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somethingwritey · 3 years ago

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How is the Rangshi long fic coming? Id love an update on ittttt!

Hello! I'm so glad you're still thinking about my Rangshi fic! It's currently around 20k at the moment—definitely getting a bit carried away!

Because you asked, here's another little out-of-context snippet ;)

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“Do you think the spirits would mind if I assassinated a world leader?”

Jinpa jerked his head up at the question, risking a glance behind him at her. Kyoshi knew she must be a sight to behold, laying out across the wide saddle and staring up at the darkening clouds. In her hands, she opened and closed a fan in time to her pounding pulse.

“I don’t think that’s listed as an Avatar duty,” Jinpa stammered, thoroughly taken aback by her proposal.

“Bummer.”

Jinpa was quiet for a few moments, no doubt trying to edge around the subject towards her reasoning. “I take it that meeting with the Fire Lord went… poorly?”

Kyoshi propped herself up on her elbows to stare him in the face. She hoped he could read how absolutely stupid that question had been. She’d emerged from the Fire Lord’s palace by stomping, causing tiny earthquakes as she marched over to the stables. That should’ve been indication enough.

“He’s out of control.” Kyoshi shivered—Rangi’s absence making itself very apparent just then; she could always be counted on for a little extra warmth while traveling.

Kyoshi went back to staring at the sky.

Zoryu’s words about the Firebender still echoed in her ears, doing more to chill her than the night air ever could. She wished she could put more distance between Rangi and the Fire Lord, despite being hidden away in Yokoya.

For a terrifying moment, she wondered if Zoryu somehow knew. If he could see the girl in her cotton shift, laid out on the infirmary bed with her hands knotted in the sheets. If he had discovered a way to look at the bruises on her face and the way her breath still rattled slightly whenever she breathed. Maybe this whole meeting had been a distraction, a diversion to take Kyoshi away from the infirmary and Rangi. Maybe, it was too late.

“Jinpa!” Kyoshi felt her heart pounding in her ears. “Fly faster!”

She worked herself up as they flew, imagining horrific scenes of injury and destruction—rivaling the iceberg or North Chung-Ling - only this time, it would absolutely be her fault. If anything happened to Rangi, the Flying Opera Company, even Hei-Ran and Atuat, she would be to blame.

Kyoshi gripped the edge of the saddle, her knuckles turning white from the effort. She watched the ground grow closer and closer as Yingyong spiralled into a descent. Her chest tightened with every drop in altitude, and once, she almost slipped over the edge and plummeted the last several feet to the ground.

“Quiet evening.” Jinpa seemed on the whole unaware of her own personal panic. He landed Yingyong with ease and dismounted, walking around the side of the bison to assist Kyoshi like he always did.

She didn’t wait for the monk to make it over to her. She tumbled from the saddle, falling hard onto the ground and scrambling back up to her feet.

“Kyoshi!” he yelled after her in disbelief.

She didn’t turn around, stumbling towards the infirmary to what she knew would be waiting for her. Blindly, she pushed open the door and tripped over the doorway, panting and gasping for air, to find -

No evidence of violence. No ransom note or bodies or trails of blood. Just Hei-Ran and Atuat sitting in a few chairs with bowls of noodles, with the rest of the Flying Opera Company still bedridden, but looking more vibrant than before. Even Rangi looked, on the whole, unchanged, propped up in bed. Someone had even taken the time to put her hair back up in its usual topknot.

“Well,” Hei-Ran said dryly, taking in Kyoshi’s haggard appearance. “Are you being pursued by wolfbats? Lion vultures? Spider snakes, perhaps?”

Kyoshi’s face flushed red, and she tried hard to catch her breath - smoothing down her skirts to remove the ruffles.

“Did the monk get eaten?” Atuat asked calmly, taking another bite of her noodles. Clearly, the two women were enjoying the joke at Kyoshi’s expense.

Rangi covered her mouth, looking as though she was trying to keep a straight face for Kyoshi’s sake and failing at it. Kyoshi glared at her.

“Not you, too.”

A little snort escaped Rangi’s fingers, and her eyes went wide.

“Some bison ride you must’ve had,” Kirmia ventured, surveying Kyoshi’s windswept state. “What did happen to that Airbender of yours?”

Kyoshi gestured out the door. “Probably unsaddling Yingyong,” she told them all, still somewhat out of breath. “I, uh, just needed to check something.”

“The Fire Lord put you on edge?” Hei-Ran put down her bowl of noodles, staring hard at Kyoshi.

She forced herself to look back calmly. The last thing she wanted was to let everyone know that she’d gotten worked up over some unfulfilled threats. And now that she was here, even Kyoshi could tell how stupid she’d been. The infirmary was the safest place for Rangi right now, surrounded as she was by Hei-Ran and Atuat and unable to make any wrong move the Fire Lord could use to justify an attack.

Kyoshi forced a smile, relaxing her shoulders the best she could. “Nothing of the sort.” She tucked her fans back into her belt. “The meeting was simply to confirm what he already knew. Pretty big waste of time, actually.”

Hei-Ran was still studying her skeptically, probably trying to pinpoint the reason for Kyoshi’s sudden change in demeanor. Kyoshi dared to look over at Rangi again.

Her expression mirrored her mother’s, lips slightly pursed and head tilted to the side. If Kyoshi didn’t want Hei-Ran to discover the true nature of her meeting with Zoryu, she definitely didn’t want Rangi figuring it out.

Rangi’s station meant everything to her, and she took her job very seriously. If she knew that her own Fire Lord was pondering possible ways to strip the girl of her life - or worse, her honor - she would lose it.

Kyoshi had already seen how Fire Nation citizens treated their disgraced ranking officials. Hei-Ran had been pitied, patronized, pet like an animal. If anyone were to take that tone with Rangi, well, Kyoshi couldn’t promise that she would be able to keep her Avatar State in check.

“Care for some noodles?” Atuat gestured to her own bowl, holding it up for Kyoshi to see.

There was no way Kyoshi could turn down food. She hadn’t eaten since… well, Kyoshi couldn’t quite remember the last time she’d eaten, and she could feel Rangi staring daggers at her.

“Yeah,” she smiled at Atuat. “Noodles would be great.”

////

It was three days before Rangi was able to stand.

Atuat worked on her the best she could, trying to heal the internal damage caused by Yun. She told Kyoshi that bits of his earth dagger had broken off inside her wound, causing irritation and leaving a large possibility for infection. It didn’t help that Rangi was a terrible patient.

“I can get up,” she kept insisting. “I’m fine!”

When Atuat finally let her try, Rangi leapt at the opportunity, getting to her feet much too quickly and nearly doubling over from lingering stiffness and pain.

“Careful!” Kyoshi cried, hovering nearby. The outburst earned her stares from both Rangi and Atuat.

When Rangi straightened up again—slower this time—Kyoshi could see the imprint of the bandages under her shift - wrapped generously around her torso like battle armor.

“Are you sure she should be doing this?” Kyoshi asked Atuat, probably only fueling Rangi’s determination. “She’s still got bandages on! What if she starts bleeding again? We can try again tomorrow! Or next week!”

“Kyoshi, what’s your problem?” Rangi narrowed her eyes.

She was being far too overprotective, Kyoshi knew. She should back off. Let Rangi manage her own recovery. But even though it was inviting Rangi’s wrath, Kyoshi didn’t want her Firebender’s stubbornness to impede her healing process.

Rangi needed to take it slow. Make sure she didn’t make things worse with her rush to get better. As much as Kyoshi wanted to see her girl back on her feet, she knew it wouldn’t benefit either of them if it happened too quickly.

That’s what Kyoshi told herself as she watched Atuat support Rangi and instruct her to gently raise and lower her arms - stretching out her muscles. Kyoshi just didn’t want Rangi to overextend herself. To tear open her wound. To hurry an infection along. Her concern was born from love and care, not selfishness.

Or cowardice.

As if to poke holes in her reasoning, Hei-Ran entered the tent, arms crossed. “Jinpa told me your meeting with the Fire Lord ended… abruptly.” She glanced over at Atuat and Rangi for the briefest of moments. “Rangi, straighten your shoulders. Injuries don’t excuse bad posture.”

Rangi huffed, but obediently did as she was told. She respected her mother’s authority, whether she liked it or not.

Kyoshi picked her next words carefully. Lying to Hei-Ran was never a good idea, but neither was letting on just how badly the meeting had actually gone. “I think… the messages of both parties had ample time for sinking in.”

The words could’ve come straight from Yun’s mouth—vague with just the right amount of high-brow language. Maybe she wasn’t a hopeless cause after all.

Hei-Ran seemed surprised by the response as well. “I see. And what message did the Fire Lord impart on you?”

Shit.

Kyoshi tried to think on her feet. “Politics,” she said at last. “The importance of… political relations.”

“Sounds like the stuff Jianzhu used to preach,” Rangi offered, crinkling up her nose at the mention of the departed sage.

Hei-Ran sniffed dismissively at the mention of the man who’d nearly poisoned her to death. Kyoshi wondered inwardly if the woman ever mourned Jianzhu, despite everything. He had once been her close companion, after all.

Every one of Hei-Ran’s old friends were gone, she suddenly realized - swallowing hard. Kuruk. Kelsang. Jianzhu. The once-inseparable gang hadn’t stayed that way for very long. Hei-Ran was the sole survivor.

Killed after hunting dark spirits.

Murdered by Jianzhu.

Murdered by Yun. And me.

What terrible fates had been waiting for the previous Avatar team, often at the hands of each other. Was that what waited for her? For Rangi? For Wong and Kirimia? Was every Avatar doomed to bring failure and annihilation to the people who loved them most?

“Atuat,” she said sharply, turning to look at Rangi who’d made good progress accompanied by the Waterbender. “That’s enough for today.”

“Yes, Avatar.”

As Atuat moved to help Rangi back to bed, Rangi protested - an angry haze settling over her face as she watched Kyoshi move towards the door.

“What?” Rangi twisted in Atuat’s grip, trying to break free, to run after her. “Who let her call the shots around here? Kyoshi, don’t you dare walk away from me! I’m not through talking about this!”

Kyoshi didn’t turn around. She couldn’t.

“Fine! Go clear your head! See if I care!”

And then Kyoshi made it out of earshot.

She would delay Rangi’s recovery as long as she possibly could, drag it out until the spirits themselves were begging the Firebender to get back on her feet. Because at least here in the infirmary, tucked away in Yokoya, she had people to keep her safe. She couldn’t get herself thrown into another life-threatening situation while she was still recuperating from the last one.

Kyoshi wouldn’t be the reason for Rangi’s obliteration.

And neither would Zoryu.

---

more coming soon! my commissions are open (and so is my ask box!)

#rangshi #atla #rise of kyoshi #kyoshi x rangi #longfic #writing commissions #fanfic #shadow of kyoshi #kyoshi #avatar kyoshi #avatar the last airbender #rangi x kyoshi #fan fic #fic update

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sepublic · 4 years ago

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Disparity between the Knights of Ren and Kylo

But something about the Knights of Ren, in contrast to their leader, is that they seem so much more… scrappy? Dirty, unorganized, but also used and worn-out, and thus genuine? Like they’ve really put themselves out there into the harsh work with rolled-up, tattered sleeves, and you get this sense of them actually being in the fray and on the frontlines.

You’ve of course got their dirt-covered boots and whatnot, but also you have people like Vicrul or Cardo, who use the hides of animals as part of their attire… Ap’lek’s cloak is oiled to shed aside water, he’s clearly someone who works within the elements to take advantage of them as part of his stealth, they’re his dirty unglamorous home. Clearly the Knights of Ren do a lot of work putting together scrap metal, like you see with Ap’lek’s mask, Kuruk having those pieces bent around his helmet to help focus his vision, Cardo’s mask is just a repurposed furnace plate! Ushar’s mask has a straight-up dent in it that he’s never bothered to fix, even when he has access to Albrekh; Likely as a twisted memento of honor and tribute to the victim who inflicted the damage. Trudgen straight-up has part of a Death Trooper’s helmet incorporated into his own mask as well!

Then you’ve got the Night Buzzard, which is dirty and grimy, and has received constant modifications, likely by Kuruk, that cause it to spew noxious gas. Vicrul’s pistol has also been pushed to its limits with alterations, and Cardo is obsessed with modifying and enhancing weapons, keeping them up to date and ready for the next battle; The Knights of Ren have weapons that are a more cold, dull steel and gray, not polished and refined. Their armor and outfits feel much more scratched-out and faded, used and worn in. You get the sense almost that they’re kind of like scavengers themselves, similar to Rey; Making do with what they find, not too focused on aesthetical neatness nor tidy appearance, just getting the point across, salvaging trophies from victories.

And, it fits with their philosophy, the Ren- Which revolves around basically just living in the moment, unapologetically taking and consuming and resorting to nature and instinct… Letting the ‘Shadow’ guide and feed them, like they’re always on the fringe of society, gathering and appreciating what they can and making use of it, having to make the most of their tools, constantly altering and patching themselves up. They don’t have the access to the best resources, not fancy luxuries or anything like that; It’s almost rather working-class, I’d say! It of course matches with their origins as essentially criminals and a cult-ish biker gang, a ragtag group of mercenaries.

Even their original, nameless leader kind of fits this more down-to-earth, cobbled-together aesthetic, with a gray mask that he’s customized with a red symbol, amidst the scratches; Not wearing much save for a tattered cloak and glove, and his pants and boots, and that’s about it! Nothing particularly polished nor clean. He’s dirty, roughed-up, and covered in scars, he has not gone unscathed and he doesn’t need to protect himself from the elements, he wears his damage and past on his (metaphorical) sleeve and possibly even has a cybernetic hand, to go with the Vader parallel that Charles Soule intended!

All of this of course contrasts with Kylo Ren, who… His mask is clearly hi-tech, up-to-date, with a full-on vocoder and mechanical function that causes it to open up and close, possibly somewhat vacuum-sealed as well. The metal is polished and shiny, the mask a smooth, likely painted, matte black. His clothes are tidy and almost prince-like, made of what seems to be more comfortable and fancier cloth and fabrics, a nice deep black that’s clearly taken care of, shiny boots, the works. While the Knights of Ren make do with just their Night Buzzard and weapons they scrounge for, constantly patching up and honing them between battles to keep them almost good-as-new, Kylo Ren has his clean and sleek, modern ships supplied directly from the First Order; He’s got his command shuttle, the TIE Silencer, and at least two TIE Whisper’s.

His vehicles have red, vibrant and glowing lights and paintjobs, and are likely the sleek pinnacle of First Order engineering, with Kuat and rich backers from Canto Bight to contribute to development. Kyle Ron probably has his entire team of engineers to prepare and take care of his ship before him, even before becoming Supreme Leader- Especially when he tells a pair of officers to prepare his TIE Silencer for him, even before he usurps Snoke. He was clearly the golden child throughout his life in a sense, born into a privileged, luxurious family with a lot of power and fame; And then serving Snoke, who himself had all of the inexplicably vast resources of the First Order behind him, invested everything into Kylo Ren’s training and upkeep… Kept him well-fed and taken care of (at least physically).

Yeah, Kylo has trained vigorously, and his own lightsaber is a patchwork job, but that was built back when he was ‘just’ leader of the Knights of Ren, newly anointed, and before he’d started serving in the First Order; And as a major political influence, with a LOT of authority and power behind him, serving as a triumvirate alongside Hux and Phasma, right beneath Snoke himself! You get the sense that he always had something to fall back to, a comfortable safety net- That when all was said and done, he had a retinue of medical droids to patch him up, a team to keep his laundry nice and clean and ‘presentable’. That he always had his parents who were welcoming of him, trying to be patient, always offering him the opportunity to go back home; He had SO much, and yet he really threw it all away for some fantasy, didn’t he?

Kylo Ren really comes across as like… A privileged rich kid, a pampered brat who doesn’t really know what it’s like to work out in the fringes, to have to constantly fight and kill just to survive, to be fed the next day. To not have the luxury of mindlessly destroying the hard work and machinery, the craft of others he’s taken for granted, every time he has a temper tantrum- Leaving people to clean up the mess and replace it good as new. The Knights of Ren couldn’t be so frivolous with THEIR resources, they had to make everything count, reuse and recycle, scavenge from scrap metal, tidy things up at least a little; But they didn’t have the luxury to make themselves sleek and polished, nor access to the most up-to-date technology of an entire military junta.

They had to get their hands dirty and personal, all of the time, they didn’t have the pride and privilege to turn down jobs; They took whatever mercenary work was offered to stay fed and clothed. And yet they remained just as vigilant and dedicated to the Ren as ever, never wavering as far as we can tell; Even when their original leader was slain, they didn’t throw a fit, but just made do with the situation, accepted that this was all they had left, and had Kylo as their new master.

While Kylo was no doubt living the high-life at the very top of the First Order pyramid, we rarely see the Knights of Ren, who don’t have Snoke’s personal precious attention and protection. They’re likely out there doing the dark, unknown and unglamorous dirty work, quietly coming back to restock and refuel, no ceremonies nor worship from Stormtroopers, most of whom seem to regard them in disgust as ‘Ghouls’. Unlike Kylo, they fully chose and accepted and embraced their roles, they provided their ‘good’ deaths and earned their spots within the group, not fighting it, not constantly lamenting and whining about how they deserved better, because anything is good.

Even when Kylo Ren became Supreme Leader, it seems that for whatever reason, the Knights of Ren didn’t embrace the new resources at their disposal- Did Kylo not bother to take care of them, or were they just so used to working as scrappy little mercenaries, that the high-end luxuries of the First Order somewhat bothered them? That they preferred to keep doing things as they did, that this organized, political and polished structure wasn’t for them. Hux regards them as distasteful for it, but while he and Kylo have entire armies and servants at their beck and call and disposal, the Knights of Ren have only themselves and each other to carry out the missions assigned to them, and they do their tasks silently, dutifully, and without complaint.

To contrast, Kylo Ren has a much cleaner, brighter aesthetic, flashy and red like his lightsaber, and later the Sarrassian iron that puts together the fragments of his helmet. He’s a leader, a political figure, who intentionally draws attention to himself as the heir to Vader, he thinks he’s entitled to Anakin’s lightsaber, and can afford to draw attention to himself, he wants it. But the Knights of Ren, they have to be practical and dark, hiding to survive, Ap’lek especially, although of course some manner of exception is made with Ushar and Cardo. It’s not like they’re just hunters, but also prey as well, like the Mandalorian coverts… Their dirtied, roughened-up appearance, more battered and humble like what you would see with the Millenium Falcon, paints the Knights of Ren as more underdogs than their leader.

In essence, you get this sense of privileged disconnect between the Knights of Ren and Kylo; That he’s this bourgeoisie rich kid, whose parents bought him everything, that he never REALLY had to work for things, there was no genuine struggle nor danger for him. Work and training may as well have been a hobby for him, he can afford to throw things away, while for the Knights of Ren it very much is a matter of survival, life or death. And with how Kylo wants to join them for some reason after leaving the Jedi Order, even though he only had ONE encounter where they tried to kill him, Luke, and Lor San Tekka; And all their previous leader did was just leave an open invitation…

And again, you get the idea that Kylo Ren has this idealized, glamorous, almost fetishizing and romanticized view of what it’s like to be a Knight of Ren, that it’s some cool club to join- And not a genuine, forged-in-fire, rigorous existence. That it’s tough and painful and very much a deliberate choice, not something done lightly and for fun, which he finds out when he tries to join them for ‘comradery’ I suppose, only to be oh-so shocked at seeing them kill people, as if he hadn’t always known this. Kylo Ren didn’t really want to be a Knight of Ren, just his cool idea and fun of what it’d be like, how he doesn’t REALLY want the Empire back, just the idealized version of the past. He’s a pampered brat playing pretend, so psyched up for the dream of the job, but when he actually has to do the hard work and unglamorous parts, he caves and hesitates, while the actual Knights of Ren roll their eyes, because of course this little kid does. He has no idea what he’s getting himself into, he’s so dumb and naïve and reckless.

It’s telling that the Knights of Ren have no issues working with Albrekh, an alien, especially because they know they can’t afford to be picky with their allies and friends, beggars can’t be choosers; While Kylo “My parents didn’t love me enough” Ron is willing to kill an officer for asking a reasonable question, and throws aside all of the people in his life that he takes for granted. Similarly, the only person resembling an alien that we see Kylo Ren actually work with is Snoke, whom he hated and eventually killed, and even Snoke was at least part-human, so given his worship of the Empire, and Kylo Ren likely looks down on non-humans.

Not to mention, with how Kylo sometimes refers to Rey as ‘the scavenger’, and you get this sense of like… disdain from him towards her more humble, downright impoverished, background and conditions of her home life, and the way she had to keep herself fed. And you can’t help but wonder if the Knights of Ren picked up on this, that part of the reason they never enjoyed the First Order’s resources was because they knew that they didn’t belong in this neat and tidy, posh hierarchy of political society and advanced tech; That they were regarded as savage monsters and ghouls by the First Order, dirty and unkempt. Their own leader didn’t really know or understand them, he only had leadership by virtue of power and affinity to the Dark Side, but not much else; And he was constantly fighting the Dark Side, always in the hand of Snoke, never really leading the Knights of Ren alongside them as equals and comrades like their past leader.

He probably didn’t care for, nor appreciate them- Kylo probably even looked down on them, even! Not fully and openly, but there was likely this implicit disdain and disgust… Or at the very least, he made an ‘exception’ to them, but with how he regarded scavengers and lower-class people like them… The Knights of Ren could only wonder just how conditional his tolerance was. He praised and elevated them, borderline glorified and romanticized; But he could never truly be one of them, he never knew what it was like, he had no idea, he could only guess and play pretend, and never admit that truth. There was a growing disconnect, likely a dissatisfaction between the Knights of Ren towards Kylo, and it just worsened with his agendas with Rey, forcing them to do the work of capturing her by themselves, forgetting the Knights in his own confrontations, etc.

Kylo didn’t really feel like one of them, like a part of them- He saw himself as elevated and separate, more like lapdogs and attacks dogs, tools to point in a direction, not true brothers-in-arms on the same level, regardless of leadership role. And this ignorance, this subtle lack of regard and attention, quickly abandoning the Knights of Ren to focus on his drama with his parents, Luke, Snoke, and Rey… It must’ve been frustrating and alienating for the Knights of Ren.

The closest Kylo ever got was when he repaired his shattered helmet using Albrekh himself, with the dented and scratched-up look more akin to them, uniting the aesthetic more… But again, there was always that fancy, graceful training from Luke and Snoke, and his special little lightsaber. Then the attention from Palpatine… And when he had to go to Exegol, when he confronted Rey, Kylo never did so with the Knights of Ren, because he never truly trusted nor felt like they had his back, he never truly saw himself as one of them, and didn’t think it necessary to bring them alone, to include them all.

They weren’t special, chosen ones with the cool bloodlines and parentage that gave them special innate talent and Force powers, they were more like Voe if anything else. The Knights of Ren had force-sensitivity, but it was stunted and much weaker than Kyle’s natural, unearned talent and gifts; Everything they got, they had to fight and train and work for, self-taught and without the guidance of some wiser leader, because I doubt Kylo trained his own Knights either. Their fighting style is more brutal and utilitarian, with the use of a wide variety of tools and actual blasters- The Knights of Ren had to make a name for themselves, carve out their own reputation, because they started from nothing, and their original leader best exemplifies this with his lack of name, the closest being the title of Ren that he shares with everyone else anyway.

The Knights of Ren didn’t have a special destiny, nor a bond as part of some sacred, prophesized dyad- If anything, they were more like Rey, before THAT reveal… Just lowly nobodies who had to make a name for themselves, stumbled across their own version of found family in a sense- Did what they needed to survive, had to go through the grueling agony of existence on their own. They actively looked for new members to add into their group, other lowly and despised criminals and others of society, as could’ve been the case with Karrst. There was no special place for them within the story, and yet they were still relegated to doing nameless, thankless jobs and tasks, not even acknowledged individually, and forgotten and abandoned by even their own leader, for some stranger he’d just met.

When he turned to the Light Side, did their time together mean nothing for Ben to leave them- Of course it did, because there wasn’t REALLY anything there, and he never tried, or at least never could’ve understood, and never realized this from the position he was in. He tried to force his way in and it just created this uncomfortable, begrudging toleration by the Knights of Ren, until finally their resentment boiled up and bubbled over and burst; And they took their sweet time, vengefully confronting their former leader and beating him up slowly, because they wanted this to hurt. They wanted him to know what it was like to be beaten down with no hope, with no glimpse of light, nobody to pick him up and comfort him, no luxury nor resources or sacred destiny; To have only darkness and shadow to hide and thrive in, to embrace and become grateful towards… As they scrounged up and kept fighting, determined, not entitled by any parentage or destiny, but because they simply chose to keep biting and survive.

Nobody seemed to care nor remember the Knights of Ren, they were just disposable tools for everyone, except their original leader, who really did seem to be on amicable relationship with them; Addressing them by name, in a casual manner that alluded to past comradery and shared knowledge, bonding… Someone they felt safe actually speaking up and talking to, asking questions instead of silently waiting for orders and accepting things as they were. There was no special Force powers, for they did not expect anything from the Shadow, and when they did receive, they made sure to venerate it in return, for of course this was owed back, they had to pay back the force that guided and fed them.

They had a gratitude, and as their Ren codified, the Knights learned to disregard societal norms and obligations, and attitudes, and just live, doing what they needed to survive. No apologies, no glorifications, they just were, that’s all they wanted and needed. Obviously this independent, not-caring-what-anyone-thinks attitude was no doubt ‘cool’ to a young Kylo Ren, which was why he wanted to join them, while misunderstanding so badly how the Knights of Ren even got to that point in the first place, and what came with this. Kylo kept being concerned about how others perceived and looked at him, because he was a sad, pathetic, insecure little child; While for the Knights of Ren, it just didn’t matter.

They could be hated, or beloved- It wasn’t important at all how others regarded them, because they didn’t heed how outsiders felt, they didn’t apologize nor account for their existence, didn’t try to justify anything. It was Us VS Them, they found solace in just each other, and recognized and prepared themselves for an entire world against them, anyone else as fair game and a potential enemy. Their prior leader rightfully regarded Kylo with suspicion, kept a cautious distance- So nothing was lost when they confronted Kylo on Exegol to kill him, no tears shed nor regrets made whatsoever, besides having not done this sooner.

But of course, special Ben Solo gets his redemption or whatever, he gets his spotlight and glory as he saves the day, or at least sort of tries to contribute. He is glorified by the narrative and likely in-universe, venerated for his ‘noble’ turn and sacrifice, especially by the real-life fandom; But the Knights of Ren, nobody cares for them. And it doesn’t matter- They’re used to it, they’ve learned to accept and adapt, this is just the normal status quo for them. They don’t need veneration nor hatred, they’re just here to get through the day and only focus on what matters, themselves and each other.

…In that sense, with all of this meta about the Knights of Ren being more like ‘nobodies’, poor and scavenging, having to work for things; And Rey, the contradictions of her character be damned, feels like she’d be a more welcome fit as a new leader than Kylo. Maybe there could be an AU where she joins them, and the Knights of Ren bond with this new kid, this little sibling, who’s a dirty feral gremlin like them who likes to scavenge and experiment, modify, messily and shoddily cobble stuff together.

I do have to wonder if Rey calling herself a nobody, initially intended at one point to have no special place nor destiny in the narrative, besides the one she made for herself with her found family- If that was meant to be a parallel to the Knights of Ren and their former leader, who also calls himself a nobody, and goes by no distinctive name himself. I can only imagine, but I bet that a Dark Side Rey would be a much more attentive, down-to-earth, and ultimately preferable leader to the Knights of Ren, as someone who actually bonds with and understands them, and learns to value them; To the point where if she DID make a turn to the Light, she’d probably invite them to come with her out of concern, and the Knights of Ren would be touched enough to even consider, or at least spare, Rey…

At the very least, I don’t think Rey would immediately throw them aside like the garbage they always were, because she was good now and too enlightened and heroic to be level with these evil monsters; She knew someone who was a masked ‘monster’ himself, Finn, and she fell in love and found acceptance with him, and vice-versa. Rey, for better or worse, has the patience to reach out and give others the benefit of the doubt, to hope for them, to not hypocritically condemn, for she knows her own mistakes and weaknesses as well… So I think the Knights of Ren in this AU would be much more likely to be touched- And that even if they were to lash against a reformed Rey, it’d come from a genuine sense of hurt and betrayal, grief and loss; And not just a relieved desire to get rid of this pesky brat that’s been bugging them for the past several years.

#star wars #knights of ren #vicrul #trudgen #ushar #star wars kuruk #cardo #ap'lek #albrekh #kylo ren #meta

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short-wooloo · 3 years ago

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a Compilation of all of them

so a few weeks ago I made three posts (linked at the bottom) suggesting to people that they erase all information they had about the sequels from their heads and craft a story solely based on the LEGO sets made, but whereas those posts focused on each film and their tie-in sets individually, this post is combining all of that

this time I suggest to create a story, but instead of keeping the sets with their corresponding films, merge them together, in other words want to use the ideas, characters, locations, or vehicles from a ROS set for a TFA story? go ahead

Rey’s Speeder: Includes Rey, Unkar Plutt’s thug

First Order Snowspeeder: includes 2 FO Snowstroopers, FO Snowtrooper Commander

First Order Special Forces TIE Fighter: includes 2 FO TIE pilots, a FO officer, and a FO ground crew member

Poe’s X-Wing Fighter: includes Poe Dameron (pilot), BB-8, Resistance pilot, Resistance ground crew member

First Order Transporter: includes Captain Phasma, 2 FO Stormtroopers, 2 FO Flametroopers, 2 Resistance soldiers

Kylo Ren’s Command Shuttle: includes Kylo Ren, General Hux, FO officer, FO Stormtrooper Commander, 2 FO gound crew members

Millennium Falcon: includes Rey, Finn, Han Solo, Chewbacca, BB-8, Tasu Leech, Kanjiclub gang member

Resistance Trooper Battle pack: includes 4 Resistance soldiers

First Order Battle Pack: includes FO Stormtrooper, FO Heavy Stormtrooper, 2 FO ground crew members

Battle on Takodana: includes Finn, Maz Kanata, Kylo Ren, 2 FO Stormtroopers

Resitance Troop Transport: includes General Leia Organa, Admiral Ackbar, 2 Resistance soldiers

Encounter on Jakku: includes Rey, BB-8, Unkar Plutt, Teedo

Resistance X-Wing Fighter: includes Poe (jacket), BB-8, Lor San Tekka, FO Flametrooper

First Order Transport Speeder Battle Pack: includes 2 FO Stormtroopers, FO Flametrooper, FO officer

Jakku Quadjumper: includes Rey, Finn, BB-8, Unkur Plutt’s Thug, FO Heavy Stormtrooper

Rathtar Escape: includes Han Solo, Chewbacca, Bala-Tik, 2 Guavian death Gang soldiers, 2 Rathtars

Duel on Starkiller Base: includes Rey, Kylo Ren (injured)

Resistance Transport Pod: include Finn (damaged jacket), Rose, BB-8

First Order Heavy Scout Walker: includes General Hux, FO ground crew member, FO Flametrooper, Resistance soldier

Kylo Ren’s TIE Fighter: includes Kylo Ren (scarred), FO Special Forces TIE pilot, BB-9e, FO Stormtrooper

Resistance Bomber: includes Poe Dameron, Resistance Bombardier, Resistance Bomber pilot, Paige Tico, Vice Admiral Holdo

First Order Heavy Assault Walker: includes Poe Dameron, Rey (Jedi robes), Resistance soldier, FO Stormtrooper, FO walker pilot

First Order Star Destroyer: includes Supreme Leader Snoke, FO officer, FO shuttle pilot, FO medical droid, BB-9e, FO Stormtrooper, FO Stormtrooper Sargent

First Order Specialists Battle Pack: includes FO shuttle pilot, FO ground crew member, 2 FO Stormtrooper Executioners

Anch-To Island Training: includes Rey (training), Jedi Master Luke Skywalker, Porg

First Order AT-ST: includes Finn (FO disguise), Rose (FO disguise), BB-8, Captain Phasma

Defense of Crait: includes Poe Dameron, Admiral Ematt, Resistance soldier, 2 FO Snowtroopers

Snoke’s Throne Room: includes Supreme Leader Snoke, Rey (Jedi robes), Kylo Ren (scarred), 2 Praetorian guards

Elite Praetorian Guard Battle Pack: includes 3 Praetorian gaurds, FO Stormtrooper, training droid

Resistance A-Wing Fighter: includes Snap Wexley and Lieutenant Kaydel Ko Connix

Resistance Y-Wing Fighter: includes Zorii Bliss, Poe Dameron, D-0, Astromech droid, and a FO Snowtrooper

Pasaana Speeder Chase: includes Rey, BB-8, FO Jettrooper, FO Treadspeeder driver

Kylo Ren’s Shuttle: includes Supreme Leader Kylo Ren, Allegiant General Pryde, FO Stormtrooper, Sith Stormtrooper, 2 Knights of Ren (Ap’lek and Ushar)

Millennium Falcon: includes R2-D2, C-3PO, Lando Calrissian, Finn, Chewbacca, Boolio, D-0

Sith Troopers Battle Pack: includes Sith Stromtrooper, 2 Sith Jettroopers, Sith Officer

Sith TIE Fighter: includes Finn, FO TIE Pilot, Knight of Ren (Trudgen)

Poe Dameron’s X-Wing Fighter: includes Poe Dameron (pilot), R2-D2, Jannah, Knight of Ren (Vicrul)

Knights of Ren Transport Ship: includes Rey, 2 Knights of Ren (Cardo and Kuruk)

https://short-wooloo.tumblr.com/post/661538705848320000/a-fun-little-experiment

https://short-wooloo.tumblr.com/post/661723676921774080/part-2-the-last-jedi

https://short-wooloo.tumblr.com/post/661724754646073344/part-3-rise-of-skywalker

#star wars #lego #lego star wars #tfa #tlj #ros #sequel trilogy #star wars sequel trilogy #the force awakens #the last jedi #rise of skywalker #wooloo-writes #wooloo writes #long post

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tredawakandan · 4 years ago

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A quick history lesson + avatar news+ avatar theory... Avatar fans recently got great news when it was revealed that new shows, novels & a movie was on its way..Definetly 🔥🔥🔥...I got to thinking what kind of projects I would like to see. The 1st choice of course being a show with the adult aang gang.. My second choice would be of course a new earth nation avatar. This being the avatar coming after korra..My own concept of the character would have him mentally wanting to be a hero with a similar personality to avatar kuruk.. This earth avatar would naturally be balanced in regards to the physical & mental aspects of the avatar..This being something that would make him different from korra & aang..I feel a downside of him that would be interesting is the mentality that he can save everyone or that everyone needs saving... On to my next point something that I seen over the years fans wanted more of were black characters in the series..i theorized a way this could happen..Guru Pathik from my perspective was a black man & only black character of the series..He was also long lived for a non bender..Above I show that India in fact has black people & if you search for it you can find many black Buddha's & rulers in India past.. Certain tribes of india,Australia & the orignal ainu all belong to what science called the Australoid race...To explain this next part fans would need to remember that Iroh naturally went into the spirit world & seemingly the only human to do so...I believe you could integrate a group or nation of black people into the series by having them have been a group of people that disappeared into the spirit world long ago & have recently come back ....That would be a interesting way to me..

#black history #guru pathik #avatar #legend of korra #atla #avatar the last airbender #earthbending #cartoon #anime

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patrickstargang · 4 years ago

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To Heal (Shadow of Kyoshi fic)

Chapter 1: The Other Side of Peace

Chapter 2: Master and Student

Chapter 3: A Cause For Celebration

Chapter 4: Taking Off The Mask

Chapter 5: Call to Action

Epilogue

The halls were dead quiet, the only sound being that of Kyoshi’s footsteps and the rain pouring outside. She moved slowly, with a candle in one hand trying not to wake anyone up. Kyoshi could feel her heart pounding, she still didn’t fully know what Rangi meant by having a “talk” but she had a pretty clear idea.

She was approaching the door to the bedroom, hesitant to go any further than where she was. But before she mustered up the strength to enter, the door opened. She saw Rangi, her hair taken out of her topknot, looser than she would normally wear it. She was also dressed in a beige night gown. The wardrobe choice definitely caught Kyoshi’s attention, though it made her more aware of how dirty her own clothes were because of kitchen duty. But there was still a stiffness in her posture, like she was still in her military outfit.

“Please, come in.” Rangi motioned for her to enter.

Kyoshi walked into the bedroom, doing so slowly and carefully. Her mind was going in a million different directions. At this point she was pretty certain what was going to happen now. There were too many clues to it. But then Kyoshi remembered, this is Rangi. This is probably some sort of subversion, to keep her on her toes. She knew what to do now.

Rangi closed the door behind them. “Kyoshi, I wanted to talk to you ab-”

She turned around to find Kyoshi in Horse stance with her eyes closed. Rangi’s face was frozen with confusion.

“What are you doing?”

“Stance training,” Kyoshi said with a flat expression. She waited for a response but only got a long pause. “That's what you meant by having a “private talk” right?”

The silence was broken by Rangi’s laughter. “You idiot, what I meant by having a private talk was that I just wanted to talk to you alone. Come on, you can stand down.”

Kyoshi didn’t budge, that sounded like a chance to let her guard down, giving Rangi plenty of opportunities to strike. She softly chuckled. “Are you getting soft on me lieutenant?”

Kyoshi could not have predicted what happened next. She felt a hand on her chin, tilting her head slightly. She opened her eyes in shock to find Rangi staring right into her, a face highlighted by distress. She paused for a moment before she spoke.

“I meant what I said. Stand down…..please.”

The desperation in that last word shook Kyoshi to her core. She hasn’t seen her like this since Hei-ran was injured. She slowly stood back up. Rangi sighed deeply.

“I wanted to talk to you about something important. Somethings been different with you lately. Whenever we’ve been together, I’ve noticed that when I talk to you about trying to get better, you always change the subject. Most of the time you just say that your ‘fine’.”

Kyoshi didn’t know how to respond to that. It felt like when Rangi and Jinpa ganged up on her for her bad habits, but much worse. It was worse because it was more personal. Without realizing it, Kyoshi smiled weakly. “Its okay, you shouldn't worry about m-”

Then she realized that she just did what Rangi was talking about. Kyoshi saw a mixture of anger and anguish come across her face. Rangi pointed at her with intensity.

“That. That face you just made. Everytime you try to brush off my questions you make that face, and quite honestly I can’t stand it anymore!” Kyoshi could feel the heat in the room rising. “I know what you're doing. Your not feeling like yourself and everytime I ask if your okay you put on that stupid fake smile. What good is it to keep bottling up your emotions?”

Kyoshi was flustered, trying to find something to reply to that scathing question. “I-Its just…. Not important right now. We can...talk about it later.”

She could feel Rangi’s accusing stare. “Why don’t we talk about it now, and how about you start by telling me the truth.”

Kyoshi was about to reply, defensive of that accusation. But the way she said those last few words caught Kyoshi off guard. It didn’t sound angry, it sounded sincere.

Every second of silence was more unbearable than the last. Kyoshi swallowed anxiously, trying to get words, any words, to come out. “I-I think the reason I keep all of that inside..is… every time I get emotional or I let my emotions do the talking, something bad happens or someone gets hurt because of what I did.”

Kyoshi exhaled through her nose, silence permeating the room yet again. Rangi looked at Kyoshi’s face, she could see that she was being honest this time. Rangi spoke with a softer tone to her voice. “So what, your just not going to feel ANYTHING?”

Kyoshi stared at the ground. “Sometimes I wish I could. I hoped before that….maybe I could do something right. Maybe I could do something that makes a difference. But all I’ve done is make things worse. Now…..now it just hurts to hope.

“What good have I ever been, for anyone?”

Then in the corner of her vision, Kyoshi saw two hands reaching in to cup her face. They were soft but firm. She picked her head up, looking at Rangi yet again.

The firebender had tears streaming down her face. She let out sharp, quick breaths trying to keep herself together. Then she kissed Kyoshi, deeply, standing on the tips of her toes to reach her. As they parted, Rangi whispered something in Kyoshi’s ear.

“What good have you been? Meeting you was the best thing that ever happened to me.”

Kyoshi could feel her eyes welling up. Sometimes she forgets how much she really means to Rangi. She always knew how she felt but it was only now that Kyoshi understood the extent of her feelings. But she began push the tears back down as another thought came into her mind.

“B-But I’ve hurt you too. I betrayed your trust, so many times. I almost got your mother killed! And I…..I almost lost you. I wasn’t strong enough to keep you from getting hurt.”

Kyoshi opted for an empty expression. A face of disappointment at nobody but herself. Rangi was struggling to stay calm, but she knew that the woman she loved was on the verge becoming her worst nightmare: someone who had no more tears to shed, nothing left to feel. She only had one other way to get to Kyoshi.

Rangi noticed that Kyoshi had been wearing her gloves all day. The material they were made of had been showing wear and tear through the many months of use. Rangi slowly took off one glove, Kyoshi’s glance moved to her hand, slightly bewildered. Rangi gazed at the scars on her hand, softly tracing outside of the red markings on her palm. Kyoshi could feel herself getting warmer, unsure if it was the warmth of Rangi’s hand or some heat that was building up in her chest. For the past few months, the only kind of touch she was used to was that of fighting, a visceral, painful contact. A touch this delicate still felt like a new experience for her, even if it was with someone she had held before.

Rangi pressed Kyoshi’s hand against her chest, letting it stay there for a moment before moving into her nightgown. For someone who had seen battle on a regular basis, her skin was still incredibly soft. Kyoshi’s face was as red as a tomato, her eyes darted all over the room not knowing how to process what was happening. “W-wait Rangi, are you sure about this….” Her other hand began to fidget.

Suddenly her hand stopped. Then a moment later she felt something, a soft beat. It was Rangi’s heartbeat. This was a completely new feeling, she was familiar with her own heartbeat but she never felt the heartbeat of another person.

“Do you feel that,” said Rangi. Her eyes were still watery but she was smiling. She could tell she caught Kyoshi off guard just by the look on her face. It was both amusing and relieving. “It's still beating because of you. You think you weren’t strong enough to protect me but you're wrong. You healed me, you stayed with me for days doing everything you could. And I’m here now, because of you.

“You're so much stronger than you know, but also that doesn’t mean you should keep the burden of being the Avatar to yourself. You're not alone in this anymore.”

Kyoshi remembered what Yangchen had told her about Kuruk, how he felt he had to carry out his duty alone and suffered for it. That bit of wisdom became much clearer now. During this intimate moment, she was able to find self reflection. Rangi could see that it was working, that she was breaking down the barriers Kyoshi had set up in herself.

But she decided to go further. Rangi turned around, loosening the night gown. She let it drape down, almost touching the ground, exposing most of her back until it revealed the scar. Kyoshi had already seen it many times while she was healing her, but now was a much different situation. She froze up at first, no knowing what to do until she spoke.

“Go ahead, feel it.”

Kyoshi was hesitant at first, but then she lightly grazed around the healed skin. Her back was a bit rougher than the front, but it was still soft to the touch. For only a few days, a scar as serious as that one was healing up fast. But then her face showed worry when a question arose in her mind. “Does it hurt?”

“No, not any more.” Rangi turned her head around with a loving smile. “Thanks to you.”

Kyoshi let out a light chuckle as she continued feeling the small of her back. It was only that she realized that she did save Rangi. It wasn’t just a case of luck being in their favor, Kyoshi had saved the woman she loved from death. It was still more than she could process but something about that fact was comforting.

As she was feeling the edges of Rangi’s scar, the firebender started to remember the days after Kyoshi’s fight with Xu Ping. She remembered the numerous scars she earned and the many sleepless nights waiting for her to recover. Now Rangi knew what it was like to be on the other end, having someone worried that you won’t wake up the next day. For some reason it made Rangi feel guilty, that she recovered so quickly and painlessly while Kyoshi’s scars were more permanent. It didn’t matter anymore, she shook the thought out of her head. But another one took its place.

Rangi turned her head around again. “What about you?” She paused trying to find the right words. “Do yours still hurt?”

Kyoshi was taken aback by that question. She looked down at her hands, noting the difference of the black glove and a hand covered in red searing bolts. “Sometimes. Some of the pain is gone, but I don’t know if the scars will fade.”

Rangi exhaled as her worry of Kyoshi’s pain being more permanent became true. Then another thought came into Rangi’s mind. Besides her hands shes never seen Kyoshi’s scars. Everytime Kyoshi was getting healed, she didn’t have the stomach to see the damage that was done. But now, she felt that she needed to see it. If she was going to help Kyoshi deal with her pain, she needed to see if for herself.

Rangi turned her whole body around, still covering it with the nightgown but letting it stay somewhat loose and open. The tension in the room was palpable, another long period of silence before Rangi asked the question.

“W-Would it bother you… if I looked at your scars.”

Kyoshi didn’t know how to respond at first. It was a strange question, showing the parts of herself that were marked for life felt like it could open up the painful memories that they hold. But at the same time, and she didn’t know why, but she felt a strong desire to share it with her. “It wouldn’t bother me,” she said, her voice shaking slightly from nervousness.

Rangi slowly walked up to her, feeling cautious in her movement. After a moment, they were up close to each other, not knowing what to do next. Then Rangi slowly leaned into Kyoshi, kissing her again. They lingered on the feeling, Kyoshi wrapping her arm around Rangi to pull her in closer.

It was then they started to realize where this was all going. Neither of them intended to get to this, but neither of them felt like going back either. It was a new experience for both of them, but they both wanted to go further. To reach a greater level of intimacy, no matter how new and uncertain it might be.

Rangi moved her hand to the lapel of Kyoshi’s tunic. She began pulling on the string but stopped halfway. Kyoshi looked down at the firebender, concerned that they may not have wanted the same thing. Then Rangi looked up at Kyoshi, with a light of doubt in her eyes.

“.....Is this okay?”

A wave of relief came over Kyoshi. She smiled at Rangi. A sincere smile.

“Of course it is.”

Rangi smiled back, leaning into her once again. The candle that Kyoshi brought in began to grow brighter.

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

The rain outside was beginning to subside. The only light in the room was a single candle that was beginning to dim. Rangi and Kyoshi sat on the bed, entwined and enveloped into one another. Both as bare and vulnerable as the other. There wasn’t the awkward filter of Kyoshi’s height anymore, they were both on the same level. Kyoshi softly traced around Rangi’s back while Rangi did the same Rangi made sure to go around the scars, even if it was harder in some places. It was soothing, almost therapeutic. Kyoshi had never been this intimate with anyone before, and she was glad that it was with Rangi.

But then the thoughts came flooding back into her mind. Please, not now. But it was impossible for them to stay put, especially after everything they talked about. I could have done more.

Kyoshi had stopped the movements along Rangi’s back. Rangi leaned back to see her face. She could tell something was wrong. “Is everything alright?”

Kyoshi stopped herself before she could say “everything is fine.” Her face grew serious as she tried to come up with the right words.

“I’ve been thinking...about everything you said….everything I’ve said. It made me think about… if things had gone differently.”

Rangi leaned in slightly, encouraging her to continue.

“What I mean is… What if I wasn’t the Avatar? What if I was never abandoned by my parents? What if I didn’t become a maid at the estates? Where would we be now? But more than that, I’ve been thinking about….everything. Everything that's happened these past few months.”

Kyoshi looked off the side, trying to avoid eye contact. She was opening herself up, but it was still too painful to admit it. Rangi stared at her with sympathy as she continued.

“I could have done more…...more to help Yun. If only I had more time, if only I didn’t waste it being so impulsive. If only I thought through what I was doing, made a plan or anything. Then….maybe I could have helped him. Then you wouldn’t have gotten hurt and he’d still be with us…”

Kyoshi’s breathing began to quicken.

“I could have brought him back to us. He wouldn’t have hurt you and your mother. I could have stopped him then. If I knew I was the Avatar sooner I could have stopped so much from happening….”

I could have done more……..

“Kyoshi….”

“Yun wouldn’t have been taken away, Kelsang would still be alive. So many people wouldn’t have died for me. If only I knew….”

I could have done more……..

“Kyoshi…..”

“I could have done something….something to stop all this from happening. If only I knew what I was doing back then, if only I knew how to be the Avat-”

Rangi moved Kyoshi’s head back to face her. The firebender stared right into her, eyes burning with sadness and love. Kyoshi could feel the heat of her hand on her face. With the way that Rangi was looking at her, there was nowhere left to hide. She kept her gaze until Kyoshi’s breathing slowed. Then her lips parted to speak.

“It’s not your fault.

“You did everything you could.”

Hearing those words, those exact words, coming from the person that Kyoshi loved most was like the greatest release. A release of all the regret and self loathing she had bottled up for so long. The emotional walls that Kyoshi had built began to crumble. At first tears streamed down her face but soon it became full on sobbing. When Kyoshi cried, her breaths weren’t quick and sharp like Rangi, but they were long and lingering.

Rangi embraced Kyoshi, holding onto her as tight as she could. She tried to hide her own tears, wanting to be strong for Kyoshi, before she joined in. She leaned into Kyoshi’s ear, her voice shaking just as much. “It’s okay, I’ve got you.”

Kyoshi’s sobs continued, letting all of it out at once. It was a visceral but necessary release. After she had the strength to speak again, she leaned out to face Rangi. There was not a single bit of insincerity on Kyoshi’s face. As she tried to gather her voice, she told her something that she hasn’t said enough.

“I love you,” Kyoshi stared at Rangi lovingly, lightly brushing the side of her face. “I love you so much.”

Rangi tried to catch her breath, she still felt the sting of her tears but now she was smiling. She leaned in and kissed Kyoshi. They still held on to each other, this feeling of release was enveloping both of them.

With time, the tears subsided along with the thoughts that plagued Kyoshi. Now the only thing left was that warm feeling in her chest, knowing that someone loved her.

It was like being able to feel again.

But she did think about something else. She thought about that day by the lake, when Rangi had told her how she felt. She remembered what Rangi said, about how she deserved happiness, about how painful it was to watch her suffer. But there was one thing that still stuck in her mind.

“If I were better at my job you would never feel scared. Only loved.”

And she did. Even then, at that very moment, she still felt loved by her.

The light of the candle its last few flickers before it dimmed completely.

#avatar #atla #the rise of kyoshi #the shadow of kyoshi #kyoshi #rangi #trok #tsok #fan fic #to heal part 4 #to heal chapter 4

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gothamundernightlight · 4 years ago

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So, I’ve already written a little bit on this subject, but seeing so many people bring it up really gets me excited about the topic! Therefore, in this essay, I will discuss my theory on the political structures in the Earth Kingdom, and the relating issues of economic and geographical influences.

WARNING: THIS CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER. If you do not wish to be spoiled, DO NOT READ!

Starting off with referencing the map (which is the image featured above, with relative locations labelled, as well as the path of the original GAang as they travelled through the Earth Kingdom), the Earth Kingdom is huge. It is legitimately the largest landmass in the universe on a geographic scale.

The main continent itself is divided by some pretty extensive geographical features, including the canyon/The Great Divide, the swamp, and the Si Wong desert, as well as the mountain range in the northernmost section of the continent, which is home to the Northern Air Temple. That’s not even mentioning the massive river and lake that subdivides the continent into three separate landmasses, segregating the main city of Ba Sing Se from the rest of the Earth Kingdom.

So how does politics fit into all of this? Well, we know that there is in fact an Earth King, although it was made excessively clear that he does not know the extent of what he is king of, thanks to the Dai Li. That, combined with the isolationist views of the capitol city of Ba Sing Se would have meant that for the most part, the remaining Earth Kingdom would have been pretty self-sustaining, despite the refuge that the city provided. So, for the most part, the best comparison I can draw is that the remaining Earth Kingdom was effectively divided into states, much like America, or Austrailia, or poleis like in Ancient Greece, and authority structures, and land divisions were devised based on that.

Another problem is literally the geographical makeup of the continent in the first place. Most of the population of the Earth Kingdom is closely proximated to the capitols and/or water, or live on the massive archipelagos that border the continent. This makes sense giving people’s natural desire to settle near bodies of water, and also makes it easy to understand why the small Earth Kingdom settlements on the West coast were the first to feel the wrath of the Fire Nation’s slow invasion. The large river, featuring ferry traffic would have stunted consistent foot traffic and trade travel (Only exports from Ba Sing Se, no imports. NO CABBAGES!!!) Omashu was similar, meaning the only transcontinental trade was circulating mostly between other villages, or they were all self-sustaining from local water sources and farmlands. Again, this is reinforced by the existence of dams, which would have meant a large water source for large populations in rural areas. The desert, swamp, and mountains would have also prevented travellers for the most part (unless you happened to have a boat or a flying bison)

My theory is is that the Earth Kingdom has been like this for a long while, since the reign of Chin the Conquerer in fact, from Avatar Kyoshi’s time, or even prior to that during Avatar Kuruk’s era. While Ba Sing Se is the utmost legal and cultural authority of the Earth Kingdom, it’s own policies would have prevented it from effectively ruling anything outside of it’s own walls. This is somewhat backed by Aang never confirming that he had been to Ba Sing Se, despite saying he had been “everywhere”. (*A.N. I thought at one point Aang had confirmed he had never been to Ba Sing Se, but I couldn’t find the quote)

With a total unwillingness for government to travel out to enforce any legal authority, and near impossible geographical conditions to get in, the Earth Kingdom would have had to divide, even if no one was going to actually confirm it by forcibly taking it until the Fire Nation showed up.

So, with that in mind, the idea of an additional monarchy forming in the Earth Kingdom, especially in Omashu, is not only plausible, it’s likely. The large city would have needed a solid government, especially with the extensive military structure that was present (Book 2, Episode 1).

Omashu would have had more contact with local villages than Ba Sing Se, but they were also isolated by geographical features, like the mountains, so the towns would have not interacted much with any government on a national level. Local authorites, like gangs (Book 1, Episode 10 | Book 2, Episode 7) or “police” would have been in charge there, and the Fire Nation was all too happy to fill the gap, especially because of their proximity to the Fire Nation’s expanding borders (Book 1, Episode 6)

Even Aang’s personal childhood friendship with King Bumi solidifies the idea that the monarchy of Omashu was legitimate. Avatars in the past have been known to closely connect with monarchs, and area authorities; Aang with Bumi and Zuko, Roku with Sozin and Gyatso, and so on, because of their political influence. Connections like these would have been vital, and are similarly reflected in the interaction of foreign nobility building connections during the 14th-18th centuries in Eurasia. (**A.N. This is where I could segue into my theory on Sokka and Katara being related to Avatar Kuruk based on the similar characteristics between him and Hakoda, but that comes later.) The monks would have pushed for Aang to make strong political connections, even before they told him he was the Avatar. This does make me wonder about the political or economic class status of Kuzon, Aang’s friend from the Fire Nation, and whether or not he was related to Zuko in any way.

In conclusion, the idea that the Earth King as a title is less legitmate than Bumi’s reign, making it more of monokier than anything else. The government and geographical structures would have made ruling the Earth Kingdom as a whole incredibly difficult, if not impossible, due to the massive obstacles that were literally in the path of effective government. This is backed by the clear absence of any authority that would have prevented the invasion of the Earth Kingdom, making the divided continent easy to disable at their own fault.

Let me know what y'all think, if you agree or disagree, or have any sources that would warrant a revision or addition to this theory. I’d love to hear them!

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desiraypark · 4 years ago

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When the Sun Sleeps in Canto Bight [5]

Previous Entire Work CHAPTER PLAYERS

The Knights of Ren: Ushar, Cardo, Trudgen, Ap’lek, Vicrul aka “Vic”, and Kuruk) Kylo Ren, Leader of the Knights of Ren Ruby Girard, The Beautiful Singer CHAPTER CONTENT N*FW -| Sexual content; mention of sex work; alcohol; language; back-story Additional Notes: Galactic Standard Calendar | 1920s Stockings, Tights, Nylons, Socks History by Vintage Dancer (scroll down to see how women of color (particularly Black women) wore their stockings) Word Count: 2,721

“I don’t get it. You fuck ‘em good, you give ‘em money and nice clothes—put ‘em up in a nice place, and they still aren’t satisfied. If I was a broad, I would be a-fuckin’ okay,” Ushar said, leaning back in a chair and smoking a cigarette. “She wants the ring, man. She wants the ring,” Cardo said. He was cleaning his gun. “Well, I’ve got a damn wife! Shit!” Ushar proclaimed. The Knights of Ren—all but Kylo, Vic, and Kuruk—were sitting in office of The Garden Lounge—their flagship establishment for over thirty years. It was a placed that lived up to its name: beautiful plant décor in the lounge; sky blue walls and plush brown carpeting—girls dressed in just enough to not be obscene, but just a little to remind you of “nature”, if you will. Vic was out front entertaining guests and Kuruk was manning the office. Trudgen was leaning against the teak-wood desk, downing a glass of whiskey, while Ap’lek was stretched out across the chaise. Finally, Kylo came in.

“Evening, fellas,” Kylo said. “Evening,” they responded. “Where’s Vic?” Kylo asked as he sat behind his desk. “Minglin’,” Ap’lek answered. “Do you have your fuckin’ shoes on my couch?” Kylo asked. Ap’lek sat up and planted his feet on the floor. “Sorry, Boss.” “What’s goin’ on with the wife?” Kylo asked Ushar. He shook his head. “Wife’s fine. It’s the other one that’s bein’ a fuckin’ brat,” he responded. “Why don’t you get rid of her?” Kylo asked, organizing things that didn’t need organizing on his desk. “Pussy’s too good, man.” The Knights chuckled. “Can somebody get—” Kylo started. At that moment, Vic walked through the door and left it open. Kuruk stood outside but stayed close enough to the office to hear what was going on. Vic sat beside Ushar, and Trudgen sat beside Ap’lek on the sofa. Kylo looked up at Kuruk and waved him in. “Come on in, Kuruk. Nobody’s gonna barge in here,” he said. Kuruk nodded, closed the door, and leaned against the wall beside it. “What’s goin’ on, fellas? Ap’lek, anything you wanna discuss?” Kylo asked. “Nope.” “I hear the Kesyk gang’s got a hold of some new toys. Automatic. Fast,” Cardo chimed in. “What makes ‘em special?” Kylo asked. “Faster. More precise. Lightweight,” Cardo answered. “Interesting. Look into it. How’s tricks?” “Steady,” Ushar answered. “The johns are startin’ to get a little bold, though. One of ‘em got a little rough with Hela and she cut him.” “Why can’t these bastards shoot their fuckin’ nut and leave?” Kylo asked. “How’s Hela?” “You know her. She’s cool but she said she’ll do it again,” Ushar answered. “As she fuckin’ should.

“Yeah, but--you think that would drive men away?” Ushar asked. “These fuckin’ johns would step over alligators to get some ass. And they know we’ve got the best fuckin’ girls and guys in Canto Bight. If they act like they have some sense, they ain’t gotta worry about nobody pullin’ no fuckin’ blades on ‘em.”

Ushar shrugged in reluctant agreement, and Vic smiled to himself.

The booze?” Kylo asked.

“Booze is flowin’. Hearin’ more complaints from South Side, though,” Vic answered. “They still waterin’ the shit down?” Kylo asked. “No. This time they’re puttin’ in too much,” Vic answered.

“People goin’ in for a couple of drinks and walkin’ out eatin’ the fuckin’ concrete,” Trudgen chimed in. He polished off his whiskey. “Fuckin’ idiots. I guess the only thing we can do is give them a fuckin’ recipe book or somethin’,” Kylo said. “Anything else goin’ on?” “Nope/No, boss,” the Knights said in unison. Vic cleared his throat. “There is one thing. Ren’s cousin reached out to me,” he said. “Sheev? That fuckin’ weirdo. What does he want?” “He was very vague. Said he wanted to discuss business and his “retirement”. Said to swing by the Death Star anytime. I was thinking Primeday? Around 2?” Vic suggested. “No can do. Got plans on Primeday. Centaxday. Afternoon.” Vic nodded. **********************

PRIMEDAY

Kylo had spent the afternoon before dreaming up the perfect Primeday dinner. Everything usually closed or closed early on Primeday, so he had to think fast. Once he got an idea, he made his list and headed out to the markets—the butcher for lamb chops; the produce vendor for potatoes, mushrooms, lemons, and carrots. He’d even snatched a bottle of wine from the Garden Lounge’s inventory, and bought a chocolate cake from the bakery. Ruby agreed to be picked up at three.

When Kylo pulled up at about 2:55, Ruby stood outside her building wearing another pink dress, blue baby doll heels, white stockings, and holding a white clutch in her hand. Thick curls peeped out of her white cloche hat. As she walked to the car, he climbed out and lifted his hands. “What the fuck are you doing?” he asked. Ruby froze. “What?” “You’re supposed to wait for me to come to your fuckin’ door,” he said. Ruby shook her head and kept walking, and he walked toward her. She looked him over—his tall figure dressed from head to toe in black: black trousers, black shirt, black vest, black oxfords. “I just thought it would be more convenient for me to wait outside for you,” she fibbed. Truth was, she didn’t want Crystal sizing him up and asking him questions. Kylo took her hand and led her to the car.

Kylo had called Ruby’s building a dump. His building was nice, but so lifeless and empty. No art on the walls; no flowers. His own apartment was similar. Clean. Very clean and neat. But no art. No colorful accents to catch your eye. He had a gramophone but owned no records. At least he had a radio. After he’d poured her a glass of wine in his tiny kitchen, she’d taken it upon herself to go into the living room and turn it on. Then, she got a better look at the place—no pictures. Just a burgundy couch that appeared to never have been sat on and a dining table with only two chairs in the corner. “You gonna leave me in here by myself, Babydoll?” Kylo called from the kitchen. Ruby smiled and walked back into the kitchen. Kylo had taken off his vest and rolled up his sleeves. He was standing over his stove, putting potatoes into a pot of water. Then, he went into the icebox and pulled out a thick piece of brown paper—stuffed with something. Ruby leaned against the counter and watched him work, trying to bite down a smile. “Tell me about yourself,” he requested. Ruby took a sip of her wine. “You first.” She saw his chest rise and fall, trapping a chuckle. “What do you wanna know?” Ruby thought back to the things Crystal told her. Where to start? Why did he call himself Kylo Ren if he was a Solo? An Organa? She chose to point at the most intriguing target. “Did you try to kill your father?” she asked. Kylo dropped pieces of meat into a bowl he’d filled with water. “I didn’t try to kill him. We got into a fight. He was winning. I pulled a knife on him to scare him off.” Ruby’s jaw dropped. “Oh…” Kylo didn’t continue. “May I ask what the fight was about?” Kylo sighed. He grabbed a bottle of vinegar from his cupboard and poured some into the bowl.

“I’d been out with some friends. Fuckin’ around. Stayed the night with some br--some girl--and didn’t come home until the next morning. I was 18. Thought I was a man. My dad wouldn’t let me inside. Told me I was falling to the Dark Side...that I needed to repent and start coming to sanctuary with him, yada-yada-yada. I told him to shove his sanctuary up his ass and we just started brawlin’ in front of the neighbors.” “So, you’ve always been a little smart mouth,” Ruby joked. Kylo laughed. “Not always. I was just tired of people telling me what to do.” Ruby put her wine glass on the counter, grabbed the edge, then lifted herself to sit high. Then, she yanked off her hat and fluffed her hair. “What did your mom have to say about all of this?” she asked. “She did what she usually did. Defended me in front of him. Because she hates him just as much as I do. But told me how much of a disappoint I was to her behind closed doors.” Ruby’s watched Kylo move about in silence--moving the meat around in the bowl. Everything was making sense. The typical tale—poor little rich boy, rebellious and angry. He glanced at her, then avoided her sympathetic stare--placing his eyes on the pot of boiling potatoes instead.

“I’m sorry you went through that,” she said. He shrugged and washed his hands.

"Eh. I’m over it. It was a long time ago,” he said. He dried his hands on a towel, then poured himself a glass of wine. “Your turn,” he said as he poured.

“What do you want to know?” Ruby asked, echoing him. “Tell me about your parents.” He rested his hip against the counter and took a sip.

“I think…my mom is essentially your dad,” she said with chuckle. “Everything is dark-sided to her. Singing about anything unrelated to the gods. The radio. Picture shows. Lipstick. She didn’t have to put me out. As soon as I turned 18, I was outta there.” Kylo listened to Ruby speak, but found himself getting lost in her--her hands that moved with every word she said; brown legs that lifted by the knee when the edge of the counter started cutting off her circulation. Even when she talked, there seemed to be a melody in her voice. She spoke highly of her father—apparently he was a laid-back and funny man—and she justified her mother’s puritan ways by admission of her being protective and caring. “So, mom wouldn’t think too highly of me, huh?” Kylo asked. “Oh, she’d probably melt into a puddle, she’d be so incensed,” Ruby said with a laugh. She guzzled the remainder of her wine. Ruby’s laugh made him smile. He tapped his fingers against his wine glass. “What does Ruby think about me?” he asked. A stillness fell over her. She stared at Kylo’s face—dark eyes boring into her; long waves draped over the side of his face as the result of a side part. Her eyes fell onto the stitches on his cheek, then back at his irises. “I think you’re impulsive and hot-headed,” she said. Kylo rolled his eyes and smirked. “…and passionate. Maybe even loyal...in search of something…” Potatoes began to knock against each other in the pot. Kylo stared into Ruby’s eyes, then at her painted lips. They parted just a centimeter, as though tired of being pressed together. Tired of not being touched. Kylo leaned in close and stopped. Ruby traveled the rest of the space and pressed her lips to his. He moved to stand directly in front of her and held the nape of her neck, pulling her closer as she rested her hands on his waist. He stopped kissing her but didn’t pull his face away. “You want me to stop?” he asked breathlessly. His heart was pounding and he silently prayed that she said “no”. “No,” she said. Kylo pressed his lips back against hers and ran his hand up her thigh. She held the back of his neck and deepened their kiss—pushing her tongue into his mouth. He let her tongue in, and the hand that was on her neck, moved up to grab a handful of her curls. Ruby moaned into his mouth and opened her knees. The feeling of Ruby’s knees moving against him made Kylo stiffen. His hand moved further up her thigh, and in between them. He slipped two fingers past the seat of her panties and rubbed them against her outer lips. Then, he rubbed his way to her warm core and pushed them inside. Ruby pulled her face away and rested her head against the cupboard. Her eyes were wide. “Your fingers are big,” she said with shock in her voice. Kylo smiled and kept fingering. He pushed her left knee open some more, then watched her face crinkle. She closed her eyes and bit down on her lip—allowing ecstasy to overtake her. Then, he stopped fingering her and bent at his waist. Just as he did so, the water on the stove began to boil harder. He jumped up—annoyed at the stove for doing its job—turned the burner off, yanked Ruby’s panties down, and put them in his pants pocket. Then, he pushed back the skirt of Ruby’s dress. She tilted to the left to lift the right hem, then tilted to the right to lift the left—revealing the hooked garters that pressed into her fleshy thighs and held her nylons up. She let the bottom of her dress bunch at her waist.

Kylo stared at her vulva—everything. The lips; the slit leaking from its top and probably down to her core with arousal; the brown rosebud that was fighting to be seen. Ruby pressed her palms against the counter and opened her legs more. Kylo smirked. “Anxious?” he asked. “Yes. I am,” she answered—breath loud, hot, and sure. Kylo bent at the waist and turned his body to the side. He dipped his head between Ruby’s inner thighs, and without hesitation, rapidly flicked his pointed tongue against her clit. Ruby cried out and grabbed a handful of his hair, moaning as he lapped her up. He didn’t abandon an inch of her—tongue venturing around, over, and inside of her—causing her to grind against his face. With a mouth full of pussy, he stared up at her, ego steadily growing with every squirm, every twitch of her brow and every bite of her lip. When he stuck his fingers back inside, she tightened her grip against his scalp and finally looked down at him. The sight of him looking up at her with darkened eyes made her own eyes close again, but he put space between his lips and her flesh. “Look at me when you come,” he said. A chill went down Ruby’s spine and she looked down into Kylo’s eyes. He inserted a third finger and massaged her walls as he sucked and ravaged her clit. Suddenly, he felt her contracting over his fingers. Her jaw dropped and a strained sound left her throat. Then, she let out an endless high-pitched moan and tried to pull away from his lips—but Kylo didn’t stop until his tongue absorbed the very last drop of her sweet cum. She fell backward and rested her head on the cupboard again—loud breaths filling the quiet of the kitchen. Barely giving her a minute, Kylo peeled her off the counter and tossed her over his shoulder—making her squeal as if she were on an amusement ride. He carried her to his bedroom and dropped her onto his bed. He pulled off her shoes, then pulled at the buttons of his vest. Ruby sat up, pulled her dress over her head, unclasped her bra, and tugged at the hook on her right garter. “Keep those on,” he said. He stared at her thighs and licked his lips.

Ruby moved her hand and fell back. She watched Kylo get completely naked. She barely got a good look at him before he was on top of her, planting kisses against her neck. He grabbed her right leg and pressed it back so that her knee was over her chest. Shortly after, she felt something warm and stiff rubbing against the outside of her core—it pressed into her, and the pressure sent a wave throughout her entire body. “Fuck…” they whimpered at the same time. Then, they chuckled. Kylo kissed her lips and inhaled her moans as he pushed more inches into her. He caught her grabbing the blanket in his peripheral, and slowly penetrated her until he couldn’t go any further. “You okay?” he asked. “Yes,” she strained to answer.

He grabbed her left hand and placed it over the meatiest part of his waist. Then, he dragged out of her, and drove back in. He held on to her right thigh, the leg still pushed back, and dipped in and out of her—fast enough to please, but slow enough for the both of them to feel their lover’s every twitch and pulse, and grip and stroke.

#when the sun sleeps in canto bight #chapter 6 coming thursday

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