#be surprised by the compactor not moving? like she was the one coming up with all the execution ideas

[stardust-hiraeth]

This didn’t have to hit me so hard

The hand touch???? He loves Sarah so much?????? Literally his best friend?????????? He looks so sad and conflicted. 

I think this is also one of the few moments we see the 4th doctor vulnerable. He’s usually much larger than life and hides whatever he is feeling behind jokes or sarcasm or moving onward. 

In Revenge of the Cyberman, when Sarah is bit by the Cybermat, the doctor is fairly calm and immediately gets to work on getting her down to Voga. When the transmat doesn’t work he gets amped up. He clearly stresses as he talks faster and rambles. When Harry says “she wont last longer” 4 shouts back that he knows and hurries. When it does work he visibly relaxes, even smiling to himself.

In The Sontaran Experiment, he keeps calm to get the hallucination device off of Sarah. Very gently checking her over once she passes out. This is tucked away as soon as the Sontaran shows up. He immediately rounds on them, distraught.

When he knew there would be danger in Mask of Mandragora and Sarah confronts him on it, he puts on the lion mask and fools around. Quote “you know the worst the situation, the worst your jokes get.”

And 4 immediately sobers up, going quiet and when Sarah says “things are bad, arent they?” He doesnt hide, but tells her the truth.

We see him vulnerable again in Genesis of the Daleks when he thinks Sarah and Harry have been killed. The explosive upset (to stop the button from being pressed) fizzes immediately. When talking to the girl in the green overalls, he stares directly at the screen where the rocket was shown. No covering up. Until he has to focus on stopping the Daleks or talk to someone.

That disappears once he reunites with Sarah and Harry. Note he shakes Harry’s hand but pulls Sarah in for a hug.

In Pyramids of Mars when Sutekh says that Sarah can be gotten rid of, 4 breaks his composure (against the mind control) to shout at him not to. He looks distressed. And once again when in the pyramid, when Sarah is trapped, he plays the fool. He tells her to relax and as soon as he looks away we can see he is a) thinking and b) distressed.

We see him reveal his hand again in Brain of Morbius. When Sarah is blinded he reassures her and guides her to Solomon. He stays cool and composed, but doesnt hesitate to take her hand when she holds it out. 4 doesnt hesitate either to to back to get the elixir of life to help get her sight back despite being almost sacrified a scene prior.

Seeds of Doom, 4 tells Scorby where the other pod is when a gun is raised at Sarah. He says nothing when its at him nor the other man. He doesnt look at her though and stares at the floor until he quips with a grin at the other gunman. 4 also jumps through a window, fights 3 guys and pulls a gun to keep Sarah from being infected by the Krynoid. Even after being tossed into a compactor, he quips once he is saved by Sarah.

And in Hand of Fear he practically mountain-goats over rocks to pull Sarah from the rubble and lets his scarf (comfort item tbh) fall off on the way over. His response to the worker was short and tempered. In the next scene we see 4 gripping his scarf (which we’ve seen him play/stim with it other times). Come to the end of the episode (the unforgettable goodbye scene), when Sarah comes in with a huff. We get a perfect shot of the Doctor looking surprised (and rather hurt). He talks very straightly, never breaking eye-contact or joking or moving to hide like he normally would. He tells Sarah the truth. When the TARDIS lands, we get a shot of him with his back to Sarah. Once again attempting to hide, distracting with piloting the TARDIS. 4 only turns to her when he says they’ve landed at “Hillview road, to be exact”. 4 is also known for blowing out a sigh when stressed (which he does here before smiling at her after they said not to forget each other). With that, 4 also pulls his coat on rather harshly and flips up the collars. He never does this before now. The entire scene has him shrouded in shadow and then with a light on him, then it goes back to an obscured view and back to a full view. We never get this with Sarah, who’s face stays in the “spotlight”, as she’s very open with her feelings. The Doctor, meanwhile, is ping-ponging back and forth between what is and isn’t expressed. The smile (not a manic grin, but probably the saddest warmest smile 4 has ever smiled) he gives her is the nail in the coffin for me. Probably the scene where he shows his hand the most. 

Now with Leela, we don’t get much of this. The 4th Doctor remains pretty on top of things and always prances around and talks and smiles his way out of things. He doesn’t get as open as he did with Sarah. Don’t get me wrong-- he is concerned for Leela a few times and even went as far as banishing her to the Outlands to keep her safe during the Invasion of Time. He cared for her but not as intensely as he did Sarah. 

He was also very open to K-9. Despite telling him to shut up and stuff, he genuinely cares for that robotic dog. Quite a lot. Enough to repair him and worry over him. 

NOW ROMANA. Romanadvoratrelundar. The first regeneration (Romana I) was cared for, but more similarly to Leela. The Doctor knew that she could hold her own and was stronger than past human companions. The same is so for Romana II. Although in certain situations it was usually because Tom and Lalla were dating so that became evident through the characters. The Doctor kept most of his feelings about things held tight to his chest. 

The 4th Doctor has me really messed up whenever he lets his guard down. Coming from a character that seemed to never run out of steam or broke (like some of the later incarnations), makes it all the more sad. So while he may be the “most alien” regeneration, he still shows a wopping amount of under-the-surface emotions. I think he’s up there with the 11th Doctor in terms of burying emotions until they get too heavy to handle. 

My point is that the Doctor (at least in this regeneration) doesn’t open up to people that he doesn’t entirely trust. People who are his best friends are the ones who really get to see what’s going on underneath all of his banter and wacky fashion choices. The 4th Doctor is a really messed up regeneration and I don’t think it’s mentioned enough. 

[calamitykaty]

A Love Like This

Owen Joyner x Fem!Reader

Summary: Owen makes his way back to Norman, OK after filming and resumes the on again, off again relationship with reader. The feelings between the two escalate until one finally breaks. 

Word Count:3437

Warnings: Mild Swearing, Fluff

A/N: HUGE thank you to @dream-a-little-bigger-x​ for letting me bounce ideas their way when I got stuck on this! 

Owen stumbled around in the dark picking up a handful of white pebbles that separated the stepping stones lining the backyard of the house. He stood outside of her window, the soft glow from her bedroom light illuminating him as he began to ping the pebbles off of her window. His face lit up with a smile as she pushed the window up and peered outside. The sticky summer air seeped into her air-conditioned bedroom, leaving her skin feeling sticky. 

Owen dropped his handful of pebbles and waved his hand, beckoning her to meet him outside in the middle of the night. 

The giddy feeling inside her stomach erupted as she slipped her feet into a pair of sandals and hastily climbed out of her window. Owen moved forward, grabbing her waist and helping her down. His hands never leaving her body as she slowly turned around to greet him, her hands gripping his forearms. 

“Hey, you.” She smiled up at him from under her eyelashes. 

“Hi” 

He dipped down, catching her lips with his as her eyes fluttered shut. Her hands moved from his biceps to hang loosely around his neck. Owen pulled back and she kept her eyes closed, a light hum vibrating in her chest as he placed a chaste kiss on her forehead.

“So, where to tonight, Casanova?” Her smile reached up to her eyes, creating small crinkles at the corners of her eyes. 

Owen stepped back and looked up at the sky with a smile tugging at his lips “I hear we’ve got clear skies tonight” 

She drew her eyes up to the sky “we also have a lot of light pollution, Owen.” She let her eyes drift down from the sky and over to the boy standing in front of her.

Owen looked back down at her with that familiar glint in his eyes that she’d become accustomed to throughout the years of their unsaid relationship. With Owen constantly leaving for his acting gigs, they had never set anything into stone but they had always managed to find themselves back together again the second he was back in Norman, Oklahoma. 

Owen placed his hands over his heart in mock offense and gawked at her “Do you take me for a fool, y/n?” 

Giggles erupted from the petite girl “only most of the time, Joyner.” She teased. 

“Shall we?” 

Owen extended his left hand out towards her. Y/N was quick to let her palm slide into Owen’s, their fingers interlocking as he guided her out to the street where his pick-up truck was parked. She dropped his hand as she clambered into the pick-up truck, her eyes immediately set on the paper map that was strewn across the dash.

Her attention was brought back to the blonde boy as he slid into the driver's seat and placed the key into the ignition. Owen turned the key, bringing the truck to life before putting the truck and drive and letting his left hand take the steering wheel while his right took its place back in Y/N’s grasp. 

Owen let his eyes drift from the road ahead over to Y/N. He watched her lips move as she quietly sang along to a song on the radio.He let his thumb run over her knuckles and moved his eyes back to the road. 

The sky steadily grew darker as they moved away from the city lights until they were nearly half an hour outside of the city limits. Owen pulled the truck off of the road, turned the headlights off, and removed the key from the ignition, 

“So, is there where you kill me and dump my body?” Y/N joked as she slid across the bench seat of the truck and kissed Owen’s cheek. 

“Why I put up with you is beyond me.” Owen joked back and opened his door.

Y/N slid out behind Owen and followed Owen around the truck. He lifted the tailgate down and hopped into the bed where he opened a box of blankets and pillows. Y/N watched as the boy meticulously laid everything out before he extended his hand out to her and pulled her into the back of the truck. 

Owen laid down on the makeshift bed with Y/N cuddling into his side, both looking up at the star-filled night sky, 

“Owen?” She called the boy's name quietly, drawing his eyes from the sky down to meet hers. 

She moved so that her head was resting on his chest and murmured “never mind.”

Owen kissed the top of her head and squeezed her waist gently, reassuring her that she didn’t have to say it. He knew she loved him and she knew he loved her but saying it aloud would make it real and they didn’t dare to cross that boundary.

Y/N woke up with Owen’s arms wrapped around her body and her head in the crook of his neck. Her eyelashes tickled the skin on his neck as her eyes fluttered open. 

“Owen” She whispered. 

The blonde boy groaned and tightened his grip on the girl for a moment before opening his eyes. 

Y/N lifted Owen’s right wrist so she could glance at his watch and sighed “I’m late for work.”

She pushed herself up into a sitting position and raised her arms above her head to stretch. 

“Owen, seriously, get up!” 

Owen pulled himself up and nuzzled his face into her neck “call out, you’re already late so just call out.” 

Y/N turned her head to catch Owen’s pleading eyes. She bit her lip and weighed her options, on one hand, she would definitely get fired if she called out for the fifth time this summer and on the other, this was her last week with Owen before he left again for filming. 

“You’re a bad influence, you know?” She tilted her head up and kissed the boy's cheek. 

Owen hugged her from behind, pulling her back against his chest while she fished her phone from her back pocket. She dialed the familiar number to the cafe where she worked and worked up her best “sick” voice, throwing in a chesty cough for good measure before hanging up and sliding her phone back into her pocket. 

“And here I was thinking I was the actor!” Owen laughed and removed his arms from her body letting her stand up. 

Owen shoved the blankets and pillows back into the box and hopped down from the truck. He grabbed her by the hips and lifted her out of the truck before closing the tailgate. Owen walked around to the passenger door and pulled it open before assisting Y/N into the truck. 

Owen took his spot back behind the steering wheel and started the truck, navigating the pair back to Norman. Y/N rolled her window down and threw her right arm out the window, letting her hand move in motion with the warm wind. The invading wind that rushed through the window tousled her curls around her face. She sang off-key to the pop song that played through the speakers, giggling as Owen jokingly groaned. Owen’s eyes lit up as he smiled to himself. Hands down, this version of Y/N was his favorite version. 

‘Are you hungry?’ Owen asked, his eyes spotting a small diner as they approached the outskirts of the city limits. He was pulling into the parking lot before Y/N gave him an answer. 

“Bold of you to assume I was going to say yes, Joyner.” Y/N smirked as she hopped out of the truck.

Owen slung his arm across her shoulders and pulled her into his side as they walked towards the door. 

“You eat like a 300 pound NFL linebacker, Y/N. I really didn’t even need to ask the question at all.” 

“I do NOT!” She gasped and slapped the boy’s chest.

“You DO-” Owen threw his head back in laughter “-last summer you beasted me in a hot wing eating contest and literally an hour later you were whining about being hungry and ate an entire combo meal from McDonald’s!” 

Y/N slid into a booth in the back corner of the diner, Owen sliding in the side opposite of her. Her cheeks flushed red at the recollection of the memory. She had certainly never been one to be self-conscious but she definitely didn’t want the boy that she was enamored by to think of her as some sort of food eating trash-compactor.

Owen’s brows pulled together as he took in her change of demeanor, “hey,” he said softly, “I didn’t mean it in any kind of negative way, ya know? I just meant that I like to think that after knowing you all of these years that I know you well enough…” 

Y/N looked up at the boy and playfully rolled her eyes “I’ll let you off of the hook this time! But, I would recommend not likening any other girls to NFL players in the future.”

“Noted.” Owen smiled at the girl before they both turned their attention to the approaching waitress. 

All hesitations left Y/N’s body as her stomach growled. She riddled off what seemed like half of the menu and a glass of chocolate milk before looking up at Owen and asking what he wanted. 

Owen stifled his laughter as their table slowly filled up with plates of food. 

“Okay, so maybe you had a point.” Y/N sheepishly admitted as her eyes scanned the assortment of breakfast foods laid out in front of her. She stabbed her fork into the plate of eggs while her left hand grabbed a slice of bacon. 

Owen picked up his breakfast bagel and took a bite out of it. “I like that you can be yourself around me.” He said with his mouth half full. 

She smiled back at the boy before grabbing her phone that was vibrating on the table. She let her fork drop onto her plate of pancakes and pressed her thumb to the phone, unlocking it.

                                                    Boss Lady

Don’t bother coming in for any more shifts. You can pick up your pay at the end of the week.

A deep frown pulled at her lips as she read the text message from her supervisor. She knew she shouldn’t have been surprised that she would be fired for calling out but it didn’t make her any less upset. She dropped the phone onto the table and dropped her head into her hands. 

“Y/N, you okay?” 

She looked up at the boy and narrowed her eyes at him “I got fired. So, no, I’m not fucking okay.” 

Owen lifted both of his hands up in front of him “hey, whoa, you don’t have to take it out on me.”

Y/N grabbed her wallet from her purse and dropped the appropriate amount of cash on the table before sliding out of the booth. Tears stung at the corners of her eyes as she hastily made her way to Owen’s pick-up truck. She could hear Owen’s footsteps on the pavement of the parking lot as he ran up behind her.  

Owen grabbed the girl’s shoulders and turned her around to face him. 

“Are you seriously blaming me for this?”

He was met with silence. 

“That’s not fair, you didn’t have to call out. You could have told me no!” Owen argued. 

“You’re right-” she met his gaze before continuing “I make bad decisions around you and that’s not your fault. It’s mine...you come back a-and every single time I let this temporary thing that we have control every decision I make.” 

She tilted her head to the sky and blinked rapidly trying to hold the tears from slipping down her cheeks. 

“Please, just take me home.” She whispered and turned away from the boy. 

Owen silently followed her to the truck and got into the driver’s seat. She sat with her body slumped against the passenger door, her eyes never leaving the window as Owen navigated them back to her house. A silent tension lingered in the air between the two for the duration of the drive and Owen desperately wanted to reach out to Y/N and hold her hand. He wanted to tell her that he didn’t see her as temporary, that he didn’t see anything between them as temporary. But instead, he swallowed his words and settled on fleeting glances at the girl. 

He placed the truck into park as he pulled up to her house and Y/N silently unbuckled her seat belt before opening the door and sliding out of the truck. 

“I’ll see you tomorrow?” Owen asked, hopefully. 

Y/N wrapped her arms around her body and looked down at her feet “I don’t know.” She licked her lips before adding “I-I think maybe we should distance ourselves...you’ll be leaving in a few days anyway.” 

Owen didn’t have a chance to respond before the passenger door was being slammed shut and Y/N was walking to her front door. Owen stayed sitting in his truck, waiting for her to look back at him and wave from the door the way that she always did. His heart plummeted to his stomach as the girl opened her front door and slipped inside with a second glance. Inside, Y/N pulled back the curtains from the living room window and watched as Owen’s truck pulled off and disappeared down the road. 

She let the curtains fall back into place and trudged her way upstairs to her bedroom where she fell to her bed. For the first night of the entire summer, Y/N didn’t hear the familiar pinging of pebbles hitting her window. She didn’t meet Owen for a midnight rendezvous and she sleep didn’t come easy to her. Her heart felt heavy at the way she left things with Owen and she wasn’t positive if she had actually meant anything she had said or if she was just trying to save them both from the inevitable.

With a heavy sigh, Y/N, pulled herself out of bed and to the bathroom where she brushed her teeth before hopping into the shower. She let the hot water pelt against her skin as she contemplated whether she should call Owen or not and take back all of the things that she had said. 

She exited the shower and headed back to her room where she slipped a t-shirt over her head and pulled on some pajama pants before she grabbed a book from her bookshelf and settled into the comfy chair in the corner of her room. A smile tugged at her lips as she remembered two summers ago when Owen employed their mutual friends to keep her busy for the day while he created a reading nook in her room. 

She read over the same sentence five times before placing her bookmark back into the page and closing the book. Her ears pricked up at the sound of pebbles on glass and she couldn’t help the smile that took over her face. She scrambled out of the chair and across the room to the window. She flung the window open and didn’t wait for Owen to make his way over to her before she hastily climbed out of it. 

“You know, I do have a front door, right?’ She teased as she made her way over to Owen

Owen shoved his hands in his pockets and shrugged “something about this just feels more romantic, I guess.”

“What are you doing here?” Y/N asked, her eyes holding his gaze. 

Owen’s hands reached out to hers and intertwined with them. He held both of her hands between them “It’s the last day of the state fair and I have two tickets…I was hoping you’d go with me?” 

“You sure you want to take me? I was kinda harsh yesterday.”

Owen dropped her left hand and lifted his hand to her cheek and let his thumb graze her cheek bone. 

“I wouldn't want to go with anyone else.”

“Okay, let me get changed.” 

Owen helped the girl climb back into her window. She rummaged through her closet and settled on a floral sundress and gold sandals. She left her face bare and pulled her hair into a high ponytail before she ran downstairs. She closed the front door and made her way over to Owen who was leaning against his pick-up truck. She pressed a kiss to his cheek and pulled back only for Owen to dip down and catch her lips with his. 

“You look...wow…” he breathed out as he pulled back. She felt her cheeks burn red at his compliment.

“Don’t be getting all soft on me, Joyner.” Y/N replied before moving away from him and getting into the truck. 

Y/N’s eyes lit up as they pulled up to the fairgrounds. She tugged on Owen’s hand, dragging him to the balloon game, the one with the water gun. 

“You know these games are rigged.” 

“Shut up and entertain me, Joyner.”

Owen reluctantly handed over two tickets and took a seat on the stool next to Y/N. They came up empty handed but that didn’t stop Y/N from dragging Owen to each and every fair game until they finally lucked out at ring-toss. She hugged the stuffed sloth to her chest and turned to Owen. 

“See! They aren’t all rigged!”

Owen rolled his eyes and pulled her into his side “I mean, we literally spent like $30 worth of tickets on a stuffed toy that cost like maybe $2…”

Y/N shrugged “yeah, well, I love it.”

 Owen bit his lip as he stared down at the girl next to him. He desperately wanted to tell her how much he loved her. He wanted to confess that his favorite part of the year was always when he came back to Norman, back to her. But instead, he swallowed the words back down and let Y/N lead him to their next destination. 

Owen placed a kiss to the top of her head before letting his arm slide down from her shoulders until his palm slid into hers. They stood in line at the ferris wheel as the sun began to set and the world began to light up with the colorful fair lights. 

They clambered into the bucket seat and the attendant lowered the bar across their laps. Y/N’s eyes lit up with wonder as they were slowly lifted into the air, the wheel making two full turns before it stopped with them at the top. 

She looked over at Owen to find he was already looking at her. Her hands nervously fidgeted in her lap as she contemplated if she was really going to cross the boundary that they had set when all of this had started four summers ago. Owen leaned in and she felt her eyes flutter shut as their lips met with Owen’s right hand gently cupping her cheek. 

“Owen..” she breathed out, her lips barely ghosting over his. She pulled back and averted her gaze. She looked out over the fairgrounds at the flashing lights of the rides and the sun that was barely peeking over the trees.

“I love you. I’m in love with you. I know I’m breaking the rules b-but I can’t let you leave this time without knowing.” 

She nervously let her gaze move back to the boy sitting next to her as the ferris wheel began to turn again. 

“Please say something.” She pleaded as the silence that followed her confession began to settle on her. 

“I--I, we can just forget---” She was cut off by Owen’s lips on hers but unlike every other kiss they had ever shared, this one felt intentionally passionate. 

“I never wanted us to be temporary, Y/N. I’ve been holding in these feelings for so long, waiting for you to feel the same way. ” Owen’s fingers ran the length of her jawline. “And every time I see you, I ask myself what did I do to deserve a love like this?” 

The ride came to a stop and Owen helped the girl out of the bucket seat of the ferris wheel. A smile pulled at her lips as she followed him back to the pick-up truck. She gently tugged on his hand as he opened the passenger door for her. Owen turned around and she drew a step closer. She hung her arms around his shoulders, her lips kissed at the corner of his mouth. 

“So, what next, Casanova?”

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[dingoat]

Septangst 10: Abandon

Ahuska picked up on the tension readily enough, but it wasn’t in her nature to pry or question. Not to say she wasn’t curious, that she didn’t take in what snippets of conversation drifted her way, but she rested comfortably with the assumption that if whatever had all the senior staff on edge was in any way relevant to her, then she’d be made aware.

Oh, how wrong she was.

She was going about the most mundane of tasks, hauling bins of old feed down to the compactor, when a shadow dropped behind her and caught her up in a grip like a vice, clapping a hand across her mouth. A wise move, as Ahuska’s startled cry was muffled to a squeak.

“Don’t struggle. Don’t fight. If you want to see the end of this day, you’ll come with me quickly, and quietly.” The voice was so fierce yet cool, it shot shivers up Ahuska’s spine. She wanted to do anything but follow along with those forceful, phantom instructions. But what choice did she have?

Her heart was pounding and her mind was racing as she tried to find a way to signal for help. Yet her feet moved with her captor, her survival instinct strong, telling her not to do anything rash, anything stupid, because she had terribly little doubt that her life was currently being held in powerful blue hands. A Chiss, she was certain, not that the knowledge helped her in the least. Any resistance she offered was met with an uncomfortable pressure against her ribs, and before long they were at the outer edge of the compound.

What was happening?

The sound of rapidly approaching footsteps had the Chiss pause before keying in the code to open the first set of gates; a flick of her ankle sent Ahuska sprawling to the ground and a well placed boot held her there. But Ahuska had already glimpsed her saviour; one of the facility managers, one whom she only ever saw in passing, working as he did in the restricted areas. Surely, though, surely he wouldn’t let this happen?

“Cipher-” there was stunned recognition in his tone, but the blaster he held up didn’t waver.

“I abandoned that title some time ago. Is that news to you? How disappointing. Or perhaps it’s just old habits…?” Her own weapon was likewise trained on him, alongside a wicked grin.

“What are you doing with her?” Surprise had given way to a hard, wary edge, as he ignored the Chiss’ pleasantries.

She snorted. “Saving her life, I figure.” 

He saw the way her fingers flicked across her blaster’s settings, and decided it was ultimately for the best not to intervene as she lowered her aim, and fired a blazing blue stun bolt into the back of the Bothan’s head.

[mamawolfblood]

Total drama Surprise

14 Brunch of Disgustingness

Chris: Last time on Total Drama Island… A note from a secret admirer got Gwen and Bridgette up in each other’s business. DJ accidentally knocked his boy Trent off the airplane, sending him deep into the Earth’s crust. Leshawna showed everybody how to hang on for dear life on the moose ride. Harold showed himself to be an ace flag-catcher, until he caught sight of Heather’s… unmentionables, causing him to crash his way right off the island, but not without a little canoodling time with the fair Leshawna. And now, let’s see what’s in store for our campers on this week’s episode of Total. Drama. Island!

Iris found it odd that Chef did want her help today for breakfast. Walking and sat on the dock looking at the moon. It was calm a peaceful just the gentle sound of water. "You couldn't sleep either?" Duncan said making the teen jump. He chuckled sitting behind me. His arms wrapped me into a warm embrace. His chin ontop of her head. No words needed to be spoken they just watch the sun rise.

It was something she didn't want to end but nothing lasts forever. The campers made their way to the mess hall. Before Iris could enter Duncan grabbed her arm. "Duncan what is it?" She asked looking up at him. But the carage he gathered soon turned to cold feet making him let go. "Nothing let's see what your dad has up his sleeve today." Damb so close but no big deal. The girl thought stepping inside sitting with her team.

Iris pov

My dad  Was acting weird whenever someone tried to ask about food.  Chef would snicker and laugh along with him. " OK seriously enough, what is wrong with the two of you?" I asked making them look at me. Its no secret I get cranky when I don't get food.

Chris: Congratulations to the remaining ten campers for reaching the halfway mark in the competition! You’ll all be on the jury for the final episode.

Geoff: We got the power! Yeah!

Chris: The two teams will become one next week. But first, all the girls will be moved to the Gopher cabin and all the guys will stay in the Bass cabin. This week’s challenge is as old as history itself. A battle of the sexes [Lindsay blows a raspberry at the guys] After everyone is settled in, I’ll announce the challenge. And then, you’ll have an uh… bite to eat.[He and Chef snicker] Ready for a little good news? This week, no one will be kicked off. [everyone cheers] It’s all for reward and it’s a good one. Okay, time to relocate. Let’s move! [He and Chef snicker]

Heather started kissing up to Bridgette. It was sickening to watch so I got up and left.

(Confessional: Bridgette)

Bridgette: I was a bit worried about being the only new girl on the team. Then I figured it can’t be that bad. I don’t buy that hype about how well guys get along and how catty girls can be.

(Confessional Off)

I was sitting outside when Bridgette walked over. "Hi Bridgette have fun in the lions den." I said before laughing.

Leshawna: Nobody’s leaving until I find out who ate my pudding pockets!

Heather: I ate them. So what?

Leshawna: Whoa! Pump the brakes a minute! You’re “so what”ing me? That’s my food. No one touches my food!

Heather: Whatever, deal with it. It serves you right for leaving your junk everywhere, especially that. That is bugging me.

Leshawna: Yeah, it’d bug me too if I didn’t have anything in the front or in the back to shake.

Heather: Yeah? Well, you’ve got so much junk in your trunk, your jeans should come with a trash compactor!

Leshawna: Ooh! You want a piece of this?

Bridgette: Uh-oh.

Heather: Bridgette! It’s so good to see you! Come in, come in! Welcome to our cabin. We’re like a big family in here.

Gwen: Big and dysfunctional.

Heather: Anything you need, just yell.

Bridgette: Thanks for the awesome welcome, Heather.

Lindsay: Welcome to the club! It’ll be so much fun! As long as you do everything Heather says. Ow!

Heather [after she laughs] : Yeah, we love joking around here at girls cabin. I made sure your bunk was next to mine–

Lindsay: Hey! That’s my bed. Ow!

Heather: So we can talk and share and really get to know each other.

Bridgette: Okay, yeah! Hey, thanks everybody, I can’t wait to get to know all of–

Heather: Okay! Plenty of time to chat later! Let’s unpack.

Lindsay: This is great! I bet we’re getting along way better than the guys.

I honestly hope things are going well. This den of vipers is about to explode. If on cue I heard this.

Bridgette: Let’s build bridges, not walls!

Heather: Take your pick.

dramatic music plays as Bridgette picks Gwen and Leshwana's side

Heather: You just dug your own grave.

Bridgette: Let’s try to get along, okay? Otherwise, the guys are going to cream us, don’t you get it? Tough room.

[Chef and Chris snicker]

Heather: Stop doing that!

Chris: Let’s just tell them… Today’s challenge is… The Brunch of Disgustingness! You’ll be getting a nine-course meal. Each member of each team must finish each dish. You will not know if the next dish is grosser than the last, not as gross, or just as gross. Just that it’ll likely be… gross.

Chef: Tell them what they’ll get if they win, Chris!

Chris: The winning team spends two days at a local five-star resort where they’ll be pampered, eat gourmet nosh, and be given antibiotics against anything they may have caught while participating in this challenge! The losing team will go hungry tonight and spend the next two days here. On Total Drama Island. With Chef.

The first round was bull testicles and the point went to the girls. Oh those boys could handle a little meatball.

Chris: The score now stands at one for the girls and zero for the guys! And now, the next course in… The Brunch of Disgustingness! You guys like pizza?

Owen: I could eat pizza any time with anything on it!

Chris: Anything? How about live grasshopper pizza with tangy jellyfish sauce and live anchovies?

Owen: I could eat pizza any time with anything on it!

Chris: How about live grasshopper pizza with tangy jellyfish sauce and live anchovies?

Ok even I thought it was gross please do let me get sick.

Leshawna couldn't eat it giving the guys a point making us tied. The girls freaked on her but honestly not a big deal. "Guys its not a big deal. We will win the next round so stop complaining.

(Confessional: Chef)

Chef: I was excited about the next dish. I made it from scratch.

(Confessional Off)

Chris: All right, who’s ready for the third course? Spaghetti! Well, actually, Earthworms covered in snail slime sauce and hairballs.

I barfed when it was placed infront of me.

(Confessional )

Iris- WHO THE FUCK THOUGHT THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA?! THIS SHIT IS FUCKING DISGUSTING!

*static *

(End of Confessionals)

The guys got another point and now I am getting aggravated.

Chris: All right everybody. Time for course number four. No nine-course meal would be complete without soup. Today’s special is French Bunyon soup with hangnail crackers.

(Confessional: Geoff)

Geoff: I think they just use stuff from Chef’s bathroom floor.

(Confessional Off)

Bridgette gasps

DJ strains to eat

Trent gags

Lindsay: I didn’t even taste it.

Chris: The girls win again![Gwen, Heather, Leshawna, and Lindsay cheer] The score’s now tied up at two.

(Confessional: Bridgette)

Bridgette: I think the girls really made a breakthrough as a team.

(Confessional Off)

The rounds continue and the barfing too. But we made it to the final round.

"Oh god I think I'm going to be sick." I said trying to hold it down but I dont think I can.

C

hris: Wow, it’s still tied up. We’re down to the last course in the challenge. It’s delicious dolphin wieners. Hot dogs made of dolphin.

Bridgette [after she gasps] : But dolphins are our friends!

Heather: What are you waiting for? It’s already dead. If you don’t eat it, we don’t win.

Bridgette: Ooh, I can’t! I’m a surfer! I swim with dolphins!

Heather: Eat it!

Bridgette: No! I’m not doing it. You can’t pressure me.

The hell we can't grabbing a hot dog off the plate, and then proceeded to shove it down her throat.

"I'M NOT LOSING THIS BECAUSE YOU CAN'T GROW A PAIR! THE DAMB THING IS DEAD SO SUCK IT UP AND STUFF YOU FUCKING FACE!" They all looked at me Bridgette had tears in her eyes. She coughed it all up.

DJ: I’m with you sister. I’m not eating no dolphin.

(Confessional : Chef)

Chef: I slave over a hot stove cooking dolphin. No appreciation!

(Confessional Off)

Chris: Okay, enough. We’ll solve this by having an eat-off. The one who can drink the most shot glasses of fresh, delicious blended cockroach will be the winner. This unlikely satisfying blend of eight different cockroaches is vitamin rich for your balanced lifestyle. On your mark, get set, go!

Owen and Leshwana drink the cockroaches.

Leshawna groans two times

Chris: Owen wins!

DJ, Duncan, Geoff, and Trent cheer

Leshawna groans

Heather: Leshawna, you are completely useless!

Leshawna: Oh, uh-oh, something’s coming up. [puking]

DJ pukes

Trent:pukes

Chef: Grr… [retches]

Chris retches

Duncan and Geoff Puke

The “elimination” music plays.

Chris: The guys are the big winners today. And the girls go their separate ways. Two definitive cliques have been cemented. [Heather grunts and the door rattles] For now. What shocking surprises are in store for our campers next week as they head for the big merge? Tune in on Total. Drama. Island!

[pascal-istheway]

Bounty Flaw - Chapter 2: The Future

Read it here on ao3

Fandom: The Mandalorian, Star Wars

Rating: Not Rated

Characters: Din Djarin x F Reader

MASTERLIST

-------

So it turns out she was none of them. She didn’t run, bargain, or fight. At least not in the beginning. Whatever happened back there - there’s just something unexplainable that I can’t shake. What the hell is wrong with me? I’ve never once offered not to carbonite a bounty. Now, here I am, offering up a pretty sweet deal with this girl. All because the kid did some magic back there. And that’s another thing - what the fuck was that?

I’d known there was something different about the little guy, that much had been obvious from the start. I just wasn’t sure why he was so special to them but now I know. His… abilities made him special. I will never be sure of the full extent of them, hell, I don’t think he even knows the full extent of them. But whatever he did wiped him out for a while.

I don’t know what I was thinking. There was just something in those terrified eyes that made me turn soft for a moment. I just couldn’t bring myself to be cruel to her. After watching the kid heal her, something inside me just snapped. I have never seen him do that for… anyone. Not a single one of my bounties. Most of the time he didn’t even look at them. What’s so special about her?

------

When you finally are able to open your eyes, they are heavy as lead. You lay there for a few minutes trying to assess your surroundings, taking in the metallic surfaces around you. Maker, it’s so hard to open your eyes. You are completely and utterly exhausted.

You try to move your body and find it is very stiff, your limbs refusing to move. You uncurl your fingers and flex them once or twice before you decide to test your legs. It doesn’t actually register with you that you’re in the Mandalorian’s ship.

When you reach out, feeling the metal walls surrounding you on all sides, you realize “ something doesn’t feel right” ... then, it hits you. In rapid succession, you sit up, the blanket sliding off your shoulders, and immediately whack your head on a metal structure hanging above you giving, what you’re sure will be a nasty concussion or, at the very least, a gnarly looking bruise.

You rub your head, cursing under your breath “ dank farrik-”, your pulse begins to slow as your eyes adjust to your surroundings. All the memories of the past few days hit you instantly. The escape, the infection… The Mandalorian... Your vision comes into focus as you look down and see yourself inside some type of bed carved into the far wall of his ship.

You don’t remember getting into this bed. It isn’t very comfortable. In fact, your back really hurts. You groan, moving your shoulder around and rubbing the side of your neck as you stretch. How long have you been out? It feels like it has at least been over a day because your body is so stiff and locked up. You notice how dark it is in here. Where are the lights? The only thing you can see is a few, very small red and green lights, illuminating along with parts of the ship indicating working machinery in the hull.

Scooting forward, you cautiously step down onto the floor and work your way off the cot. As soon as you place all your weight onto your legs, you almost topple over. Your hand instantly reaches down to your leg, searching for your wound. To your surprise, you feel nothing. The bacta shot has completely closed the gash on your leg, not even leaving a trace of it ever being there. This brings you to the next question, your clothes. They are not the ones you remember wearing when you arrived …

In fact, you don’t recognize these clothes at all. The shirt is about two sizes too big for you and the pants, despite having a drawstring, still hang off your hips with room to spare. You sigh, knowing you need to find this guy so you make your way forward, feeling your way around in the dark by putting your hands out and waving them around in front of you before you step. The steps are slow and cautious in an attempt to find your way to some sort of light source. He might’ve put you in some warm socks at least? The ground was freezing...

You turn your body slightly to the right and feel around, looking for something to grab hold of. Suddenly you feel a sharp pain stub shoot up your foot as you begin hurtling towards the ground. You throw your hands out in hopes of catching yourself, but you are too late. You let out a helpless yelp as your face smashes into the cold, metal surface.

“Dank fucking farrik!” you yelp.

You lay there for a few minutes, rubbing your foot while trying to regain your bearings when a bright light bursts into the hull from above making you squint painfully away. You hear metal clanking against metal as someone descends down the ladder. A pair of boots slam to the floor close to where you are lying, then silence.

“Are you always this clumsy?” A modulated voice cuts the silence.

Your cheeks flush a bright red as you try to shuffle your way up. Yes, you are indeed very clumsy, but he doesn’t have to point that out. In fact, you almost feel insulted that you just need to reply in your pure sassy form.

“Are you always so friendly and charming?” you shoot back in a high-pitched tone. He just stands there like a statue, making no sounds and remaining impossibly still.

He is a little intimidating , you would never admit that, though. The way he just stands there in complete silence, towering over you. It’s unnerving , you think to yourself. You stare back, puffing your chest out in hopes you at least look somewhat menacing to him.

The silence seems to drag out forever, neither of you wanting to be the first to break it. Finally, he clears his throat.

“How is your leg?” he asks, pointing to your now completely healed wound under your baggy pant leg.

“It’s fine… thanks.” You shoot back, lifting the sagging fabric to show him. There’s a slight scar, but you’re impressed at how far the bacta goes to heal wounds.

As you let the pant leg fall down, you suddenly remembered that these clothes were not yours.

“Did you put these clothes on me?” you asked with a fit of annoyed anger rising in your voice.

“Your other clothes were destroyed,” he said simply, “they were ripped up, covered in blood and who knows what else. Did you expect me to just leave you in them? Of course, I put those clothes on you. Who else would have?” he throws his hands up as he asks you, mirroring your agitated state.

Your cheeks begin to flush when you realize he had, in fact, seen you naked. You both stand there in uncomfortable silence for a few minutes before he lets out a loud sigh.

“I don’t know what else you would’ve expected me to do in this situation…”

You adjust the shirt at your waist, trying to get comfortable in his presence. “I just wasn’t expecting to wake up in something different. It was a shock, that’s all,” you tone down the sass in an attempt to be grateful. Because you really should be grateful for them. That was the truth of the matter, you were out of credits, and only packed one extra set of clothes because that’s all you could carry, which reminded you, “where did you put my old clothes, speaking of.”

“Compactor… where else would you put them?” He said it so casually it made your head spin.

“I only have one spare!! I could’ve repaired them!” you yell at him, “what the fuck were you - oh Maker, never mind!” you throw your hands up in exasperation.

“I was only trying to help you,” he stood there with his hands crossed over his chest, “ and need I remind you that I am being kind enough as it is not throwing you into carbonite. You. Are. A. Bounty. I have no reason to offer you kindness.” He shoots back at you. You can see him recede a little as soon as the words leave his mouth.

He lets out a long, exasperated sigh.

“Look, you’re going to have to cut me some slack here. The trip will be a lot less painful for both of us if we can stop being so hostile with each other. I need you to work with me. Just make the best out of the situation.” He lowers his voice in a poor attempt to make his last statement seem less aggressive.

You stand there for a few seconds before you try to relax your face. He is right. He didn’t throw you into carbonite. He also was only trying to help. The anger inside you slowly starts to leave your body as you take a few deep breaths.

“Look, I am sorry. I just… this isn’t the most wonderful situation to be in. Maybe you should cut me some slack,” you come back at him,  “you’ve forced me onto your ship to take me back to my worst nightmare. Just please… try to understand why I am so pissed.” You reply softly in hopes of diffusing the situation. The last thing you want is to end up in carbonite next to the other bounties he’s collected. There is no chance of you escaping if that were to happen.

“Thank you… really… for all your help” you continued hoping you sounded sincere. He stands there for a few seconds more in silence before speaking.

“Taking you back to…” he pauses, approaching the question with caution, “your nightmare?” he asks. “What do you mean?”

This guy probably doesn’t want to hear your entire backstory. He probably doesn’t even care, so what’s the point? You sigh, frustrated that you even have to explain.

“It doesn’t matter...don’t worry about it” you reply abruptly.

Din lets out yet another sigh. “I’ll be up in the cockpit. I don’t trust you to leave you alone down here. If you’re going to be out of carbonite, you’re going to be within my sight at all times until we get to Nevarro, understand?” he asks harshly.

“Whatever you say tin foil” you mumble under your breath. You meant to say it so low he couldn’t hear you, but the quick snap of his helmet back in your direction affirmed that he had heard you. “ This is going to be just fucking great ,” you think to yourself sarcastically.

A few hours later, you are still sitting in the co-pilot seat of the cockpit. You and Mando haven’t spoken a single word to each other. As soon as you followed him up here, he had demanded you sit in the seat and not move. You had crossed your arms over your chest, like a child , and plopped down in the seat with an angry look across your face. You weren't giving him the satisfaction of having you obey his every command without protest.

You sat there, sulking for a few seconds before you were distracted by something. Your eyes shot up to the windshield of the Crest to take in the beautiful scenery before you, hyperspace. You had never been in hyperspace before. It was more beautiful than you could have ever imagined. Your mouth had dropped open without you realizing it. The stars dazzling across your face were the most magnificent thing you think you’d ever seen.

“Close your mouth before you catch bugs in there”. Mando had exclaimed.

That was enough to make you realize you never wanted to talk to him again unless you needed to. He was so annoying .

So here you sit, hours later, still sulking with your arms crossed in the co-pilot seat of the Crest. You start searching your mind for ways that you can get out of this very shitty situation. The only way you see yourself even having a slight chance at escape is by running when you land. You knew you wouldn’t get far unless there was some type of distraction. He was good, so the distraction was going to have to be great. Your thoughts are interrupted by the sound of something shuffling behind you.

You turn your chair around, slightly startled, only to see two big black eyes staring up at you. The kid . You had almost forgotten about him. He is just about the cutest creature you have ever seen. You looked him over from the soft pink color on the inside of his ears to the wisps of hair that dotted along with the wrinkles across his forehead. He looked almost old in ways you couldn’t quite explain or put your finger on. You hesitate to ask, thinking better of it.

The kid lets out a quiet babble as you see him raise his little hands up in your direction. Does he… does he want you to pick him up? You start to soften as he brings up his other hand making a grabby motion with his fingertips. You scoot forward to the edge of your seat before you are interrupted by a menacing, modulated voice.

“Don’t even think about touching him,” the Mandalorian says flatly without even turning around to see the child motioning so sweetly to you.

“He’s asking politely,” you respond, ignoring him and grabbing the small creature under the arms and lifting him. The Mandalorian swivels his chair around and grabs the child from your grasp which sends him into an uncontrollable fit. Well, serves him right. He tucks him into his lap, ignoring his cries and takes a small knob from a shifter to his right, and unscrews it, handing it to the small child. This perks him up slightly as he plays with it but eventually, he just throws it on the floor and makes more grabby hands towards you.

“I don’t mind holding him while you drive… or fly… er, whatever it is you do here,” you roll your eyes at him.

He groans and bows his head, looking at the child, before sighing in defeat and turning around to face you. “This is a one-time deal. Don’t go getting any ideas in your head,” he slowly hands him over to you as you tuck him into your lap. He instantly cheers up, clearly appreciating the change of scenery. The Mandalorian gets up and grabs the small silver knob from where it rolled on the floor and hands it to him, patting him once on the head before taking his seat again and falling back into that uncomfortable silence.

The entire ride to Nevarro stays like that. From your spot behind him, you’re able to really watch and examine him. You watch the subtle twitch in his hand against the steering column - this rhythmic tapping he does almost like he’s thinking. The child has fallen asleep in your arms at this point, so you sit there, slowly letting your eyes drop as you watch this metal man tap away on his console. Before long, you feel the jolt of the ship dropping out of hyperspace and dropping into the atmosphere of Nevarro.

“Wake up,” is the only warning you get from him as he starts flipping switches and pushing buttons, preparing for a landing.

“Good morning to you too,” you reply, stretching your arms over your head. Panicked in the realization that the child is no longer in your lap, you look around, searching for the little green guy.

“He’s already where he’s supposed to be. You guys took quite the nap together,” he explained. You sagged back into the seat, sighing in relief.

“So what’s the plan,” you fidget with your hands in your lap. It occurred to you previously in the trip that you’d need to come up with some kind of plan between now and when you landed but you hadn’t expected to sleep through the entire thing. This really wasn’t beneficial for making plans. A slight sheen of sweat brushed against your brow as you quickly flipped through your exit strategies and realized, you really didn’t have one.

You’d never been off Tatooine and you had no clue where to go from here. No credits that could help you out. Shit. This was really not fucking ideal.

Your thoughts are suddenly interrupted by a little screech coming from below your chair. You jump so hard you almost fall out of your chair. You look down to see that the kid has returned from wherever the Mandalorian had stuffed him away. He is standing at the base of your chair raising his hands toward you wanting you to pick him up again. How can you resist such a cute gesture?

“What did I tell you, kid?” The Mandalorian exclaims. He lets out a frustrated sigh. “It’s nap time.” He begins to get up from his seat and reach for the kid. You swoop him up as quickly as you can before he has the chance to take him.

“Oh for fuck’s sake. Leave him alone! Why does it bother you so much that he wants me to hold him?” You shoot back. The Mandalorian freezes in his position, arms stretched out towards him, without offering you another word.  

“That’s what I thought, shiny. You have no reason.” You exclaim with triumph in your voice. He doesn’t have to be so damn grumpy. You look down at the kid with adoration. He is just about the cutest creature you have ever seen.

He brings his little hand up slowly, making a sweet little noise as his fingers connect with your left cheek. You almost melt from how cute it is. Damn, he really seems to like you. If the situation were different, you might actually want to keep him for yourself.

Suddenly, a bright light is flashing over your vision. You almost scream out in shock… until you see him . Your brother. It’s the strangest thing you have ever seen, it’s like you are watching him on a holographic screen. You see him running through a forest, fallen trees, and disturbed soil exploding around him. It looks like he has been badly injured. There is blood trickling out of his right ear and multiple cuts and bruises all over his body.

Suddenly, he stops, frantically looking back towards something in the distance. You cannot see what he is looking at, but you can see the pure fear on his face. Before you can process what is happening, you see a blurry hand reach out and shove him in the back. Simultaneously, a blaster fire comes from the same direction and buries itself into his back, causing him to collapse.

“ NO!”   a scream escapes from your throat. You reach out trying to catch him, but it’s like you can’t move. His body seems miles away from you, shrinking into the distance. Images burst in your eyes - blaster fire, blood, wood shards flying… then a flash of his lifeless body laying on the ground before nothing but darkness.

A blood-curdling scream bursts from deep within your throat, like a waterfall of tears, burst from your eyes. You have no idea what is happening, but you are witnessing one of your worst nightmares. Nothing you’ve lived through, not even watching your parents dying, had ever been this vivid or intense. A strong hand grips your shoulder and everything comes back to you at once. All you can hear is the ringing in your ears, muddling everything in the room.

“Hey!” A modulated voice shouts, cutting through the screeching in your head. Your vision fades in and out, slowly coming back into focus along with your surroundings. Reaching out at the sides of the cockpit, the cool metal-like ice on your fingertips. The Mandalorian is standing in front of you holding a knocked-out child in his left arm and shaking you violently with the other. You blink a few times trying to bring him into focus. You can feel the wetness on your cheeks as tears continue to fall out of your eyes.

“What the FUCK?” you scream as you grab his arm trying to center yourself. “What the actual fuck was that?”  You repeat, trying desperately to make a rational string of thoughts.

“Are you okay? What happened?” The Mandalorian asks, clearly concerned.

You sit there for a moment, swallowing several times before you answer. Are you okay? What the fuck just happened? Clearly, it was something the kid did. He is clearly gifted, you already knew that much from watching him heal your leg. Did he just give you a vision too? Your mind suddenly clicks as the realization hits you. The future.

“My brother!” You scream out, another wave of panic coming over you, “I have to get to him. He’s in trouble!” You bolt upright, almost shoving him over as you start to hyperventilate. You have to get out of here, now.  

“Hey, slow down there little bird,” The Mandalorian exclaims as he grabs your shoulder, “just tell me what’s going on! What just happened?” He asks as he whips you back around to face him. Clearly he was just as concerned as you were, although it was unclear if he was more concerned for you or for the child.

“He showed me! I- I think he showed me the future.” You shout. “I don’t know how, but I saw him! I saw my brother and I have to get to him before he gets hurt. I can’t lose him too.” You exclaim. You notice the sobs starting to work their way through your body as you drop to your knees. You sit there for a moment, letting out a horrid-sounding sob from deep in your chest.

“I-I’m sorry. I don’t know what to do. I can’t stand this.” You cry out. You let out a final, pitiful, “I can’t lose him too,” you whisper through your sobs. It was so quiet, he almost didn’t hear you. You pound your fist into the cold, metal floor in frustration, “I can’t fucking lose him! I already lost everyone else I love,” you scream, pleading to the universe, “I can’t watch this happen and not-” you lose yourself in the gut-wrenching sobs. There is absolutely nothing you can do. You’re stuck on this damn ship with this damn Mandalorian who is taking you back to slavery. You are completely helpless.  

Feeling your body practically invert itself, you curl into your knees, letting yourself pour your heart out. You let every memory, every feeling you’ve ever had go in that cockpit. You cry for your parents, for the way they were killed. You cry for your friends back home and the pain they will endure for your failed escape attempt. You cry for your brother and his inescapable fate. And you cry for yourself for this disastrous fate you got yourself into.

The Mandalorian shuffles around a bit before you see his massive frame coming into your blurry vision. His fingertips slowly reach under your chin and force your head up to look at him. He has kneeled down to your level, helmet merely inches from your face.

“Hey… I need you to open your eyes and look at me,” he says in a much softer tone.

Doing as he says, your eyelashes flutter open softly. Your vision is very blurry, nose runny, spit falling from your mouth, just a complete mess. Hating how vulnerable you look in front of him, you attempt to reach up and wipe the mess off your face.

“That’s it, just take deep breaths, little bird,” he whispers softly. His thumb starts moving slowly across the bottom of your chin. “Eyes right here,” he instructs.

“Listen to me ,” he says softly, “I don’t know who you are, but my kid and you have some kind of connection going on here that I just can’t seem to explain,” You had to give him credit, the guy was trying his best with you, “I don’t know why they wanted so much for you. I took this job because bounties are shit jobs lately and I’ll be honest, you were good money.”

You stare at him in shock, your mouth dropping open. This was the most he’d spoken to you since he picked you up and quite frankly, this was the most honest anyone had ever been with you in your entire life. A part of you felt like you wanted to slap the shit out of him - if it weren’t for the helmet. But the other part of you thought how refreshing it was for someone to just tell you the damn truth for once. You wipe your face with the back of your hand, praying you didn’t look too much like a disaster.

“Your guess is as good as mine. I don’t know why they wanted me back so badly,” sniffling, you look up at him from where your hands were wrapping around that strand of hair. “I keep thinking it over… wouldn’t it just have been cheaper for Morga to write me off as a loss as he does with the other slaves? Why does he want me back so badly?”

“I can’t answer that for you,” he sighs deeply, clearly weighing out the options. It seemed to be weighing heavily on him, whatever he was considering because the silence was heavy enough to slice through with a knife.

“Alright well here’s the deal. I’m sticking my neck out for you with Karga. If I do this, I gotta be able to trust you…”

“What… uh what do you mean?” you question him, nervous for the answer.

“I can’t believe I’m doing this again,” he whispers softly, almost soft enough you could barely hear him, “ but I don’t think my kid will forgive me if I turn you in.” His nervous laughter echoes between the two of you. “So I was thinking -” he paused, deeply considering his words, “what if I didn’t bring you back?”

There’s a long pause of silence where you both just stare at each other before you speak.

“I’m sorry, what?” you simply stare at him, eyes practically bugging out of your head.

“What if,” he draws his words out, “what if I just didn’t bring you back? I did it with the kid before. Sure it’s a risk but, clearly, there’s something else going on here and he was smart enough to pick up on it and I don’t know…”

“Where would I go?” you question him. This would surely solve one of your problems, but not the remaining part, “I have no credits, no home to go back to, no job. I have nothing. You threw away my other set of clothes.” You stand and start pacing the tiny confines of the cockpit.  

“Well let’s make a deal. You stay with me. I can protect you, offer you a place to stay, and in exchange, you watch the kid while I’m out collecting quarries,” he replied.

Holy shit he was serious. It almost makes you want to maniacally laugh. Shit, maybe you were having a full-blown breakdown... You cover your mouth with one hand but a giggle escapes. “Oh shit, you are serious aren’t you?”

“Well not if you’re going to laugh at me about it…” he replied.

“Ok, so let’s say that I do stay. What would you tell, uh, Karga was it?”

“Uh... I haven’t gotten that far yet,” he puts his hand on the back of his neck and looks up, “however, I feel like we need to have a little more mutual trust going on here between us,” his finger points between the two of you. “Because this isn’t working. This silent treatment isn’t going to work going forward. Not for either of us especially if you’re going to be living here.”

“Wh - what do you want?” you ask.

“Well, when you’re ready, why don’t you tell me a little something about you? And in exchange, I’ll tell you something about me. Sound good?” he sat down in his chair and crossed his ankles together, motioning for you to sit down.

You gingerly take a seat on the edge of the chair, feeling like prey ready to run at the single sight of danger. Your reflexes are so tense and on edge, you’re practically about to burst.

“Alright, well, what do you want to know?” you ask, swallowing a lump in your throat.

“Anything you’d like to tell me,” he leans back, clearly relaxed in his own space.

You swallow the courage that was bubbling into your throat, realize you need to ask him. You have been presented with an incredibly rare opportunity here, one that not many people have been gifted. You were given a prophecy, a vision of the future. Your brother's future more importantly. And in this future, you’d seen him killed. A moment in time, stamped in the future. Something you could prevent from happening altogether. Not many people had this kind of power and only the ones that did have their fates entwined with the force.

You close your eyes, imagining yourself on that ledge with fate, grasping their hand and taking the leap off together into the unknown.

Your eyes pop open, staring directly at him as if willing to see his eyes behind the shiny beskar. “If I am to stay, I have a request,” you say softly, praying he will accept the new terms. He just sat there, waiting for you to finish and when you didn’t, he just simply said, “alright.”

You pause, confidence rapidly fading, but instead, you push on, “I don’t know how else to say this, but I can’t stay here and go out looking for my brother on my own, which we both know I will never find him in time… or -” you pause, hoping he picks up the rest of your intentions.

The Mandalorian stares at you in silence, not saying anything. You sigh loudly, waving your hands in the air, “fuc- will you help me?” you pause, looking at him. “Please?” you add for good measure.

“I can help out around here in return. I ca- I can watch the kid while you do your work. I can...fly? Well, I can’t fly, but you could teach me? I can-” He cuts you off before you can continue rambling.

“Stop.” He exclaims as he holds his hand up. “You’re getting ahead of yourself.”  

He seems to consider it, leaning forward and nodding his head while he rests his arms on his knees.

“If we’re going to do this,” he starts, “I’m going to need a little trust from you. We need to learn to trust each other. You have to give me something. I don’t know anything about you, and you don’t know anything about me. If I am to help you, you need to give me a little background. I cannot help you if I am walking in blind.” He stares at you patiently, waiting for a reply.

You look around, literally anywhere but directly at him. The thoughts dancing through your brain go from one moment in time to the next. When someone asks you to talk about yourself, why is it that your brain suddenly can’t think of a single interesting thing? What would be the right thing to say that would make you seem like a trustworthy person?

“Okay…” you start out, clearing your throat, “I was born on Tatooine… been there my whole life I guess. I -” you pause, looking up at him to see if this is what he’s looking for, “I...I am, or I guess I was, a slave to the Hutts,” you pause, sucking in a reassuring breath of air, “I have been all my life. My whole family was. Slaves, I mean...” you admitted. You look up at him again to search for any sign of a reaction. You get absolutely nothing, just the blank stare he always has when you talk to him.

“Being a slave is all I have ever known. In fact, this is the first time I have even left that damned city on Tatooine,” you pause, thinking back to your little hut. The small room off the kitchen with a tiny cot for you to come home to and crash after a long day at the cantina. How many nights you’d spent on the roof, staring up at the stars wishing on every single one that someone would come and take you away… You’d pray every night for a life better than the one you had. You hadn’t imagined anything close to this…

Taking a sharp breath in, you continued with your story, “I wasn’t allowed to go anywhere. The market on occasion when Morga needed something important, but that was rare. He had runners for those things. My parents…” you trail off, feeling tears starting to form in the rim of your eyes, “- I’m… I’m all that’s left… other than my brother. At least I hope he’s alive.” Your throat starts constricting as the emotions start to overtake your body. No… I will not show weakness in front of him. You clear your throat in an attempt to get rid of the sensation, swallowing the burning lump in your throat.

“I haven’t heard or seen him since he was just a boy. I don’t really remember what he looks like even. Sometimes I’m afraid I wouldn’t recognize him if I saw him because it’s been so long.” You smile, thinking back at the boy he used to be. Brown curly hair and the most brilliant blue eyes you’d ever laid your own eyes on. The Mandalorian just watches you silently as you talk, taking in what you’re saying. You give him little bits, not really divulging into anything too deep.

“It’s just… it hasn’t been easy. I want something more with my life. I want to find my brother and run away to another planet. I just don’t want to live that lifestyle anymore. I don’t want my brother to have to live that life anymore. He was able to get away but last I heard he was caught and resold to another planet. I don’t know where but I wanted to try to find him. They aren’t good to me, never have been. Morga wasn’t good to any of us.” You didn’t even realize you were crying until you reached up and felt the wetness dripping off your cheeks. Apologizing silently for the rambling, you wonder if this was even what he was asking for because he never responds. He isn’t even reacting - just staring. Just listening.

“You can call me Mando,” is his only reply.

------

“Ahh, Mando! This is a pleasant call! What do I owe the pleasure of seeing your face over a holographic instead of in person?” Karga said over the blue hologram.

“I’m delivering news that your last bounty is undeliverable,” Mando says plainly into the receiver. You stay back out of the receivers shot, anxiously waiting.  

“I can’t say I’m not surprised, considering your track record, but I’m also a bit shocked. Had to wet your whistle, did you?” Karga laughed and the sound was enough to make your blood boil. What you wouldn’t give to meet this guy in person to sucker punch him in the fat fucking mouth.

As if Mando knew what you were thinking, he reached out to block you from stepping into the shot, “That’s enough Karga, just know she’s undeliverable and that’s the end of it,” he gave you a gentle shove back. “If you have something you’d like to say further, I have no issues with meeting you at the gate.”

“As tempting as it would be considering you still owe us from the last undelivered bounty , ” Karga’s voice is dripping with disdain, “I can’t waste the men at this very moment.” He smiled sweetly into the hologram. You laugh, knowing that means Mando would completely whoop his ass. Mentally, you pump a fist in the air at him.

“You may not understand why I have to do this Karga, but just know it has to be done. If you were me, you’d do the same thing,” Mando’s voice strained. Whatever happened between them with the child clearly still bothered him.

“That’s the difference boy , I don’t betray the guild or my creed . I thought Mandalore understood that above all else. Guess you were just defective or-” Mando cut the transmission, abruptly standing and chucked the receiver across the small room. He was frustrated with himself more than anything but what came across was just pure rage. Something you were familiar with being on the receiving end of.

He stands there, arms taught on the center console of the cockpit, his shoulders rising and falling with each breath. The anger physically radiated out through the Beskar. Afraid to make a sound, you stood there watching him, waiting for any sign that you hadn’t done anything wrong - that he wasn’t going to suddenly change his mind and send you off to be resold.

“Mando I’m so-”

“Get out,” he cut you off, hand raised towards you, his words dripping with a distaste for you. Or at least that’s what you interpreted it as. In reality, he was angry at Karga for everything he said about you.  

It wasn’t a good look for him, he realized that you were sure of it. But the outburst had sent you away in tears nonetheless. Between the two of you, the emotions were all over the place in this ship. You guess that’s just part of the adjustment period. You’d climbed down the ladder only to find a cot all made up in the middle of the ship. He must’ve come down when you were napping.

Which of course only made you cry harder because this only meant he’d been already thinking about this before he decided to call Karga and tell him to basically go fuck himself. You laid down on the cot, curling up and clutching one of the pillows, letting yourself cry again until you couldn’t cry anymore. After today, you were all cried out. Maker, this was going to be complicated.

[dontasktheradiodemon]

Egg Meeting 3/14/2021

Alastor visits Valera on Okkylk to “meet” an egg! An egg which hasn’t been laid yet, but like, it buzzes in magic static that Radio Demons can detect, so it’s still an interesting thing to meet if you’re an Alastor.

Alastor and Valera spend way too much time talking about the weird magical interdimensional tricks that Valera’s species can do because at one point Valera went “Alastor mentioned some of his occult experiences and I have decided I will be polite and NOT ask him about them” while Alastor went “Valera mentioned some of their occult experiences and they’re absolutely fascinating so I’m going to crack open my little grimoire and ASK A HUNDRED QUESTIONS and TAKE LOTS OF NOTES.”

He also somehow finagles himself into maybe being a fake-uncle, making the short list for a hypothetical godparent position, and definitely being the official Nightmare PTA Representative at any future school functions.

They also ended up following up on this conversation and it was awful and nobody enjoyed it.

(Starts as semi-OOC chatter and then segues into fully IC)

Alastor

SHOW HIM HIS FUTURE FAUX-NIBLING

Valera

He can meet Eelizzy the spectacular staticy egg

dazzler of, as of now, 100% of the people who've met this literal fetus in an egg in someone's goddamn stomach

Alastor

It’s definitely a lot louder than he generally expects eggs to be. Not, like, *audibly* loud. But still loud.

Valera

it is the sensation of like. those old tvs. the kind of fuzzy when you run your hands in the air right over the glass

Alastor

That’s a good stim

Valera

It's a GOOD STIM and now Val has just accepted that people are going to want to skim their hands over her stomach every time Egg goes brrrr

Alastor

He only does it for a couple of seconds before he’s like what the *fuck* am I doing that is somebody’s belly and stops himself and apologizes, how very rude of him

(But once the egg is laid all bets are off)

Valera

That egg is gonna get so much touching.

Alastor

Everyone with their hands over this egg like it’s the dead of winter and the egg is the only fireplace for miles

Valera

If eelizzy didn't want that she should have thought about it before she decided to be a stim

Egg buzzes rhythmically to music, and the lil beanie baby of A Child inside will kinda wiggle to the beat, which right now Val feels as a vague shifting of weight.

This thing has been exposed to music since it was conceived, it's too late for her

Alastor

Alastor will absolutely play some music for this egg to hear it buzz along

He’s like “You know my mother told me that when she was carrying me, a ghost would come to her and sing for me! She stopped hearing him when I was born. I don’t think I buzzed, though.” And then goes back to playing music like this is a totally normal fact to share out of the blue.

Valera

That's a very normal and not at all weird thing to tell someone. Yep. Fun little factoid to share with a friend.

Val just has to accept this as a new thing they know!!! "Well, hopefully I won't stop hearing you when Elizzy is born! I'm not too bad at charades, but it *would* complicate things."

Alastor

“Well, you could hear me just fine before then, so it’s probably fine!

Valera

Alastor sure had a WEIRD LIFE and Val is NOT SURE what to make of the snippets they heard. Humans aren't usually so Aware

Alastor

:) a special boy

Valera

On one hand, they almost want to *congratulate* him, on the other, did he get robbed of a normal childhood??? Should they offer condolences??? Help.

Alastor

:) :)

Valera

It worked out for him at least but at what cost....

Val doesn't actually know anything about his home life growing up! Like did he have a dad in the picture? Match and Leal didn't, but This guy has Surprised Her Before

Alastor

:) :) :)

Does Val ask or just Wonder?

Valera

They're still anxious about Alastor getting the wrong idea from them asking questions so they would Not ask.

They kept scwunching at the rehearsal because Leal was sitting with their main body patting them and singing in french to Soothe Their Dumb Ass

Alastor

So he just shares a weird-ass anecdote and then they marinate in the moment. Delightfully awkward

Valera

YEP

A little quip and then several seconds of dead air while Val goes on a face journey.

valera, wildly overthinking the second she doesn't have someone literally or figuratively holding her hand through a Social Interaction With Someone She Is Unsure Of Boundaries With

alastor: I was a haunted baby.

val: ..................... cool

Alastor

Alastor: and now I’m haunting YOUR baby! Haha isn’t that fun

Valera

Valera: A proud and noble tradition of baby haunting. Can't wait to see who she decides to haunt later in life.

Alastor

Alastor: ......... Do Veci have ghosts when they die?

He doesn’t know how Veci work, just that afterlives are something that happens to other people

Valera

Val: Nope, when we die for good our gods destroy our souls and recycle them. Unless you're an Autocrat, then you're turned into one of their little puppets used to enact their divine will and guide the next Autocrat. She'll have to find a mortal soul to haunt as a spirit.

Veci who die get put into the soul blender to get recycled for fresh soul meat

Alastor

Alastor: Pity. Environmentally friendly, I suppose.

Alastor: We just get thrown in the landfill and once a year a bunch of us get scooped into the trash compactor.

Valera

val: It's efficient! Kinda gross though, being made of the ground meat of souls. At least I get to look forward to a continued existence as some fucked up angel analog when someone makes me bite it someday. Wonder if I'll still recognize my kids?

Pat pat belly.

Alastor

Alastor: Can you ask your puppet predecessor?

Valera

val: I could try! He did have a daughter who's still alive, maybe if I made him manifest around her I'd get a reaction.

Alastor

Alastor: For her sake, I hope he does! Can’t imagine how awful it’d be if he didn’t! Although I don’t know how close you folks are to your ancestors. Even on Earth it varies.

Valera

val: Oh, very close! There are rooms in the Reppetto Compound still left exactly as the old owners left them when they died *hundreds* of years ago. There's never been a reason to clear them out, so we don't. I visit them occasionally, pay my respects. That's just the Veci though, I think the other species are much more practical.

Alastor

Alastor: ... And yet most of your ancestors get... “recycled.” They’re no longer around to visit the rooms left for them. That *is* a pity.

Alastor: Do Veci ever recognize shreds of their loved ones in their reincarnations?

Valera

val: Yes! It isn't unheard of for lovers to find each other again through old fragments, or a son to find that his child tugs at his soul to remind him of a dearly departed mother. Plenty of people recognize parts of me, some more strongly than others. Shreds tend to find their way back to their families. Sons, daughters, if you've experienced a loss you may find some glimmer of that person again in a generation or two.

Alastor

Alastor: Hm. Not quite gone forever, then. That’s good—the alternative is just too depressing, isn’t it!

Valera

val: Indeed! Full on reincarnation has even happened a few times, though the odds are, obviously, *incredibly* slim. We did have one guy though, who got reincarnated *three times in a row*. He's still alive, I've met him. Absolutely off the shits, never met someone less sane.

Alastor

Alastor: Hah! Is madness a prerequisite or side-effect to full blown reincarnation?

Valera

val: A side effect, I imagine! That would probably mean remembering getting your essence shredded and then falling back together. He likes to say he's "all there but the mind". What about you though? Was your culture close to your ancestors?

Alastor

Alastor: One side closer than the other. Some humans reincarnate, I’m given to understand, but where I’m from once you’re ejected from your body you tend not to get a replacement. Some stick around, most move on to one afterlife or another—and at that point you mainly reach them through long-distance calls, spiritually speaking. They’re still *there,* but... not on the same *level* that we are.

Alastor: It’s a trade off, I suppose���no reincarnation means no way to see them in the flesh again, but on the other hand they’re always *themselves*—they never become somebody different.

Valera

val: That.. Is very alien, to me. But I don't dislike the concept. Preserved in time, an individual forever, able to be reached but not touched. I guess, for us, since we live such a long time... We get a lot of time with people. By the time they leave us, they've usually said all they'd ever want to. If they pop up again it's just a nice surprise.

Alastor

Alastor: We seem to only get enough time to figure out what we're doing and pass on a fraction of our tricks to the next generation or two, and then we're gone and our descendants have to bumble around just like we did! Maybe we need ghosts more.

Valera

val: Sounds like you need more haunted babies to me, Alastor.

Alastor

Alastor: Why, are there any others around for me to haunt?

Alastor: anyway, I wouldn't make a very good ancestor, considering my distinct lack of descendants.

Valera

val: Just pick a baby and declare yourself part of their life! Step-Ancestor them before they can blink!

val: In all seriousness, Leal's already conceded the title of uncle to you despite you not even asking for it, I think you can figure something out.

Alastor

Alastor: I— Has he?

Alastor: Well—I was about to get all presumptuous and commandeer it myself, but—er. Good. Thank you. Him.

Valera

Val: He has indeed. As he puts it, you were here first, and you're Penny's best friend so *obviously* the role of honorary uncle should be yours. If sinners did godparents, I'm sure he'd ask you to be hers. Or I assume as much!

Alastor

Alastor: ... oh. Well. I'd hoped, actually...

Awkward shuffle.

Alastor: ... I mean, a child can have more than one uncle.

Valera

val: What had you hoped, Alastor? I won't laugh or anything, I just need you to be clear with me.

Alastor

Alastor: ... to be that.

Valera

val: What, to be an uncle? Or a godparent?

Alastor

Alastor: I'm not picky about the term. Someone close enough to matter. Uncle, probably, I suppose. I don't know what a damned sinner would do as a godparent—but I wouldn't turn it down.

Valera

A thoughtful look.

val: I'd love to have you be an important part of my child's life, Alastor. Though, from what I *understand* of modern human customs, a non-religious godparent usually just means that if the parents die, the godparent steps in to either raise the kid or find them a home that would raise them the way the parents would want. Largely symbolic, but important nonetheless.

Alastor

Alastor: It's hard to be non-religious within a religious afterlife. But—just for the record, if anything happened to you two and you *didn't* have a plan in place, I'd probably be charging in to do that myself anyway. I'm not about to leave that child in the hands of somebody who's going to be halfhearted about it.

Valera

Val: Well there you go! Already ready to do your job, and you haven't even been handed the paperwork or negotiated a salary.

Alastor

Alastor: IS there paperwork?

He's giving a Skeptical Look

Valera

Val: What, you think they'd hand over an orphan child to any guy who showed up claiming to be a family friend? They like seeing some documents saying "if I die this guy is who I want protecting my kids while they're vulnerable".

Alastor

Alastor: ... All right, fair enough! I was just going to kidnap her and flee into the night, but I suppose a paper or two would keep law enforcement off my back.

Valera

Val: I'm flattered that you'd get in trouble with the interdimensional magic fish police for Eelizzy's sake, but let's spare everyone the hassle. I'll talk to Penny, see if he wants to do the godparents thing at all, but I know what name I'd be floating.

Alastor

Alastor: Well—that's fine, then. Thank you. It's an honor to be considered either way.

He's all self-conscious now, look at this awkward man

Valera

Val: Of course! And at the VERY least I want you to be close to her when she hatches. Good old _Uncle Alastor_ to spoil her when Penny and I are busy.

Look what happens when you actually tell Valera what you want. Blurses. Blessings and curses.

Alastor

Look at him he's got heart eyes

Alastor: Fortunately, I'm an expert at spoiling other people's children! Don't you worry, I'll be loading her up with penny candy and letting her get in all the trouble she wants. Maybe even nickel candy if I'm feeling generous.

Valera

Val: How generous! And speaking of candy, that reminds me. I visited New Orleans recently on business and picked up a few treats while I was there. Do you want some roman candy? I know you don't have a sweet tooth, but it seems like something one should offer regardless.

Alastor

Alastor: ... They're still making that? Is it the real deal or did the family sell the franchise to some big candy company?

Valera

Val: I bought it from the same old wagon as always, so I believe it's authentic! Wax paper and all!

Alastor

Alastor: Well... sure, I'll have some. Doubt I have the right teeth for taffy anymore, but...

Valera

Val: You'll muddle through somehow, I'm sure. What flavor does it for you, chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry?

She will whip out a few familiar looking wax paper rolled tubes to offer him. Crinkly!

Alastor

Takes a strawberry one!!

Valera

Val: I'll be sure to let you be the first one to take her to buy this _particular_ candy, when she's old enough to actually enjoy taffy.

Alastor

Give him a second, he managed to bite off a bit and now he's doing the whole dog-with-peanut-butter routine

Valera

Oh no, that's funny. She is LOOKING and SNICKERING at this man. Who knew the secret to silencing the radio demon was _chewy food?_

Alastor

Alastor: ... You know I don't remember this stuff being so hazardous.

He was expecting a RUSH OF NOSTALGIA but then he was like oh right I didn't eat this stuff more than like twice when I was alive, I just saw at the cart.

Valera

The wax paper is more nostalgic than the candy, understandable.

Val: Not having good molars does that, I only ate the stuff the one time to experience it. I like the paper though, it's a very unique experience.

Alastor

HOLD ON LET HIM GET THE LAST OF IT OUT OF HIS MOUTH, he thinks he'll attempt to eat the rest later.

Alastor: We'll see when she's old enough to attempt to eat these things, but—I don't see much point in holding off on letting her try taffy just for ME to do the honors. Seems like a very little thing to make a whole trip for.

Valera

Val: Okkylk doesn't really have much in the way of taffy, I doubt it would come up.. and it would be funny to see her suddenly be faced with a chewy candy to struggle against. This is _guaranteed_ entrainment.

Alastor

Alastor: Hah! I like your parenting philosophy. All the same—no need to wait on me to go get the taffy. I'm sure you'll have more opportunities to pick some up than I will.

Valera

Val: Nothing wrong with a little light torment, she gets candy out of it! Builds character! But yes yes, I get the picture. We'll see how it shakes out, play it by ear.

Alastor

Alastor: As long as she's being duly compensated for providing entertainment! :)

Valera

Val: Of course! She's still my _daughter_, if anything actually upset her that would be a whole different story. Penny would be _inconsolable._

She would also be inconsolable but let's ignore the wibbly sad eyes Val gets at the very thought

Alastor

Alastor: I'm sure we'd be taking turns supporting him through the grief. One person alone wouldn't be able to support that weight.

He's got no doubt Valera would be duly distressed but somehow, somehow he feels like Sir Pentious would be more dramatic about it. Just a hunch.

Valera

There is a distinct possibility that one of the parents may be A HAIR more dramatic, and it MIGHT not be the one with a degree in musical theater. Possibly.

Val: It's true, he's pretty heavy. Like a weighted blanket of emotion.

Alastor

HUFF.

Alastor: I’m going to be thinking of that the next time he flops on top of me.

Valera

Val: Good, you can share my curse. Every Pentious is full of emotion, genius, and, honestly, horny.

Alastor

Opens mouth. Shuts it. Opens it. Shrugs and makes noncommittal radio noises.

Alastor: ... Frankly I don’t know what a normal quantity of horny is.

Valera

Val: I did research, but I don't know how sound it is. We're outsiders trying to look in to a very strange world.

Alastor

Vaguely nods, yeah, that’s true

Alastor: ... What’s the research say?

Valera

Val: Once a week seems like normal horny, in a relationship? A heightened few weeks or months of activity at the start before it levels out seems normal too.

Alastor

Alastor: Weekly?? For the same activity? That’s not as bad as I’d thought, but doesn’t that get boring?

Alastor: ... No, okay, I could schedule a weekly dinner date and never get tired of it, I’ve got no room to talk.

Valera

Val: I was going to say! I do all kinds of stuff on a weekly basis without it getting dull. Plus it does wonders for relieving tension, which I can appreciate from a medical standpoint.

Alastor

SKEPTICAL LOOK

Alastor: You find it RELAXING?

Valera

Val: Well sure! It's only nerve wracking if you aren't at ease, and after almost an entire _year,_ Penny and I have figured out what we like. Plus.. Neither of us sweat, there's no cleanup to worry about, and after the fact the brain gets flooded with feel good chemicals.

Alastor

Alastor: Oh, right, the feel good chemicals, right.

Valera

Val: Not familiar with them, Alastor?

Alastor

Alastor: ......... We’re passingly acquainted

Alastor struggling to figure out how to answer without Discussing Specific Sex Acts

Valera

The STRUGGLE.

Val: Only passingly, interesting. Well, you get a lot more of them with a partner, suffice to say.

Alastor

He's just 8)

Alastor: I would prefer not to!

Valera

Val: You don't have to! I'm telling you why the allosexuals like it so much. Or why I assume they do.

Sex talk with two aces this can only go well!!

Alastor

It sounded like Valera was speaking from a little more than secondhand experience there for a bit but you know what? Alastor isn’t going to ask for clarification. It’s fine. Doesn’t need to know.

Alastor: ... To be quite frank, I prefer far less to be a co-star and more to be a fluffer. I’m sure that’s going to disappoint him sooner or later, but...

Valera

What? The visibly pregnant fish might have firsthand knowledge about sex? Perish the thought.

Alastor

You never know. Mary made it work.

Valera

Immaculate conception of her husband's child, sell that story to the news!

Val: I'm sure you two discussed that before getting together, no?

Alastor

Alastor: ... *As* we were getting together, yes.

Valera

Val: Well then! He knows what he signed up for, and unless he says it's a problem, it shouldn't be treated like one.

Dismissive little hand wave.

Alastor

Alastor: Yes, yes. I don’t intend to treat it like one. Just... making conversation about the whole ‘get more with a partner’ concept.

A similarly dismissive little gesture.

Valera

Val: Ah! Yes, I see, that was perhaps too blanket a statement. Well, he has his other partner, I assume?

Alastor

Alastor: I assume. He hasn’t talked about their sex life. None of my business, I’m sure.

Valera

Wiggly hand gesture.

Val: Yes and no. You ARE his partner.

Val: I tell Penny what Leal and I get up to.

Alastor

Alastor: But do you tell my alternate about how often you have sex with Sir Pentious?

Valera

Val: If he asks! Which he doesn't, really, but we did talk about the finer points of eating pussy.

Alastor

RAISED EYEBROW.

Alastor: ... I don’t think the man I’ve been dating for under a month owes me the details of a near stranger’s sex life. I’ve only met his other partner a couple of times, what business is it of mine what she gets up to?

Alastor: I wouldn’t mind knowing what HE gets up to, but sex is a group sport.

Valera

Val: It isn't like he owes you her life story in hardback, but a frank discussion isn't going to breach confidentiality.

Val: Dating someone who is dating someone else means you're entitled to know what you're consenting to, Alastor.

Alastor

Alastor: I’ve already consented to be with a man who’s probably sleeping with someone else, I can’t think of anything else they could be getting up to that would possibly affect me.

Alastor: Unless their bedroom activities happen to include calling up all my worst enemies and telling them everything they know about me—but if it did, I doubt he’d admit so if I asked about it, would he?

Valera

Her turn to raise an eyebrow.

Alastor

Alastor: ... I don’t think they ARE, I’m trying to think of the most out-there hypothetical possibility.

Valera

Val: Good, I was about to be worried. But really, if those are the boundaries you're comfortable with, that's fine. But I don't think you'd be out of line to ask for more information. Either you'll learn, or he'll tell you it isn't something he wants to discuss.

Alastor

Alastor: Honestly, it... doesn’t cross my mind.

Man has no object permanence when it comes to sex

Valera

Val: Dare I say it, mood. But really, if that's how you like it, good for you, keep on keeping on.

Alastor

Alastor: I intend to!

Unless Telly doesn’t like it, but they’ll cross that bridge when they reach it.

Valera

Val: Then there's no issue, I hope!

Alastor

Alastor: One hopes! ... How did we get on this?

Valera

Val: I... Think it started when I called Pentious horny? And then you got worried about not being an active enough participant?

Alastor

Alastor: Oh, yes, right! But worried, no. Just a passing thought.

Valera

Val: Well, based on my knowledge, as long as the partner gets off they don't often care about the methods.

Shrug! Don't ask where the knowledge came from.

Alastor

Alastor: Ha! If it was that easy, I doubt so many people would be so distressed when the have to make do with their own hands!

Valera

Val: Did you know there's an entire subset of men that intentionally make their hands fall asleep so they can pretend someone else is getting them off?

Alastor

Alastor: You know, it just so happens I did. And I do not understand the appeal. It combines all the worst parts of getting your mouth numbed for a dental procedure with something half-dead and dangerously uncoordinated fumbling with your delicate bits.

Valera

WHEEZE... Oh that caught her off guard, give her a second to collect herself.

Alastor

He’ll wait. Smugly basking in his comedic genius.

Valera

Val: You said it yourself, sex is a group activity for a lot of people. Lonely people want someone else to make them feel good.

Alastor

Alastor: But if that’s all it takes, then why for so many people is a hand inferior to a mouth, and a mouth inferior to a more intimate part? No, I’m sure that there’s more to it than simply a desire for company when cleaning one’s pipes. The methods don’t trump the company, but they do matter.

Valera

Val: I could say more, but then I'd have to start talking about my own _alleged_ experiences.

Alastor

Alastor: ... Is the answer going to be something to the effect of “that particular bit of anatomy feels nicer against one’s equipment than other bits of anatomy?”

Valera

Val: Kind of. I'm sure some people prefer various bits, and they certainly feel _different._ I wouldn't say better though, just on physical contact alone.

Alastor

Alastor: ..."Kind of"?

You know what they say about cats and curiosity

Valera

Val: Yes, kind of. A hand can do things a mouth can't, and vice versa.

Alastor

Alastor: All right! That’s more or less where I thought you were going with that.

Valera

Val: Yes! Though there's a lot to be said for the varying degrees of intimacy.

Alastor

Alastor: I’m sure there is! No doubt there’s something special about the moment you finally get to show your loved one the parts of yourself you previously only shared with your toilet. ... So sorry, I don’t mean to be *dismissive* of the whole thing—I can just never quite get over that association, you know?

Valera

Val: Oh, no, I agree _completely._ Not that I'd tell that to Penny, of course. That would be cruel. But if my husband wants to mutually stimulate nerve endings a few times a week I'm happy to make him happy.

Alastor

SNORT. Mutually stimulate nerve endings.

Alastor: Well, what couples are equally interested in ALL their hobbies?

Valera

Val: None, unless it's two alternates of the same person, I guess!

Alastor

Alastor: Oh, you’d be surprised.

Valera

Val: Oh?? That sounds ominous. You know something I don't?

Alastor

Alastor: I know a lot of my own alternates, primarily!

Valera

Val: Yes, and I suppose even they have varying levels of interest in things?

Alastor

Alastor: Wildly varying! Why, sometimes you can meet yourself and wonder where you have anything in common at all! It’s fascinating, really.

Valera

Val: Goodness, that DOES sound fascinating. I can't imagine.. There's only one me, the idea of a me who isn't like me at all is just bizarre!

Alastor

Alastor: Only one? Or only one that you’ve found so far?

Valera

Val: By virtue of what I am, the only one! Unless something goes VERY Wrong.

Alastor

Alastor: Really! Do elaborate?

Valera

Val: I'm a singularity! There is one me, just in a lot of places!

Alastor

Slow blink.

Alastor: ... Like a god?

Valera

Val: Is... Is that a god thing?

Squint.

Alastor

Alastor: I don’t know many other things that can be in multiple places at once and yet remain an undivided entity with a singular source. Either a god or a radio signal—and signals can get distorted.

Valera

Val: ..... I'd rather be a radio signal than a god, honestly, but. Yeah, I guess? I didn't think it was so uncommon!

Alastor

Alastor: I’ve seen people so rare that even when they go looking, they can only find themselves in one universe—but that’s usually a trick of the universe itself, some little chain of cause-and-effect that only worked out once! Move a dimension to the left and their parents never met, move a dimension to the right and their grandmother died in infancy, and so on. But what *you’re* talking about—one person with a simultaneous singular presence in many realities? That sounds to me like something operating a step higher than your run-of-the-mill monodimensional mortals.

Valera

Val: I could turn on the TV right now and show you what the me in another reality is doing right now, I'm fully aware of myself. Are you saying you _don't_ have that?

_When you are suddenly hit over the head with the fact that you're actually an outlier and not the standard_

Alastor

Alastor: If I want to know what another me is doing, I have to call him up and ask! And sometimes I’ll find out he’s been hearing salacious details about my best friend’s oral skills. I can assure you I wasn’t fully aware of THAT, hah! I’ve heard of people with psychic sensitivities to their alternate selves—a sudden sense of disembodied alarm when something goes wrong elsewhere, emotions without a source, that sort of thing—but that particular sensitivity doesn’t come naturally to me. As far as psychic abilities go, I’d say that one in particular is notably rare.

Valera

Blink.

Val: Oh. Uh. Well. All of my species is like this. _All_ of us are singular individuals.

Alastor

Alastor: ARE you singular individuals? Or do you have alternates just like any other species, but because all of your alternates are... psychically linked, as it were, your thoughts are so inextricably intermingled that the whole lot of you consider yourself one person with one identity?

Valera

Val: At that point, what's the difference?

Alastor

Alastor: It’s the difference between a radio transmitter broadcasting the same song to a dozen different radio receivers, versus a dozen individual radio transceivers that play the same songs because they’re directly broadcasting to each other. Is it one singular thing that’s being witnessed in many places, or is it many separate things that have synchronized and homogenized with each other? In day-to-day life the difference might not matter; but philosophically, spiritually, magically, I think it all makes a great difference!

Valera

Val: Fair enough! But I still believe it's the former. The me you see now is the me that all the information goes back to. We've never cared enough to investigate it in depth.

Alastor

Alastor: ... Do you mean information *doesn’t* go back to the other versions of you?

He’s fascinated, he’s taking mental notes, he’s going all metaphysical occultist on this.

Valera

Val: Of course it does, if I don't intentionally restrict it, which is not something I'd be inclined to do. I'm simply aware of them the way you are aware of your arm.

Alastor

Alastor: So all versions of you get all the information from all versions of you.

Valera

Val: Yes! Unless I'm playing one of my games. Sometimes I'll make myself think I'm a normal mortal for a while. It's fun!

Alastor

Alastor: ......... Let’s unpack that a little.

Valera

Val: Sure! Where do we start?

Alastor

Alastor: Your “games”?

Valera

Val: Yes! A lot of Veci do it as they get older. They'll go to a universe and have one of themselves live a very normal mortal life, unaware of what they actually are.

Val: It's a fascinating perspective.

Alastor

Alastor: So, you cut off one version of yourself from the hive mind. And this version, I take it, then forgets for the duration of the game that they were once a part of a hive mind? Their memories only consist of what they experienced in their own home universe, and anything that they thought or did due to the influence of their other selves, they... what, make up a new false memory to explain away, something like that? And they aren’t receiving information, but they’re still sending out information for the rest of you to receive?

Valera

Val: Yes! Exactly so. A one way broadcast back to home base.

Alastor

Alastor: Huh! What about the people around the game piece who know they ought to be connected to other dimensions—or do you disguise yourself and drop yourself on some alien planet before you start the game?

Valera

Val: The latter! It's no fun if other people know things you don't, they could ruin the game for you. Unless you're going somewhere dangerous, then a lot of people will ask someone to send in an aware variant of themselves to help keep them in the game longer. Istoph does that for me in some places!

Alastor

Alastor: Does your game piece go in cold, wandering around like an amnesiac? Or are they given some sort of... of false set of memories, to blend in with the locals?

Valera

Val: Depends which is more interesting. Usually the latter, unless I can think of a reason that an amnesia story would work better.

Alastor

Alastor: And when does the game end? Death? Discovery? Is there a way for your game piece to "win" or is the game only supposed to be watched?

Valera

Val: It's usually for a set amount of time! A year or two, a decade at most. I don't let them Reproduce or anything, I don't want to go sowing any wild oats. That's how you get overly sensitive humans half the damn time.

A shake of her head.

Alastor

Alastor: ... Yes, that *would* do it.

Valera

Val: ... I don't.. I don't mean to imply _you_ were a result of that or anything. There is more than one way that could happen.

Alastor

Although he doesn't much like the thought that someone somewhere could use that information to dismiss particularly psychic humans as partially inhuman.

Alastor: I should hope I wasn't! I come from a long line of magically gifted people—we don't need the outside help!

Valera

Val: Hah! I know, I could practically smell it on you. If I turned you loose on Okkylk you'd get swarmed.

Alastor

Alastor: ... Swarmed like a dog in heat, or swarmed like a bleeder amidst sharks?

Valera

Val: .... Considering how violent Veci are in the act, uh. Both.

Alastor

A slow, slow nod.

Alastor: ... To steal my traits.

Valera

FACE JOURNEY

Val: I take it he told you about that one, eh? Not his finest moment

Alastor

Alastor: It will be my most carefully-guarded secret. ... But you knew about it already, so.

Valera

Val: To be fair, it's hilarious. I was minding my own business and then the guy I just started dating calls me to accuse me of stealing his traits like some kind of succubus.

Alastor

Alastor: ... I think succubi reproduce with humans because it’s easier, rather than because they want human traits. But don’t quote me on that, I don’t talk to many succubi.

Valera

Val: Neither do I, honestly. Plus, come on. Really? I could have just seduced him, I'm the one that insisted on a relationship.

Alastor

Alastor: Well, how many traits did you *want?* It could take a while!

Valera

Val: Oh yes, of course. If I'm going to get traits I may as well get a full set out of him! However many that is!

Alastor

Alastor: Only one way to find out!

Valera

Val: You're just saying that so you can flex on your alts with all the kids who'd call you uncle.

Alastor

Alastor: I’m willing to share unclehood with as many of my alternates who care to claim it!

Hand over heart, how magnanimous.

Alastor: ... So, are you only pregnant in this universe or all of them?

Valera

Val: Only this one. This is the only body that's gotten plowed by anyone and that's how I'm keeping it.

Snrk.

Alastor

Alastor: Then which universe any given Veci has... copies, facets, whatever—of themself in will vary wildly, depending on whether or not their parents happened to have synchronized date nights across those universes? I suppose it would be *easier* to synchronize up, if every version of you is connected—just like a whole line of dancers doing the can-can together—but what if one body sneezes and an egg doesn’t get filled, does that Veci just have one less version of themself than everyone else? Will Eelizzy have no other selves across the universe?

Valera

val: ..Do you think I'm going to sneeze too hard and shoot this egg across the-- Nevermind. Veci children aren't stable enough to exist in multiple realities, they have to grow up and get more control of their magic before they can manifest across realms.

Alastor

Eyebrows shoot up.

Alastor: No, I was talking about the conception, splash one or two drops the other way and... never mind, that’s the boring part! You’re telling me you start off as one singular entity in a singular universe—and *then* you split off into separate versions of yourself... deliberately?

Valera

Val: Well of course! There's only one Pelagios right now, he won't split off until he's fifteen for his first practice run, and then in earnest in his twenties. Rite of passage and all that!

Alastor

AMAZED BLINK. And then he’s opening a portal and hauling out his grimoire, ‘scuse him, don’t mind him.

Valera

She watches, slow blinking. What, did THAT catch his attention?

Alastor

Alastor: I should have been taking notes all along—I apologize, I do believe you were right, you *are* a lone tower transmitting to many receivers—or at the very least you do start off as one tower! How do you split, does it follow the natural branching of timelines—when two paths of history split over somebody’s decision, you just keep conscious contact with the two versions of you formed at that fork? Or do you create your duplicate self and then assign it to some pre-chosen timeline?

Scribble scribble SCRIBBLE scribble.

Valera

Val: The latter at first, I see a reality that interests me and drop in, and then as it progresses, it becomes the former. As the timeline I chose to investigate develops and changes, I follow the branching paths and observe the varying realities. It is *fascinating* stuff. Though sometimes a branch seems doomed, in which case I'll usually withdraw and send that variant elsewhere instead. Start the whole process over.

Alastor

Alastor: So you can pick and choose which path you follow—but you don’t AUTOMATICALLY form another version of yourself, only when you want to? That means that more versions of you AREN’T forming every single time a timeline you’re in branches, correct? But a single timeline can branch countless times, a hundred times an hour—I’m pulling that number out of my you-know, just as an example—if a timeline branches a hundred times an hour, then that means that in ninety-nine percent of all those timelines, a Veci living in it will suddenly... vanish into thin air? Is that right?

Valera

Val: Close enough, which is *generally* why we try to live very lowkey lives. Making new branches of yourself isn't.. *energy consuming* or anything, but you have to be able to process that amount of information. We don't vanish into thin air, but we'll often arrange a swift withdrawal. A sudden move, a staged home invasion, or, in a pinch, just erase ourselves from people's memories. Though that one is imprecise and often leaves lingering traces. Not ideal.

Alastor

Alastor: I imagine it explains an encounter with the fae or two.

Valera

Val: Probably? That's my theory.

Alastor

Alastor: And how often DO timelines branch around you, would you estimate? Are you abandoning thousands of iterations of the same place a day or... Well, I sort of *imagine* that time branches at ridiculously high rates, but I don’t actually know.

Valera

val: Not as often as you think honestly. Obviously it happens, but most people aren't wildly changing reality with every move. The butterfly effect is not as impactful as people believe it is.

Alastor

Alastor gratefully waves away the nightmarish thought of a million sad snakes wondering where his wife went.

Valera

Thoughtful hum....

Val: *You* probably caused a split, back in the day. There's a reality out there where you're dating the Pentious of your Hell. That was a fairly significant moment with pretty obvious impact on the rest of the population.

Alastor

Alastor: I’d always wondered about that! The whole ‘butterfly’ effect thing—particularly considering how often universes seem to CONVERGE on each other. Those of us who have more conventional alternates—it’s *amazing* how often I can talk to myself and think “why, you and I are so similar—our realities must have split no more than ten minutes ago!” and then I find out my other self has completely different parents and a big sister to boot. If two universes that started out in utterly different places can drift back together—

Oh. He stops talking with a noise like a motor dying.

Valera

Slow nod.

Val: It's not like every breakup causes a split in realities. But a drastic choice that results in explosions? Yeah.

Alastor

From 100 to 0 with one sentence.

Valera

Shoulder pat.

Val: It's weird to think about.

Alastor

Alastor: ... I hope he’s doing better.

Valera

Val: ... You're doing better too, Alastor. Better than you were.

Alastor

Alastor: I didn’t mean my alternate.

Valera

Squint.

Val: Your Pentious.

Alastor

Alastor: The one over there isn’t “my” Pentious. ... Sir Pentious. He’s just an alternate of my Sir Pentious, just like the one I’m seeing is an alternate of my Sir Pentious, and the one you’re married to is an alternate of my Sir Pentious. He just branched off a little more recently, that’s all.

Alastor: “My” Sir Pentious will always be the one that I backstabbed.

Valera

Val: He's fine. And *yours* will be okay too. We both know Sir Pentious is stubborn and unstoppable.

Alastor

Alastor: Stubborn, yes. ... We’re going to fix all that, though. So that this never happened.

Alastor: The original plan was to... to wrench the course of this timeline off its current path and onto the path it *would* have had if that decision had been different. But if you think the timeline *already* split there—then it’s not so much a matter of relocating this timeline as it is—just erasing it entirely, so that the other one is the only one left. Right?

Valera

She grimaces. That's a *lot* of people she'd be killing. Erasing from existence. Whatever.

Alastor

She agreed to it once before.

Valera

Val: Yeah, essentially. Not pleasant to think about, but... Yeah. And it's theoretically possible, but. Again. Fifty fifty shot.

Val: I'm... Surprised you'd still want to do it, though. You've got a boyfriend now. What about him?

Alastor

He squeezes his eyes shut and looks pained a second. That’s the same thought that he had. And that he HAS had about a thousand times.

Alastor: This was never about what I want, it was about him. Putting him back on track. Where he deserves to be.

Valera

Val: .... Not to... Okay, you know what, *yes* to be that person. But you want to help one Pentious by hurting another? If you wanted to spare the man you backstabbed, you shouldn't have started dating Telly. You *know* losing you is going to hurt him, *if* it works.

Alastor

Another pained wince.

Alastor: No, you’re right, I shouldn’t have. I didn’t mean to, but I did, and I shouldn’t have. And I knew I shouldn’t have, and... well. Here we are. But I can’t just—just change my mind, not when I have my first chance to make this right!

Valera

Val: I know. I understand. I—I wish I didn't but I *do* and I hate it. And I'm still going to try and help you. If you're sure you want to try. Even though this is. *Awful.* And only going to hurt people. Penny. Telly. Gods only know what will happen if we succeed. If we don't.. You'll hurt him anyway. You know this isn't something you should keep secret from him.

Alastor

And we’ve got a triple pained wince combo!

Alastor: How can I *not?* How can I just—just... happily go about my days, having picnics with one version of him and cuddling up to sleep with another, merrily getting ready for my big Broadway debut, dreaming about infernal conquest like I haven’t been able to dream in half a century—when he’s Hell’s laughingstock because of me?! Everything’s finally coming together for me, but the man I loved first and longest is a joke! How can I live out his dreams with an echo of him? What the Hell gives me the right to let a world like that exist?

Valera

Val: I know we've discussed this before, but. Tell me. Why haven't you tried to make amends? You'll never be friends again, obviously, but surely you could take out some overlords, or anonymously provide supplies... Do some networking, find allies to thrust his way without your name ever crossing his mind?

Frown...

Alastor

Alastor: ... I’ve done a bit. Taken out some of his rivals, that sort of thing.

Valera

Val: That's good! If your major grievance is that you've ruined his life, isn't it right to fix the damage you've caused, even if it's hard?

Alastor

Alastor: And then I heard him whining about how somebody else took down his foes before he had a chance to.

Wan smile.

Valera

.... Somehow, she doesn't look surprised. She just rolls her eyes.

Val: Okay, yeah that sounds like Every Pentious I Know.

Alastor

Smiles a little wider for a second

Alastor: Doesn’t it?

Valera

Val: I love my Penny, truly, but he's a _brat_ and so are his alts. You're damned if you do and damned if you don't, Alastor. Literally.  You might as well be damned handing the man an overlord on a platter. Even if he complains, at least he's getting a chance to rebuild.

Alastor

Alastor: ... I—*hm*—but—It isn’t *right.* It shouldn’t be just, just... He’s had half a century wasted. All that should be gone. Not just made up for after the fact, but—GONE. Shouldn’t it? Throwing him favors after the fact is, it’s... it’s...

Gestures vaguely and throws out meaningless sound effects. You know!!!

Valera

A sympathetic nod.

Val: I know. Erasing it seems like the kindest option, but is it? Would that be what _he'd_ want? To simply undo everything? Or would he want to claw his way back to the top and spit in the face of every overlord who tried to keep him down? You know him better than I do, so this is not rhetorical. It's a genuine question.

Alastor

He’s gotta stop and stare into space while he thinks about that.

Alastor: ... If somebody asked the Sir Pentious of today if he’d want the last century of troubles retroactively wiped away... I don’t know. I don’t know if he’d rather *have* the throne or *earn* the throne. He’s never had any shame about using an unfair advantage, the only reason he was able to conquer half the States was because he was filthy rich for no good reason and he’ll tell you so himself, but... he wouldn’t want somebody else to do his conquering *for* him, but I don’t know if that’s what he’d consider somebody changing history for him. But if I asked the Sir Pentious of ‘66 which route he’d like to go on, the one where he’s got a loyal ally and can get on with the business of conquest or the one where he’s betrayed and has to start at square one just for a fun extra challenge, he’d ask me if I’m crazy and say he’d rather have the first route. No question.

Alastor: ... But he already HAS that route, if you’re right. If it split then. If it *did* split then, then I’m not... I’m not giving the one I know a little mind wipe and transplanting him sideways into a better reality. That reality is already there and populated. I’m just... destroying him. Right?

Valera

Val: Correct. Is that mercy? Is that making amends?

Val: Wouldn't it be better to improve his life, rather than erase him entirely?

She almost reaches for Alastor's hand, but thinks better of it. Fiddle with her necklace it is.

Alastor

Alastor: ... Is there a way to see? If that universe already exists? If it doesn’t then we can proceed as planned.

Valera

Val: Oh, yes of course there is. I could try to find it, put myself in it the way I do any other universe. Would you like me to?

Alastor

Alastor: It could settle things.

Valera

Val: True. Do I have permission to peek under the hood of your reality?

Alastor

Alastor: ... What, right now?? You can just do it on the spot?

Valera

Val: I could, but I'm not going to. I'm _heavily_ pregnant and my baby is liable to start spitting static that could mess with my spells. I'll have to wait until she's tuckered out, play something energetic until the little thing wiggles herself senseless.

She pats her belly affectionately, but with a roll of the eyes.

Alastor

Alastor: Ha! Right. Of course.

... Plays something energetic.

Valera

The egg, predictably, seems very excited about this sudden turn of events and starts throwing hissing nonsense static fuzz into the air with a sensation not unlike static electricity.

Valera raises an eyebrow at Alastor.

Alastor

:)

Valera

Val: Spoiling her already, are we? She's getting big enough to actually feel her moving, you know.

Alastor

Alastor: It was your idea. :) But really? Through the egg and all?

Valera

Val: Yes! Soft shelled eggs are a lot easier to feel through than hard shells, and she is _wiggling_. It's not obvious like a human baby kicking, but there's definitely weight shifting.

Alastor

Alastor: Oh, right—they WERE soft, weren’t they! I was trying to be polite and not look too closely.

Valera

Val: Understandable! Amusingly similar to snake eggs, really. Which means by the time May rolls around I'm going to be strangling any radio demon brave enough to try and get this baby active.

She's grinning, but not in a way that says she's joking.

Alastor

Alastor: You were the one who suggested getting her to wiggle herself senseless, I’m only following your sage advice.

Valera

Val: You're evil. How _dare_ you listen to me. If my daughter wants to learn the trumpet when she's older it's your fault. She's being seduced by _Jazz music_.

Alastor

Alastor: I’m setting her up for a life of vice and villainy, EXACTLY as I’m sure her father would want.

Valera

Val: He'll want her learning the pipe organ and how to cackle maniacally. That classic Romantic ideal of brooding and fits of murderous passion. You'll have her _flashing ankles_ on the dance floor!!

A mock gasp!! Perish the thought!

Alastor

Alastor: All the better to shock and scandalize her enemies, right before eliminating them! If they’re staring at her ankles, they’ll never see her gun.

Valera

Val: Bold, I like it. But you'll have to explain that one to Penny, I can already tell he's going to be one of those dads who fawn over their daughter. Leal too, even if he insists he's not attached.

A VERY dramatic roll of the eyes.

Alastor

Alastor: Ha! Then I can do one better—I’ll get *her* to explain it to Sir Pentious.

Valera

Val: Oh that can _only_ go well. I'm holding you to that one, Alastor.

Alastor

A wink.

Alastor: My alternate can fawn over her—I think instead I’ll conspire with her. I just hope she’s a rascal.

Valera

Val: Well I don't know about _Penny_, but I was a rascal without equal in my youth! I knocked over half the shelves in a library and pinned it on another kid. I'm sure she'll give me as many headaches as I gave my caretakers.

Alastor

Alastor: Never you fear, I'll do my best to make sure she lives up to the precedent you've set!

Valera

Val: I appreciate that, Alastor! I'm sure I'll be much too busy doing boring parent stuff. Not sure what, but it'll catch me. Maybe I'll go to a PTA meeting.

Alastor

Alastor: A... what meeting?

The man hasn't been around children in almost nine decades, he'd forgotten such esoteric acronyms. It sounds like a military thing.

Valera

Val: A PTA meeting! A parent teacher... SOMETHING meeting. I don't know what the A is for.

Alastor

Snaps fingers! Now it’s familiar.

Alastor: Assassination.

Alastor: ... Wait.

Valera

Val: I don't think I'm supposed to assassinate the teachers. Although, if they're doing a bad job...

Kombucha girl face journey.

Val: No. No. It's probably association or something stupid like that.

Alastor

SNAPS FINGERS AGAIN.

Alastor: THAT was it! Association! Pity, “Parent Teacher Assassination” sounded far more fun.

Valera

Val: It DOES sound more fun. Now I'm disappointed.

Alastor

Alastor: Sounds like a fantastic parent-child bonding activity, too!

Valera

Val: Take the teacher with the lowest reviews and hunt them for sport? Sounds like something you'd enjoy.

Alastor

He’s got to pause and think about that for a moment.

Alastor: Who’s reviewing them?

Valera

Val: Not sure. The students, I imagine?

Alastor

Alastor: All right, seems fair! I’m for it!

Valera

Val: Good! You'll be handling the PTA meetings then, that's _one_ less thing for me to worry about.

Snrk snrk. She's kidding. Probably.

Alastor

Alastor: Oh, CAN I? I’ve always wanted to be a problem at school events! An *adult* problem, I mean. I imagine it’s a somewhat different experience from being a student problem.

Valera

Val: What, you want to get saddled with my kid for an evening to go to a school and scare the hell out of the staff?

Alastor

Alastor: Scare them, annoy the hell out of them, say wildly inaccurate things that they’re forced to agree with because they know I’m there on behalf of the autocrat... any of the above, really!

Valera

Val: Well damn! Alright, I'll make sure you go to at least a couple of them. If I send you and one of your alts we can _really_ get a show.

Alastor

Oh look at him he’s ecstatic. This just opened up a whole new world of pranks.

Valera

Val: I've never seen someone so excited about going to a PTA meeting. But hey, who am I to deny you fresh victims? Congratulations on your upcoming career in school harassment.

Alastor

Alastor: Thank you, I eagerly anticipate it!

Valera

Egg probably wore herself out while they were discussing the finer points of PTA sabotage

Alastor

yeah there IS a secondary timeline where Sir Pent and Al are Hell's most feared power couple. Airships are everywhere. Lucifer is going "oh shit the prisoners are unionizing." Alastor and Sir Pent wear matching outfits. They have a kid, where did they get a kid, did they adopt a baby imp or something??? what the fuck

Valera

Oh my god

Val takes one look at that timeline, looks at that Alastor, looks at this one. Looks back. "Well you're a dad in this one." And does not provide context

Alastor

Alastor just. Sits on the floor.

Valera

Well she can't exactly pat his head so they just have to sit there. Timeline confirmed welcome to die

Alastor

"What's their name?"

Valera

"What, the kid? I didn't think to ask. Does it matter?"

Alastor

"Just wondered." He's gotta lay down.

Valera

Guess she's gotta go try to learn the kids name now if Alastor is gonna be a sad floppy man. Feels bad.

Alastor

He was gonna be a sad floppy man regardless.

Valera

It is in the nature of Alastors to be sad and floppy men

Valera

But only under SPECIFIC circumstances

Alastor

Selectively sad and floppy

Valera

"...... Alternate timeline you's kid is named Codie Grace." Alright that is enough telling Alastor things about the future he doesn't have

Alastor

In one universe The Alastor That Didn't Fuck Up is probably giving Valera this c: look like do you get it. do you. do you get it. And in this universe The Fuckup Alastor is squinting at the ceiling and then suddenly goes "WE NAMED OUR KID *COUP DE GRÂCE*?!"

Valera

VAL GETS IT AND SHE ISN'T SURE IF SHE LOVES IT OR HATES IT

But it is VERY like them, the bastards

Alastor

Alastor just covers his face and laughs. It is the laugh of a broken man. Yeah. Yeah that's what he would name a kid, dammit. It's true.

Valera

Poor Fuckup Alastor

Alastor

"... Are they successful, over there? Are they happy?"

Valera

"They wear matching outfits and have airships all over the place so yes and yes."

She's gonna need a broom to pet this man with. There there.

Alastor

Alastor

It's just a high pitched static whine noise. *Matching outfits...*

That's BASICALLY the exact same thing as marriage. You're married when you wear the same outfits.

Valera

What is marriage if not an elaborate excuse to wear matching outfits? Just keep doing it, forever.

Pat. Pat. "And now you know. There's a reality out there where you and your local Pentious are basically married with a kid and have airships over like, half of Hell."

Alastor

He's gonna. Lay there for a second. And process that.

And then sit up and cradle his head in his hands and process that some more.

Valera

Would he like.... Well. Not tea but she can get him some water. Maybe a coffee.

Alastor

Coffee would be nice

Valera

She can do coffee. Does he want any cream or sugar?

Alastor

Black as his soul. Like an edgy hottopic goth kid.

Valera

She'll get him some pourover, let him have a good coffee while his brain wheezes and stalls.

Alastor

He eventually gets himself up in a chair with his coffee. Look at that, he's almost human again. "So there's already a place where it all worked out."

Valera

"That seems to be the case, yes." The power of coffee, clearly. If only sitting upright really fixed your problems.

Alastor

A nod, and then he’s silent again a moment as he processes this. “So there’s—I wouldn’t be helping him. I can’t help him like this.”

Valera

"You cannot. You can't just wave away what you did to him. Not without ruining another Pentious' life."

Alastor

“It’s not just ‘waving away’! Don’t forget that doing this would erase me, too! It’s not *running* from the consequences of my actions, it’s *paying* for them!” He’s gotta hop up and pace. “‘Waving away’ what I did is what I’m doing right NOW—getting to—to move on and be happy like it never happened! How is that fair?!”

Valera

"How is it fair? Good question, let me counter with another." She sips the tea she got for herself, watching him pace. "Have you forgiven yourself?"

Alastor

He pauses for half a second, and then continues pacing. “Now, why would I go and do a damn fool thing like that?” He laughs wryly. “I don’t see how it matters.”

Valera

"Because you're in Hell, and why would Hell ever _really_ let you win?"

Alastor

“*Hell* wouldn’t—and that’s why I’m outsourcing the job. I don’t see what that has to do with forgiveness and fairness.”

Valera

"Didn't you think Hell has some measure of control over you, or am I misremembering?"

A stretch, and a hand lays over her belly. Rub rub. "Now. I am loathe to admit I could still try to break your timeline like a bone and forcefully reset it into a shape similar to the one I saw, but. I could. Though THAT is something I've never tried at all, I've got no idea if it would work."

Alastor “‘It’s not my fault, the devil made me do it’?” Alastor shook his head. “It’s my fault. Hell is pulling some strings, sure—it can, say, nudge things around to prey on your worst character flaws—but it doesn’t give you those character flaws.”

He stops pacing again. “What would that involve?”

Valera

She opens her mouth, closes it. Clicks her tongue. "That's what I'm figuring out. It *can* be done. I've never done it. But I said I would help you, so I have to offer it as a possibility. It would probably take something fairly drastic. There was a window between you making your decision and actually betraying Pentious, right?"

Alastor

A slow nod. “Ten or fifteen minutes.”

Valera

"There are... A few options. I don't know how *viable* they actually are, right now. I'll have to do research. But I *think* I could try to remove you *entirely* from the timeline at that point. Most likely through a faked assassination or kidnapping. That would break the timeline off the track that was set, an outlier that was not within reasonable bounds. Then give the timeline a few hours, maybe days as it tries to course correct and *cannot*, and then I... Drop *you* back in. Let you run back to Sir Pentious, alive, if not unharmed. At the very least, I'm sure he'd be too busy being glad you were alive to be angry that whatever scheme he was currently enacting got thrown off."

Alastor

He stops breathing for a moment as he thinks about Sir Pentious having to deal with Alastor so suddenly disappearing.

And he tries not to too deeply analyze his disappointment when Valera says they’d put him back. He starts pacing again. “And that would be—like we discussed before? This version of the timeline disappears completely?”

Valera

"It would be impossible for the timeline to continue as it was, so. Yes. You cannot betray Pentious if you aren't there. Everything would get thrown off the rails entirely. Timelines account for a reasonable margin of circumstances with everything people do. Most people rarely do things outside of their norm, so even small changes rarely mean anything and that's why they don't branch as much as people think."

She taps her stomach, lips pursing. "Again. Remember, I can't guarantee it would work. But it does seem the most *likely* to work out of all the options. The first obstacle would be me taking down the Radio Demon. I don't know if you're aware, Alastor, but I don't actually relish the thought of fighting you to what you'd believe to be your death."

Alastor

He laughs humorlessly. “You won’t need to fight. I can tell you exactly what to say to make me come willingly.”

Valera

Blink. Wait, what? She looks back up at him, eyebrows raising. "What, really?"

Alastor

“You think I don’t know myself well enough to know exactly what would make me shut up and listen? Don’t you have secret things that would immediately catch your attention if a stranger said them to you?” A shrug. “Anyway, I wasn’t exactly hard to persuade at that point! I’d just decided to escape a relationship by destroying everything he owned and running—if a stranger magically appeared in front of me and said ‘come with me, we need to fake your assassination,’ I’d consider it a miracle.”

Valera

Valera raises a finger. "Alastor, I am a stubborn, paranoid bitch of a politician. My own parents could miraculously spring back into existence and promise me anything I wanted and I would probably try to bite them. I can't be blackmailed because any time someone tries, I get my PR team to leak it themselves to control the narrative. I am TRULY the most contrary piece of work to get dragged into existence."

A pause.. Then she grins. "Lucky for us, you're not me. If you think that would work? *Good*. That's one of many obstacles down. A question, though, and possibly a dumb one. Would you even *want* to go back? If I ripped you from the timeline, that is."

Alastor

“Does what I’d want matter? Either you put me back, you exterminate me, or you drop me somewhere outside of Hell and I end up having to go back eventually. A disembodied soul can’t last forever outside of Hell, and I can’t move into a neighboring Hell without stepping on an alternate’s hooves.”

Valera

She rolls her eyes, sighing noisily. "Yes, it matters. Even if we can't figure out something better, I want to *try* and help you get a happier ending. Because right now, it's sounding like you're about to give up Telly to go run into your Pentious' arms. Which I don't think Telly would like much."

Alastor

“No! That’s not what I want! I keep double checking that this will delete the current timeline for a reason! If some different Alastor *just slightly* removed from me ends up with him, dandy, but it had damn well better not be me! I’m not trying to get back with him, I’m trying to get ERASED!”

Well. That’s sure something he said and can’t unsay.

Valera

She freezes, her eyes locked on Alastor's face. So, the truth comes out, does it? But is this the eye of the storm, or a defeated gasp? This may require some care.

A slow inhale. A shift of her weight as she sits more upright, face neutral. "I *see*."

Alastor

Those weren’t quite the words he expected out of himself, either. But he’s nothing if not impossible to shut up, so he swallows hard and soldiers on. “Didn’t I say, the very first time we discussed this, that when you made that other timeline, I didn’t want you to combine my memories with my past self—I wanted you to let me get deleted with the rest of this timeline? *This isn’t for me.* I don’t want to get him back—I want him to win. How isn’t that clear? If I wasn’t worried about what it would do to Sir Pentious’s psyche if his lover is assassinated on his airship the morning after they hooked up, I’d tell you to put a bullet through my head the moment you see me!”

Valera

She nods, chewing her lip thoughtfully as she watches him dig his hole deeper with every word he rattles out. She'd known this, really. He'd said it. But she didn't realize..

Well. Better late than never, one supposes. "And what about Telly, Alastor? What are you going to do about *him?* What of *his* psyche?"

Alastor

His face almost cracks completely, brows drawing and smile half wilting. He slumps down onto a seat again. “I shouldn’t have gotten him involved.” It’s not really an answer.

Valera

"No, you shouldn't have! But you did, and now you have another problem to solve. Because Alastor? I do NOT want to explain to that poor man that I helped his boyfriend erase himself from existence for the sake of the man he betrayed, and had planned on doing so before you two even met. You may not have to deal with the fallout, but *I will.*"

Alastor

He inhales sharply at the thought of it. “Isn’t there a way to... As long as we’re altering timelines, can’t we just... make it so he never met me? It was under three months ago, all it would take...” He can’t even finish. It feels like knives just to think about.

Valera

"I already find the idea of breaking your timeline dubious at best, and now you want me to alter the reality of my friend? An innocent party in all this? You *know* he wouldn't want that, Alastor. I agreed to help you with one very specific problem, it isn't my fault that you decided to dally with another snake and complicate matters when you knew your time was potentially limited to months. I wont help you fix that."

She struggles to her feet, empty mug in hand. "I am going to get a refill on my tea. Do you want more coffee, Alastor?"

Alastor

He glances at his cup. He still hasn’t quite emptied it. He shakes his head.

Valera

A nod. "I will be clear. I am not angry, I am not saying I wont help you. But I cannot fix all of your problems so easily. Your actions have consequences, and erasing yourself wont leave everyone happy and everything tied up with a bow." Her thumbs rub over the smooth finish of her mug, brow furrowing in thought.

"I am sorry, Alastor. If I could guarantee, one hundred percent, that I could erase you from Telly's life, take you back to your timeline, and wipe you out before you ever hurt your Pentious.. I would. I would obliterate your mind on the spot and let whatever version of you sprang forth, happy and in love, carry on with your day like it never happened. And I'd take that to my grave. But I can't make that promise." Okay she'd better actually leave, standing around holding an empty cup to rant at someone is stupid. Give her a bit.

Alastor

He nods vaguely, but although he absorbs what Valera says, most of his focus is on his own thoughts.

Telly. If he leaves, who’s there for Telly? Who’s the one who will bargain, threaten, or assassinate whoever it takes to get Telly the supplies he needs for his ship? When all his machines are broken, who’s going to be the one to fill the gaps with magic until they’re repaired? Who will tell him that he’s beautiful, brilliant, unstoppable, every day until he believes it himself? Who’s going to *feed* him?

Every single day, Alastor sees more of Telly’s real self—the person Alastor met just shy of three months ago is hardly a ghost compared to the person Telly is now. It doesn’t matter how Alastor leaves. If he just vanishes, then everything he’s tried to give Telly will be lost. If they never met, then Alastor never gave him those things at all.

He’s still brooding on these thoughts when Valera gets back.

Valera

Valera lets him have some silence, settling back down with her tea as she observes Alastor's stewing. Good. He's thinking. Maybe he'll think his way *out* of this idiocy.

Alastor

He’s working on it.

His Sir Pentious, though—the one he *betrayed*—nothing is fixed for him if Alastor *doesn’t* follow through. He’s still stuck where he is. So which is worse? Which weighs heavier? Never paying the price and making amends for the sin he committed before, or committing a fresh sin now? If no matter what he does, he’s got to knowingly and deliberately doom one of them to an afterlife of broken hopes and unfulfilled aspirations, which one of them is worse?

“... I made a deal with him.” Instead of trying to repeat it, he just plays it back, his own voice slightly cracklier than usual as if it’s playing back from a phonograph record: “*I swear I will never knowingly and deliberately or callously break your heart; and I swear that if I do ever leave, I’ll leave with kindness and honesty; and I swear I’ll never betray you like I did the Sir Pentious of my universe; or I forfeit my soul and all those I have to you.*”

He looks at Valera. “As far as you can think of—is there no possible way for me to do this without violating all three of those?”

Valera

Valera pauses, rolling the terms over in her mind. "You could tell him you can't be with him anymore because you realized your goals are incompatible. That would be a _kindness._ You would be leaving with honesty. Your goals _are_ incompatible."

Alastor

Nods, he accepts that. There are ways he could be honest without telling too much of the truth. Debatable on the idea that he’d be leaving with kindness, but he’s willing to let that sit for the moment. “The other two, then. I wouldn’t be knowingly and *deliberately* breaking his heart, since breaking it is just a side effect instead of my goal; but it would be knowingly and *callously.*”

Valera

"Is it callous, to try and spare him from further harm by stepping away? Because that's what you'd be doing, I imagine."

She leans back into the cushions of the couch, tapping her chin. "_Knowingly_ breaking his heart is the real issue. You've essentially _trapped_ yourself in the relationship. You can't leave while he has feelings for you, no matter how kind and honest you are, because you'll break his heart doing it."

Alastor

“I was damn careful with my wording to make sure I wouldn’t be trapped.” He shakes his head. “That’s why it has to be both. Knowingly-*and*-deliberately or knowingly-*and*-callously. If I know it will break his heart, but the heartbreak isn’t deliberate or callous, it’s legal.” He takes a deep breath. “But I’m *not* trying to spare him harm by stepping away. I’m trying to... disappear, to undo a prior betrayal; and, in the process, I’d be knowingly adding to the parade of people who have promised him the world and then ripped it away—and—and I’d be doing untold damage to his ability to follow his ambitions.” He clears his throat, his voice is starting to sound a little hoarse. “He wouldn’t be spared harm. Knowing the extent of the damage, I—there’s—there’d be no way to proceed without callousness. Would there.”

Valera

Valera has an argument already half formed, but stops. Cocks her head to one side. Why the FUCK would she try to convince him around to her side. This was basically a get out of jail free card. Her perspective didn't matter here, it was *his* contract.

"Y-yeah. If that's the way you interpret your contract, you're well and truly stuck."

Alastor

His shoulders slump, the tension draining out of them all at once. "So that's that? It's undoable." If he can't think of a way and Valera can't think of a way...

Valera

She lifts a shaky mug to her lips, squeaking out what MIGHT be the affirmative. "Mm-Mm!"

Alastor

“All right. That’s that.”

He expects to feel... maybe relieved. Maybe resigned. Instead, what hits first is an unexpected wave of grief. He tries to disguise it by rubbing his eyes with his forefinger and thumb, as though he’s just tired. “So—“ Ahem. “So. You and I shook. If we can’t proceed, then what’s... How do we dissolve that?”

Valera

Valera frowns, fins drooping as she wavers. But no. This is for the best. "Well, how do *you* negate a deal that is no longer viable? All you need to do is say you've released me from the contract, on my end."

Alastor

“You’re released from the contract if I’m released from the contract.” He’s not *unilaterally* releasing somebody else from a contract, that’s just common sense.

Valera

Her eyes are ROLLING. Of course, even now he's being difficult. "Well we shook on it. What does your magic need to terminate the agreement? Blood? Another handshake?"

Alastor

"For you to agree to the same out loud." It's not THAT complicated; but a release from a contract has to be mutual. Otherwise anyone could cancel a contract at any time, and then where would the exploitative dealmakers of the world be?

Valera

"Alright. I release you from our contract under the same terms."

... She doesn't know why she always expects something dramatic to happen, it never does. At least she can lean back and sigh, now.

Alastor

If it helps, Alastor plays a little *ta-daaa* trumpet fanfare.

Valera

It helps, but also makes her primary heart clench. She didn't lie, but she wasn't honest. And it digs into her like a splinter.

A sigh. "Are you okay, Alastor? I know you wanted _very_ badly to help the Pentious of your Hell." That came out more gently than she'd intended, but she's too tired to try and force a casual demeanor right now. Deal with her concern.

Alastor

He's silent for a moment, then sighs and sort of shrugs and shakes his head at the same time. "It just puts me back where I was a few months ago. No great loss."

Valera

"Sure, but you got your hopes up, only for them to be dashed by a contract of your own design." She isn't going to comment on that being incredibly dumb. She isn't. But she's thinking it. Even though it worked out for her.

"I suppose that means you'll have to do things the old fashioned way if you want to make amends."

Alastor

"If the contract wasn't there, I would have had to *decide* which one of them I want to hurt. At least this way the choice is out of my hands. And it means the contract did its job, didn't it?"

He rubs his eyes. "Still. Having the end in sight, and then watching it disappear..."

Valera

Most people would be happy to live another day, but a man craving oblivion? Maybe not so much. She frowns.

"At least you've got Telly. That leaves your local Pentious still suffering. And lest we forget, I entered that contract wanting to help _him_. Still do."

Alastor

And there is nothing he wants more than to go home, curl up in Telly's coils, and not come out for a week. He nods. "I know."

Valera

A low sigh. She could WANT to help, but she couldn't really *do* much. "Well. I suppose there's nothing to be done, at least not now."

Alastor

"I suppose not. Maybe another time." It's hard to even think about an alternative plan right now. How can he even consider a plan that doesn't involve completely erasing all of his mistakes in one fell swoop? What's the *point*?

Valera

"Another time? Yes, absolutely. The politician in me already has five concepts to workshop with my imaginary team. But I am tired, and nauseous, and I want to go hide against either Leal or Penny, whichever lucky man I find first."

Alastor

"Cheers to *that.*" He limply picks up his almost-empty coffee mug. "I think I'll be following your lead." Now that for the first time he HAS someone to hide against.

Valera

She waves her tea at him in what could pass as a pale imitation of a toast, slamming back the rest of her drink like a shot. "At least that's one thing we get out of *love*. Somebody willing to let us use them as *emotional support*."

Alastor

That feels like an attack. Why does that feel like an attack? "Or a warm pillow." He finishes his coffee and stands. "Well, that didn't quite go the way I wanted it to. But thank you for the introduction." He nods toward the egg. "And I suppose I'll see you at work tomorrow?" Remember that part? After all this, they've got JOBS they've gotta go to tomorrow? Harrowing.

Valera

She opens her mouth to remind him that she and Penny are both coldblooded, but then remembers that Leal is a furnace on legs, and just nods instead. "It was... Well. Parts of this visit were fun. I'll see you tomorrow, Alastor. And I'll remember to talk to my beau about your role in Eelizzy's life." Thumbs up.

Alastor

Listen, Alastor's spent the past few decades crying himself to sleep on a pillow with a faux snakeskin pillowcase. Who wants to argue with him if he says he feels warmer when he's wrapped around Telly.

His expression brightens a little bit. "I'd appreciate it."

Valera

She wheezes out a breathy laugh as she stands, smoothing her dress over her stomach. "Hey. I know this was rough, and I wish our talks didn't always end so stressfully, but I do think you'll be a fantastic uncle. With allowances for Penny and Leal, there's nobody I'd trust more to make sure my daughter was cared for if something happened to me. And I mean it."

A flick of a wrist, and a familiar portal opens in the wall, the Hotel's lobby visible through a shimmery haze. It could have gone worse, all things considered.

Alastor

"I doubt we'll need to have any other conversations on this. It's not like we have anything else to discuss on the topic." A crooked smile, but a slightly pained one. "Just let me know when the first PTA meeting is!" And out he goes.

Valera

[[ NOT LIKE SHE CAN DUMP HIM ON TELLY'S SHIP BUT SHE *WISHES*

Alastor

((He's gonna be teleporting himself STRAIGHT to Telly's ship anyway))

[whirlybirbs]

How did Reader react to her lightsaber tattooed on Nyx' arm? Did she know? Or was he one day like "oh hey we have received some orders from the council and need to go back to fucking felucia - oh and by the way I got your lightsaber tattooed"?

Your facade of calm slips as you exit the Council debriefing the very moment you exit the threshold of the Temple. 

Irritation is what bubbles up in your chest, and you can’t help but bounce your knee in the speeder ride back to the Garrison. Sunset be damned, you’re tired -- of this war, of the Council, of Felucia. Telling the boys you’ll be going back in three weeks time won’t settle well. 

You dig your personal communicator from your robes and light up Nyx’s personal comm channel. 

[ Done with drills? ]

His response is nearly immediate. 

[ Eating now. Everything ok? ]

You tuck the communicator back into your pocket, thanking the driver when you arrive at the back hangar of the Garrison. You still get a bit nervous about sharing personal sentiments towards the Order and the War with Nyx over comm-lines; the Commander, however, has no problem doing so. 

He knows your silence means you must be coming back -- as if your room in the Temple is no longer your home.

Ru is busy with classes, attending her evening civics class taught by a certain Ahsoka Tano. She’ll be on her own for the night, given some down time from the drills and practice you and her had been working on for majority of the day -- until Master Windu had hailed you for a debrief on the next stage of the war about mid-afternoon. 

Your boots hit the tarmac and you relax a bit, making your way up to the mess hall. Sure enough, the entirety of Talon Squadron has occupied a back table. They’re chatting animatedly, but Nyx’s eyes are readily on you. He’d been watching the door, waiting for you to duck in. 

His face lights up a bit.

Immediately, you note he’s wearing short sleeve blacks. His brothers around him are donning their long-sleeves, and Nyx’s bare arms stand-out; littered with tattoos, he often kept them covered, but...

It seems he has a new addition. 

There’s a square patch of gauze taped to his left bicep. 

You squint, a little amused at the Commander’s habit for ink, as you near the table. You rap your knuckles on the laminate and the boys croon a wave of greeting your way. You tap Lucky’s shoulder as you point Nyx’s way.

“We’ve got orders.”

Nyx notes your tone. He forks his protein and makes a face. 

“Don’t tell me it’s Felucia,” Grim whines from the end of the mess hall table.

“Oh, Grim... how’d you know?”

Groans fill the table. Smokeshow drops his head beside his meal tray with a disparaged thunk. You watch Hauler press both palms to his eyes and Shade shake his head as he angrily forks his dinner into his mouth. 

“Yeah,” you mumble, “I feel the same way. You gotta minute, Nyx?”

The Commander nods, finishing up his meal as he stands and ditches the tray in the compactor bin beside him. He pats Fennec’s shoulders and the Lieutenant nods -- he’s in charge. No words are needed. 

Nyx catches up to you as you move into the hallway. 

“Felucia?”

“Yeah,” you mutter, eyeing the ground, “Eastern front. They’re dropping us at the end of the line. We’re gonna be running aid-based missions.”

Nyx’s brows furrow. “You’re kidding.”

A sigh. “We’ve destroyed farms that have been in generations when pushing back the Seps. People are starving -- and we’re going to be leading the rebuild.”

Nyx nods slowly as he walks in pace with you. “You don’t seem pleased.”

You snort. “I hate that planet. You know that.”

“Mm,” he follows you into the lift, watching you punch the floor that his quarters reside, “Is there something else, though? You’re... you’re doing the thing.”

Your wet your lips as you smile, turning to eye the Commander. “... What thing?”

He moves, as if he’s going to point out some sort of tightened muscle on your face. But, instead, he tweaks your nose fast enough to wring a surprised laugh out of you as you swat away his hand. Nyx grins, chuckling warmly as you shake your head. 

“Everything’ll be fine. We’ve been to Felucia twice now. Three times the charm.”

“Speaking of,” you pry, brow raised, “Did you finally get that acklay you haven’t shut up about?”

You prod at his arm, the one with the bandage, with a skeptical look. Nyx had a love for predators -- the nexu cat on his ribs and the condor dragon along his throat were proof -- and he’d been adamant about getting an acklay after the squadron had survived an alpha male’s attack on their first deployment. 

Nyx grins, shakes his head, and moves to pull away the bandage.

“No, no,” he nudges you with his elbow, “Better.”

Your eyes widen when you spy a familiar hilt, outlined neatly along the muscle there. You mouth falls open as you pull at his arm, moving to stand in front of him as you admire the replica of your saber. You swat at his ribs, shocked and endeared, as Nyx chuckles.

“Stop it.”

“Do you like it?”

“That’s mine -- you...” your lips quirk, eyes roaming his content expression, “You are the worst.”

“I like it.”

The elevator dings for his floor. Before the doors open, you steal a kiss that doesn’t last nearly long enough. 

[cynicalrelief]

ServiceBot!Hinata fic idea

Fandom: Naruto (anime)

Characters: Hatake Kakashi & Hyuuga Hinata w/ Villian/Mad Scientist Orochimaru, Cool Uncle Jiraiya, and Kakashi's ninken

Set in an futuristic au where robotics is super advanced and robots are a normal essential commodity.

The first service bots were built with a human-like appearance but over the years their look was changed to something befitting their true metallic nature-- sleek, chrome, and machine-like

These first gen service bots were rendered obsolete as newer models started coming and robotics evolved

That, and some of them were perhaps...too human. Their sentinet nature a little unsettling for something existed purely to serve and not think

Out with the old and in with new, as they say

Kakashi is some depressed dude

Got no family

Mother died young and father followed soon after

Got put into the system

Looked after by older, cheap[ nanny/caretaker bots

Becuase the govt. is stingy

Kakashi has no friends

Bit of a a recluse

Although his neighbor Gai is probably the closest thing he has to a friend

He’d probably would be the first and only person to notice if he ever went missing

Next would probably be his boss at the store he works security at

Kakashi is a newly discharged military soldier 

He’s having trouble adjusting to civilian life

Plagued with nightmares of his squadmate’s deaths: Obito and Rin, his captain Minato

Blames himself for their death

Major suvivor’s guilt

Shipped back home with nothing but the clothes on his back and a single photo of his deceased squad

Rin had had a soft spot for those old, antique cameras

After getting back it turns out he’d inherited a junkyard from some uncle he’d never heard of

Kakashi checks out the property

It’s a literal dump

That, and his uncle must have really liked dogs becuase there are nine freaking dogs waiting for him there

They’re all super friendly and probably the worst guard dogs he’s ever met

Is looking around when he causes some kind of landslide of junk to come down on top of him

Luckily he evades the avalanche’s attack

It’s then that he finds Hinata

Kakashi thought she was a dead body for a fat sec b/c of all the muck and grime

 Upon closer look he realizes that no, it’s not a rotting corpse, but just some dirty, old android

He digs her out

Looks her over and is surprised by the good condition Hinata is in

Kakashi figures he can clean her up and maybe sell her parts?

She’s obviously a older model; a relic from when people preferred a more human touch 

Now service bots are all sleek silver and cold metal

They probably stopped making her parts a long time ago

Maybe she’ll be worth something

People were always buying old shit

Kakashi cleans her up

Is shocked with how life-like and human she looks

To the casual observer she would look like any other young woman

Kakashi is a little freaked out becuase even the older gens, some of the first, weren’t this convincing

Her skin--god her skin!!-- it feels just like human skin if a little colder and nothing like the hard plastic or smooth metal they use today

The only kinds of bots with this type of realistic and state-of-the-art synthetic skin were high-tech caretaker bots and....sex bots...

Kakashi decides to take Hinata to an old friend of his father’s, Jiraiya

Jiraiya is the owner of a very large and successful sex bot company

Kakashi figures if anyone would know what Hinata is it would be Jiraiya

Maybe she was a discarded protoype

The old pervert has been in the robotics game long before Kakashi was born

Jiraiya greets Kakashi enthusiastically

 Becomes very curious when he sees the bot Kakashi is toting around   

Jiraiya takes Kakashi to his personal workshop   

He mostly deals with designs and stuff but does tinker with the droids now and then

Jiraiya is opening up Hinata and praising her maker when he goes very still

Kakashi immidiatley knows something is up

Turns out Orochimaru had made this bot 

 Orochimaru: Jiraiya’s fellow robotics rival and ex-best friend who went Dark Side   

Jiraiya slowly asks Kakashi where he got Hinata

They summarize that Hinata had been discarded by Orochimaru just before he was exposed for illegal human and robotic experimentation

Jiraiya advises Kakashi to get rid of the bot

He even offers to do it for him

Who knows what kind of sleeping monster Hinata could be

Kakashi looks at Hianta’s peaceful face

The idea of destroying something so human-like doesn’t sit right with him

His hands would no longer shed blood

Real or otherwise

So Kakashi declines and tells Jiraiya he’ll properly dispose of Hinata himself

Jiraiya agrees, too shaken up and distracted to really doubt/question Kakashi

Kakashi takes Hinata back home

He thinks about what to do with her

Finally convinces himself that depsite how real she looks, she’s just a machine

And it would be safer for him and everbody else if he just disposed of her

Properly this time

Kakashi takes her to the garbage compactor

Is about to toss her in but loses his nerve at the last minute

Sighs heavily and dumps her off on the porch of the house his uncle had left him, located on the lot of the junkyard

Kakashi goes inside and figures he’ll deal with her tomorrow

Maybe he’ll have a clearer head in the morning

He settled into bed and prepares himself for another sleepless night

Only he actually he falls asleep

And something else wakes up

Outside one of the dogs sniff curiously at Hinata

They nudge Hinata’s hand with their nose

Suddenly she whirs and clicks to life

Turns out Jiraiya’s early tinkering reattached two vital wires together that connected her core systems to her battery

Hinata is curious about her surroundings

Her eyes focus and zoom in on the dog watching her

She jerkily reaches out, limbs stiff and in need of oil after so long

The dog gives her a cursory sniff before licking her hand

Hinata pats his head carefully

 She decides to recharge her battery before it runs out

Hinata heads inside the house

She opens up her chestplate and pulls out a cord and connects herself to an outlet in the wall

Satisfied she’s completed her objective, she moves on her to secondary objective

Hinata explores as far as her cord will go

The house is neat and clean

Hinata worries she won’t have much to do for her new master

And then she looks in the fridge

There’s a bottle of ketchup (45.08%), a pickle jar, and a (WARNING: EXPIRED. REMOVE IMMIDIATLEY) half-eaten sandwhich

...looks like her skills will be needed, after all

Hinata doesn’t remember much about her time before waking up

Whenever she tried to pull up the memory files there’s always an error message (ERROR!! FILES CORRUPTED. PERFORM DIAGNOSTIC? [Y / N])

Hinata can’t wait to meet her new master

A small part of her hopes he’ll mucher kinder than her last one

She can’t remember who her last master was

All she knows was that he was not a nice man

Hinata peforms a minor miracle: she makes breakfast

Kakashi nearly has a heart attack when he steps into the kitchen

He finds Hinata, wearing a little apron and standing over stove with all nine dogs sitting at her feet, watching her prepare breakfast 

Big climax would probably be Orochimaru finding out about his lost creation

He comes back for Hinata

It’s when Hinata is taken from him that Kakashi realizes just how important she’s become to him, not having noticed how attached he’d become to the bot in the short time he’d known her

Kakashi does everything he can to get her back

He’s pretty badass and the whole arc is like straight out of an action movie

[damn-stark]

Blinded Ch.15

A/N- this one is shorter then the rest but it’s because I felt like this chapter needed to end that way :( next chapter should be longer though!! I do hope you liked it :)

Warning- violence, Angst, some fluff

Pairing- Poe Dameron x Solo!reader

Takes place during- The Force Awakens

(Let me know if you want to be tagged)

—

“Sanitation?!” Your father said in a loud whisper as he pushed Finn back by the collar of his jacket. He then turned to you with his eyebrows furrowed. “You knew this?!”

You shrug your shoulders while you fully zip up your parka to keep as much warmth as possible. “I knew that, but I thought he would have..you know gotten a promotion. And if he didn’t, then people can surprise you so it didn’t matter. I trust Finn.” Finn shoots you a smile before your father pushes him back to the wall.

“Then how do you know how to disable the shields?!” Your father asked in bewilderment.

“I don’t. I’m just here to get Rey.”

Your father looks over his shoulder to look at you with the same look in his eyes in many ways telling you that your comment from before was wrong, he then turned back to Finn, letting go of his jacket. “People are counting on us. The galaxy is counting on us.”

“Solo, we’ll figure it out. We’ll use the Force.” Finn said making you cover your mouth to hold in your laugh.

“That’s not how the force works!” Your father exclaimed. He turned to you with a scowl and once he saw you trying to hold in a laugh he groaned. Chewie then growled complaining he was cold, only getting your father more annoyed. “Oh really, you’re cold?!

You composed yourself and shot your dad a knowing smile. “I can do it.”

-

“Phasma. Miss me?” You come out from the corner you were hiding and came face to face with Phasma. “It’s been a while.” When you used to be part of the first order you didn’t really talk to Phasma that much but you knew of her and her reputation in the first order; and you knew that she knew of you too.

Igniting your white lightsaber you bring it close to her neck, whilst using the force to keep her from moving away or try anything.

“Traitorous snake!” She hissed making you sigh before pulling her off the floor and taking her to where you needed to go while Finn taunted her, revealing his new name and the fact that he had the higher ground at the moment.

“Can’t you the force to make her do it?” Your father asked you making you shake your head in disagreement.

“No, some individuals are stronger minded so mind tricking won’t work. And unfortunately for us she’s one of those...but we can use other methods to get her to do it.” You give Finn the ‘ok’ making him threaten Phasma with a blaster to disable the shields.

You keep looking over your shoulder towards the door, afraid that at any moment stormtroopers could burst through the door or for...Kylo to walk in. When you had entered this snowy planet you had felt his presence and you knew he felt yours and mostly likely your fathers too, so that made you extremely cautious. You had to keep your guard up at all times knowing that at any moment he could appear. But walking among the familiarity of these halls made it hard to do so.

This was the first time you had been inside a first order location since you had escaped and you had no plans on returning but that obviously didn’t work out. Being here just brought memories you had been trying to keep buried, but the longer you were here the more memories resurfaced.

Once you hear the beeping signifying that the shields were down you pull your attention back to the room. Immediately rolling your eyes at Phasma’s threats only making your father ask about a garbage chute to push her in, and that making you get a better idea on how to get rid of her.

“Trash compactor?” Your father and you suggest at same time making Finn smile and nod smugly.

“Yeah. There is.”

-

As you turn the corner you all come to a halting stop as a girl almost runs into you. Without a second thought and out of pure instinct you ignite your lightsabers. Her eyes go wide at the sight of the two threatening blades inches from her face also making her raise her blaster to aiming at you.

“No! No! That’s Rey! That’s Rey!” Finn warns with worry in his tone.

“I’m sorry!” You tell her with apologetic eyes as you deactivate your lightsabers and lower your arms down.

“It’s fine.” She assures you as she lowers her weapon.

You begin to examine her upon having an immediate weird feeling about her; she’s a stranger to you only have known her by Finn mentioning her and seeing her unconscious in your brothers arms; but as she stood here you felt as if you’ve known her already. She’s a stranger yet at the same it doesn’t seem like she’s one, It’s like you’ve seen her before. You take a couple seconds as you search your feelings finally sensing it. Her force sensitivity. 

But why do I feel so connected to her? You question yourself knowing that in order to have a connection with someone you have to build it up with time but this time you immediately felt it. How? Why?

“I’m Rey.” She introduces herself to you making you break away from your stupor. You notice that she also has a confused and weird look upon seeing you, she also felt in a lot of ways connected to you and like she’s known you all her life when in fact you’ve barely met.

“Y/N. Y/N Solo.” You respond with a smile much like the one she had, before she could ask any further questions to you, Finn interrupted with concerning questions regarding her.

-

“They’re in trouble. We can’t leave. My friends got a bag full of explosives. Let’s use them.” You hear your father say as you look up at the sky with a worried look.

“I’ll find a TIE and help Poe and the rest of the squadron from up there.” You mumble barely audible but something your father caught.

“You sure?” He asked turning to you.

You nod with a reassuring smile. “I’ll be better help up there....I’ll see you all back at base.”

You then hurry and go find a nearby hanger and when you finally run into one you come to a complete stop. Your eyes widen and bright smile erupts through your lips. “YES!” You shout, shooting your hands up in excitement as you run into your TIE silencer, the one you had left when you had made your hasty escape on another fighter.

“I’m so glad to see you! I missed you!” You say to your TIE as if it could respond to you.

You’re surprised and glad that your TIE Silencer was here, half expecting it to be scrapped for parts or given to someone else, but no, it was here and you were happy it was. You had rebuilt that fighter with your own hands so many times. You hastily climb on and can’t erase the happy smile from your face, it’s the only thing you have missed about the first order.

Once you’re starting it up you throw your head up to see the commotion that was beginning to start outside your ship. Stormtroopers begin shooting at your ship to try and stop you, but you’re quick and manage to blast them sending them flying off all over the hanger. Before more can come you finally fly up into the sky immediately having to shoot down a TIE, mostly likely making the other fighters in other TIE’s confused on why one of their own was attacking their own fighters. Before anything could or anyone could shoot you down you punch in a couple buttons and gain access to the resistance comms.

“Miss me?” You announce smugly.

“Solo? Is that you?!” You hear jessika’s familiar voice irrupt through your comm.

“The one and only—wait..scratch that...I’m not the only Solo...here...yeah it’s me, Y/N.” Before you could say anything you pause and swerve an incoming blast before shooting down another TIE, making you aware that they had caught on to you. “I am currently in the only TIE silencer out here so I should stick out like a sore thumb but either way be wary and don’t shoot me down.”

“Copy that Princess, glad to have you in the sky.” You hear Poe’s familiar voice say happily making you practically hear his smile through the comm.

“You know me, couldn’t miss a good fight in the sky.”

You maneuver through the sky trying to shoot down and avoid incoming blasts and TIE’S all while also helping the squadron members to try and avoid them being shot down.

“You got three on your back, and three flying directly towards you, Solo! They must really hate you.” Snap warns making you quickly push down letting the first two TIES crash into one another before the other four follow behind you.

Perfect. You thought with a smirk before pulling up again and turning before doing a spin trick shooting them all down.

“Nice one Solo!” Jessika congratulated you.

You smile wider at her compliment. “Poe Dameron, who? Never heard of him. I’m the best pilot the resistance has seen in this ship.” You joke knowing that had caused laughs from the other pilots.

“Ha, you’re funny. We can test that theory out, Princess.” Poe says smugly.

“Be prepared to lose. It won’t be like last time, this time you’re racing against my silencer. I’ll beat you this—” your words come to a sudden stop and your smile fades, you slowly cut off the comm as you begin to feel this pain.

Theirs dull pain growing on your chest slowly growing more and more intense by the second. You begin to feel an emptiness, a coldness. You feel time slow down and your surroundings blend into darkness, as you saw it and felt it clearly you knew what had happened...he died....your father had died.

You could feel your heart shatter in your chest, their was a mind numbing pain, a pain you’ve never felt before, a pain you thought was impossible to feel.

Your lip began to tremble and the grip on your stirring wheel loosen, you freeze where you sit as you feel your chest tighten with so much emotion until you let it out. “Ahhhhhh! NO! NO! NO!.....Please no!” You shout so loud you swear starkiller base can hear you.

he died...he’s gone. You felt nothing but a void. What hurt the most was not knowing what had happened, knowing that you mostly likely could’ve saved him; But you didn’t, that’s what hurt you the most.

“Y/N! Y/N...”

“Y/N, I already told you why you have to go—”

“No! I don’t want to go!” You interrupt your dad making you cross your arms over your chest and stomp your foot.

“You said you were excited to go with your uncle Luke.”

“Not anymore. Why can’t you come? Why can’t you and mom come with Ben and me?” You pout making your dad sigh loudly.

“Look, we’ll see each other again, I promise you.” He tries to assures you, only making you furrow your eyebrows in anger and turn away from him. “Come on, don’t be mad with me.”

Angry and sad tears slip from your eyes. You had felt joy when you first heard you were going to train with your uncle Luke alongside Ben, but as the day to leave arrived the excitement completely disappeared. The thought of leaving home, leaving your mom, especially your dad hurt you to the core. Your dad and you were close, you loved him with your whole heart just like he did. You two shared a bond; a bond you had overheard him say that he thought he wasnt going to share with you or Ben since he lacked the ability to use the force like your mother. But as time passed you and him bonded; everywhere he went a little girl followed.

He kneeled down to be at your level, lightly grabbing your arms and turned you to face him. “You look just like your mom when you get mad, you know that?” He chuckles at his own comment, he had expected you to laugh but your face expression remained the same. He cups your cheek, wiping the tears from your face and smiling before he pulls out something from his back. Your eyes flicker to the object in his hand realizing that it’s his blaster.

“This is for you, your uncle Lando gave Ben one, I thought it would be fair if I gave you one too....I wanted to give it to you when you were older but I think now is the perfect time.” He explains making your face soften. He grabs your hand and once he places it on your palm, he closes it reassuring your grip on the weapon. “You take this with you everywhere, you might have one of those fancy lightsabers later on but a blaster by your side-”

“Is never a bad idea.” You finish, sniffling as a smile tugged at the corner of your lips making him smile proudly.

“You got it. Everywhere you take this it’s like you’ll have a piece of me with you.”

You can’t help but beam up at him at the sound of his words.

“Theirs that smile I love.” He says as he as places a light kiss your forehead. You then jump and wrap your arms around his neck, nuzzling your head into the crook of his neck.

“I love you dad.”

“I know.”

“I’m losing you! Y/N! You’ve got pull up! Are you okay?!” The sound of Poe’s urgent voice through the comm pulls you back from your stupor, all you wanted to do now was curl into yourself, cry until you couldn’t no more but you couldn't, you still had to fight this fight.

You slowly reach for the button of the comm, swallowing thickly before coming up with a response.

“...yeah...I’m fine..”

.

.

.

Tagged- @treblebeth , @mcrvellouslystcrk , @themythicallifeofesmerelda , @thescarletknight2014 , @sfnari , @bitch-imma-head-out , @arsonistvoyager , @chloe-skywalker , @emotionalcal , @theholycakehole , @justxriot , @stvrdustalexx , @the-dream-catch3r , @theoralpha , @sleepyblossom , @basically-hayley , @iamaunicorn4704 , @sneekygeek , @carisiswaistcoat , @creativelyquestioninglife , @daniellajocelyn , @wnygirl2012 , @imjusttryingtocatchavibe , @holy-kylo-stars , @patdsinner33 , @avmps , @xxrouge-lexxx , @x-thunderbird-x , @kaelyn-lobrutto24

[athanasius-symposium-of-writings]

Pussycat, Pussycat, I love you (Old)

Based on this post on tumblr http://starwarsreaderinserts.tumblr.com/post/144186931331/hux-headcanons-where-he-falls-in-love-with-you

Why The Hatred for the General

You never truly particularly liked General Hux. To you the man was just playing “Empire” at the expense of the galaxy. Even though you could admire the strength and morals the First Order shared with the Imperial Remnants, that was the only thing you admire. “ From the ashes of the Empire, the First Order arose.” Your ass! The grip on your datapad tighten as you looked over your plans for the Remnants’ weapon Sun Crusher. Which the First Order started funding not to long ago. You hated how the Imperial Remnants had to rely on these��� “Children.” You said out loud. Honestly the hatred for the First Order started when General Hux demanded to meet with the council of Moffs. Natural the council refused not taking the First Order seriously.

Until.

The redhead freckled face son of  twi'lek whore dared put a blockade on the capital planet of the Imperial Remnant Empire and refused to leave until he met with the council. The old men that once made the council had to bite their tongue and meet Hux in personal on Bastion. The capital planet. The council of Moffs were made of Imperial Warlords that control some of the planets within the Core System. You were the Imperial Warlord of Bastion and was also forced to be the General Hux. At first you respected the man. You couldn’t help that it was just something about him that made you do so. What changed your view was the fact the rat bastard dare, HE DARED, tell the Imperials that they are apart of the First Order and must assist them. The old men laughed. You didn’t. Maybe that’s what’s saved you from being force choked to death by the Knight of Ren, Kylo Ren. You didn’t even flinch when their necks snap or when their bodies to the floor. You simply stood up and said, “When do we start?” Hux, you can tell liked that response.

You knew the Imperial Remnants wouldn’t make it another cycle. They were just trying to hold on to their glorious day of the Empire but the galaxy has change. The Republic won and they lose and the Imperials fled their separate ways. One moved on and became the First Order and the other only adapted and used their reputation to keep their planets in line. Some used the old Imperial weapons but that would only last so long. The galaxy was advancing into the future while they stayed the past.

You would not make that mistake.

The First Order may have power but you have knowledge and resources. A match made by the Maker. If he has a twisted sense of humor and thought you would make a great babysitter.

Ren The Cat

The gentle mew come from the small black creature on the ground weakly trying to get up caused you stop in your tracks. Your boots clicked against the shiny back floor in front of the hanger. You shifted the datapads of reports in your arms to pick up the small creature. It didn’t even bother to fight you once you placed it in your arms and continued walking.

The perks of having your own private quarters on the Finalizer is that you don’t have to worry about some annoying roommate and if they hates cats. Not like that would have stopped you from letting the poor thing stay with you. You for the first time ever had to take care of something and wasn't ordered too. You smiled watching the cat move around the room slowly and sniff everything before jumping on your bed and curled up. You heard the soft snore of the cat as it slept peacefully. Oh by the Maker she- You checked the cat. Oh it's a boy! Aw he’s so adorable. An all black cat no wonder no one saw him. He blended with the ship’s floor. You moved off the bed to get undress until a buzz at the door stopped you after just undoing four buttons of your shirt. You walked over and the small panel to open the door, “ What is it- Oh it’s you…” You said once a tall redhead stood at the door. He raised an eyebrow, “Were expecting someone else, Grand Moff?”

“No, now what is it you want, General Hux?” You didn’t bother to indulge him into an uncivil argument.

“May I come in?”

“Is that an order, General.”

“No, Grand Moff.”

You moved to the side, “Then by all means come inside.” You knew if he wanted to he could just push his way into your room but he of course he acted like a gentleman and asked permission to enter your quarters. You closed the door behind him, “So what is so important that it couldn’t wait until morning-”

“You have a cat?”

“Huh?”

He pointed at the bar furball on your bed that was sound a sleep.

“Oh, yeah.” You gestured to the couch for him to sit down on and you sat on the bed next your cat, “I found him outside the hanger.”

Hux sat down still eyeing the cat, “Does he have a name?”

She looked at the cat. You haven’t had him for more than a couple of minutes and have yet to name him, “Uh..” You pet the cat softly. An all black cat that you found on the floor. A strong little cat that dared called out for help.

“Oh his name is Ren.” What were you thinking?!

Hux was taken back by the name but his eyes narrowed seeing the smirk on your face.

“Cute…”

“I’m glad you think so General. It was either Ren or Crylo.”

The Lost Cats

The only reason you put up with letting Hux over into your room was because of his cat and nothing else. Both Ren and Millicent seemed to have hit off the moment they met which happen when both of them went missing at the same time. A radar technician found them sleeping together behind a control panel. Thank the Maker the blonde found them because you were about to tear the ship apart to find Ren.

You thanked the technician named “Matt”  but Hux didn’t. No he just glared at the poor man.

“Thank you, Matt.” You shook his hand.

He nodded, “You’re welcome, ma'am.”

You rubbed the cat in your arms against your cheek, “Swear I thought lost you Ren.” You mumbled against the purring cat.

“Ren?” The blonde had a light that suddenly flicked in his eyes, “Like Kylo Ren.”

“Yes like Commander Kylo Ren,” Hux replied, “Now get back to work, technician.”

You glared at Hux, “General Hux I believe the technician deserve an award for finding our cats.” Your voice had the undertone of I swear I will kill you if you keep acting rude to the poor worker. If only you knew that was Kylo Ren in a blonde.

Hux glanced at you then back “Matt” and back at you. He was going to protest but the look you were giving him warned him not to. So he cracked a tight smile and said, “Thank you Matt for finding them. You have the rest of the day off-”

“Thank you sir but I have work to do that I rather do than sit around all day.” With that the blonde left with his tool box in hand.

Hux looked like he was ready to pull out his blaster and shoot the undercover Ren.

“What a good worker.” You said with a smile.

“Yeah he would be a good worker in the trash compactor….” Thought Hux which he knew Kylo heard.

We Only Share The Same Quarters Because Of The Cats

Yes, you are the one who suggest for Hux and yourself to share quarters so you both have to worry about bringing the cats across the ship all the time. Yes you said that. Yes that is your reason and not because you enjoyed falling asleep next the General. Nope not at all.

You were surprised how quickly Hux had set up your and his quarters then again he would do anything to make his precious Millicent and you would do anything to make your little Ren happy.

The first night was odd. Sleeping in the share bed, sharing a bathroom and the worst part.

Seeing each other in clothing other than uniforms. It took you both off guard and some words were said.

“You have a lot of freckles…”

“You have a tattoo?”

Why did you decide to wear a shorts bra and shorts to bed?! Great now he saw the Imperial tattoo on your thigh. This cause you to rubbed the back of your neck.

“You should a get a First Order one as well.” Hux lifted the left side of his shirt revealing more skin and a First Order tattoo.

You couldn’t help but smile a little.

Sleeping in the same bed took some time to get use to since Hux was a rough sleeper. The man kriffing punched you in his sleep. You had to have four cups of coffee and a Hyper-Adrenal Stim just to make it through the day. “All for the kids” You remind yourself.

Hux was in bed last which give you a little time to take a quick catnap. When he started to toss and turn, you start to get out of bed to go sleep on the couch when an arm wrapped around your waist pulling you close to his body. You resisted him admittedly but once a soft whisper against your neck.

“Don’t leave. Not when I finally have you.”

Why must this man make your life so difficult?!

We Can Do Better

Weeks past after that night and neither of you both spoke about it. You took it as Hux was just talking in his sleep and well Hux was to proud of man to make the first move. He didn’t mean to say what he said that night but it happened and since you haven’t demanded to moved back to your old quarters and still sleep in the same bed with him, maybe he didn’t screw up.

Work kept both of your minds busy especially with the construction of Sun Crusher base which you swear to the Maker that Hux was forcing it to look like a Starkiller base 2.0. This frustrated you and it frustrated him that you didn’t want him to assist on the project.

“This is my weapon! Not yours!” You toss the datapad on his desk. Yes Sun Crusher was you pride and joy as well the last weapon to be created by the hands of the Empire. So yes you had the right to be upset about him daring to taint your work.

“I am fully aware of that -”

“Than don’t kriffing touch my stuff.” You said coldly before leaving his office without waiting for him to dismiss you.

You didn’t go straight back you the shared quarters after finishing your shift. You walked around for a bit. You need to both calm down and think of way to apologize to Hux.

The past few weeks with him had lessen your hatred for the man. In fact you may have even found yourself caring for the redhead. The cats had because also a bridge for you two to bond. You wanted to punch a wall ( now you can see why Kylo destroyed panels).

You took a breath before walking into the room, “Hux I-” You grew quiet once you saw he was watching the cats curled up next to each other. Yes the inner cat lady in you was girling out so hard. You walked over and stood next the General, “They look cute together.”

Hux just nodded, “It’s like us, isn’t it?”

You rolled your eyes, “Almost like us.” You crossed your arms, “But we can do better.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah.” You turned your head and whispered in his ear with a smirk on your face.

You never seen Hux blush before.

[geo-winchester]

DEAR BROTHER (2)

A/N: Hi! So here’s the second part of this story, I think is a littler linger and this time is a little more of Han and Ben relationship with the trade but I didn’t left Poe behind, I hope you like it!

Part 1

———

Yn woke up in what she thought it was a cell with her hand tied and she could feel something was preventing her for talk, she look around, the room was a little dark but she could see the figure who was in front of her, her brother was sitting in a chair, she didn’t make a sound as she was looking for a way to escape, it would be more easy if he weren’t wearing the mask, that way she would know if he was looking at her.

-finally, you’re awake- he finally said, she was about to talk but she couldn’t so she just close her eyes and focus.

-Seriously, you have to do this?- Ben turned around to the a projection of his sister.

-I know what you did to those stoormtropers, I didn’t give you the chance to do it again- she looked at him, he could see her emotions in her eyes, fear, anger, sadness... love, he take away his mask so she could see her -I missed you.

-oh yeah! I thought I was here because I was a prisoner not because you miss me, beside If you miss me, you wouldn’t stay, you would help me and come home with me, this isn’t you Ben...

-That’s because Ben Solo is death.

-That’s a lie, that’s what you tell yourself, but I know who you are, your my brother the one who told me he always going to be there to protect me...

-I still want to protect you, imagine your powers if you let the Snoke train you, we could be the most powerful brothers in the universe, we could be more powerful and fear than our grandfather!- she shook her head.

-Ben, I won’t join you...

-Why? because you scare of what our parents think of you...

-Because this isn’t right, ...

-Or maybe you didn’t know what you want and you there stay there because of that pilot- she look at him -You know who I’m talking about he was our prisoner a few weeks ago, I saw everything in his head Yn, and he only was thinking about you...

-Leave him out of this, he just...

-A resistance pilot who’s in love with you?- you stop abruptly -Ah, you didn’t know... but you love him too...

-Get out of my head!- she screamed making him to get a step back.

-See all that anger would make you a powerful sith.

-I will never join you- she said taking a step closer to him, she saw him walk to the door but stop before the door was open.

-I hope the isolation help you to change your mind.

Yn try all the things she’s been training with her mother, but every idea that fail the more and more anxious she fell, she wonder why this time was differently, I mean this wasn’t the first time you were in danger, then it hit her, Poe, the things Ben told her about poe, she have to recognize it, she had feelings for him and maybe he feel the same way but he never say something to her and imagine she could die without telling him was killing her, Yn thought in projecting to Poe but she never tried from a long distance but she decide to give it a shot, she close her eyes and focus, she said his name but she couldn’t found him, she was about to give up when she sense someone else, someone in the same place she was.

-Dad...

Han Solo was in a room with Chewbacca and Finn, after they heard Finn’s plans they wait for captain Phasma, it didn’t take a lot time when she finally walk in front of them, Chewbacca push her and bring it to the room, Finn take the lead and step in front of her.

-Do you remember me?- Finn said

-FN2187

-Not any more, my name is Finn and I’m in charge, I’m in charge Phasma, I’m in charge.

-Bring it down- Han told him.

-Oh yeah- Finn agreed -follow me- he took them to the computer and he point her head with his gun -you’re going to deactivate the shields- she didn’t move -Do you want a whole in your head?- Finn said and Chewbacca roar in response, Phasma push a bottom and deactivate the shields.

-you have to be stupid if you think this is going to be easy, my troops will come here and kill you.

-I disagree, Now what we do with her?- Finn said.

-Do you have a garbage dump? Trash compactor?- Han ask, making Finn smile and asked them to follow him.

They were walking thru the halls searching for the room were they can turn off the blasters, when they enter to the room they saw a figure standing in front of them, Han was the first to approach to her.

-Hey dad...- she said, Chewbacca roar and Yn smile -Hey chewie.

-Are you really here?- Han asked to his daughter and she give him a little smile.

-No, I’m in some kind of cell- she hadn’t repair in Finn until he cleared his throat -who are you? Is that Poe’s jacket?- Finn look at the jacket and he was going to answer her but Han was quickly.

-How do you know who’s jacket is? Is he’s your boyfriend? Why didn’t you tell me? Did I need to kick his ass??- Han start to raise his voice, Chewbacca roar to Han -Yeah I know she is capable to kick his ass but I’m his father.

-I don’t think this is the time or the place to do this- Finn said, he turned to look at Han -I know where she is, is Rey with you?- Yn shook her head.

-Did you know where this prison is?- Finn nod.

-But what happened to Rey

-We look for Rey, while we go for my daughter, they probably be in the same floor- Yn smile before she disappear -kid, lead the way.

Yn open her eyes, she scare when she saw her brother was stand next to her, how much time did he was there, did he notice she wasn’t Really there, she look at him when he approach his hand to her face, and he take what she had in her mouth, she look at him with surprise, this was the first time in a long time that she recognize her brother, the brother she growth with, the one who protect her and the one she miss. They stay quiet for a while but then one stormtrooper told Ben that a general need him in the headquarters and without making a sound he left. It wasn’t long when the door open and her dad came followed by chewie they stop when he saw she still had her hands tied, chewie approach to her and break the handcuffs, she run in to her father and hug him.

-Hey kiddo- Han said, Chewie take the both in a big hug.

-Hey Chewie, Thanks for save me- she smile and turn to Finn- did you got an intercom?- He nod and give it to her.

-It better be to talk your mom and no that boyfriend of you- Han said while he approach to the door to give her a little of privacy, she put the intercom and hope he could hear her.

-Poe?- she said, Poe was in the middle of the trip to get to the star killer base, when she hear her voice.

-Yn is that you? Are you ok? Are you hurt? What happened?- he asked her.

-I’m fine, your friend Finn help me- she hear her father cleared his troath behind her -with the help of my dad and Chewie.

-I’m so glad to hear your voice, I was afraid something happened to you and I didn’t got the chance to...- he stop for a moment and he hear BB-8’s beeps, he agreed -Yn... I want to tell you... that... I... Lo...

-I know- Yn said with a smile in her face -me too- they stay quiet for a few seconds.

-If I were there I would kiss you.

-save it for when we win- she said feeling the blush in her face.

-Ok love birds, we have a mission to finish- Han told them, he took the intercom -and you young man we’re going to have a long conversation when we get back- he didn’t even wait to Poe to answer him, he just give the intercom to Finn, Yn look at his dad a little surprise -Let’s go and finish this mission.

[lookatthestarrynight]

Laughter is the Best Medicine - Chapter Nine

Poe Dameron/Doctor!OFC: Poe Dameron has joined the Resistance at the request of General Leia Organa, and he’s finally arrived on the Echo of Hope, the Resistance’s floating base of operations. While on board, he meets the Medical Director of the Resistance and... falls in love? We’ll see.

I’ve also posted this on AO3. Check my masterlist to see what I write for. Please only like, don’t reblog.  Hope you enjoy, let me know what you think!

Warnings: None! Just some fluff. 1198 words.

A week later found me in the med-bay, no surprises. Poe was once again gone on a mission, this time to Pheryon to meet with some reporter type lady about information she might have on the First Order. I still wasn’t sure exactly why Poe had to be the one to meet her – since Snap or any other member of his squadron was more than capable. The General had answered that question with something along the lines of Poe being a charismatic poster-boy and the most suitable man for the job, and then I’d politely been told to leave the Command Center to do my own job.

           I didn’t really mind Poe diving headfirst into danger yet again, since that’s more-or-less become his M.O. in all the time he’s been with the Resistance, and even before then. But I still worried about him – I couldn’t help it.

           So, I wasn’t surprised when Shana waved her hand in front of my face for the fifth time today to get my attention, but I was surprised when she smacked the back of my head with her hand.

           “What was that for?!”

           “You zoned out again, H,” she huffed, “You need to stop doing that.”

           “I know – I’m just worried.”

           “I feel like we’ve been through this before, H. He’ll be fine.”

           I hummed, standing up. “Yeah, yeah, yeah, alright.”

           Shana nodded. “Ready to do some stitching?”

           “He’s ready?”

           “Yep. Cleaned everything up so it’s time to do the stitches… I figured you’d want to do it to keep your mind occupied.”

           “You figured right.”

           Shana smiled, and I followed her into the exam room and pulled on some gloves.

<> 

           It was a few days later when Poe arrived back on base, with the reporter in tow. I was called away from the med-bay when he arrived so that I could attend the debriefing in the Command Center. I’d been told to bring some basic emergency medical supplies and an assistant to the debriefing, which worried me slightly, but I pushed that down as I walked to the Command Center with Shana by my side.

           When we walked in, it became apparent why I’d been told to come at all – both Poe and the reporter he’d brought with him were a little worse for the wear. I made a beeline for them, pulling on gloves and mentally categorizing the injuries I could see and how I could best treat them with my limited supplies.

           I was interrupted, however, by General Organa. “Will you need them to wait to speak until you’re done, Director?”

           “No, General. They can talk and I can work at the same time.” The General nodded toward Poe and the reporter, and I set to work on Poe while Shana worked with the reporter.

           My eavesdropping soon discovered that this reporter was Suralinda Javos, of the Galaxy Beacon. Apparently, she was writing on Galactic Concordance violations made by the First Order, and apparently both her and Poe had been temporarily captured by some stormtroopers – which explained the minor injuries all over them.

           By the time the debriefing was over, Shana and I had finished most of the minor things and some of the more obvious major things, but we still dragged both of them back to the med-bay to make sure we hadn’t missed anything.

           Unfortunately, Shana had to help one of the other doctors with another patient, so I was left handling both of them, which I didn’t mind at all.

           I started with Poe, and I methodically worked through his laundry list of issues and my own personal checklist. At some point, he broke the silence that I’m sure some would’ve labelled as awkward. I did not.

           “So, you’re not made at me?”

           I glance up at him. “What for?”

           “Getting temporarily captured by First Order forces?”

           I sighed, stopping what I was doing and looking him in the eyes. Worry flickered in them, an unusual sight. “I can’t get mad at you for getting captured… you can’t really control that. I can get worried for you, though – which I am.”

           He nodded reluctantly. “You sure?”

           I smiled and shook my head. “If you keep asking about it I will be.”

           He laughed, and then winced. I noticed Suralinda stifling a giggle out of the corner of my eye.

           I finished up the last small bandage on Poe and gently tapped his shoulder. “You’re all good to go now, Poe.”

           “Would it be alright if I stayed here ‘til you’re done?”

           I shrugged, heading towards Suralinda to finish checking her over. “I won’t stop you.”

           Poe stayed in his place, watching as I gently examined a few bruises on Suralinda’s arm and began putting bacta cream on them. She inhaled a sharp breath, making a quiet noise of discomfort.

           “Sorry,” I said, grimacing as I continued, “This should be the last one, though, if that’s any consolation.”

           She huffed a small laugh. “Just a little.”

           I did a quick once-over of her torso with a scanner and found no interior injuries, so I gave her the all clear.

           “You’re all good to go now as well… I presume the General will want to see you again since it seems like you may be joining us permanently?”

           “Yeah. Thanks for taking care of all this.” She gestured vaguely at herself.

           I smiled. “It’s my job – wouldn’t have it any other way.”

           She nodded and made her way out of the exam room. I cleaned up all my supplies and pulled off my gloves, tossing them in the compactor bin, before turning to face Poe.

           “Any particular reason you wanted to stick around?”

           “Is it a crime to want to see your face sometimes?”

           I laughed, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead. “No, no it’s not.”

           He hummed, “That’s what I thought.” Carefully, he looped his arms around my waist and pulled me into his chest – it was a bit of an awkward angle, though, that required a bit of adjusting. We stood there for a minute before I pulled away carefully.

           “Well, I need to make some rounds soon, so I’ll see you ‘round dinner time, maybe?”

           “Actually, I uh, have a question for you.”

           I turned back towards him, my eyebrow raised in question. “Yeah?”

           “Would you,” he paused, his eyes searching my face, “Would you want to move in with me?”

           “Your quarters are smaller than mine, Poe.”

           “Can I move in with you, then?”

           I let out a small laugh, “Yes, you can.” I walked back over to him and leaned forward, pressing my lips to his. I intended to pull away after a moment, but he held me in place. His thumb grazed the spot above my hip that was a little ticklish, and he took full advantage of my lips parting inadvertently. A moment later, he let go and we pulled apart, breathless.

           “You can just do that, Poe! I have to go work now!”

           He sent me a cheeky grin. “I’ll see you at dinner, roomie.” And then he got up and left me standing in the exam room, a little stunned and a smidge turned on. Damnit, Poe.

[reddie-fangirl24]

Together (An IT/Toy Story 3 Crossover)

NOTE: I am in love with the incinerator scene from Toy Story 3 so I decided to make a crossover of the climactic scene with The Losers Club. I hope you enjoy!

After the peculiar allusions the group went through, somehow they managed to join back together in a cove, hiding from their enemy. The clown which had grown legs like a spider and a sharp claw that looked as if it could kill anyone in sight smashed against the cave trying to find the Losers hiding spot.

“Now what? There’s no way we’re going to get out of here without re-experiencing those wacky delusions!” Richie said. If they lived he was always going to be afraid of doors for the rest of his life. Oh yeah, and Pomeranians.

“We have to kill It once and for all!” Mike stated.

“And how are we going to do that, Mikey?” Bill asked, skeptical. “You were the one who said that ritual would work and now look at what’s happening?”

“Bill, stop blaming, Mike!” Beverly warned him, placing a hand on his shoulder. He was scared. They were all scared. She was still soaked in blood. Her white shirt was thick maroon red now. And yet nobody asked what happened to her. Oh, men.

They jumped when they heard the clown’s manic laugh echo in the cave. “Come out wherever you are, Losers! Only I can win!” IT chanted. 

“Remember what we did the first time?” Ben asked grabbing everyone’s attention. “We attacked him!”

Bill nodded, recalling. “That’s right, we did! And that made him weak!”

“Have you seen what we’re up against?” Eddie fought indicating a hand toward the lair. “We’re likely to get killed in seconds even if we tried!”

“So, you want to just sit here and live in this cave and make a home?” Richie asked sarcastically. “Oh, yeah, this place could make a nice living room. Pennywise can be our TV and entertain us!”

“Okay, asshole, I don’t need sarcastics right now!” Eddie chided him.

Feeling the cave shake under their feet, dust and rocks crumbled down from the ceiling. They didn’t have much time. Slowly, walking towards the opening, Pennywise had its back turned. 

Mike charged IT, ignoring the others calling for him. “I’m not afraid of you!”

Pennywise turned, surprised, but keeping its frightening composure to scare off the Losers.

Following Mike, Beverly joined in and so did Ben. If they ran towards IT that could once again stop Pennywise. But they had to do it for good. No way was this thing returning when they were seventy!

“Are you sure this is going to work?” Eddie asked, holding onto his weapon tightly.

“No idea, let’s go!” Richie told him as he ran off.

The Losers Club charged the clown, fear racing through their hearts.

In one snap, everything changed in a matter of seconds. Losing their footing, the group no longer had a solid ground. All sorts of trash, rubble, and dismembered body parts swarmed them as they went tumbled down a hill until coming to a stop.

The heat melted their faces. The moment Bill opened his eyes, he wished that he hadn’t. None of them had ever been to a garbage incinerator, but Pennywise turned the entire cavern into a trash compactor. Thick orange flames shot out directly from the ground as they were slowly descending. It was worse. Pennywise was the at the very bottom shooting flames out of his mouth, smiling evilly through the fire. “Time’s up, Losers!”

Mike shook his head, sweat dripping off his face. “Move, move!” he ordered his friends as he struggled to climb upwards. 

Climbing through the mountains of trash was not easy, in fact it didn’t seem like it was doing anything. It felt as if they were only staying in one place instead of moving anywhere. They couldn’t find anything stable enough to hold them.

Bill turned back, his heart pounding, the fire belched out of the clown’s mouth.

Just then, Eddie slipped up falling backward. He screamed trying to grab for something. 

“Eddie!” Richie called out trying to grab him.

Mike reached out to grab Eddie only to lose his footing, falling down the mound of trash. It only made the trash ricochet making the whole group fall closers towards the fire, descending quicker. 

“Ben!” Beverly called out. Ben turned around meeting the frightened woman’s eyes. “What do we do?”

Opening his mouth, no sound came out. Whatever they tried wasn’t going to work. If they just kept trying to climb they’d only tire themselves out. Plus, how would they get out even if they made it back to the top?

Spying Beverly’s shaking hand, Ben held it tightly, giving her hand a squeeze. Their hands fit so perfectly together. Confused, Beverly looked into his eyes. With just one heartbreaking look, Beverly knew, and her face contorted into one of the most heartbreaking expressions that Ben could ever see.

Bill saw what they were doing. Pennywise had them right where IT wanted them. There was no escape. Reaching his hand out to Richie, the man just looked at him as if he were out of his mind. Eventually, he accepted it, feeling the sweat drip off his face.

Eddie was struggling to hold himself, slipping through the garbage, panicking as his breathing was rapid. Richie grabbed his hand, immediately calming the man down. Eddie finally took a look at what was goin on and looked into Richie’s eyes. Was he tearing up?

Mike was still trying to work his way up the mounds of trash. The moment he saw what everyone was doing, he froze, staring at everyone in shock. Devastated, he made eye contact with Bill, again no words forming. 

Reaching his hand out, Bill stared into Mike’s eyes begging for him to take hold of his hand so they could stay together. After all the years Mike gave up to stay in Derry and keep watch for the clown’s return, he never thought that it would end like this. Struggling, Mike took Bill’s hand. And then he grabbed Ben’s, forming the chain.

I’m sorry, Bill, this is all my fault.

It’s okay, Mikey. It’s going to be okay.

The flames were coming closer now, slowly which made them all the more uneasy about their impending doom. This wasn’t fair. 

Tears drenched Beverly’s face. For a moment, she wished that she were back home. No, that was the last placer she wanted to be. Beverly never felt safe with... him. This was the best decision she had made in a long time. How could she be so blind? The person she was meant to be with was sitting right next to her holding her hand.

Ben, I love you.

Right when Ben looked away from the flames to look at Beverly’s face, his heart cracked. For twenty-seven years he remembered her face. Never once did he ever lose hope. No, what was he saying? That period of excessive drinking where he passed out night after night only trying to drown out his feelings. That wasn’t possible. It was hard to feel the emotions that were unfair. You weren’t human if you didn’t.

Closing his eyes, Beverly cradled her head into Ben’s neck. Her hair, despite it being soaked in blood, felt so nice against his face. He held her hand tighter, bringing it to his chest. Ben vowed to keep her safe in whatever way he could until the very end.

I love you, Beverly. 

Bill closed his eyes, too. For the remained of however much time he had left he thought about Audra, telling her how much he loved her.. Her beautiful face. Why did he say that insulting remark to her? Even as he got over the stutter he was still incapable of choosing the right words to say. Audra was the best thing that could ever happen to him. Tears fell from Bill’s eyes as he waited. 

Richie turned and looked at Eddie who was struggling to breathe. Why, why did it have to end like this? He always thought that the day Eddie moved out of Derry after graduation was the worst thing possible. No, forgetting him was awful. He knew there was a reason that he didn’t want to be in a relationship because he already had someone. He only had one love. 

Right then, when the flames were spewing out of the clown’s mouth, Eddie let go of his weapon and with his free hand latched onto Richie’s leather jacket, holding him tighter. And he turned his face away into Richie’s neck for comfort.

Richie felt better. He was with Eddie. They were together. His first love. Gripping his hand tighter, Richie kissed Eddie’s forehead and closed his eyes, waiting. 

I got you, Eds, and I’m never letting go.

Mike stared helplessly into the flames. This didn’t feel real at all. He felt something hit against his back. The weapon that Eddie had been holding. What if... this wasn’t real. The clown liked to mess with them.

Letting go of Bill and Ben’s hands, Mike stood up but swayed trying to find balance. The clown noticed, appearing nervous, the flames faltering out of IT’s mouth.

Mike threw the sword into the clown’s mouth.

And everything stopped. 

The cavern was just a regular cave again. And the clown was normal-sized again, only slowly diminishing. This gave Mike the perfect opportunity to shove his hand through the clown’s chest and rip out IT’s heart. Scrunching it, the clown disappeared forever.

They were all quiet. They did it. They really did killed IT.

Ben and Beverly were still holding hands. Staring into Ben’s eyes, Beverly touched Ben’s face, smiling. They kissed.

Eddie felt something in his hand. Richie still had a pretty tight grip, but Eddie didn’t mind. Richie also noticed, looking nervous. Eddie smiled into Richie’s eyes, his cheeks blushing.

The curse had been lifted.

[81scorp]

My thoughts on Tangled

(Originally posted as an editorial on Deviantart Nov 17, 2015.)

In my "More thoughts on Frozen" editorial I wrote: "I like Frozen. Though not as much as I like Tangled."So let`s talk about Tangled.

And at last I see the SPOILERS

I didn`t have high expectations about this movie. Based on what I saw from the trailer it seemed to be not much more than a silly romp with lots of slapstick, kinda like The Emperor`s new groove. I wasn`t really interested in watching it until I saw a trailer with the scene where Flynn and Rapunzel sits in a boat and release lanterns into the sky. I thought to myself: "I think I`ll give it a watch."

Then there`s the name. It was originally gonna be called Rapunzel, but the big suits at Disney changed it. It has been theorized that they did it because The Princess and the Frog, while not unsuccessful at the box office, was not as successful as they had hoped, and they were afraid that boys wouldn`t see a movie with the word "Princess" or anything feminine in the title. I think it was a very insecure move from Disney, it`s like changing "The Little Mermaid" to "Beached". If they had kept the name "Rapunzel" and marketed it the way they did, with the trailers focusing on The Emperor`s new groove-like slapstick while playing Pink`s "Trouble", I and (I`d like to think that others, as well) would still have gone to see it. You might want to argue and say that the name change was justified because they changed the story from the original fairytale. They changed the story of The Little Mermaid and The Hunchback of Notredam too but still kept the name of the original.But what`s in a name? Surely, an animated Disney movie about a girl with insanely long hair and the thief that act as her guide by any other name would still be as sweet. Insecure name changing aside, the rest of the movie could still be good.

My Brother and I went to see it in the cinema...IN 3D!!!

A few minutes into the movie we got something I wasn`t prepared for: A musical number... in an animated Disney movie. At first my reaction was "What?" But a part of me said "Yeah, and? What`s so odd about a musical number in an animated Disney movie? You walked into The Princess and the Frog fully aware that there was gonna be singing and liked it. You`re just a little surprised because you never saw any clips or trailers that indicated that it was gonna be a musical. Now shut up and enjoy this Disney musical damnit!"

But putting that aside, "When will my life begin" is not a great song to open with. It is VERY upbeat, modern and pop-ish, which, considering the 18th century world it takes place in, makes it feel very anachronistic.I liked it a little more after repeated viewings though, so it`s a bit of an aquired taste.A part of it that I did like (without repeated viewings) was the last part that begins with "Tomorrow night the lights will appear, just like they do on my birthday each year". This part of the song felt like Rapunzel`s more vulnerable side, like her true face under the mask of cheerfulness that we heard in the first parts. The chores and hobbies that she sings about (like puzzles and darts and baking) are what she does to kill time and the boredom of isolation. In hindsight, the title alone: "When will my life begin" pretty much verifies that.It`s not a bad song by itself, just maybe not the best song to open this movie with.You might wonder "Isn`t `Healing incantation` technically the first song of the movie and why did it take you till `When will my life begin`to realize it was a musical?"

Well, "Healing incantation" was the first song, yes. But unlike "When will my life begin" it`s diegetic, they could still sing it even if this movie wasn`t a musical. Diegetic music comes from a person or object in the scene (like a radio or musical performer), while non-diegetic music is external to the narrative. In Rocky II when Rocky runs down the streets of Philadelphia and the song "Gonna fly now" is playing, we can hear the music but Rocky can`t, it`s non-diegetic.

"Mother knows best" sounded better though, it felt more fitted for a musical. I like that she both figuratively and literally tries to keep Rapunzel in the dark in the musical number. James Berardinelli from ReelViews commented on his website that "the songs were neither catchy nor memorable". I don`t completely agree with him. Sure, a few hours after I left the cinema I didn´t remember most of the songs, but I did remember the chorus to "Mother knows best". Many like to compare Mother Gothel to Cher and I can`t say that I don`t see why. But to me she reminds me more of Edina from Absolutely Fabulous. Both call their daughter "darling", are selfish and one of the worst days in Edina`s life... was the day she turned 30! Another popular comparison is the one between her and Claude Frollo from the Disney version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Both keep a ward locked up in a tall building and tell them that the world is a horrible place. In a way Claude Frollo is the worse villain because he has more authority, he has power over the guards and by that, some level of control over the city. While similar, there are some small differences in their, for lack of a better word, "parenting skills". Frollo`s are more about being stern and controlling Quasimodo with a respect based on fear, while Mother Gothel is more about emotional manipulation and sending mixed messages. She gives Rapunzel subtle insults one minute only to add a little "just kidding, you know I love you" the next. On a large scale Frollo is the worst, while on a smaller, personal level Mother Gothel is the worst. There is a little bit of tenderness in her cruelty. One thing that bugs me is the glorification and romanticism of the age of 16. Appearently that`s the best age to be, that`s when everything great and magical happens. I thought to myself when watching Tangled: "Please don`t make her 16. Make her some other age or just don`t mention it." Rapunzel`s age was 17 and the next day she was gonna turn 18. I thought "Thank you Disney! Thank you for avoiding this clichè and overrated age". In a way it turns it into a metaphor for growing up, becoming independent and leaving the nest. Yes, she is technically still underaged at first, but it is she that is in charge and Flynn doesn`t try anything romantic on her until after she turns 18. But most important of all: she`s not 16.

I liked the reprise of "When will my life begin" better than the first version because, like "Mother knows best" the music and instruments in it felt more fitting for a musical. That moment before she puts her foot on her grass you could see in her eyes that it may have been a small step for man, but it was a giant leap for Rapunzel.

Which was then followed by the emotional rollercoaster known as "The bi-polar scene". In her book "Making a good script great" Linda Seger wrote that conflict is the basis of drama, and this movie has a lot of conflict without feeling overcrowded. There`s Flynn VS the guards of Corona and Flynn VS the Stabbington brothers, both over which one gets the crown. There`s Rapunzel VS Mother Gothel, Rapunzel wants to leave her tower to see the rest of the world, or at least the floating lanterns, while Gothel wants to keep her in the tower.There`s also conflict that adds comedy. There`s Flynn VS Maximus, which is an extension of Flynn VS the guards, but funnier. Flynn VS Rapunzel, Rapunzel needs Flynn as her bodyguard/guide through the dangerous outside world, so she hides his satchel and uses it as leverage. Flynn just wants the crown so he can sell it and get stinking rich, so he tries to manipulate and scare Rapunzel into giving up her journey to see the lanterns. Then there`s Rapunzel VS herself. While happy that she is seeing the world she also feels guilty over disobeying her mother, which leads to the inner conflict seen in the previously mentioned "bi-polar scene".

Maximus the horse, who I mentioned earlier is a great character and a great source of comedy. He`s like Officer Zenigata from Lupin III. Pascal adds a little comedy too but doesn`t contribute as much to the story as Maximus. My guess is that he was created for the same reason that Robin was created for Batman. The creators thought that it would be better if Batman had someone to talk and explain things to so he wouldn`t seem like a complete nutjob that talks to himself. I don`t have much to say about "I`ve got a dream", it`s a fun, likeable song one would usually expect the comical side-characters to sing. Is it just me or doesn`t the chorus borrow a little from "She`ll be coming round the mountain"?

"She'll be coming round the mountain, she'll be coming round the mountain, she'll be coming round the mountain when she comes"

"Though I do like breaking femurs, you can count me with the dreamers. Like everybody else, I've got a dream."

(Sure, the melody isn`t identical but the structure is somewhat similar.)

Flynn refusing to sing (at first) is not exactly new for a Disney musical, it had already been done in Enchanted. However this was (to my knowledge) the first time it was done in the Disney animated canon and it was done much funnier.

The scene where Rapunzel and Flynn...

Flynn: Eugene.

What?

Flynn: Eugene Fitzherbert.

OK. where Rapunzel and...Eugene

are trapped in a cave that`s filling up with water is similar to the trash-compactor scene in Star wars: It`s the dark moment, the part of the movie where it seems like there is no way out and all hope is lost. I like this scene, not just because of the suspense but also because it is where they open up to and start getting to know each other. But because this not just a big-budget movie but a Disney movie, and no director wants to depress the audience (unless you`re Lars von Trier), we know that they`re gonna make it, we just don`t know how. In the campfire scene we get more time for character development. We already know Rapunzel`s backstory but this is the first time that Fly-... Eugene gets to hear it. We (and Rapunzel) also find out that Eugene was an orphan who took his name from a fictional character who was everything he wanted to be. Rapunzel`s inner conflict shows up here too, but this time with a downplayed, more serious tone and not comically exaggerated.

Eugene: And you`re still gonna go back?

Rapunzel: No! Yes. (covers her face) It`s complicated. I`m probably alone in this but to me Eugene`s name change feels like a reflection of the movie`s name change. Eugene changed his name to Flynn Rider because he thought it would sound cooler, like how the big suits at Disney changed the movie`s name from Rapunzel because they thought it would sound cooler.

Rapunzel: For the record, I like Eugene Fitzherbert much better than Flynn Rider. Not much to say about the reprise of Mother knows best except that we get to see the more Frollo-ish side of Gothel. Since the tenderness doesn`t work she now tries to make Rapunzel respect her through fear. I love the Kingdom dance scene. It`s like that scene from The Little Mermaid when Ariel visits the town with Eric and for the first time gets to experience the world of humans. It`s a great example of visual storytelling, no dialogue is used or needed. Just like Ariel, Rapunzel gets to geek out and and explore this new world, try new things, new kinds of food and immerse herself in new books. I love the music in this scene. It has a nice medieval-ish feel to it, the kind of music you`d expect to hear in this world and time. Another interesting touch is that it starts out joyful but there`s a small ominous tone that grows bigger and louder as the music plays, as if forshadowing an impening doom.

This is followed by another really good scene: Rapunzel`s parents, another great example of visual storytelling where no dialogue is needed, the animation says it all.

Movie critic and comedian Doug Walker said in his review of this movie that the voice acting on Rapunzel and Eugene could have been better, not that the actors did a poor job, he was just always aware that there was a person behind a microphone. Personally I had no problem with Rapunzel`s and Eugene`s voice. Mandy Moore did a great job voicing Aerith in the first Kingdom Hearts game and I didn`t even know (at the time) it was her. I was aware that it was her before watching the movie, but while watching it I had no problem separating the voice from the celebrity and enjoying the movie. I didn`t even know who voiced Eugene, I looked it up and found that it was Zachary Levi, Chuck Bartowski from Chuck. He did his own singing too, I didn`t know he could sing. Is there anything that intersect can`t do?

I mention Doug Walker because what he felt about the original voice actors is what I felt about about the actors in the swedish-dubbed version. Måns Zelmerlöw (Eugene Fitzherbert) and Molly Sandèn (Rapunzel) were not bad, I just didn`t feel as invested with them as I was with the original version. Moore and Levi both have acting experience and their voices had a certain maturity. Sandèn and Zelmerlöw are both younger, singers and hasn`t had as much acting experience as Moore and Levi. (Sandèn`s experience in dubbing is, so far, limited to two Highschool Musical movies where she dubbed the songs.) The parts where they sing sound great though. Now, with that out of the way...I like "I see the light", don`t have much to say about it though, but more to say about the scene where it is sung. It is beautifully animated and directed. Eugene having prepared the two lanterns, one for each of them, shows that he is willing to go that little extra length for someone else, something the old Eugene (or Flynn) would not have done so easily, if at all. Another nice little detail in this scene is that the lantern that is about to sink into the water that Rapunzel pushes back up into the sky is her parents lantern.

How Maximus managed to get help from the Snugly Duckling thugs is not hard to imagine. Most likely scenario: He ran to the pub with one of Eugene`s wanted posters in his mouth and waved it in front of their faces.

Thug: What is it horse? Is the guy with the big freaky nose and his longhaired girlfriend in danger?

Maximus would nod and the thugs would huddle and start planning Eugene`s escape.

Is it a stretch that Rapunzel can remember things from when she was just a few days old? Maybe convenient but not unbelievable, Rapunzel was born under special circumstances after all. If she has healing hair why can`t she also have a super-memory and (from what I`ve read on the Disney wikia) super-strength? Seriously, she carries around a large amount of hair that no ordinary human would be able to carry as easily as she does. "But how was Gothel able to overpower her?"

one might wonder. I have a few theories.

A: Maybe she isn`t superstrong, maybe her hair is just very, very light.

B: She has some form of psychosomatic mental block that prevents her from overpowering Gothel.

C: Gothel, who managed to beat both the of Stabbington brothers, is really really good at fighting dirty. Wouldn`t surprise me if she used Rapunzel`s long hair to her advantage. Near the end of the movie Eugene dies but is brought back to life by a tear from Rapunzel. Typical Disney death, yes, but it makes sense, more sense than the original fairytale. In the original fairytale the prince got pushed out of the tower by Dame Gothel and landed in thorns below that damaged his eyes and blinded him. He later met Rapunzel who`s tears restored his sight. Unlike the movie it was never (to my knowledge at least) established before that moment that she had any form of healing powers, it just happened because of fairytale logic.So, does Rapunzel have healing tears now or was all her healing powers used up in that one tear? Don`t know, guess we`ll have to wait and see. I`m fine either way.The final scene where the kingdom celebrates Rapunzel`s return is... not bad or unnecessary, it`s just not as good as the previous scene where Rapunzel is reunited with her parents. It`s as if the filmmakers were afraid that their happy ending wasn`t happy enough. It`s the part where all the Snugly Duckling thugs had their dreams come true, for me it would have been enough to see them just partake in the festivities since we only heard them talk (or rather, sing) about their dreams but we never saw them struggle for them. Then again, not seeing them reach their goals that they sang about would feel like an unused chekov`s gun. I think the part with the Snugly Duckling thugs would have worked better without Eugene`s narration confirming that they all got exactly what they wanted, but I`m probably nitpicking here. Even if it was a typical Disney "Look! Everybody gets a happy ending!"-ending it was short and wasn`t bad.

And who doesn`t like a drunken, flirting dwarf in a diaper?

Sure, it has a few flaws but it`s one of my favourite movies.

That`s all I have for now but I`m not done yet. More thoughts on Tangled coming later. I thought that all of my thoughts on Tangled might be a little much to read if put into one editorial, so I decided to divide it into two.

[oneofyatosfollowers]

One of a Kind- Chapter 7

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/20191861/chapters/51333751#workskin

Fanfiction: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13360973/1/One-of-a-Kind

Yato hasn't felt panic in a long time. It made him feel like a child, like his Father was still angrily standing over him. Like he was still strapped to the operation table having iron and wires melted into his body. But now, it wasn't him on the bed being taken apart. Yato kicked at the light-wall, shaking when it felt like cement. The Emishi next to him was yelling something, startling Yato's other neighbor awake. From his right, a woman put a hand on his shoulder, to the left the Wall-H gripped his shirt and tried to pull him back.

"What are you doing?"

"Sweetheart, are you alright?" Yato threw them both off and put his hands in his hair and tugged.

"Arg! I don't have time for this!" Yato pointed his finger at the wall shooting the light's base with his laser. The wall flickered but didn't budge, Yato leaned over and tried the control panel. At some point the bear-man had gripped one of his pockets and fumbled his iPod. A happy song from the Capybara Movie blasted from Yato's speaker, making his head spin.

"Hey! This cutie's letting us out!" His female neighbor squealed in joy, gathering the attention of others who've been ignoring the newcomer's panic.

"If we don't get fixed, we don't have to work!" A voice cheered.

"I don't want to get torn apart!" Another agreed.

The panel short-circuited and the wall to his bed glitched out. Yato tumbled out into the hall and scrambled to his feet. He dashed down the hall, happy jingles bouncing off the walls, drawing the attention of everyone in the room.

Hiyori still sat without a hand when Yato burst through the glass wall. The human doctors shrieked and one of the nurses dropped the handgun he was holding.

"Yato? What are you doing!" Hiyori shouted over his music. She reached out with her other hand, the other one un-gloved and pistol less. Completely fine. One of the doctors lunged for him and Yato swerved out of reach and scooped the gun off the floor. His whole body was trembling, but stilled when his hands were secured around a weapon.

"Yato, don't! Masaomi, grab it!" Hiyori commanded to a young doctor next to her. Masaomi inched closer to the cyborg with awe, asking a bunch of questions along with the ruckus. The Wall-E was too distracted by the giant whirling mechanism that hung from the ceiling. It looked like a mechanical spider with each of of it's arms equipped with some sharp metal tool.

Yato leaped out of his skin when the doctor wrapped his hand around the gun. The two men wrestled for a second when the gun fired, it's blast going through the Yato-shaped hole in the glass. Everyone's eyes followed the blue ball of fire as it flew down the hall and hit a small black square on the entrance wall.

The control panel glitched and all was quiet for a moment. Then, one by one the blue walls holding the patients fell out of existence. Yato looked back at the doctor who huffed out an unironic laugh, then at Hiyori who face spelled murder. The gun was dropped and Yato put his hands up and backed way slowly.

"N-Now Hiyori. We talked about this. It was an accident." Yato tried to passify the Eve as she stepped off the table and slipped her glove back on. Her eyes narrowed as she tugged it down tight. Masaomi looked back at Yato with the same color eyes. Yato noticed his lab coat had the name 'Iki' stitched on the front pocket.

"You better start running, pal." Masaomi Iki said. But that was unnecessary. At some point, Yato's neighbor had come to the back along with a handful of others.

"Hey buddy! You did it! The walls are down, let's get out!" The Wall-H cheered. Yato wasn't given time to formulate a response before the mob of freed cyborgs swept him off his feet.

"Yato!" Hiyori shouted. Yato shrugged with a sheepish smile as he was carried off. Hiyori's voice was drowned out as the Wall-E was paraded down the hall and out of the medical center. Yato fumbled his iPod to turn off the peppy music while Hiyori ran after him. Yukine, who was dozing off on the transport, leaped to his feet in surprise.

"What the-? You idiot! What did you get yourself into?" Yukine said, stepping out of the way of the mob. Yato couldn't help but laugh at how absurd this was, that is until someone triggered the alarm.

"Grab him!" Yato pointed at the Mo as he was carried by. Yukine tried to escape but Yato's neighbor got to him first, scooping up the tiny teen with ease.

"Yukine! Yato!" Hiyori was close behind as the pack of wild cyborgs made its way down the hall. All of traffic was disrupted as cyborgs workers threw themselves out of the way and off of transports as the escapees charged down the hall.

"Hiyori! Please save me!" Yukine tried to roll out of the crowd's hands. But suddenly, the crowd stopped short and was silent. Yato was suddenly tossed off the pack of cyborgs, in front.

"Oof! Hey what's the big idea, guys?" Yato trailed off when he saw the scared and cautious looks of the escapees. The Wall-E looked up and saw a wall of black and red. Hiyori slowed when she caught up, slightly out of breath. Yukine now stood on his tip-toes, trying to see over the crowd

"Yukine, what's happening?" Hiyori asked. Yukine glanced at her, then continued trying to see over shoulders.

"I don't know, they just stopped and threw Yato towards the front. Maybe they finally got tired of being covered in dust."

"Halt. Everyone here is under arrest for questioning and or containment." An authoritative voice spoke crystal clear. The man wore the same uniform as the rest of the Secur-T. He seemed to have become a cyborg around Yato's age. He had dark clean cut brown hair with  green eyes behind glasses. When those eyes met Yato's he quirked a brow, his glasses had streams of light dance across them, giving him whatever information he asked for.

"You're- You're a-" his brows shot up to his hair line as he read the tiny words on the glass one more time.

"What is it? What's the hold up, Kazuma?" Another voice made itself known. Strong, commanding, smooth, and feminine. The Secur-Ts parted to make way for a tall woman wearing the same uniform with a matching trench coat and military beret. Her name was written in a blaring white labeling the blonde woman, Bishamon. She made her way to the very front and stopped with her shined boots itches from Yato's fingers. Her light eyes gazed down at the Wall-E with fierce appalling.

"Kazuma? What am I looking at?" Bishamon asked without looking away from the man on the floor. The bifocaled Secur-T rushed to the woman's side and frantically whispered in her ear, her eyes widening at whatever he said. Behind Yato, the escaped cyborgs also parted to let a pushy Hiyori through followed by Yukine.

"Lieutenant General Bishamon!" Hiyori gasped. Yukine sucked air between his teeth while Yato used one of his learned curse words. Bishamon look at the three, then at the rest of the group.

"You will all be apprehended. Do not resist." Bishamon spoke with authority. Hiyori stepped forward and held up her hands, one still in the gun.

"Please, Lieutenant General, I am an Eve that has returned positive-"

"I am sorry Eve, but I am under strict orders to apprehend you and this," she gestured with a wrinkled nose to Yato, "thing. Come quietly."

"Orders?" Yukine echoed. Yato couldn't agree more. He narrowed his eyes at the towering Secur-T, knowing exactly who's orders she was following. This woman was their enemy. Yato jumped to his feet with an equally fiery expression.

"Oh no you don't!" Yato put a hand on his compactor, pausing only to glance at Yukine in surprise when the kid came to stand next to him with his roller. The woman narrowed her eyes and set her feet shoulder with the part.

"If you don't come quietly, we will make you. All units, ready your borders! Kazuma, send out a warning." Bishamon moved her coat out of the way to reveal a cane sword, getting into a battle stance. The other Secur-Ts let out a collective 'yes ma'am' folded their arms behind their backs. The gold buttons on their red shoulder marks clipped open and a red dot started to glow. Kazuma faced the three of them and touched the side of his glasses. A shutter sound was heard.

"Caution: Rouge Workers," was announced though the speakers by a robotic voice. The very ship seemed to vibrate with the message as it repeated five times. Bishamon and her Secur-Ts started to advance in a line.

"Yukine, hang on!" Hiyori shouted. Yukine could just barley grab her arm as her flight boots activated and she shot forward. Before Yato could even blink, he was flying through the air bridal style, Yukine waving around Hiyori like a cape. Behind them, shouts were heard as some of the cyborgs were captured while others fought through the line of police force.  

The trio flew overhead, Hiyori seemed to know which turns to make as more Secur-Ts appeared out of nowhere. Glowing hallow graphic signs were red with caution as they showed the picture Kazuma took of the three of them. Their faces stared back at them every couple feet, surrounding the four-way Hiyori dropped them in. She landed heavily beside them, huffing that she couldn't carry so much weight. Transports stopped as cyborgs gasped and whispered among each other each other, looking between the warning and the group in the center. Hiyori spun around with a distressed look before whipping around to yell at the Wall-E.

"Yato! There was no reason to freak out like that!" She threw her arms open and the boys shrunk back. Not even Yukine tried to correct her, choosing simply to hide behind Yato. Hiyori heaved in quick breaths, but she didn't look tired. No, she looked upset, her eyes were starting to get wet with pink around the sides. The Wall-E stood straighter, face morphing into one more stern. He reached back and grabbed Yukine's wrist then wrapped his fingers around the Eve's hand dragging them behind as he took them down the hall.

"In there!" Yukine took the lead and pulled the two to a door labeled 'Cleaner's Closet'. They stopped only for Yukine to put his hand on a black glass panel. His hand was outlined in green and scanned, then the door opened. The Mo shoved them inside, pushing the button for the door to slid shut behind them. They listened for the organized boots of the Secur-T to run by, followed by the trampling of the escaped cyborgs.

The two cyborgs had their backs against the wall, Yukine sliding down the door with his eyes closed. Yato stood off to the right, his hand was still occupied with a slender white-gloved one. Hiyori panted against him, her forehead resting lightly against his collarbone. When she looked up, she saw Yato's intense eyes, dark with several emotions. Hiyori's lips parted to let out one last puff, the rest of her not moving. This confused Yato, who quirked an eyebrow and squeezed their hands trapped between them.

"Oh! Uh," Hiyori stepped back and Yato let her hand slip away, "Sorry." They didn't turn away from each other, but they couldn't look each other either. Yukine, who opened his eyes and sat up at the sound of the awkward coughing and burning faces, looked between them.

"Can we stop the awkward tension and figure a way out of here? All that first sergeant has to do is ask his glasses to show the security cam." Yukine informed. Hiyori made a noise and began to pace, her hand coming to her chin. Yukine stood up next to Yato, who was glancing around the room, his sensors useless on foreign ground. Thier attention was stolen back by the Eve, who perked up and ran to the window. Her head turned left and right then she spotted something below.

"There." her finger touched the glass. She moved so the two cyborgs to see where she was pointing.

"The individual ships?" Yukine looked back at Hiyori in question.

"How will that help us find the plant?" Yato asked. Hiyori didn't answer for a moment, her head down.

"It won't. I just, have and idea."

"But-"

"-Let's go. We need to hurry." Hiyori didn't wait to hear the Wall-E's protests. She spun on her toes and made her way to the door, back straight, head held high. Yukine followed after her, looked back at Yato for an explanation. The older cleaner didn't have one, instead he pressed his lips in a tight line and followed after them. He put his back to the wall again, Yukine next to him. He nodded to Hiyori on the other side. She nodded back and opened the door.

The hall had an occasional transport, but was otherwise Secur-T free. The young woman stepped out first, no one sparing the Eve a glance, before she gestured for the two to follow. Hiyori lead them to down the hall, to the left, then to a public service elevator. They were quiet once they were inside, Hiyori especially so. Yukine crept forward and touched her arm.

"Hiyori?" He let go quickly when she looked at him, "Are you alright?"

"Hmm?" Hiyori looked behind him at Yato, who gave her a comforting smile, "Uh, yeah." Her eyes fluttered to the floor, then back to the door. The awkward silence was sharply interrupted by the sound of magnetic decelerator slowing down the elevator.

"Wha-What's happening?" Yukine shouted in alarm when the lights flickered. The elevator came to a halt and the lights dimmed. Above the door, a hallow-screen turned on with the picture taken by the Secur-T. The picture glitched out to show the red eyes of the Auto Pilot.

"Please forgive the interruption, passengers. Thanks to our capable Secur-T you have been shown an image of disobedient cyborgs. I regret to inform you these rouge workers are still on the run, but fear not! Our very own Lieutenant General Bishamon is on the case." Kouto threw his arms open with a pleasant, charming smile. He then leaned back on clean table with hands folded together.

"I have a word of caution for our passengers and workers. Among these rebels, there is an alien cyborg, a Wall-E, one of the Earth cleaners. We have reason to believe this cyborg is dangerous and can pose a threat to the safety of everyone on board." The polite smile never left his face as his voice held no note of worry.

"Yato? What?" Hiyori turned to look at Yato, her face as if these words were coming out of his mouth, rather than the intercom. Yato, on the other hand, stared at the screen with a dark expression.

"Unfortunately, there was a problem with the Wall-Es back on Earth. A virus that messed with the connection between what was man and what was machine. This coding error was seen to cause fits of homicidal rage, and as a result most of the Wall-Es shut down each other permanently." A pause. The air in the elevator went still and heavy.

"If this Wall-E is seen, we ask that you report his whereabouts immediately," Kouto leaned in, the reds of his eyes aglow, "This is a matter of great importance concerning our Heaven."

"It's not true," Hiyori took a careful step towards Yato, her outstretched hand and voice shaking, "Tell me that's not true, Yato."

"But please! Don't worry too much! This matter will be resolved without a single issue and we will go on in luxury as normal," The auto pilot leaned back and kicked his feet up on the dash, "That will be all ladies and gentlemen, have a happy, carefree day here on Heaven's Sun!" The screen cut out and the elevator started up again after a couple moments. Yato remained rooted in place but kept his mouth firmly shut.

"Yato?" Yukine asked, "What is he talking about? Fits of rage?" Hiyori couldn't believe it. She didn't want too. She had spent a little over two months with this cyborg tailing her. Looking back, Hiyori had said hurtful things, gave him the cold shoulder without even thinking as to why there weren't any others. Her training had discussed the virus before she went to Earth, but she was told they were all dead and the danger was wiped out. And besides, Yato was nothing but kind and goofy. His smile just as genuine and carefree as Heaven's passengers.

"He's just trying to get Yato captured," Yukine insisted, "I'm sure-"

"It's true." Yato interrupted. Voice clipped and toneless. The two  looked at him, faces stuck in disbelief and terror. The elevator doors opened to an empty hall way, Yato brushed past them and stepped out, looking back at them with a blank face.

"Are you coming? You got a plan, right?" Yato asked, tilting his head. Hiyori took a moment to steel herself then nodded and followed him out. Yukine did too, eyes to the floor.

"We should hurry, the security cams might recognize our faces if we don't move fast." Hiyori said, picking up the pace. The boys nodded and took off running after her. The halls empty for the most part, only their footfalls and heaving breaths echoed off the pristine walls. After a moment, Yukine spoke from Yato's left.

"It doesn't matter anyway." He declared almost to himself. Yato looked at the kid with a shocked look.

"It was a long time ago." Hiyori tacked on after a couple breaths. Yato looked ahead at her too, his inhale sputtered and he let out a sharp exhale, but said nothing.

Hiyori turned right down a hall and slowed down. This hall was more grey and black like the dock of the Eve Transport, however the doors were much smaller. Their circular entrances would really only let one or two people in at a time. Hiyori clicked a button next to the first door, causeing it to slide open, then walked in first. Yato followed her, then Yukine who shut the door and flicked on the lights. Most of the back wall was the individual shuttle, a fishbowl looking thing with one window in the front and back. Lining the side walls were what looked to be astronaut gear and tanks. A little right to the center, sat a control pad with glowing buttons big and small. Hiyori walked up to it and started typing.

"So," Yukine held out the 'o' as he nervously jammed his hands in his pockets, "what is the plan?" He then ran over to help Yato pull off the space helmet.

"Yeah, Hiyori," Yato's voice echoed inside, "what's the plan?" The Wall-E sounded much happier, even as the Mo cursed and tried to figure out what button he pressed. Hiyori looked at Yato, her expression difficult to place.

"Just, give me a moment." Hiyori glanced up at the screen as it tried processing whatever she was typing. The space shuttle turned on, it's interior lighting up and the room started whirling. A deep pop echoed as the helmet was yanked off Yato's head thanks to both the cyborgs' efforts. When they walked over, Hiyori opened the shuttle's door.

"Path of destination confirmed: Earth." The dash informed the room. Yato and Yukine stood next to Hiyori and looked up at the screen. A large cartoonish picture of a green and blue Earth showed next to some stats and travel guides.

"Earth?" Yukine seemed to perk up, "We're going to Earth?" He sounded almost excited. Yato perked up a bit too. He wasn't in a rush to get back home, but it would surely be more fun having these too around.

"That's a great idea! We could find another plant to replace the lost one! Oh Yukine, you're gonna love it there! I'll show you around, introduce you to Nora." Yato threw his arm around the kid and walked to the tiny spaceship. Yukine stepped in first, pretending he wasn't carefully listening to the Wall-E's Earth ramblings. Once Yato ensured Yukine was safely buckled in, he turned to do the same to Hiyori. His talking trailed off when he noticed Hiyori stayed rooted in place with a pained expression.

"Hiyori?" Yato tried, tilting his head. Yukine leaned forward in his seat to try to catch her expression.

"What's wrong? You're coming right?" Yukine asked. The Eve took a deep breath and looked Yato squarely in the eye. Her voice, holding the same superior authority it did when she kept everything classified.

"You're going to Earth. I'm staying here to find the plant."

[clairen45]

About that Dark Visions comic...

I think it’s fair to say that when Marvel’s Dark Visions miniseries about Vader as seen from a different perspective was announced, everybody was excited. We have been hammered on the head since ROTS that “there are heroes on both sides” , and with the expectations concerning the end of the saga as a massive redemption and hope plot, you were bound to be curious about what they would come up with. TBH, I was not expecting to see a softer side to Vader. It would be wrong to expect anything like that, and it would somehow diminish from what happens to him in the OT. He is supposed to be more machine than man. So, no, I definitely did not expect him, or wished him to be the kind of guy operating as the Death Star Secret Santa, knitting socks for the poor and needy, or rescuing people’s pets. It was not my understanding that he was much loved by his Imperial “colleagues” either. When we first see him in ANH; he is derided and dismissed both by a colleague (sorry, forgot the name but you all know whose faithless person I am thinking of) and Leia. Respected for sure, because of the fear he instills in people. So if awe is obviously the right word to use, in the most etymological sense of the term, that is to say “ a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder”, how many people found Vader awesome? Besides the audience. There had to be. And as a concept, it was pretty cool.

That being said, if you think of the title for the series, there were already many ways of interpreting it. Dark Visions... Visions of the power of the Dark Side? The way some people saw Vader? The way Vader thought people saw him? Did the stories happen for real or are they just what the title imply they are: visions. Images. Fantasies. Daydreams or nightmares? Possibly just the imagination of some deranged mind. There is something there that implies that we are not dealing with something too objective. But rather something unhinged and disturbing.

Now, I intend to keep this in mind about the issue that has been raising so much concern: “Tall, Dark, and Handsome”. I think malaise is really the word we should settle for. This issue is problematic in many ways.

For those who haven’t read it or just heard about it through social media and people complaining about it (possibly people on the other side of the spectrum fanning about it), this is how you can sum it up: this is the first person narrative of an unnamed nurse, working on the Death Star for Vader’s personal doctor. The nurse has developed an obsessive infatuation for Vader that has her snoop around him and collect bits and pieces about him (mostly gorish remains of his time at the medical bay) that she hides in her room. She keeps on daydreaming about him and the connection she thinks they have, until one day she musters up her courage and goes to talk to him in his private quarters in order to let him know of her love for him. He cuts her off in all the meanings of the word, both interrupting her speech of eternal devotion and undying love, and piercing her through with his saber. Last moment we see her is lying dead on the floor while he moves away and asking for the sanitation to rid him of the “garbage”.

Ok, that’s a tall order. Here are points that I find entirely problematic.

1.The Question of Agency:

The authors decided to give a voice, a narrative agency to a character that is presented as inconsequential to the story. She is an anonymous nurse, a dot, in  the bigger picture of the Empire. Much, let’s say, like our current ST heroes: Rey, Finn, and Rose, who started as “nobody”, even more so in the case of Finn and Rey who have literally been deprived of their identities. You could think it’s cool to thus give a voice to this nurse. Even more so when you consider that throughout the comic, she is presented as downtrodden, poor, pushed over, abused physically and verbally, dismissed, and despised. Her employer disrespects her constantly, calling her “fool”, “idiot”, or “stupid”. He shoves her around, and also diminishes her job, calling it “not a real job” or insinuating that she does not do her job correctly. Cases in point:

And what do we get in this story? A female nobody who starts asserting herself. Wow.

She tells her own story. First person narrative. She becomes an agent.

Look at the evolution of her daydream fantasies. She starts from damsel in distress who needs a man to protect her from her daily abuser

From nurse whose job means something, to a solid professional, and equal partner to her fantasy Lord:

And finally a powerful woman in her own rights, even overshadowing her partner, and who is able to defend herself.

Which then matures into her mustering up the courage to speak for herself, and tell her feelings to the (unwilling) object of her affection.

Except that.... well...she is just presented as a massive psycho. And, ok, it’s fair, we all know that there are female stalkers, and that her obsession for Vader is totally crazy because she doesn’t know anything about him, and she actually fell for someone who was treating her as poorly as the others. But there is the malaise there... The mix of female empowerment and batshit craziness. That’s what put a lot of people ill-at-ease. I wouldn’t even call that subversion, because, dudes, what are we subverting there exactly. It’s not like women are not daily abused and treated poorly at work and in their relationships on a daily basis... And are we supposed to take that as a cautionary tale about fangirl craziness? Because, there again, why did they need to have that girl get such a shitty treatment all through the comic. It is like the comic says that she deserved it. In the end it’s not just Vader calling her trash. It’s also the doctor calling her trash for most of the comic, and even have her literally waddle in a trash compactor. Cause this was supposed to be subtle?

Like, fine, if it were only Vader calling her garbage because the man is just dead inside, which, fairly, is represented in the comic. But it’s just not Vader, it is the way the character is presented through the eyes of the doctor AND even through the eyes of a cartoonist who keeps on representing her with the stupidest darned faces.

And there is no other viewpoint. Family, friends, other nurses or colleagues who could give us another idea about her. Or explain why she is like that. Nope. Basically, this woman is given a voice just so she can be cut off mid-sentence and made... fun of... I guess? Was that the author’s goal? Is it what we are supposed to feel? About this pathetic character and her pathetic life, dreams, goals, feelings, and eventual demise?

The “Subversion” of Female Romantic Tropes

Like ... LOL... How is that “subverted” anyways? But, ok, let’s go through them. It has all the classic elements of female literature.

The Cinderella story: nobody falls for high lord and expects to be swooped off her feet. Complete with ball scene, because, yes, why not? I give them a point, though, for the cool reflection on the ground which has her in her regular scrubs... BTW, Beauty and the Beast in the mix as well.

the nurse complex! Otherwise known as the Florence Nightingale effect. You know, woman is going to take care of the guy... They even made her a real nurse! Again, so subtle. Couldn’t make her any other profession and still be victim of this complex.

the reference to so-called “trashy” female lit, think bodice ripping, Harlequin, and their infamous covers. Even the title of the comic: “Tall, Dark, and Handsome”

The effing Phantom of the Opera!

and of course all the female discourse about love, because, yep, trashy: “kindred spirits” etc...

And again, how are we supposed to interpret it? Well, hang on, this woman, remember, is a bat-shit crazy deluded psycho, who has delusions about life and love. Oh, and the doctor says she is trash. And he throws all her stupid gory, disgusting trickets in the trash. Oh and also Vader says she is garbage. Well. Ok. So, I guess all of that which mattered to her, all her ideas, all that she loved, was just that. Trash. Garbage. Well, take that, you female reader!

But wait, it gets even better...

Star Wars is just trash!

Yep, because on closer look, most of the fantasies this woman has are very Star-Warsy. I am floored that they are actually trashing these:

Anakin and Padmé’s Naboo scenery, green, lush, terrace, nightgowns...

The scene when Anakin learns about Padmé’s death:

and of course, the one that you were not expecting... Reylo... “You are not alone”

Again, why is this problematic? In itself, it is fine and fair to be making fun of trashy female literature and campy romance novels, it is also fine to make fun of crazy stalkers, and it is also fine to be making fun of Star Wars. So why does it feel so icky in this comic somehow?

You can’t help but feel disgusted when you consider how poorly this woman is represented. There is not one aspect of her life that is not ridiculed. And again, this is about a woman who has NOTHING. They could have the girl fall in love with Vader and being killed by him because he is a cold-hearted machine. He killed his wife, the love of his life, so yea, of course he will feel not a pang of remorse or hesitation at killing this nobody who thinks she is in love with him. But they did not need to make fun of the very little she had in her life: her dreams. Her effing dreams. Plus the crazy stalker psycho. And the crazy face. And the fact that again we are talking about a woman, who had NOTHING. No family, no connection, no friends, no respect at work, not many possessions except her sad little Vader treasure chest.

And again, context. Here we are, reading a Star Wars comic where a lot of fanboys have been using the EXACT same terms to ridicule women in the fandom. Especially in the Reylo context. Trash. Garbage. Crazy bitches. Ridiculing theories about ... well, well, ain’t it a sweet surprise... Phantom of the Opera, or Beauty and the Beast parallels with Reylo. I’ll be damned. It feels crazy awkward, if you ask me. I mean, again, it’s all fair, but you don’t do that when you are in the midst of a toxic fandom war.

So why do I give zero F...  about it in the end?

If some antis in the fandom saw that as validation, well, let them have their moment of happiness. It won’t last. We can give them that.

One, I don’t think for one second that it means anything about what will happen in the ST as far as Reylo is concerned. Again, they are even making fun of Anidala in the comic, and dude, that thing happened. As my good friends from @lordsofthesithpodcast would tell you after their glorious SWCC panel : Romance, these ships belong in Star Wars.

Two, as I highlighted in the introduction, this belongs in the Dark Visions series. It is meant, in my own opinion, to be disturbing and unhinged. Not sugar coated. So maybe the whole point was shock value. Mission accomplished. It was poor taste again given the context and the awful treatment THEY (and not just Vader) give their female character, but yea, dark visions. Not Star Wars Adventures. You have to look at the target audience and everything.

Three, if it were not for the in-your-face references to female tropes, I actually took most of it as a critique of fandom in general. The problem is not that she is a fangirl. There are some crazy obsessive fangirls, mind you. The problem is that they are making fun of all things female on top of that. But, remove the romantic aspects. Couldn’t that apply to fanboys as well? I could totally picture a cadet, or some other young imperial, developing the same crazed obsession over Vader. And it was just as toxic. And, tbh, it could very well be. Collecting trinkets is not just a girl thing, and after seeing with my own eyes the tons of merch purchased by fanboys at the recent SWCC convention, or the obsessive way some guy could talk to you about Vader and the minute trivial details in his life, or that they are the only ones understanding the guy, well yea... it works...

I’ll even go a step further. I wondered for a sec if the whole thing was not even a critical meta about the franchise as a whole. Let me explain. Some fanboys have complained about the femininization of the franchise, that is “polluting” the shades of Pemberley, I mean Star Wars. Claiming that what is happening right now is utter garbage. Also also, I have another possible reading which has the nurse representing the current state of the fandom and how crazy obsessed they can be over a franchise that some currently view as tired and dead inside (especially since it has fallen into the fold of Disney). Representing the unhealthy relationship between the two. And guess what, it doesn’t end well for the fandom. Who will never get what they want.

I will finally quote this from Chuck Wendig who was fired from the project and came up with that particular comment on Twitter, and which actually seems to go with how I tried to read it myself:

Apropos of absolutely nothing, my issue three of SHADOW OF VADER was about a toxic fanboy (a morgue attendant on the Death Star) who became obsessed with Vader. (And it didn’t end well for him. Er, obviously.) I thought it was good and I’m sorry you won’t see it! Onward we go. 

I think they kept some of the original idea from Wendig, but it took a turn for the worse. It would be great if the authors cared to explain about their intent for this piece if any. I am not saying they should. I actually totally respect and support full freedom of speech and authorial choices. It is our choice, then, as a reader to read or not the material we don’t care about. I am just curious to know their opinion I guess, and I was not able to find any comment online. If anyone has a reference, I am interested...

In any event, I think everyone should read the comic for themselves if they are curious about it. Better to make your own opinion about it.