties to me.” Saying as he turned the door handle. “I’ll be right back.”   

__   

The Mandalorian was still on the lookout when he saw a man with a fresh cut on his face, still dripping with blood. He tilted his helmet as he got closer. Still hiding, behind the corner of a wall. Looking at the man going into what seemed to be a bathroom.   

Coming out, the man was going back to the same room he previously came out of. While the door was open, Mando saw you through the small opening of it. Knife still in hand, looking trapped. Without hesitation he went to another corner to his right.  

Moving closer to the door. He could hear a man yelling at you. “Like it or not, your father gave you to me...”    

Not waiting any further, he opened the door in a single movement. Looking to the same man with the red bloody cut, still inflamed on his cheek. Who had both of his hands on your arms, anchoring you in place.   

The two men in front of him were not only surprised but also confused. Rylan began to speak first, “Who are you? Get out, this is a private event!”   

Tilting his helmet, “I was invited. I’m here for her.” He said, finger pointing at you.   

While your fiancé removed his hands from you, he panics. “She’s going to be my wife, your ignorant fool. This, this is her brother.” He says, pointing at Rylan. He follows, “You can go. you are dismissed. Go, now!”   

The stoic man walked towards him. Only stopping a few inches away, “No.” He replied firmly to him before turning to face you. Lifting his arm as he showd you to the door.   

You start to move forward, towards the exit.  While your fiancé gets his blaster out, pointing at the Mandalorian before shooting.   

Like a reflex, second nature, the man in beskar blocked him with his forearm. Pulling his own blaster out with his other hand and shoots the man straight in the chest.    

Your brother doing the same thing, fires at the Mandalorian while yelling, “Intruder! Intruder!”   

Crouching to cover you. The Man in beskar pushed you to the door. “Go, let's go!”    

Without hesitating you moved through the door. Taking your blaster out of its holster as well. He pointed you in the direction of the ship while you heard your father yelling behind you. “My daughter is getting kidnapped! Kill the man!” Pointing to the chrome man.   

You began to panic. There were a lot of warriors from the clan tonight. All getting their blasters out, starting to shoot at you both.    

You tried to shoot back but suddenly, you could only see silver metal in front of you. Feeling an arm grabbing your waist as he tells you through a modulated voice “Hold on.” While keeping you in front of him, he took off with his jetpack. Feet no longer touching ground, you hold him as hard as you could, closing your eyes.    

This is it; I’m going to die...   

__   

Getting further from the mansion, you tried not to look down. His grip was tight around you as if he was afraid to drop you. Arriving at the ship, he let go of you to lower the ramp. Getting you both inside as quickly as possible.  

You turned to him, “My clan will come after us. That was a bad idea you had coming in like that.”   

He smiled under his helmet, “Yeah? Well, they’ve never met a Mandalorian before.” While sitting quickly in his pilot chair. “Can they fly?”   

With a stressed voice, you replied, “Yes, yes they can!” as you sat in a chair close to the door, strapping yourself in.   

Without waiting furthermore, he starts the engine. Motors taking you off the docking station. While lifting off, you could see at least a few ships already coming in your direction. “Euuh... Mandalorian?”   

“Yes, I saw them.” Knowing exactly what you were about to say. Going faster and pushing the ship upwards as they were firing at you. 

“Mandalorian??” You let out, panic rising in your voice.   

Without blinking, he dropped the ship backwards. “Hang on!” He said, falling back behind the two closest ships to you. Firing back and taking them down while the others were still shooting, moving back up in a swirling motion, making you feel uneasy. Moving out of the planet's atmosphere he slowed down a moment. You could see him entering numbers into the board.    

Time was limited and while he was going to turn the keys on his board, the ship got hit again, before he went back to press it, moving into hyperspace.   

Finally... You let out a sigh of relief. Trying to ground yourself as you looked up. Seeing the blue and white strikes of light passing all over the ship. There were no sounds other than the beeping and ambient noise of the ship. You looked over to him, the man frozen in place.   

“Are you alright?” You asked, confused.    

Keeping still, without moving to look at you, he nodded, “Yes, but we might have a problem. I think your brother hit our tank. We will fall back from hyperspace soon and we need to land quick.”   

Eyes wide open and lips slightly parted. “Then what are we doing?”   

Calmly he went on, “I’m thinking of how we’re going to do this...”    

--

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[spirits-art-blog]

Finally done! Ever since I revamped my old fnaf ocs I've wanted to make nice looking refs for them, unfortunately life + other interests meant that they were all made months apart. Some of them are a little inconsistent cus of this, such as Star's mascot design not fitting the other mascots due to me designing her first; however I'm still happy with how all of these came out.

If you're interested in hearing quite a bit about the story of these guys then feel free to read below :)

The main setting is a theme park known as Mirror Creek! Mirror Creek acts as a fun getaway for children and their families while also sprinkling in some education about the animals living in the world around them. The park is split into 6 sections; three of them being an arctic environment with "large mountains" and a snowy atmosphere, a savanna environment that also hosts some of the most thrilling rides in the park, and the main plaza which is filled with the many "houses" that belong to the characters living in the park as a well as a grand stage for regular performances.

Speaking of characters, there's quite a few of them at the park. Mirror Creek has quite a diverse cast that can either be found wandering the different areas or at their own themed attractions, some of these characters include an old polar bear who tells stories and two loch ness monster styled siblings that take turns as the guides to a submarine ride. However the most popular characters are the main band that represent the park: Star the wolf, Spirit the bunny, Lissa the squirrel, and Astro the eagle!

Star is the guitarist of the band, however she will take the lead or duo in certain songs. While meeting guests, Star acts as the cool older sister type and encourages kids to be more active. Spirit is her best friend and the two can be found walking together.

Spirit is the lead singer of the band and has a very bubbly and extroverted personality. When talking to kids, she can easily match their energy and loves giving big hugs. She also like to blurt out random facts.

Lissa is the bassist of the band, giving back up vocals whenever needed. While she was never programmed to, when walking around to meet guests Lissa will commonly talk about engineering, while this does intrigue some kids, many end up a bit lost once she gets into more detail. Workers have started accompanying her when roaming in order to stop her in case she might reveal the robotics of all the characters to children.

Astro is the drummer of the band, he's also the least likely to add vocals during performances. He acts more relaxed when meeting guests and can give a quote to just about any book you can think of, as long as it's appropriate for children. He usually uses these quotes to try and give quick moral lessons to the kids he meets, as well as encouraging them to read more.

All of the main band perform twice a day, with special events having certain exceptions, such as holidays or guest stars. And unlike the other characters at the park, the band is not restricted to one specific area.

As you've probably noticed, the characters Satya and Carter are not part of the band. These two are siblings that are restricted to the savanna area of the park, where their themed ride is located. The two are pilots that travel around the world, Satya loves the thrill of adventure while Carter worries about staying away from danger. The two of them teach kids to be curious and how to be safe doing it.

This went on a bit longer than I thought so I'll leave the actual fnaf horror for another post. :)

[trash-gobby]

Could you write character preferences for Moya’s crew with an artist S/O please?

Moya Crew W/ An Artist S/O

Pairing(s): GN!Reader X Chiana, GN!Reader X John Crichton, GN!Reader X D'Argo, GN!Reader X Jool, GN!Reader X Pilot, GN!Reader X Scorpius, GN!Reader X Sikozu, GN!Reader X Stark, GN!Reader X Aeryn Sun, GN!Reader X Zhaan

Characters: Chiana, John Crichton, Ka D'Argo, Jool, Pilot, Scorpius, Sikozu, Stark, Aeryn Sun, Zotoh Zhaan, Reader

⚠️ Warnings!: None.

A/N: better late than never. I've been gone for a century, but am slowly but surely making my way back to enjoying writing. If there are inaccuracies or the crew is to ooc please let me know and I'll try to make adjustments. Did add some personal headcanons so I hope that's okay 💖

______________________________________________________________

Chiana

✨ She’s always been a really out there woman, so her S/O isn't the first artist she’s been with. However, they are the first artist she’s really started to fall for.

✨ She loves how their work reflects their feelings more than the real world around them. It’s abstraction and colour attracting her more then the objects depicted in it.

✨ Finding how calm her S/O is and how art centers them tends to calm Chiana down from her more anxious or high strung moods.

✨ She could watch them for hours and has done so when they're working on a larger project.

✨ The sound of them working on their next piece has sometimes lulled her to sleep.

John Crichton

✨ The first joke John ever made about his S/O being an artist was a silly flirting attempt. “You gonna paint me like one of your French girls.” So stupid but also very appropriate for the astronaut who often liked to run his mouth.

✨ He's never really been able to understand how artists do their thing. Always being way too impatient to figure out colour theory when there was a whole universe to explore.

✨ However, this doesn't mean he doesn't respect his S/O.

✨ John will joke about their art making playful remarks about how he's lucky to be dating the next Picasso etc.

✨ He'll never bother his S/O when they're in the zone though. When they're really focused he'll stay away in order to give them space to work and not crowd them.

✨ Generally having trouble shutting up can make things difficult when they're focused. John knows and respects that so he'll let them do their thing until they're in the mood to spend time together

Ka D’Argo

✨ D’Argo is a warrior and as such didn’t really focus much on the more sensitive nuanced nature of art until later

✨He’d come to enjoy it when he’d finally found the love of his life in his wife Lo’lah. But that to had been ripped from him by her senseless murder

✨ Art became a waste of time to him after that. Once he was imprisoned it all seemed pointless. Only violence and revenge felt like appropriate outlets for D'Argo's feelings

✨ After ending up on Moya stranded with the rest of the crew including you, he was angry. However, your calming and artistic nature really got to him

✨ His S/O's passion for art and drive to create reminded him of how much he used to love being still and enjoying taking in an artistic work

✨ Through his S/O's creativity, D'Argo starts to get more in touch with his gentler aspect of his spirit

✨ This is part of what makes him start to really fall in love with them

✨ His S/O's flair for capturing the deeper facets of things through art makes him look at life differently. Like there might be more out there then violence and revenge

Joolushko Tunai Fenta Hovalis

✨ Jool is someone who vastly appreciates art, even though her interests rest more in science, archeology and medicine.

✨ She's never been very good at creating art, but loves talking about it with her S/O.

✨ Learning about their S/O's species artistic history and sharing the knowledge she's acquired from traveling the stars to them, is one of the things which makes her feel close to them.

✨ Jool has a healthy appreciation for historical art and if her s/o has knowledge of art history either in their own culture or others, she will find that fascinating.

Pilot

✨ Pilot doesn't get out much, so seeing the world through your art is always a privilege.

✨ He'll be eager to see you paint your adventures with the rest of the crew.

✨ Being a very technical and organized person, Pilot loves art which reflects life and especially enjoys your paintings and art of anything to do with Moya.

✨ Seeing any depiction of Moya through your eyes is a treasure.

Scorpius (Also not necessarily crew. He was on the ship for most of the final season so I’m counting him)

✨ Scorpius is someone who likes a certain level of class and sophistication to his life. Depending on whether you are a more chaotic or calm artist will determine his feelings to your craft as a whole.

✨ If you're more chaotic he won't really know what to do with you. Your art is a reflection of that. You may clash on several aspects of your craft, but there is potential for you to change his stubborn mind with your open caution-to-the-wind nature.

✨ If you're more of the calm and organized type, then he's more likely to not clash with you. Scorpius is someone who desires stability and for everything to work out in his favour.

✨ He's also a fan of simplistic abstract art that is reminiscent of pieces made under peacekeeper occupation. Solid colours and simple structure.

Sikozu Shanu

✨ Sikozu doesn't really get the point of art. She's someone who likes to move fast and not linger on details.

✨ Sitting for a long period to do something that doesn't contribute to furthering her goals of either studying Leviathans or supporting the Kalish resistance.

✨ However, even though she may not see any personal benefit, Sikozu does have a certain amount of respect for your commitment to whatever artistic craft you are involved in.

✨ She may not be overtly positive or show outward interest in what your doing, but Sikozu will bring you something to eat/drink when she sees your in deep concentration.

✨ Sikozu is also not above occasionally peeking at what you're doing out of sheer curiosity.

Stark

✨ Stark hasn't had much time for art, as his life has left little room. He's been imprisoned or enslaved with little to enrichment until his escape.

✨This being said, Stark has a great appreciation for art. He loves it's spiritual and creative freedoms, which are things he for so long didn't possess.

✨ Being with an artistic s/o would be perfect for him. It would encourage him to be more open, as art inherently is connected to freedom for him.

✨ He might even join his s/o on a creative project or quietly working on seperate projects in the same room.

Aeryn Sun

✨ Aeryn, much like Sikozu, doesn't really see a huge point to creating art. Growing up in an environment that discouraged individualism and creativity.

✨ However, unlike Sikozu, Aeryn is much more open to learning to appreciate an artistic s/o.

✨ Aeryn is pretty guarded, but has a deep desire to learn from her encounters outside of her previous life as a peacekeeper.

✨ An s/o who can open her mind to how art can be both a fun and helpful outlet for pent up emotions or trauma would be super healthy for her.

✨ Aeryn also enjoys most an s/o who works with sculptures or pottery. It's something she could see herself doing if she were to choose one form of art to take up

Zotoh Zhaan

✨Zhaan loves art. By extension she would love having an s/o who is an artist.

✨ Zhaan loves immersing herself in the spiritual side of art even more so than Stark.

✨ If you get close enough Zhaan may even show you how she does paintings which depict the innermost spirits of those around her.

✨ She's also inclined to do a spirit painting of you while you work on one of your pieces.

✨ She'll see you not only as a muse, but as a kindred spirit with both of your art styles eventually harmonizing together.

[the-monkey-ruler]

Granblue Fantasy (2014) グランブルーファンタジー

Date: March 10, 2014

Platform: iphone / android / Browser

Developer: Cygames, Inc.

Publisher: DeNA

Genre: Role-Playing

Theme: Fantasy

Franchises: Granblue Fantasy

Type: Appropriation

Summary:

The Captain (the player character, either Gran or Djeeta by default) and their winged lizard-like friend Vyrn are relaxing in the town of Zinkenstill, when The Captain inadvertently comes to the rescue of a girl named Lyria and an Imperial Officer named Katalina as they try to escape from the Empire. However, the Captain suffers a mortal wound during the fight, forcing Lyria to merge her soul with them in order to bring them back from the brink of death.

With the Captain and Katalina's fates now tied to Lyria, the three of them decide to head to the island of Estalucia, both to escape from the Empire and find clues about the Captain's estranged father.

Unfortunately, Katalina's poor piloting skills cause them to crash-land elsewhere in the Port Breeze Archipelago. The trio look for a working airship and a pilot to steer it, and end up meeting Rackam, an odd helmsman working on an airship that has been broken for years. At first, he's reluctant to help them. However, after the Empire follows them to the island, the party convinces Rackam to help them fight off the Imperial soldiers chasing them, and in return help him finish repairing his airship, The Grandcypher, to make it skyworthy.

As the Captain travels across the skies, gathering up more allies on their journey and fighting Primal Beasts, the crew find themselves slowly dragged into a plot involving the mysterious Black Knight, the doll-like Orchis, and the history that the Empire seeks to keep secret while they pursue Lyria.

Source: https://www.giantbomb.com/granblue-fantasy/3030-49717/

Link: https://www.google.com/search?q=Granblue+Fantasy+andira&source=lmns&tbm=vid&bih=699&biw=1600&client=firefox-b-1-d&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjeqaTS9Zj_AhWcFN4AHYslCUYQ0pQJKAN6BAgBEAg#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:7f513de4,vid:7a2menJM93Y

[morphofan]

Travels With Tech: Pilot Mountain, Part 1

"Today's excursion is to 'Pilot Mountain,' its crowning attraction known as 'The Pilot Knob.'

"Wrecker says it is a most appropriate locale for me to visit. I AM a pilot, but I do not see the connection between me and the mountain.

"Although Wrecker did say something to the effect of the summit and I both being 'huge knobs'.... I do not understand him."

"We of course must read the regulations and rules before proceeding."

"This one, I can wholly understand."

"We shall... UNGH... proceed along this path until we reach...."

"What? We are not going to walk the path? I see."

"Have it your own way, then."

"The view is quite spectacular."

"This planet is beautiful at times."

"Yes Wrecker, yes. Take your photo of the 'two knobs together.' I still do not understand why that is so funny."

"I will NOT fall. I am secure in my perch.

"All the same, please stay down there until I descend."

"Imagine that this rock was once sand on a vast ocean beach. Until the shifting plates of the planet's surface crushed together and pushed up this mountain ridge."

"And now, over time, the rock will become sand again, weathered away by rain and wind."

"Wrecker? You did see this sign, correct? I feel it is more directed at people like you, than at people like me."

"I know that look. People (even small ones) still count as objects not to be thrown. Even though I realize I AM throwing size...."

"I do not quite measure up.

"Eloquently put, Wrecker. Indeed, this Bald Eagle likely DOES make defecations that are larger than me. What a typically Wreckerish thing to notice."

"This is a fine place to sit and ponder, although I imagine one would get splinters, were one minus a buttplate."

"Some of the wing-ed creatures that inhabit this mountain ridge."

"I cannot help but notice how many of them keep circling around me.

"Perhaps I will climb back into my assistant's purse for the journey down the mountain."

"Not 'muscles,' Wrecker. Mussels."

"What a clever display."

"I feel as if I am walking on water."

"Help, help! Let me out!

"Just kidding."

"What do you think of my new wings? I wish I'd had these on Eridau; would have simplified quite a few things."

"Perhaps these suit me better?"

"I agree with my assistant. She says these suit me most of all. She says it is because my goggles remind her of Bug Eyes. I am not sure that is intended as a compliment or not...."

"Fascinating."

"Oh. I thought it was a wheel. It is a grindstone."

"This is a rather appealing specimen. It is listed as a vegetarian. I wonder if it is safe for me to 'pet' it."

"What? Oh. Fake, you say? Well it is a very convincing replica, especially to have fooled ME."

[soulerflaire]

It definitely feels like they rushed to get Wesley’s story finished and just shoved it in with this unrelated episode. This coulda been done so much better, and it sucks that they ended up going this route (whether by choice or due to lack of time).

First, get rid of the colony plotline. It has nothing to do with anything and should be its own separate episode. And I think this should have been a two-parter to give us the appropriate build-up. Have part 1 take place at the Academy. Show Wesley being depressed and frustrated. He has no friends at the Academy due to the piloting incident. He’s feeling overwhelmed by the workload. Have him contact his mom, and talk about how he’s looking forward to seeing the Enterprise again. He’s hoping that being on the ship will pull him out of this funk, give him the motivation to push through to graduation. Just all around, make it an episode explaining that he feels unhappy at the Academy, like everything he used to enjoy has lost its appeal. Maybe have him working on a personal project and then just...giving up on it. But when he boards the Enterprise, he finds himself dodging questions about academy life, trying hard not to lie, but not admitting how awful it’s been recently. The episode ends with him meeting Ensign Ricky at Ten Forward. Ricky talks about being a new transfer to the Enterprise, hearing all kinds of stories about Wes, and wanting to get to know him.

The second episode starts with Wes getting more and more frustrated with life on the ship. Everything reminds him of what’s expected of him, and how he feel incapable of meeting those expectations. He starts to snap at people and avoid contact. Eventually he just spends his time locked in his room. Through all this, Ricky’s trying to keep his spirits up, encouraging him to find his passion in life again, but without referencing Starfleet or the Academy.

At the request of Beverley, Geordi asks Wesley to come down to engineering to look at the new set up he’s developed, since Wesley used to love spending time down there discussing things with him. The scene plays out like in the original, with Wesley being rude and dismissive, except Geordi loses his cool and it devolves into a shouting match. Wesley retreats to his room, where Ricky shows up to try and talk to him, and Wesley ends up letting everything out, about hos he hates academy life, how he feels trapped and like a failure. After Wes calms down, Ricky suggests a Klingon ritual of centering he’s heard about from Worf. They go to the holodeck, and set it up, and Wes ends up having the vision of his father. After that, he realizes he’s changed, and doesn’t want to be in Starfleet. He goes to meet with Picard and Beverley, to explain and resign, when an EPS conduit blows in front of him and Ricky. Wes stops time the same way he did in the episode. Ricky reveals himself to be the Traveler, and they sidestep the explosion (no one else is nearby so no one gets hurt). Then we get a real and meaningful conversation with Picard and Beverley, and at the end of the episode, Wes says farewell to all his friends on the ship, not just those two (he also apologized to Geordi and they hug it out).

That would have been a satisfying end to his character arc. not this tacked-on unrelated side-plot with an uncomfortable appropriation of Native American culture sprinkled in.