#refugee'' a lot huh. Isn't that interesting

[greenwitchfromthewoods]

the ghost of the past. l Joel Miller

Summary: someone from the past found you in Jackson

Warnings: a bit of fluff but mostly angst, Reader is pregnant, fear and anxiety, some swearing, memories of life in QZ, talk of smuggling and life before Jackson, tears

A/N: .

your feedback is very important to me and I thank you for all the reblogs, comments and likes. 🖤 sorry for all the mistakes

short stories from life. [masterlist]

The creaking of the stairs was the signal his brain had been waiting for, because Joel woke up immediately. His sense of survival hadn't been lulled by life in Jackson, the soft bed, and the solid meals. The room was dark, except for the faint slivers of streetlights that shone through the uncurtained windows. Joel immediately looked your way, but your spot in the bed was empty. You couldn't sleep.

The last few days had been quite busy - new renovations, the patrol had brought in a group of new refugees, they had also met a few people who wanted to get to the lower states, and Jackson was a safe stop for them.

Joel had been spending more time away from home, and you couldn't help much. So you spent your time babysitting for people who needed it, doing odd jobs. And while you didn't complain, Joel had the feeling that you were feeling more and more removed from all your responsibilities.

You had become a bit withdrawn and tense, although whenever you saw Ann or another resident of Jackson, you plastered a beautiful smile on your face. But Joel knew you, he had seen it all.

The wooden floor was cool beneath his feet as he got out of bed and walked to the door, opening it quietly. The house was dark and quiet. The stairs barely gave way under his weight, but when Joel made his way downstairs, he noticed you curled up on the couch, covered in a warm blanket.

“Baby?” he said quietly, not wanting to scare you.

A quick movement, like wiping away a tear, and then your answer. “Did I wake you? I’m sorry, Joel. I couldn’t sleep. Please go back to bed, you have a lot of work tomorrow.”

But he didn’t turn around, quite the opposite - he walked over to you and sat down, placing his hand on the couch behind you. “Is everything okay? Do you feel bad or…”

That smile again, the one made for feeling bad. “No, everything’s okay. I just couldn’t sleep, I didn’t want to wake you up.”

But it wasn’t okay. He could see it all too well, even in this bad light and this late hour.

“You know you can tell me anything? I can handle it. The good and the bad.” His voice was low, warm and soothing. Tears quivered in your eyes as you drew in a quick breath.

You hesitated for a moment. You wondered if you should hide it more, but eventually you gave in.

"I have to tell you something, Joel..."

A few days earlier.

“We met a group heading south,” Shane announced, returning home from his patrol.

You and Ann looked up from the table covered in fabric and sewing equipment. Your friend had come up with the idea of ​​sewing new bedding for the baby’s non-existent crib, and you had been busy since morning.

“Do they have anything interesting to trade?” Ann asked. “I’d give a lot for a coffee.”

You smiled. She and Joel had similar needs.

Shane poured himself some water and sat down in the armchair, wiping his sweaty forehead with his hand. The weather was really nice and spring-like, and the sun was shining brightly for a long time.

“They have some interesting things. I saw a few people have already traded with them,” he replied. His dark eyes landed on you. “You’re growing,” he noted.

“And she's glowing too.” Ann quickly added, scolding him with her gaze.

“Of course!” he laughed. “Four more months, huh?”

“Yeah, I'll look like a baby whale by the end.” You replied with a smile.

“But Joel's still thrilled. I saw him when he…” Shane trailed off, your gaze quickly landing on him. He swallowed. “Never mind.”

Ann picked up the scissors and looked at her husband. “Shane Walsh, are you sure what you were about to say isn't important?”

He nodded.

“A hundred percent?”

Another nod.

"You know I don't believe him." Ann spoke to you in a half-hearted tone and you laughed. "But he'll sing me everything, I have my ways of doing that."

"I'm afraid of you." You said quietly.

"And you're right."

It was like a sudden tsunami, but you didn't see any signs that it would hit. You were unprepared as you exited the bakery and looked up at Tipsy Bison, where a group of loud men had emerged. You didn't know them, but you recognized a few from Jackson. They had to be newbies. But one of them...

You knew that walk and you recognized that voice immediately. As if struck by lightning, you stopped, feeling like your insides had suddenly disappeared. This couldn't be true. Not here. Not after all this time.

You had no chance of escape. You had barely taken a few steps when a voice behind you sounded, sapping the strength from you.

"Oh shit, is that you?!"

You held your breath. Your fingers tightened around the handle of the basket you were carrying, it creaked. A tall man in his forties appeared right in front of you. His dark hair was streaked with more grey than you remembered. His dark eyes stared at you, a delighted smile playing on his lips.

“It’s really you,” he said, looking at you intently. He paused a second longer over his rounded belly. “And you’re… Oh, fuck.”

“Hi, Nathan.” You replied, trying to hide your nervousness. “Good to see you. Alive.”

He tilted his head, scratching his stubbled chin. “Good to see you too, honey. You look really good. Jackson, huh? You’ve come a long way.”

“Just passing through, right? I don’t think you have any purpose in staying here?” you replied.

Nathan shoved his hands into his pants pockets and looked around the main street of Jackson with a lazy smile. “We were planning on going to Mexico. I heard about a big settlement there. You know, the Zone wasn’t safe for us anymore.”

“FEDRA?”

“As well.” He nodded. “But a few other people too. Oh, honey…” You looked at him in surprise. “I missed you so much.”

Nathan Hayes shouldn’t have ended up in Jackson, and you honestly didn’t think he’d ever leave QZ if he hadn’t been forced to. He was incredibly good at smuggling, and his group dominated the zone. But somehow he ended up in Jackson, and the thought of him leaving soon gave you some comfort.

But fate wasn’t on your side, and Nathan seemed to take every opportunity to run into you in Jackson.

“I heard you live with that Miller,” he mumbled as he kept up with you as you walked down the street.

“His name is Joel,” you replied, not even looking at him, but glancing around to see if you saw anyone you knew nearby. “What do you even want?”

Nathan laughed. “I missed you. And you didn’t miss me?”

“No,” you replied quickly. “And I’ll be really happy when you leave. How long do I have to wait?”

He grabbed your elbow and stopped you. But you quickly pulled away.

“Don’t touch me.”

“You were nicer to me in the zone.” He said tartly. “And now what? Playing mommy-to-be, huh? Playing house? I saw Miller and his kid. Seriously, honey?”

You felt anger boil in your body. He was doing it again, trying to dominate you, control you again. You knew it all too well.

“It’s none of your fucking business.” You hissed. “You don’t know what Joel and I went through.”

“What we went through, huh?”

You winked. “You can’t be serious.” You snorted, crossing your arms over your chest. “What happened in QZ was just vegetation. Day-to-day living.”

“But we made a great duo, right?” Nathan smiled at the memory of those days. "You were great at smuggling. When you went with that group... Oh, honey. You broke my heart then."

You looked at him in disbelief and anger. For the second time in the past few days, he had returned to what had been, to what connected you, and he always said it with such fondness, like he really missed you. You had met him in Jackson, on the street or at Tipsy Bison. He had seen you with Joel and Ellie, he certainly knew where you lived. You felt more and more trapped with each passing day.

“Were you and him… Were you together at the time? In the zone that you escaped from?” Joel’s question was calm and quiet. He listened to you carefully, and you never said it directly.

“Not in the way I am with you, but...” you took a breath, “People knew that I belonged to him in some way, that we worked together.”

He nodded. Tess had crossed his mind. He'd never mentioned her to you, and he didn't see the point, but she would never make someone close to him feel threatened by her. And you definitely felt that way about Hayes.

"I was young. I had to survive somehow."

“Sweetheart.” Joel took your hand in his, squeezing it lightly. “I’m not judging you. We’ve both done things to survive and not all of them were great or good. What matters is what we have now.” He swallowed hard and asked the question that really worried him. “Is this guy threatening you? What does he want?”

“I have no idea.” Tears sparkled in your eyes. “But I see him every time I leave the house. Sometimes I feel like he wants me to go south with him and…” your voice cracked.

You saw a grimace cross Joel’s face. A quick shadow passed over his eyes. “You know I would never do that, right? We’re family.”

He lifted your hand to his lips and kissed the back of it, murmuring quietly, “I know, I know, sweetheart.”

"I… I ran away from him. Nathan was becoming more and more ruthless. FEDRA was on his heels, and I was taking risks with every step beyond the wall."

"Did he do something to you?"

You shook your head.

"Can he do something now?"

You couldn't answer. What was going on in Nathan's head was a mystery to you. Tears were streaming down your cheeks, and soon Joel's strong arms were around you.

“I’m scared he’ll do something stupid. Hurt you or Ellie…” You sobbed quietly. “I’m sorry I’m just now telling you this. I didn’t know… I thought he’d leave me alone, but he didn’t.”

Joel kissed the top of your head, stroking your shoulder, feeling the sobs that shook your body.

He couldn't tell what was going on inside him. So many thoughts and emotions were swirling inside him, and Joel was afraid of what would come of it. He would do anything to keep you safe, especially now, when you were more precious than anything else. And for Ellie.

He didn't know Nathan, but what you said was enough for him.

☆☆☆☆

Thank you for your time.

taglist, i think: @picketniffler @orcasoul @bbyanarchist @o-sacra-virgo-laudes-tibi @somedayheaven @underneath-the-sky-again @callmebyyournick-name @hiroikegawa @mandaloriankait @mmmunson @grace-928 @umadirectioner

[ctcaptaincorgi]

Alright, so I've been collecting books, one of the ones I've recently acquired was Courtship of Princess Leia and so I've been reading it. I've been enjoying it a lot, there's some drama but overall it's fun and interesting. Anyway, I decided to write out my thoughts after each chapter. I'm currently reading chapter 8, so here's the first 7 chapters.

Chapter 1: The Hapans seem an interesting people. Dang they're pulling all the stops for this. Oh, there's music, what a show. Leia counted all 62 the number of gifts that they gave her prior to the last one? Oh no, why's there a man coming out. Oh no, why does the queen mother want her son to marry Leia of all people? Leia has been to Hapes before? Oh poor Han... WHY DO YOU HAVE TO POUR THE SALT IN HIS WOUND MOTHMA. HAN'S ALREADY GETTING A LITTLE WORRIED AS IS.

Chapter 2: Huh, what's Luke doing in an abandoned cave? Aw... He was looking for surviving Jedi... Oh... He was wanting to know the Jedi's history and how they were taught... The Jedi he was looking for was protecting the Jedi archive? And Palpy had all the data cells destroyed... R2 is trying his best to help. There's one that was missed? Whoop whoop! What's the recording say? Huh, a bunch of Jedi are giving reports on their missions to the Jedi council. Oh, Yoda is talking. People were killed in Dathomir? Knowing the Nightsisters, that's hardly surprised. Of course there's no record of Dathomir. Luke's thinking it might have been a planet devastated by the clone wars. Now I'm thinking back to Grievous and f the separatists invading the Dathomir and killing the Nightsisters. Ooh, Luke's getting a vision of Dathomir. The description seems about right.

Chapter 3: Leia hasn't said yes... But also not no... And she's inviting this Isolder for dinner... Han has flex to fix up the Millennium Falcon. Oh no, they got in a fight. Now they're talking about how the war feels like it'll never end. Aw... Leia said "-then we'll fight for our children"... Oh, Han is calling her out, Leia does kinda seem to have a low for the worlds of Hapes. Ooh, it's because of homesickness. There's other Alderaanians? Of course there would be... It was a whole planet. Why wouldn't there be refugees? Wait, you're telling me that she won't be able to keep ANY of the other 62 gifts she was given in chapter 1 if she doesn't marry Isolder? That sucks. Han may be a tad paranoid, but I honestly can't say I'm mad at him. Leia was there to invite him to dinner with her and Isolder? Oh, Han POV. Horm is seriously catching so many insults. We're spending so much time doing little dogs at him about his weight. Uh oh, Isolder is there. Oooooh, Han's got no filter today. Isolder has an odd accent with elongated vowel inflection? Have no idea what that sounds like, he gets to have a vague nothing accent. Huh, Isolder isn't mad? Oh, shoot, never mind, this man is serious about shooting his shot with Leia and trying to get Han to leave. The prince was a privateer?

Chapter 4: I'm trying so hard to imagine Han in formal wear and I'm not sure that it's possible. Ok, I'm pretty sure Horm is seriously wanting Leia married to Isolder, he keeps trying to get Han to tell her what he said to the prince. Huh, Isolder is mildly steering away from that... Wait, the prince was a pirate for 2 years? He had a brother avenged? So Hapes was originally ruled by pirates who had a thing for kidnapping beautiful women and taking them to Hapes, ergonwhy apparently everyone from that planet is ridiculously beautiful. Very uncomfortable the moment I think at all about that, but moving on. Oh good, the Jedi defeated those pirates and Hapes was just forgotten so the women there decided they'd take charge of their own destiny and never allow a man to control them which was why they had the queen mother as ruler who was said to have no equal in the Hapan language. Very interesting. I was wondering about that. Oh, the prince is the one who wanted to marry Leia specifically? Ok, now that's making more sense. Aw... Leia can't sleep. Yeah, go talk to Luke. Oh my goodness, Leia said it was an emergency so I guess Luke must have bolted because it says he was breathless when he asked what happened. Aw, he's trying to help and not make her feel bad about calling him about an "emergency". Luke's meeting up with her 3 days. Aw, Han's apologizing, ok the "I ended up going to one of the ship's galleys in the middle of the night, looking for something tastier to eat" did make me laugh- Crap, they're fighting again. NO DON'T SAY YOU NEED SOME SPACE. Horm is totally proving Han so right about people talking about Leia as if she already decided she'd marry Isolder. Oh Han, he's going to some shady places to get a planet for Leia's people... The was this is playing out is now making that decision make sense and seen even more desperate. Oof, there's an assassination order for someone? Why does the prince's guard think the order isn't referring to Leia? Oh, Isolder has an aunt? AND he's the last heir of his mother? Oh I see... Fair enough.

Chapter 5: Oh, I'm getting to see how Han gets a planet? Huh, interesting rules for pazaak, gonna have to pocket that in case I need it. Ok, cool, he won. Dathomir is up for grabs? Dang, well at least Han is getting the high stakes games he was looking for. Sweet! Han won Dathomir and is telling Leia! She's happy and he's happy. It's too early for something to not go wrong here. Ah... It's in imperial warlord Zsinj's territory (don't ask me how it's supposed to be pronounced). Poor Han... Leia wants to travel to the underworld of Coruscant and Isolder wants to come with her. Oh don't look at each other like that. Thank goodness Horm is there to kill the mood. Oh shoot, it's an assassination attempt. And the assassin speaks the same language as Isolder? Give Leia some space Isolder, she's trying to push- NOOOOOO... STOP KISSING. THINK ABOUT HAN. NO DON'T GO CHECK OUT HAPES WITH THIS MAN. PLEEEASE.

Chapter 6: Oh no, Han's drunk. Aw, C3P0 is trying to help. Aw... He wants to prove himself. Oh my goodness, I can't with these random bystanders talking. They're just too much. The women especially. SOOOOO thirsty for Isolder. And poor Han can't catch a break. Ok, so now they're all at that one special gathering of Alderaanians to discuss Leia's and Isolder's wedding (despite no agreement being made yet). Oh, C3P0 wants to talk? Oh boy, I can't wait to see the mess. Yeah, he supports the Han x Leia ship. Dang it Horm, I know you're like used to thinking of marriage as a political thing, but- HAN'S KING OF CORELLIA? Ok, he's heir to that title, BUT STILL!!!! HOW???? Thank you C3P0, thank you for explaining how you found this information and how the bloodline traces to Han. Oh shoot, Han doesn't look happy about this reveal. He already knew, didn't he? And now he's embarrassed? Wait, his grandfather was a notorious pirate and king pin? Ah... That's not great for people taking him seriously. Oh my goodness the sass and the T spilling, C3P0 is coming through to wreak unintended havoc and leaving now survivors.

"I am just an ignorant droid and confess that I don't really understand how the actions of one's ancestors enhance our detract from one's respectability. Such concepts are beyond the ability of a model AA-One Verbobrain to process. But since Dalla Suul's illegitimate daughter was [Horm's] mother, I expect that you are infinitely more familiar with the logic of the arguments than I am."

Chapter 7: Hm.... Don't like Leia and Isolder spending time together like this. Of course Horm is calling to tell them that she's off duty for the next few months and that Han has been assigned to deal with the same problem that she was supposed to handle. Man is trying to keep them away from each other. And Leia was supposed to meet up with Luke on Rosche. Aw... Han's so sad. Oh, he quit? Great, guess this is also when he quits being a general like it was mentioned in Heir to the Empire (though never specified beyond that he did some time ago). So he's got himself a plan to get to Dathomir. Not unreasonable to ask Leia to come, I mean she DID agree to go to Hapes with Isolder, I don't see any reason- oh no, Han is loosing it. This- and he's kidnapped her. Oh shoot, Han is going to have to watch out for the queen mother's ships. Because this is a scenario where it is really more ideal that Isolder finds him before his mother does. At least the prince apparently has no intention of killing him. I hope.

[airmetsierra]

Random GQuuuuuuX thoughts (spoilers of course)

Loved seeing the 0079 opening narration at the beginning. not gonna keep rambling about all the nostalgic bits because it's already been said a million times but I loved it

"These head vulcans are useless"

I was expecting the Char stuff to just be a brief thing at the beginning, but it actually ended up being a pretty extensive overview of all the changes to the One Year War timeline and the ripple effects of Char not getting his ass beat by Amuro all the time.

Small detail but it's interesting how now the mobile suit ingress/egress works by having the entire cockpit slide out the front. Very reminiscent of Victory Gundam.

I'm glad the Federation engineers programmed the Gundam to have its eyes turn red when Char is piloting it.

The Federation's attempted colony drop on Granada being essentially an inversion of Char's Counterattack was pretty cool

Sayla!!! Sayla!!! Intrigued to see where this is going

I guess Char never even met Lalah this time and she presumably survived. I have to assume she was the person Kycilia was talking about who left the newtype facility in Granada. A shame we never see her, but I guess they're building up to that.

I guess psycommu tech advanced way more quickly in this timeline. Previously they couldn't even fit one into a normal sized mobile suit until near the end of Zeta.

Interesting that they made Challia Bull a major character now instead of a one-off villain. But apparently now he's only 28 during the OYW? Old man yaoi economy in shambles.

A lot of people are saying this is the "what if Zeon won?" timeline, but on an even more fundamental level then that I feel like it's "What if Char's newtype abilities were like, 15-20% stronger?" Why else would he suddenly have the intuition to personally go on this random recon mission?

The Red Gundam is very human proportioned, even compared to other mobile suits, and the detailing looks a lot like musculature. Makes it look a lot like a flayed man.

Even though the new Zakus look a little weird on paper, they look great in motion.

"I can see time itself" Time travel? Parallel timelines?

Moving on to the 0085 portion, I love the new protagonist trio. Can't wait to see more of them in the actual show.

I'm actually slightly confused on the exact political situation here. At the end of the OYW portion it sounds like the Federation isn't wiped out or anything, it's just that Zeon and Side 6 gain full independence, but then there was mention later of "Federation remnants"?

A brief mention of Kycilia sort of implies she's in charge of Zeon at this point. I bet she still killed Gihren in this timeline. And I wonder if Mineva will be relevant at all.

I can't remember the timing of this, but did Machu's mom suddenly getting called in to work have anything to do with the mobile suit battle going on inside the colony?

Side 6 government just doesn't give a shit about the refugees, huh? Fuck the cops.

Cameron Bloom even makes a brief appearance. Mirai would divorce him in every universe <3

"I don't have money anymore"

The key thingy looks very similar to Tem's device in 0079. Any connection?

Machu running from the cops and stealing a Gundam is very Kamille coded.

Hat Haro!

The GQuuuuuuX itself is cool. I like the control scheme switching when psycommu mode is activated.

Some outside material says it has a core fighter but I don't think we've seen that in action yet.

Teeth!?!?

Really looking forward to the show. I hope we get a full 50 episode series.

[blackjackkent]

All right, we've reached the Blushing Mermaid! Our primary goal here is to find Ethel and give her the old heave-ho, but it's an enormous tavern so presumably there's lots of shenanigans to be had here.

It actually looks like a fun place.

I would go drink here.

Initial exploratory highlights:

A lady on the boat area shown above is talking about Vanra's kidnapping and discussing how it was no doubt the local "squatters" - meaning the refugees.

Another overturned cabbage cart.

A woman clearly crushing on her shipmate and trying to convince him not to go on a date tonight, worried that he'll miss them shipping out tomorrow. Hector, romantic that he is becoming, pointed out that the man should listen to his friend who "clearly loves and worries about [him]." The man decided to skip the date and get a drink with his friend instead. Romance! \o/

An excellent banter between Minsc and Jaheira:

The rules as described by the bartender: "No pissin' or shittin'. If ya break it, ya pay for it. Any fightin' and Captain Grisly will shank ya. Got it?"

A patron who is apparently trying to get the aforementioned Captain Grisly's attention. "She likes a bitta 'pearl diving', a spot of 'keel-hauling', the ol' 'argy bargy' if ya get me." Hector doesn't get him, actually.

A LOT of terrible off-key singing by everyone in the area.

The captain herself is stalking around in what appears to be a private parlor area off to one side:

"Can't a captain be bloody hungover in peace?" she grumbles, hearing them approach -- and then does a double-take as she looks Hector up and down.

The irritation fades at once and she gives him a slow, sly smile. "Oh. Why, hello there..." she drawls. "Captain Grisly at your service. What can I do for a long drink of water like yourself?"

Karlach covers her mouth with one fist to muffle a sudden burst of giggling laughter. Hector blushes. This is getting ridiculous.

"I'm here about a missing girl," he says, clearing his throat and trying desperately for an air of dignity while Karlach snickers next to him. "Vanra."

The captain groans. "Oh, not this claptrap again. Listen, Lora was here, all right? Knocking back pints like there's no tomorrow. But she was *alone.* I saw head nor arse of this so-called 'kid'. And when we tried to kick her out, she pulled a *knife* on my front man. Bet she didn't tell you that bit, huh?"

Hector frowns. This is rather a different impression than he got of the frightened, desperately worried woman at the Flaming Fist barracks. "If Lora's daughter isn't here," he says cautiously, "where is she?"

Grisly shrugs. "Not a notion! But not a soul has seen this so-called Vanra of hers - myself included." She lowers her voice surreptitiously. "Look. I know Lora from my pirating days. She ran with Bart Blackdagger's crew. Heard they tossed her overboard when she gutted the bosun over a game of cards." She crosses her arms. "Now, I'd no beef with her before this. All are welcome in the 'Maid. But threatening my staff? Claiming we took her 'kid'? She's bonkers. *Dangerous*."

Her jaw sets warningly. "Next time she pulls a knife on me and mine, someone might die. Something has to be done."

Hector sighs. He has little interest in the interpersonal conflicts of the local seafaring crowd, and he's not sure he trusts this "captain" not to be lying. Though what cause would she have to lie about Lora, of all people?

"A child is missing," he says wearily. "I just want to get to the bottom of this."

"Gods!" Grisly says irritably. "Do I have to spell it out for you? There *is* no child. Lora is mad as a box of frogs! She's dangerous, and I couldn't call myself a captain if I stood by and did nothing." She reaches into her pocket, pulls out a pouch of gold that clinks heavily as she sets it on the table. "I hate that it's come to this, but I'll pay a hoard of gold to whoever scuppers her. Permanently."

Hector blinks, so startled by this offer that he forgets to be discreet. "That's insane!" he says.

Grisly smiles coldly. "No less insane than lying about having a kid! If you don't do it, I'll find someone else. You can make it painless. Not everyone will."

"Absolutely not," Hector says, backpedaling a step and looking uncomfortable. "I refuse to do your dirty work."

At once, the captain's whole attitude shifts. Her cold smile turns bitter, brutal.

"Tch. You're no fun," she says tauntingly. "I wanted you to stain your soul with the blood of an innocent mother." Her head twists, her body jerks, a flood of green magic rolling over her, transforming her in a way that is all too familiar - just as familiar as the new voice that now streams from her lips.

"Oh well. Guess I'll just decorate the room with your insides - they'll match my new carpet beautifully!"

Ethel again. Just as repulsive as before - or perhaps more so, as she is even larger than she was previously, and her stomach is distended, bulging. Hector remembers the text he read in Mayrina's hideout-- that Ethel has swallowed the missing child, and he will only have one chance to get her out.

"Hello, petal," Ethel sneers, undulating her hips in a strange, horrible mockery of a seductive dance. "Miss me?"

Hector clenches his fists at his sides. Standing in front of this creature again after so many months brings back terrible memories of how mind-shatteringly frightened he was in those first days after the nautiloid crash. He's come so far, and yet seeing Ethel staring into his eyes makes him feel that same fear bubbling up in his gut as if no time had passed between them at all.

"Steady, Hec," Karlach murmurs, low enough for only him to here. She wasn't there when he first fought Ethel - but he's told her of it more than once, and of the fear that went with it. "We've got this. And I'm with you."

Hector draws a slow breath, searches inward, controlling himself, controlling the fear. A little girl's life is at stake here, and however many more that Ethel might also threaten, and he will not let her slip away.

Ready yourself to attack.

"Ah-- not so fast, petal!" Ethel snaps, seeing his fists lifting. "You wouldn't hurt a pregnant woman, would you?" She smiles gleefully. "Little Vanra was so very tasty. I'd hate for her to go to waste."

Hector knew, intellectually, that this was what Ethel was trying to do with the girl... but hearing her speak of it so casually makes him feel ill.

Look at her stomach.

"I'm already showing!" the hag croons. "Doesn't it suit me so well? Vanra sits in my belly, growing fat with power. In time, I'll vomit her up and have myself a fresh young hag to train." She shrugs dismissively. "Unfortunately, that leaves me in a pickle. For while I'd love to rip your guts out, I shouldn't. Exertion is bad for the baby, you know."

She steps forward, her face only a few inches from Hector's, smelling of bog water and death. "So. Walk away. And let me a fine hag make," she hisses.

The urge to leap away is intense, but Hector stands his ground. "No," he says at once. "Surrender the child immediately."

"Or what?" she sneers. "You'll kill me? Touch me and the girl dies. And I'll simply return-- stronger than ever." She rolls her eyes, drawing back and placing a hand on her distended stomach. "Bah. A woman in my condition should be relaxing in the bath, not dealing with this nonsense."

Her eyes flick past him to the room beyond. "I'll leave you to my crew, 'matey.' And should you somehow survive? Stay away-- or Vanra will suffer."

Hector's fist clenches around the potion in his pack, but before he can throw it, she's gone, vanished into emptiness. And suddenly half the patrons in the tavern have shed their skin and shown themselves for what they really are -- redcaps, with blades out.

[sosei]

I just realized I never posted about finishing The Dragon Reborn.

It's a solid book, and its the first in the series to not at all center on Rand, with him having only a few sections where we see his PoV at all.

it(Huh, I hadn't realized how much of an Egwene book this was until I looked at this breakdown just now). wrt

One effect of this is that Rand's throught process so much more of an enigma. Because not only do we not see his PoV, he leaves the group for an extended period of time and the few glimpses we get of him he is positively unhinged with paranoia and sleep deprivation. So badly so that its clear even in his own PoVs that he isn't thinking straight.

The other major effect of this shift in focus is that Mat not only gets his first PoV scene in the series, but he almost universally becomes a reader favorite almost immediately. Cool shit and probability bending around him to frankly absurd degrees aside, there is just something with how post TDR Mat is written that makes him a major departure from everyone else. There are just these layers of frankly impressive writing that gives all of his scenes such a unique vibe. They somehow feel more light-hearted than the rest of the book, despite dealing with as dark, if not darker subject matter than the rest of the characters. I think that partially owes to Mat's Ta'veren* gimmick (which he is only just discovering in this book) being that the laws of probability are warped beyond recognition around him. Allowing certain perilous situations to play out in an almost more slapstick way.

But the Big Thing that makes Mat interesting to read (for me at least) is the massive disconnect between what he says and thinks, and what he does. Unlike the other boys, he has absolutely no qualms against lying if the situation calls for it. The thing is, those lies extend to himself. He will loudly insist that he's no hero from the stories and that only a fool helps someone for nothing in return, with his internal narration very much agreeing with the sentiment. Only to immediately turn around and give a hefty sum of money to a refugee on the street so she can feed her children.

Mat insists not just to the people around him, or even to himself, but to the audience that he is just out for himself and that he'll never do something that would inconvenience him.

But what does he actually do? He travels across half a goddamn continent and breaks into a fortress because he overheard that someone was going to try and assassinate someone he knows.

Mat puts a lot of work into his prankster/scoundrel act, to a point where in-universe a lot of people don't think he is particularly reliable. But there isn't a motherfucker on the planet who is more likely to be right where you need him when you need him that Matrim Cauthon.

Which is going to make for a very interesting post later down the line when that idea begins to contrast with Perrin.