#series: Jedi Sitters

[comixconnection]

Free Comic Book Day 2023

Here we are again folks, getting ready for the first Saturday in May with great books you can get your hands on FOR FREE!

The following titles will be available while supplies last! Everybody gets to pick THREE. Unlike previous years, we will NOT be accepting FOOD DONATIONS. We will however be collecting monetary donations to give to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank if you feel inclined to donate.

We know the line for the FCBD comics can get long (if you want to come in and shop first, you can skip the line and head straight inside!) so in an effort to both entertain you while you’re in that long line and to help it go a little faster by giving you a preview of the various titles so you can decide ahead of time what looks good, the Comix Connection Counter Monkeys have read and reviewed all of the available FCBD books! Take a peek!

CHOOSE YOUR FREE COMICS:

Get set for adventure with stories from the farthest reaches of a galaxy far, far way, as well as the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender! In Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures the galaxywide conflict between the Jedi Order and the Nihil intensifies, and a shuttle full of younglings gets caught in the crossfire!  In Avatar: The Last Airbender, Aang and his friends come across a village decimated by the Fire Nation. One survivor—a young child named Luumi—refuses to open up to anyone except fellow Earth Kingdom native Toph. BRAND NEW STORIES!

[all ages]

Ahead of the highly anticipated premiere of the new Netflix animated series, return to Sky Corps Academy in this exclusive reprint of the first issue of Mech Cadet Yu. It's the perfect time to revisit this iconic story by bestselling writer Greg Pak and fan-favorite artist Takeshi Miyazawa! And if you’ve never read it before, it’s a perfect time to get in on all the fun before Netflix introduces these giant robots and the kids being trained to guide them in their war against the alien threat to a whole new audience. Wait, what’s the janitor’s son doing here? He’s not a cadet...

[all ages]

Spidey, Ghost-Spider, and Miles will face off against Green Goblin, Doc Ock, and more in this spectacular special of BRAND NEW STORIES. Filled with easy-to-read comic stories based on the hit Disney Junior show, this book is perfect for the youngest readers aged 5-7. Young fans will even be able to test their wall-crawling skills with thrilling interactive activity pages! Kids will love this not-to-be-missed comic: the perfect primer for the newest generation of Spider-Fans!

[all ages]

Get a sneak-peek at the next graphic novel in this fun spin-off series of The Baby-sitters Club, featuring Kristy's little stepsister! Karen feels like an ugly duckling. She already has to wear glasses and now her baby teeth are falling out, too. Fortunately, she knows exactly what will make her look glamorous: a new haircut. But the beauty parlor lady cuts Karen's hair all wrong! Karen is devastated and worried about what the kids at school will say. Can Karen get back to feeling like her usual confident self?

[all ages]

Dog Man and the League of Misfits is a short comic featuring the beloved characters from Dav Pilkey's #1 worldwide bestselling Dog Man and Captain Underpants series! Filled with hilarity, hijinks, and heart, this supa-epic action-packed comic features fan favorite Petey the Cat before his transformative journey began. Celebrating 25 ½ years of laughs and inspiring kids to love reading, Dog Man and the League of Misfits is featured in the Captain Underpants 25 ½ Anniversary Edition, which released on March 8, 2023.

[all ages]

Preview not one but two upcoming original Middle Grade graphic novels from DC: Clark & Lex and Fann Club: The Batman Squad! In Clark & Lex, Being the only kid with powers is tough…not being able to use them is even worse! When LuthorCorp holds a competition to find the best and brightest for a summer internship in Metropolis, Clark has no problem using his X-ray vision to cheat his way in if it means getting out of Smallville. Amazingly, Clark is not the only competitor with special abilities…just ask his newfound friend, Lex Luthor! Then, in Fann Club: Ernest Fann idolizes Batman. It might not even be much of a stretch to say he wants to model his life after him. So, with no training or superpowers, young Ernest takes on the name of Gerbilwing and decides to set up a crime fighting unit consisting entirely of his immediate friends and his dog. But things get complicated when Ernest and his friends visit a bank that happens to be in the middle of a robbery being committed by a werewolf! Will The Batman Squad taste defeat on their very first day of crime-fighting?

[all ages]

Get ready for an exclusive sneak-peek into the all-new Sweet Valley Twins: Teacher's Pet! It's Elizabeth's turn in the spotlight... but does Jessica deserve it more? Jessica knows she's the better dancer — but their teacher only seems to have eyes for her sister, Elizabeth! No matter how hard or perfectly she dances she's not getting recognized — which becomes a huge problem when it becomes clear that her sister is going to get the main role of Swanilda instead of her. Even worse, Elizabeth refuses to believe that their teacher is favoring her! With Jessica's attitude rapidly souring and Elizabeth slowly realizing that Jessica might actually be right, will they be able to find a way to get Jessica her leading role? Preview the next graphic novel adaptation of Francine Pascal's beloved Sweet Valley Twins series with Claudia Aguirre offering her fresh and modern artwork just right for today's contemporary middle-grade graphic novel.

[all ages]

Pedro Martin is an American-born Mexican kid who's always felt not quite Mexican and not quite American. Now, he and his family are piling into their Winnebago to bring his mysterious, Mexican-Revolution-era Abuelito home to live with them. This preview introduces you to the graphic novel memoir which details Pedro's road trip of a lifetime, full of laughs and heartaches, and a new understanding of his abuelito and himself.

[all ages]

How did Jack Skellington become the Pumpkin King? Explore Jack and Oogie Boogie's early days in Halloween Town and learn how their infamous friendship turns sour as they battle to become the next Pumpkin King. Discover the mastermind who's pulling the strings and relive the fantastic world of The Nightmare Before Christmas in this preview of the all-new upcoming manga adaptation!

[all ages]

Get a sneak-peek at book seven in the bestselling InvestiGators series! When a cruise captain is found drifting at sea, super-sleuths Mango and Brash begin the search for his missing ship and passengers! Did it sink? Was it boat-napped? Are supernatural forces at play? And can the InvestiGators unravel this maritime mystery before a second cruise befalls a similarly unfathomable fate?

[all ages]

In 1987, the world at large was introduced to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by way of a catchy theme song and an action-packed cartoon, shell-shocking the world into an era of Turtlemania! Since then, the characters have appeared in countless comics, a multitude of animated series, and several motion pictures. Turn the nostalg-o-meter up to 11 this FCBD and revisit two fan favorite eras of TMNT animation in comic book form with this special presentation of stories from IDW's smash-hit Saturday Morning Adventures and the recent small-screen venture Rise of the TMNT!

[all ages]

Two stories in one! Read the gag-filled adventures of four goofy residents of the Animal Crossing: New Horizons characters! Then in Kirby Manga Mania, jump into dream land with Kirby and gobble up some fun! Everyone's favorite pink puff teams up with his friends to keep arch-frenemy King Dedede in line. Fans of all ages can enjoy this sampling of a classic Kirby comic; just take a deep breath and hop on in!

[all ages]

The Last Kids on Earth are creating THEIR OWN COMIC BOOK! From worldwide bestselling author Max Brallier comes a full-color graphic novel spin-off series based on the #1 New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling Last Kids on Earth! In this preview of the series opener, Jack Sullivan, Quint Baker, June del Toro, and Dirk Savage decide to carry on the legacy of their favorite comic book character by writing the next volume in the collection. What could go wrong? Just about everything!

[all ages]

The book follows Kotto, an average Puerto Rican (parrot!) who runs an empanadilla food truck. His daily life is always an adventure, thanks to his boisterous friends. Check out their BRAND NEW STORY here!

[all ages]

2023 marks the 65th Anniversary of the Smurfs!  To celebrate their smurf-tastic anniversary, Papercutz continues to publish the hit graphic novel series THE SMURFS TALES. These stories are three times bigger than previous titles, and that means even more Smurf fun. In this preview, join Papa Smurf, Smurfette, Brainy Smurf, Hefty Smurf, and so many smurfy others for fun and adventure in the comics that inspired the cartoons, toys, Nickelodeon series and upcoming new movie.

[all ages]

The heavyweight champions of gross meet again in this all-ages title as we will pull the best stories from Madballs Vs. Garbage Pail Kids for this special FCBD comic that's sure to appeal to consumers age 5 to 50.

[all ages]

It's time to enroll in a bold new take on the Power Rangers mythology in this Free Comic Day Special! Class is in session for the start of an epic saga that is sure to delight longtime Rangers fans, and provide an excellent jumping on point for brand new readers. PREVIEW THE NEW STORY HERE!

[all ages]

The Wide Plains Fighting Tournament is finally here, and orphan Pitch will do whatever it takes to convince his idol—and possible father-fighter Sonny Han—to compete alongside him in this Free Comic Book Day sneak-peek of Zachary Sterling's upcoming shonen manga adventure Punch Up! Vol. 1.

[all ages]

Preview the very first graphic novel biography of the legendary Stan Lee, co-creator of Marvel's many superheroes including Spider-Man, Iron Man, Black Panther, Black Widow, Doctor Strange, and more, from Eisner-nominated artist Tom Scioli. I Am Stan gives Lee's life the comic book treatment and reveals the inner workings of the legendary creator.

[all ages]

Give your summer some extra thrill-power in this collection of BRAND NEW All Ages stories from the wildest comic in the universe: 2000 AD Regened! Featuring fan-favourite characters like Pandora Perfect, and starting points for new stories like Full Tilt Boogie, this issue is the perfect introduction to the incredible world of comics for rookie readers, or a gateway to a whole new array of stories and characters for comic book readers looking for their next reading adventure!

[all ages]

This issue invites readers to the groundbreaking and critically -acclaimed Marvel's Voices series, which spotlights creators and characters from across Marvel's diverse and ever-evolving universe. This includes a range of stories from previous Marvel's Voices issues, as well as A BRAND NEW ONE!

[Rating: Teen]

The story stars as Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman discover the dead body of one of their earliest enemies at the Hall of Justice. Their investigation takes them past the land of the living, beyond the land of the dead, and into a realm of nightmares. The only way to save the world is to call for the help of an unlikely hero: Deadman. This can't-miss prelude issue, also including behind-the-scenes looks at the chilling design work for this unique story, sets the stage for DC’s two-month Knight Terrors event!

[Rating: Teen]

This issue features a pair of BRAND NEW STORIES that set the stage for the next evolution in mutant adventures, FALL OF X, and introduces an uncanny new lineup for a new team book launching next year. PLUS: a preview of Jonathan Hickman and Valerio Schiti's upcoming mystery project.

[Rating: Teen]

For years, the symbiote family in the Marvel Universe has grown, and the latest smash-hit run on VENOM is no exception. With the violent and dangerous Meridius readying for war, the stage is set for catastrophe and this year's Free Comic Book Day will mark the beginning of the end of the symbiotes with the start of a BRAND NEW STORY!

[Rating: Teen]

To boldly go, join us for the exclusive prelude to IDW's FIRST Star Trek Summer Crossover Event as STAR TREK and STAR TREK: DEFIANT collide in STAR TREK: DAY OF BLOOD! But that's not all! Join the crew of STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS as they take to the holodeck, enjoying some much-needed recreational time—until a bloodthirsty visitor joins in on their games in these BRAND NEW STORIES!

[Rating: Teen]

Did you miss Animal Castle when it first debuted and captured all our hearts? Then make sure you don’t miss this preview of the start of the second volume, which also includes an excerpt from Animal Castle Vol 1 to fill you in on some of what you’ve missed! Volume Two picks up with Miss B trying to convince the animals not to give in to violence in order to put an end to Silvio's reign. But Silvio the bull dictator is trying to keep them under his hoof so he can hold onto power. Helped by his cruel canine militia, he decides to have the rebellious animals imprisoned in the dungeon. But Miss B and her friends will respond once again with trickery…and solidarity!

[Rating: Teen]

Tomorrow is a harmonious paradise thanks to the careful oversight of five families who make everything perfect…for the price of one child per household. Now, as that bill comes due, a son expected to give everything for a family that never loved him, and an affluent daughter determined to destroy utopia, must unite to end one generation's unnaturally protracted reign. Bestselling writer RICK REMENDER joins forces with the insanely talented MAX FIUMARA to take you through the dark science fiction world of THE SACRIFICERS! Get an advance look at 2023's most stunning new ongoing series with this Free Comic Book Day special!

[Rating: Teen]

Preview two new stories in one! In Choujin X, best friends Tokio and Azuma do everything together, even if most of the time it feels like Tokio is just stumbling along in Azuma's cooler, more talented footsteps. But when they're attacked one night by a superhuman mutant called a choujin, Tokio finally has a chance to shine-by turning into a choujin himself! Then in Rooster Fighter, in a world where terrifying monsters walk the earth, one heroic rooster is destined for greatness. When giant demons threaten the innocent, he's going to show them who's boss!

[Rating: Teen]

Chuck Chandler grew up under the wings of his loving parents. His father was an amazing investigator, and his mother an equally brilliant chemical engineer. While Chuck didn't have as much time with his father as he would have hoped, the skills he learned—coupled with a keen eye for mystery—have become a part of his very DNA. That's why when the Borealis attacked earth and his mother was declared missing, something just didn't sit right with him. Now, with the help of some young allies, Chuck plans to unravel the mystery by pulling on every thread. Let's just hope everything doesn't unravel before he solves it! Preview the BRAND NEW STORY here!

[Rating: Teen]

This BRAND NEW FCBD STORY leads directly into an epic new 4-part series launching June 2023! Read the first story to be set in the iconic medieval fantasy realm of Gielinor, which is home to humans, elves, dwarves, and dragonkin alike. Filled with vibrant characters, daring adventure, and mysterious magicks, the series will kick off in an epic Free Comic Book Day issue.

[Rating: Teen]

Two of the hottest new shonen manga in one sampler! The ghosts, gods, spirits, and zombies return in SHAMAN KING:FLOWERS, the sequel to the smash hit SHAMAN KING. Then, in Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun, a boy sold into the Netherworld, must survive a demon's education.

[Rating: Teen]

It's a whole new generation of World Warriors! In this issue, mixed martial artist Luke puts his special forces training to use against a group of art thieves, while sadistic kickboxer Juri faces off against graffiti ninja Kimberly! It's all out action in this official prequel to the new Street Fighter 6 video game! Pick this special one-shot up before the Street Fighter 6 4-issue miniseries, also launching in May!

[Rating: Teen]

Throughout the years, we have seen Chilling Adventures and gruesome outcomes emerge more frequently in various versions of Riverdale. As creatures gathered and teens were corrupted, the town became a hotbed for cruel and unusual events. Yet the question remains: why have Archie Andrews and his friends faced such terrifying tales? Who is responsible for creating these dark worlds, and how is babysitter Jinx Holliday at the center of it all? A story years in the making starts here in this BRAND NEW STORY! Beware the Cursed Library and all the horrors within!

[Rating: Teen]

The 50th Anniversary of Red Sonja begins here, with a BRAND NEW STORY telling the first of her all-new adventures! With a new film on the horizon, Dynamite Entertainment opens the flood gates of Red Sonja: She-Devil with a Sword!

[Rating: Teen]

From legendary SHADOWMAN creator Bob Hall, preview this BRAND NEW STORY that delves into the secret past of Valiant's premier horror character. Includes an inside look at the 2023 series X-O MANOWAR UNCONQUERED from the acclaimed writing team of Becky Cloonan and Michael W. Conrad and award-winning artist Liam Sharp!

[Rating: Teen]

In the small town of Arcadia Heights sits an abandoned house with an open door, daring anyone to enter it. Soon a ragtag band of teenage misfits will do just that...and return with a darkness the likes of which this world has never seen. Featuring an original prologue to THE DARKNESS WE BROUGHT BACK, a YA OGN from the minds of Alex Segura, Rex Ogle, and Joe Eisma, plus a BRAND NEW STORY from the critically acclaimed and much loved world of ANIMOSITY, written by series creator, Marguerite Bennett! A perfect blend of fun, suspense, adventure and intrigue, SEISMIC STORIES breaks new ground in the AfterShock FCBD tradition.

[Rating: Teen]

Welcome back to the world of Tom Holland's Fright Night! The 1985 film delivered a world full of horror, humor, and heart that captivated audiences and became an instant vampire classic. American Mythology is proud to celebrate the story of Fright Night with this incredible issue that continues the tale after the original screenplay ends and gives a first look at the brand-new Fright Night Origins series! Origins is written by Holland and delves into the official history of our favorite sweater-wearing, apple-eating vampire, Jerry Dandrige! Adapted by James Kuhoric and illustrated by legendary comics artist Neil Vokes, this new series is the perfect addition to every Fright Night fan's collection! The issue will also feature behind-the-scenes extras and artwork only available in the pages of the Free Comic Book Day special edition!

[Rating: Teen]

The newest series from New York Times bestselling and Eisner Award-winning writer/artist JEFF LEMIRE. The town of Belle River is infested with fishflies and the streets are carpeted with tiny insects…but that's just the start of the strange happenings and bad omens! When Franny Fox runs away from home, she befriends a strange, silent monster and sets off a chain of events that will unite the entire town in terrible ways. FISHFLIES #1 will clock in at an expanded 64 pages and land in stores this June-so don't miss out on this exclusive Free Comic Book Day preview issue for an early look!

[Rating: MATURE]

Presenting fan-favorites for FCBD: a squad of superpowered siblings and the infamous monster hunter! In The Umbrella Academy: Safe, Hargreeves and Abhijit embark on an interdimensional journey and find a cosmic horror that will have repercussions for our heroes and the universe. Then, in The Witcher: Frog Kiss, Geralt must uncover why the young women in Novigrad are turning into frogs!

[Rating: MATURE]

A beautiful vampire must flee monster slayers in New York City and reclaim the ancestral soil that restores her undead flesh. But the world has changed since she was reborn in the New Mexico desert, and now Constance der Abend and her loyal assistant Dooley must adapt to life in the rough frontier town of Sangre de Moro, where all sorts of monsters have settled. A western tale of survival starring a cast of literary horrors from the diabolical minds of Tim Seeley, Aaron Campbell, and Jim Terry.

[Rating: MATURE]

Preview the new ongoing series by Jim Zub, Roberto De La Torre, Jose Villarrubia here! On the eve of his first major battle, young CONAN OF CIMMERIA pictures a life beyond the borders of his homeland and yearns for a life of adventure undreamt of in his small village. Visions of future allies and unspeakable evils he will eventually encounter throughout his fabled career fill his mind as he makes the choice to take his first fateful step into the HYBORIAN AGE!

[Rating: MATURE]

An all-new adventure of Death Dealer headlines this fantastic voyage into the FrazettaVerse! The War of the Horsemen has arrived! You will also witness the rise of Dawn Attack in the far reaches of space. Then, the weirdness of Mothman unfolds in an excerpt from the limited series debuting this month! Read previews of all these BRAND NEW STORIES here!

[Rating: MATURE]

  It's a Fabulous Furry Free Comic Book Day from Fantagraphics! Fanta's new hardback series collecting the full run of Gilbert Shelton's stoner-comedy-turned-social-satire will be the first time that the globally millions-selling most popular underground comix characters have been collected in North America in over three decades. Classic cartooning, timeless comedy, and trend-setting cat comics, for semi-mature readers.

[Rating: Teen]

Before all the fantastic movies, TV shows, and video games, there were comic books (and just saying, where would Hollywood be without us?). Take a look at the world of comic book collecting through a comic book centered on that very topic! Includes contributions from Mark Wheatley (Breathtaker), Joe James (Dark Dominion), and Daniel Krall in addition to J.C. Vaughn, Brendon Fraim, and Brian Fraim (Vampire, PA). From the team that brings you The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide comes this 48-page Free Comic Book Day special full of exclusive original material.

[all ages]

[mylittlepooka]

Star Wars Babies AU!

Luke, Leia, Ezra, and Kad'ika all in the same nursery or daycare. They are minded by R2D2 and Lord Mirdalan. Leia is the boss of everyone. Kad'ika is the one that herds the cats wherever Leia wants them. Luke and Ezra are the cats. Let's also include Aphra, Wedge, and Ticho. Aphra and Leia butt heads sometimes. Wedge and Ticho are also cats.

They fend off Inquisitors Home Alone style. They put on plays based on various pre-empire lore. A series of shorts featuring various clone babysitters.

Captain Rex is, of course, an exemplary babysitter. Mereel is teaching them to hotwire starships. (Autocorrect is thinking too small, wanting them to only hotwire one starship.) Wrecker is trying to teach them about explosives. Scorch is helping. Boss and Echo are trying to stop them. Besany is trying to explain to Tech and Ordo why you can't teach toddlers to fly a starship. As they were both flying ships at that age, they do not understand.

Crosshair and the Great Watergun Battle. And by battle, I mean the babies are hiding all over the nursery, soaking any being that shows up. Baby Ezra dropped across Crosshair's back while he shows him how to use a sniper rifle.

Maul shows up at some point. Leia and Ezra fall to the darkside due to something involving cookies. Luke and Kad'ika have to bring them back. This is also an inquisitor episode/arc because I believe believe Leia should be allowed to force choke people from time to time.

Sev and Fi are both great sitters on their own, but when combined, they get competitive and reckless. So, the short is about staying safe while having fun.

An episode with Fixer and Atin, which results in a War Games situation. R2 is being too helpful. Niner is exhausted. The episode ends with Niner at the bottom of a cuddle puddle.

There is a mixup, and the episode that was supposed to be with C3P0 and R2D2 ends up being with 0-0-0 and BeeTee. There are battle droids. There is an attempt at the droid uprising. They end up rescuing 3P0 and R2 from the Jawas.

Luke, Wedge, and Ticho in little starfighter pedal cars!

Season 1 finale: Darman shows up to "rescue" Kad'ika from this Jedi filled environment. Classic you can't play with your friends because they are a bad influence episode. Something, something, Empire. The Star Wars Babies come to the rescue using all the very questionable skills they have been taught throughout the season. Maybe follows the A New Hope story beats. Definitely involves all eight toddlers climbing on Darman's head and shoulders to stay out of the trash compactor water.

[cinlat]

SciFi & Pancakes

I saw >this< drawing a few days go and haven’t been able to get it out of my head. It’s so sweet and screamed Kadu/Jurr. So, have some micro-fluff of our favorite Barsen’thor and forgetful little trooper (who belongs to @kunoichi-ume​)

Word Count: 457

○

Jurr shifted, humming in what Kadu hadn’t noticed was a deep sleep. He’d been reading their favorite book, a new science fiction romance that made Jurr giggle. Her memory retention skittered more than usual in the cold temperatures they’d been stationed in the last few months, so Kadu was on his fourth read through. She couldn’t remember the details, only that she enjoyed it. Kadu appreciated that it kept her mind focused enough to avoid a total memory wipe.

Closing the book around his thumb, Kadu arched his back to see Jurr’s face. She’s sprawled across his chest, using him as a prop to draw while he read. At some point, her arm had gone limp, dangling over the bed with her drawing tablet barely secured between loose fingers.

Kadu shifted to grab the device before it could fall, but Jurr jerked awake and almost caught his face with the back of her head. “Easy.” He gripped her shoulders, moving into view of her good eye. “Just me.”

“What happened?” Jurr rubbed her eye, blinking it to clear the fog of unintentional sleep. Her body still draped mostly across Kadu’s, scarred skin sliding against his fur. It had taken a long time for Jurr to become comfortable enough with herself to allow him to see her like this.

Kadu extended the claws of his free hand to scrape Jurr’s scalp. Her eye fluttered shut, body sagging against his again. “You fell asleep. Just when I was getting to the best part, too.”

Jurr moaned, turning her head in the direction that she wanted his touch. Kadu had always viewed his claws as instruments of death. Young Cathar learned to fight with them before anything else. In times of old, claws were a means of taking down prey or defending one’s pride from attack. They could be unpredictable during puberty and dangerous in the medical profession. It had taken Kadu years of meditation to gain the control he needed over his emotions to render them harmless. Then, Jurr came along and opened a world of possibilities for the pleasures his claws could bring. Including, but not limited to, head scratches.

Kadu knew the book by heart, so he removed his thumb and allowed it to close before setting it on the bedside table. He’d recite it from memory later if needed. “Would you like something to eat?” Jurr shook her head, then lifted it and looked at Kadu’s stomach when it rumbled. He grinned. “Because I would.”

“Want me to cook?” Jurr’s grin matched his own, and Kadu laughed. There were certain things that muscle memory could account for, but cooking didn’t appear to be one of them. He’d choked down half a meal during her last attempt, then suggested that he be left to that duty in the future. 

Jurr affected a fake pout until Kadu kissed the lip poking out. She sighed. “Fine, but I want pancakes.”

[cinlat]

It's our fluffiest (literally) couple. Awww I love that Kadu has stripes on his arms too. And the adorable nose boop to her forehead is 100% in character.

I feel like it's Christmas not the second day of Halloween! Thank you so much @chaosandwonder so much pretty art today! @cinlat 's Kadu and Jurr look so sweet and happy! I love her hair down and the detail of his arms. They are so bright and colorful, its perfect for these two!

[syn0vial]

Hello how are you doing?

I was wondering if you could tell us more about Boba Mand'alor or if you had some recommendations like comics or books about that? I'm sorry if it's been asked before I didn't find it

Thank you in advance!!

i'm doing well, thank you! better, now that i've received this ask :D mand'alor!boba is one of my fave bits of the expanded universe; honestly, i wish they'd done more with him! as it stands, the story arc is only really explored in the novella boba fett: a practical man and the legacy of the force series of novels, but it's still quite rich in terms of character exploration and development. lemme give y'all a break down:

to start, boba did not become mand'alor by choice. y'see, the mand'alor before boba was a mandalorian by the name of fenn shysa. though he was mand'alor, shysa was a staunch believer that the title should instead sit with an heir of jango fett. shysa knew that as the last mand'alor of the true mandalorians and a fearsome warrior who gave even the jedi a run for their money, jango could be a potent symbol to rally for the renewal of the mandalorian people—and thus, so could his heir.

unfortunately, jango's heir is none other than boba fett who, at that moment (post-OT) was [checks notes] hunting mand'alor fenn shysa at the behest of his former kaminoan baby sitter taun we, who wanted revenge on the mandalorians for an attack they'd carried out against kamino some years before.

details are a little bit sparse about the exact order of events when boba eventually found shysa, but suffice to say that things did not go as anyone expected. for one thing, boba didn't end up collecting the bounty on shysa—instead he and shysa somehow ended up on the same side against a rival mercenary group that threatened to overrun them. during the battle, shysa was critically wounded protecting boba from said mercenaries and, knowing that boba wouldn't be able to escape while dragging him along, urged boba to grant him a quick death and take up the mantle of mand'alor in his stead. boba was, to put it mildly, less than enthused about this proposition. however, he couldn't bear to leave shysa to be captured and likely tortured to death, and so granted him a coup de grace and honored his dying request.

so now we have the absolutely delicious juxtaposition of boba fett, a man whose connection to his mandalorian heritage is fraught at best, more-or-less forced into being the commander-in-chief of the mandalorian people. and it's as awkward as one would expect. it seems that most (though not all) mandalorians accepted boba's account that he hadn't purposefully deposed shysa (likely bc shysa wasn't exactly quiet about wanting boba on the throne) but the general reaction to him seemed to be, "you're not one of us. but you're a useful symbol, so we'll let you stay where you are."

boba himself likens it to being stranded in "no-mans-land—too Mando for the outsider but not Mando enough for some of the clans"

on the flip-side of the coin, you have mandalorians who tell him shit like, "well, thank the stars you finally came to your senses; this was always your purpose, you know that, right?" which actually makes him angrier and more uncomfortable than the former reaction, for reasons he himself doesn't fully understand.

something something don't imply to the clone-who-pretends-he's-not-a-clone that he was made with a purpose other than sonhood mkay

despite this tension, boba finds himself, to his own bewilderment, developing a sense of responsibility for the mandalorians he comes into contact with. he wants to look after and protect them. he starts thinking in terms of "we" and "us." and he becomes coldly, viciously enraged when they're threatened.

...which happens pretty dang quickly when the yuuzhan vong invade.

look, the yuuzhan vong are a whole other can of worms, but i'll sum up the best i can by saying that they're an extragalactic race of bio-engineered, self-mutilating torture-slavers who think the gffa deserves to be genocided for the crime of developing combustion engines. it's like fucking hellraiser invades the gffa, idk what else to say.

ANYWAY, these dudes are preparing to invade and, after learning that the mandalorians are the galaxy's ultimate mercenary assholes, invites boba (and his friend beviin) to a meeting to discuss, oh, you know, betraying the gffa to the vong in exchange for not torture-enslaving the mandalorians.

and the vong are like "oh, btw, here's some random prisoner we'll torture-enslave in front of you :) just to give you an illustration :) of how seriously you should take our offer of mercy :)"

and boba, knowing that they're lying, and inwardly seething at their veiled threats toward the mandalorians, calmly answers, "based on [your promise], we have a deal."

translation: "we're gonna fuck you up"

(boba has a thing about sticking to his word, so by phrasing his assent like that, he can justify backstabbing the vong. basically, "i am making a promise based on your promise, but bc your promise is bullshit, mine is too")

the mandalorians then spend a good chunk of the war playing the villains, pretending to be fighting for the vong while in reality, they're siphoning key intel back to the new republic to bring about the vong's defeat.

though the mandalorians' sabotage plays a key role in turning the tide of the war against the vong, it isn't without a cost. the vong, eventually realizing the mandalorians' betrayal, wreak terrible vengeance on mandalore, indiscrimimately bombing the planet and mass-poisoning the soil. one could think of this as a parallel to the glassing of mandalore in new canon. mandalore was already in bad shape due to imperial strip mining and the vong's retribution leaves the planet barely habitable.

also, in the aftermath of the war, mandalore doesn't receive any reconstruction aid from the new republic bc fuck them i guess

things are bleak for the mandalorians. they're short on credits and, unable to grow anything from the planet's poisoned soil, they're forced to rely on importing food to sustain themselves, further draining what little communal funds they have.

after talking things over with his fellow mandalorians (see: occasionally interjecting while they yell at each other in a crowded bar) boba decides on a few key policies going forward:

1) as a group, the mandalorians stay neutral in the new republic's ongoing wars. mandos are already an endangered species at this point and they don't need to invite any of that smoke back to mandalore itself.

2) any individual mandalorian is free to sell their services to whatever side they want, as long as they don't do it in the name of mandalore itself. times are tough and people need credits. boba won't begrudge them that.

3) any mandalorians living in diaspora, consider yourselves officially invited home. you show up, you get land, but you gotta pitch in to restore it.

4) until things are stable, those mandalorians with the means (see: boba and the chief of mandalmotors) use their own funds to keep importing food for folks until enough land is restored to make the planet once again self-sufficient

these policies are well-received and morale is significantly improved when said land restoration leads to the discovery of a huge motherlode of subsurface beskar, unearthed by the vong's indiscriminate bombing.

cue mandalmotors going balls-to-the-walls insane and making beskar starfighters. boba is, for once in his fucking life, absolutely delighted by this development.

no seriously, they offer him a chance to test-fly one and it's probably the only time i can recall in his adulthood that he actually grins.

anyway, the restoration of mandalore proceeds at pace under boba's leadership. most of the next book is dedicated to fett family drama with a side of jedi cultural exchange and the book after that sucks so bad that i don't acknowledge its existence. so here ends my hopefully interesting account of the reign of mand'alor boba!

[leafs-lover]

Too Far Gone - Part Ten

Series Masterlist

A/N: Italics represents flashbacks. Thanks to @bunch-of-jedi-canes for reviewing this and your input!!! ❤❤❤

Warnings: swearing, fluff and cuteness, mentions of cocaine use, mentions of child abductions (kind of?), a little NSFW but no smut

Word Count: 6100

Reaching around her back Auston pops open her bra, her breasts bouncing once released from their confines.

“Mmm baby," he licks his lips slightly, taking in her perky breasts. “Can’t believe these are mine,” he groans bringing his hands to fully engulf them.

“They’re only yours," Tia rasps, throwing her head back slightly when he rolls one of her nipples through his index finger and thumb.

“Yeah, you promise?” he muses, a large grin spreading across his face. “These will be only mine?’

Auston’s head pops up to stare into her eyes. She has a wide grin on her face, and his eyes are soft and adorning.

“Mhm," her lips gently brush against his. “Until we have kids,” she giggles, “then they will need them for a little bit.”

“I can loan them out for a bit," he smirks, leaning down to suck on one gently. “As long as I get them back after.”

Giggling her hands find his hair and he leans her backwards onto the mattress keeping his mouth wrapped around one of her breasts. “How many kids you want baby?” he asks, pulling away to get a better look at her face.

“You want to talk about that now?” she laughs, gently rolling her hips against his growing bulge.

“Guess we can talk about it after,” he grins.

**

Tia didn’t respond to his text.

She needed time, not to think through her decision. She knew she was going to let him in to Taylour’s life, give him a chance to be a dad. But that also meant he would be in her life in some capacity and she just needed a few days to grasp that. A week tops.

But that all unravelled three days later when Mrs. Devarro told her that her child was really sick. The last thing Tia needed was a sick toddler, so she couldn’t send Taylour to daycare. Only problem? Sarah was out of town visiting her parents, and Becks and Max have class.

Normally Tia would send an e-mail to her professors and explain, but today she not only has a test but also an essay due. And Mr. Kurzalo is old school, only accepting paper copies of essays, it makes sense given he is older than computers himself. But he also hands out a 10% deduction if it isn’t submitted by break, and another 10% for each day it was late after that. She can’t ask for an extension 3 hours before it’s due, he wouldn’t believe her.

At the end of the line for sitters. She is stuck. She has two options, ask Auston or miss class. Taking a 0 on a test she knows she is prepared for, and hand in an essay knowing the highest she can get is a 90%. So she pulls up his name.

T: Hey something came up can you watch Taylour for me while I’m at class? I’ll be back at 5:30.

The second the message pops up on his screen, he almost jumps up from his couch. Instantly replying yes, he pulls his shoes and coat on, “hey Alex I gotta head out, be back in a few hours.” Not waiting for her reply he closes the door and is quickly on his way to Tia’s.

5:30? That means over seven hours with Taylour. He never had that much time with him, and has never been alone with him. Tia left them alone for a half hour or so, but she was just in her room getting ready for class. She will actually be gone, just him and his son for the entire day.

“Thanks for coming, and getting here so fast,” Tia flings the door open rushing around to gather her belongings. “It all kind of happened so fast and I had nobody else –“

“Tia its fine,” he grunts. Kicking his shoes against the wall, they land harshly on the floor, making his displeasure in her behaviour apparent. “I don’t need an explanation or a reason to spend time with my kid,” he adds hanging his coat.

”Dadda,” Taylour coo’s from his toys. Auston walks away, placing a kiss on Taylour’s head and sitting on the floor beside him.

“I should be home around 5:30 so I can make him dinner. He normally has lunch around 11:30 and naps -”

“At 1:30,” Auston dismisses. “I do know some things,” his words are pointed, stopping Tia in her tracks. She deserves the bitter tone he is sending her way, she doesn’t like it, but she knows she deserves it.

“Right…spare key in on the table in case you need it,” she breathes, walking over she places a kiss on Taylour’s forehead, “Love you Tay….If you need anything just text.”

“Bye mommy,” Taylour wraps his arms around her neck for a hug. Walking over to the door and sliding on her shoes Auston doesn’t look at Tia once, instead focusing solely on Taylour.

“Auston,” Tia calls out, pulling her hat on and he begrudgingly turns to look at her, “thank you.” Smiling, she opens the door and heads to class. He doesn’t respond, but he catches her smile and his eyes drop, gently gazing over her outfit. White cashmere sweater tucked into her beige pants. A light wool coat pulled over her shoulders. It’s simple, it’s easy, but it’s how she always was. She always looked so effortless.

“Hey Tay,” he turns to his son as he hears the lock catch. “What do you want to do? We have all day together," he tickles his side eliciting a shriek from the toddler.

“I know I’m excited too!” He chuckles, continuing to tickle the boy he leans down and blows a raspberry on his stomach.

“We can go to the aquarium,” he pops his head up and Taylour squirms on the floor through his laughter.

“No, you’re right too many people," he leans back down, blowing another on his stomach as Taylour giggles.

“We could go skating, but coach might find out. We’re not ready for that conversation yet," he pins Taylour’s hands above his head and tickles his side, eliciting a chorus of giggles from Taylour.

“We could stay here, but that sounds boring. Same toys, same books, same stuff different day.”

Taylour begins to fuss and Auston releases him, “oh that is a good idea," he smiles at his son who rolls over and pushes off the floor. Heading to Taylour’s room he looks for a bag, something to put some supplies in and finds the plain grey diaper bag. It’s mostly pre-packed, but Auston grabs a couple more things before heading to the living room.

“Hey Tay come get your coat on,” he holds it in his hand. Auston helps him get his arms in and zips him up. Once he gets his boots on he puts on his gear and picks him up heading to the elevator.

**

“Hey,” Christina smiles wrapping her arms around his neck. “Come in.”

Once inside she brushes some curls from his forehead, “oh you are so much like your daddy huh. Yeah look at those eyes and dimples,” she coos, admiring their resemblance.

“Hopefully he didn’t take too much from him,” Patty jokes, as Taylour smiles, resting against Auston’s shoulder.

“Thanks for letting us come over, I know its quiet, 3 of 4 boys in school right now,” Auston says, ignoring Patty’s teasing.

“Oh please you’re always welcome,” she hums, “especially if you bring this cutie with you.” The four of then make their way into the house, Taylour clinging to Auston’s neck the entire time.

This is new to him. He normally clings to Tia, but in this case Auston is his sense of security, Auston is only the person he knows. It’s not until after a few minutes Caleb shows Taylour some of his toys, that he gets comfortable, and releases his neck to play with him.

It was brief. Only a couple minutes that Taylour had a tight grip on him, but it felt nice to be needed by him. To be the person Taylour relied on.

After lunch Patty hands Auston an old pair of Caleb’s skates and everyone heads out to the rink he has in the backyard. The temperature is relatively mild for Toronto, about -4°C, but the bitter lake wind has it feeling closer to -10°C. They two young children likely will only have a brief skate, before heading inside to warm up and nap.

Stepping onto the ice, Auston does a couple laps with Taylour in his arms, allowing him a chance to get acquainted with being on the ice. Auston watches as his expressionless face slowly curls upwards, him clinging to his grasp.

“Oh is this fun," he skates faster spinning him around, “what do you say, you ready to skate?”

Coming to a stop in the centre of the ice, he slowly bends down setting Taylour on the ice. Attempting to walk, Taylour is unsure of what to do Auston grips his arms holding him upright. He watches as his feet begin to kick out, almost running in spot, not moving anywhere.

“Every kid tries to run on the ice for a little bit," Patty laughs, a few steps behind Caleb who is pushing a skating aide, slowly moving around the ice. “He’ll figure it out after a few times out.”

Turning back to Taylour, he gently pushes forward, pulling him on the ice with him. Caleb is smiling and laughing, having a great time and worry sinks in. Apart from the small half smile, Taylour hasn’t shown any interest. Auston begins to think he is enjoying himself.

He isn’t upset that he dislikes skating or hockey, he is allowed to pick his own hobbies and interests. He’s upset because he finally gets time with him, and picks an activity he hates. Who knows when he will get to see him again, he just wants it to be the best day. And Taylour is hating it.

Thinking of pulling him from the ice, he finally hears Taylour giggle and he instantly smiles, being flooded with relief. Auston continues holding his arms, helping him glide around the ice slowly, he spends the better part of a half hour bent over and his back is killing him. Taylour’s wide grin little laughs make it worth it though.

“We should get them in, before they get cold,” Christina calls out from beside the rink, having spent the time taking pictures and videos for Auston. Changing Taylour into some pajamas, Auston drapes a fleece blanket over him, holding him in his arms. He chats with Patrick and Christina about everything.

About the season, about his family, about Taylour and Tia. He tells them his frustrations with her keeping him away, how he wants to believe it will get better so he won’t need a lawyer to solve it. But he just doesn’t know, because it’s been 5 weeks and this is the 3rdtime he has seen his son. And today is only out of necessity; if Tia’s sitter was available he wouldn’t be with him.

He wouldn’t be gently rocking his body back and forth, lulling him to sleep. He wouldn’t be brushing the curls from Taylour’s forehead as he welcomes his embrace. He once again would be home while somebody else watched his kid.

“It’s not easy for her either," Christina says. “She had a routine, a plan set up for the two of them. You come in unexpectedly and uproot everything she had been building.”

“Yeah, but I’m not trying to uproot her life,” he sighs. “I just want to know him, be a part of his life. I’m only asking to spend some time with him when I’m home, be with him when she is working or at school. Help her, but she won’t let me. I tried to offer her money and she threw it back at me, kicked me out.”

“How did you offer her money?” she asks, quirking an eyebrow.

“I pulled some money out of my wallet.”

“Jesus Auston,” Christina groans.

“What was I supposed to do?” he questioned, willing to admit that he needs help, that he has no clue how be in Taylour’s without having a door slammed in his face.

“Literally anything else than hand her some 20’s from your wallet.”

“It was more than a few twenties,” he grumbles under his breath, frustration becoming evident even if it is mostly directed at himself.

“Flip the script. How would you feel? Small? Maybe like you’ve been doing a shit job?” Christina says.

“You could have asked how much her daycare is and offered to split that with her. Sat down and actually asked her how you can help. Maybe offer to buy him some diapers, maybe he could have used a new coat or something like that. You do it without throwing money at her,” Patty adds. “At least for now until you have an actual agreement, but you have to do it without stepping all over her.”

“Alright I get it, I fucked up," he groans, turning his attention to Taylour while he gently snores in his arms. Christina offered him as playpen to nap in, but given how few and fair between his interactions are he doesn’t want to miss any moments. “I don’t really know what to do here,” he says quietly, helplessness building up in him.

He gets what they are saying. He has replayed that day over and over in his head, and he realizes that while his intentions were good his execution was not. He wants to help, he just doesn’t know how.

“You’ll figure it out, trial and error,” Patrick shifts on the couch across from him. “Now that you’ve decided to be in his life, have you told the team?”

“Apart from those at the table last week I haven’t told anyone.”

“You should before word gets out, especially given what she does for work.”

“You know she’s not an escort right?” he stares across at him. They know, but they also know rumours like that can quickly spiral into something much larger.

“Yeah I do, but you need to tell management everything. That she is a stripper but there might be some rumours of her being an escort. They need to know so they won’t be blindsided if it gets out in the media.”

“Yeah,” he sighs. “We should get going,” he says rising to his feet, knowing he isn’t ready to tell, not yet.

**

“Hey,” Tia calls out walking through the door, she drops her bags at the door and begins to peel off her layers.

Taylour is shrieking with no shirt on, toys and book litter the living room. As soon as he hears the door open his ministick clatters against the floor and he instantly runs over to her, “hey buddy,” she kisses his temple pulling him into her embrace. Glancing to Auston he looks drained, physically and mentally drained.

“Looks like you had fun,” Tia laughs, scanning around the room. Stepping around the landmine of toys and books, she makes her way to the couch, Auston pushing off the floor to sit on the other end.

“Mhm,” Taylour nods in her embrace.

“Sorry,” Auston says, setting his ministick down. “I’m sorry,” he rubs his hat over his hair awkwardly. “He just wanted a new toy every five seconds, I don’t even know what happened to his shirt and,” he begins to explain.

“It happens,” Tia laughs, shooting him a soft smile. “I’m not just saying this to make you feel better, he has days. Sometimes after dinner I can get him to clean up his toys, sometimes I end up doing it after he’s asleep, depends on his mood.”

“Mommy,” Taylour calls out before Auston can respond. But he is put at ease knowing he didn’t do a terrible job with him the first time he watched him.

“Yeah,” Tia turns her attention to her son, “how was your day baby, you have fun?” She bounces Taylour slightly and he eagerly nods in her embrace. “Yeah, what did you do?”

“I skate,” he announces proudly, with a wide smile.

“You went skating?” she asks, grinning at Auston.

“That alright?” he asks.

“Yeah of course,” she smiles slightly.

“One of the guys has a son about a year older, and a rink in his yard,” he explains, pulling his phone from his pocket and hands it to her. He shows her some pictures Christina took followed by a video of him “running” in place on the ice.

“Wow, looks like fun,” she bounces Taylour on her thigh, kissing his temple.

“Mhm” he nods proudly, pointing at himself on the screen.

“Did you cook?” she asks, smelling the garlic and tomato sauce wafting from her kitchen.

“No, you wouldn’t want to eat that,” Auston says, causing her to laugh. “But I did order dinner for you. Figured you wouldn’t want to cook after a long day,” he explains taking the Marleau’s advice; helping without making her feel inadequate.

“Oh thanks,” she rises to her feet and sets Taylour in his highchair. “You want to stay, there’s more than enough.”

Shock washes over his face, genuinely not expecting her to offer. He didn’t think it was too much, two entrees, a salad and garlic bread, seemed like a reasonable amount for them. “Taylour couldn’t eat an entire entre in a week if he tried,” she explains seeing his face.

“Oh right,” he laughs, “sure.”

Pulling his phone from his pocket he clicks on Alex’s name

Auston: Hey something came up I won’t be home for dinner

Alex: You’re the worst 😫

Auston: Feel free to order something, use my card

Alex: Fine, but I’m also ordering 2 bottles of wine and desert

Auston: I doubt you need 2 bottles

Alex: Who’s gonna stop me?

Idle chit chat. That’s all they can manage. He tells her more about their day together, and she tells him a little about her school.

But that’s it.

It’s like they used all their topics and have nothing left to say after ten minutes. Silence falls on them often, not the comfortable silence where you are happy to be in their presence. It’s the kind of silence where you have something to say but don’t know how.

Her phone lights up, and she has never been so happy for someone to interrupt her dinner, hoping that maybe Auston will almost be done when she is back, closer to leaving.

“Hey Abby,” she answers, standing up walking a few feet, leaning against the counter.

“Hey, I have a private event booked for two, but Rach cancelled. You in?”

“No I can’t, I don’t work Thursday’s” she eyes to Taylour. Thursdays is her long day in class, so she doesn’t work, allowing herself a few hours with her son because otherwise she wouldn’t see him outside of breakfast.

“I know but I’ve called around, you’re literally it Tia” she whines. “Its $400 each, not even 3 hours.”

She groans slightly, knowing she can use the money. The 7 patrons at the club the other night didn’t provide much financial relief after she had to tip the DJ, bouncers and pay her licensing fee to the club. Doing private events provides much more income, no tipping out to anyone. Tia and the other girl split the money 50/50, but it also means there is no bouncer to keep a watchful eye.

“I have Taylour,” she says softly.

Auston doesn’t hear all of her conversation, but he hears enough. Trying to get Taylour to eat, he watches as he smears spaghetti sauce all over his face. Sensing the internal struggle he turns to Tia and nods slightly.

“One sec,” she holds her hand over the mouthpiece.

“I can stay with him,” he volunteers, eager for more time with him.

“I can’t get you to, you’ve had him all day,” she shrugs.

“He’s my kid too. Go to work, I got him.”

Turning her attention to Taylour she contemplates the offer. On one hand its $400, that’s a fair bit of money.

She recently had to buy her books for the semester, and that $400 can really help pay for them. But on the other hand, it’s Taylour. She hasn’t seen him all day and she misses him. And that would involve leaving Auston with him for even longer. He has barely had time with him, and if she leaves it will be almost 15 hours straight with him.

Mulling over the options. Thinking of not just leaving Taylour, but is she okay with leaving Taylour with Auston for that long. The last time Auston was there, Taylour didn’t seem very at ease, during his fussiness he kept wanting Tia to comfort him. Obviously with more time he will become more familiar and comfortable with him, but does she want to force Taylour into that or slowly build their relationship.

Auston tries to not look too eager, but he wants her to say yes. He would love nothing more than to read him a bedtime story and tuck him in. He doesn’t know the next time he’ll see Taylour so he doesn’t want his night with him to end.

“Ok,” she huffs into the phone, catching the small smile that pulls on Auston’s lips. “K I’ll text you the deets,” Abby hangs up. Returning to her dinner she shoots Auston a soft smile, “thanks.”

After dinner Auston clears the dishes and puts away the leftovers, Tia heading to her room. Turning his attention to Taylour, he has spaghetti sauce in his hair, on his neck and cheek, his fingers stained red. Auston didn’t realize babies were this messy, that they can go from clean to filthy in a matter of seconds, but he decides to give him a bath.

Seems simple enough, water, shampoo and rinse. What could go wrong?

Everything.

At first he made the water too cold and Taylour screamed, then he didn’t tilt his head back far enough and shampoo went in his eyes and he screamed again. After cleaning him Taylour said, “bubbles,” pointing to the bottle on the side of the tub. Relaxing thinking the worst is behind him because what could go wrong with a bubble bath, Taylour lets out a blood curdling scream.

“What Tay, is it too hot, too cold?” Placing his hand in the water he knows that’s not it.

“Buu…Bu…Bat,” he screams.

“Yeah you’re in the bath bud,” he says, having no idea what is wrong, trying to make sense of his incoherent babbling.

“Buuut…Buuhut” he cries, smacking his hands, water and bubbles splashing out. His bottom lip is quivering, his cries getting louder and Auston has no idea what he wants, thinking he changed his mind he reaches in to grab him and dry him off. “Nooooo!” Taylour screams, kicking his legs out so Auston sets him back in the tub, his shirt now soaked.

“He wants his boat,” Tia pokes her head in the door eyeing to the vanity. Her hair half up in clips, half curled. She heard the entire bath from her room. She contemplated coming in and helping him earlier, but she thought he could figure it out.

“Oh,” quickly he turns around and finds the basket of bath toys, rubber duck, frogs, rubber fish and 3 boats. “What one?” he asks, rummaging through the basket. Turning to the door Tia is gone but he hears her call out, “all of them,” and he just dumps the entire basket in the water. Instantly Taylour laughs grabbing his toys playing with them.

Finally Auston has a few minutes of quiet. Leaning against the vanity counter, he removes his hat and runs his hand through his hair with a large exasperated sigh. He didn’t realize babies can switch from happy and laughing, to the world is ending around them in a matter of seconds. He has no idea how Tia manages to do this every day. How she goes to school, and work, while also watching Taylour. How she managed to do it for two years on her own, and he can barely manage a thirty minute bath without developing a splitting headache.

“He asleep?” Tia asks coming out around 9. She came out an hour ago and gave Taylour a kiss goodnight before he picked out the bedtime story. He wanted Tia to read to him, and put up a fight, crying when Tia explained Auston would read to him. It took Auston ten minutes to calm him down but finally he stopped crying and Auston was able to read to him.

“Yeah, about a half hour ago,” he replies muting the TV. Turning to see her, she has on an excessive amount of makeup, eyes dark, lips bright red. Her hair is a few inches longer from the extensions with large curls and her cherry red dress leaves more skin exposed than covered.

He hates the way she looks. She never needed the large hair or heavy makeup in his opinion. He loved her with her hair unbrushed in a loose messy bun, not an ounce of makeup on her face. But that isn’t why he hates it. He hates it because his dick immediately hardens, tightening his jeans. Even though she never needed the hair or the makeup, he can’t deny she looks phenomenal, or how his stomach churns knowing someone else will be looking at her tonight. Looking at her the way he used to.

“Well I’ll be back around midnight, thanks again”

“Yeah,” he replies, hating himself for looking up, watching as she walks away.

**

“Auston” she pounds heavily on the door, “Auston let me in.”

Pausing the movie Alex ponders whether she should open the door, normally at this time of night she wouldn’t’. But they seem to know her brother and it appears to be urgent, so she rises to her feet. Making her way down the hall the pounding gets louder until Alex whips the door open, to be met with a blonde woman with bright green eyes.

“He-“

“Who are you?” Claire cuts her off.

“What?” Alex questions, not the greeting she expected when she opened the door. “I’m Alex, Auston’s sister. Who are you?”

“I’m Claire, Auston’s girlfriend,” she explains, trying to look around Alex into the apartment.

“Well Claire, Auston’s girlfriend, he isn’t here,” Alex explains.

“Where is he?”

“Out,” Alex crosses her arms around her chest, her patience wearing thin.

“When will he be home?”

“If you actually are his girlfriend why don’t you call him and ask for yourself,” she snaps letting the door close in Claire’s face. Normally she wouldn’t shut the door on someone’s face, she would at least say goodbye, but she can’t handle the rudeness that is emanating off her. She also doesn’t feel too convinced that Claire is his girlfriend, if she was she would likely know he was out, or have a way to get in contact with him instead of showing up unannounced in the middle of the night.

**

“Hey,” Tia calls out, returning home slightly after midnight. Shaking off her coat and heels she walks to the kitchen pouring a glass of water. Auston can’t help but notice how her hand trembles slightly as she pours from the pitcher into her glass. “How was your night?” she asks, moving to the couch sitting a few feet beside Auston.

“Fine,” he grunts, ankles crossed and resting on the coffee table, Tia can sense the anger rolling off him.

“Something happen?” she asks concerned that something happened, maybe Taylour woke up a few times, or got sick.

“What the fuck is this?” He asks throwing a small clear bag with white powder at her. Her hair is slightly tangled and her lipstick almost gone. But what he focuses on is her eyes, red and pupils blown.

“You know what it is Auston,” she scoffs, rolling her eyes.

“Why do you have cocaine Tia?”

“What were you going through my shit?”

“I had a headache and went looking for Tylenol. I didn’t see any in Taylour’s bathroom so I went to yours, it fell out of the cupboard,” he quickly explains. “You still didn’t answer my question. Why do you have cocaine? And in the house, with a two year old?”

“Relax, he’s about 2 feet too short to reach the medicine cabinet,” she grumbles, standing up and walking to the kitchen to create some space from him, leaning against the counter.

“Relax!” He booms. “You have cocaine in the house with my son!”

“He’s my son too,” she yells back. “And don’t tell me Auston Matthews, star player, face of the Leafs franchise hasn’t done coke.”

“Not with a fucking kid around. Its different doing it when I have a couple days off and I’m letting loose, or a party in the summer and I don’t have another human to take care of. Nobody relying on me, not endangering an innocent kid.”

“How dare you, I would never put him in danger!” she yells. Both of their tones are harsh, getting louder with each word. Their eyes are locked in a stale mate, both of their hearts beating faster and harder. Taylour must have heard the commotion because he begins to cry from his room, they both glare at the other before taking off to his room.

Grasping her arm he stops her dead in her tracks, nails digging into her skin, “you’re fucking high don’t even think about touching him,” he says through gritted teeth. Releasing her arm he blows past her and picks Taylour up. Bouncing him on his hip he paces around the room, trying to calm him down.

It does explain things, why she doesn’t want him around. Worried the more time he spends there, the more likely it is he will notice.

But how long has it been going on? At what point did she get hooked on coke? How bad is it? Taylour continues to cry on his hip, trying to shush him Auston gently brushes his lips to his forehead, his son sniffling against his chest.

“Fuck it,” he mumbles, unable to stop his mind from spiralling. He gently pulls Taylour’s sweater over his pyjamas, and begins throwing some items into the bag from earlier. Taylour’s tears have stopped falling, though his eyes are glossed over and he sniffles softly against Auston. Making his way to the door Tia sees him set a bag down and reach for his shoes.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” She whispers harshly not wanting to yell in front of Taylour.

“I’m not leaving my son with a coke addict,” he pulls his second shoe on.

“Oh for Christ’s sake,” she groans. “I’ve had that for two months. What coke addict can sit on it for 2 months?”

“Yeah, sure you’ve had that for 2 months,” he grumbles grabbing Taylour’s coat. Tia grabs the bag he packed and throws it over her shoulder, keeping it away from Auston.

“Tia come on don’t be like this. I’ll get you help whatever you need; rehab, counselling doesn’t matter. But he shouldn’t see this,” he reaches for the bag but she pulls back. “Tia just stop, you’re being ridiculous!”

“No what’s ridiculous is you threatening to kidnap my son,” she emphasizes. “Genetically he may be yours, but there is nothing, not a single piece of paper tying him to you. You’re not on the birth certificate, he has my last name. How do you think it would play out if theAuston Matthews is arrested for kidnapping? In the eyes of the law you are nothing to him.”

That hurts. It’s the truth but it stings. A knife straight through him. His heart feels like its pumping lead through his veins. He is frozen, unable to respond, and Tia is in shock, unable to believe she actually said that.

He has no legal right to be in his life, and the fact that he has been absent for the last 2 years only works against him, even if he didn’t know about him. A judge could rule against him, against a paternity test, against him getting his name on the certificate. Even though he didn’t know about Taylour a judge may not care. He has a massive battle ahead of him, up a hill the size of Everest. He knows it, but hearing her saying it makes it more real and it hurts.

Tears prick in his eyes digesting the gut punch she threw at him. The air between them is suffocating and awkward and it takes every ounce of willpower to keep their emotions in check. Taylour leans his head on his shoulder, and Auston brushes his lips against his forehead, a few small tears rolling down his cheek. Blinking through his tears he bounces Taylour on his hip, trying to calm his crying son, while trying to keep his composure.

His entire body deflates and he has no words, silently walking back to Taylour’s room and setting him on his bed. Gently rubbing his back he lets even more tears fall, waiting for him to fall asleep. He fights not to sink into his sadness, to not become overwhelmed by his emptiness until he leaves.

As soon as she said it she instantly regretted it. It was too far, and she hates herself. But seeing the tears in his eyes, the tears she caused, triggered something in her. Giving him some time she leans against the wall in the hall waiting for him, listening to him cry from Taylour’s room.

Waiting for what feels like hours she wanders to her room to change quickly. She knows she owes him an apology, but not a quick half-assed apology. She owes him a real genuine apology, not just for today, but for how she has treated him since Christmas. How she hasn’t given him an inch. How she has turned down every attempt he has made to be in Taylour’s life.

Auston hears her feet on the wood, poking his head out he sees her door partially closed and takes that as his opportunity. It’s his time to turn and walk away from her. Surging to the door he grabs his coat and reaches for the door handle, “Auston,” Tia cries out, pulling a sweater over her head but he doesn’t stop. Opening the heavy door and heading down the hall before she has a chance.

“Fuck,” she whips the door open looking down the hall but he is around the corner. Every fiber of her being wants to run after him. Grab his hands and issue the long overdue apology for everything she has done the past few weeks. But she can’t leave Taylour.

She doesn’t even know if he’s fallen back asleep, but if he were to wander out and find the apartment empty he would be horrified. Frustrated tears flow unapologetically down her cheeks as she softly closes the door. She feels pathetic, and can only assume she looks even worse.

Not wanting to give her a chance to follow Auston headed for the stairs, walking down a few flights he makes his way to the elevator and hits the button. Warm tears sit behind his eyes threatening to spill out. It’s not until he is in the safety of his car, when he has sunk into his leather seat that he lets them. Sobs get louder and he pounds his fist against the steering wheel. He doesn’t bother brushing them away, because he knows there will just be more to replace them. He has never felt so empty, so hopeless. As if no matter hard he tries it will be for nothing. He is sick to his stomach, staring out the window for a long time.

Shaky breaths slowly return to normal, and he turns his car on, making the drive back to his place. Opening his door Alex is on the couch some show playing on the TV that he has zero interest in. “Hey,” he says softly not looking at her as he grabs a water from the fridge, “I’m going to bed.”

“You okay?” Alex calls out but he doesn’t answer walking to his room. He unlocks his phone and opens his contacts, hitting the call button.

“Hello”

Opening his mouth a sob catches in his throat.

“Auston? You there?” they call out.

There is some shuffling on the other end, as Auston cries on his before finally whispering “dad.”

***

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[porcupine-girl]

I need book recommendations!

Usually we find new stuff for my kid by, y’know, wandering around the library and pulling things that look like he might like them. Obviously we can’t do that anymore. He is desperately in need of more books to read and his birthday happens to be coming up, so please recommend stuff! Here are some details on what he likes:

He’s turning 9 and is in 4th grade, avid reader

Series are best because then we can just keep getting them

Series he likes but has read all of:

Stick Dog/Stick Cat

Harry Potter

Origami Yoda

Bunnicula

Baby-sitters Club graphic novels

All of Raina Telgemeier’s other stuff

Jedi Academy

My Weird School etc etc etc

Battle Bugs

Stink (Judy Moody’s brother)

Dog Man/Captain Underpants

Gordan Korman’s Swindle books

Everything Roald Dahl (we got a big box set)

Liesl Shurtliff’s Fairly True Tales (Jack, Red, etc)

Amulet graphic novels

Summer Camp Science graphic novels - would love to find another series like this!

He’s currently reading the first Warrior series by Erin Hunter but is only like half into it. I’m not sure if he’ll want the second series or not.

Things we own that he has so far refused to read because he refuses to believe his parents have good taste:

Ramona

Percy Jackson

Original BSC books (he’s read one or two)

We often get him a new book from an author whose other stuff he liked and he never reads them. Eg: He loves Katherine Applegate’s new stuff, won’t read Animorphs #1.

I hate diary of a wimpy kid, don’t say diary of a wimpy kid

We have ASOUE, but I don’t think he’d like them with their overall down tone. Maybe when he’s a moody teenager.

So yeah. Any suggestions for book series? He loves graphic novels, but he’ll read almost any graphic novel you put in front of him so the real struggle is to find a new prose series he’ll get into. But suggestions for either are welcome.

Yes, he reads a lot of non-fiction too, but it’s kind of random trying to guess which topics he’s into any given week.

Addendum: In addition to his birthday, we’re going to do what we did last summer again, which was to have a “book club” where every other week his dad & I choose a book that we all read and talk about and every other week he chooses the book, so we get to make him read things and he gets to make us read things. I’ll be saving some of these recs for that!

[joracalltrise]

I’ve fallen in love with the 7th season of the Clone Wars, but in the same time this season… disappointed me so much. Do you, guys, feel the same? Or are you fully satisfied?

I warn you, that I’m going to more or less skip the good things and get to the bad things – not because I’m a complaining person, but because I believe a lot of people have already listed all positives about the last episode and season 7 in general (especially <url> www.gffa.tumblr.com </url> – dude, I really love your blog!), so me talking about the things I had loved in the latest season, would be… repeating what other people have already said.

I think we all (or most of us) agree, that the 7th Season was totally amazing, if not THE BEST season of the Clone Wars. We got that clear? Okay, now let’s get to the “buts”.

1. Not enough episodes

I’ll sound a bit whiny here, but… I really don’t get it, why couldn’t we get full 20 episodes for the Final Season of the Clone Wars. Or even more than 20. Maybe there are people in Disney, who are smarter than me, and they know the answer to that question, but STILL… if Star Wars is such a good brand, why not making more of the Clone Wars?

Of course, there are also advantages of producing only 12 episodes.

The whole season feels more like a movie than a TV series. Or, rather – like three movies. Instead of “small stories” we were given three solid Arcs, which are very smoothly connected to each other. That’s a good thing. It’s not the same case as “the Legend of Korra”, where 12 episodes would give us a feeling of an enormous pacing.

BUT. Because I was given only 12 episodes, I got to miss some of my favorite characters.

2. Lack of some important characters

We didn’t see Dooku in the last season the Clone Wars – not even ONCE!

We didn’t see Grievous in the last season of the Clone Wars – not even ONCE!

We didn’t see Ventress in the last season of the Clone Wars – not even ONCE!

We BARELY saw Obi-Wan (sniff! sniff!) – poor guy got some bigger scenes only in “Good friends not forgotten” and “Phantom Apprentice”. And some short (but really good) lines in “An unfinished business”.

Padme got ONE scene (one that confirms, that Anakin is, in fact, blind, since he didn’t comment on her baby bump).

Now, someone would roll their eyes and say – yeeeeaaaah, but Dooku, Grievous, Obi-Wan and Padme got PLENTY of TV time in the Revenge of the Sith, duh! If you want more of them, just watch RoTs, again. Okay, I agree, but… that was the whole point of me watching the Clone Wars. I liked it so much, because prequel trilogy was not enough for me. I wanted MORE of my favorite characters. What’s wrong with that?

And what about Ventress? She was supposed to have such a great Arc with Quinlan Vos!

Than brings us to the next case…

3. Abandoned and Non-existing Arcs

Utapau Arc… oh, I’m NEVER gonna forgive them for Utapau Arc!

I believe it was actually the best Arc in the Clone Wars. I’ve watched those unfinished episodes sooo many times, and they have brought me more joy than ANY full-fledged episodes. So many good moments in those episodes!

So much of Obi-Wan and Anakin dynamics (I’m sorry, Ahsoka fans, but no matter how much Felloni and Co will try to persuade me otherwise, OBI-WAN is a Jedi who has the closest relationship with Anakin, NOT Ahsoka. Quarrel, if you like, but that’s how I feel, sorry).

Anakin interacting with animals (outrageous, cute and absolutely beautiful).

Anakin’s great plan “ups, I’ve fallen asleep… ah, no, it was my plan from the beginning!”

Scorpion creature playing with Anakin’s lightsaber, and Anakin killing the creature “by accident”.

And FINALLY two best moments:

“Awww, got yourself captured again, Old Man?” (I’ll NEVER get tired of Anakin calling Obi-Wan “old man”, okay?”

And Obi-Wan merrily waving to Grievous, when he and Anakin escape with the cristal.

Ventress and Quinlan Arc – even if they didn’t follow a comic, they could have made an amazing Arc out of this.

Small Padme Arc? Like… how she was dealing with her pregnancy, while working for the Senate? Anything? Pretty please?

Some Arc involving Ayala Secura or Kit Fisto or Ki Adi Mundi or Plo Koon – just to say goodbye to those characters before Order 66? By the way, it’s kind of weird, Ahsoka didn’t think or talk about Plo Koon even a little bit, during the WHOLE season. That’s the disadvantage of having only 12 episodes, yup!

The last Padawan Arc aka Caleb Dume turning into Kanan Jarrus Arc aka One of my biggest disappointments for the last season. Why… WHY they didn’t do it?! The trailer gave me soooo muuuch hope! I really, REALLY wanted to see Kanan interacting with Depa and the Clones. Yes, I know, comics and stuff, but comics is not TV, and I love watching my favorite characters with nice soundtrack and great voice actors and everything. R.I.P. my expectations for Caleb Dume’s Arc in Clone Wars… sniff sniff!

Of course, there’s more, but those are the ones that come to my mind firsts.

4. Ahsoka’s character in this last season

Now, let’s talk about the character who got the most of the TV time in the whole season (if not the whole series).

Ahsoka’s greatest fans will probably get angry at me, but I’m still gonna say this. Not because I dislike Ahsoka, because I DO like her, and I think she’s an amazing character. Actually, before I start throwing my “accusations”, I’ll say some nice things about Ahsoka, so that you know I’m not trying to be mean here.

What Ahsoka did in the 7th season, can be mostly explained by her young age. She’s clearly at the rebel stage, she’s got through some really awful experiences (getting accused of treason, when you’re INNOCENT can really leave someone pretty shaken up, I think we all agree), and before Martez Sisters Arc for the first time in her life she was really, really ALONE.

Also, we all know that Ahsoka will be more mature in Rebels. It kind of makes sense, that you need to become an angry and proud teenager first, before you become an experienced and charismatic leader.

BUT, even knowing that, I’m really annoyed at Ahsoka after the last season. I’ve liked her during all 5 seasons of the Clone Wars, she was one of my favorite characters, but after season 7, she really got on my nerves. And honestly? I’m starting to think, it wasn’t even her fault. Maybe it was just the Clone Wars creators turning her into to some sort of… agenda? Using her to prove something? About the whole Jedi Order, maybe? Or about Anakin?

But, anyway, to the point…

Ahsoka’s actions in season 7 basically resulted in three groups of fans.

Group Number One (that’s NOT me) – people who started to think Ahsoka is some sort of saint, the only good (ex) Jedi in the rotten Order, the very best person, and oh, if only other Jedi could act like her, then maybe nothing bad will happen. And, oh, Obi-Wan and the rest Council sitters could REALLY learn from this amazing woman!

Group Number Two (that’s me) – people rising an eyebrow to Ahsoka’s behavior and being slightly annoyed at her.

Group Number Three (I don’t know who’s there, but there are some people) – people hating Ahsoka, getting really angry at her for acting the way she acted, and also blaming her for not using her knowledge about Sidious wanting to make Anakin his apprentice.

Who’s right? Maybe no one? Maybe partly everyone? I don’t know, so I’ll just proceed to explain my own subjective point of view.

I’ve already said some things about Ahsoka in this post:

<url> https://joracalltrise.tumblr.com/post/615743227991031809/ahsoka-versus-obi-wan-where-did-that-even-come </url>

I’m going to say more, but it’ll be much shorter.

What I disliked about Ahsoka most in the latest season was the fact, that she wanted to have a cookie and eat the cookie and she started to lecture people smarter and more experienced than her how to do their job.

Let’s start with the first one, by looking into Ahsoka’s particular words and actions. So…

She doesn’t want to be a Jedi, but she wants Republic to support her actions (siege of Mandalore) and let her participate in important Jedi-only discussions (Mace Windu talk). Kind of like some Brexit supporters, don’t you think? “Let’s leave the EU, but let’s keep all the privileges of the country belonging to the EU, because we are so smart, we deserve it and that’s it”. Oh, come on! You either leave of not – make up your mind, Ahsoka (Britain could, so why can’t you?).

She wants Anakin and Obi-Wan to help her but she doesn’t want to ASK them nicely and try a little bit to act like a person asking for help. She just expects them to agree, because they… what? Owe her? Owe her WHAT? Not supporting her ENOUGH, when she was accused (let me remind you: Obi-Wan sided with Ahsoka during Council meeting, and Anakin was litteraly running around Coruscant to prove his Padawan’s innocence)?

Her being angry about Anakin and Obi-Wan choosing Coruscant over Mandalore – I’m not even commenting that, because I’m tired of talking about it. But I’ll add just one more thing here – did it occur to anyone that Trace and Rafa are still on Coruscant, when Coruscant is attacked? What a great friendship you have formed, Ahsoka! Not even a single worry about whether or not your new friends will be in danger? But wait, they don’t need you, cause people in Mandalore need you more. Cool (sorry about the sarcasm, guys, but I couldn’t resist).

And now, the second thing.

If you want to change some huge organization, especially one like a Jedi Order, the best way to do it, is from the inside. Qui-Gon Jinn was like no other Jedi, and he was probably tempted to leave, but he chose to stay, and his presence benefited the Order in many many ways! He didn’t really change the Jedi – died before he could – but there was a chance. Perhaps Anakin could have changed the Jedi, had he not turned to the dark side? I think he would! Maybe, if he would mature even more (although, in Clone Wars he matured A LOT – look at the “Old friends not forgotten” episode) and join the Council a bit later, when the time was right… just imagine it! The Jedi Code hasn’t ALWAYS forbidden marriages and love. The Order could have come back to its old ways. Good thing, stuff like fanfiction exists ;)

But anyway, coming back to Ahsoka. If you LEAVE an organization, and then you start lecturing its members about morality and choices, it’s kind of obvious, they won’t take you seriously. And yeah, I fully support Obi-Wan’s statement “but Ahsoka is no longer a part of the Republic Military”, and I totally agree with Mace calling her “a citizen”. It’s all about Ahsoka wanting to keep and wanting to eat at the same time. What she wanted in the final season, basically, is doing all the good things she remember doing in the Order (helping people selflessly, supporting friends), but without having to deal with difficult (but necessary) things (like making difficult choices and dealing with consequences, duty versus emotion, all of this so called “playing politics”, etcetera). It’s like wanting to have a pet, but leaving all the problems – going to the vet, curing the animal, when it’s sick, maybe even making the decision of “putting a friend to a sleep” to keep it from suffering – to somebody else. Do you get, what I mean?

And before I leave the poor girl alone, I have one more thing to add.

I don’t like making Ahsoka “another Rey”.

Strong female characters are very much needed in the popculture. I’m a girl too, so I understand. But, for Force’s sake, don’t upgrade somebody’s skills ex-machina!

Okay, fine, they’ve made Rey a Force prodigy because she’s *********’s granddaughter and apparently she was already good in martial arts before she has left Jakku. Some people like that.  I don’t. I prefer an actual skill development instead of sudden skills upgrage.

But Ahsoka didn’t held a lightsaber for a long time, and first time she grabs her new pair, she becomes a one person machine. I wouldn’t say it makes me particularly upset, because it was nice to watch. But it DID disturbed me. And I couldn’t help the feeling, that canon was a bit shifted to match Ashoka fan’s expectations.

The canon got me used to the fact, that Star Wars strongest prequel fighters were Yoda, Palpie, Anakin, Obi-Wan, Mace, Dooku and Maul. I might have forgotten someone, but you get my point, right? Experienced and adult fighters, whose skills are logical and earned. Actually, I think that Ahsoka from Rebels fits that group as well.

I repeat it – Ahsoka FROM REBELS!

In Rebels she’s an adult and she’s got plenty of time to hone both her Force and lightsaber skills.

I’m not saying, I’m hating her fighting like a pro with Mandalorians and Maul. I repeat it - It WAS nice to watch. I’m just not buying it.

Like I’m not buying some other things.

5. Lack of logic (especially in Martez Arc)

It’s not a big fault, actually. We get plenty of those in pop culture shows. It gives us a lot of room for “How It Should Have Ended” videos ;)

But, seeeriiouslyyy…

Ahsoka using the Force right and left in the Martez Arc, while Rafa and Trace don’t notice A THING… are they deaf and blind, or something?

Is Anakin blind as well? Does he REALLY not notice Padme’s baby bump? Was he too busy’s with his wife’s beautiful eyes, or what?

And – AGAIN! – Ahsoka grabing Maul’s ship with the Force. Since when grabing a  (MOVING) ship with the Force became a canonical skill of anyone other than Yoda (or maybe Palpatine)? No, wait, even Palpie and Yoda didn’t grab a MOVIG ship. Why Anakin and Obi-Wan couldn’t Force grab Dooku’s ship, when he was escaping Naboo? There were TWO of them, for Force’s sake, and one of them was the Forcedamn Chosen One! Why couldn’t they? Oh, wait, I know! Because it was BEFORE “The Rise of Skywalker”. In THAT movie Forcegrabing the ships became a canonical skill, especially for prodigical women loved by the audience (again – sorry about the sarcasm, guys). As a woman who used to train martial arts for YEARS, I’d like female protagonists to actually LEARN their super skills, before they use them. Okay?

But, well, Star Wars suddenly canonizing new amazing skills after years is a material for a different article.

And, like I said, it’s really not that big of a deal. The Clone Wars were still amazing and enjoyable to watch – especially the newest season.

Besides, well, I can’t get what I want all the time, right? Felloni and Co had to CHOOSE, whom they want to make happiest, and they’ve chosen Ahsoka’s fans. I don’t blame them. Maybe they’ll choose my preferences next ;) One can always hope, right?

Conclusions?

Yeah, I think that’s all I have to say about the newest season. And I repeat – once again – that in spite all this complaining, I really loved that season. And I loved reading about other people’s opinions about it. May the Force be with us all!

Thank you for reading this long, looong post!

If anyone’s up to the discussion, feel free to contact me.

[greenbraincomics]

New Comics List for Wednesday September 11 2019

KING THOR #1 (OF 4)(W) Jason Aaron (A/CA) Esad Ribic

SUPERSTARS JASON AARON & ESAD RIBIC CONCLUDE THEIR EPIC THOR STORY! The creators of the legendary THOR: GOD OF THUNDER series that kicked off one of the most epic runs in Marvel history are back together for one last ride with the almighty Lord of Asgard! Seven years ago, Jason and Esad introduced the Thor of the far future, All-Father of a broken realm and a dying universe, as he stood in battle against the Butcher of Gods, wielder of All-Black the Necrosword. Now that nefarious blade has returned, in the hands of Thor's all-time greatest enemy - his brother, Loki - for one final, cataclysmic showdown. Behold the book no comics fan should miss - the celebration of the end of a truly Marvelous era.

K-6 NEW COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS I AM BRAVE MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BOARD BOOK $7.99 I AM CARING JANE GOODALL BOARD BOOK $7.99 POKEMON SUN & MOON GN VOL 05 $4.99 RUGRATS BUILDING BLOCKS GN $14.99 MIDDLE GRADE NEW COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS BABY SITTERS CLUB COLOR ED GN VOL 07 BOY-CRAZY STACEY $10.99 BETTY & VERONICA SENIOR YEAR TP $14.99 EPIC TALES CAPT UNDERPANTS VOL 01 GEORGE & HAROLDS COMIX $9.99 HILDA & MOUNTAIN KING HC GN $19.95 MR WOLFS CLASS GN VOL 03 LUCKY STARS $9.99 SHE-RA REBEL PRINCESS GUIDE HC $12.99 YOUNG ADULT NEW COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS ARCHIE MARRIED LIFE 10 YEARS LATER #2 $3.99 DOCTOR WHO 13TH #12 $3.99 GHOSTED IN LA #3 $3.99 GO GO POWER RANGERS #23 $3.99 RONIN ISLAND #6 $3.99 SABRINA TEENAGE WITCH #5 (OF 5) $3.99 SPLATOON MANGA GN VOL 07 $9.99 STAR WARS AOR SUPREME LEADER SNOKE #1 $3.99 STAR WARS JEDI ACADEMY YR HC VOL 08 ATTACK OF FURBALL $12.99 STARCADIA QUEST #1 (OF 3) $4.99 MARVEL UNIVERSE NEW COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS ABSOLUTE CARNAGE SYMBIOTE OF VENGEANCE #1 AC $4.99 ABSOLUTE CARNAGE VS DEADPOOL #2 (OF 3) AC $3.99 AGE OF CONAN VALERIA #2 (OF 5) $3.99 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #29 $3.99 AVENGERS #22 2ND PTG CASELLI VAR $3.99 BLACK CAT #4 $3.99 CAPTAIN MARVEL #10 $3.99 DAREDEVIL #11 $3.99 DAREDEVIL #9 2ND PTG SHARMA VAR $3.99 DOCTOR STRANGE #19 $3.99 DOMINO TP HOTSHOTS $15.99 FANTASTIC FOUR #12 2ND PTG $4.99 GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY PRODIGAL SUN #1 $4.99 GWENPOOL STRIKES BACK #2 (OF 5) $3.99 IMMORTAL HULK #20 3RD PTG $3.99 IMMORTAL HULK #22 2ND PTG $3.99 IMMORTAL HULK DIRECTORS CUT #3 (OF 6) $4.99 INVADERS #9 $3.99 INVISIBLE WOMAN #3 (OF 5) $3.99 IRONHEART #10 $3.99 KING THOR #1 (OF 4) $3.99 LOKI #3 $3.99 MARVEL TALES BLACK PANTHER #1 $7.99 MILES MORALES GN TP WITH GREAT POWER $12.99 MILES MORALES SPIDER-MAN #10 $4.99 MOON KNIGHT ANNUAL #1 $4.99 POWERS OF X #4 (OF 6) $4.99 PUNISHER KILL KREW #2 (OF 5) $3.99 SHURI TP VOL 02 24-7 VIBRANIUM $15.99 SILVER SURFER BLACK #4 (OF 5) $3.99 SWORD MASTER #3 $3.99 TRUE BELIEVERS HULK GRAY HULK RETURNS #1 $1.00 TRUE BELIEVERS HULK MINDLESS HULK #1 $1.00 UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL #48 $3.99 UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL TP VOL 11 CALL YOUR SQUIRRELFRIEND $15.99 UNSTOPPABLE WASP UNLIMITED TP VOL 02 GIRL VS AIM $15.99 VENOM #18 AC $3.99 VENOM TP WAR OF REALMS $15.99 DC UNIVERSE NEW COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS BATMAN #78 YOTV $3.99 BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #5 VAR ED YOTV $3.99 BATMAN HUSH TP NEW ED $29.99 BATMAN UNIVERSE #3 (OF 6) $4.99 BLACK HAMMER JUSTICE LEAGUE #3 (OF 5) $3.99 CATWOMAN #15 YOTV $3.99 COLLAPSER #3 (OF 6) (MR) $3.99 DETECTIVE COMICS #1011 VAR ED YOTV $3.99 DOLLAR COMICS BATMAN #608 $1.00 EVENT LEVIATHAN #4 (OF 6) $3.99 FLASH #78 YOTV $3.99 GOTHAM CITY MONSTERS #1 (OF 6) $3.99 HAWKMAN #16 YOTV $3.99 JUSTICE LEAGUE ODYSSEY #13 YOTV $3.99 RIDDLER YEAR OF THE VILLAIN #1 $4.99 WONDER TWINS #7 (OF 12) $3.99 WONDER WOMAN #78 YOTV $3.99 YOUNG JUSTICE #8 $3.99 ART BOOKS FRANK CHO BALLPOINT BEAUTIES SC (MR) $19.95 FREE S$$T HC CHARLES BURNS ZINE COLLECTION $19.99 MONSTER ART OF BASIL GOGOS SC $40.00 ACTION / ADVENTURE NEW COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS BANJAX #4 $3.99 BEAUTY #29 (MR) $3.99 BLACK HAMMER JUSTICE LEAGUE #3 (OF 5) $3.99 BLOODSHOT TP DEFINITIVE EDITION $24.99 BONE PARISH TP VOL 02 $14.99 CANTO #4 (OF 6) $3.99 CHASTITY #1 (MR) $3.99 COFFIN BOUND #2 (MR) $3.99 GOGOR #5 $3.99 HASHTAG DANGER #5 (MR) $3.99 HIT-GIRL SEASON TWO #8 (MR) $3.99 HOUSE OF WHISPERS #13 (MR) $3.99 I HATE FAIRYLAND DLX HC VOL 02 (MR) $34.99 IGNITED #4 (MR) $3.99 ISOLA #9 $3.99 KICK-ASS #17 (MR) $3.99 LIVEWIRE #10 $3.99 LIVEWIRE TP VOL 02 GUARDIAN $14.99 MAN-EATERS #11 $3.99 MIDNIGHT SKY #1 $3.99 MONSTROUS TP VOL 01 TALES OF VALOR AND VILLAINY $14.99 MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 TP $19.99 OBLIVION SONG BY KIRKMAN & DE FELICI #19 (MR) $3.99 OCTOBER FACTION TP OPEN SEASON $29.99 ONCE & FUTURE #1 (OF 6) (4TH PTG) $3.99 ORVILLE #3 WORD OF AVIS (PT 1 OF 2) $3.99 OUTER DARKNESS #10 (MR) $3.99 PANDEMICA #1 $3.99 POSTAL DELIVERANCE #3 (MR) $3.99 REAVER #2 2ND PTG (MR) $3.99 REAVER #3 (MR) $3.99 RED KOI #1 (OF 2) (MR) $1.50 RED SONJA #8 $3.99 SONATA #4 $3.99 STREET FIGHTER AKUMA VS HELL #1 $3.99 THUMBS #4 (OF 5) (MR) $4.99 TRANSMETROPOLITAN TP BOOK 02 (MR) $29.99 TREES THREE FATES #1 (OF 5) (MR) $3.99 UMBRELLA ACADEMY LIBRARY EDITION HC VOL 01 APOCALYPSE SUITE $39.99 UNEARTH #3 $3.99 UNNATURAL TP VOL 03 (MR) $16.99 USAGI YOJIMBO #1 2ND PTG $3.99 VAMP #1 (MR) $3.99 SMALL PRESS NEW COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS AMERICANA AND ACT GETTING OVER IT GN $18.95 DRAWING POWER WOMENS STORIES SEXUAL VIOLENCE HC $29.99 I KNOW WHAT I AM HC TRUE STORY ARTEMISIA GENTILESCHI $29.99 IMMERSION PROGRAM GN $19.95 JOE QUINNS POLTERGEIST ILLUST HC $17.99 ROBERT SILVERBERG COLONIES HC RETURN TO BELZAGOR $24.95 STIG AND TILDE GN VOL 01 VANISHERS ISLAND $13.95 THIS IS WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE ZOMBILLENIUM HC VOL 04 AIR GIRL $16.99

[kyloren]

Mileven post-S2 fanfiction recommendation list: PART IV

This is a continuation of my ever-growing Mileven Fanfiction Rec List (see instalments I, II, and III). If your fanfic isn’t featured, apologies. Message me and we’ll amend that grievance in the next rec list instalment. 

* marks the ongoing stories. 

canon: 

interludes by veausy:��“They stood like that, dimly lit by the hallway lamp, until Hopper cleared his throat. “Mike,” she breathed.” 

+ its sequel: idylls by veausy: ““You should get a Mike,” El offered. Didn’t everyone have one?” 

snowbound by hannahberrie: “When El invites Mike to spend the day at the cabin, Hopper finds himself supervising a sleepover he didn’t sign up for.” 

.. ._.. ___ …_ . _.__ ___ .._ (i love you) by AriaCessair: “El wants to learn about kisses, but the end result is much more than she expected.” 

anything short of a miracle by youheldyourbreath: “Mike has spent the last year in abject agony over losing Eleven. And then, he gets her back.” 

the 436 kiss by youheldyourbreath: “Mike and El have 435 kisses that are short, sweet and perfunctory. Kiss 436 is not that kind of embrace.” 

we were just kids when by DarkBeauty_890: “Hopper arches a brow, giving Mike a once over. He sucks in another puff of his cigarette, before stubbing it out and scratching his nose, “Elle’s not here. She and Red went out to go see a movie about an hour ago.” Mike clears his throat and doesn’t break their locked gaze, “I’m actually here because I wanted to talk to you.”” 

the invasion* by ValBirch: “Hawkins, 1985. On the day of her first birthday in Hawkins, El starts having nosebleeds, even when she’s not using her powers. That night, Will’s nightmares return, but they’re different this time. Everything is different this time.” 

winter, spring, summer, fall* by returntosaturn: “A collection of first experiences for El during her first year in Hawkins, outside of the lab.” 

radio static* by Archer of Ecclesia : ““Mike,” El had scarcely noticed her seizure of the radio. Garble filled her ears. Her grip around the radio tightened as she quickly switched it off, breathing shallowly. She almost threw the device across the room when the garble continued, and worsened, more severe than ever. Or, a new creature lurks in Hawkins, Indiana, this time, closer to home than ever.” 

to find you again* by MuffinLove03: “Finding her was only the beginning. In a town still vulnerable to inter-dimensional threats and sketchy government agents, it's going to take a lot to keep her safe and bring her home. But he was prepared to do whatever it took. He promised.” 

the artemis institute* by Arnarkusaga: “Starting from the night the gate was closed and detailing the events that follow, including unexpected doings at the Hawkin’s Lab, and a mysterious underground resistance movement.” 

kissing cousins by pathvain_aelien: “Mr. Clarke at the Snow Ball.” 

+ its sequel: eleven’s story* by pathvain_aelien. 

snowed in by luxuriousvoyage11: “A bad snow storm makes for an unexpected sleepover at the Byers.” 

only this by Val_Creative: “Eleven and Mike and their relationship through Hopper’s eyes.” 

a ghostly encounter* by PlaidDino: “The boys (and Max) go Trick-Or-Treating on Halloween, but these Ghostbusters find themselves being followed by someone in a ghost costume.” 

the best night of your life by wheezy: “Her lips are parted in an almost smile and Mike sends a prayer he won’t have to wait 353 days to kiss them ever again.” 

funny business by rainingcatsandkisses: ““On one condition” Hopper had said when El had asked if Mike could walk her home instead. “You come straight home. I’ll be waiting at the turn by Pinewood. And,” he’d added darkly, staring at Mike, “No funny business from you, Mr. Wheeler. I will know.”” 

i think we’re alone now by cali-chan (girls_are_weird): ““Listen, I’m no t supposed to leave you two alone here. Hopper will have my head if he finds out, so just… behave, okay?”” 

day two hundred and five by Someone_else_before: “In which Mike has a birthday, El has a daydream, and Hopper says, “Soon.”” 

eleven, mike, and the flu by loti_miko: “She quickly put the blindfold over her eyes, her surroundings going dark, and in an instant she was at Mike’s. He had his eyes closed; his cheeks flushed bright pink, a colour quite distinguishable even in the darkness of The Void.” 

el byers and the secret crush by Someone_else_before: “Eleven moves in with the Byers’, learns to adapt to ordinary Hawkins life, and tries to figure out why Mike has been acting so oddly since their kiss in the cafeteria.” [post S1] 

+ its sequel: dustin henderson and the secret crush by Someone_else_before: “Dustin is head over heels for a girl in his class, and he asks Eleven to use her powers to help him in his quest to win her over.” 

stay in the dark by ceruleanstorm: “Mike’s waited 23 days to see Eleven again after she saved the damn world. But there’s a big reason El isn’t as excited to see him.” 

pretty scary, pretty good by nonoma: “His girl’s going to be the scariest girl at Hawkins High.” 

behind enemy lines by therealfarklenation: “He was stepping behind enemy lines, praying he wouldn’t get caught. She welcomed the risk with opened arms, praying that he wouldn’t stop.” 

the first summer* by Kiddo7: “It’s the gang’s first summer all together, and Mike can’t wait to show El all that it has to offer.” 

prepping for high school* by DarknessFallsLikeFeathers: “Mike is excited to be able to go see El at the cabin and help her with her studies. However, summer break is around the corner and a new challenge shows up on their doorstep.” [I, personally, am on the fence about how I feel about this fic: it’s interesting, but it also is featuring an OC quite prominently, so…*shrugs* take that as you will.] 

green-eyed eleven by Brown Eyes Parker: “Eleven experiences her first bout of jealousy when a new girl moves to town.” [from a post-S2 hindsight, this is really funny. it’s funny cause it’s true.]  

not knowing what it was by 27vampyresinhermind: “We were just kids when we fell in love, not knowing what it was.” 

you feel it too* by Maiasaura: “Mike and Eleven were more alike than they knew. Mike had been broken for years, and Eleven broken her whole life. The events of November, 1983 only fully destroyed them both, and a year apart only further drove the wedge.” [beware: this one is super depressing. like, all the content warnings apply.] 

alternative universe: 

roller coaster day by SmoothFluffle: “She was beginning to doubt herself as she listened to the anxious boy in a cap list the most atrocious accidents that happened to people while being on the metal ride. Suddenly, she wondered if this roller coaster thing was such a good idea.” No Supernatural AU. 

cigarettes, eggos, and the secrets between us* by salavibes: “Popular, high-school bad-boy, Mike Wheeler finds himself falling for the shy and nerdy new girl who’s hiding a deep secret. Will they ever set aside their strikingly different personalities and pursue a relationship? Also what happens when they begin to both change each other in ways they never expected?” bad-boy!Mike AU. 

crossover: 

may the force be with you* by serendipitous_rambles: “El has always dreamt of seeing the galaxy but simply can’t leave Tatooine. But she has powers she doesn’t even know she has. Yet plans have been discovered of a Death Star that could result in the deaths of millions. Along the way she meets a smuggler called Mike, and some trusty resistance pilots Will and Lucas, along with their engineering best friend Dustin (who just can’t get his droid Steve to shut up). An adventure in a galaxy far far away with rebellion, hope (and a disgruntled old Jedi Hopper).” Stranger Things x Star Wars AU. 

the second coming* by TheDevotchka: “In 1983, the so-called ‘Loser’s Club’ defeated It, a monster who had plagued the town of Derry for millennia. In 1984, the new Librarian of the Hawkins Public Library makes a series of phone-calls after the suspicious and unpleasantly familiar disappearances of three children. Seasoned monster hunters, the Loser’s Club teams up with another group of unlikely heroes — Mike, Dustin, Lucas, and Will.” Stranger Things x It Crossover. [okay, so I lied. This one isn’t really Mileven…so far.] 

+ bonus: Wherein Mileven are not quite Pure™: 

sex ed by Phantasmoplast: “El hears a new word for the first time, and decides to ask Mike what it means.” 

+ its smutty outtakes: sex ed chapter 5: shower and sex ed chapter 8: homework. 

dessert by wynniethecat: “When El teases Mike under the dinner table, he decides he needs to teach her a lesson about proper table etiquette.” 

+ you know, if you want aged-up!Mileven smut, just go check out wynniethecat’s profile. She has tons of it. 

+ bonus 2: Wherein The Party is prominently featured: 

you fight like a baby(sitter) by nicefacepotter: “With his reputation ruined, Steve’s main source of social interaction is a group of middle schoolers. Now that group of nerds wanted him in their D&D campaign. What did he get himself into?” 

in the aftermath it is quiet (as we wait for everything to begin again) by Dontfloatthe100: ““So,” Steve says as he scrapes the last of the eggs off his plate, “you must be Eleven.” El nods as she finishes up her own. “Hmm. I thought you would be taller.””  

fun with jim and jane* by clarabelle: ““Mouth breather, huh? Another new word you picked up?” “No,” El says, and she sounds almost wistful. Probably thinking about that Wheeler kid again.” 

time and time again by sporadicallyceaseless: “Five times Chief Hopper gets called into the school because his kid is a goddamn menace.” 

20 questions by liadan14: “A few questions Eleven asked before she turned eighteen, and one she didn’t.” 

+ its sequel: just can’t face myself alone again by liadan14: “Dustin and his friends grow up in fits and starts. These are a few of them.” 

don’t lock her in by SmoothFluffle: “El gets locked in inside a school closet.” 

.

.

imma gonna be making these till i’m old and grey, aren’t i?

UPDATE: part V is out.

[sswarehouse-blog1]

SSALEFISH GSO FIRST LOOK #74 FOR 8.29.18

(DVD Box Art by Bill Sienkiewicz.) I've been on a Venture Bros. deep dive. The only thing I can trace it back to is thinking about heading up to New York Comic Con in October, where five years ago I saw the best panel I've ever attended, Let's All Smoking, hosted by show creator Jackson Publick and his main man Doc Hammer. Whatever it was, I've been rewatching the whole series from the beginning (if you don't like that episode, you don't like one of my all-time Top 5 moments of TV), reading all of the behind the scenes junk on every episode in the Go Team Venture art book from Dark Horse, and completing my 8" Biff Bang Pow figure collection.

The two things that have struck me the most are 1) how many comic people were involved (Power of Shazam's Mike Manley, The Tick's Ben Edlund, Black Canary's Annie Wu, the legendary Bill Sienkiewicz), yet no comics were ever created for it even though Jackson Publick originally planned to do the series as a comic and 2) I wish we had done more of an Astrobase Go aesthetic with the store's decor and our personalities.

Also, I'll be at Geeksboro Battle Pub's Totally Free Craft Fair on Saturday, August 25th from 11 AM - 3:30 PM testing out our wares for Greensboro Comicon, so come by if you'd like first crack at a deal on comics or toys and grab a plate of the best tater tots in town!

The following titles are scheduled for release on Wednesday, August 29th excluding some re-orders and providing nothing changes by the time the final invoice arrives on Monday:

Amazing Spider-man Venom Epic Collection TP

Baby Sitters Club TP vol. 6

Batgirl #26 - variant cover by Joshua Middleton, in a completely different style than we've seen from him lately!

Batgirl Annual #2

Batman A Lot of Li'l Gotham TP - collecting the entire 12-issue all-ages series from inker Derek Fridolfs and acclaimed artist Dustin Nguyen!

Beyonders #1

Blackwood #4 - final issue!

Bone Parish #2

Brothers Dracul #5

Captain America Promised Land TP

Catwoman Tweety & Sylvester Special #1

Cyberforce #5

Daredevil Annual #1

Deadpool Assassin #6 - final issue!

Edge of Spider-Geddon #2 - revisiting Gerard Way's Sp//dr from the original Spider-Verse!

Euthanauts #2

Exiles #7

Extermination #2

Fantastic Four #1 - reprinting the landmark first issue of the World's Greatest Comic Magazine exactly as it originally appeared, including the ads!

G.I. Joe A Real American Hero #255 - celebrating 100 issues in it's modern, revived run at IDW!

Harbinger Wars 2 #4 - final issue!

Harley & Ivy Meet Betty & Veronica HC

Harley Quinn & Gossamer Special #1

Hillbilly Red-Eyed Witchery From Beyond #1

House Amok #1

Hunt for Wolverine Dead Ends #1

I Hate Fairyland TP vol. 4

Isola #5

Jim Henson Fraggle Rock #4

Joker & Daffy Duck Special #1

Judas TP

Judge Dredd Under Siege #4 - final issue!

La Muerta Retribution #1

Lady Mechanika Dame Sans Merci #2

Lex Luthor & Porky Pig Special #1

Marvel Two-in-One #9

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Shattered Grid #1 - featuring a holofoil cover appropriate for the conclusion of the biggest MMPR event of all time!

Modern Fantasy #3

Moon Knight #198

Ms. Marvel #33

My Little Pony Ponyville Mysteries #4

New Gods by Jack Kirby TP

New Mutants Dead Souls #6 - final issue!

New World #2

Nightwing Annual #1

Penny Dreadful #11

Previews #360

Red Hood & the Outlaws Annual #2

Red Sonja #20

Rick & Morty #41

Rick & Morty & Dungeons & Dragons #1

Runaways #12

Scarlet #1

Silencer Annual #1

Star Wars Adventures #13

Star Wars Lando Double or Nothing #4

Star Wars Last Jedi Adaptation TP

Star Wars Poe Dameron Annual #2

Starcraft Scavangers #2

Superior Spider-man Complete TP vol. 2

Swashbucklers Saga Continues #5

Tank Girl All Stars #3

TMNT Bebop & Rocksteady Hit the Road #5 - final issue!

Transformers Bumblebee Movie Prequel #3

Venom First Host #1

Walk Through Hell #4

Wayward #28

Wed of Ve-Nam #1

X-23 #3

X-Files Case Files Hoot Goes There #2 - final issue!

X-Men Blue #34

X-Men Grand Design Second Genesis #2 - final issue!

X-O Manowar #18

[cinlat]

May Drabbles - Day 20

Prompt: “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but since you were talking about me…” (Alarm) Characters: Balic Cormac/Elara Dorne  Story/Series: Jedi Sitters Word Count: 1027

Boredom killed more soldiers than explosions, blaster bolts, and disease combined. Cormac was convinced, it didn’t matter if science supported his claim. When a soldier was bored, he did dumb osik, like setting the protocol droid on fire and nearly blowing out the side of the ship.

Attempting to stay out of trouble, Cormac wandered the Redalur Tra. There was always maintenance to do on a starship, but even that only went so far. As Balic passed the medbay, muted voices caught his attention. “His weight isn’t so bad, so long as it’s not on top of me.”

Cormac paused, intrigued by the exasperation in Elara’s voice. He crept closer, wondering who his wife was talking to and what secrets she planned to divulge.

Familiar laughter answered one of those questions when Fynta responded. “No doubt. He’s huge.”

A broad grin split Cormac’s face. He’d always suspected that the women shared more information about their private lives than they let on. Stepping closer, Balic pressed his ear to the cracked door. “It’s worse at night,” Elara sighed. “That’s when he’s the most active. Who knew something so large could be so limber.” Cormac choked on Elara’s implications. “If things continue how they are, I believe that we’ll need to request soundproofing before long.”

“That should be an interesting requisitions form,” Fynta chuckled. “I don’t envy Noara for having to explain it. Your reasons aren't something the Jedi Council deals with on a regular basis.”

“No,” Elara replied with a light huff of laughter, the kind she used when trying not to encourage someone’s bad behavior. “I suppose it’s not.”

Cormac didn’t bother to hide his smirk. Apart from how badly they’d screwed over Noara, the idea of a bunch of old, prudish men trying to understand why a married couple needed soundproofing was immensely entertaining. He wondered if Noara would let him be on her security detail that day.

“This is all Balic’s fault, you know,” Elara stated, pulling Cormac from his pondering. He’d missed what had been said before, but the women had his full attention now. “I should banish him from my bed.”

Fynta snorted, and Cormac heard the rustle of fabric when someone moved on the other side of the room. “It’s too late for that. Just ride it out a little longer, that kind of energy can’t last forever.”

Cormac’s brows furrowed. Sure, he and Elara had been more intimate than usual, but that was because they were between missions. It afforded them much needed time together. She was nearing the end of her second trimester, too. His wife had certainly never complained about his advances during this part of her pregnancy last time, she’d even initiated it the other night.

“I hope you’re right. I’m exhausted, and the constant up and down all night is not helping matters.” Cormac slapped a hand over his mouth to keep from choking over Elara’s blatant honesty. He’d never imagined that she’d get quite so detailed with anyone about their sex life. “If it wasn’t for his big--”

“What’cha doing, dad?”

Cormac let out a high pitched squeak at Tayl and Noara’s sudden intrusion. Clearing his throat, Cormac deepened his voice, but the damage was done judging by the smirk on Noara’s face. “Nothing.” His unmanly cry had alerted Fynta and Elara to his presence, and both women filled the now open door of the medbay.

Sighing, Cormac raised his hands. “Okay, you caught me. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but since you were talking about me...can I be blamed for wanting to hear my wife’s candid opinion of my capabilities?”

“Yours?” Fynta asked with an upturned eyebrow. She shared a look with Elara, and Cormac began to wonder if he was digging himself in deeper.

“Sure,” Balic hedged. “You know, my energy and great big…” he trailed off with a pointed glance towards Tayl and Noara. This wasn’t really the kind of thing to discuss in front of younger ears.

Fynta burst into laughter, startling Cormac again, but it was Elara who spoke. Rubbing a hand over her swollen belly, she nodded. “Indeed, your child already weighs two weeks ahead of schedule and keeps me up all night with trips to the toilet. I yearn for the days where I can deal with its needs outside of my body.” Her gaze went to where their second son thumped beneath her fingers. The soft expression gave Elara the glow that Cormac had always heard about. Then, she winced. “I’d love to have full control of bladder again.”  

Cormac gaped, mouth working without knowing what to say. All of Elara’s comments made more sense in the light of context, and he wasn’t sure how to get himself out of this awkward situation with any amount of dignity intact. No matter the outcome, the mischievous light in Fynta's eyes warned Balic that she wouldn't let him forget this misunderstanding any time soon.

Elara’s brows drew together when she realized the Fynta was still struggling to control her humor. Grey eyes settled on Cormac. “What did you think I meant?”

Rubbing the back of his neck and keenly aware of the way his son and Noara watched his reaction, Cormac forced a chuckle. “Exactly that, doll.” It looked like Noara might be fitting the pieces into place, and Balic hoped to turn the conversation before the much younger Jedi finished. Flashing a cheesy smile, Balic held his arms out. “You can’t expect small offspring from a beast like me.”

Elara sighed. “No, I should know better, by now.”  Turning to waddle towards their room, she held a hand out for Tayl. “Come on, nap time.” The boy looked to Noara for aid, but she offered no such rescue. With the sluggish steps of a five-year-old, Tayl followed his mother.

When Noara departed to call Torian, Fynta sauntered up to Cormac. She patted his shoulder, expression grim. “Better luck next time, stud.”

Before Cormac’s answering swat could connect, Fynta danced out of reach and vanished down the hall in a swirl of echoing laughter. “Yep,” he decided with hands on hips. “Never going to hear the end of this.”

[cinlat]

May Drabbles - Day 26

Prompt: “There was nothing more you could have done.” (Fear) Characters: Space Punks Trev Brawlin & Jurr Jiin Story/Series: Jedi Sitters Word Count: 757

“Hurry, Trev, I need you.” Jurr’s image vanished as the Jedi tossed a credit chip into the cabbie’s lap and bolted from the speeder. The panic in his little sister’s voice set Trev’s heart pounding, making the world feel like it was moving in slow motion. Throwing his hand out, Trev forced the doors to the medcenter open from a distance so that he wouldn’t have to slow.

“Sir, you can’t go back there.”

Trev ignored the man at the nurses' station as he chased Jurr’s Force signature. He’d been on a date with Kira when the call came through. Had it been anyone other than Kadu’s signal, Trev would have ignored it in favor of spending time with his girlfriend. Given that the Cathar was Jurr’s protector and mental guardian, Trev always answered his calls. Seeing Jurr on the other end had been a shock, then he’d noticed the blood.

The tremor in Jurr's voice told Trev that she was barely holding herself together. All he'd managed to get from their choppy conversation was that Kadu had been wounded, then the signal failed. Kira had told Trev to go, that she’d handle the bill and catch up after. He hadn’t argued, simply ran for the first cab.

Trev's frantic pace almost made him bypass the room that held Jurr’s essence. He paused to gather himself, trying to avoid upsetting his sister more, then reached out for Kadu’s lifeforce. It was faint, not at all appropriate for the vibrant Cathar. Steeling himself for the worst, Trev entered the room only to be ambushed by Jurr.

“It’s all my fault,” she whimpered into Trev's shirt, arms constricting around his neck as she held him close. It was a reminder of how strong the little soldier could be.

“I’m here now, tell me what happened.” Trev pried Jurr’s arms loose, then urged her towards the chairs. Kadu rested in the bed with a single white sheet draped over his torso and legs. Machines chimed, Trev assumed meaning that his old friend was stable. Seeing Kadu so still was disconcerting.

Jurr lowered herself onto the edge of the chair closest to Kadu, then took his hand with a shaky breath. “Something happened with my implants.” She growled, glaring at the fingers that wrapped around Kadu’s. “We were in a firefight, then someone was crushing me.”

Looking up, Trev saw the tears gathering in Jurr’s one, good eye. “I think there might have been an explosion, maybe it fritzed my implants, but there was so much blood, and Kadu wasn’t moving.” Her chest rose and fell in rapid pants that signaled a panic attach. With a long breath, Jurr regained control. Trev marveled at how far she's come from that little, angry child in the medical facility, to this commander of men.

“He saved me, and I don’t even remember it. All I could do was call for help and…” Trev saw the self-blame and fear, in the hard set of Jurr's jaw. That treacherous voice that said she was as useless as everyone believed her to be.

Trev took her other hand and squeezed. “Breathe, JJ. There was nothing more you could have done.” When she refused to look at him, Trev softened his tone. “You got Kadu to safety, probably saved his life.”

Jurr shook her head, refusing to see reason. “I almost got him killed. How can I lead a squad when I need constant supervision? What were they thinking putting me in charge?”

“Kadu did his job as your protector and husband,” Trev reminded Jurr. “Trust me, he’d rather be in that bed than you. Cathar are tough, and they heal faster." Looking to change the subject, he deferred to another topic. "What did the doctor say?”

“That the next six hours will tell,” Jurr shrugged. By the way her eye settled on the Cathar, Trev knew that he hadn’t silenced the degrading voices inside.

Sighing, Trev leaned back. “I’ll stay with you.” Making a show of getting comfortable, he added. “And, Kira will be here with food, soon.” Trev hoped, at least. They had just ordered the entree when Trev darted from the restaurant.

When Jurr offed a mute nod, Trev decided it might also not be a bad idea to ask Kira to bring some of Jurr’s favorite candies and her drawing tablet. It was going to be a long six hours, but Trev couldn't leave her alone like this. It was his duty as her surrogate big brother, and Kadu would never forgive him.

[cinlat]

May Drabbles - Day 15

Prompt: awake without them (Anticipation) Characters: Kadu Jadon/Jurr Jiin ( @kunoichi-ume) Story/Series: Jedi Sitters Word Count: 774 A/N: Artwork by the fantastic @dingoat

Another hour passed, and Kadu’s door remained shut. He’d left Jurr in her room after an unplanned kiss and a lot of unanswered questions. Maybe he should have stayed, but Kadu's mind had stalled when Jurr's lips touched his. The offered to put in for a transfer had sent Jurr into an all-out panic attack. One that only subsided when Kadu swore that he'd never leave without her permission. As the minutes ticked by and Jurr didn't show, he began to fear that she'd changed her mind. Maybe Jurr had realized that this could never work.

Sighing, Kadu touched his lips to call on the memory of what it felt like to have Jurr’s pressed against them. He shouldn’t have allowed it. As her guardian, Kadu should be above such manners of corruption. He was a Jedi Master, strong enough to bend the strongest minds in their government. Yet, he couldn’t manage to reign in his own.

Give her time, a voice whispered in the back of Kadu’s frantic thoughts. Just because Jurr didn’t come to him this night, didn’t mean that she would never sneak into his room again. She needed space to think. Jurr was a planner, even if she didn’t always remember those plans. She’d need to be sure of her next step, and sharing his bed after the day they’d had probably would be a bad idea. Hormones were treacherous betrayers that had ruined the careers and lives of countless throughout history. Those reassurances didn't keep him from inhaling the scent from her pillow and hoping.

Another idea, one more terrifying than her rejection, struck Kadu. What if Jurr’s implants had malfunctioned. She might not even remember this afternoon. She might not remember him. It could be for the best, of course. If Jurr forgot about their kiss, about the heated sparring match, then it would be over. A heavy weight settled in Kadu’s chest. He didn’t want to be forgotten. Jurr wasn't simply the woman he'd fallen in love with, but a trusted friend. Kadu couldn’t imagine living a life where he wasn't allowed to express his affections, be they platonic or romantic.

Kadu's rapid fire fretting had worked himself into a frenzy, one that had him reaching to pull the blanket back when the door slid open. He froze, caught by the image of a shy Jurr standing in the hallway in nothing but one of his old shirts. It was pale pink with a stylized Vulptex on the front, being chased by a slogan from the tourism company in Aurebesh. Kadu leaned back on his elbow, forcing himself to appear relaxed while waiting for Jurr to choose if she would flee back to her room, or join him.

Biting her lip, Jurr rubbed her arms. “Sorry,” she whispered, taking a single step into the room. Kadu’s heart raced with mingled hope and trepidation. “I was performing a backup of my memory banks. Is it too late?”

“Of course, not,” Kadu breathed, holding back the blanket in invitation. “You are welcome any time.” He didn’t ask about the backup as Jurr hurried over the cold floor to climb into bed. She only did that when there was something important that she needed to remember. It meant that he hadn’t frightened her away; that their kiss had meant everything to her that it had to him.

Tucking the blanket around her, Kadu settled back while Jurr got comfortable. She faced him, amber eye searching for him in the darkness. Kadu reached out to brush the loose hair away from her face. He wanted to kiss her again, to pull her close and sleep knowing that she was safe in his arms. But, it wasn’t the time for that. They needed to move slowly, give one another the chance to acclimate to something that had been building for a year.

“Good night, Mri’ka.” Jurr smiled at the endearment. That name had started as a playful tease about being small and feisty. Lately, Kadu has used it with new meaning.  

Jurr shifted, one hand touching Kadu’s chin as she leaned forward. His breath caught with the realization that she was searching for his lips. Tipping his head, Kadu let Jurr close the distance, then swallowed a growl of pleasure when her tongue grazed his lip. Just as quickly, Jurr pulled back. “Night, Kadu.”

Kadu simply nodded for fear of the shakiness in his voice. Pulling Jurr closer, Kadu pressed on more kiss to her hair, smiling when Jurr hummed in approval.  He took a deep breath, basking in the scent of the woman who had claimed his heart, before finally drifting into a peaceful slumber.

[cinlat]

Angsty asks: Kadu and Jurr - 2 34 50 (because yes, this needs to be in words). Dueling Outlanders - 5 16 49. Ma'at and Tully - 3 11 21 29. I'll be nice and once do three of our ships haha

Kadu/Jurr (art by @dingoat)

2: who apologizes first? in what way? is it hard for either of them to apologize? I think Jurr’s natural inclination is to apologize. She’s more likely to be the one in the wrong simply due to her memory problems. Kadu’s apologies would be more for any emotional damage he caused given that his primary focus is healing her mind. I can’t see either of them struggling to say the words. Maybe Jurr if she’s had a few drinks and is feeling particularly surly, but that doesn’t happen often. 

34: what scent reminds them of the other? Kadu, being Cathar, has a natural, woodsy scent that Jurr finds both soothing and enticing. Jurr’s would be a unique combination of blaster oils and fruity hair products. It doesn’t sound appealing, but Kadu really likes the combination on her. 

50: if one of them were to come back after a long time, who would come to who? would it go well? would the other person take them back? (you would choose this one) Kadu would always be the one seeing Jurr out after a long absence (like, asleep in carbonite long) because the stress of losing him would wreck havoc on her memory implants. Eventually, she’d simply forget he existed. Initially, Jurr would greet Kadu with a lot of suspicious unless he could revive their Force bond so that she at least recognized that he was safe. There is no way that these two wouldn’t end up back together. Kadu being Cathar (and the whole mating for life thing) aside, he’s incredibly patient, and some part of Jurr would always know him, even if it was buried really really deep in her subconscious. 

Xie/Milysy

5: how do they hide their pain when they’re upset? do they try to hide their pain? These two are brand new (they get an introductory drabble later today), almost blank slates that are filling up pretty fast. Given that Valkorion joined their minds, hiding pain would be particularly difficult. Xie would cover his with lewd humor, or under the guise of rage. Mily I could see lifting her chin and forcing a projection of the perfect Jedi. Neither would admit easily to being hurt.

16: do either of them have a special item (an article of clothing, a necklace, a book) that they use when they miss the other? if so, what is it? what do they do with it (read, wear, look at, smell)? Xie has a pet nekaar cat that he swears is his guardian and protector. Really, it’s just a pet that he refuses to give up because it annoys everyone. Mily would absolutely curl up with his pet if she missed him. (big if, though). Mily has a crystal necklace that she made herself, and polished by years of her fretting with it when her emotions are tried. If it were left behind without her, Xie would wear it in her honor (just maybe not tell anyone). If it went with her, he’d find a reasonable substitute, and absolutely hate that he feels compelled to do so. On some level, he respects Mily’s pure outlook on the galaxy and doesn’t really want it tarnished, despite what he says. 

49: do they think about each other a lot? does it affect their performance? In the beginning, Xie mostly gets a thrill from irritating Mily. He’s a young Sith, she’s a young Jedi. The possibilities are endless. After they are thrown into carbonite together….they still mostly bicker like the children that they are. Grandually, those thoughts will turn more to respect, comradely, and maybe love. But that is a long way down the road for these two. For the most part, they make a good team when it comes to battle, but Xie will find himself increasingly more distracted the stronger their bond becomes. Eventually, he’ll be dangerously protective of her, romance or not. 

Ma’at/Tully (art by @sith-in-the-sky-with-diamonds)

3: which one has more insecurities? over what? Over all, Ma’at would have more insecurities. She’s grown up as a disappointment to her family as a Sith. Apart from her father, Tully was the first person to believe that she had what it took to survive her trials on Korriban (a little tutoring went a long way too)

11: what’s their favorite pass time when they’re upset? These two are creatures of luxury. They enjoy baths with fragrant oils, massages, and cuddling by the fire place. 

21: what’s the thing they miss most about each other? Ma’at misses Tully’s easy laughter, and the way he takes charge of a situation with confidence. Tully I think would miss Ma’at’s compassion and quick wit. Not to mention her innuendo laden humor.

29:  who’s more patient? is it hard to break that patience? Tully is by far the more patient of the two. He’s got a longer fuse (provided you aren’t threatening someone he cares about) and is generally more easy going. If his temper does snap, he’ll level everything in his path. Ma’at is a tightly wound workaholic with would have to apologize for accidentally force shoving someone who interrupted her out a window. Accidental maimings aside, Ma’at is a planner and more interested in a sneaky kill than the blatant show of power. Their children fear her wrath much more than their father’s. 

[cinlat]

OC Kiss Week - Day 4

Day One|Day Two|Day Three

Prompt: when one stops the kiss to whisper “I’m sorry, are you sure you-” and they answer by kissing them more (Kadu/Jurr) Word Count: 270

Kadu cursed himself for the gap that had developed between him and Jurr during the battle. She still had duracrete in her hair from the blast, and Kadu had been sure that Jurr's eye would show no recognition when he turned her over. So, when she had gasped Kadu's name and reached for him, he couldn't resist. It didn’t matter that there were witnesses to the highly inappropriate kiss; Jurr remembered him. That was all the mattered.

Jurr groaned when Kadu tried to pull her closer, and he broke off to check for injuries. “I’m sorry, are you--” she swallowed the rest of his question, nodding against his lips.

Someone cleared their throat, and Kadu cut his eyes towards Darvic's lascivious grin. “Sir, Master, when you two are finished, we should probably secure the area.”

“Bring him down here so that I can smack that stupid look off his face,” Jurr grumbled. With a sly glance in her direction, Kadu swiped young soldier's knees, then laughed when Jurr slapped the back of his head.

As Darvic protested his commander’s abuse and scrambled to his feet, Kadu tried to sort through his emotions. He’d been positive when the mortar hit that Jurr’s implants would be affected. Kadu had just gotten her back after the last reboot and wasn’t prepared to go through it again. Each time his wife forgot his name, it stole a piece of Kadu’s soul, but she always came back to him.

Kadu’s greatest fear was that one day the back up would fail, and he’d lose Jurr forever. Today was a victory, and it reminded Kadu why he continued to fight for her.

Prompt: Keldabe Kiss (Fynta &Theron) Word Count: 242 A/N: Going back in time to Fynta’s Epoch days. Oh, and look, it’s Thursday. ;)

Theron hadn’t expected Fynta to be pleased with him. He’d given her a poor review in a field that she thought would give her the highest marks. He’d only taken a little pleasure in it, not enough to make it inappropriate as her handler.

Fynta could take whatever the SIS threw at her, no one doubted that. It was her mental state afterward that bothered Theron. The woman shut down, became colder than ice. Even during those volatile, exhausting moments when the two fell in bed together, there was never any warmth. Passion, sure, but no feeling.

A string of slurs preceded Fynta as she stormed towards Theron, and he braced himself for her anger. Nothing could have prepared the spy, a man who thought he’d seen it all, when Fynta walked up, grabbed his shoulders, and kissed each cheek. While Theron stared dumbly at Fynta, she offered a grin that tightened his stomach.

“What the--”

The rest of Theron’s words cut off with a blinding white light. He remembered seeing Fynta's head snap forward, but the rest was a blur. When his wits returned, Fynta had a bloody smudge in the middle of her forehead, and Theron’s teeth felt loose. He tried to curse, only to realize that his lips were bleeding.

Fynta stood over Theron, hands on hips. “You want unstable, buckle up spy boy.” Theron watched the woman saunter away, wondering if he'd just signed his own psych discharge.