#it’s the ‘we’re the government of course we care about you and your well being. unless you’re a mutant’ (trans)

[spoofyleaf]

As an adult rewatching all the x-men movies, I think I’ve figured out why the movies made me uncomfortable to a personal level as a kid

[a-small-writer-in-a-big-world]

Thoughts I have about Android!reader

Warnings: Just the regular sci-fi stuff that comes with androids, the 141 are a little mean because they don’t get it at first but they’ll warm up to you eventually

The Android program that made you was so hidden that no one outside a certain branch of the government knew about it…until they decided to put you to the test.

You were supposed to be the best data analyst, the best planner, the best library of intelligence, the best everything the military needed besides being a soldier (no laws for androids if they attack someone yet)

They made you look so close to human that Laswell and the 141 thought you were human despite all the wires underneath the false skin

At first they were accepting of a new member. Their own “guy in the chair” as Soap put it.

Soap and Gaz tried to make you feel welcome, inviting you out to drinks or to hang with them but you never took their offer

Ghost tried a couple times but when you blew him off he decided you weren’t worth the trouble and promptly ignored you

Your orders were to collect intelligence and use it, slowly let it make you smarter, bonding with the task force was not within them

Even Price tried, though nothing worked

“Even if you’re not on the field we’re still a team.” He told you one day as you were searching through the new intel they had recently gotten

“I understand but I’m just here to do my job to make your life easier.” That was always your response and frankly, it was starting to get on his nerves

You were starting to get on everyone’s nerves

They understood the need for professionalism but you seemed to take it to the extreme. You never interacted or interfered with anything they did but having you there, being unwilling to cooperate made them antsy

Were you a plant? Someone pretending to be their ally to get info? They didn’t know.

Soon they stopped interacting with you unless they absolutely needed to

It didn’t bother you. Nothing did. You didn’t have feelings, no emotions, you just did the job you were made for and did it exceptionally well without error

That was until you made one mistake

After analyzing all the intel you could you told Price the best course of action, one that you picked out from the hundreds of different generated plans you came up with that you knew would succeed…only for it to end up with Gaz in the infirmary

You were confused? Youre not sure if that’s what you could called it but you didn’t have a reaction in your code for that. There shouldn’t have been an issues, there was no margin for error in your calculations and yet he had been injured

After looking at the intel again, you decided it was time for damage control

Gaz was a little weary when you showed up at his bed, staring at him with those strange almost lifeless eyes of yours

“Your vitals are stable, you should make a quick recovery.” You told him and he nodded

“Nothing I haven’t had before. It could’ve been worse.” He assured you but you shook your head.

“It shouldn’t have happened at all. I thought my calculations were perfect but I made an error that could’ve costed your life. I’m sorry, sergeant Garrick.”

Gaz was baffled. One the one hand he wanted to believe you were sorry because this was the most you showed about caring for one of them but on the other hand you looked completely emotionless. It was a little awkward but he couldn’t find it in his heart to be mad at you or to think you were joking

“It’s all good.” He gave you a reassuring smile. “It happens. We still got what we needed, so no harm done.”

“…I see.” You were puzzled but nodded.

You expected repercussions. If your engineers knew you made a mistake they’d try to recode you so you wouldn’t make the same mistake again, possibly wipe you and start over.

But the 141 didn’t know you were a machine.

The others joined and you understood you wouldn’t be welcomed.

“Captain, I’d like to apologize to you as well for my error. It won’t happen again.”

Price just raised an eyebrow confused.

“You couldn’t prepare for an RPG taking down a helo…but alright.”

You didn’t stick around, deciding that you would go over the intel again to find what caused your mistake, leaving the 141 confused by you.

A/n: don’t really know what this is but just decided to write something, might continue it might not we’ll see

@writingmysanity

[merlincmgirl]

Dirty Talk - Echo x FReader - NSFW

Summary: Being forced to the sidelines with your riddur for company could be worse, but you were bored! Just the sound of Echo's voice was enough to get your mind wondering. He offers to help make your thoughts a reality.

Characters: Echo

Pairing: Echo x F!Reader

Word Count: 5,213

Warnings: PinV sex, fingering, oral sex (male and female receiving), dirty talk, teasing, use of derogatory language (once), bratty behaviour. If I've missed anything, please let me know.

Authour's Note: Echo deserves better, especially from the writers! My precious boy!

“We should be out there with the rest of the team, you shouldn’t have to be stuck inside babysitting me!” you grumbled, monitoring the communications between the rest of the Bad Batch.

Echo rolled his eyes, he had heard the same complaint for the 56th time already. The only reason he hadn’t said anything was because it was you, his love, ner cyare. But it was wearing a bit thin. “I’m not babysitting, and besides you could be spotted out there. It’s not safe for you to go wondering around markets when the governor has placed a bounty on your head” Echo reminded, glancing at you from the corner of his eye.

“All I did was accidently address his mistress as his wife” you pouted, crossing your arms and resting your feet on the corner of his chair.

“In front of his wife and a news reporter” Echo added, shaking his head at you. That had been a very eventful evening, resulting in your quick get away and as many apologies that Hunter and the GAR could come up with. It still hadn’t saved the governor’s marriage though.

“How was I meant to know he was having an affair? Or that woman was the planet’s primary news reporter” you huffed, glaring at the screen in front of you. Honestly, it wasn’t like you intended to cause trouble, maybe the governor shouldn’t have been cheating on his wife.

Echo pursed his lips and took a deep breath – all precursors to a lecture or rant from him. You settled even more comfortably into the flight chair, knowing you would need to do so to enjoy whatever he was gearing himself up to say.

“Well if you had read the briefing that Tech put together, mesh’la, you would have known what his wife looked like. Or realised that the woman who was standing next to him was not his mistress. She was standing behind them, why would his wife not stand beside him?” Echo lectured, eyes burning into yours as he went on. His low, grumpy voice was always something you enjoyed listening to. And when you two were alone in his bunk, it was more than enough to get you breathless. So when he started gesturing with his hand and scomp to make his point, you began to feel a bit heated.

“This is why it’s important to get all the details. It was wrong of the governor, but that doesn’t mean that we had to be the ones to expose his affair. I’ll give you that you didn’t know about the reporter, you couldn’t have known that, but next time mesh’la, perhaps listening to Tech when he tells us about a planet or government that we’re working for. I know he can go on, but it’s in your best interests, cyare” Echo ranted on, hand coming down occasionally to rub at the bare patch of skin at your ankle.

It was always so beautiful to see him so passionate about something, in this case, your inability to listen to Tech’s debriefs and noticing the little details. You didn’t mind, Echo only wanted to keep you safe and protected, he didn’t mean his words in a harsh way. You knew he would do anything to protect you. It was why you loved him so much, he took care of you in a way nobody else had before. “Are you listening to me, mesh’la?” he sighed, bringing you out of your head and back to the present.

“Of course I am! I know I should have listened more, sweetheart. I’m just glad to be here with you. Even if we are stuck on the Marauder” you smiled, leaning forward to place a kiss on his cheek. Echo returned the smile, his hand cupping your cheek briefly as he pressed a similar kiss to your own cheek before returning back to work.

Looking out the cockpit window, you could see a variety of different buildings from where you were docked. The planet’s architecture was beautiful, buildings in soft sandy colours with rich blues and greens mixed into the stone. It reminded you of the sea almost, the colours shimmering in the sunlight, just like the water reflecting the sun’s rays.

It was beautiful, and it just made you want to explore even more. Turning to your riddur, you forced a pout onto your lips. You knew he saw you, because his shoulders tensed up as he was listening to the comm chatter that was going on between the rest of the team members of the Bad Batch.

“Couldn’t we go out just a little? We wouldn’t even have to go far from the Marauder” you suggested hopefully, reaching out to rest an imploring hand on Echo’s scomp.

“Mesh’la” he huffed warningly, tone already showcasing how much he was not enjoying your behaviour at the moment. “We’re staying on the ship. We have to be prepared in case the others need a pick up” he said firmly, raising an eyebrow at you as if daring you to keep it up.

Which really, Echo should know better, because of course you would. He had set you a challenge, and who would you be to refuse it. Especially when you were bored.

“Fine!” you grumbled, looking back out of the window and ignoring his look. Echo narrowed his eyes at your simple agreement but went back to what he was supposed to be doing.

When you were sure that Echo was busy and engrossed in his work, you began to move the foot that rested in his lap slowly back and forth, underneath the kama that he wore. Occasionally your toes would dip into the small gap between his thigh plate and codpiece. Watching him from the corner of your eye, you could see Echo’s jaw clench but he continued on with his work.

Disappointed to not get a bigger reaction, you shifted around and sighed loudly, hoping to disturb him enough to make him pay attention to you. Again nothing.

Frowning, you began to think of something else to capture his attention away from the system displayed in front of him. Finally you spotted the answer to your problem. On the side next to you was your datapad. Grabbing it, you quickly began typing loudly on the screen, drumming your nails against the casing every so often. Clicking your nails against the datapad wasn’t working and only got you a small huff of air through his nose in annoyance. Still Echo didn’t react how you wanted him to. He wasn’t even touching your feet that you had left in his lap. He never missed the chance to touch you in one way or another.

Well, if he was just going to ignore you while you sat bored in the cockpit, so be it. You would at least try and fill the quiet that had settled in between you. Selecting a video that Omega had sent you, you leaned back in your chair and turned the volume up. It was of a little akk puppy chasing after a holoball, tumbling around and falling over it’s own legs. You couldn’t help but coo at the sight.

“Love, I’m trying to work” Echo bit out through gritted teeth. His shoulders had straightened and there was an obvious twitch along his jaw that made your heart beat a little faster.

“Work then, I’m not stopping you” you shrugged, keeping your eyes focused on the screen in front of you.

Sighing heavily, you felt Echo shift beneath you, hips adjusting in the chair before he seemed to settle. Glancing up through your eyelashes at him, you noticed that his pale cheeks were getting flushed. Either in annoyance or frustration you weren’t sure, but it did make him look even cuter.

Relaxing further into your chair, you waited a few more minutes before edging the volume up every minute or so, waiting for a reaction from him. Unable to help it, you laughed loudly at another video of a tooka cat, unable to muffle the noise as you became lost in the videos.

However a hand landed on your ankle, clasping the fragile bones tightly and tugging it closer to him. You looked up, blinking at him innocently. He looked annoyed now, jaw fluttering in anger as he scowled at you.

“You’re doing this on purpose” he accused you, thumb rubbing against your ankle, the pressure was enough to make you want to close your eyes and press into his hand but you refrained.

“Doing what? It’s not my fault I’m bored and you’re not talking to me” you huffed, crossing your arms to look back at him. He raised an eyebrow and let out a little scoff.

“Oh you want my attention, is that it?” he drawled, turning around to face you with an arch of his expressive eyebrow. He pressed a few buttons on the control panel in front of him before he levelled you with a hard look. “Why are you trying to distract me?” he asked, the rough tones of annoyance filtered through his voice making your stomach churn in desire for him. You loved when his voice got all deep and rough when he was rebuking someone or feeling annoyed.

Sighing heavily, you poked your bare feet into the seam of his hip, teasing him some more. “You’re not even talking to me… I like listening to your voice” you explained, shrugging slightly to help ease the nerves that you felt after admitting this to him.

“Oh” Echo breathed, back straightening at your answer and blinking a couple of times in surprise. He obviously wasn’t expecting that answer off his cyare.

“It makes me feel warm inside, like I’m safe and protected. But also… I don’t know, you make me want to drop to my knees in front of you so that I can be your good girl. Makes me want you to read one of my racy holobooks just to hear what the love interest could sound like in those moments” you admitted, biting your lip and looking away from him. Heat raced across your face, feeling like it was blistering your cheeks at how embarrassed you felt from your words. He would probably just politely say that he was flattered but it wasn’t something he was also interested in doing with you.

“Is that right, cyare? Maybe you’ll have to pick me one of your favourites, I’m sure I could get into them” he murmured, running his thumb against the arch of your foot, pressing slightly to ease the pressure there.

“Don’t tease me!” you pouted, covering your face with your hands at his words.

“I’m not cyare, I just didn’t realise that you liked my voice so much” he soothed, hoping to ease some of your embarrassment and worry. Carefully, he placed your foot on the floor, leaving the cool metal to spread a shiver up your body at the sudden temperature. “But maybe I should have guessed, you’re always get this glazed look in your eyes when I’m talking to you. Reminds me when we’re alone in my bunk, and you’re trying to keep quiet while we have some fun” he stated, leaning closer towards you, elbow on his knees.

“Echo!” you hissed, glancing to the comms in front of him in case the others were hearing your conversation. Thankfully, it was all turned off from your end. You didn’t think your skin could run any hotter until you heard his words, your cheeks colouring even more.

“On your knees, mesh’la. If you’re feeling bored, might as well give you something to entertain yourself with” he ordered, and you felt your panties dampen even further. Getting up from the co-pilot seat, you slid in between the control panel and his chair, settling in between his splayed thighs before you knelt before him. Your mouth watered, eager to listen to more of his demands.

Echo’s breath faltered for a moment, just staring down at you between his legs. You were gorgeous! He had never thought he’d ever get to experience the love and devotion you showed him, especially not after Skako Minor. He didn’t feel deserving of you, not looking like he did, not with half of him being more machine than man. But you didn’t think that. You loved him, every part of him, both metal and flesh. And you always would gently chide and rebuke him whenever he talked badly about himself, instead praising him and kissing him until he forgot all about the fear and hate he carried with him.

“Echo?” you frowned, recognising that his mind had gone elsewhere, and not a good place. Resting your hand on his, fingers twisted together you guided him back to the present moment. “Everything okay?” you asked worriedly.

The ARC trooper smiled softly, squeezing your fingers in his hand and nodded. “Just thinking about how perfect you are, cyare” he assured, scomp brushing a few strands of hair away from your face.

You turned and pressed a chaste kiss to his scomp before smiling up at him. His thighs tensed around you and his eyes fluttered shut for a moment. “I think you promised to entertain me, Corporal” you reminded him, dragging your hands down his thighs under his kama.

“That’s right, I did” he chuckled warmly, hands coming up to deftly unclip the codpiece and dropping it to the side with a small clang. Groaning at the relief of pressure, he deftly unfastened the compression suit underneath and freed his cock. It was already half hard, your words from earlier enough to chub him up. He reached down and gave himself a few pumps as you looked up at him, mouth watering at the thought of having him in your mouth. Of tasting him on your tongue.

“God, look at how eager you are. Bet if I felt you down there, you’d be soaked through” he rumbled, voice deep and rough as arousal thickened his words. Your thighs clench together, proving just how right he was. “Open up, mesh’la” he ordered, running his thumb across your bottom lip before dragging it open even more.

You helped guide him in, hands wrapping around the bottom of his shaft to keep him steady. However instead of pushing in all the way just like you expected him to. He keeps your mouth open, drool beginning to collect in the corners and leak down your chin. His cock was a warm, heavy weight against your tongue, and you couldn’t help but rub it briefly around his crown.

Echo let out a loud groan of your name, eyes sliding shut at the warm, wet feeling of your mouth surrounding him. It was enough to have him force his scomp arm to rest on the arm of the chair, not wanting to hurt you by trying to pull you closer or use too much force on your neck.

“Kriff cyare, you look gorgeous like this. Just keeping my cock in your mouth, those beautiful eyes focused on me. Such a good girl” he moaned, hand coming up to rest on the back of your head. When you tapped the metal plates of his thigh – your signal for him to carry on – he groaned and began sliding his length further into your open mouth, careful to not go too fast. Not yet anyway.

When the tip of his cock reached the back of your throat, you took a deep steadying breath in through your nose, feeling him weighing heavily in your mouth. Running your tongue along the underside of his cock, you tried to take him even further, wanting to gag on him. However, the hand on the back of your neck suddenly reached to tangle into your hair and pulled you away slightly. You whined around his length, looking up into his lust filled eyes with your own.

“Force, your mouth, cyare. So eager to be filled with my cock, is that it? Couldn’t focus on our mission because you were so desperate to get filled by my cock” he groaned, unable to look away as your eyes watered from holding him in your mouth.

You could feel heat pool and slick leak out of your cunt, drenching your panties in your juices at his words and actions. Just the feel of his length against your tongue and his pre-cum dropping onto you had your hips rocking forward, wishing you could reach down and offer yourself some relief. But you knew that if Echo caught you, he wouldn’t be happy. No, he wanted you to remember that you shouldn’t be trying to distract him while you were both supposed to be working.

“Sucking my cock really gets you off, huh? Go on love, I can see how much you need it.”

Blinking in surprise, you felt Echo’s leg move in between your spread thighs, offering his boot up to you. Was he serious? Did he want you to hump his leg while you sucked his cock? The thought did send heat shooting down your spine at the thought, but it would highlight just how much you were needy for him, and for some friction against your tingly clit. Seeing his encouraging nod, you settled yourself against his boot before finally rolling your hip, searching for pleasure.

After the first roll of your hips against the hard, shiny plastoid of his boots, you couldn’t restrain the moan that escaped your mouth, muffled by Echo’s cock. It had you reaching out to his calves, holding them as sparks of your arousal flittered to your core, tightening the knot of arousal even further. Echo, just moaned your name, feeling the vibration echo around his length as he pulled back before sliding back in swiftly.

“I remember my vods being desperate for you to look at them. If they could see you now, drooling on my cock, begging for relief as you hump my boot. They’d be so excited to see what a slut you are, but only for me. Right cyare? Only I can make you feel like this” he murmured, hips rolling against your face. You tried to get out a ‘yes Echo’ but it all came out in a garbled mess around his cock. “Oh, that’s it! My perfect girl” Echo moaned, feeling the vibration around his length.

The sounds he was letting out was almost too much and you ground heavily against his boot, eager for something to relieve the pressure that was building in your cunt. If he continued fucking your face, and you the rolling of your hips against the slight arch of his boot, then it wouldn’t be long before you both cummed from this alone.

The gurgles and spluttering noises as he pushed into your throat had you clenching around nothing, and you reached a hand up to hold his scomp, wanting to be touching him more, even with his cock forcing itself down your throat.

“Fuck! Stop, stop mesh’la!” he cursed, pulling out and holding your head away from him. Your ARC trooper panted heavily, breath coming out in short sharp jabs as he held you away from his sensitive length. You grumbled, wanting to taste more of his salty, unique taste. “I don’t want to cum down your throat” he murmured, shaking his head.

After a few seconds of you both calming yourselves down and taking in a few deep breaths; Echo reached under your arms and pulled you up to your feet. You let out a little squeal in surprise before he was up on his feet too, turning you both around until he was guiding you to sit in the chair he had just been occupying.

“There we go cyare. Need to open you up before I take you” he said, a smirk playing on his lips as you nodded your consent. God you wanted him to curl his long fingers inside of you and prepare you for him.

Echo gripped your hips, tugging you down until your ass was near the edge of the seat. Hooking his fingers into your leggings and panties, he dragged them over your ass and down your thighs, throwing them somewhere behind him. He helped pull your legs up as well, landing a kiss on each knee and grazing his teeth along them before looking at you, love, awe and lust all rolled into his beautiful whiskey coloured eyes.

“Spread your legs, mesh’la. That’s it… wider… wider mesh’la” he breathed, biting his lip as you hooked your legs up on the arm rests. He sunk to his knees on the floor in between then, his warm breath caressing your sensitive mound.

However, he didn’t touch you, much to your building frustration, preferring to look at you and take in your musky, heated scent and the clenching of your entrance as you were spread out for him. Like a beautiful feast he couldn’t wait to enjoy.

“Fuck, Echo please!” you whined, voice coming out more breathlessly than you hoped. Closing your eyes, you clenched your hands around your thighs. Both as to keep them spread for him, and because you needed at least a brief touch to remind yourself that you weren’t going crazy, waiting for him to touch you, to just do something.

“You’re gorgeous. Such a needy, little thing for me, aren’t you? I haven’t touched you yet and you’re already begging for me” Echo groaned, not taking his eyes away from your dripping slit. He wanted to run his fingers through your soaking wet folds, spread your lips and drink your juices straight from the source. The sounds you were letting out was making his hard as durasteel cock even harder, as you tried to encourage him to move.

Noticing the rolling of your hips upwards towards his face, he chuckled, gathered your slick on two of his fingers before pushing them into your quivering entrance.

The sound you let out at finally being filled and not teased was music to Echo’s ears. Your hot, tight walls pulsed around him, eager to pull his fingers even deeper into your core. He could feel just how wet you were, already leaking into the palm of his hand as he withdrew them before thrusting them back in, curling slightly to search for that sweet spot.

When he had it, you reached down to grip onto his pauldron, fingers curled tight around the smooth plastoid as you let out a cry of his name. Although you loved his voice, he was just as good with his hand and he could pull orgasm after orgasm from you with little more than his fingers.

“That’s it, mesh’la, you feel fucking fantastic surrounding my fingers, it feels like you never want to let them go. I’d be a happy man if I could stay here between your legs for the rest of my life” he growled, before nipping and sucking at the inside of your thigh to leave a mark.

Wasting no time, he pressed his scomp against your clit, activating a gentle vibration that had you clenching even tighter around him, hands coming up to the back of his head to push him closer to the apex of your thighs.

“FUCK! ECHO!” you cried out, body tightening as he used his scomp to push you over the edge, still keeping up his delicious thrust of his fingers inside of you.

“That’s it mesh’la, doing so good” he moaned, pressing his lips to your slit and catching your release on his tongue, swirling against your entrance to catch as much as possible. “Taste so good, mesh’la, can’t get enough of you” he grunted, his words pressed right into your folds, the gentle vibration combining with his scomp to keep you riding your high longer than you normally would.

When he pulled away, you practically sagged into the seat, completely boneless after Echo had knocked every thought out of your head apart from his name. He rubbed soothing circles on your thigh, pressing gentle kisses along your smooth and soft skin as he waited for you to catch your breath.

“You okay?” he checked in, noticing the small smile on your face that was aimed at him.

“Yeah… yeah ‘m feeling good” you murmured, trailing your fingers along his handsome face and down his neck. He closed his eyes, shivering slightly at the tender caress.

“Think you can go for more?” he asked, biting his lip.

“Kriff yes! Want to hear how you’re going to fuck me, trooper” you grinned, sending him a wink.

Echo smirked, eyes blazing with heat and want as he pinched your hip, enjoying the little squeal of surprise and happiness that you let out. “It’s Corporal to you! And why tell you when I can show you instead?” he grinned, pulling you up with a firm grip and spinning you around so that your back was pressed against his chest.

You shivered as the coolness of his armour was held to you, the temperature always a bit cooler than normal on the Marauder since your escape from the Empire. After all, you had to save fuel as much as possible, meaning the heating was the first thing to be sacrificed. He rubbed his hand up and down your arm before pressing a number of kisses to the back of your neck, sucking marks along the way as he dragged your shirt up with his scomp.

“Going to bend you over this chair and fuck you, mesh’la. Right where my brothers and I sit. Every time I’ll sit here I’ll remember this. How eager you were for me to fill your needy hole up. Every time I’ll send a comm or answer one, I’ll think about how much you love my voice. How wet it makes you” he murmured, fingers coming to brush against your folds.

You whimpered, his words sinking in as you realised just how open you were in the cockpit. Anybody could look up and see you through the visor at the front of the ship. Hell, Hunter would know exactly what you’ve been doing in here just as soon as he stepped on the ship, maybe before. The thought that this chair, this room would forever be remembered because you couldn’t help but feel turned on by Echo’s voice and the way he lectured you. It had you sinking over the chair, hands on the arm rest as your head hung between your shoulders.

“Oh, do you like that thought, mesh’la? That I won’t ever be able to forget what we’re doing whenever I’m in here. Going to get me hard just as soon as I walk in here” he chuckled, sliding his hand and scomp to your waist to pull your ass closer into his hips. He moaned at the feel of your ass cheeks brushing against his straining erection. “Ready?” he asked, thumb rubbing circles on your hip.

“Please Echo!” you groaned, gritting your teeth and pushing back into him even more.

“Alright, alright” he chuckled, notching the head of his cock at your entrance. With a final nod of consent from you, he slid home into your tight cunt. Your combined visceral moans echoed along the walls of the cockpit as Echo didn’t stop until he was fully inside of you.

You gritted your teeth, the feel of his length inside you was almost too much. It felt like his cock was carving a way into you, moulding your inner walls around him until he fit perfectly into you. Your hands gripped onto the arm rests, eyes fluttering as you became used to the sensation of feeling so filled by him.

“Fuck Echo, you feel so good. Feel amazing baby” you praised, reaching a hand behind you to catch one of his hips, squeezing tightly as you felt his hips quiver at your words and touch.

“How are you this tight? We were together last night” he breathed, shaking his head as he felt you clench and pulse around him. Inside of his head he was reciting the regulation manual of the command structure if there was no Jedi Commander. It wasn’t thrilling but it ensured that he wouldn’t end this sooner than he wanted.

“Come on, please Corporal” you breathed, throwing your hips back.

It had Echo flittering his jaw as he snapped his hips into yours, burying his length into your warmth over and over again until the sounds of both of your soft grunts and moans, and the wet squelching of your cunt was all that could be heard in the cockpit of the Marauder.

He wrapped his metal arm around your waist, pulling you even tighter to him and fucking himself as deep as he could go into you, angling his hips to find that spot that had you seeing stars. When he found it, you growled out, fists clenching and digging into the soft leather of the chair.

“Kriff, you’re so good! Fucking perfect cunt, can feel how much you want me. How much you need this pretty pussy to be filled by me” he growled into your shoulder, eyes closed tight as he focused on fucking you hard and deep into the pilot’s seat.

“Yes, yes, I need you! Please Echo” you cried, throwing your head back and reaching up a hand to cup the back of his neck. The shift in position had his cock pounding into the spongy part of your walls that had ecstasy burning through you. You groaned, tightening around him as much as you could as you felt your release approaching.

“My good girl, my good fucking girl” he grunted, hand sliding from your waist to under your shirt, pinching at your nipple and twisting it. The sharp shooting of pain and pleasure mixed together and you felt yourself gush around him as you was thrown over the edge. Echo gasped out your name, hips stuttering a few more times before he shot his load inside of you, pace faltering as he all but collapsed over you.

“Hmm, Echo, heavy” you complained, feeling the weight of him bearing down on you from your bent position over the chair.

“Sorry, cyare” he breathed, turning you gently both around until he could collapse in his seat, pulling you with him into his lap.

You spent the next few minutes catching your breath and soaking in each other’s affection and tender touches. Both of you didn’t want to move, happy to just be in this moment with your riddur. You ghosted your fingers up and down his arm, smile plastered on your face at how boneless and loved you felt. Echo smiled into your neck from where he was whispering sweet nothings into your ear. Such a contrast to the dirty words he was using with you before.

Echo hummed against your neck, pressing a light kiss to the spot under your ear before pulling away. He caught your chin, guiding your face to meet his own. His eyes danced in amusement and exhaustion as they met yours.

“Well cyare, entertained enough?” he grinned playfully at you.

You snorted in reply, sinking back into him and closing your eyes. “For now” you teased him, feeling a rumble in his chest at your answer.

[robertreich]

Socialism Fear-mongering is Bananas 

Don't get scared. I'm going to talk about something that’s caused a lot of fear mongering.

You see, advanced countries, like the United States, pool resources for the common good. How? Well, governments enact taxes and then spend that money on things that benefit everyone. Think of national defense, schools, highways, healthcare, unemployment insurance — basically government spending that protects the well-being of the people.

But since some folk, like your conservative Uncle Bob, think ANY pooling of resources for the common good is…socialism.

And since socialism is apparently so terrifying…

I'm going to use a different word to describe this taxing of individuals for the common good.  Let’s use.. I don't know.. How about…Banana! That's not scary, right? 

Great. So, there are essentially three purposes for which governments banana.

First, social insurance against the possibilities of misfortune and neediness, such as unemployment, poor health, disability, and so on.

Second, public goods that we all benefit from, such as parks, highways, public health, and national defense.

Third, public investment in our future, such as basic research, education, and efforts to address pollution and the climate crisis.

Whether we’re talking about Sweden, Spain, or Slovenia or the United States — all countries in capitalist economies banana to benefit the common good.

And bananing is how societies grow their economies, become more prosperous, and ensure a better life for their people.

It’s also how countries aid people in hard times — or when emergencies arise, like a global pandemic.

To simply call any government banana’ing “socialism...”  Oops, sorry I used the word.…Well it distorts our ability to think through how we banana and what we banana on.

And, it ignores the fact that the United States bananas LESS than most developed nations.

We’re among the worst when it comes to bananaing to reduce poverty, especially child poverty.

And pandemic aside, we banana less on unemployment insurance than nearly every other country.

Of course these countries generally have higher taxes than the United States to support all their bananing.

But they get more in return — better jobless benefits, better health care outcomes, debt-free education, more support for child care and elder care, and more generous retirement benefits.

And we could banana a lot more without having to raise taxes on middle or low-income Americans if the rich paid their fair share. Unfortunately, the tax code in the U.S. has been rigged so that the rich and powerful often skirt what they owe and get away with lower tax rates than regular people.

And the rich have done such a good job convincing people that any increase in banana’ing would be… you know, that S word ... that we just accept things as they are.

The only banana’ing they don’t seem to mind is on the military, where we banana more than the countries with the next 10 biggest militaries combined. That’s bananas!

All of this is a major reason why America has such staggering levels of inequality and poverty.

Whether bananing is “socialism” or not is a useless argument. Every country bananas. Capitalism requires banana’ing to ensure a degree of fairness and stability.  

So the next time your Uncle Bob decries any pooling of private resources for the common good — or bananaing — as “socialism”... share this video with him.  

And give him a banana.

[theolivebranchreview]

My Love Letter to 2000s Network Television

by @arianna_mitchell

As I sit in my cramped apartment, surrounded by the unbridled chaos of unpaid bills, constantly checking my phone to see if “Julia,” the latest messy situation I’ve gotten myself into, has answered any of my embarrassingly numerous consecutive texts, I find myself yearning for an escape. But rather than confront these absolutely terrifying facts of life head-on, I’ve discovered a foolproof method of avoidance: rewatching my favorite early 2000s TV shows.

In times of stress and uncertainty (how badly would you beat me up if I still called these times “unprecedented”?), there’s something incredibly therapeutic about immersing yourself in the familiar comfort of old TV shows. It’s like slipping into your favorite worn-out sweatshirt that you stole from your ex whose last name you’re not actually sure you remember and feeling instantly at ease. These shows, with their dated fashion trends, now-vintage pop culture references, and occasional sprinkles of racism and misogyny that makes your skill crawl, provide a much-needed escape from the pressures of modern life.

But it’s not just about escapism. Rewatching these early 2000s gems is a form of self-care, a way to reconnect with a simpler time and a more carefree version of ourselves. And dude, if you do it right, it’s so much cheaper than therapy. I mean still go to therapy. But if you play your cards right, you can watch damn near 10,000 hours of television for nearly nothing. I’m still using my roommate’s Disney+ account and I haven’t lived with them for almost two years. But it’s okay because they’re on my Hulu (well actually my parents’ Hulu but you get the idea). As we follow the trials and tribulations of our favorite characters, we find solace in their struggles and triumphs. We’re reminded that, no matter how overwhelming life may seem, we’ve overcome challenges before and will continue to do so.

In a world that often feels chaotic and unpredictable, these shows offer a sense of stability and familiarity. We know every plot twist, every punchline, and every heartfelt moment. I am so tried of surprises, you have no idea. Well of course you do. You’re a human being living in this god awful year 202_. There’s a certain comfort in that predictability, in knowing that, no matter what happens in our own lives, these characters will always be there, frozen in time, ready to welcome us back with open arms. Sure, sometimes they might be poorly written, poorly filmed, and poorly acted, but I’ll be damned if they aren’t the one constant in my life. And let’s be real, sometimes it’s just nice to watch gorgeous people whose lives are even more of a shit show than your own. Sure, I may be drowning in student loan debt that I haven’t paid in seven months (seriously…is the government going to say anything about that or am I like…good?) and questioning every life choice I’ve ever made, but at least I’m not Marissa Cooper, who seems to attract drama like shit attracts paperclips, or whatever the expression is.

So, as I navigate the stresses of being an actual independent human being out in the world– the impending sense of doom that comes with each new political headline that I try to ignore, the constant pressure from every single direction to have it all figured out, and the nagging feeling that everyone else is more successful than me (seriously, do you guys have like 40 hours in the day, what the hell is going on?) – I find solace in the healing power of nostalgia television. And with that, I press play on another episode of Gilmore Girls, ready to lose myself in the fast-talking, coffee-fueled world of Stars Hollow. Because sometimes, the best therapy is the kind that comes with a side of pop culture references and a heaping dose of early 2000s fashion. And did I mention it’s free? (If you steal it)

So here are some recommendations if you’re unsure of what to (re)watch.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Slaying My Real-Life Demons

When the weight of the navigating the post(?)-pandemic dating scene gets to be too much (and let’s be real, it was pretty terrible long before the world broke), I turn to the ultimate demon-slaying hero, Buffy Summers. As I watch her navigate the perils of high school cliques, teenage romance, and the occasional apocalypse, my own problems seem to fade into the background. Sure, I may be casually drowning in capitalist sludge but at least I’m not tasked with saving the world from literal demons and vampires. And can you believe she did it while wearing low-rise jeans? I swear to God if those actually make a comeback, you will be hearing from the lawyer that I definitely have.

There’s something oddly comforting about watching Buffy and her friends face the end of the world on a weekly basis. It puts things into perspective, you know? Like, sure, I may have paid my rent late four months in a row. It’s not because I didn’t have the money, I literally just forgot. Sorry, Jeff, I just don’t think about you that way. But hey, at least I’m not having to sacrifice my love life for the greater good of humanity. And yeah, I went on three tinder dates this month just because I didn’t feel like cooking and wanted a free meal (but I didn’t sleep with them so it’s not sex work and even if it was, there’s not a damn thing wrong with that, you fascist), but at least I’m not having to balance homework with slaying vampires and preventing the apocalypse.

Buffy’s world may be filled with darkness and danger, but there’s a certain comfort in knowing that no matter how bleak things seem, she and her friends will always find a way to save the day. And if Buffy can do it while rocking some seriously questionable ’90s fashion choices (my lawyer is on standby, kids), then surely I can find a way to navigate the challenges of adulthood without completely losing my mind (though I make no promises when it comes to the questionable fashion choices).

Gilmore Girls: A Caffeinated Escape

Picture this: it’s 2 AM, and I’m elbow-deep in a pint of over-priced, freezer burnt Ben & Jerry’s that I bought from the bodega, scrutinizing how I managed to screw up yet another potential relationship. Enter Lorelai and Rory Gilmore, the fast-talking, coffee-chugging duo who make even the most stressful situations seem manageable with their quick wit and obscure references. They are not perfect, they are not always helpful, they are definitely not real, but they are always there to talk me through a difficult situation. As I watch them navigate the ups and downs of life in Stars Hollow, I can’t help but feel a sense of comfort wash over me. Sure, my problems may not involve a love triangle with a diner owner and a coffee shop entrepreneur, but the Gilmores remind me that no matter how much life (or love) throws at you, there’s always room for a good laugh and a cup (or seven) of coffee.

Screw it. Speaking of love, let’s talk about my latest romantic endeavor, shall we? Enter “Julia,” the girl who I’ve been texting on and off for the past three weeks, analyzing every emoji and exclamation point like it’s the goddamn Da Vinci Code. I know, I know, I’m bordering on being about as clingy as Kirk when he’s trying to win over Lulu, but what can I say? I’m a sucker for a girl with big brown eyes who laughs at my jokes and shares my love of obscure ’90s bands (even if she thinks Hootie and the Blowfish is obscure, bless her heart).

But here’s the thing: watching Lorelai and Rory navigate their own romantic ups and downs reminds me that I’m not alone in my struggles. Lorelai may have a thing for emotionally unavailable men (looking at you, Christopher), and Rory may have a habit of falling for guys who are all wrong for her (ahem, Logan), but they never let their relationship drama define them (looking at you, girl avoiding eye contact in the mirror). They pick themselves up, dust themselves off, and move on to the next adventure, whether it’s opening a new inn or running for student body president.

So, when I find myself obsessing over whether or not to double-triple-quadruple-text Julia (because apparently, I’ve regressed to my teenage self), I channel my inner Lorelai and remind myself that there’s more to life than waiting for a text back. I’ve got dreams to chase, coffee to drink, and a whole world of pop culture references to explore. And who knows, maybe one day I’ll find my own Luke Danes, a partner who appreciates my quirks and keeps me grounded (and caffeinated). But until then, I’ve got the Gilmore girls to keep me company, and honestly, I couldn’t ask for better role models.

Where’s My Central Perk?

When the daily grind of life starts to wear me down, and I find myself longing for the simpler times of coffee shop hangouts and rent-controlled apartments, I turn to my old friends from Central Perk. Rachel, Ross, Monica, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe have been there for me through thick and thin, offering a much-needed escape from the harsh realities of the modern world.

But as I sit here, alone in my apartment with only my cats as the only real constant in my life, I can’t help but feel a sense of bitterness toward the corporate greed and capitalistic systems that have fostered a generation of lonely, disconnected individuals. The world of Friends, with its tight-knit community and affordable living situations, feels more and more like a distant fantasy with each passing year.

In a society that prioritizes profit over people, the concept of “third spaces” – those beloved hangouts like Central Perk – is becoming increasingly rare. We paved paradise and put up a Santander. Coffee shops and cafes are being replaced by banks, soulless chains, or empty storefronts always promising development, while local bars and restaurants are being priced out by skyrocketing rents. The places where we once gathered to forge connections and build communities are disappearing, leaving us with fewer opportunities to connect with others.

And let’s not forget the ever-increasing cost of living, which has created a generation of transient twenty-somethings, constantly on the move in search of affordable housing and stable job opportunities. How are we supposed to build lasting friendships when we’re always saying goodbye? Frankly, I’ve just stopped trying.

It’s no wonder that so many of us turn to TV shows like Friends for comfort and escapism. In a world where genuine human connection feels increasingly out of reach, we seek solace in the familiar faces and laugh tracks of our favorite sitcoms. We long for the kind of deep, meaningful friendships that the show depicts, even as we recognize how unrealistic they may be.

But here’s the thing: we can’t let the pursuit of profit continue to erode the very things that make us human. We need to fight back against the systems that prioritize money over people, and work to create a world where genuine connection and community are valued above all else.

Maybe that means supporting local businesses and fighting for affordable housing. Maybe it means creating our own “third spaces,” even if they look different from the ones we see on TV. Or maybe it just means reaching out to the people in our lives, and reminding them that they matter to us, no matter how far apart we may be.

Because at the end of the day, that’s what Friends is really about: the power of human connection, and the way it can help us weather even the toughest of times. And in a world that seems hellbent on keeping us apart, that message feels more important than ever.

So here I am, a single woman sitting alone in her apartment, watching TV with her cats. But I know that I’m not really alone, because I have the love and support of the people who matter most to me. I have my friends from college, I have my friends online, I have this little column that I contribute to whenever I feel like so I can at least feel like an old man yelling at a cloud. And that’s something that no amount of corporate greed or capitalistic bullshit can ever take away.

Conclusion

As I sit here, surrounded by the comforting glow of my laptop screen, I can’t help but feel a sense of gratitude for the early 2000s TV shows that have been my constant companions through the ups and downs of adulthood. In a world that often feels cold, unforgiving, and increasingly isolated, these nostalgic gems have provided me with a much-needed escape and a reminder of the power of human connection.

From the demon-slaying heroics of Buffy to the quick-witted banter of the Gilmore Girls, these shows have taught me valuable lessons about perseverance, friendship, and the importance of chasing your dreams. They’ve been there for me through breakups, job losses, and countless other challenges, offering a comforting sense of familiarity and a reminder that I’m not alone in my struggles.

But more than that, these shows have served as a catalyst for self-reflection and growth. They’ve inspired me to be braver, kinder, and more authentic in my own life, even when the world around me seems to be crumbling. They’ve reminded me that it’s okay to make mistakes, to be vulnerable, and to lean on the people who matter most.

So, to all the early 2000s TV shows that have been my rock through the turbulent waters of adulthood, I say thank you. Thank you for the laughter, the tears, and the countless hours of comfort and companionship. Thank you for reminding me that, no matter how bleak things may seem, there’s always hope to be found in the power of storytelling and human connection.

And to all my fellow twenty-somethings out there, navigating the challenges of adulthood in an increasingly uncertain world, I say this: keep holding on to the things that bring you joy, the things that remind you of who you are and what you stand for. Whether it’s a beloved TV show, a cherished friendship, or a secret dream that keeps you going, hold onto it with all your might. Because in the end, it’s those things – the things that make us feel seen, heard, and understood – that will carry us through even the darkest of times.

So go ahead, press play on that next episode of Buffy or Gilmore Girls. Let yourself get lost in the familiar comfort of Stars Hollow or Sunnydale. And remember, no matter how lost or alone you may feel, you’ve got a whole gang of early 2000s TV friends waiting to welcome you back with open arms (and maybe even a few outdated pop culture references). Trust me, it’s the best therapy money can’t buy.

[notwiselybuttoowell]

The Natural History Museum in London has announced a major programme of transformation it says will mark “a step-change from being a catalogue of natural history to a catalyst for change” in response to the climate emergency.

The scheme to renovate the museum’s celebrated Victorian building and develop a new research and storage facility will build on its aim to turn visitors into “advocates for the planet"

Four existing galleries will be overhauled, including its enormously popular dinosaur gallery, while the museum plans to reopen two long-closed exhibition spaces, one of which, the Old General Herbarium, has not been accessible to the public since 1948.

One of them will house a new permanent exhibition that the museum’s director, Doug Gurr, said would include the most explicit climate messaging it had ever offered. The exhibition, Fixing Our Broken Planet, will have the express aim of “nudging” visitors to change their behaviour, he said.

The new exhibition spaces will be freed up by the creation of a purpose-built storage, research and digitisation centre at Thames Valley Science Park near Reading, to which more than a third of the museum’s enormous natural history collection will be moved from its “unsuitable, unsustainable” current home.

The museum said this was “so we can take better care of it and more easily share its data with scientists all over the world who are finding solutions to problems like climate change, biodiversity loss and food security.”

Until recently, Gurr told the Guardian, the museum had seen itself as a “passive observer … our job was to collect, to conserve, to research, to display”.

“[Then] we stepped back a bit and said: ‘Well, hang on, if your subject matter is planet Earth and it’s under that much threat, you’ve got to do something about it. If you want the sporting analogy: how do you get off the sidelines and get on the pitch?”

In 2020 the museum declared a planetary emergency, and Gurr said the redevelopment was part of its continuing response. “The best contribution we can make is to create what we call ‘advocates for the planet’. And what that really means is: how do you inspire people at scale to care about nature and to care enough to want to do something about it?

“Of course, we still want people to have a brilliant, fun family day out. But if you can come out of that being a little bit more interested in nature and a little bit more aware of some of the challenges, you’re a bit more likely to want to do something about it.”

The overhaul of the South Kensington site is due to be completed in time for the museum’s 150th anniversary in 2031. The bulk of the funding will come from the government, which has already committed more than £200m to the new collections and research centre, while a further £155m will fund a museum-led programme to digitise natural science collections in the UK. In addition, the museum announced plans to raise £150m from philanthropic and commercial sponsors.

Gurr said the museum was happy to “talk to everybody” about potential sources of sponsorship but would not accept donations from firms it saw as unacceptable partners based on their climate record. “We are very, very clear that when we talk to [a potential sponsor], we’re going to look at the actual behaviour versus the statements,” he said.

Gurr said the museum had turned down “significant” sums in the past “where we just felt it wouldn’t be appropriate to accept at this point, because we’re acutely aware that you can’t go around asking people to change behaviour and save the planet if you’re then hypocritical in some of the gifts you accept”.

He would not be drawn on the position taken by other institutions such as the Science Museum and the British Museum, both of which have highly controversial funding relationships with energy firms, but he said: “It is factual that we have not accepted any funding from fossil fuel companies.”

The museum recently redeveloped its outdoor space into two new gardens focusing on evolution and biodiversity, and Gurr said it hoped to expand its education programme, encouraging schools to exploit their own outdoor space and enhance their climate and nature teaching.

[breakerwhiskey]

151 - ONE HUNDRED FIFTY ONE

Please visit breakerwhiskey.com for more information or to send a message to Whiskey's radio. Breaker Whiskey is an Atypical Artists production created by Lauren Shippen. If you'd like to support the show, please visit patreon.com/breakerwhiskey.

Transcript under the cut. For more episodes, click here.

[click, static] [a cacophony of beeps] [click]

Okay, okay, I get it, just stop. 

[click, static, beeps]

(sighing) This isn’t—this isn’t helpful. Maybe you can’t hear what I’m hearing, but two messages are coming in at once and as a result, I can’t hear a goddamn thing. A fox yapping and a bird chirping at the same time and I’m the fool trying to make sense of both of them. 

If you truly care for me to understand what you’re trying to tell me, then you can figure something else out, something that’s not…this. Meanwhile, I’m going to be doing my own goddamn investigating. 

I’m going to figure out how Leann lived. Surviving on your own, especially all the way up here, out here, and especially at her age…its no easy feat. Maybe she really was just proficient in survival because of her job, maybe that was enough, or maybe she wasn’t totally alone the whole time. Maybe the husband in the photos…maybe he was with her and died years ago. Maybe her daughters are still out there and have been gone from home for one reason or another. Maybe she had people to help her, people to rely on, people to…goddamn pass the time with. 

If she did, I’m going to find them. Even they are—even if they did eventually…

It matters that she’s dead. Of course it matters. I really, really wish that she wasn’t. But, dead or alive, she’s here. And that’s what matters. She’s existed in this strange after-world, right alongside Harry and I, without any of us realizing it. And as far as I can tell, the three of us have nothing in common beyond being women who are decently self-sufficient. Leann was born here, in North Dakota, and doesn’t seem to have traveled more than a few hundred miles from this general area her entire life. I don’t have an exhaustive list of every place that Harry has ever visited, but I’m pretty sure she’s never been out this way. So none of us crossed paths. 

Harry and I were criminals, and Leann worked for the government…but for the Bureau of Land Management. That’s hardly—I mean, it’s not the FBI, it isn’t like our paths would’ve crossed once Harry and I got arrested. And maybe it’s not important that we would’ve crossed paths or not, maybe it’s…maybe it’s some kind of weird gene we all share or something, something intrinsic in each of us that’s caused us to survive when everyone else…

What, evaporated? Leann’s body is the first that I’ve seen. If we were all immune to something, we’d see everybody who wasn’t. 

I have…I have no theories. After the thing with the tornado siren, I started to think again that maybe…maybe it’s not that everyone else is gone, maybe it’s that we’re somewhere else. That maybe that dark feeling I have sometimes about this being purgatory or hell is right. It’s what I deserve, and for years I didn’t understand what Harry would’ve done to earn the same punishment but then she—

[click, static]

I don’t know what Leann could have possibly done to land herself here.  And if it is some sort of cosmic punishment, well…where the fuck is everyone else? There are things that I’ve done that I’m not proud of, that I carry a hell of a lot of guilt and shame about actually, but I know there are worse people than me. Is this a perfectly calibrated hell for people who have done something bad but not that bad? Maybe Leann was a shitty mom, or was stealing money from her job, or…who knows. But if she had done something like that, then her and Harry being in the same place…sure, I can see that. 

But I don’t belong with them. What I did was so much worse, objectively.  I know that. I don’t pretend like it was right or noble or anything like that. Necessary, maybe,  or at least I thought so at the time—

[click, static]

I just don’t get it. I don’t understand how we’re connected. And maybe I’m looking for a connection where I’ll never find one, maybe it’s just weird fucking coincidence but that doesn’t feel…right. If only three of us made it past 1968, there must be a reason. 

[click, static]

[viktorclawthorne]

Why I think the Garp, Koby, and Helmeppo side plot in opla is great - a silly little essay

This includes One Piece Live Action spoilers as well as a bit of Marineford

B4 we start: this is all just my opinion and thoughts I had while watching the live action.

I might've gotten some stuff wrong, or you may disagree with me. Also, English isn't my first language

I'm not expecting anyone to actually see this, I just need to write it down

Firstly, I find the choice of including Koby and Garp more early on very interesting, they did a great job showcasing the corruption within the Marines and also how toxic and even abusive Garp is (Helmeppo literally says so).

Koby is the first character we see be friends with Luffy, making us like and empathize with him. They go separate ways and after that, they parallel each other in many ways; Koby has a very strong sense of justice, just like Luffy, He wants to protect people, which Luffy is shown to do a lot. Other than Koby however, Luffy prioritizes his freedom, while Koby joins the Marines because he believes he can protect people that way.

They tell each other to “Be a good Pirate” and “Be a good Marine”, With their similarities Koby serves as a great tool to show throughout the season how corrupt the marines are, especially compared to the freedom of pirates like Luffy.

We meet Mihawk in the context of him getting a call from Garp, immediately showing the connection between Marines and Pirates. When this gets explained to Koby - and therefore also the viewer - he first realizes how corrupt the system of the Marines is. Helmeppo explains: “Warlords exist, so the marines don't have to do the dirty work”.

In Shells Town we’re led to believe that Helmeppo is “stupid and bad” and Koby is “smart and good” but later on we learn that Helmeppo was aware of how the marines work from the start and therefore wasn't enthusiastic about joining, his rank, or his duties like Koby was. When Koby finally learns the truth, he considers quitting, showing how far from his ideal of protecting citizens the navy is.

Garp literally says himself that as a marine, you operate in a cruel and unfair system and have to compromise your morals and ideals (which is why all marines are inherently immoral). He also states he could have been fleet admiral (aka highest-ranking marine) but turned it down bc he would “have to do it their way” and it would “take away his freedom” which shows his similarities to Luffy and Dragon. It is also bullshit bc he HAS to mostly do it their way, all Marines serve the world government / celestial dragons and not the people, which therefore means you cannot be free within the Marines.

In the Liveaction we see Garp let Luffy go, which is his idea of “doing things his way”, he seems to think by declining to be fleet admiral he keeps at least some degree of his autonomy; however, I personally think he is being ignorant, wanting to ignore how functioning in a corrupt system can never be moral, and you inherently lose your freedom.

Garp still believes the marines are necessary “to protect order” so he can't completely disagree with the system, clearly setting him apart from pirates like Luffy or Roger and the revolutionary army (who of course exist in contrast to the marines, showing and, well, rebelling against their cruelty).

Zeff points out the similarities between Luffy and Roger to Garp, who then mentions how Roger died, implying he’s just trying to protect Luffy. Garp seems to have a twisted view on protection; since he believes it is wrong as well as dangerous to be a pirate he physically abused Luffy from a young age, trying to stomp out his dream and make him follow in Garp's footsteps (same goes for Ace and somewhat Sabo of course).

This is also shown by how he acts in Marineford where he first tries to stop Luffy but then lets him through, isn't able to kill Ace, and has to be held back in order to not attack Akainu. Deep down, he seems to really care for those whom he considers Family, which clashes with his belief that Pirates are inherently immoral / bad.

I do believe his pursuit of Luffy throughout OPLA wasn't just him testing Luffy, as he states at the end. Garp gets really mad when he finds out Luffy has become a pirate, and still really wants to make him into a marine. The scene with Zeff would've also not been necessary, I think Garp really intends to protect Luffy (like Ace).

When he sees Luffy’s determination, however, he accepts that he can’t change him, showing that Luffy's strong will is more important to Garp than protecting him. This is also supported by the events in Marineford when Garp lets Luffy pass after seeing his resolve.

The moment Koby decides to stay in the Marines, he accepts that he’ll have to compromise his dream and agree to give up his original morals to some degree.

However, he’s still very similar to Luffy, and at this point also mirrors the “good” sides of Garp. He questions if they should really go after Luffy and stands up for his own beliefs when he gets the order to arrest the strawhats.

This way Koby (as well as Helmeppo, who does the same) showcases the corruption and unfairness of the marines because not like him the other marines present follow the irrational orders of their superior blindly.

Garp states at the end of OPLA that following orders doesn't make you a good marine, following your code does. He congratulates Koby and Helmeppo for standing up for what they believe is right, even when their orders said the contrary.

Concluding it’s safe to say that Garp, Koby, and even Helmeppo all show similarities to Luffy, they have strong beliefs, disagree with the way the marines are run and even go against their orders because of this. Showing these three as the side plot in OPLA drives the point Home how corrupt, immoral, and unfair the Marines are, and with the context of the world government and Celestial dragons, this gets even more weight.

[itsnothingofinterest]

What you said about your ideal ending for bnha, that the villains would win and change everything, then the hero kids would come back in, straightening things out but being able to make the necessary societal adaptations, sounds brilliantly perfect! Like a destruction and re-creation type of ending.

I really like that idea, as currently the kids have zero intention or means of changing anything in hero society, and it seems the only way to avoid an a**pull ending of 'and the next generation fixed things (no descriptions given and everything is suspiciously the same, but it all worked out!)

I do think that the villains will be saved and the hero kids will win in the end but seriously Thanks for never giving up in thinking we should get a better conclusion on the plots/themes/characters in bnha rather than something generic and unsatisfying.

(In response to this)

Thanks, and you’re very welcome.

Really, I say that ending was “my pipe dream climax for a while” but really its always something I’ve kept in the back of my head. Because someone at some point needs to address the societal faults of HeroAca’s setting, right? And if the villains really are destined to lose and can’t achieve any of their ambitions (not to mention arguments that the League are so self-destructive they shouldn’t achieve their ambitions), then logically it should be the kids.

But the kids’ arcs aren’t headed in the direction and have never been about that in the first place. Their arcs have always been about becoming heroes and saving people, and about what kind of hero they’ll become and how they’ll save people. That’s what all the hurdles they’ve ever faced, past and present, have informed. Even Shoji, the one hero who does want to fix something wrong in society, wants to do so by being an All Might wannabee, which his own origin story showed not working. And while this could all be rectified by listening to and working with the League; as is, changing society just doesn’t seem to be their role. And if it isn’t, then maybe their role is just protecting innocents in the transition and saving the villains when their job is done.

Which would mean the villains' job, their role, is changing society. That is the conventional understanding, right? The villains challenge the status quo while heroes protect and pursue justice.

Of course, there is still the argument that they’re too self-destructive for any of their goals to be something to aspire for; but hey, maybe their character growth is meant to be about learning to be less self-destructive villains. I’d argue that’s what Spinner’s been going through a lot of, at least; juries out on if Dabi & Toga will be headed that specific direction. And maybe they could learn to be less anarchistic and destructive to those around them too, after that. Might be good if they’re supposed to rule for a period, and then come to an understanding with the heroes in the end.

And if we got to see what a “villain society” under Shigaraki & PLF rule is like at that time, get to see the villains put their money where their mouths are and what’s right or wrong with their aspirations & ideals, well I think that would be pretty cool.

Certainly preferable to the a**pull ending of us being told everything got solved easy.

Honestly I think if they went with that ending, where we’re just told Class 1A fixed everything easily off-screen despite all the hurdles in the way of that (not least of which being their own disinterest); I wouldn’t believe it. I’d think they did enough to convince themselves they solved prejudice and government corruption; but they wouldn’t really, and a new League made of villains saying all the same things as the current League would form early into their professional careers to their great confusion.

Hence why I don't much care for the idea of that ending. Complex problems require and deserve hard, detailed solutions.

[chronicallybloodless]

Heavy to Hold - Chapter 11

Pressure

Pairing: Astarion x enby!tav Status: in progress Rating: Explicit (18+ only) Genre: angst/comfort | slow burn Alternating second-person POV Contains spoilers for the whole game basically TW: it's an astarion fic: descriptions of trauma, abuse, sexual violence, etc. | smut | full tag list on AO3 Read from the beginning: AO3 | Tumblr Listen to the Playlist

Shadowheart was naturally suspicious, and you worried that if she pressed too much you would inadvertently reveal Astarion’s secret. You had already taken to humming tunes to yourself anytime you were around your companions, just in case their tadpoles got a little too curious. A Sharran inquisition would be more than enough to break you.

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Tav's POV

“And just where do you think you’re going?”

You froze in your tracks. You thought the others had all bedded down for the night, providing you an opportunity to sneak out for your nightly engagement with Astarion. But apparently Shadowheart wasn’t as asleep as she had looked.

“Oh uh….just going to stretch my legs a bit before bed, nothing major.” You turned to face her. She was staring at you with her arms crossed, one eyebrow raised. She knew you were up to something.

“Really? And the fact that Astarion headed out on his walk a few minutes ago is purely coincidence?”

Shit.

“Yep, totally.”

She sighed as she rose from her bed, gesturing for you to keep walking. The two of you perched on some boxes overlooking the river. The sound of the quiet waves was in stark contrast to your rapid pulse. Shadowheart was naturally suspicious, and you worried that if she pressed too much you would inadvertently reveal Astarion’s secret. You had already taken to humming tunes to yourself anytime you were around your companions, just in case their tadpoles got a little too curious. A Sharran inquisition would be more than enough to break you.

“So….is it good?”

“Is what good?”

“Tav, you’ve been sneaking out with him every night for over a week. Clearly you must be doing something that you’re enjoying.”

“Honestly, we’re mostly just talking.”

“Mostly?”

“Well….” You took a deep breath in. There was no way she was ever going to buy that there wasn’t something else going on. “It’s just…..the nights are long out here, and the rest of you need so much more sleep than we do, so….”

“So you decided to screw the least trustworthy member of the group?” She frowned.

“And here I thought Lae’zel was your least favorite.”

“Lae’zel is consistent.” The look on her face was serious—she was genuinely worried about you. “Astarion…..I don’t know. There’s something he isn’t telling us. Think about it, shouldn’t we have heard something about his work as a magistrate if he is who he says he is?”

You of course knew that when he said that he was a magistrate in Baldur’s Gate, he really did mean that in the past tense. He hadn’t been involved in the city’s governance in two centuries, not since he was turned.

“I don’t know about you, but the goings-on of the city council weren’t top of mind for me.” You waved a hand dismissively.

“Still, there’s more to him, I can feel it.”

“Says the lady of secrets.”

“Which is how I know.”

“What do you expect me to say?”

“I don’t know.” She looked down and began tracing circles in the dirt. “That you’re being careful. That he isn’t using you.”

You trusted Shadowheart a great deal—and she had begun to trust you in turn, revealing details about her worship and her secretive life in the city. Apparently that trust also came with a protectiveness that you hadn’t anticipated. It would be heartwarming if it didn't have the potential to get Astarion killed.

“Shadowheart, I appreciate you trying to look after me, I really do.” She started to say something, but you kept going. “I…I think I’m just enjoying the attention, that’s all.”

You were enjoying it, more than you wanted to admit. The way he hungered for you, in the literal sense, made you feel needed. You told yourself that this was just to keep him safe, just to protect his secret, but the way you felt with him was unlike anything you had ever experienced.

Plenty of people had told you that they needed you in your line of work, but they didn’t look at you like he did. When they looked at you, they saw their fantasies. They saw a Drow, a Lolthite, a brutal Matriarch. They saw a body that could fit the shape from their dreams, turning it into a reality for a few hours at a time.

They weren’t interested in you.

But Astarion was.

At least, that’s what you told yourself. Shadowheart was right, he wasn’t always trustworthy. He lied as naturally as breathing and didn’t care who he hurt in the process. He laid on flirtatious compliments and pet names without batting an eye. From the outside, anyone would think that he was manipulating you. It was a classic tale—a worldly noble takes advantage of an innocent, starry-eyed bard.

But they didn’t hear the sounds he made every night. They didn’t feel his grip tighten as he drank you in, desperate for more. They didn’t know what their names sounded like whispered against their own skin like a prayer.

“Fine.” She stood and started walking back towards camp. “But the second he does something wrong, I’ll castrate him myself.”

“Tav…” He whispered, breaking the silence that had fallen around you. You had been sitting wrapped in his arms for a while following tonight’s feeding.

“Mmm?”

“Is….is everything alright?” He sounded concerned. You weren’t hiding your feelings as well as you had hoped. The doubts that Shadowheart has expressed were weighing on you.

“In general? Absolutely not.” You looked towards your intertwined fingers and gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. “But it’s okay enough for right now.”

One thought kept echoing through your head.

Can I trust that this is real?

[androidcharles]

Well, things have kinda spiraled out of control. Now that the secrets out, what fate awaits Charles and Amelia?

The next chapter will hopefully be out by next week, possibly Wednesday-ish, but if it isn't, feel free to bap me

Charles was sitting outside of the briefing room. He had been at the base since yesterday and in all honesty, it was the first time that he hated every second of it. He had done so well, managed to cover his tracks so much. But in the end, he got caught.

He was now listening to the general yell at Ellie and Henry, who were denying any involvement in his little secret what-so-ever.

Just as planned, but it still left a sour taste in his mouth as he heard Ellie go on about how it was surprising to hear such a thing was happening. Finally, after several minutes that felt like several hours, Ellie and Henry finally left the room. They both tried to avoid eye contact with him as the general called him in the room.

Or did he? Charles felt like he was imagining it maybe…

“CHARLES CALVIN, GET IN HERE RIGHT NOW!” Shit… Charles stood up and walked into the room quickly, shutting the door behind him as he gulped. Three generals, General Hammond, General Masters, and of course, General Galeforce sat in front of him. At least three lieutenants and three captains (Victoria was among them) were sitting on either side of the generals as General Galeforce narrowed his eyes at him.

“Charles Calvin, you are here because you have been secretly meeting with a Toppat over the course of the past few months. Not only that, but you went on a non-government sanctioned mission with four of the most wanted Toppats on the Great Continent without so much as threatening their arrest. You have done more than just break the rules, you’ve committed an act of treason. Do you have anything to say for yourself?” General Galeforce glared at Charles as he shook.

“I… I can’t… I wasn’t even giving her any information! Not sensitive information anyway!” Charles said, “We were just meeting together, talking about stuff! Nothing serious!”

“Charles, you may have not broken any ethics in terms of loose lips, but you still could have been pumped for information. Heck you were probably being pumped without even realizing it!” General Galeforce shouted.

“I wasn’t! Because I trust Amelia!” Charles shouted. The gasps in the room echoed as the statement shocked everyone, including him.

“You trust a Toppat… a Toppat over your own fellow soldiers!?” General Galeforce said, “Charles, do you realize what a huge mistake you've made?!”

“I… I…” Charles tried to think of something to say, but the words got caught in his throat.

“There’s no such thing as a good Toppat, son…” General Hammond said, “I know it myself.”

“And by meeting with this Toppat over the past few months, you’ve abandoned your principles as a government agent…” General Masters said.

“Well Charles… what do you have to say?” General Galeforce said. Charles’ mouth felt drier than usual. These were no longer the kind eyes that had picked him up in the Project SAI complex and taken him in, but the cold stare of a general scorning someone. Someone like him, who had turned his back on his fellow soldiers.

“I’m sorry… I’ll do whatever I can to make up for it,” Charles said softly.

“Sorry isn’t gonna work here Charles… everyone has reached a verdict, correct?” General Hammond said. As the room nodded their head in agreement, Charles started to shake as General Hammond looked at him with his cold green eyes.

“Charles Calvin, from this point on, as of May 2nd, stick year 624, you will no longer be serving in the government forces. You have twenty four hours to grab anything you might need and vacate the premises. If you are seen here after twenty four hours, you will be regarded as an enemy and be taken care of with swift force,” General Hammond announced.

“We’re sorry to see you go, Charles. After how much of an ace flier you were…” General Masters said.

“G-general Galeforce-!” Charles shouted.

“Charles… get out… now…” General Galeforce said. Charles suddenly felt cold all over as he stood there, shaking, trying to process what just happened.

“CHARLES, GET OUT OF HERE NOW!” General Galeforce screamed as Charles flinched, trying to look to the others for support. Not even Victoria wanted to look him in the eye.

“I…” Charles finally willed himself to move, heading out of the door and closing it behind him. He was led by one of the soldier to the science and research, where all the government files that were stored on him were promptly deleted. After about an hour of this, he grabbed a cardboard box from the recycling as he headed towards the helicopter hangar.

All along the way, he heard soldiers whispering as he walked by, making snide remarks and comments about what had happened. He tried to push them out his mind as he headed towards his locker, cleaning out everything in it before closing it up, taking the box and carrying it to the gates. Henry and Ellie were already waiting for him as he approached the entrance.

“I’m sorry Charles… we couldn’t vouch for you because if we did… we’d be out of a job. I hope you understand!” Ellie said.

“Yeah, I understand,” Charles said flatly.

REALLY, WE’RE SORRY. WE’LL MAKE IT UP TO YOU, OK? Henry said.

“No need,” Charles said, “Let’s just go home.”

“I’ve already called a cab out here. They should be here any minute now…” Ellie said.

“Mm…” Charles nodded his head. The cab finally pulled up to the complex as Ellie gave instructions on where to head before the finally set off. The cab drove through the desert, as suburbs started to pop up before they finally approached their apartment. As they got out of the cab and walked up the stairs, time finally seemed to catch up with Charles.

He was just kicked out. He had been court martialed.

Immediately, he dropped his box and began to sob, right there and then as Henry and Ellie tried to comfort him, but he slapped them away as he ran into the apartment, screaming and crying as they both exchanged glances.

“Ah… he’ll be fine, right?” Ellie said. Henry shook his head. He didn’t know if Charles would be fine after all this. After all, Charles’ whole life was the government forces. And if he didn’t have that… who was he?

- - - - -

Reginald paced in front of the four Toppats in front of him. Sven gripped the edges of his chair, looking down at the floor as Red tried to even his breathing. Meanwhile, Carol had her arms crossed as Amelia stared directly at her father, waiting for the worst.

"So… let's review shall we?" Reginald turned his gaze towards the Toppats, who flinched at his gaze.

"You three heard that my daughter had been dog whispering for almost THREE MONTHS! And instead of having the common sense to tell me, you allow her to bribe you into keeping quiet. I would be proud if it wasn't for the sensitivity of the situation…" Reginald muttered, "Well? Are you going to explain yourselves?"

"They weren't involved in any of the meetings, dad! They shouldn't be in trouble, I'm the only one-" Amelia started to explain before Reginald put his hand up.

"Do you think you're in a position to defend your cohorts, young lady?" Reginald asked. Amelia shrunk back as he shook his head.

"Chief, if it's any consolation, we didn't give him any sensitive information…" Carol assured him. Reginald rolled his eyes as he heard this.

"And you expect me to believe that after you guys tried to convince my right hand that you had taken him prisoner? How do you know that he wouldn't have escaped? Or even worse yet, given those government bastards sensitive information about our new hiding spot?! Well?!" The four of them looked down at the floor as Reginald sighed.

"Dad… I know it looks bad, but I trust Charles and-"

"YOU TRUST HIM?!" The four of them jumped as Reginald's eyes filled with rage, "We take you in, hide you from the government, I do everything in my power to keep you safe and make you feel as if you were a part of my family AND YOU TRUST HIM?! OVER YOUR OWN CLAN?!" Amelia shrunk back in her chair as Sven suddenly got a spurt of confidence.

"Chief, I don't think it's fair to talk about her like that! She does trust the clan I can assure you!" Sven said.

"So you think that she should have risked the life of the clan for her own endeavors?" Reginald said coldly. Sven shrunk back too.

"Well… it's very clear that you four aren't fit for your current positions. I put you into a higher position because I trusted that you would put the clan first. But since you have decided otherwise… from this moment on you are all demoted. Starting today, you are back to your status as low ranking Toppat members,” Reginald announced.

“WHAT?!” Carol jumped up, “THAT’S NOT FAIR! Do you realize how hard we had to work to get to where we were!?”

“You can’t just do this!” Sven said.

“Of course I can. I’m the leader!” Reginald shouted, “If you have a problem with it, you can leave at any time. I have no problem letting go of traitors.” Amelia shook as the others exchanged glances.

“Well, with that in mind, you have until the end of the day to have your room packed up. Mr. Dagwood will assign your new room to you. You have a lot of work ahead of you if you want to gain my trust again…” Reginald said, “Good day.” As the leader left the room in a huff, Carol stomped her foot on the ground, throwing her chair at the wall.

“Well, this is just GREAT!” Carol shouted, “I can’t believe that I convinced myself that going along with you guys was a good idea! I should have just stayed behind and collected my shares peacefully…”

“I can’t believe the leader demoted his own daughter,” Red said, standing up and stretching, “That’s surprising in and of itself.”

“It’s only fair. Even the princess of the Toppat Clan shouldn’t get special treatment,” Sven said, “Speaking of which, where is she?” The three of them turned to see the chair that Amelia occupied was now empty.

“Probably went to go pack her things. Ugh, I cannot believe I’m doing this,” Carol said, “This is gonna suck.”

“We’ll work our way back to the top eventually,” Sven said, “The best we can do now is just keep moving forward.”

“Good idea!” Red said.

“Well, Amelia had better hope she doesn’t cross paths with me. And she still owes me those shares!” Carol shouted.

Amelia, meanwhile, had managed to make her way up to her room. She was going to miss this, but in the end, it was bound to happen. In the back of her mind, she knew she was going to get caught, but she didn’t think her dad would be so harsh about it. The clan comes first; that was the mindset he was probably taught. And now here she was, saying goodbye to this nice room. The room she would be getting would still be decently sized for all her activities, but she would have to share it with another person.

She might as well check on Charles. At least one good thing could come out of today.

She opened her messenger app and typed a message to him.

GlitterToppatGirl: Hey.

xXBold_Action_ManXx: what the hell do you want

GlitterToppatGirl: Geez, harsh. I got my punishment. I’m back to the bottom until I can prove I’m trustworthy again. That’ll take a while, but I think it’ll be worth it. So how many buildings at your complex are you mopping? Or are you mopping the same building for the next year?

xXBold_Action_ManXx: none

GlitterToppatGirl: Wow, you got off easy. I guess you were right, your dad general vouched for you, huh?

xXBold_Action_ManXx: no he didnt no one did I got kicked out

GlitterToppatGirl: Oh… I’m so sorry.

xXBold_Action_ManXx: no youre not if you were sorry than YOU WOULDNT HAVE DECIDED TO MEET UP WITH ME TO BEGIN WITH ITS ALL YOUR FAULT THAT EVERYTHING HAPPENED THE WAY IT DID IF YOU HAD JUST DECIDED TO KEEP TO YOURSELF OR GET ARRESTED LIKE YOU SHOULD HAVE NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE EVER HAPPENED THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT I HATE YOU I HATE YOU I HATE YOU

Amelia was stunned as she saw the wall of text greet her and she started to shake.

It was her fault. Charles hated her. Her dads hated her. The whole clan hated her. This was all her fault.

She curled up on her bed and began to sob.

- - - - -

One week had passed since Charles got kicked out. Everyday, Henry or Ellie would have to knock on the door just to get Charles out of his room to eat. He would eat and than go back in his room, either to lay down, to play somber sounding music, or he would just… talk to himself. It was kind of creepy and in all honesty, Henry and Ellie had enough after a while.

It wasn’t much, but they had to do something to get Charles out of his depressive state. And luckily, thanks to the government forces, who were kind enough to note that they had taken Charles in (despite his recent act of treason), they had some equipment to deal with Charles and help take care of him. One of these things happened to be a remote that would lock him in safe mode whenever they needed to.

So on the eighth day, Ellie knocked on Charles’ bedroom door once again.

“Charles, lunch time!” Ellie said.

“Just leave it out there… I’m not in the mood right now…” Charles called from the other side of the door.

“C’mon Charles, you have been huddling in there for eight straight days and me and Henry are sick and tired of you moping about in that room of yours. It’s about time you got out and tried to pretend like everything is OK!” Ellie shouted.

“Why should I?!” Charles shouted, “I’m not coming out today, OK!? I’m not in the mood!”

“You haven’t been in the mood for a whole week! I’m not putting up with it anymore!” Ellie shouted, pulling out the remote, “One last chance Charles or I’m kicking the door down!”

“Are you really gonna risk the security deposit to teach me a lesson!?” Charles sneered. That does it. Ellie braced herself as she pushed the button on the remote and kicked the door down. Immediately, Charles pulled himself up and attempted to turn his arm into a laser cannon, just to stun Ellie and get her to leave him alone, only to get an ERROR message on his UI.

“No… no no no!!” Charles gritted his teeth as he looked at the corner of his UI, indicating that he was in safe mode right now.

“Fucking fuck fuck fuck!” Charles shouted as he charged at Ellie. Unfortunately, his lack of experience with fighting had caught up to him, as Ellie was able to pin him in a headlock in no time at all. She had placed the remote to deactivate safe mode on the dresser near the door. Henry was now standing outside the door as he took the remote and pocketed it as Charles growled, trying to free himself from Ellie’s grip.

“LET GO OF ME YOU BITCH!” Charles screamed. Something snapped in Ellie as she flipped him over, before pulling him by the collar of his pajamas and slamming him against the wall. Pain trickled down his artificial spine as he looked in fear at Ellie, who’s eyes were very unkind.

“I’m sorry,” Charles said softly, “I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry I won’t say anything else I swear, just please let me go.”

“Than sit down over there! Right now!” Ellie shouted, dropping Charles as he fell to the ground. He pulled himself up, slinking over to his bed as he sat, his eyes big and innocent as Ellie paced the floor, trying to keep her anger contained.

“You are not being very constructive,” Ellie said, “You are being very destructive. I know the pots calling the kettle black when I say that, but it’s starting to get on my nerves. Charles, I hate to say this, but you need to get out of here. Wallowing in your own pity isn’t going to help anything. You know that and Henry knows that and I know that as well! So once you take a shower and get dressed, we’re going out to Gouda’s to have lunch and if you refuse, we’re just gonna leave you in here to rust away!”

Charles gulped as he looked at Ellie, who had her arms crossed, her eyes were determined. He looked to Henry for support as shrugged before Charles sighed, pulling himself up and walking to his dresser, getting out a pair of blue jeans and a shirt.

“Give me about one hour to get ready. You don’t have to stay in here,” Charles said.

“We kinda do. In case you try something…” Ellie said, sitting on the bed.

“OK, but I’m not changing in here,” Charles muttered as he entered his bathroom. Henry sat on the bed next to Ellie as she gave him a look.

“It’s not like he has anything to hide. He has barbie doll anatomy,” Ellie muttered. After a few minutes, the water came on in the bathroom as they waited for Charles to get done showering.

Pretty soon, they had called a cab out to the apartments and had piled into it as Charles let out a sigh, trying not to seem like he was grateful that Ellie had scolded him earlier and they were now going out somewhere.

Once they had arrived at the restaurant, they waited to be seated as Charles took a look around. It wasn’t like he hadn’t been here before, but it was still new to him after a week of closing himself off to the world.

The fish tank behind the bar was still there, lots of fish swimming around of all shapes and sizes. The huge propeller that seemed to serve no purpose was still spinning above the tables in the middle of the restaurant, the radio still played a bunch of ancient songs from an era that nobody seemed to remember, because they had not lived that long. Charles sighed, letting his legs stretch out, fully realizing how long it had been since he had actually gone out and began to feel a little guilty.

The waitress had arrived to seat them as they took their usual booth, which was usually in the other room away from the crowds. While it was busy during lunch time, this booth always seemed quiet enough to where they could sit and chat about whatever without feeling like they were being eavesdropped on. Charles sat on the opposite side of Henry and Ellie as they took their menus. They didn’t really need them, however, as they never really changed their orders.

“Alright, Charles, now that you’re out, how do you feel?” Ellie asked.

“Awful,” Charles muttered.

“Well, you should be. You worried us a lot over the past few days. We were beginning to wonder if you were ever gonna come back,” Ellie said.

“I know, but… I just… I just don’t understand why this had to happen. Why it had to happen like this… I don’t know what I’m gonna do. As far as things are concerned, I’m a wanted criminal. I’m not sure if I’m gonna be able to bounce back from this or… or even be able to do anything again or…” Charles put his head in his hands as Henry reached over and took one of them, rubbing one of his palms to reassure him.

“And it just hurt you know… you guys didn’t vouch for me, the general hates me now and probably everyone on the base too. They probably think I’m a traitor…” Charles said, “You guys hate me and Rupert probably hates me. That’s the thing that’s making me feel the worst. I feel horrible and sick because I can’t stand the idea of you guys hating me or him hating me because… I don’t know I just don’t know…”

“Charles we don’t hate you. We… only hate what you did. You could have stopped at any time and yet you kept going anyway because you were under the impression that you weren’t going to be punished. I hate to say this, but you only have yourself to blame for all this,” Ellie said.

“We wanted to vouch for you… but if we did, we wouldn’t be working for the government for long…” Henry said softly.

“I know. You guys love doing what you do. But if that was taken from you… would you guys go back to a life of crime?” Charles asked.

WELL… Henry pondered this for a second. He thought of all the other timelines where he had stayed a criminal, a thief in the shadows, forever running from authority and danger where ever he stepped. He seemed happy in those timelines. He became a Toppat in one and he became the leader of the entire clan in another.

IF IT HAS TO WORK OUT THAT WAY, I GUESS I WOULD BUT… I WOULDN’T WANT TO RISK MY FRIENDSHIP WITH YOU GUYS IN THE PROCESS, Henry said, SO IF I HAD VOUCHED FOR YOU AND WE WERE GOING TO BECOME CRIMINALS AGAIN… WOULD YOU FOLLOW US?

“Ah…” Charles looked down at his knees as he pondered this, “Hmmm…”

“Omigoodness he’s actually thinking about it,” Ellie said.

“Um! Can I take your orders?” the waitress suddenly piped up.

“Uh! Yeah, sure hold on,” Ellie said. After rattling out their usual orders, they went back to their conversation.

“She must be new. Everyone here knows our usual,” Ellie muttered, “Anyway, I think I remember I was in your position at one point. It was a bit different, but it was still kind the same in a way. A long time ago, I used to be part of a rich family…”

“I’ve already heard this story,” Charles said.

“Ah, well, since you know that part, I’ll tell you the rest. Basically what I did… instead of letting myself deal with my emotions in a way that was healthy and constructive, all the hatred and terror that I had felt over the past fifteen years just… blew up. I became an uncontrollable mess and I started to do bad things. Things that I regret. Things that I don’t want to repeat. I stole from jewelry stores. I killed people for the heck of it. I ran with people who I shouldn’t have ran with. And I was taken advantage multiple times before the age of twenty one. In a sexual way and in a psychological way as well.

“I was a mess when I turned twenty four. I shouldn’t have done half the shit that I did, but I did it anyway. When I was rescued by Henry and the government offered me a chance to redeem myself I thought it was the best thing I could do. I thought that it would erase the awful things that I did and I wouldn’t have to worry about my past chasing me anymore.

“A person like Henry probably doesn’t have any regrets because he started crime when he was old enough to comprehend what he was doing was wrong… but he still did anyway,” Ellie said.

“Hehe,” Henry chuckled.

“But for me, I started young and I ended up a mess because of it. Even after my pardon and my multiple captures of many wanted criminals, everything about my past still haunts me. I couldn’t look at a deck of cards without throwing up until I was twenty one years old. Even than I still feel a bit queasy,” Ellie said.

“So what’s the whole point of telling me this?” Charles asked as their food was delivered to them.

“Well, a: you shouldn’t just turn to a life of crime because your entire life was turned upside down by a criminal syndicate who had no sympathy for human life and b: you should try to be a little more constructive despite everything that happened. Charles, it sucks that you got kicked out. For many reasons that inconvenience me and Henry.”

WE’RE REALLY GONNA MISS THE HELICOPTER, Henry said.

“But sitting in your room, pretending the world has ended and there’s nothing worth doing anything for isn’t going to help. Just like how I turned to a life of crime because of everything that happened isn’t going to help. It only makes you worse,” Ellie said.

“Ellie, I don’t think you’re a bad person. In fact, you’re really nice. Especially now… I’m sorry I called you a bitch earlier. I really am,” Charles said.

“I know. You were just angry,” Ellie said, “And I’m glad you don’t think I’m a bad person. I… really am…” She blushed as she started to munch on her fries.

“Well, I’m glad you told me all that. I guess I can ax my plans to join the Toppats,” Charles said. He winked playfully when he said this, causing Henry and Ellie to giggle.

“That’s the Charles I remember!” Ellie said, “I just hope that after all that you’re still friends with Amelia.”

“Oh… yeah…” Charles suddenly remember the last message that he had typed to her and felt horribly guilty. He had just blamed her for everything that had occurred and didn’t even think about the fact that maybe he was at fault.

“I don’t think she wants to be my friend anymore,” Charles muttered, “Maybe she hates me too…”

“Well, maybe it’s better that way?” Ellie said, “She’s a Toppat after all.” Charles glanced down at the ground as Ellie and Henry exchanged glances. Henry suddenly clapped his hands together, knowing the perfect way to change the subject.

SAY CHARLES, DIDN’T YOU SAY THAT THE GOVERNMENT LIMITED WHAT WEAPONS YOU COULD HAVE BECAUSE IT WOULD BE UNETHICAL? Henry asked.

“Uh, yeah. They didn’t even want to me fly. ‘But Charlie, you’re already flying a helicopter, it wouldn’t make much sense!’ general said. It’s so not… fair…” Charles suddenly came to the realization as he slammed his hands on the table.

“I CAN GET THOSE ENHANCEMENTS NOW! Ah, but we don’t know anyone who can fix me up,” Charles muttered.

Henry thought back to the other timelines and hummed a little. Maybe she would do it, but he had to make sure he could locate her.

THERE’S ONE PERSON I KNOW WHO MIGHT BE ABLE TO, Henry said, SHE WORKS WITH CYBERNETICS, BUT MAYBE IF I TALK TO HER, SHE CAN WORK WITH YOU AS WELL.

“I mean, I don’t see why not,” Ellie said, “Who is this anyway?”

HER NAME IS HARD TO PRONOUNCE. DR… Henry twitched his hands, trying to figure out how to fingerspell it.

DR. VINSCHPINSILSTIEN, Henry finally managed to spell the name as Charles tipped his head to the side and Ellie just gazed at Henry.

“I didn’t even catch half of that. That’s a fully loaded name though,” Ellie said, “Are you sure she’ll be willing to help us?”

I KNOW HER… SOMEWHAT. LET’S JUST SAY I’VE MET HER… IN THE PAST, Henry explained, hoping that was vague enough.

“Got it,” Ellie said, “I would question it but in all honesty I don’t think I’m in a position to. What do you think Charlie. Do you want some new toys?”

“Yes yes! I do I do!” Charles said, “Ah, and I don’t even have to worry about keeping my secret that I’m an android anymore! I can tell anyone I want!” Charles clapped his hands, giving a big smile for the first time in months as Henry started to giggle and Ellie smiled fondly.

It’s about time he cheered up, Ellie thought.

- - - - -

Henry was hard at work in his office, trying to pin point exact the exact location of this doctor. He knew she would be on the water, but he didn’t know where she might be headed. He tried to remember from the timeline that he had met her, but every time he tried to think of the location… all he could see was red.

Vengeance is a scary thing, Henry thought as he started to make charts on his map. She had to be near the Wall at the time, but he didn’t know where she might have gone afterwards. Suddenly, he heard a knock on the door as he looked up and saw Charles opening the door.

“Any luck?” Charles asked. When Henry shook his head, Charles sighed, sitting down at the table as he fiddled with a thumbtack.

“Ellie said that she’s gonna use the description you gave of her and call some of her old contacts to see if they can locate her. Though if she’s on the water, it might take a while,” Charles said, “Are you sure that she’d be willing to help me?”

SHE HELPED ME ONCE… Henry said before stopping.

“How? How did you she help you?” Charles asked. Henry chuckled, waving his hands.

IT’S BEST NOT TO WORRY ABOUT THAT. IT’S A LONG STORY, Henry said. Charles leaned in, as if he was happy to hear it before Henry sighed.

I GUESS YOU COULD SAY IT’S LIKE A PAST LIFE THING. I DON’T KNOW HOW TO EXPLAIN IT WITHOUT SOUNDING LIKE A MORON, BUT I KNOW HER BECAUSE OF THAT. SHE HELPED ME WHEN I… ALMOST DIED AND SHE FIXED ME UP SO I COULD… HURT SOMEONE, Henry said.

“Who?” Charles asked.

“Um…” Henry turned away, feeling tears jump into his eyes as Charles gasped.

“Oh, you don’t have tell me!” Charles said, “I don’t wanna pressure you I was just curious. So a past life huh… you’re one of those people that believes in reincarnation?” Charles giggled.

“I was never a religious type, to be honest. But I have to admit, that theory is pretty interesting. What if… what if we’re all just…” Charles suddenly realized that he hadn’t told Ellie or Henry about what had happened at the Project SAI complex. How he had found out that he was declared defective because of the CCC, how he almost died.

How he used to be a young child, who’s memories were erased completely so they could create a perfectly malleable android…

“Hey, Henry, I never told you about… what happened at the Project SAI complex,” Charles said.

DO YOU WANT TO TELL ME? Henry asked, sitting down across from Charles. Charles looked at Henry’s eyes, bright and blue, warm and trusting and he felt at ease.

“Well, I don’t know how to really say this, but… I was someone else at one point,” Charles said, “I don’t know how old I was or when it happened, but my memories were completely erased.”

I KNOW THAT, Henry said.

“No, not like before when I was rescued by General Galeforce. Like before as in… before I became an android,” Charles said, “I was another person. Because if I was an actual AI, it would take over five hundred years for me to… be born, so to speak.” Henry’s eyes widened as he leaned back in his chair, almost stunned at this information.

“I don’t know who was before I became this, but when I was in my room, being a fucking vegetable… I had dreams. Bad dreams about who I might have been. How scared I might have been. And it just explains so much. I wasn’t just some AI that was programmed to think or feel. I was a scared kid who was kidnapped by an evil corporation who wanted to sell their androids to evil people and now… I don’t know…” Charles curled up in his chair as Henry instinctively got up, walking towards Charles and hugging him as Charles started to nuzzle Henry, trying to find some security and warmth in him.

“I guess those memories are gone forever now…” Charles said softly. Henry nuzzled him back as he planted a soft kiss on top of his head, smiling at him.

“It’ll be alright. You are who you are now and who you were back than... isn’t really important is it?” Henry asked.

“I guess,” Charles muttered, “It just bothers me a bit.” Henry karate chopped the top of Charles’ head, causing him to jump as he looked up at Henry.

DON’T WORRY ABOUT IT, Henry said, THAT’S LONG GONE MEMORIES. UNLESS YOU CAN TRAVEL BACK IN TIME YOU’LL NEVER KNOW.

“R-right,” Charles said, “I guess the other thing that’s bothering me is my friendship with Amelia as well. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I kinda wanna still be friends with her. I said something awful that I regret and now I don’t know if she wants to be my friend anymore.”

IT’S OK. I DON’T THINK IT’S POSSIBLE FOR ALL OF US TO BE FRIENDS WITH EACH OTHER, Henry said.

“But wouldn’t that be nice? If we could all be friends? It would kinda nice, wouldn’t it? We could rely on each other and talk to each other when we needed to,” Charles smiled fondly, “It would be so nice. It would be kinda fun too…” Henry’s heart melted at this, feeling tears spring up in his eyes. In the timelines where he didn’t make any ally ships, he could think of all the times he had been completely and utterly alone, no friends to talk to, no one to rely on.

He thought about the timelines where he was a Toppat, not being able to trust Charles because of the fact that he was his enemy. He thought about the timelines were he was aligned with the government and not being able to talk to some of the more interesting Toppats he had managed to befriend.

He thought about the timeline where he was forced to watch Charles die on the space station and felt horrible and queasy. He reached over and hugged Charles again, squeezing him tightly as tears jumped into his eyes.

“Charles, you are so kind and gentle,” Henry said softly, “You are wonderful and sweet. No matter what, I wish we could all be friends. Than… than maybe things wouldn’t be so bad.” In the end, he knew it wouldn’t be possible. Toppats would still be Toppats and the government would still be the government, no matter what. And he would still be him… whoever he was.

“I’m gonna leave you alone now, so you can work,” Charles said, “I’m sorry I took up your time. Maybe once I get fixed up, I can help you guys even more!”

“Mhm,” Henry hummed, nodding his head as Charles headed out the door, waving to him as Henry went back to his map.

- - - - -

The week had gone by for the Toppats as Sven, Red, and Carol had to get used to their new position. Having been stripped of their higher up privileges and status, they now had to work extra hard to get back on Reginald’s good side. They knew it wouldn’t make much of a difference, but they were willing to put in the work.

In the meantime, they had to treat the higher ups that used to their close friends as higher ups now, which means if they made a decision, they had to follow it. Carol didn’t adapt to this well, as she could no longer use her former higher status to intimidate people like she used to. Even worse, her new room mate was a new recruit that was so peppy it made her want to gag. So she would spend most of her time wandering the clan halls or hanging out in the lounges upstairs and down in the bunker.

Reginald had to admit he was quite impressed with how they were coming along. Despite their obvious betrayal, they were now taking the matters of the clan seriously, just how it should be. But something itched at the back of his mind and it wasn’t just the mysterious phone calls he got from a person named “Daxton” about something called Project SAI.

Despite the fact that over the past week the Toppats he had punished had made high strides to prove they could be trusted again, Amelia hadn’t put in any work. In fact, she had been silent this whole time, holing herself in her room (which was currently roommate-less due to how few female applicants they usually get), and not participating in any heists at all. While he had every right to be happy his daughter was no longer in harms way, he couldn’t help but think she had taking too many mental health days.

It was strange, but every time he had sent the Right Hand Man to talk to her, he would just come back with a disgruntled look on his face. Reginald didn’t want to admit that he was a bad parent in the advice department but he relied on the Right Hand Man to talk to her through her troubles. But now he was beginning to wonder if he had relied on him a bit too much in this regard.

He knew the solution, he was just scared. Scared that he wouldn’t be able to say the right thing, maybe? Or maybe he was scared she wouldn’t listen. That’s the one thing he hated, was not being listened to. Maybe that’s why he had been so hasty on giving Amelia advice.

It all came back to bite him when Carol knocked on the door of Amelia’s room. It was already bad enough that Amelia had to have a room to herself (though it couldn’t be helped considering the circumstances), but she had her dues to pay and she wasn’t about to wait any longer.

“Amelia, come out right now! You owe me!” Carol shouted.

“GO AWAY!” Amelia screamed from the other side of the door. Carol rolled her eyes as she banged on the door again, Sven turning the corner as she did. Behind him was his room mate, Jacob Rose. He had actually grown close to this person in the past few days and didn’t seem to be too bothered by him as a whole.

“What’s going on?” Jacob asked as Sven rolled his eyes and walked over to Carol.

“C’mon Carol, stop bothering her. I’ve already tried to talk to her, everyone has. No response as far as things are concerned…” Sven said.

“She owes me! If she really thinks she can cross me, she’s got another thing coming…” she said, gritting her teeth.

“Oh, so that’s why you’re called Carol Cross! I thought it was because you were catholic!” Jacob said.

“I… what?” Carol banged on the door again as something hit it from the other side.

“Ah, you pissed her off now,” Sven said as Jacob started to giggle.

“I don’t care! She owes me for that stupid road trip we took with that government dog! If she seriously thinks she can get away with this-”

“What’s going on out here?” The Right Hand Man asked. The three of them looked at him as Carol stomped towards him.

“Right, your daughter is being a flake! Get her out of there and tell her she owes me!” Carol shouted.

“I can’t make her do anything… at least not right now…” He gazed at the door with a sort of sorrow in his eyes, almost like the person on the other side was no longer there.

“You have to find a way to get through to her! I’m tired of her flaking out on me! Either get her out or I’m gonna deal with this myself…” Carol muttered.

“Now that’s enough!” the Right Hand Man said, “I’m on your side here Carol. I hate it when people don’t give me my end of the deal either. But it’s very clear that Amelia doesn’t want to be bothered right now and no amount of threats, banging on her door, or screaming at her is going to help. She’s not in the mood right now, so it’s best that you leave her be.”

“She hasn’t been in the mood for a whole week, Right,” Sven said, “I hate to say this, but she’s not really helping in any capacity.”

“I don’t even know what she looks like,” Jacob said, “As far as things are concerned, I don’t think she exists.” The Right Hand Man sighed, before shaking his head.

“Get back to work. Sven, can you watch the door and make sure no one bothers Amelia while I go talk to Reg?” the Right Hand Man asked.

“Uh… sure…” Sven said, “Sorry Jacob. I’ll have to skip pool for now.”

“Whatever man. I’ll tell Burt all about it,” Jacob said, “Good luck.” The Right Hand Man nodded his head as he headed back up the stairs using the elevator, getting off at the top floor as he headed towards Reginald’s office. He knocked on the door, hearing his husband’s voice call “come in!” from the other side as he opened the doors.

“Oh Right, you don’t have to knock!” Reginald said. The phone was ringing again. Reginald eyed it suspiciously before he turned back towards the Right Hand Man, trying to fake a smile.

“I’m glad you’re up here, actually, I need some help with-”

“You need to talk to Amelia.” Reginald flinched, trying to keep his smile as he stood up, trying to figure a way of out of this.

“Ah, well… Amelia… I’m not sure if…” Reginald said.

“There’s something wrong with her and I can’t get through to her. She’s shutting the clan out and she’s not participating. I understand that all the things that have happened over the past few days haven’t been the best; your leadership is being doubted due to her actions and we have three highly trusted higher ups now back to new recruit status because of their actions. But she needs her father to reassure her, and not just me… you too…” The Right Hand Man took Reginald’s hands as he looked down at the ground.

“What if I mess up though? What if I can’t tell her the right thing?” Reginald said softly.

“You were in her position once. You know what it’s like,” The Right Hand Man said, kissing him softly on the head, “I’m not a fan of who she picked to befriend either. But if I can’t get through to her… maybe you can.” Reginald winced as he nodded his head. He knew it had to be him. He was scared, but it was the only option left.

“Alright, I’ll be back up as soon as I can,” Reginald said, walking out of his office down the long hallway and towards the elevator. As soon as it hit the bottom floor of the bunker, he headed towards the dorms, placing his hand against the wall as he looked to the room numbers before he saw Sven standing in front of one of the doors.

“Sven…” Reginald said.

“Ah, hey chief,” Sven said, “She’s in there still. What are you doing down here?”

“Being a father… I think?” Reginald smiled unsurely, as if he didn’t even know what he was doing down here as Sven narrowed his eyes.

“You think or you know?” Sven just shrugged, “Whatever. If you can get through to her, than I guess I owe ya dinner. I’ll be in the lounge.” Sven waved as Reginald felt a heavy feeling in his stomach. Why was this so hard? Why couldn’t he just do this normally, like a normal parent? All he had to do was knock on the door, that wasn’t too hard, right? He reached over and knocked, letting out a panicked breath as he heard movement in the other room.

“Go away…” he heard the voice call.

“Amelia! It’s me! Can I come in please?” Reginald said. He must have been standing here for two minutes. But it felt like an eternity before he saw the door creak open, her usual bright blue eyes now dull, scarce of any life or motivation.

“What do you want?” Amelia muttered.

“I want to talk to you…” Reginald said, “May I come in so I can?” Another two minute eternity passed before finally, Amelia opened the door. Her room was still greatly unpacked, cardboard boxes stacked up on the other bed and of course all over the floor. Her top hat hung on the top of the bunk, but something was missing. Her tiara. She had made it herself years ago and placed it on her top hat after being called the Toppat Princess at one point.

“Amelia, where’s your tiara?” Reginald asked as Amelia sat on the edge of the bed.

“I broke it…” Amelia said softly.

“WHAT?!” Reginald stood in shock as Amelia flinched, as if waiting for him to strike her.

“I’m not mad at you, I promise, I just… why would you do that, Amelia? It was a wonderful addition to it,” Reginald said softly as he sat next to her.

“Who cares… I’m not really good for much anyway,” Amelia said softly.

“Now dear, who told you that?” Reginald said as he pulled her into a hug. He noticed that she was struggling to get away as she pushed him.

“I… you know that government friend that I made friends with? He got kicked out. And it’s all my fault…” Amelia said, “He… he said so himself. And he’s right. If I had just kept my mouth shut, if I had just left him alone and fought him like normal, none of this would have ever happened. Now he hates me, the clan hates me, my papa and you hate me…”

“NOW SLOW DOWN!” Reginald said, “Now now now, no need for those words. Shshshshhh…” Reginald gently grabbed her face, stroking her cheeks as she sniffled, shaking and shivering as she sobbed.

“I don’t hate you. I only hate what you did,” Reginald said, “I could never ever stop loving you because you are my princess. My sweet little princess who’s the best at planning and stealing and making security guards, police officers, and even government agents cry!” Reginald smiled sweetly at her as she nuzzled his forehead, causing him to nuzzle right back.

“I could never hate you. To think that I made you feel like this though… I’m so sorry…” Reginald sniffled as he sighed, trying not cry himself.

“I was only punishing because as the leader, I’m supposed to recognize those vulnerabilities in the clan. Even if they do come from you,” Reginald said, “I know you were hurt by what I said, but what I said was… for the best. You have to face the consequences of your actions. It wasn’t your fault that he got kicked out, but it was your fault that you almost put the clan in danger because of your own feelings.” Amelia nodded her head as she sniffled again.

“But bribing members of the clan in order to keep your secret; I’m proud of that part. I just couldn’t say it in the moment because I was still in punishment mode,” Reginald said, lightly punching Amelia. Amelia chuckled as she glanced down.

“Yeah, I guess I let myself get a little carried away,” Amelia said.

“But I feel like what you’re doing right now isn’t helping either. You’ve taken a little too many mental health days, young lady. And I hate to say it, but it’s starting to affect the other clan members,” Reginald said, “You need to get out and do things again. It’s going to hurt at first, but you’ll be back on top in no time at all. I know because you were wowing people when you were a new recruit back than. I can assure you that now more than ever you need to show these new recruits what a REAL Toppat is.”

“Really?” Amelia said, her eyes shining.

“Really. I truly mean it. And ever since you declared me as your father, I’ve been so proud of everything that you are,” Reginald said, booping her nose. She giggled as she hugged him tightly. He hugged back, nuzzling the top of her head.

“Now, how about I help you unpack? And maybe we can get you a new tiara,” Reginald said.

“No, I’d rather get one myself. But as for the unpacking… I’ll take the help,” Amelia said.

Reginald helped her unpack everything into her drawers, deciding to keep all the dresses that she had been given in the boxes for now, until she got a closet big enough to put them in. Finally, after about a few hours, Reginald sat down, whining a little.

“Geez, this is harder than I thought,” Reginald whimpered, rubbing his shoulders.

“Well, it’s good timing, because I’m pretty much done,” Amelia said, “I can worry about the rest later by myself.”

“Hm…” Reginald smiled as he stood up and took Amelia’s hand, “How about we eat some dinner together? And than we can talk to Carol about your debt.”

“You’re just spoiling me at this point. Are you sure I’m being punished?” Amelia asked.

“No, you are still being punished,” Reginald said, “However, you are still my daughter. And I want to spoil you a little bit every once and a while.” Amelia beamed at him as she followed him out into the hall towards the cafeteria.

- - - - -

Charles was more nervous than he should have been. Ellie had managed to get into contact with one of former associates, who had told her they had spotted Dr. Vinschpinsilstien’s boat off of the coast of Stickport. They had managed to get a hotline to which they could call her and managed to get in contact with her about Charles.

After an hour of talking, about a day or two of waiting, and a two hour drive to West Mesa, Charles was now in front of an office building, which had said for rent just a few days ago. Now there was a makeshift cardboard sign written in the ancient language of Russian that read:

Dr. Vinschpinsilstien Cybernetic Enhancements and Robotics Call ahead of time for appointments (Emergency Walk-ins always welcome)

“Well, this is the building she said she’d be renting out. She might not be here long though, considering the sign,” Ellie said as they walked towards the door. Henry followed behind as Charles walked closely behind them, a little nervous. He didn’t even know where to start, what to ask for or if she would even be willing to help them out.

After a few minutes of waiting, a woman came out of the door, pouring over some paperwork, grumbling to herself as she looked up.

“Ah, Да, I see I have visitors,” she said, dropping the papers on the floor. Instinctively, Henry, Ellie, Charles scrambled forward to help her pick them up as she beamed gratefully at them.

“Sorry if things are a mess now. I have been settling in pretty OK. I might keep this place…” Dr. Vinschpinsilstien said, adjusting her glasses.

“Um, hey Dr. V. Mind if I call ya that?” Ellie said, “Anyway, I was wondering… what’s your experience on androids?”

“Androids… hmm…” Dr. Vinschpinsilstien took off her glasses and cleaned them on her lab coat before letting out a small sigh, readjusting them.

“Androids are… like cyborgs. Let me have a look, Да?” Charles stepped forward as Dr. Vinschpinsilstien leaned forward, gazing at every facet of him as she instructed him to remove his shirt. He very carefully pulled it off as she ran her hand over his shoulders, which caused him to become very flustered as she gasped.

“Project SAI… how interesting…” Dr. Vinschpinsilstien said, “You’re the second one I’ve gazed upon…”

“Second!?” Ellie shouted.

“Who was the first?” Henry asked.

“Ah… her name escapes me. I remember her cohorts though. They were Toppats I believe…” Dr. Vinshpinsilstien said.

“Definitely Amelia,” Ellie said.

“Definitely…” Henry said.

“Да, her name was Amelia. Amelia Copperbottom… the adoptive daughter of the leader. A bit hard to deal with but they pay well, so it is not a total loss,” Dr. Vinschpinsilstien said.

“Don’t worry, me and Henry have enough to cover for all this,” Ellie said, handing her a one hundred thousand note bill, “This should be enough right?” Dr. Vinschpinsilstien took the bill and narrowed her eyes before smiling fondly.

“We shall get started,” she said, “Follow me, android.”

“Charles. Charles is my name,” Charles said as he followed her. Henry and Ellie started after them as she opened the door, going through the hall as she instructed Henry and Ellie to wait in another room while she ran diagnostics on Charles.

They waited very patiently, reading her old magazines and talking amongst themselves before she finally entered the room, sort of stunned.

“His programming is quite interesting, just like Amelia’s… however it seems there’s remnants of a strange type of virus eating away at him as well,” Dr. Vinschpinsilstien said, “I don’t know what it is, but I was to successfully remove it without much issue. He seemed almost frightened when I mentioned it, almost like he was about to have a panic attack.”

“That virus that Wendell gave him is still kicking around in there?” Ellie said, “Geez…”

“Well, it is gone now,” Dr. Vinschpinsilstien said, “I can only hope it doesn’t manifest itself again.”

“Well, good. At least it wasn’t hurting him?” Ellie said, “But like a cold, a virus going unchecked is probably bad for him.”

“Да, he was fighting it, probably in his dreams without realizing,” she said, “Well, at this point, he rattled on and on about all the nice little enhancements he wanted while he was in there. Even mentioned flying at some point, but I am not sure if I can manage that much. I will have to see once I’ve put him the table, Да?”

“So, that means that he’s gonna have to be here for a few days?” Ellie asked.

“Pretty much,” Dr. Vinschpinsilstien said, “Don’t worry, it’ll only take maybe a few days to give him what he wants. Hopefully. He wanted a jump booster like Amelia. Hopefully his self destruct feature was taken out already…”

“What would be the point of that!?” Henry said, “Well… can we at least say good bye to him before we go?”

“Do as you wish,” Dr. Vinschpinsilstien said. The two of them headed into the room where Charles was. He was sitting in a chair, staring ahead blankly. They were about to panic when they saw that his eyes were gray, which indicated that he wasn’t turned on right now.

“Guys, over here!” They looked to see Charles on a computer screen, looking at them as he bounced towards the front of the screen, getting as close as he could before pressing his hands against the glass. Or the imaginary glass anyway. Henry giggled as he waved at Charles, Ellie smiling fondly as she crouched down to look at him.

“Hey Charlie,” Ellie said.

“Hi Ellie, Hi Henry! Dr. V said it might be a few days before I’m able to get out of here. It kinda sucks, but once I’m done I’ll be stronger than ever! Hah, hiya, wacha!” He did a few karate poses as Henry and Ellie giggled at his antics.

“Well, don’t strain yourself too much. And don’t get on Dr. V’s nerves while you’re here. We don’t wanna get a call saying that we have to take all this home because she’s not gonna fix your body anymore!” Ellie teased.

“HEY!” Charles shouted as Ellie and Henry giggled.

“Bye Charlie. We love you,” Henry said softly.

“I love you guys too!” Charles said, “I’ll miss you!” Ellie went over to his body and planted a kiss on Charles’ cheek. Henry kissed him on top of the head as Charles bounced in place, ready to begin. After the two of them left, Dr. Vinschpinsilstien entered, smiling fondly at them.

“They are good to you, Да?” she said as she started to type on another computer in the room. Charles nodded his head, feeling warm and fuzzy as she got to work.

- - - - -

Dr. Vinschpinsilstien had gotten onto him for trying to disturb her while she was working, so Charles decided to let his mind wander as he started to watch a couple of videos within his little room. He didn’t really like being in here, but he was going to make the most of it. He also opened his messenger app, a little hesitant at first. Should he talk to Amelia? He didn’t know if he should, because he was afraid of what might happen. Maybe she was still mad at him or maybe she was busy.

Still, he messaged Amelia, hopefully to maybe clear the air.

xXBold_Action_ManXx: I’m sorry.

GlitterToppatGirl: Yeah, me too…

xXBold_Action_ManXx: ???????????????

GlitterToppatGirl: LOL. I’m doing fine right now in case you’re wondering. Fell into a depressive spiral not only because of what you messaged me but because of the whole “we used to be human” thing.

xXBold_Action_ManXx: Well, when you word it like that, it makes me want to apologize even more. I really am sorry. I shouldn’t have blamed you for everything that happened, it was all my fault…

GlitterToppatGirl: I know, but I should be the one to blame as well. We could have stopped meeting at anytime, but instead we just kept going…

xXBold_Action_ManXx: Well, it sucks that I got kicked out, but I’m getting a little excited now. There’s this doctor named Dr. Vicschpinsilstien I hope I spelled that right Anyway, she said she was gonna fix me up and give me all sort of new upgrades. Next time we meet in battle, it might not be so easy to take me down >:P

GlitterToppatGirl: Yeah, like I’m gonna let you take me down. You’d still have to get used to all those new little toys of yours. But I’m glad you’re getting some upgrades. I was kinda getting tired of you using the same old tricks. Maybe now it’ll be more interesting to fight you 🤭

xXBold_Action_ManXx: Whatever. You’re still going down next time I see you… unless we’re meeting in secret again…

GlitterToppatGirl: So you still wanna do that huh?

xXBold_Action_ManXx: I mean, it shouldn’t hurt. After all, it’s not like I’m gonna get in trouble now. Not unless Henry gets onto me about it LOL

GlitterToppatGirl: If you’re working for Henry, you’re still working for the government you know.

xXBold_Action_ManXx: Damn, you got me there. But if you still want to…

GlitterToppatGirl: I wouldn’t mind a meetup after you’re done with Dr. V. I’m surprised you guys know her…

xXBold_Action_ManXx: Henry said he knew her. He knew her from… the past? That’s how he explained it anyway. Either way, I wish I had known you knew her. It would have made our search a lot easier.

GlitterToppatGirl: You were too busy hating me, remember?

xXBold_Action_ManXx: I don’t hate you anymore. I hope we can still be friends. Or rivals… however that works.

GlitterToppatGirl: Whatever works for you. Let’s meet up again soon, OK?

xXBold_Action_ManXx: 👍

Charles closed the messenger app as he heard someone tapping on the glass.

“Don’t disturb the fish by tapping on the glass,” Charles teased as he approached the screen. Dr. Vinschpinsilstien rolled her eyes as she adjusted her glasses.

“You’re going to have to go over what you want again. Let’s break it down and see what’s possible and what isn’t,” she said as Charles nodded his head.

- - - - -

A few days had passed since Charles had been admitted into Dr. Vinschpinsilstien’s care. Henry and Ellie were headed to the office now via cab to pick Charles up as they hopped out, hoping the cab driver would stick around as they walked up to the office.

“I wonder how long it took before she muted him…” Ellie giggled as Henry shrugged.

“Well, let’s just hope that he’s not-”

“HEY GUYS, UP HERE!” They jumped, looking up to see Charles standing on top of the building as Henry and Ellie watched him jump off. They ran over to try to catch him as he started to hover in the air above them, before landing gently between them.

“How about that huh? Dr. V said she couldn’t put rockets in me, so hover tech was the next best thing. Pretty cool, right?” Charles said, bouncing a bit.

“Definitely cool. Good to see you again and in such high spirits,” Ellie said, hugging Charles as he hugged her back.

LITERALLY, Henry said, joining in on the group hug.

“I tried to stop him!” Dr. Vinschpinsilstien shouted as she burst out of the door, “I really… almost…” She tried to catch her breath as she doubled over before looking up.

“He’s a very wily one…” she said, narrowing her eyes at him as he tipped his head to the side, an innocent smile on his face.

“Sorry for causing you so much trouble!” Charles said, “I just couldn’t wait to show them you know!”

“It didn’t take long to install the parts in him. The hardest part was getting him to calm down long enough to actually learn how to use them,” Dr. Vinschpinsilstien said, adjusting her glasses, “But he’s been cleaned up a little, his waterproofing has also been improved drastically, as well as the new weapons. I would suggest you keep him on a leash of sorts.”

“Well, thanks Dr. V,” Ellie said, “I think we’re gonna keep going to you if we ever run into anymore trouble with Charles.”

“Да, that would be best,” Dr. Vinschpinsilstien said, nodding her head as she did, “I will miss him though. He’s quite amusing once you get past all his quirks.”

“I’ll miss you too Dr. V!” Charles said, “Bye bye!” She waved fondly at him as the three of them piled into the cab, already talking excitedly about all the upgrades Charles had gotten.

As Charles stared out the window as the cab headed out of West Mesa and down the road to Stickburg, he began to grow a little excited. Now that the world had opened up to him, who knows what he could accomplish?

- - - - -

Amelia thought back to the messages that she had received from Charles, smiling as she received a message that indicated he was finally free and ready to cause trouble. She looked over to Carol, who was giving her a stink eye and felt a little guilty.

She had to get her dad involved in her problems just so Carol would leave her alone. She still owed her the shares of course and thank to her involvement in heists again, she was going to be able to provide. But she wondered if she would ever be kind to her again.

In the meantime, she had Earrings assist her in cutting her hair much shorter. It would be easier to manage (plus if she didn’t like it, she could always make it longer again). Carol usually took care of it, but now that it seemed like she was no longer on speaking terms with her, she had to do something to make it more manageable for herself. She fiddled with it a bit, a little guilty that she had cut it short, but everyone in the clan so far had made it clear that she looked great. She didn’t know if they were flattering her because she was the clan leader’s daughter or if they actually genuinely meant it.

“How are you feeling?” She looked up and right on cue she saw her other dad, the Right Hand Man, standing over her as he sat down next to her, smiling fondly.

“I was actually wondering where you were,” Amelia said, “We always hang out around this time.”

“You weren’t in your usual spot,” he said, his hands shaking a bit, “But of course, than I remembered you wouldn’t be in there because you’re no longer a higher up, of course.”

“I’m not allowed in there anyway,” Amelia said.

“I’m pretty sure they would have let you in if you had asked,” he said.

“Nah. I can’t use my title of ‘princess’ all the time,” she said, adjusting her top hat, “Even I have to follow the rules. If I wasn't allowed in there when I was new recruit, I’m not allowed in there now.”

“Speaking of which, I see you got a new tiara,” the Right Hand Man said, tapping her top hat.

“Uh, yeah…” Amelia said, “I stole it from like… this place. I forgot. Every jewelry store starts to look the same when you’re out there you know.”

“I’m surprised Burt let go you so easily. You were doing excellent in communications from what I heard,” the Right Hand Man said.

“Ah, well, I liked it, but it’s full of nerds,” Amelia said, cringing at the word. She didn’t seem to forget the group that had almost scarred Charles psychological and of course, digitally as well.

“Burt is a nerd too, you know,” the Right Hand Man said, chuckling, “Heck, we found him because he was giant nerd. He tried to hack our database and drain some of our assets. Turns out, he was running multiple scam sites to pump oblivious people for their money. If it wasn’t for him, not only would we be lost, but we wouldn’t have a functioning website. Or… intranet. Whatever he calls it…” He stretched as he leaned back on the couch. Amelia followed suit, leaning next to her father as he pulled his hand up around her shoulder, smiling at her.

“Well, yeah, but Burt’s different you know,” Amelia said, “He’s more tolerable than those guys…”

“Yeah, I suppose,” the Right Hand Man said, “So… how are you holding up after everything anyway? You kinda disappeared for a week.”

“I’m sorry I wasn’t so open with my feelings. I guess in the end, I was more depressed that Charles wasn’t really talking to me anymore. It was hard too, because I found out something about myself that I couldn’t really process at the time. I mean, I was able to understand it, but that didn’t mean that I was OK with it, you know,” Amelia said.

“Now what was that?” the Right Hand Man asked.

“Oh, well… it turns out it’s a lot harder to make an AI like me than you think. Like… you know where babies come from?” Amelia said. Her father began to blush as she waved her hands.

“OK, well hear me out! You see, babies have to incubated for nine months before they’re born. But an AI like me would have to incubated for about five hundred years before we’re born. And now, I’m just wondering who I really was before I became this” She gestured at herself before putting her head in her hands, letting out a small sigh as the Right Hand Man stroked her back reassuringly.

“Listen, I know that it’ll bother you but you have to understand that that’s something you can’t really control now,” the Right Hand Man said, “No amount of begging the universe is going to help. It’s best that you forget about that person you know. And I’m not saying that to be mean. I’m saying that for your own well being. You don’t need to dwell on the past. I know that for a fact.” Amelia cringed at this as the Right Hand Man sighed, caressing her cheek as if to reassure her.

"I guess what I'm trying to say is that you should concentrate on who you are now rather than worry about who you were back than. Alright?" Amelia looked up at her dad, before looking down again and finally reaching over to hug him.

She had to admit, he was better at giving advice than her other dad was. Reginald was a bit too lenient and oftentimes had wishy washy advice, or sometimes advice that didn’t seem right. But the Right Hand Man seemed more confident, like he had experience that she could only imagine having later in life. He was tough, but fair, firm but caring in his advice.

“Thank you. I love you,” she said.

“Love you too, princess,” he said, moving her top hat to kiss her on top of the head, “Now, how about we go grab some snacks and we can really spend some time together?”

“Mhm! I’ve got some ‘donuts’ that I’ve been saving for this time,” Amelia said, bouncing a little. He patted her on top of the head before getting up.

“Good girl,” he said.

[authorred]

Avengers React 2

Preface: The Sokovia accords are presented to the avengers by Secretary Ross. You, an unknown, enhanced individual, can tip the scale in either favor. Whilst being discussed amongst the Avengers--despite being relatively new to the group--you know better than anyone what 'dangerous' is. So, how will they react when you agree with Tony?

Warning(s): Cursing, mentions of death

Tension was never your strong suit. You've operated alone for the most part, usually in the shadows of cities. You kept your head down to avoid the spotlight--or rather, eyes. Now, you've gotten sucked into the world of the Avengers. At first, you thought it was pretty fun. And then, you turned your head and saw the damage trailing after you. Within that damage are people who are after you. The governments of the world want you to be controlled. To leave a group like you loose is asking for collateral. And so far, the damage is irreparable.

Throughout the switching back and forth between people and opinions, you, much like Tony, stayed to yourself. To the side. You listened to them, of course, but you didn't chime in. When Tony eventually did talk at the prodding of Natasha and Steve, you paid more attention to what he was saying than anyone else. When he turns you to and asks for "the kid's opinion", you gave it candidly.

"Boundaries need to be set. What's the difference between you guys crossing international borders and fucking things up, and other militaries doing the same thing?"

"Militaries aren't equipped to handle the threats that we have. They'd be decimated," Sam says.

"And who were the ones who brought those threats here?" You raise your brows at him. "I don't like the idea of being controlled either, but I don't know if my powers know bounds. I don't think I want to know. A superficial collar is better than becoming an out-of-control maniac who kills more than they save. And right now, y'all are teetering on the edge of it, given your collateral kill count."

“We don’t even know if your powers can be controlled, Y/n,” Steve says gently. “That ‘superficial collar’ won’t apply to you.”

“Perhaps not, but I’m a person of my word. I also have morals and ethics.”

“See, I knew I liked you for a reason, Kid,” Tony said, pointing at you briefly. “She’s right. The kid’s right. Why is this something we’re even debating? We’re boundaryless, we’re limitless: we are no better than the guys we swore to eliminate.”

“So, what? We’re just going to roll over and submit to the government that doesn’t really care about us to begin with? Powers or no powers?” Sam shrugs.

“While I agree we are a danger in their eyes, they’re not wrong with their intentions.” You look at him. “Like Vision said before, there is a causality. I’m not saying everyone in the government, or in government branches, are these benevolent, innocent humans. Ross doesn’t have that a great track record to begin with, but we have to think about the big picture here. Our freedom, or the entire worlds’.”

“So, you’re going the utilitarianism route,” Sam replies. “Sacrifice us for the greater good.”

“Isn’t that what being a ‘hero’ is about? Isn’t that what you all are? ‘Heroes’? Aren’t y’all the by-the-book definition? Well, maybe except Wanda.”

Said woman glances at you but doesn’t say anything.

You shrug. “Either way, no one’s going to be happy. It won’t end well, or prettily. Someone’s getting hurt.” 

“And how exactly do you want us to settle this since you’re apparently all-knowing?” Sam asks. 

“I don’t know,” you shrug. “I wasn’t the one who terrorized an entire country and wiped it off the map essentially.”

“And we take full responsibility for it,” Steve says.

“If that was what you’re truly doing, you’d sign the Accords,” you reply. “At least, to save public image. Because what’s it matter then if everyone distrusts you? If everyone’s worried that they’re going to get crushed by a building or have a car smashed into them, then getting painlessly killed by an alien invasion doesn’t seem so bad.”

“Okay, and regardless of what we do--whether we sign the Accords or not, what’re you going to do?” Sam asks. “What’s your plan? ‘Cause it seems you’re interested in inputting your opinion into a matter that has no effect on you.”

You smirk. “Touche.” You stand from the chair and straighten your shirt out. “If we’re speaking fundamentally, I’m not bound by human laws or borders or orders and issues. Quite frankly, I could kill all of you and not suffer any consequences.”

All of them peer at you, a newfound tension growing between you.

“But like I said before: I have morals and ethics. I was invited here for a reason. I may not be an ‘Avenger’, but I’m not going to allow my opinion to be dismissed.” You smile softly. “My opinion is to sign the Accords, and act in accordance with whatever comes next. Resisting may prove to be more dangerous than submitting.”

James claps. “Boom! There you go.”

The others just sigh.

[wonderingnerd]

Okay, so… let tell you this so all Americans can see the difference: in Brazil we don’t pay for insulin. That Netflix movie on a 20-something yo marrying a militar bc she needed his healthy insurance? Wouldn’t happen in Brazil.

Also, cancer treatments are free. And we have a law that says that once the cancer is detected, the person have to start treatment in 48h max. Breaking Bad? Wouldn’t happen in Brazil.

Other stuff that are free: meds, vaccines, condoms, blood and organ donation, healthy care (yeah, we have universal healthy care, and this includes psychological care too) and universities. But you can ask me, what does universities being free have to do with health? Let me give you an example.

A professor in my university just showed us a project another professor she knows developed and have just hit the news. A glucose test done with a tear. Yeah, that’s right. A way to measure the sugar in your blood by a tear in your eye. [1 unfortunately a paywall article, 2, 3 both in Portuguese if you want to translate]. It took them 7 years to develop this [4] and they think it be available in 2-3 years to people with the cost of R$0.10 for each test (US$1 is currently R$5, so you can see how little it’ll be) [3]. Why were they able to do it? Because the university is free and the government pays for professors and researches because they are too valuable for society on the long term.

I can give you plenty of more and tbh I was going to give one more (a type of second skin made of gosh skin used in public hospitals to treat badly burn skin), but it took me so long just to make this bc I had the terrible idea of sleeping only 4 hours this night. Still, you can see the difference.

We’re not perfect. Things take a lot of time to happen and specialized tests are usually only available on capital cities. And we still have so much that we need to make more available (like glasses and contact lens and different types of condoms and dentists and so on), but we don’t die bc we can’t afford shit. We don’t take less insulin bc we need to pay the rent. We don’t have to fucking pay more to hold our baby when we give birth (this one is so fucking mind boggling to me that what the actual fuck??!!).

And yet the US, that is all about “freedom”, don’t want you to have the freedom to live. Because, in the end, that’s it. You can’t live. Unless you’re rich, sure. Or unless you lose everything you have.

So, it’s not just ableism (it is, of course it is, bc they want the different people to go first), but it’s also the “freedom” for only the rich to live. If you’re poor… well, you’re poor. You’re as good as dead.

fyi things like insulin, hearing aids, wheelchairs, glasses costing money at all is a form of structural ableism

[megarywrites]

the writeblr garden’s spooky season prompts

day 2: haunting

The question for this prompt was “is there anything that haunts your characters” and yeah, there is in Seafoam. Again, would like to keep this as spoiler free as possible, so i won’t divulge everything lol

In the first chapter, Thala finds out that her father has died. He was a sailor and had been her whole life, and the captain of the ship he worked on and a long-time family friend broke the news to her and her mother that Arteras had been thrown overboard in a storm and was lost in the waves. This is the inciting incident for the entire plot, but his death especially haunts the narrative of the first book, because, well…

In Grea, which is the nation this story is set in, the government is a theocracy that has decreed that once an unmarried woman comes of age (turns 20), she must go to work in the latridom (a house of worship akin to a cathedral) as a Stoli (a nun, but silent). When the story opens, Thala is months away from being 20, and can barely stand to be in the presence of most of the boys her age, and the one she can stand, she thinks of him as a brother.

So, no marriage has not seriously crossed her mind, not even after Arteras’ passing. No, her first thought, as a way to support her mother now that they no longer had a sufficient income, was to become a Stoli because she had heard that the families of the girls who went were paid a stipend for their services to the state. She’s determined to do this, until Sosta comes into the picture and her mother takes her place as his wife.

In theory, her mother should have been taken care of, but if you read yesterday’s post, then you’ll know why Thala begins to doubt her decision. So, she’s definitely haunted by her choice here of whether she should take her friend up on his offer of marriage, even if everything within her rebels at the thought. And that doesn’t go away even as we get into the second book.

Below is a little snippet of her being anxious about this before she becomes a Stoli (and everything truly goes to shit):

Try as I might, I couldn’t rip my gaze away from the Pontus, nor my mind from thoughts of Zeno. Why was I so… Every part of me should want to form a union with him. It made total sense for me to marry him. It was the natural progression of our…our friendship. Right? And yet…and yet I was reluctant. Scared, even. Just at the thought. But why? What was wrong with me to be so adamantly against, to…to be so repulsed by the solution that would fix all of our problems? Maybe it was just anxiety at the thought of what a marriage would bring. I’d heard the other women in the village talk about their own reluctance to be married, about the discomfort that usually accompanied the marriage bed. I rubbed my forehead again, shuddering as I tried to picture what that would feel like. I knew a little bit about what would be expected from me, just from what Osyne said about her husbands—both the current and the former—and…it was less than appealing. Revolting, actually. Not to them, of course, but to me. But wasn’t this the outcome that everyone expected—me and Zeno? Married? Maybe, as time passed and I grew accustomed to married life, it wouldn’t be too bad. But… I still didn’t want to. And I couldn’t rationalize that nauseated hesitation away. Could I really not sacrifice my own happiness, like Ma had? Was I truly that selfish? If I loved her at all, I’d run straight down to the docks and beg Zeno to make me his wife. Tears sprang to my eyes, blurring my vision as I stared miserably after the ship. As the sails billowed in the breeze and the oars poked out of the hull, their paddles descending into the sea to push it into the current. Or the wind. There was still time to catch it, to speak to him, if only I could move. But I just sat there, weighed down by my heavy heart as the Pontus pushed away from the shore.

In the second book, we’re introduced to another character who is haunted by her choices. Her name is Tofana Aurado, and she’s Solera’s mother. This post is already long enough, however, but just know that she is currently haunting the first book, except she’s specifically haunting Geros for what he did (more on that later ofc lol)

[bllsbailey]

Kamala Harris Tyrannical 2019 Video Resurfaces: 'I Will Snatch Their Patent So That We Will Take Over'

A 2019 video of a Kamala Harris campaign event made the rounds on the internet Friday night after the Democrat presidential hopeful unveiled some of her economic proposals, including her apparent desire for Soviet-style price controls on groceries.

During her ill-fated run for president, the now vice president said she could lower prices on drugs simply by having the government seize patents from pharmaceutical companies and “take over.” That’s not how a free-market economy is supposed to work, but the giddy Harris didn’t care:

“My plan, as a candidate for president, on these drug prices is as follows: We are going to set drug prices based on fair market,” Harris said during a campaign stop in Iowa on Friday. “So, essentially what we’re going to do – and you can visit the website if you will, and if not, get you some documents – but essentially what we’re going to do is set drug prices so that American consumers are charged a price for drugs that’s the average price that’s being charged around the globe.”

But she didn’t think she needed Congress or legislation to tackle the problem, she’d just march in herself and use the enormous power of the federal government (emphasis mine).

“And there’s a huge difference, insulin being an example,” Harris continued. “The other thing is this, if people don’t want to cooperate with that, I’m also going to do the next thing, which is this: A lot of drugs, prescription medication, was born out of the federal funding for the research and development of that drug. Your taxpayer dollars.” “So, for any drug where they fail to play by our rules, and if that drug came about from federal funding for what’s called ‘R&D,’ research and development, I will snatch their patent so that we will take over,” Harris continued.

Watch:

The party frightened about the 'threat to our democracy' is nominating a wannabe tyrant.

Texas GOP Rep. Dan Crenshaw responded at the time:

She was asked the salient question, can you really do that? Hell yeah, said Kamala [emphasis added]:

According to the Washington Post’s Dave Weigel, somebody in attendance asked the obvious question: Can you do that? “Yes, we can do that,” Harris replied. “We just need the will to do that.”

Related: Even CNN Notices How Terrible Kamala's Economic Proposals Are; Hosts Rip Her in Two Separate Segments

The Choice in November Is Clear: Do We Want to Grow the Size of the Economy or the Size of the State?

Parent law is notoriously complex, and there are certainly some drug companies that take advantage of them. I have no love for the Pfizers of the world who raked in billions with their flawed COVID vaccines. But her view of the government’s role is chilling, and she seems drunk on power (that she didn’t even have at the time). We have seen the Biden administration weaponizing the powers of the executive branch throughout his term, but Kamala—between her past statements and her newly announced Bolshevik economic policies—sounds like she literally wants to change our hugely successful capitalist economy into something else entirely. Of course, her ideas have been tried in places like Venezuela, the former U.S.S.R., Argentina, and elsewhere, and although they sound oh-so-nice, they never end well.

The American people quickly rejected her vision back in 2020, when she failed to garner a single delegate in the Democrat primary, but now that Biden has handed her the keys to the car, there is a real possibility that she could end up in the Oval Office. What is becoming more and more clear, however, is that she’d really love to become is a socialist tyrant.

[nicklloydnow]

“The Cato Institute has an unusual political cause — which is no political cause whatsoever. We are here tonight to dedicate ourselves to that cause, to dedicate ourselves, in other words, to … nothing.

We have no ideology, no agenda, no catechism, no dialectic, no plan for humanity. We have no “vision thing,” as our ex‐​president would say, or, as our current president would say, we have no Hillary.

All we have is the belief that people should do what people want to do, unless it causes harm to other people. And that had better be clear and provable harm. No nonsense about second‐​hand smoke or hurtful, insensitive language, please.

I don’t know what’s good for you. You don’t know what’s good for me. We don’t know what’s good for mankind. And it sometimes seems as though we’re the only people who don’t. It may well be that, gathered right here in this room tonight,are all the people in the world who don’t want to tell all the people in the world what to do.

This is because we believe in freedom. Freedom — what this country was established upon, what the Constitution was written to defend, what the Civil War was fought to perfect.

Freedom is not empowerment. Empowerment is what the Serbs have in Bosnia. Anybody can grab a gun and be empowered. It’s not entitlement. An entitlement is what people on welfare get, and how free are they? It’s not an endlessly expanding list of rights — the “right” to education, the “right” to health care, the “right” to food and housing. That’s not freedom, that’s dependency. Those aren’t rights, those are the rations of slavery — hay and a barn for human cattle.

There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences.

So we are here tonight in a kind of anti‐​matter protest — an unpolitical undemonstration by deeply uncommitted inactivists. We are part of a huge invisible picket line that circles the White House twenty‐​four hours a day. We are participants in an enormous non‐​march on Washington — millions and millions of Americans not descending upon the nation’s capital in order to demand nothing from the United States government. To demand nothing, that is, except the one thing which no government in history has been able to do — leave us alone.

There are just two rules of governance in a free society:

Mind your own business.

Keep your hands to yourself.

Bill, keep your hands to yourself. Hillary, mind your own business.

We have a group of incredibly silly people in the White House right now, people who think government works. Or that government would work, if you got some real bright young kids from Yale to run it.

We’re being governed by dorm room bull session. The Clinton administration is over there right now pulling an all‐​nighter in the West Wing. They think that, if they can just stay up late enough, they can create a healthy economy and bring peace to former Yugoslavia.

The Clinton administration is going to decrease government spending by increasing the amount of money we give to the government to spend.

Health care is too expensive, so the Clinton administration is putting a high‐​powered corporate lawyer in charge of making it cheaper. (This is what I always do when I want to spend less money — hire a lawyer from Yale.) If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it’s free.

The Clinton administration is putting together a program so that college graduates can work to pay off their school tuition. As if this were some genius idea. It’s called getting a job. Most folks do that when they get out of college, unless, of course, they happen to become governor of Arkansas.

And the Clinton administration launched an attack on people in Texas because those people were religious nuts with guns. Hell, this country was founded by religious nuts with guns. Who does Bill Clinton think stepped ashore on Plymouth Rock? Peace Corps volunteers? Or maybe the people in Texas were attacked because of child abuse. But, if child abuse was the issue, why didn’t Janet Reno tear‐​gas Woody Allen?

You know, if government were a product, selling it would be illegal.

Government is a health hazard. Governments have killed many more people than cigarettes or unbuckled seat belts ever have.

Government contains impure ingredients — as anybody who’s looked at Congress can tell you.

On the basis of Bill Clinton’s 1992 campaign promises, I think we can say government practices deceptive advertising.

And the merest glance at the federal budget is enough to convict the government of perjury, extortion, and fraud.

There, ladies and gentlemen, you have the Cato Institute’s program in a nutshell: government should be against the law.

Term limits aren’t enough. We need jail.” - P.J. O’Rourke, ‘The Liberty Manifesto’ (6 May 1993)