#old daka

[skellymom]

The BAD BATCH Mini Series HALLOWEEN Fan Fic

"The Tale of the Dathomir Witch" 

“Gather ‘round children on this charmed night. The veil between worlds is at its thinnest. I will tell you a tale of a determined old witch who set out to change the galaxy....” 

All Ages: Sadness, mentions of canon Star Wars Empire badness, crying, and some sweet revenge at the end of this tale (you will have to wait until Chapter 3)! (I did change some of Old Daka's canon lore to write this. She really doesn't have too much of a story, decided to give her some more.)

Word Count: 2K

Chapter 1

"Start a War" by Klergy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3fmyVL6CwU&list=PLTsJd3M7E5yeGJaZsh3pgYUAQdsnbgyBD&index=123

Cries of young voices rang out in her head. Old Daka was roused from deep contemplation. She was plotting the planets and stars belonging to the wheel of the standard cycle. The cries immediately silenced, leaving her heart mourning the void it left behind. Many young lives were suddenly snuffed out. She was sure of it.  

So many lives left this galaxy of late. She felt them all. Victims of war, slavery, grabs for positions of power. The Empire rearing its head above the surface and devouring anything standing in its’ way. The dark dragon that constantly eats and is never sated. 

She foresaw it’s growing power, for years. Tried to warn anyone who would listen...but no one would sit long enough to hear the rantings of an old woman. She did her research, consulting the elements, listening to tidbits of news along the grapevine, divination, interpreting dreams, reading entrails of small animals, the whispers of Force ghosts in the wind. The path all led to one source: 

Emperor Palpatine...now Darth Sidious. 

Daka spat on the ground even thinking his name. He was a curse to the galaxy. She never considered herself a rebel or freedom fighter. She was just an ancient Night Sister whose eyes were wide open to the higher vibrations of The Force. Palpatine was such a wasteful cur, leaving so many bodies in his wake. Including all her Night Sisters. Old Daka had narrowly escaped and went into hiding. The Jedi and Clones helped him do so, unaware that he would destroy them in the end.  

Oh Palpy, as she won’t to call him, thought himself a proper Sith. He was sorely mistaken. He played Sith. Clueless man.  

************************************************************************

Several days passed and word spread through the galaxy: The Jedi were dead, including the Younglings. The Jedi Temple was also destroyed. Daka was sick of the killing. She would reach out with the Force to see who she could align with. She would not rest.  

"The Witch Hammer" by Sacred Soundwave: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uv4lDkOym8Y&list=RDGMEMYH9CUrFO7CfLJpaD7UR85w&index=17 

Daka sat cross-legged on the floor of her room concentrating, humming, settling in on her sitting bones. As she relaxed, felt her essence leave her body and travel around the galaxy. Tasting star dust, riding on the tail of comets, listening to foreign songs of the planets. She was searching for someone in particular.  

She reached out to Master Yoda, his presence strong somewhere in the Outer Rim. But just as she thought she could sense his location, his presence immediately vanished. 

“Bah!” She was disgusted. He was blocking her attempt to find him. No matter, she had another option. And, she found him, still alive and hiding on a dusty planet among the Outer Rim. 

“Kenobi!” she screeched.  

He jumped and spun around, facing her Force Ghost. Obi-Wan looked older, tired, broken. “Old Daka, what brings you here to my cave???” He attempted the old Kenobi swagger but fell short. Those days were behind him. 

“Darth Sidious grows stronger. I seek your assistance to bring an end to him.” 

“You don’t waste any time with formality I see. We will bring him down, Daka. Vader’s son is hidden and safe. When he grows up...” 

“Save it, Kenobi! I have no patience for waiting years while many lives are lost in Sidious’ wake. The galaxy has no time for young Skywalker to grow up. We MUST act NOW!!!” 

“Your Sith blood is much too passionate and impulsive, Old Daka. In good time...” 

“BAH! Kenobi, I can smell your fear. You hide in this cave away from your failure with Anakin, unable to confront it!!!” 

“But Anakin...” 

“Can still be saved! He can raise his children even with the pitiful condition you left him in on Mustafar. Sidious must be taken out at the knees. With his absence the galaxy will pick up the pieces. Vader will die and Anakin reborn. His children will heal his heart. His children will know their father.” 

“Daka, listen to reason!” 

“The Jedi can rise again. The Sith can come back. They will unite to become a sum greater than two factions. The galaxy will finally know balance. My Night Sisters can be restored..." 

“No Daka! I will not help you. Not now, not ever.” 

“Weak man!” She roared. “I am but an old woman that sees a better future and willing to give my life to attain it. Not hide away for years hoping for the sliver of a chance that might blow away like a fart in the wind!!!” 

Obi-Wan winced at her language. He turned his back to Old Daka, stonewalling her. 

“Goodbye Kenobi” and with that she broke the Force link between her world and his. She snapped back into her body back in her antiquated room. She was still in cross legged position, and stiff from the extended time in it. 

She was terribly disappointed in Obi-Wan Kenobi. No help whatsoever.  

Old Daka had one other option.  

With effort, she got to her feet, stretching out her stiff old legs. She walked over to the ceremonial brazier and lit a bundle of Star Sedge. Dropping it in, she wafted the smoke to her face and deeply inhaled, then held the smoke in her lungs. Daka exhaled and started chanting and dancing The Spiral pattern on the floor. She reached out with both hands to find holes in the aether. She closed her eyes and continued her steps, concentrating. Continuing in the spiral, hands signing sacred symbols, reaching out for a doorway. She kept this up for some time, heating up, sweat beading her brow. Old Daka’s joints ached with the effort. The beads of sweat ran down her face, neck, now dripping. Her voice resonates, calling out past her little existence on this planet. Dancing, spiraling, hands gesturing, a transcendent exploration. 

“What do you seek, Grandmother?” The ancient voice boomed in her ears. 

Daka opened her eyes. The Bendu stood tall, dwarfing her. 

“I request assistance in the fall of Darth Sidious. The time is close to arrival. One chance to set the galaxy free of his dark reign. I cannot do it alone. If not acted upon days from now, the opportunity will be lost in Transit.” 

“The Bendu cannot interfere directly with connecting realities of The World Between Worlds. I can, however, speak the names of those who MAY help you on your journey. There is no guarantee they will help. I give this information freely and it’s use rests solely upon your shoulders.” 

“I am eternally grateful to you Guardian of Worlds” Daka bowed down to the Bendu. Her joints popped and crackled in the process. 

************************************************************************

"The Dream Song" by Ministry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaM-j7pzWsg&list=PLTsJd3M7E5ycaENNZcno0g45BCxUk98Zv&index=32

The Havoc Marauder was dark and quiet, save for Wrecker’s snoring and the occasional stirring of Tech working on a project through the night. Everyone else had fallen asleep, except for Hunter. An overstimulation migraine kept him up. He was hoping for the strong pain meds and hot shower to finally award him some shut eye. Hunter emerged from the refresher, nodded goodnight to Tech, who nodded back and settled into his bunk.  

With a deep sigh, Hunter closed his eyes and slowly relaxed. He blissfully started to fall into a deep sleep, settling into the blankets. His cocooned body warmed up comfortably. The sounds of Wrecker and Tech faded away to a weighted silence.  

“KEEN MAN!” 

Hunter bolted upright from his covers and looked around. He was no longer on the Marauder. An inky blackness with billions of stars surrounded his bunk. A wizened old woman sat at the foot of it. She looked as though she was lit by moonlight. 

“Maker!” Hunter thought. “Switching my pain medication. This is so vivid!!!” 

The old woman cackled “I’m real. Real as moonbeams and rainbows, and the wind you cannot see.” 

Hunter looked skeptical. But he couldn’t deny the strange thrumming vibrations running through his body. 

“Hm...The Songs of the stars, planets, quasars, pulsars. The Fingerprints of the Universe. You feel them, Yes?” 

“Who are you??? A Force Ghost?” 

“The blessed few with a live body. I traversed the galaxy to speak with you. I am Old Daka.” 

“Why me?” 

“You were the only one of your brothers who would answer. I called out to Rex, Cody, Gregor, Wolffe, and those on the Marauder. Not one heard me. Omega, however, did. She and I spoke earlier.” 

“Omega? About what???” Hunter was worried that this being had unrestricted access to Omega...if what she said was true. 

“The Force is providing a narrow window of success in the defeat of Darth Sidious. A man you might know better by the name of Emperor Palpatine. The window will close and not open again for many years...until the son of Sidious’ main henchman is of age. By that time Sidious will be much stronger. The bloodshed in his wake will be more momentous. I refuse to wait and watch the waste of lives and resources. Refuse to watch the utter misery. I need your help.” 

“Asking again...why me?" 

“Because the Force chose you...and Omega. You both are

'sensitive' and understand a purpose higher than yourselves. If Echo were more man than machine, he would have heard The Call of The Force as well.” 

Hunter was aghast. This was bigger and more dangerous than trying to escape the destruction of Kamino or dodge bounty hunters. Their family could be ripped apart, or worse yet they all could die. 

“What’s in it for us?” 

“A galaxy without the fear of living. It is not enough to merely survive. Existence is meant for higher goals.” 

“Why should we trust you???” 

“Good question, Keen Man. But I wager my bargain is much better than the ones Cid springs on you. Or your brother working for the Empire offered.” 

Hunter winced at the mention of Crosshair.  

“Darthomir witch!” Hunter rumbled. 

“Yes. Not much different than a powerful Jedi, and yet you trusted them implicitly. The Jedi are gone for now. Not many allies left. Why not trust me?” 

Hunter sat in silence then replied. “What happens if we refuse to participate?” 

Old Daka brought her outstretched hand up in Hunter’s direction. She closed her eyes in concentration. “Let me show you the cost of Order 66.” Immediately vivid images filled Hunter’s head: The slaughter of the Younglings and all the Jedi, the duel between Kenobi and Anakin, the birth of Darth Vader, the death of Padme Amadala, the loss of the Republic Senate, the transfer of power to Palpatine, the final transition to Dark Sidious, the battle and death of the clones on Starship Tribunal. 

“Now...let me show you the future of The Empire.” More images: Fascist law across the galaxy, The Empire conscripting literal children into their growing army, then enslaving and killing thousands who refused to join them, The Death Star, the destruction of Alderaan...and so much more. Eventually the images faded, leaving a deep black void. 

Hunter held his head. His heart hurt mightily. 

“You have a day to think upon it and share this information with your siblings. I will physically meet you in the Marauder at Ord Mantell and discuss more details.”  

With that she faded away... 

...Hunter started awake bolting upright. Tech had lightly touched his shoulder and was standing by with a cup of caf.  

“I thought you would sleep in all morning. The medication must have been very effective.” He handed Hunter the cup. 

“It’s about time! Omega’s been going on all morning about a dream!!!” Echo groused. 

With that Omega ran into the room and jumped on Hunter’s bunk. “Did you talk to Gran-momma Daka??? She came to see me last night! We have a VERY IMPORTANT mission to go on!!!” 

“Oh KRIFF! It was all REAL!!!” Hunter groaned rubbing his face. 

“What’s real?” Wrecker was standing in the doorway. 

“Lads...and young lady...” Hunter trailed off. How to even being to explain it all??? “Have a HUGE mission ahead of us...if we choose to take it. We need to sit down and seriously discuss it today.” 

Everyone looked around at each other quizzically. 

“Just let me just have my cup of caf first.” Hunter sighed. 

Chapter 2 :

https://www.tumblr.com/skellymom/731405312676003840/the-bad-batch-mini-series-halloween-fan-fic?source=share

In this next installment, the Batch has some SERIOUS decisions to make!!!

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[dathomirdumpsterfire]

reference photos for old/alte/elder/nightsister daka.

(and her nightsister drip)

[thetooncrew]

what happened to dakavendish you guys used to love dakavendish

[dapurinthos]

going through the art of star wars: episode ii: attack of the clones and reading about how the sith in this film was going to be a woman and i want to bite things. yes, these designs did get used in the clone wars (hello there, tiplar and asajj [my beloved] & the concept of an older woman dark side user shifting from sith to mother talzin & old daka) but the bit about how the character moved to being an older woman who 'appeared frail but was vicious and nimble'????

yes i love christopher lee and i love that bitch dooku but come on, we could've had grandma sith! grandma sith!

[the-antiapocalyptic-man]

ACTION DETECTIVE: SUPER-BAT! (or, how Heino Okata lost and regained his fortune)

Assisted by genius inventor Hiro Okamura and the mysterious Girl Wonder known only as "Roberta", Okata seeks to regain his wealth and stature. But where is the Super Young Team and Sonny Sumo? Why has Tito Daka, WWII era Prince of Crime, returned to plague Japan as the cyberized Atomic Wizard? And if Heino is flat broke and has been for the past year, who paid for that fancy new super bat-suit? Only the World's Finest Action-Detective can discover these truths, and more!

...yeah, anyway, this actually did just start as art of the Super-Batman from Waid/Mora's first World's Finest arc, but I've been wanting to do a big Japan-focused update for a minute, so.

Heino's direction is pretty clear: he's a little older, he's directionless after SYT broke up and he lost all his money to [redacted]. He came up with the "Action Detective" descriptor in universe, though his full title is still "Most Excellent Action Detective Super-Bat".

Hiro designed and built the new version of the suit. While he was compensated, he also doesn't know who's funding all of this. Despite their conflicting personalities, Hiro and Heino actually bond pretty quickly for their shared loved of Batman-Superman Composites, esp after Heino admits he's purchased at least three of every toy Hiro's ever designed.

Tito Daka is an old Batman movie serial supervillain. I kept his origin in that era, but he's been transformed into "Atomic Wizard" both as an homage to other Film Serial villains (Atom-Man, The Wizard) but also to serve as the Metallo/Cyborg Super-Batman of Japan. He ends up being the entry point for Big Atomic Lantern and the rest of the SYT back into the story later on, Tito has more invasive versions of BAL's own modifications.

Roberta the Girl Wonder was a one-shot proto-Batgirl/technically the first female Robin (her civilian name was Mary Wills). She had a "Crime Compact" and everything. This version is kind of a riff on weird direct-to-video Tokusatsu Girl Heroes from the 90s/00s, as well as an Ivo-Morrow Gynoid, commissioned by Heino's mysterious benefactor.

Finally, I didn't include her in the illustration, but the central "antagonist" of the story isn't Daka, but the Doom Patrol villain The Quiz, who has a bizarre interpersonal dynamic with Heino that I'll get into later.

[nicomoart]

Draw the vampire sisters, I love that old Disney Channel movie 🦇✨ you also identified or had a crush on daka?

[fromdathomirwithlove]

In the aftermath of the Battle of Dathomir, in the old Nightbrother village before the survivors relocated, those living there experienced the aftershocks of the curse used by Old Daka:

It was not uncommon for a Nightbrother to wake to odd sounds in the darkest hours, a pale face in their window, or sometimes hovering above their cot in slumber — no purpose nor direction now that the magic persisted, but the one that controlled them did not.

The reanimated Nightsisters that haunted the village after the war were often dispatched unceremoniously by fire or with weights to the bottom of the nearest swamp, and those unfortunate enough to encounter the walking corpses were the fodder for many campfire stories in the years that followed.

Few Nightbrothers hesitated to defend themselves.

Some were the mothers that abandoned them, after all.

[apothecaryscript]

Episode 16 : Lead / 第16話『鉛(Namari)』

壬氏「ちと面倒なことなんだが…」

Jinshi “Chito mendona koto nan-daga…”

Jinshi “This is a bit troublesome…”

猫猫「ん？」（いつもなら、有無を言わせず面倒ごとを持ってくるのに、壬氏様にあるまじきセリフだな…）

Maomao “N?” (Itsumo-nara, umu’o iwasezu Mendo-goto’o motte kuru-noni, Jinshi-samani aru-majiki serifu dana…)

Maomao “Huh?” (He usually doesn’t hesitate to bring trouble my way. How out-of-character for him.)

猫猫「何でしょうか？」

Maomao “Nan-deshoka?”

Maomao “What is it?”

壬氏「実は…俺の知り合いの、そのまた知り合いの揉め事なんだが、宮廷御用達の彫金細工師が、弟子である息子たちに技術を継承しないまま死んだらしい。その中には、よそでは一切伝えられていないも��もあるという…」

Jinshi “Jitsuwa…oreno shiri’ai’no, sono mata shiri’ai’no mome-goto nan-daga, kyutei goyo-tashino choking-zaikushiga, deshide-aru musuko-tachini gijutsuo keisho shinai-mama shinda rashii. Sono naka-niwa, yoso-dewa issai tsutae-rarete-inai monomo aruto iu…”

Jinshi “Well… It’s something related to an acquaintance of an acquaintance. A metalworker who was the palace purveyor passed away, without passing on his techniques to his sons, who were also his apprentices. They say some of those techniques were completely secret and unknown.”

猫猫「つまり、彫金細工師の秘伝が分かればいいということですね」

Maomao “Tsumari, choking-zaikushino hidenga wakareba iito iu-koto desune.”

Maomao “So, you want to figure out the metalworker’s secret technique.”

壬氏「簡単に言ってのけるな…。それに、何だか妙に乗り気じゃないか？」

Jinshi “Kantanni itte-nokeruna… Soreni, nan-daka myoni norikija naika?”

Jinshi “You make it sound so simple. Besides, why are you so enthusiastic this time around?”

猫猫「あ…そうでしょうか？」

Maomao “A… So-deshoka?”

Maomao “Does it seem that way?”

壬氏「ハア…彫金師には3人の息子がいて、皆、弟子をしており、父親が死んだあとはそのうちの誰かが御用達になると言われている。父親が残した遺言には、形見分けの品が書かれていた。長男には離れの作業小屋。次男には細工の施された家具。三男には金魚鉢。そして一言、“皆、昔のように茶会でもするといい”と言い残した」

Jinshi “Haa… Chokinshi-niwa san-nin’no musukoga ite, mina, deshio shite-ori, chichi-oyaga shinda-atowa sono uchino darekaga goyo-tashini naruto iwarete-iru. Chichi-oyaga nokoshita yuigon-niwa, katami-wakeno shinaga kakarete-ita. Chonan-niwa hanareno sagyo-goya. Jinan-niwa saikuno hodoko-sareta kagu. San-nan-niwa kingyo-bachi. Soshite hitokoto, ‘Mina, mukashino-yoni chakai-demo suruto ii’to ii-nokoshita.”

Jinshi “The metalworker’s three sons were all his apprentices. As the father died, it’s said that one of the sons will take his place as the purveyor. There were distribution instructions for the father’s mementos in his will. The workshop shack for the eldest son. Furniture with excellent workmanship for the second son. A fishbowl for the youngest son. And one final note: ‘You all should have a tea party together, like old times.’”

猫猫「茶会？ずいぶん意味深な遺言ですね。そのままの意味なのか、それとも別の意味があるのか…」

Maomao “Chakai? Zuibun imi-shinna yuigon desune. Sono-mamano imi nanoka, soretomo betsuno imiga aru-noka…”

Maomao “A tea party? What a mysterious will. Did he mean a literal tea party? Or does that have another meaning?”

壬氏「遺言を聞いた当人たちも、さっぱりらしい」

Jinshi “Yuigon’o kiita tonin-tachimo, sappari rashii.”

Jinshi “The sons have no idea after hearing the will, either.”

猫猫「それに、形見分けにもかなり格差があります。小屋と家具と金魚鉢となると…どう見ても下の子ほど損をしている気がする…。どういう品なのでしょうか？」

Maomao “Soreni, katami-wake-nimo kanari kakusaga arimasu. Koyato kaguto kingyo-bachito naruto… Do mitemo shitano ko-hodo son’o shite-iru kiga suru… Do-iu shina nano-deshoka?”

Maomao “The mementos seem very unbalanced, too. A shack, furniture, and a fishbowl? The younger the son, the lower the value, it seems. What were those items like?”

壬氏「そこまで詳しくは聞いていない。ただ…」

Jinshi “Soko-made kuwashikuwa kiite inai. Tada…”

Jinshi “I haven’t heard the details. But…”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――

羅漢「もし気になるようでしたら、こちらが住所です」

Rakan “Moshi kini naru yo-deshitara, kochiraga jusho desu.”

Lakan “If that piques your interest, here is the address.”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――

壬氏「気になるなら、行ってみればいい。…ということだ」

Jinshi “Kini naru-nara, itte-mireba ii. …to-iu kotoda.”

Jinshi “He said, if it piques your interest, you should go take a look.”

猫猫（準備がいい…最初からこうなることを読んでいたみたいだ。面白い）

Maomao (Junbiga ii… Saisho-kara ko-naru koto’o yonde-ita mitaida. Omoshiroi.)

Maomao (How well-prepared. It’s like he expected this to happen. Interesting.)

猫猫「明日、お時間をいただけるのであれば」

Maomao “Ashita, ojikan’o itadakeru-node areba.”

Maomao “If I can have time tomorrow…”

水蓮「ウフフッ」

Suiren “Ufufu.”

壬氏「うむ」

Jinshi “Umu.”

Jinshi “Yeah.”

猫猫（戻ったら、仕事を増やされるんだろうな…）

Maomao (Modottara, shigoto’o fuya-sarerun-darona…)

Maomao (I’ll probably get more work on my plate when I get back.)

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――

猫猫（ん？おや？あれは…確か馬閃といったか…）

Maomao (N? Oya? Arewa… Tashika Basento ittaka…)

Maomao (Oh, that’s… Basen, was it?)

馬閃「前もそうだったが、お前はお付きという形だ。勝手に動くなよ」

Basen “Maemo so-dattaga, omaewa otsukito-iu katachida. Katteni ugoku-nayo.”

Basen “Like the last time, you’re my follower. Don’t do anything unless I allow it.”

猫猫「分かりました」

Maomao “Wakari-mashita.”

Maomao “Understood.”

猫猫（前もそうだったが、必要最低限しか話さない。こちらを嫌っているようだ。害がないのなら、別にそれでいい）

Maomao (Maemo so-dattaga, hitsuyo-saiteigen-shika hanasa-nai. Kochirao kiratte iru-yoda. Gaiga naino-nara, betsuni sorede ii.)

Maomao (Like last time, he only says the bare minimum. I don’t think he likes me much. If he’s harmless, I don’t mind.)

―――――――――――���―――――――――――――――

末っ子「はい。馬閃様ですね。お話は聞いています」

Suekko “Hai. Basen-sama desune. Ohanashiwa kiite-imasu.”

Youngest son “Coming. Master Basen. We’ve been notified of your visit.”

猫猫「ん？」

Maomao “N?”

Maomao “Hmm?”

末っ子「ああ、それは父のものです。妙なものを集める趣味がありまして」

Suekko “Aa, sorewa chichino mono desu. Myona mono’o atsumeru shumiga ari-mashite.”

Youngest son “Ah, yes, that belonged to my father. He had a strange hobby, collecting weird things.”

猫猫「へえ…」

Maomao “Hee…”

Maomao “Huh…”

馬閃「あれが作業小屋ですか？」

Basen “Arega sagyo-goya desuka?”

Basen “Is that the workshop shack?”

末っ子「はい。と言っても今は母屋で作業をしていて、職人たちの茶飲み場になっているんです。どうぞ。…兄さんたち、連れてきたよ」

Suekko “Hai. To-ittemo imawa omoyade sagyo’o shite-ite, shokunin-tachino cha-nomibani natte-irun-desu. Dozo. …Niisan-tachi, tsurete kitayo.”

Youngest son “Yes. That said, we do our work in the main house now. The shack is used as a tea house for the craftsmen. Come in. Hey, I brought the guests.”

長男「おう」

Chonan “Ou.”

Eldest son “Yeah.”

次男「わざわざどうも」

Jinan “Waza-waza domo.”

Second son “Thank you for coming out.”

猫猫（兄さんたちということは、案内役が末っ子ということか）

Maomao (Niisan-tachi to-iu kotowa, annai-yakuga suekkoto iu-kotoka.)

Maomao (These must be the elder brothers, and the first man must have been the youngest.)

馬閃「変わった家具の配置だな…お、おい！」

Basen “Kawatta kaguno haichi dana… O, Oi!”

Basen “The furniture is placed strangely. Hey.”

猫猫（確かに…普通こんな真ん中に置いたら邪魔だろう。それでも部屋の見た目が悪くないのは、テーブルの配置の妙な統一感と、タンスの洒落た雰囲気のせいか…。角には彫金細工がはめられている。一番上の3列と、その下の中央の引き出しに鍵穴。ここだけアクセントに違う金属が使われて…ん？動かないように固定されてる？）

Maomao (Tashikani… Futsu konna mannakani oitara jama daro. Sore-demo heyano mitamega waruku-nai-nowa, tēburuno haichino myona toitsu-kanto, tansuno shareta fun’ikino seika… Kado-niwa choking-zaikuga hame-rarete-iru. Ichiban ueno san-retsuto, sono shitano chuono hikidashini kagi-ana. Koko-dake akusentoni chigau kinzokuga tsukawarete…N? Ugoka-nai-yoni kotei sareteru?)

Maomao (Indeed… Having things in the center like this would get in the way. The room still looks kind of nice though, probably because of how the table weirdly brings the room together, and how classy this chest of drawers looks. There’s metalwork on the corners. The top row has three drawers. A keyhole in the center drawer in the second row. A different metal is used as an accent here… Hmm? Is this bolted in place?)

次男「おい、それは俺のもんだ。見るのはいいが、触るんじゃないぞ」

Jinan “Oi, sorewa oreno monda. Miru-nowa iiga, sawarunja naizo.”

Second son “Hey, that’s mine. You’re free to look, but don’t touch.”

猫猫（確か、次男に形見分けされたものは家具。それがこのタンスのことを指すなら、この男が次男なのだろう。…ならば、残る長身の男が長男ということになる）

Maomao (Tashika, jinan’ni katami-wake sareta monowa kagu. Sorega kono tansuno koto’o sasu-nara, kono otokoga jinan nano-daro. …Naraba, nokoru choshinno otokoga chonanto iu-kotoni naru.)

Maomao (Right, the second son was given furniture as his memento. If this chest is the aforementioned furniture, then this man must be the second son. Which must mean that the tall man is the eldest son.)

猫猫（窓の位置も変わってるな…。西洋風で、妙に長い窓。せっかく日がたくさん入る造りなのに、外にある大きな栗の木のせいで台無しにされている。部屋に入る光は木漏れ日。まともに光が入るのは、この1か所だけか…）

Maomao (Madono ichimo kawatteruna… Seiyo-fude, myoni nagai mado. Sekkaku higa takusan hairu tsukuri nanoni, sotoni aru ookina kurino kino seide dai-nashini sarete-iru. Heyani hairu hikariwa komore-bi. Matomoni hikariga hairu-nowa, kono ikkasho dakeka…)

Maomao (The window placement is strange, too. It’s western-style, and strangely tall. Despite the ample sunlight that could have come in, the huge chestnut tree outside ruins it. The sunlight that gets in is filtered through the branches. And this is the only spot that gets that light.)

猫猫（ん…？この跡、長い間、何かが置かれていたのか？）

Maomao (N…? Kono ato, nagai aida, nanikaga okarete ita-noka?)

Maomao (Hmm? This mark. Was something placed here for a long time?)

長男「本当に分かるんですかね？おやじの残したものについて」

Chonan “Hontoni wakarun-desu-kane? Oyajino nokoshita mononi tsuite.”

Eldest son “Can you really figure out what our father left behind?”

馬閃「それは…」

Basen “Sorewa…”

Basen “That’s…”

猫猫（うんうん、んっ、んっ！）

Maomao (Un-un, n, n!)

馬閃「話をもっと詳しく聞かせてもらわないと、何とも言えない」

Basen “Hanashio motto kuwashiku kikasete morawa-naito, nan-tomo ienai.”

Basen “You’d have to elaborate on your end for us to know more.”

長男「ハア…もう聞いての通りですよ。おやじは秘伝の技術を教えずに、あの世へ逝っちまった。んでもって、俺に残したのは、この小屋だ」

Chonan “Haa… Mo kiiteno toori desuyo. Oyajiwa hidenno gijutsu’o oshiezuni, anoyo’e icchi-matta. Nde-motte, oreni nokoshita-nowa, kono koyada.”

Eldest son “It’s exactly as you heard. Our father kicked the bucket without giving us the secret technique. And the only thing he left me is this shack.”

次男「俺には、このタンスだな」

Jinan “Ore-niwa, kono tansu dana.”

Second son “And for me, this chest of drawers.”

末っ子「ぼ…僕には、これです」

Suekko “Bo…Boku-niwa, kore desu.”

Youngest son “F-For me, this.”

猫猫（高価なガラス製…金魚鉢は木製か、せいぜい陶器製だと思っていた。それだと、3人の形見分けの品は、それぞれに価値があると言えるだろう）

Maomao (Kokana garasu-sei… Kingyo-bachiwa moku-seika, seizei toki-sei-dato omotte-ita. Sore-dato, san-nin’no katami-wakeno shinawa, sore-zoreni kachiga aruto ieru-daro.)

Maomao (Made of glass, so it’s expensive. I assumed the fishbowl would be wooden, or ceramic at best. In that case, I guess all the mementos have some value.)

次男「ハア…おやじは何を考えてんだか。せっかく形見としてもらっても、鍵は一つしかないし、鍵穴に入りやしねえ」

Jinan “Haa… Oyajiwa nanio kangaeten-daka. Sekkaku katamito-shite morattemo, kagiwa hitotsu-shika naishi, kagi-anani hairiya-shinee.”

Second son “What was he thinking? Thanks for this gift, but it only has one key, which doesn’t fit the keyhole.”

馬閃「鍵穴に入らない？」

Basen “Kagi-anani haira-nai?”

Basen “Doesn’t fit the keyhole?”

次男「たぶん、これが中央の引き出しの鍵なんだが、穴に入らねえんだよ。上の3つの引き出しは、全部同じ鍵で開くらしいけど、肝心の鍵はどこにもない。これじゃ形見をもらった意味がねえよ」

Jinan “Tabun, korega chuono hikidashino kagi nan-daga, anani haira-neen-dayo. Ueno mittsuno hikidashiwa, zenbu onaji kagide aku rashii-kedo, kanjinno kagiwa doko-nimo nai. Koreja katamio moratta imiga neeyo.”

Second son “This is probably the key for the center row, but it won’t fit the keyhole. The three drawers on top are supposed to open with the same key, but the actual key is nowhere to be found. What’s the point of inheriting it?”

長男「俺だって、小屋をもらってもタンスを動かせないんじゃ、邪魔で仕方ない。まったくいい迷惑だ」

Chonan “Ore datte, koyao morattemo tansuo ugokase-nainja, jamade shikata-nai. Mattaku ii meiwakuda.”

Eldest son “I’m in the same boat. What’s the point of getting this shack if I can’t move the chest out? What a bother.”

末っ子「おやじは…、お、おやじは、僕たちに…」

Suekko “Oyajiwa…, O, Oyajiwa, boku-tachini…”

Youngest son “Dad was… D-Dad was probably thinking…”

長男「お前はいいよな？さっさと金に換えられるものをもらったんだから」

Chonan “Omaewa ii-yona? Sassato kaneni kae-rareru mono’o morattan-dakara.”

Eldest son “I envy you. You got something you could easily sell.”

次男「そうだぜ。そんなんでも、しばらく食うには困らない金にはなるぞ」

Jinan “So-daze. Sonnan-demo, shibaraku kuu-niwa komara-nai kane-niwa naruzo.”

Second son “Yeah. It’s not much, but it’d still be worth enough to live off of for a while.”

長男「おやじも訳が分かんないぜ」

Chonan “Oyajimo wakega wakan-naize.”

Eldest son “I don’t get Dad at all.”

次男「今��らみんなで茶会をして、何になるんだ」

Jinan “Ima-sara minnade chakai’o shite, nanni narunda.”

Second son “What possible benefit could there be to having tea party now?”

猫猫（はてはて、どうしたものか…兄2人と末っ子の関係は、ずいぶん冷めているみたいだ）

Maomao (Hate-hate, do-shita monoka… Ani futarito suekkono kankeiwa, zuibun samete-iru mitaida.)

Maomao (Hmm, now what should we do? The two elder brothers don’t seem too fond of the youngest.)

母親「3人とも、およしなさい。お客様の前で、みっともないですよ。…ごめんなさいね。いつからこんな風になってしまったのか…長男も次男もひねくれてしまって…末っ子は自分の意見も言えない。こんな調子だから、主人も最期の最期まで心配していたんです」

Haha-oya “San-nin-tomo, oyoshi-nasai. Okyaku-samano maede mittomo-nai desuyo. …Gomen-nasaine. Itsu-kara konna-funi natte shimatta-noka… Chonanmo jinanmo hinekurete shimatte… Suekkowa jibunno ikenmo ienai. Konna choshi dakara, shujinmo saigono saigo-made shinpai shite-itan-desu.”

Mother “All of you, stop this! That’s no way to behave in front of guests. I’m so sorry. I don’t know when they started acting this way. The two older boys have become so cynical. And the youngest can’t even express his opinions. My husband was worried about them until the moment he died.”

猫猫（…親というものは、子がいくつになっても気苦労が絶えないんだな）

Maomao (…Oyato-iu monowa, koga ikutsuni nattemo kiguroga tae-nain-dana.)

Maomao (I guess being worried about your kids, no matter how old they get, is part of being a parent.)

母親「お茶をどうぞ。では…」

Haha-oya “Ochao dozo. Dewa…”

Mother “Please enjoy the tea. Excuse me.”

猫猫（全員わざわざ移動して座ったということは、定位置が決まっているんだろう。窓の前を避けてるのは、ただの習慣か…ちょうどこの時間は窓から光が差しているし、もう少し光が伸びたらタンスに当たりそうだが…タンスに日焼けの跡はなかった。…焼けた跡？）

Maomao (Zen’in waza-waza ido shite suwattato iu-kotowa, tei-ichiga kimatte-irun-daro. Madono mae’o saketeru-nowa, tadano shukanka… Chodo kono jikanwa mado-kara hikariga sashite-irushi, mo-sukoshi hikariga nobitara tansuni atari-sodaga…Tansuni hiyakeno atowa nakatta. …Yaketa ato?)

Maomao (They all moved. I guess they each have a set position. I suppose it must be just habit, in order to not block the window. This time of day, the sunlight comes through the window. If the sunlight reached a little further, it might hit the chest… But there’s no sign of sun damage on the chest. Sun damage…?)

馬閃「おい」

Basen “Oi.”

Basen “Hey.”

猫猫（日が当たるのは、そんなに長い時間じゃない）

Maomao (Higa ataru-nowa, sonnani nagai jikanja nai.)

Maomao (The sunlight doesn’t come in for too long of a time.)

猫猫（ん？中に何か詰まってる？）

Maomao (N? Nakani nanika tsumatteru?)

Maomao (Is something stuck inside?)

馬閃「何か分かったのか？」

Basen “Nanika wakatta-noka?”

Basen “Did you figure something out?”

猫猫（あっ…誰かに似ていると思ったら、こいつは高順に似ているのだな）

Maomao (A… Darekani nite-iruto omottara, koitsuwa Gaoshunni nite-iruno-dana.)

Maomao (Ah! I was thinking he looked familiar. He looks like Gaoshun!)

馬閃「それで？」

Basen “Sorede?”

Basen “So?”

猫猫「鍵のある真ん中の引き出しは、開かないんですよね？」

Maomao “Kagino aru mannakano hikidashiwa akanain-desu-yone?”

Maomao “The center drawer with the lock won’t open, right?”

次男「昔は開いたんだが、おやじが細工してるうちに開かなくなっちまったらしい」

Jinan “Mukashiwa aitan-daga, oyajiga saiku shiteru uchini akanaku nacchimatta rashii.”

Second son “It used to open, but apparently it got stuck after Dad worked on it.”

猫猫「鍵は一つ？」

Maomao “Kagiwa hitotsu?”

Maomao “And there’s only one key?”

次男「これしかねえよ。おやじのやつ、鍵を壊したら中の物も壊れるとか言ってよ…強引に開けるわけにもいかないんだ」

Jinan “Kore-shika neeyo. Oyajino yatsu, kagio kowashitara nakano monomo kowareru-toka itteyo… Goin’ni akeru wake-nimo ikanainda.”

Second son “Just this one. Dad said if we broke the lock, it would break whatever’s inside. So we can’t force it open, either.”

猫猫（兄弟たちにそれぞれ渡された形見の品…小屋…タンス…金魚鉢…。小屋には固定されたタンス、タンスには開かない鍵…そして…）

Maomao (Kyodai-tachini sore-zore watasareta katamino shina… koya…tansu…kingyo-bachi. Koya-niwa kotei sareta tansu, tansu-niwa akanai kagi…soshite…)

Maomao (The mementos given to each son. A shack, a chest of drawers, and a fishbowl. The chest is bolted down in the shack. The chest has drawers that can’t be unlocked. And…)

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――

壬氏「皆、昔のように茶会でもするといい」

Jinshi “Mina, mukashino-yoni chakai-demo suruto ii.”

Jinshi “You all should have a tea party together, like old times.”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――

猫猫「もしかして…」

Maomao “Moshika-shite…”

Maomao “Could it be…?”

猫猫「すみません。金魚鉢は、もともとあそこの棚に飾っていたのではないですか？」

Maomao “Sumimasen. Kingyo-bachiwa, moto-moto asokono tanani kazatte itano-dewa nai-desuka?”

Maomao “Excuse me. Was the fishbowl originally placed there, on that shelf?”

末っ子「え…ええ、そうですけど。昔は金魚を入れて、ここに置いていたんです。寒くなると死んでしまうので…冬場は茶会をする暖かい昼間だけ。ちょうど今みたいな時間です。ここ数年は、金魚を飼うこともなく、ただの置物になってますけど」

Suekko “E…Ee, so-desu-kedo. Mukashiwa kingyo’o irete, kokoni oite-itan-desu. Samuku Naruto shinde-shimau-node…Fuyubawa chakaio suru atatakai hiruma-dake. Chodo ima-mitaina jikan desu. Koko sunenwa, kingyo’o kau-kotomo-naku, Tadano okimononi natte-masu-kedo.”

Youngest son “Huh? Um, yes. We used to have a goldfish in it, and put it here. If it got too cold, the goldfish would die, so in the winter, we’d only put it here during tea parties, when the sunlight kept it warm. Around this time of day, actually. We haven’t had any goldfish for the past few years, though.”

猫猫「ふーん…」

Maomao “Fūn…”

Maomao “Hmm.”

馬閃「おい！お前…」

Basen “Oi! Omae…”

Basen “Hey, you!”

猫猫「ちょっと水をもらいに行ってきます」

Maomao “Chotto mizuo moraini itte-kimasu.”

Maomao “I’m going to go ask for some water.”

馬閃「また勝手に動きやがって…」

Basen “Mata katteni ugoki-yagatte…”

Basen “Darting off without my permission again!”

猫猫「昔はこうやって水を入れていたと」

Maomao “Mukashiwa ko-yatte mizuo irete-itato.”

Maomao “You filled it with water, like this?”

末っ子「え、ええ、そうです。ちょうどこの��柄がこちらに向くように…」

Suekko “E, Ee, so-desu. Chodo kono egaraga kochirani muku-yoni…”

Youngest son “Yes. This pattern should face this way.”

猫猫「…やっぱり」

Maomao “…Yappari.”

Maomao “I knew it.”

次男「おい、何だこりゃ！うん？」

Jinan “Oi, nanda korya! Un?”

Second son “H-Hey! What is this?!”

猫猫「触るな！」

Maomao “Suwaruna!”

Maomao “Don’t touch that!”

次男「ひっ！」

Jinan “Hi!”

猫猫「すみません。目に入ると、失明してしまいます。あと、邪魔なので離れて下さい。鍵が開きませんよ」

Maomao “Sumimasen. Meni hairuto, shitsumei shite shimai-masu. Ato, jama nanode hanarete kudasai. Kagiga akimasen’yo.”

Maomao “I’m sorry. It could blind you if it shined into your eyes. Also, please step back, as you’re blocking it. You won’t be able to unlock it.”

次男「ん？」

Jinan “N?”

猫猫「栗の木の陰に入ったようですね。熱い…それに妙な匂いがする」

Maomao “Kurino kino kageni haitta-yodesune. Atsui… Soreni myona nioiga suru.”

Maomao “It seems like the chestnut tree is casting a shadow now. It’s hot. Also, there’s a strange smell.”

次男「おい…何��意味があるんだ？」

Jinan “Oi… Nanno imiga arunda?”

Second son “Hey, what’s the meaning of all this?”

猫猫「では、先ほどの鍵で、この引き出しを開けて下さい」

Maomao “Dewa, saki-hodono kagide, kono hikidashio akete kudasai.”

Maomao “Now, please unlock this drawer with that key.”

次男「だから、入らないって言ってるだろうが！」

Jinan “Dakara, hairanaitte itteru-daroga!”

Second son “I told you, it doesn’t fit.”

猫猫「どうぞ」

Maomao “Dozo.”

Maomao “Please.”

次男「フン……えっ、ど…どういうことだ？」

Jinan “Fun……E, do…do-iu kotoda?”

Second son “Hmph. W-What’s going on?!”

猫猫「もしかして、お父上は、貧血や腹痛などを繰り返していませんでしたか？」

Maomao “Moshika-shite ochichi-uewa hinketsuya fukutsu-nado’o kuri-kaeshite imasen deshitaka?”

Maomao “Did your father happen to suffer from persistent anemia and stomachaches?”

末っ子「はい、そうですが…」

Suekko “Hai, so-desuga…”

Youngest son “Yes, that’s correct.”

猫猫「他に、吐き気や気鬱なども…」

Maomao “Hokani, hakikeya kiutsu-nadomo…”

Maomao “Nausea and depression, as well?”

末っ子「ありました」

Suekko “Ari-mashita.”

Youngest son “Those, too.”

猫猫「私は彫金細工についてよく知りませんが、ここでは、はんだも使っているのでしょうか？」

Maomao “Watashiwa cyokin-zaikuni tsuite yoku shiri-masenga, koko-dewa handamo tsukatte-iruno-deshoka?”

Maomao “I don’t know much about metalwork, but do you use solder in this workshop?”

末っ子「ええ、使ってます」

Suekko “Ee, tsukatte-masu.”

Youngest son “Yes, we do.”

馬閃「どういうことだ？」

Basen “Do-iu kotoda?”

Basen “What does that mean?”

猫猫「私はただ、“皆で昔と同じように茶会をしろ”という遺言に従っただけです」

Maomao “Watashiwa tada, ‘minade mukashito onaji-yoni chakai’o shiro’to-iu yuigonni shitagatta dake desu.”

Maomao “I just followed the instruction from the will, to have a tea party like you used to.”

猫猫「鍵の鋳型ですね…。型から抜いてもよろしいでしょうか？」

Maomao “Kagino igata desune… Kata-kara nuitemo yoroshii deshoka?”

Maomao “A mold for a key. May I remove it from the mold?”

次男「ん、ああ」

Jinan “N, aa.”

Second son “S-Sure.”

猫猫（まだ少し温かい…それに柔らかい。鍵穴に詰まっていた金属が熱で溶けて、その下の型に流れて固まったのだろう）

Maomao (Mada sukoshi atatakai…Soreni yawarakai. Kagi-anani tsumatte-ita kinzokuga netsude tokete, sono shitano katani nagarete katamattano-daro.)

Maomao (It’s still warm, and soft. The metal stuck in the keyhole must have melted from the heat, and flowed into the mold below it before hardening.)

次男「おっ…あ、開いたぞ」

Jinan “O…A, aitazo.”

Second son “It’s open!”

長男「中身は？」

Chonan “Nakamiwa?”

Eldest son “What’s inside?”

次男「な…なんだこりゃ？」

Jinan “Na…Nanda korya?”

Second son “What is this?!”

猫猫（この青みがかった結晶は…玄関先に飾られていたものと同じみたいだ）

Maomao (Kono aomi-gakatta kesshowa…genkan-sakini kazararete-ita-monoto onaji mitaida.)

Maomao (This bluish crystal seems to be the same kind as the one near the entrance.)

次男「チクショウ！何がみんな仲良くだよ。結局おやじの最後のいたずらに振り回されて終わりかよ！」

Jinan “Chikusho! Naniga minna naka-yoku dayo. Kekkyoku oyajino saigono itazurani furi-mawasarete owari kayo!”

Second son “Dammit! What does he mean, get along? We all just got played by his final prank!”

長男「やってらんねえ」

Chonan “Yatte-rannee.”

Eldest son “What a bother!”

末っ子「鉛と、錫(すず)？」

Suekko “Namarito, suzu?”

Youngest son “Lead and tin,,,?”

猫猫（技は見て盗めとか、職人気質の客人が昔言ってたな…。それを真に受けて、おやじが採ってきた薬草を見よう見まねで煎じて、中毒を起こして…）

Maomao (Wazawa mite nusume-toka, shokunin-katagino kyaku-jinga mukashi ittetana… Soreo mani ukete, oyajiga totte-kita yakuso’o miyo-mimanede senjite, chudokuo okoshite…)

Maomao (I knew a grumpy craftsman of a customer who said techniques should be seen and stolen. I took that seriously and tried to make my own medicine based on what I saw my dad do. I ended up poisoning myself, and,,,)

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――

羅門「まずは聞きなさい」

Ruomen “Mazuwa kiki-nasai.”

Luomen “You should ask first.”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――

猫猫（と諭されたこともある。恐らく、死んだ父親の意図を理解できたのは末っ子だけだろう。はんだは、数種類の金属を混ぜ合わせることで、本来個々で溶ける温度より低い温度で溶けるという。3つの塊のうち2つは、鉛と錫。そして、もう一つの塊を合わせることで、新しい金属ができるとすれば、どうだろう？しかも、金魚鉢で集約した光の熱とはいえ、さして当たった時間は長くなかった。それだけ、溶ける温度が低いということだ。大きさが違う引き出しは、配合の比率に関係しているのかもしれないが…これ以上、口を出す必要はない）

Maomao (To sato-sareta-kotomo aru. Osoraku, shinda chichi-oyano ito’o rikai dekita-nowa suekko-dake daro. Handawa, su-shuruino kinzoku’o maze-awaseru kotode, honrai kokode tokeru ondo-yori hikui ondode tokeruto iu. Mittsuno katamarino uchi futatsuwa, namari to suzu. Soshite, mo hitotsuno katamario awaseru kotode, atarashii kinzokuga dekiruto sureba, do-daro? Shikamo, kingyo-bachide shuyaku shita hikarino netsu-towa-ie, sashite atatta jikanwa nagaku nakatta. Sore-dake, tokeru ondoga hikuito iu-kotoda. Ookisaga chigau hikidashiwa, haigono hiritsuni kankei shite-iruno-kamo shirenaiga… Kore-ijo, kuchio dasu hitsuyowa nai.)

Maomao (That was the lesson he taught me. It seems like the youngest son was the only one who understood his dead father’s intent. I’ve heard that, by mixing several different types of metals together, solder melts at a temperature lower than that of the individual metals originally. Of the three chunks, two were lead and tin. Those and whatever this third thing is might mix to create a new metal. Also, the light was concentrated by the fishbowl, but it wasn’t heated for very long. The melting point must be very low. The differently-sized drawers might represent the ratio at which the metals should be mixed, but I don’t need to comment on that.)

長男「何が遺言だ！行くぞ」

Chonan “Naniga yuigonda! Ikuzo.”

Eldest son “What kind of will is this? Let’s go.”

次男「おやじに期待して損したぜ」

Jinan “Oyajini kitai-shite son shitaze.”

Second son “What a waste of time.”

末っ子「あ…待ってよ兄さん！」

Suekko “A… Matteyo Niisan!”

Youngest son “Wait, guys!”

次男「あ？」

Jinan “A?”

末っ子「いたずらなんかじゃない」

Suekko “Itazura nankaja nai.”

Youngest son “It’s not a prank.”

長男「だったら何だってんだよ？」

Chonan “Dattara nan-datten-dayo?”

Eldest son “What is it, then?!”

末っ子「やっぱりおやじは、僕たち兄弟に仲良くしてほしくて、遺言を残したんだ。だから、僕は…これからも、兄さんたちと一緒にやっていきたい！」

Suekko “Yappari oyajiwa, boku-tachi kyodaini naka-yoku shite hoshikute, yuigon’o nokoshitanda. Dakara, bokuwa…korekaramo niisan-tachito isshoni yatte ikitai!”

Youngest son “Dad really did leave a will to make the three of us get along again! So I want the three of us to continue working together!”

長男「フッ、一緒に？…俺たちと？…笑わせんな。お前は、俺たちとは違う」

Chonan “Fu, isshoni? Ore-tachito? …Warawa-senna. Omaewa, ore-tachi-towa chigau.”

Eldest son “Together? The three of us? What a joke. You’re different from us.”

次男「才能のあるお前は、おやじに特別にかわいがられてたからな」

Jinan “Sainono aru omaewa, oyajini tokubetsuni kawai-garareteta-karana.”

Second son “You have talent. Dad actually cared about you, and only you.”

末っ子「え…そんなことない！おやじは兄さんたちのことを信頼していた！いつも僕に言ってたんだ…チャン兄さんはいつも冷��で、細かな作業もいつも正確にこなす。ミスがないから何だって任せられるって。ツー兄さんは人の心をつかむのがうまい。誰とでも打ち解けられるのは、兄さんの誇れる才能だって。おやじは、僕たち兄弟のことを同じように見ていた。少なくとも、僕はそう思う」

Suekko “E… Sonna koto nai! Oyajiwa niisan-tachino koto’o shinrai shite-ita! Itsumo bokuni itte-tanda… Chan-niisanwa itsumo reiseide, komakana sagyomo itsumo sekiakuni konasu. Misuga nai-kara nandatte makase-rarerutte. Tsū-niisanwa hitono kokoro’o tsukamu-noga umai. Dareto-semo uchitoke-rareru-nowa, niisanno hokoreru saino datte. Oyajiwa, boku-tachi kyodaino koto’o onaji-yoni mite-ita. Sukunaku-tomo, bokuwa so omou.”

Youngest son “T-That’s not true! Dad always trusted you two! He always told me… Chang, you’re always so calm and accurate with any work you do. Dad said he could rely on you for anything, because you don’t make mistakes! Tzu, you’re good at getting to know people. He said you should be proud of your gift, the ability to be friendly with anyone! Dad viewed the three of us equally. At least, that’s what I think.”

馬閃「…失礼」

Basen “…Shitsurei.”

Basen “Excuse us.”

末っ子「あ…す、すみません」

Suekko “A… Su, Sumimasen.”

Youngest son “Oh, um, sorry.”

猫猫（父親…。まあ、私には関係ないことだ）

Maomao (Chichi-oya… Maa, watashi-niwa kankei-nai kotoda.)

Maomao (Father,,, Well, it’s got nothing to do with me.)

末っ子「ありがとうございました！」

Suekko “Arigato gozai-mashita!”

Youngest son “Thank you.”

猫猫（だけど、これだけは伝えておこう）

Maomao (Dakedo, kore-dakewa tsutaete-oko.”

Maomao (But I should tell him just this one thing.)

馬閃「おい」

Basen “Oi.”

Basen “Hey.”

猫猫「花街の緑青館という店(たな)に、羅門という薬師がいます。医術の腕も確かなので、何か体調が悪いようであれば、訪ねてみてください」

Maomao “Hana-machino Rokushokanto-iu tanani Ruomento-iu kusushiga imasu. Ijutsuno udemo tashika nanode, nanika taichoga warui-yode areba, tazunete mite kudasai.”

Maomao “There’s an apothecary named Luomen at a brothel called the Verdigris House in the pleasure district. He’s also a skilled physician. If you start to feel unwell, please pay him a visit.”

末っ子「は…はい」

Suekko “Ha…Hai.”

Youngest brother “Y-Yes.”

―――――――――――――――――――――――――――

羅漢「先日はどうも…。いやはや、なかなか面白いことになっ��よ。やはりあの3兄弟、一番できるのは末の息子だったようですね」

Rakan “Senjitsuwa domo… Iya-haya, naka-naka omoshiroi kotoni nattayo. Yahari ano san-kyodai, ichiban dekiru-nowa sueno musuko datta-yodesune.”

Lakan “Thank you for the other day. It turned out quite interestingly. The youngest son truly was the most skilled, after all.”

壬氏（軍師殿には分かっていたのだろう…）

Jinshi (Gunshi-dono-niwa wakatte-itano-daro…)

Jinshi (This strategist must have known all along.)

羅漢「あの後、末っ子がめきめきと力を見せだしましてね。後継者になって、宮廷に出す細工を扱うと言われています。長男と次男は、今回の件で職人から足を洗うことにしたそうです」

Rakan “Ano-ato, suekkoga meki-mekito chikarao mise-dashi-mashitene. Kokeishani natte, kyuteini dasu saikuo atsukauto iwarete imasu. Chonanto jinanwa, konkaino kende shokunin-kara ashio arau kotoni shita-sodesu.”

Lakan “He suddenly started to show that skill of his. They say he’ll take his father’s place and begin selling his metalworks to the palace. The older two sons are no longer going to work as craftsmen.”

壬氏「ん？それは…」

Jinshi “N? Sorewa…”

Jinshi “Is that…”

羅漢「何、悪いことではないでしょう。死んだ父親の思いをくみ取った…とでも言いますか。長男は売り上げの管理。次男は販路の開拓。それぞれ、別の方面から家業を支えることにしたそうです。まあ要するに、適材適所に落ち着いたということですな」

Rakan “Nani, warui-koto-dewa nai-desho. Shinda chichi-oyano omoio kumi-totta…to-demo iimasuka. Chonanwa uriageno kanri. Jinanwa hanrono kaitaku. Sore-zore, betsuno homen-kara kagyo’o sasaeru kotoni shita-sodesu. Maa yosuruni, tekizai-tekishoni ochi-tsuitato iu-koto desuna.”

Lakan “It can’t be all that bad. They took the hint from their dead father, perhaps. The eldest will take care of bookkeeping. The second son will find new clients. They’re both going to help the family from different angles. In other words, they all found their place.”

壬氏（屋敷で何があったかは分からない。きっと、あの薬師の娘は知ってて黙っているだろう）

Jinshi (Yashikide naniga attakawa wakara-nai. Kitto, ano kusushino musumewa shittete damatte-iru-daro.)

Jinshi (I don’t know what happened at the mansion. The apothecary girl must know and is keeping silent.)

羅漢「最後に先代が作った細工は素晴らしかった。あれは単なる金具でしたが、祭具にあの細工を使うと、映えるでしょうな…」

Rakan “Saigoni sendaiga tsukutta saikuwa subarashi-katta. Arewa tan’naru kanagu deshitaga, saiguni ano saikuo tsukauto, haeru deshona…”

Lakan “The late metalworker’s works were truly wonderful. It was a simple metal part, but if used on a ritual utensil, it would look fabulous.”

壬氏「…そうですね」

Jinshi “…So-desune.”

Jinshi “Indeed.”

壬氏（嫌らしい男だ。本来、私の立場に祭具など関係ないと分かっているだろうに…）

Jinshi (Iyarashii otokoda. Honrai, watashino tachibani saigu-nado kankei-naito wakatte-iru-daroni…)

Jinshi (What an annoying person. He must know, given my position, ritual utensils don’t mean anything to me.)

壬氏「なぜ軍師殿が、そんな職人…」

Jinshi “Naze gunshi-donoga, sonna shokunin…”

Jinshi “I wonder why, master strategist, you brought up―”

羅漢「いや、何。埋もれた才能をそのままにしておくのは、もったいないと思いまして。兄、弟など関係ない。才能があるなら、目をかけてやるべきだろうとね」

Rakan “Iya, nani. Umoreta saino’o sono-mamani shite oku-nowa, mottai-naito omoi-mashite. Ani, ototo-nado kankei nai. Sainoga aru-nara, meo kakete yaru-beki-darotone.”

Lakan “Come now, I just didn’t want to keep good talent buried. Elder or younger brother shouldn’t matter. Those with talent should receive attention.”

壬氏（一理ある。羅漢はうさんくさい男だが、人の才能を見抜く目は確かだ。その采配によって、現在の地位に上り詰めたと言ってもいい）

Jinshi (Ichiri aru. Rakanwa usan-kusai otoko-daga, hitono saino’o minuku mewa tashikada. Sono saihaini yotte, genzaino chiini nobori-tsumetato ittemo ii.)

Jinshi (He has a point. Lakan may be a shady man, but he definitely can discern talent in people. It can be argued that he used that ability to climb to his current rank.)

壬氏「…ところで、前の話の続きを聞きたいのですが」

Jinshi “…Tokorode, maeno hanashino tsuzukio kikitaino-desuga.”

Jinshi “May I hear the rest of that story from earlier?”

羅漢「前の話と言いますと？」

Rakan “Maeno hanashito iimasuto?

Lakan “Which story?”

壬氏「以前聞いた、妓女の話ですよ」

Jinshi “Izen kiita, gijono hanashi desuyo.”

Jinshi “The one about the courtesan.”

羅漢「ああ～、妓女の希少価値を下げる方法ですか。そういうことは、その世界を知る者に聞いた方が早い」

Rakan “Aaaa, gijono kisho-kachio sageru hoho desuka. So-iu kotowa, sono sekaio shiru mononi kiita-hoga hayai.”

Lakan “Ah, yes! The way to decrease the value of a courtesan. You should direct that inquiry to someone who knows that world.”

壬氏「なっ…んん…」

Jinshi “Na…Nn…”

羅漢「いやはや、もう時間ですね。長居をすると、部下に怒られる。あっ、ああ～。これは部屋付きの女官たちにでもあげて下され。甘すぎない、飲みやすい口ですから。では、また明日…」

Rakan “Iya-haya, mo jikan desune. Nagaio suruto, bukani okorareru. A. Aaaa. Korewa heya-tsukino nyokan-tachini-demo agete kudasare. Amasugi-nai, nomi-yasui kuchi desu-kara. Dewa, mata ashita…)

Lakan “Oh goodness, the time! My subordinates would scold me if I stayed any longer. Please give this to your serving maids. It’s a good drink, not too sweet. See you tomorrow.”

壬氏「ハア…」

Jinshi “Haa…”

高順「ハア…壬氏様」

Gaoshun “Haa…Jinshi-sama.”

Gaoshun “Master Jinshi.”

壬氏「ん？」

Jinshi “N?”

Jinshi “Hmm?”

高順「お疲れのところ、恐縮ですが」

Gaoshun “Otsukareno tokoro, kyoshuku desuga.”

Gaoshun “I’m sorry to bother you when you’re tired, but…”

―――――――――――――――――――――――

猫猫「お呼びでしょうか」

Maomao “Oyobi deshoka.”

Maomao “Did you need me?”

壬氏「お前は化粧に詳しいか？」

Jinshi “Omaewa keshoni kuwashiika?”

Jinshi “Do you know much about makeup?”

猫猫「はあ、まあ、ひととおりは…」

Maomao “Haa, maa, hito-tooriwa…”

Maomao “Well, yes, the basics.”

壬氏「ならば、俺に化粧をしてくれないか？」

Jinshi “Naraba, oreni kesho’o shite kure-naika?”

Jinshi “In that case, can you do my makeup for me?”

猫猫「はい？」

Maomao “Hai?”

Maomao “Huh?”

(Continue to episode 17)

[vixlenxe]

YOU DIED

What loot items do you drop?

COMMON: Daka’s Bell. This ball joint, used to connect mechanical limbs together, is shaped almost like a bell. Though it may seem dainty, it can be used to carry an unimaginably large amount of energy. If connected to one's arms, then one will lose all feeling in them. And all strength in one's legs will dissipate if such joints are connected to them. Connect this joint to one's skull... Ah, hatred, pain, madness, pride — none of these will be washed away. Most fortunate.

UNCOMMON: Puppet Strings. Tubes that were inserted into the mechanical puppet's back. The colors that flow within them are sometimes dull, & at others, vibrant. The contrast is so great as to be fearful. They provided power to the mechanical puppet, & at the same time served as its strings, controlling it & binding it. Once the support of these tubes is lost, the puppet becomes as weak as a newborn infant, barely able to even move.

RARE: Wide Brimmed Hat. A hat from a far away foreign land, harkening to the days of old culture. Ideal to wear when the weather seems foul, as it’s wide brim protects it’s wearer from rain, snow & sun. The tassels on the side & veil flow easily in the wind, & it jiggles ever so slightly with the presence of bells upon it. Despite it’s age, it’s condition is superb, as if still new. It must have been well cared for indeed.

ULTRA-RARE: Electro Gnosis. The Stolen Gnosis of the Electro Archon, the leader of Inazuma. After creating The Shogun puppet as her vessel, the Archon deemed the Gnosis unnecessary & a possible risk to her rule, so entrusted it with a dear friend, whom later traded for the life of one most valued. The elemental power within this small item is so outstanding, it feels like it shouldn’t be possible. The havoc such a little thing may cause is frightening. You feel like you should not be holding this. It doesn’t feel like it’s yours.

LEGENDARY: Ash Covered Heart. A glass heart, peeking out from a small pile of ashes. It’s is cracked & worn, colored in black & red, beaten & abused, shallowed in grief. It’s barer has seen much. “Once more... I have lost my heart. It hurts.... My skin feels like it’s on fire...” “... Burning me alive... turning me to ash...”

Tagged by - @knightshonour Thankies!!

Tagging - @prettyboywarrior​, @diegesis-x-dolonia​, @inavagrant​, @erabundus​, @mmriesoftvat​, @wcndererr​, @fcreststridcr​, @tetsuwan-atom​, @strykingback​, @frznkingdom​ / @bloodylariat​, @viindicators​, @anomieheld​, @moonxsuncelestials​, @moon-blessed-alchemist​, @xxlordalexanderxx​, @narvvhal​ & BASICALLY ANYONE ELSE

[river--ghost]

~on the 25th of july, my true love sent to me~

1 vayuda turquoise sliver,

9 vayuda turquoise fragments,

9 vayuda turquoise chunks,

6 vayuda turquoise gemstones,

261 handguards (36 old, 96 kageuchi, 129 famed),

9 teachings of praxis,

63 guides to praxis,

114 philosophies of praxis,

46 perpetual calibers,

419 hero’s wit,

✨7,050,030 MORAAA✨

163 rukkhashava mushshrooms,

18 Daka’s Bells,

3 crowns of insight,

AND 146 WISHEEEES

i’m ready for you. this is a threat.

[melancholic-entrails]

i did an art dumppp

dont ask me how long it took to unearth all these old pics

[skellymom]

Chapter 2

The BAD BATCH Mini Series HALLOWEEN Fan Fic

To read Chapter 1:

https://www.tumblr.com/skellymom/731338076301000704/the-tale-of-the-dathomir-witch?source=share

"The Tale of the Dathomir Witch" 

All Ages: Sadness, mentions of canon Star Wars Empire badness, crying, and some sweet revenge at the end of this tale (you will have to wait until Chapter 3)! (I did change some of Old Daka's canon lore to write this. She really doesn't have too much of a story, decided to give her some more.)

Warning: Some of you might want tissues handy. This fic features lots of crying.

Word Count: 2K

“Crawl” by Unsecret x Bryar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZ6CQKj-wkY&list=RDMMLsgO5OTUsRU&index=17

The Batch waited on pins and needles for Old Daka to arrive. Tech brewed another full pot of Caf. He was sucking down caffeine like mad. Restless legs wiggling as he sat. Wrecker broke out his hidden stash of Mantell Mix and snacks to the group but ate the lion’s share. Echo pulled out his “special occasion” Spotchka bottle from his footlocker and shared sips with Hunter. Omega, unaware of the full gravity of this mission, was full of energy and excitement to meet “Gran-Momma Daka.” 

She arrived halfway into one Imperial rotation. The ship that landed next to the Marauder was a stolen Republic shuttle, repainted with scrawling anti-Empire graffiti. Its name written in red Aurebesh: The Anarchy. The gangplank lowered and Old Daka emerged carrying a bandolier strap case. She was accompanied by a white armored clone also painted with graffiti: His chest emblazoned with an A inside a circle and the initials RR on his helmet, all spray painted in blazing red Aurebesh. 

The clone removed his helmet to reveal a shiny Reg clone sporting long red ponytailed hair with sides shaved. He saluted Hunter. “Sergeant, Private Riffraff, Sir. Requesting permission for Grandmother Daka to board the Marauder, Sir.” 

“No need for formality, Shiny.” Hunter scoffed. 

“Riffraff???” Echo called out.  

“Echo!” Riffraff beamed. He shook like a happy puppy, then quickly looked at Old Daka and Hunter for permission. They both nodded, and he took off like a shot, embracing Echo. Echo returned the hug, smacking his back enthusiastically. 

Wrecker, Tech, and Omega smiled at the clone reunion. They just gained another new brother. 

“Stars it’s good to see YOU!” Echo beamed. He pulled Riff back to get a better look. “Custom painted armor I see. Giving a good one to The Empire!!!” 

“I barely survived Order 66, Vod. Kriffin’ crazy time. Thanks to Granny Daka for saving my butt.” He beamed at the old woman, who returned a small warm grin. 

Hunter cleared his throat loudly. “Shall we go inside and discuss our POSSIBLE mission?” 

“OH! Yes...carry on.” Riff let go of Echo and stood at attention by his ship. His contented smirk never wavered as the crew climbed aboard the Marauder. 

************************************************************************

“Fight For Survival” by Klergy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Epak9TqrKLs&list=PLTsJd3M7E5yeGJaZsh3pgYUAQdsnbgyBD&index=128

They exchanged introductions then settled in and Daka rehashed the Force conversation she had with Omega and Hunter openly with everyone aboard. She then dropped the bandolier bag in front of them and opened the top. It was chock full to the top with credits.  

“I am paying you all in full ahead of the mission...whether we succeed or not. The bottom line is that I require transport and cover to face Darth Sidious and destroy him forever. This is your role. However, participating in this will markedly change each one of your lives forever.” Daka advised. 

“Oh, how so?” Tech scrutinized the old woman. 

Daka grabbed Tech’s hand and looked deeply into his eyes. He shrank from her severe gaze. 

Echo spoke up. “He doesn’t like to be touched...or stared at!” 

She ignored him. 

“Look at me, Clever Boy! I bring news of your possible future.” 

Tech cowered but managed to look at Daka. 

“Listen to me. I am imprinting your mind with the coordinates of a blue-green planet. You will tell Hazard you seek Phee Genoa. And will take your little brother with you.” She grabbed Wreckers hand and put it in Tech’s. “NO ONE ELSE! You hear me??? Your other brothers and sister have their own path to walk.” 

“We understand Gramma Daka.” Wrecker answered reverently. He did not question her authority. 

Old Daka addressed Wrecker. “Good Strong Boy. You must take care of your older brother. Defend him from harm. Hazard is waiting for YOU, even though he doesn’t know it yet.” 

“YOU, The Unbroken!” She swung around to Echo. He gave her an annoyed look. “The time to emancipate your brothers has arrived. You spoke to Hunter about aiding a growing Rebellion. Now Rebellion is calling for you.” Daka eyed him. 

Echo threw up both arms and rolled his eyes. While he agreed with her message, he didn’t like her bossy attitude.  

Old Daka knelt to Omega. “I’m sorry, Sun Child. You cannot stay with your brothers.” 

Omega, somehow suspecting Daka was right, began to cry. “Why???” 

“Because some things are bigger than love for your kindred. Bigger than the desire for comfort in times of strife.  There is a darkness that threatens to devour everything in the galaxy. You all will play a part in stopping that darkness.” 

Old Daka glanced up at Hunter. “I have a Shaman among the Tuskan Raiders who will take Omega in. The Tribe will raise her as their own. Protect, teach, nurture her. If we succeed on this mission, she will seek out the Son of Vader. If we fail, she is to stay with the Sand People until Vader’s Son seeks her out. Omega will be safe there.” 

Hunter was thrown totally off balance by the news. “Now, wait. Leaving Omega with total strangers on Tatooine...” 

“I have seen Shatterpoints in all your futures. My own, even. This is the most favorable path for the galaxy.” 

“Shatterpoints??? Lady, no disrespect, but what are you going on about? Omega and my brothers are staying...” 

Old Daka stood with difficulty and faced Hunter. She stared him down...all 6 feet of her strong presence. 

Tech finally found his voice. “I think Daka is referring to her Force ability to sense a significant event and key moments where actions could change events.” 

Everyone turned to stare at him. 

“I...don’t claim to understand The Force. It’s not something I can quantify or calculate, being elusive. But I comprehend Daka’s logic of preventing Palpa...Darth Sidious’ pogrom of growing power. Although, I may be in the minority here?” 

“Seems that she isn’t asking of us something some of us wouldn’t already do.” Echo added. 

“As long as Omega's safe...” Wrecker looked so sad. 

Old Daka threw back her head and cackled with glee. “THEY get it!” 

Hunter shook his head, cutting eyes at the old woman. He wasn’t convinced. 

“Keen Man!” Daka snapped her fingers at Hunter. “What does it take to understand? I came to you in your dreams. You sense things others cannot...to a strong degree. Things you cannot quantify. Yet you struggle to understand while your brother who quantifies like the act of breathing understands.” She pointed at Tech. 

“No...” Hunter backed up. Put his hands up while shaking his head. 

“You FEAR! I smell it.” Old Daka slowly advanced at him, pointing her bony finger. 

The back of Hunter’s legs hit the front of The Marauders chair; he fell into the seat with a defeated look on his face. Then he put his face in his hands. He was going to lose everyone he loved. 

“The galaxy...possibly the universe hangs in the balance. You have had your brothers most of your short life. Omega was with you before you even were aware of her existence while on Kamino. She helped birth and raise you and your brothers. This is the life you have. Countless others didn’t or won’t even have that. If you sacrifice now, Omega will have a chance of a future. If you don’t, she will have NOTHING.” 

Old Daka’s words broke Hunter. Sobs shook him. 

Echo and tech hid their emotion and watched their brother struggle. Wrecker hugged Omega close while tears ran down both their faces. 

 

She softened her next words. “YOU will live out the rest of your life with your estranged brother. He will care for you.” 

Hunter looked up from his hands, tears streaking his face. “Crosshair???” 

“Yes, Crosshair.” 

Everyone in the Marauder was quiet. You could hear a pin drop. 

Eventually, Hunter composed himself. “Let me discuss this with my family. We’ll give you our answer then.” 

Old Daka nodded. Before exiting the Marauder, she turned to look at Echo. “Oh...Fives has a message for you: ‘For Hevy’. Whatever THAT means.”  

Echo’s eyes widened in shock...then he too started to cry.  

She left the Marauder, found a large rock to sit on, and settled in to wait. 

************************************************************************

“Wolves of The Revolution” by The Arcadian Wild: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VXkFO0h75w 

Old Daka sat for some time. She watched the shadows on Ord Mantell grow long as the sun began to set.  

Riffraff still stood at perfect attention. “You think they’ll help us?”  

“Only The Force knows, Red Boy. We wait and see.” 

The shadows deepened before Hunter, looking tired and defeated, emerged from the Marauder. 

“We’ll do it. When do we leave?” 

“Tomorrow. But Omega must leave immediately. She will go back to Tatooine with Red Boy” she motioned to Riffraff. “He will take good care of your Sun Child.” 

Riff nodded to Hunter “I promise, Sergeant. Lay my very life on it.” 

“We’ll never see her again? Ever???” 

“I’m sorry...no.” 

Hunter hung his head. Clenched his fists. Then he turned and stalked quickly back to the Marauder. 

Ten minutes later he emerged with Omega in tow. She wailed and dragged her feet. Wrecker, Echo, and Tech following behind. None of them had a dry eye. 

“NOOOOOOO! I want to go on this mission with you!!!” She struggled fruitlessly in Hunter’s grasp. 

He stopped in front of Riff, tried to hand her over, she almost narrowly escaped back to the Marauder. Hunter snatched her up under her arms and hefted Omega off her feet lifting her to face him. 

“DON’T DO THIS! YOU SAID I COULD STAY WITH YOU!!!” She cried out, hammered her fists on his arms, kicked at him. 

Hunter shook her firmly, “OMEGA!!!” 

She went limp in his grasp. Then he embraced her tightly and held on. “I’m sorry. Never anticipated something like this happening. I didn’t know...what I didn’t know.” She embraced him, putting her head in the crook of his neck sobbing. Hunter pulled his bandana off. “Omega.” She leaned back and he placed it on her head. It was a little big and fell around her neck. “Take it. I’ll always be with you.” He embraced her again, kissing her head, inhaling the scent of her hair. “If you have any chance of a happy future, this is the right path.”  

After a few minutes Hunter handed her to Echo. She clung to him, and he hugged her back. “Come now, Meg. You’re doing a great thing for the galaxy. I know it hurts now...and will probably hurt for a very long time. But it’s a very noble sacrifice. We clones are strong. We were built to fight.” She nodded silently in the crook of his neck. He pulled off his kama and wrapped it around her.

Tech approached Echo and held his arms out. He was clearly NOT a hugger, but this time was different. Echo, mildly surprised, handed Omega to Tech. She clutched him tightly. “You were my best student.   There is no doubt you will do great things. Wherever you are, remember I am very proud of you, Omega.” Tech pulled something off his belt and handed it to her. It was an extra set of goggles with a recording device. “Our memories recorded, for you to watch any time.” Omega sniffled and nodded. 

Wrecker took Omega next and hugged her hard. “I’m gonna miss you! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH OMEGA!!!” He started bawling. She held his large face in her hands and kissed his cheek. “I’m givin’ ya Lula to keep. She’ll keep ya company when you're lonely. Maybe one day you’ll bring her back to me?” Wrecker tucked Lula into Omega’s arms and set her down in front of Riffraff. 

“I don’t want to go...I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!” She sobbed, taking one long last look of her brothers. 

Her brothers stood silently looking back. 

“Come, Miss Omega. We must go.” Riff held out his hand. She took it and they both boarded The Anarchy. 

“May The Force be with you, Child.” Old Daka blessed Omega with her words. Omega didn’t respond. 

The Anarchy took off from Ord Mantell. The Batch and Old Daka watched it ascend into the sky. Wrecker fell to his knees crying hysterically. Tech, unsure how to feel, stood there frozen, numbly watching the ship disappear from sight. Echo wiped away his tears, grateful Omega would be safe with his Reg brother Riffraff. Hunter walked away, refusing to watch the ship leave. He ran past the Marauder into the city and kept running with no known destination.  

Old Daka watched them all. There was a pain in her heart, too. She refused to show it. These men needed a strong presence now. They needed time to mourn before embarking on the most important mission of their lives. 

Aboard the Anarchy Omega lay upon the floor crying hysterically. A little girl wrapped in an oversized kama, wearing a red bandanna, clutching goggles, and a stuffed Tooka. If this was another type of situation, Riff would’ve found it comical. But it wasn’t and Riff’s heart went out to Omega. He had lost siblings too.  

He let her have her moment there on the floor until the ship settled into hyperspace. 

“Miss Omega? Hey...”  

A huge Purrgil floated up to the ship peering inside the windscreen. Its mournful song caught Omega’s attention. She got up and wandered over to Riff. He held out his arms. Omega climbed into his lap, and they watched the Purrgil together as the stars floated past. 

************************************************************************

Chapter 3

https://www.tumblr.com/skellymom/732696093237870592/the-bad-batch-mini-series-halloween-fan-fic?source=share

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[backlogbooks]

Weekly Reading Update 7 & 8

Okay I missed last week and have been behind on posts in general (had to delete tumblr from my phone for a couple weeks because social media bad sometimes) but I do wanna do my little reading diary! So I’m back for about ten minutes! 

When we last spoke, I’d just started How to Sell a Haunted House, which I have now finished and what a book! It was absolutely terrifying, and had one of the like. best and also worst visceral horror moments that I’m not going to describe, but if you’ve read the book I’d bet you can guess which scene I’m talking about lol. It really might be my favorite Grady Hendrix book, though--grief and family horror gets me in a special way. I’m moving on to Unwinding Anxiety, which I’ve seen recommended for people with anxiety, so we’ll see if it has any helpful tidbits in it! Very amusing to me that my horror streak is being broken up by a book about anxiety though lmao 

As for my school reading, I’ve done Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson (very cute graphic novel that has gotten me interested in roller derby) and The Girl in the Lake by India Hill Brown. I have kind of mixed feelings about The Girl in the Lake, in terms of the “twist” at the end, but it was overall a good book with some creepy moments and a good message, imo. Also, I just have a soft spot for any creepy middle grade books, as someone who checked out, like, every goosebumps and Mary Downing Hahn book I could get my hands on lol. Next up is a YA: When The Angels Left the Old Country by Sarah Lamb, which has one of the best intro paragraphs, and Hide and Seeker by Daka Hermon (which I may or may not review for class- I can technically only review one middle grade horror for the assignment, so I’m going to choose between The Girl in the Lake and Hide and Seeker). Oh, also, if anyone has YA horror recommendations, send them my way--I may end up reviewing Clown in a Cornfield for the assignment, but I wanna keep my options open, you know? 

Also, I’m so incredibly behind on The Path of Daggers/Wheel Takes Podcast, but idk if I’m going to get a chance to catch up because of grad school :(

Currently Reading: When the Angels Left the Old Country, Unwinding Anxiety, The Path of Daggers, and The Essential Dykes to Watch Out For 

Library books checked out: 13

Posts the last two weeks: tuesday quote, wednesday quote 

[pupa-cinema]

Shukatsu Club - 残留思念パラドックス(Zanryu-shinen Paradox) - Lyrics English Translation

拝啓、今夜もどろどろり Greetings, we’re getting grimy and gross again tonight

ああ、これはいますね Yep, it’s definitely here あなたの背中には Right there behind you 言ってます案の定「うらめしや」 Saying the old classic “boo” お札何枚貼ろうとも無駄 No matter how much we try to ward it off もうべったり住み着く亡霊が This haunting ghost is here to stay

深夜の二時とか三時 Around 2 or 3 AM in the dead of night うなされて目が覚めるカンジ？ Do you have nightmares and jolt awake? 本当にこのままでいいのかなんて “Will I be stuck living like this forever?” 日々繰り返してるカンジ？ You probably find yourself asking yourself everyday それ、亡霊のせいかもしれませんよ Then I have news for you, that may just be the work of a ghost ひえ〜、ああ怖い怖い Eek, aah how scary 降霊術でダイブ A necromantic dive

残留思念パラドックス Residual Haunting Paradox 化けるまにまに At the beck and call of the other world ここらで御観念 Here’s where I resign to my fate ぶっとんじゃう I’m going mad 線香でトリップ Tripping from incense 耄碌の中 Turning senile 一生涯の約束しよう Let’s make a lifelong promise

賽の河原の友達 My friends from the riverbed of Sanzu 正しさなど喪に服し Right and wrong go into mourning 釣り上げろ市場の価値 They fish it on up, the market value 行列にすらも並び They line up incredibly orderly ただただ貧乏揺すり Just simply jittering and fidgeting いい子に順番を待ち Waiting for their turn patiently 寝て起きれば元鞘に So go to sleep now, when you wake up you and your ex will be back together それではおやすみなさい Alright then good night

おばあちゃんの壺を割っちゃった！ I shattered grandma’s urn! 好きなのに嫌いだとか言っちゃった I love you but I said that I hate you ありがとうってちゃんと言えなかった I never got the chance to say thank you その後悔から生まれる亡霊 Those regrets are what cause these ghosts to manifest

現代的な解釈でもって Fashioned with modern mindsets 根本的な問題を背負って Burdened with fundamental problems なんだかんだでぎゃーぎゃー歌って We find ourselves out here singing like crying babies 我らはゴーストバスターズ！ We are the ghost busters! 感覚派って言葉を使って Using the word “a feeler type” 目を背けているのは置いといて Put aside the fact that we’re averting our gazes from what matters 最終的には根性論で！ Grit is what comes through in the end! それゆけゴーストバスターズ！ Charge, ghost busters!

「なんちゃって！」 “Just kidding!”

現実過多でオーバードーズ Overdosing on too much reality 逃げろブギウギ Run away, boogie-woogie くるり宙返り Spinny somersault ぶっとんじゃうね This is all maddening isn’t it 後悔残してこの世去るとは But we’re leaving our regrets behind and leaving this world うらめしや さあ覚悟しろ Boo, now get ready

境界線がもう曖昧(ふわふわり) 現世なおかつ霊界(ぐらぐらり) The boundaries are vague now (floaty) Between the mortal realm and the other side (wobbly) 退屈から奇々怪界(どろどろり) さあ降霊術でダダダだダーイブ！ From boring to preternatural bizzarities (grimy), now for our necromantic daka daka daka dive!

いつかは死ぬって One day we all die わかってるのに I know this but まだね死ねないや I’m not dead yet 赤い雷鳴の後光差したら When the halo of red thunder glows behind us さあお出ましだ Then it’s time for us to go

残留思念パラドックス Residual Haunting Paradox 踊るまにまに At the beck and call of dance ここらでお愛想 Here’s where we wrap it up ぶっとんじゃう I’m going mad 線香でトリップ Tripping from incense 耄碌の中 Turning senile いっそ誓いのキスでもしよう Enough of this, how about we seal our promise with a kiss instead

格好悪くてくだんない(へらへらり) So lame it’s stupid (Bahaha) そんな歌すら歌いたい(にやにやり) Incredibly enough I want to sing a song like that (Grinny) 退屈から奇々怪界(どろどろり) From boring to preternatural bizzarities (Grimy) けしからんかい That’s outrageous no セイ「うらめしや！」 Booyah “Boo!” さあ一生涯の約束しよう Now, let’s make a lifelong promise

[swantonlibraryteens]

Starting October 1! Check out our do-it-at-home book clubs for all ages. All we ask is that you read the book: do as much or as little of the rest of it as you want. No matter how much you do, the book is yours!

Every book comes with links to explore, a review form, a few questions, and some activities that tie into the book. We will have posts on www.splyouth.org for anyone who wants to discuss the books or comment on the questions or activities. Supplies are limited, so grab yours today!

Grades 5-8: Hide and Seeker by Daka Hermon

“Justin knows that something is wrong with his best friend. Zee went missing for a year. And when he came back, he was … different. Nobody knows what happened to him. At Zee’s welcome home party, Justin and the neighborhood crew play Hide and Seek. But it goes wrong. Very wrong. One by one, everyone who plays the game disappears, pulled into a world of nightmares come to life. Justin and his friends realize this horrible place is where Zee had been trapped. All they can do now is hide from the Seeker,” (Hide and Seeker, 2020).

Grades 9-12: The Silver Eyes (Five Nights at Freddy’s 1) by Scott Cawthon & Kira Breed-Wrisley

“Ten years after the horrific murders at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza that ripped their town apart, Charlie, whose father owned the restaurant, and her childhood friends reunite on the anniversary of the tragedy and find themselves at the old pizza place which had been locked up and abandoned for years. After they discover a way inside, they realize that things are not as they used to be. The four adult-sized animatronic mascots that once entertained patrons have changed. They now have a dark secret … and a murderous agenda,” (The Silver Eyes, 2016).

[sunzambian]

Matero inmates murder fellow inmate

The Zambia Police Service wishes to inform the public about a tragic incident that occurred at Matero Police Station involving the death of a male suspect who was in police custody.Today, September 23, 2024, at approximately 0800 hours, Matero Police Station recorded a report of murder involving Joseph Daka, a 20-year-old male suspect of George Compound, whose house number remains unknown.The…