#my 3rd place pod

[evolution-ofa-geek]

Episode 169

Summer is almost over so we all decided to take a stroll to the biggest party of the Summer. Join myself, @menacesmiling and Gregg as we give you our predictions as to who is going to come out victorious at SummerSlam. Plus I also tell you a pretty cool 18 inch sandwich story.

[ourlittleuluru]

Voyage Of The Outcast - My Thoughts 4/4

These chapters... MORE LOREEEEE and adorable moments!

Notes in Chp 9 - 10

The way Xavier was so much more concerned over MC's wellbeing over his own... 🥺

oh, he angy baby 🥺💗

and back to him being worried... the possibility that he could've lost MC for a 3rd time...

I picked the first choice the first time around and... yeah. Xavier is not happy... But I mean, come on! MC is right in this instance D':<

AND EXACTLY. THIS. These two are always so in tune with each other... They'd pull the same thing even if their roles were swapped.

The way to this man's heart isn't just food.

It's poking and squishing his face 😂

An interesting note...

The Protofield that was created was able to absorb power

1) was that effect due to Soren having specifically tuned it to do that? So that Xavier will be weak enough and can be killed?

2) or was that effect due to Xavier's memories and how Starfall forest operated. That's why he specifically calls out that once the Forest has enough energy, it will stop.

I guess I'll likely suspect the latter and the fact Xavier can be weakened was just a lucky happenstance for Soren. If only MC wasn't there :v WELL TOO BAD FOR YOU 💢

More lore drops/hints :c

There was also the place in his Tender Moment - Galactic Harmony, where they both also fell into this protofield and, Xavier also specifically noted that it felt like a trap

Mr Raincoat and Hat Guy has been really busy. And this might add to the leads that Hat Guy = Soren... if those attempts are Soren that is 🤔

okay and then Xavier pulls this thing about being afraid, less of the past but more of the future. Which was kinda referenced and addressed briefly earlier on. Tho, ngl this kinda came outta left field. Got a small chuckle out of me before... well. He's just worried about MC being reckless. Since MC also has a tendency to over do things even in the past long before.

And MC just throwing it back in his face. And Xavier dodges it. AGAIN. smh

Two peas in a pod, these two 😩

And ya know, one of the things I guessed for Xavier's branch is that they'll mention something from the Lumiere Myth. Be it the forest and Traceback II or the syringes... Turns out, it's the Traceback II! But of course... I mean... it's Starfall Forest. The place where Xavier made it his little base to do his ops at, to figure out the stuff going on for the planet's core

NGL why do I feel like he's just a little bit proud of this spaceship? Maybe it's just the line delivery, his voice sounded a bit lighter/brighter just a tad bit.

BUT MORE LORE YAY. We got the full government name of the Traceback II 😂

and here we have the 1101 number callback, to his evol police desgination number

But I'm glad that through all of this, Xavier finally let's down his wall even just a little. HE told MC Philos was his hometown.

He's been egging MC to ask him questions all the time but knowing him, and as MC also mentions, he'll just dodge it someway somehow. This time, he didn't dodge. No pretenses.

Another mention on how MC feels familiar with something from the past. I wonder if this will end up becoming a larger plot point later. It's being mentioned way too much to just be text of fluff.

And even when MC picks up the log books and all those papers, asking if Soren and Xavier are members of the Backtrackers... This time Xavier was pretty straightforward. He's slowly letting MC see more of him, even when he's operating Traceback II. EVEN ASKING MC

("I won't hide anything" my ass... You'd just dodge. That doesn't count as hiding. It's just answering the question with more questions or leaving it up to you to come to a conclusion =-=)

I know they re-use the same basic few animations but specifically this one... When MC replies that now's not the time. Almost felt like he was ready to open up but MC was kind of pushing back against him a bit.

Thankfully MC continues on though, and him going from a slight gasp of shock, to a more light hearted tone of "I'm okay with that" 🥺

AND THE PART WITH HIS VOICE RECORDING WAS SO CUTE AND HILARIOUS I CANTTTTT 😂😭

Recall the trailer and how they started off with the poem? Well more like the thing disappearing is Xavier's dignity and image 🤣

Ahhh the way he immediately was like... His dark history has come back to haunt him!!! It was so good. The way he freaked out and was so embarrassed by ittttttt

The funny thing? He was SO QUICK to retort. You can hear it in the CN dub when he says "It's not me". He said it so quickly 😂😂😂😂 mah boy was so embarrased.

MC catching on with how Xavier really doesn't want this to be brought up, just plays along with him. CUTE

Okay you know what this feels like?

This feels like his Lumiere myth. Amidst the pain and the mystery and all the stuff that's happening. There's just these little pocket instances of time where they can slip out and into a more relaxed pace. A hint of a lost time they could've had shared but are now sharing. IDK how to word it properly here but just. Yea. that.

Adorable. Hecking adorable.

And more lore tidbits. The Traceback II being able to use Evol to operate momentarily :C Along with Xavier being vulnerable again with MC, ultimately also being reassuring and fully trusting. But we know... there's a caveat...

Just him pleading here 🥺

ASDDFGHJKL... like okay... fine... you win. How to say no to this 😭

Collar mention! BUT ALSO WHEN ARE WE GONNA KNOW MORE ABOUT IT PLS INFOLD I NEED MORE DETAILS ON THIS THING

At this point MC is very well aware of what that collar flashing means and the severity of it.

Continuing... on another post because I hit the PC post image limit... whoops....

[ginasbaby]

hii! I was thinking on something like

R and towa are besties, they're in love with eachother (both very oblivious about that) but after the rumours of towa and renee dating, r starts to avoid towa, towa is sad cause r is avoiding her and happy ending with renee being sort of the cupid

I couldn't find the request rules post so I hope this doesn't break any!

I love you

Part 1

Towa bird x fem!reader

Part 2

Warnings; slight angst, tooth rotting fluff.

3rd person POV:

It was a very normal day, Y/n had been performing at many places the past few days. She was a talented singer, she had performed on broadway 4 times- mainly for mean girls, but she's done Hamilton before aswell. On the mean girls set, she met Renee Rapp- who was playing as Regina, they both found out they would be together for most of the musical because Y/n was playing Cady. This is where the off-screen friendship started. The two were inseperable- they couldn't live without eachother if they tried.

Around the end of her Mean Girls era, Y/n met Towa Bird. They immediately clicked together, like two peas in a pea pod. Over time their friendship grew stronger. Over a couple of months, they had known each other almost like they had been together for their whole lives. Towa was not famous at this moment; hell, barely anyone knew her. But Y/n was known very well, so paparazzi and fans were always around her. It was hard to keep her private life private; well, most of it. And so if we skip a few years, here to the present. This is where Towa, Renee, and Y/n stand now: 'Vanity Fair'.

PRESENT

It was obvious that Y/n was pining over Towa, yet Towa was too oblivious to notice, yet Renee wasn't. The blonde was going to play the cupid part of their trio, it was clear that all three of them had a close relationship. However, some of Renee's (and Towa's) fans thought that they had something more going on. This made Y/n's heartache- she was head over heels for Towa, yet no one had noticed, but again we're in the present. Y/n had to deal with it.

There was a lot of photography and flashes, which is exactly why y/n wasn't keen on coming. She was photosensitive, not a good aspect for an actor/singer, she always carried a pair of black glasses with her, the only problem right now was that she forgot to bring them with them.

"Towa," she murmured. "Towa, I forgot my glasses." She grabbed the curly head's arm. Towa turned around with a soft look on her face. She reached into her pocket and handed the y/h/c girl a pair of sunglasses.

"Here sweets, take these." Y/n smiled her heart full of love.

"Why do you eat so many sweets," Towa looked up from her guitar.

"Well, they taste nice, and, uh," she also paused, looking up from her computer. "I don't know, I guess I just enjoy them." Towa smiled in understanding, she looked back down at her guitar before putting it down and picking up her phone. She clicked on Y/n's contact, editing the name to 'Sweets'. Y/n stood up from her desk and moved behind Towa.

"Sweets?" She chuckled sweetly," You're so corny. Hm... Curls! That's your nickname, curls." The Filipino girl chuckled.

"Alright then".

"Oh yeah!" the y/na girl chuckled nervously, "pictures, yay... Thanks".

Time skip

Renee and Towa had an arm around Y/n as she stumbled and wobbled. She hiccupped and burped, her breath invaded by the stench of alcohol. "Y/n did you really think downing that bottle of red wine was a good idea?" Renee asked, stopping to breathe.

"Don't answer that question," Towa intervened. "Renee can you go get the car, please".

"Are you sure you're going to be alright carrying her?"

"Yeah, y-yeah I'm sure." Towa finished by picking her up bridal style. Y/n let out a squeak and pulled herself closer to Towa's body.

"You know-" She hiccuped, "I love you." Towa pauses walking.

"Huh?"

"You silly little curls," she sneezed. "I said: I love you."

"I love you too, silly, we're best friends. Obviously, I would love you." Towa said, awkwardly smirking. Y/n's smile dropped a little but she smiled again, this time fake.

"Yeah, friends." She frowned but she was close enough to Towa that she didn't see it.

If only they knew.

[teapartyprincess4two]

Hot Take/ Just My Opinion

Omg today’s pod actually has my eye twitching😃

Y’all can disagree idc but the behavior is so trio sibling coded in the worst way possible. As an older sister, with two younger siblings, there will ALWAYS be days when two of the siblings (Nick + Chris) are more in tune and they end up ganging up on the 3rd sibling (Matt). It’s like in friendships when there’s a 3rd friend who’s slightly different from the other two, so it’s easier to pick on them. Majority over minority basically, in the sense that both Chris and Nick are very extroverted, loud, and talkative while Matt is more quiet snd reserved.

Plus, Nick and Chris obviously feed off of eachother and use Matt as their target. They’re just so alike that it’s easy to almost become a singular force against the person who has no one to side with them. It’s the unfortunate fact of UNEVEN groups, there will always be a “loner”

Also (not to deflect or contradict myself) I obviously don’t know what Matt did off camera before the video to make them annoyed in the first place, but DAMN can they let that man breath for one second lmaooo. If I had my siblings fucking yapping, hooting, and hollering over me id honestly, truly, genuinely reach across the table and pop them

For example, as women, my sister and I sometimes gang up on my younger brother and OH MY GOD I hate that I’m seeing an example of it on my screen rn. Not just because I’m a Matt girl, but because it looks so draining to be constantly ridiculed. I’ve personally been the one who gets ganged up on by my younger siblings before and I shut that shit down rq bc I’m older and have authority (lol pls no I don’t), I can’t imagine dealing with it daily.

At the end of the day, they know their dynamic better than anyone, but I’m actually, genuinely tweaking 😵‍💫. I’m not even tryna stir the pot or cause drama, I’m just genuinely going insane listening to this rn.

Bye gonna go apologize to my brother and hug him for forever

[tinkerbelle05]

Loving You

Characters: Lo’ak x fem!metikayina!reader

Genre: Slight hurt, fluff

Warnings: somewhat pinning, awkwardness

Summary: Mending Lo’ak’s wounds after his fight with your friend Ao’nung. Surprisingly he keeps coming back to your pod for “treatment”. Would sparks fly between the two of you? Or would they die?

“You should really stop picking fights,” you scold the boy. You were gently cleaning up the blood from his wounds. This was the 3rd time this week the Omaticaya boy came into your pod with purple and red bruises all over his face.

“It’s not my fault that Fish Lips has such a punchable face,” he responded without missing a beat. You get a weird sense of deja vu because this is the exact conversation you had the other two times he came in before. Instead of shaking your head and rolling your eyes like usual, you decide to give Lo’ak, that was the boy’s name, some words of wisdom.

“Listen,” you grabbed his chin and turned it to face yours. Despite the scowl, he was giving you and the purple bruises, he wasn’t that bad looking. “Ao’nung is a piece of work, and everyone here knows it. But sometimes you gotta bite your tongue and pick your battles.”

“You sound like my Dad,” he rebuts.

“Well maybe you should listen to him then,” you started dabbing some salve on his eye and he only hummed in response.

After you were done, instead of saying thanks and leaving like others, Lo’ak decided to hang around the place. You thought it was odd the first time he’s done that, and you still do, but you found yourself enjoying his company.

You started noticing that he’ll come to your hut every few days, complaining of a headache or “getting too much Sun” as if that was such a thing.

“Please, I need something for my headache. It’s been killing me all day long,” he complains, and even rubbed his head for extra measure.

And he was complaining about leg pain the other day, and rubbed red paint on his leg for the “deep cut I got from a rock” a week ago.

You had the suspicion that he was faking all of these ailments or he’s just really, really unlucky. but allowed him to stay, as long as he wasn’t in your way.

“Really? Back again, are we Lo’ak?” You asked him with a blank stare.

He lies, without any shame but you stop him right there.

“Listen, I know that you are lying. I suppose it’s because…you want to be friends?” You asked.

To be honest, you wanted to say girlfriend rather than friend but you did not want to get too ahead of yourself. Why mess up a potential good thing?

“Oh! Um, yea I wanna be friends with you which is why i was doing all of that. .” He looks to the ground, his skin turning purple. “But like..your friends with Ao’nung soo.” He trails off, still not looking at you.

You give him a little chuckle, he’s pretty cute when he’s shy like that. “Me being friends with Ao’nung will not stop me from being friends with you, Lo’ak. Come in.” And the rest was history.

As you went along the day, doing your duties, Lo’ak would make a few terrible jokes and some absolutely horrible one-liners. But they never fail to make you laugh until your stomach hurts though.

One of his most memorable ones was,” Are you my ikran, because I’m want to be with you forever?”

You nearly spit out your water and couldn’t look at him for the rest of the day without bursting into a fit of giggles. If you remember correctly, he would avoid your eye contact with you too but it was probably because he was embarrassed.

You didn’t want to get your hopes up. He’ll also tell you all things about the forest and the animals that lived there.

“You know those animals my family and I arrived on?” he asked.

“Yes,” you say instantly. How could you forget them? You never saw something like that before in your life. They were a bit scary but you wanted to get closer anyway. Maybe touch their heads.

“Well,” he leans against the wall next to you, “they are called ikrans. You claim one when you become of age and want to be a hunter.” He went on to explain the details of how you claim an ikran that left you speechless.

“What happens if you were to die?” You questioned.

“Oh well,” and he stops to think about it.

“You're telling me no one has died trying to claim a beast that wants to kill them?” You asked, looking at him in shock.

He gives you a little shrug and looks equally confused and stunned. And just as you were interested in his life, he was interested in yours.

“Wait, so you're telling me that they are animals that you spiritually connect with?”

You stifled a laugh at his excitement, “Yes, and they are called Tulkans.” You started to explain the whole process to Lo’ak, and you watch as he hangs on to every word that you say.

“Wow, that-that’s sounds so cool. Can you introduce me to your spirit sister?”

“Of course I will, when they come back I’ll come get you.” Peak out the window to see it has gotten dark out. “But the eclipse is coming soon and your parents might be waiting for you,” you reminded him.

“Oh c’mon, it’s not a rule, it’s a mere suggestion. Now tell me more.” He looked up at you with enthusiastic eyes.

You avoided them the best you could, someone had to have a good head on their shoulder in this friendship. You shake your head and push him out the door.

“No, no Lo’ak. You are going home now, go.” With one final push he’s out the pod and you stand there blocking the entrance.

For a while, he just stands there looking at you. He seemed lost in thought so you jab in the shoulder.

“Hey! Pandora to Lo’ak.” You come closer to him and lightly tap on his forehead. “Anyone home?”

You didn't realize how close you were until he looked into your eyes and you saw his widened slightly. You didn't know what to do. Everything in you wanted to move in closer, to kiss him.

But does he want that? Would he reject you? Hate you forever because of it? You certainly did not want that to happen. He was a good friend and if that’s all he wanted then that would be enough for you.

He clears his throat and the blush travels all the way down to his neck, “Um, so there’s know way to say this but like, I kinda wanna kiss you. Um, so can I…?”

You brought his face to yours and kissed him in response.

You didn’t know what you were doing, and you had a feeling that he didn’t either, but you were excited for what the future could hold either way.

Taglist: @iwaslikeblah, @dontknowwhatmynameshouldbe2, @nyababymao, @teyamsbitch, @adrunkskeletonsduck, @athenajh, @cupcaykes

Bye, see ya in the next one 👋🏿

Taglist & Masterlist & Reqs Info

My reqs & Taglist are open!!

[astraule]

"I'm Going To Marry You"

Pairing: Rotxo x Reader Song: Hideaway - Cigarettes After Sex "And I can see it, I can see where our lives go. See us sailing, across so many oceans." Tags: Cursing, bullying, maturing young, crush, protecting, comfort, oblivious. Y/N: She/Her Metkayina reader. Word Count: 1.7 K Summary: As Y/N emerged from the ocean,Rotxo approached, curious about her day. Flustered by her crush on him, she downplayed her outing. A'onung invited her to join them at the seawall terrace with Tsireya. When A'onung's friend asked her to spend more time with them, Y/N declined and was teased about her crush; thus, she stormed off in frustration. Heartbroken, she sought a quiet spot to cry. A'onung and Rotxo soon appeared, showing signs of a recent fight. Y/N gently caressed Rotxo's bruised face, shocked that someone had hurt him. Rotxo confessed he had admired her since childhood, and overwhelmed with emotion, Y/N finally admitted her feelings for him, revealing he was what she truly desired.

3RD POV: (Flashback)

As a 9-year-old Metkayina Na'vi, you sat upon the hot sand and began to well up with tears. Meanwhile, the other Metkayina Na'vi children surrounded you, their laughter ringing in the air as they playfully tossed sand your way.

You had become used to being called 'weird' because you quite often preferred to be alone rather than with other’s company, with the exception of your parents, of course. When other kids played in the water, played games, and were taught by the older Na'vi, you were already considered 'wise' since you helped your parents hunt and did things that only much older Na’vi did.

"Step away from her!" came a commanding voice from behind the other children, which dispersed in all haste. A'onung was the 10-year-old son of Olo'eyktan. Standing beside him was his sister, Tsireya aged 8 and also 9-year-old Rotxo, who is one of his closest friends.

“Are you okay?” Rotxo asked, helping you to your feet as you just nodded in response. “Those kids really need to mind their own business and stop bothering others,” A’onung said, his arms crossed and a frown on his face.

"It'll be alright, Y/N. I’ll always look out for you. I promise, especially since we’re going to get married when we’re older," Rotxo said with a comforting smile. "Ugh, girls don’t like boys! Now, if you’ll excuse us, Y/N and I are going to do each other’s hair," Tsireya chimed in, playfully pushing Rotxo aside.

(Metkayina Shore)

As you stepped out of the waves, your basket overflowing with shells and crafting treasures, the village hunters came back with their nets full of fish meant for Olo’eyktan. Rotxo walked over, a curious look on his face. “Hey Y/N, how was your day?” he asked, making you stop in your tracks. “Oh… it was nothing much, just a few shells that Ronal asked me to gather,” you answered, your cheeks turning a bright shade of blue.

If you said you didn’t have a crush on Rotxo, everyone would know you were lying, especially him. You were the only one unaware that he could see right through you. “Since we’re going to the same place, can I join you?” Rotxo asked, and your cheeks turned an even deeper shade of blue, making you nod in silence.

(Olo’eyktan Mauri Pod)

A’onung’s voice resonated in the pod as you and Rotxo stepped inside. “What took you so long to bring the fish-” he began, but was cut off. “I ran into Y/N on my way here,” Rotxo said, passing the net full of fish to Tonowari before you approached Ronal.

As you neared the basket sitting on the table in front of Ronal, who was busy adding new items to her songcord, you said, “I hope these are the ones you were searching for.” She paused briefly to look at the contents before turning her attention back to her songcord. “They’re exactly what I needed,” she responded.

“Hey Y/N, we’re going to the seawall terrace to relax by the pools. Do you want to join us?” A’onung asked before looking back at Rotxo, who leaned in and whispered, “Just ask her for me, man.” You paused for a moment and said, “I’m not sure. Tsireya and I had plans to hang out today.”

"Just invite her, okay?" A’onung sighed, knowing this was the umpteenth time his sister had to tag along with his friends. He realized that without Tsireya, Y/N wouldn’t come, and Rotxo would keep bugging him about it.

"I... I'll think about it," you said quickly before rushing out of the pod. "That poor girl, why do you keep bothering her?" Ronal said, looking at her son. "Bothering her?" A’onung replied, giving a confused look to Rotxo before stepping out of the pod, while Rotxo wore a perplexed expression. Was his genuine concern for you being misunderstood?

(Seawall Terrace Pools)

Tsireya took a seat between you and her brother, a look of slight surprise on her face. "I didn't exactly think I was going to spend my day with my brother and his friends, Y/N," she said. One of the boys piped up, a tease in his voice. "Oh, come on Reya, you know we love having you around." A'onung splashed water in his direction and added with a protective tone, "Hey, hey, be easy! She's still my little sister.”

"We really enjoy your company, and Y/N's, Reya," Rotxo said with an innocent smile, missing the weight of the first comment. Tsireya smiled and replied, "Thanks, Rotxo! We enjoy spending time with you, too, though there are a few people I might not agree on." She glanced at her brother's friends as she spoke.

It was a time in their lives when the Metkayina teenagers found their parents considering who might become their future partners. In such a process, of course, the girls faced more decision making, while the boys were rather free to be in company with any girl they fancied.

A'onung declared, "Next time, it'll just be the four of us." With a leap, he joined a water-splashing contest with his friend much to your irritation as you sat there getting drenched alongside Tsireya.

As the splashing of the water died away, one of A'onung's friends sat down beside you and said, "Well, what a surprise to find you here with us, Y/N." You looked into the water at your submerged hands and said, "A'onung invited me." You added, "If he hadn't, I wouldn't have come."

"It's nice of you to join us; it's nice to be among people again, unlike when we were young," he said, to which Rotxo turned to him with a sideward glance while seated beside A'onung. "Sometimes, you have to give up what you love for a better future. My parents always valued that choice," you replied, your annoyance finally bubbling over.

"It would appear your parents are allowing you to have a good time lately. Why not spend some time with me? You could bring Tsireya along if you want, two beautiful ladies would be great.” He grinned, throwing his arm over your shoulder as the other guys cheered him on. "I'm really not interested," you replied, pushing his arm off of you. Tsireya chimed in, "Not a chance!” She said, playfully sticking her tongue out at him.

A'onung had to be touching his hand gently onto Rotxo's chest, which saved Rotxo from causing a scene. As he turned a warm gaze toward you and the guy beside you, your cheeks just flooded with warmth. Summoning your courage, you said, "I already like someone, anyway." Then, his lips arched in a subtle smile; he knew you were referring to him.

A guy chimed in, "So, Y/N has a crush on someone?" The group exploded in playful "oh's." The boy next to you added, "Come on, the person you like probably wouldn't even be into you. Why not date someone who actually shows interest? " Before anyone could say more, you stormed off, anger bubbling inside you and tears threatening to spill."Y/N!!" Tsireya called out, chasing after you. She shot the boy a glare, proclaiming, "You are awful." He looked at his friends bewildered. "What did I do wrong?" he asked.

(Y/N’s Family Mauri Pod)

You face-planted onto the table, sobbing, "He's literally the worst." Tsireya rubbed circles on your back, soothing you, "I know, we shouldn't have hung out with them." At this moment, A'onung and Rotxo walked in, their faces bruised.

Tsireya’s eyebrow lifted, the mixture of puzzlement and interest on display clear on her face. "What on Eywa happened to you two?" she asked as she looked at her brother and Rotxo. A'onung made a fold of his arms. Assuring, "We beat their asses, obviously! Well, don’t say any more, we're doing absolutely nothing to help you, guys.” Rotxo nestled beside you, concern displayed within his eyes. "Are you okay, Y/N?" Rotxo murmured.

"I should be asking that," you said, your hand reaching up to his face, brushing against the bruises, and he winced slightly from the sting. "I'm fine; I wasn't about to let them get away with speaking to you like that." A'onung shot Tsireya a glance that said, 'let's give them some room,' and she followed him as they stepped outside the pod.

"But violence is not the answer to anything. They've hurt your beautiful face," you said, and before even you knew it, your hand had flown to your mouth as if in utter disbelief. "That's the first time you have ever referred to me as beautiful; I wondered how long it would take," Rotxo said, placing his forehead against yours, looking deep into your eyes.

As you finally managed to withdraw your hand from your mouth, your eyes never left his. You asked, "You wondered? How long have you known that I had feelings for you?" He leaned into your face and softly cupped your cheek. "Honestly, it's been obvious the whole time. You wear your heart on your sleeve.”

“Did you really decide not to tell me you knew?" you teased, swatting at him. He stumbled backward, laughing, trying to catch your wrists to stop your teasing.

"I couldn't help it; every time you'd get flustered, you looked so cute, and I didn’t want to ruin that moment." He said softly, taking both of your wrists into his hands as he leaned his forehead on yours again. "C-cute?" you replied, your cheeks bright blue by now.

"Y/N, don't mind that foolish guy's words," Rotxo said as he noticed the narrowness of your eyes. "What do you mean by that?" you asked him. "He said that I would never be interested in you, but the fact is, I have been admiring you since we were kids," he said.

"Rotxo…," you muttered, the sound of his words hitting your heart. "The girls are pretty, but you, Y/N, are everything I have ever dreamt of," he said, letting your wrists go and gently framing your face with his hands.

“If you asked me to pick someone else, I would respect your decision and leave you alone, but you’re truly all I want. I can never imagine choosing anybody else over you," he said with a profound stare into your eyes, the affection in his gaze palpable. "Just this once, Y/N, be a little selfish, and choose me.”

You hesitated, your voice trembling as doubt clouded your gaze. In an instant, you were pulling Rotxo close against you, holding him tight. "You can't imagine how long I've yearned to hear you say you want me. I may be reserved and often silent, but there's one thing I truly want, and that's you," you confessed.

Thank you ever so much for taking the time to read this. It was such a treat for me to write. I saw Rotxo with a happier eye, full of love and innocence.

[kookie-doughs]

Again And Again

Portgas D Ace X Reader

-Amatsuki Y/N decided to stay in the future without her sister upon meeting a friend’s son.

Chapter 1: Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep

The Oro Jackson, with its grand sails, docks at the port of Wano. The crew members, including the you and your brother-in-law, Oden, stand on the deck, your faces filled with melancholy. The golden rays of the setting sun cast a bittersweet glow on the scene.

You look down to your leg and there held on, was Buggy who was practically sobbing and Shanks who looked at you sadly.

"Hey I'm also leaving, why do you two only care about Y/N?" Oden sighed.

You were the only woman on board, it made sense they'd get attached to you. You were the crew's princess after all.

And to be fair... it wasn't just the two kids who held onto you.

"Roger get off her." Rayleigh sighed as he pulled his captain away.

"This crew has been my family, and I'm grateful for every moment we spent together... I'm going to miss you all." You say with your voice trembling.

"Y/N DON'T FORGET US! ALWAYS PAY US A VISIT OKAY?! NO MATTER WHAT TIME IT IS!!" Roger says as he struggles from his first-mate's hold.

"Take care of yourself... We'll miss you so much." Shanks says and lets go of your leg and pulls the sobbing Buggy with him.

"We'll see each other again, I promise! This isn't going to be the last!" Oden cheers.

"Thank you for everything. We won't forget any of you. I promise to see you again!!" You smiled.

As you and Oden descend the gangplank and step onto the solid ground of Wano, you turn to face your cherished family for the last time. The crew members line the deck, waving and calling out their farewells, their voices filled with emotion.

"Goodbye, everyone! Thank you for making this journey unforgettable." You yell at them waving.

"Farewell, my friends. We'll always cherish the memories we made together." Oden says with tears and a smile.

The ship slowly sails away, and the distance between the crew and you and Oden grows. The crew members stand united, watching their friends depart, hearts heavy with both sadness and pride for the incredible adventures that they had gone through together.

"I miss my Toki so much, come on!" Oden yells as he grabs you and carries you like one of his bags.

Something you've gotten used to over the years of being with him.

"Y/N!" Your sister greets you as soon as you arrive.

Her husband falls as you have won her attention first.

You hug your sister, "Oh how I've missed you."

Two children, came rushing in the room to hug their father. After Toki gave Oden a kiss she pulls you aside to catch up.

"Toki, Oden was looking forward to you." You laughed.

"He can wait, we have a lot of time." She rolled her eyes, "So? Catch me up! Tell me everything."

Toki, was the dearest person to you. You could tell she also holds you close to her 3rd only to her children.

You two are peas of the same pod after all, twins with similar yet opposite power.

"I had thought you would've ended up with Roger." Your sister chuckled as you tell her your story.

"Oh god no. Rayleigh was definitely more of my type. But alas, I couldn't get attracted to them."

"You are a liar. I know you and your type is definitely Roger."

"Whatever! Go spend time with your husband!" You rolled your eyes causing her to laugh.

~

News from outside Wano travel a whole lot slower. The news was year ago, why have you only gotten it now?

Amigasa Village, here you were the last place you saw your dear former captain.

"Y/N?" Oden came to you, Toki following after him.

"I heard Roger died a year ago." You smile sadly at the couple.

"Oh did he?" Oden sat beside you.

"Yeah, paper says Marines got him. They executed him after he went on about One Piece." You laughed.

"That's bull." Oden laughed with you. "Marines trying to look good."

You sat in silence as you stare at the waters, Remembering the ship that had left you here not long ago.

"I wonder how the others are..."

"Well considering the news was a year ago. They probably don't think much of it."

"I want to see..."

"See what?"

"Hey Toki," you turn to your sister. "Can you take me to the future?"

The couple froze.

"What?"

"I can't let you go alone."

"We can't do anything with how things are right now. I want to see how it is in the future."

"I said I refuse to let you go off alone." Toki reiterates.

"I can always come back."

"Y/N there's a reason you haven't gone back and fixed Wano. You can't simply go back to past and future like that." Oden reminds you.

"I can come back after a year. It's not that long."

"What if you get in trouble to whenever I send you?"

"Toki, I sailed with Roger Pirates for years and trained with Oden. I'll handle myself fine."

"What do you even want to see? Why do you have to leave?" Oden sighed

"I want to see the world."

"Y/N... What if the future isn't something you like?" Toki says sadly.

"I'll wait till I can come back. A year wait shouldn't be too bad."

"A lot can happen in a year." Oden replies.

"I'll go back anyway. Somehow, I'll find a way. I'll get back to you."

"The future isn't even great."

"How would you know? Toki, please. I want to see outside of Wano."

"Promise you'll come back..."

You smile at your sister. "i swear."

A light envelops you.

"I'll see you in a year."

"Ill see you in 19 years." You smiled.

And then, there you were.

In a beach. You were luckily familiar with the place. It hasn't changed. You smile.

You would've thought your sister or your nephew or niece would be here to greet you.

You make your way to the village. There you saw children running around with men who didn't seem to be citizens of Wano.

The village looked poor, it surprised you how much life it had despite it.

"Who are you?" You hear a voice behind you. "You're not someone from this village."

The man wore a mask over his eyes. He is a muscular man with spiky long light blue hair, and wears a very long opened coat which stretches down to his knees and leaves his chest exposed.

You looked at him confused. He was most definitely a pirate. But what was a pirate doing here?

Pulling out your Katana on your hip you point it at the man.

"Do you serve Kaido?" You glared.

People gathered and gasped. The citizens tried to get help. The man was unarmed after all.

"I don't." The man says nonchalantly.

You were about to hide your sword when you felt a presence that was coming behind you.

You envelop your sword with haki and slashed at the direction of the attacker, you didn't put much power into the attack as you didn't want to be hostile to someone who isn't an enemy.

The flame that was coming to you was cut and it turned into a man. His arm had been cut.

"I do not wish to fight!" You clear it up before he attacks once again. Putting your sword away to prove it.

The man in the form of flame materializes. You froze when he looked at you.

A familiar feeling swells in your chest. They shared almost no striking similarities aside from their jet-black hair and the intense darkness of their eyes. But you felt something the man before exuded an air of charisma and determination, possessing an unwavering spirit that drew others to them like a magnetic force. Just as the man you followed before.

It was something you had always admired on your former captain. You looked at the man in front of you awestruck.

"Who the hell are you?" the man gritted his teeth, angered at the fact you pointed your sword at his friend.

But you were too engrossed in your thoughts to pay mind to his question.

This seemed to be destiny was it not? In your despair of losing Roger, you travel in time only to be in the arms of you assume to be his son.

You smile as your tears formed. You had promised to meet him again after all. It wasn't like you can meet him again. You were in wano during the incidents.

"I asked you something." The man calls for your attention again.

Your tears slowly dripped and your smile grew wider, "I'm Y/N."

The man shocked by your tears, came over to you, "I-If you're not an enemy I'm not going to fight you! Don't cry!"

You laughed causing your tears to fall more. "To think you'd be the one here. Maybe you are the future I'm meant to get to."

The man blinks confused, "I-Is that a romantic u-uh I-I..."

Placing a hand on his head to pet him, "You never gave me your name."

"Ace?" He says confused.

Your heartache swelled, yearning to tell Ace about your shared past, about the legendary crew you held dear. But the weight of time and the knowledge that your stories belonged to a bygone era held you back. Instead, you could only stand there, filled with a profound sense of loss and nostalgia.

The encounter with Ace had awakened a longing for the past, but it also reminded you of the joy in forging new connections and embracing the adventures that awaited them in this new era.

He is not Roger. You couldn't wait to get to know Ace.

Masterlist | Next

Taglist?

@gayer-than-the-gayest-gay @nykie-love-anime

[court-jobi]

Trustfall

(gif from Pinterest)

Pairing: Din Djarin x biker!Reader

Words: 8,865

Rating: Teen & Up, (mature themes, but not graphic)

Warnings: canon-typical violence, chase scene action, catcalling, skeevey sleemos, brief descrip of injuries/roadburn, consensual touching, injury care, FEELINGS, fluff to intimacy, first kiss #thehelmetcomesoff ((fem reader, mild descriptions of features, hair etc.))

Summary: Most jobs' occupational hazards may include some warnings for heavy machinery: not 3rd degree roadburn and blaster shots to the face. Just your luck, that's what happens in your line of work.... While your partner-in-not-quite-crime Din Djarin has quite a bit of on-the-job experience with patching himself up after his skirmishes, tending to yourself after a shitshow like this is new territory. Some things are just too tender to see from behind the helmet-- and need the naked eye.

Sounds like he really needs to trust you if he's going to give you help with this one...

"I'm not going without you- -and you're not going alone" -P!nk, 2023

AN: thank you from the bottom of my heart, internet strangers, for the love for my little stories... this is a long one! here's to the countdown to season 3 finale, and a dose of feminine rage, badassery, and fluff to soften the landing~

For my Star Wars | Mandalorian Masterlist, check it out here!

Read on AO3

Anywhere in the galaxy you turn, there's a place you can navigate like the back of your hand: simply find where the drinks are flowing. Every watering hole may have its tricky language and even trickier problems, but the money's always good, and no questions are asked of you. 

At a cantina, you rely on this. Here, you know you can easily fall back to old habits in an instant. Safety first, of course. 

The rundown: where's the doors, where's the bouncers, where’s the barkeep and where's the biggest guy in the room. You've trained yourself to  look for gaps, low traffic areas where you could make a quick dash out if things are looking sideways. Do all those things as fast as you can, too, because everything can change in a second. Tables can flip over like a credit chip– tempers, all the more quick to the draw. Oh, and don't be suspicious. Give a little smile if you can chance it– unassuming glances always make folks feel better.

But it's a bit different now. You don't bother to look up when you cross the threshold of a new place. You don't dissect all these fine details. After all, you've got a green baby that's twisting in his sling across your hips that has your attention split, and he comes first. 

That's a full time job on its own… and whenever he comes along for the day, you don't forget the best part of the arrangement you find yourself in. 

You've got a bounty hunter in stride. Worry is the furthest thing from your mind. He’s got you. 

Upon first entry, the Mandalorian you've been hyperspace hopping with comes in like he'd likely done hundreds of times before. He's no stranger to reading a room, either. Though this time, with you and the little one tucked away in your crossbody, the company he keeps is completely different. This dynamic is far from your norm, but there’s so many things you love about it– and as it turns out, the feeling is mutual. He tells you so, that you don’t have to worry when he’s with you. 

You buckled in the kiddo yourself– a break for Mando's still-tender shoulder. The scuffle you'd just come from not twelve hours ago was still fresh in both your minds– not that your sabacc face showed it. He appreciated your offering to keep tabs and hold him today. Still gotta fix his pod after the 'swimming incident' last week… after this payday, maybe you two could swing it after your winnings arrive. 

Heading towards his unofficial corner of this planet's best underground lounge, Mando picked up through his peripherals the bits of chatter– no… -hunger- coming from some of the smaller pods of wranglers. Their attention wasn't due to the shinier beskar plates he wore. No, it was all aimed at his newfound companion. 

They're all looking at you… not that you notice.

One in particular caught Mando’s honed attention as you neared, passing him to the bartop while he waited. The man wasn't the biggest in size, but Mando knew this type; that smarmy smile told him he’s thinking himself roguishly handsome, but made of complete slime and bantha-shit.

“Bike’s out back~” you paused by the bar to pick up the drink you’d nodded for, and made a convincing-looking fake sip while sticking close to his side. “-unregistered. Pokka dropped it off this morning for a nearby delivery run. It’s not the prettiest thing, but it’ll do in a pinch for a two-seater.” 

Just after that line left your lips, something in the schmuck’s eye and his low murmur to his buddy. A near growl about the ‘not the only thing I'd pinch– pretty thing, coming right up’ made your partner turn with micro-precision in the direction of the smugglers–

–and catch your hand with a fierceness. Right in front of their table.

You're surprised by the sudden gesture. 

When he did let go around the back of the row of booths, the Mandalorian more or less guided you by the small of your back instead. If anyone were invested enough past their drink's contents to be watching, they’d find you in a half embrace. This move allowed Mando the space to tuck you into his side with a corralling arm. You'd honestly not registered what he’d witnessed until he fell back to your pace with a gentle ‘this way’. A pod of spacers were gawking– at the shiny guy loaded to the gils with blasters, you thought. 

Now closer, you had less room, but still managed enough to swing the munchkin to your front. The ‘bag’ made a little noise- an indignant question at your description of the ride you’d secured.

“Sorry, excuuuse me- three seater! Two and a half more like, with your size...”

Situating yourself with some disappointed looks your way, you took the near end of the bench Mando directed you to. Didn’t take much to know not to keep eye contact too long with any of these unsavory characters around you, so you kept to yourself. Once Mando slid in from the opposite side, you asked him, 

"Quite the crowd huh?--oof–"-

Rather than allow the space for the little guy in between you, Mando slid in right beside you: an arm behind you and a small thud of his heavy fist on the table. The tracer clacked as it landed in front of him.

Someone's got him acting testy. You eyed your hunter as he brooded; a small twinkle flitted behind your eyes, 

“See someone you know?" you asked.

"No." the Mandalorian spat out, curtly.

"Then what's wrong?"

His helmet turned to you, then ahead again.

"I didn't like how they were looking at you."

You bristled, really checking the room for the first time, managing the kid in your lap with a little glance. From the moment you took stock of the table nearest you, their quick darts in your direction told you just how rusty you were. They’re all locked onto you. 

The whole point of your taking the kiddo for Mando was to seem less out of place, not a target.

“You don’t– think folks all the way out here are gonna go after him?” Nervousness flared in your voice, though for the sake of appearances, you didn't dare let it show on your face, “Who even reads the Imp notices anymore? This whole town’s a glorified farming dustball-”

Mando corrected you, “Not him.” 

He murmured that into your shoulder like it was obvious.

A stunted breath tripped up your budding confusion. 

"Well, if it's not the sight of a baby in a bar making them creep, what then?”

“You.”

Not for the first time, you checked the look of yourself. It’s what you faced from the reflection of the beskar cheek looking back at you when you addressed him– never his face, but yours. Then, to the room. Sure, you weren’t so rough-and-tough looking from the outside, but–

"..Hold on." Flatly, you turned towards him; a quarter turn from your cozy spot. "You're saying I'm the distraction here."

All you got  in response was a little quirk of the helmet. 

You bristled, “I’m not the only-”

“I know you’re not,” he hushed you again, still scanning his sights across the venue like a sentry camera, “but these bantha-breaths are all the same when it comes to- distractions.” 

Your eyes fluttered in a muted roll. “And you think that’s new?”

“New to me.”

“Cmon. All this? You’ve gotten plenty of looks before.”

“Not the way they were watching you. The kid had nothing to do with it.”

You never take having such protective company for granted, but Mando's insinuation that you're bringing unwanted attention was surprising– and irritating.

“Please. You flatter me, I hardly think I’m the biggest draw in the room, hon.” you settled in. Harmless, but indignant, “You want me to really up the appeal? Then we should have planned ahead, and set up a rotation for me in the dance schedule.”

His gloves crackled at the creases– their grip unmistakable, “That’s an invitation for trouble.”

“No, messing with you is an invitation for trouble. I’m not trouble.”

“May not mean to, but you might cause us some.”

In truth, this observation wasn't unfounded; of the scarred, sweaty hunters and mechanics that filled this bar, you'd likely look out of place somewhere half this packed… and there’s no mistaking with the way you’re dressed that you are no fair-eyed performer like the real beauties in here. Sure your face under the visor shield might tell a different story when you appear more intimidating on the road, but here on this world, you passed over the need for even a 

This was your job, and not your first time in this line of work. You wore the kit, you didn't strut or flaunt your stuff around, and you certainly never drank on the job either. Just looked and played the part you needed to. If he didn’t want you to come meet the contact, then why ask you to join him? The whole point of this plan was to be seen very publicly as a united front, so you wouldn't be suspected of funny business; even if that was going to be your specialty after you start phase two: divide and conquer, as you always do.

Plans change, sure– but only when things turn sideways… not when he’s got some alpha male jealous streak going on behind that bucket of his. That hand grab earlier proved it.

Mando just took centering deep breaths while you ran out of accommodating alternatives. 

“Well, then, what do you want me to do?” the short candor that came out of your mouth wasn’t in your nature– but this was getting annoying, how short he’s acting. He’s not normally this snippy with you… “What, ‘wait by the tram’ till you come out, so I don't tinge that reputation of yours?”

The helm regarded you, then shook off– like he was redacting on the spot.

“I- didn't mean-”

And the backpedaling,

“-Fine.” 

No use fighting for a place you shouldn't be in the first place, because it would only make his job more difficult. Feelings or not, you weren’t out to throw a wrench in the operation just for the sake of your involvement. 

And even if your reason hadn’t won out, you sure weren't up for a soapbox moment either– despite its occupancy in your chest. 

You unstrapped the kid from yourself and placed him in your spot, 

“See ya in a bit, bud,” you laced a kindness into your voice- a sweetness just for him, “Maybe your dad will get his job done better without 'arm candy' throwing off his mojo."

Beelining it to the backdoor, you carried on steaming. You didn't bother looking back, which also meant you missed the Mandalorian’s lock on you the whole way across the rounded bar. Not that you had any doubts that he would be watching you; in fact, you counted on it. But you knew with even more certainty that he wouldn’t stop you. Not when there’s a job to do. You’re just going to set out on yours early. 

Though you may not always see alike, there’s yet to be a final say that makes you not trust him so far. You’ll change the plan, call ‘plot twist’ and go right along with him.

Maybe one of these days he’ll begin to trust you at your word… do Mandalorians even do that with folks who aren’t their kind?

It's a job. A job you can do damn well. So, back to old habits it is. Keep the bike warm and ready for go-time.

In your retreat, you caught a comm from him. Just a blip and slight vibration that caught your attention on your wrist: 

/be careful/

– and just like that, all the temper heating your neck and chest: shocked by a bucket of cold, graciously vigilant water.

Your Mandalorian couldn't resist.. and you really couldn't fault him for it. 

You stopped at the door, slowing as the two words staring back at you made you come to a standstill. Checking back and finding that the man's brilliantly shiny helmet had indeed stayed tracked on you the whole time sent that pang in you alive and burning. A little breath huffed from your nose, but you didn't scowl at him. 

It's just in his nature, he can't turn that off. 

You looked back and nodded.

'I will'. 

“Fancy seeing a livin' breathin' angel who knows her way around a rig~” 

Outside, the smarmy man you'd missed noticing before made good on his interest in you and racked up his courage to act on it. He swaggered over to you by the open air skybike model you’d secured. 

As aloof as he could seem, with that peacocking chest on full display…. He’d even set one of his holsters off to the side, a clear invitation for you to notice another package. Ugh. 

“Vision a’ beauty in a dark, little corner like this, too…" he layered on the sugar,"Must be my lucky day, I tell ya!”

You weren’t having this pathetic attempt. 

“Does this actually work on women…” You leveled your face.

Felt good, giving him a stare down before going back to your solid watch of the back door. 

“C’mon now, pretty thing,” more swaggered steps towards you had your insides cringing– and had you moving ‘round the speeder to the mount side, “Couldn’t keep my eyes off’a ya in there– yer a stunner!”

And you don’t take a hint. “Not interested– I’m working.” Kept talking, too, like your words had just been a sneeze. 

“Thought you was that bounty hunter’s girl, but ah-” he comically searched the perimeter of the garage, “--don't see ‘im nowhere.”

You scrolled through your wristcom, “If you did, I’d be sweating if I were you.”

“Got the hots for him, do ya? ‘R are you just friendly is all?”

It took every ounce within you not to react. Don’t give him fodder, just watch the door and keep a  level head. Like he does. 

You cursed yourself. Mando really did have the eyes of a hawk-bat inside. Meanwhile, you were getting rusty– or just far too comfortable. 

Still, this moron was clearly set on poking the still-tender temper inside of you.

“Thinkin,” he made every move to sidle up to you, “I don’t have yer name, sweet’art- whaddthey call ya?”

“Look– I’m not here for my health. Buzz off.” You won’t be getting it.

And another step, to come lean on the front dash- “Right then– I get to guess. Sweetie, it is~”

Some sanity passed through your head, and you figured… the more you talk to this joker, the more he’ll try his luck. A hand on the palmbar, you revved the bike to full power; making your ‘Leech’ jump back, immediately floundering–

“Hey, hey, hey!!” and his sights roved over you, and in an instant, you equally revved his engines, “Ah, bit of fire in ya, huh? Like that in a bitch… Sure you know how to ride this beauty? or I can show you the ropes~”

You finally let your disgust show.

-and thank the Maker for the comm beep to save you. Your partner’s speech-to-text came through on your wrist tab,

//Making an exit//

//Which bay did you clear//

All too grateful, you typed back the number plastered on the overhead air systems installed above you. 

It took a bite of your tongue to keep from writing back a fuller response:

/Listen to the sound of this skug-bag’s jaw hitting the floor- that’s where I’ll be/

but instead you mounted after a quick couple letter keys.

“Well, it’s been a not-so-lovely chat here,” you upturned your own helmet with a flourish, “But after the loss of these braincells I can never get back, I gotta run and make my pickup now.”

The man made a last attempt to lean in over your from the front handlebars, 

“Nah, c’mon, gorgeous, I’ll make it worth your time real good. What’s the hurry? Sure there’s no harm in a bit a’ hooky?”

You laughed high in the back of your throat, giving gushy-sweetness back, with a side of ice–

“Not on your life, sleemo. Door to Hell is open, I hear.”

Then with the pop of your helmet on, you floored a fast reverse and drove off to leave him in the dust.

It almost occurred to you when you paused again to see what became of him, but you were shocked that he was in fact coming after you– with a gang of about four other men. Not that you could make out clearly what they were joshing about in the metallic hangar, but the slang they used about what features were hidden by your clothes was obvious…

The door you parked by remained silent when you rolled up; meaning you’d probably met Mando too soon. He likely wasn’t ‘a few moments away’ after all. And the gang who’s laughing so boisterous was nearing the exit ramp that would take them straight to you.

You tapped the wrist comm again, speaking directly. 

“Got company out here too, Mando,” you firmed up, “Bit of nasty company if that makes a difference!”

In a blink’s time, the audio came back, blaster fire sparkling through the speaker, 

“Same shits from the bar?”

You chortled, then answered clearly,

“Yup. Bold guys, up close.”

“I’ve got their buddies inside too.”

“Well kriffin’– do you need backup in there then?” Your slow reverse and frantic scooting along the floor looking for someplace inconspicuous -and quick- to hide your ride flew through your mind as you came up with plan ‘B’. “I’ll stash this, and lay lower inside.”

“No time– Take a lap– don’t stay where you are–” the Mandalorian blurted out.

You heard the rev of the gang’s engines as they idled around the exit ramp, “Or could you just put a rush on it? I’m already right here–”

“I’ll find you,” he stressed. “DO NOT engage them–”

But before you could snap back with–

“Guess you’re in need of a new boyfriend after all, Sweetie Pie!”

The crass voices appeared from above. While you’d slowed and chatted, they’d hopped the roof and made to bear down on you. The newcomers to the group, a couple Trandoshans and another Kel Door with a new retrofitted mask roved over you like you were a batch of Quarren hot-pot.

Oh, that blaster at your side was tempting… but you revved into top gear, and changed the route again. 

Keep away it is. Just ‘till the boys show up. 

In the end, you lose your seedy admirers after your third pass around. Touch and go driving proved in your favor, messing with their sloppy sense of acceleration with each lap around the back parking area. That was perhaps your saving grace– letting their inebriated states affect their pursuit instead of performing on the offensive– but it was short lived. 

Your first chatty Leech gets a corner up on you and forces your trek on the inner wall, where the backdoors line the complex. At this stretch of buildings, there weren’t any more service ladders like where Mando was going to meet you. 

Coincidentally, there were garbage units separating where that former landing zone was to where you are now. So when you skidded to a perfect stop, Leech rammed into the back and managed to jam his front end into the back of your second-seat attachment. Lovely. A flare of alarm chilled your back– feeling him far too close for comfort. 

The blaster you carry is holsted between you- he’d see if you turned to grab it. You’ll have to slip down for your vibroblade if he tries to grab you.

And of course now is when he comes out of the far backdoor– 

The Mandalorian burst from the firefight in the back door and -0ki whipped around the railing looking for you. The munchkin spots you first, and with your visor’s magnification, you see his smile- and subsequent squeal- which drags the Mandalorian’s attention to you.

From clear across the divide, his blaster raised and you leveled down with your handlebars: like he showed you.

“Hey now, friend! I was just returnin’ yer lovely thing to you!” the man’s voice flipped up several octaves in defense. 

The maglock between your bikes activated, and he dragged you in reverse ever so slowly, 

“Been runnin’ me and my crew like wild around the place. Been a fun chase- yeh must have yer hands full of this girl-”

Mando shot the man’s acceleration chamber till it hissed– stopping him in his tracks.

“You stay.”

You bashed the man’s face with a harsh elbow while his sights are down.

“YOU CRA-”, he recoiled with a bear swipe while you dismounted to try and fling him off– “--AH!”

But another shot grazed the man’s foot, making him slump onto his speeder.

He’s buying you time. 

Running through your mental catalog, you risked the man’s pain-induced split focus to detach your bikes from his panel’s shortcuts– but didn’t miss the Mandalorian’s next shout,

“Touch her and you lose your head next.”

You smirked under your visor. He’s gonna take him out anyway, you just know it. Swinging your ride back around to where you can remount never felt so good. 

Now, you really did try to avoid close calls like this as much as you can manage. But if nothing else, this run-in proved you could always learn a bit more, should spare reading up on grav separation, and maybe outrig yours a bit better when you get the chance…

A spared nod to the Mandalorian while you backed up– and his nod back– gave you the confirmation from the high ground that you needed. 

From your angle down low, your helm didn’t have the scope for it. But Mando’s does; you’re cleared to run the gap.

Against the exasperated Leech’s expectations, you jumped it. Sure enough, when you landed, no more jeers followed. Only yells of surprise from the guy’s crew, who were screaming around his form laid flat on the ground, some to call for a extinguisher droid for the speeder fire, another calling out for a medic…

Under the railing where Mando stands, blaster shots chink off his backplate again, signaling him to get out of there. A perfect land later, Mando mounted behind you and wedged his foundling between the both of you. 

“I take it you got it?” you asked, your modulated voice still perking up the Child’s ears.

He answered with arm wrapped tight your waist, “Got it. Drive.”

With the Mandalorian and the kid’s padded sling strapped tight to him, the three of you dipped off the ledge of the garage, leaving the bad vibes- and big paycheck -secured. 

–However, there's a gap in the antigrav you don’t account for. Turning sharp back to the main road, you slip off a level, and wipe out. Happens so fast, you don’t even breathe– just feel a punch to the gut where the front end of the bike lurches back against you when you curl forward around it as it spins against the momentum.

 The acceleration drones when it falls off kilter, the compressors go creepily silent, the metal plates grind against your eardrums, scrapes and crashes, and so do you.

The Child’s fine; if just a little dizzy when Mando curls away from his landed position behind you. Made of straight beskar steel everywhere it counts, he’s perfectly fine too. 

You? Not so lucky… You can count on one hand the amount of times over the age of fifteen where you’ve had a messy landing– and this makes the top ten. 

Crashing feking hurts. But you can still feel your legs; that’s good.

You rolled onto your back at Mando’s yell for you. He’s calling for you by name– louder and longer each time it leaves his vocoder– before you can reorganize your rattled brains enough to make any noise. A test of tilting your head proved you had range of motion. An adrenaline-high hand simply gave a thumbs up to him, even though your cheek burned. 

White hot sting radiated across your face even when you chucked your helmet off with gasps of breath, as fiery steam and dribbles of blood were dangerously seeping close to your eyeline. From your good eye squinting to the side, you caught the remnants of your smoking, stolen ride spun out amongst some employee’s stash of speeders. So much for returning that poor two-and-a-half speeder back in one piece…

The Mandalorian led you out of the hangar with a steady hand on your back- for support, this time. 

Even through the leather, you felt the pressure he gave as a buffer between you and any lingering watchers. Out in the bustle of a crowd should have provided a comforting white noise to be moving along in, fading into their routine existence through the foot traffic. But not this time; not with your ear still ringing and ears popping every time you swallow. Instead you were still shaking off the chills that creep sent when he was starting to block you in.

That hand on your back slid onto your waist, tucking you closer to him as you walked and merged with the crowd. Then, while your attentions moved to the booths, he slowed a bit and moved up to your arm.

"Are you alright?"

You lifted up, that soft tone a sharp contrast to what you’d just witnessed: as he made his threats and his kills like the hunter he was. It hadn't bothered you, in fact the protective nature of him made you feel slightly good. 

You smiled and fell into his side. You didn't realized how tightly you'd crossed your arms over your fractured helmet. His touch alone- brief as it was- encouraged you to release the tension.

"Yeah... Thanks for that." You sunk a bit. With every breath, the adrenaline ebbed more and more from you, and your cheek stung.

You both could bicker about how you had it covered another time. When there was some distance between this incident, maybe, but thanks was due here. There was no game of ‘I told you so’ between you; it was unspoken- but the care won out over any personal beef.  

Your ego is plenty bruised over having a wipeout in front of him. And yet, even as he'd brought you to your helmet, the first comment he made wasn't about how reckless you'd rounded that corner, or how you got yourself into a chase scene picking a petty fight… 

Mando was by your side the instant your hand fell limp after your cheery hand signal, and said something about how this helmet saved your life. In the moment, you were just sad its visor shattered. 

"Spent a lot of credits on the tint job…" you groaned. 

"You're bleeding. From the head."

"Fine, fine," you waved him off, "I'll spring for substance and not style next time."

"Thank Ashla her humor's intact," Mando bemoaned to the Child. "C'mon, let's get you up and out of here."

"Ow, shit– that's gonna bruise…  all down here, too.." 

"I've got you."

He looked ahead and motioned with a little nod to the corner of the side street. Once under a pavilion cover he loosened his hold on completely in favor of facing you.

"I'm.. I'm sorry that happened."

"Yeah," you sighed back, "Wasn't the finest show of my skills. Even stellar  have bad days too, see?"

"N-. Not that," he shook his head a little, "When I found you, out back."

You stood confused. "What, that a creep wanted to get in my pants? It's not the first time, and probably not the last." 

What started as a quip in your voice turned more genuine as you admitted the truth, 

"You uh… had that part right at the bar. How they're all the same, y'know."

He bristled, the turn of his helmet evident.

"That's happened to you before?"

You shrugged it off, a little surprised that he hadn't been privvy to that kind of scene.

"Just read the stats. It happens more often than folks care to admit, honey,” that sick feeling returned, the one that made even your toes lurch.The sourness of your memories made your broken helmet decidedly more interesting to look at,  “Dregs say whatever they want in these parts, really anywhere from Mid-Rim out. Don't like being told 'no' for the most part either… It just depends on how far they'll go to try and ‘convince you’." 

He really must be all business in establishments like that to never see those locales from another's perspective… But you grin back up at him while he stared speechless. 

"...I haven't ever had someone come to my rescue before.." you admitted. "That was– welcome. Appreciated."

As expressionless as the helmet made him, the slight tip of the head spoke wonders for you. Mando's hand rose to catch your top wrist and rubbed his thumb against it– solidifying those feelings he didn't dare speak in public. Without any facial features to go on, you relied on these touches and read into every little thing: chipping up your chin is an encouragement, a pat on the shoulder is a quick ‘atta girl’ or ‘stay put’ depending on the situation. And this little hold on your wrist spoke equal wonders, a hidden language of care:

 I’d do it again in a heartbeat, cyar’ika. Simply say the word, and it’s done.

Your pause was a quick one, and with no more words shared, he simply took claim of your hand, adjusted your fingers to work together, and led you back to the shipyard. 

The Child would peek his head out now that the action was over. He’d crane and lean up at you both as much as his sling could afford him– though he was most interested in what sight was in front of him: your hands now fitting together like they belonged. 

His buir was currently holding your hand, like he’s reached out to hold his own three fingered claw when they first met. He hoped this meant you'd stay, too. With his green-skinned hand, he could almost reach yours and add it to the pile.

......................................................................................................

The Mandalorian was quiet that night. The quiet itself was not unusual, no not that– setting a course and spending his time in the cockpit making the adjustments he wanted was a completely normal task for him. He always knew where to go, which route to plug into the navicomputer to coast comfortably in this hyperspace lane for the next few hours so he didn’t have to stay up there and babysit it. You left him to it; this brand of silence was nothing really out of the ordinary for him.

You thanked his strictly-taught discipline tonight. While he stayed busy, you were able to clean yourself up without an audience. 

After an indulgent sonic shower by his insistence, you fiddled around in the small kitchenette. The domesticity, the residential feel you’d fostered on the ship piece by piece was a sharp contrast to how the bar made you feel. The security of this place; you fall back into the feeling of ‘home’ here everytime you come up the ramp. So far tonight, that’s meant heating up a few bean rolls, monitoring the data cells you’d comped from your intel, and watching the kiddo roll around that little knob he was always sneaking off with. The minute after you’d realize the twist top of the gearshift throttle in the cockpit was missing, you’d smile. What thievery, at such a young age… at least your pilot didn’t have need of it yet.

You shook your head and laughed when the Mandalorian sighed behind you– clearly finding it, too.

"What am I gonna do with you, pal..." He wrestled with himself more than anything- begging the odd baby for reason, and picked him off the floor.

After setting him on the crate, the Mandalorian came up to the side of the sink. You didn't move much from what you were doing, but looked up when he just stood there quietly for too long.

"--What's up?"

“Really need to clean that.”

At the nod, you knew what he meant– the split brow and cheekbone.

Your instincts flared- hedge away. 

You fanned your face,  “I was just getting him settled first. It’s clean, I was just letting it cool down a minute.”

Your name left his lips. Firm as steady morning rain, and in a similar hush. You didn't need to see what color they were to know they were set on you and only you.

“Look, it’s only this much, see?--AH! Oof, nevermind..”

At your cheek’s lift, the fire came back. The move brought a tear to sting your eye. 

In a second, the Mandalorian came to your aid, a bracing hand on your waist as his hand cupped your chin to see the damage himself. He asked you to take another step towards the light, so you did. It seemed like he was tilting about a bit, even as he tested the touch around the roadburn. You winced at it each time- from both the poking and the bulb of the overhead glaring into your eyes. 

“It’s pretty bad, huh.” you mumbled out.

Guilt came through the sigh as a little exhale. You barely caught it, but it struck you in the stomach. The night, its quiet, and the privacy of hyperspace allowed you to bring your favorite secret to your lips–

“How bad is it –Din?”

“I can’t see it too well.” Mando -by his true name- told you, a skosh gentler. “My scanner doesn’t always allow me to see the debris from the clotting clearly. Hard to tell,” he weakly let go of your chin. 

“Damn,” you sniffed and looked about for the tabletop lantern back by the kiddo, “Do I need to get the handheld?”

Then, with a little look back to the hull where he sat occupying himself sleepily by the towel pile, your Mandalorian took maybe his largest risk ever:

“-I need you to close your eyes for me.”

“Huh?” 

“I need to see it better. Need– you to close your eyes for me to do that.”

Realization punched you again. Made your ears prick– and gooseflesh chill you.

You can't let him do this... You know he would. 

“We can get a medscanner, Din. It's not too late to stop somew-.”

“No,” he caught you again, “I can do it; need to do it. I just– I need to trust that you’re hearing me.”

It's less of an order and more of a curated ask, one that begged for assurance. This man would always do his best to help you– but you never imagined he'd go this far… what he's willing to do for you. 

It's the most vulnerable request he'd ever made of you; a Mandalorian's trustfall. 

Now? You took back every doubt you had in the bar about him. You looked him straight in the visor –while you still could.

“...I hear you, hon.”

It nodded back to you; just one, solemn motion.

“Okay. Come sit here.”

You obeyed and locked onto the sight of the child while the Mandalorian fell to a knee in front of you, then propped himself up on both to match. With prepped gauze and tools to extract the pebbley shards, you winced at the canister of bacta being shaken up in his palm. A gloved palm came to caress your thigh. It’s meant to soothe.

“It’s ok. Gonna get you taken care of.”

“Yeah,” you feigned a brave face. 

But every nerve ending fluttered at its tips when you felt it: his now bare hand brushing your good cheek,

“Do not open them, please.” you heard him whisper in the helmet. 

The already low-lit vision of the cabin fell dark at your will. And you nodded– any reaction of his, unseen.

With the latch release and depressurization, you knew the helmet was off. And without meaning to, your ears prickled at every breath, every swallow, every ounce of sound that man was making – now naked to the hallway of this ship.

“Okay,” a gentle baritone spoke in the air between you. It’s new, like a stranger.  “Hm– looks like we’re out of the stim solution, I don’t have any numbing cartridges. But I have the wipe kind. Gonna do that first.”

You hummed your agreement, then immediately whimpered at the first dab.

The Mandalorian froze and detached.

“It’s just a wipe…”

“Tell my face that.” You cringed. “Sorry, juss' stings.”

“I know,” he soothed, “T’sgonna be alright. I’ll make it as quick as I can. There. Gonna get these pieces out now.”

He did work pretty quickly now that he’s out from the helmet. You barely felt the edge of his tweezers as they scooped the wedges of asphalt from that high point of your cheek where the visor of your headgear had shattered. Before you could hedge away from one particularly deep poke, you heard him speak again, 

"I've been thinking about what you said earlier,” Mando peeped up from his quiet, “About... men who've said those things to you before."

You softened. Was he still thinking about it? That was hours ago.

"And.. I know I've said things like that. I just wanted you to know, I can't stomach the thought of you feeling that way. And I apologize if I have ever done so, even if you'd never said a word about it. If you want me to stop, I will."

Kriff, this man. You’d sooner lay across an electrode-fencing rig than ever make him stop. You sighed, and not simply from relief as you heard him switch tools.

He’s a man of few words, but not meaningless ones. The first compliment he ever paid you was about your fire- your heart, your will, and how strong you were and how you believed. Later when you had to doll up for that ridiculous undercover function, he finally spoke his mind in the moment and said you looked ‘stunning’. He calls you 'pretty thing' often; mostly when he's giving you a hard time. Truthfully he'd called you all sorts of things, both in Basic and not– which likely gave him this pang of guilt all the more.

But those endearments were just that: things that gave you joy, a peace and comfort with him. A sweet word here or there? It's born out of familiarity- the ease of tongue that comes with living in close quarters. The draw between you two is perfectly synchronous– it is an unexpected bond through bizarre shared experiences in an infinite galaxy that inevitably brought two rough-and-ready folks together and practically conjoined at the hip. To   

Your Mandalorian is not a man without faults, but he'd never once made you feel filthy.

"Oh stars above, you sweet man.." you chuckled a little, wrenching your palms from your shirt hem and blindly batted up in the air to find his arm. "You've never made me feel like that. It's different when it comes from you. You know that, right?"

He huffed out of his nose. Relieved, if his trigger fingers were any indication as they tilted your cheek again, 

"I didn't want to assume. You're always so collected. Talented, confident.. But you're– painfully polite."

You giggled at that. All of his touches that root you to the spot when you least expect them are anything but unwanted. Of course you were polite when he jumps the gun on grabbing you while out in traffic, or whipping a hand in front of you at a hard stop– but you've never once taken offense to that. 

With a tentative reach, his fingers brushed the line of fine little curls by your ear, relishing in your smile at the touch.

"I don't just want you in safe places. I can’t always promise our adventures will grant us ideal jobs," In the dark, you envisioned his solid, pitch black visor giving a barely there shake… "But I want you to feel safe when you're with me."

You turned your head and kissed the palm of it. 

"I do feel safe with you. You'd be the first to know if I wasn’t–NNGH!"

"Be still."

"Shit… m'working on it… this whole thing's new to me, y'know?" Your mouth wandered like your frantic mind, blitzed with stinging pain. "My visor's never shattered like that before," You clenched your fists against the picks made at your browline, "I just fill in the scuffs with some epoxy usually, but it's never broken like that. Frikkin’ hurt."

Mando hummed in sympathy and merely added, "Gotta fit you with some beskar one of these days."

"Oh, sure, for half my year's portion of – nehNGH!"

“Shh, I know. Last bit’s over. Just gonna clean it up before the spray.”

With a water’s dip and wrench out, Mando made a little cleansing exhale before dabbing over the whole area. Didn’t hurt as much of your face other than the center of the wound because of the sedative, but it certainly made your eyes squeeze shut. No worries of opening your eyes for a peek when it stung so badly.

Your gentle angel in beskar whispered a quiet ‘m’sorry’ for the repeated flare of pain. His nervousness was palpable, regardless of how confident he was at this job. A jostle of your leg at calf-height told you he was checking around for dry gauze. 

“Almost done,” he cooed, “You want a break?”

You hummed and gave your pitiful nod to agree. The barest turn of your head caused little pops in it from craning so much. The pressure would take a while to dissipate and you know that when you open your eyes, they’ll be bloodshot. But the pain would be over soon.

Pleased enough to give you a minute, Mando released your chin in favor of brushing another bit of hair back. Due to taking your own helmet on and off so much, the wisps of curls were bouncier than normal like this, with just enough length to give you some fun bangs. You smirked with a tight-lipped smile, as you did not want to bother and pull your cheeks too much. 

It’s kinda beautiful, this. Having this closeness, sharing in a horrible task but in the best of conditions imaginable– being cared for by the one you adored most. Who wouldn’t crave that when it’s what the heart screams for? 

And with this new secret shared between you, this loophole in Din Djarin’s creed… this isn’t a moment you took lightly at all. 

With a little shaky exhale of your own, you searched for his hand again in your bubble of darkness. Now, it met you fully–and linked your fingers together. 

And then, what shocked you the most: steady fingers supported your jaw again, and a slight breeze to cool down your enflamed cheek rushed across your face. 

Din is here. Kneeling before you and blowing on it– just for your comfort. 

You welcomed the cooling flow; your brows showed it. Every ounce of tension left you while dragging heartache into its warm spot. Emotion flooded every corner of the body. It nearly hurt: how it compressed your chest into submission and brought loving tears behind your eyelids.

You didn’t deserve him.

“We’re almost there, sweetheart. Finish line,” he squeezed your hand before lifting it to his lips. He spoke gently to the fingers, "Keep those eyes closed for me."

"Promise." You squeezed them again, bracing yourself for the final burn.

And there it was– freezing and sealing all at once. A white, blinding sensation like what you’d feel from a lightsource turning on overhead, but all over your skin. Each pore was touched by the bacta’s strange magic without warning- and perhaps it was better that way to get it over with. Your breathing raced in that short time until the spray set, but you made sure to mute any noise with angry focus. Fighting the aftertaste, only a small moan eeked from you while the medicine reacted after your nurse had done his job covering the area. Darling thing, he even shielded the mist from getting directly into your eyes. 

Mando's hands left you only to set its things down. This, only in favor, of cupping your face evenly to hold you still when they returned. They warmed what once felt so cold. His forehead met yours in a tender touch as your tears spilled over from the edge of your eyes. Not to worry, for his thumb wiped them up straight away. 

Hair caught in every which way brushed along your slightly damp brow- his. Matched yours, in a way. 

"All done.” his words danced just over your nose, “You can smack me away now, if you want." 

You gave a wet little laugh as you settled into him. Slapping him is unthinkable to you. “Never.”

No, this was a perfect feeling that you’d never wish an end to. His caresses surpassed that of strict medicinal care and turned intimate, rendering your insides limp and on their way to healing already..

The urge to finally cry hit when you parted… when you felt his lips meet your unharmed cheek in a plush, hot kiss.

You whispered in reverence: Din. Desperation for ‘more, please Starborn, more’, an equal measure of shock had you squeezing his wrist, pinning him to you, 

"Should– heh- sh-should you be doing that?"

He kissed you again. Again. Like he’s addicted to the touch, like it’s his favorite vice to pass the time; soft, loose, sighing up to your temple. You know he must be taking in this sight of you now, before the analytics of heat sensors block him from vivid color and dynamic shadows once the helmet returns. 

"Probably not,” he admitted without true remorse– his voice turned soft and delicious, "But I've always wanted to. And right now, I can–" he pulled away at your forehead, "--Should I stop?"

"Oh, please don't stop–"

Your urgency, his delight. Mando chuckled, and kissed your forehead next: with such love from him, you could never doubt it. Enjoy this, honey. Take it all in.

The moment could have lasted forever. You'd about blindfold yourself for the rest of your life, for all you cared. If he just kept kissing you; lower, lower, lower–

–your lips fit against his, and you burst like a case of firewhiskey spirits poured on a flame. It engulfed you both, and he latched on– to burn right there with you. 

Your hands flew to keep him close, fingers finding a hold through the whisps of his hair he kept short that curled in choppy, sweat-licked parts. He sighed so heavenly when you touched him skin to skin. And easy to please, it seems, since he matched you move for move– threading through your feather-soft waves like it was second nature for him to hold you so close. 

Oxygen and a too-full heart demanded you part for a breath, your pulse going rapid fire in your throat. 

“Thank you.”

“Thank me? Thank– I should be thanking you,”  For caring, for the space to exist at his side, to have his loyalty in your back pocket and in your very soul, “For… everything today.”

“Nothing special about that. You thanked me already.” he said so with such frankness. “We have each other’s backs. We’re on each other’s sides. No, this–” 

His shield dropped from your browline, replaced by his whisper over the lid of your eye–

“–this means everything, mesh’la.”

The honesty of this man wrecked you. 

You found yourself pressing your forehead into the space by his neck to hide. Your Mando petted through your hair like a lovestruck man- desperate and wanting and content with every intention to keep you there for the rest of Time. By how this killer matched your breathy giggles, you had a clue that he wouldn't mind that idea. 

"So," you broke the quiet with a small question, "is that what I can expect every time I get a punch to the face?"

Din huffed. 

"You start poking around for trouble, we're going to have an entirely different problem on our hands,” he mumbled back hoarsely, “Don't you dare get any ideas." 

“Even if they get me kisses?”

“Nothing’s worth you getting hurt, cyar’ika,” those indulgent lips pressed to your hairline before he reached down- to get his helmet. 

At the lean, you panicked a second, and flung back again with a rush for him to wait. 

At your word, he stilled for you to speak your peace. Happy lines greeted your fingertips as you caught the edge of his smile with a blind-man’s reach.

You fought through your elated headspace and begged, "One more?"

Praying to every heaven out there, you were blessed when Din graced your mouth again without any teasing. Kiss after kiss, you melted into each other in this place where nothing hurt– though who did the falling first, you genuinely didn't know. 

Must have been a hell of a numbing wipe. 

After breathless kisses later, stolen tokens as they were, you both felt and heard the Mandalorian shudder and he moan back,

"Gotta stop.." he flipped up the helm with expert precision. It found its home again with only another blip of static when the seal reanimated. "You can open your eyes now."

"Stop…" you managed your beating heart and blinked open your gaze, straight up to the reflected 'T'-shaped gap of his visor. The pupils that looked back at you were straight dilated. You asked out of the haze of your bliss, "Why ‘stop’?"

Still ungloved and with sleeves rolled up, the Mandalorian’s head lolled in a little shake. 

"If I didn't stop right then," Mando caressed your good cheek, "Don't know if I ever would…"

"Would that be the worst?" You hoped for the chance again.

Mando sweetly answered, 

"No.."

It was the kind answer he knew you wanted, to wish for more kisses from you. But he wasn't completely convinced. Not with that lilt in his voice that left a question to be answered. 

He slipped a hand around your waist,

"No, I think.. if I never saw your eyes again, that would be the loss I'd suffer the most.”

Lucidity came back by the moment, your sense of confusion officially returned.

“See me? But you just did, for the first time, right?”

“Couldn’t see those pretty eyes though.”

“Well, tough.” you sassed, “Now you know how I feel.”

You tried to make it sound bossy, but the dig left your mouth too sleepily for him to take it. Behind the metal, his rough rush of static resounded his chuckle.

To further prove the point, you mimic the motion you do for your eye contact removal with a bright, goofy smile,

"It's just retinas, you know,” you shrugged, “Mine don't even work."

"Your loss is my gain, all the same." Mando fell back to only one knee again, to get comfortable at your level. "I'm almost glad we didn’t pass a med droid in town, or else…” he curled an arm around you again, “--this might not have happened any other way. I count your poor excuse for headgear as my blessing this time."

You glanced at what was left of your helmet, but fell into good humor with his warmth bringing you close again.

“You’ll be all too glad to see me walking around a beskar cyclehelm, won’t you? Gonna take a while to find that much to make one, if you’re serious.”

“Oh, I’m serious,” the helmet nodded, chipping your chin for a moment, “But we’ll manage until we source it. Always do.”

You’re still reeling over this; over what this means, him offering you the most prized form of protection. To give you comfort by shedding down to his most vulnerable state. The complete faith he has in you by doing so... It gave your nervous anxieties ballasts on all sides. 

You’d keep your wits about you better next go round, so this doesn’t happen again… but you knew the word ‘partnership’ had a different meaning between you, from this night onward.

Din continued past your mind’s lovely spiral, 

“You won’t need to worry about finding a better replacement before we head to Bespin with this package; we'll just let you heal. No sense pushing it.”

"Probably for the best, yeah," you nuzzled back, "I clearly have issues keeping a helmet on my head as it is."

The helmet giving you a kiss of its own shook side to side. That gesture all but begged ‘what am I going to do with you’.

"So we stick in our lanes for now?” you whispered your hope, “...Try my luck and steal chances whenever I can?"

Instead of a quick nod, the man who’d just kissed you senseless gave you a promise again,

"We can work something out."

[planeswalksgw2blarg]

So! I should probably redo Ellisot's Lore post

Name: Ellisot

Titles: Pact Commander, Champion of Aurene, Former Vigil Warmaster.

Current Build: Soulbeast Ranger/Condi focus

Relationship Status: Married to Tarr Farore (@puppetguys-guild 's OC, also he sadly doesn't use tumblr often but im tagging him anyway) (also Tarr is pictured above in the lovely art done by @luckysquid)

Ellisot has been my main character in gw2 for years now. It's been a while since I've put all his story down in writing so bear with me lol.

Ellisot started out as a Lion Guard Ranger, going on wilderness rescue missions mostly. Ellisot and Tarr met in The Grove when she fell out of her dream pod and onto his head. They quickly became friends and traveling companions. They both joined The Vigil and most of the game's vigil questline is canon.

Ellisot rose to the rank of Warmaster, and Tarr was not far behind him as his chief medic. Through many adventures and harrowing scrapes with danger, they grew from friends to romantic partners.

Ellisot loves Quaggans btw, he will always go out of his way to find the local Quaggan village in a new place, or to help any Quaggans in distress. He also loves Super Adventure Box!!!!

Fave Ranger Pets: Roshix -Bear, Princess Tumbles- Boar, Feuer- Fire Drake hatchling

During the events of Ls1 he ended up getting toxic spores on his hands and had to wear a special rebreather for a bit till he could get the spores removed.

Also it took till the events of ls2 for Ellisot to feel comfortable around another mesmer again thanks to Kasmeer Meade's presence and several in-character discussions that I haven't written yet lol.

So far he's been my canon character to experience LS1,LS2, HoT, and PoF. currently working through LS3 with him but here's the post!

@shadowrunner8236 heres the masterpost for Ellisot so far lol :3, Also pfp/3rd pic by @l-la (I know its been ages since this comission, but I still love it so)

[heroinetales]

Some ramblings on my continued Outer Wilds playthrough as I get back into the swing of the game

Took a small hiatus from the game because I was getting frustrated lmao. I had a small period of where I kept crashing into things all of a sudden and I didn't want to quit the game completely for such a silly reason. But I figured out the issue with my landing so all is well

So I'm back into the game and I decided to explore Dark Bramble because I haven't explored that planet much. (I took a break from exploring the Interloper because most of my crashes happened on it plus I still haven't mastered on navigating to the correct path to the core lol) First off fuck the giant anglerfish those bastards have given me so many jump scares

Anyways yesterday I found Feldspar and what a lad, the Hearthians calling them the "best there ever was" is not an understatement. They were recounting to me their tales and how they came to crash on Dark Bramble and all that. It sucks their stuck there but I really don't blame them for not wanting to return home. Probably never got any peace in their day to day after having made so many momentous discoveries. But really though? Feldspar finally finds peace they've been wanting, but in the skeleton of an anglerfish while being stuck on a weird viny interdimensional planet surrounded by alive anglerfish. Honestly go off

I also found the 3rd escape pod and listened to the recordings and I was really hoping for the best for the Nomai aboard it. But that hope was short lived when I saw the small grave of bodies floating by. They fact they slowed died one by one without oxygen and any hope of rescue is heartbreaking... This game really needs to stop hurting me

Today I decided to go deeper and look for the Vessel. I learned the big red light in the middle is just anglerfish eggs which is weird they glow that color in the first place. (let me tell you going past those three anglerfish to get there had me on the edge of my seat. I didn't even move I just floated along hoping they didn't notice me). I managed to eventually find the Vessel and was so close to it but I died due to lack of oxygen. Imma try again if I can get to it

[mxtxfanatic]

The Validity of Jin Guangyao’s Lookout Towers

There’s been a lot of discourse for a while about the validity of the lookout towers that Jin Guangyao builds in his capacity as Chief Cultivator: whether or not they were a good or bad thing, whether they helped civilians or not, and what the real motivation behind building them was. I’ll be going over my thoughts on these lookout towers, using quotes from the exr, fanyiyi, and boat-full-of-lotus pods translations as well as a translated snippet from @jiangwanyinscatmom for every instance the lookout towers are mentioned in the story. Be warned that with this in mind, this will get long. Analysis under the cut:

The first time the reader is introduced to the concept of the lookout towers is in Chapter 42 (Flora X for fanyiyi, Grasses for exr). Wangxian and the junior disciples had just escaped Yi City, and Wei Wuxian is lamenting the fact that lookout towers (which he had seen along their path and which Lan Wangji explained the purpose of to him) were not built anywhere near the city. This is the explanation for their building provided by the 3rd POV narrator:

These “lookout towers” were distributed across distant, desolate locations, and disciples were chosen from each clan and posted to them. If something strange appeared, they were to act immediately. In the event that they couldn’t solve the problem on their own, they were supposed to promptly request help from other clans or wandering cultivators. In the event that the cultivators who answered the call asked for compensation, the funds the Lanling Jin Clan raised each year were enough to cover it in spite of the locals’ inability to bear the financial burden.

–fanyiyi

These “lookout towers” were scattered around the more remote places. Every one of them were assigned disciples from certain sects. If anything strange happened, they’d take action at once. When they couldn’t deal with the matter, they’d send out messages to other sects or rogue cultivators for help. Even if the cultivators who came wanted something in return while the locals were too poor to give them any, the money that the LanlingJin Sect gathered throughout each year would be enough to support them.

–exr

However, before they were built, they were met with a lot of resistance and backlash:

After Jin Guangyao had officially succeeded Jin Guangshan as Clan Chief and risen to the position of Chief Cultivator, he had begun gathering and deploying personnel and resources from each clan, putting his hand to the task of realizing his earlier plan. Immediately, he was met by a wave of resistance; many suspected the Lanling Jin Clan of using the project as a pretext to stuff their own pockets and seize more power. Jin Guangyao plastered a smile on his face and spent five full years grinding down the opposition. In that time, he made a countless number of alliances, and a countless number of enemies. After much coaxing with the carrot, prodding with the stick, and generally deploying every strategy at his disposal, he finally prevailed. Over one thousand two hundred “lookout towers” went up throughout the land...

...All of this occurred after the death of the Yiling Laozu. Wei Wuxian had only gotten the whole story from Lan Wangji after the two had passed a few lookout towers during their journey. He had heard reports that Jinlin Terrace1 was preparing to build a second round of lookout towers, expanding the number to three thousand and covering an even greater area. After the existing set of lookout towers had been built, their effectiveness garnered them widespread approval, but nonetheless, the sounds of doubt and ridicule had never abated.

–fanyiyi

After Jin GuangYao officially succeeded the position of Sect Leader and became the Chief Cultivator, he immediately gathered people and resources from the sects, and started to carry out his past goals. In the beginning, the voices of opposition were deafening. A lot of people suspected that the LanlingJin Sect used it to gain personal benefits and stuff its own pockets. With a smiling face, Jin GuangYao persisted for five years. During the years, he allied but also fell out with countless people. Using both gentle and forceful methods, he did all that he could and what he wished for was finally completed. More than twelve hundred “lookout towers” had been built...

...All of these happened after the death of the YiLing Patriarch. Wei WuXian only heard the ins and outs from Lan WangJi after they passed a few lookout towers during their journey. Rumors had it that Koi Tower was preparing to build the next batch of lookout towers, increasing them to three thousand in number so that they covered a greater area. Although after the first lookout towers were built, they received widespread approvals due to their notable effects, the voices of suspicion and ridicule had never died either. When the time came, the cultivation world would definitely be thrown into chaos again.

–exr

The backlash was specifically because Jin Guangyao was “gathering and deploying personnel and resources from each clan” (fanyiyi). Yet, the opposition is eventually suppressed enough to proceed with construction after 5 years. How so? Well the 3rd POV narrator explains once again:

Back then, in order to build the lookout towers, Jin GuangYao not only faced quite a number of opposers, but also displeased a handful of sects. One of the opposing sect’s leaders lost the arguments, and went into a murderous rage, killing Jin GuangYao and Qin Su’s only son. The boy had always been a good child and he couple had always loved him dearly. Under resentment, Jin GuangYao tore down the entire sect in revenge.

–Chapt. 47: Guile, exr

An opposing clan leader killed Jin Rusong, Jin Guangyao’s son, and Jin Guangyao massacred the entire clan in retaliation. This is the second time the lookout towers are mentioned in the text, and this gives a more detailed explanation on exactly what “forceful methods” (exr) Jin Guangyao used at his disposal to push his plans through. The next time we hear about the lookout towers, it is very briefly mentioned in Chapt. 49: Guile (exr) where Jin Guangyao is seen through Empathy discussing the blueprints with Lan Xichen, and the last time they are ever mentioned is in Chapt. 86: Loyalty (exr, boat-full-of-lotus-pods, and @/jiangwanyinscatmom segment) when the clans gather at Lotus Pier following the failed second siege of the Burial Mounds to discuss Jin Guangyao’s treachery.

So first question: did the lookout towers create a positive change for civilians? From the little we are told, “their effectiveness garnered them widespread approval“ (fanyiyi) / “they received widespread approvals due to their notable effects“ (exr), so on the surface, yes. But we don’t actually see this approval or effectiveness in the story. For all that the lookout towers were meant to cover cultivator-less areas, remote places like Yi City* were still left untouched by their sights. On top of that, the previous system of night-hunting was that areas would be overseen by local cultivation families. Yi City became a blindspot partially because the Chang clan–the nearest cultivation family–had already been wiped out, and none other had come to replace them.

Futhermore, cultivators–particularly those from the big clans–were notorious for turning away night-hunts that they felt would not bring them glory, would not pay well, or were too troublesome (On Yi City: ”These places were usually located in relatively remote areas, beyond the control of cultivators. Of course, cultivators didn’t want to deal with them either, as doing so was extremely troublesome, even worse than dealing with an aquatic abyss.” chapt. 33, fanyiyi). In a perfect world, cultivators would pick up any task, but in the world of mdzs pre-Wei Wuxian’s resurrection, only Lan Wangji accepts any night-hunt with no compensation, hence his title of Hanguang-jun. As for the pay: well, the explanation says that if locals cannot afford the cultivators’ fees, the Jin would pay for it with “the funds the Lanling Jin Clan raised,” which remember: the Jin are using the resources of other clans to fund the lookout towers. Those clans would, therefore, still be footing the bill in a roundabout way. At best, the effects of the lookout towers are nebulous as, essentially, nothing has actually changed under this system: remote areas are still unprotected, cultivators can still refuse night-hunts they don’t like, and clans will still have to foot the bill for locals who can’t afford their fees.

Second question: was the building of the lookout towers a categorically good thing? I say no. The problem wasn’t that the idea was bad, but the execution of it was paid in blood. Jin Rusong was used as a convenient pawn to excuse Jin Guangyao’s slaughter of his political opponents. Clan Leader Yao (for once) makes the connection perfectly in Chapt. 86:

Sect Leader Yao continued, “And the one who killed Jin RuSong just happened to be the sect leader who opposed his construction of the lookout towers—how could there be such a coincidence?” He snorted, “Either way, no matter what, Jin GuangYao didn’t need to keep a son who’d likely turn out to be an idiot. He killed Jin RuSong, framed the sect leader who opposed him, and crusaded against sects that refused to accept him fair and square, in the name of revenge for his son—although it was heartless, it killed two birds with one stone. What tactics, LianFang-Zun!”

–exr

Sect Leader Yao continued, “Plus, the one who supposedly murdered Jin RuSong also just so happened to be the sect leader in opposition of Jin GuangYao building the lookout towers. Isn’t that too much of a coincidence?” He smirked, “Either way, there was very little reason for Jin GuangYao to keep a stunted offspring. He’d be much better off having Jin RuSong killed and framing it on an opposing sect leader. That way he could use justice and revenge as excuse to prosecute the sect that he could not tame. It’s a cruel yet very efficient method, getting rid of two birds with one stone. LianFang-Zun is a brilliant manipulator!”

–boat-full-of-lotus-pods

Master Yao continued, “And at the time, the person who poisoned Jin Rusong happened to be the leader of the clan who opposed Jin Guangyao's watchtowers. Can there be such a coincidence?" He sneered, "Anyway, no matter what, Jin Guangyao didn't need to keep a son who was likely to be an idiot. Kill Jin Rusong, kill the leader who opposed him, and then in the name of avenging his son, he justly kills that family who did not accept his rule. Although ruthless, it kills two birds with one stone. What a strategy Lianfeng-zun!"

–@/jiangwanyinscatmom

Jin Guangyao was specifically being opposed for how he was commandeering the disciples and resources of other clans while claiming to be putting the Jin Clan’s resources on the line. Meanwhile behind the scenes, he was scheming for ways to get rid of detractors and landed on using his son’s murder as the catalyst. (A murder which he admits to: “Jin GuangYao easily read what his eyes meant, laughing out of anger, ‘Lan XiChen! In this life, I’ve lied countless times, killed countless times. Like you said, I killed my father, my brother, my wife, my son...’” Chapt. 108, exr)

@/jiangwanyinscatmom’s translation even makes clear the distinction that what Jin Guangyao was being opposed on was not the lookout towers, themselves, but the massive overreach of power by which Jin Guangyao was allowed to commandeer the other clans or wipe them from the planet at his own whim and discretion. And he would have been planning for this for a long time, as he entangled Lan Xichen into his plans for the lookout towers (remember that very brief flashback) and then pulled him into grieving for his son, thereby gaining the approval of at least one other great clan to do as he pleased on this matter. If this was to truly be considered a good project, it should not have been accomplished by such underhanded and bloody means.

And my last question: if not to help civilians, then what was the motivation behind the lookout towers? Well Jin “rapist of sex workers” Guangyao, Jin “instigator of multiple clan and sex worker massacres” Guangyao, Jin “knew about the massacre of Yi City but kept it under wraps to save face” Guangyao does not care about civilians, so we can definitely cross that out. Looking at the evidence still in Chapt. 86, a few pages down from Clan Leader Yao’s explanation, we get this:

“I’ll say a secret too. The money and resources he used to build the lookout towers were all collected from other sects, right? Every sect helped out a bit. I heard that he secretly takes... this amount.”

“Oh Heavens... So much? He really is shameless. I thought he really wanted do good back then. All of our sincerity was fed to the dogs!”

Wei WuXian felt that things were rather comical, If they’re rumors, why the hurry to believe them? If they’re secrets, why would you come to know them?

These rumors didn’t happen in just the one day. However, in the past, when Jin GuangYao was popular, they were suppressed quite well. Almost nobody took them seriously. Yet, tonight, all of the rumors seemed to have become absolute truths, forming the rocks and bricks of Jin GuangYao’s supposedly-committed crimes, proving his lack of morality.

–exr

“Let me share a secret as well then. The money and resources needed to build those lookout towers of his were all gathered from other sects, right? Each sec would receive the portions they’ve contributed, but I’ve heard that he’d actually retain for himself…… this much.”

“Oh Heavens…… that much? How shameless! And here I thought he was honestly trying to do things with them. We’ve been feeding our devotions to the dogs!”

Wei WuXian found this all to be quite amusing. He mused in his heart, ‘If you know it’s only rumors, then why believe it without question? If it’s really a secret, then how did you come to know about it?’

None of these rumors were fresh or new. While the tides had favoured Jin GuangYao, they were effectively contained, and no one really believed them to be true. Yet, in the span of one night, it was as if all the rumors had suddenly become solid evidence, and one by one they became the cornerstone foundation to Jin GuangYao’s tower of sins; proof of his madness.

–boat-full-of-lotus-pods

Jin Guangyao was using the lookout towers as a test run to see how far he could stretch his newfound power as Chief Cultivator, a running theme for all of the previous chief cultivators in the novel (Wen Ruohan and the indoctrination camp escalating into the supervision offices escalating into flat-out war, Jin Guangshan and the Wen labor camp at Qiongqi Path run by the Jin Clan but employing disciples of other clans escalating into the Nightless City banquet and first siege of the Burial Mounds). Can Jin Guangyao as Chief Cultivator command other clans’ disciples without need of permission from their leaders? Yes. Can he seize other clans’ money and resources for his own expenditures? Yes. Can he annihilate clans without any pushback? Yes.

But I also want to draw attention to my bolded emphasis on not only the explanation but also the little chunk of text at the end of the quote. Before that segment, Wei Wuxian (rightfully) points out that these nameless cultivators are running with rumors as truth, the same way they had run with rumors to justify murdering him 13 years prior and accusing him of kidnapping the junior disciples just that day at the second siege. This is a fair observation to make, but the 3rd POV narrator (bolded) swiftly comes in to cap any sympathy that may have begun budding for our fallen villain by telling us what Wei Wuxian does not know: these rumors have existed from the moment Jin Guangyao seized power and began to test his boundaries; it’s just that Jin Guangyao had the power to suppress them before. Now that he has been dethroned and relegated back to “son of a whore,” there is nothing stopping people from recalling the opposition that had always been levied against him from the very beginning. There is nothing stopping them from tearing down the reputation he built in blood.

So there you have it, folks: everything mdzs has to say on Jin Guangyao’s lookout towers, with a little analysis by me on how I think we are meant to view their role in the story. Hope you enjoyed!

*Note: The lookout towers were built after Xue Yang had been expelled from the Jin Clan, but Jin Guangyao still kept an eye on him, as evidenced by the fact that Su She knew where to find him and that yin tiger tally was with him in Yi City. Yi City was sacrificed to Xue Yang to uphold Jin Guangyao’s reputation and hide away his dirty secrets from being exposed.

[evolution-ofa-geek]

Episode 160

Cobra Kai Season 1 Recap - On this episode we dive back into season 1 of Cobra Kai on Netflix, invite a few friends from the network along the way, tell you what our favorite moments were, read some emails, and most importantly have fun reminiscing about our favorite fandom. Its all season 1 recaps but we still wonder where exactly did Miguel's asthma go anyway?

[ghouls-and-chems]

John Hancock (Fallout 4) x Sole Survivor OC Fanfic

Rating: MATURE (MDNI)

you are responsible for the content you consume. This work of fiction is intended for those that are 18+.

Tags:

John Hancock x Female Sole Survivor, John Hancock x Sole survivor OC, Fluff, Slow Burn, Angst, Mystery, Slight Alternate universe, Violence, Mature language, Smut. (this will be updated as I continue to write this)

Summary:

Having survived 3 weeks on the surface, Bonnie Labelle finds herself in GoodNeighbor looking for answers to her awakening in a Vault. She has no memory of what happened just before she entered the Vault or even the start of the war. And she herself is shocked by her skills when surviving. The mayor of GoodNeighbor is just as shocked and intrigued by how she’s survived this long.

Authors Note:

Hallo! This is a bit of an alternate universe fic where the sole survivor was cryogenically frozen, but not with their family. My character does not have a son or husband in this fic. The conditions and reasoning for the vault she was placed in will be revealed as the story progresses. I hope you enjoy it! I’m just having some fun writing about the beef jerky man. Yanno how it is. 💀

The sound of gunshots could be heard in the distance as the girl dove behind a crumbled building.

Her hair was a mess, the dress she wore was tattered and dirty. Her face stained with blood. She’d already forgotten what kill it came from. Her legs littered with cuts and bruises.

She huffed as she swung her rifle over the crumbled wall and took aim at a raider in the distance.

Her shot rang out loud, and the raider’s body flew back and onto the floor now missing his head. Now she could continue her journey in peace.

This was Bonnie’s 3rd week in the wasteland since she left the vault she awoke from cryogenisis in.

Her mind was more jumbled than she felt it should have been. Having no recollection of much. Some stuff was coming back in pieces. She remembered the ongoing war.

But that’s when things get hazy. She never even remembered entering the vault or the bombs dropping. Or where her family was. If they entered with her. Documents in the vault provided no help. There were just dead bodies. Luckily there were weapons.

But The biggest question she had was why she was still alive. All the other pods failed.

Yet here she was. A woman who looked like she had stepped out of a pre-war magazine. Her black wavy hair was now much more disheveled but still looked cleaner than most. Her skin, soft and smooth, with hardly any impurities. At least none that the wasteland could take credit for. No missing limbs. She stuck out like a sore thumb and so far it had proved to be a huge problem.

She learned quick not to trust just anyone.

As she walked she kept her guard up. Trying to stay out of sight for the most part. Some settlers she stayed with said there was a memory Den in the Goodneighbor settlement.

At first she assumed it was for drugs. But upon further explanation she realized it may just be a tool she needed to find out why her memories from just before the vault were so scrambled.

Her pip boy indicated the coordinations were close. She hummed to herself when she finally noticed a sign reading “ Good neighbor” and an arrow pointing toward a short alleyway.

Sure enough the bright neon sign came into view. She had made it. And it wasn’t a rumor.

She smiled to herself as she took a breath.

I’d do well to blend in and gain trust.

She thought to herself before observing her tattered dress. A forest green cocktail dress she found in her old home just outside the vault. It was better than the hospital-like gown she wore when she woke up.

She’d managed to strap some armor to her limbs for better protection. And pinned her hair up with stray Bobby pins. While she looked like she’d been through hell and back to someone from the old world, someone from the new world would know she had not been around on the surface very long.

She sighed. “ This will have to do.” She grumbled, knowing she was taking a risk with whatever kinds of people were in this town.

She knocked on the door. And after a moment the door opened down a small tunnel into a square.

It wasn’t as busy as she thought it would be.

She walked forward taking in the sights of a civilization that hadn’t totally crumbled. Shops. Shop keepers. People smoked as they carried on their business.

Like the world didn’t end.

“ Hey doll. You new to Goodneighbor?” A scruffy voice grumbled in front of her suddenly.

She hesitantly took a step back. “ Oh…” she stumbled her words.

“ You look like the kinda dame that could use insurance.” He grinned. “ Lucky for you, I happen to provide. So what do you say?”

“ Insurance?” Bonnie said in slight disbelief with a small scoff. “ Didn't think insurance would be worth anything now.” She commented.

“ You saying my services ain’t up to par?” He growled suddenly.

Bonnie tensed as her eyebrows narrowed. “ I never said that. You inferred it. I don’t want trouble. So I’ll just be on my way—“ she said, trying to step around him. Only for him to step into her path again.

“ Well maybe I want trouble.” He growled looking her up and down. The way he gazed over her sent a shiver down her spine.

“ Whoa Finn. That ain’t no way to treat a new guest.” A low voice sounded from the alleyway. She looked to see a man, lighting a cigarette as he exited the shadows.

His boots stomped against the pavement with Rhythm. His hat covered most of his face as he lit his cigarette. Bonnie noted he looked almost like a colonial soldier. It felt like he stood out more than her in that outfit.

As he finished lighting his cigarette he looked up and the hair on the back of her neck stood up.

“ Much less, A Lady.” He murmured as a cloud smoke drifted over his face.

His face.

It looked as if it was decaying. His eyes black as the void. No nose. Almost like a skeleton.

For a moment she cursed herself for entering.

What is this man? What is this place? Why was everyone reacting so normally to his appearance? He looks like the creatures I’ve had to kill just to get here.

Her thoughts rambled as he approached the man who was harassing her.

“ Knock it off with that extortion crap, Finn. This guest just got here. And you’re already mouthing off?”

Finn turned to him and scoffed. “ Fine. Just remember you won’t be mayor for long Hancock.”

Hancock chuckled as he eyed the young woman Finn was attempting to extort. He looked her up and down. She most definitely did not belong here.

“ Come on now. There’s no need to get so hostile.” He said with a grin turning back to Fin. He reached his arm to pat his shoulder. “ It’s me we’re talking about.”

Bonnie relaxed seeing this interaction was calming down.

A bit too soon, as she jumped back when Hancock pulled a knife out from behind him and stabbed Fin to death with no remorse or hesitation.

“ This wasn’t the first time I’ve told you to knock off that extortion crap.” He huffed. “ You’re breaking my heart.” He grumbled as he pulled his cigarette out of his mouth exhaling the smoke.

Slowly, he turned to the woman standing with a look of surprise on her face.

He grinned and stepped over Finn’s body holding his hand out.

“ Hello there, Miss. I apologize for this idiot’s behavior.” He chuckled. “ Welcome to Good Neighbor.”

She stared at him, unsure if she really could trust him.

She slowly extended her hand and shook his. His skin was rough. And his handshake firm.

“ I’m John Hancock.” He said with a smirk. “ The mayor of Goodneighbor. Who might you be?”

“ Someone who is shocked that a person up here still introduces themselves with words and not a weapon.” She laughed nervously.

The ghoul picked up on it and chuckled warmly. Attempting to tone down the theatrics a bit.

“ I’m .. Bonnie.” She said, offering a small smile.

“ Well, Bonnie. Sounds… and looks, like you aren’t from here. You a vault Dweller?” He asked, shoving one hand into his pocket while the other held his cigarette.

“ … I think so?” She said with a small shrug. “ That’s… a long story all on its own and it’s part of the reason I ended up here.” She attempted to explain. Her brow furrowed as she started to notice something wasn’t right.

Her stomach was turning and her head was pounding. The vision of the man before her was becoming blurry and slow.

Hancock tilted his head curiously. “ You uh… you okay? You’re looking a little.. pale…” he commented.

“ I’m fine..” she said breathlessly trying to stabilize her vision.

“ I just—“ she started to trail off as she slowly lost consciousness falling to the floor.

Hancock sprung to her aid, barely catching her in time. He knelt down, holding her over his knee, carefully.

“ Whoa there!” He said in concern. “ Hey you’re alright.. have you been hurt..? Damn it..” he murmured, looking her body over.

A shop keep rushing out to assist. “ If she ain’t from up here, I wouldn't doubt it’s the rads.” she commented.

Hancock nodded. “ Daisy, be a doll and bring some rad-away to the statehouse. Some food too. Let’s get our guest back on her feet.” He said as he stood up, holding bonnie’s body as he carried her inside.

He entered with the unconscious woman in his arms while his aid, Fahrenheit stared in confusion.

“ Who’s that?” she asked sitting up from the couch to allow Hancock to rest the stranger.

“ Still waiting to hear.” Hancock chuckled as he adjusted his hat. “ She came in, Finn attempted to extort her, and she passed out. Think it might just be rads.”

Fahrenheit scoffed. “ Well she already looks like the perfect target for some extortion… I thought all the vault dwellers were dead.” She chuckled taking a hit of her cigarette.

“ Well there’s a first time for everything, I guess.” Hancock murmured as he observed the woman. She was average height. Clear clean skin, only roughed up with some scratches and bruises. Most definitely from the wasteland.

More questions flooded his mind as he wondered where she came from, why she was here, and if she was from a vault, why leave it for this wasteland?

Daisy arrived with what Hancock ordered and helped inject the Rad-Away. As well as a stimpack. Within minutes the color started coming back to her face.

As her eyes slowly opened she stared directly up at the battered wooden ceiling. The room was stuffy. Her surroundings smelled like she was in an old museum of some sort. She could hear distant voices. And feel a draft.

She still felt dizzy as she tried to remember what she was doing.

“ Morning, Sunshine.” Hancock said sitting in the couch across from her.

She slowly sat up as she remembered everything. Her face slowly turned to meet his. The skeleton looking man who called himself Mayor.

“ What happened?” She asked, her guard raising back up. If he wanted to hurt her he could. She could see armed men standing just outside the office. So there was no true escape.

“ Seemed to just be some radiation poisoning. But no worries. Daisy fixed you all up.” he said with a warm smile.

“ Oh…” She murmured. “ Daisy?” She asked.

“ A shop keep. She brought you some food and water as well” He said nonchalantly gesturing to a plate of noodles and a can of clean water.

“ Now, where were we… Oh right…” he snapped his fingers as he remembered, sitting up with curiosity.

“ so What’s your story?” he asked with a small grin.

“ You're clearly not from the surface.” he chuckled. “ That makes you mighty vulnerable. And If I’m honest I'm shocked you’ve made it this long.”

“ You and me both.” She scoffed and sighed. She met his gaze again before looking away.

Hancock raised an eyebrow staring at her in silence for a few seconds. Each second felt like an eternity for her. Wondering if he was going to lunge at her like the other creatures in the wasteland.

“ You scared?” he suddenly asked softly and stood up.

She looked up and watched him walk around the coffee table to stand directly in front of her, bending down to meet her at eye level.

The hair on the back of her neck stood up, and her blood ran cold.

“ I’d imagine someone like you has never met a ghoul before.” He chuckled.

She stayed silent and simply shook her head.

“ I won’t hurt you. I’m just like you.” He explained slowly before reaching for her hand and slowly bringing it to his chest.

Her heart pounded faster with fear. As her hand touched the fabric of his shirt, she swallowed her nerves to keep calm.

“ you feel that?” He asked softly.

She stared up into his black eyes for a moment before her focus narrowed in on his chest. His heart beat against her hand, just as hers. But definitely more steady.

“ my heart beats just as yours does.” He said gently before taking a breath. “Ive got a good idea what you’ve had to face up here, we all do…. But I won’t hurt ya.”

His black eyes stared at her with a kindness she would have never expected.

“You got my word.”

He said releasing her hand and sitting beside her on the couch, leaning against the back of it, and extending his arms in a relaxed position.

“ So, take all the time you need. And maybe there’s a way we can help you out here.” he said in a gentle and genuine tone.

Additional Chapters will be posted Here as they are made available:

[kbirbpods]

better late than never: my 2024 podfic stats round up!

things have been hectic with VTMB 2024, going back to work, and Poly*PodWeek starting up but I finally garnered the energy/attention to create my graphics! 2022 roundup | 2023 roundup

each mic = 5 podfics

One change I've already made on my 2025 spreadsheet is tracking better when I record lines for a multivoice! In 2024, if my lines weren't significant, I didn't track it. Which meant I had to search through my spreadsheet and compare it to my multivoice pseud to determine numbers & they may be a little off. This year, I am including it all!

Looking at the numbers... I podded the MOST in January [12 hours, 35 minutes, & 47 seconds]. I podded the LEAST in February [44 minutes, 35 seconds].

These trend a little bit more expected than last year's did! I definitely burnt out in February and then March/April are very busy months for me. But May is, as well, it's just that Voiceteam has me going nuts despite that. June we moved, so I didn't do much, and then July/August I'm off for break! When December rolls back around, I'm making a lot more for ITPE & VTMB.

Here are some of my "top 5" stats:

The first image shows Star Wars, DC, & Danny Phantom for my top podded fandoms but this is the further breakdown. As you can see, of my 96 Star Wars podfics, 60 were Clone Wars. Of my 93 DC podfics, 38 were DPxDC and 30 were Batman/Batfam.

@wanderingjedihistorian is once again my most podded author! Last year she tied with @blackkatmagic but blackkat fell to 4th this year. (I have already podded 8 blackkat fics in 2025, though, so I expect that to change!) @flowerparrish was 2nd this year and I was actually 3rd. I wrote a lot more this year and Perry & I collaborated to pod a lot of those. My 5th place was @theredshirtsarecoming, who is my favorite crossover author so I was surprised she wasn't higher than that!

I podded the most Teen & Up fics with General Audiences in close second. This makes sense because I by far podded the most genfic this year, as opposed to shipping fics. My M/M stat made me laugh, as I am immature. I podded 2 "other" fics, also!

I made the most fics without music but managed to use Taylor in a whopping 37 fics. My most podded for event was Voiceteam (hence the SPIKE) in May but Summer Swap (July/August) was in close second. Some of the Voiceteam fics were birthday gifts (and vice versa).

Some miscellaneous stats:

I podded 118 unique authors, with 81 of them being only podded once! I podded 55 unique fandoms, with 36 of them being only podded once. Now, in there, this does include the misc. crossovers that are tracked in the previous graphic. I used 73 different musical artists/bands - this includes "no music" and "soundtrack" - with 52 of them only being used once.

& the final graphic, which was the hardest to make. Originally I went with 20 but then I just was struggling too much so... My 25 favorite cover arts that I made for my own podfics only:

Now, this is already long, but I've always provided a little insight into my tracking. So, below the cut are screenshots from my spreadsheet!

Before that though, last but not least, my 2025 fandom resolutions: ★ Podfic more multichapter fics (I let my fear of updating stop me) ★ Podfic more of @wanderingjedihistorian's Here There Be Dragons ★ Podfic more Soft Wars ★ Keep writing! I wrote so much in 2024 and I don't want to lose that ★ Get back to the WWT games in the Haunting Heroes discord ★ Worry less about kudos/comments for series I love (create anyway)

SHEET 1: The years broken down (including what I've already done in 2025)

SHEET 2: Where I actually track the podfics!

The totals by month are tabulated on this sheet for ease of layout.

This is the order the columns go in. I don't track word count on this sheet (though I typically do for event planning and such). I also color code using conditional formatting for various events / podfic length but it would be hard to show that lol

SHEET 3: Where the data for the statistics is pulled!

Basically, any time one of those is mentioned, it adds up here. Fics under multiple categories will add a number to each listed category, which is why it doesn't align perfectly with number of fics made!

Every time I track a new event, it also tabulates here. That's why I don't double track events -- I can't say for certain at the beginning of the year what I'll do, so I prefer for it to add them as I go. But, I am considering changing it up and manually adding them so I can instead track for things like "I made this for Voiceteam but also for a birthday present." Unsure yet.

Authors, fandoms, and music tabulate the same way. I add them to my tracker, the table adds a new row and begins to count how many times I use them.

An additional set of tables on this sheet break down the internal fandoms for Star Wars & DC:

Some big changes from 2023 to 2024:

Started tracking music

Started tracking events

Stopped making graphs (I track too much information now and they take up too much room)

Started tables for the above SW & DC breakdowns

Started uploading to the Audiofic Archive (and became an archiver there, as well!)

NOW, some changes I've made in 2025 already, since I'm posting this so late.

I'm now tracking the exact work I put into a fic, which will help with multivoice tracking at the end of the year! It also will help with more accurate fandom & author tracking, as before if my part in a multivoice was too small, I just didn't track it. I also broke Star Wars & DC down more, since I typically pod very specific DC crossovers and wanted to track how many times I crossover my Big Two Fandoms.

And there you have it! A little late but that's okay. Not tracked includes at least one podfic I recorded but never edited (in 2024 or 2025). I don't track individual chapters for fandom/author/music stats. I don't track based on when I post, I tracked based on when it was recorded!

Have a great year! Here's to creating more and more.

[worm-wood-dawning]

I said I wasn't going to post again until I had bigger increments done but I'm an idiot and a liar so for the maybe three people who care have a chapter six. 1542 words.

Some sexual stuff (pretty low on the details but it's there), smoking, minor self harm and vaguely referenced child abuse.

First five chapters -

Sentinel Station

Sector 17, Ward 10 Square

2286, 3rd Standard Cycle

Tohru, Age 20

Seven years, and he still wasn't used to all the noise or the seas of faces. Or the images, the endless advertisements and advisories. Or all the text. Warnings. Directions. Rules. To ward thirteen. No loitering. Curfew for unaccompanied humans begins 1900 standard time. Endless. A news broadcast nearby. Unintelligible. Officers clustered around pillars. Officers, not overseers. Little difference. No loitering.

“Well, are you coming?”

He glanced over at the avaki man. Pale blue, almost white. Short horns. Careless wanting eyes.

“I won't pay more if you drag this out, Cygnus.”

He nodded. A forced smile. A practiced look. “You'd be surprised” A practiced voice. A tongue that still felt strange in his mouth. “just how long I can keep a man… distracted.”

“We'll see.” A large black car landed in front of them. He opened the door. Tohru followed him in. 

“Yes, a privacy screen, please.”the man said. “Thank you.”

It lowered. A black shield. A lock clicking into place. Just enough room for him to kneel.

“Ah, someone knows his place.”

“Yes, ve’ek-sen.”

Hands in his hair. Averted eyes.

“No, look at me.” 

Fog in his head. A directionless gaze. A rustle of metal and fabric. No room for air in his mouth. Stinging eyes. A sigh and a gasp.

“Come here.”

Pulled up as he coughed. Two hands held him close. Two more tore at his clothes. Cold air on his numb skin. 

“Perfect.” Claws along his chest and down his spine. Digging into his thighs. 

“No, look at me. Ask me.”

A directionless gaze. A flat and breathless whisper. “Please, ve’ek-sen.”

Claws in deeper. Skin against cold fabric. Teeth in his neck. All burning, all distant. Over seven years. Still not used to it. The car landed. The man pushed him to the floor.

“You were right.”

He said nothing, hurrying into his clothes. 

“You are a good distraction.”

“Thank you, ve’ek-sen.” He rubbed cura into his neck. Fingers danced in the light. His netpad flashed. Sixty credits, twenty for Tallov. All into a locked account. The same time in ten days. 

“Thank you, ve’ek-sen.”

The man disappeared. He made his way through the crowd to the nearest travel kiosk, scanned his chip and squeezed into a pod. Course set, he closed his eyes, head in his hands until the pod stopped. He boarded another. Eight trips in silence.

Sector nine was older than sector seventeen, and mostly avaki ships, but it didn't look much different. A cleaner square, with more pillars and a bigger window, but the same crowd.

Just as he remembered. The same silence.

He looked along the walls. Couldn't find the old gap. Repaired, perhaps. He tried not to think about it, about a bloody square with two lines from the top. He read the message again.

Tohru

Got out. Live in same ward outside. Am sorry. Go to square on first day? Talk?

Father

Terse, simple Aerkaath from a designation he'd never seen before. Cari said it checked out, looked like a family's channel, and that it led here. Again he tried to reply.

I don't know why you'd want to meet me, after what you did. I got a job. It pays alright. I have a girlfriend, too. She's beautiful, and she didn't want me to meet you. So she's smart, too. I got out on my own, and I hardly need you now. 

He deleted it. Mostly lies anyway. He looked through the crowd again. Likely a servant. A little avaki girl ran in circles in front of the window. A human hand pulled her back. A servant with her. A man.

Dark hair. Narrow eyes. Crooked teeth. All like Tohru’s own and a scar on his jaw. The one he remembered. A baby wrapped securely against the man's chest. 

“Bored. Go play now!”the girl yelled. 

“Just a little bit longer, Merra.”

The man's voice was soft. It grated his ears. The man's eyes were kind, free of hate and want. He swallowed back vomit and read the message again.

Am sorry. 

Maybe he was. 

I need to prepare you, he'd said, for this world. 

His eyes on the girl were kind. The world was different for her. 

Am sorry. 

I can't., he typed. Don't contact me again. 

Across the square, the man read something on his netpad. He stared, still before it returned to his pocket. Tohru waited for a reply. 

None came. The man led the girl away. An avaki couple watched them leave. The crowd wove around itself. 

Tohru called another travel pod. His hands shook, almost too much to scan his chip. He stumbled into it. Biting his tongue down to blood. The pod shot up. A scream in his hands. Echoes off the walls. Ringing ears. 

Head pounding. A deep breath, then another and another. Smoke by the travel kiosk. Snuffed out on his hand when an officer approached. No cura even if Cari would get mad at him.

Cari. Nothing was so bad if Cari was there. He should have listened to her. More trips in silence, to the familiar square of ward twelve and the line at the Tevell. 

Cari was still there. A stranger at her table, tall even when seated across from her. An erathi. Man, probably. She smiled at him. A look he knew. He shuddered. The man left, a towering thing in a long grey coat. Less walking than floating, tentacles rippling under a floor-length skirt.

“They always freak me out.” Tohru yawned and slid into the chair across from her. Cold lingered. “All those flowy clothes, but then they're so… stiff.”

“You know avaki women wear long dresses, too.”Carina replied. “And you certainly like them.”

“Well they show their faces. Not sure it's better or worse to see their eyes.”

“T'ka'et have red eyes, too.” 

“Those aren't as… weird.”

Carina sighed and sipped her tea. “Here.”

“Thanks.” He took a long drink of his coffee. Cari said it wasn't the real stuff, but neither was her tea. It was cheap, and didn't taste like waste. That was enough. He tapped the sides of the cup. A small, steady sound. Cari did the same with her free hand. Slower.

“What did he want, anyway?”

“Not much.”she shrugged. “Our drinks got mixed up, but then he dropped mine. I guess he wanted to make up for it.”

“Explains the sandwich?”

She nodded and pushed it toward him.

“Cari, come on. You never get food here.”

“Just have half?”she asked. “Fake bread and sauce, but the patty's real larvae. At least, it better be for the price.”

Rats and corpses more likely. He didn't say it. It didn't matter. Bones sharp under her skin, under her cheeks and jaw and fingers. 

“Please?”

The same dark eyes. More tired now.

“Fine.” He sighed. “But you first.” 

She took her half and bit down. 

“Happy?”

He took his portion. Savory, smoky and overwhelming after months of only nutrel. Imitation bread crunched and crumbled before it melted. 

“Sauce on your chin.” She slid over a rag. “I might see him again tonight.”

He froze. “You….” He pushed the food away. “Cari, remember last time? No, remember every time with one of them?”

“I remember the pay bump.”she said. 

“Of course you do. Cari….”

She shrugged. “I can handle it. You know that.”

She was a Vitalist. Higher tolerance for pain and injury. Higher, not infinite.

“I remember patching you up after that.”he said. “It was….” He shuddered. Poisoned skin. Blood and a burning throat. All for a little pleasure.

“Well, good thing I had you then.” She took another bite. “Really, I'll be fine. Up for a round of Nexus Battle? They added in some Seventh Star character skins.”

“Which I'm sure you legally acquired.” He laughed drily. She wouldn't change. “But really, no. I'm… tired.”

“You dad….”

“Didn't show.”

“I'm sorry.”

He shrugged. “Mind if I…?”

“Go ahead.”

He finished his food and leaned forward, head on the smooth plastic. Closed his eyes but sleep didn't come. It never did, but Cari rested her hand on his head, wound her fingers into his hair. Warm. Warm and soon her chin sank into her hand and eyes fell shut. 

He eased her onto the table, settled her head on her arms. Even asleep, she clenched her jaw, and her hands shielded her face. He shut down her netpad. Girlfriend, he'd called her, but that wasn't quite true. He didn't know what was true. Her hat slipped off. Short curls under his fingers. Tight and soft. Barely touched, not to wake her. He looked across the cafe. 

The erathi man stared out the window. Large inner eyes shadowed in his face and two small outer pairs. Blood in dark blue water. Long black spines in two rows down the sides of his head. Thick blue tendrils between them halfway down his back. Shorter and thinner ones over his mouth, revealed only for a moment as he adjusted the veil over his mouth. Loose pale grey on limbs thin like the rungs of a broken ladder. Clawed hands in tight gloves. The tip of a tentacle peeked from his skirt, sharp as a knife on the floor. He turned. Red eyes lingered on Carina. Inscrutable.

Tohru narrowed his eyes. The man looked away. Carina slept on, her arms spread across the table.

[crowvainn]

paranormal terrors

a short story assignment i did for school !

i also made poster art for this, you can see it here

1

July 12th, 2016. That was the day it all began. I remember seeing what I thought I saw a shadow figure, standing at the door to my room.. staring at me. I blinked and it was gone, I thought that I was perhaps hallucinating... but I wasn’t. Days, weeks, months, and now years. I’ve been experiencing paranormal stuff in my apartment, 3B, for about 3 years. No one believes me, except my best friend Enver. She lives next door to me, 3C, and I’m pretty sure she has had paranormal stuff happen in there too... but nowhere close to how bad I have it. But enough about the past, today is September 3rd, 2019, my birthday! I’m now 16... but I’m starting to feel weird about my body, like I don’t fit in it at all... my father has always called me his daughter. Though, I found out I feel more like a boy. Good thing I don’t live with my parents, they would flip out if I told them that. Anyways, I’m in bed, scrolling mindlessly on my phone, looking at videos. I couldn’t sleep, and it was close to midnight. Me and Enver had gone to our favorite spot, under the shade of the Birch tree at the park. It was a cool, autumn morning, and everything was going well. I recall talking about the paintings I had made the day before, as a vent piece, mostly, since I wasn’t feeling so good because I had my period, and that reminded me that I was originally a girl... I wish it would’ve never come again, but alas, it did. 

Then my phone started to ring. Why was Enver calling me at this ungodly hour? I hesitated, but decided to pick up.

  “Er... hi Enver, why are you calling me now?” I groaned.

“Haha, sorry River! I just got some ghost hunting devices, like a rem-pod, flashlights, cat balls, an EMF reader, all the good stuff. I was wondering if we could do an investigation in my room or yours? Unless you want to sleep, either is good!” She replied. 

“Alright... I guess we can do it in your room.”

 I was secretly excited about this. I love paranormal stuff, but I haven’t really had the chance to do ghost hunting, with my lack of materials. But still, I really hate that my room is haunted... I got off of my bed lazily, and put on my favorite sweater, and some sweatpants. I grabbed my keys and locked the door of my apartment once I’m out, and knocked on the door to Enver’s. She opened the door and ushered me in. I noticed the box of materials on the couch, my excitement rose a bit. I tried to keep it down, though.

Enver took out a rem-pod and placed it on a small table. I helped by placing a cat ball on her bed, and flashlights, both of which can be activated by a simple tap. I held an EMF reader, and Enver has her phone in her hands, on airplane mode so nothing would interfere, on that communicator app. Before we say anything, the app says “Savannah.” 

Enver gasped, “A name?! This quickly?” Then the rem-pod goes off, full grab. I shuddered. We are getting a lot of activity so far... 

“H-how many entities are in this room?” I nervously said. A flashlight turns on, and the app says “13 spirits.” The flashlight turns off. Then I jumped, freaking out because I could’ve sworn I heard a distorted voice, that almost sounded like... “River.” I tensed up.

“M-my name! I… why did it say my name..?” I croaked.

“I don’t know… River, just don’t let it get to you.” Enver replied.

“Okay…”

The rest of that night went by in a blur.. the two of us did experience some interesting things, like doing an EVP, in which we found out the names of some other spirits, like Darcy, Lucille, Zachary, and a few more. They all seemed to be mostly nice, but Savannah... that name feels familiar... I can’t put my finger on it, but I remember that name from somewhere..

I went into my apartment, and into my room, reminiscing about these events. I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep with this information.. what if it's the same case with my room? I sat on my bed and took out a notepad, to focus on something else. I wrote stuff that I needed to prioritize doing, also so I wouldn't forget about it. “Top surgery... either buying my own ghost hunting materials or borrowing Enver’s... Pursuing my art career... Learning to play the drums...” I murmured, scribbling the words on the paper. Can I really achieve all of these…? No… probably not. I thought. I closed the notepad, and shoved it under my pillow. Then I laid in bed, tossing and turning. I couldn’t sleep. The investigation was still in my head. Who is Savannah… and why can’t I remember who she is…? I must’ve been thinking for a long time, because I later drifted into slumber.

Let me tell you this: I had a rather odd dream, odd because I never have dreams anyway, but this one was unnerving... I woke up, in the dream, as Enver. The outfit she wore was the same one she wore the day before, a white dress with the sleeves being white mesh with small stars on it, and black boots. The area around was just a black, misty void. I felt queasy as voices whispered in my ears. It was very incoherent what the voices were saying. It went like this for... a while. Then everything went black. I couldn’t see Enver anywhere. I remembered that I was then startled by a large eye opening in the midst of the void. The pupil was dead black and soulless. I heard an actually intelligible voice, which said:

“She’s gone.”

2

And then I woke up, sweating and shaking. Gone..?! What could that mean? Maybe I shouldn’t worry about that.. I mean... it’s only a dream... right? I checked the time. I woke up right at the crack of dawn... Great. I sat up in my bed, and grabbed my phone. Enver... she called me five times, at exactly midnight. Oh no.. I got up, slid on my crocs, and frantically ran out of my apartment, to check on Enver. I knocked on her door, before I realized that the door wasn’t locked, and it opened easily. I peered inside, only seeing pitch black, and.. the same mist from the dream. I shivered, the air had become more cold, probably more cold than I was able to handle. And then, I felt an invisible force push me into the void.

“River... River! Wake up!” I heard a voice say, shaking me awake. As I opened my eyes, I saw a translucent spirit with long, wavy hair standing before me. I jumped, startled. The ground, if that’s what it even was, rippled like water under me.

“Who are you?!” I yelped.

“Girl,” The spirit said. I tensed at the word. I. Am. Not. A. GIRL! “calm down! I’m Savannah. In addition to feeling very much uncomfortable, I felt surprised. It’s her! I… How am I able to see her?! Savannah then extended a hand, which I hesitated to grab. 

“No thanks…” I stammered. Standing up, I took in the fact that I was actually in that same void from the dream I had, merely minutes ago. Savannah waved her hand in front of my face, causing me to snap out of my daze.

“Sorry,” I said fidgeting with my hands, “but also… where’s Enver?!”

“Right. Those demonic entities took Enver much deeper into the void than where we are right now. I’ll have to fly you down to get there.” Savannah explained. Demonic entities?! Oh no.. what am I getting myself into?  “But... there is one thing I need from you. The demonic entities are more dangerous for a living human, and since we can’t risk getting you killed, I need to transfer some of my power to you. I just nodded again. I get to have some of this spirit's power? I… oh god.

“We need to start now. Don’t move, and let me take the lead.” Savannah stated. She seemed really familiar to me, now that I noticed how tall and formal she was.. she also seemed the same age as me, 16..

Savannah interlocked her hands with mine, so suddenly that I flinched. Her eyes started to glow a pearly white, and I’m pretty sure that my eyes did the same. Her forehead touched mine, and I guess the transfer had begun at that point. We stood like that for what felt like ages, before Savannah let go of me, making me stumble. The audacity of this spirit! Jeez…

“It’s done. Let’s go save Enver!” Savannah exclaimed. I felt a force plunge me into the water-like floor. I screamed, but nothing came out.

The ride was very nauseating... We sank down so quickly, and that paired with just how deep the location Enver was at... you would not want to experience it. A few moments later, Savannah landed gracefully, meanwhile I had barely landed on my feet. 

“Keep close to me,” Savannah whispered, “we don’t want those entities to notice us right away. When they see us, run to Enver, I’ll distract the others.”

“A-alright,” I replied, still shaking.

We walked cautiously, to not make any noise. I could see what I was sure to be the demonic entities, crowded around something... No, someone... Enver! The entities noticed me and Savannah. They hissed and shouted, “ATTACK!” Entities swarmed around Savannah, in which she signaled me to get Enver, and to not worry about her. I ran as fast as I could. I saw Enver, I grabbed her hand.

“W-we need to get out of here, now!” I urgently whispered. Enver’s face was wet with tears, she just nodded, and held my hand tightly.

“Er.. oh god.. SAVANNAH, NOW!” I shouted. Savannah had told me that when I got to Enver, I had to signal her to send me and Enver back to Earth.

Savannah nodded, while fending off an entity with her bare hands. She raised her hand, and me and Enver floated up. Enver held onto me tightly, as Savannah screamed in agony.

Everything then went black.

I woke up on the ground, in Enver’s room. Enver was on the ground beside me, and she groggily sat up. Wait a minute.. we’re back! I’m back with Enver! But.. what about..

“What… happened to Savannah…?”

“I… I think she’s gone.. like, fully gone...” Enver wearily replied. At that moment, I realized who Savannah was.. I remember her. We were close friends, along with Enver and a few others. Savannah had died in a car crash about.. 5 years ago, when we were 11. I can’t believe that I forgot about her.. how could I? I felt a lump in my throat. Even though she was a bit rude… I was sad she was gone… forever. Enver hugged me, telling me to stay strong. And I did… well, at least I tried to.

3

I managed to heal from the… incident that  happened those 3 years. That day… September 4th, 2019. The day after my birthday. I still couldn’t forget about that fateful day. It made me believe in the paranormal even more than before. But it’s now January 19th, 2021… I couldn’t believe that it has been 2 years since it happened.

I looked outside. It was 4:37 pm, a somewhat windy afternoon, after it had rained, which was my favorite weather! I pulled on my binder, a grey sweater, green cargo pants, and my black combat boots. I quickly combed my hair a bit, which I had cut to chin-length after it grew out, and grabbed my backpack. I was going to hang out with Enver at the Birch tree, since today was January 14th… Savannah’s birthday. I stuffed my sketchbook, pencil, and pen in the bag, and picked up the bouquet of white flowers that I had bought previously. Running out of our dorm room, and locking it, I saw Enver, who was waiting for me.

“Took you long enough,” Enver chuckled, “let’s go!” Enver then grabbed my hand, and dragged me down the stairs.

Eventually, the two of us got to the Birch tree. I sat down, leaning against the tree, and pulled out my sketchbook, pencil, and pen. I started to draw Savannah. I remembered her short, two toned hair perfectly, and her favorite hoodie, so she was quite easy to draw. After some last touches, and outlining the art in pen, I was done with the portrait! I showed Enver, and she loved it, and we ate some ramen that we got from the nearby supermarket.

“Enver, should we stop by the cemetery? I mean, the sun is setting now..” I asked. Enver nodded, and I zipped up my bag, and grabbed the sketchbook and flowers. We walked to the cemetery, and we looked for Savannah’s grave.

“I found it!” Enver exclaimed, and I ran to where she was. The name on the grave said “Savannah Arren O’Carie” That’s definitely her grave.. I smiled sadly, and set down the flowers on the grave. I tore the drawing of Savannah out of my sketchbook, and also placed it on the grave. Enver set down her own bouquet of flowers, as well as a note we both made, and we both stood back up. Enver hugged me, and I hugged her back, as the wind blew lightly through our hair.

The note said, 

Wherever you are, Savannah, just know that we will always remember you, and that we miss you. Thank you for everything.

Love, Enver and River.