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silverwings22 · 1 year

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Caught in the Crosshairs: Chapter 49: Alone Together- Fall Out Boy

Series warnings: Smut, mind control, canon typical violence, childhood trauma, language, chronic illness

Chapter Warnings: mistreatment of clones, political plots, talk of genocide, flashbacks

Translations: kama: belt spat osik: shit vor entye, ner vod: thank you, my brother/sister buir: mother/father K'oyacyi: Stay alive

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Seeing Miria studying Mando’a was never going to lose its novelty for Echo. She was sitting on the bridge with her datapad, mouthing words to herself. Omega was up in her room, legs crossed. "Meditating again?" Echo smiled.

"Gungi and Miri showed me, but it doesn't work for me the same way."

"That's because they're Jedi… well, former, in the General's case."

"I still like it." Omega smiled, slipping down from her seat next to him. "Want to try?"

"No. I don't prefer solitude. I had enough of it on Skako. If not for this squad, I might still be there or worse."

Omega looked over at Miria, who she also knew hated to be alone. "Is that why you joined them?"

"It was where I fit. Where I needed to be." Echo sighed.

Miria lifted her head, listening in thoughtfully. Sometimes her heart broke for Echo… he'd been thrown around so much by fate. She'd taken back some control in her adventure to Thule. Echo still hadn't had a chance.

"We are receiving a transmission. It is from Rex." Tech called out.

Miria stood up as Omega and Echo followed her to the cockpit. "Put him through, Tech."

Rex's blonde head appeared. "Hey boys. General Halcyon. Any chance I could borrow your squad's expertise for a mission?"

Hunter frowned. "What kind of mission, Captain?"

"It's a simple data extraction, but a crucial one. I can explain the rest when you get to Coruscant."

At that, everyone stiffened. "Coruscant? That's a tall ask, Rex." Hunter muttered.

Miria sat down in her deck chair, hands clasped in front of her as she leaned over her knees. Omega frowned. "What's on Coruscant?"

"It is the seat of the Senate, and therefore the heart of the Empire." Tech clarified.

"And the ruins of the Jedi Temple." Miria said quietly.

"We can't take Miri anywhere near Coruscant, Rex. She might not consider herself a Jedi anymore, but the Empire isn't going to see it that way." Hunter protested.

"The Empire thinks we're dead. They won't be looking for us." Echo frowned.

"And I'd like to keep it that way." The sergeant groaned.

Miria lifted her head. "A data extraction, Rex? How crucial is this data?"

"It could be life or death for clones all over the galaxy." The captain met her eyes. "I can transmit a flight plan to avoid Imperial security, and a safe landing zone."

Echo nodded just a little too eagerly, ready to say they were on the way. Miria gave him a sideways smile. "Alright. We'll meet you there."

"Thanks, General. I'll explain everything when you arrive."

Hunter groaned again when the holo cut out. "Are you sure about this, Miri?"

"I may not be a Jedi any longer, but I'm still Miria Halcyon." She stood up and started walking back to the bunkroom to retrieve her armor. "It's the right thing to do."

Echo followed her back. "So I was right. You do want to fight the Empire."

"Fight them? Echo, I want to rip Palpatine limb from bloody limb." She said mildly, pulling on her thigh plates. "But I can't engage in open rebellion. Not yet."

"Why not? We should be doing so much more." He pressed. "With someone like you fighting, a rebellion might actually-"

"I know, Echo." Miria turned to face him. She'd always looked so small and delicate, but the weeks since Thule had added an edge and strength to her that made her sometimes seem ten feet tall. "I want to. I hope one day, I will. But I cannot be on the opposite side of open warfare as long as Crosshair is in the Empire. He accused me of being his enemy on Kamino. I can't let that be a reality." She set her kama down and put a hand on his arm. "But you can."

"You want me to go with Rex?" Echo blinked.

"No. I want you to stay and be safe. But I know you, Echo. You want to fight, and I don't have any right to stop you. I took back my life on Thule. This will be what you need to take back yours." She looked at him over her shoulder. "So you have my blessing… on one condition."

"Yeah?" He leaned in as she pulled on her chest plate and secured it.

"Keep me informed. I'll offer as much help as I can." She explained.

She might have changed herself on Thule, but some things remained. Echo needed to choose. She needed the information Rex would be able to provide. No matter how much she wanted to surround her friends in bubble wrap, this was the most direct way of giving her access to the fight without betraying the man she loved.

"I'll do what I can, ma'am." Echo whispered.

Miria stepped forward and hugged him tightly. "Take your time deciding. This is your choice." She whispered back. She knew it was too tantalizing an option for Echo to refuse, she'd known it when she spoke. If she'd tried to talk him out of it, he'd have conceded… but she didn't.

She could only hope she wasn't opening the door for him to walk into a death sentence.

"Thank you, Miri." Echo mumbled. "I'll talk to the guys once I've decided."

She nodded and let him go, picking up her helmet. "Of course."

They headed back to the cockpit, settling in for the flight to Coruscant.

"You sure about this, Miri?" Hunter repeated as she sat down. "Empire or not, this is going to be hard on you… you grew up on Coruscant."

The eyes staring out the front window were resigned. "I already know what to expect, Hunter. I can do it."

Rex was waiting for them as the Marauder touched down in front of a garage. Omega was holding onto Miria's arm after the flight plan had led them right over the ruins of the Jedi Temple. "Good to see you guys." The captain said grimly.

Behind him, a very pretty Pantoran woman in pink was standing next to a tall young man with his curly black hair tied back in a poofy horsetail. Miria pulled her helmet off immediately. "Senator Chuchi? Aram?!"

The young man blanched. "Miria?!"

Riyo Chuchi looked between them. "You said you were calling clones, Captain… who's this, Aram?"

"... my cousin? Honest, Senator, I didn't know this was who Rex was calling."

Miria furrowed her brow, looking from Rex to Chuchi and back. "You can trust her, General. She's on our side." The captain assured her.

Miria relaxed, holding out a hand. "Miria Halcyon."

"I've heard your name… you were on the Jedi council." Chuchi whispered. "It's so dangerous for you to be on Coruscant."

"I was told this was a matter of life or death for the clones. It's worth the risk." Miria nodded. "Rex, what are we looking at?"

"Come inside. There's something I want you to see." Rex waved for them to follow.

Miria fell into step beside Aram. "What are you doing here? You're supposed to be on Naboo!" She hissed.

"I wanted to help. After you left last time, I hopped a public transport to Coruscant and started working as an aid for Senator Chuchi. She's pushing for clone rights in the senate." He explained. "I thought… maybe if we could get them with pensions and honorable discharge, you'd be able to find your trooper. If he's not in the Empire, that chip wouldn't have as much influence."

Miria's expression softened. "Oh, Aram… that's incredibly kind of you. Does your mother know you're here?"

"No…"

"She's going to kill us both."

He smiled weakly. "Osik."

They gathered around a table with a body bag on it. Hunter gently tugged Omega back as Rex unzipped it.

"A clone…?" Miria frowned.

"He was an assassin. I came here to meet a clone named Slip. He said he was in danger, and I was going to get him out. But the assassin got him first, and nearly got the senator and her aid too."

"Why would a clone kill another clone and senator?" Echo mused.

"Slip knew the truth about what really happened on Kamino. We were trying to convince him to testify against Rampart before the Senate." Chuchi explained. "He's pushing his recruitment bill tomorrow morning."

"We were there too. I'll be your witness." Echo volunteered.

"They won't listen to us. We're deserters." Hunter shook his head.

Echo cast pleading eyes towards Miria. "General?"

"They wouldn't hear me either. I was on the Council, I'd be shot on sight." She shook her head. "We'll need some other proof if we're going to implicate Rampart."

"Slip said he'd backed up the logs on Rampart's Venator." Aram nodded. "If we can present those to the Senate, it would prove his guilt."

Miria's mind whirred, teeth set on her bottom lip. Hunter knew that face… Miria was a brilliant tactician. "Where's that Venator, Rex?"

"Being retrofitted in the Imperial shipyard here on Coruscant." He smiled.

She nodded. "Then we'll need to move quickly before the vote."

"I'll go back to the Senate and get whatever evidence I can find." Chuchi nodded.

"You could be in danger, senator." Hunter frowned.

"I'll go with her to keep an eye on things." Omega offered.

"You won't be able to get into the sector without Imperial security clearance." Chuchi frowned.

"That won't be a problem." Tech smiled and patted Omega's shoulder.

Aram grinned. "I'll go with you guys to get the data. All my mother's training should be worth something."

Miria smiled faintly. "She's definitely going to kill us both. But alright."

The shipyard was big and ominous, Miria and her team hiding in the shadows. Aram had surprised her by revealing a set of beskar armor under his blue and pink poncho, which he'd given to Omega to wear during her mission with Chuchi.

"You're sure you're up for this, Aram? This isn't like Thule, the blasters are real." Miria muttered.

"I'm sure. At least this I can hit. The Sith spirits were a whole different story." He smiled.

Rex handed Miria one of his pistols. "I'd rather if you used something with a stun setting, ma'am."

"As would I." She agreed, taking it. "Hunter, do you see a path to the ship?"

"There's not enough cover. We'll never make it." He grumbled.

Echo lightly nudged Miria and nodded towards a parts barge, the droid driver just finishing loading up. "Not on foot."

"Clever." She nodded. "Eyes on the barge."

Everyone nodded, bodies leaning in to get ready for a sprint.

"Move!" Miria ordered, just as the thrusters ignited. The team darted for the underside of the barge, grabbing onto the scaffold-like landing gear. Miria locked her legs and flipped to grab Wrecker’s hands when he almost didn't make it, swinging him up with her.

He immediately clung with arms and legs, mumbling to himself. "Don't look down, don't look down."

"He okay?" Aram whispered.

"He doesn't like heights." Miria shook her head. "Tech, get control of this thing."

"Almost got it. Hold on." The barge lurched when he sliced into the controls, banking sharply.

Rex looked at Wrecker sympathetically. "He's still not any better?"

"This is him better." Echo groaned.

"Get ready to jump." Tech's warning was a welcome relief, and he dropped them a little lower so they could bail off their stolen ride safely.

The tuck and roll was a little bumpy, but Miria popped up quickly and checked over her squad. No injuries.

Six months ago that landing would have had me limping the rest of the mission. She had only time for the stray thought before they were crawling under the Venator to get into the maintenance tunnels. Health was an unending lesson in gratitude, it seemed. She'd have to revel in it later.

"Wrecker, get that hatch open." Hunter ordered. The heavyweight pulled a plasma cutter from his belt and started up the ladder.

"Haven't been in this tunnels since the war." Echo said mildly. "Gotta say, Rex. Coruscant is the last place I expected you to be."

"I came for Slip… more and more of our brothers are waking up to what's been done to them."

"How many have you been able to reach?"

"Not enough. I have some contacts that I can trust, but help is hard to find."

Echo glanced over at Miria, suddenly understanding. She'd known he wanted to fight, she'd put together what Rex was doing after Bracca… now he knew what she wanted him to keep her informed of.

It wasn't about fighting the Empire itself for her, though he was confident she'd give the aid she promised any way that she could. No, Miria wanted him to keep an eye out for one man, should he wake up the way Rex had described.

She wanted to know if Crosshair called for help.

He couldn't help but admire the long game she was playing, now that she had the time. No wonder she said it was a matter of outlasting the Empire.

"Got it." Wrecker called as the hatch opened. "Oh great. Ray shields."

"I am on it." Tech nodded.

Miria's foot was tapping as the genius worked. Echo lightly nudged her again. "I think I've made my mind up." He said, voice low.

She looked at him, and he was sure her eyes were sad under the helmet. "I thought you might, once you saw Rex again."

"I'll keep you informed. I know what you're looking for." He patted her shoulder with his mechanical arm as the shields above them dropped.

"Vor entye, ner vod." She nodded.

They made it into the ship easily enough, stunning a couple clones on their way to the command deck. "Get the data, Tech." Hunter ordered. "It's almost morning."

Tech plugged his datapad in and let out an unhappy noise. "That is unfortunate…"

"You wanna narrow that down?" Rex frowned.

"In order to transfer the file, I will need to divert power. It will likely trigger a security alert."

Miria glanced out the window at the rows and rows of white-armored soldiers outside. Crosshair could be among them, and it was killing her that she couldn't go down there and drag him kicking and screaming back to the Marauder. "How much time will we have?"

"Not much." Tech shook his head.

"Wrecker, seal the doors. Tech, divert the power and get the files." She ordered. "Aram, Rex, Hunter, post up and get ready for a fight while I figure out an exit plan."

They moved to her command and the console lit up under Tech's ministrations.

Aram watched his cousin out of the corner of his eye as she started moving around, taking stock of cover and the number of clones outside. "How's it coming, Tech?" He tried not to sound nervous. This was his first taste of real combat, everything his mother had prepared him for and tried to keep him safe from at once.

"I am expediting the transfer as quickly as I can."

They all heard clones outside the doors. "Hostiles confirmed on the bridge!"

"Transfer complete." Tech looked at Miria.

"Plans 14, 5, and 86." She said firmly as she spotted air support moving in.

"All of them?!" Wrecker blinked.

"All of them. Wrecker, go! Aram, cover him." She ordered.

Wrecker whooped as the other clones got the blast doors open, barreling through them and stunning everything that moved. Aram covered his back with his blaster, eyes wide but his aim on point.

"Echo, plan 5. Take out that air support!" Miria joined Rex and Hunter stunning the clones that got past Wrecker. Echo activated the Venator's turrets, shooting down the flyovers. "Tech, get those engines on!"

The sound of the huge ion engines coming online made Miria's skin crawl. The last time she'd heard engines of that size, she'd been inside one. She could still feel the heat and blind panic that shut down everything but emergency signals in her brain.

"CROSSHAIR BACK UP!"

The ship under them lurched as it broke the moorings under it. "We're never going to make it through. There's too many clones." Rex groaned.

"We're going over them." Miria turned him around. "Head for the life pods."

"Over them?!" Both Rex and Aram yelped.

"Go!" Miria shot over Aram's shoulder and grabbed his sleeve, pulling him along with her to the evacuation deck.

"These aren't operational." Rex hissed.

"We only need them to eject. I'll handle it from there." Tech's eyes crinkled at the corners under his visor when he smiled.

"This should be interesting." Rex grinned and pulled the hatch shut behind him.

Aram slid next to Miria. "You guys don't do anything halfway, do you?"

"Nope." She pulled him down into a huddle with her and the clones on the floor. "What's the fun in that?"

"Is this fun?" He blinked as they shot into the sky.

"You've been a Mandalorian longer than I have. You tell me. Brace!"

They crashed into the ground a good distance from the Venator, Rex kicking open the hatch. "Not bad."

"I was 6.4 meters off. Not my best." Tech shrugged.

Miria patted his back. "You did fine. Hurry, the Senate meeting has already started."

They hauled armored ass for the waiting skycar Aram had stashed, and made for their rendezvous point.

Omega was waiting with one of Chuchi's guards and they handed the data off. "Hurry, sweetheart." Miria nodded.

She took off like a bat out of hell.

Miria sank into the seat with the guys once she was gone with the guard. Echo nervously cleared his throat as Aram started driving them back to the garage their ship was parked at. "... I've got something to tell you all."

Hunter took his helmet off to look at Echo. "Go on."

Echo straightened his shoulders. "... I'm going with Rex. This was a good start, but more clones are going to need help. Miri's already given her blessing."

Hunter looked at Miria. "You did?"

She nodded, slipping her own helmet off. "Yes. It's important to Echo, and I… I understand where he’s coming from. It's the right thing to do."

"Are you going too?" Wrecker nervously reached for her arm.

"No. I can't… not yet." She shook her head. "Maybe some day."

"That's not the life I want for Omega." Hunter said immediately. "She deserves better than to be in that kind of danger!"

"Don't I know it." Miria looked at him. "But the truth is, the danger is already here, Hunter. We can't shield her forever. I'm willing to give her all the time we can, but eventually this will become her fight as much as ours." Her voice was firm, not unkind but unwilling to back down. "Little girls don't stay little forever."

She wasn't just talking about Omega. She was thinking of Mayrin, a child not even born yet who'd one day inherit her mother's battle for freedom. Mayrin Halcyon wasn't even born and she'd already started fighting to save her own father. Miria couldn't give up on that fight either.

Hunter sighed. "Alright… you're right. But for now…" He put a hand on Echo’s arm. "If you ever need anything, you call us. And if you change your mind, we'll be waiting for you to come back."

Echo smiled. "Thanks."

They pulled up to the garage and Echo went to get his things from the Marauder. Miria sat on the hood of the skycar with Aram. "You did very well. Your parents would be proud." She finally said. "I know I am."

"Thanks. Part of me wants to comm Buir and tell her where I am. But she'll probably be furious." He sighed.

"You should. I'm sure she's worried sick." Miria brought one knee up and hugged it. "If you don't, I will." She wasn't repeating mistakes anymore. She hadn't told Obi-wan what Anakin had done. She needed to tell Irene about Aram's adventures."

"I'll do it. No reason for her to yell at us both." He smiled faintly. "You were pretty impressive back there though. It's easy to forget you were a general."

"I've been many things. Some I never thought I'd be… and some things that I was, I now find I'm no longer." She mused aloud. "But we all grow and change. Some for the better, some not."

"You're wise."

"Not wise enough." She looked up as Chuchi and Omega pulled up in another car. "... Omega's been crying." She slid off the car and darted over, scooping the girl up when she ran into her arms. "Little love, what's the matter?"

"It went wrong, Miri!" Omega sobbed.

Miria looked at Chuchi as the clones and Aram gathered around. The Pantoran looked devastated. "The evidence implicated Rampart, and he was arrested. But… Palpatine got involved. I don't understand, he hasn't been at meetings for weeks."

"What happened?" Miria hugged Omega a little tighter.

"He used the clones obedience to Rampart's orders to push the recruitment bill." Chuchi whispered. "And… ordered the decommissioning process for the clones."

Miria's blood turned to ice. "Decommissioning…" She knew that only had one meaning in the scope of the Empire’s cruelty. Murder. They'd be shot outright or sent on suicide missions.

The clones were fated to die.

Crosshair…

"Palpatine was one step ahead of us during the war, and he's still several steps ahead of us now." Rex sighed.

"I don't understand. We did the right thing… we told the truth." Omega whimpered.

Miria stroked her hair. "Palpatine twisted it to his own ends, little love." She felt sick herself. They'd signed the death warrants of millions of men… they'd been deceived, it was no more their fault than Crosshair’s shooting at them had been his. But they'd still done it.

"What happens to the clones now?" Omega whispered as Miria set her down.

"I don't know, but I'll keep fighting." Chuchi promised her. "I won't give up."

Rex nodded. "There will be plenty for us to do."

Hunter patted Echo’s shoulder again. "Remember what I said."

Wrecker grinned. "Don't have too much fun without us."

"Best of luck, Echo." Tech smiled.

Omega blinked. "What are they talking about?"

Echo knelt down next to her. "I'm going with Rex. The clones need our help now more than ever. I can't turn my back on them."

"You're leaving? But… we're a squad!" Tears started welling up in her big honey eyes, and Miria had to turn away for a minute before her resolve crumbled and she started begging Echo to reconsider too.

"I know. But I've got to go where I'm needed, Omega."

"But we need you too."

"It's not forever. I'll be back." Echo brushed her blonde hair from Omega's sweet little face. He loved this kid, and it broke his heart to be the reason she was crying. "You keep up with your training while I'm gone, yeah?"

"Y-yes sir…" She wiped her eyes on the back of her shaky hand and threw her arms around him. He looked startled for a minute before hugging her back.

"Take care of them for me, Omega."

Miria gave Aram's hand a squeeze. "Comm your mother." She cleared her throat and held out a hand for Omega. "Come on, dear… it's time to go."

"You're not going to leave me too, are you Miri?" Omega whispered as they walked to the Havoc Marauder.

Miria looked over at her for a long minute. "The future is uncertain, Omega. But I don't want to. Neither does Echo." She turned around as Omega let go of her hand and ran up the ramp to Hunter.

Echo gave her a salute. "Take care of each other, General."

Miria swallowed hard. "K'oyacyi, ner vod. That's an order."

Echo smiled faintly. No, Miria studying Mando’a was never going to lose its novelty for him.

#eventual smut #explict #orginal character #crosshair #chronic illness #crosshair smut #the bad batch #clone force 99 #caught in the crosshairs

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saddang3 · 6 months

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morgannalefey · 10 months

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Flooding in Vermont

My little state has been badly hit by very destructive flooding/flash floods. The hardest hit are folks who are in low-income housing (because of course) in the lower areas of the cities. Many have been made unhoused just as the state was abandoning already-unhoused population by closing down the pandemic voucher program that allowed them to stay in hotels and motels instead of on the streets.

The most destructive flooding occurred in the central region of the state, and a lot of rural folks can't even get out to get supplies and aren't able to do the clean up themselves.

I'm very proud to be part of the effort to help folks. My home was spared because we happen to live on high ground. I've been volunteering at Rainbow Bridge Community Center (RBCC, please don't give me shit for that name, we didn't pick it). Our center's basement was flooded and we have no electricity or water (the entire city is on a boil water notice, but when you don't have electricity or even a place to stay other than the emergency shelter, boiling water isn't going to happen). We have still opened our doors and are accepting all sorts of clothing, food, toiletries, baby and pet supplies, cleaning supplies, tools, etc. to help the people in our community, many of whom are still recovering from the last destructive floods that happened in 2011 (we had two that year).

Many houses have been swept away, or have been condemned. Landlords aren't talking to their tenants to tell them what the situation is. Some parts of buildings have power (where there are businesses) but the upper floors where people are living have no power or water yet. Many of these folks are disabled. There's one guy who lives on the fourth floor with no elevator, with insulin-dependent diabetes who is storing his insulin at work. He has had no communication from his landlord telling him if he needs to find another place to stay. The landlord isn't returning calls. The response from the city hasn't been great, either. Montpelier is doing an outstanding job, there's tents and food trucks and clean up volunteers who have been activated all over the city. Barre just has a Red Cross shelter set up (in a difficult to get to location), and our little center on main street. Though they did do a big volunteer clean up push yesterday, and a lot of great work got done.

If you can help, please do. If you donate to the RBCC, put in the notes that it's for flood relief. Every penny of that will go to the victims. If you're willing to support our center in general, we would really appreciate it. We're not sure if we're going to be able to stay in our prime, main street location at this point, and will need funds to move if we have to. Please know that all assistance is going to help LGBTQIA+ folks as well as the local area that's been very badly damaged.

#VermontFlood2023 #please help #So many queer folk are facing being unhoused right now

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ladylannisterxo · 2 years

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Speaking objectively, you are a very good writer!!! Don’t doubt your skills!! (Easier said than done, I’m guilty of the same thing).

I’m blaming these community labels, I’ve honestly stopped assigning them and I find my stuff has become a lot more visible, but it’s still mostly likes. If for some reason I get flagged, I’ll cross that bridge and label again, but I’m revolting rn. Interaction is just really bad here lately, and honestly AO3 isn’t much better (except for the fact that there isn’t an algorithm like on tumblr, but feedback isn’t great on there either. Where else are we supposed to share our creations?? :(

🥺 Thank you, love, that's very sweet! 💕

I went ahead and assigned the community labels to all of my writings just because I heard of posts getting flagged and some accounts were either deactivated or they were warned they would be ?? I'm not entirely sure but I didn't want to take the chance, I've had this blog since 2011, everything is here - I'd hate to lose it.

But yeah, tumblr doesn't operate on an algorithm and the only way content is seen is if people reblog or you happen to check the tags and so new users to tumblr really don't quite understand that yet, even though there are about 1,000 different posts circulating discussing this very topic and how to interact properly with content.

And with ao3, comments are slim to none, I'll admit that but at least there, if I see that my fic has been bookmarked or a series has been subscribed to or I get another user subscription, that makes me feel pretty good whereas here, likes are nice but they do absolutely nothing and when you have users come through and just spam like everything, it's frustrating. But you're right, it's hard to get decent interaction anywhere which makes it hard to find a good place to post our creations. It's discouraging and that's why it's so sad to see so many great writers either pull back on writing as much or stop writing entirely.

I'll just say this as a general psa... if users want to continue seeing content, they have to support content creators and that goes for writers, artists, gif makers, video makers, etc. We do this for free, it's a hobby. We take time out of our hectic schedules to create something we love and share it with everyone for free. All we're asking for is a little bit of feedback, a comment, a reblog. It's not asking much.

#asked and answered #'s' answers

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hardhuilen · 5 years

Text

When you're crying in the club but still killing it on the dance floor cause even if the song is tragically relevant to your life right now it's still a damn bop

#haven't mentioned it on here yet but my boyfriend and i broke up almost three weeks ago #after nearly 8.5 years #so that's a thing #i'm generally actually feeling really good about it #we're on good terms and all #but every now and then this realization that my entire life is different now hits me #the day before we broke up but i was already like 97% sure it was gonna happen there was some event in the city #and this same song wafted into my room and i instantly started crying because it was so precisely how i felt #it's hoe het danst btw #i wasn't full on crying at the party last night but like enough that my friend noticed #and this morning (ok afternoon shhh) we talked about it some #it's crazy how many people we know whose relationship has ended in the past couple of months #weird trend #and the whole situation is weird but it isn't bad #i'm kinda excited for the new possibilities this might bring #even though that feels odd as well #and i hate the idea of dating but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it #or IF we get to it #the party was loads of fun btw!!!! love my friends from uni #my life

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mud-castle · 2 years

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Speaking of the WoF rewrite. Can you give us a quick rundown of how you might redo the first two arcs? Like, the major changes? Just do one if both is a bit too much

Mmm, I can give a list of some major changes made in the first arc, as a rundown would be too much at the moment. So current big changes:

- The war has lasted about a century or two longer and the time it takes place is the result of fighting and tensions amongst the major Sandwing royal families. So Blister, Burn, and Blaze are not sisters but are related.

- The Sandwing Queendom is HUGE, and powerful as it is both a major importer and exporter of goods, and covers some major trade routes on the continent.

- The Queendoms each have their different cultures, religions, languages, and customs, though there is a universal language that everyone learns in school. Said language is not called Dragon like in the books, because wtf.

- The Sandwing queens do recognize the absurdity of some random children determining their destinies, and each deal with meeting them in their own ways.

- Starflight doesn't become blind, he's born blind (not totally blind, he can perceive light and dark). And his and Sunny's egg were both exposed to a bit of moonlight. They do not get powers like Darkstalker. But think of Sunny as an intense empath, and Starflight having good instincts about a future situation. Though this can be hard to separate from his general anxiety so....

- The Nightwings keep a much closer eye on the growing dragonets. With Nightwing guardians being selected and shifted around, both to watch and to make sure Starflight grows to be a "proper Nightwing." Maybe drop some propaganda while we're at it.

- Being born under the three moons has a physical affect on the dragonets' appearances (mostly cause there's not really a reason anyone, except Scarlet, should believe them when they claim they're the dragonets). I'm not fully sure what yet, but we'll cross that bridge later.

- The dragonets are not kept in a mountain in the Skywing kingdom. They're in one of few neutral territories, and have more than three dragons watching them. Though, they don't really have personal relationships with them.

- Glory is kept around, but seen as more as a novelty. Kestrel still hates her because she's Kestrel. The guardians try to keep Glory separate from the other dragonets. Camouflage is very handy.

- They escape due to a betrayal that lead to an attack, but still end up in Scarlet's claws.

- Meet Peril, she's about the same. Though she usually can't melt metal (since that would mean she'd melt rocks, which she often sits on). She actually knows how to fight, rather than just having hot scales. She was born hot, but her heat strengthened with age, so she lost all dragons in her life (except Scarlet and Osprey) due to her touch being harmful to them. She is severely touch-starved.

- Anyway, Clay uses power of friendship, it's kind of effective?

- Cue gladiator fights, some Skywing culture, and the introduction of Burn. Burn is scary, and also kind of dramatic. All three "queens" aren't like their propaganda depicts them as. So Burn is still known as a brute, Blister is smart, Blaze is dumb. But in reality, it's not exactly like that.

- Peril isn't in the ring as often. Scarlet wants to keep gladiator moral up (the promise of freedom if they win enough fights), so Peril is usually used for special occasions. A bit of spice, so to speak. For days like the dragonet's first arrival, and Scarlet's hatching day.

- Eventually they escape due to the power of friendship and venom.

- We see the impact of the war on the continent's dragons. Area where Clay was born, where "The Lowest Born Mudwings" are is not a great place to live.

- Meet Queen Coral, Tsunami's mother. The Seawing "Queendom" is a bit more complicated than the others, and technically are not allied with anyone.

- Seawings are known to carry messages for the other queendoms through rivers that run across the continent. They're not seen as trustworthy due to this.

- Seawings also have the most diversity in appearance. This is due to some living along the coast, some living farther out, and others living deep in the sea. Fun fact: most deepsea seawings do not understand pyrrhian nor can they speak it.

- Coral is about the same (only Tsunami does not end the book thinking she's a good queen or mother) and she works with the Nightwings and Blister. Blister is not obviously evil, and her and Glory vibe.

- Anemone shall be keeping her personality from Lost Heir.

- I'm trying to make animus magic not as op, and kind of struggling with it, so can't say much there.

- Escapes again and end up in the Rainforest Queendom....s? Things get a little creepy, and I could make an Avatar reference, but I don't want to reveal too much...

- Glory does not become queen.

- Er, this is where things really get iffy as dealing with the Nightwings is a bit complicated, so I'm gonna end this here.

#ask #wof #wings of fire #wof rewrite

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nashibirne · 3 years

Text

London Calling - 1

Yes, I'm still in my August phase and I'm not even sorry...I just can't stop thinking about the sexy mf and so this idea crossed my mind and turned into a storyline. I have to admit I'm even more nervous about posting this than usual because it's a little different from what I've written before and I really hope it's not going to bore the shit out of you. If you like this although the tension between August and my ofc builds slowly, please let me know. I appreciate every single comment, reblog and/or like! Thanks 💜

Pairing: Augut Walker x OFC (Lu Johnson)

Words: ~3.0 k

Summary and A/N: This story plays with the thought of "what if…" What if August Walker had taken another road? What if he had turned into John Lark for completely different reasons? What if he had found love before becoming a bitter, disillusioned man?So the events of "London Calling" take place about ten years prior to MI:Fallout and August Walker hasn't joined the CIA yet, he's an FBI Agent and his new mission in London that lies ahead of him is going to be a challenging one. Maybe it's even going to change his life.

Warnings: 18+! This story deals with the topic of a toxic/abusive relationship, gaslighting and problematic behavior of one of the protagonists in general. Please don't read if these topics trigger you or make you feel uncomfortable. Luckily I've never been in any kind of toxic or abusive relationship, so I lack personal experience but I hope still do this sensitive topic justice.

English is not my mother tongue but the lovely @sillyrabbit81 was so kind to be my very helpful and patient Beta! Thank you so, so much, bunny 🐇💜 You have no idea how much I appreciate your support, your encouragement, your help and the fact that you took the time to proofread this. (Edited by me, so there might still be mistakes and they're all mine)

📖 You can find my other fics on my Masterlist 📖

Credits: I don't own August Walker or anything related to MI:Fallout. Pics for the moodboard from pinterest, face claims: Lu - Hannah van der Westhuysen, Adam - Freddie Thorpe. FaceApp helped me with making August look a little younger

Taglist

@lunedelorient @inlovewithhisblueeyes @willkatfanfromasia @hell1129-blog @mis-lil-red @agniavateira @kebabgirl67 @omgkatinka @legendarywizarddetective @summersong69 @taebfada @xxxkatxo @artandotherdelights @notabronte @littlefreya @luclittlepond @eldarwen333 @meowpurrbooks @marantha @liliumdream @enchantedbytomandhenry @greensleeves888 @witcherfanfics101 @margauxmargaux07 @radaofrivia @m07belzen @a-little-counter-esperanto @starstruckkittyangel @mary-ann84 @sillyrabbit81 @emelinelovesjc @wheretheriversrunintothesea @lam0ureuxq @kingliam2019 @pandaxnienke

So...now...off we go...story under the cut!

"London? Are you kidding me, Kyle?"

August Walker stopped pacing the room with an incredulous frown. He raised his eyebrows, his blue eyes fixed on the other man's face.

"Absolutely not," his superior and close friend of many years said slowly, drawling both words more than necessary to stress that he wasn't joking. "They want you in London."

"What about my promotion? You gave me your word. You wanted me to finish Operation Old Bridge and that's what I did. You wanted Tony Salerno's head on a silver platter, that's what you got."

August's voice was surprisingly calm, his expression blank but his gaze was blazing with anger and frustration. His hands were balled into fists and he only opened them to lean on Kyle's wooden desk, which was very tidy, except for the piles of case files that slowly grew larger than him.

"Damn, Kyle, I risked my life when I went undercover and joined this Mafia mob."

"I know, August, but unfortunately my hands are tied. Interpol wants our best undercover Agent and that's you. Just this last job and afterwards you can happily join the CIA." SSA Kyle Langdon leaned back in his chair and clasped his hands behind his neck with a sigh and an apologetic shrug.

"That's exactly what you said last time. Do you expect me to believe you?"

"As I said, it's not my doing. Manchester contacted Bill because the NCB needs help, blue notice, August. You know that we cannot say no and that means...London calling, man," Kyle pointed out with a smile. "You should be grateful, it's a great opportunity. So just do your job there, return and get your promotion."

"Why don't you just send someone else and I get my promotion right now? We have many great undercover agents. Craig for example. He's crazy about British pussies. He'll love London." August straightened his tall body before crossing his arms in front of his broad chest that was forced into a white button down shirt and a black suit jacket.

"No, Craig cannot go because they want you in this operation. They asked explicitly for Agent August Walker. That's a huge appreciation of your work and a big compliment. You're only 27, August, not many FBI agents are this well known and respected at such a young age." Kyle sat up straight, mirroring August's body language.

"I don't give a shit about their respect and appreciation. I know my worth and I know I'm your best agent. I've worked very hard to get where I stand now... just one step away from becoming a CIA agent," August said angrily, his brows furrowed, his eyes dark. "Fuck, Kyle...why use an American agent in a purely British matter in the first place? They could easily…"

"Listen, August," Kyle cut in and he got up and walked around his desk to face his friend, "the thing is, I am not asking you to do this, okay? It's not a request, it's an order. There's no room to negotiate."

He gave him a friendly smile to temper his words before placing a hand on August's shoulder. "No hard feelings. It's…"

"It's the job. Yeah. I know." August took a step back and nodded his head slowly, curling his lip. He had heard his boss say these words so many times and he hated that line although he was perfectly aware that it was the truth. That was the way it worked. They got orders, they did the job, no matter what. He took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes for a moment, feeling a bad headache brewing behind his forehead.

"I have already talked to Sloane about this. Erica seconds the motion by Interpol because she wants you to prove yourself in another operation abroad. If you are successful you will be part of her team. It's simple, Walker. Just don't fuck this up."

"I've never fucked anything up,” August snarled, clenching his teeth, his jaw grinding.

"See, that's exactly why they want you,” Kyle answered with a triumphant smile.

****

"Lu!" Adam Mayfield knocked impatiently on the bathroom door. "Get ready. We're going to be late." He glanced at his Rolex with an annoyed sigh before he straightened his tuxedo jacket and adjusted his bow tie for the umpteenth time. "God damn, this meeting is important." He banged his fist against the door again and rolled his eyes when he heard her muffled voice behind the bathroom walls. "Just a minute, Adam."

Although he was really a little angry that it took her so long to get ready, they weren't actually late, in fact there was more than enough time to meet up with his clients at The London Opera. He had just said that to make her hurry up. Lu had the tendency to dawdle around, she got easily distracted and it was his responsibility to help her with that bad habit and usually it worked well.

Compared to the woman she was when they had met at a party more than five years ago, she had improved her behavior a lot, thanks to his efforts and his strict education. She had been common as muck when they started dating, an ordinary working class girl, smart but not a bit sophisticated, pretty but with no sense of fashion or taste, ambitious but without any connections. He had changed that, he had moulded her into the beautiful, stylish, refined and cultured woman she was now. She was his work, his success, his pride...she was his.

When the door of the bathroom that was adjacent to the master bedroom finally swung open, the welcoming sight of his fiancee interrupted his thoughts and picked up his spirits immediately.

"Wow, this was worth the wait." He eyed her up and down with a smirk and leaned in for a kiss but she stopped him with her hands pressed against his narrow chest.

"No, you're gonna ruin my make-up, darling." Lu smiled at him and spinned around to present him her dress. The black, belted Burberry gown was elegant and classy. High-necked on the front but with a low back that showed off lots of her perfect, lightly tanned skin. Chaste and sexy at the same time, just the way Adam liked it.

"That dress is stunning, baby. You look wonderful." He grabbed her by her waist and pulled her close to leave a sensual kiss on her slim neck while his hands wandered to her ass where they rested for a moment before they squeezed her firm cheeks. "I really hope you're not wearing any panties."

Lu freed herself from his embrace with a frown and stepped in front of the large wall mirror opposite of their king-size bed to check her reflection one last time, tucking a strand of blonde hair behind her ear.

"Of course I'm wearing panties. We're going to the opera with your VIP clients." She walked to her dressing table and took the diamond-encrusted, leaf-shaped brooch Adam had given her for their five years anniversary on New Year's Eve. "Would you help me with this?"

Adam took the piece of jewelry from her slim hand and pinned it carefully on her dress, right above her heart. He kissed her tenderly but his expression was stern when he spoke. "Strip it off."

Lu's eyes grew wide. "What?"

"You heard me. Get rid of your thong. I know you're wearing one of these slutty, tiny g-strings to make sure your look is flawless and your underwear doesn't show under your dress." His face hardened slightly, yet his voice remained soft and smooth.

"But…"

"Don't test me, Lu,” he said slowly, still smiling but screwing up his beautiful grey eyes. "I want you naked underneath that dress in case I want to have a little fun with you tonight. I mean, we both know Rigoletto is gonna be boring as fuck, we may need a little distraction." He gave her a lewd smirk and with a tiny frown and a raise of his brows he motioned her to be obedient. "You don't want anything to get in my way, do you? Not even a little piece of lace, right?"

"Of course not, Adam," she answered softly with a smile she had to force onto her lips. Lu reached under her dress with shaking hands and pulled down her panties till they hit the floor so she could step out of them carefully, making sure they wouldn't get tangled up in her stiletto heels.

"Good girl," Adam said with a wolfish grin and with a sly smile he added, "you know what, baby? I think I'm going to have a little fun with you just now. My clients can wait."

Lu didn't even try to argue with him, knowing exactly that she was in a no-win situation. She closed her eyes and turned around, lifting up her dress, when she heard him unzip his fly.

****

While Adam Mayfield was fucking his fiancee in front of a mirror in one of the most exclusive penthouses in London, August Walker was having a bad coffee, sitting at a table in the plain and pretty ugly meeting room of their FBI department at the J. Edgar Hoover Building in Washington DC, listening to the explanations of Kyle and the lead of 'Operation Brutus', Christine Carpenter. He didn't like her much but he respected her competence and her leadership qualities and most of all he trusted her with giving him the perfect fake identity for the job in London.

"So, what do you have for me, Chris?" August looked at her with a smile, but his eyes gave away that he'd rather be somewhere else.

"Well, let me just explain the background first, okay?"

She pressed a button on her laptop and the handsome face of a young man appeared on the screen behind her.

"This", she nodded at the picture, "is Adam Arthur Clive Mayfield, 27 years old, only son of Alfred Mayfair and his late wife Erica, heir of the immense family fortune and the private bank Mayfield & Holmes, that was established by his ancestors more than 200 years ago. He is one of the most eligible bachelors in the United Kingdom, and one of the richest, too. His father officially still runs the family business but he isn't in the best state of health, so in fact Mayfield junior is the one who's at the helm. Unlike his father he's not a man of integrity, he's been on the radar of the British authorities for years. From dealing drugs and other minor crimes in his college years to insider trading, investor fraud, misappropriation and money laundering nowadays. He is a big fish, has connections all over the world, drug rings, gun runners, human traffickers, you name it."

"And the Brits are not able to catch him without my help?" August couldn't help but smirk cockily.

"Don't be so full of yourself, Walker. The problem is, he is a damn genius. IQ score beyond 150, very clever, very cautious, a strategic mastermind, always ahead of the authorities. They tried to infiltrate his business a few times but they failed miserably, so now they want to concentrate on his private life."

"And this is gonna be my part?"

"Exactly," Kyle said, getting up to join Christine in front of the screen. "He has a few bodyguards he always hires from an American agency. They are known for their discretion and loyalty and the bodyguards they place with their clients are the best of the best. Unfortunately one of his bodyguards died in an accident a week ago and now he needs a new one. Luckily, we have the owner of the agency by the balls for several major crimes. He cooperates or he will end up behind bars for the rest of his life."

"To cut a long story short, he will place you with Mayfield and you can become part of his daily life. Your job consists of monitoring and collecting information and data. I will give you an exact briefing later," Christine finished Kyle's explanations.

"So I will just be his lapdog?"

"Not his," Kyle grinned, "hers."

The picture on the screen changed, now showing a young, blonde woman. The second he saw her, he judged her.

He could tell what she was like, just by her looks, by the way she jutted her chin in the picture, by her perfectly manicured fingers, by her flawless make up and the expensive clothes. He knew women like her, a walking stereotype, the blond, beautiful Trophy Wife Barbie that's always by Millionaire Ken's side. Pretty on the outside, boring on the inside. Lame bimbos that only lived for showing off their designer clothes and it-bags, tripping around in high heels that cost more than he earned in a month, finding self-fulfilment in stupid things like designing overpriced furniture, running a yoga studio or doing charity stuff. Useless, needless but still blueprints for millions of girls who would literally give the shirt off their backs to catch themselves a rockstar, a famous actor, a hyped football player or just a rich heir.

"This is Mayfield's fiancee," Kyle said, pointing at the photo, "you're gonna be her personal bodyguard."

"How am I supposed to monitor him, when I have to be on her heels all the time?"

"You're gonna live with them, there will be lots of opportunities. Just make her trust you, we need her to open up, get her to talk. They've been together for years, she should know what he's involved in," Chris explained and she made it sound easy when in fact it wasn't only hard to gain a stranger's trust, in this case it was even dangerous.

"Alright. Tell me about her."

"Her name is Lucretia Johnson, 24 years old," Kyle started reading the memo.

"Lucretia?" August let out an amused snort.

"Yeah," Kyle grinned, "her mother seems to have a preference for strange names, her younger sister's called Petronilla."

"What the fuck?" August laughed out loud. "Is she some kind of Latin professor or something?"

"Well, first of all she's dead," Christine took over with a serious look on her face, she was notorious for her lack of humour, "and secondly, no, she was not a professor. She was an alcoholic and a complete mess. An irresponsible, uncaring mother who spent too much time fucking around and too little time taking care of her daughters. Petronilla was taken away from her when she was 15 and was handed over to youth welfare. Lucretia was 18 at the time and lived on the campus of the Chelsea College of Art and Design."

"So she's an artist, huh?" August knew the ridicule in his voice wasn't very professional but he just couldn't help it.

"Maybe, at least she has a master degree in curating and owns a little gallery in Covent Garden. Well, actually Mayfield owns it, she just runs it."

"So, to sum it up, she's made it from the daughter of a drunkard to the fiancee of one of the richest heirs in the kingdom. She's fucked her way to the top. I guess that's all I need to know about her."

"Don't be so sure, August. She seems to be smart," Kyle threw in, "I think there's more to her than the pretty face. It's just a gut feeling but I guess you'll find out soon enough."

August took a deep breath, rolling his eyes at Kyle. "Sure. She's the saint that sleeps with the devil."

"That's not what I said, mate. But whatever she is, you'll have to deal with it."

"What's my cover, Christine?" August wanted to know.

"Well, your alias was born in 1981, just like you, but on the fifth of May. Born and raised in Portland, Maine. Only child, mother deceased, not on speaking terms with his father, a mechanic who still lives in Portland. You can find the details of your early life and your family tree in the memo," she waved the file above her head before she continued. "Careerwise...ex military, ex cop, had some problems following the rules and respecting the law. Single, no ex-wifes, no kids. We kept it plain and simple. They will not dig deep anyway. According to the agency boss, Mayfield expects his bodyguards to be disciplined, always on duty, quiet and discreet. There's three of you. Benjamin Garner is Mayfield's watchdog and his personal assistant, Edward Landow was Johnson's guard you're gonna replace, Andrew Brown is the back-up. You and Garner live with them, Brown lives nearby with his girlfriend. There's other staff of course, a housekeeper, a cook, cleaners. No chauffeur, no butler, no assistant, that's all part of your job."

"Great," August let out an annoyed snort, "so basically I'm gonna be her servant."

"Basically," Chris fixed her gaze on August, "you're not gonna leave her side unless you're told to. Just be professional, stay in the background, prick up your ears, listen closely and be careful. No obvious nosing around. Their penthouse is a high tech fortress, including video monitoring, so just…"

"I know how to work undercover," August cut in impatiently, "just gimme that fucking file and let me do my job."

Christine gave him a pissed look but she handed him the document with a shrug and without further comment. August grabbed it from her hands, staring at the data of his new life, his new name and the composite sketch of his new look. He would have to stop shaving.

*****

tbc

#henry cavill #cavillry #henry cavill fandom #henry cavill fanfic #henry cavill fanfiction #august walker #august walker fanfiction #august walker x ofc #slow burn

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ddwcaph-game · 2 years

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If you have the time and would like to talk about it, could you please talk more about changing / switching from choice script to making it a vn? I just really like hearing you talk about it, maybe you could talk more about how it's going? What you're planning? Why? Etc? Don't feel pressured to do this, regardless thank you ^^

Hiii! Omg, it's nice to see someone interested in the VN development. 😊 This turned out to be kinda long, but it's your fault, hehe. Just a reminder: I will still update the Dashingdon demo for Mr. Time Being.

The conversion process isn't actually bad since coding in Ren'Py has quite a few similarities to ChoiceScript (find and replace works really well), and I'm very happy I found something similar to the multireplace feature by using custom tags (it's something I abuse a lot).

I haven't tried coding the stat subroutines yet, but the problem there is actually how to display the locket notifications (and all the UI stuff in general). I'm not sure how I want to do this (I'm thinking your locket will briefly appear on the right side with all the stat/relationship changes), but I'll cross the GUI bridge once I've moved the existing stuff over.

As for stuff I'm planning, all the text boxes and stuff will definitely change when you go from world to world! So the text box (and maybe choices?) will probably look something like lined paper at the start, and then become futuristic looking when we go to Lily's story world, for example.

I'll share how things look like once I've started making them, but don't expect anything anytime soon.

Oh, and since MC's Twin is going to need a sprite, this means your MC will have one too! (They'll probably share the same assets.) This will be the most painful part for me to draw and code, but I've looked into some tutorials and examples and it looks doable, so... let's hope my coding powers will be able to handle it. 😛

...

The customization screen will appear when you first open your locket, and it's something I'm definitely excited for (and hopefully you are too)! I'm probably not gonna draw baby MC and Twin, so your locket will have the 9-year-old picture too if you kept the picture with Maggie.

The other thing I'm concerned about is the backgrounds. I'm going to need A LOT of them, especially because there's very few ones I'll be able to reuse. This is a problem for future me though, since I imagine it's one of the last things I'll be working on (if I don't get any help by then).

I'm still undecided about the title change, but if I actually go through with it, it's probably the best time to do so once I release the VN demo. I've also discovered the amare tag recently, so I'll start using that since I think it fits my story quite nicely.

Speaking of VNs, I checked out Our Life: Beginnings & Always last month for some "research". I played as Roselyna (she's my goto character along with Wayne), and I gotta say... her situation with Cove has quite a few similarities with Wayne. 😅 I love it so much.

I'd say that I'm looking for recommendations, but even that took me a while to finish (I'm kinda finifugal too). I'll definitely check out more once I'm working on the VN demo full-time.

Anyway, I haven't really done much yet since I'm also working on Chapter 3. It's uh... going very slowly right now since I'm drained of energy and motivation, but this ask really brightened my day, so thank you! 😊

And since we're on the topic... I really really wouldn't mind answering more questions or doing some prompts. My inbox is very lonely, and they really do help a lot with the development, as well as making me feel like people actually care about my project. It's a terrible feeling to say the least.

#interactive fiction #interactive novel #amare #amare game #amaredev #ddwcaph development #dear diary asks

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forthechubbies · 4 years

Text

Mrs. Jeon Vol 3

Synopsis• One nightstand gone Marriage!? The past catches up with Yn when her head over heels husband finds his lost bride and will keep her by any means necessary.

Category's•Violent Thoughts, Hostel Behavior, Nsfw (Later), and Bratty Jungkook.

Duos• Yandere! Jungkook x Chubby! Reader

Vol 1, 2, 3, 4,

What’s going on down there? It sounds restlessly calm. You could hear muffled voices but nothing more; you aren't too keen on testing your luck and sneak into the corridor to eavesdrop on their conversation. Pretty sure the door is locked anyway.

Instead, You took note of the confined walls surrounding you. A typical master bedroom accessorized an earthy decor, cute mini-plants placed in various room areas, two tiny pet turtles in a tank constructed into a giant wooden bookshelf.

Speaking of books, talk about books galore. The shelved books had little to no wiggle room aside from the one empty slot belonging to the open novel on the nightstand. The owner won’t mind you partaking in one quick gander-

“Ah!” You gasp, fixing your eyes on your newly treated ankle. For a minute, you just about forgot this crazy abducted situation your in. The bedsprings dip as you flop back into the spot where Jimin left you. Jimin was the man you fell on during your first attempt at freedom; he was even generous enough to bandage with utmost care.

A kind gesture a particular bunny wasn’t too thrilled on seeing, Jungkook's face soured while watching Jimin’s filthy little womanizing hands caressing the delicate soft plushy skin of his carrot’s legs.

Son of a bitch trying to cop a feel on his wife, Jimin’s flirtatious persona, led him out to be a well-known heartthrob but often seen as a gigolo through certain people's point of view and, frankly, Jungkook's wife won't be a victim of the Jimin Effect.

Crash!

The smash of a glass object-making contact with the hard marble kitchen floor snatched Jimin’s and your attention giving it to the irritable bunny who’s psychotically enthusiastic about testing his progress in strength by snapping his hyung’s neck-

Oh, no, his carrot looks frightened-He shouldn't do such a brutal act of love with his wife nearby; her poor innocent heart might shatter. No violence...At least for the time being.

Next thing you know, Jungkook's face lightened up, and even when Jimin bit his head off for breaking one of Jin’s fancy dinnerware, his facial expression persisted undaunted. Jungkook kept a serene masquerade, but through closer observation, he clenched his jaw at Jimin’s hand on cradling the small of his wife’s back, guiding her into hiding in the upper part of the house for a reason unknown.

Jungkook let Jimin take you no-fuss included, Hence, Your encaged situation. For all, you know, The men were downstairs plotting a far-flung strategy to murder you making it look like a battle of defense.

Though, You were more occupied by another Crack for the floor down below. ” Ahh!” You cried out, falling back on the bed once again.

Meanwhile, Downstairs.

”Stop! Breaking Hyung’s plates, or we're both as good as dead!” Jimin growled. ”Quit avoiding the question! Who the hell is that woman!? Did you hurt her!? Why-!” Jimin asked Jungkook until his cheeks burned a reddish hue, and his neck veins were dominant.

In one swift breath, Jungkook responded. “ She’s Mrs.Jeon. My wife.”

Jimin knew his maknae had a few loose screws in his head, but this is getting out of hand.

”Wife?! Do you know how old you are!? Kook, You just turn twenty-three-”

”So What.” Jungkook interrupted. ”You want me to wait until I’m an ancient fart like Hyung to get married.”

”Pffft.” Jimin pressed his lips into a thin line suppressing his need to laugh. ”Ahem, respect your elders-You little brat.”

Amidst the brothers at each other's throats, another member of the maknae line awakened from his mid-morning nap; drowsy eyed Kim Taehyung waddled upstairs to check up on his Hyung living in the room above him.

He could have sworn a faint scream is what he heard-Well; there's no harm in checking.

You jumped at the squeaky hinges of the door opening. Wait, it was unlocked!? Expecting the uninvited visitor to be Jungkook, You raised a pillow over your head, ready to be hurled-to your amazement; it was a completely different man.

A long-haired male with long chocolate locks kept at bay by a beige headband; his attire was disarray. His tank top hung off his shoulder, slightly creased in his pajama pant’s waistband.

Adorable, to say the least, the poor thing’s eyes weren’t even fully open yet, the pretty pink pout of his lips nearly forced an” Aw” from yours.

”Who are you?” He grumbled, scratching the back of his neck.

Sweet mother of deep, He stood a few feet away, but the raspiness and depth of his voice caused your insides to start quivering.

”I’m-I’m the sand fairy.” You choked out, fluttering the tips of your fingers as if spreading magic dust. ” I'm here to ensure all your dreams are sweet. ”

You nibbled your lip nervously, hoping he takes the bait. He yawned in response dragging his exhausted body across the room to you; he halts. You gulped, staring up at him; you felt like a mouse about to pounce on by a tiger.

”H-H-I!” You yelped.

The man took no real investment in your fib; instead, he decided to reap the benefits of how soft and plushy you are by laying his head on your bare thighs. He wiggled in place to reach maximum comfort.

”Ah.” He moaned, falling back to sleep.

Oh, dear.

………

The sound of the hyung’s arrival made the two maknae gulp.

First in the door was Hoseok, hands full grocery bags ” Come help! Quick, save the ice cream if it isn't soup by now.”

Namjoon followed behind. ” I told Jin not to get the ice cream first-He knows how he gets with his coupons.”

”The worst part is he got upset when we told him that's enough food then told to stay in the car.” Yoongi stretched out the pins and needles feeling in his limbs.

”You may say that's enough now, but when that brat comes, he's going to eat us out of house and home!” Jin scolded, unconsciously fetching the rest of the bags.

Jin froze, staring at Jungkook, helping put the food in the correct places. He didn't hesitate to smother his baby boy in a hug, but right after, he jabbed Jungkook's gut.

”Oof!” Jungkook doubled over, gripping his chest. ” I missed you too,” He coughed.

Jin stood tall. ” And there's plenty more where that came from once Hoseok gets his hands on you.”

Anyone but Hoseok.

” I heard Jk!” Hoseok rushed Jungkook a bear hug. ” Thank goodness you're alright!” He jabbed in his Jungkook's gut. ” Where the hell have you been?!”

Jungkook groaned. ” Ou-Ouch..I won't be able to tell you if I keep getting hit.” He cleared his throat. ”America.”

”America!” The hyungs blared out.

Namjoon pinched the bridge of his nose. ” What possessed you to go there on your own? Have you forgotten what you are?”

Jungkook sighed. “ I know, I know, but I just envy normal people around my age having the freedom to go wherever they want.”

“ But you’re not," Yoongi brutally minced Jungkook’s sob story. He’s not particularly fond of beating around the bush, especially when dealing with his brothers earlier this afternoon. “ Unlike ‘normal’ twenty-year-olds, you are adored by army who would be upset if anything happened to you.”

Jungkook bowed his head in shame; the thought of army never really crossed his mind.

“And-“ Yoongi continued. “ There are crazies in every country, so what made you think heading off on your own would be alright!?”

“Why America?” Namjoon’s brow jumped as the gears in his head began to turn. “ Out of all the beautiful places we visited-You chose the U.S? What was there that you had to leave without an explanation?”

Namjoon stared at Jungkook’s eyes not in a malicious sense, just a habit when trying to figure out a solution or, in this case, a missing clue to the reason his little brother hopped up and left.

“Twinkats (Twinkies),” Jimin laughed nervously. “ I bet his suitcase is full of them.”

Sadly, Jimin’s fairy charm wouldn’t work this time. Jungkook is drowning in deep waters, and there’s no salvage coming for miles; at this rate, Jungkook had two options: tell the truth, orrrr, run away with his loving wife in his arms.

Not gonna lie; Jungkook leaned towards the second option, but the fates had another plan.

”Hyung! Hyung! Namjoon-Hyungie!!” Taehyung screamed bloody murder, sprinting downstairs minus jumping the last five steps. ” Her ankle is purple!”

Taehyung paused, breathing heavily in front of the kitchen where the interrogation is being held, accompanied by a woman injured cradled in his arms, more worried about him dropping than her throbbing ankle.

Taehyung had the room’s undivided attention, and Jungkook’s enviousness scowl; his wife was clinging on to another man like a baby koala to its mother but had it been him, she would scratch his eyes out.

Let's not mention the fact! It seems like she's only wearing a shirt, and guess who the owner is, not him!

” Who-”

”What-”

”Why”

” How!?”

Before getting into details about the hyung's reaction to their new houseguest, let's first take a detour to Prince Taehyung mini rescue adventure.

A good hour in, Taehyung woke up from the best nap of his life to beautiful damsel sniffles and tears. The sweetheart asked what was wrong and nodded as the damsel explained, coming to realize she was in distress. Prince Taehyung aided the beauty with new clothes and tied a red ribbon into her hair….beacause he thought it would look pretty (Shrugs).

However, her ankle injury required a different source of help, so who else to ask but his favorite Hyung? But he couldn't find Yoongi in his room, so he decided to ask Namjoon instead.

Back to the original story

Taehyung explains the truth unconsciously, throwing his little brother under the bus.

Jin’s eye twitched as he peered at Jungkook, who was attempting to slip out of the kitchen. ” You little sh-!”

Let's just say Jin didn't nearly beat Jungkook almost half to death with a rice paddle while shouting numerous insults to bruise a thousand men’s pride in a second.

It went silent after Jin banished Jungkook to the beach house a few feet from the house until he wanted to see his face again. Namjoon took it upon himself to introduce the gang.

You politely shared a warm hello but wished nothing more to go home.

#bts imagines #bts fanfic #bts fic #bts imagination #bts smut #bts #bts army #bts imagine #bts namjoon #bts run #jungkook yandere #bts yandere #yandere bts #yandere jungkook #yandere jeon jungkook #jjk fanfic #jeon jungkookie #bts jeongkook #jeon jungguk

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drariellevalentine · 4 years

Text

Medically Inevitable

Chapter 9- Mischievous Mishaps

Warnings:- Alcohol, slight cursing, a bunch of fluff and cuteness overload

Characters:- Arielle Valentine, Alyssa Raines, Ethan Ramsey, Arabelle Raines, Naveen Banerji, Kyra Santana, Sienna Trinh, Jackie Varma, Ines Delarosa

Pairing:- Ethan Ramsey x Arielle Valentine

Author’s Note:- Guess what! I finally figured out how to add a ‘keep reading’!

Ethan’s PoV:-

You never thought babysitting a 5 year old would be this tough. But this girl is starting to prove you wrong. Arabelle has a level of curiosity that cannot be matched by many 5 year olds. She has questions about everything she notices. You usually approve of this inquisitive nature (as long as you don't need to deal with it) but this kid just loves to ask you personal questions. And this isn't the only hard part, the hardest thing is how stubborn she is. But yet she managed to somehow get into your life. Just like Arielle, your subconscious reminds you but you shake it off as soon as the thought crosses your mind.

Grabbing the strawberry milkshake you just made, you make your way to the living room. Handing the glass to Arabelle you take a seat in the sofa and go through Naveen's recent test reports.

“Thank you! Mm, this is yummy!”, she says as she listens to the story.

You keep looking at the pages but can barely focus, your mind wanders to Naveen and Arabelle. You try to understand what the story is about. After minutes of listening. you understand that Naveen is reading some Disney story to Arabelle from her e-book reader, guessing that because Naveen is mentioning of a prince and princess quite often along with some utensils which can talk. You scoff at the childishness of the story.

You switch your attention back to the medical reports rather than listening to that unreal and childish love story.

Half an hour after, a whiny Arabelle grabs your attention. Sighing you place the file on the coffee table and try to listen to her.

"But I want to hear more of it!" She pouts and Naveen smiles.

"I know, Belle," He starts, "But your e-book reader is out of battery and I can promise you that Uncle Naveen just has boring books in his phone, nothing as interesting and lovable as the stories you read."

You see Naveen smirking at you as you groan. "What do you want?" You ask.

"Belle here wants to read more but her e-book reader is out of charge," Naveen sighs.

"I'll find something for her to read," you say and move towards your bookshelf to find something that a child can read.

Naveen fakes a cough and when he understands he got your attention, he proceeds with a smirk,"Just like I said, my friend, you don't have anything that a child can read and I can assure you that."

You pretend to get annoyed and go back to your seat. All this time Arabelle looks at you with puppy eyes and a cute pout on her face, again reminding you of a certain intern. This face is going to be the death of me one day! You sigh, pinching the bridge if your nose, “Fine! There's a library in this building. Let's go there."

As soon as the words leaves your mouth, Arabelle smiles at you brightly, running towards you and engulfs you in a hug, or at least tries to. “Thank you!”

Shocked from the sudden action, you sit there still for a moment before awkwardly reciprocating it. Though you act like you’re not comfortable, deep inside, this small act of affection warms your heart up.

Soon after you enter the library, Naveen leaves you to read the rest of the story to Belle because he found some books he was looking forward to read. "She'll guide you up to the part I read her," He waves before moving.

Sighing, you take Arabelle to the kids area, she runs off. After finding the book, she runs over and hands it to you. You have to crouch down to grab the book. With one last sigh, you guide her towards the sitting area. On your way, she clasps your hand, sticking to your side. Another affectionate act that warms up your heart and this time you can't help but smile.

"You know her and mine name is the same!" She says pointing towards the picture on the book.

"Really?" You ask and she nods enthusiastically.

"Her name is Belle and so is mine!" She smiles broadly.

"Isn't your name Arabelle?"

"Yes, but everyone calls me Belle," she beams at you and you smile back at her.

As you start reading she's doing everything but listen. She just won’t sit straight. She's jumping around, lying on the rug or sitting. Lastly, she plops herself into the center of your lap, bending over your knee. You look up to see Naveen laughing as he snaps a picture. “What are you doing?”

“Absolutely nothing.”, he replies when clearly you can see he’s texting someone. You’re about to ask when Belle interrupts you. You look down to see her head on one side of your leg, feet on another.

“What happens next?!”, she asks. You continue reading the story, and end up reading several more.

Arielle’s PoV:-

After dropping off Belle, you drive back to Flair and pick everyone up. “Hey guys! Are you all ready?” You look up to see everyone dressed and styled perfectly. “Looking good, ladies! Now come on!” You lead everyone to your car and drive to ‘Glamour’, the new club that opened downtown a few months back.

“Arielle, I got you a jacket! Here.” She spins me around and slips it on as the rest of the girls get down. You lock the car and head to the very, very, very, very long queue.

“Follow me, girls!”, Alyssa saunters to the front of the queue, flashing her ID at the bouncer. You notice a few paparazzi flashing pics, something the both of you are very accustomed to.

“Please, come in mam. Who else is with you, you mentioned 5 other people?” Alyssa points to the group and another bouncer leads us through the heavy crowd to the secluded VIP lounge.

"Oof! I need a drink after getting through this crowd," you sigh and take a seat.

“Well I need at least ten!", Jackie says and then places your order.

A few minutes later the bartender places a tray of shots in front of your group.

"We're going to start with tequila?" Alyssa asks slightly shocked.

"Start, finish and everything in between," Sienna giggles."That's Jackie's life quote!" She hi-fives you and all of you laugh. Jackie scoffs from beside you.

After four more round of shots, your now sultry voice says,"I wanna hit the dance floor now!"

You drag everyone along with you to the crowded dance floor. You couldn't help but move along with the sultry bass beats, swinging your hips with Aly. Both of you mirror each other’s moves, earning whistles from the girls. After a while, Sienna, Ines, Kyra and even Jackie joins you two. All six of you dance away into the night, letting all your troubles float away.

Ethan’s PoV:-

After you come back from the library, you notice Belle with a sad look on her face. “What happened?”, you ask.

“I miss mommy! When are they coming back?”, she asks.

“They’ll be back a bit late, my dear. Meanwhile, we can do something fun, don’t you think? Your aunt always does fun things with you when she babysits you.”, Naveen replies.

“Okay...what can we do?” You rack your mind for ideas. What do 5 year olds like to do? You notice the time and it’s already 7, and you haven’t made anything for dinner.

“Do you want to help me make a pizza?”

“Yes!!”, she shouts grabbing Jenner’s attention. He bounds towards her and the two play with each other. “Uncle Ethan, can you take a picture pwease? I want to send it to Aunt Arielle!”, she pleads.

“Alright. Stay still.” The pair pose quite adorably as you whip out your phone and click a picture. You show it to her. She tells you to send it. Opening your messages, you tap on her contact and shoot a few texts and the picture.

“Now! What’s this about a pizza?”, Naveen asks. You lead them to the kitchen island, Naveen sits on a bar stool as you lift Belle and let her sit on your island.

“Eeek!! That was fun!”

“Now, don’t move around.” You turn towards your fridge and grab the pizza dough you made earlier. Placing it on the marble top, you grab a packet of flour and a rolling pin.

“Do you know what’s the first step of making a pizza, Belle?”, Naveen asks.

“Mhm! First we roll out the dough! Aunt Arielle always spreads flour on the top!” Naveen nods as you peel off the cling wrap and knead the cold dough in your hands until it becomes soft. You divide it into three, two medium and one small.

You scoop a generous amount of flour and place it on the marble top. “Can I spread it?”, you turn to see her with pleading eyes.

“Alright. Like this.” You take her hand and help her to spread the flour all over the counter. You quickly roll out all three balls of dough, then picking out toppings like different cheeses, vegetables and sauces.

“What do you want me to do?, Belle asks.

You have the most important part, Belle. You get to spread cheese and sauce, placing all your favourite veggies on it!”

“Okay! Can you help me?”, she turns to you.

“...What do you want on your pizza?” She pulls a bottle of sauce the you made and mozzarella towards her.

“Okay, first scoop as much of the sauce as you want on your pizza.” She scoops a quite generous amount and turns to you, waiting for your instructions. You carefully take her small hand in yours and slowly help her spread the sauce, noticing Naveen smiling in the corner of your eye.

“Ooh! This looks good! What now?”, you grab the packet of shredded mozzarella and hand it to her. “I love cheese!”, she quickly dumps and obscene amount of cheese on her pizza and spreads it all over, causing Naveen to laugh.

“You really are like your aunt! You know Ethan, Arielle would do the same thing whenever we made pizzas....and I’m quite sure she still does it now!”

“She does! She said that cheese makes everything better!!...done!”, she says.

“Okay...do you want any veggies and meat on your pizza?”, you ask as she thinks quite furtively. It’s quite amusing seeing the serious face of a 5 year old.

“...I want mushrooms and sausage please!” You take a cutting board and knife, slicing the toppings that she asked for and handing the board to her. She places all her toppings and then suddenly she tries to get down. You quickly scoop her into your arms, causing her to giggle and shout, “Again! Again!”

“Belle! Don’t do that, you’ll get hurt! Do you want me to tell your aunt?”, Naveen lightly scolds. Her face falls.

“No...” She turns to you with big blue eyes, quite similar to yours. “Sorry...”

“It’s alright. Now, don’t do that again!” You place her on the floor, before you can steady her, she quickly runs to Jenner, the pair running around your apartment.

“You know...I don’t think I’ve ever seen you happy with a child. That too babysitting because someone asked you. You’re quite good at it.”

You scoff, “I’m simply doing what others would do. Now, what do you want on your pizza?” Both of you finish your pizzas and place all three of them into the oven. After setting a timer, you head to the living room and discuss the diagnostics team’s cases as you keep an eye on the notorious pair.

Arielle’s PoV:-

You barely notice the time you spent on the dance floor. But then Kyra, who left the dance floor for a breather, signals for you from the bar.

"I'll be back!" You scream to the gang but you aren’t sure if they heard you.

"Wait, I'll come along. I need a drink," Sienna says and follows you.

"You have a lot of texts!" Kyra says as soon as you reach her. You take the phone from her and thank her.

You unlock your phone to find texts from Ethan and Naveen. Naveen texted you some "Have fun" and "Enjoy the night!" along with a few pictures of Arabelle, some her solo and some her playing with Ethan.

While Ethan only sent you a couple of pictures, some of Naveen and Arabelle and the other of Arabelle playing with Jenner.

You smile seeing those pictures. Sienna to takes a peek at those from behind you and then says, “Look! They’re so cute!!” You both hush over the adorable photos of Belle and Jenner, quickly responding to both of the texts.

Si nudges you after a moment. "Hey! I have an idea. Let's play truth or dare?" She asks you both.

"Yes, please!" You say and at the same time Kyra says,"Oh hell yes!"

"I'll call the others over." You say and make your way towards the rest of the gang. Borrowing an empty bottle from the bartender you make your way to the VIP lounge.

You take a corner sit with Kyra besides you, Alyssa beside her. On the opposite side Sienna, Jackie and Ines sit.

Kyra spins the bottle once you all are seated. The empty wine bottle spins for a few seconds before stopping at Jackie and the group cheers.

Kyra gives Jackie a dare of collecting number of some random guy by flirting with him.

Jackie goes with a smirk and returns after ten minutes. She hands Kyra a tissue. Opening which you guys find a number written in there, the number is not quite understable at first glance but then you can make out the number eventually. Kyra whistles lightly noting the number more clearly.

The game goes on like this and after a few rounds, it's your turn and Sienna is to give you a task.

I'll go with dare," You say and Sienna smirks. You’re regretting this already.

“Do a striptease," she grins.

“Sorry, what?!" You ask shocked.

“Do a striptease. You know strip, take a picture and send it to the contact on the top of the list."

You swear that you saw her smirk again but then again you aren’t sure as she hides it.

"Fine!" You grab your phone and make your way towards the restroom to click the picture.

“I'll come to make sure of it!" Sienna screams from behind.

“Me too! Someone needs to make sure Arielle clicks the hottest pictures," Kyra too joins you.

You enter the restroom to find it empty and a content sigh falls off your lip.

“Get to work now!" Sienna chimes.

You strip off the upper part of your dress, Kyra grabs your phone and clicks a few pictures. Then you slip on your dress again as Kyra hands you over your phone.

The three of you return to the table.

"Who's the lucky one who got the pictures?" Alyssa grins as you take your sit and you roll your eyes.

"She is going to send it now," Kyra too grins.

“Hah! Too bad, it’s only Aly!”

You unlock your phone and open the log to find Ethan's number on top of the list. Your mouth drops, so wide. You are doomed. In midst of all the excitement and tipsiness you completely forgot, that the last person who called you is Ethan.

"Can I send it to someone else than the first person in my list?" You ask nervously.

"Nope," Sienna answers and you sigh. “Wait!...who is it?!”

“Omg! Ari, who is it?!”, Aly shrieks. She snatches the phone from you and shrieks.

“Oh my god...Is this?...”, she turns to you. You nod, wincing.

“Who is it? You guys are freaking out so much!”, Jackie asks.

“None other than her boss.”, Aly says. All of them are confused until Si blurts out that it’s Ethan.

“Oh dear...”, Ines’s face goes white.

“You’re kidding!...right?”, Jackie says.

“You’re doomed!”, Kyra says. You glare at all of them.

“How do you even have his number?”, Jackie asks. You rack your mind for an excuse, Aly jumps in.

“Naveen is an old family friend of ours, so he babysits Belle a lot. Turns out, he was staying at Ethan’s apartment so they’re both babysitting her.”

“I’m not doing this.”, you declare. “There’s absolutely no way I’m sending this picture.”

“Oh yes you are!”, Kyra grabs your phone and sends it to him, leaving you to gape in horror. “Don’t worry, I’ve sent a message that says that it was a dare and you’re very sorry.”

“Why did I ever agree to this?!”, you facepalm yourself.

“Cause you love us! Now, it’s Jackie’s turn to spin the bottle.”, Aly says.

Ethan’s PoV:-

As the timer for the pizza rings, Belle rushes towards the kitchen. “Don’t go near the oven!”, you shout as you walk towards the kitchen. A few minutes later, you’re carefully placing three steaming pizzas on the kitchen island, oven mitts in hand.

“Mmmmmmmm!! It smells sooooo good!”, she yells.

“Well that’s because you made it!”, Naveen says as he takes out the plates. Grabbing the pizza cutter, you quickly slice the pizzas and bring them to the table as Naveen sets the table. You bring a bottle of wine and lemonade along with some glasses. All three of you eat as soon as you feed Jenner, Belle’s stories entertaining you.

“-So Uncle Mark asked for the bag of flour and Aunt Arielle said she would get it, so she went and climbed a stool to grab the bag. But she spilled all the flour on herself! It went poof!”, she laughs while mimicking an explosion.

“Okay, that’s enough storytime for now. Eat your food before it gets cold.” Naveen says. Belle ends up finishing first and running towards Jenner, the two playing in the living room. You and Naveen discuss a new medical documentary that he watched the other day. After a while, Naveen sits the the living room watching tv while you finish up the dishes. The apartment is quiet, devoid of any laughter, shrieks or giggles. Washing your soapy hands, you quickly rush to your room to find Belle fallen asleep on your bed, Jenner beside her.

“It’s adorable, isn’t it. I think you like having her around.” You turn to see Naveen adoring the pair.

“Maybe.” You lift Belle up, placing a lean pillow underneath her head and cover her with one of your comforters as Jenner loyally stays by her side.

“I’m starting to think your dog likes my granddaughter more than you!”, he laughs. A small smile perks up on your face as you watch the pair. “I’m heading to bed, my boy. Tell Sunshine I asked for her, hmm.”, he says as he walks toward your guest bedroom, the one that she was staying in. You go back to the kitchen when your phone chimes with a message. You see it’s a photo from Arielle. Unlocking your phone you click on her contact only to see a half naked picture and a text. “What the hell!...Dear god!”, you almost drop your phone on seeing the scandalous photo.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”, you’re about to call and confront her when you decide not to, telling yourself it’s because she’s had an eventful week and deserves to blow off steam when really you don’t want to upset her. Deleting the text, you go back to the sink. You’re finishing up the dishes as you hear the doorbell ring, this time no singing.

Arielle’s PoV:-

Jackie spins the bottle, slowly stopping on Aly. “Dare.”

She grins wickedly, “Oh, I’m going to have fun with this! Hmm...let me think.” She puts a lot of thought into it before exclaiming, “Okay, see Mr. Moneybags over there?” Jackie points to a guy wearing an Armani suit, Aly nods. “I want to go over there, flirt and lead him on...and then tell him that his invited to your wedding as that he can come as your sister’s date.”, she finishes with a wicked grin.

“Oh my god Jackie! She’s married!”, Si shouts.

“It’s alright. I’m sure Adrian won’t mind!”, she says with a wink. “Although it has been a long time since I’ve played this game.” She sashays over to the guy and starts flirting with him, at the same time giving us a clear view of his face. After a few minutes, the smirk on the guy’s face gets replaced with a embarrassed shock.

“Damn Jackie! You’re cruel, just look at that guy’s face!”, you reply.

You all laugh as Aly says, “I’m definitely getting you back for this! Now it’s Sienna’s turn.” Si spins the bottle, which slowly lands on Ines.

“I’ll go with truth.”, Ines says.

“Okay! So...what’s going on with you and Zaid?”, Sienna asks without skipping a beat. Clearly alcohol has given her a major confidence boost.

Ines gets flustered, “What! Nothing’s going on! We’re just friends!”

“Right....my turn!”, Kyra spins the bottle landing on you. “Aw! I wanted to give a dare, but she’s obvi not going too!”

“Who said?! Dare!”, you reply. Si’s definitely not the only one who got a confidence boost from the alcohol.

“I dare you to slam 5 shots of tequila, continuously. No limes, no salt.” Clearly, you made a bad choice.

“Ooooh! Savage!”, Jackie says.

“Ugh fine! But don’t blame me if I throw up on you!” Kyra happily lines up five shot glasses, pouring tequila in each.

“Wait! I’m recording this!” Aly whips out her phone as you get up from your plush seat and ready yourself. “3...2......1!” You slam one shot after another, the tequila burning your throat. By the time you’re on your 5th shot, you can’t stand.

“Ugh, I think that was too much...” You sit down as Ines hands you a water bottle with lemon.

“Wow! That was impressive!! Okay, now Ines has to spin!”, Kyra says. Ines spins the bottle, landing on Kyra.

“I’m not making the same mistake you dummies made, truth.”, Kyra replies.

“Hey!”, you yell playfully.

“Okay, what was your most embarrassing moment in high school?”, Ines asks.

Kyra winces, “I take that back, karma’s a bitch! Okay, so in high school, we had a really pretty, young geography teacher. One day she brought in a guest for a lecture. The guy looked pretty old so I thought he was her dad because he called her a pet name, so I went and asked.......turns out he was her fiancé.” You burst out laughing as do all the others, “Oh dear!”

After the laughter dies down, Aly spins the bottle, landing on Jackie. “What the hell, dare!”

“I want you to....steal that bottle of Don Pérignon.”, Aly says pointing to the champagne bar.

“Oooh! Someone’s getting in trouble!”, you sing.

Jackie rolls her eyes, “Whatever!” She walks to bar and slowly swipes the bottle, all while flirting with the cute bartender. Several minutes later, she walks back to the lounge and slams the bottle on the table.

“Colour me impressed!”, Aly says while pouring everyone a flute.

“My turn!”, you spin the bottle, only to land on Sienna. “Ooh! Karma’s definitely being a bitch today! What will it be, dear bestie?”

“...truth.” She says carefully. Luckily, you know just what to ask.

“So...remember the housewarming party a few weeks ago? Well, look what I stumbled across in the morning!” She scroll through your camera roll until you find the picture you took of Sienna and Danny and show it to everyone, as Sienna’s cheeks turn red. “Mind explaining this?”, you ask with a smirk.

“What?! That was nothing! We were just talking and ended up falling asleep! I have a boyfriend, remember!!”, Sienn tries to defend herself.

“Mhm...” The game finally winds down after all of you are completely and utterly drunk...except for Ines.

“How are you still so sober?”, you ask.

“Cause I have an early shift tomorrow. Plus, who’s going to drive?”

“Ah. Good point!”, Jackie says.

“I think we should head home.”, Aly says. We all agree and enter my car, giving Ines the keys.

“Wait, go to this address first. We need to pick up Belle.” You hand out water and sticks of gum to everyone as Ines drives to Ethan’s apartment. You pop a berry flavoured stick for yourself, as everyone has a competition to see who can blow the biggest bubble. Kyra ends up winning, by the time she pulls up, you’re quite sober. Reluctantly heading up, you ring the bell. The door is opened to find Ethan at the door, giving you a look.

You don’t know what to say and start rambling, “I’m sorry! It wasn’t my fault! The thing is, I didn’t know that you were on the top of my contact list! I tried to”-

He cuts you off. “It’s fine. Belle is sleeping and Naveen went to bed just now.” You sigh with relief. “Was she too much trouble?”

“Not much more than you.”, you laugh as he leads to you to Belle. You find her and Jenner snuggled up together, the sight is an explosion of cuteness. You snap a quick pic. Carefully lifting up the covers, you pick her up and place her on the side of your hip, making sure not to wake her up. Ethan hands you a small file as you exit the apartment. “I managed to run a few more tests, here’s a copy of them. See if you can find anything.” You nod and carefully go back to the car, concealing the file and slide in, handing Belle to Aly and slipping the folder in your bag. You show the photo you took as you post it, leaving everyone to gush.

You manage to reach your apartment in 30 minutes.

Everyone slumps on the couch as you tell them to wait. You go inside and get a few extra pairs of pajamas, so do Si and Jackie.

“Here, change and get ready for bed. You guys can sleep wherever you want.” Ines bunks with Si, Kyra bunks with Jackie and Aly comes with you. Way too exhausted to follow through your night routine, you quickly strip and slip on a pair of pajamas. Cleansing your face, you throw your hair into a braid and flop into bed beside Belle, after pulling out a few extra blankets for them. “Night Aly.”, you say with a yawn but she’s already fallen asleep.

“I’ve danced and drunk all my troubles away for tonight, but I’ll have to face them...someday.”, you think as you fall into a deep slumber.

Taglist:- @mysticaurathings @caseyvalentineramsey @kaavyaethanramsey @ohramsey @ohvamsey @coastalengineer @openheartincorrect @incorrectopenheart @openheart12 @monsoonblooms12 @realmrsramsey @jamespotterthefirst @hopelessromantics4life @starrystarrytrouble @rookie-ramsey @mrandmrsramsey @semanticsandsea-lemons @ethansrookie02 @archxxronrookie @whippedforethanfreakingramsey @sad-satan-herself @mary-c92 @arcticlumineer @princessfuzzy12 @alina-yol-ramsey @maurine07 @binny1985 @aarisa-frost @nikki-2406 @akshara16 @drethanramslay @mayatrueman @mvalentine @theroyalrookie @siaramsey @stateofgracious @schnitzelbutterfingers @drstellavalentine @drethanramsey @drethanfreakingramsey @openheartthot @openheartfanfics @playchoices @literaryexpress @ethandaddyramseyx @custaroonie @lillyvalentine11 @in-love-with-a-trans-girl @xpandabeardontcarex @lilyvalentine

#open heart #playchoices #ethanjonahramsey #collab #ohsy #ethan x mc #modern au #open heart fanfic #from the bottom of my heart #thank you for never getting tired of them #fluff #babysitting

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silverwings22 · 2 years

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Caught in the Crosshairs: Chapter 10 Hey Jealousy: Gin Blossoms

Series warnings: Smut, mind control, canon typical violence, childhood trauma, language, chronic illness

Chapter warnings: Smut, jealousy, character injury, slavery, self injury, language, temper flare

Translations: Nau'ul be'suum'ika: lantern of the moon

cyare: Beloved

Previous chapter:

Next chapter:

"You sure you want to go on this mission?" Anakin sighed over the comm at Miria. She sat on the bridge, looking through her dossier thoughtfully.

"Of course. I've wanted to do this particular work for years. Even petitioned the council when I passed my trials.' She mused.

"Really?" His brows knitted together. "I didn't know… I would have gone with you."

"You were still a child, Anakin. It was unfair to ask so much of you. Besides, you despise Tattooine and mercy missions aren't your forte. You're a warrior."

He chuckled weakly. "You're the one with a special commando unit."

She nodded fondly. "They'll make a soldier of me yet. Now, I'll report once we've established our base camp."

"This could be dangerous, you know. You're cutting into powerful people's profit margins." He cautioned.

Miria nodded. "I know. But stopping slave trade out of Tattooine will slow droid production in the Outer Rim. I'm sure there's a factory somewhere in the Dune Sea, and the only people who'd be able to churn out a production line so quickly are those with no choice. It's manned by slaves. And I intend to free them." She said firmly. "And if Jabba the Hutt is in on this double cross I will drag him before the highest court in Coruscant."

Anakin eyed her. "That's your solution? A court."

She blinked, confusion creeping into her face. "Of course… what other option is there?"

"Kill him?"

"Anakin, that's a war crime!" She blinked, eyes wide. "You can't do that."

His expression fell. "Miria, you don't get it." He said quietly. "You were never a slave…"

She softened immediately. "I'm sorry, Anakin. I shouldn't be harsh with you." She wished she could take his hands and comfort him directly. "You're right. Some things I can't understand, because I haven't experienced it. But I should try to see your perspective."

He nodded quietly. "Thanks."

"After this mission, let's spend some time together like we used to. We'll talk about it… I think you need someone to talk to."

"You're a mind healer now?"

"I'm your friend." She smiled. "Besides, you might learn a few things from me too."

"Alright. That sounds good." He smiled. "Might be nice to hang out with someone other than the clones."

"I like my boys. They're good company."

"See you soon, Miria. I gotta go give a report anyway." He chuckled. "Be careful."

"Of course. May the Force be with you."

The comm line cut and she stood up, stretching her shoulders. She was sore, more than usual, and her joints ached in the cold air of the ship. She headed for the cockpit to check on the boys.

"How's it going, General?" Hunter looked up from cleaning his knife.

"Quite well. Anakin was checking on the status of the mission."

"We got the assignment an hour ago and we're not even on Tattooine yet. He's fussing awfully early."

She dropped into her seat. "He's just concerned. Tattooine is his home planet. And he hates it, hates that I'm going there"

Crosshair eyed her quietly. "What's he care?"

"He's my friend?" She blinked curiously at him. "Why, darling?"

"He's jealous." Wrecker smirked.

"I'll shoot you." Crosshair hissed.

"Stop it." Miria scolded sharply. "No one's shooting anyone here. And I practically raised Anakin. There's no reason for jealousy. He's like a younger brother to me."

"It's not you he's worried about." Tech looked up from his data pad. "Skywalker has the same reckless disregard for rules our team thrives on. Including social conventions."

"Anakin has no romantic interest in me. Besides, it's not allowed-"

"Neither are we. And he's not better than you." Crosshair snapped, startling her with his sharpness.

She frowned. "Cross…"

The sniper shoved himself up and stormed out. She sighed quietly.

"I think he's jealous of every friend you have. But Skywalker and Kenobi bother him most, he's actually mentioned them." Hunter examined his knife carefully. "He'll get over it."

"He's never said anything to me…" Her brow furrowed.

"He's never been one to admit to insecurity. Especially not in front of you; he wants you to have the best opinion of him." Tech shrugged.

"You're kind of perfect." Wrecker grinned. "Who wants to tell you they're upset when nothing ever rattles you?"

"I'm far from perfect, dear. More upsets me than I share. Perhaps that's been my mistake." She stood. "I'll talk to him. Stay up here for a while, I don't know how this will go."

Once she was gone, Tech sighed. "Probability is high that it'll end naked or in a screaming match."

"You think they'll break up?" Wrecker frowned. He didn't want the Jedi to leave either.

"With Crosshair's tendency towards the possessive and her outlandish capacity to forgive? Probably not."

"Oh good."

Miria heard the cracking of a fist on durasteel before she opened the bunkroom door and sighed unhappily. Of course he'd never let her see him hit something when he was angry, never wanting her to think he was showing that he wanted to hit her. But it was a self destructive habit that showed itself in the scars on his knuckles long before she'd ever put her hands in his. She keyed the door code in quietly and pushed it open. "Crosshair…"

He had dumped his gear already, leaving it in a messy pile. Usually he was neat, but the puddle of plastoid mirrored his disordered thoughts. He was sitting on the edge of the bunk, head down, nursing bloody knuckles. "Go away." He muttered savagely.

"No. Let me see your hand." She sighed and crossed the room to him. He didn't fight her when she knelt in front of him to examine the injury, but he didn't look at her either. "Nothing broken." She finally declared, reaching for her med kit. "Honestly, Crosshair. There's no need for this."

He huffed sharply, pulling his hand from hers. "That you see."

"I see a spectacularly stubborn man who needs to let me bandage his knuckles. Care to enlighten me further?" She tugged his hand back to her by the sleeve of his blacks. "Now hold still and talk to me."

His amber eyes settled on the top of her head as she worked, cleaning his knuckles and bandaging them quietly. "Everything's trying to take you away." He finally breathed. "I hate it."

"I fail to see what that has to do with my small number of friends outside of this ship." She looked up and those lavender eyes weren't soft right now. They weren't angry exactly, which was somewhat relieving, but there was an expectation in them. She was going to make him get the words out.

"I know how I am." He finally sighed. "And how you are. I don't… see why you picked me. Of all people. Of all clones."

"Does it matter why?" She got up off the floor and sat down beside him,�� knees drawn tightly together and ankles crossed. So neat and carefully controlled. Such a Jedi.

"Yes." He ran a hand through his hair. "I know you can do better than me. How long before you do? I told you, I'm selfish. I don't want… I can't stand it." His voice dropped. "I finally have something really good in my fucking life, Miria…"

Her hand settled comfortably on the small of his back. "Crosshair. Look at me."

He had to force himself to meet her eyes. She looked open and honest, something he'd never quite managed to be. He got close with her, but only just barely.

"I want this, Crosshair." she murmured. "I want you. Who hurt you so badly that you can't believe that?"

He froze, eyes snapping wide. Hurt him? His knee jerk reaction was to laugh. No one hurt him, he was just…

But he had been hurt, hadn't he? The Kaminoans taught them they were expendable numbers on a whiteboard, whose value came in what they could do for the Republic that bought them like commodities. And only because the Republic was the highest bidder. The regs made his early life living hell for differences he couldn't control. The war, with death waiting around every corner. The absolute insanity of it all…

His eyes stung, unfamiliar and embarrassing. He hadn't cried since he was a cadet, and he tried to turn his face away to hide it. But a warm little hand lay itself on his cheek, soft and impossible to resist though he knew he was physically stronger than her. "It's… the way we were raised." He said shakily. "You've seen the Senate meetings. We're not people…"

"Yes you are. And I'll fight till my dying breath to make them see it too." She said quietly. "You're all people. But you, Cross? You're mine."

Like she'd struck him with her lightsaber, he crumpled. He went down into her arms and buried his face in her chest. His shoulders shook as he tried and failed not to actually cry, clinging to her like she could hold him together.

Miria stroked his hair gently, letting him catch his breath. "It's not like you're the only one who gets jealous, love." She murmured. "I've seen the pretty cantina girls looking at you. I've thought about punching a few out… remember that pantoran on Corellia?"

He blinked. A bar waitress they'd been trying to get information from… she had been irritatingly all over him while he was undercover… "Vaguely."

"When she put her hand on your thigh, I thought about cutting it off." She admitted. "It's not becoming of a Jedi, so I didn't say anything. But I was angry… and then we went back to the safehouse, and all you wanted to do was hold me. She was pretty and willing and you came back to me anyway."

"She wasn't prettier than you."

"Would you have gone with her if she was?"

"Fuck no. You're the only one I-"

"Then why would you ever think I would do that?" She smiled, kissing his forehead softly when he looked up. Her thumbs wiped the lingering damp from his cheeks. "I love you. I choose you, and I'll keep choosing you. No one in this entire galaxy can love me like you do."

He snuggled back into her chest quietly and let her soothe him with her heartbeat while he thought about her words. "I didn't think Jedi got jealous." He finally mumbled.

"We're not droids. We have all the emotions of any other being, even the ugly ones. We just are trained not to let them control us… that's the difference between your childhood and mine. You weren't allowed to acknowledge yours at all. But how can you tame a monster you're not allowed to name?"

Crosshair closed his eyes. "Guess that's why you always seem so perfect."

"I'm far from it. I used to think about my accident… how unfair it was that it'd happened to me. How dependent I felt on the healers, how much I wanted a normal life, how afraid I was to love anything that I knew I was destined to leave behind too soon…. Then I met this extraordinary group of men. And one by one they taught me how to live when I only knew how to die slowly." She kissed his forehead again. "And there's this one, you see… handsome man, silver hair and an excellent marksman. He's got these bright, intense eyes and a hair trigger temper but I love it. And he made me realize I was wasting time feeling sorry for myself. So I want to spend all my remaining time with him." She chuckled softly.

"He sounds nice. What are you doing with me laying on your tits if he's so great?" A glimmer of his smirk returned.

"Well, you're quite pretty." She laughed. "You know what I mean, Cross. If I left the order today and never saw the healers again, I'd still want to spend every second like this. Holding you."

"I don't want to think about that. If they won't agree to keep treating you…"

"Then I'm still yours, Crosshair. We'll cram as much life into the time I have as we can." She tugged him up gently to her mouth. "No one knows how much time we have. Let me give you right now "

Crosshair was for once compliant, letting her kiss him breathless and push him back into the bunk in his back. She settled back, unlacing his boots dutifully and setting them aside. He watched through half lidded eyes as she took her own off, setting her armor down beside his. Her dress and breeches followed, laid in her footlocker, before she climbed into the bunk with him and settled herself straddling his waist. Her warm little hands pushed under his shirt, smoothing over his stomach and up his chest. "Maker, you're lovely." She smiled at the dark skin under her pale hands.

How could he ever believe she'd want anyone else, if he was so perfect? How couldn't he see himself through her eyes? "May I try something?" She asked softly. "Do you trust me?"

He nodded hazily. "I trust you."

Miria leaned down, pressing her forehead to his gently. He could feel her breath on his lips, her heartbeat against his chest steady and calm.

Let me in.

It was a brush against his consciousness, gentle as silk. It made him jolt, but her fingers against his chest flexed softly to assure him. Let me in, Crosshair. Let me show you. Delivered past his ears directly into his brain, she knocked so sweetly at the locked door.

So he opened it.

His senses rushed, overlaid with her thoughts and his own. He could feel her weight on his hips, but also the angle of his pelvis against her thighs. Her heartbeat settled into a rhythm with his, a symphony of desire. She sat back, maintaining the connection, and looked at him. He saw her face, but inlaid he saw himself through her eyes. Flat on his back, shirt pulled up with her hands over his heart, staring at her. And he felt it under his ribs like it took up physical space, how much she loved him.

Mirias head dipped down, lips pressing plush and soft against his chest as she eased his shirt up until he half sat up to let her remove it.

This heart is mine to love.

She graced his collarbones with kisses, sending electric lights through his skin.

These shoulders carry burdens I will share.

When she drew his injured hand up with the Force, she kissed the bruised knuckles tenderly.

These hands are mine to hold.

He was under her spell as she lavished every inch of exposed skin with affection.

Soak every inch of you in my love, so you feel it on you forever. So you'll always know.

She trailed down his stomach, fingers squeezing his strong thighs. Her fingers hooked into the waistband of his pants, tugging them carefully downward. His breath hitched at the wave of arousal, hers and his combined, as the cool ship's air hit his burning skin. Miria pressed kisses to his hipbones as he kicked them the rest of the way off. When she sat back to look at him, a rush of affection burst through the connection with the force of a star's birth.

You're so beautiful.

Miria slipped her breast band over her head in the delicate little way women tended to remove shirts, like she was unwrapping a present, shimmying her underwear off next. Then she crawled back up to him, kissing him tenderly as she settled into position and sank down on his length.

The Force made me to love you. Made us to fit together, just like this.

Her back arched, head falling back in a tumble of hair as she settled down against him. He felt her breath catch in his own lungs and hesitantly reached, a hand skimming up her ribs and the other on her chest. He felt the touch like a phantom on his own skin. Miria smiled, rocking her hips slowly into his and sending starlight humming through his blood.

It was tender and slow and mind-blowing as she took the lead and seared her love into his flesh. A missing piece of the puzzle slipped into place, doubts erased in his mind of exactly what she thought of him. There were no secrets with them in each other's minds like this.

The double layered sensations dragged them both towards release quickly, thoughts scattering wildly. He tried to focus on the heart pounding under his fingertips as the other hand tightened on her hip. Hers settled in his shoulders, the steady rise and fall of her pelvis picking up speed.

Wanna give you everything. Wanna give you eternity. Want forever with you, and everything that comes with it. A home… want to see those eyes reflected in a child…

Neither of them knew if it was their own thought or the others, but it screamed through the connection in a disjointed swirl of color and sound that crashed into the desire hard enough to send them both careening over the edge.

Miria doubled over when she came, head finding its place in the crook of his neck as he painted her insides with his own spend. She panted into his ear before kissing his neck, giggling softly as he shuddered. "Wh-what the fuck was that…?" He mumbled as the connection petered out and the only senses he felt were his own. "Holy shit…"

"Force bond." She murmured, snuggling against him. "You needed to see how I see you. How beautiful you are to me."

He pressed her a little closer. "I should punch shit more often."

"That was not the purpose of this." She huffed, starting to shiver as their sweat cooled.

He pulled the blanket up over them and turned her carefully, laying her beside him and begrudgingly slipping from her heat. "I know, cyare."

She kissed him. "Still think I want anyone else?"

Crosshair chuckled faintly. "I might need a reminder now and then…"

"I think that can be arranged." She pulled him into her arms, letting his head return to resting on her chest so she could stroke his hair. "Rest, love. We've got a long mission ahead of us."

"Mm…" He was already half asleep, tangled thoughts whirring around that last burst through the bond. A child… a family. Something he'd never thought he'd ever get and hadn't been willing to let himself want until now.

Miria kissed his temple and held him close as his breathing deepened.

"I love you, Crosshair."

He didn't hear it, but he knew.

Base camp was hidden in a rocky outcropping out on the Dune Sea, surrounded by high stone on all sides and easily defendable with only one way in and out through a gap in the walls. It was big enough to land the Marauder in, and set up tents to give everyone a little space to breathe. The Bad Batch were always prepared to camp in any terrain.

Miria chuckled and set up the fire pit, bemused at Wrecker struggling with his tent. "You alright there, dear?"

"Yeah. Just tricky." He grumbled. She set her task aside and went to help.

"I haven't been camping in a long time. The creche masters used to take us once a year to Naboo to camp when I was young…" She smiled, setting the tent rods together for him as he smiled sheepishly. "I used to love it."

"Grow out of it?" Hunter looked up from a perimeter check.

"Not exactly. I just wasn't allowed away from the temple for a week at a time when I got sick. By the time they got me functional, I was a padawan and had other things to attend to." She shrugged. "But I think this is better. You guys are more fun."

Crosshair cocked an eyebrow, busy unloading supplies. "Is that what we're calling it?"

"At least it's not going to rain here. Remember camp training on Kamino?"

"Drowned womp rats, the lot of us. At least the regs were miserable too." Hunter chuckled.

Miria rolled her eyes fondly. "Hm. Let's focus on the positives for now. We've got a secure camp and Jawas can't steal our ship. Tomorrow, we'll send in recon and determine if Jabba is involved in this mess."

"If he is, General?" Tech looked up from his hand held.

"I call the council and request reinforcements to arrest him. If he's not, we get creative." She chuckled. "We're good at that."

The guys grinned. "That we are." Tech nodded.

Miria scaled the stone wall carefully to check their vantage point and enjoy the late afternoon sun for a moment. "How do we feel about skipping ration bars and having something fresh for dinner?" She asked with a smile, looking down

"I think that's a great idea!" Wrecker cheered.

"There's a herd of bantha about a half klick from here. Crosshair, would you mind?"

"Not at all." He went to get his rifle.

Hunter chuckled. "Come on, Wrecker. I'll field dress it, you carry it back."

"South by southeast." Miria called as they headed out and the sniper climbed up to join her and line up a shot.

"Well spotted for your eyesight." He chuckled, looking through the scope.

"I sensed them through the Force first." She smiled, watching him micro-adjust for terrain and wind speed before taking the shot. All but one of the herd took off running.

Crosshair sat back to admire his own work. "Sounds to me like the Force does anything. I never asked you how it works."

"It's the life energy of every living thing. Plants, animals, people… I suppose it's like a collective soul." She explained. "Everyone is connected to it, but only certain people can sense it. Even less can interact with it in a meaningful way. When I use the Force, I call it to me. It's like… reaching out to a friend. When I sense others, I can feel their spirits."

Crosshair set his rifle down and looked out across the desert. "And everyone feels different?"

Miria drew her knees up and nodded. "Yes. Even the regs are all unique in the Force."

"And us?"

"Wrecker is like… crackling flame. Bright and burning but almost dancing. And Tech is sharp and almost cold, but as if you're too warm and it's nice. Like putting your cheek on cool durasteel." She mused. "And Hunter… like a braided rope. Secure and strong, but rough."

"What do I feel like?" A gloved hand settled on the small of her back.

She smiled softly. "Bright, and strong. Clear, cool as running water…" she put her cheek on her knees and looked at him with a look he couldn't quite place in her eyes. "Like starlight."

He looked at her for a minute, before leaning in and kissing her forehead. "I think I like that."

"I know I do." She smiled. "It's like a guiding star for me to follow."

"I wonder what you feel like." He mused thoughtfully.

"Do you want to find out?" She offered.

"Can I?" Crosshair blinked.

Miria touched his hand and wrapped her consciousness into his, the bond bursting to life immediately. She gave him a minute, letting him adjust to the much brighter world than the last time they'd joined, before meeting his eyes. What do I feel like?

He cautiously reached out, trying to sense the world around him as she did. He was so aware of everything around, from the fading proximity of the bantha herd to Tech below them, and Hunter and Wrecker in the distance. But her presence was right there, touching his mind.

She felt like gentle light and shadow at once, the proportions changing in phases steady as chrono ticks. There was no burn in the light, nor fear of the darkness. "Nau'ul be'me'suum'ika." He murmured. "Moonlight."

Miria smiled and let the connection fade. "You think so?"

Crosshair nodded.

She snuggled under his arm happily and closed her eyes, until Wrecker and Hunter returned and it was time to start the fire and cook a meal. Tomorrow the real work began.

She'd sent Hunter and Crosshair into Jabba's palace in plainclothes, their keen eyes and ears best suited for recon while Tech ran scans all over the perimeter. It was the right decision, but Miria was anxious over it nonetheless.

"You're gonna pace a hole in the ground, General." Wrecker commented dryly. He was seated in the mouth of his tent, enjoying the leftovers of last night's bantha. "Come sit and eat."

"I just can't, Wrecker. Not until they come back."

"You're worried sick." He sighed, protective nature kicking in. "Come here."

She let out an long-suffering sigh, but came over and sat beside him. "I'm just so nervous… I know this is what we do, but they could be hurt and I'm not there to do anything about it…" She rubbed her shoulder anxiously.

"Stiff neck?" He frowned.

"Nothing unusual. My joints just hurt…" She grumbled.

"From sleeping on the ground?"

"No, no. They've hurt for twenty years at this point. I always hurt." She sighed. "I'm sorry, I try not to complain, it's just-"

"Don't apologize. You're allowed to complain, Maker knows the rest of us do." He patted her back gently. "Really though. All the time?"

"Since I was six years old. Nothing to worry about." She smiled weakly. "It's just a part of me now."

"You've been on the team a year and never said anything."

"What purpose does it serve? I can't have you treating me like I'm made of glass. We'd get nothing accomplished." She sighed and leaned against him tiredly. "Though maybe we'll take some shore leave when we get done here… I'm sure you're all tired too."

He still looked worried. "General… you gotta be nicer to yourself. You work too hard. I hear you up later than anyone and up before us too."

"I can do it." She said automatically, then paused and laughed weakly. "My goodness, I'm still the same little padawan, aren't I?"

Wrecker looked at her quizzically. "Huh?"

"I used to say that all the time. 'I can do it, Master.' When I was training, my master tried to go easy on me. He was always letting me out of lessons to rest, or suggesting things that were simple… I think he just wanted me to enjoy time, but I was stubborn. I'd beg for harder lessons, or to spar, or anything that felt hard. And I'd always end up on my knees, coughing blood, telling him to make me try again until I succeeded. I just had to prove I deserved to be a knight like everyone else. It's a wonder Master didn't break down screaming." She chuckled weakly. "Crosshair was right. I am stubborn."

"I'd call it badass." He chuckled. "But you don't have to prove it to anyone anymore. The galaxy knows by now."

"It's not about proving anymore. Now I've got to keep you all safe." She sighed again. "You all matter to me so much."

He smiled. "You matter too. What would we do without you?" He touched the scarred side of his head. "Actually, nevermind. Just stick around."

She clicked her tongue lightly. "Was this explosion related?"

"Yeah… hair grew back in patchy so I started shaving my head afterwards, too. But then Hunter got his tattoo so I wouldn't be the only one with a mismatched face. And then everyone got one. Tech's got the 99 on his back, and I got the skull on my chest. You've seen Crosshairs."

She chuckled. "Maybe I should get a tattoo to match. What do you think?"

He grinned. "What would you get?"

Miria pondered. "Hmm. I know Obi-wan got drunk with Quinlan Voss and they got matching Jedi insignia on their backs. Maybe something like that?"

"Aren't you gonna leave the Jedi?"

She blinked. "Oh… right." She smiled. "I guess I'll have to think about it."

He grinned. "If you do decide to get one, I'll come hold your hand."

"Thank you, dear." She patted his arm. "I think I hear the others coming back." She leapt to her feet.

Sure enough, three brothers slogged in in various states of annoyance. Tech looked the least frazzled and saluted more sarcastically than anything else. "Good news and bad news, General. The good news, Jabba is not involved. Bad news, we'd have been back an hour ago but the line of questioning had Jabba convinced these two were slavers trying to undermine his alliance with the Republic, and we had to give them the slip. Though his anger was genuine according to bio scans."

She nodded. "So now we need to find the droid factory."

"Which will be well hidden and difficult to find." He nodded. "And there's too much desert to search on foot. They'd shoot down the ship if we tried flyover searches, as well."

Miria nodded thoughtfully. "I've got an idea." She looked at Crosshair. "You're not going to like it, darling."

He scowled and pulled a toothpick from his pocket. "Maker damn it, cyare."

Crosshair did, in fact, not like this plan. "Why can't one of us be the bait?" He muttered as Miria changed from her usual dress and armor to a simple plain tunic and skirt. She was standing on the ship, setting her things into her footlocker, exchanging her boots for a pair of simple sandals.

"Because you and Hunter are thought to be slavers and Tech was seen with you. That leaves Wrecker and I as the only unknowns, and no ones going to believe I captured and enslaved someone his size. It has to be me." She pinned her hair into a low ponytail. "I'll be fine."

"Without your lightsaber or backup." He growled. "How the hell are we even going to find you once you're out there?"

Miria smiled. "Tech's working on it. A micro-tracking chip small enough to conceal." She explained. "Once I'm in, I'll give the signal and you guys can come get me."

"This is too dangerous." He snarled.

"I can do it, Cross." She said firmly. "I can do this."

He sighed and rubbed his temples. "You're so stubborn, woman."

"It's part of my charm." She smiled. "Come here."

Crosshair grumbled but walked to her as she stood, and she wrapped her arms around his narrow frame. He immediately clutched her close. "You could get hurt, Miria." He muttered in her ear. "I hate this."

"I know, love. But it's my duty. It's the right thing to do. There are innocent people suffering, and I won't be just another Jedi that turned a blind eye. Too many already have."

She knew the story, had heard it a million times from Obi-wan's regretful lips. How Qui-gon Jinn, a good man with a good heart, uttered the sentence "We're not here to free slaves" even in the face of Shmi Skywalkers incredible kindness. How he only saved her son because he believed he was the Chosen One. How he'd left the woman behind on this terrible planet with her only pride and joy taken from her.

But she was here to free slaves. She could change the course of lives, if she was only brave enough.

"You're too good sometimes. Be an asshole for five minutes. Don't do this." Her lover whispered.

"I am. You're hurting over my decision, and I'm sorry." She sighed. "But it's too important. I have to follow through."

He sighed. "I hate this."

"I know, love. I'll make it up to you." She cupped his cheek. "We'll spend some time on Coruscant after this."

He leaned into her touch. "I still hate this."

"I know."

She regretfully let him go and walked out to the others. Tech smiled. "Ready, General?"

She nodded, and he pulled out a tiny tracker the size of a grain of rice. She carefully tied it into a strip of cloth and wound it into her hair. "Reception okay?"

"It should do. We'll be tracking your progress and be only a few hours behind. Try not to get into trouble until we arrive."

She smiled. "Of course. Ready, Wrecker?"

The big man came out of his tent, dressed as a sketchy looking slaver. "I don't like it, general. You look so tiny and helpless right now…"

She smiled, holding her wrists out for him to cuff begrudgingly. "The sooner we do this, the sooner you can blow up that foundry."

Even that didn't make him look any happier. "Okay…. But this sucks."

He took her wrists in one big hand and pulled her out of the secure circle of stone. Miria glanced back in time to see Crosshair slam his fist into the side of the Marauder.

She'd make this up to him. But it had to be done. It was only right. She was, for now, a Jedi knight. Keeper of peace and bringer of aid. The galaxy needed people like her.

Miria kept her eyes down as she was dragged to a transport. The sale had gone quickly, Wrecker roughly hauling her through the market until they'd been approached by a droid that offered a thousand credits for her. She was slightly offended she wasn't worth more, honestly, but did her best acting and even summoned tears as she begged her "master" not to sell her. Wrecker had played his part well, shoving her into the droid's grip the second the money was in his hand. She saw the regret in his eye though. Poor thing, he loved fighting and explosions but he really was such a sweetheart….

But now she had to focus on survival, as she and a few other hapless slaves were loaded up and their electro-cuffs magnetized to the durasteel wall of the transport. She tugged against them experimentally, and they held fast.

She had nothing but her wits and the Force now. No comms, no saber, no Bad Batch until they reached her again. She'd have to be enough.

I can do it.

She looked out over the sands as they moved, trying to remember which way they went in case she needed to run. It was a hopeless wash of constant beige, muddling together in her mind.

"Did you get captured too?" Whispered a frightened looking pantoran girl of no more than fourteen, tears on her cheeks. "I was just trying to go to the market for my mama…"

Miria took a step closer to her, so their shoulders brushed. "Shh. It's alright, dear. You'll see her again soon. What's your name, little one?"

"Chisee…" she whispered back.

"Chisee. I'm Miria. Stay close to me, young one. I'll help you."

"How? We're trapped and we don't even know where they're taking us…"

Miria smiled quietly. "I'm a Jedi."

Chisee looked at her and Miria lifted her arm so the girl could wipe her tears on her sleeve. "Really…?"

"Yes. Keep it secret, but someone is coming to help us. Just stay close to me."

"Okay…. I'm really scared."

"It's okay to be afraid. But you mustn't let it paralyze you."

Chisee nodded and leaned into her side as best she could as the transport slowed. The slaves were shoved out into the hot desert in front of the foundry.

It was a monolith of stone, half finished, with another hundred or so hapless souls laying brick outside. It seemed entirely manned by droids. A command droid was waiting for them, with riot droids carrying electrowhips patrolling the working slaves. Miria winced at the crack of a whip and the accompanying scream of a twi'lek nearby.

"You are now property of the Techo Union." The command droid intoned. "You will complete construction of this base so that it reaches full operational capacity, and then you will be set free."

"You hear that, Miss Miria? They're gonna let us go if we finish." Chisee tugged the Jedis sleeve.

Miria shook her head. "They're lying, little one. They won't leave witnesses. If we finish it, we'll be executed." She pulled the girl close. "Just stay near me."

They were marched in to be searched and fitted with chains on their ankles and wrists before being hauled out to start laying brick.

It was backbreaking work under a brutal set of suns, and the slaves were struggling with lack of water and exhaustion. Miria herself was light headed after hours in the sun, but she was trying her best to shield Chisee from the heaviest labor. She was only a child, and trying not to cry every time a droid patrolled by.

"It's alright, dear. Don't waste water." Miria wiped her cheeks with her dusty hands gently. "Look at me. Deep breath." She murmured kindly. "You're okay."

Chisee nodded shakily. "Y-yes ma'am…"

"Back to work." The monotonous voice of a droid caught them both off guard.

Mirias eyes snapped up and she pushed the girl to the side as a whip came down. She threw her arm up, the stinging crackle wrapping around her forearm and delivering an agonizing shock. She gritted her teeth, yanking it from the droid's hand.

She was immediately dogpiled by multiple droids, dragged off from the line by her chains. Beyond the press of durasteel, she locked eyes with the frightened little blue face of the girl, clinging to the next frightened slave beside her in abject terror. "Miss Miria!"

Crosshair was laying on his belly on a rock ledge, looking through his scope. The base was in sight, half finished and jutting up through the sand. He'd spotted Miria easily, working alongside a little blue kid. Of course she'd found a kid, they fucking flocked to her.

"Anything, Crosshair?" Tech was looking at his data pad.

"Spotted her." Crosshair muttered.

"We're supposed to be looking at their fortifications and how many droids there are."

"Churning out basic battle droids from the inner base. Fifteen commando droids. Twenty riot droids. One command droid. About a hundred organics." Crosshair huffed. "One General. She found a kid. I'm paying attention." The tension in his shoulders could have compacted him into diamond, Tech noted.

Hunter was on Crosshair's other side, looking through binocs. "We'll have to move in at nightfall. The slaves are too exposed like this, and you know how she feels about collateral damage."

Wrecker nodded. She'd given him many lectures about damaging innocent people's property with his preferred demolition methods.

"They're pulling her out of line." Crosshair hissed, leaning back into his scope. His fingers twitched as he watched Miria dragged through the sand to a mounted post just outside the perimeter.

"What are they doing?" Wrecker frowned. Tech pulled up his own binocs.

"It appears they're hooking her chains to that post… oh. Oh dear..." Tech trailed off.

Crosshair snarled, watching in horror as Miria was stretched out so her legs barely reached the ground. She was struggling furiously, mouth moving as she gave some snarky quip in that cute little Coruscanti accent. That was his girl, unflappable in even the worst-

Her face contorted when the electrowhip cracked down against her back. She arched against the pain, spasms in her arms jerking the chain. The whip came down again. And again.

"We need to move, now." Crosshair hissed.

"We can't, Crosshair." Hunter's voice was low. "The four of us can't take out those droids in broad daylight."

"You see what's happening!" Crosshair started to get up, ready to go down there by his damn self. He wasn't leaving her down there. No way in hell.

Hunter pushed his shoulder down. "Stand down, Crosshair. I see it. I know. But if we blow this mission, it's for nothing. We can't do that to her."

"How's that any worse than what they're doing?!" Crosshair wanted to scream. He wanted to punch Hunter right across that damn skull tattoo and go down there and get Miria back. How the fuck was anyone not understanding that?!

Almost like it was hammering a point home, a distant scream echoed through the open desert. Mirias scream, one of pain, like back on the Separatist ship with Ventress. It made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end and Hunter flinched. "I know, Crosshair. I know. But I'm second in command, so right now I'm giving orders. We wait till nightfall." He said quietly. "Wrecker, keep Crosshair from leaving."

Crosshair hissed and dropped his eye back to the scope. His Jedi was being dragged back to the work line, the back of her tunic ripped and blood seeping through when they tossed her back on her hands and knees in front of the terrified pantoran girl who moved immediately to comfort her.

When he slammed his fist into the stone beneath him, it cracked.

"Are you sure you're alright, miss?" A kind looking togruta man gently touched Mirias shoulder. They'd been rounded up into a pen just inside the compound walls, left with a bucket of some cattle slop to share between them, and locked in for the night. Her savaged back was screaming as she huddled near the edge of the group, arms around Chisee to keep her warm from the cold desert night.

"I'm okay. Thank you, sir." She smiled faintly.

"You took quite a beating today. Can I at least try to tend your back? I don't have much, but I used to be a nurse before I was captured." He offered. "I'm Shokan."

"Nice to meet you, Shokan. I'm Miria." She chuckled and shifted so he could kneel behind her. "Was everyone here captured?"

"Not everyone. Some were slaves already, bought from Mos Eisley mostly. But I guess it's cheaper to steal people… I've been here a month. I've got a husband and daughter back in Anchorhead… I hope they're okay." He said regretfully. "I just left home to get groceries. I didn't think it'd be the last time I saw them."

"It won't be. We're all getting out of here." She assured him, wincing slightly as he rubbed some herbal smelling ointment on her back.

"Sorry, I know it stings. But it's all they let me keep when they took me." He murmured.

Chisee looked up at Miria. "You got hurt helping me."

"That's what my people do. We help." Miria petted her lavender curls gently.

"Your people?" Shokan frowned.

Miria dropped her voice. "I am a Jedi knight. There's an elite group of commandos trailing me, to destroy this base. I was captured intentionally in order to find it." Her smile widened a little. "My boys are close. We'll all be free soon."

He chuckled weakly. "You're brave, I'll give you that. But there's a lot of droids here, and you're injured."

"The Force is with me. I'll be fine. You'll see your family again soon." She promised, reaching back to squeezed his hand.

"I hope you're right. I miss them. " He said sadly.

Miria nodded, eyes scanning the sky. "It's getting good and dark. It won't be long, I'm sure."

"How many people are coming, Miss Miria?" Chisee whispered.

"Four."

"That won't be enough." Sokan murmured cautiously.

"You don't know my boys. The droids won't stand a chance." Her eyes darted up to a tiny flash of light overhead. "There's the signal. Gather everyone together in the middle of the pen."

"I'm trusting you, Miss Jedi." Sokan sighed.

"Have faith. I'll see us all out safely.

He went to move everyone together and Miria stood, backing Chisee up to the group. She stood in front of them, waiting.

The Batch was in position on the upper wall of the base. "General's ready." Hunter murmured.

"Droids have moved to roving rotation." Tech nodded. "I can disable the electric fence around the prisoners."

"Eyes on the commando droids." Crosshair said sharply. "Give the signal, sergeant."

Hunter shrugged the barb off. Crosshair would be fine once Miria was safe, and she could deal with his attitude. "Wrecker, create a diversion."

"Finally." The big clone grinned, taking a deep breath and charging the nearest group of droids.

Tech took off for the pen while Crosshair provided cover fire for Wrecker, Hunter right behind the genius to buy him time.

"Good to see you boys." Miria grinned as they popped up at the control panel to the pen.

"Likewise, General." Tech chuckled. With a few quick adjustments, the fence died and Hunter yanked the gate open.

"Out the back wall!" Miria ordered.

"General, catch!" Hunter tossed her saber. She caught it and grinned.

"Much better. Let's move!" She started ushering everyone out the fence. "Sokan, take the lead. I'm right behind you!"

A hundred frightened slaves followed the togruta towards the half finished wall in a panicked rush while Miria deflected blaster bolts from behind. Hunter rushed ahead to start scrapping riot droids while the commando counterpoints dropped from sniper fire. "I don't see the command unit!" Tech yelled as he tossed electrodes that fried a group getting too close.

Miria turned. "I got it!"

Through his scope, Crosshair watched Miria take a Force assisted leap over a group of battle droids and land directly in front of the command droid.

"You will be destroyed." Its irritating monotonous voice grated on her nerves in the worst way.

"My name is General Miria Halcyon, and you can transmit to your Techno Union that this little project is finished." She went low, under blaster fire, and drove her saber right through the armored body from the bottom and up. It fell apart in two pieces. A bolt of plasma whizzed an inch from her face, striking the commando droid coming up behind her. "Thank you, Cross."

He climbed down from his position as Wrecker barreled by, slamming into droids like a human wrecking ball. "I never miss."

"I know, darling." She chuckled fondly. "Would you ask Hunter if the civilians are clear of the blast radius yet. I'm afraid I don't have my comm."

He nodded stiffly. "Hunter, you clear?"

"Just got the last prisoners back to where we parked the speeders."

Crosshair nodded. Miria smiled. "Wrecker! Time for the grand finale!"

"About time!"

Crosshair scooped Miria up, tossing her casually over his shoulder and running out of the base. "Cross… darling, I can walk…"

He ignored her, so she simply busied herself with deflecting a few stray blaster shots from behind until Wrecker caught up with them and set off the detonation.

When they reached the group of refugees, Hunter chuckled. "You alright, General?"

"This is most undignified." She dropped her cheek in her hand, elbow in the snipers back.

Chisee giggled, poking her head around the group. "You are a Jedi!"

Miria smiled fondly. "I am. And this is Clone Force 99. Now let's get you lovely people home."

Hunter chuckled. "Already called the nearest reinforcements. Transports are on the way."

"Good man, Hunter. Now… Crosshair, will you put me down?"

"No."

#explict #eventual smut #original character #crosshair smut #crosshair #clone force 99 #self injury #caught in the crosshairs

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riversofmars · 3 years

Text

Hello Fam! Time for another update on this epic, we're heading for a big confrontation!! Thank you everyone so much for your lovely comments <3 Enjoy!

Chapter 10: Familiar Faces

Edinburgh, 2021

“He’s due to give an address right now, should finish soon.“ Jack explained as they walked up to the convention centre.

“Let’s hope it goes differently to the last one…“ Ryan winced at the memory of it. They had very nearly all been turned into braindead data storage.

“Martha and Gwen will be in the auditorium, Mickey and I will stay outside, we've got you backstage passes.“ He handed them lanyards with laminated passes. They would get them through some doors, though perhaps not all of them. “You approach him after the speech, push his buttons.“

“That should not be difficult.“ Graham said, which was a fair assumption. They had no way of knowing how he would respond to seeing them again but it wouldn’t be pleasant. They had been surprised to find he was even still giving speeches. His spin doctors had had a tough time explaining everything away as a media stunt but that was a while ago now, and VOR still held a ridiculous amount of power in the world.

“We got you covered.“ Jack reassured them. “Just stay in contact.“ He tapped his ear to remind them of the surveillance equipment they were wearing.

“He’s just wrapping up, better get in here.“ Gwen’s voice came over the radio and they nodded.

“Let’s do this.“ Graham agreed and Ryan answered Gwen:

“We’re on our way.“

“Good men!“ Jack grinned. “We will make Torchwood agents of you yet!“

——

Demon’s Run, 52nd Century

“Keep running scans.“ Vastra advised Dorium over the intercom as they made their way to the airlock one deck below the bridge. They had found a good spot underneath the asteroid, where they could access a seemingly empty section of the space station.

“They haven’t detected us yet, no life signs anywhere nearby.“ Dorium reported. He had remained back on the bridge and Yaz couldn’t be persuaded to stay behind this time around. There would be no need to operate a teleport so Vastra’s excuses didn’t work. She had given in eventually.

“Mr. Strax, if you please.“ Vastra nodded towards the airlock as the others kept back.

“With pleasure.“ Strax grinned and engaged his helmet. He stepped on the other side of the heavy door and the airlock closed. It was hard to make out what was happening through the small window in the door but they gathered around to watch their friend. Strax attached himself to a tether so he wouldn’t be dragged into space as the airlock opened into space on the other side. He leaned out and with two precise shots of his rifle he took out the force field generators that powered the shields in this section. There was a gap between the ship and the space station as there was no docking bay on the other side but they had no need for it. Not when Strax threw a small grenade across the distance to the metal hull of the space station. The explosion wasn’t particularly loud as it wasn’t about the force of it, but it was big enough to douse the area in powerful acid. Strax gave them a thumbs up, and Vastra and Jenny returned the gesture.

“He’s not been as happy as this in months.“ Jenny observed with a chuckle as they watched Strax wheel out an air corridor towards the hull breach on the other side.

“Very efficient.“ Yaz commented, impressed at the effectiveness of the plan. She could only assume that this was something Sontarans were very good at.

“I have no idea what we’re going to find when we get onto that space station.“ Vastra turned to Yaz, making sure she understood what she was letting herself in for. She would much rather she stayed behind but Yaz wasn’t having it.

“Hopefully we will find the Thirteen and work out what they’re up to and save the Professor. Easy, right?“ Yaz asked and checked the charge pack on the blaster Strax has supplied her with.

“Sounds about right.“ Jenny smiled and looked to her wife with a proud smile, Yaz had certainly found a firm place amongst them.

“Keep your guard up, don’t do anything stupid, we can’t take any risks with the professor’s consciousness at stake.“ Vastra implored them as she placed her hand on the hilt of her sword. The airlock opened, safe to cross, as Strax waited for them on the other side, rifle at the ready.

——

Edinburgh, 2021

“Sorry, we’re looking for Mr. Barton, he should have finished his address by now?“ Ryan stepped up to a porter, flashing his ID.

“Backstage area is through there.“ The young man gestured to a door at the far side of the room. “I’m not sure he’s keen on visitors though…“ He frowned.

“He’ll make an exception for us, old friends.“ Graham smiled and before the porter could protest, they marched to the door.

“We’re backstage.“ Ryan informed the others on the radio as they made their way through a long corridor, the hustle and bustle of the main area falling away.

“Here we go…“ Graham elbowed his grandson, spotting Barton up ahead. “Mr. Barton!“ He called out, and they picked up the pace before he could disappear into a dressing room.

“Oh no…“ Barton recognised them immediately.

“Long time no see. Sorry, didn’t catch the speech, fascinating I’m sure.“ Graham said a little out of breath as they came to a halt in front of him, baring his way.

“Who let you in here?“ Barton asked curtly, then called: “SECURITY!“

“Nah, we got backstage passes, mate, it’s all good.“ Ryan grinned holding up his lanyard. “Surprised they’re letting you out in public again after what happened last time.“

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.“ Barton tried to push past them but they wouldn’t let him.

“Sure you do.“ Graham said. “What have you been up to lately? 'Cause there’s some really weird stuff going on, people being experimented upon, people dying? Sound like someone you know?“

“SECURITY?“ Barton called again and this time two burly looking men came stalking down the corridor. “Get these men out of here.“ The VOR founder gestured to them.

“Sorry, actually, we’re Scotland Yard.“ Ryan announced and pulled his psychic paper from his pocket, flicking it at the security officers as he’d seen the Doctor do so often. “This is a homicide investigation.“

“You’re not Scotland Yard, you’re…“ Barton started to protest but Graham held his psychic paper out to him in turn.

“Check the paper, Mate.“ He grinned and the security officers kept their distance, unsure of what to do.

“Fine, I’ll be going then.“ Barton snapped. “Have my car brought around!“ He shouted to the security guards and started back in the direction he’d come from. His men hurried after him.

“He’s on his way out.“ Ryan tapped his ear to give the other’s the heads up. “We will have a look around his dressing room.“

“Well done, we got it from here.“ Jack’s voice came through the radio, and Ryan and Graham high-fived before walking into the dressing room.

——

Demon’s Run, 52nd Century

“This way.“ Jenny indicated for them to turn right. She was holding a scanner, charting the way up ahead.

“It’s eerily quiet…“ Yaz observed looking around. They hadn’t encountered anyone yet.

“This place is big, fifty people would barely fill a deck…“ Vastra mused but she had to agree, she didn’t like the quiet either.

“They seem to be gathered on the main deck…“ Jenny explained, interpreting the scanner readings.

“Then that’s where we’re heading.“ Vastra decided. It was their best bet.

“Right into the lion’s mouth for glorious battle.“ Strax sounded extremely pleased with the course of action.

“It’s our best chance of finding the Thirteen and in turn, Professor Song…“ Vastra explained upon seeing Yaz’s doubtful expression.

“Do you not think it’s strange?“ Yaz asked as it wasn’t the direction she was unsure about.

“What is?“ Jenny retorted.

“That no-one had noticed us yet…“ Yaz looked around the empty corridors. “I mean, I know this place is big but Strax knocked through their shields… punched a hole in their wall… loss of air pressure, surely they should have had alarms for those things…“ She carried on explaining, and none of them could argue.

“The lad is right, it’s too easy.“ Strax grinned excited at the prospect of a dangerous situation.

“All we can do is be on guard, we will have to face them eventually, whether it’s with the element of surprise or not.“ Vastra decided that it was too late to worry about it now. They were all more than capable of defending themselves, they would be fine. “Now, which way to the main deck?“

——

Glasgow, 2021

“His car is being brought around.“ Jack’s voice filled the Torchwood Two hub where Kate and the Osgoods were watching a video feed of what Jack and Mickey were seeing. “He’s taking off…“ Jack carried on and they watched Barton head towards a black car. “And he’s making a phone call!“

“See if you can get a trace on that call.“ Kate turned to the Osgoods who were already working the controls. One was zooming in on Barton while the other attempted to hack the phone call.

“Yes, Ma’am.“ They retorted in unison and there was a crackling noise until finally Barton’s voice echoed through the hub:

“I thought you said there was no way of things getting back to me.“ Barton was growling while slamming the door shut on his car.

“What are you talking about, Mr. Barton.“ The voice on the other end of the call was male, and none of them recognised them.

“The Doctor! Her friends are here, asking all sorts of questions. Now, I have no idea what exactly you’re doing and frankly I don’t want to know. Plausible deniability, do you even know what that is?“ Barton barked, clearly unsettled. They had done a good job of rattling him. “Do not contact me until you have results. You have your resources, the facilities, everything else is up to you!“

“Get a tracker on that car!“ Kate instructed quickly as the car started up and Mickey was quick to shoot a transponder to the back of it as it was driving off.

“What did they say?“ The voice of Barton’s contact was still loud and clear in the Torchwood hub.

“What?“ Barton snapped back.

“The Doctor’s friends, what did they say?“ The other man pressed on.

“They know about the experiments.“ Barton growled, his voice low and angry.

“Is that all?“

“I didn't exactly stop to chat.“ Barton sounded exasperated now. “Don’t contact me until you’re ready.“ The call ended abruptly without another response from the other side.

——

Demon’s Run, 52nd Century

“What’s that noise?“ Strax stopped dead in his tracks and the others halted as well, nearly running into him.

“Oh yeah, I can hear it, too.“ Jenny agreed listening out. There was a faint clicking noise, like bottle caps being opened somewhere far off.

“Let’s move along, I don’t have a good feeling about this…“ Vastra urged them on, looking up and down the corridor. Something wasn’t right. There was a change in the air, it suddenly grew stale and heavy. “The air circulation…“ Vastra realised what it was and glanced anxiously ahead to the end of the corridor where a large bulkhead was just rolling shut.

“What’s happening?“ Yaz asked, unsettled by the sudden stillness around them.

“Run. To the bulkhead, we need to open it up!“ Vastra exclaimed, they didn’t have a moment to lose and without questions that would have delayed them, they sprinted forward. An ear piercing alarm sounded and emergency lights started flashing along their way.

“Evacuate this section, the deck will be vented in t-minus two minutes.“ A computer voice announced across the intercom.

“The bulkhead is sealed shut.“ Jenny announced and Strax took a couple of shots at it for good measure. It didn’t budge.

“What’s happening?“ Yaz asked.

“They’re about to vent this entire section into space.“ Vastra explained quickly. “We need to get out of here, otherwise we will be sucked into the vacuum.“

“Well, well, well, what have we here, uninvited guests.“ A voice boomed over the intercom.

“I know that voice…“ Yaz breathed in disbelief, shuddering involuntarily. They all looked around. Yaz was first to spot the camera directed at the bulkhead they were standing in front of.

“The Doctor’s merry men, I presume? Or merry women? He does like to surround himself with the fairer sex, doesn’t he. No, offence, Sontaran.“ The voice carried on with some amusement. “Is he here, too? Oh I really hope he is…“

“It’s the Master.“ Yaz exclaimed, shaking off the initial shock.

“What?“ Vastra frowned as they all looked to Yaz in surprise. The Master was the last person they would have expected to find here. They had presumed him to be on Gallifrey still. Perhaps Dorium’s memory of who had saved him from the Transept had been correct and it had been the Master after all.

“I’d know that voice anywhere, it’s him alright!“ Yaz squared her jaw.

“Is he working with the Thirteen?“ Jenny asked and Vastra replied:

“Wouldn’t surprise me.“

“Now, would you stop talking, that’s just plain rude! Did you really think you could break in and no-one would notice you?“ The voice boomed across the speakers again, he seemed to be able to hear them.

“Kill them now! I want to see them floating through the airlock.“ There was another voice too.

“Patience, the countdown is so much more dramatic. Also, I have questions! How did you find us? Why are you here? And where is the Doctor?“ The first voice carried on.

“The Doctor knows we’re here!“ Yaz exclaimed. It was a bluff of course but perhaps it would make him think twice about killing them.

“Release Professor Song to us!“ Vastra demanded turning glaring at the surveillance camera to whoever was sitting on the other side of it.

“The only thing I’m going to release is you… into space.“ The voice snickered in amusement.

“Ma’am.“ Jenny mumbled, catching her wife’s attention and Vastra looked around, following her wife’s eyes to a maintenance panel on the wall. Yaz noticed it too and without a moment’s hesitation, she raised her gun and shot the surveillance camera above their heads.

“Now that’s not very nice of you!“ The voice snarled.

“Quickly now!“ Vastra urged and Jenny quickly pushed her sword behind the panelling to wedge it open.

“Whatever you’re planning, it won’t work!“ The voice carried on. “You will be dead in a few minutes!“

“Get in!“ Vastra gave her wife a leg up to the maintenance shaft. Strax refused her help and launched himself up with surprising force, nearly getting stuck in the small shaft but Yaz, who followed after, pushed him on.

“Fine, let’s get this over with, if you’re not going to play…“ The air was sucked out of the corridor and Vastra gasped, grabbing hold of the edge of the shaft as the force of the outside vacuum tried to rip her away. Yaz was quick to grab her arms and pull her inside as the air continued to get sucked out. Vastra turned quickly and closed the panel, keeping the vacuum at bay for the time being.

“That was close…“ Yaz leaned against the side of the shaft to catch her breath. It was wide enough to move around in and turn but only if they stayed crouched down.

“We have to be careful now that they know we’re here. We have to find the Professor and quickly.“ Vastra said as they climbed along the shaft. “Chances are, the Thirteen will have the data stick, or whatever he’s using to store her consciousness, with him…“

“You’re sure that was the Master, Yaz?“ Jenny asked, looking behind herself to make sure the others were close behind.

“I’d know that voice anywhere.“ Yaz nodded.

“Then we are facing even greater odds than anticipated.“ Vastra mused, concerned. Perhaps they were out of their depth without the Doctor with them, particularly now that they had lost the element of surprise.

“It will be a glorious battle. I’ve not had as much fun as this in years!“ Strax didn’t seem to mind at all and Yaz nearly bumped into him when he stopped crawling as Jenny had done up ahead.

“Which way?“ Jenny asked, as the shaft split in two directions.

“We ought to split up, cover more ground. We will be harder to track that way as well.“ Vastra said after brief consideration. “Jenny, you and Strax go left, Yaz and I will go right.“ She decided.

“Are you sure about that?“ Jenny asked, sounding insecure for a moment as Strax moved to her side and allowed Yaz and Vastra to pass through to the right.

“It will be fine, my love.“ Vastra gave her wife a soft smile and reached for her hand. “We will rendezvous back at the ship. If you run into trouble, just get back there.“ She leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to her lips.

“Okay.“ Jenny smiled, gathering her courage. “Be careful.“ She gave her wife a stern look, and Vastra nodded.

“Come on, lad!“ Strax called out, already halfway down the left hand shaft.

“Look after her, Strax.“ Vastra called after him and got a “Yes Ma’am…“ for an answer.

“More like, I look after him.“ Jenny chuckled. “You be careful too, both of you.

——

Demon’s Run Holding Cells, 52nd Century

“The Doctor’s merry men, I presume? Or merry women? He does like to surround himself with the fairer sex, doesn’t he. No, offence, Sontaran.“ The Thirteen’s voice carried through all of Demon’s Run, echoing through empty corridors and to the cell River was being held in. “Is he here too? Oh I really hope he is…“

River tried her best to stay calm, not get her hopes up but there were only so many people she could think of that would steal aboard Demon’s Run with a Sontaran in tow. Someone had noticed that she had been taken from the Library, and they were coming for her, they had to be. He had to be.

“I wouldn't get my hopes up. We’re just venting the entire section into space.“ Kovarian snarled, stepping up to the forcefield that kept them separate.

River hugged her son to her chest, running her fingers through his short fluffy curls that had grown a little longer since she had last seen him. They must have taken him maybe a couple of weeks after she had dropped him off at Paternoster Row, and now it seemed her dear friends had come to their rescue.

“Do you think Daddy might be coming to get us out of here?“ She hummed to the infant and pressed a kiss to his head. “He’s going to be terribly cross when he finds out about you… but not as cross as he’s going to be with them .“

“The Doctor isn’t here.“ Kovarian retorted and River gave her a condescending smile.

“As far as you know.“ She retorted, returning her attention to her son. She had missed him so much. She had had no idea of the danger he had been in, but for now, she was just grateful to have him back in her arms. Her time in the Library had felt like an eternity and she had missed him every second of it.

Kovarian turned away from the cell and pressed her hand to her ear, seemingly receiving a message.

“I’m on my way.“ She announced and turned back to River. “Don’t go anywhere, Melody, dear. Not that you could.“ She snarled and River smirked.

“Better run and hide, Madame Kovarian. A storm is coming for you.“ River stepped up close to the forcefield, regarding the other woman with nothing but distaste and pity. “There are no Gods, no force in the universe, that will save you when my husband finds out what you’ve done.“

Kovarian lingered for a moment, seemingly considering her response. River was sure there was a little bit of something in her eye, the one without the eye drive anyway. Something akin to a flicker of fear. Kovarian turned and marched away without another word before River had the chance to point it out.

“Right then, dear, time for mummy to get to work.“ River hummed when Kovarian had departed and she walked up to where the control panel for the force field was. “Your daddy is good but so am I, let’s make our own way…“

——

Demon’s Run Main Hanger, 52nd Century

“Ah, there we are…“ The Master stepped out of the TARDIS first upon the Doctor’s request, just in case he was taking them somewhere dangerous on purpose. He knocked against a large computer console and the Doctor realised immediately that it was a TARDIS with a functioning chameleon circuit.

“I know this place…“ The Doctor realised as she looked away from the TARDIS at the surrounding area and a feeling of overwhelming dread took hold of her.

“Oh?“ The Master looked around as well but waited for her explanation.

“This is Demon’s Run.“ The Doctor said and she was sure of it. The battle of Demon’s Run still stuck in her bones despite numerous regenerations.

“Oh I see, I’ve never been but I heard it was quite the party.“ The Master pushed his hands into his pockets as he had a look around. “Where is everyone?“ He asked, then called: “HELLO! ANYONE HOME?“

“Will you shut up?!“ The Doctor slapped her hand to his mouth, shutting him up. “We have the element of surprise here!“

“You really don’t, you know.“ A voice called from the other end of the hanger.

“What…“ The Doctor was at a loss for words. She looked to the Master next to her, then back to the person advancing towards them. Same frame, same dark hair, same face. They even wore the same purple suit.

“Now this is a surprise.“ The other man grinned, proving that their voice was the same too.

“Maybe you were right, Doctor, maybe I’m not as innocent as I anticipated.“ The Master hummed, sounding intrigued as he sized up the man in front of them who, for all intents and purposes, appeared to be him. “Now, my loyalties might get a little… conflicted.“

The same mad smirk played on both their faces as the Doctor stood stunned, looking in between the two Masters.

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fulcrum-agent · 3 years

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008. Adroid [FFXIVwrite2021]

"So just...pick a big room?" she asks the punkish apparition, head canting a little.

The redhead nods, smirking a little. "You're a clever girl, Quil - I trust ya won't pick somewhere with so little space, the bulkheads get blown up."

There's the briefest moment of blue screening brain at the compliment, but it's gone in a microsecond.

"'Cept when it comes to that other thing you brought up," she chides, crossing her arms and leaning against the wall. "That was stupid as fuck, and we're gonna be discussin' it when you're done kicking this Miqo'te about."

Quila can't help but wince, giving the Arcadia a sheepish expression.

All the apparition does to such is wave her hand a little dismissively. "I said later. Call your new potential toy - just be sure ta gimme a show~."

Then just like that, Quila's alone again. Sort of. Mostly. Sighing, she reaches up for the linkpearl that's paired to her tomestone. "Karuis...found us a place to train."

"Ah, and here I thought I was gonna resign to watching the rain bounce off the bulkhead. Where am I meeting you?"

Xe has busied xemselves with taking up a curled up position somewhere in one of the Outlaw's more out of the way pieces of real estate, some cross beams nearby to some of the larger guns. Xe hops down from their Miqo accessible locale as xe wait for the exact location, tail flicking idly behind xem.

"You grab a place ground side, I assume?

"Nah. Arcadia's letting us pick a room," she explains but doesn't. "I figure one of the cargo bays is gonna be best, yeah?"

She's already making her way through the massive ship. She's trying to find where the cargo bays actually are, given she's near the bridge out of habit.

"Long as we have permission, that's fine with me. And aye, cargo bay works fine."

Xe didn't really require an explanation, everything after talking house, living through the memories of others, a massive skeleton trying to kill xem, and whatever the fuck the past few moons have been...

Xe assumes the Arcadia is just as alive as anyone else, and she told Quila what room to use. As xe make their way over to the other airship, xe give some idle thoughts to where precisely in the cargo bay they were meeting before deciding that finding out could be the adventure. Xe gives a slight bow of respect as xe come aboard the Arcadia before xe start moving like a shade through the halls, the map the Viera had shown before of this great airship bouncing about between their ears; as xe try to find... oh, there she is. By providence, luck, or maybe just The Arcadia being well designed xe spot the Garlean and give a half-wave, tail flicking behind xem.

"Didn't get lost, did we? Would be a little concerned if you did."

"Pfft, she'd let me if only to watch in sadistic amusement," she chirps as she turns, startling a little physically due to their lack of footfalls. "But, there are multiple cargo bays here. This is just the first one I've found. This ship is MASSIVE, and I feel like it's some sort of game to her to not just...give me a map."

"I could certainly see that; watching people wander around aimlessly can be pretty hilarious." The Seeker blinks at the noise before rubbing the back of their head as xe put on a small smile. "Sorry, someone had the bright idea to put a bell on me when I was young, fucking menace ever since, apparently. But! I have a map.. kind of, at least I remember the floor plans or whatnot. Rika managed to snag, so I mostly know my way around.. but that doesn't stop me from being thankful that I haven't gotten lost.. yet."

Xe glances about the cargo bay for a moment before turning their gaze back to her and motioning to her, finding a nearby support beam to lean on.

"So, what's the plan for today? Am I starting with teaching you the basics of Thavnarian dance fighting, or are we sparring to see where you are in hand to hand generally and working from there?"

At this point, she's in a pair of shorts (black), stockings (dark purple), her almost-trademark boots (black & gold), and one of those tank tops that the Isghardians were handing out to crafters (wine red). While she doesn't have Talekeeper with her, at least, as far as can be seen, she's still wearing the Warmage magicite Locke'd given her as a pendant to the collar she seems to wear 24/7.

When he speaks of the bell, she ends up giggling a little, trying to picture xe with a collar bell...which was surprisingly easy.

"I'm thinking we try some hand-to-hand so you can figure outplacement," she notes with something of a wicked grin, suddenly ramping towards manic. "Just don't go easy on me."

Xe has swapped over to something more warm with their Bozjan coat now missing for The Twelve only know how long. So the Seeker has thrown on a currant purple anemos gambison, some modified jet black strife pants, and one of their constantly swapping pairs of combat boots, these ones an Alliance make in soot black. Xe still has the twin onyx and dark amber revolvers gifted to xem by Locke on their belt though, besides that, xe aren't carrying any type of polearms. The two accessories that stand out are a watch on their left wrist that has a faint hint of aetheric energy coming off of it and a dull grey gunmetal tin clipped on their right, just about the size of a soul stone.

Xe raises a brow at the snickering and just shake their head a little; that smile from before staying before it turns into a grin at she's request.

"I wasn't planning on it; it wouldn't be an accurate assessment if I did take it easy. So I'll give you one warning before we do go; if you're gonna try and flow again, I'll start using my stone. On your mark, Aquila."

As soon as those words leave the Seeker, their demeanour switches with all the effort of a light switch, mismatched gaze narrowing as xe drop into a defensive stance, the style more reminiscent of an Imperial martial discipline than anything else.

"I uh...kinda don't know how to make those moves otherwise, so game on?" she replies as she falls into...absolutely no stance. There's nothing. Her stance is absolutely neutral all around, and suddenly, all but the most necessary of movements evaporates as she begins to focus on xem. It's slow, but there's a pronounced shift in her entire being, down to an aetheric level. A change she doesn't seem to be aware of.

She's almost maddening to fight. Any and all movement happens with barely a microsecond of warning, yet all of them still flow as though she's dancing, not fighting. Even watching the triangle, her telegraphs are tiny as hell; she always falls back to neutral if there's time, otherwise flowing from one motion to the next as xe fight.

And just like that, she blinks into the Lifestream to close the distance, ejecting just in reach of xe - as she had on the deck, only this time with the intent of actually striking him right in the solar plexus.

Xe would have clarified that xe head meant the blinking manoeuvre, but when xe takes in that she lacks stance, any of those thoughts leave xir mind. The Seeker catches the shift instance, their ears pinning back and tail puffing up as xe prepare for that same focus xe encountered on the deck of The Outlaw.

The dance-like flow to the spar thus far and the speed on display put the Seeker right in their element, moving with all of the grace that being both a Miqo'te and professional performer granted them as xe keep in sync with the Garlean. The Seeker shifts between and around styles like breathing the longer the fight goes on, prodding and poking at her defences to find her responses and strengths to certain things. The Seeker seems to favour a style favoured by Doman resistance cells, sending out elbows and fist and knee strikes in rapid succession.

Like a viper, the Seeker waited for that shift in the air as she went into the Lifestream. Xe know that point for point, xe weren't going to be able to match the manoeuvre for sheer speed, so instead, xe rely on the anticipation of the strike's previous flow. With an utter lack of hesitation, the Seeker moves to send out a swift dragoon kick, less focused on power but more on sheer speed as it snaps the air around the two. xir's body twists for the kick and hopefully moves the blow to somewhere less disastrous should it land. Xe was not about to hold back here, she deserved the Seeker at their best, and xe weren't one to disappoint.

Given that xe is a clever catte, xe'll quickly pick up on certain hallmarks of what she's capable of combatively: one of her biggest strengths is the lack of movement telegraphing, as it makes finding any sort of opening complex, at first. While her eyes seem to be unfocused, she locked onto the triangle that's formed by the Miqo'te's collarbones and sternum, that distant gaze seeming to more stare into their soul than past xem.

Blinking back into a kick sends her strike wide, the palm of her hand skimming along the side of his leg as she adjusts to try and block the kick before sliding around the side of Karius' body. Should she slide past him, her next attack is towards the middle of his lower back - another snapping strike with a bit of aether behind it, her second hand following to make a small follow-up strike.

With a better sense of what xe were working with when it came to her, the Seeker decides to switch up tactics. Xe shifts energy from trying to read the Garlean's movements to instead focusing on following through on their own and keeping a sense of spatial awareness in the room. Xe decides to eat the strike to their lower back, the energy needed to counter that far too much of a gamble; the weaker follow-up was a different story, however.

Turning on a dime on their heel, xe move to face she, using the speed and momentum of the rapid turn to try and veer the strike off to their left with their palm. Now fully facing she and the distance relatively short, xe go on the offensive, taking a far more aggressive stance as xe unleash a combination of palm and knee strikes. Xe wasn't relying on all of them to hit but instead overwhelming the other fighter with a complete switch from their previously tight defence. Xir's aim at the moment seemed to get the two of them out to a far smaller section of the cargo bay or at least push them to fight closer to this area.

Surprisingly, she doesn't smile at landing the strike. In fact, her expression is little more than deadpan as xe launch the continuous series of strikes. At first, she manages to keep up on blocking or redirecting the hits, but the longer xe continues the tactic, the more she has to pivot or dodge than she does block. Finally, it's becoming clear xir is going to overwhelm her with the rapid strikes...

...and as the Miqo'te overwhelms her, she blinks into the Lifestream, crossing through xe before flashing back into existence at their back. She's already executing a roundhouse kick as she solidifies, aiming for her opponent's middle back.

The Seeker was not about to let up the advantage of xir's rapid combos as xe continues to press her further into the smaller section of the cargo hold, boots squeaking against the metal floor as their speed increases. xe were, however, incredibly aware that xe couldn't keep it up forever; either she would come right for their throat or-

The sensation of being teleported through gets xem to shiver, warning xem what may be coming alongside dreading that blink. Unfortunately, there just isn't enough time for xem to dodge the strike, at least not in a way that wouldn't give her another big opening to exploit. So xe quickly turn on their heel and brace their arms up to catch the blow, which still sends the Seeker sliding back and does some solid damage. Xe hiss in pain as xe take a moment to centre xemselves before rushing into the Garlean's space. xir's method swaps now to something far faster, using their stone to gather as much momentum and speed as xe can while bleeding into these dancer-like strikes and spins. Thavnairian dance fighting, and xe gave her a crash course like an Imperial locomotive coming down the tracks.

Active learning at this speed is possible for the Warmage, though it was more of a slow build-up rather than a sudden gift of knowledge the way it can be when there's less going on. Falling back to focusing on dodging more than redirecting or blocking, xe would start to notice the more xe does a particular mood or technique, the more likely it is that she works it into her side of the fighting. With movements the Miqo'te's using heavily, she can almost perfectly mirror them; with the less frequent movements, she's a little unstable and erratic, her form nowhere near as tight and proper.

The continued attacks again start to press her, causing her to play defensive more than offensive.

Xe's next high kick ends with a different result: she doesn't attempt to block, redirect, or dodge such the way she has been. No, instead, she just...bends back at the waist, forming an almost perfect arch as her hands drop to the floor behind her. And then she pushes her feet off of the floor, intent of kicking her opponent with each foot as she shifts into a handstand before vaulting from such to her feet - facing xe, but several fulms away now.

As xe starts to notice she putting xir's techniques into her fighting styles and the like, that.. certainly gets a reaction from xem. But, then, something snaps from behind their crimson and amber eyes. The Seeker continues darting into she's space as much as xe can up until that next high kick, eyes going a bit wide as xe watch that arch and then the kick lands.

The hit lands nicely and sends xe sliding back, getting their tail to puff up and to show off their sharp canines, which are considerably sharper and pointed than even a vast majority of Keepers. Unfortunately, this fact doesn't stay in the spotlight for long as black aether sparks around xem as xe concentrates on their stone and go on an onslaught. Xe was going to put pressure on the fact she couldn't precisely copy their techniques perfectly or keep up with their speed to the same extent. If she continued using flow, then xe wasn't going to go easy, sending forth kick after dashing elbow to shin strike. One of the main strikes xe go into xe get right in her face and attempt a sweeping kick the Garlean before spinning into another kick to her midsection.

The initial onslaught causes her to start losing ground rapidly, causing her to dart backwards as she refocuses on trying to dodge as many of the strikes as possible. However, the moment the Seeker starts to focus on her face, she blinks backwards three separate times - putting as much distance as possible between them. Although she retreats, xe' leg sweep fully lands while the second is more of a light graze across her stomach.

She crashes to the floor as she exists the Lifestream the third time, rolling several times due to the force of the impact. Such is only stopped when the back of her upper body slams into the metal wall with a loud clanging thud. For a few heartbeats, she's propped up against the wall before her eyes fully roll back into her head as she falls sideways.

Xe was in the zone and was hard-pressed to get out of it, especially with the amount of blinking around the place that she was doing. Despite the serious expression on their face, xe were having so much fun with all of this. Xe goes to try and bring down another combination when xe hear that crash.

Xe pauses a few fulms away from the Garlean before their eyes go wide, and xe dart over to her side. Then, cursing under their breath as xe tries to force xemselves to not only calm down but try to figure out what might be wrong with their limited medical experience.

"Shit, shit... Aquila, are you alright?"

((Adapted from an RP session with Karuis.))

#ffxivwrite2021

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