#just ask Jakar

[dairydaycat]

☆Hey, I have Moomins OCs!☆

My first encounter with the Moomin universe didn't go very smoothly. The very first cartoon I saw was a Soviet puppet cartoon. And I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I was extremely scared then! The cartoon was intimidating, obscure, mysterious. And with such a visual, it's not surprising!

I think I saw a series about a comet then. And I was extremely frightened by this atmosphere of the fact that something terrible and unknown is about to happen, with this music and some kind of echo in the voices of the characters. Since then, I vowed not to watch anything related to the Moomins, for fear of repeating that unpleasant feeling. However, then I met my beloved Jessie! She was familiar with the old cartoon in 2D graphics, which is considered a classic. I myself became interested, and, having nothing to do, since I was in the hospital at that time, I asked my cousin to bring me her book about Moomin. It was a collection of original translated and adapted stories that were quite interesting to read! And while I will always have this feeling of mysterious pressure deep down in my soul, I found this world extremely pleasant, as well as the animated series that I looked at later.

Sniff is my favorite character. I like his design and cautious nature, I think he is a nice guy! However, I didn't see any more Sniff-like creatures, so I decided to create my own! This is Scrap. He doesn't have the most pleasant personality. Rough, harmful, but with a soft and even sweet soul.

Meanwhile, my girlfriend came up with a little mumrik girl Yuta. She is the brightest, bravest and sometimes brazenest girl you can meet! She quickly became the focus of the forest she settled in, and was even able to befriend Scrap.

I also came up with other characters in this wonderful world. The Doctor is a rather strict and serious Moomin. He lives in the distance, leading a reclusive life. He likes peace and quiet, and therefore the sudden appearance of Yuta became a bright flash of fireworks! At first, he drove her away and grumbled, but, realizing that she was alone at such a young age, he took her in. The third character was Yuta's uncle, Juxafi. A fun-loving and playful adventurer, an easy-going sailor who brings his niece a bunch of gifts every time he sails by. Mumrik would like to take his niece with him, but Moomin Doc prevents this, saying that she is too young, and this klutz cannot take care of her. And finally...

 ¸.☆¸.♡.¸• Jakar • ¸.☆¸.♡.¸ 

I don't know why, but out of all of them, he's become my favorite. Cold and unsociable, he is the complete opposite of his brother and even his daughter. He prefers to spend time alone, enjoying the beauty of nature and the singing of birds. Jakar's legs are pulling him into uncharted paths because he can't just sit still. He is a wanderer who sometimes likes to return to familiar places. Who knows what is on the mind of this taciturn and mysterious mumrik? He can't stop, even for his own daughter.

I also have profiles for Art Fight, if anyone is interested in reading more! Jakar: https://artfight.net/character/3030088.jakar Juxafi: https://artfight.net/character/3031400.juxafi Moomin Doc: https://artfight.net/character/3031929.moomin-doc

Thank you for reading this incredibly long post about my silly characters!

[nordic-language-love]

7 and 16 for the ask game?

Thank you so much! 💖

7) Favorite song in your target language this year? I just answered with Norwegian and Japanese, so have some of my faves from other languages I love!

Spanish: La Voz de la Vibración - Jakare Remix - SavaBorsa Finnish: Baila Por Mi - Antti Tuisku

Aaand it only goes up to 15 so I'm guessing you meant to put a different number? Feel free to send another ask, or just invent your own 16 😅

[morguswritings]

Jakare sat on a large log laying longways alongside the road just outside of town. He flipped a coin, catching it in his palm and returning it to his pocket before pulling out another and repeating the process. The merchant, a tall hooded figure carrying three wooden boxes on their back that towered over them, adjusted the straps over his shoulders as he neared Jakare. They each nodded to each other as they passed. "Travelling to Tabern?" Jakare asked. The figure stopped walking. Jakare hadn't realised how rhythmic the figure's footfalls had been until they stopped. They nodded, though from behind the boxes, Jakare could barely see it. "And it's your first time?" The figure nodded again, this time turning their body slightly towards him. The inside of its hood was dark and Jakare couldn't make out any features of a face. "They're suspicious there. Not mean, mind you, but you might run into trouble if you're not the talking kind." He flipped another coin and slipped it into his pocket and stopped, a smile crossing his face. "Why don't I walk with you? I forgot something in town and we're not far." The figure shook its head as Jakare hopped down to the ground. "Oh come on, you won't suffer me for long. And I won't talk, for the most part." He turned his face away as he scoffed to himself at the thought. As Jakare walked past and got a bit of distance, he swiveled on his heel and turned to face his new companion. Even head on, there was no features under his hood.

[ankitamittal2023]

Places to visit in August outside India

Places to visit in August outside India

Family-friendly destinations to explore in August outside of India

Introduction

Greatest places to visit outside India with family

Smart Tips for Family Travel with Kids Abroad

Frequently Asked Questions

Introduction:

August is a perfect time for a summer vacation because the weather is just right – not too chilly or too hot. However, it can be tough to decide where to go, especially if you're thinking about going outside of India. If this sounds like your situation, don't worry, we're here to help. We can make things clearer for you. There are lots of amazing places you can visit in August outside India without spending too much. Whether you're thinking about a fun family trip or a romantic honeymoon, we've got you covered. We have a list of places for both types of trips, and this list will make it much easier for you to plan your perfect vacation abroad in August.

Here are some great places you can visit in August outside India with your family:

Dubai

Bhutan

Borneo Island

Singapore

Langkawi

And if you're looking for honeymoon destinations outside India in August, consider:

Bali

Maldives

Sri Lanka

Cambodia

1} Dubai: Dubai is a truly unique spot for an international getaway. It's famous for its super modern buildings and is a favourite for families looking for fun. If you're an adventurous family, Dubai has plenty of surprises waiting for you.

While you're there, make sure not to miss the incredible Burj Khalifa. But that's only a small part of the whole picture. There's an endless list of things to capture your heart and leave you in awe. From exciting desert safaris to discovering the wonders of the underwater zoo, every moment in Dubai is full of wonder. Whether you're into thrilling activities or exploring diverse attractions, Dubai has something special for every age.

The combination of all these incredible elements makes Dubai a top choice for tourists from around the world. It's not just a place to visit – it's an experience you'll treasure for a lifetime.

Top Things to See in Dubai:

Burj Khalifa

Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo

Palm Jumeirah

Dubai Mall

Dubai Miracle Garden

Bollywood Park

Fun Activities for Families in Dubai:

Try skiing at Ski Dubai

Experience an exciting helicopter ride to see things from high up.

Have fun on a boat ride at the Dubai Fountain

Feel the excitement at IMG World of Adventure

Have virtual fun at VR Park

Meet and play with cute dolphins at Dubai Dolphinarium.

2} Bhutan: Bhutan is a joyful country with a calm and peaceful atmosphere that will make you happy. People say it's one of the happiest places on Earth. If you're thinking about a family vacation outside India, Bhutan is a great choice. You'll make memories to keep forever while enjoying the nice weather. This country is surrounded by the Himalayas, with beautiful places to see, green forests, and peaceful monasteries that bring calmness.

Everyone, no matter their age, can have a wonderful time in Bhutan. It's truly one of the best places for a family vacation abroad.

Notable Places in Bhutan:

Thimphu

Paro

Jakar

Phuntsholing

Punakha

Trongsa

Family Activities in Bhutan:

Take a magical car ride

Explore Manas Wildlife Sanctuary

Go rafting in Po Chu River

Trek as a family

See Taktsang Palphug Monastery in Paro

Enjoy the view at Dochula Pass and go kayaking

3} Borneo Island: Next on our list of affordable places to visit outside India in August is Borneo Island. Consider planning your next vacation here for an adventurous experience. This island lets you discover lush green rainforests and unique plants and animals on your family trip. Being the third-largest island globally, Borneo offers many things to explore that will keep you entertained throughout your holiday. You can witness rare wildlife amidst stunning natural beauty. So why wait? Pack your bags and get ready for unique experiences and a chance to connect with nature's beauty on this island.

Highlights of Borneo Island:

The beautiful Tusan Cliff Beach

Niah National Park

The "Real Survivor" Island

Exploring Brunei

Conquering Mount Kinabalu

Experiencing the Kinabatangan River

Family Activities on Borneo Island:

Spend time with wild orangutans

Observe the thick rainforest

Have fun with scuba diving

Go trekking together for adventure

Enjoy the wildlife along Kinabatangan River

Explore natural caves

4} Singapore: Experience the beautiful blend of modernity, tradition, and nature in Singapore with your family. It's a very popular tourist spot outside India, offering fantastic attractions. Whether you're into the city's fast pace or seeking peaceful moments, Singapore has something for you. There are amusement parks and zoos that are perfect for family trips, creating unforgettable memories.

But that's not all – you can also enjoy thrilling activities if you're an adventure seeker. Experiencing Singapore's lively nightlife with your loved ones is a highlight. The city's night safari is a must-see; it's the first nocturnal zoo and something truly unique. The August weather is just right for exploring the sights of Singapore.

Singapore's Exciting Places to Visit:

Sentosa Island

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

Gardens by the Bay

Marina Bay Sands Resort Complex

Universal Studios Theme Park

Fun Family Activities in Singapore:

Explore the underwater aquarium

Experience the unique nocturnal Singapore Zoo

Feel the adventure at Sentosa Island Complex

Go shopping in lovely malls

View the city from a high place on the Singapore Flyer.

Enjoy delicious local food in Singapore.

5} Langkawi: If you want to experience many different attractions in one trip, then Langkawi is the perfect place for you. Enjoy a family vacation in August on this island, which has amazing beaches, beautiful landscapes, lovely parks, and historic buildings. The places to visit in Langkawi are diverse and offer an exciting experience. You'll be amazed by everything from high viewpoints to the wonders of underwater life. One of the best things to do with your family is visiting the open-air garden museum, where you can feel excited and connected to nature. Whether you're looking for a packed itinerary or a calm evening in a peaceful atmosphere, Langkawi has it all.

Langkawi's Cool Places to See:

Eagle Square

Gunung Raya

Underwater World

Kilim Karst Geoforest Park

Yellow Beach Cafe

Tengkorak Beach

Fun Family Activities in Langkawi:

Take a memorable walk on Langkawi Sky Bridge

Visit the Wildlife Park and Bird Paradise

Try the unique Langkawi Sky Bridge ride

Explore Tanjung Rhu

Walk around the Ulu Melaka Night Market

Smart Tips for Family Travel with Kids Abroad:

Vacationing with your family is about creating lasting memories. Yet, experienced travellers know that plans can change unexpectedly. Check out these tips to ensure a safe and joyful family vacation:

Here's a list of helpful tips for a smooth family getaway with your kids.

• Pick a destination that suits everyone's likes and needs.

• Involve your kids in planning if they're old enough.

• Bring along special items like a scrapbook and their favourite toys.

• Arrive at the airport early to avoid stress.

• Kids may need time to adjust to new time zones, weather, and food, so be patient.

• Familiarize yourself with the destination's do's and don'ts.

• Carry a first aid kit and essentials.

• Have something to keep everyone entertained during downtime.

• Consider pre-booking your activities and accommodations.

• Give your kids a camera, but ensure they're safe.

• For baby travellers, pack extra diapers and wipes.

Frequently Asked Questions about Family Vacation Tips for Traveling Abroad with Kids:

Q.1 Why is August a good time for a family vacation?

August offers a pleasant climate for a summer vacation – not too hot or cold. It's a great time to travel with your family and create lasting memories.

Q.2      How can involving kids in planning help?

Involving your kids in planning gives them a sense of excitement and ownership. Ask for their preferences to ensure everyone has a good time.

Q.3      What special items should you bring for kids?

Pack a scrapbook and their favourite toys to keep them engaged and comfortable during the trip.

Q.4      Why is arriving at the airport early important?

Getting to the airport early minimizes stress and ensures a smooth start to your journey.

Q.5      How can you help kids adjust to new conditions?

Children might take time to adjust to changes in time zones, weather, and food. Be patient and understanding.

Q.6      Why is it important to know the do's and don'ts of a destination?

Understanding the local customs and rules helps you navigate the new place with ease and respect.

Q.7      What essentials should you carry?

Pack a first aid kit and important essentials to handle unexpected situations.

Q.8      How can you keep everyone entertained during downtime?

Bring activities like books, games, or devices to keep both kids and adults engaged during leisure time.

Q.9      Should you pre-book activities and accommodations?

Pre-booking ensures a smoother experience, and you can secure your preferred choices.

Q.10    What's the benefit of giving kids a camera?

A camera allows kids to capture their perspective of the trip and creates a fun activity for them.

Q.11    Any tips for traveling with babies?

For baby travellers, ensure you have extra diapers and wipes to handle unexpected needs.

Places to visit in August outside India for honeymoon

Introduction: Why Consider an August Honeymoon Abroad?

Honeymoon Destinations to Explore in August Beyond India:

Handy Honeymoon Travel Tips:

Frequently Asked Questions

Introduction: Why Consider an August Honeymoon Abroad?

A honeymoon is the wonderful start to your married life, and every newlywed couple wishes to celebrate it with enthusiasm. Every place is beautiful and special when you're with your partner, but an international honeymoon adds an extra layer of excitement. The exotic experience makes your unforgettable moments even more remarkable. If you're newly married and looking for a budget-friendly honeymoon outside India in August, we've got the perfect options. Check out our list of romantic international honeymoon destinations to visit in August.

Honeymoon Destinations to Explore in August Beyond India:

1} Bali: Bali has famous beaches, towering volcanoes, and lovely rice fields. All these natural features make it a popular honeymoon choice outside India. Bali also offers art museums, stunning temples, lush greenery, and beautiful views. Whether you're relaxing on the beach or experiencing Bali's nightlife, every moment is full of beauty that adds to your romantic mood. You can explore nature by trekking and find peace by visiting temples.

The Sacred Monkey Forest is a top spot in Bali that lets you connect with nature. Couples enjoy the Bali Swing, adding excitement to their honeymoon. Holding hands, you can enjoy the clear waters around Menjangan Island. Imagine watching the sunset over rice fields with your partner – it's a beautiful moment. Every part of Bali has something special for couples. In August, you can make your honeymoon even more exciting by trying water sports.

Great Places to Explore in Bali:

Mount Batur

Monkey Forest

Tanah Lot Temple

Jatiluwih Rice Terraces

Bali Swing

Ubud Monkey Forest

Sekumpul Waterfall

WaterBom Waterpark

Bali Bird Park

Romantic Activities for Couples in Bali:

Go on a bike ride together in Ubud

Watch the sunset at Tanah Lot

Feel the romance at Tukad Cepung Waterfall

Get an adrenaline rush at Waterbom Bali

Enjoy a romantic Bali Cruise Day trip

Take a romantic stroll on Campuhan Ridge Walk

2} Maldives: The Maldives is a dreamy place perfect for the beginning of love. It's a budget-friendly honeymoon spot from India. Holding hands with your sweetheart, you can enhance your romance while surrounded by beautiful views, cool breezes, and water all around.

Imagine a picture in words: a thatched-roof bungalow on a private beach with islands, under a starry sky. This is why many newlywed couples pick the Maldives. In August, you can enjoy special experiences with your partner.

Must-See Spots in the Maldives:

COMO Cocoa Island

Addu Atoll

Male City

Maafushi

Addu City

Artificial Beach

Malé Atoll

Fulhadhoo Island

Romantic Activities in the Maldives:

Go Island Hopping

Enjoy a relaxing Massage together

Have a romantic date at Ithaa underwater aquarium restaurant

Explore the ocean's depth with a Submarine Ride

Cruise luxuriously and enjoy a Boat Ride

Swim together and have fun

Witness a mesmerizing scene at Glowing Beach in the Maldives

3} Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka, a lovely country in the Indian Ocean, is like a paradise for honeymooners. The beautiful beaches, scenic views, and historic places add excitement to your honeymoon. Imagine celebrating your special time in nature's lap with a peaceful atmosphere. If you've pictured being with your partner in such a scenic place, Sri Lanka has even more beauty waiting for you. This international honeymoon spot is affordable and gives you wonderful memories.

Besides enjoying nature, you can also explore the culture of this budget-friendly destination. The weather matters for a romantic experience too. Sri Lanka's August climate matches the mood for couples. You can happily celebrate your honeymoon in Sri Lanka during August without weather concerns.

Here are some places you can visit in Sri Lanka:

Galle

Colombo

Kandy

Gangaramaya Temple

Nuwara Eliya

Negombo

Dambulla

Bentota

Matara

And here are some romantic things you can do in Sri Lanka:

Explore the floating market in Pettah and shop

Go river rafting in Kitulgala

Relax with an Ayurvedic spa experience

Have fun with water activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, and motorboating

Admire the beauty of many waterfalls

Take a train ride to Ella

Go hiking together in Horton Plains National Park

4} Cambodia: Discover the allure of ancient Southeast Asia on your honeymoon with your partner. This enchanting spot sits by the Gulf of Thailand, offering attractions and beauty galore. You can revel in the beach atmosphere of Cambodia for your honeymoon. And if you're fond of historic sites, a tour of the heritage spots awaits you here.

Cambodia is a place where history meets breathtaking scenic views, creating a unique charm that will leave you amazed from the moment you arrive. Whether you're exploring its rich heritage or soaking in its natural beauty, Cambodia has something special to offer.

With pleasant weather in August, you can enjoy your honeymoon on the beach, surrounded by the perfect climate. And the cost-effectiveness of this destination makes it one of the most affordable options for a honeymoon outside India. Planning your romantic getaway in Cambodia won't strain your budget.

Discover Cambodia's attractions together:

Explore Phnom Kulen National Park

Relax on Koh Rong Island

Immerse in Siem Reap's charm

Uncover Koh Ker's treasures

Experience Tonle Sap's uniqueness

Enjoy Kampot's ambiance

Visit Sihanoukville's coastal beauty

Embrace romance in Cambodia:

Admire Mondulkiri's waterfall

Snorkel at Koh Rong's beach

Marvel at Angkor's temples

Explore Phnom Penh's beauty

Share moments in Sihanoukville

Take a romantic stroll

Handy Honeymoon Travel Tips:

Honeymoon – A cute word filled with love and excitement. Planning your getaway abroad is thrilling, but consider these tips for an unforgettable experience:

Plan together, set the mood.

Budget smartly for your trip.

Privacy is precious, prioritize it.

Compare preferences and choose wisely.

Accommodations matter, pick well.

Pack for both relaxation and adventure.

Lesser-known places can be amazing.

Make your own unique itinerary.

Know your payment options.

Enjoy your honeymoon to the fullest!

Frequently Asked Questions about Planning a Romantic August Honeymoon Abroad:

Q.1      Why is August a good time for an international honeymoon?

August offers a comfortable climate for a honeymoon – not too hot or cold. Now is the perfect moment to enjoy and commemorate your special occasions.

Q.2      Why consider an international honeymoon?

An international honeymoon adds excitement to your memories. Experiencing a new place together makes your moments even more special.

Q.3      Which destinations are ideal for an August honeymoon?

Bali, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Cambodia are perfect choices for a romantic getaway in August.

Q.4      What makes Bali a great honeymoon spot?

Bali's beautiful beaches, volcanoes, and art scenes create a unique atmosphere. You can enjoy both relaxation and adventure here.

Q.5      Why choose the Maldives for a honeymoon?

The Maldives offers dreamy surroundings with clear waters and a romantic ambiance. It's budget-friendly and perfect for newlyweds.

Q.6      Why should couples consider Sri Lanka for their honeymoon?

Sri Lanka's stunning beaches, historic sites, and pleasant weather create a paradise for honeymooners. It's affordable and offers rich experiences.

Q.7      What makes Cambodia an appealing honeymoon destination?

Cambodia combines historical sites with breathtaking scenery. Its beaches and heritage spots offer a unique charm for couples.

Q.8      What are some handy honeymoon travel tips?

Plan together to set the right tone.

Plan your budget wisely.

Prioritize privacy.

Compare preferences before deciding.

Choose accommodations carefully.

Pack for relaxation and adventure.

Explore lesser-known places for unique experiences.

Create your own itinerary.

Be informed about payment options.

Make the most of your honeymoon memories.

[keldae]

Fictober ‘19 -- Day 17 (SWTOR)

“Still moping over that spyboy?”

Xaja jumped at the sound of Kira’s voice literally right behind her, startling her out of her thoughts. Muttering a couple of interesting words, the redhead Jedi pulled her boots off of the Serenity’s dash and turned to give her former Padawan a frown. “You trying to kill me with a heart attack, Carsen?”

“Nah. We both already know you’re going to die from Jakar shooting you… again.”

“Rude.” Rolling her eyes at Kira’s grin, Xaja shook her head and pulled one foot up onto the seat, perching over it. “Sorry, what was the question? I couldn’t hear you over the sound of my heart trying to quit on me.”

“Better keep that heart in working order,” Kira teased as she flopped sideways into the next chair. “You’re gonna need it to keep pining after Agent Shan.”

“I’m not--!” Xaja looked away from Kira’s widening grin, stared out at the stars through the viewscreen until she thought she had the heat in her cheeks under control, then scowled at the other Jedi. “What makes you think I’m pining over a blasted spy?”

“First off, your ears are red.”

“Are not!” Xaja instinctively reached up to touch her ears, and frowned when she realized they were still hot. “It’s… it’s from you spooking me, twit.”

“Uh-huh. You weren’t blushing until you heard ‘Agent Shan’.”

Xaja scowled at Kira’s unrepentant smirk. “... I am not pining!”

“No, of course not. Just listening close every time you think you hear his name, or getting excited when you have a new message and then getting disappointed when it has nothing to do with him, or watching the news like a hawkbat for any signs of the Revanites or our AWOL allies…” Kira laughed. “It’s like watching a teenager with a huge crush.”

“... I am not that bad,” Xaja muttered, giving up on trying to keep from blushing as she scowled out at the stars. 

“Yes, you are.” There was a soft squeak as Kira spun her chair a bit. “For the record, I approve -- he’s way better than your ex. Gotta admit, there is just something about him that I like -- not in the same way you do,” she added with a wink. “Since Doc and I both noticed him checking you out and liking what he saw.”

There was a pause before Xaja glanced back over at Kira. “You think?” she asked, and tried not to sound hopeful. She did not have a crush on Agent Shan -- no, Theron, as he’d insisted she call him -- no matter what her misinformed former Padawan thought on the matter.

“Yup. For a spy, he isn’t exactly subtle.” Kira grinned. “Neither are you, for that matter. You’re really not hiding how much you’re checking him out…”

“Kira!” Xaja scowled as Kira burst out laughing, then shook her head. “It is not my fault that man has a great ass…”

Kira all but cackled as she looked back at her Master. “And I’m pretty sure he was enjoying your admiration… and returning the favour.”

“What? He was looking at--?” Xaja blushed as bright as her hair, then frowned. “What are you talking about? I’m too skinny to have an ass worth mentioning!”

“Pretty sure he’d beg to differ if asked…”

“Kira!”

The taller Jedi just cackled again as she got back up. “I’ll let you get back to daydreaming about that ass, and the rest of the guy attached to it. Hopefully we get a lead as to where they are soon so you can admire it in-person again.”

Xaja Force-threw a wad of flimsi after her retreating Padawan, then frowned at the void of space outside her ship. She was absolutely not pining for Theron, or dreaming about his ass. Her thoughts were focused more on his amber eyes, and his warm tone of voice, and his mou--

That is not any better than thinking about his backside, she tried to scold herself as she firmly shook her head and tried to think about anything that wasn’t connected to Theron kriffing Shan.

[michinnyun]

DreamWeaver

Chapter 10: Memory

Pairing: Din Djarin x F!Reader

Rating: Explicit (Minors dni)

Summary: Everything in its right place. // Content warning: This is less of a content thing and more of just a heads up. The narrative is told in reverse, aka Reader gets her memories back, but not in chronological order.

Tags: Reader-Insert × Eventual Smut × Slow Burn × mando is a soft boy with you × Force-Sensitive Reader × Good Parent Din Djarin × Protective Din Djarin × Touch-Starved Din Djarin × Soft Din Djarin × Pilot Reader × Anxiety × Fluff and Angst × no y/n × Sleeping Together × touch starved reader × THE RAZOR CREST IS NOT DESTROYED × Slight Canon Divergence × there is now smut × You're Welcome × Possessive Sex × Fluff and Smut × The Helmet Stays On × Vaginal Fingering

Words: 2.5k

AO3 Link

Mama doesn't look how you expected. To be fair, you don't think you were expecting anything at all.

She’s so much like you, it’s shocking. The last feature of hers you remember being hidden was her eyes, and you’re struck by the importance of such a tiny detail. She’s not that much older than you are. This must be what she looked like when you saw her last.

The sea you're standing on is like glass; smooth, tranquil. Peaceful.

“So… This is it?” you ask.

She nods, a bit sheepish. “John Jakar didn’t do his job as well as he should have.”

John Jakar. You remember the old man. The memories aren’t exactly flooding back all at once, but this one you recognize.

The ocean is familiar. You’ve seen it a hundred times in dreams, except this time it’s different, it’s not scary anymore. There’s a golden light filling the sky, and it looks like the sun is rising. “It’s beautiful here,” you murmur before turning back to face her.

Reaching out, you take her hands in yours. They’re rough; warrior’s hands. “You’re… gone. Aren’t you? This isn’t real.” She nods hesitantly, and your heart sinks, even though you’ve sort of known it all along.

Inhaling deeply, you stare down at your reflections in the water. “What lesson is the Force trying to teach me with this?”

She laughs at that. “That’s not how the Force works.” Her hand cups your cheek, and you can only recall one other person ever doing this for you. It always hurts the same. You never deserve it, but you close your eyes anyway and accept the gesture.

“I’m here… to ease your transition. Out of ignorance. It can be very hard to remember so much at once. You’ve only been given bits and pieces so far, but now it’s time for the rest. And then…”

Your eyes open, floored again at how much you see of her in you. “Then?”

She smiles a little sadly. “And then. Onward.”

You're running, but you don't know where to; ignoring the stitch in your side, you’re practically flying.

Someone's pulling you along, wheezing, but you don't know him, only that you trust him. The jungle is so humid, it’s like breathing in steam.

Tripping, you yelp as you both fall into a sinkhole, concealed by bushy foliage. A wrinkled hand clamps over your mouth to quiet your loud breathing.

Minutes later, thundering footsteps pass by your hiding place.

The old man next to you is praying now, tears streaming down his withered face and disappearing into his scraggly white beard. He blubbers, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” as he pushes your head back into a puddle, and you forget all about him.

When you wake up, hours later, your hair is damp and you're alone, with only a vague inkling of how you came to be here. You stumble on your way back home, and when you get there, it’s empty. __

It’s raining on the beach today. To be fair, it does that a lot.

Since the planet is mostly ocean, practically all landforms are comprised of wet, crumbling sand. You can’t recall the last time you touched grass. You’re remembering less and less every time you come here.

This is good, decidedly. Even though you can’t feel that strange energy flowing through your fingertips anymore, and your head is like an empty shell, this is what’s best. You don’t remember why that is, why you agreed to this. You just tell yourself that soon, you won’t even remember to be sad.

Just a few more trips, John Jakar told you, and it’ll be done.

“I wonder what kind of person I’ll be,” you remark.

He chuckles, a tired sound. “I can’t imagine you’ll ever stop being a troublemaker.”

You both wade out into the water a little farther this time than he usually cares to. He’s getting up there in years, and the journey wears on him. He’s like a father to you, and soon you won’t remember him either.

He tips you back under the water, and you float; a little more of you getting left behind. You don’t choke on the rain anymore, or the water filling your nose. It’s like second nature to you after so many years.

There are certain memories that only need modification, speeder chases and summer nights. Adolescence. Things that will inform your skill sets out in the world, if need be.

You’ll still be able to function. You’ll still be yourself, just minus a few key things.

John Jakar takes very carefully, putting safeguards in place. Too much erased, and you’d be no better than a droid. Too little, and this might not even work. It’s a delicate effort.

The water is cool, and it rushes over your face, a dull roar in your ears. There’s no fear in staying under, in losing memories.

You let the rocking of the ocean carry you away without a fight. __

John Jakar’s granddaughter is so kind, just like him. She’s young, as young as you were when you first came, but whip smart. She teaches you to shoot, runs with you through the desert, shows you which pallie fruits are best for eating. However, friendship with her is limited; operating under the understanding that you won’t be around forever. It’s a little lonely, but you've gone without friends your whole life. You’ll survive.

You’re not supposed to go far from the hut without John Jakar, but after so many years, he pretends to turn a blind eye to your escapades. You don’t go far, regardless.

You were better at firing a blaster a year ago, back when you could still wield the Force a little. Now that that part of you has been fully erased, the next thing to fix is your memories. It’s scary, but you always knew it was coming. Mostly you just try not to think about it.

When you dream at night, you see the temple Mama told you about as a kid, before she brought you to John Jakar. It’s changed over the years as you’ve gotten older, evolved with your young mind.

It’s too dangerous for her to visit anymore, the grip of the Empire growing tighter around the remnants of the dead Republic. You miss her, but you’re an adult now. Every creature must make their way through the galaxy without their forebears at one point or another. This is just… your time, you guess.

Regardless, you have John Jakar, and he still hears from her occasionally. It’s juvenile, but you still have a spark of hope that you’ll see her again.

Hope is all there is left. __

The suns are getting low, and John Jakar still won’t let you outside. He rarely ever does, and it’s so hard to sneak out without getting caught. Nothing gets past him.

“No one’s going to see me,” you whine, but he just pats your head consolingly. You privately think you’re getting a little old for him to treat you like this.

Mama only visits so often, less and less as the years go by. She’s risking a lot, every time she comes to see you. You know this. You remember the stories.

Your mother is still on the run from the Empire. On the run from one person in particular it seems, but she doesn’t much talk about it. Her trips are very short, and she mostly holds you and combs your hair with her fingers, humming softly.

When no one’s around, you levitate objects, whatever you can find. A brush, a cup, small things. You get weaker after every trip to the sea, and John Jakar would probably be upset if he found you practicing, undoing all the hard work he’s done.

Small wonder it’s taking so long. __

“What are you doing? I told you not to come, it’s not safe here.”

Your hands are small, clutching your Mama’s skirts. The journey here was long and perilous, and you are so tired.

“Please,” she whispers, and she is tall, strong. Desperation from her is out of character.

“Ama, you are putting me and my family in danger. I must ask that you leave.” You’ve never met the man before, but he looks to be past middle age. There are lines in his face, deepened by the solemnity of his words.

“You’re my only hope. Please, I need you to hide her.” Anxiety exaggerates the pitch of her voice, and though you don’t completely understand what’s going on, you have a bad feeling in the pit of your stomach.

He looks down at you, and you cower. He softens. “She will never be the same after this. You realize that, don’t you? Everything that makes her special will be gone.”

Mama inhales shakily, fingers brushing through your hair fleetingly. “Do it.”

He sighs, and gestures to you. “Come here, young one.” You look up at Mama. She nods, encouraging you.

Hesitantly, you approach the stranger. He takes stock of you, hands on shoulders, and you have trouble maintaining eye contact. “She’d be just the right age for a padawan, in the old days.” He chuckles, a bit sadly.

“She is strong in the Force. It’s been a challenge to keep her hidden.” She looks almost proud, and you swell a bit.

The man reaches into his pocket, pulling out a stray bolt. “Would you show me?” You stare down at the tiny object, slipping your eyes shut and concentrating. You draw on inner peace like Mama taught you, and after a moment, there's a gasp.

When your eyes open, you realize you did your job a little too well. Nearly every object not anchored down is floating inches off their respective surfaces. As soon as your concentration breaks, they drop like stones.

“Impressive. You have taught her the ways of the Jedi?”

Your mother shifts uncomfortably. “She doesn’t have a lightsaber, if that’s what you’re asking. No; she’s only heard stories. No combat. I shouldn’t have taught her what she knows now. It will only be harder for you to… do your work.” You look down, ashamed for the first time at your abilities.

He waves a hand, but still seems chagrined. “That’s for me to worry about. What will you do?”

You look up at Mama, curious yourself. “Keep moving. Avoid the fate of her father, our friends. It’ll be a relief to know she’s safe with you, no matter what comes of me.” You reach out to take one of her hands, concerned.

She rarely mentions your father, besides the fact that he was a Jedi, like her.

Mama squeezes your fingers, and you notice the lines around the corners of her mouth. She looks exhausted, aged past her years.

“Ama… it might not work the way you want it to. This… technique. My understanding of it is very limited, it’s been years since I last attempted it.” He runs a hand through his beard, a nervous habit of his you’ll come to recognize in time.

Mama looks down at you, chest rising with a shaky inhale. “You know I wouldn't be here if I didn't have another choice.”

They stare at one another with peculiar expressions, and you start to count the sunspots dusting his cheeks.

She gulps, and releases your hand. “Well, I should go. I’ve stayed too long already.”

Anxiety blooms in your chest, and you speak for the first time since you arrived. “Mama?” Your voice is so small. Frightened.

She crouches to your level, brushes a thumb over your cheek, but it doesn’t comfort you. “I’ll be back to see you as soon as I can, starlight. For now, stay with John Jakar. I promise I’ll explain more when you see me next. This is what’s best.”

A tear rolls down your cheek, but she wipes it away with a reassuring smile.

She presses a kiss to your forehead, then leaves the hut, illuminated by golden light. __

When you find yourself back on the beach, you’re sitting cross-legged next to John Jakar on the surf.

“You didn’t erase everything completely,” you say, almost accusatory, and he nods.

“I couldn’t bring myself to. The galaxy had so little hope, after the Jedi were eliminated. Few remained to remember their ways, and you were all that was left of our religion, as far as we knew. I left the Order long before you were born, but I still recognized the importance of what they taught. Even after years spent questioning them, I didn’t want it all to get lost. I didn’t want you to lose… the best parts of yourself.”

He sighs deeply, and you gaze out onto the horizon.

“The child… he was the key. Everything felt different after we met,” you say. He nods again, scratching his beard.

“In a way, you were always meant to change one another. Love does that, in ways we never expect. Just as we are all connected through the Force, you were fated to be each other’s protectors. Family. Your Mandalorian would call it ‘The Way.’” He gestures grandly.

“Except I don’t have to wear the helmet,” you say, smiling.

You look down at where his hands rest in the sand, and they’re wrinkled, joints gnarled. A soft wind blows, grabbing your attention, but the water still doesn’t ripple. It’s smooth, reflecting the pink and rosy sky. The moons are rising.

“I thought I was doing the right thing,” you say quietly, head craned, staring up at the blushing clouds. “But instead I just mucked it all up. I might’ve ruined the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

He shifts a bit, placing his hand in yours briefly. “Your Mandalorian still came to find you, didn’t he? And you saved him, in the end.” He pauses, shaking his head. “You are fallible. That is, you are human. We all do what we think is right in the moment, whether it actually is or not. Who’s to say I did right by you?”

“I don't think anybody would say that.” You both laugh, and it hurts again, that melancholy ache.

What a gift, this moment; a gift you know can't last forever. He’s running on borrowed time.

“Will I ever see you again?” you ask, but you already know the answer.

John Jakar smiles sadly. “You and the child are bonded. You have a family of your own, a place of belonging that you earned through blood and tears. The Mandalorian considers it the most sacred pact of all.”

There’s a hand on the back of your head, stroking your hair, and you know she's there. Mama. “You don’t need us. You haven't, for a long time,” she says gently.

Your eyes shut, and you feel like any second this cavernous sorrow will shatter you. “I missed you so much. I didn’t think I could do that anymore.”

“I know, starlight.” You turn to face her, and notice your lips both turn down at the corners in the exact same way. She cups your cheek one last time. “But you must go, live, make mistakes. Our time has passed. Yours is only beginning.”

Your fingers dig into your knees, but eventually, you let go. When you exhale, the ocean moves with your breath, the Force flowing through you, memories back where they belong.

Prev Chapter

Next Chapter

[justdealingwithsomeissues]

I get the mood Jakar... but you can’t just go around asking people to kill you...

[nova-siims]

Meet the Klein Family! and Georgia’s New Adventure!

From left to right: Georgia Klein, Luz Klein, Jakare Klein, and Jakare Junior. Georgia and JJ’s brother Dakota is missing from the picture because, and I quote, “My time is better used plotting world domination.” Luz had half a mind to yeet her son over but Jakare convinced her not to. They’ll get him when his school pictures come out. ;))

Jakare: I’m so proud of you baby, you’re doing something none of your grandparents ever have. AND it’s all paid for. I couldn’t have asked for a better birthday gift.

Georgia: Aww dad... it’s just college. No biggie. I’ll be back with a diploma in no time.

Jakare: I know you will. Call me if you need anything, anything at all honey. I love you.

Georgia: I love you too dad.

Georgia: Alright mom, one last picture before I go!

Luz: Get over here baby. Don’t get up there to that fancy Foxbury and forget where you came from. Remember get that education, then get the men.

Georgia: Mom!!

Luz: I’m just saying, I want a few grandbabies before I turn into and Elder.

Georgia: We’ll see mom. We’ll see.

Georgia: Hi, I’m Georgia! What’s going on over here?

Kendrick: Wow, hey Georgia, I’m Kendrick, it’s nice to meet you. This right here is the spirit squad! We congregate every Friday and Saturday before our Soccer and E-Sports games. We do beer pong, face painting, keg-stands, you name it.

Georgia: Wow.. what’s a keg stand? And beer pong?

Kendrick: Oh, they’re just drinking games. Want to see how it works?

Georgia: Yeah sure, thanks!

Several drinks and beer pong games later, Georgia crashed back at her place on campus, unaware of the raging hangover she would have the next day.

Georgia: Ugh, this headache is killing me, but at least this homework isn’t too bad...

Georgia: Hey mom, what’s up?

Luz: Honey, I’m sorry to bring this on you on your second day away but, I just found out Gradma passed away. Grim just called to let me know. Damn bastard sounded real giddy over the phone.

Georgia: Oh no, I’m sorry mommy, wow... should I come back home? Do you or dad need me? How is dad taking it?

Luz: He’s how you’d expect, but no you stay up there baby. I just wanted to let you know.

Georgia: Oh.. okay. I have to go mom, I’m not feeling too well. I love you.

Georgia tried to eat but barely could. This news was extremely devastating for her seeing how close she was with her grandma. She remembered how light she felt when drinking yesterday, and figured that was the best way to cope and ‘forget’ what happened. 

That and Kendrick.

Georgia: Hey, thanks for coming over.. I really appreciate it. Should we call this something or?..

Kendrick: Does it have to have a label? Just relations between two consenting adults whenever they want to. I’m surprised you called me. 

Georgia: Yeah well, I just needed someone to talk to and um, distract me. It’s been a rough few days.

Kendrick: You’ll make it through, don’t worry. I got you. 

[starr-fall-knight-rise]

Humans are Space Orcs, “Cowboy.”

Wanted to try something new.  Aliens meet different ways of living. Was trying to really capture the small town farming feel in this one. Granted I grew up in and near places like this but was from the burbs technically, so, lol, hopefully I did it justice. 

The sky over Jakar was a light violet purple.

Strings of long striated clouds cut across the sky at intervals looking like the ripples you see on the face of a sand dune. The Sun hadn’t yet risen hiding just below the distant horizon. The air around them was warm, but not tropical, rather moderate.

Standing on the loading ramp to the Harbinger and staring out over the strange moon, they could see for miles and miles onto the unbroken horizon. Under the purple sky, there were no trees or rocks, just acres and acres of evenly spaced crops gently rolling over minute hills and shallow divots in the earth. A gently wind blew up from their front rolling over the ground and bringing with it the cool moist scent of fertile dirt.

The sun inched upwards over the horizon, casting a honeyed yellow glow over an unbroken sea of green. With the engines of the ship off, and not a soul in sight, the scene before them was absolutely silent, almost surreal.

As they watched, a ripple of wind blew up from their right churning the green sea before them into a stormy sea. The plant stalks rolled in waves under the slow push of the wind, which, when it reached them, brought the subtle whisper of leaves brushing over each other.

All together, if they closed their eyes, they could almost imagine the sound of a distant sea.

Both Krill and sunny were riveted to that quiet morning in fascination. 

They had never known a thing to be so beautiful, so quiet.

And even though the land was touched by man, the quiet serenity almost had them forgetting that fact.

They stood like that for many minutes, enjoying the silence until a distant sound rose up from the horizon.

Krill craned his neck and Sunny shaded her eyes.

It can in beats of four, a rhythmic thudding of…. something .

They were alerted by the dust cloud, brown tinged purple rising up from the right.

Looking a little longer,they watched as a very strange creature galloped towards them. The animal had four legs, a long snout, a thick neck, and streams of long hair flying from it’s head and rump. THe joints of its front legs faced the wrong direction.

Krill shifted back up the ramp a little ways.

The beats of the animal’s feet grew louder as it got closer, and only then was Krill able to see that, to his shock and dismay, there was a human riding astride it’s back, just casually sitting atop the one ton beast as if it was nothing bouncing up and down with the animal’s jostling movements.

He stared dumbstruck alongside Sunny as the human pulled to a stop gently tugging at the contraption which had been fixed around the animal’s head.

A familiar tawny, and black dog came chasing after her tail wagging, her ears perked.

Waffles skidded to a slow trot and began frantically sniffing through the nearby plot of plants.

Sunny and Krill stepped forward as the human, turned to look at them, restings his hands against his upper thighs as the beast lowered it’s head to sniff at the ground.

“What the hell are you wearing?” Sunny asked the commander.

“A better question is what the hell are you riding.” Krill could already tell this day was going to make him angry, “Aren't you well aware that falling off that thing could kill you, not to mention if it decided to cave your head in with its feet.”

Commander Vir pulled the patterned cloth triangle down from around his face, eyes mostly shadowed by the brim of the very dorky hat he was wearing. The shirt he had on was long sleeve and mid range blue in color with a collar, and matching jeans with a very strange set of heeled boots.

“Forgot you've never seen a horse before.”

He kicked one of his feet up over the top the back of the creature and let himself gently down onto the dirt.

The large animal turned it’s massive head, nudging him in the chest with it’s soft pink snout.

He smiled and rubbed it’s nose.

“A horse?”

“Yes, one of man’s greatest achievements.”

The horse threw its head up and down as if in agreement.

“A knobby kneed dog creature?”

“No a knobby kneed beast of burden, from the back of which humanity conquered the world. He patted it’s neck, “These guys are the reason humanity got as far as it did, at least one fo the reasons.

Krill stared at the ‘horse’ nervously staring into its wide dark eyes, sensing a hint of cunning intelligence that he did not particularly appreciate. Sunny stepped forward a bit, and the horse lifted it’s head, wide nostrils flaring menacingly. 

It stepped back, and the commander held firm, “Woah, easy girl. It’s just sunny.”

The horse didn’t seem convinced, and Sunny stayed at a polite distance.

“Commander, I must insist, that beast could kick your head in if agitated.”

“Oh I know. Believe you me I know.”

The horse tossed it’s head.

“Can we get back to the important question of….. What the hell are you wearing?”

He looked down, “This, my fine friend is the historic gear of the Cowboy, and early symbol of the west, your rough and tumble man’s man who lived rough, worked hard, and is, arguably the symbol of human manifest destiny.”

“I have no idea what you just said.”

The commander sighed, “Look they were total badasses who rode horses, shot guns, and drank too much.”

“Badasses who wore heels?” Sunny wondered 

“Yes, yes they were.”

“And where did you get that outfit exactly?”

He tugged at the shirt rather proudly, “My mother made it for me, you know because that is what she does for a living.”

“Do you often commission really dumb clothing from your mother.” Sunny continued to tease.

“I have an outfit for every major time period from here to to the early Byzantine empire.” He bragged, not that it meant anything.

Her continued teasing was cut off as more noises rose up from the distance, the sound of hooves and the shrill chatter of, what Sunny could only assume was the horses. A larger dust cloud was riding up this time, and as she watched, another group of human came riding down the track. At least three of them riding horseback and wearing outfits much the same as the commander now wore. Though one of them was riding on the front of a strange wooden vehicle pulled by the creatures.

And krill had thought current human technology was primitive.

The two men, and one woman came to a halt just to their side, and looking them over, Krill couldn't help but notice the strange nature of these humans, tanned dark by the sun, their skin tough and calloused, especially about the hands. Though it was early morning they were already covered in dust. One of them touched the brim of his hat upon seeing them and dismounted from his horse walking over to shake the commander’s hand.

“I’m gonna assume your Commander Vir.” He looked around, “Seeing as you’re the only human here.”

“Yes sir.”

His voice was deep, and rather slow with a sort of relaxing quality to it, though there was an edge of steel behind his voice, “Didn’t think you fancy space captains knew how to ride horses.”

“My father worked on one of the farming conglomerates when I was a boy. He made sure we knew how to ride.”

“Smart man.” The old human turned his steely brown eyes on them looking sunny and Krill up and down though he didn’t seem all that surprised. He held out a hand to sunny, “Looks like you’ve got plenty of hands to shake.”

She chirped a laugh and took his hand surprised at how strong  he was, how rough his hands were.

Krill received a nod which was more than alright by him. He turned back and motioned to his companions, “Meet, Jack my son, and Liz y daughter. They volunteered to help out with our little problem.”

“Smugglers you were saying.” 

“Yes. We think they are some of those Tesraki types using our fields as stop points. Wouldn’t mind it so much if they didn’t keep destroying the product. They tend to land where we plant the pink orbs-” He looked at sunny, “Think they are from your planet. A bitch to get to grow here, we have to cut the soil with imported volcanic ash to get them to grow, and every time those bastards show up we lose a yield.” 

His daughter motioned at Sunny and Krill to climb up onto the strange wooden death machine with wheels. At first Krill refused, but sunny grabbed him and hauled him upwards, sitting on one of the  wooden benches. 

Krill reused to sit.

He could see splinters.

“They aren’t supposed to be in for another few days though.” The two men had mounted their horses and were riding side by side now as the ‘what krill learned to be a cart’ started up, rolling over the uneven ground and threatening to rattle his brains out of his head.

“Doesn’t this thing have shocks.” he moaned 

The humans laughed, and the head human turned back to look at him, “Don’t need socks on a wagon…..” He paused, “This one ain’t mch for country livin’”

The commander snorted, “He isn’t much for anything new. Guess you could say he’s a big city surgeon. I don’t think his  species has been without automated assistance for the past ten thousand years. But Sunny there probably gets it, her clan was mainly gatherer types.”

“Yeah, I heard about the Drev. Don’t live so differently from us all told.” beside them lines and lines of crops grew up in the distance, a never ending line broken up by nothing more than a distant building rising many stories above the fields. Massive silver constructions in cylinders with pointy tops.

“What are those?” Sunny asked, pointing.

The daughter looked “Those are silos. Once we harvest the produce, all the food goes in there for storage until we sell it.”

“So much food.” Sunny muttered 

Krill didn’t like the look of them, they appeared dangerous. Up ahead of them, the dog, waffles seemed to be enjoying herself romping about over the dirt road and through the first few lines of plants her tongue lolling her ears up.

“Your Shepherd seems happy.” The man commented, “Better then being cooped up in a flying tin can.”

“Yeah , she doesn’t get to go outside much these days.”

Looking up into the distance, Krill could just make out a slow break on the horizon. They were trees as far as he could tell, which surprised him since they seemed far to big to be here, as unnatural a species as they were.

“Are those oak trees?” The Captain asked, incredulous.

“That they are, got them imported in one of those massive fraighters. Putting them in the ground was complete bullshit, but they took surprisingly well. We wanted the two to be a bit more cozy. 

The closer they got to town the more people they could see. Children ran in and out of the crop lines chasing each other and laughing. 

Women carried baskets with them plucking bright red berries from tall growths of plants turning to wave at them as they passed.

Horses loitered, tied up on the sides of the road next to large, elegant houses in a style Krill had never seen before.

“Wow.” The commander muttered, “This is…. Wow.”

The man smiled, “Much as I love earth, you can’t live like this any more. No more small towns. When I heard how cheep they were selling land up here for, I couldn’t resist. Worked for one of those corporations like your father, and that’s when I heard about the deal going on. Come up here, farm the land and get the property for free.” He motioned to the houses and the barns, “Built most of it with our own two hands. Machinery is a bitch to get out here, so most everything we make by ourselves.”

Krill and sunny stared on in complete fascination. The wooden buildings held together by nothing more than sharp metal spikes, still multiple stories tall and with glass windows. What little technology there was was overshadowed by just how provincial everything was. People carrying buckets of water with their own two hands, polishing boots, and sawing off planks of wood with manual blades.

And despite that, how much more difficult everything probably was, they seemed happy. The people themselves were rough, but well put together, tanned skin, and bright eyes over calloused hands and straight backed postures full of confidence and pride. As they rode past they received nothing but friendly smiles and waved greetings.

Adam was practically a pampered, prim little pretty boy in comparison to the rest, and he was a one eyed, peg legged, space captain for intents and purposes.

A pleasantly plump dark skinned woman waved at them from her porch, where she sat in a very strange looking chair, which instead of legs, had skids? And rocked when she shifted her weight. Which seemed to be the intention.

Sunny and Krill raised their hands back, not sure of what else to do.

The man at the front sighed, “Man you can’t live like this anymore, not on earth anyway.”

Commander vir was looking around with an appreciative smile, “it’s like going back in time. Dam…. it’s nice here.”

“Almost makes you want to get your feet back on solid dirt?” The man wondered 

The commander laughed, “I don’t think so. Your town is great, but there is nothing like the majesty of waking up and seeing the rings of saturn outside our bedroom window, or a nebulae thousands of light years wide, or stepping out of the ship and just…. Floating weightless like nothing can hold you down ever again.”

The man shuttered, “Can’t imagine.”

“Can’t imagine but can’t forget.”

Adam’s horse tossed it’s head and he patted it on the neck.

The other human shook his head, “Cut from a different mold I guess. I’d like nothing more than an honest day’s work under the sun getting my hands dirty. None of that outer space politics.”

Adam laughed, “I suppose I forget about politics most of the time. Honestly consider myself more of an adventurer discovering new planets and new species bravely going where no man has gone before sort of thing.”

The two of them laughed together.

Krill wondered at the strangeness of humanity. Here were two men, one of them a ship captain venturing into the unknown on one of the most advanced pieces of human technology ever created  flying shuttles, talking with aliens and traversing the galaxy, while there was another human a lover of dirt beneath his hands, with no desire to leave his home, or likely even go outside it’s farm’s radius, content with living the same day for the rest of his life, with the same people, building everything with his hands, living without what seemed to be the most basic of human technologies.

And here they were sitting together speaking and laughing.

Getting along despite being so different.

Because humans can just do that.

Humans understand. 

[corey-067]

I am working on answering asks, I promise. They’re just going a little slowly. In the meantime, have a snippet for something I should’ve finished a while ago.  --

He'd been saved, by a Mandalorian. A few years ago, he'd have laughed at the notion, but the entire galaxy had been tipped upside down since then, and he'd had to adapt along with it, or he'd have died. They'd been back to back, facing off a ship full of pirates, along with several rogue Knights, and a large number of reprogrammed Skytroopers. Ambushes were happening with ever-increasing frequency, and their desperate gasp of resistance was slowly being choked out. The warriors of Clan Black had proven their worth time and again, and that rescue had been no exception. They were swift and deadly against their foes, and steadfast beside their allies - he couldn't ask for better. On that day there had been two dozen Mandalorians and four Jedi in their rescue party, and they'd exited the Zakuulan vessel with less than half of that number. 

As he'd done for the last three days, the Barsen'thor tapped the tip of his thumb to the tip of each of his fingers, ensuring that he had a full range of motion in the limb. They were on a world which was familiar to him, its immense stone temples towering above an endless sea of green forest that even as high as they were, the Shadow could not see past. Looking to the sky, Jakar could see the looming form of the gas giant Yavin, as surely as he could feel the tug of the dark side, and the former Emperor's presence which still stained the moon, long after he abandoned it for Ziost.

The Mandalorians were keeping an eye on him, something he could understand - Jakar was free to move about the compound, even enter his ship if he chose, but without an escort, he couldn't leave, Corey insisted that Jakar remain until he recovered fully. They had mapped routes of sensor shadowing to keep their movements in and out of the system as hidden as possible, and Forseti was well aware of the dangers within the forest. A couple of the Mandalorians had seen him entering a small clearing at the rear of the compound with his lightsaber drawn, and offered to spar with him, which he declined. He intended to use his weapon to focus his body and in turn, his mind, as well as his connection to the Force. He needed to come to terms with what happened so that he could move forward.

He wasn't fond of the click of his fingers against the burnished metal surface of his lightsaber hilt, but he pushed his mind past the distraction and settled into a familiar routine, using a combination of Alchaka techniques and lightsaber kata. Strike and cut and thrust and click, and strike and click and parry and sweep and click. Every click brought him back to the memory of that fateful boarding. He needed to learn from that mistake, how to defend against it, and how to teach others to do the same. 

[hirakdesherrani]

What are some of ur fav scenes from season 1 of IB (and DBO since you watched it)?

Yaar, anon, I really had to think for this one. 

Okay here goes:

The Obros doing aarti together for the first time, their parents can go take a hike lol

Omkara throwing away his statue in anger and then crying, as he overhears Pinky taking jibes at Jahnvi for raising her sons badly.

Om consoling Rudy as Shivaay is in the hospital after Gayatri’s attack 😭

First Rumya scene in the hospital 

ShivKara saving Rudy at the pub, after pulling his leg.

Annika and Sahil scenes 😭😭 (I just love their bond, its a lot like me and my younger brother. Both our brothers are younger but wayyyy wiser than us lol)

The ShivKara and Obros scene after Om takes excess sleeping pills. “Tujhe har cheez ka haq hain par mujhe chhod ke jaane ka nahi” (or something like that) 😭😭😭

Omkara teaching Shivaay and Rudra how to say ‘sorry’ and ‘thank you’, meanwhile the girls on their own trip about the pathetic boys.

Annika singing the iconic “Billu ki Shaadi hogi”😂😂😂 song, which later became the motto and tagline of IB. 

Soumya tricking Rudra as Love Angel and making him to lameass stuff to make a fool of himself over Romi

The sarso ka saag episode, the entire family having dinner like a normal fam 

The Janmashthami episode “Billu ki pant phatt gayi” 😂😂😂

Rakshabandhan scene between Annika/Sahil and Om/Soumya. 😭😭

The entire Mallika track (thats the reason I started watching the show, ‘cos Surbhi Jyoti came for a cameo) esp. the Shitia letter, Shivaay with his past, present, and future, and Mallika explaining everyone what her issue was. 💜

The Phukat Raja episodes where Sahil solves the mystery and Shivika + OmRu are on the chase of the fake video girl in that chawl. 😂😂

The scene where the Obros get high on meds after saving Annika from the goons. “Main aasmaan mein udhna chahta hoon” Also, Omkara’s love for Riddhima’s pink cushions. 😂😂

Rudra and Soumya on the run from Romi Devi and getting married accidentally.

Omkara’s drug track 😭😭 (Kunal’s best acting in the show) 

Rudra’s dance on break up song after Om and Riddhima break up.😂😂

Omkara and Rudra exposing Shivaay forcing Annika to marry him. The entire family giving Shivaay a piece of their mind. Esp. Rudra saying “Bhaiyaa aap hero se villain kab ban gaye?” 

Omkara and Rudra messing with Mrs. Kapoor “Un se panga na lo jinke do-do devar hain” 

Rudra catching Soumya in the stairs 

Annika saving Tia from piercing her tummy on that pointed vase, showing that she is a bigger person than Tia that she still cares for her baby despite Tia trying to kill Annika.

Shivaay taking the bullet for Annika 😭😭

Annika and OmRu scene in the hospital when Shivaay’s shot 😭😭

Tia and Svetlana and their magnificent vampish looks at the fuckery of the Oberois during the Kapoor sisters track.

Shivaay consoling OmRu, and the Obros hug after Jahnvi’s suicide attempt 😭😭

Annika and Svetlana’s Naagin dance during that memory loss track 🔥

Tia breaking down on reuniting with Robin (?) returning to her good self. Also her equation with Shivaay and Annika

Shivaay reuniting with his brothers after he comes back from his kidnap/replacement by Mahi. 😭😭

Annika and Shivaay when they go outside Mumbai, the time Annika burns Shivaay’s car down and two theifs masquerading as Forest Officers give them a lift. 😂😂

The first two weeks of DBO, they were awesome, man. Esp. Kali and Gauri scenes, each and every one of them. 🔥🔥

The scene in the train “Zaroor aapke saath kuch bura huya hoga, tabhi aap aise ho gaye hain” + the jungle scene “Sharma!” “Ssarma?” 😂😂

Rikara marriage

Gauri and Dandi bhaiyaa scenes, esp. the scene after he saves her from the goons in the Shaktiman costume

Gauri helping Svetlana in outwitting the autowallahs, and dancing to naajaane kaha se aayi hai.😂😂

Omkara and Chulbul’s fairylights scene. 

ShivOmRu getting freaked out by Chulbul and testing the “static” 😂😂

Rudra breaking into Maa Da Laadla whenever Chulkara collide.😂😂

Svetlana skating back to Mumbai clinging to Om’s car, and reaching before them. (I don’t think I’ll ever get over this scene) 🤣🤣🤣

Gauri hiding from Shivaay. 😂😂

Omkara explaining Chulbul the meaning of One Night Stand 😂😂

Chulbul and Rudra interactions, esp. the one where Chulbul is locked inside and he uses a magnet to make the robot bang its head on the door, to grab Rudra’s attention who is standing outside listening to songs on his ipod. (I’ve watched this scene 10 times and I still crack up like mad watching the robot pound its head on the door).🤣🤣🤣

The first scene of Thakurain Gauri (Shrenu’s best acting till date. Thakurain Gauri is a legend, who deserves an entire show just dedicated to her. She’s my god and queen and boss!) 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Gauri and Kali’s argument. “Teri yeh bedhiyaan hamaare paaon jakar sakti, hamaare mann ko nahi, tu humpe pehra pehra laga sakta hain, par hamari soch pe nahi, Gauri Kumari Ssarma ko tod sakta hain, par uske visvaas ko nahi” The summary of DBO in one dialogue. 🔥🔥 

Gauri questioning Om on his warped notion of truth “Aapko lagta hain jo aap dekh rahe hai, vahi sach hain?” 

Gauri looking down at Omkara when she’s doing pooja

Glucose vaali chai

Gauri’s first argument with Svetlana “Dekho tum…” “Dekh hi toh rahe hai!” SvetRi ftw!

All the Mahasangam scenes where the Oberois jammed together. “Dono bhaabhiyon ki bahut jamegi, dono ko tod phod pasand hain”  😂😂

Gauri calling Omkara “Nandi” and then dragging his arse

Annika and Gauri first hug near the pool.

Gauri bitching about the Obros and then throwing Annika into the pool + Shivika’s pool scene

Gauri and Omkara, the ‘sixth sense’ scene

Rikara pretending for Dhurindhar “Tota maina ki tarah romance karenge”

The entire sangeet episode 

The Rikara good bye scene 😭😭 (the first time this show, actually brought me close to tears, Atif yaar!) 

Rudra and Gauri parallel scene when they both tell Bhavya and Om that they will always stand by them in times of need. 

Rikara scene by the cupboard. Gauri giving it back to Omkara

Rikara couch + rain hug scene

The DBO finale when Gauri drags Omkara’s arse and Omkara stops her from leaving

The Pari track, the Obros were damn hilarious. 😂😂

Gauri dragging Omkara’s arse after Pinky taunts her+ the fairytale story scene where Gauri questions him. 

Rikara sketchbook scene where Omkara talks about his art (also the most deep and meaningful scene this show has ever written) 💜

Rudra and Gauri’s ‘perspiration’ scene, esp. Rudra trying to persuade Gauri to abandon the dupatta while doing jumping jacks.😂😂 

Rikara scene during the exhibition “Jo cheez kahi na ja sake, usse bolna zaroori nahi hai” 

ShivKara beating Rudra with pillows for his advice on relationships. 😂😂

Rudra and Gauri teaming up and Gauri explaining what atrangi means. 

Gauri messing with Ragini “Tumhaara koi kaam dhaam nahi hain kya? Jab dekho yaha pe rehti ho” 

Shivaay and Gauri rakhi scene (another scene which made me emo)  😭😭 

Gauri messing up Vikram and Annika’s engagement. “Bhaabhi paagal ho gayi hai” “Ragini Naagini” 😂😂

Gauri feeding everyone bhaang vaale ladoos + the Rikara scene the morning after the ratjaga. “Nasha kiya na tumne?” “Nahi humne toh sirf laddoo khaaye…galti se” 😂😂

Gauri and Ragini gallofying each other in their heads 😂😂 (Gauri is a lot like Shivaay, in the sense, Shivaay used to provoke fights with Annika due to his attraction to her, while Gauri does the same wrt to Svetty and Ragini. Of course, Omkara’s asexuality made Gauri embrace her lesbian side)

Annika and Gauri scene the night before the fake wedding 

Shivaay telling Gauri what’s his problem and why is he playing ego-ego with Annika

Shivaay finding out about Pinky’s truth and telling her that any goodness in him is because of his brothers, OmRu. 😭😭 

Shivaay and Annika shipping Rikara. Shivaay feeding pakodas to Gauri and chaabi ghumaaoing while Annika telling Om that Gauri has “move on” 😂😂

Annika asking Gauri play romantic songs and Gauri responding with “Radha Krishan ke prem geet” 😂😂

Gauri and Om talking in their heads in the car. 😂😂

Shivaay and Annika making terrible food in their food challenge 

Gauri and Omkara fighting off the robbers “Ee toh chirote hain, humein lootne ke liye aaye hain” + the Rikara scene “Mujhe bevkoof bana rahi ho?”

Rudra handing over his pehli kamaayi to Bhavya after fixing a pipe. I’m not a Ruvya fan, but this scene was perhaps the only scene where Rudra’s character showed any growth i.e. him learning that value of money and how to earn it. 

Omkara rolling his eyes at Gauri 1267th time doing her lame sunglass and candy trick. 

Omkara having to restrain Gauri from picking a fight with Dangal Dada + situation reverse and Omkara shrugging away Gauri’s hand and the poor girl being thrown back 😂😂

Gauri worrying over how Omkara is going to be smashed to bits by Balram “Main ladunga” 😂😂

Gauri’s dangal fight + Omkara, for once in his life, getting to be the hero

Gauri upset at Omkara’s reaction at the chai thela “Jab aapko kuch pata hi nahi, toh phir pooch kyun rahe hain” 

Shivaay consoling Gauri after the exhibition fiasco 

Gauri finding Omkara blindfolded. 

Shivaay gifting Annika Sahil’s adoption papers. 

Annika and Gauri’s trip to the village and saving Suman on that phatphatti. Bhaujaai and Chuitki fleeing on the bike will remain epic. 😂😂 

Shivika and Rikara’s parallel scenes in the prison. “Hamaare sehen karne shakti ab khatam ho chuki hain” 

Inspector Taadka putting the entire Oberoi family into prison “Arey yeh baat bahut karte hain” 😂😂

Omkara getting drunk and confessing his anger to his parents, when Gauri goes missing for 15 days. Esp. Tej trying to reconcile with Om “Badi der kar di huzoor aate aate”😭😭 I actually felt bad for Omkie at this point (does not mean I forgive him, but boy has a lotta issues fucking his head courtesy his parents) 

Gauri breaking up with Omkara, confessing that she made a mistake falling in love with a loser like him, who keeps misunderstanding her because of his sick mentality (Also, Shankarji in the back). Epic scene! 🔥🔥

Gauri getting dressed for Karva chauth 

Dilpreet questioning Gauri’s ability to manage Richa’s wedding finances and Gauri asserting that no one might have any faith in her, but she has faith in herself and Shankarji. 

Annika’s mad “buddhi” dance at Gauri’s roka. ShivKara’s WTF expressions. 😂😂

Gauri delivering a set down to Omkara and rejecting his “confession” 

Annika having nightmare of Chutki and hugging Gauri while they are sleeping 😭😭

The Obros funny scene and pillow fight 😂😂

Gauri questioning Omkara, if he would have forgiven her if she had done all that, he did + tearing off the dupatta at the temple, and telling Omkara to GTFO. (the point at which Rikara story should have ended, with their separation, because Om’s redemption is not possible).

Obros kidnapping Gauri (’cos consent doesn’t exist in their dictionary). Rudra going “Mubarakho bhaabhi, hum aapko kidnap kar rahe hai” 😂😂

The Obros lameass attempts to hide Gauri. Rudra “Ab firauti ki demand kare?” 😂😂

Pia getting the LOLs out of fucking with the Obros. 

Rudra ordering the Royal Bengal Tiger. Shivaay “Yeh sher nahi, tiger hain!”

Gauri enthusiastically planning to drug bade bhaiyaa with “Babaji ki booti” +Om having it by mistake and going “Surooooor” 😂😂

The one scene where Annika shows Gauri her new home in Goa. 

The holi scene where Annika and Gauri get high on bhaang vaale gujiya. “Sher toh hamara chirota maarta hain” “Manjhla devar shikari hain?” “Naahi naahi woh *roars* vaala sher nahi, waah waah vaala sher maarte hain” 😂😂

Annika and Gauri sleeping together like old times after the AniRi reunion. 😭😭

Omkara gifting Gauri the trophy saying ‘you are my hero’. The context was stupid, but I’m all here for Omkie Shomkie stating the facts. 

The AniRi scenes from redux  

Yeah, I can’t remember anymore and I’m exhausted. I’m sure there are others, but my memory is hazy now. Do we have any in common, anon? 

[morguswritings]

"Here," Jakare started, "let me see the map."

He moved in beside Angelina to get a better look. There were no roads heading west of the circle marked Ghord. "You only mark places you've been?"

"Yes. How else could I trust it?"

"Blind faith. Like everyone else, right?"

She gave him a sideways glance. "I don't get what that has to do with anything."

"You brought it up. So there's nothing west of here?" Jakare put his finger down on Ghord and she shook her head.

"Like I mentioned upstairs, there are no trade routes. Just foot trails. We can't leave the cart."

"Sure you can, can't you."

"Don't want to leave the cart, then."

"Where are these foot trails then?"

She leaned over in front of Jakare to get another look at the top left of the map past Ghord. "They all originate in the city with the intent of crossing the mountain. It acts as a natural barrier. I think they don't trade because it's too difficult to get a cart through there.

There was a scraping sound and the vehicle shook as the rear ramp was lifted. Shortly after, they could hear the hatch on the other side get opened as someone went down to the lower deck.

"It sounds like they made good time," Angelina said with a smug smile. "They work as a good pair now."

"Didn't always?"

Angelina laughed. "Not one bit. The big guy is my brother. Steve was so hesitant to bring him along the first time that it was like asking him to transport explosives."

[longtobonte1989]

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[keldae]

Fall From Grace

The most important debate of Xaja's life, and she wasn't permitted to be involved. In the past, she might have railed against that restriction, loudly voiced her complaints -- but that had been before she'd fallen and had the weight of the galaxy thrust on her narrow shoulders.

Right now, Scourge and Doc were both in a closed meeting with the Jedi Council, arguing opposite viewpoints. Xaja knew Doc wanted her to go on leave and recover from her ordeal, while Scourge insisted that Xaja had no time before the Emperor enacted his terrible plans. Why me? she silently asked her hands as she waited outside the Council chambers, watching her pale fingers tremble.

If she thought too hard about it, she could still see lightning racing down her arm and off her fingers, arcing to whoever she'd been told to torture. No, no, don't think about it, she tried to tell herself as she squeezed her eyes closed. I'm not a Sith. I didn't fall, I was dragged down, and Master Orgus helped me crawl back up. I'm not a Sith… I can't be a Sith… 

She shuddered. She knew Master Kaedan at least considered her to be a fallen Jedi, little better than a Sith, and would probably vote to expel her from the Order that she had called home. Who else would agree with him? Maybe the Council would let her stay for healing before banishing her to the galaxy at large and eliminating a monster from the Order's ranks. That would be a small mercy, Xaja thought. And more than you deserve. Didn't you enjoy causing pain? Don't you want to track down the Sith who hurt you and make them hurt just as badly? That was a dark thought, but not an inaccurate one. Xaja flinched from her own dark mind and tried to focus on the Code. "There is no emotion, there is peace…" she whispered. "There is no emotion, there is peace… peace is a lie, there is only--" No! She flinched and tried desperately to banish the Sith Code from her mind. "There is no ignorance, there is knowledge…"

Hurried footsteps didn't make her look up, even when the footsteps were approaching her. She kept her eyes closed, trying to make herself unnoticeable, not wanting to see more judging looks or hear the whispers from the other Jedi on Tython -- the real Jedi, the ones who hadn't fallen and done terrible things at the Emperor’s bidding.

Then a pair of large, battle-roughened hands settled on Xaja's own fingers and gently squeezed, ignoring how she flinched and tried to pull back before she could hurt their owner. "Hey, short stuff," came a too-gentle voice from over Xaja's head. "You with me?"

Xaja opened her eyes, and immediately looked away from Jakar’s worried look. His concern made her heart hurt. She had to look as awful as she felt, if he wasn't teasing her like normal. "I feel like I'm in a nightmare I can't get out of," she confessed before she could stop herself. 

Jakar squeezed her hands again. "I came as soon as I heard you'd made it back alive," he said. "We were worried about you, Xaja. Are you… no, dumb question, you're not okay."

Xaja shook her head in agreement with her oldest friend's diagnosis. "I'm a monster," she whispered. "They're arguing over my fate." She gestured with her head to the Council chamber door.

"You are not a monster," Jakar firmly insisted. "You're my adopted little sister who just escaped from months as an Imperial POW. Whatever happened to you there, you're here now, and safe. They can't get at you here." He squeezed her fingers again, hard enough to make Xaja look back up. "I know you too well, Xaj. You are not a monster, no matter what they tried to tell you. The Council knows this too."

Do you know me as well as you think? Do you know what evil things I'm capable of? How much pain and suffering I can inflict? Xaja opened her mouth, then looked away from Jakar, shame making her eyes burn with unshed tears. "They made me do terrible things… they made me hurt people…" A tear escaped her eye before she could blink it away. "... They cut my hair," she finally whispered, her tone plaintive. Something stupid to be so upset about, when it was just hair… hair that had been to her waist, long and luxurious, before the Sith hacked it off to barely brush her shoulders.

"I see this," Jakar acknowledged. "It'll grow back, I promise." One of his hands left hers to run his fingers through the shorn locks. "It'll take time to get to where it used to be, but it'll get there. As far as everything else..." He sighed. "I'm sorry. You didn't deserve any of this. And you don't deserve to be hurt for what they made you do while they were trying to break you."

Xaja just shuddered and looked down at her hands, unable to share in Jakar’s optimism. How could she tell her oldest friend that the Sith had broken her, and only Master Orgus' intervention had brought her back? "I hate this," she finally whispered.

"I know you do. And I hate that you had to go through everything that you did." Jakar gave her hands an upward tug. "C'mon. We're going to Corellia so Essi can get her hands on you, and so you have a chance to recover from--"

"I'm afraid that won't be an option, Master Forseti," interrupted Master Bakarn's voice. Xaja jumped as she looked up -- the Council had ended their session, and nobody looked happy. "Knight Taerich is back on active duty as of now."

"Against my recommendation," Doc muttered in a tone that was clearly intended to be heard by everyone present. "I'm still not clearing her for active duty."

"The needs of the galaxy outweigh the opinion of one biased doctor," Scourge dismissively said. "She's the only one who can stop the Emperor before he destroys us all."

Jakar shot back to his feet, protective fury radiating from him in the Force. "Are you insane?" he demanded. "Stop the Emperor himself? When she can barely function as it is?"

"She can still wield her lightsabers," Scourge shrugged. "She's combat ready. And would you rather have her go at the Empire now, while the memory of her wounds are still fresh, or wait until the memory is cold and old?"

Jakar opened his mouth to tell Scourge exactly what he thought, immediate presence of the Jedi Council be damned, but Xaja set her hand on his arm as she stood up. "Jakar, it's okay," she quietly said, trying to convince herself as much as him. "I'm okay enough for duty. And someone has to… to stop him." And I need to atone for what I've done. What better way to seek atonement?

"You are not okay," Jakar protested. "Masters, sending a recently-traumatized Jedi out on a suicide mission is cruelty, and asking for a disaster!"

"We understand your worries about Knight Taerich," Master Kiwiiks finally said, her voice low and calming. "But she does have the best chances of being able to strike at the Empire, and at locating the rest of the missing strike team. If the Emperor’s Wrath was willing to defect based off a vision of her, then we need to take that into consideration."

"And before you ask, you can't lead the Rift Alliance to do this task in her stead," Master Bakarn added. "The Children of the Emperor are a serious threat, and one that only you can deal with, Master Forseti. Knight Taerich simply isn't ready for that."

"No, but she's ready to go charging off and fight the blasted Emperor himself?!"

"Be mindful of your emotions, Knight Forseti," Master Kaedan interjected. "Corellian though you may be, you still need control of your own feelings. Your fear for your friend is blinding you to the needs of the galaxy."

Xaja looked away from Jakar’s furiously flashing eyes and looked for Master Shan in the group, who had been quiet so far in this argument. "I can have my ship refueled and ready to go shortly," she quietly said, and tried to not flinch when she saw the sadness in Master Shan's eyes, or heard Doc's frustrated sigh.

"Whatever support we can give you while you're on your mission, you'll have it," Master Shan finally said. "May the Force be with you, Xaja." She was definitely worried if she was using Xaja's first name and not a more formal tone of address.

It could start being with me any minute now, Xaja thought, but didn't voice that out loud. She just bowed to the Council and turned to Doc, who looked equal parts worried and pissed off. "Can you and Scourge get the Serenity ready to go?"

"Against my better judgment," Doc finally said. "Bloody Jedi," he muttered as he left, with a sidelong glare at the assembled Council. Scourge followed in his wake, uncaring about the angry doctor he was following, or the stares he got from the Jedi in the Temple.

Xaja turned to follow the two men, before feeling Jakar set a hand on her shoulder. "Check in with me once a day," he lowly directed, eyes still flashing with anger at the Council's ruling, but his voice concerned. "Promise me."

"Promise," Xaja quietly agreed, nodding. "My love to Essi, next time you see her." She took a step back, making Jakar drop his hand, then resumed walking to the shuttle, imagining she could feel the stares of every Jedi on Tython. How many of them knew what had happened to her? How many now considered her a fallen Jedi and no longer worthy to be called the Hero of Tython?

A call from behind her made her pause. "One more thing, before you go," Master Shan said as she came up to Xaja, separate from the rest of the Council. She lowered her voice as she came close to the younger woman, blue eyes darting down to Xaja's belt. "This is solely for my own curiosity. Those aren't the lightsabers you went on that mission with, are they?"

Xaja shook her head in confirmation. "I don't know what happened to those sabers," she admitted. "The Sith gave me new ones, but I surrendered those already."

Master Shan nodded. "I don't recognize the new ones you carry. Did Scourge give them to you?"

Again, Xaja shook her head. "They were left on my ship," she quietly said. "With a note from someone claiming to be my… my father. If the note is accurate, they used to be my mother's." She slowly drew the note from her father out of an inner pocket of her tunic and handed it to Master Shan. She'd read it enough times to have it memorized, but it felt good to have the note with her father's love beside her heart.

Master Shan frowned as she accepted the note. "Your father? That raises more questions than answers." She read over the note, her eyes softening a bit before she handed the creased flimsi back to Xaja. "How do the lightsabers feel?"

"They feel good," Xaja softly answered. "I can almost believe they might have been my mother's. They feel like an extension of myself -- almost more natural than my old sabers."

"May they serve you well then." Master Shan hesitated for a moment and set her hand on Xaja's shoulder. "I'm sorry for sending you back out so soon after your ordeal. Remember that no Jedi exists alone -- you have the Force, and you have the rest of the Order. Both will encourage and strengthen you during your mission. I know Jakar told you to check in with him regularly, but check in with me as well. I want to know that you're doing all right, as much as you can."

Xaja really did look like a wreck, then, if the Jedi Grand Master wanted her to personally check in with her. She pushed that thought down and nodded. "I will. Thank you, Master."

Master Shan offered a small, tight smile and squeezed Xaja's shoulder before letting go. "If you need anything, let me know and we'll do our best to make sure you have it. Now, get going, before Scourge comes storming back to find you. The Force will be with you."

There was no escaping duty, and no rest for the wicked, it seemed. Xaja bowed to the Grand Master and got a nod in return, then resumed her walk to the shuttle for the orbital station. Duty awaited.

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

Thanks for the loan of Jakar, @corey-067! And for giving it the once-over before posting, @andveryginger! <3

For how Xaja got her current lightsabers, and the note she lets Satele read, check this fic.

[templarhalo]

Endryd Haar:The Riven Hound Chapter 3

“So how long do I have?” Danek asked.

“Six Terran months.”  Apothecary-Captain Asclepias  Phoebus Reticulus said.

“You really need to work on your bedside manner Custodes.” Danek said with a laugh.

“You are an Astartes, not a mortal, and not a Ligo aetos going through accelerated aging and enhancement. “ Asclepias said dryly.

Asclepias’ was quite different from Danek.  He was pale and blond with sea-green eyes. He was quite handsome.

Danek knew Asclepias’ dry  tone was his way of coming to terms with the fact that his closest friend was going to be dead in less than a year.

He grunted in pain as Asclepias  injected  him with another shot.   Everytime he visited Asclepias, he needed more shots.   Fresh Larraman’s cells, antibiotics, stimulants and more.

He grunted again as he fel t soft but calloused hands gently remove the covering of the  bionics that made up half of his chest .

“At least the bionics are holding up.” Asclepias said.

 “That’s not the only thing holding up.”  Danek said with a smile.

Danek’s bionic eye had been modified to assess medical data, It reported that Asclepias’ heart rate had increased.

“ I should get you fitted for that augmetic leg first.” The Custodes replied.

“And how long will that take?”

“Not long.  And Aella won’t back for an hour.” Asclepias said.

 Danek smiled.

The Petitioner’s City was huge .

Vesta felt like she could spend days here and only scratch the surface of the city.  The architecture was so diverse, the people were so varied.  Different skin tones, different clothing.  It was like nothing she had seen, not even on Byzas Longa,a world that had been on the crossroads between Segmentum Obscurus and Segmentum Solar.  

She saw vendors peddling their wares.  Stands selling food, spices, clothing, books.

A man shoved a tray of chocolates in her face .   Another held up a piece of green  silk so sheer she could make out the man’s acne from behind it.

She saw an ogryn hammering at a piece of Adamantium.   She saw a team of Caucasian broadbacks hawling stone.

In the distance she could see the Himalazia mountains.  

“It’s good to be home.” Boian  said.

“You’re from Terra?” Vesta asked.

“Aye, Haar, Danek  and I were part of the first recruits for the Twelfth. Before we were World Eaters, before we were the War Hounds, were the just the Twelfth.  Haar,Danek  and I are the last of the Old Grey Legions.  I was from Slavia. Haar was from Europa and I have no idea where Danek was from.” Boian said.

The crowds were thick.  Lucifer Blacks, Administratum scribes, tech priests.  Haar even saw a pair of Imperial Fists on patrol.

The stands and tightly packed streets soon  gave way to the residential area.  Two story houses and small stores dominated the area.  

Boian paused near one of them.  Vesta smelled grilling meat and freshly baked bread.

Boian returned with a paper wrapped fresh off the grill steak in one hand and a jar of black olives in another. Vesta saw six more crammed in his ammo pouches.

“Kal Jakar may be armored physically and spiritually  against corruption,but he loves olives. “ Boian said.

He took a bite of steak. Meat juice dribbled onto his gorget.  Vesta saw Haar conversing with  a man  in ragged clothing.  He handed him a red coin with the lightening and Eagle symbol of Unity.

“What’s that coin for?’ Vesta asked.

“Identification, the Administratum can’t identify every citizen on Terra, let alone alone the refugees that have been pouring in.  That coin will get him to the Tyrannis without any Bureaucratic delay.” Boian said.  The Blackshield finished his steak and chucked the paper wrapper in an already overflowing waste receptacle.  He opened a jar of olives and popped a few in his mouth.

Vesta held out her hand, and Boian dropped a handful into her awaiting palm.

They continued to walk for a block and that entered a two story store.

Its sign read:

Alessander Graves: Rogue Trader  and collector.

Haar opened the door. A bell chimed.  

The store was rather small, with a counter of  dark wood and

“ Endryd! It’s been too long my friend! How can I be of service?”   

Haar actually smiled.  

“Any Astartes wargear you’ve managed to scavenge. And anything else that might catch our eyes.”

Alessander Graves was an older man  with slicked back silver hair and wild blue eyes. He wore a red and gold longcoat over a plain white dress shirt and blue pants with ornate silver shinguards. A Charnabal saber was sheathed at his hip and a plasma pistol in  his shoulder holster.

“And you brought a young lady this time! I would have preferred Lady Philone, but I love meeting new people!” Graves said with a hearty laugh.

“My name is Vesta Augustus.”  she said.

Graves  bowed.

“Alessander Graves, Rogue Trader and scoundrel of Segmentum Obscurus at your service.”

He shook Vesta’s hand.

“You have a firm handshake my dear.” Graves said.

“Thank you sir.” Vesta said.

Graves laughed like a melodic horse. She found his laugh annoying,but she liked him much better than many of the Rogue Traders who had come into her father’s court.

“In terms of Astartes wargear I don’t have much.  I recovered some suits of MKIII power armor from one of the Corpse Grinders Destroyers.    A few Bolters and Chainswords, some autocannons, and a couple of Plasma guns.”

“What kind of condition are they in?”

“It varies.  Some are just worth their weight in scrap, others look fresh from Mars.”

 “Mind if I take a look?” Boian asked.

“It’s your coin old friend.” Alessander said.

Boian nodded and strode to a room in the back of a store.

Alessander stared at Vesta.

“Oh! Before I forget.“  He led Vesta to a stasis field.

Inside was a  suit of Power Armor.  The chest and shoulders  was clearly from a suit of  MK1 Thunder Power Armor that were adapted for a regular sized human.  The legs pieces were Carapace armor.  The gauntlets were smooth grey Ceramite, untouched by war. A purple cloak woven th gold with threads of gold was draped over the armor shoulders.

 It was the most beautiful thing Vesta had ever seen.

Haar felt his breath hitch,

“Is that-”

“A voidsheen cloak, aye.”

Alessander looked at Vesta.

“Well put it on  lass! You’re gonna be wearing it! For throne’s sake you’re running around with a Blackshield! You’re going to  need more protection than that pretty sword of yours.”

Before Vesta moved to deactivate the stasis field, she had to  ask one question.

“Do you sell black  paint?”

Refugee Camp  TK57-1128-117-2224-A was just one of many refugee camps that had sprung up on Terra when the galaxy caught fire.  The Emperor in his infinite wisdom had guided Kal Jakar here.

 Laden with Rucksacks full of food that wasn’t nutrient paste and liquid electrolyte packets, toys and clothing, Kal Jakar strode into  the camp.  

Many of the refugees wore tattered clothing and had thin faces.

Kar Jakar wordlessly  began distributing the supplies.  

There was fear on some of the faces.  An Astartes, one in blackened armor was handing out food and supplies.   In what universe did that happen?  Astartes were gene-forged killers, murderers conquers.  They burned worlds with a smile beneath the helms.  

When did Astartes show such  compassion?

When did an Astartes act Human?

Once the supplies was distributed he walked among the camp, blessing the refugees.  He taught children how to read.  He helped clean the camp to  prevent disease spreading.

As he was leading a small group of refugees in prayer, Kal heard the clanking of Ceramite on  rough dirt.

It was an Imperial Fist. The heraldic cross on his right shoulder pad identified him as a veteran.  He bore the insignia of a breacher legionnaire, as if the boarding shield and modified Tigrus pattern bolter didn’t distinguish it.  A Two handed Power Sword with a silver cross hilt rested in a scabbard of black Inwit leather.  Judging by his unit markings and laurel insignia the legionnaire was  the sergeant  of the 5th Breacher Siege Squad of the 30th company, 7th Battalion of the Second Shield Corp of the First Sphere.  

The Legionnaire removed his Mark III helm ,revealing a scarred face with  close cropped  black hair and eyes the color of Terra’s drained oceans.  

He reached into  a bolt pistol magazine and removed  a tattered Lectio Divinitatus chapbook.

 “My Wall Brother believed  in this faith.  He prayed to the Emperor as he dyed to  the poisoned blade of an Alpha Legionnaire. “

The Legionnaire’s face curled.

“I wish to  know more,  I need guidance.  Horus draws closer to  Terra.  I need to know Chaplain. Does He protect.  Does the Emperor Protect?!”

Tears streaked down his face and great sobs racked the Space Marine’s body.  A little girl no more than eight Terran years put a hand on his shoulder pad.  She had the same blue eyes as him and long messy blond hair.  She wore a blue dress and had a blue bow in her hair.

The Imperial Fist looked at the child, than at Kal Jakar.

“He does protect.  In ways you cannot possibly imagine.  Tell me brother, what is your name?’

“It is Emetris, I am stationed at Daylight Wall.”

“Will you pray with us Emetris?” Kal Jakar asked.

Emetris looked around at the refugees, than at Kal Jakar.

 “ I will Chaplain.”

Danek felt something burrowing under the sheets.  His eyes snapped open.  

Asclepius was snuggled next to him .  His breathing was steady.

Danek felt a cough in his throat and forced it down.  He reached for the glass of water and the pills on a small bronze tray.

After he got the water and pills down his burned throat he looked at the sheets and then held a hand under his nose.  No blood on the clean white sheets or the furs.  That was some improvement.      

He turned and his diminishing eyesight picked out little Aella laying next to Asclepius.

“How’d you get in here little one?” Danek asked

“Picked the lock. I learned to do that yesterday.”

“And how was today?” he layed back down.  Aella snuggled next to him and engulfed herself in the pile of furs and cotton sheets.

“Paperwork, classes, The Emperor set his hair on fire again. Valdor and Lady Arlette were bickering again, Amon gave us some cake from the palace kitchens, We got to practice with our Guardian Spears again, but it wasn’t as fun because we weren’t shooting at Tribune Ra. ”

“Maybe tomorrow you’ll shoot at  Prefect Diocletian.” Danek rasped.  He’d have to get his augmetics checked tomorrow.

“ Maybe.” She said with a yawn.

“Are you feeling better?” she asked.

Danek felt warmth blossom in what was left of his chest.

“I am now.”

[atamascolily]

Episode Review - Sinbad 2x01 - “The Sacrifice”

In which Maeve's character is written out of the show, and everybody mourns, especially Sinbad. There's also some pretty good CGI monsters, random crew members get eaten, some uncomfortable and possibly offensive stereotypes, and a purple light shows up at the end to provide closure, of sorts. Oh, and Sinbad meets another member of the rainbow bracelet club, who can shoot LASER BEAMS out of her eyes. I kid you not. 

Everything is dark and edgy and gritty and violent and I really don't like anything except for some unexpected character development for Sinbad.

What you have to know about this season is that there was a LOT of executive meddling to make this series darker, edgier and sexier - "Baywatch in Baghdad," as it were - ironically, in an attempt to boost ratings. In my opinion, this involved removing most of the elements I liked and replacing it with ones that I hate. The departure of Maeve's character occurred in addition to this, and that, combined with the aforementioned Executive Meddling, meant that the larger story arc of Maeve, Turok, Rumina and Dim-Dim was dropped like a hot potato in favor of entirely unrelated independent story arcs that were mostly improvised at the last minute. And it shows. This episode serves as a bridge between the two different versions of the show, explaining How We Got Here, in a manner similar to the pilot double-episode in Season One.

We open with a storm at sea. A darker, edgier, rugged Sinbad is at the tiller, clinging for dear life.

Abruptly, Sinbad abandons the tiller to Doubar and starts climbing rigging. He yells for Maeve to throw him lines and she complies....

....only to slip....

....and fall...

"MAEVE!" Sinbad screams and jumps from the rigging to the deck. He races to the edge...

....looks back at Doubar...

... and dives headfirst into the water after her.

He paddles around for a bit but doesn't get very far before he goes under. Dermott, who has been sitting on the deck the entire time, flies off.

At first I thought this was a repeat of the scene from "Isle of Bliss" with Maeve photoshopped in, but she does appear to be seriously wet and sopping in the images, so this scene is very likely "real". But you have to admit, the parallels are uncanny...

I've already gushed quite a bit about the parallels between Maeve and Leah, Sinbad's childhood love, so I'm not going to say much more here except this is SO GODDAMN TRAGIC and SAD.

Anyway, Sinbad washes up on the beach. Like you do.

A shadow passes over him.

He looks up, hopefully and bleary. "Maeve...?"

... having a flashback to the first time they met, when he was ALSO sprawled out on the beach....

... only to be blinded by the sun...

... and it's someone else. Her name, she tells Sinbad, is Bryn. And it's time to get moving.

"What?" says Emo!Sinbad, the sand clinging to his stubble.

...but there's a monster coming at them...

... so Sinbad decides to run first and ask questions later(er).

It's a pretty good CGI monster, actually. Certainly no reused footage here!

Cut to opening credits, which have been remixed to be darker, edgier and shorter. If you like sword flips, flaming torches and rickety wooden slat bridges over the abyss, you are in luck. Personally, I'm grumpy. 

Anyway, the monster traps them in a rock cave, but Bryn conveniently has rope, so Sinbad is able to rig up the old "rope and sword" trick from Episode 9 and they are able to haul themselves to safety. Bryn pulls herself up first. Say what you want, she's got excellent upper arm strength.

They have an almost-kiss moment at the top, which is also in the opening credits, because this show can't exist without SEXUAL TENSION.

Suddenly, they're attacked by mysterious warriors. From their garb, they appear to be from somewhere in Central/South America. We are not in the Middle East anymore, Toto... which also irritates me. Okay, so there's no REASON why Sinbad can't sail to the New World... but can the show EXPLAIN THAT somehow? HOW ABOUT SOME WORLDBUILDING HERE, PEOPLE?

Nope.

Instead, what we get is Bryn shooting LASER BEAMS OUT OF HER EYES to knock off some of the warriors. She has no clue what's going on either, but that doesn't make it any less ludicrous.

But Sinbad is nothing if not a pragmatist, so he rolls with it. But they still have to BASE jump off a cliff to safety from the monster, who's back.

Once they get to safety (at least for the moment), Sinbad introduces himself, and says he's looking for "a good friend. I have to find her." Suddenly, Sinbad notices Bryn's jewelry! A mysterious rainbow bracelet! 

Of course, Bryn doesn't remember where she got it. Bryn doesn't remember anything.... except washing up on the shore and being captured by warriors who offered her as a sacrifice to the island's resident monster. Bryn escaped, but everybody wants her back.

We cut briefly to the warriors returning to their leader in the village. We are so clearly supposed to be in Central America and I'm really not prepared for this in terms of world-building and uncomfortable with the setting. I don't know much about these cultures, but I'm sure this is not even close to historically accurate. 

Meanwhile, Sinbad finds Doubar, Firouz, Rongar and a couple random crew members looking for him in the woods. No sign of Maeve or Dermott. Rongar appears to be using sign language now to communicate, although no subtitles, which I approve of. Sinbad leads them back to Bryn... only to find her gone.

In keeping with the "darker, edgier" theme, Firouz appears to have changed his shirt. Doubar and Rongar, like sharks, saw no need to change in order to adapt to the new regime.

Sinbad, by the way, is distressed by their news about Maeve. "She can't be gone," he repeats. "She just can't be." Doubar, though, looks super-skeptical. Sinbad leads them back to Bryn... only to find her gone. 

The villagers re-captured Bryn, dressed her up, and are force-feeding her "the elixir of the gods" so she'll be compliant. Bryn struggles, but ultimately succumbs. I am so uncomfortable with all of this.

The villagers summon Cayman, so Sinbad and the crew attack. Sinbad throws one of Firouz's exploding sticks and the villagers scatter in dismay. There's a battle, but Cayman seizes Bryn and vanishes. When Sinbad confronts the village leader at swordpoint, he tells Sinbad that he'll never get Bryn back. Sinbad is disgusted, but leaves Firouz in the village to threaten everyone with more dynamite, and sends Doubar back to the beach to look for Maeve. "We have to find Maeve and get out of here as soon as possible... Maeve’s alive. I know it."

"I'm sure she is, Sinbad," says Doubar, but his tone suggests otherwise.

Sinbad takes Rongar and three previously unnamed crew members - Hakeem, Bernardi and Jakar - to go after Cayman and retrieve Bryn. You know as well as I do that the last three are there as monster bait.

Firouz seems mostly excited about using the sleeping potion to make sleeping gas bombs. He would.

Anyway, so the three crew members with Sinbad do get eaten, but not by Cayman. It's this guy:

I thought for a minute the lake monster serpent would fight Cayman, but no, Cayman just walks off, leaving Sinbad to chase after him (Rongar ends up going back to the village to check on Firouz).

Cayman takes Bryn up to his mountain top lair, and for a moment I thought we were going to have a remake of King Kong - or even better, discover that Cayman is really a good guy and all the previous "Sacrifices" are up there hanging out having a good time of their own. No such luck, sadly. Bryn strips off her robes so she can fight - and this is another moment that ends up, out of context, in the opening credits, where it just looks like she's stripping. That was probably on purpose, and it irritates me.

Sinbad climbs up and the two of them ride to safety on a shield that Sinbad conveniently found on the way up. This is ludicrous, but also awesome.

They run for it, only to be attacked again by the lake monster....

... pick up Firouz at the village and run for the beach, where Doubar has the longboats waiting, Cayman at their heels. Thank goodness Firouz has sleeping gas to leave on the beach to knock him out. They get back out to the main boat. Doubar gives Sinbad Maeve's gauntlet. Sinbad refuses to believe Maeve is dead. Dermott is still missing.

Sinbad goes off by himself to angst. "Never had the chance to say goodbye, Maeve. Say how much I care." MY HEART. MY POOR SHIPPER HEART HERE.

But the writers don't want Sinbad and the audience to be wondering about Maeve's fate and angsting after her! They want him to be looking forward! Cheerful! Adventures! Hanging out with the new female lead! So a giant purple orb shows up to cheer Sinbad up. I kid you not.

It's (allegedly) Dim-Dim, showing up unannounced to tell Sinbad that "Maeve is safe... The curse I’m under prevents me from being here in all but spirit."

Wait, what?

Dim-Dim drones on. "The forces of darkness are growing too strongly, Sinbad. Rumina would have killed Maeve before her time. She is safe under my protection. Until she has mastered the art of white magic."

"Wait!" yells Sinbad.

"Fight the dark powers, Sinbad. You will find Bryn a powerful asset in your travels," says the glowing orb and vanishes. Bryn looks surprised, too. I'm not associated with the glowing purple orb, okay? Don't judge me. 

Dermott shows up and perches on Bryn's bracelet (since she doesn't have the gauntlet of hawkdom, since I suspect Sinbad will keep it as a mementor of Maeve), as if confirming that the torch has been passed. Bryn is surprised, but strokes him the way Maeve does.

"That's Dermott, Maeve's hawk," Sinbad introduces. It's all so pat and convenient. I can't stand it. 

As the ship sails off, Sinbad looks up, pensive. "Until we meet again, Maeve. Until we meet again." MY SHIPPER HEART, UGH.

Okay, so I have to hand it to the writers, for not killing Maeve off completely, and leaving open the possibility that she might later return... and also not allowing Sinbad to completely wallow in angst for the whole season (you know he would!), but still...NOT A FAN OF THIS, OBVIOUSLY. And yes, I know, Real Life Wrote the Plot Here, but still. It's a shame.

One thing I like about this episode is that it at least attempts to DEAL with Sinbad's feelings about Maeve before shipping him with Bryn (mostly) and Sinbad doesn't just give up on Maeve right away once a new person shows up. And it admits that there were things Sinbad didn't tell Maeve, that he wanted to tell her... I mean, that's as good as a confession as you'll get on a show where will-they-or-won't-they sexual tension drives much of the plot and a real romantic conclusion was likely to only come at the end of the Rumina/Maeve/Turok/Dim-Dim wider arc, which would have either ended the series or forced it to go into a new direction.

Also, it's set up in such a way so that you can make a strong case for darker, edgier, grittier Sinbad being a direct result of losing Maeve and letting her loss get to him. ANGST ANGST ANGST.

Anyway, in case you couldn't tell, I am NOT A FAN of the general tone of the episode, the antagonists of the week, its depiction of the villagers, or how Firouz seems to be reduced to a caricature of himself. I will likely be watching the rest of the series for the MST3K value, but I don't expect to enjoy it much compared to my abounding love and joy in the first season. 

Fun fact: when I first saw the title of this episode, I thought it was called that because of the loss of Maeve... and while it's actually Bryn as written, you can still make a case for Maeve's loss as a sacrifice on Sinbad's part, so it has a nice double-meaning there if you're into that sort of thing.