#it wouldn't be easy for her to aim a gun precisely

[hephaestuscrew]

In Ep45 Desperate Measures, Minkowski really needs the SI-5 (particularly Jacobi) to believe that she will shoot Maxwell if they don't back down. In that particular situation, she's desperate to be seen as unafraid and ruthless. If she can convince the SI-5 that she is willing to kill Maxwell, she can avoid having to find out whether she is. Only by giving the impression of being relaxed about violence can she avoid having to commit it.

But her hands betray her. As Minkowski points the gun, Maxwell notices how "her hands are shaking. A lot." Minkowski can't hide that sign of how on edge she is, no matter how much she might want to. Maxwell tells this to Jacobi with a little laugh, giving it as evidence for her certainty that Minkowski won't kill her. Jacobi believes Maxwell's assessment of the situation, but her assumptions are wrong; Minkowski fires that gun with her trembling hands. She's not the sort of person who can kill with steady hands, ruthless and unafraid. But she can still kill.

Later, in Ep53 Dirty Work, Minkowski claims "even in that moment, I didn't mean to do it... the noise. The explosion. It was a reflex. I think it was." I don't entirely believe this explanation of the incident, but I do think there is probably some element of instinctive motion involved when Minkowski pulls that trigger. In which case - contrary to Maxwell's assumptions - the lack of calm suggested by Minkowski's shaking hands could have actually contributed to her shooting Maxwell. If her hands are shaking, her reflexes are probably tensed, and her finger is trembling on the trigger, which just needs one small movement to fire...

[dxsole]

@americanzealot | Cont. from X

She looked like some blast from the past on the screen— it could have been a still from Weird Science if you weren't paying attention. And humans rarely paid attention. If they paid more attention, they probably wouldn't have to look at Google every five seconds to answer the most asinine questions.

Even these jokers, with their guns and their threats, wouldn't be able to fathom what was about to happen.

Electromagnetic waves could be deadly if utilized correctly. It's like being stuffed in a microwave— the victim immediately feels hot, like their blood's boiling beneath their skin. Any metal attached to them— rings, earrings, guns— it all heats up even faster, burning and fusing to the skin. They end up clawing at their burns while their brain cooks in their skull, making them confused, scared, in pain, and disoriented all at once.

And that's just in theory.

In Beatrix's case, it was much more than a theory. And she could switch the dial up to eleven.

She twirled and danced in the screen as brain matter spattered everywhere, the sound of static and screams acting as her symphony. "Oh Jimmy doll," Beatrix cooed, still twirling and swaying as her music went from screams to a more familiar tune. "I have precision aim— you wouldn't have been hurt."

Although, she could just miss whenever she wanted, couldn't she? Luckily for Jimmy, she's not at full power yet and still needed some help getting around. "That's not how cannibalism works, silly!" She pauses to shuffle through her files. "Negative effects of cannibalism may include the increased risk of pathogen transmission as the encounter rate of hosts increases. Some examples of diseases transmitted by cannibalism in mammals include Kuru, which is a prion disease that degenerates the brain. It is a cerebellar dysfunctional disease that has symptoms including a broad-based gait and decreased motor activity control—"

She violently shakes her head to reset herself. "See? Just spit it out an' you'll be right as rain!" And while Jimmy might be having an existential crisis after being faced with exploding heads and microwaved bodies, Beatrix is having a wonderful time. "Jimmy doll, things are easy. You all just make it so, so difficult!" She shrugs, flashes of humanity flickering behind her head as the soft ballad continued to play. It looked like B-roll from a war on drugs documentary. Frizzled. Gritty. The contrast so sharp it's hard to tell what's human or not. What's alive or not.

"You've always made it difficult. That's why you've always needed someone like me." Arms are raised, Beatrix looking positively peachy as the background continues to taunt him. "I can make it all better. Because, unlike you lot, I'm perfect."

[caesthetix]

KIDS IN LOVE — Pt. 2 Second Chances

↪Porco Galliard mini-series

↪content; canon universe, description of violence, unrequited love, admiring from afar, season 4 spoiler, manga spoiler 127

"I know I once told you that no one will save you at war."

You seared the blade to a tree, chopping down some of the branches with precise cut, wanting to get used to the feeling that was still so foreign to you. Days ago, the only sharp equipment that you ever used was just a chef's knife.

"But, I will."

Who would have thought that now, both of your hands were occupied with the Eldian Military's gear? Two pairs of steel blades, with the first purpose, were used to kill titans, now could be used to kill humans too.

"And what makes you change your mind, eh, Pock?"

Just like cutting down meat, you knew how it was to use knives, stabbing another human with it or seared it deep within a titan's nape would be easy. Like cutting open a bread, yes, just think of it that way.

"Hmm? You tell me, kid."

Using the blades was one thing, but getting used to the manoeuvre gear was something else indeed. You felt like throwing up at some of your first tries, but you kept reminding yourself of your goal.

"Maybe because now, you are worth saving for."

"Fuck!" You cursed as you kept practising, didn't back down even though your hands were now bruised with how much you held the blade. Mikasa, one of the Survey Corps was kind enough to give you some pointers. Of course after Hange told them how you pleaded to be a part of their mission.

"But promise me here, (Y/n)."

You couldn't back down without a fight, and being in a military branch got you some skills. Including hand-to-hand combat and gun use. But you needed more than that, you had to be stronger. You needed to fulfill a promise that you made a few months back.

"No matter what happened, I want you to keep that mindless dream of yours."

"That's enough for now, (Y/n)."

You landed on the branch not too far from where you flew through before. Letting out a sigh, you were sure that you still had a lot of energy to spare. You needed to be more than this, if you were going to survive in this world, you had to be like them. "Your blades started to get dull, that's enough."

Looking down your hand, you examined the hard steel, finding a lot of pitted metal along the edge of the blade. You frowned, the downside of practising was of course another loss for the supplies. But the commander was kind enough to let you stay with them, and even command the others to teach you to fight.

"I am sorry." You turned to face Mikasa before you sheathed your blades. Even though it started to get dull, you could still use it to practice your hand movement later on. Getting down from the branch, you hopped down in front of the ravenette who gave you a firm nod.

"There's nothing to be sorry for." Her voice was calm as she dismissed your apology. "I am certain there are enough supplies for all of us." She gave you a small smile and a pat on the shoulder before beckoning you to follow her.

Today, you were going to meet other people that would join the team. There were only eight people in your group right now; seven from the survey corps, including Annie, and then the misfit, you. And if they wanted to have more chance in succeeding this, it would need more than this suicidal group.

Your gaze fleeted towards the ravenette as you flew a few feet behind her. You felt warm in your heart as you realised how she started to treat you like a comrade. With a few reassurance smiles, small pat on the back and shoulder, it felt like this was a place where you belong.

She was intimidating before. You remembered how the survey corps eyed you with caution as you walked behind Hange a few days ago, with Jean and Mikasa trailing behind to keep an eye on you. You were not going to blame them over that, your people had put so much misery to those demons in Paradis after all.

But as you gave them a perfect salute, proving them that you were not going to be a deadweight, that you would put your life on the line to fight alongside them — slowly, they started to see you as more than a hopeless chef from Marley.

From a little kid to a military chef, now a soldier.

Not even your past self would believe that.

"Come on, you can punch me harder than that!"

Porco roared as he swung his fist on your ribcage. You gasp and cough with the impact that you just received, cursing under your breath as you got pushed to the ground by the force, face planted to the dirty ground.

"Porco that's enough!" Colt was eyeing the sparring with worry. From how you and the jaw titan inheritor interacted, it sure looked like the two of you were trying to kill each other. "For God's sake, you are too much!"

"I am fine!" You gritted your teeth, trying to stand up with your already trembled arms and legs. This was nothing, if you were going to be in a war, a mere bruise on your body was nothing. "I am fine, Colt. Don't worry." And you finally stood up, perfecting your stance once again with your eyes locked to your opponent.

Your old friend was smirking by now, a little bit sadistic, yet you could see a glint of pride dancing inside his grey eyes.

"There you go, kid." He chuckled, spitting some blood that occurred from your punch on his jaw before. "Now go on, try to—"

"I am not a kid!" You charged, a lot faster and pliant as you punched his face once again. He did not expect that, and you surely wouldn't think that he would be stumbling backward from your punch.

It felt like everything happened in slow motion as he fell to the ground, cursing and muttering how you were getting good in this. Your mouth gaped with awe from your own force. "Holy shit, I did that." You laugh, a little mocking as you see Porco still laid on the ground, as if processing the fact that he was knocked down by you. "Colt, I did that!"

"You did that!" Colt piped up and raised his arms to cheer at you, hyping the little victory while ignoring the glare that he received from his fellow warrior. "You smacked him down with your power!"

"Oh, shut up." Porco could only groan as he sat up, glaring daggers at you from being so full of yourself for just a punch.

You just continued to laugh and shout with Colt, just like a kid you were. It didn't surprise anyone that you would be so close with him with how similar your personality was. Porco wanted to snarl at you, or maybe challenging you to another round.

Yet he couldn't help but smile as he saw your face written with so much pride.

And he thanked God that you didn't focus on him at the moment.

"Stop." Mikasa settled down on one of the branches with you following right after. The two of you were hidden from plain sight, your eyes followed where she landed her gaze, black orbs observed like a hawk. "They are here."

Your pupils dilated as you saw the new ally. You knew who they were, and you were pretty sure that your new comrade had made an acquaintance with them from the infiltration in Marley and the attack a few days ago.

The ravenette eyeing you, trying to understand what was happening in your eyes. She waited for you to do something, perhaps rushing to them from your longing of home.

But you stayed still, calm demeanour was taking over you as you waited.

"Why don't you go to them?" She asked with pure curiosity in her voice. You blinked, raising one of your eyebrows as you turned to face her. "They are your people. Why are you not rushing to them?"

"What—" You cleared your throat, somehow understanding her point for asking that. You looked down once again to take a look at General Magath talking to Commander Hange. "Because I am a soldier now." You stated, gripping the operating device in your hand a little tighter. "And I haven't got a command to be dismissed."

Mikasa gave you a small hum, satisfied with your answer and somehow approving your behaviour. She rested his hand on your shoulder, gripping it slightly before gesticulating for you to follow her.

"Then come on." She aimed the hook at the tree in front of you. "Let's get you to meet your old friends."

"I still don't like the fact that you are here."

The sky was dark blue right now as you stood and leaned your body on the railing. All the other warriors were partying inside, celebrating their winning over a war of another country. You had enough of the alcohol and endless chant, deciding to catch some fresh air on the balcony.

You enjoyed the silent moment, just you and the moonlight that shone your vision. Until he suddenly walked outside and decided to join you.

Closing your eyes, you let out a long sigh to calm yourself down. This was not the first time you heard your old friend throwing his snide remark.

"Hm, I am here anyway. So you better get used to that."

You answered him without bothering to turn your body around. Twirling the glass of water in your hand, you focused on it instead of him who thought it was a good thing to join you. He didn't make any space as he leaned to the railing right beside from where you were. Weird, he never liked to be around when you were chatting up with the others.

Yet here he was, arms grazing yours, so comfortable as if standing beside you was his favourite spot.

You didn't complain though as you lifted your glass and gulped down the water. You subtly look at your left side, choking up in an instant when you meet with your gaze, resulting in you coughing uncontrollably. Porco had been staring at you, a pinkish hue could be seen on his cheek to tell you the state he was in.

Then he laughed, he dared to laugh at you. A full, ridiculous laugh that made him snort here and there. "You looked so stupid!"

"Goodness, Galliard, what the hell are you doing here anyway?" You scoffed, hiding how flustered you were on the inside by acting annoyed. At your words, the laugh subsided down. He cleared his throat, deep in thought as if he was trying to form the right word inside his mind.

You waited, knowing better not to push him. He would never tell you anything if you were not patient, that was what you knew by befriending him throughout your life. Until that day he pushed you away, of course.

"First of all, call me Porco." He huffed, puffing his cheek like a kid. "And I am here because you are alone. I don't want to see Colt take advantage of it." That statement made you raise your eyebrows. You and the future Beast Titan were close, there was nothing wrong with befriending a warrior.

And just like always, he knew what probably clouded your mind. "You do know that Colt takes a liking to you, right? In romantic light?"

"Huh?"

"For God's sake, you are so oblivious."

He grumbled before muttering profanities and some mockery under his breath. His cheeks that were pink before now turned into a darker shade of red. Thinking about it by now, you tried to recall how Colt always was the one who greeted you at a meeting, he was caring and putting extra effort to protect you on a mission.

"Oh," That was your only answer. Well, you couldn't blame yourself for not seeing that sooner. No one ever took a liking toward you, at least not in that way. "I-I don't know what to say." You whispered under your breath, frowning as you felt lost.

There was no time for love, that was what you believed with the path that you had right now. Sure it was good to have someone that cared for you with all of their heart, sure it would be good to have a reason to live. But then again, you already had.

And you cursed yourself for being such a hypocrite when it came to love for having your old friend to be the reason.

"Ah, and this is Mikasa Ackerman. I swear all of you are already acquainted with her." Hange's voice was as cheery as ever, ignoring the tensed atmosphere as the ravenette walked to them. "All of you already met with the rest of the team before, but—"

That was your cue, hiding your face a little while wearing the survey corps cape, you walked forward and stood beside Mikasa. "We have a new soldier, and I dare to say that she has become a valuable member from just a few days joining us."

"Soldier?" You tried not to flinch when you heard General Magath scoffed. "She is our chef, and she is a citizen of Marley. So no, she is not a soldier." He said that while still glaring at you as if seeing you on the other side was something humiliating and disgraceful.

Hange hardened their gaze at the word, they had grown protective over you, just like how they always acted for everyone that they considered as a fellow soldier.

"With all due respect, General Magath," You started, voicing yourself first before the commander spoke up. "I may be a chef from Marley, but not after I lost everything." They should have known who you refer to by that. "And so, I decided that I would pursue my freedom while being a part of the survey corps."

Your gaze locked with the older man, refusing to look away as you didn't want to see how Pieck and the others looked at you. The tension was even higher from before because of your action. But then you remembered your place. "I am sorry for speaking up, Commander."

"Hey, now. I told you that you can just call me Hange." They butted in, wanting to keep everyone civil if they were going to work together. "Though regarding her, Magath," Turning his face to the Marleyans, their voice went to a low intonation. "Doesn't matter if she is a soldier or a chef, she is one of us."

Somehow, those words made your heart swell. Sure you were a part of Marley Military before. But they never treated you the same, you were just a chef that was supposed to treat warriors, doctors, and professors. Nothing more than a slave in the kitchen.

If it was not because of your friends and the dream that you had, you might have abandoned your place and resigned.

Now though, hearing the fact that you were a valuable member of them, to be treated like comrades even though you were a new addition, you laughed in your head as you thought about it. How funny, that you even feel more belonged while you were with these so-called demons.

If only you knew that people in Paradis were just a human like the rest of you, you wouldn't want to be a part of the Marley Military itself. But now, it was too late to fix things. So the right thing to do — was to achieve both your freedom, and theirs.

↪Back to Wall Maria

↪Send an ask if you want to be a citizen of Paradis (taglist)!

[theimpossibleg1rl]

Welcome Home | Three

Bucky Barnes x OFC Frankie Chambers

Warnings: violence, mentions of abuse, mentions of mental illness, language, angst, smut in later chapters

She stood just outside. Her breathing level. Her mind focused, devoid of anything other than the mission. She thumbed at the blade attached to her side, hissing a bit when it broke skin. No matter. Just a bit of blood.

****

"Убери их всех, Воробей." 'Take them all out, Sparrow."

"Не подведи меня, понял?" 'Don't fail me, understood?'

****

Don't fail. Oh no. She knew the consequences. Failure equaled pain.

No, she was a good little soldier. Trained up right. Taught how to handle a gun at nine.

Could take a grown man down at twelve. They always underestimated her. A tiny thing, innocent looking. Wide green eyes. They'd fall under her spell.

And she'd kill them without batting a lash.

The Red Room had been her favorite. She'd excelled in less than a week. They were impressed and sent her off to the Black Widow program. She excelled there, too. A force to be reckoned with. It was almost too easy for her.

She was a master marksman. Dead shot. Clean between the eyes. Never thought twice. She never failed. That little Sparrow. The tiny bird. So sweet and innocent looking.

Her abilities helped. She could bring down buildings. Scared the hell out of nearly everyone. Including her parents. But they took care of that, didn't they? Paid off well for handing their eight year old daughter to the devil.

****

She tilted her head slightly as she entered, listening closely. Nothing. No footsteps. They were all asleep. Too easy. She'd kill them while they slept. Wouldn't be the first time.

"Security breach!," the voice came, loud, booming and she ducked around a corner, her pistol cocked and ready to go. "Security breach!"

God damn, she forgot to disable it. Oh well, she'd still win this round.

She heard running, bare feet on the slick floors. Whispering. They were preparing for it, trying to make a plan of attack. She grinned to herself. They had no idea.

But that voice? Something about it? Why did it strike her as familiar?

****

“Не отвлекайся," she muttered under her breath. 'Don't get distracted.'

"What are we dealing with?," a voice carried. "Hydra? Something worse?"

"Is there something worse than Hydra?"

That voice again.

He wasn't nervous. He was prepared.

"There's a lot worse than Hydra. Haven't you been paying attention?"

****

She caught something in her peripheral, just a glint of something flying in her direction. She caught the arrow in her hand and dropped it to the floor, her gaze trained on the man who sent it.

"It's Frankie," he muttered, laced with panic and shock.

Who in the hell was Frankie?

"What?!," that voice came again, fear and disbelief.

She strutted toward the man who sent the arrow and grabbed him by the collar and lifted him up. "Frankie?," he choked out, his eyes wide. "Sparrow? Honey? What did they do to you?"

Her eyes narrowed and she tilted her head, choking him out and dropped him. She stepped over him unceremoniously and hunted down her next target.

****

A red haired woman who was manipulating red beams of light.

Frankie looked at it curiously. Something almost fascinating about it. But she couldn't get distracted. Not now. A hand roughly pulled her back and she came face to face with a man carrying a shield.

"Goddammit, Chambers!," Sam snapped, ducking her punches. She was quick, precise. Dangerous. And focused, completely focused as she tossed him across the room.

His head hit the wall behind him and everything went black.

She gave him a long look. She'd be back to put him out of his misery.

****

A man and a woman flanked her next, and she easily overpowered the both of them, dropping them to the ground with a loud thud.

"Over here!," a voice called out. A kid? What in the hell was a kid doing there? He aimed something at her and she rolled, it missing her by less than an inch. He jumped down off the railing and she eyed him closely.

She really, really didn't want to have to kill a kid.

****

She felt an arm tighten around her waist and pulled her back against a broad chest. He was panting in her ear. His heart was hammering away. His breath was heavy and hot. And it stirred up something just beneath the surface for just an instant.

"Убьешь меня, Воробей?," he whispered. 'Gonna kill me, Sparrow?'

She blinked. He knew her. How in the hell did he know her.

She swallowed hard and turned her head, examining his face. His blue eyes boring into her green ones. His lips slightly parted as he breathed heavily. His jaw set, clearly anticipating the fight.

"Я бы отпустил, если бы я был тобой," she murmured. 'I'd let go if I were you.'

“Это правильно? Собираешься меня вытащить? Убей меня, птичка?," he whispered. 'Is that right? Gonna take me out? Kill me, little birdie?'

She hummed in agreement, easily pulling the metal appendage from her waist and twisting it back. She saw the surprise in his eyes, the pure shock. What did they do to her?

They engaged in a battle, a fierce fight for dominance, but she easily got the upper hand. She had him pinned to the floor, his hands above his head. "Ты не можешь победить меня." 'You can't beat me.'

He shook his head, his voice strained. "But he can."

The webs shot toward her, pulling her back, trapping her on her back. If looks could kill, Bucky would have dropped dead. "I'm sorry, baby," he whispered, almost broken. "I'm so sorry. Please forgive me." He nearly cried as his fist came down.

And it went black.

[herawell]

#A little bit of Tumblr user hephaestuscrew lore for you#is that I get shaky hands really easily#which makes it frustratingly difficult to hide when I'm even slightly nervous or stressed...#Minkowski threatening to shoot someone 🤝#Me expressing an opinion in a work meeting#Trembling hands solidarity#Another point is that if Minkowski's hands are shaking that badly#it wouldn't be easy for her to aim a gun precisely#She could have missed#She could have shot Maxwell in an non-fatal place#But if her hands are shaking that badly. she has less agency over that element of the situation#and I think Maxwell knows that too but she thinks it increases her chances of survival#because how can Minkowski kill her if she can't even aim the gun steadily?#wolf 359 spoilers#w359 spoilers#the empty man posteth#Oh also. I know that for me the most effective way to make any trembling in my hands (and sometimes my arms and legs too rip) worse#is to realise they are shaking and to really focus on how much I don't want them to shake#And Maxwell draws attention to Minkowski's trembling hands. and uses this observation against her#And I think that might have made Minkowski's hands shake even more dramatically

In Ep45 Desperate Measures, Minkowski really needs the SI-5 (particularly Jacobi) to believe that she will shoot Maxwell if they don't back down. In that particular situation, she's desperate to be seen as unafraid and ruthless. If she can convince the SI-5 that she is willing to kill Maxwell, she can avoid having to find out whether she is. Only by giving the impression of being relaxed about violence can she avoid having to commit it.

But her hands betray her. As Minkowski points the gun, Maxwell notices how "her hands are shaking. A lot." Minkowski can't hide that sign of how on edge she is, no matter how much she might want to. Maxwell tells this to Jacobi with a little laugh, giving it as evidence for her certainty that Minkowski won't kill her. Jacobi believes Maxwell's assessment of the situation, but her assumptions are wrong; Minkowski fires that gun with her trembling hands. She's not the sort of person who can kill with steady hands, ruthless and unafraid. But she can still kill.

Later, in Ep53 Dirty Work, Minkowski claims "even in that moment, I didn't mean to do it... the noise. The explosion. It was a reflex. I think it was." I don't entirely believe this explanation of the incident, but I do think there is probably some element of instinctive motion involved when Minkowski pulls that trigger. In which case - contrary to Maxwell's assumptions - the lack of calm suggested by Minkowski's shaking hands could have actually contributed to her shooting Maxwell. If her hands are shaking, her reflexes are probably tensed, and her finger is trembling on the trigger, which just needs one small movement to fire...