#vendice partners

[woodofpath]

What is that pose seriously?

[lixenn]

KHR Ask Game 3.0

I'M BACK! And I come bringing even more specific, totally unhinged questions!

Go wild folks!

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🕶️*hands you a crown* You are now a person of political significance and assassins are after you *le gasp* Which KHR character do you choose as your permanent bodyguard?

🏦You are up to your nose in debt (damn you merch addiction shakes *fist at sky*). The solution: Bank robbery. Which KHR character is your partner in crime? Note: All Mists are currently in quarantine because a virus broke out that only affects their flame type, so no access to reality breaking bullshit for you my friend!

🩸You have been dragged into the Varia. Why? Well, the pay is great and there's excellent eyecandy. So! What would be your go-to murder method?

🎁 *bonk* "Fuck!" A box has fallen into your lap. It seems like it can be opened via flames. It could be anything: a weapon, a box animal, random junk or radioactive waste some dipshit sealed away for shit and giggles. It's a ✨ mystery box ✨ What will you do with it?

⚙️You somehow, in some way ended up as a Vongola guardian. Now, what form does your Vongola gear take?

💒Your shitty KHR parents sold you off to some creepy mafia don for cash. How are you getting out of your arranged marriage?

🎩You fucked around and found out. Now, you are hunted by the Vendice. They are persistent and there's no escape. Obviously, your only choice is to fake your death. How would you go about it? (Bonus question: what did you do to get on vendice's shitlist?)

👻Which KHR character is your spirit animal?

🦟 There's been an "accident" and one of Shamal's mosquitos got you good. What deadly disease are you infected with?

---

It might take me a tad longer to answer them this time because I need to have a bit more of a think for some of them (also spoon level is currently low ), but I will get to it!

Also it would be super awesome if anyone participating in the game could tag it with #khr ask game so I can read easily find and gush over your answers 👉🏼👈🏼🥺

Here's part one and part two for anyone who hasn't seen it yet.

[rouf-4]

South Node and how we detached from our partners: Synastry Edition part 2

Ok, I have to say that even though SN is a really karmic point in our chart, I recently found out that all that theory of reincarnation and past life is something really recent (apparently) and in old vendic astrology they consider North Node and South Node shadow planets, I don't necessarily dismiss the reincarnation and past karma theory, but in my little research I found interesting how they see this shadow planets like a challenging energy (malefics), for North Node is mainly known for its obsessive, tricky and materialistic characteristics (due to its lack of a physical body) and the South Node is known for it's detachment, elusive and introspective characteristics (due to the lack of a head).

Accordingly to what I already explained, I notice that it makes a lot of sense to see their effect in that area of our chart, and in the area of others chart (synastry), I notice something that change a lot in old vendic astrology is that they don't try to make people erase their SN, instead they encourage people to learn both lesson (Rahu and Ketu) and also Ketu, even with it's malefic energy, is really prominent in charts of great astrologers.

With that in mind, we can say Ketu make us detached from all the material word and the tangible, so it's effects force an introspection (the kind of introspection is going to be dictated by the sign Ketu is in) that is going to take away our physical sense in the area of our life, example: if you have Ketu in cancer in the 5th house, your going to have an emotional introspection that make you detached to your children, your creative project, your childhood or your inner child, this is to gain a sense of reflection and individualism (a head) in that area of our life.

Now we will see how ketu detachment can manifest in synastry depending of the axis it touch:

Their/ your ketu in the 7th house: This is twin flames placement for sure, Ketu person probably find a lot in common with the house person (Rahu in the 1st house), this can be great, but also can bring a lot of jealousy into the interaction, Ketu person may feel lacking in front of house person, and this could turn an instant click into a passive aggressive approach to the other, ketu person is unable to not notice house person, but they'll try to dismiss any potential relationships they could have with house person; that's when Ketu person may start to mimic house person behavior (trying to get a reaction), but then dismissing house person likeability or attractiveness, ketu person motivated by their own insecurities (Rahu in the 1st house) will denied any interest they may feel in the other person. I studied a case where Ketu person actively did stuff to provoke the house person, but then just acted like house person was crazy when confronted, honestly this placement can bring a lot of gaslighting if not develop.

Their/ your Ketu in the 8th house: Stalker tendencies can come with this placement, specially the house person can feel a lot of intrigue for the Ketu person. House person feel extreme dislike for Ketu person, but somehow they still obsess with what Ketu person do, may even extort Ketu person cause they feel a need to control Ketu person dangerous side; also Ketu person may feel entitled of house person possessions, so it's not unusual seeing this in s*x workers who trick guys, or guys (house person) who wants to dominate s*x workers (Ketu person). Ketu person may wants house person money and nothing else (Rahu in the 2nd house), and may refuse any intimate request make by the house person, this can make the house person aggressively pursue Ketu person and try to control financially what they do or don't do. Ketu person may feel disrespected emotionally by house person intense approach. I've seen this in criminal-victim dynamics, and some of them ended violently.

Their/ your Ketu in the 9th house: like with any Ketu placements, there's always going to be some difficulties, but actually Ketu in the 9th house tend to be a good placement in synastry, cause even when they see their big picture or future quite different, they relate deep mentally, so it's not uncommon to see Ketu person being that friend who left town, but still keeping up with their old friend, cause they feel deeply understood by house person. Long-lasting conversations are the norm for these people, they tend to get along so well that even the smallest details can get into a endless talk, they may know so well what the other is thinking, but struggles to get what the other wants for the future (communication is the key, and they already have it), also can be hard for cultural exchange cause Ketu person may feel apathy for the house person tradition, religion and patriotism, even though I seem people with this synastry that get married, cause even when they don't get along in future plans, they feel more connected to Ketu person (Rahu in the 3rd house) than they feel attached to their traditions (strong Mercury or 3rd house people). Any way Ketu energy is actually really familiar with 9th house energy, so even with this apathy, these people can find a meaningful connection through detachment.

Their/ your Ketu in the 10th house: This is 50's ladies coming back home and letting their husbands work to provide them, I mean not always, but this is a really intimate and obsessive relationships, Ketu person doesn't care about house person place in the world, but their place in their heart and life (Rahu in the 4th house), house person may feel intended to be with Ketu person cause they see who they indeed are. Ketu person could want to start a family, and want house person to compromise early in the relationship, this could manifest like those inseparable partners; the huge level of codependency with this placement is scary, and even though these natives can have a kinda private and reclusive relationships, most people could not notice house person interest in Ketu person, or house person could actively seek to dismiss their feeling for Ketu person when they are in public. Ketu person may feel apathy for public reactions to their relationship, and totally disregard house person feeling, they couldn't care less about high aspirations house person may have, they could threathen house person into giving up their dreams and stay at home. House person may feel ashamed of ketu person, or just feeling vulnerable to what people can think about them.

Their/ your Ketu in the 11th house: This is quite similar to Ketu in 9th house, Ketu person doesn't fit house person ideals, but somehow, there's a spark between these two that intoxicated them (Rahu in the 5th house), house person could feel ketu person can't get what they're planning, but, at the same time, Ketu person scenically recognize their authentic self. Ketu person may find house person dream way too fanciful and unpractical, but, they just can help, but feel revitalize when they are around house person. Collective practices and efforts done by the house person, will be seen as annoying cause this would keep house person away from Ketu person. Ketu person is unsupportive and pessimistic with house person dreams and idealistic views, but at the same time this would bring some realistic perspective into the relationship and its projects. If house person lack 11th house energy, this couple can turn self-centered and loose contact with others realities, but if house person resonates way too much with 11th house energy this could make them feel divided between love (Rahu in the 5th house) and social obligation (Ketu in the 11th house); generally their personal desires end up winning, and this relationship is intense and passionate, but, hardly long-lasted.

Their/ your Ketu in the 12th house: I call this the magical feeling you loose to find the realness in daily life with other, as everything with Ketu, we always have to detached from something in other to get something else, that's how House person could feel that what they have to left is too much; with Ketu person there's no sparkly eyes, castles or white horses, there's just a comfortable company and a helpful disposition, they both find the other ordinary, but, that's exactly what drive them crazy about the other, the typical couple that didn't know what they found attractive about the other, House person just can scape Ketu person company, and actually they don't want to (Rahu in the 6th house). House person is going to find a sense of productiveness in there every day life when they are with Ketu person; any frustration, sadness or sorrow will be notice by Ketu person, meanwhile any victimization or delusional behavior will be shut down or dismissed by ketu person indiference. If there's an strong Neptune, 12th house or pisces, house person will be obligated to be realistic when they are with Ketu person, if otherwise ketu person could mean a deep cut with esoteric forces in the house person life, this could leave to really long lasting relationship, cause they will feel drawn to be together.

...

Disclaimer: This interpretation can change according to other synastry aspects, example: if you have sn in someone 3rd house, if can change if mercury is trine Jupiter, cause Jupiter is going to expand communication in a harmonious way (trine).

Note: Well that was it, I did enjoy to deep a little into these aspects, honestly something I just found out recently, but I didn't write last time, it's that Ketu doesn't just detached us from our partners, but also make themselves detached from something in order to be with us; ex: if someone has your Ketu in their 4th house, they will feel your detached in that area, but also as long as they keep you in their lives, they will detached themselves from that area. Ketu and Rahu are what we detached from, in order to get something else, balance is required in this process, cause, one can loose in Rahu excessiveness, or in Ketu apathy. Any way if you want me to deep a little more on Rahu leave a comment ✌️

Do not copy pls

© Rouf

[ciaossu-imagines]

KATEKYO HITMAN REBORN - MISC. CHARACTERS

Dr. Shamal

'Desperate Days' aesthetic

With a partner who forgets Valentine's Day

What he's afraid of, how he deals with bad memories, his role in a horror movie, how he hides his secrets, & which Deadly Sin he embodies

NSFW headcanons

Pros and Cons to having sex with him

Assorted headcanons

"C'mere, you can sit in my lap until I'm done working."

Sweater headcanons

Getting a blowjob drabble

Having sex to warm up drabble

First kiss drabble

Intimacy headcanons

Shamal alternate ideas of what could have happened in his past

Reacting to a s/o bringing home a pet

Circe inspired scenario

Fuuta de la Stella

Disney movie headcanons

Assorted headcanons

Having a very strong, protective girlfriend

Ghost! Futa haunting a house drabble

Assorted headcanons

Halloween costume headcanons

Introducing his s/o to the Vongola

NSFW headcanons

NSFW headcanons

Getting pegged drabble

NSFW headcanons

NSFW headcanons

Would he eat maultaschen?

What would he do if he found a book of spells?

What god would he be?

NSFW Never Have I Ever

What would he be in prison for?

Greatest fear

Hana Kurokawa

Assorted headcanons

Sleepover headcanons

Iris Hepburn

Favourite Halloween candy

Assorted headcanons

I-Pin

Disney movie headcanons

Assorted headcanons

What she makes in an art class

General aesthetics

Irrational fears

Assorted headcanons

"I can practically taste the disaster"

Reaction to eating her favourite dessert

Would she like chocolate with caramel and salt?

Spending Christmas with the Vongola girls

What Netflix originals she might enjoy

What she enjoys doing with the other family members

Assorted headcanons

Sleepover headcanons

What she wants to be when she's older

Mochida Kensuke

Naito Longchamp

Nana Sawada

Mother's Day headcanons

Haunted house drabble

What Disney character would she be

Nosaru

Assorted headcanons

Reaction to a naked apron moment with their partner

Reaction to touch

Being best friends with him

Assorted headcanons

Favourite Halloween candy

Assorted headcanons

Visconti

Vendice

Tazaru

[my-chaos-radio]

Release: March 3, 1986

Lyrics:

I've nothing much to offer

There's nothing much to take

I'm an absolute beginner

But I'm absolutely sane

As long as we're together

The rest can go to hell

I absolutely love you

But we're absolute beginners

With eyes completely open

But nervous all the same

If our love song

Could fly over mountains

Could laugh at the ocean

Just like the films

There's no reason

To feel all the hard times

To lay down the hard lines

It's absolutely true

Nothing much could happen

Nothing we can't shake

Oh, we're absolute beginners

With nothing much at stake

As long as you're still smiling

There's nothing more I need

I absolutely love you

But we're absolute beginners

But if my love is your love

We're certain to succeed

Songwriter: David Bowie

If our love song

Could fly over mountains

Sail over heartaches

Just like the films

If there's reason

To feel all the hard times

To lay down the hard lines

It's absolutely true

SongFacts:

"Absolute Beginners" is a song written and recorded by English singer-songwriter David Bowie. Released on 3 March 1986, it was the theme song to the 1986 film of the same name (itself an adaptation of the book 'Absolute Beginners').

Although the film was not a commercial success, the song was a big hit, reaching No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart. It also reached the top ten on the main singles charts in ten other countries. In the US, it peaked at No. 53 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Bowie performed "Absolute Beginners" live on his 1987 Glass Spider Tour, his 2000 "Mini" Tour, and his 2002 Heathen Tour. The song has been included on a number of Bowie's compilation and "Best-of" releases, and was included as a bonus track on the 1995 re-release of Tonight (1984).

Bowie was good friends with the film's director, Julien Temple (who had worked with him in 1984 on the 'Jazzin' for Blue Jean' short film). Bowie agreed to Temple's request to write music for the film if he could also play the part of Vendice Partners.

It was recorded at Clive Langer & Alan Winstanley's Westside Studios, London. The sessions were completed rapidly, but the song was delayed due to the problems with completing the film. Virgin wanted the release to tie in with the film's opening. The song featured Rick Wakeman on piano, who had previously performed on Bowie's "Space Oddity" single and Hunky Dory album. Shortly after the sessions wrapped, Mick Jagger flew in to record the charity cover of "Dancing in the Street" with Bowie, which used many of the same musicians. Bowie recorded the lead vocal of "Absolute Beginners" at Westside Studios in August.

Julien Temple shot the music video, which echoed the 1950s style of the movie. The video was a homage to an old British advert for Strand cigarettes. The ill-fated advertising tagline "You're never alone with a Strand" is quoted by Partners in the film. The video also uses footage from the film.

In 2016, Entertainment Weekly chose it as one of Bowie's 20 best music videos. They stated the video "does a far better job of expressing the noirish romanticism" of MacInnes' novel than the film did and also praised the "great dance-fighting scene at the end".

[francyfan-bukowsky]

"I rapporti umani non funzionano mai davvero. Solo le prime due settimane avevano alcuni tchan; da lì i partner hanno perso interesse. Cadevano le maschere e le persone vere iniziavano ad affiorare: maniache, imbecilli, dementi, vendicative, sadiche, assassine. La società moderna aveva creato esseri a loro immagine e somiglianza e si festeggiavano a vicenda in duello con la morte, dentro una cloaca. Avevo già notato che la durata massima di una storia tra due persone era di due anni e mezzo. Re Mongut di Sion aveva novemila mogli e concubine; re Salomone del Vecchio Testamento aveva 700 mogli; Augusto il Forte di Sassonia aveva 365 donne, una per ogni giorno dell'anno. Sicurezza in numeri. "

Charles Buk🖤wski,

Donne

[soul-man2004]

David Bowie Absolute Beginners gifs

[judgement-nishiki]

After watching Absolute Beginners, for some strange reason now all I can picture is Jareth (Labyrinth) screaming at Sarah: THAT'S MOTIVATION!

[cuntinaclownsuit]

Do you hear what I hear?  Do you see what I see?  

[missadler1897]

Absolute Beginners, 1986.

[onnarcissismdisorder]

Chi soffre di una dipendenza affettiva ha il terrore di essere abbandonato, sviluppa un'ansia da separazione e prova molta angoscia al pensiero di non essere cercato, se il partner non risponde ai suoi messaggi entra in uno spazio di dolore incontenibile.

Tuttavia la persona dipendente può decidere di scomparire, e non rispondere ai messaggi ricevuti da un amico, dall'altro.

Può decidere di interrompere di botto la terapia di sostegno, senza dare motivazioni allo psicologo. Vergognandosi in seguito del proprio comportamento.

O lo stesso terapeuta, o un amico, o il partner, tanto amati, diventano all'improvviso figure negative da cui fuggire. Il dipendente affettivo ha una sensibilità estrema verso l'abbandono, ma può agirlo verso gli altri senza rendersi conto di attuare quello stesso comportamento che tanto teme.

Il segnale che si guarisce da una dipendenza affettiva si manifesta nella capacità di mantenere rapporti sereni ed equilibrati, non ambivalenti, senza il bisogno di inseguire o sparire all'improvviso non motivando le proprie azioni.

Si può evitare di punire l’altro togliendo l’affetto, questo non significa restare se non si è felici. Significa avere reazioni moderate e neutre. Né imploranti nè vendicative

Di troppo Amore. Dott.ssa Ameya Gabriella Canovi

[jedivoodoochile]

“Just like the films…”

Today’s random image of David Bowie as actor is from the 1986 Julien Temple directed Absolute Beginners. The shot we’ve used is possibly not the first image one thinks of when recalling Bowie in his role as Vendice Partners.

This British musical film adapted from Colin MacInnes’ book about life in late 1950s London, starred Eddie O' Connell, Patsy Kensit and James Fox alongside David Bowie.

Bowie’s contribution to the soundtrack was more substantial than that for Just A Gigolo. Among his numbers is the timeless title track which reached #2 on the UK singles chart.

[lixenn]

was i too late? did everyone send you one already ? 😭 — this emoji for you 🏦

You were not too late! Actually you were right on time! I didn't get too many asks for the game, apparently people are feeling shy or they don't want to overwhelm me, I have no clue 😅

Anyways thanks for your ask!

🏦You are up to your nose in debt (damn you merch addiction shakes *fist at sky*). The solution: Bank robbery. Which KHR character is your partner in crime? Note: All Mists are currently in quarantine because a virus broke out that only affects their flame type, so no access to reality breaking bullshit for you my friend!

Tbh this one is tricky since I nuked the most obvious choices from the get go, I really need to think a bit outside the box here.

Okay so the more let's say realistic choice would be Squalo, because he's smart, as second in command of the Varia and strategy captain he would surely know how to plan and execute a robbery, plus he has the power to back it up. Altough he's also quite loud and attention grabbing, he would be able to intimidate the bank people into giving him the money (and I would just be the extra that is hopefully overlooked as the guy who is holding the duffle bag).

Now, the batshit crazy, unrealistic and cracky answer to this:

I pick the Vendice or more like, I pick Bermuda. Why would Bermuda help me rob a bank? Well.... turns out my mad scientist self has developed the Mist virus which put Checkerface out of commission and enables me to deliver Bermuda's sworn enemy directly to his front doorstep. In exchange I just want him to teleport me in and out of several bank vaults, so I can get my cash. Sounds like a good deal, yes~ (Please ignore the fact that this makes no sense whatsover, but it's hilarious as fuck and I wanted to share my crazy shower thoughts, so here you go!)

KHR ask game 3.0

[rouf-4]

South Node and how we detached from our partners: Synastry Edition (part 1)

Ok, I have to say that even though SN is a really karmic point in our chart, I recently found out that all that theory of reincarnation and past life is something really recent (apparently) and in old vendic astrology they consider North Node and South Node shadow planets, I don't necessarily dismiss the reincarnation and past karma theory, but in my little research I found interesting how they see this shadow planets like a challenging energy (malefics), for North Node is mainly known for its obsessive, tricky and materialistic characteristics (due to its lack of a physical body) and the South Node is known for it's detachment, elusive and introspective characteristics (due to the lack of a head).

Accordingly to what I already explained, I notice that it makes a lot of sense to see their effect in that area of our chart, and in the area of others chart (synastry), I notice something that change a lot in old vendic astrology is that they don't try to make people erase their SN, instead they encourage people to learn both lesson (Rahu and Ketu) and also Ketu, even with it's malefic energy, is really prominent in charts of great astrologers.

With that in mind, we can say Ketu make us detached from all the material word and the tangible, so it's effects force an introspection (the kind of introspection is going to be dictated by the sign Ketu is in) that is going to take away our physical sense in the area of our life, example: if you have Ketu in cancer in the 5th house, your going to have an emotional introspection that make you detached to your children, your creative project, your childhood or your inner child, this is to gain a sense of reflection and individualism (a head) in that area of our life.

Now we will see how ketu detachment can manifest in synastry depending of the axis it touch:

Their/your Ketu in the 1st house: With this position there's an obsession with the relationship (Rahu in the 7th house) and a lack of interest in the other person journey and vital energy, the Ketu person may feel an strong disconnection with the house person (this doesn't mean the connection is not stronger, it's more like apathy), the energy of the house person could remembered the ketu person hard lesson and experience they go through in their natal ketu's house, this relationship could feel strong and even absorbent (Rahu in the 7th house) to the house person, while at the same time could feel disregarded by the Ketu person. As close as ketu is to the rising of the house person, as hard is going to be for ketu person to acknowledge house person challenges mastering their rising energy. Ketu person may feel annoyed by the house person needs to assert their rising energy, and at some point Keto person could project their past experiences in the house person.

Their/your Ketu in the 2nd house: We'll see how hard is to overcome Ketu malefic energy in every area of our life, but I personally think it gets harder in personal houses, this can create dynamics where Ketu person feels house person's likes shallow, while aiming for a more intimate connection where the "we" overshadowed the "I", Rahu malefic nature could use inconsiderately the joint patrimony (Rahu in the 8th), using and abusing house person needs and wants. Ketu person feels totally disconnected from the other person needs, while trying to build a intimated relationships with the other person, there's a confused feeling about the other person, both could feel misunderstood even when there's a strong attachment and security around the other person. I have this synastry with my mother I can tell I hardly understand what she needs, she's well more aware about my need even though I had overstep her boundaries.

Their/your Ketu in the 3rd house: This is hard to almost every type of relationship, ketu person doesn't feel call to listen to house person daily experiences, and with this lack of communication is hard to settled a good relationship, even when you resonate with their phylosophy (Rahu in 9th house), I mostly seen this in friendships where ketu person talk to everyone but the house person, conversations turn dry after a little time, there's a strong frustration from the house person cause ketu person makes them feel not interesting enough, and this crashed everyone perception of themselves. Rahu in the 9th house do little for this, because while you may sense that this connection could go deeper, or even feeling curious enough to try to get information about house person, when there's a chance to connect, Keto effects make the interaction boring and shallow.

Their/your Ketu in the 4th house: this is fan-artist synastry most of the time, Ketu person knows little about the house person, but what the see is enough to feel caught up in these glamorous image house person projects (Rahu in the 10th), this could work well if the house person has planets in public houses, but if they have personal planets in the personal houses (from 1st to 6th), house person is not going to resonate with the complements Ketu person can give to them. For most long-term relationships, this can create a burble between the natives, they are there to be seen but not to relate deeply, house person could spend years with Ketu person, but feeling like they know nothing about their life, it's like a tree without roots (exceptions if house person has planets conjunct Ketu, this could bring strong attachment). Ketu may lack warm in their approach to house person, but sometimes when house person lack motivation to grow their careers and fulfill their dreams, Rahu influence in the 10th house is a great influence and can make power couples.

Their/your Ketu in the 5th house: Another hard placements, 5th house is actually really misunderstood, we'll talk about that later, but, something harder than not being appreciate or listened, it's not being acknowledge for things you consider special about yourself, in 5th we develop a sense of self that define and different us from others, ketu person could not care less about this, usually I see this in friends where house person is interested in a relationship but ketu person just see house person as a friend, a helpful one, someone who's there to help them through challenge, more than a close friendship, this is way more like the house person being ketu person's guard angel. I'd seen this in mother/kids relationships and it's hard cause neither the mother nor kid can have a fulfilling relationship, usually the ketu person try to keep a more impersonal treatment in the relationship.

Their/your Ketu in the 6th house: ketu here is similar that in 2nd house, but I found this more like a hyper idealized relationship (Rahu in the 12th house), these could be found in dynamics where Ketu person wants a deeply idealistic connection with the house person (obsession is strong with Rahu in the 12th house), but then find out how hard is to function day to day with the house person, ketu creates apathy in every house it is, but in 6th house, ketu tend to be quite distant from the routine of the house person, I've seen this in friends with benefits, where they tend to meet once in a while, so it's hard to be part of someone's life when you don't grow with this person process (adaptation process= 6th house), ketu person doesn't identify with house person daily challenges trying to find a place in this word, they could feel that the house person is way too immerse in their day to day, and can't find more valuable meaning in their life, house person just don't adjust to universe flow, according to ketu expectations (Rahu in 12th house), this placements makes harder to acknowledge one's fault because of 12th house effect.

...

Disclaimer: This interpretation can change according to other synastry aspects, example: if you have sn in someone 3rd house, if can change if mercury is trine Jupiter, cause Jupiter is going to expand communication in a harmonious way (trine).

Do not copy my content pls

© Rouf

[masterofthelivingforce]

Drabble for @therapardalis!

Qui-Gon was not amused.

“You went behind my back!” he almost growled at Tahl and Micah, who looked utterly unapologetic.

“I’m not a- a-” Qui-Gon grasped for words, making a wide gestures with his hands, too annoyed to even compose a coherent sentence. Realizing he was losing his cool, he took a deep breath, gritting his teeth, and released his frustration to the Force to gain a modicum of peace. “I’m forty-four, not a blasted kid! I don’t deserve this kind of shit from you two!”

“But Qui, we meant no harm!” Micah complained, having the galls to look offended, as if he were the wronged party here.

“Don’t ‘Qui’ me,” Qui-Gon snapped right back at him, crossing his arms over his chest and hiding his arms in the wide sleeves of his robe. “I told you Thera was my friend, and you should have trusted me well enough to leave it at that.” Instead they had gone behind his back and both requested Thera as their pilot for their latest missions - and Qui-Gon had learnt it only because Thera herself had told him.

Tahl stepped forward - with her hands on her hips, she looked dreadfully like their créche master back from when they were younglings, when someone was being unreasonably stubborn. Qui-Gon had no doubt she was doing it on purpose, and felt even more offended, as if she was trying to belittle his right to be pissed off at them. “That’s the thing, Qui-Gon! You don’t have friends outside the Order. Forgive us for, you know, caring about you.”

Oh no, Qui-Gon wasn’t going to let her guilt-trip him. “I have plenty of friends outside the Order!” he argued back, only for her to loudly scoff: “Please. You only have acquaintances outside the Order - people you’re on friendly terms as long as the mission lasts, then you never talk with ever again.” She pointedly raised an eyebrow. “And this is not the case. You gave her your private Temple comm, for Force’s sake, and then you bribed the mission master to have her assigned as your pilot three times in as many months! You even went out of your way to meet her on Coruscant and spent a whole day with her.”

Qui-Gon pulled up, his back ramrod straight. “What point are you trying to make, Tahl?” he asked, voice dangerously low.

Tahl sighed, her shoulders drooping as she rubbed the bridge of her nose. “We were… Confused. You haven’t made any serious friend outside the Order since Xanatos. We wanted to see what was so special about her.” Qui-Gon stilled at the mention of his old Padawan - they never spoke of him. Never. Even if it was illogical and childish of him, he felt betrayed she’d broken that unspoken rule.

“Couldn’t you have just asked me?” he asked, his voice flat - something in his face made both Tahl and Micah wince, and he felt a very un-Jedi-like satisfaction at that.

“We did, if you remember,” Micah said, finally having the decency to look sheepish. “But you brushed us off like no big deal.”

“Maybe because it wasn't?” Qui-Gon bit back. “What I don’t get is why. Why did you feel the need to get Thera as your pilot for the sole purpose of drilling her? Why did you go behind my back when you could have just asked me? I would have introduced her, for Force’s sake! I never tried to keep this a secret!”

Micah and Tahl exchanged uneasy looks, shuffling closer to each other, presenting a wary but united front against Qui-Gon. Oh, so there were sides to this argument now?

It was Tahl who answered, her voice soft and pleading: “We thought you might have fallen in love with her.”

Qui-Gon stilled.

Of all the things he’d expected… No, that wasn’t correct. He had openly faced them like this exactly because he couldn’t understand why they could have done something like that. Fuming, he’d thought long and hard about it, but he had come up blank. It just didn’t make sense.

But surely, of all the far fetched excuses he’d thought they might come up with, that one wasn’t in the list.

“You thought,” he repeated, stunned, “that I had fallen in love. With Thera.” What the fuck? “You sought her out to see if you were right.” They had approached her separately to get two different readings, to avoid misleading each other - it was standard procedure in an investigation. Knowing them, Micah would have tried to bond with Thera over their shared love of flying, and Tahl… Sith hells, Thera and Tahl had so much in common it wasn’t even funny, what with the both of them being honourable battle-hardened women.

Over the comm, Thera hadn’t seemed annoyed, only puzzled at why suddenly Jedi were requesting her so much. She’d told Qui-Gon his Jedi friends had asked her a lot of questions about them and what kind of relationship they had - all those inquiries, no matter how polite, had made her wary. Ever the honourable woman, Thera had hesitantly asked if them being friends was somehow against the Order’s rules, if she’d put Qui-Gon in trouble somehow.

Qui-Gon swallowed, shaking his head as he ran his hands down his face, trying to wrap his mind around this idiocy. He didn’t know whether to laugh or rant at them. In love-!

“Well?” he asked, his voice thick with dark sarcasm, “What’s your verdict? Am I love with Captain Pardalis?”

Tahl squeezed her eyes shut and turned her head away, as if hurt by the edge in his words, and Micah laid a comforting hand on her arm. “We don’t think so, no. You didn’t even have sex!” he said with a smile to try and ease the tension - but it was a thin, uneasy smile, and the joke fell short of making anyone laugh.

“Great deduction. I could have told you the same thing if, you know, you two had thought of asking me,” Qui-Gon sneered, leaning back against the wall of his living room. Tahl and Micah exchanged troubled glances, their head bowed, and then cautiously looked up at Qui-Gon. Their body language made it obvious they were having second thoughts about their plan - they were feeling uneasy and guilty. Had they truly expected he wouldn’t be offended? That he wouldn’t care?

“Sorry,” Tahl said, her pretty gold and green eyes downcast, and Micah followed suit, apologizing as well. They both lowered their shields, letting their regret bleed into the Force - Qui-Gon could taste how guilty they were feeling over hurting him.

He sighed, pushing off the wall, his anger drained right out of him. He’d never been able to stay angry at them when they showed to regret their actions - he wasn’t the vendicative sort.

(He wasn’t his former Master.)

Qui-Gon brushed their Force presences with his own, sharing both his disappointment that his best friends wouldn’t trust him and his forgiveness.

Micah shot up and hugged him, wrapping his arms around Qui-Gon’s shoulders. The latter snorted and mock-headbutted him, bumping their foreheads together, eliciting a smile out of Micah. The two men turned to look at Tahl and both raised an arm, inviting her to make it group hug. Despite being much less touchy-feely than either man, Tahl joined them, her slimmer form easily fitting between them.

“We’re really sorry,” Micah meekly apologized when they relocated to the kitchenette, so that they could all calm down on a cup of tea and pretend to be civilized Jedi Masters instead of younglings. “Yeah,” Tahl joined in from where she was sitting on the counter. “We shouldn’t have done that.”

“No, you shouldn’t have,” Qui-Gon agreed, not unkindly, as he fished their three favourite mugs from the cupboard. “What I don’t understand is what gave you that silly idea. I mean…” He mulled over his thoughts, trying to put them into words. It was trickier than one would expect, despite his status as master diplomat. “You never had that concern before with any of my lovers.” Ever since he lost his virginity with Micah when he was sixteen, Qui-Gon had never been in a relationship, discovering that sex and love were wildly different things to him. Despite strongly disagreeing with his former Master, who preached romantic love should be shunned as attachment, Qui-Gon had never fallen for any of his bed partners - and over the years there had been many. What had marked Thera as different?

The kettle beeped, and Qui-Gon poured the boiling water into the teapot with three generous spoonfuls of Sapir tea. He caught the mildly disgusted look Micah gave it, and smiled smugly at him - after the shit he’d just pulled, Micah would do better to keep his trap shut and enjoy Qui-Gon favourite blend of tea. The Councillor rolled his eyes but seemed to acquiesce.

“So, what made Thera different? As you eloquently put it, we didn’t even have sex.”

Tahl shrugged, cocking her head. “It was the way you spoke of her. You were really excited when you first mentioned her, and you kept bringing her up. Listening to you, one would think she hung the stars on the nightsky.”

Qui-Gon gaped in horror at her, and Micah nodded, grinning - but his clear eyes were serious. “You did sound a bit like a lovestruck boy.”

“I didn’t!”

“Believe me, you did.”

“Did not!”

“Did too!”

“Younglings, can we not do this?”

Micah and Qui-Gon rolled their eyes at Tahl, ever the voice of reason and the rain on their parade. The woman very pointedly ignored them and poured the tea instead, handing each man his mug - green for Qui-Gon and blue for Micah.

“I was surprised when she confirmed you weren’t lovers,” Tahl continued. “She’s very beautiful - very self-confident, too, and I know you like women like that.”

“Can’t a man be friends with a woman without wanting to have sex with her?” Qui-Gon complained, blowing on his tea. “After all I’m friends with you.”

Tahl scoffed. “As if! Pull the other one, Qui.” He graciously bowed his head in agreement - if Tahl weren’t completely asexual, both Qui-Gon and Micah would have tried to get her in their beds years ago. Not that they hadn’t tried, but Tahl had turned out to be seriously freaked out by actual sex, so they had settled with being friends without benefits.

“Seriously what were you doing wrong, Qui? Thera is totally your type,” a beat, then Micah amended: “Well, mine too. What, she into girls?”

“I don’t think so,” Qui-Gon grumbled, hiding behind his mug, recalcitrant to breach the subject - but knowing that he either dealt with it now, or they would keep needling him for a month. “I think she just doesn’t care for it.” He took a small sip, careful not to scald his tongue. The taste of smoked leaves and berries invaded his nose and mouth, making him think of earthy, growing things. Ahh, blessed, blessed Sapir.

Tahl raised her eyebrows in surprise. “You think she’s asexual? She didn’t strike me as the type.” Micah’s face clearly told how sad the thought of pretty women who didn’t want to have sex with men made him.

Qui-Gon shrugged. “I don’t think so? It’s just… She likes her lonely life on the Nocturne. She’s fiercely independent. A man wouldn’t fit that picture.” He might or might not have spent some thought on the topic. “She’s very… very honourable, very committed to whatever she does. I don’t think she’s the kind of woman to have casual sex.”

“You mean she’s not a slut like you,” Micah piqued in, grinning. Without losing a beat, Qui-Gon used just a touch of Force to tip his mug, causing some scalding hot tea to spill on Micah, who shrieked like a little girl. Very satisfying. “I think she’s more the monogamous, steady relationship kind. And since she often takes… Dangerous jobs, I think she’s hesitant to drag anyone into her life.”

Tahl raised both eyebrows in skepticism, and Qui-Gon felt the need to defend Thera’s stance. “She’s very honourable, I told you.” Thera came from a pretty peaceful planet, and even if she had spent a lot of time in the military, she still had a different concept of danger from a Jedi, who made it a point to seek peace and happiness wherever they could exactly because their lives were so dangerous.

Tahl seemed to ponder it, almost draining her cup - her ability to drink something so scalding without so much as batting an eyelash always left Qui-Gon in awe. “Yeah, I can see it,” she eventually said, evidently coming to a conclusion. “I like her.” Tahl raised her mug in a toast. “I approve of Thera Pardalis. She’ll be good for you.”

Micah copied her, and Qui-Gon clinked his mug with theirs, feeling at the same time pleased and miffed. Thera meant a lot to him, so he was glad his closest friends liked her, but at the same there was the nagging feeling that it was none of their business, dammit!

The three drink their tea in silence, and Qui-Gon mulled over his friends’ words. Was his friendship with Thera really that out of character for him? He tried to examine the past few years of his life critically, like a stranger might, and had to concede that he had been quite withdrawn on the social point of view.

Oh, things had gotten better since Telos - his lowest point had been six months after Xanatos’ betrayal, when his depression had almost gotten him killed - but if compared to how he had been before… Yeah.

Making a mental tally of his friends, there was no denying that there had been a drastic drop in their numbers. Considering he had never been an extrovert who easily made friends… His social life when not on mission had pretty much rotated around Tahl and Micah.

Thera was… Thera was just so easy to be around. She was witty, honourable, interesting. She didn’t treat him any different from any other man just because of his lightsaber. She was a competent mission partner, and just as fun as a sparring partner. Qui-Gon regretted a bit that their lives didn’t allow them to meet more often - though they tried to make up for that with comcalls and texts.

Qui-Gon turned his empty mug in his hands, tracing the smooth edge of it with his thumb as he tried to find the right words. “Would it have been so bad? If I had been in love with her?” He worried his lower lip between his teeth. “I’m not, I swear. But… if I were.”

He didn’t need to look up to know that Tahl and Micah were looking at him - he’d heard their started intake of breath. Tahl was the one who got over her surprise faster, and she laid a small hand on Qui-Gon’s shoulder. She ran a few degrees hotter than him, and he could feel her warmth even through his clothing. “Xanatos burned you pretty badly. It’s good that you’re reaching out of your shell, but love…”

Micah bumped shoulders with Qui-Gon, his sympathy palpable in the Force. “Would you be able to love without attachment?” He asked, his voice was uncharacteristically soft.

Qui-Gon had never fallen in love. He loved his friends like siblings, and he’d loved Xanatos like a son - and if parental love had brought him so low, what could romantic love do to him? “I don’t know,” he answered, feeling a bit lost. It wasn’t a question he’d ever asked himself.

Micah and Tahl, one on either side of him, both leaned in to lay a kiss on his hair. “Well, you’re not going to be alone in this. Don’t you try to do this on your own, Qui.”

Qui-Gon nodded and smiled.

[cuntinaclownsuit]