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fandomn00blr · 5 years ago

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Jadzia Dax had a warp core breach near a multiphasic star and ended up on the open decks of Siren's Call.

This ask, tho...I have outlined five chapters of this randomness and of course, this is what has finally broken my writer’s block (through much grinding and gnashing of teeth). Here’s the first chapter (it’s way longer than it has any business being)...you’re welcome (and I’m sorry)!

The salty, fishy stench hits Jadzia first, shocking her olfactory system awake before she even realizes that she’s no longer in the engineering bay of the Defiant. Her eyes open begrudgingly, almost fearful of locating the source of such an offensive odor -- worse than anything she ever had to endure in all of Curzon’s dealings with the Klingons, even worse than congealed room temperature Cardassian tojal with yamok sauce -- but all she sees is darkness.

She taps her combadge.

She hears nothing but the ringing in her own ears.

Her eyes finally start to adjust, playing an infuriatingly slow game of catch-up with the unwelcome acuteness in her sense of smell. She can just barely make out trace amounts of light swimming blurrily above her, but it’s not enough to make any kind of sense of her surroundings.

She tries to sit up, but everything is wobbly, she realizes, and there’s a sharp shooting pain behind her eyes whenever she tries to move or look or do much of anything, really. She manages to reach a hand up to her temple, tracing a trail of dried blood to a cut there. It stings when she touches it, but it’s mostly superficial and mostly done bleeding, nothing a dermal regenerator can’t handle, anyway. She moves her fingers gingerly toward the back of her head. “BaQa'!” she hisses as she touches the large tender lump she finds there...this one might be a bit trickier to deal with. But it’s not the first time she’s been concussed. And it probably won’t be the last.

She takes a deep breath through her nose and tries to focus through the pain, the sharpness of it renewed with every fresh whiff, every sound, every attempt to look or move or think.

In seven lifetimes, she’s endured far worse. In this lifetime, alone. Figure it out, Old Man!

Why she suddenly hears Sisko berating her at a time like this is something she can ponder later. But for now...she takes another deep breath, focusing on her surroundings this time instead of her own internal disorientation.

There are large wooden barrels all around her. They certainly don’t look airtight, and she fears that at least some of the odor is coming from them. Like it could be on purpose. Some kind of ancient fermentation process preserved for the sake of tradition or ritual, maybe. That might explain why everything here seems to be made out of wood. Perhaps this room has a ceremonial purpose? It doesn’t explain how she got here, or even where ‘here’ is, but it’s a theory at least. And she’s a scientist. Right?

She shrugs, gathering her resolve to stand up and investigate, even though her balance is still something to be desired. It doesn’t help that this smelly, dark, wooden room she’s in seems to be...swaying? It’s an odd sensation, probably just another symptom of her head injury.

But she has felt it before, hasn’t she? At least part of her has. Prior to being joined, Torias had taken up sailing as a hobby, much to Nilani’s chagrin. He managed to go sailing exactly once as Dax, and his voyage had been cut short, because Tobin had gotten seasick…Tobin, who’s fretting now. Tobin, who needs to be quiet.

The full memory comes flooding back now suddenly, viscerally...violently. She’s barely just managed to stand before she’s doubled-over, retching, and the contents of her stomach hits the wooden floor below her with a sickening splash. She can feel the liquid sliding and pooling around her boots with the gentle, nauseating rocking motion of the ship, but Curzon had an iron stomach, and Jadzia has no reason to believe she gets motion-sickness, so she banishes Tobin to the back of her consciousness, and she hopes her theory about this room having some ritual significance proves wrong, because she, Jadzia, has never been very good at apologies.

She taps her combadge again, remembering as she does it that it’s not working.

Still nothing. Not even an error signal telling her she’s out of range.

“Virtually indestructible, and they won’t run out of power for at least a century under normal use…” she mutters to herself, reciting what the Engineering folks had promised when they switched from rechargeable units to the current power cells. She knew she was overdue for an upgrade, but it hasn’t been that long since Curzon had gotten this new one, has it? She’ll have to have Miles take a look at it when she gets back.

Back. Back to where? Back from where? She tries to avoid the leaky barrels in the dark as she carefully maneuvers her way around the long, narrow room, balance and coordination slowly returning with every toe stub and banged knee. There’s more light streaming down on the other side, but trying to focus on it only seems to make things worse, so she can only hope it’s a doorway or a stairwell or something she can work with.

“Who’s down there making all that noise?”

She hears a voice above her and footsteps. Two sets, assuming they belong to bipedal humanoids. She freezes, but hears them stomp past overhead, heading in the same direction she is.

“I didn’t hear anything.” A second voice...lower, but with a tremulous quality betraying its owner’s attempt at disinterest.

“Bet one of those refugees is sampling some of the haul…or trying to take some to sell themselves. Not a bad idea, actually...”

“Captain says it isn’t even ready yet. Still needs a few more months in the sun to really ripen…”

Jadzia feels her stomach lurch again, but at least it's completely empty now, and she manages to breathe through Tobin’s overly-sensitive gag reflex this time.

“Rats, then?”

“Feel free to go investigate yourself. Bilge rats give me the creeps!”

“You’re a fucking Raider now! Grow a pair, will ya?”

“Have you seen the size of their bollocks?”

The owner of the first voice is laughing now. “What is wrong with you?”

“Nothing! Heard a Warden once say they spread the Blight!”

“No real Warden ever said that…”

“Yeah! I heard it from one of ‘em at Ostagar!”

“Now who’s talking bollocks?”

Jadzia has to work hard to stifle her own chuckle at this. She isn’t sure what the Blight is, or Wardens, or Ostagar, but she recognizes and appreciates the spirit of the exchange. It almost reminds her of Odo and Quark bickering back on Deep Space Nine.

“Are you going to check down below or what? You’re the one hearing things. I’ll cover your ass, but you gotta go first. And if it’s rats...”

“Yeah, fine. I’ll be sure to neuter ‘em all just for you, baby brother.”

Ok, so maybe not quite like Odo and Quark. She hears them both descending the stairs, and she has half a mind to try and hide behind one of the barrels, but she’s not sure she can keep Tobin’s sea-sickness under control in such close proximity to the contents of the barrels. So she decides to take her chances making contact, walking a few more steps toward the light of the stairwell so as not to take anyone by surprise.

A human, a female, she presumes, in primitive leather armor, comes into view first at the bottom of the stairs, about ten feet away from her, peering into the darkness.

“...and who are you supposed to be?”

She crosses her arms in front of her and cocks one hip to the side, just enough so that Jadzia can see she has two daggers slung behind her back, but she doesn’t look particularly eager to use them.

“Is it rats?”

“No, you dumb idiot…” she hisses back over her shoulder without taking her eyes off of Jadzia. “It’s one of those weird tattooed elves, I think?”

“Are you sure it’s not a rat?”

The owner of the second set of footsteps, a male human, she thinks, finally peeks out from behind her, his large frame dwarfing the person in front of him.

“Or maybe you’re Qunari? I don’t see any horns, but that big guy in Lothering didn’t have any, either, and you’re awfully tall for an elf, aren’t you?”

Jadzia isn’t sure what to make of the two people leering at her, either, but they don’t seem to pose an immediate threat. The one with the daggers looks more intrigued than alarmed, and the other one isn’t even carrying a weapon. “I am a Federation Science Officer, currently serving aboard the USS Defiant.”

“An Officer, eh?” The first one smirks.

“What’s an Officer doing all the way down here?” the second one asks. “You should be at least three decks up.”

“Funny-sounding name for a ship, too…not part of the Armada, I take it?”

Jadzia purses her lips impatiently. Her head is still throbbing. “There appears to have been some kind of...accident.” This is putting it mildly, she thinks. “Can you tell me which star system we’re in?”

“Star system? I don’t believe in that 'Vint mumbo jumbo. Mum said I was born under a rising Draconis but I sure as shit can’t turn into a dragon…”

The first one eyes him with annoyance before turning back to Jadzia. “You mean to ask the date?”

"Sure…and the year, too, if you don't mind."

"By Chantry reckoning, it's 9:30...and it's the fifth of Solace."

“I don’t suppose you could convert that for me? Into something more...universal?”

“Oh shit! You are a ‘Vint!”

“No!” She puts her hands up defensively, assuming ‘Vint is probably not a good thing to be, based on his tone. “No...I just...my people...the, er, what did you call us? With the, uh, horns?”

“Qunari? Are you a spy?!” He turns back to the other one. “I told you they have spies everywhere!”

She looks unimpressed by this, but Jadzia notices as she shifts her weight to the other hip.

“No, not Qunari! The other thing…”

“Elf?”

“Yes! That! That is what you call my people, but we have a different word. And we use a different calendar. I am part of an isolated group, known for our unique height and markings.”

He eyes her suspiciously, and the other one -- the smarter one, Jadzia has decided -- just grins, her teeth flashing in what little light there is down here. It’s not particularly reassuring, but she has yet to reach for her blades.

“Sure,” she says, and the worrying grin vanishes. "Fine, yeah, whatever."

Jadzia realizes she’s been holding her breath. It’s been awhile since she’s had the proper training for this kind of thing. Surviving Cardassian torture and manipulation is an entirely different skill set, one that involves clinging relentlessly to your own identity, not making up an entirely new one.

“‘Vint, Qunari, Elf, or otherwise, the Captain’s the one you’ve gotta convince you weren’t trying to steal from her. Come on. You can work on your story on the way. Try it out on my idiot of a brother who believes the Blight is carried in the testicles of rodents.”

“Hey!”

Jadzia ducks her head and allows herself a quiet snort of amusement, and the woman with the daggers nods appreciatively.

#eranehn #star trek #dragon age #ds9 da2 crossover #because why the fuck not?#jadzia dax #totally random ferelden refugee siblings #she will meet isabela and anders in the next chapter ok #stowaway #is what this is called in my google docs #my writing #friend prompt

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invisiblefoxfire · 5 years ago

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Season 1, Episode 7

We open on my favorite boy, Baby Bashir, the world's horniest and most arrogant nerd, seducing a woman by telling the riveting story of his final exams and how they were real, real hard, though, and he almost got a question wrong, but then he didn't. For some reason this is working when he's interrupted by Sisko calling for him and Miles.

And oh no! Emergency! Dax and some rando are trapped in a ship! And it turns out Vash, a character from at least one episode of TNG, is in there too! And uh-oh, she's been hanging out with discount Tom Hanks Q!

This is not one of my favorite episodes. I did watch at least one episode of TNG with Q in it, so I'm vaguely familiar with the character. Basically a trickster god who's gay for Picard, I guess. I don't really get it, and I could just never get into it. He's all-powerful and the best use he can think of for his time is to mess with lesser beings, like a teenage outcast locking their Sims in the swimming pool. Anyway the episode is mostly about Q trying to convince Vash that she'll be bored without him then eventually relenting and letting her go despite being, from what I can tell, a literal god who can do literally anything.

There's one thing I cannot let slide though: the first item that Vash puts into the safety deposit box is a statue and the soft-looking guy running the depository takes it from her and declares it "EIGHT KILOGRAMS" before passing it off and I'm SORRY dude, but that actor does NOT know how much a kilogram is. 8 kg is a decent amount of weight and that fella is not exactly hitting the gym every day, I guarantee it. He should have staggered a bit when he grabbed that thing with one hand. I can't help but wonder if this line was written by someone who knew full well what 8 kg was and expected the actor to as well and they were supposed to be surprised by the weight of that little statue and nearly fall over or something, but instead he just tosses it aside like it's made of the polystyrene it was almost certainly made from.

Also Vash has got an artifact that's going to suck the entire space station into the wormhole but eh, they figure it out in the nick of time and everyone is saved, and Capitalism Goblin doesn't get all those bars of latinum. Good. FUCK that guy.

Basically, Vash and Q are both thoroughly unlikable characters just like every single character on TNG, which is why I never liked TNG. I'm glad they didn't do this again.

Q does ruin Baby Bashir's date by making him just real real sleepy, though. I have to admit that's at least mildly amusing, despite the super icky "abusive ex-boyfriend who won't leave" vibes.

Probably the best part of this episode is Odo's brief speech about how stupid it is that people accumulate material goods and wealth, then die, and their relatives just sell it all off. Truth.

ON to the next one.

#ds9diary #star trek #ds9 #spoilers

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ld-666 · 5 years ago

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The Child

One day Garak finds something unexpected omong some items he had purchased for his shop.

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Garak had been waiting for almost three weeks and now he bad finally received the fabrics he had ordered for his tailor shop, which was almost a month late. He was going through the many different types of fabric he purchased when he found a strange container that was almost as big as him. As far as Garak could recall he has not ordered anything that required to be in such a large container and when he checked the pad it said nothing about the container it's self at all.

The container was a few inches shorter than him, was made out of some kind of metal, had some kind of control panel that appeared to be similar to the ones in the Infermery, had a odd blue glow coming from the lid on top, and was shapped like a cylinder.

Garak had to admit he was curious about what was inside but for all he knew there could be a bomb or some kind of dangerous animal inside so he decided to let it be. He examined every detail of the container, trying to figure out exactly what it was, what it was used for, and why he had found it omong the fabrics he had purchased for his shop. Garak could tell that whatever was inside was very likely to be organic since there were life support systems built into one of the control panels. He thought about asking his friend, Julian but he might be busy at the moment. Garak was about to call Odo to find out what was inside when he suddenly heard a baby crying.

The sound was coming from the container and he couldn't resist his curiosity any more. Garak opened the container and was shocked by what was inside. There was a cardassian infant.

"Oh dear!" Garak said as he observed the child.

------------------------------

"You bought a baby?!" Julian asked, angrily.

"Believe me I was just as surprised as you are, there was absolutely no mention of the container I found her in and I had bought fabric from the Vulcans before without anything unusual or possibly illegal." Garak answered.

"Well she seems to be perfectly healthy but it's hard to tell since she is half cardassian."

"Half cardassian, what is her other half?"

"Romulian."

Garak reported the incident to Odo and left the one month old baby girl in the good hands of Julian. The next day he was at work when he heard Julian Bashir call him down to the Infermery sounding like he was angry. When he got there his friend was glaring at him with eyes that were full of anger as though he had committed a crime.

"I thought you said that you didn't know anything about where the child came from?! Julian asked, practically shouting.

"I didn't, why do believe that I lied?" Garak asked.

"Because half of her DNA matches yours, which means that you are her biological father!" Julian answered.

Garak was shocked by what he was told. He had so many questions and emotions running through him that he almost fainted. Garak had thought that he had lost the ability to reproduce a long time ago and he doesn't even remember being in a relationship with a Romulian woman let alone making love with one at all. Yet just a few feet away from him on a biobed was his daughter. He was so shocked and confused by the news that he is a father that he had almost completely forgot that his friend, Julian was standing there with him. He soon realized that Garak was just as surprised as he was. Julian apologized for accusing him of knowing about the child's origin and for lashing out. Garak looked over the child and saw that she had the same Flayer birthmark on the upper right side of her chest as he did.

This was definitely his daughter.

For the first time in years he let himself cry.

"Garak, are you crying?" Julian asked.

"Yes, even though I doubted that I would ever be capable of being able a good father when I had been told that I could never have children of my own in some ways I had felt like my body betrayed me." Garak answered as he let his daughter grab his finger.

"Then I'm guessing that those are tears of joy." Julian said. "Although I had no idea that you wanted to be a father."

Then Odo came and told Garak that he had found out who the child's mother is, appearantly she had abandoned her a few days after she was born and didn't even give her a name.

Garak decided that he would name her Mila and raise her, because after all he is her father. Julian offered to help with things like formula and vaccines, which Garak found helpful since he was certain that Mila's mother hadn't taken her to a hospital for any kind of care. Garak had told him that he would like to have her vaccinated for everything and about how Cardassians have a special organ that allows both parents to produce milk for their child. But he did ask if Mila's Romulian genes could make drinking Cardassian breast milk not the best choice for a source of nutrition, Julian told him that thankfully Rumulian and Cardassian breast milk isn't really that different. Garak gently picked Mila up and held her close to his chest. Her body seemed to be a little bit warmer than his was which was expected since she is half Rumulian. Garak had never been so happy before and he never wanted to let go. The rest of the day he had gotten things for Mila and had requested larger quarters. Julian helped Garak move in to his new quarters and with some of the baby things. Mila seemed to like Julian and would tug his hair from time to time which was quite amusing for him to watch. Garak did help get the small child to let go of his friend's fluffy hair. He wondered if when Mila starts talking she'll call him uncle Julian since the young man will probably be a part of her early childhood and maybe even her adulthood. After Garak had finished setting up his new quarters and putting Mila to bed he started knitting baby clothes for her.

He had decided to use the softest and most lightest yarn that he had for his daughter's clothes since she did have such soft and delicate skin just like any other little baby girl would have, but for some reason she seemed fragile.

Perhaps that was because of the fact that she had been abandoned by her own mother just a few days after she was born. He was angry at the Romulian woman for throwing their daughter out before she was even one month old yet and not even trying to find a safe place for her to live. Garak wanted to protect Mila from everyone who might want to hurt her.

After he had finished making the baby clothes for his daughter he gently placed them on the dresser in her room. Then Garak started to wonder if he should contact his family on Cardassia Prime and tell them about the new little addition to the family, Mila. He contacted his mother and she seemed to be happy to finally be able to say that she is a grandmother to such a cute little baby girl, even though she is only half Cardassian.

#star trek ds9 #star trek #julian and garak #julian bashir #garak #cardassians

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verdigrisprowl · 7 years ago

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Dec 18 Dancitron Movie Night - Rugrats: Chanukah and An American Tail

Prowl ignored all of the above, due to the fact that it was not about Odo.

Instead, he spent the whole movie fretting over the horrible position the Leaguers are in on Earth. Unfortunately, out of him, “fretting over” translates into “vaguely threateningly offering to help.”

ItsyBitsySpyers 8:20 pm *Soundwave moves quickly, lifting furniture with his hands and arranging the usual stashes of snacks and free cubes for the guests with his feelers. One takes a break to snap his visor back on, but other than that, it's work work work for several minutes to make sure all is in place.*

*And yes, that means moving the couch while Prowl is still on it.* FakeProwl 8:21 pm *He's very good and won't wiggle an inch *while his couch is moving. Definitely Not Shockwave 8:21 pm *It appears that he has arrived just in time to barely glimpse Soundwave putting his finishing touches upon the area. Excellent.* ItsyBitsySpyers 8:22 pm *Soundwave nods to Sh... to Longarm. Yes. Preserve the illusion. Then to Ace and Bull as he comes in.* FakeProwl 8:24 pm *Hey, check out this brand new guest Prowl's never seen before who definitely isn't Shockwave at all.* Definitely Not Shockwave 8:24 pm *Returning the nod, "Longarm." extends a limb to yoink a small snack from one of the tables, and takes a seat that looks comfortable. Magnum Ace 8:25 pm -waves back before going back to climbing up the table- FakeProwl 8:25 pm *He appears to be an Autobot, how nice.* Swoop 8:25 pm *scampers indoors* Definitely Not Shockwave 8:25 pm *He can't help but notice the overwhelming number of fellow autobots here, himself.* Bull 8:25 pm *offers his own wave as he follows Magnum to their normal spot* ItsyBitsySpyers 8:25 pm *He must find a way to temporarily get some Earth atmosphere in here so he can host these humans for a weekend's operation.* Swoop 8:26 pm *watches the screen for a few seconds, giggling, then returns to his previously scheduled scampering* Bird? Bird! ItsyBitsySpyers 8:26 pm *Right on cue.* {{Bird here. You not screaming please.}} *Soundwave parks himself back on the couch at last, satisfied with the room.* Magnum Ace 8:27 pm -Sounds fun- Swoop 8:27 pm *hurries over* Hi Bird! Kehehhe. Me Swoop not screeeeamming. ItsyBitsySpyers 8:27 pm {{Good. Bird got head hurting.}} Swoop 8:27 pm !!! *leans close* Why hurting? Bevel 8:28 pm *oh hey someone new* Magnum Ace 8:28 pm -plops self on tabletop once he gets up there- Definitely Not Shockwave 8:28 pm *Longarm, who is still definitely not shockwave, briefly makes eye contact with Bevel.* ItsyBitsySpyers 8:29 pm {{It Bird job trading stores with Frenzy. All. DAY.}} ((FIVE MINUTES grab your snacks)) Swoop 8:29 pm *pats Bird's back* Frenzy yelly bot keheh Bevel 8:29 pm *makes eye contact back, grins and waves* My name is Bevel. What is yours? Swoop 8:29 pm *is ATTEMPTING to control his volume* *cannot control the pitch of his baby voice or all the voice cracks tho* Definitely Not Shockwave 8:31 pm A-ah. Longarm. *He grins back, though the expression is ridiculously stiff.* Come here often? ItsyBitsySpyers 8:32 pm ((warnings: cute 90s nicktoons babies telling old stories, representations of unpleasant real life history through cartoon critters, some flashing during american tail, and tbh i didn't get to finish reviewing so i don't know beyond that)) Bevel 8:32 pm Most of the time, yeah. Soundwave *motions to him* shows lots of movies and other Earth stuff. Definitely Not Shockwave 8:34 pm I see. I was familiar with the existence of these gatherings, but...Why Earth media, in particular? Not that I doubt our host's ability to choose something properly entertaining for the occasion, haha. Bevel 8:34 pm I... *looks at Soundwave for help* FakeProwl 8:34 pm *Sorta sideways-watching the new guest from across the room.* Swoop 8:35 pm *scoops Bird up* You BIrd want go quiet time? Magnum Ace 8:35 pm What's wrong with Earth media? ItsyBitsySpyers 8:35 pm [[Because he finds that most mechs became familiar with the planet at one time or another.]] *And because the humans haven't figured out how to detect interstellar signal snatching, but he won't say that where Prowl can hear it.* Bevel 8:36 pm What Soundwave said. ItsyBitsySpyers 8:36 pm {{No, no. Bird stay. Bird want cartoons, yes.}} Swoop 8:36 pm Kay Bull 8:37 pm *looks to Magnum* I can kind of understand why he's asking. We're use to human made media; they're not, sometimes. Swoop 8:37 pm *uses his feetsies to grab as many pillows and toss them in a pile while holding onto BIrd, once he's successfully created a Dinobot worthy pile, he sets her on top* Definitely Not Shockwave 8:37 pm *His posture straightens up a bit while listening.* That....Is fair. *He nods and leans back into his seat.* FakeProwl 8:37 pm *... Whatever this is, it isn't about Odo, and Prowl is therefore automatically no longer invested in it. It's going to have an uphill battle winning him over.* Magnum Ace 8:37 pm ...fair ItsyBitsySpyers 8:38 pm *Laserbeak preens a little before cringing a bit at the horns. She'll turn her audios down.* Swoop 8:38 pm ((omg I haven't seen this in AGES, such nostalgia)) ItsyBitsySpyers 8:39 pm [[...He was not aware that human spawn required six fathers.]] Definitely Not Shockwave 8:39 pm I don't have anything against it, per sae, but I am not much a fan of the- uh- scientific inaccuracies in their pictures. The Nebulons do better better work, in my opinion. Bevel 8:39 pm That is a lot of fathers. ItsyBitsySpyers 8:39 pm [[He prefers the Eurythmans' work, himself.]] Magnum Ace 8:39 pm .... they don't Bull 8:40 pm *is more than a little confused of what is being shown today* Swoop 8:40 pm *goes and grabs a massive amount of treats, as you do, before returning to sit at the bottom of pillow mountain* ItsyBitsySpyers 8:40 pm *Soundwave was in a War Stories mood.* Definitely Not Shockwave 8:41 pm *He nods to Soundwave gently again.* FakeProwl 8:41 pm ... Nebulons write dull mysteries, though. Swoop 8:41 pm *sticks one of the bigger goodies with his claw and holds it up for Bird* Whirl 8:41 pm ((d. does anyone else see a heart next to whirl's name)) ItsyBitsySpyers 8:41 pm ((yes it's a New Thing)) Whirl 8:41 pm (9what happened. why does he have a heart)) Definitely Not Shockwave 8:41 pm *He....Has decided to completely ignore the movie. The art style is too distasteful (Also the mun's screen isn't showing any gotdamn video)* ItsyBitsySpyers 8:42 pm *Bird quietly noms the treat.*

((aaaaah no 😧 restart?)) Bull 8:42 pm ((Not sure; I changed mine to Cheers)) Swoop 8:42 pm ((these subtitles are WAY off)) Definitely Not Shockwave 8:42 pm (Hhhrrk. Alright, I'll brb.) ItsyBitsySpyers 8:42 pm ((as a caption person, it is driving me bananas, but we use what we must)) Whirl 8:42 pm ((Whirl's gonna keep his heart)) Swoop 8:43 pm CHAnukah kehehhh Whirl 8:43 pm *slooowly creeps in and makes his way to his usual table* Bevel 8:43 pm *waves to Whirl* Whirl 8:43 pm *bobs his head in greeting* Magnum Ace 8:43 pm .... Bull 8:44 pm .... Swoop 8:44 pm *explodes laughing then immediately slaps a hand over his mouth* ItsyBitsySpyers 8:44 pm *Bird whispers.* {{It Wheeljack.}} Swoop 8:44 pm *muffled* wheeljack Magnum Ace 8:44 pm He remind you of someone? ItsyBitsySpyers 8:45 pm {{Him Autobot inventor-grenadier.}} Bull 8:45 pm .... please, no.... Swoop 8:45 pm Him Wheeljack build Us Dinobots! ItsyBitsySpyers 8:45 pm [[...This reminds him. You were going to tell him about Segal.]] Magnum Ace 8:45 pm ............. Bull 8:46 pm ....... *looks to Magnum* Magnum Ace 8:46 pm ...he's a human we had a run in with. ItsyBitsySpyers 8:47 pm [["Run-in"?]] Bull 8:47 pm on more than a few occassions Magnum Ace 8:47 pm And some of the leaguers he had built Bevel 8:48 pm ((*cackles* ItsyBitsySpyers 8:48 pm ((this is so much better as an adult)) Bull 8:48 pm .... *does not like to bring'them' up* Definitely Not Shockwave 8:48 pm (( Oh Thank god the video works.) ItsyBitsySpyers 8:49 pm [[Did they cause you any harm?]] Magnum Ace 8:49 pm ................... Swoop 8:49 pm That sword not sharp enough It bad for stabbing *glances up at Bird* *offers more treats* Definitely Not Shockwave 8:49 pm ...Remind me, are these supposed to be humans? Bull 8:49 pm .... *keeps his mouth shut* Bevel 8:49 pm I bet it is paper. ItsyBitsySpyers 8:50 pm {{Them humans. Tiny humans.}} Swoop 8:50 pm Tiny Bird better : > *pets* Definitely Not Shockwave 8:50 pm Tiny....Humans. Hm. Magnum Ace 8:51 pm They...did cause some injuries... ItsyBitsySpyers 8:52 pm *Soundwave gently prods Prowl. Did you hear that?* Magnum Ace 8:52 pm -if by injuries you mean 'almost killed on several different occasions'- Swoop 8:52 pm ((omg I remember this being funny and it is so much better than I recalled)) FakeProwl 8:53 pm *Tiny nod. He's listening.* Bevel 8:53 pm ((being an adult and watching this is so much better Whirl 8:54 pm *gets properly settled in* Swoop 8:54 pm *doesn't know where Bird's audios are, covers them anyway, best guesses* ItsyBitsySpyers 8:54 pm [[Such as? Did they come after you with the game equipment?]] Definitely Not Shockwave 8:54 pm *He finds the crying child obnoxious...And it shows.* ItsyBitsySpyers 8:54 pm *She is so. grateful.* Bull 8:54 pm Ummm, well.... Magnum Ace 8:54 pm The ones Segal had built? Not...exactly? FakeProwl 8:55 pm ... Then what did they do? Swoop 8:55 pm *IS HELPING* <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 Magnum Ace 8:56 pm Nothing that wasn't legal -in the games. Now, the strays on the other hand...- Bull 8:57 pm considering 'everything' is or was legal Magnum Ace 8:57 pm -nudges Bull- Bull 8:57 pm *sorry* FakeProwl 8:58 pm The specifics, not whether or not it was legal. Swoop 9:00 pm *sets his chin on a pillow and pets down BIrd's back* *other than the pillow theft, he is doing his absolute best to behave* Whirl 9:01 pm *leans back and props his feet up on his table* Definitely Not Shockwave 9:01 pm *Something softly beeps on his person, and he stands up immediately.* ItsyBitsySpyers 9:01 pm *Soundwave spots Whirl and nods. Greetings.* Magnum Ace 9:01 pm -crap- ...electrocution Swoop 9:01 pm ((man there is some SERIOUS nostalgia lined up tonight 😀 )) Whirl 9:01 pm *bobs his head back* ItsyBitsySpyers 9:01 pm *Bird appreciates the Well-Behaved Swoop.* Definitely Not Shockwave 9:01 pm *He grabs another handful of snacks from the table, and begins making his way out as discreetly as possible.* Swoop 9:02 pm *would make high pitched noises if Bird said she appreciated something he's doing so it's best she just keeps that to herself and doesn't jinx it* ItsyBitsySpyers 9:02 pm *Nice try, Longarm. One feeler will wave a good-bye.* Bevel 9:02 pm *waves goodbye as well* ItsyBitsySpyers 9:02 pm *Laserbeak's got one eye on the snack table, as always. Nobody goes there without her noticing.* FakeProwl 9:02 pm *tips head up slightly.* ... And he gave them the order to do so? Definitely Not Shockwave 9:03 pm *He pauses at the doorway, and supposes that there wasn't much of a way that he was going to get away with that without anyone noticing. He waves back and makes his way out.* Magnum Ace 9:03 pm ...he...he did... Definitely Not Shockwave 9:03 pm (Wish I had more time to stay, but my roommate is going to kick my ass if I don't go to bed before 11.) Magnum Ace 9:03 pm -can he sink into the table now?- FakeProwl 9:03 pm ... And where is this Seagull now? ItsyBitsySpyers 9:03 pm ((all righty! thank you for coming! get some rest 😃 )) Magnum Ace 9:04 pm Segal no longer deals with leaguers, thankfully. Bull 9:04 pm He went back to his movie career *and he can stay there* Magnum Ace 9:05 pm -there is no room for his pompous butt in sports- Swoop 9:05 pm Me Swoop from America Oregon ItsyBitsySpyers 9:05 pm {{Your floor got bread crumbs?}} FakeProwl 9:05 pm Does he deal with any mecha in the movie business? Bull 9:05 pm *or anywhere else* Swoop 9:05 pm Got lot of dirt keheh Magnum Ace 9:06 pm ...we don't think so. I think we'd hear about it if he did. Whirl 9:07 pm Pfft. That's an interesting noise for a cat to make. FakeProwl 9:07 pm I wouldn't be too sure. Bull 9:07 pm *doubts any Leaguer or Leaguer build would ever want to be in the movies with Segal* Whirl 9:07 pm Well, a small one, anyway. FakeProwl 9:07 pm *from what Prowl's heard of their society, doubts they may have a choice.* Magnum Ace 9:07 pm -well, he wasn't /wrong/ about that- ...right... ItsyBitsySpyers 9:08 pm *Ravage slinks downstairs.*

=What noise.= Swoop 9:08 pm This bad movie for Ravage keh Bevel 9:09 pm *giggles* Whirl 9:09 pm *clicks his claw at Ravage and imitates the deep-throated snarling the cats were making earlier* One second, one second. lemme get my engine in it-- *does it again, this time with a good rev of his flight engine, which completes the "stock-sound" effect* FakeProwl 9:10 pm *Glances at Soundwave.* I'm sure it would be quite easy to confirm whether or not he's got any mecha to exploit, and to get them out of his hands. Magnum Ace 9:10 pm ...not...not really. If he has them...they're...kinda his Bull 9:10 pm *Bull looks a little unnerved at what Prowl is suggesting* ItsyBitsySpyers 9:10 pm *Ravage flattens his ears back a lil bit.*

=...No. Too loud, hm? More...= *Draws himself up, resets his vocalizer in a burst of static, and... meoooowwww.* Whirl 9:11 pm *SNICKERS* Ravage. Ravage. That was adorable. Magnum Ace 9:11 pm Some wouldn't want to leave, either ItsyBitsySpyers 9:11 pm *Soundwave glances back.*

[[If we knew who to look for.]] FakeProwl 9:11 pm *a very, very unfriendly smile.* You say that like you think we can't take them away from him. Magnum Ace 9:11 pm That's a bad idea Bull 9:11 pm You can't if they don't want to. Whirl 9:11 pm Lemme try--*and now he's tentatively meowing back, perfecting his technique* FakeProwl 9:11 pm ... I'm sure it would also be quite easy to dig up anybody /else/ he's exploiting and ensure the authorities receive the proper information, hm? *To Soundwave, again.* Magnum Ace 9:12 pm No No, no, that's a really bad idea Bull 9:12 pm That won't work either... and just cause more trouble FakeProwl 9:12 pm Persuade me. Bull 9:12 pm .... Magnum Ace 9:12 pm He's the son of Dark Foundation FakeProwl 9:12 pm *He's all audials.* ItsyBitsySpyers 9:12 pm *Ravage pats the floor in applause.*

=Passable, for a biped.= Magnum Ace 9:13 pm One of the largest and more influential foundations out there Whirl 9:13 pm *sits up straight so he can bow* FakeProwl 9:13 pm Ah. More targets. Magnum Ace 9:13 pm No! If you take out them, someone else will take their place! FakeProwl 9:14 pm Ah. /More/ targets. Bull 9:14 pm Not when they are legally not doing anything Illegal! ItsyBitsySpyers 9:14 pm [[One moment, one moment.]] Magnum Ace 9:14 pm Someone who wouldn't think twice about taking out all of Silver Castle Bull 9:15 pm *Bull is getting steadily more unnerved and the conversation* ItsyBitsySpyers 9:15 pm [[Let us slow down. You said the Dark Foundation was one of the largest and most influential. Why is this? What do they do? What do they affect?]] Magnum Ace 9:15 pm No. You're going to get us deactivated ItsyBitsySpyers 9:16 pm [[Calm down. He is only attempting to understand. He has not agreed to do anything.]] Bull 9:16 pm They effect the world's economy, on more than one level. Magnum Ace 9:17 pm They're the ones in charge of supplying mechs to gather materials from other worlds Swoop 9:18 pm what water monster is? Bevel 9:18 pm Ocean? Whirl 9:18 pm Well, that was clearly an ocean monster. ItsyBitsySpyers 9:18 pm [[Ah. So disrupting their business could upset the flow of vital trades and offworld materials in your world. These *are* vital materials? He assumes they would not hold such influence otherwise.]] FakeProwl 9:19 pm Nor have I agreed to do anything. Let me assure you—none of us are going to do anything until we're confident /and/ you're confident that it's not going to get you all killed. But you're in an intolerable situation, and we DO have the resources to change that. Magnum Ace 9:19 pm They are. Most of the material Earth needs comes from them And we're not...we're fine where we are Bull 9:20 pm And we are /not/ in an intolerable situation. FakeProwl 9:20 pm ... Mhmm. Electrocution, did you say? Magnum Ace 9:20 pm ........ ItsyBitsySpyers 9:21 pm {{Bird want funny hat.}} {{Maybe bow. It nice.}} Magnum Ace 9:21 pm It's becoming illegal to do that in sports now. FakeProwl 9:21 pm And I was showed a most intriguing video of a pitcher executing one batter after another with overpowered pitches. Swoop 9:21 pm *giggles with a hand over his mouth* You Bird do hat and bow for Dancitron, huh? Magnum Ace 9:21 pm If you mean Gold Arm, he doesn't do that anymore ItsyBitsySpyers 9:22 pm {{Bird sing fancy song if got.}} Bull 9:22 pm I don't think anyone will miss those pitches. Magnum Ace 9:22 pm No, and he's better off without them now Swoop 9:23 pm *giggles and bounces a little* ((why do the birds have cleavage)) Whirl 9:23 pm ((because Don Bluth)) Bevel 9:24 pm ((Henri has them too tho? ItsyBitsySpyers 9:24 pm ((you've heard of chicken breasts aintcha)) Bevel 9:24 pm *trying to pay attention to what's going on over by Soundwave and also the movie* ItsyBitsySpyers 9:25 pm [[It pleases him to know that someone is working on making it illegal. Do you think it will face much opposition?]] Magnum Ace 9:26 pm ....it probably depends on the team, but it shouldn't. Dark is also one of the ones that picked it up ItsyBitsySpyers 9:26 pm [[...They are making their own process illegal?]] FakeProwl 9:26 pm Yes, you mentioned they're reforming. /Slowly./ Bull 9:27 pm *Never thought he'd see Giroti reform, but is happy about the change* Magnum Ace 9:27 pm It's...yes they are, and just because it isn't fast doesn't mean it isn't being done ItsyBitsySpyers 9:30 pm [[That is odd. He wonders what they plan to do without their mechs.]] FakeProwl 9:30 pm Don't get ahead of yourself, Soundwave, he didn't mention outlawing slavery. Did you? Bull 9:30 pm They're not gone. Gold Arm and his brothers are getting ready for next season. ItsyBitsySpyers 9:31 pm *He isn't getting ahead of himself, don't worry. Just hoping they'd correct him themselves.* Magnum Ace 9:31 pm ..... FakeProwl 9:31 pm *Prowl knows. He's helping ensure it's pushed that direction.* *It's harder for them to dodge the implication when it's turned into a direct question.* Bull 9:32 pm ..... ItsyBitsySpyers 9:33 pm *Ravage crosses his paws. This one is resourceful, for a mouse. How long can he survive?* Magnum Ace 9:33 pm -there is no good way out of this- Bull 9:33 pm *nope...* Magnum Ace 9:34 pm -he's going to try- Bull 9:34 pm *good luck* Magnum Ace 9:34 pm We do have options Swoop 9:35 pm *has no idea what he's even watching* FakeProwl 9:36 pm Right, yes. You mentioned. Military conscription being primary among them, yes? Swoop 9:36 pm *gets up to get some drinks to go with the pile of goodies* *cause what even was that* Magnum Ace 9:36 pm ............. Bull 9:36 pm *Bull tenses* Magnum Ace 9:36 pm No, that's not... ItsyBitsySpyers 9:36 pm =THAT is a cat?= Whirl 9:36 pm Apparently. Magnum Ace 9:37 pm It's why some leaguers vanish, not because they wanted to ItsyBitsySpyers 9:37 pm *Looks and sounds like a bunch of dogs to him. All that graceless scrambling and horrible breath and grating growling.* FakeProwl 9:37 pm So. Please, permit me to summarize. Whirl 9:37 pm *see that's how Whirl would describe Seekers* Bull 9:38 pm *please no* Magnum Ace 9:38 pm -oh no- Bull 9:38 pm *Bull's horns sink back slowly* Swoop 9:39 pm *comes back with two equal size cubes of energon, offers one to Bird* FakeProwl 9:39 pm Most of you are enslaved and perform for the entertainment of humans. The fact that they are making this entertainment less brutal does not change the fact that you are still enslaved and still perform. A very small number of you manage to get out, where you have very few rights and very few job options. And there's still a considerable probability that you'll randomly disappear and be sent off to fight in another species's wars. Magnum Ace 9:39 pm -sinking in his seat now- Swoop 9:39 pm Wawwy FakeProwl 9:40 pm And so, I have a question. ItsyBitsySpyers 9:40 pm *She scoops the cube up and just. sticks the whole bottom half of her face in.* Bull 9:40 pm *Bull wants to disappear* Magnum Ace 9:40 pm -same for him- FakeProwl 9:41 pm What good does it do you—or any of your friends and loved ones trapped with you—to claim the situation is tolerable and to try to hide how bad it is? Will you, somehow, stop being slaves if you dodge questions about whether or not you're enslaved? Swoop 9:42 pm *can't NOT giggle at that* Bird soup Bull 9:42 pm Things are different for us... We're trying to change it for all other Leaguers Magnum Ace 9:42 pm Because we're not going to leave it like that Windchill 9:43 pm *Is here conveniently after a song is over.* Magnum Ace 9:44 pm None of us are, and just because the change isn't big, we're still making it, and we can't do that if what change or allies we've got are taken away Windchill 9:45 pm *Isn't sure what he walked into, but he's going to find a seat.* Magnum Ace 9:45 pm We know it's a bad situation, but it's tolerable because we can make a change for the better, not because it's a good situation Whirl 9:45 pm *bobs his head in greeting* Windchill 9:46 pm *Waves.* Swoop 9:46 pm *snuggles into the side of Mt. Pillow* Windchill 9:47 pm ...Their plan is witchcraft? ItsyBitsySpyers 9:47 pm *Bird pushes the now-empty cube away and pats Swoop's forehead with a feeler.*

*Good minion.* Windchill 9:48 pm *He doesn't bother to follow along, honestly.* Swoop 9:48 pm *peeps* FakeProwl 9:48 pm So you're trying to change it. You don't think you might benefit from some allies who have fought the same fights before? Windchill 9:49 pm *POINTS* Bugs. *Lowers his hand. Wow.* Whirl 9:51 pm ((clearly he's never met archy)) Swoop 9:53 pm *snickers at the "secret weapon"* Windchill 9:54 pm It's so fat. Swoop 9:55 pm him not a tiiiiiiiiiiiger Windchill 9:56 pm *Racist mouse alert.* Magnum Ace 9:56 pm Well, what do you mean? I thought you didn't want me to tell the humans you guys existed Windchill 9:57 pm *turns off his audio receptors.* FakeProwl 9:57 pm You don't have to tell them for us to help. There's plenty we can do from behind the scenes. Bull 9:58 pm Like what? *Bull looks at Prowl warily* Whirl 9:58 pm *has completely zoned out by this point; he's long since shifted his posture and laid his head on his crossed arms. He's out* Ali 9:59 pm ((OK I can use it on my phone so I can't change anything but it works.)) ((this is Ali/Crosscut btw.)) FakeProwl 9:59 pm For example—as I was mentioning earlier, this... Seagull human. ItsyBitsySpyers 9:59 pm ((welcome!)) Windchill 10:01 pm *Smacks his lips grossly.* Magnum Ace 10:01 pm He's left us alone FakeProwl 10:01 pm Then if he has somehow magically reformed, consider this an example that we don't need to pursue. Ali 10:01 pm -comes in and takes a seat.- Sorry I'm late, quite late by the look of it. FakeProwl 10:01 pm If he abuses one population that's lower on the social ladder than him—the leaguers—then it is nearly guaranteed that he abuses other populations that are lower than him. And if he abuses other people—humans that have less power than him—then there's evidence of it. Magnum Ace 10:01 pm ...all right FakeProwl 10:01 pm And if there's evidence of it, we can find it. Swoop 10:02 pm *perks up at fire* Magnum Ace 10:02 pm ...really? Windchill 10:02 pm *Turns his ears back on.* FakeProwl 10:03 pm If the things we catch him doing are deplorable, but legal, we get an anonymous source to the media. His name is ruined, he loses some business. How much depends on how bad it is and how slow the media day is. ItsyBitsySpyers 10:03 pm {{It okay. Late better than nothing, heh.}} Swoop 10:03 pm *bursts out laughing, then slaps both hands over his mouth to muffle it, glancing between Bird and the screen* Bull 10:04 pm Just don't do anything to which can tie back to any team... That would do more damage than you could know. Ali 10:04 pm I see you all are taking interest in earth's art of animation. It's fairly interesting the lengths they go for entertainments sake on that planet. FakeProwl 10:04 pm If the things we catch him doing are NOT legal... we get an anonymous source to the police instead, AND to the media, to make it a little harder for his family to make the scandal go away. Best case scenario, he goes to jail. Worst case scenario, he and his family still waste a great deal of time and money getting him out of trouble, time and money they can't spend on other things—like trying to fight a legal battle designed to keep you enslaved. Windchill 10:04 pm *Rests his chin in his hand.* FakeProwl 10:05 pm Now, if, as you say, he's now completely unimportant, we don't need to do any of that. As I said, it's just an example. Windchill 10:05 pm Cats can swim. FakeProwl 10:05 pm But it's well within our resources. And no need to tie it back to Silver Castle. ItsyBitsySpyers 10:05 pm {{Bird likes plan. You Swoop can do?}}

*Soundwave internally notes that politicians can also be bribed... and since plenty of them are corrupt as a matter of course, a few carefully blackmailed.* Swoop 10:05 pm What plan? Fireworks? Keheh. ItsyBitsySpyers 10:06 pm *A little filth to get some cleaner legislation. A taste of the old days.* Windchill 10:06 pm *Points.* Horses. Magnum Ace 10:06 pm ...yeah...I... -wasn't prepared for this. At all- FakeProwl 10:07 pm A decision doesn't need to be made right now. But you can consider it. ItsyBitsySpyers 10:07 pm {{Bird like Earth cartoons, yes. Them make animals sing lots.}} Magnum Ace 10:08 pm -he hopes Soundwave doesn't mind the internal screaming- Bull 10:08 pm *Bull will stay far away from any unpleasant media stories; has had enough of that for a lifetime* Swoop 10:08 pm Us watch more music cartoon then! : > Magnum Ace 10:08 pm -because he wasn't made for this- ItsyBitsySpyers 10:08 pm *It's nothing Soundwave isn't used to.*

{{Firework, roll on cart, chase.}} Swoop 10:09 pm Us do that too! Magnum Ace 10:10 pm -good, because he's got no idea what he's doing now- Ali 10:10 pm ((Pfft Dawn Bluth faces are so wrinkley and cute)) Swoop 10:10 pm Bird Magnum Ace 10:10 pm -pats Bull, though. He knows about bad media on the football leaguer's part- Windchill 10:12 pm *He's gonna doze for the rest of the film, probably.* Magnum Ace 10:12 pm I'll talk to the rest of the team about this. Whirl 10:12 pm *join Whirl in napland* Bull 10:12 pm I don't know how they'll react... Windchill 10:12 pm *Consider urself joined.* Magnum Ace 10:13 pm -sighs- We can worry about that later, Bull ItsyBitsySpyers 10:15 pm [[If there are emergencies in the meantime, contact him. He will find a way to secure you and hide you here.]]

*They're small enough to fit in at the minicon complex, and it's close enough he can watch it for intruders without difficulty* Magnum Ace 10:15 pm We'll keep that in mind. FakeProwl 10:16 pm They'll certainly have a hard time reaching you on a planet they've never heard of before in a separate universe. Magnum Ace 10:16 pm The worst has only been a few anons making things weird, though Bull 10:16 pm Though we wouldn't be able to leave without the humans of our team. If we're in danger, so would they. Swoop 10:16 pm Bird Ali 10:17 pm ((Yeah what's going on in our tumblr universe anyhow? I've been gone for what seems like a long time and skype doesn't work for me anymore so I've only been on discord )) Bull 10:17 pm *knows Ryuken would never leave without Ruri* Ali 10:17 pm ((anything of note I missed?)) FakeProwl 10:17 pm ((not really. prowl's finally about to get free tho ;v;)) Windchill 10:17 pm *Peeks one eye open.* Bevel 10:17 pm ((yay freedom FakeProwl 10:17 pm ((we haven't been having much in the way of Group Plots, everyone's off doing their private plots.)) Magnum Ace 10:18 pm -Ryuken and the rest of the original Silver Castle aren't leaving her- FakeProwl 10:18 pm ... *glances at Soundwave* If they need to bring some humans along—the Lost Light is still filtering its atmosphere for human residents. Bevel 10:18 pm *fiddles with a few treats she hasn't eaten* Ali 10:18 pm (((ooooh! no more jail for Prowl?)) FakeProwl 10:18 pm But it would be better if we can arrange a safehouse for them that doesn't require involving a separate crew. ((Sorta. The Constructicons are going free with curfew; Prowl's /technically/ going to stay locked up, but his avatar's going to get a lot more liberties to go anywhere/do anything, instead of just sneaking out to one or two secret locations.)) ((So, for practical purposes, no more jail.)) Magnum Ace 10:20 pm -just glad they didn't dig any further- Ali 10:21 pm ((Eh better than nothing ItsyBitsySpyers 10:21 pm [[We have no fleshling-safe areas here.]] *Tap. Tap.* [[He supposes he could speak to our Autobots about their organics. Find arrangements.]] *It'll cost him, but he'll worry about it if it comes to that. The Leaguers can't be allowed to sacrifice themselves for the organics who have put them in this position.* Bull 10:21 pm *ssshhhhhhhh* Swoop 10:21 pm *giggles* Bird Bevel 10:21 pm Soundwave, the greenhouse. Ali 10:21 pm Maybe we can finally plan that double date with him, Soundwave and Hoist.)) ItsyBitsySpyers 10:21 pm {{What?}} Magnum Ace 10:21 pm -it wasn't out loud, he's fine. Right?- FakeProwl 10:21 pm ((yeees)) Swoop 10:21 pm Me Swoop love You : > Bull 10:21 pm *hopefully* ItsyBitsySpyers 10:22 pm [[Your creator would spit rivets if he asked to host them in the greenhouse.]] [[They would eat his collection. That is what organics do.]] FakeProwl 10:22 pm If any humans /do/ come here, unfortunately, they can't be given much information about the planet. CERTAINLY nothing about its location or about our bridge technology. ItsyBitsySpyers 10:22 pm {{You Swoop shh. Bird headache.}} *Convenient, no?* Swoop 10:22 pm Kay Bevel 10:23 pm The carnivorous ones might eat them I guess. *thinks* Swoop 10:23 pm *lays back down on Mt. Pillow* Magnum Ace 10:23 pm :: Don't jinx it, Bull :: Whirl 10:23 pm *blinks awake and streeetches with his claws directly out in front of him like cat* Swoop 10:23 pm :V ItsyBitsySpyers 10:23 pm ((and yeeees the double date)) FakeProwl 10:23 pm *"your creator" = must be Ratchet, the other one's dead. Greenhouse, huh?* You don't need to get greenhouse access, you could just find out what equipment is used to maintain its environment. Surely you've got something you could trade her for the information. Windchill 10:24 pm *Watches Whirl with one eye.* Bull 10:24 pm :: My lips are sealed. :: Windchill 10:24 pm Whirl! You're not...dead. FakeProwl 10:24 pm ... Or perhaps I could get something. Plants, yes? Windchill 10:24 pm *Grumbles in disappointment.* Whirl 10:24 pm Not yet. ItsyBitsySpyers 10:24 pm *Ravage slooooowly reaches out a paw like he's gonna bap The Claw* [[Plants.]] Whirl 10:24 pm You'll know when I'm dead, SOMEONE'S bound to throw a huge party. Windchill 10:25 pm Yeah. It'll be me. Bevel 10:25 pm I can ask if she would trade! Magnum Ace 10:25 pm :: ...hopefully the rest of the team takes it better than we did. :: FakeProwl 10:25 pm Hm. I might be able to get something from Quark... Whirl 10:26 pm *nods solemnly; it's what he would want, and then looks very sharpll at Ravage and the creeping paw* What? Bull 10:26 pm :: Somehow I doubt it, for most. Especially Top Joy and Windy. :: ItsyBitsySpyers 10:26 pm *Ravage swats an invisible something in the air instead.* =Ferrous fly. He got it.= Ali 10:26 pm -leans back in his seat and watches the conversations go on- Magnum Ace 10:26 pm :: Ryuken is not going to want anything to do with it :: Swoop 10:27 pm *doesn't want to leave Bird but doesn't know what else to do so..... he is just going to go to sleep now, have fun dealing with him later, Soundwave/Bird* Windchill 10:27 pm *At least the music choice is tolerable.* Whirl 10:27 pm Oh. Right. Damn, am I that stinky? *makes a show of sniffing himself* Magnum Ace 10:27 pm :: Especially since it might involve being separated from Owner. :: Bull 10:27 pm :: Silkie is going to go 'mother-hen' over Carl and the others. :: ItsyBitsySpyers 10:28 pm [[Ratchet and Quark together should produce more than enough data.]]

*Bird will try to lift Swoop outside later and enlist the twins when that doesn't work. Swoop will probably be posed funny on a rock somewhere.* Swoop 10:28 pm *as you do* ((night)) FakeProwl 10:28 pm I meant for a plant to trade. Magnum Ace 10:28 pm :: Oh...Silky is going to kill us. :: ItsyBitsySpyers 10:28 pm ((night)) FakeProwl 10:28 pm ... Although I wouldn't be able to pick it up from Quark. *glances at Soundwave* And I'd rather not stick you in that situation. Bull 10:28 pm :: GZ might beat him to it. :: Windchill 10:28 pm *Leans over to sniff Whirl, too.* Ali 10:29 pm ((Soundwave, we're we gonna continue our thread with cc and rumble btw?)) ItsyBitsySpyers 10:29 pm *Points to Bevel.* [[Send her. It is her creator's trade.]] ((sure! it'll be a couple days cause i'm trying to finish some last minute cram stuff but then yes o7)) Magnum Ace 10:29 pm :: ...we're going to need a running start for this news :: Bevel 10:29 pm *perks up at the prospect of being helpful* FakeProwl 10:29 pm ... Hm. Windchill 10:29 pm *Ears perk.* Bull 10:30 pm :: I'll ask Meckel to hide his pucks... both kinds. :: ItsyBitsySpyers 10:30 pm =Not stinky.= *Ravage edges forward to sniff Whirl.* =But you have a smell.= FakeProwl 10:30 pm *looks at Bevel and hears "Blurr is really fun to hang out with when he isn’t killing bots".* Whirl 10:30 pm *patiently allows the smellening from these two* Magnum Ace 10:30 pm :: And how are we supposed to keep ahead of Windy? :: ItsyBitsySpyers 10:31 pm *Sniff. Sniff. SNIIIIIFFFFFF.*

=Smells like Whirl.= Bevel 10:31 pm *sorry prowl it's her seeing the good in everyone whoops* Bull 10:31 pm :: I'm not the one who needs to worry about him the most. He's gonna gun immediately to you. :: Windchill 10:31 pm *Sniffs really hard.* Ali 10:31 pm such a good music video Windchill 10:31 pm *He's really getting into all of this sniffing.* Smells gross. Magnum Ace 10:31 pm :: /thanks/ :: Whirl 10:31 pm I know. Remember who you're talking to. *taps the side of his helm* ... *the sniffing is intensifying* ItsyBitsySpyers 10:31 pm [[...He would not recommend sending her as you, though. She has heard too many details as it is.]] Whirl 10:31 pm What're you two up to? *peers* Windchill 10:32 pm *Sniffs.* ItsyBitsySpyers 10:32 pm *Bobbing. He ended up finding that amusing after the annoyance at being imitated faded.* Bull 10:32 pm :: You're over looking the one who we both need to fear the most... Owner... :: Magnum Ace 10:32 pm :: We're not telling her. Not right now. :: Bevel 10:32 pm I do not think I could act like Prowl even if I wanted to. FakeProwl 10:32 pm *"Seeing the good in" shouldn't mean "ignoring the evil in."* *Disgusted look* I would never. ItsyBitsySpyers 10:33 pm =Testing ripeness.= Magnum Ace 10:33 pm :: She will not take this well. At all :: Bull 10:33 pm :: Like /last time/? If Top Joy knows, she'll know in a heartbeat. :: Whirl 10:33 pm *snorts* I'm not ready for the dinner table YET. All right, get your last sniffs in, you two, cos I'm out. Windchill 10:34 pm *Sniffs so hard he snorts.* Magnum Ace 10:34 pm :: If I have to deal with Windy, you can talk to Owner. :: Bevel 10:34 pm *yeah probably but confrontation that doesn't involve swords to faces is hard* Bull 10:34 pm :: ...You're evil, you know that? :: ItsyBitsySpyers 10:34 pm *Ravage loses his seriousness at the snort and sits back to laugh.* Magnum Ace 10:35 pm :: I'm just choosing my battles :: Windchill 10:35 pm *Makes a face; now the Whirl smell is caught in the back of his throat.* Ali 10:36 pm -attempt to approach Prowl and get his attention without touching- It's good to see you again, it's been a while. Bull 10:36 pm :: And I feel like I'm on the losing end. :: Whirl 10:36 pm *good luck getting THAT out of your system* Windchill 10:36 pm *You assume he wants to.* Whirl 10:36 pm G'night you losers. *salutes* Back to my lordly mountain abode. Magnum Ace 10:36 pm :: Good luck. I'll probably be on the other end of the city when you're talking to her :: Windchill 10:36 pm *The face evolves to overacted gagging.* FakeProwl 10:36 pm *glances up.* Ah. Crosscut. It has, yes. Windchill 10:36 pm *Recovers miraculously.* Bevel 10:37 pm *salutes back at Whirl* Windchill 10:37 pm Bye, sucker. Bull 10:37 pm :: I'll get Jurota to track you down. :: FakeProwl 10:37 pm How are you? Settling in on Cybertron? ItsyBitsySpyers 10:37 pm [[Goodnight, Whirl.]] Magnum Ace 10:38 pm :: You won't need to. Just find Windy. He's going to be after me once we tell them this :: Whirl 10:38 pm *one last head bob and he's gone* Windchill 10:38 pm *Blows a kiss. It's smelly.* Bull 10:38 pm :: What are you gonna tell Richard? :: Magnum Ace 10:38 pm :: /Nothing/ :: Windchill 10:38 pm *Can't believe Whirl left him to sing this by himself.* *Here he goes.* Magnum Ace 10:39 pm :: Can you imagine what he'd do? :: Bull 10:39 pm :: Have fun with that. He appears out of nowhere better than Jurota and Top Joy. :: Windchill 10:39 pm *It wasn't intended for a soprano but, dammit, it's not like anyone is going to stop him.* Bull 10:39 pm :: Oh boy... 'Not telling them anything' will be alot harder with him around. :: Ali 10:39 pm ((Oh shit toto!!)) Magnum Ace 10:40 pm :: I know. He's...I swear he teleports some days. :: -might have just buried his face in his knees- Ali 10:41 pm Well...not sure exactly. Alright I suppose, I haven't left my current living space lately. Magnum Ace 10:41 pm -he forgot about Richard- Bull 10:41 pm :: I wouldn't be surprised if that was his preferred mode of transportation. :: *pats Magnum's back* FakeProwl 10:41 pm Mm? Not in the mood or nowhere worth visiting? Bull 10:42 pm :: Just pray that he's over at Dark's HQ when we tell everyone. :: Magnum Ace 10:42 pm :: He's going to make this so much harder :: :: Oh. Should we tell my bothers and the Gold brothers? :: Ali 10:43 pm I'm not really sure, I've felt lethargic as of late. I suppose it's to do with my trying to write again, it's taking up most of my time and energy, but I don't think I should allow myself to get that way. I'm going to try and get out more. Windchill 10:43 pm *Stretches, but he'll hang around for Depeche Mode.* Ali 10:43 pm So, let me know if you have any recommendations on places to visit and such I suppose. Bull 10:43 pm :: You know Gold Arm and his brothers would never accept 'protection'. They rather fight to the end. :: Magnum Ace 10:44 pm :: I know, but...give them the option? :: Bull 10:44 pm :: As for your brothers... I don't know them as well as you do. How do you think they would react? :: Bevel 10:44 pm *enough time has passed that Bevel is gonna ping Soundwave* Should I ask Mom about the organic air stuff? Magnum Ace 10:44 pm :: .....I don't know. I'd hope they'd accept..but..I don't know them anymore. Not like I once did. :: FakeProwl 10:44 pm *laughs* If I hear rumors about any, I'll pass them on to you. Bull 10:45 pm :: At least the option; though full details could probably be left out or cut short. :: ItsyBitsySpyers 10:45 pm *Soundwave sits up and looks over to Bevel.*

[[Yes. If we do not use it for this, he will find a use for it himself. He can think of several.]] *He already came up with one before the movie started.* Bull 10:45 pm *gives Magnum a sympathetic look* Ali 10:46 pm Hm, you know I don't believe I've heard you laugh much before, it sounds nice. Things must be going well Magnum Ace 10:46 pm :: You know...I haven't spoken to them since the season ended. :: Bevel 10:46 pm Ok. *she needed to visit New Praxus anyway* Magnum Ace 10:47 pm :: And they haven't tried to contact me either. :: Bull 10:47 pm :: Maybe you should talk to them if you can. ...Without mention of 'alien' safehouses. For a start anyways. :: FakeProwl 10:47 pm *jaw sort of half-drops as he tries to figure out how to reply to that. that was among the least heartfelt laughs to ever come out of Prowl's mouth. But if Crosscut couldn't tell the difference—* ... Can't complain. ItsyBitsySpyers 10:48 pm *It would be nice to not have to go all the way to Earth when he needs fresh emus and ostriches for his plant. Keep a few of them penned up and safe in a cavern down below...* FakeProwl 10:49 pm *Prowl's got no interest in trying to explain that he's actually currently living in that gap somewhere between miserable and numb, thanks for asking though.* Magnum Ace 10:49 pm :: I should...but...what do I say? If they even pick up. :: Bull 10:49 pm *Bull makes a thoughtful sound* Ali 10:51 pm -can't say he has much experience hearing laughter from Prowl, so it was a bit hard to tell with him- Anything new? -why was he struggling so much with basic conversation? had he locked himself up THAT long that it was effecting his social skills? he's usually quite good at this sort of thing, what's wrong with him?- Bull 10:51 pm :: I don't have siblings so I don't know if I can give the best advice. But knowing how they were during the finals, challenge them to a friendly off season match. Surprise them a little. :: Windchill 10:51 pm *Gets to his feet. He has work to do.* Magnum Ace 10:52 pm -sighs- FakeProwl 10:53 pm ... No, actually. Nothing new. *Bonecrusher had a mental breakdown and the fallout has been ruling Prowl and the Constructicons' lives ever since. DEFINITELY not sharing that.* Not much changes when you're locked up. Magnum Ace 10:53 pm :: It might work... :: Ali 10:53 pm Ah.. Windchill 10:54 pm *Gives a sweeping wave to the room in general.* I'm out, losers. ItsyBitsySpyers 10:54 pm *Soundwave bobs his head goodnight* Bull 10:54 pm :: If that don't work, ask the Gold Brothers. They may have some ideas. They would know better. :: Magnum Ace 10:55 pm :: Talking to them might go better than talking to my brothers... :: Windchill 10:55 pm *Wanders out.* Ali 10:56 pm -awkwardly taps his fingers on his own leg- FakeProwl 10:57 pm *considers asking Crosscut what's new with him; he just covered that, didn't he? Eesh.* ... What are you writing right now? Bull 10:57 pm :: Can't avoid them forever. Even I've learned that. :: Magnum Ace 10:57 pm :: Who? My brothers or the Gold brothers? :: :: Because if you mean the Gold brothers, I can try. :: :: Doesn't mean Arm isn't going to find me :: Bull 10:58 pm :: Heh, there is no avoiding the Gold Brothers. Or at least Gold Arm in your case; they are all persistent. :: Ali 10:58 pm Hm? Ah, well it's just a short story, nothing really too exciting but I just can't seem to get it how I like. Ironically it's about obsession with perfection but I suppose that's part of the reason I'm being so picky with how it's portrayed. FakeProwl 10:59 pm Ironic, yes. Ali 10:59 pm That and, I've felt distant and distracted so it's been taking me longer to get it down than usual. Magnum Ace 10:59 pm -that's a small snort of laughter- :: I'm surprised I haven't seen him all off season. :: FakeProwl 11:00 pm *distracted by what, he wonders; but it might be Clutch, and so in case it is he can't ask.* You think being among company might help fix that? Bull 11:00 pm :: Probably training like we've been. You know how he is, need to find a way to one up you with pitches. :: Bevel 11:01 pm *gonna head out* Ali 11:01 pm Perhaps, or at least I'm hoping so. Ali 11:02 pm -clutch was certainly part of that distraction, he'd still yet to come to a decision about it.- Magnum Ace 11:02 pm :: He's going to have fun trying to beat us this season :: Bull 11:03 pm *Bull Armor grins* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:03 pm *Soundwave will nod to Bevel* Bull 11:03 pm :: He and your brothers won't know what hit them. :: Magnum Ace 11:04 pm :: They'll know it was me, at the very least :: -when it came to the pitching- FakeProwl 11:06 pm Well. *looks for something else to say. fails. goes for a stock phrase.* ... Good luck. Bull 11:07 pm :: Heh. So, do we head out? Ruri will get suspicious if we're gone for too long. And I really don't want to tell her tonight. :: Ali 11:07 pm -Charming.- ...Thanks? FakeProwl 11:08 pm *ah! he knows how to answer this one.* You're welcome. Ali 11:08 pm hm. Magnum Ace 11:08 pm :: ....right...think we should hold off on telling the team too? :: ItsyBitsySpyers 11:09 pm ((i look up after accidentally dozing off and there's monsters snatching babies from cribs what even??)) Bull 11:09 pm :: For now. :: Ali 11:09 pm ((I wonder how they got the baby to cry so much for the video. it seems kinda fucked up)) FakeProwl 11:10 pm ((yeah i thought that the last time i saw it)) Magnum Ace 11:10 pm :: Right. Maybe try to think of a good way to put this... :: Ali 11:10 pm ((Pfft! Bull 11:11 pm :: Try being the appropriate word.:: FakeProwl 11:11 pm *All he got was a hm. Was that the wrong reply? Tries to think of something else to say.* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:12 pm ((i have found this quote about the making of video for this video: " I assumed it was cleverly edited and that the kid wasn’t actually traumatized by monsters. But no, this new “making of” video shows they really let those monsters attack Baby Zachary, 18 months. Sure, he’s giggling between takes, but there are clearly moments when he’s upset." )) ((that's fucked up??)) Tarantulas 11:12 pm (( damn 😕/////////////////////// Ali 11:12 pm ((Oh gosh)) FakeProwl 11:12 pm ((yeah 😕)) Magnum Ace 11:12 pm ((aw man :: We'll think of something. :: Ali 11:14 pm -What was wrong with him? small talk was his usual strength, why was he having such a tough time with it?- FakeProwl 11:14 pm *To be fair, Crosscut is working with a subpar partner.* Magnum Ace 11:14 pm :: And I'll ask for a bridge home. :: Ali 11:14 pm -True, but still.- Magnum Ace 11:15 pm Hey, Soundwave? Think we should be going home now. -pointing to himself then Bull- Ali 11:15 pm Well..Maybe I should go. ItsyBitsySpyers 11:15 pm [[Hm?]] *Give him a second.* [[The bridge? The bridge. Of course.]] FakeProwl 11:15 pm ... Okay. Bye. *no wait he forgot to say something.* It was good to see you. ItsyBitsySpyers 11:16 pm [[It is there for both of you now. Try to stay out of harm's way.]] Magnum Ace 11:16 pm We will Bull 11:16 pm Thanks. Magnum Ace 11:17 pm -scrambles off the table- Thank you! Ali 11:17 pm Thanks.-the playwright got up with slumped shoulders.- It was good to see you as well, I hope we can again soon. goodbye. FakeProwl 11:17 pm *Considers saying something else to the leaguers as they go... no. He laid out the offer to them, he has nothing to add. So he just nods in farewell toward them.* *Back to Crosscut.* Mm. Indeed. Magnum Ace 11:18 pm -waves to both Prowl and Soundwave as he leaves- Bull 11:18 pm *waves as he follows Magnum* Magnum Ace 11:19 pm ((thanks for the stream, and stressing Ace out! 😀 ItsyBitsySpyers 11:19 pm (9you're welcome!)) ItsyBitsySpyers 11:22 pm *Soundwave stretches out on the couch and settles in. He's getting tired. Long weekend.* FakeProwl 11:27 pm *Was it a weekend? Prowl can't keep track anymore.* *... Well, he CAN, he just has no reason to bother.* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:27 pm *Soundwave does. Has to be there for his club.*

*Leeeeean.* FakeProwl 11:28 pm *Leans back against.*

... Another episode? *so hopeful.* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:30 pm [[Mmmmm... not tonight. Recharge. Need it.]] *Pop that visor off.* [[Tomorrow. Many tomorrow.]] FakeProwl 11:30 pm Very well. Tomorrow. Immediately after my work shift? ItsyBitsySpyers 11:31 pm [[Yes. That is fine.]] FakeProwl 11:32 pm *offers a crest bump?* I'll see you then. ItsyBitsySpyers 11:32 pm *Bump. And then sort of a tired resting there.* [[Yes. See you.]] FakeProwl 11:33 pm *... He doesn't want to disappear while Soundwave is leaning on him.* Would you... like me to leave my avatar in idle mode? ItsyBitsySpyers 11:34 pm *Sits up straighter.* [[No, no.]] *Pause.* [[Yes. But no. Mind on your work. Safety first.]] FakeProwl 11:35 pm I don't have to be in my avatar to have it idle. *Gets comfortable against Soundwave.* Just ping me if you wake up and need me to turn it off. ItsyBitsySpyers 11:36 pm [[Oh.]] *Good.* [[Good. Okay.]]

*He's gonna get comfortable in that comfortable and go OUT like the lights he's covered in never do.* FakeProwl 11:36 pm *gets comfortable as well, dims his optics, and goes idle.*

#chat

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vortaesthetic · 7 years ago

Text

saccharine dd9 shit ahoy

Detective Odo Ital befriends Weyoun “Six”, the seeming black-sheep son of the Weyoun brood. This sweet young man dreams of going to school to study veterinary medicine--but wants no part in his family’s strictly enforced fealty to the Founders, meaning that he is frequently on the outs with his family. As a result, he is chronically homeless. It seems as if every few months they take him back, tell him everything’s going to be different, that everything’s all better now--and next thing you know, Odo’s cruising the park on patrol at night and finds the kid back out on the streets again. Winter is coming and it gets deadly cold and all this fella has is a worn-out purple knit hat and an oversized old coat he probably found at the thrift store. His existence is caught between wandering the streets, the emergency shelter on 4th and Elm, and haunting Deep Dish Nine to catch glimpses of the unfairly cute Ezri Tigan. He’s 19, the world should be his oyster, but it isn’t.

He’s a sweet kid. Very nice. He doesn’t deserve this. And Odo worries about this kid. Kids like this, living this way? They’re not around for very long. He rounds up this kid in his car and takes him home. His family may not want him, but he does. It’s not a huge home, but Six is just happy to have a roof over his head and a meal every night. Odo decides that he’s going to pay for him to start going to go to community college. There’s not a lot of money, but they make do. They live on mac and cheese and spam and hamburger-with-a-lot-of-helper, but by god, Odo will get him glasses and put him through school because this boy deserves good things. Six smiles whenever Nerys comes around, because he likes her and Odo’s got the doki-dokis for her. He thinks she’ll be a nice mom. He’s still positively smitten over Ezri, but is too afraid to say or do anything to give himself away because he still sees himself as something of a street urchin. Nerys tricks Six into going out on a date with Ezri and they actually hit it off and make a cute little pair. They become thick as thieves, and he tells her that he’s going to marry her when he graduates.

The day that Six gets his diploma from the community college, Odo tells him that’s he’s getting adopted, and that’s that. Six cries, but he has never been happier in his whole life. He ends up getting a full-ride scholarship to University to study Vet Med. He moves away for awhile b/c school, but he writes his new dad and his fiance faithfully every week. He’s a good egg. He gets his DVM and Odo’s so full of pride for both of them. His boy is true to his word and he marries Ezri in the fall. They get their own house, close enough for Odo and Nerys to come visit every day.

A couple of years down the road, Weyoun Sr. shows up at Six’s Vet Clinic, demanding to see him. The conversation basically boils down to:

“Stop this shit, come home already.”

“No. That’s not my home. I have a new one now and it’s always waiting for me.”

“I’m your father, now stop arguing with me and come home.”

“No, you’re not my father. He is, and he’s always been there for me. Who the fuck are you?”

#dd9 #deep dish nine #weyoun #odo #YES I KNOW IT'S SELF-INDULGENT #BUT I DON'T CARE

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zapiarty · 8 years ago

Note

What brand of asshole is Dukat when he meets Mila? (I'd really love it if Garak factors into this in some way but you do you I'm just curious)

Oh boy my friend have you picked the perfect prompt! I’d had most of this already planned out in my head but hadn’t gotten around to writing it until now, so thank you! This takes place during the episode “Paradise”, and isn’t the first time Dukat has seen Mila (though that story is a hoot too!), but is the first time the two interact in any way.

Whenever Dukat visited the station it was always bound to be an unpleasant day. The fact that both Commander Sisko and Chief O’Brien were missing did not help matters in the slightest. If even Major Kira were there, it might have been better, because then Dukat likely would have been shoved out the nearest airlock.

But as both Kira and Dax were out looking at the runaway Rio Grande hoping to find out what happened to the Commander and the Chief…the only senior officer left on the station was Julian himself. This normally isn’t a problem. Unless a Cardassian Gul shows up and tries to take away his daughter.

“What? You don’t have the right! I legally adopted Mila, she is my daughter-”

“In Bajoran law, Doctor. But tell me, did you even try to find her Cardassian father?”

Julian blinked, taken aback. It was unnerving, but Dukat had a point. He didn’t know if there were special legalities involving adopting for Cardassians, though he sincerely doubted it, he was the only case beyond Rugal and look how that case turned out…actually. “This is revenge for exposing your plan for Pa’Dar’s son, isn’t it.”

Dukat merely smiled at him and it made Julian’s skin crawl. He had to think of something. He’d researched everything he could about Mila’s file. Dropped off as a six month baby by presumably her Bajoran mother, the caretakers of the facility implied it was because she was the product of an unwilling union. Which means that the father likely hadn’t stuck around, and no one was really interested in looking for him.

There was only one recourse, he had to buy time. “Fine, I’ll do a test, but I’d need to do it here.”

“Come now, Doctor, you won’t be able to access the databases from here-”

“Not without your authorization, no. But I’m not giving you a sample of her DNA and just trusting you’ll actually find her biological father.”

Now Dukat looked mildly intrigued, “Alright…I’ll bend this much. Though your lack of faith in my good interests wounds me, Doctor.”

Julian could only scowl in response, “I’m sure it does.”

Dukat made his way through ops towards Sisko’s office and called over his shoulder, “I’ll be waiting to hear from you once you have her genetic sample, Doctor.” Julian hadn’t considered impulses of violence before, in fact he tried to avoid it at all costs, but at that moment Julian really wanted to throw something at Dukat’s head.

Turning to one of the security officers in the room he told them they needed to keep an eye on Dukat while he went to try and find a loophole. He almost smiled to himself, and who better to go to for a loophole than Garak?

It was hours later when everything came to a head. He’d had a long conversation with Garak in the back of his shop before he even went to Mila. If Garak could help before it became necessary to have Mila aware of this at all, it’d be better. Unfortunately, the only plan Garak said he could think of would require them to play along past the point Mila would find out.

That was not a fun conversation. Most especially because Mila had become somewhat…clingy after the incident with the T’Lani and the Kelleruns and his presumed death. Julian couldn’t find it in his heart to be upset by this at all, though it did make her panic attack about being taken away that much harder.

To calm her somewhat, he took her with him when he went to get access from Dukat. The man was sprawled in Sisko’s chair and was tossing his baseball back and forth. The sheer ease the man was radiating was both infuriating and worrisome. Just how foolproof was this plan?

The Cardassian looked up when Julian walked in with a smile that would look more at home on a snake. “Ah, so here’s the little girl I’ve heard so much about. Major Kira must really forgive me, they look an awful lot like each other.”

Julian didn’t want to take one step into that mess, and not for the first time that day wished that he wasn’t the only senior officer there. Mila thankfully didn’t back down, not showing an inch of the fear she’d had not even half an hour earlier. She glared at the Gul with the same fire he saw in Kira’s eyes and calm pose she’d started copying from Odo. The look made him smile before turning back to Dukat. “The access code, Gul?”

Dukat did not look nearly so charmed as Julian was. He sat up and started typing in the table console. After a moment, he waved a hand to Julian. “There, now your personal console in your medical office will have the clearance to search birth records. I warn you doctor, it will not last long, so you’d best get started.”

With Mila’s hand in his, Julian hadn’t bothered with more than a nod before he left. Hopefully Garak’s plan would come through in the few hours they had…

The rest of the command team had walked into Julian and Dukat shouting. Garak was standing to the side with Mila looking up at him wonderingly.

“You’re claiming that Garak is the girl’s biological father? Just what sort of fool do you think I am?” Dukat roared. Julian did his best to put conviction into his words even as he saw how Garak wanted to reply to that last question.

“The tests clearly show a genetic match, and I’m going off the database you gave me, Dukat! What more do you want?”

“Clearly?! There’s no way Garak was on Bajor at the time, let alone sleeping with a Bajoran woman!”

“What is going on here.” The Commander’s voice was strained, dry and barely able to get above the sound of a whisper. Immediately Julian was relieved to see everyone was safe, but could only spare a moment.

“Commander-!”

“Commander Sisko! Finally back, just in time to settle a matter of great importance. Your officer has been trying to lie to me-”

Sisko raised a hand to silence him, and walked over to collapse into his chair. He let out a long sigh and closed his eyes before pointing at Julian. “Explain.”

Julian shot Dukat a side look before stepping forward. “The Gul here has expressed a desire to find Mila’s biological father as he has…legal rights to custody. I insisted the tests be done here so I could oversee them and be sure there were ah, no tampering involved, sir.”

Sisko opened his eyes and blinked once, but said nothing.

With an awkward cough, Julian continued, “After many hours going through the database…I found that the genetic match was…Garak, sir.” Slowly Sisko shifted his gaze to Garak, who gave the commander a wide grin.

“Are you the father of Mila, Mister Garak?”

“The correct Cardassian term is Yadik. And I did have a wild affair with a Bajoran housekeeper while I was working as a gardener for Pa’Dar. Unfortunately, after the attack that claimed Pa’Dar’s wife and believed son at the time, I too thought my dear had died with our young child. I spent ages in grief, and finally had to leave Bajor altogether.” Garak was putting on such a splendid show, even pulling Mila close that Julian had to bite the inside of his cheek. Garak smiled and shot a look to Dukat before ending with, “Then our dear Doctor found not only young Rugal, but wouldn’t you know it, my daughter as well? Of course, I wasn’t sure until Doctor Bashir did the tests but I’m rather grateful he did. And as her biological father, I see no problems in sharing custody with the good Doctor.”

Sisko stared at Garak for a long moment and Julian knew that he wasn’t buying this outlandish lie. However, he nodded and said, “Very well. Congratulations.”

Dukat exploded in outrage.

“You cannot possibly accept this- this obvious fallacy!” he shouted, and Sisko abruptly stood with a growl.

The commander’s eyes were wide and he looked about two seconds from rounding the table and throwing a punch. “I am tired, dehydrated, and I’d really like a shower right now. I do not have the patience to deal with you, Gul Dukat. So until you come back with solid evidence otherwise, I am going to accept Mister Garak’s claim of paternity. Am I clear?”

Dukat looked thunderous and his words came out between clenched teeth, “Crystal. Good day, Commander.”

Julian was just feeling the stress leave him and was giving Garak such a grateful look when Dukat stopped at the door and turned around with a wide grin that sent chills through him. “Oh! I just remembered. If Garak is claiming Mila as his family…that means she’ll share his fate. In exile. She will never be welcomed on Cardassia.”

With a chipper nod, Dukat finally left the office. Julian wondered for a moment, if they would come to regret this in the future. Garak certainly didn’t look happy, in fact he looked about ready to apologize, but Mila spoke before anyone else could. “This means I can stay home, right?”

Not able to hold back a smile, Julian scooped Mila up in a hug and held her close, “This means that there’s no way for them to take you away any more, yes.” Mila nodded seriously and then looked over Julian’s shoulders at the man who’d saved her.

“Does this mean I call you Yadik now?”

Garak gave her a fond smile, “It’d be best my dear, if in public you did refer to me as such.” When a cough sounded they turned their attention back to the Commander who was looking dog tired and exasperated as he leaned with both hands on his desk.

“I assume…you have a perfectly reasonable explanation for this.” When Julian opened his mouth to speak, Sisko raised a palm to stop him, “Some other time. Right now, I need your services doctor, and then I’d like to go to bed.”

Julian set Mila down, getting into work mode now that the danger had passed, “Yes sir. Garak, could you watch Mila while I-?”

“It’d be my pleasure, my dear Doctor. Ready to go, Mila?” Mila looked up at Garak with considering eyes, then nodded and raised a hand. Garak seemed mildly surprised by the action, but took her hand gently in his own.

“Ready to go, Yadik. Bye Daddy!” Julian couldn’t help the goofy smile on his face as he watched them exit Ops, even as he got to work scanning the Commander’s condition. Hopefully, this would be the last time someone would threaten to take Mila away from him.

#mila verse #Garashir #Gul Dukat #Julian Bashir #Mila Bashir #Elim Garak #rachaelizabet #my writing

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butterflyslinky · 8 years ago

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So I’ve been thinking a lot about Soulmate AUs in the Star Trek universe, specifically the type where your partner’s name is written on your wrist, and there are SO MANY POSSIBILITIES! (Ship-specific ideas below, not really organized. Feel free to add on.)

Children who are born with words on their wrists that they can’t understand and barely recognize as a language, children who are called to the stars to try and find their soulmate. They join Starfleet because, well, how else will they learn?

Jim Kirk has a Vulcan name on his wrist. As soon as he can, he learns EVERYTHING about Vulcans and their customs and formalities regarding soulmates. He learns the Vulcan language and prepares for that moment he will meet the one named “Spock.”

Of course, the moment Jim actually meets Spock--his first officer, his soulmate, the one person he’s looked for forever--he’s too nervous to actually say what’s expected of him and says something stupid like, “your ears are cute.”

And Spock is all, “Thank you, Captain. I believe we should discuss this later.”

Later, of course, Jim asks how Spock knew that, out of all the men named “James” he must have met in Starfleet, he was the right James?

And Spock’s answer is that part of a soulmate is having someone to challenge you, so you can both grow, and what better challenge to a perfect Vulcan poise and intelligence than God’s perfect idiot?

(Jim is slightly offended and asks why, if the point is to have a challenge, isn’t McCoy Spock’s soulmate? Spock raises his eyebrows and says, “It’s supposed to be a challenge, not a war.”)

There’s a bonded trio on the Enterprise. It’s rare, but not unheard of. Jim merely shakes his head and allows Chekov, Sulu and Uhura to arrange their quarters however it makes them happy.

Some people are born without words. Some of them are unbonded, but others hold out hope that their soulmate merely comes from a culture without written language or individual names. They also go to the stars, hoping to find their match.

Geordi LeForge is confused because his wrist only reads “DATA.” He assumes that means his true love is science, or that his match will be an alien with very rough translations. He’s shocked when he meets an android, unmarked, unbound, but Geordi knows that this is his match.

Data is confounded, because he’s unmarked, Dr. Soong wouldn’t have thought to give him a soulmark because he’s an android, he shouldn’t have a soulmate, but he does, and since he has a soulmate, that must mean he has a soul.

And Geordi is having a crisis, unsure how a man’s soul can be bound to a machine, even a sentient one like Data. He doesn’t get an answer until years later, when he meets an aging Montgomery Scott.

Scotty may not know much about new technology, but he knows the look of a man who doesn’t know how his soul is supposed to be bound, so he shows Geordi the word on his wrist: “Enterprise.”

And Geordi learns that some people are born with the names of ships on their wrists, people who are pulled to the stars even more strongly than those with alien words. He asks Dr. Crusher about it later, and she confirms it.

And then she tells Geordi that part of the reason she accepted the Enterprise assignment was because of her son--Wesley was also born with the word “Enterprise” on his wrist, and who is Beverly to deny her son his true love?

She adamantly refuses to tell Geordi what’s on her wrist. She isn’t going to admit that she left the name on her wrist aside to marry someone else.

Picard never confronts her. He knows better--he’s seen Riker try to confront Troi before and it hasn’t ended well, though they are getting better.

Julian Bashir was born with a language on his wrist that he doesn’t recognize. No one recognizes it. He does what every child in his situation does--he goes to Starfleet, hoping to find the answer.

It isn’t until he’s almost finished at the Academy that anyone even recognizes the language as Kardassi. Julian isn’t dismayed--he has no grudge against the Cardassians, particularly.

It isn’t until he arrives at Deep Space Nine that he can have the computer read the word as “Elim.” He spends the next few years waiting for someone named Elim to arrive in his life.

Garak knew all along, of course. Very few Cardassians have non-Cardassian soulmates, and he reads Federation Standard perfectly. He knows that Julian is for him, but he says nothing. He can’t face that.

It isn’t until Garak is dying that Julian even hears anyone say the word “Elim.” He thinks at first his soulmate is dead, or still on Cardassia. It’s not until Julian, bent on saving his patience, goes to Cardassia alone that he finds out Garak was lying and was made for him all along.

(Of course, deep down, Julian knew that Garak was his soulmate. He wouldn’t have risked an interplanetary incident for any other patient, but that’s beside the point.)

Once Julian gets back, knowing that Garak’s name is Elim, he pulls back Garak’s sleeve and sees the word Julian there. He waits to confront Garak until he’s well, but he does, as soon as he can.

And Garak explains that very few Cardassians are bound to outsiders, that having a Federation name on his wrist was not helpful at his trial, that being with Julian seemed impossible until now and even when they met, he didn’t dare hope.

And Julian tells him that’s ridiculous and they are meant to be, in whatever way Garak wants. And Garak slowly accepts that.

(It’s still frustrating how Garak doesn’t tell the truth, even now, but Julian knows that’s just part of being bound to someone like him.)

Kira always hated her mark. It was in Kardassi, and she couldn’t stand the thought of being with a Cardassian.

She never asks the computer to read her mark because she doesn’t want to know. She doesn’t want to find her soulmate, because then she’ll have to face the reality of being bound to someone who oppressed her people for years.

It isn’t until much later, when she can’t stand it anymore, when she’s met Cardassians who are honorable and seen Julian and Garak make it work, that she finally asks for a translation.

Once she knows it says “Odo,” she’s shocked. Her name isn’t on his wrist--his form changes too much, his species can’t have marks. But they realize, of course they’re bound. Odo is different from the other Changelings. Odo can be with her.

And Trills? OMG Trills.

Romantic connections aren’t maintained. Crimes and promises and debts aren’t saved between Symbiots.

But soulmarks are.

Only unbound Trills are considered for Joining, because part of the Joining is the formation of a word on the host’s wrist.

Jadzia had no soulmate. As soon as she’s bound to Dax, a word forms on her wrist--Benjamin.

It’s not romantic or sexual, but it’s a bond. Sisko and Dax have a laugh about it, and live their independent lives, but they know they can turn to each other and understand each other, and that’s all that matters.

Basically, I have a lot of thoughts on this and would love to hear more

#star trek #soulmate au #tos #next gen #ds9 #fanfic meta

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sleepymarmot · 8 years ago

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DS9 season 2 liveblog

[Season index: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 PS]

The Homecoming

They're opening the season with a three-parter about Bajoran-Cardassian problems, and Dukat will show up right in the first episode? The writers are not wasting time...

Sisko's unusually cheerful.

Again, I'm amazed at this new heroic O'Brien who is so unlike the background character I've watched press buttons for years.

One does not simply walk into a Cardassian camp! Unless you're these two.

This is completely crazy! What'll stop the Cardassians from destroying their ship?

Just as I was going to say "Why not beam the wounded right from the runabout?", they actually do so -- but just after exiting it. Is there any in-universe reason behind it, or just the ease of fiming?

Why is Dukat being so friendly? Maybe he has spies among the freed Bajorans? If so, it better not be Li Nalas himself...

Bashir you're embarrassing yourself -_-

Quark, why are you always such an ass to your brother? Is that really necessary?

Poor guy.

Oooookay?? The previous scene made me completely trust him, but now my suspicions are stronger than ever. He's replacing Kira? Seriously? That has got to be someone's plan.

Well, this episode was meaty. And it really seems like the show is finding its feet -- unlike Duet, this episode didn't remind me of the other series and feels uniquely DS9.

The Circle

Aw, Odo's being a good friend! I don't remember him ever becoming so agitated before.

Vedek Winn as guest star? *grinds teeth in advance*

what a mess... I don't know if it's funny or sad. What a contrast to Data's friendly, nice and organized goodbye party :D

"These are my... these are my friends"

Do the Prophets really need to show her this sexy crap? Also, I'm too faceblind, is the guy in the vision the freedom fighter or the priest?

Odo and Quark!

I don't understand, which of these two is trying to convince the other to support them? And I don't like how blatantly evil they act.

AUGHHHH NOT A STUPID STARFLEET ADMIRAL AND THE PRIME DIRECTIVE!!!!! NO!!!!!!!!! GET THIS CRAP AWAY FROM ME!

(Seriously though, you say "Prime Directive", I hear "stupid bureaucratic crap that gets in the way of doing the obviously right thing". Either retire it or write it better, dammit!)

The Siege

Okay, I might change my mind by the end of the episode, but this might be the strongest of the multi-episode stories so far.

Aww Nog

"The Cardies" haha

Ugh, don't do the "wife asks husband not to be a hero" thing

The freedom fighter becomes a leader for real!

Sisko and Bashir turn and walk away in sync lol

"Is that a spider or a dog?"

Please stop ruining your engaging story with scenes about cartoonish villains...

I've... actually completely forgotten that O'Brien had been in the Cardassian war until this very moment. That's probably why he has been so opinionated, not just because of Picard.

That's it? Kinda underwhelming.

Ugh, killing Li Nalas? I didn't expect this show to cling so hard to status quo...

The first episode was the most impactful, but the entire story is still very impressive, epic and engaging!

Invasive Procedures

End of previous episode: Everyone happily returns after evacuation! Beginning of this episode: The station has been evacuated

Quark and Odo: *bicker* O'Brien: Ughhhh get a room already

Previous episodes: main characters defeat the forces of the entire Bajor This episode: DS9 is easily hijiacked by a handful of mercs & amateurs

That's an impressive "As you know" speech, Dax

When will poor Jadzia get an episode that's not about her being victimized and quietly accepting death?

Yes, I get it, the entire thing is just a plot device to show us Dax without Jadzia (and hopefully, Jadzia without Dax, if she'll be awake for it?), get on with it please

I hope the second half of the episode is about Dax working against the antagonist literally from the inside

Well, it's pretty disappointing that Dax by themself has so little personality and moral compass. I guess Sisko was all this time really friends with just Curzon and Jadzia, not Dax. Honestly, it's easier to forgive Quark (who sort of redeemed himself with an amusing scene) than Dax after this episode.

I was planning to go to bed after this one, but hell, I need to wash down this nonsense

Cardassians

I see Bashir has gained a lot of confidence since Past Prologue

"I am no more a spy than you are--" "A doctor"

I guess not everyone is fine with strangers touching them haha

"To us, he isn't even one of them any more" uh.....

"They won't hurt you. They're humans, they're not Cardassians" jfc...

"Don't apologize. It's been the high point of my day. DON'T DO IT AGAIN."

(Sisko seems to chew out Bashir more often than others. Is Bashir just the most undisciplined?)

Oh, here we go, O'Brien's anti-Cardassian racism again, makes sense for it to be in this episode

Poor Keiko, she's trying so hard

Miles is getting over himself! I'm proud of him

Bashir is learning to yell at people! Two episodes in a row now.

Um, Miles, I don't think it's a great idea to tell these things to the boy's father...

Dukat's neck scared me. is that normal

GOD IT'S EVEN WEIRDER FROM THE FRONT why am I so bothered by this lmao. honestly was their casting requirement "not only be able to look ominous without actually doing anything, but to have an extremely long neck so we could sculpt interesting things around it"? i'm sorry i'm gonna shut up about this now

Garak if you hold that satisfied smile for some time more you're going to turn into a child-drawn picture of a sun

I love that Dukat doesn't even bother to finish the conversation, he just turns around and leaves without a word the moment it becomes clear that he lost

Ugh, poor boy... What a choice. Abusive family he loves and considers his own or the planet of strangers from an unfamiliar culture he hates, both claiming to love him and expecting him to identify with them? Even if they didn't tell who took him in the end -- he gets a bad deal either way.

it's much more easier to take Garak seriously when he's not dressed like a grandma who stopped giving a fuck 20 years ago. that's probably why he does dress like this, though... but shouldn't that hurt his reputation as a tailor?

This episode was awesome! Exploration of social issues, family drama, political intrigue -- all tightly wound together and making perfect sense. So far the Cardassian stories are the highlight of the show, I hope it's going to stay this way.

It's really weird how Bashir changed between seasons. He hasn't gotten a lot of screentime apart from this episode, but he seems less naive, awkward and bouncy, he's grown more confident, and the crush on Jadzia has disappeared without a trace. Tbh I'm kind of disappointed -- I was expecting a smoother character arc that would let him grow before our eyes and phase out his immature traits one by one. Same goes for his relationship with Garak -- we've only seen their meeting and now they act like besties, how did they get here?

No, wait, let me get back to the plot of the episode. So Dukat had a politician's child kindapped just in case that politician becomes his opponent at some indefinite point in the future, so that he could go through another complicated scheme to humiliate him? Had he absolutely nothing better to do?!! Did he arrange something like this for everyone who could ever possibly cross him?

Melora

Um, Julian, that sounded a bit too much like Geordi's style of creepy almost-stalking...

Wait, Melora is Grace Holloway? :D I didn't recognize her until the familiar name appeared on screen.

She complains about being treated differently and about following the same rules as everyone else in the same breath. Did the writers make her hypocritical on purpose?

Why is he doing this? Is he actually interested in her as a woman? Does he want to help her acclimatize? Or to put her in her place?

Okay, the low gravity scene is pretty cute even if it doesn't make much sense

Daphne Ashbrook in all your fandoms, kissing all of your pretty Doctors

so far it seems like in season 2 the good episodes are better than in season 1, but the mediocre ones are worse

god, the writing and design are so bad, I don't want to list everything that doesn't make sense to me, let's just move on

Rules of Acquisition

I was tired but the plot twist woke me up!!

Dax is so sweet

Poor Pel :( Shitty Ferengi values win again I guess

Well, I'm glad he took a stand after all. And that they kissed. HELP I'M HAVING FEELINGS ABOUT FERENGI ROMANCE

Necessary Evil

Aw, Sisko called Rom "a family friend"

...so do Odo and Sisko perform the bad cop-good cop routine often?

yoo a flashback! I was wondering how Dukat was going to fit into this

"Cardassian neck trick" I... think I've already said enough on the subject lol

First meetings!

First meetingS!

I was distracted for some reason and didn't appreciate this episode enough :/ But it was very good!

Second Sight

Yikes Sisko don't embarrass yourself

"She's a married woman" "That would have never stopped Curzon" ew

ah I've missed the starship uniforms

what a boring episode. can we stop with the love interests of the week, please? I don't understand why the writers are suddenly forcing them so hard this season, and watching three of these in one day has turned my brain into soup. okay, Rules of Acquisition worked, but Melora and this episode were terrible!

(only pros: gorgeous woman, gorgeous dress)

Sanctuary

What was even the point of the universal translator not working for a while? This had nothing to do with the story, and the only thing it did was to remind the viewer how implausible the entire concept is.

Second mention of the Dominion -- I guess we'll meet them in the season finale?

Yep, I'd be surprised if the promised land didn't turn out to be Bajor

Bajoran Leia!

Wait, why is famine a problem? Why can't the Federation just provide Bajor with replicators? Prime Directive again? I mean, they almost seem to want me to ask this question by cutting right to refugees in front of a food replicator.

Why are they so attached to the idea it MUST be Bajor? Ugh, I hate these stories.

Rivals

Are you implying that El-Aurians have supernatural abilities and all this time people confided in Guinan not because she's charming and wise but because she mind-controlled them?

Julian is a NERD and Miles is regretting all of his life choices that led to this point

(Gosh, I didn't realize how much I've missed scenes where the main characters just hang out together off-duty)

8 minutes into the episode and I still have no idea what it's about

Are you saying that O'Brien and Bashir's tennis rivalry is legitimately the B-plot because I'm really into it

"Not in this space-time continuum you won't"

oh my goooood

wait a sec, the listener is only figuring it out NOW?! h o w

finally, a really fun silly episode!

The Alternate

Wait, so when Odo is in humanoid form, does he see and hear like us, or "percieve" like in liquid form? Does he have 360 degree vision?

Put it back! This is either a defense mechanism or the environment needs this column to function for some reason; beam it back down

So Bashir's crush on Dax isn't dead? We haven't seen it for so long, I thought it was over. But why is he monologuing? that's just bad writing.

plot twist! D:

god, this doctor is so creepy with his Measure of the Man reenaction

poor Odo is literally having a meltdown :(

Armageddon Game

Another O'Brien and Bashir episode, nice!

Poor Keiko

Bashir's speech about wife and children at home is weirdly sexist, especially since the previous episode re-established his interest in Dax, and his previous romantic involvement this season was a fellow Stafleet officer too -- he should have the opposite problem (which was already discussed in "Melora")!

aw Quark, you don't have to hide behind the Rules of Acquisition to admit you care

Whispers

Everyone around seemed to be acting like he smells bad, does this mean that's actually true?

"It's not doctors I have a problem with, it's--" "You, Julian"

jfc Miles, she's your wife, you should try to talk at least to her

Quark can't name a rule of acquisition by number? alright, for the first time in the episode I believe someone is fake

O'Brien is a badass

Are they absolutely sure the dead one is the clone and the real one takes his place, not the other way around? That was an awfully convenient excuse to shoot a Starfleet officer point blank without anyone asking questions...

Poor communication kills. At first it seems like something is wrong with O'Brien, but since people refuse to talk to him about it, he becomes convinced literally everyone else is conspiring against him -- and turns out, no, the problem was with him after all! And then they kill him off for no reason just to maintain status quo and avoid the Thomas Riker situation. They could have told him at literally any point instead of being so stupidly vague, but no, gotta keep the plot moving for 45 minutes! Before they found the real O'Brien they could have arrested the clone and told him everything, I'm sure O'Brien would understand; and after they rescued the real one, they could have just transmitted the image, if they're so averse to words. And after acting so stupid, as a final insult the other characters keep talking over their poor dying friend in third person like complete jerks. The episode is great... until that ending. Which just doubles my frustration, because it's one thing when a story is mediocre to begin with, but it really sucks when a wonderful episode is ruined by shitty conclusion.

Paradise

Yes, yes, I get it, this woman would do anything to keep this way of life and probably sabotaged the technology in the first place

What's wrong with replicated food? I hate this stupid trope

did she send the runabout away too?

what the FUCK

look, it might be useful social commentary to depict these rhetoric and tactics, but watching it is still torturous

it adds another level of creepiness that all this shit is done to a black protagonist -- was it intentional?

she's a more proficient torturer than the guy from Chain of Command

this woman is one of the most horrifying antagonists in all Star Trek. she actually believes all this shit

the engineer is supporting her? they all want to stay? for fuck's sake. she made them all see five lights

well. if the writers wanted to upset me, they succeeded

Shadowplay

"How fascinating" :D

"Women don't react to me in that manner" What about Lwaxana, then?

"After seven lifetimes, the impersonal questions aren't much fun anymore"

Yeah, why does a 15 year old need a job?!

The local guy is surprised at Odo beaming up and back down, like he's never seen anything like this before, and two minutes later says he has scanned for transporter activity

I like how the Prime Directive isn't even mentioned :D Or is it a human colony? But isn't this the Gamma Quadrant?

"You want me to spy on Quark for you?" so excited, bless him :D

backstory for that one time Miles played cello on TNG!

I'm glad these villagers are not as conservative and stubborn as people from the previous episode

I am reminded how much more modern DS9's storytelling is than TNG's every time they namedrop the Dominion -- like Doctor Who did ten years later with Bad Wolf, Torchwood etc

I knew he'd transform for the little girl eventually :') Odo reminded me of Data more than usual this time because of the friendship with a child and the episode's general similarity to Thine Own Self. But while Data gets along with kids partially thanks to his own childish (in a good way) qualities, Odo is more like a grumpy but caring grandpa -- I'd even say there's some First Doctor vibe.

(I'm a bit disappointed the episode didn't follow up on that promise of "Bashir practicing his purely theoretical spying skillz on Quark for Kira", because that sounds absolutely hilarious)

Playing God

Fun-loving cool senpai Jadzia is amazing

Interesting that Jadzia doesn't identify with Curzon at all in this case, despite presumably remembering their interaction from his point of view too

I didn't really understand how they solved the problem but I don't care

This is my favourite Jadzia episode so far. She finally got to show agency, have some fun, show off her professional skills, and explore her own identity (instead of standing around silently while other people explore it). And I love how other characters' scenes are vivid despite shortness: Quark playing tongo with Jadzia and giving well-intentioned if unhelpful advice to the initiate; Bashir's friendship with Jadzia and O'Brien; O'Brien calling across the border about his pest problem; Odo, Kira and Sisko's different approaches to the ethical dilemma.

Profit and Loss

Yesss! Cardassians!

Ooh Quark has romantic history with the pretty Cardassian woman?! This is getting better and better

A scene between Garak and Quark! is it my birthday?

"Personally, I find this style to be a bit too radical. But your friend seems the sort who appreciates that kind of thing" Does he know everything and everyone?! Though come to think of it, this shouldn't have surprised me at all -- even regardless of special channels Garak may use, these dissidents might be well-known to the point that their info is freely available on something like stateenemies.gov.car/wanted

I love how he casually rips an expensive dress to make his point

Passionate lover Quark is so strange to see

Odo's good at playing hard to get

lmao I've waited so long for someone to finally to hug Odo and... :D I do also love his relationship with Quark but I never expected these two things to intersect :D

so, did Garak change his mind on the fly or was he just stalling until that guy comes and can be disposed of?

alright, I amend my previous statement about one-episode love interests: Quark is allowed to have them, if all women who fall for him continue to be this awesome

Blood Oath

What, the holosuites have no sound isolation?! If so, who would ever use them for anything more... private than a recreation of a famous battle?

These Klingons have strange hair

It's so nice to see a young, human-looking woman as an equal to three old Klingons

ah bat'leth fighting, I didn't realize how I've missed it

-- and that young, human-looking woman is more of an old-fashioned honorable Klingon than the rest of them

what an outfit

I'm glad the Klingon interpreted her hesitation so favorably

*reads TVTropes* Wait, all these three are from TOS?! Damn... I could barely tell them apart. I really liked the episode, but turns out I didn't appreciate it nearly enough. Time for a little TOS rewatch?

The Maquis 1

What does the word Nor mean? Terok Nor, Bok'Nor...

The Vulcan woman looks great; nice dress.

"Jake-o" aww

Do Cardassians have a thing for showing up right in your quarters unexpectedly?

"We'll need one of your runabouts" "Where are we going?" Nice one, Sisko

"So you turn off my controls so I don't have enough light to take my photograph?" :D

"Education is power. Joy is vulnerability" Dukat is being very quotable today?

"Of all the humans I've met you strike me as the most joyless and the least vulnerable" "I am when I'm with you"

Honestly it's as if they are writing Sisko and Dukat's interactions for me personally

I like how the Vulcan is taking Quark's courtship at face value

Wait, is Gul Evek that reasonable guy from Journey's End?

I'm starting to understand Preemptive Strike better -- so it all took place in the demilitarized zone? That makes sense. (How did I miss that?)

"I was looking forward to showing you more ways to mix business with pleasure" "Perhaps in the future. I do find you... intriguing, Quark" im screaming hooly shit I'd never have guessed that Quark of all people would be the chick magnet #1 on this station?? how did he manage to meet a woman this line would actually work on

good shit good shit

The Maquis 2

Sisko gives a show-defining speech!

"Vulcans are a species that appreciate good ears"

something tells me Dukat wasn't the one supplying weapons and the Central Command is trying to kill two birds with one stone -- oh look, this lie was so obvious that for once the characters saw through it right away too

"The Central Command wants him dead. That's reason enough for us to want him alive"

Interesting, Dukat suddenly started acting in a theatrical manner I've only seen in Garak before. Some Cardassian cultural thing?

Haha, I didn't even realize where Sisko was leading the conversation! He's excellent in this story

"With that kind of firepower, the Bajorans could have launched a full-scale assault on Cardassia" "And lost"

Damn, Dukat really has his Intimidate skill maxed out! Sisko fails the Paragon check, Dukat passes the Renegade check.

Finally we see someone explain to a Vulcan why they're being illogical instead of making some bullshit reference to emotion. I love you Quark

the only bad thing about this two-parter is that it kinda made me like the Totalitarian Lizard Man a bit too much??? how dare you. let me go back to my wholesome crushes on Bashir and Jadzia before I start stanning or something

oh, and also I hoped this episode would make the Maquis more sympathetic so I could feel better about Ro Laren leaving Stafleet for them... nnnot much.

The Wire

What a great episode!! I wasn't liveblogging at all because it was too intense. I don't even feel the need to comment on drama or character development -- the story and acting speak for themselves.

Alright, how the hell did Bashir reach Tain? How does one get the home address of the former head of secret service of a foreign empire?! And how did Bashir manage to convince Sisko to authorize this stunt and give him the runabout -- or did he steal it?

The "Elim" reveal isn't really a surprise after you've spent some time near a fandom where people tag characters by full name...

What interests me now: is Garak going to act differently now that he's not keeping himself drugged? Will he go through withdrawal? In the final scene he pretends everything is Back To Normal, but... Or was the table-flipping scene the extent of his withdrawal symptoms?

Another disjointed thought: this is a wonderful example of a satisfying hurt/comfort story

Star Trek has some amazingly intense dramas for two actors. The Most Toys, Chain of Command, Duet... This one is different because in order to bring the two characters together and at the same time isolate them from the rest of the world, instead of captivity it uses doctor-patient relationship. Oh, another story from a different fandom it reminds me of, now that I think of it: Scherzo.

Crossover

Lmao it's nice that even after leveling up at unstoppable determination and compassionate badassery in the previous episode, Bashir still can be a ridiculous dork

...though it is pretty jarring that right after a high drama where he shows his capacity for patience and caring, and greatly deepens his relationship with someone, the next episode opens with the awkwardest attempt at befriending (and flirting?)

I didn't expect Garak to appear in two episodes in a row!

Why is Mirror Kira walking like this...

I started laughing at "I don't have a designation, sir" because my mind immediately went to "There's no need to call me sir, professor"

Female Cardassian guard! And Kira called herself attractive, heh.

Mirror Quark is dressed so poorly...

Okay, Mirror Kira definitely wants to fuck herself -- wait, that's actually canon? Do all evil Kiras hit on women? I wish they'd let our Kira do that too. I know it was written in the nineties, but I really don't appreciate the "evil=bi" trope

Well this was pretty weak. The only mirror character who works well, i.e. exposes the real character's darker side, is Odo. Kira looks just weak and hysterical. (Remember how I complained about her acting in the pilot?) Mirror Garak is actually less intimidating than our Garak.

The Collaborator

Can't say I'm very excited to see Vedek Bareil again. I liked him in his first episode for ideological reasons, but this romance...

Oh no, the Sydney Opera Hat is on the Promenade again? Is she planning another assassination?

"Welcome back. You're under arrest"

The episode was not engaging to watch, but I enjoyed the Grey Morality (tm).

Tribunal

These Cardassians have lost all shame, what do they think they're doing

Evek again, and I think another familiar face?

Yiiikes

Here comes the good cop

I'm glad they're not spending an entire episode on a Chain of Command remake.

Not telling the accused what they're charged with: a deliberate ploy to mess with their mind, or do the Cardassians not even bother to think about these things anymore?

Huh, Odo had a Cardassian rank that's still valid? That's useful.

Alright, but wasn't O'Brien still declared guilty? So the scheme to discredit the Federation worked?

Also, a missing molar isn't good evidence. Maybe it means that man was just captured and processed by the Cardassians, like O'Brien. And why would a spy alter his appearance but forget about this? You'd think humans and Cardassians have different enough teeth that he'd have to get dental implants anyway.

I found one good thing about the Cardassian "court"! The judge has fabulous hair.

The Jem'Hadar

Jake!

"I bet we'll have a great time!" "I know we will" Please don't say things like this in the opening scene of a season finale...

Aw poor Sisko :D

"Guess" "He said yes" "Guess again"

Aw Quark needs a hug

Aww kids

Aww Odo cares about Quark

"If the Dominion comes through the wormhole, the first battle will be fought here, and I intend to be ready for them." Well. That's a chilling line to end the season on.

As much as I like it when the Federation arrogance is called out, Quark's speech just doesn't work. "The way I see it, humans used to be a lot like Ferengi. Greedy, acquisitive, interested only in profit. We're a constant reminder of a part of your past you'd like to forget." Well, yeah! That was basically the original concept for their species! "Humans used to be a lot worse than the Ferengi" -- so what? 24th century humans are disgusted by the atrocities of their ancestors, so why can't they also be disgusted by the exact same things perpetuated by their contemporaries? Domestic abuse and sexism are wrong, no matter who does it. Note how this entire speech sidesteps the violent misogyny, aka the Ferengi's most obvious appaling trait. This is like saying "Don't judge the Cardassian state for being totalitarian! That's just their culture, you don't understand!"

General impressions

Bashir and Jadzia finally got some character development!

I live for Cardassian episodes. It's fascinating to see a dystopia in the universe that started as a utopia, and see how characters from both sides deal with each other.

(Random thought: I want an AU episode like "Crossover" where another universe/timeline's Cardassia is a free state, and for a Cardassian viewpoint character our world is a nightmare scenario just like the Mirror Universe is for our heroes.)

I don't loathe Winn as much as I did in the first season finale. That makes her kind of underwhelming as a recurring antagonist. On the other hand, that might be a good thing, because getting so angry repeatedly couldn't have been good for my health. But because they're represented mainly by the hateful-but-not-enough Winn and the bland Bareil, the Bajoran affairs are usually not as gripping as the Cardassian. I hope to see more of their secular politics next season.

First season was very even; second has two irredeemably clumsy stories (Melora and Second Sight), but a growing number of outstanding ones, too.

First season was already an improvement over TNG in terms of serialization, and this one is better. Both multi-part stories are brilliant, too. I hope this trend continues.

A noticeable weakness in the first season was the mundanity of the Gamma Quadrant. No sense of wonder, no noticeably stranger aliens. The introduction of the Dominion and their overwhelming threat partially rectified that problem, bringing back some of the feeling from "Q Who". Yes, setting foot in a far corner of the galaxy should be awesome in both senses of the word, and lead the previously unimaginable dangers right back to your home.

The costume design has visibly improved in this season!

#star trek #ds9 #blah blah blah #if read more doesn't work for you i'm really really sorry #actually i just finished s3 so rereading this liveblog was amusing

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