#most difficult couple in entire galaxy

[pararararablof]

Showing up at couple therapy in a mood🫠

[starcurtain]

What do you think Aventurine would be like as a boss?

Aventurine's first character story tells us that people both outside the IPC and internal to the Strategic Investment Department are explicitly racist toward him, so I would say first that I suspect Aventurine's team is much, much smaller than other Stonehearts like Topaz. For example, we constantly see Topaz's dumb "support squad" following her around in most of the events she shows up in, while we've never been introduced to a single "Aventurine support squad" member.

My suspicion is that, between the rampant racism and the undoubtedly common rumors about Aventurine's dangerous behavior, very few people are even willing to be put on his team in the first place. I suspect he's much more likely to be paired up with one or two "strategic partners" (like Ratio) and sent to handle things that way, rather than actually having a large group of underlings he directly supervises.

But just logistically speaking I'm sure he does have a few underlings, and I think... He's probably a very difficult person to work for, for a couple reasons:

He will almost certainly beat assholes to the punch. If a majority of the people who have been assigned to work with him don't want to be there, you can bet he's not going to wait around for new people to prove they are racist garbage. I imagine that, for the most part, he's off-putting and offensive to new people from the get-go. You ask which desk is yours and he just goes "Oh, feel free to set your things anywhere!" then turns around like: "Wowwww. Jim, this rookie is trying to steal the desk you've had for ten years! How inconsiderate our new friend is proving to be~!" New people on his team probably have the worst few weeks of their lives. (Because... If people are going to hate him on principle alone, he might as well give them a reason, right?) However, this has the effect of weeding out most of the people who are incapable of dealing with Aventurine's antics, so I imagine that the few who persevere through the hazing are probably genuinely decent folks. Those that make it past the initial "Let's see how much you hate Sigonians and disrespect me personally" vibe check probably end up on Aventurine's good side, and I think he eventually eases off his newbies after a while. (Not before they've proven their exceedingly high tolerance for shenanigans and even higher ceiling for shock factor, though. If a new employee makes it past the first month of working for Aventurine, literally nothing else will ever phase them. An elephant-sized Warp Trotter could warp them all six galaxies over and they'd just be like "Anyone got a working cell? I need to tell my babysitter I won't be back by 9.")

I think he's just never there. Absentee boss in the extreme. It's not that he ever slacks or doesn't do the work--it's just that he's constantly going off and doing the missions all on his own. It doesn't matter how many times the higher-ups assign him to do a team task, tell him he has to take the full squad... He just scampers off and does the deal entirely on his own, comes back covered in blood, and is like "Hey guys, I took care of the problem; enjoy some comp time on me!" I don't think he drags his average-level underlings into his dangerous gambles; I think he just does all the work with their clients by himself or with a high-caliber partner. You would think this would make him a great boss to work for, but I implore to put yourself in such an employee's shoes: You go into the office every morning only to see your to-do list is empty. Your boss isn't there to give you any new direction. After twiddling your thumbs for four hours, you find out the reason he isn't in the office this morning is that he's recovering from betting he could take an entire pack of Borisin in a fist fight. He's not in the hospital because of the fight (which he won). He's in the hospital because he was then promptly shot in the back by the guy he was betting with. Why is your life like this? Why must you be subjected to the soap opera of your boss's own self-destructive spiral?

Even when he's around, he's probably weirdly awkward. Don't get me wrong, I bet when he's in a good mood he throws all kinds of extravagant parties in the office, and his employees would never lack for bonuses and perks. But I think he has never really bothered to learn--or perhaps simply does not care--about normal managerial behaviors and boundaries. Like, you slip up and tell him your mother-in-law is in the hospital. He comes back five minutes later to tell you he's just bought six bouquets (sent from your address), commissioned a personally embossed card for her with your monogram, and contracted the services of the best-reviewed individualized medical team in Pier Point under your name. He's patting himself on the back for being an incredibly thoughtful boss. You don't know how to tell him that you haven't spoken to your mother-in-law in years, not since her last attempt to poison you. Every six months he buys the whole team new cars. You have no idea what to do with all these cars. It's too many cars. Put some cars back. He calls everyone his "friend," but even after working for him for years, you still have absolutely no idea about his likes, dislikes, or hobbies outside of the IPC. You could not name his favorite food if someone put a gun to your head. Does he exist outside of the workplace? You literally can't imagine him anywhere but on a mission or at a poker table. He's constantly bringing an "I am the party!" vibe to the room, but everyone else is a bored 8-5 worker who doesn't have a drop of enthusiasm left in their veins. It's like when a singer asks the audience to cheer along with a song, but nobody in the audience makes a peep. Absolutely no one in the IPC cubicles can match his particular freak. Aventurine's a smooth-talker and a street-smart cookie for sure, but something about the way his smile looks like it's made out of plastic when anyone tries to engage him in chitchat at the water cooler gives you the vague impression that he's probably never had an actual friend in his life. If "uncanny valley" was a vibe a workplace could have, Aventurine's office would have it.

Long story longer, I think Aventurine has very few people willing to tolerate him as a boss, whether because they are racist or simply because his quirks are just too quirky. However, I like to imagine the few who have hung in there are ride or die. You know they have an "Aventurine Protection Squad" group chat. They probably all wear peacock-teal and gold accessories in solidarity. They have definitely disappeared people for talking shit on their boss before. Aventurine has no idea how much they actually like him.

[shadowgast-recs-weekly]

This week, we have eleven fics that feature Caleb, Essek, and at least one other person involved! Look behind the cut for some Shadowidomauk, some Blumenshadow, some Fjord/Essek/Caleb and more!

amongst the things left unforgiven by nonwal (63958, Mature) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

“In which a pair of scourgers shows up at Essek’s doorstep and saves him from himself.“ Slow-burn blumenshadow featuring heavy mistrust, mind games that aren’t mind games, and Caleb mostly in the background thinking he doesn’t deserve to be loved.

Reccer says: One of my all time faves. Nonwal’s gorgeous prose and characterization of these 4 is always top notch, but the dialogue?! The spy vs. spy mind games? The poetic descriptions of longing and grief? The visceral feeling of constant low-level panic punctuated by a full panic attack and maybe developing a crush on your current crush’s evil exes? The DIALOGUE (again)?!?! Absolutely stunning. Side note: chapter 4 features the best Jester dialogue I have ever read. The tag “openly declaring your mutual distrust can be a love language if you do it right” says so much and I love it.

Happily Ever Laughter by Settiai (1288, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: Veth’s alcoholism is brought up a few times but isn’t the focus.

Adorable Essek/Caleb/Veth/Yeza slice of life fic. Polyamory is not nearly as difficult as trying to teach a hyperactive 6 year old magic can be.

Reccer says: Incredibly sweet little domestic fic. The rapport between them is so soft and gentle and well-worn like the most comfortable pair of old house slippers. The moments where Yeza and Caleb glance at each other and manage to communicate in absolute silence (in that pseudo-telepathic way that some real parenting couples often do) are just so perfect, and Veth still finding Essek somewhat aggravating even while she loves him is :chefskiss: delightful.

Three’s Company by flammablehat (2074, Explicit) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Caleb, Essek, and Fjord have a threesome, and Essek is maybe more than a little jealous about it.

Reccer says: Possessek is always a favorite! Fjord is fjeisty, and Caleb is having the time of his life. It’s both hot and tense.

altogether, infinite possibilities by ivelostmyspectacles (199305, Explicit) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Essek has barely begun to cement his place in Caleb’s life when they bring Mollymauk Tealeaf back from the dead. Slowly, the three of them adapt together.

Reccer says: First part of a series! This was my entry point into Shadowgast!

in the pieces of what's left or what we've found by SeaWitchDreams (14620, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Astrid takes some time to figure out how she wants to rebuild her life (and who she wants to rebuild it with.)

Reccer says: a wonderfully subtle and contemplative character study, featuring four wizards carefully dancing around each other

the sea, the stars, the dreamers by nonwal (111996, Explicit) Reccer's Content Notes: suicidal ideation

Essek sacrifices his budding relationship with Caleb to marry Archmage Astrid Beck - for the good of the entire galaxy. But whatever Astrid's reason for marrying him is, is not nearly as noble.

Reccer says: This fic takes an unusual premise (Blumenshadow arranged marriage spaceship murder mystery with sea shanties?) and *commits* to it. Still incomplete, but if you've liked this author's other works, you won't regret taking a chance on this one.

(Oh,) How a Human Burns by witches_chant (18318, Explicit) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

This is a story about Essek trying to prepare for eventual loss, depending on if Caleb wants to use the Clone spell or not. But it’s also a story about a lazy, sexy vacation on Rumblecusp where the couple stumble upon a service top and learn things about their relationship (with a happy ending!).

Reccer says: It’s both hot as hell AND feelsy! It’s a really interesting take on Caleb & Essek’s relationship. Honestly I recommend the entire series.

Victim of Convenience by se1ze (54243, Explicit) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Essek and Caleb are together, Essek and Kingsley get together, and Kingsley is losing his mind because Caleb can’t get his shit together. An exploration of the very complicated feelings that crop up when a) no one seems to understand who you are, and b) someone you love thinks they need to stay gone for your own good.

Reccer says: The dialogue is fantastic, the sex is wonderful, and the hurt/comfort is amazing. It establishes the foundation upon which Essek/Kingsley can be a thing in a way that is both endearing and completely believable. Caleb is oblivious to how much Kingsley loves him, and once again hurts those around him by throwing himself on his sword.

(nothing in my bones can say) just where you’ve been by SaltCore (8216, Explicit) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

It takes more time than Caleb realized to get home from the Hellcatch Valley, and in his absence, Essek’s tentative alliance with Astrid and Eadwulf has grown to something more.

Reccer says: Soft and complicated and briefly heartbreaking. The way it manages to feel like an outsider POV reinforces the sense of missing time, of having missed a massive change, and the softness and warmth of everyone’s love for each other is palpable throughout even in the most tense and anxious of moments.

i'll meet judgement by the hounds by necromanticomedy (yelenavasilyevna) (6553, Explicit) Reccer's Content Notes: Dubcon/Consensual Non Consent, knifeplay

Astrid and Eadwulf come to a dinner party to meet Essek Thelyss. Things either go very poorly or very well, depending on your definitions.

Reccer says: the author called it a "insane psychosexual foursome" but neglected to mention that it's the best insane psychosexual foursome you'll ever read

To The Bone by thetickingclock (2919, Teen) Reccer's Content Notes: No Content Notes

Snapshots of Astrid and Eadwulf's opinion of Essek changing over time (and proximity to Caleb Widogast.)

Reccer says: Hits all my favorite notes when it comes to Blumenshadow, and there's an astounding amount of characterization and relationship development packed into less than 3k words.

Aeor is for Lovers is an 18+ Shadowgast Discord server. The above fanfic recommendations were pulled from our community for this weekly event. All fics, unless otherwise specified, will primarily feature Shadowgast. Have any questions about what this is? Check out the FAQ! Next week, we’ll be back with Lifespan Angst!

[carionto]

I like to think the humans ambassador hides black powder weapons around their office instead of Lazer guns or plasma, just walks about with 2 hidden flintlock pistols

You sir or madam or otherwise have given me the biggest grin with that idea, thank you.

(me from after having written it out) I did not know where this idea would take me, stream of consciousness writing will do that.

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

Every delegate of every integrated species aboard a Coalition governing station in their respective segment of the Galaxy receives full accommodations in the form of an isolated embassy structure.

One day, as per a Human custom, the main delegate - Ambassador Glenn York, invited several other delegates on a tour of his embassy. With some hesitation from a few due to their prey-like ancestry and associated cultural background, but ultimately won over by the Human's eager friendliness, they embarked on this little cultural exchange.

It was a little difficult to move about, as each embassy is adapted to suit the environmental preferences of the respective species, and Humans live on a high gravity and dense atmosphere world, so much so in fact, some of the less physically suitable delegates had to put on an exoskeleton, while many others required a breathing apparatus to thin out the poisonous air.

Once we were underway, Glenn showed us that the Humans were diligent in their work - acquiring information from and learning about all the various species within the Coalition, establishing communication lines with the respective counterparts in the disparately varied local government structures, and most importantly continually updating the translation modules.

In addition, we admired their art they had installed along the barren walls. Most, Glenn explained, was done by the delegates and their staff themselves during free time, and it ranged from tiny contraptions painstakingly assembled within a minuscule glass container (we did not realize they could hone their dexterity to such a precise degree!) to large murals covering an entire wall with the most vivid color and shape combinations one could imagine; from the very clear and obvious to impossibly abstract! Though the music they had to turn down - the vibrations of the thick atmosphere were beginning to overload the dampening systems and one of the delegates almost passed out.

Near the end of the tour, Glenn invited us into his office to show off what his "hobby" is:

"The boys and gals I work with are all talented people, but none of them appreciate the kind of craftsmanship I prefer. It's kind of a ancient art form, you see, high maintenance too, very delicate."

He pulls out a pair of ancient looking projectile weapons, at least judging by the shape, but none of us can quite grasp, aside from the trigger, how it operates. We are all silent as he pours some sort of fine grain from a small bag into the upturned tube then drops a small metal ball and proceeds to jam it further in with a cloth and stick.

"I handcrafted these myself. Sure, I could get a printer to do it and it'd be perfect, but perfection just ain't right when it comes to work of the soul, amirite? I find it therapeutic, to mold the shape, heat the iron, cast the shape, smooth the edges, straighten the barrel, carve the grip, roll the bullets, grind the powder... just..."

He lets out a long sigh of relief? satisfaction? euphoria? as he gazes with great affection at the pair of devices in his hands. We feel the urge to end the tour. Like. Right now. But Glenn insists on a demonstration. We hesitantly follow him to a largely empty room below where he sets up a couple of small wooden block on a pedestal. As he points one of the devices and is about to pull the trigger, he stops, looks back at us and says:

"Almost forgot, you'll want to take a few more steps back and turn your dampeners to max."

Heeding his advice, we do so, and after he appears satisfied with our... safety?... he returns his gaze to the wooden block and pulls the trigger.

[cacophony]

We awaken after a short while, the sturdier of our fellow delegates say the rest of us were out for just a few moments, but the ringing reverberation of the shockwave through the Human atmosphere still resonates throughout our bodies. Glenn, worry in his eyes, is apologizing profusely:

"Oh I am so sorry, I didn't think you'd still react so poorly. Is anyone hurt? I even put in less gunpowder than normal, but I guess that's still too potent. I--I'll file an official apology and compensate for any damages I may have caused to any of you. I will take full responsibility for this incident. Please do not think poorly of us as a whole due to the willfulness of one individual, it was never my intention to inflict any injury on anyone."

---Later---

After a thorough medical examination, it was determined that only a few delegates suffered a minor case of shock, which was alleviated rapidly at their respective medical stations. Ambassador Glenn York was reprimanded and sent back to Earth, a replacement will arrive shortly. The one permanent remnant of the incident is the wooden block that was struck by Glenn's pistol - now put on a small display in one of the inner rooms of the Human embassy. The bullet still embedded half-way and the splinters it shot out arranged in a chaotic manner, befitting an explosion, down in front.

[fuck-john-calvin]

Because of some cool art you made I want to dip my toe into the Mechanisms.

where do I find the story?

So I don't know how much you know about them, but the basics are:

The Mechanisms is a band in which each member has a persona. They are a crew of immortal space pirates, roaming the galaxy in search of violence, fun, and stories to tell. Each persona character can be referred to as a mechanism, as in a member of the crew, but they each also have a mechanism, a clockwork prosthetic of some sort that was installed after they each had their own tragic story and made them immortal.

When they find a good, long, juicy tragedy, they turn it into an album. They also have two anthology albums, with some songs connecting to the wider stories and some completely independent of them, and a couple containing mechanisms lore. Their last album is from the live show of their final performance.

All of these albums stand on their own, and there is no particular order you need to listen to them in. They each contain characters and places from classic stories, putting unique sci-fi spins on them all and following queer narratives. I'd say bury your gays, but honestly, it's more like bury your gays and the entire planet they lived on, along with everything they ever held dear.

here's a summary of each, stolen from the mechs blurbs themselves:

Once Upon a Time (In Space)-

This tale tells of those embroiled in the rebellion against the tyrant of New Constantinople, Old King Cole. It tells of the love of Cinders for her captured Rose, of the treatment of Rose at the hands of Cole's genetic scientists, and of the bold but savage leadership of the rebel General Snow. And it tells of the final fates of all of these.

fairy tale but make it a rebellion. their first album, contains many of their most popular songs. solid. not personally one of my favorites, but the one I'm most likely to be listening to a song from on any given day. our boy jack and pump shanty are excellent.

High Noon Over Camelot-

A tale of hope and despair aboard the Fort Galfridian, long lost to the outside world, where the chaos of centuries of solitude has been brought in check at last by the guns of the Pendragon Gang. But the visions of the mad prophet Galahad, and the schemes of the Pendragons' lieutenants Mordred and Gawain, threaten to cast the station back into anarchy. And all the while, the Sun grows hotter...

arthurian legend has just become a space westerner in which everyone rides motorcycles and a fiery death threatens them all. haven't listened to it yet, but I've heard great things. Blood and Whiskey is a banger, and Arthur, Lancelot, and Guinevere are in a polycule, something I didn't know I needed until I heard it suggested.

Ulysses Dies At Dawn-

Ulysses Dies at Dawn. That's the word on the street, at any rate, if you talk to anyone who saw what went down at Calypso's Bar the other night. Who is behind the thuggish band known as the Suits - Heracles, Ariadne and the others? What is Ulysses's secret? And what is hidden within the security of the Vault?

I'm going to be completely honest with you. I think this is no-contest their best album. It's greek mythology in noir film style, with heavy usage of blues and rock. I don't even like blues, but I love each and every song. This one is also a little easier to follow than the others. I'd recommend starting here.

The Bifrost Incident-

The Bifrost Incident. Any schoolchild could tell you about it. The fall of the old order; two hundred years of Asgardian hubris come together in a single epoch-defining event. The maiden voyage of a train through the stars, vanished without a trace...

Remember how I think the last one was the best one? Well, this is still my favorite. Norse mythology framed as a mystery on a train, with a twist completely out of left field that leaves you reeling. Thus, it is probably the most difficult to follow, or at least, it was for me. The art you liked-which wasn't mine, unfortunately, credit to the artists is on the post if you want to check those blogs out-featured variations of the narrator from this album. let's just say I'm. not so normal about them.

well. ANYWAYS. this was...probably longer than what you wanted. Or than what I should have given. I don't get asks a lot and an excuse to talk about the mechanisms is always something I am willing to abuse.

If you do end up listening to any of their music, please tell me what you think! I'd love to hear it, and it's always nice to talk about them with someone else :)

[hellhoundmaggie]

Happy Birthday (Rex x F!Reader, Echo & F!Reader, Cody & F!Reader)

For @diviluscorner, as part of @cloneficgiftexchange ‘s Song Fic Exchange

Your boyfriend Rex, along with his brothers Cody and Echo, have been hiding out at your farmhouse for a few months now. They want to return the favor by giving you the perfect birthday.

Lyrics prompts:

● "We were chasing after hopes and dreams, and we're still under the stars" || "And it was written, 'cause the stars said I was yours and you would be mine all along" (Paradise, NSync [Justin Timberlake])

● "And who knows what it'll cost me, or how long it'll last?" // "Cause what I learned from waiting is waiting never lasts" (Homeward, Benjamin William Hastings)

Tags: fire, fluff, SFW

Word count: 1,937

I hope today is your birthday, @diviluscorner. If not, I understand if you read the fic early. I hope you find these boys as sweet as you need them to be!

Rex watched you leave from your farmhouse window. He waited until you crested the hill, dipping out of sight, to turn back to Cody and Echo. This was one of the most important missions of his life, and he couldn’t let you on to his plan. Even though you’d let them use your farm as a de facto base for the Clone Underground these past few months, sheltered a dozen of their defector brothers, kept all their secrets from the Empire. Even though you’d opened your heart to him. In fact, that was exactly why you had to be kept in the dark, why he could only trust two of his most loyal men to pull this off.

Echo and Cody stood up from the kitchen table, still covered with the remnants of the breakfast the four of you had just shared. Rex frowned. He understood full well why his brothers clung to the military discipline they’d had drilled into them their entire lives. Structure was a comfort in a chaotic galaxy. But if the clones were going to live among civilians, they’d have to start adopting some civilian habits. That was part of the purpose behind this mission, after all. Still, it couldn’t hurt to go along with them a little.

“At ease, men. Sit down and let’s start this briefing.” Cody and Echo obeyed, but still eyed their captain expectantly. The mission was as important to them as it was to Rex. He cleared his throat.

“Men, our mission is simple. Using all resources at our disposal, we throw my cyare the best surprise birthday party she’s ever had.”

This was about more than throwing a party. None of the clones had ever celebrated a birthday – they weren’t born so much as decanted. Even the Jedi generals, who’d encouraged the clones’ individuality, didn’t mark their own births with any kind ceremony. Birthdays were a civilian tradition. If clones could throw a successful birthday party, that would prove they could adapt to civilian life.

More importantly, it would show you that Rex could be part of your life. Though you hadn’t been dating long, it was increasingly difficult for him to imagine his own life without you in it. He recalled that first night you shared a bed, your breath gentle and deep as you slept, your face stripped of all guardedness. He knew that, no matter what, he had to protect you. And he knew how hard things had been for you this year, between helping the Clone Underground and keeping up with your own farm chores. Rex and the others helped you when they could, but they had to be away on missions so often and couldn’t always be there. So when you offhandedly mentioned your birthday was in a couple of weeks, Rex remembered and began formulating his plan.

Rex began the briefing by explaining the basic components of a surprise birthday party: the presents, the decorations, the cake, the traditional ambush.

“I thought civvies didn’t like being ambushed.” Echo said. “I mean, no more than a soldier would. Are you sure she’ll like that?”

“We’re not going to attack her, Echo.” Rex waved his arm dismissively. “We’re simply going to jump out and yell ‘Surprise!’ Then we’ll bring out the cake and sing the birthday song – which I expect each of you to have memorized in advance. She’ll blow out the candles –”

“Captain, is the fire really necessary?”

“It’s festive, Echo.” Rex said, pinching the bridge of his nose. Maybe this would be harder than he’d anticipated.

“If you say so, sir.” Echo settled back in his chair. “But this whole birthday business seems dangerous to me.”

“But we trust your judgement, Captain.” Cody gave Echo a pointed look before turning back to Rex. “She’s your girl, you know her best. If you think she’ll enjoy this, we’ll do what we can to help you.”

“Thank you, Cody.” Even if they couldn’t always cut the chatter, Echo and Cody were reliable. Rex trusted them with his life. Perhaps they could pull this off after all. “You’re in charge of the decorations, then.”

Cody frowned, uncertain, but nodded. “I’ll make sure it’s festive, sir.”

“Then I’ll make the cake,” Echo said. “I’m still learning my way around the kitchen, but I’ll do my best. What about you, sir?”

“I’ve got a special gift for her in the works. One of our contacts owes me a favour, and I’m cashing it in.” Rex cut his brothers a smile. “That doesn’t mean you’re off the hook, though. I expect your gifts to be nothing less than outstanding. Understand?”

“Yes, sir!”

“Dismissed.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~```

A week later, on the day of the party, Rex returned from town with a smile on his face. He had felt a pang of guilt that morning – when you’d left to check on the fences, so preoccupied you didn’t even respond to his goodbye, he’d almost let the tooka out of the bag. it was awful keeping secrets from you, even when it was temporary and for your sake. But at least that meant the surprise would stay a surprise. Cody and Echo had already secured their gifts and already started on the preparations when Rex left for town. And the contact had surrendered Rex’s gift to you with a minimum of haggling. Rex patted his breast pocket, where the precious cargo rested close to his heart. Yes, this would all go off without a hitch.

Rex entered the house to find Cody putting up the last of his decorations in the living room. Dozens of candles twinkled throughout the room, illuminating homemade banners, festooned with your name, hanging across the ceiling. “Just like you said, Captain.” Cody spread his arms wide, showing off his handiwork. “Festive.”

“Nicely done, soldier. How’s Echo doing with the cake?”

“Should be taking it out of the oven any minute!” Echo leaned into the room. “And the frosting came out perfect, if I do say so myself.” He waved his artificial arm for emphasis – he’d swapped out his scomp attachment for a spatula, which was covered with the gooey foodstuff.

“Excellent, excellent. And she should be home soon. Everyone keep an ear out so we can hide –“

A horrific stench wafted from the kitchen, and Rex’s stomach clenched. Even as he crossed the house to open the oven door, he quailed at what he knew was inside. Smoke billowed out of the oven, revealing the cake, black and scarred as the surface of Mustafar.

“Echo, what happened?”

“I don’t know, captain. I used all the right ingredients! The only change I made was –”

“What.” Rex rounded on Echo.

“Well, the recipe said to bake the cake at one hundred and seventy-five degrees for half an hour. But I was running short on time, so I figured three hundred and fifty degrees for fifteen minutes should do it –"

“Echo, that is not how temperature works –”

A scream from the living room interrupted Rex. He and Echo rushed in to discover flames licking at the caf table, spilling onto the rug.

“The banner fell on the candles! Oh kriff, oh kriff –”

Echo shook his head. “I knew this birthday business was dangerous.”

“Help me put this damn fire out!” Rex grabbed a nearby blanket and started beating at the table, but it took Cody and the kitchen fire extinguisher to put out the flames.

“Well, at least the burnt part isn’t that bad, is it?” Echo gestured at the charred caf table. “Adds character.”

Cody’s face twisted with despair. “Echo, it is that bad.”

“Okay, okay.” Rex ran his fingers through his hair. “We can still pull this off.” They had to pull this off. This had to be good for you. “Cody, you find something to cover up this table. Echo, you fix that cake somehow. We should still have half an hour before she gets back –”

“I’m home early!”

Rex’s throat went tight as you walked into the living room. Your eyes wide, you looked to the men, to him, for some explanation.

Echo plastered a rictus grin on his face, waggled his good arm. “Surprise?”

“Give up, Echo. There’s no salvaging this.” Cody turned to you. “Vod, this is my fault. I should’ve realised fire and flimsi don’t mix.”

“And I ruined your cake. I’m sorry, I –”

“No.” Rex stepped forward. “Echo and Cody aren’t to blame. This was my idea. My responsibility.” His failure. He was a fool to think he could understand your world. To try and make what you felt for him last. You were just too different.

You took Rex’s hand. “You guys did all this for me?”

“Of course, cyare. We know birthdays are important to civvies, so we wanted you to have a nice one.”

“Thank you.” You sank into Rex’s arms. “I can’t remember the last time anyone even tried to do something so nice for me.”

Rex didn’t know what to say. All he could think to do was caress your cheek. How could you be so wonderful? How did he get so lucky?

“So you’re forgiving us? Just like that?”

“Oh no, Cody. You all kriffed up my house, and you have to fix it.” You pulled away from Rex and pointed across the room. “Cleaning products are in there. Water’s in the pump out back. And you’d better make me a proper dinner, Echo. It’s been a long day, and I’m starving.”

Rex laughed. “My general. If you’d been in the war, we would’ve had the Separatists on the run years earlier.”

You grinned. “Don’t you know it.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~```

Dinner was served on the back porch instead of in the house. Cody and Rex managed to throw away the ruined banner and cake and scrub off the burn marks, and Rex had opened up all the windows, but it would still be a few hours before the smell was gone. Luckily for all of you, Echo was a far better cook than he was a baker. He prepared your favorite dishes, and stuck a candle – “Just one!” Cody insisted – in the main course for you to blow out. At the end of the meal, the boys bought all the dirty dishes inside and came out with packages, all wrapped in blue paper and tied with string.

“Aw, you guys! You didn’t have to get me anything, you know.”

“Have to, nothing.” Rex patted your hand. “You deserve it, mesh’la.”

You opened Echo’s gift first: a scarf, which made you smile as you rubbed it against your skin. “It’s made of real gualama wool, from Naboo. And I noticed you wear that colour a lot.”

Cody’s gift was a decorative wooden box, filled of sachets of exotic-smelling herbs. “I wasn’t sure what kind of tea you’d like, so I got you a selection.”

Rex tried to keep his breathing deep and even as he handed you his gift. Even now, he couldn’t be sure how’d you’d react. But when your eyes flew open at the sight of the ring gleaming inside, he relaxed.

“It’s beskar. Mandalorian iron. Usually the smiths use it for weapons and armour – useful things, if you’re a warrior.” Rex took your hand in his again. “I can’t ask you to live that kind of life, cyare. That life was forced on me, and I’d never choose it for you. But a ring means eternal devotion in your culture, doesn’t it?” He pressed a kiss to your knuckles. “That’s what I’m offering. My protection. My devotion. My love.” He smiled up at you. “If you’ll have it.”

[darthbreezy]

'Blame the Dog'

So about a month ago, I sent an actual Letter to Micheal, care of the National Theartre. Rest assured it wasn't a creepy, stalker manifesto, but a little card and a note that said 'Thank you for being such a kind light.' I also unashamedly enclosed a few little creative bits of mine, including this silly short... Thought I'd reshare it here just because...

Summary:

Two Millennia Old Adult Looking Schoolboys It's short, a little crude, but I had far too much fun 'transcribing' this little conversation... In between season 1 & 2   ****

https://archiveofourown.org/works/49549384/chapters/127009690

'

'I'm an angel.'' Aziraphale said primly. ''I most assuredly do not... break wind...''

''You're a supernatural entity, posing as a human.'' Crowley replied. delighting in the fact he could still needle the angel. 'Humans fart...''

''And as you so astutely pointed out,'' Aziraphale murmured, tossing another handful of frozen peas at the ducks who gobbled them up greedily. ''I am not human... neither of us are!''

''But you are acting like one!'' Crowley pressed. ''Isn't it difficult enough to explain why there's no toilet in the bookshop -''

''There is a water closet in there now - has been for a couple years -''

Crowley waved him off, switching tactics. ''You can't tell me that you haven't dropped a... sulfurous plume to get rid of a customer in the last two hundred years or so?''

Aziraphale wrinkled his nose, setting off peals of laughter from his companion. ''You have! You have!'' he cackled.

''But those...fisles were entirely...''

''Heaven Sent!''

''Must you be so, so vulgar?''

''If it takes the metaphorical stick out -'' more giggling. ''Maybe if you let it break free! Let fly a rouser! Serve a raspberry tart!''

A sigh. ''Are we quite finished? I'd like to get lunch before supper...''

''I'm just sayin','' Crowley replied, slapping his knees as he rose from the bench. ''Farts and stars...''

''What?''

''Great balls of burning gas!'' he crowed. ''Exploding across the galaxy! As if the All Mighty Herself -''

Shocked and perhaps a little scandalised, but his eyes danced and sparkled. ''Crowley! One does not accuse the All mighty of... of cutting the celestial cheese!''

Crowley stopped in the middle of the path, jaw agape. ''Angel, did you just make a - a FART JOKE ABOUT GOD?''

''Nonsense, my dear boy!'' Aziraphale replied, not missing a step, but with perhaps a little more bounce in his walk. ''And if anyone asks, we'll just blame the dog. That's what humans do, isn't it?''

[eridanidreams]

Snippet Sunday

Good news, everybody! After a couple rough weeks, I'm back on the writing horse!

Tagging: @bearlytolerant, @silurisanguine, @aro-pancake, @fangbangerghoul, @atonalginger, @aislingdmdt, @fshenkoescape, @ninjaofnaps, @lisa-and-shadow, @a-cosmic-elf, @thatsgoodsquishy0, @hockeydemon42, @fomagranfalloon, @violenceandviolets, @therealgchu, @staticpallour and @artemis-crimson

from *stars through my fingers like grains of sand*

The view from the new bridge was stunning, but Cait couldn't really appreciate it at the moment. In the 'Leaf's old configuration, the cockpit had been a refuge for her. The new captain's chair, while comfortable, didn't have that same sense of security to it. Especially when everyone who lived on the ship could fit on the bridge with ample room to spare. They'd added a separate living hab for her—Sam had insisted—but it still didn't feel right. The room at the Lodge was different—it was borrowed, temporary—but the new hab was hers, and meant to be hers in a way that was entirely alien.

Pushy damned cowboy.

She leaned her head back against the seat and let out a sigh. Sam wasn't wrong: she had to face what had been forced into her thoughts if she ever wanted to live the life she wanted. (Assuming she ever figured that out.) But she was also trying to figure out how to cope with their bond—even the thought of him brought him to her awareness as if he was beside her; he was still talking with Vlad, intent but not upset, and with an effort she turned her mind away—and the new abilities she was collecting from the Towers. (She still refused to call them Temples.) They'd found two more: one on Washakie, one on Procyon-B I, and both had expanded her perceptions in unusual and uncomfortable ways.

A soft sound echoed on the deck behind her; she turned to see Andreja stepping through the hatch, and for a moment Cait saw her only as a being of shimmering light, Cora's radiant form belowdeck in the computer core, bent over a terminal. She blinked and shook her head to banish the vision—it was one thing to know, in the words of the ancient astronomer, that everyone was made of starstuff (the dance of stars, the dance of atoms, one and the same); it was another to be utterly, completely aware of it.

Fortunately for her, Procyon-B I wasn't life-bearing—when she'd come to, she'd been utterly captivated by the sight of Sam leaning over her, shining more brightly than the planet's fierce star. If it hadn't been for his worry beating around her, she'd never even have known it was him, she'd been so enthralled. They'd spent the next few days following up on a survey contract; it had taken three times as long because she kept getting distracted by the sheer wonder of it—the song of the universe, harmonizing from the sharp, crystalline note of a single atom to the multiplexity of cells, all the way down to the massed bass roar of a galaxy's worth of suns.

Like her empathic ability, this new sense was forced to filter through her all-too-human senses; finally, though, it seemed to be settling into sight. Which could be inconvenient, but was something she could live with. She'd almost gotten a handle on it when they jumped into Cheyenne space for a routine supply run, and an anomaly on Washakie had lit up their sensors. That had been an unwelcome discovery: the Towers, it turned out, had a much more powerful effect on her than the Artifacts. The call of the Artifacts, she could resist. The Towers… were much more difficult, and the 'Leaf had been settling gently into a landing site before she even realized she'd set the course.

What she'd gotten there was much more insidious, and much more troubling. Sometimes it was a sense of the rightness of an action—sometimes, an impulse nudging her in a certain direction. Most disconcerting was when she heard a 'pre-echo' of how someone might respond, before she'd even spoken. She'd managed to thoroughly confuse everyone once or twice by answering what she'd thought they were going to say rather than what they'd already said.

Cait had wondered why these two new abilities were giving her so many more problems than the anti-gravity had, but Cora had come up with a possible answer. "You already have an extra sense that you're used to dealing with; maybe these new powers are just using the same part of your brain." The explanation made a certain amount of sense, though Cait had a nagging feeling that it was somehow incomplete. She sighed again. Incomplete or not, it was all the answer they had. And at least the discipline she'd developed trying to keep her wayward empathy under some sort of leash was proving useful in dealing with the rest…

[brujitaadinbo]

In order to close the segment of those small analyzes that I did, comparing some iconic couples for me, with that dynamic in their personal and sentimental relationships, a way of interacting similar to what they have been showing us with Din and Bo katan. I want to conclude with another couple of my favorites. Since I saw the movie, I knew they would end up together. And the chemistry in them was noticeable from the moment they met, acting only with verbal and visual interaction, at all times that physical and tacit attraction was noticeable; Just like what happened with Din and Bo but they want to continue denying it, of course, the cherry on the cake is not yet to come.

Mako and Raleigh from “Titans of the Pacific” played an excellent leading role in this film, they clearly worked very well together, their synchronicity was evident at all times and this completely helped so that together they could pilot the Jaeger, their level of compatibility, It was obvious, not just physical, their minds were connected… it was noticeable in their movements.

I love this parallelism to begin with because Din and Bo katan have that magic and that touch that is noticeable when they are together, you know that they are good companions, you can see the synchrony, respect and devotion. Both Mako and Raleigh and both Bo and Din have that very close interaction that it is not necessary for them to give each other affection in public so obviously or a cliche kiss… just one look is enough to understand them and to understand everything.

I continue with something that also seems nice to me; For example, the parallelism between Raleigh and Bo Katan, the connection between brothers, the bond so strong that that bond, when it goes through a difficult time, disappears from the physical plane, but it is still there. Raleigh takes the blame for a bad decision. Bo takes the blame for several bad decisions. Both a little bigger than their companions but with a giant and noble heart to protect them. With the wisdom to guide them in their own battles. Raleigh accompanies Mako in the Jaeger to save the world.

Bo Katan accompanies Din in the process of his redemption and to recover Mandalore and safeguard the galaxy. They are definitely the same in many ways.

Din has this very strong parallel with Mako because he is orphaned, just like her, in a traumatic moment for both of them. He because of the separatist droids, she because of the kaijus that invade the world. And they also share this same bond with someone who saves them at the last moment from a fatal destiny. Din is saved by a Mandalorian from the Death Guard… Mako is saved by the Marshal, thanks to his Jaeger, one of the first prototypes created to fight against the kaiju.

Din is adopted by these new people and their customs, he understands something elemental which is survival but he also clings to them and also develops respect for them and their beliefs despite whether he agrees or not. Mako is adopted by the Marshal and the entire military lifestyle that surrounds him, she appreciates this fact, she grows up with the intention of being a Jaeger pilot to honor her family, to destroy the kaijus and honor her master, she also develops respect for him and his decisions, despite sometimes not agreeing with him.

In addition to developing a certain interest in this new person they meet, wanting to protect them and also follow their path, definitely being too similar. I think Titans of the Pacific has a lot of Star Wars because it is as Filoni says, most of its stories focus on family and relationships. It is obvious that at the end of the day, many couples from cinema or TV, comics, literature, etc… coincide with this DinBo dynamic.

I hope you liked it, I will continue with other publications about this shipment and with a similar dynamic that I know you will like. This is the way

[cambriancrew]

Innerworld Lore Dump: Resonance of Rehia, Week #1

Rehia is a planet on one of the outer rings of a spiral ringed galaxy far from the center of the universe. The universe it's in has several interconnected planets that support life, including Earth, but they're spread out across many different galaxies.

One of the main languages of Rehia, known intuitively in some form or another by most of the intelligent, talking creatures of the world, is called Zeranhan. Zeranhan translates to Resonance, more or less. According to myths, the language the world was spoken into being, or in some myths named after creation, was Zeranhan - each name resonating with the creature or thing it described. A name that sings in the heart and says yes, that's me. That's why it's very common for humans, dragons, and other intelligent creatures of the world to have a name they were given at birth, and a name they chose as an adult. Sometimes these names have deeply important meanings. Sometimes they're chosen just because they sound nice or feel nice to hold.

Humans are not native to Rehia, but rather are imports from Earth. (According to some, they're an invasive species.) They have to be taught Zeranhan, same as with any other language. It's not the only human language. Some bring with them Earthly languages, notably English and Spanish, but Russian, Japanese, and Mandarin are also not entirely unheard of. This is due to where humans enter Rehia from - travelers lost in the Bermuda Triangle and the Devil's Sea south of Japan and in the Golosov Ravine in Russia often end up on Rehia. There's also a couple of human languages that only exist on Rehia. One sprung up as a kind of coded language on Ebrau (EH-broo), a continent that was used as a penal colony in the First through Third Eras. Another is one used by the islanders, and seems to have its roots in such a wide variety of Earthly languages that it's impossible to tell what came from where.

Zeranhan has a few forms. There's the very intricate formal form, used in a lot of holy texts and national records. There's also a couple different informal forms, one primarily used by dragons which is in many ways still pretty close to the formal form, and one used by humans which is very informal. There's also several dialects. For the most part, these dialects and forms are mutually intelligible, but there's some things, particularly in holy texts, that are difficult to understand without a solid grasp of the formal form of Zeranhan.

Next week I'll show off some of what the language looks and sounds like! :)

[konako]

keep on thinking about captain marvel and valkyrie. how would it work? who would top?

as i write this i just immagine one scenario, carol in her ship with goose and valkyrie coming in after a day fool of meetings with representatives os the entire galaxy and all she wants is a little kiss

I'm unable to pretend the thought didn't occur to me too, dear anon. Let's crack it open.

But before anything, so we don't get confused: I personally see the Top/Bottom "Definitions" more as flexible, expandable descriptors. The first most comfortable dynamic for the pairing — where one person tends to be more dominating and the other, more submissive —, but one that's still susceptible to change, at any time, for any reason. Never immutable, rigid roles.

That got me thinking of Carol and Maria, first and foremost. (Sorry, sorry. Excuse the multi-shipping, I have to base my answer on something!)

They seemed like a well-balanced couple. Both equally witty and stubborn and strong. One a perfect match to the other, keeping each other sharp and engaged.

Maria did describe Carol as a "huge pain in the ass" (affectionate), and it was evident that, between them, Maria was the level-headed one, while Carol was quicker to action and reaction. I can see that translating into Carol being the more energetic lover with some disregard for her surroundings when... fired up. (If it had been up to Carol's poor discretion, they would have been found out as a couple in their first year!! Maria was the best one at maintaining that "roommates" façade).

All that to say, I think Carol has a bit of a wild teasing streak in her. One that's difficult to tame. One that not even the Kree brainwashing was able to erase. She's full of energy (Literally. Girl can power up a SUN) and she's not the most patient person. So sometimes she'll initiate the sex and dictate the pace. Fast and fun. As high and as far as she can take them.

But as stubborn as she is, she's still generous. She is open to change, open to trying something different, if it means she can do better.

She's learning to be a team player. If Valkyrie wants to change things up, Carol is more than willing to give up the lead and be guided instead. Because it does feel nice, to let go of some control and responsibility. To take a break from the burden of this power.

Tricky thing is, Valkyrie feels the same. She calls the shots ALL DAY, EVERY DAY. Being a King is exhausting. Everyone looking up at her for an answer, for a direction, for decisions and protection... That's a lot on her shoulders, too. It would be nice, at the end of the day, to let go of that power for a while.

So I can see them switching up a lot.

Sometimes, Valkyrie wants to be treated as a King, and let Carol, her one-woman army, attend to her every need, as she sits on her throne. Sometimes, the Princess of Aladna is the one being catered to.

Sometimes, Valkyrie's ego gets a great little boost, at being able to make one of the most powerful beings of the galaxy squirm and moan. Sometimes, a King must claim some territory.

Sometimes, Carol's competitive side shines through again, and she wants to be the last one standing. And, for that to happen, she needs to make Valkyrie's knees go weak. Sometimes, her power can be used in different ways. (Obligatory mention: "She can do a lot more than make tea with those hands")

They have fun, in the end. Whatever the position they end up in, it's just nice to be with someone who can keep up, who won't tire (or break) so easily. It's a wonderful stress reliever.

[legends-expo]

Photo by Bekah Marie Photo

When Subtext Is Text, Musings On Ferus Olin

It's the end of Pride month, and Legends Con Executive Director Katherine is taking the opportunity to talk about one of her favorite characters (and most recent cosplays), Ferus Olin. Ferus is one of the canonically queer characters in the Star Wars Legends timeline; and is, in her humble opinion, one of the most interesting representations of a queer character within the Star Wars universe.

Ferus comes from the Jude Watson books, first appearing in her Jedi Quest series and later leading the series Last of the Jedi. He also appeared in the Rebel Force series as a supporting character. All three of these series are Scholastic chapter books, published between the years of 2001 and 2010. They are progressive for their time in many ways, but are ultimately also a product of their time in how Ferus as a queer character is defined on the page. The line between subtext and text can be debated, but we have author confirmation via Twitter that Ferus is gay and married to Roan Lands. Roan was referred to as Ferus's "partner" throughout the Last of the Jedi and Rebel Force series. With these books being written throughout the 2000s, that was the current terminology used for gay couples at the time- and marriage was not even a legal option within the United States.  

The term partner is really only the beginning of the signs we see in-text that Ferus and Roan are a couple. The most interesting of those to me is this passage from the first book in the Last of the Jedi series. Obi-Wan has just rescued Roan from Imperial prison after both Ferus and Roan were arrested for leading rebel activities and separated within the prison. As part of the misadventures that occurred with Obi-Wan and Ferus after that, they are forced to temporarily leave behind the planet Bellassa where Ferus had been living with Roan. While in space Ferus and Obi-Wan talk about how Ferus resigned from the Jedi Order (that’s another story entirely, I don’t want to get too off track here)

“It doesn’t matter,” Ferus said. “I walked away. It was the most difficult thing I ever had to do, but in a way I’m glad it happened.”

“You’re still a Jedi, Ferus.”

“No,” Ferus said slowly. “I’m not. I can never really be a Jedi again. Not just because I left the Order.” He looked back in the direction of Bellassa. “I have attachments.”

“Once there was something I wanted, something forbidden by the Jedi code,” Obi-Wan said. “Qui-Gon said something to me then. He said, maybe in a different galaxy things will change. The Jedi will change. Here is the change Ferus. And I think… in the new order, attachments will be a strength. Maybe this is how the galaxy will be saved. So yes, you are still a Jedi.”

Obi-Wan is referring to events of the Jedi Apprentice books, also by Jude Watson, where he entered a brief romance with one of his fellow Padawans, Siri Tachi. Obi-Wan and Siri decided to end their relationship due to the Jedi code, which led to that conversation with Qui-Gon. In the text this is Ferus saying that his relationship with Roan is outside the bounds of the Jedi code, and Obi-Wan draws a parallel to a romantic relationship of his own. I personally would call this plain text rather than subtext based on both the context in-universe and the context that this was written in 2005.

Throughout the story there are more signs that while subtle, Ferus and Roan’s relationship is romantic. It's the way they tease each other, care for each other, and little snippets about their life together-

Read more on our Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/post/When-Subtext-Is-Text-Musings-On-Ferus-Olin-K3K8MRUH1

[missiva12]

Fast Sketch with Archives.

Warning: Headcanon

Small Archives - archives created by the Collector (Kollen(?)) on the Boiling Isles.

Medium Archives - archives that were created a long, long time ago are in space, and there are several of them (different in appearance), in different parts of certain Galaxies, which are allocated to Collectors for study.

There are also "Great Archives", they contain the most collected information for the entire existence of the universe, allocated for study by Galaxy Collectors. Information is cleaned from time to time.

There are also so-called "Universal Archives" in which all possible information from all ends of the Galaxies has already been collected, they also have so-called "points" in the universe that help to quickly get to these Archives (Time in space is quite difficult to calculate, from one end, to the other end of the galaxy can take a couple of thousand light years, therefore, something had to be thought of, because from one end of the universe to the center, it will take much longer) In those worldwide Archives, different Archivists can meet with each other (I remind you, by profession!) and, so to speak, can exchange various information.

[greysfic]

Magi of the Stellar Republic were integral to interplanetary colonisation, and several of various Patterns were onboard any ship traveling beyond the bounds of the Palatial System in leadership roles. The purpose of Necromancers on these voyages was well obfuscated, but less disguised was the comparatively low number who ever went to space. Generally Necromancers were considered a boon to morale, known for their jovial, artistic temperments - but the majority who went with colony ships were noteworthy for their dourness, their coldness, their defiance of the stereotype of one so near to death that they love life with incredible passion. Even the few good-humoured boneworkers who went out into the black seemed to lose their vigour a couple of lightyears out.

The truth was kept even from most of the other Magi for the sake of everyone's sanity. Training a Necromancer to keep their wits in the void was a difficult and unpredictable process. Who can really understand something of such terrible gravity until they witness it? And who, in knowing, could possibly remain composed?

The first Necromancers who ventured beyond the Palatial System had heard it, eventually. It took time for it to really sink in, like white noise when you've stopped noticing it. At first they thought there was a great silence lying over the whole galaxy, that even the tides of the Sunless Abyss might be subject to the immensity of interstellar distances. But in time, in the right places, the static resolved. A faint but endless chorus. Lamentations cast out across the depths of space like ripples on a black sea. The teeming ghosts of entire civilisations railing against a fate long since fulfilled. "Where," asked the rest of starfaring humanity, bright eyed and eager to make friends, "is everyone else?" "Everyone else," the Necromancers refused to answer, "is already dead."

[roguegona]

Let's talk about Morai.

The female convor who was first seen with the Daughter on Mortis, thought to be either the Daughter's servant or even a manifestation of the Daughter herself.

The same bird who, after the Daughter's life force was transferred to Ahsoka so she could live, was seen watching over and guiding Ahsoka throughout some of the most difficult moments of her life. (see: Malachor and the aftermath of Order 66)

The same bird who appeared in the World Between Worlds to guide Ezra to the portal in which he would be able to save Ahsoka. And he did.

And the same bird we see on Peridea, making a point to make herself known to Ahsoka once more. In an entirely different galaxy. (I also think this is why Ahsoka tells Sabine they're where they need to be...she knows Morai is there for a reason, even if she doesn't know why yet)

How is that even possible?

Well friends. Here's my theory:

The World Between Worlds.

According to Darth Sidious, the WBW is: "This mystical realm connects all of time and space, creating a conduit between the living and the dead. Those who control this plane would possess mastery over all of existence, but gaining access has proved an unexpected challenge."

A mystical realm that connects all of time and space. And whomever controls it would control all of existence. Something Sidious himself strived for and was ultimately thwarted thanks to Ezra and Ahsoka.

Now, we all know that Baylan is after what he calls "the beginning", where he can erase the constant cycle of sith/jedi, good/evil for good. What better way to do that than by accessing the WBW and gaining control of it? Doing so would grant him the ability to bend existence to his will and shape it in anyway he deems fit.

How's he gonna get there, you ask. Well, that one is easy. There's another portal on Peridea. The fact that he was standing on the Father's outstretched arm that was pointing to a towering beacon in the distance, seems to prove this. Just like on Lothal, the Mortis Gods are the key to entering (good thing Sabine has seen this trick before).

That, coupled with Morai's sudden appearance seems to indicate that Baylan is after the WBW. I cannot think of another way that a creature from the GFFA would be able to access a completely new galaxy without having gone through the WBW. Especially since we already know she's able to access it on her own, at will.

Morai is there to warn Ahsoka of the coming danger. To watch over her, yet again, and guide her on her journey to stop yet another mad man from destorying life as they know it.

We can only hope that she and Sabine can get there in time.

[radioactive-earthshine]

Wait, is Dox the AI named after Braniac?

THIS is what I was aggressively researching last night but I was attacking another angle entirely and did not come up with any clear answers, because there is something very interesting about Dox the AI that I feel most readers would miss entirely.

Up until you actually SEE Dox the AI we have no idea what he was supposed to look like, but it is none-the-less interesting that Bart claims that his name is Dox which is synonymous to the Brainiac family line. When you finally see what Dox is supposed to look like he is friend-shaped and has a body built like Ti'Julk Mr'azz (Gates of Vyrga) and does not seem to look like any Coluan from which the name Dox is from.

His appearance I feel throws a lot of people off that his name has anything to do with the Doxes until you pay attention to one small detail and that's when things get interesting.

Impulse #64

Here's Dox! He's just a little guy. But he has a very iconic emblem on his abdomen, some of you might immediately recognize it but I feel it's fair that most readers have no idea what it is.

It's actually the L.E.G.I.O.N. emblem which is solely specific to Brainiac 2, Vril Dox II whose base of operations was in the 20th century.

L.E.G.I.O.N. and then R.E.B.E.L.S. (1994) are adult comics that follow Vril's story and they ended in 1996 prior to the publication of Impulse #64, which was published in 2000. There were couple specials where Vril showed up in between 1996 and 2000, most notably in Showcase '96 #12 where he saved Querl from his tyrannical and deranged father, but other than that the comic title was complete. Finished. The story was wrapped up and given an end in the 20th century.

Why does a 'nanny AI' with the name of Dox have the L.E.G.I.O.N. emblem on his abdomen?

Why are they linking two comics that are VASTLY different in target audience, content and rating? If Black Label printing was a thing back then, L.E.G.I.O.N. probably would have been released under it because it was pretty edgy containing some very violent themes that are difficult to talk about openly without people getting very upset (and it's part of the reason why I am hesitant to talk more about these comics).

I was desperately trying to find an in-world link between them that was firmer evidence other than speculation, and when I came up with nothing, I reached into looking through letters to editors to try to see if someone asked if there was some link between Dox the AI and Vril Dox II.

No one did, and if they did, it was not published in the comics I have physically (because internet archives often omit the letters which can sometimes contain some really insightful stuff). I also began looking into the artist for this issue (the awesome Eric Battle) to see if he had any link to either of Vril's comics and... nothing.

So we're left with speculation as to why this AI is named Dox and WHY he is linked specifically to L.E.G.I.O.N.

Just by having that L.E.G.I.O.N. emblem on his abdomen confirms at least by intent I believe that he was at least named for Vril Dox II.

It could be that this AI's creator, whoever they are, had a keen interest in L.E.G.I.O.N. and named him after Vril as a sort of fond homage to history and there is no other real link.

The facility that was holding Bart in his VR containment we know for sure could not be highly reputable and very likely was employed by morally dubious scientists at the heels of Thaddeus Thawne I, so that is another angle that can be speculated on as L.E.G.I.O.N. for all the good it did do in the galaxy was a morally dark grey entity. Vril, is morally dark grey teetering on solid grey. So you have two sketchy entities together on this and no real link to either of them.

It's fascinating and frustrating and I might return to this later.