#original female characters

[fizzyxcustard]

Like with a lot of writers, I've been very up and down with my general mood and attitude towards writing of late. Constantly being swept back and forth between 'I want to do this' and 'Can't be bothered as no one is interested'. However, Ive decided to soldier on and whatever the outcome of my fics is something I can't control. And I'll just have to get to grips with that.

The main projects on my agenda/radar at the moment are:

Complete re-write of Wrong Place Wrong Time (time travel reader insert fic with Raymond de Merville. My very first Pilgrimage piece). This story will now have my OC of Amy Holland as the main character and I'm working on cleaning the piece up with more correct history.

Completion of Covert Eyes.

Original character to pair with Thorin.

Points 1 and 3 have come about as I'm generally feeling very burned out now on reader inserts, and I want the challenge of writing original characters. The main reader insert pairing I have written for for some time is Thorin and female reader. I'm putting reader inserts aside now. I may write one or two as requests or small drabbles, but for the most part reader inserts from me have been discontinued.

I feel the constant reader inserts have burned me out when it comes to writing Thorin in particular, which I feel very sad about. I don't want to abandon Thorin, despite him being a character I've written about pretty consistently for approximately 7 or 8 years now. I don't want to throw the towel in with him just yet. So I'm going to be plotting over the coming weeks and months to make a come back with an original character - all being well!

Sending plenty of love, hugs, motivation and well-wishes to all my fellow writers, and I hope you get all your projects completed, and are overcome with plenty more inspiration!

Be blessed. <3

[arrthurpendragon]

To help connect more OC fanfiction creators REBLOG this post with your other platforms

AO3, Wattpad, Pinterest, etc.

[mugloversonly]

Eddie: the Matchmaker

Written for: @steddieholidaydrabbles prompt: PINING WC: 946 Rating: G CW: NA Summary: Wayne’s pining after his neighbor, Eddie really is Santa Claus AO3

“Oh, Wayne!” Eddie called into the house, happy as can be. Steve walked in behind, much more subdued and helping Amelia through the snow. She was big girl and she wanted to do it by herself. The snow being at her shoulders didn’t deter her. Like father like daughter. Steve thought.

“Hey, boy.” Wayne’s gruff voice called out as he came out of the kitchen. The new house was a bit nicer than the trailer, but not the same. Still, it was home to Eddie so long as Wayne lived there. He picked Amelia up and kissed her cheek.

“Grandpa, your beard is all itchy.” She giggled. Wayne put her down with a fond smile.

“How was the drive?” He asked.

“Brutal.” Steve said.

“Enlightening.” Eddie replied at the same time.

“How so?” Wayne sat in his recliner, the boys sat on the couch, and all three watched as Amelia opened her toy box she kept at Wayne’s.

“Have any interesting neighbors?” Eddie asked, not all hiding his teasing. Wayne rolled his eyes.

“Not one.”

“Is she pretty?” Steve asked. Eddie never thought he’d see the day his uncle blushed about a woman.

“Who is she?!” He exclaimed. Wayne looked like he wanted to be anywhere else right now, and Eddie was giddy. All the teasing Wayne did when he was pining after Steve; well now, it was Eddie’s turn.

Just then, the doorbell rang. Wayne breathed a sigh of relief and moved to open the door. On the other side was a petite black woman.

“Hey there, Miss Cecilia.” Wayne said shyly. Eddie and Steve made eye contact, just as Amelia dropped her toy. She ran over to the door and pushed her way to the front.

“Hello, Miss Cecilia. I’m Amelia Munson. I’ve heard a lot about you.” She said as she stuck her little hand out for a shake. Eddie tried not to laugh as he pictured how red Wayne’s face was right now. They stood up to save the man.

“Amelia, it’s not nice to barge into conversations like that.” Eddie said before he turned to the woman. She looked nice, about Wayne’s age. “I’m Eddie and this is Steve.” He said.

“Wayne’s son and son-in-law, right?” Cecilia asked. Eddie’s eyes widened, welling up a bit.

“Yeah, we are.” Steve replied, when it was obvious Eddie couldn’t.

“Sorry, to intrude, I just needed Wayne’s help with moving something heavy.” She apologized. Wayne was about to follow her when a light bulb went off.

“I’ll help her, Wayne. You play with your granddaughter.” Eddie insisted. He slipped on his shoes and followed the woman out before Wayne could breathe to protest.

“So, Wayne says you and your husband are very successful up in Indy.” Cecilia began. Eddie nodded and jumped into explaining their jobs, work life, all the getting to know you questions. Once they were finished moving the furniture Cecilia needed help with, Eddie went in for the kill.

“Are the two of you close?” Eddie asked with a nod to his uncle’s house. Cecilia’s eyes darted away with a little smile.

“Yes, your uncle is very nice.”

“Oh, good. I get so worried about him. All alone here while we’re up in Indy.” Eddie said. “And I don’t mean to be telling stories out of school, but I think he has a mighty big crush on you.” He let a tiny bit of his southern accent slip through. It was always a hit with the older ladies...and Steve.

“You think so?” She asked a little breathless.

“Yes, ma’am. He’s my pops. I just want him to be happy. Would you let him take you out, this Friday?” He asked. Cecilia laughed heartily.

“Are you a wing-man for your uncle, young man?” She asked with a tap to his arm.

“He don’t know I know this, but he told my daughter he asked Santa for a date with you.” She gasped at hearing that. “And I don’t want my little girl to think Santa ain’t real, just yet.”

“Well, if it’s to help little Amelia believe in magic.” She said. The two made their way back to Wayne’s and Eddie invited her in.

“Wayne, ask Cecilia.” Eddie demanded. Wayne looked around to see his family staring at him.

“Lord. Cece, I was wondering if you’d like to-”

“Yes!” She interrupted. Wayne stood in shock for a moment, before a wide grin spread across his face.

“Well alright.” He said. Amelia jumped up and down with her tiny fists in the air.

“Another Christmas miracle!” She shouted.

“You’re taking me to Enzo’s on Friday.” Cecilia said with raised eyebrows. Wayne ducked his head with a smile.

“Yes, ma’am.” Wayne offered to walk her home, and Eddie turned to Steve with a big smile.

“You’re never gonna let him live this down are you?” Steve asked.

“He does the same thing to me!” Eddie shouted. It was an inside joke that the only reason they were together was because Wayne begged Steve to make a move. It was true, but still. Eddie pulled $50 out of his wallet and slipped it into Wayne’s.

“What are you doing?” Steve asked.

“Wayne did the same thing to me when I took you to Enzo’s.” He explained. He fondly recalled his uncle offering and Eddie saying no. Before he turned up at the restaurant with extra cash he uncle had slipped him. “I always swore to myself that if it came up, I’d do the same.” What Steve never knew was Wayne gave him a few condoms too, and a serious talk about protection. Eddie was going to have a field day giving it back to him.

tags

@katyawriteswhump

buy me a coffee

[maribellec]

I didn't get to meet my goal for this year, but I'm hoping it'll be better next year! That being said, please check out my stories!

*Disclaimer: Due to AI farming, I had no choice to but to set my works to Archive of our Own members only. You must be a member and 18+ to read my stories.

Otsukaresama: Saiyuki Reload Modern Verse Characters: Cho Hakkai and Misa Lopez (OC) CW: Cam Boy Hakkai, Oral, Rough, Voyeur

Escape: Saiyuki Reload Modern Verse Characters: Sha Gojyo, Dokugakuji, and Anka (OC) CW: Threesome, Public, Voyeur, Anal, Dubious Consent, Strangers

Courage: Digimon Canon Verse Characters: Yagami Taichi and Muto Anii (OC) CW: Vanilla and Over-stimulation

Keeping it in the Family (Cursed): Jujutsu Kaisen Modern Verse Characters: Fushiguro Toji and Ohashi Keiko (OC) CW: Stepcest, Butt Play, Cheating Extra! You can also find Ohashi Keiko in Under.

4 Hours: Jujutsu Kaisen Canon Verse Characters: Nanami Kento and Hoshino Tora (OC) CW: Aphrodisiac, Rough Sex, Public Masturbation, Adult Toys

[makairodonx]

Keiko Yamamoto walks down a trail that leads into dense forest with a juvenile and an adult Torosaurus latus.

[ex-coolgirl]

not me thinking of writing a new fic again (for criminal minds this time) when I still haven’t updated my other 2 current fics 😭

got the layout of the characters already… 💀

[reddenedrust]

Uniform variations for Catastrophe! The first one is pre-becoming a student council member and the second one is after that/after she returns to her time in Nightbringer! The feather earring is one of Lucifer's feathers he gifted her, along with the brooch gift from one of the previous lessons he also gave her. The ring of light is seen on the first one too!

[i-drink-and-i-write-fics]

The Hidden Realm

Chapter 4: The Fae Realm

Summary: Elrond has sacrificed himself in a prisoner exchange to secure Lindir's freedom. Has he made a mistake?

Note: I am so sorry I disappeared for so long! I have been trying to turn Timeless Warrior into a published series. I make no promises on how consistent I will be, but I will be trying more. Thank you for your patience!

Elrond didn’t notice anything different at first; it was just the normal, corrupted forest now known as Mirkwood. But the deeper they went, the quieter it became. The birds stopped singing, the animals were diving for cover, and even the trees stopped rustling. The Queen and her guard never spoke to each other but they were communicating nonetheless. Even the horses - his included - seemed to speak this silent language. 

The portal was nearly invisible even to his elvish eyes, and part of him wondered if that had to do with his Edain blood. It was there, a slight shimmer in the air not too dissimilar to when the air was too hot. 

And they were heading straight for it.

The Queen went first and Elrond had to blink several times to make sure he was not being deceived. But sure enough, parts of her were disappearing as she went through the shimmer until she was no longer in front of him. As if she had vanished into thin air. Then it was his turn. 

He tried not to panic when he saw Morroch's head vanish before his eyes, and then his hands followed. Elrond closed his eyes, preparing for the worst. But he was met with chuckling from the guard. Opening his eyes, he was left speechless at the sight of the fae realm.

There was a glow to nearly every plant, source of water, and even some of the animals. They followed a river that had a silver-blue glow, and the banks were lined with beautiful pink flowers that had the most beautiful scent Elrond had ever come across. 

Butterflies bigger than his head fluttered by and the birds sang a song he had never heard. Even the sky seemed to have changed. It was achingly beautiful.

Then they arrived at her castle.

It wasn’t obvious at first. They passed gardens and pools, filled with both fae and humans, which surprised Elrond. Everyone stopped at the sight of an elf in chains, but no one made a move to save him. If anything, they all had a look of understanding on their faces. What had been occurring in this kingdom?

Then the dirt road turned into one of stone, cut in intricate patterns of flowers, stars, and moons. The road lead to a massive gate, silver in color and covered in ivy, fern, and moss with dark purple flowers blooming and glowing. Through the gates, Elrond could see fountains with different colored glowing water, lightning bugs dancing all over, and more fae children splashing in the fountains. 

The forest hadn’t ended at the gates. It wasn’t as thick in the courtyard as in Eryn Galen, but the forest was still there. Hiding the castle. 

It reached up into the treetops, the stones used to build it a moonlight silver with many open windows, towers, bridges, and more moss, fern, and ivy growing all over. There were lights at the top of each tower and Elrond chalked it up to magic as no candle could survive standing atop a tower day and night. 

There was a glowing moat around the castle and next to the bridge to cross stood two sentinels. The Queen dismounted at the sight of them, followed by her guard. The guard and the two sentinels carefully removed Elrond from his horse and the guard grabbed Elrond’s arm. The sentinels called for a couple of squires to take the horses from the group and then the Queen was leading them to the castle doors.

Elrond could smell the magic in the air that surrounded them. It wasn’t suffocated as corrupted magic could be. It was new, fresh, and full of hope. It smelled of Arda when Elrond was young. 

Before everything was taken from him.

It gave him an unexpected wave of nostalgia, causing him to think of his parents for the first time in millennia. How his mother would give him and Elros a cookie before tucking them into bed. How his father would show Elrond about plants and Elros about animals. Oh, how he missed them both. Would they be proud of the elf he had become?

The foyer was grand and the only comparison he had was Eryn Galen. That foyer was smaller and more focused compared to this grandeur.

No, he had another comparison.

Gil-Galad’s home. The High King of the Noldor had towers made, and while they were grand those were still towers. No, Elrond didn’t know a true castle outside of Minas Tirath. This structure before him was more human in nature than elvish. Did the fae get the idea from man or the other way around?

The Queen took them down a hall to their left just on the other side of the foyer and were immediately met with a vibrant green fae woman. 

“Your Majesty, oh!” She stopped short at the sight of the elf. “Your Majesty?”

“It is quite alright. This elf will be taking the place of the prisoner we secured at Thranduil’s party.”

The fae woman blinked in surprise. “He is?”

“Yes, he is.” There was no arguing with her tone and the woman bowed her head.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Shall I get the other prisoner ready for departure?”

The Queen let out a deep breath through her nose. “Yes, I suppose we should do that. I wish to speak with him before his departure, so do not make haste.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” And the woman quickly left their presence.

“You seemed annoyed at the idea of letting Lindir go,” Elrond commented.

The Queen looked at him out of the side of her eyes but did not comment as she continued to lead them down to her dungeons. Elrond took note at the artwork on the walls: beautiful portraits of what he had assumed was the royal family. What surprised him was the amount of humans in some of the paintings.

“Is it typical to allow humans to live in your realm?”

She turned sharply at his question. “Get this in your head now, elf. There will be no negotiating. No pleading. No bargaining. You are our prisoner per your own request. Do not concern yourself with my kingdom, for this is the last you will see of it outside your cell.”

She turned back just as quickly and Elrond did not mean the quiet words that left his mouth.

“I only desire to learn.”

“I do not care of your desires.”

While the cell was dark, it was not what Elrond had feared. It appeared more of a standard room. A comfortable enough bed, a private area to relieve himself, and even a window which had surprised him at first until he realized the image was produced by magic. 

“The light from the window changes as the day progresses,” the guard explained. “We do not have cruel prisons as some humans and elves had built. Torture is not our way.”

Elrond wondered at this but didn’t have long to ponder as another was in the room. Lindir.

Being held by the Queen.

“Say your goodbyes,” she commanded.

She tossed him into the room and Elrond caught the elf as he stumbled. 

“Lord Elrond?!” Lindir’s eyes were full of panic. “You gave your life for mine? No! You must go back and lead Imladris!”

“Imladris will be in the capable hands of my sons. What kind of a lord would I be if I did not do everything in my power to protect those who had called Rivendell their home? Go, Lindir. My children will need your and Erestor’s guidance during these trying times.”

“But my lord-”

“I will not hear another word, Lindir. That is an order.”

Lindir dropped his head. “Yes, Lord Elrond.”

The Queen watched the entire interaction and Elrond could have sworn he saw a flash of sorrow in her eyes. But it was gone far too quickly.

“Who dares join me down here?!”

Rhyannon was still surprised after all these years how strong the voice still was. He was full of so many surprises despite all the time he spent in her dungeons.

Down and down and down she went to the very bottom of her dungeons were only one prisoner was kept. To the only prison cell that had a steel door on top of the protection charm. The two guards standing on either side straightened to attention at the sight of their queen and she smiled at them.

“It’s alright. I wish to speak to the old grump.”

The guards hesitated for a moment before finally opening the door. Rhyannon didn’t bother to remove the protective charm and her instincts proved correct when a cup came flying at her head.

“WITCH!” The elf was clean, but there was no joy in his soul. His once beautiful silvery golden hair was now faded to a dull white.

“Is that the best you have in you?” A smirk played on her face. “I thought your kind was supposed to fade after time when your soul has been wounded?”

“I will live to see you dead!”

“The Fae cannot die, unlike elves.” She stated plainly.

“Who are these new prisoners?! I could hear you talking with them!”

“Do not concern yourself for those you will not meet.”

“DID YOU CAPTURE-”

“No, I didn’t,” Rhyannon sighed in annoyance. “Thranduil still roams free.”

“He will take your head!”

She chuckled at this. “Funny, he thinks I have already done that to you.”

There was still life in his eyes, but the pain they showed at her words made Rhyannon wonder if this would finally be his end.

“He thinks I’m dead?”

“Don’t worry. If it makes you feel better, when I finally take Eryn Galen I can keep him in a cell right next to yours. And his son next to his.”

“You leave my family alone!”

“I will not any more than you left mine. Actions have consequences, Oropher.”

Tagging Crew:

Everything

@liadamerondjarin

@blackgaladriel

Elrond

@themerriweathermage

@theyeetedsoul

@awkwardbecomesyou

@cauliflowertree

[glassgulls]

I need more info about a Kenna and John Price fic. ;)

WELL LET ME TELL YOU....

Ok I have had a few idea's mostly that her father has escaped prison and that he has links to possible arms dealers or something of that ilk that would get the 141 involved. BUT I'm not sure how they would end up she's such a gremlin. I think he would see a little of Simon in her in that she is full of such rage and completely cut herself off from the rest of personal connections.

Maybe her dad and brother were in the army together and the dad kills the brother as a double agent and when he escapes that way? I just want her the have that showdown with her dad. 😂

What will win Kenna's rage and kill him or will she see she's more than that?

TUNE IN NEXT TIME....

Thank you for this @fizzyxcustard! I'm currently brewing ideas now!

[fiendsandfangs]

The 2024 Fiends & Fangs Fanwork Exchange blessed us with a trove of monster fanworks. Here's a fic we think you'll love. 💕

The Arms of the Minotaur

by @dwarrowdams ※ Ao3: dwarrowdams

Ancient Greek Religion & Lore ※ Asterion the Minotaur/Original Female Character ※ (2,887 words) ※ Explicit

Summary:

A young woman sentenced to the labyrinth encounters the Minotaur and is surprised by what she finds.

✨ Check out this work on Ao3! ✨

[of-twilight-and-moonshadow]

I done a wheeldecide thing for a character idea, just a lil blurb to get something written.

I sht y'all not.

Who is the OC related to?

Who are they in a relationship with?

It fits fckn PERFECT with the current/most recent timeline of events 😂😂

.... Should I write it? 😂

[multiversetravelingjournalist]

Imprisoned Mates

As Briar looked out at the world before her, she heard heavy plodding footsteps behind herself. She didn’t bother to turn around as she knew exactly who it was.

“I don’t understand your obsession with this thing,” Blackberry said as he stood next to Briar on the bridge under the gate. He was a hulk of muscle wrapped in grey skin with his forearms bound together in front of him in blocky guild wrist-shackles.

“Don’t mind him, Briar,” reassured Holly, who walked up to Briar’s other side, her lanky frame towering over her “sister”. She flicked her head to get her long raven hair out of her face. She would have used her hands if they weren’t secured around the polearm tied to her back.

“Is this ‘outside?’” asked diminutive Acacia as she still stood in awe behind the trio, trying to take in this and that all over. a large metal contraption surrounded her torso, securing her arms to her sides.

“Yes, Acacia, it is.” answered Holly as she and the rest took in the blue and orange skies, grey and green mountains, tan and clear rivers, and breathed air that did not smell stuffy with blood, dust, and piss.

“It’s so much bigger than inside!” Squealed Acacia, hopping with excitement, her little pigtails flapping in lieu of her bound arms.

“Indeed, it is. All for us to explore, together!” Agreed Holly with a gleam in her pale eye.

Blackberry let out a noncommittal grunt. “For once, I agree with you.”

Briar just looked on as her siblings bantered around her.

All four stood before the sunrising on the world that was now theirs to explore.

A grown from the floor drew them out of their revery, drawing all four’s gaze to the blonde male between Briar’s leather-strap-clad feet. Oh yeah.

“Escape Buddy?”

[mugloversonly]

Christmas Day

Written for: @steddiemas prompt: TOYS, SURPRISE @steddieholidaydrabbles prompt: HOT CHOCOLATE, STOCKING, CHRISTMAS WC: 429 Rating: G CW: NA Summary: Amelia opens her gifts, Eddie gets a big surprise AO3

Steve hands Eddie a mug of hot chocolate as he sits next to his husband. Amelia was surrounded by toys, opening box after box. She may be a little spoiled; to be fair, they told all their friends she never had Christmas before finding out why so everyone went a little over board.

But that was okay, Steve and Eddie saved their gifts for the eight days of Hanukkah. By the time she got through her gifts, it was lunch time, Eddie made her favorite, Mac and Cheese with bread crumbs sprinkled on top. They had a full holiday dinner planned over at the Hoppers’ so they didn’t want to get too complicated with it. After that, it was Amelia’s nap time and time for the men to exchange gifts.

They exchanged stockings, not bothering to take turns. Steve tipped his over and found a handful of candies, trinkets, and a new watch. He opened the box and gasped in shock.

“Eds! You found it?” He exclaimed. When they went shopping last month the shop had been out of this one. Eddie must have found the time to go back to get it. He looked over, confused by Eddie’s lack of answer. He understood when the shine of tears dripped down his face. He held a framed copy of an ultrasound.

“Stevie? What is this?” He asked softly.

“Chrissy said it worked.” Eddie gasped as he looked at his husband. “Turn it over.” Steve smiled. Eddie shakily flipped the frame to see a second ultrasound on the other side.

“Twins?” Eddie asked softly.

“Close. One from Robin and one from Chrissy.” Steve smiled. It was the perfect outcome. They’d have two new babies.

“Oh, holy shit!” Eddie cried out and jumped onto Steve’s lap. Steve thankfully anticipated the move and was ready to hold his husband. “Why didn’t you say anything?!” Eddie exclaimed.

“I wanted it to be a surprise.” Steve laughed. Eddie pulled back and kissed him fiercely.

“Consider me surprised! This is the best Christmas ever!” Eddie said. But then he froze. “But what about Amelia?”

“What about her?” Steve asked.

“I don’t want her to feel like we love her any less, since there will be two babies in the house. That are biologically ours. Like...she’s our real daughter, I just don’t want her to be sad.” Eddie began to fret. The little crease between his eyes was getting deeper and deeper.

“She won’t be. And if she is, we’ll make sure she knows we don’t love her any less.” Steve said.

“Promise?” Eddie asked.

“Promise.”

tags

@katyawriteswhump

buy me a coffee

[skzfanf1cs]

'Stray Kids Academy' Masterlist

Read On AO3 here > link

A small series where a small group of people created characters as an excuse to date the Stray Kids members in a college setting.

General warnings : Chapters with explicit content will be tagged as such. More specific warnings will be added at the beginning of each chapter.

Pairings :

Bang Chan / Original Female Character > Levi Mitchell

Seo Changbin / Original Female Character > Luna Mitchell

Han Jisung / Original Male (afab) Character > Ezekiel Mitchell

Main Chapters [Word Count (so far) : 45,430]

Chapter 1 - This Was My Favorite Shirt

Chapter 2 - I Don't Forgive You

Chapter 3 - Rough Exterior

Chapter 4 - Cupid's Here

Chapter 5 - Drunken Mistakes [Explicit]

Chapter 6 - Making Up and Tattoos [Explicit]

Chapter 7 - I Need A Cold Shower [Explicit]

Chapter 8 - As Long As It Takes [Explicit]

Chapter 9 - Clubbing and Fighting

Chapter 10 - Later That Night...[Zeke and Jisung Edition] [Explicit]

Chapter 11 - [In Progress]

[sinisterexaggerator]

Stars Above! | Cad Bane

Chapter 15

Explicit: Semi-slow burn, gratuitous smut /pwp, canon-typical violence, mildly dubious consent, angst, Tatooine Slave Culture.

This chapter: No warnings but for a disgruntled Duros.

Word count: 2.7k+

Notes: This is kind of a short chapter, but it feels right to set it apart on its own from what comes next. In fact, writing shorter chapters may make it so that I update more often, as it's easier to manage, and I still have a LOT of story to tell. <3

[ Ao3 ] - [ Masterpost ]

《 Previous chapter || Next chapter 》

Zulara tried her best to not let fear overtake her, for her spiraling thoughts to get the best of her, even as she sat there all alone. Not truly, but it felt as if she had been abandoned, Todo having powered down with Bane still sleeping soundly in the bacta.

Everything was happening much too quickly, though it had been hours since she’d come here; her head was spinning. She hadn’t eaten, having let her meal fall to the ground at Cad Bane’s entrance to her tiny home back on Slave Quarter’s Row the night before.

Zulara realized she didn’t even know the time, not having a chrono of her own. She supposed it did not matter, although Kayson might come looking for her. She wondered if Hondo was able to curb his anger, or to make up some excuse for her, but in her heart she knew nothing would deter her master once he had a mind to do something—find her secret hiding spot.

It was only secret because she was sure he did not know where Bane was docked, or even what his ship looked like. It was the only thing that gave her hope as she gazed longingly at the Duros, wishing he’d wake up.

She regretted leaving Todo just standing there, his form bent forward in a supine slope, but she had been too concerned, too riddled with worry for the hunter, not to go directly back to his side.

She had lost track of how long she had been there, seated on the floor with her legs folded beneath her; her fingers and forehead flat against the glass, Zulara engrossed by Cad Bane’s every breath—she could not help it.

She had almost panicked, having thought to call the youth named Boba Fett, but after the story she had heard, she steeled herself, refusing to bring him back aboard the ship if she could manage it.

Now, it was not Bane who settled into dreams, but the girl beside him. She dreamt of silly things. Things that were nary possible in this life, things that might have made her smile, but she was not so dotty as to put any stock into them.

Imagine her, flying amongst the stars, free from Kayson and from his business, only having to answer to herself. But maybe Bane would be there, maybe he would take care of her, and she would him. Maybe she could join him in his quest across the galaxy, providing him with some relief once he had finished a hard day’s work—how asinine she was to think that. It would never happen.

In reality, space was dark, cold, and unforgiving, she often floundered when she was made to practice piloting. Never before had Zulara felt so claustrophobic, not until she had experienced breaking atmo on Kayson’s orders the first time she left Lothal, no matter that the stars were beautiful.

When she was positive that nothing could go wrong; when she was absolutely sure that Bane was resting comfortably, the girl would climb unsteadily onto her tingling legs and her own two feet—they had nearly been asleep—finally ambling down the corridor to where the little droid resided.

Zulara did her best to move him to his rightful place: the recharge station. No arguments were given, no sassy backtalk had to be endured, yet she found she missed him. The silence of the ship was more than deafening, besides the warbled sound the pod made as it recycled and replenished bacta, as was its purpose, just like he had one—she presumed something, though she had no proof: It was possible in deep space Bane felt too alone, therefore Todo kept his mind sharp, kept him on his game, in addition to keeping the Duros company.

What friends did he have otherwise? Did he have partners that stood by his side? From what Pampy had said to her, he seemed to work all by his lonesome, with a reputation that preceded him.

Perhaps he liked it that way; perhaps she was intruding, yet he had seemed intrigued by her. She worried every second of every minute of every hour what Bane might do should he find her here once he awoke; she prayed to the Goddess of the Twi’lek people that he might find solace with her and not try to kick her out, or worse.

She felt the click, heard the sound that denoted Todo was plugged in. It echoed loudly in the quiet, bouncing from wall to wall. She glanced about her. There were so many things for her eyes to see and study.

There was a lengthy worktable. It was littered with motors, servos, gears, and wires of all sizes. Some parts looked salvaged, while others might be newly purchased, not to mention microchips of unknown origin and lenses, sensors, other various tools and instruments.

She saw a pair of RW-80 welding goggles, along with a protective visor. There were advanced repair kits of all kinds, including those for blasters. Most curious of all was what she thought were trinkets, things that he might collect. There were different kinds of helmets, and what appeared to be weapons of some sort that were unfamiliar. Cabinets lined the walls; she wondered what they might hold. She dare not snoop too much for fear of repercussion.

Still, that would not stop her. She gathered all the bits and pieces of Bane’s wrist gauntlet from off the ground, double-checking to make sure the hunter was still dozing.

Once seated, Zulara would pick up a nearby broken-screw remover, also known as an extractor. This one had a spiral flute structure, which she used to carefully unwind one that was being difficult. Her hands were delicate, though exacting. They had to be for one thing, yet without a measured touch it was possible to add too much torque to the brittle metal, thus making your job that much harder for you.

She removed its outer shell; it was cracked and badly damaged. There was extra paneling meant for droids nearby that could be welded and reshaped, but first thing’s first—she would need to replace the ruined circuits and find a pair of hypersheers for precision cutting and resizing.

---

Lavender eyelids batted open; Zulara found herself in slight repose, her own palm cupping her soft cheek as she had tried to keep her focus. It was at that moment she remembered—she had been cooking rycrit stew! With no sense of time inside Bane’s ship, she hoped it had not become inedible.

She spared a glance, Todo had still not activated. She could not have been asleep for too long, as it only took droids an hour to recharge, or so she’d heard—much less time than her.

Zulara suddenly felt like she could sleep forever, or at least for several hours, but she would not let herself succumb to such a notion. At least not until poor Todo could take over, then maybe she might get some rest before finishing the final touches on Bane’s vambrace.

It had been complicated, finding what wires led to what. She had a scare or two, and nearly burnt her fingers. It was fascinating just how it all operated—she wondered if Bane had built it all himself.

The girl was tempted to check on Bane again, but she did not want to accidentally cause a mess in his little galley, sparsely stocked though nearly spotless, and housed somewhere near the ion engines or another source of power; there was a low humming sound that seemed to burr the whole time she was in there.

Her feet found the rungs to the ladder she would use to climb down into the belly of his ship. His living area, the medbay, his workspace, and the cockpit—they all resided at the top, though separated by double-doors and one almost star-shaped hallway. It led off into four other separate, shallow paths—dead-ending at different doorways, whereas the kitchen and dining area, what looked like holding cells, and ample storage space were down below—so was the boarding ramp and holoterminal with access to the HoloNet.  

She was sure that medbay used to be someone else’s living sleeping place, the way furniture was covered and piled up in the corner as if those items had been an afterthought. There was a spare refresher there, besides the one she was sure existed in Bane’s bedroom.

In addition to all the other nooks and crannies, there was the lift they’d use to carry him. It was industrial, flat, and open on all sides, like the ship’s sole was simply rising. It had been designed to act as both roof and floor between two levels; if you were on the lower deck, you had to wait for it to join you.

Zulara imagined it was useful for heavy items, like the pod Bane was currently occupying. She set her thoughts aside, focusing now on the smell that was emanating from down the hall—it was good, thank goodness, and did not smell like anything but vegetables and rycrit stew, like it was supposed to.

The girl would take a breath as she ran her fingers along the counter—it was made from stainless durasteel. She gathered the lid from off her home-cooked meal, inhaling deeply of the aroma that had been building up within. She ladled a bit of broth in the convex shape of the spoon she’d used to cook, then took a taste to make sure it was perfect.

---

Two wide, yellow eyes—like sparkling jaspers—whirred and vibrated with a light buzzing sound. Servos and joints were manipulated, little arms stretched out for a brief inspection, Todo 360 making sure that his intermotors were all functional and accounted for.

He shook his head, as if clearing unwanted thoughts or a fog that lingered, the faithful droid not quite able to remember what had happened to him. He blinked, his metal body tensing—Mister Bane—he was still inside the tank!

Todo would swivel his large cranium to the left and right; that girl Zulara was nowhere to be found. He wondered if she had gone. Had he made it to his recharge station? Perhaps she had it in her heart to help him, as the last thing he could recall was himself stalling, and only a few meters away from his destination—he was sure he had heard her call his name—if his memory still served him, she had sounded beside herself.

The service-droid stepped away from the mechanism holding him upright—he was now fully operational and at full power. He actuated his rocket thrusters and propelled himself into the center of the hall; he took to its right side, branching off, then opened up the steel-plated door to peek inside.

“Mister Bane!” the droid cried happily.

Todo realized he had nearly scared the Duros, his sharp eyes widening in breadth. He had halted with one leg in and one leg out, leaving his imprisonment, whether he should or shouldn’t. Todo knew Bane detested bacta—its texture, temperature, and consistency were all things that displeased him. He had argued with him more than once, the droid sometimes wondering just what he would do without him should he not be there to convince him otherwise.

“Your health is not a game!” is what the droid had told him, sounding as if he truly cared, though he was composed of nothing more than ones and zeros. In reality, Bane was thankful for him; he was like the nagging mother he never had, sure that without that droid, he would already be dead.

Still, that did not mean he was ready to entertain his fraught concern. His tone was lacquered with it, and the hunter would not have it.

“Bane! You are awake! I was—”

The Duros shot his droid companion with a look that dared him to keep yapping, Todo at once halting his chipper dialogue. What Bane was truly feeling was easy to decipher, as it was always written on his face, and rarely pleasant.

“Sir, I can tell your mood is poor, however there is—”

“Quiet!” was the only thing his master demanded of him, Bane’s voice gruff and raspy as he was thirsty on top of feeling completely useless. It felt as if he had been hit with an errant hovercar, or an entire starship, his body aching in places he did not know could ache.

Todo made a sound equivalent to indignation, yet he held his tongue, even though he did not have one. Bane’s other foot joined its partner on the ground, the Duros idling, lingering, just standing there for what felt like minutes, trying to regain his equilibrium.

Once capable of movement, Bane would begin his lethargic trudge toward his refresher in his private quarters, thinking the only thing he cared about was a warm, inviting shower; the feeling of the sticky bacta on his microscales was anathema and suffocating.

The hunter would hardly notice the wet, viscid trail he left behind in his ship’s short corridor, or that the droid had followed him, desperate to talk to him about something he imagined would be unimportant. His head ached, and his mind was numb, no thoughts present except those about the pain he was experiencing. He would take something—drink something—deadening those things he felt both from without and from within, not knowing that the girl being aboard his ship was anything but another dream.

---

“Oh, what am I going to do with him? He never listens! And now I suppose I am going to have to be the one to clean up this mess. I am a techno-service droid, not a maid-droid! Not even a thank you for—”

Todo paused in his lonely rant, tilting his head off to one side. His focus remained trained on the little sound he thought he heard—the clank of boots, or footsteps on the nearby ladder’s metal rungs. It was positioned just left of the cockpit’s doors, Todo surprised when he saw a head emerge, covered in dark locks.

“Zulara!” he called to her, coming forward as she pulled herself up, and out, “I thought you had wisely decided to go home,” he started in. “You will be happy to know that Mister Bane is alive and well, and is currently taking a much-needed shower.”

Zulara’s eyes widened with every word; she tiptoed forward, deciding to check on things herself as Todo kept the conversation going, though she nearly slipped in a residue that happened to be foot-shaped. “I am not sure that I can explain your presence here, therefore it may be in your best interest to leave—now—before either one of us gets into serious trouble.”

It was not that she didn’t trust poor Todo, but she had to see with her own two dichromatic eyes; she peered toward the bacta pod. It was open, and Bane was not inside.

The girl would turn, gazing at the floor and at the tacky substance that had left a path to the door across from her; it was obvious that Bane had made his way just as the droid had said. She began to follow it, Todo placing his hands upon his hips as his spheroid eyes broadened and expanded.

“—And just where do you think you are going?” he asked, perplexed.

“To check on Bane,” the girl would offer as a whisper, her footsteps timid; she moved closer to what was sure to be his bedroom. Her heart was pounding, and her internal temperature was rising, all from simply knowing he was somewhere, awake, on the other side.

“That is the worst idea I have ever heard! Do not be foolish!” Zulara would ignore Todo and his warnings, only pausing to hearten her small amount of courage. She could feel him tug her, his little hands having found the backside of her pants, “he will surely kill you!”

“I’ll be all right,” Zulara stated, shooing him away. Like a moth to a flame, she bade herself to go inside.

Todo would balk and scoff, pace back and forth, and wring his hands, but to no avail; none of this would help him. He tried again, “I do not know who you think you are, or what you are doing, but rest assured Bane will—”

The door closed in his face.

“Organics!” Todo would lament, exasperated.

[makairodonx]

Keiko, Robby, and Vicky stop before an overgrown tank that stands amongst the ruins of a battle that was fought decades and decades earlier as they hike through a forest trail.