#wherever you are i am

[thesconesyard]

In keeping with a silly tradition I started for my birthday, what?, three years ago?, here’s an update of a story, and a new chapter will go on ao3 in a little bit.

Wherever You Are, I Am

Part 45

October passed and slid quietly into November. The weather cooled and rainstorms passed over more frequently. McCoy saw less of Jaylah on weekends as class assignments became longer and more frequent, and the semester end began to loom. She had also begun to make more friends on campus after he had introduced her to Astrid.

“Who all is coming?” he asked.

“All the usuals,” his mom answered.

“Ma, I haven’t been home for Thanksgiving in I don’t know how many years. I don’t know who the usuals are anymore.”

Mrs. McCoy laughed. “You do get to the point Leonard. Your sister and the boys. Your uncle and his new girlfriend. Nana Mabel and a few cousins.”

“Well it’ll be nice to see them.”

“We’re all looking forward to seeing you too. It’s been too long.”

“I know Ma. We’ll be on the first shuttle out after Jaylah’s last class Wednesday, and should be there mid-evening.”

“I’ll keep something warmed up for you to eat when you get here.” Mrs. McCoy smiled at her son.

“Sounds like a good plan. Speaking of, I should go get some dinner. I’ll see you next week Ma.”

“Yes, go eat. Can’t wait to see you. Love you Leo.”

“Love you too Ma.”

McCoy clicked off the call and set the PADD aside. Slowly he rose from the couch and went to the kitchen.

“Any plans for the long weekend Astrid?” McCoy asked as he packed his few things into his work bag.

“Some studying, not much else. Just hanging around campus. You sir?”

“We’re heading out to Georgia soon as Jaylah’s done for the day. Haven’t been home in who knows how many years.”

“Is your husband going to join you?” Astrid asked as they began to walk to the classroom door.

“No, but we’re heading to Yorktown for Christmas.”

“That’s good,” Astrid smiled. “Have a good holiday Dr. McCoy.”

“You too Astrid. Don’t study too much.” He stood for a moment as Astrid walked the other way, then began the walk to his quarters.

McCoy pulled the hood on his coat up as it began to rain again. He picked up his pace and was soon in his quarters. He glanced at the clock as he walked in the bedroom. There was still at least another hour before Jaylah would show up. He grabbed a bag and began to pack for the weekend.

“How long is the shuttle?” Jaylah asked as they boarded.

“Couple hours,” McCoy replied as they picked seats. “I can bore you with stories about who’ll be there if you want.” He laughed.

“I would like to know,” Jaylah said with a smile.

McCoy smiled as they pulled up to his childhood home. It looked the same as it always had. He had begun to tell Jaylah about his family on the shuttle, but she had leaned onto his shoulder and fallen asleep not too far into the trip. The drive to the house she had been wide eyed, looking out the windows.

“Come on darlin’,” McCoy said, getting out of the car.

He was quicker and shouldered both of their bags.

“This is your home?” Jaylah asked in awe.

“Yep, the ol’ McCoy homestead,” he smiled. “I’ll show you around tomorrow when it’s light. Show you the peach tree I planted when I was a boy.”

“I can not wait Dr. Bones.”

They had reached the front door and McCoy put a hand out to knock. In moments the door opened and Eleanor McCoy was in front of them.

“Oh Leonard! It’s so good to see you,” the older woman cried out.

McCoy set the bags down from his shoulder and stepped forward into his mother’s embrace. Mrs. McCoy squeezed him close before finally setting her hands on his shoulders and looking at him thoroughly. She brushed a hair from his forehead.

“You look well,” she smiled.

McCoy stooped to pick the bags up again as his mother turned to Jaylah.

“Welcome my dear,” Mrs. McCoy greeted her.

“Hello.” Jaylah’s greeting turned surprised as Mrs. McCoy pulled her in for a hug too.

“I’m so glad you could come.” Mrs. McCoy moved back. “Come in, come in, don’t spend the night on the porch. I’ll show you up to the room and then feed you, alright?”

“That’s fine Ma,” McCoy chuckled. He raised a questioning eyebrow at Jaylah. She was looking overwhelmed. “Who’s here already?” he asked as they followed Mrs. McCoy up the stairs.

“Leah and Steven and the kids. And Nana. I do hope you two don’t mind sharing a room. Uncle Eugene is staying over tomorrow and that’s that.”

“It’s no problem Ma,” McCoy said.

“I set a cot up in your old room. And of course you’ll have your own bathroom.”

“Ok.”

“You two get settled and come down when you’re ready. I’ll get dinner heated back up for you.” Mrs. McCoy left them at the bedroom.

McCoy dumped his bag on the cot and Jaylah’s on the bed.

“You alright darlin’?” he asked when they were alone. “I know Ma comes on a bit strong.”

Jaylah nodded, then smiled. “I like her.”

“Good.”

“Dr. Bones why did you put my bag here? It is your room.”

“I can rough it a couple nights. I remember those dorm beds; enjoy something nice for a few nights.”

“But—”

“Nope. No buts. I’ve slept on worse, trust me.”

“Ok,” Jaylah said slowly.

[hinamie]

can't believe im saying this but long time no megumi

[this-is-fox-speaking]

is he stupid on purpose

[waitineedaname]

Al coming back from his travels: Xing was great! I've learned so much about alkahestry, and I think we're really making progress and getting Jerso and Zampano's bodies back! It was really nice to see Mei, and Ling is doing a great job as emperor, and I even got to visit some of Xing's neighbors to the east! I feel like I'm learning more about alchemy and alkahestry every day

Ed coming back from his travels: I Have Been Banned From Five Countries

[leopardmuffinxo]

so touch me again; i feel my shadow dissolving

[scholliski]

I will forever love that from every point of view we’ve seen, whether that be Jeans, Neil’s or even Aaron’s in the extra content, they’re all instantly mesmerised by Kevin but he will literally never know because everyone has seemingly made the silent agreement to never publicly compliment him so that his ego doesn’t get even bigger than it already is

[randomfandomss]

James Lance on the relationship between Trent Crimm and Ted Lasso Source: From this lovely interview by Lauren Coates - Article & Video

[naliahh]

There’s something about a vigilante x civilian pairing that will always have me kicking my feet in the air

[yellbug]

everything pertaining to Captain Hook will be collected under the pinned tag "consanguineous forced marriage to captain hook" for the ease of all of you people who think this is like some kind of squid game for you. some kind of hunger game for you. and you're all wearing those damn rococo wigs & are coded as gay villains. and you watch the bird chase me

[sainz100]

📸 by Martin Trenkler

[burning2know]

Inquisition had a nice thing going with Solas the lore-master, lying only by omission, being an anti-slavery, rebellion-rousing, fade-obsessed princess. As a lore fiend, I want need that Solas back.

Veilguard highlights that a liar manipulator character who is willing to say Anything to achieve their immediate goals cannot be a vehicle for lore reveals. A character who frequently contradicts themselves without some consistent explanation means that we can't trust Anything they say. Fans will be tempted to use this character as evidence by cherry picking some things over other. But that simply confirms any existing beliefs (confirmation bias). As someone who enjoys sleuthing and figuring out how the world works, the more principled way is to discard everything such an untrustworthy character says for what we can observe and confirm with a more reliable source. Basically, if a character is a liar liar pants on fire, then a discerning lore scholar should be equally skeptical of every statement they've made, only trusting ones that can be cross-referenced.

But the problem with Solas is, he is often our only source, e.g. for how the veil works. Because he's the only kne who knows. Because he msde it. And although he was a biased and unreliable narrator, he had a consistent point of view that IS reliable in DAI. Veilguard's rebranding of him as a liar pulls even that fundamental point of reference from beneath us, and doesn't replace it with another one (saying whatever it takes to serve an immediate goal is not a strong enough viewpoint, in fact, it's incredibly effective at obfuscating one's actual views). And that should retroactively call everything he said in Inquisition into question as well. After all, that viewpoint could easily have been made up. We don't have another ancient elf to corroborate most things he's said. We ONLY have Solas's word. And now that his word is completely untrustworthy, then what are we to make of the lore he revealed?

I have heard the argument that Solas is supposed to be different from the one we know in Inquisition. And that intention was executed effectively. He is fundamentally changed (how or why the game never addressed). But it could have been done without destroying the integrity of the lore that we've gotten from him in previous games. But the choice to make him the god of lies made it impossible, particularly in veilguard, where all the other lore reveals also fitted together badly.

And what is the god of lies moniker but the headcanon of Solas haters and detractors who didn't figure out how he operates beyond "he deceived me"? It was a choice to make that interpretation canon, it was a choice to validate and accomodate their beliefs. And why? Solas detractors didn't need it to be canon before, they didn't need it here. Haters gonna hate. It's what they do.

We lost a huge chunk of the fade lore so the game can gratify Solas haters. That's absolutely tragic.

[thesconesyard]

What?!? An update to a story I haven’t updated in months?!? That’s right! I got hit by an attack of writing and inspiration! So enjoy!!!

(Need a refresher first? Here.)

Wherever You Are, I Am

Part 44

“Good morning sir.”

McCoy looked up as he entered the classroom with Scotty. Astrid was sitting in her usual spot.

“Hello Astrid,” McCoy replied. “This is Lt. Commander Scott.”

“Hello sir,” Astrid said promptly.

“Aye lassie, hello.”

“Astrid, could you give us a moment please?”

“Of course Dr. McCoy. Would you like others kept out as well?”

“Just for a few minutes, please.”

“Bright lass,” Scotty said after Astrid had left the room.

“She’s been a big help,” McCoy agreed. “She’s looking to be a botanist like Sulu.”

Scotty nodded.

“You didn’t have to walk to class with me,” McCoy said. “I could have said goodbye at home.”

“I know,” Scotty said softly. “I just wanted the few extra minutes with ye.”

“I know, I did too.”

Scotty looked at him quietly for a moment before he stepped forward and embraced McCoy.

“It’ll be soon love,” Scotty whispered in his ear. “Holiday break will be here before we know it.”

“We’ll have a whole week,” McCoy whispered back. He leaned back, then cupped his hands around Scotty’s face and kissed him.

“Bye mo ghràdh,” Scotty when he pulled back.

“Bye Monty.”

McCoy stood near his teaching podium and watched Scotty leave.

“He’s all yours again lass,” he heard Scotty say to Astrid outside the door.

McCoy took a breath to center himself as Astrid walked back in followed by a couple cadets. He turned to get his lesson pulled up.

“Alright sir?” Astrid asked quietly.

“Yes,” McCoy answered.

“That was your husband?” Astrid asked even quieter.

McCoy felt his eyebrow raise in confusion.

“I read up on you sir, remember?”

McCoy let out a chuckle. “Yes that was. He came from Yorktown to Riverside and surprised us.”

“That's so sweet,” Astrid said with a sigh. “Us, sir?” she asked a moment later.

More students were entering the classroom.

“Jaylah and I. I thought you read up on me cadet?” McCoy grinned.

Astrid gave a sheepish smile. “I must have skimmed that part. Jaylah is your—”

“Family,” McCoy said. “I can’t believe I haven’t introduced you two. She would benefit from an older cadet showing her and her roommate around.”

“I’d love to meet her,” Astrid said.

[ygsunflower]

“Come here.”

🥵

[notbecauseofvictories]

I fucking. love birds. I love them so much. "what if there were small friend-shaped beings who could fly" phenomenal!!

(and also sometimes a squirrel is there)

[kaaaaaaarf]

Maggie Rogers was so cruel when she said "you never touched me, but I felt you everywhere."

[leopardmuffinxo]

i couldn't have asked for a better day