Inca-Spider - Moche Huapaya - Earth-802
Pronounced 'Mo-Chae HWA-Pa-ya' (Also goes by Mochi) - 24 - She/Her - 4'11 - Yes, I ship her with Miguel. - From Incan Year 802 (or our 1992)
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Bitten and blessed by The Fanged Spider-God - Aia Paec, Moche is the wall-crawling protector of Cusco. Along with the likes of Pavitr and Spider-man Noir, she's a part of a small class of Spider-people blessed and empowered of Gods.
Moche Huapaya:
Moche is best described as warm and independent. She's autistic, and spent most of her childhood weaving alone, or roaming the mountainous plains around her village with her family's pack of llamas. But Moche loves people, and has always found much community in her village's temples, her Aunt Mayu a great curandera (healer).
Moche takes after her aunt, always eager to help. And she was raised by her aunt and Uncle Huacan to always serve the community, but always find strength within herself.
Advice that'd become very useful the night her village was attacked. At 15, after centuries of peace, the Spanish army invaded her country, armed with new vibranium-made weaponry.
Chased into the wilderness by Spanish soldiers, and stranded - Moche unknowingly came across Huachuma* [Hwa-chu-ma], a sacred psychedelic cactus, and ate it to avoid starvation. As she began to consume the plant, a spider crawled from the root and bit her - And as she fell under a spell of Huachuma and venom, she was faced with Aia Paec, The Fanged Spider-God.
She returned to her village as The Inca-Spider, the Avatar and vessel of Aia Paec. And she has the fangs to prove it.
For 9 years, Inca-Spider has served as the nation's protector, defending them through the intensive and ongoing war with the Spanish.
The summer after her college graduation, Moche returned from Lima to her family home Cusco. The day before returning to the city, Moche's village is faced with a strange man - almost 7 foot tall, and speaking Spanish.
And to her, Miguel is the strangest person she's ever met.
But above all else - Moche's still just a 24 year old in 1992 and she acts like it. Sarcastic but lighthearted, she likes Quechuan soap operas, Q-Pop (Quechua Pop), riding her motorcycle and surfing off the coast of Lima.
The Inca-Spider:
The Provider of Water and Protection - Aia Paec has protected the Quechua people for centuries. Considered the Decapitator, his fanged mask sits in every Inti temple.
Victorious against the first Spanish invasion, Aia Paec fell dormant - relegated to a bringer of rain. And so did the Inca-Spider. But when there is a need, Aia Paec is of service.
Compassionate but not merciful, Aia Paec submits to no one - but his community. And he considers all Quechua people as his children.
The newest living incarnation - Moche is no different.
She's the village Curandera (a indigenous healer), responsible for spiritual brews, divination, and ceremony - a tradition taught to her by Aunt Mayu. After her aunt's passing, she also went on to become a Mamacona (Sun-god Inti's temple attendant)
As a Mamacona she now lives at the Inti temple with the other 'nuns', and despite her loss, she considers her sisters as her found family. And they ALL have an opinion on Miguel. (They call him AncaApu or 'Blue Mountain' for how tall he is.)
[WARNING: This post is LONG. VERY LONG. Like..my longest so far. And very detailed.
Below are more details about Moche's Style & Design, Origin, Powers, & Other Quechua cultural details.
Plus her relationship with Miguel, her role in ATSV and her friendship with Hobie.
[There are mentions of colonization in this post - as well as how joining the Society and learning about Spanish colonization affected her.
* - There are also mentions of the ceremonial psychedelic Huachuma Cactus, which is a real and practiced Andean ceremony to this day. I personally have sat in ceremony and would love to share my experience/knowledge - for more information on these medicines - check the very bottom. Thanks!]
Style:
When Moche is in her home city of Cusco, she will often wear the traditional Quechuan style of dress - a red sweater, a black and decorated skirt, and a wide brim hat. One of the only remnants of the Spanish's attempt at colonization - Quechuans in Tawanti instead see their dress as something completely reclaimed, a reflection of their resilience and art.
And because she spends most of her time between there and Spider Society - it's almost everyday that you can find Moche in a petticoat and red sweater, made from the wool of village's llamas.
She's worn a hat and black skirt from childhood to college, and when she's back home, she has no plans of stopping.
Because of this Moche prefers skirts, and never wears pants if she can help it. Thought that became a problem walking upside down at HQ. So now she sews her own harem pants with tiered lace around them, to give the same fluffy illusion. But when it comes to skirts, she likes them any length, any fluffiness. Even black jean skirts. She's from 1992 after all.
However while on HQ, Moche likes to wear her hair out of her braids, knowing the older women at the Inti Temple would have a heart attack over it. As gold is sacred to her people, it's VERY fashionable back home, and Moche tries to wear it as much as she can.
Just the same, when not in her everyday-Quechua clothing, she'll usually be caught wearing a red-top/black-skirt combo and a hat of some sort. She feels naked without them or a little gold.
Her Suit:
Not being able to wear a skirt while swinging was one of the main thoughts Moche kept in her mind during the designing process, and the solution - lace bloomers and a waist-cape!
But unlike most Spider-people, Moche didn't make her suit at all. Aia did. Much like Miguel's, Moche's suit is a layer that manifests over her body when her web-gauntlets are on.
Aia Paec manifested the suit based on what he perceived to be Moche's needs and tastes. The foot straps were her idea though.
Moche's head-dress is directly inspired by the traditional headdress of Warrior Priests - When Moche hangs upside down, her headdress and cape forms her home flag.
And although Moche is ace - that's not a LGBTQ+ flag! It's the actual Flag of Cusco, Peru -
[Sometimes the Cusco flag is also shown without the gold emblem! And the original (Gilbert Baker) pride flag has extra colors - so how do you tell them apart? LGBTQ+ flags usually have an even number of stripes. Cusco is always odd. Good rule of thumb: LGBTQ+ = queer, but Cusco = odd.]
Though she gets questions about it on campus A LOT.
Moche also grew up wearing sandals all the time, so running around in her suit barefoot felt a little wrong to her. Instead she ties leather straps at her ankles - to help her grip when clinging to mountainsides or cliff faces.
Face Claim(s): Quechua-rapper Renata Flores
History & Origin:
Living in the Andean year 802 (1992 for us), Moche was raised in the mountains outside of Cusco, a historical, bustling city teeming with Inca culture and religion.
Tawantinsuyu (the indigenous name for Peru, Chile, Boliva, Ecuador etc) - or just Tawanti has known peace for 400 years. But when Moche is 15, her village is attacked, thrown into chaos as the Spanish unleash another war, backed with new vibranium weaponry.
Moche's Auntie Mayu urged her to flee to the mountains, taking her families herd of llamas with her. Chased into the wilderness by Spanish soldiers, Moche - once a clever navigator - found herself disoriented and stranded among the deserted hills and plains.
Facing starvation, Moche collapsed at the foot of a Huachuma Cactus - unknowing of the sacred plant teacher inside.
Begging for mercy and to live, Moche ate the cactus to survive - unknowing of the plant's ceremonial and psychedelic nature - or the spider inside.
Moche was faced with 'Aia Paec - The Decapitator' - a fanged spider-god in her religion. The protector of The Inca, Aia Paec presented Moche with her first premonition: the potential destruction of her people.
Aia then presented Moche with a choice: become the Avatar of the Spider-God - or refuse, having no recollection of the event afterwards. Either way, she'd live another day.
Moche accepted the role of Avatar, earning her fangs and web gauntlets. And she returned to her village as the Inca-Spider.
Although her Uncle Huacan died in the fight, Moche arrived in time to fend off the first of many Spanish attacks. With fangs of her own to prove her title of Avatar, she was accepted by her community with open arms, her identity as Inca-Spider open and known.
However, they do not revere her, instead seeing Moche more as a public servant than an idol.
Moche lived in her village outside of historic and sacred Cusco until she was 18, before attending college in the futuristic city of Lima - near the pacific coast.
- During the 16 century, a mine of gold near the city was found laced with Vibranium, catapulting the nation into a Wakanda-like surge of advancement.
There Moche attended the University of Lima on a musical scholarship, for her cultural flute playing. At 24, she graduated Cum Laude with a dual degree in Cultural Studies and Computer Science (she's technically still from 1992).
During this time, she learned English and Spanish.
[However she does not speak Spanish natively at all, and speaks it like any other person who learned it in college. Considering this, the history of her nation, and confusion around Spanish gendered nouns (as Quechua has none) she prefers to speak English]
Powers and Abilities:
Moche has all the usual Spider-Powers - including a pair of fangs to prove her title of avatar. However, unlike Miguel, Moche's are purely ornamental, and she'll only really flash them to other Quechua people to prove her status. They're unretractable and noticeably shorter than his.
The niece of a textile weaver, Moche is a Weaver spider - like Pavitr, she focuses on maneuvers and flips that allow her to create webs and tangles. Her web-shooters easily cocoon opponents, and Moche often uses webs as wings and gliders instead of swinging, which is more convenient in the Andean mountains.
Up-keep:
To maintain her abilities, Moche must follow a thorough moral code and spiritual regimen - including things such as divination, meditation, formal ceremony, and occasionally fasting.
One time throughout the year, Moche loses her powers. During this time she enters a period of isolation, fasting, meditation, and spiritual rest. All the while, she can only access her powers if she or her community is in direct danger, in which she has to call upon Aia.
Otherwise, during this time she reverts to an average human, and focuses on self-reflection, devotion, and mindfulness. Once she's recharged and proves to Aia her duty to her great responsibility, she regains her great powers.
This cycle usually takes 3 weeks out of the year.
Web-shooters:
Moche's Web-shooters are not mechanical or organic, but something in between.
The second mark of the Avatar is her gauntlets, two relics given to her by Aia Paec. They're magical, spawning unlimited golden webs.
However, they act like organic webs - because they spawn whenever she needs them. Moche's gauntlets can't be stolen or lost. When legitimate danger strikes, her cuffs will appear within her reach or bag immediately. Once they are on, however, they can't be taken off until the threat is dealt with or gone. Aia Paec sees fleeing as dishonorable, and so for Moche it's not an option.
The Machu Blade:
A real-life blade found at Machu Pichu, Moche weilds a golden ceremonial blade used like the one below. Used to farm Huachuma in Tawanti, she mainly uses it for farm work. The blade spawning from her gauntlet, Moche often uses it like a machete in battle - but the white of her suit will never stain with blood and the blade itself cannot pierce her. She usually combines it with her webs, throwing it over her head or swinging it at opponents before lassoing it back. Ever seen the use of the tomahawk in the movie 'Prey'? She's doing that.
[POV: You're dishonorable and with be dealt with swiftly]
Eye of the Spider -
Every battle is made equal and honorable with this ability. Moche will get visions that help her even the field in battle.
She can't see hits coming, but if the enemy is planning on doing something that is considered dishonorable in battle, Moche will get a vision in warning.
Example: If Moche gets into a fight she believes is one-on-one, but the person has a third party in hiding to ambush her, Aia will give her a vision in warning.
- If instead, the other person discloses the third party before the fight, Aia Paec would consider that an honorable move, and Moche wouldn't get a vision.
This extends to things such as concealed weapons, hidden doors/rooms, acts of cheating/slight - and if you're bluffing at Poker, she can see your cards. She can't help it, and it's technically NOT cheating. According to her. Aia took some convincing. Still that trick got her through college. Intentional lies always go noticed by her as well.
The Big Guy Upstairs
Aia Paec is considered both a provider and warrior for the Andean people. Ruthless in battle, Aia Paec is the creator god responsible for all food, water, and triumph in war.
He is about balance, honor, and respect above of things. Fortunately for Moche, he's more agreeable than say - Venom or Khonsu - and he doesn't care much for Moche's personal life or interests.
Sure, he cares about her well-being. But not her soap-ops.
However when it comes to The Inca-Spider, Aia Paec can be demanding, and he'll never let Moche walk away from a 'worthy' or justified battle. He cares little about things like pride, but if he feels like someones basic respect or rights are being encroached on, or someone is being threatened by another stronger than them, he WILL make Moche step in. Either by pestering her, or if necessary, assuming control and getting her into a fight before leaving Moche to get out of it.
('That wasn't me, I swear. God made me smack you.')
After witnessing Miguel attack Miles and assault both Gwen and Diane (while sending Gwen home), Aia Paec declares Miguel as dishonorable and compels Moche to battle him. Despite her deep care for Miguel, Moche chose to follow her oath to Aia Paec and oblige.
Moche & The Spider Society:
And the trauma of joining -
Recruitment:
The summer after her graduation, Moche returned home to her family home Cusco. The day before returning to the city, Moche's village is faced with a strange man - almost 7 foot tall, and speaking Spanish.
Moche is immediately skeptical and very suspicious of the man named Miguel - and she almost doesn't believe his story, concerned he may be a Spanish spy. That is, until she realizes that he's marked with fangs, the same way she is.
Still, he has to earn her trust. And getting her to join is no easy feat. First, she must test his honor. The test took three days, a trek to the mountains and a meeting with Huachuma cactus and Ayahuasca brew that changed Miguel's life.
Miguel passed Aia Paec's test in the Astral Plain, and so - as she'd promised - Moche joined the Spider Society, with him as her mentor.
"Integration":
To be honest, Moche's first few weeks on campus could be considered outright traumatic. However, it wasn't the Society or technology she found jarring - but the loss of her culture.
During her induction process, it had been Miguel's job to tell her about the colonization of her people - in almost all other universes.
Until this point, Moche had no understanding of Latin America, because to her - America had never become latin. Up until this point, she had only a vague idea of why Miguel spoke Spanish and not Yucatec, but it was only then that she was explained the full extent of the damage.
Quechua culture, people, and language are still VERY much alive today, with 8 million native speakers (it's actually the indigenous language in the Americas with the most speakers) - but that does not understate the massive destruction and slaughter they endured at the hands of the Spanish - even down to the murder of their last emperor - nearly 600 years before 2099.
In the multiverse, much of the culture and history Moche has been taught over her lifetime doesn't exist - the massive developments made in the last half century completely lost.
To her, the country of Peru was foreign, despite her being 'from there'. It was a very sharp shock to the senses, and Moche went through a deep period of mourning. Even moreso, she became terrified of collapsing her universe - and the only trace of her culture. Induction periods are usually spent in the dorms, and Moche spent most of her time there alone. During that time she between talking to the Lyla in her watch, and the two became close friends.
To Miguel this hardship was completely unexpected - and unintentional. A majority of his time went to rectifying this and trying to comfort Moche. Determined to avoid the trauma towards recruits in the future, Moche and Miguel directly developed The Spider Society Adjustment Course together (- in which vulnerable recruits live in a separate wing and receive services like therapy and a mix of mental health and multiversal culture courses)
It took Moche a long while to adjust - and she still is, mostly working at Society HQs in administrative roles rather than active missions. Those she is great in the field.
But she still has a LOT of problems with people constantly misrepresenting her because of her indigenous ancestry and unique universe.
"Oh! A Peruvian Spider! We love a latina queen!"
"No. I'm not Latin."
"Sorry, 'Hispanic', then?"
"No, I learned Spanish in college."
"So, then what are you? Not to be rude."
"Inca."
"Those still exist?? Or are you from like 1500 or something like Webslinger? OMG Are you from El Dorado or something?"
"El Dorado is Spanish. Also, it doesn't exist. Also no. I'm from 1992."
"That doesn't make much sense cause the Spanish-"
*Moche looking at a nearby Lyla like she's on The Office*
['There's a talking piece of fucking plastic and a sentient car here what is so mystical about an indigenous person to these people???????'] -Moche ranting to Lyla later
Moche & Her Job @ The Society:
Overall, Moche is clearheaded but a total 'Type A' personality. She loves to stay busy, consistently the only person on campus who gets up before Miguel.
She is known as a 'Class A - Weaver' Spider under Society Specifications, and is usually called for missions that include large crowds of civilians - as she's great at making cocoons and hammocks to catch people.
Recruited and mentored by Miguel, she's a graduate of the Spider Society Educational Program - with a concentration in a Multiversal Sociology and Data Input - basically learning and tracking the cultures of the incoming recruits.
After revolutionizing the Societies' computer systems with a computerized version of Quechua Quipus (an ancient information system made of strings), Moche was promoted to Third-in-command, after Miguel and Jessica.
[A Quipu for reference. Imagine the base canon event of being bit as the central string, and all other canon events/canonical paths being the outward strings. She did that but in Lyla if that makes sense.]
She also works as Miguel's '2nd assistant' - the person who does all the things Lyla can't. Like getting Miguel coffee. Or making sure he eats, reminding him to drink water. Fetching parts and physical files for him, and reminding him the details of every recruit before a meeting.
If something is going down on campus - If it involves talking to people, It's her Miguel's sending.
Moche & Miguel:
Yes. I ship them. (Also I'll write more in another post but)
Moche and Miguel aren't necessarily boyfriend and girlfriend. If you ask, they'll say they're 'seeing one another'. And then they'll quickly change the conversation because talking about relationships in the workplace in unprofessional and they're professionals (and shy).
In fact, their relationship could even be described as Non-conventional because they're extremely conventional.
As in, Moche and Miguel operate like a pair of 1950's teenagers that are 'going steady'. If anything, their relationship is a lot closer to 'courting' than dating.
Whereas Diane and Hobie hardly ever go on dates, Miguel and Moche go on dinner dates a LOT. Usually accompanied by flowers and Miguel having to drop her off at the temple after. (He has to bring something gentlemanly or else the older Mamaconas are NOT letting her out).
The two of them had to build up to holding hands before they ever kissed - if that gives you a better idea of what I mean. Before she fully joined the society, Miguel was almost embarrassed when he walked in on her and for the first time she wasn't wearing her braids - as if that were an intimate thing to see.
He apologized profusely. She apologized profusely, telling him it was okay. Aia Paec was annoyed with the both of them.
When it comes to pet names, neither use Spanish terms. Just cause. The first time he called her 'mi amor' Moche was probably caught off guard a little.
Instead, they may call each other 'Chata', 'Muna', and 'Wayllu' or any other number of shortened Quechua terms. They also usually say I love you in Quechua, which is simply 'Kuyayki.'
[Chata -> Chatashka - Lover / Muna -> Munashka - Darling / Wayllu -> Wayllushka - Beloved]
Miguel's most common name for her is 'Cuy' or Guinea, which Moche HATES. In Quechua, 'Cuy' means Guinea pig. The Spanish were known for bringing over beef and cattle, and as a result for her, beef is hardly eaten in Tawanti. Instead, eating and raising Guinea Pig is more common (as is common in Peru).
Moche was raised eating cuy. Miguel has never eaten it in his life. Considering cuy LOOKS like a fried guinea pig, he can't really take the thought.
But back at her village, Moche was raised breeding and taking care of the cuy. Miguel finds them kind of adorable, and what's even more adorable is Moche looking after them. And since she's fairly small compared to him - he calls her Cuy.
To many people - on campus - this is cute. To Miguel it's like calling her bunny or mouse. But to the people in her village, and probably the whole country, it's hilarious. To them cuy are not pets - It's like calling your girlfriend a chicken or turkey and expecting it to be romantic. Which he does. Her telling him to stop usually results in him kissing the side of the head (and doing it again). She'll usually call him AncuApu in return.
With Miguel's past loss and Moche's traditional upbringing, the two enjoy taking it slow. Like really slow. And since both of them are A-spec (Moche ace and Miguel demi) their relationship is mostly to completely romantic and emotional.
Moche's only interest in sex is starting a family one day. And Miguel is fine with that. It wasn't something they really talked or thought about.
UNTIL Mayday. Having her around campus, has given Moche baby fever. And even if she's not running to jump in bed, she can't stop saying how much she LOVES Mayday's chunky cheeks and little arms and curly hair and-
So when Jess got pregnant - It's like, okay - when's the other baby shoe dropping? Jess is like 'We twinning? Just kidding..We twinning though???'
Instead they spend their time eating in downtown Lima (they're foodies), watching Quechua soaps (she got him hooked), or organizing things for the Society. Although those sound like old people married couple stuff, they LOVE it.
The two of them see each other as rocks in the other's lives, but more than that, the two of them are most focused on feeling each other out, learning each other, and hopefully starting a future together.
[Lol just wait till you get to the ATSV section - PAIN]
Oh - and while Miguel's test Moche met Gabby face to face while the two of them were in Ayahuasca ceremony - and she was able to deliver a message from her to Miguel. But that's a long story.
Schedule:
Moche still lives back home in her village in Tawantinsuyu, taking over a lot of the spiritual and mundane needs of the village. She wakes up at dawn, tending to the llamas and spiritual herbs in the morning before heading to campus. After, she'll spend her 8-10 hours on Society Campus before returning home to bring in the animals and watchover the community during the night.
It's usual for the other Mamaconas (temple assistants) to wait for her portal in the yard, and start talking her ear off right away. But by now, it's normalized. So long as she's not late or anything.
Moche & ATSV:
Moche does not join in on the chase - being physically unable to. Aia Paec declares the act as dishonorable, restricting her movement and 'forcing' her to hang back. She instead heads to the control room to aid Margo and update her on the situation.
When the Go-Home Machine began to go 'haywire', her 'Eye of the Spider' ability allows her to see Miles as soon as he steps in the room. However, Moche chooses not to acknowledge him at Aia Paec's order. Aia Paec also restricts her vocal chords at the time, making it impossible for her to rat Miles out - though she wouldn't either way.
Watching as Miguel assaults Gwen - and then Diane, who comes to her defense - Moche is completely shocked. And although she tries to calm him down - Miguel refuses to hear it.
So Aia compelled her, and she agreed. But terrified of fighting Miguel, Moche made the decision to let Aia Paec assume complete control for the first time - total possession. As Miguel ordered the rest of the Society to scour the multiverse - Aia Paec openly challenged him, citing him as no longer honorable and worthy of the fanged title. And although he is in Moche's body, he will not allow Miguel to go unchecked.
However as the fight stretched on, Moche's emotional state - mixed with the fear of seeing Miguel aggressive beyond her understanding - renders her unable to maintain the connection, weakening Aia's efforts. And the fight ends with Miguel almost badly wounding Moche after Aia refuses to relent.
Aia releases Moche just in time, so she can see Miguel's abuse and dishonorable behavior for herself. Terrified, she comes to with Miguel standing over her, and for the first time Moche finds herself frozen in fear - and she begged him not to wound her further.
Finally coming to the weight of his actions, Miguel however, is horrified. But before he can attempt an apology, Aia Paec resumed control, using the chance to escape through a portal.
However, understanding that her watch would be disabled from this point on - instead of her home universe, a wounded Moche finds herself of the bow of a boat she's never seen.
Hobie's boathouse. Moche may not know him, or Diane, or even Gwen that well. But Aia Paec knows she'll be of use to them. So here she is.
RANDOM HEADCANONS about Moche:
[We're almost done I PROMISE - not really lol]
When needed her suit can spawn a manta (called a Lliklla in Quechua).
It's a woven cloth worn over the shoulders to carry babies or literally anything else you need to. That's her 'suit purse'.
She will also carry children she rescued in her manta. Or just give them rides around Cusco.
Moche's best friend is Lyla - and she feels a little embarrassed by this. She has to keep telling herself that Lyla is real, she's just not human. Still, kinda weird being from 1992.
But they are very close and have discussed things about if Lyla is real or can feel and stuff - and to Moche it's very clear she can.
Moche is very hard to upset. She's rather calm, and usually expresses sadness more than anger. But for Spider-people that say Lyla isn't real or that she's not sentient -
Moche gets VERY upset very quickly. The both of them find it hurtful and Moche will not talk to you after if you say that. She will immediately leave the room to go be alone.
Being autistic, it can be daunting to make friends though Moche is friendly. She finds talking to Lyla a lot easier, plus Lyla is always in her watch.
Some of the chillest memories Moche has is hanging out with Miguel and Lyla in his office, listening to Spanish music and Q-pop and cracking jokes.
(Miguel can take a joke I promise and he's funny as hell. He tells the jokes that have you like 'damn he got my ass'.)
It usually turns into her and Miguel roasting each other playfully as Lyla keeps score.
Miguel doesn't understand how an AI HE MADE could like Moche MORE.
Because of this, losing access to her watch (and thus Lyla) after ATSV - combined with barely knowing anyone on the houseboat besides maybe Peter, Moche finds herself a bit lonely.
Mentioned by Miguel, Moche became a mentor herself.
She's Pavitr's mentor. When he joined, her and Aia were a large part of redesigning his suit to what it is today.
Since they share a swinging style, she trains him and he's her star pupil.
Pavitr can get really competitive though, and she often has to reel him in when he gets REALLY into it -
Like screaming at the top of his lungs during 4wallFootball or wanting to race people EVERYWHERE.
Pavi is also taller than her. She didn't notice until he brought it up because he's SO PROUD he's found 'someone to be short with'.
She prefers she/her when it's about her specifically - and they/them when referencing IncaSpider, as she considers her and Aia as two people, not one.
Another subtle mark of the Avatar, Moche's eyes glows gold/yellow in the darkness, similar to a cat's - a sign of her Spider-eyes and Aia's presence.
This feature also reduces the amount of glare Moche sees, a very needed thing in the sunny Andes mountains.
Because it can get so sunny and bright during the day, it's hell on earth for Miguel. Sunglasses all day.
But it's the altitude sickness that gets him. He's superhuman but still feels out of breath. And NO amount of chewing coca leaves is enough to help.
So now 4'11 Moche has to baby and look after this nauseous GIANT because she said 'I know a place' then started walking them up a mountain
Moche is a very talented musician and musician - exceptionally so - with a focus on indigenous music
She is a master pan-flute player - and currently one of the only women to reach such status.
Traditionally considered a 'man's instrument' - Moche was taught by her Uncle Huacan for her to aid in traditional ceremony.
As a Mamacona and Curandera she also knows traditional dance, and loves all other kinds of dancing too.
Moche was the first female flute player to be accepted into her universities Musical Program.
She also plays acoustic guitar (and the first time she saw Hobie swinging his she was like 'What's wrong with you??') and occasionally sings.
And she makes her own music - though it's not what most people expect.
Moche writes mainly Inca-rap and 'Runagae' - a blend of Runasimi (literally 'The people's language') and Reggae.
She's is from 1992 after all.
Runagae takes large influence from Reggae drums and rhythm, mixing it with traditional Andean instruments like flutes and percussion.
Like an indigenous version of Reggaeton and Rap.
Runagae is often in many languages, primarily Quechua, Aymara, and Yucatec - as well a indigenous languages from the Caribbean.
Miguel is a sleeper fan.
Don't ask what they're listening to - cause Miguel is gonna tell you some obscure ass Runagae rapper from Lake Titicaca
That's because Tawantisuyu is extremely multilingual.
Many because of the half dozen indigenous ethnic groups in the country.
Quechua and Aymara are the two primary languages - with Yucatec being a secondary language, and English an 'international' language.
Yucatec is usually taught in the place of what people usually take as Spanish. This is largely because of Tawanti's close ties to the Aztec Nation of Maya to the north.
Most people know in the cities know their local indigenous languages, as well as secondary Yucatec or English.
In fact less than 1% of people in Tawanti speak any kind of Spanish
Without colonization, Spanish lacks much of it's global influence and many people are surprised to hear Miguel speak it.
He gets questions about both parts of his name there.
Many Tawantins say his Spanish accent in Quechua is hard to understand, or 'unique'.
Miguel Quechua is good enough that he can probably get around without much help, but if he has to talk to someone more than five minutes he's gonna need Moche there.
'Excuse me, he said no pickles.'
One thing she loves just as much as music is her motorcycle.
You're not getting to the highlands with a sedan. Sorry. If you wanna make your way out of Cusco and to her village, you're better off with a bike.
And she rides hers from Lima back to Cusco every chance she gets - the ride shortened to only 6 hours.
The only thing-
Miguel looks ridiculous on the back of her bike. He's HUGE. Everytime he gets on the bike dips down.
And she goes "MI, YOU'RE HUGE."
The first time Miguel really thought she was gonna let him drive.
That might've been the first time in her life she's laughed in ANYONE'S face.
And considering their drastic height difference, she was looking UP and laughing in his face.
Though, as a motorcycle owner himself back in Neuva York, they just got Jess to teach them how to ride through portals.
The other Manaconas LOVE it when Miguel rides through on his bike. He gets a lot of squeals.
But not from Moche.
The two of love racing each other, or just riding together, and that's the biggest way they relieve stress. Just riding through the mountains and streets.
Their first kiss happened after a night of riding their cycles in Nueva York.
Moche kissed him (they were sitting next to each other - otherwise he's too tall)
And she immediately was like 'UH I HAVE TO GO. RIGHT NOW. I HAVE TO GO HOME.'
Considering she kissed a guy 8 years older than her AND HER BOSS
And of course Lyla was easedropping on all this.
To shocked to tell her it's alright, Moche takes off back to 802 before he can say anything.
As soon as she gets through the portal, Lyla is like 'OOOOOOHH, you've really done it now!' - 'Don't tell Jess.' - 'I already told Jess.' - 'Lyla, It JUST happened.' - 'She has her notifications on~'
MEANWHILE Lyla is talking to Miguel back at HQ and they're like 'Lyla, Did you se-' - 'I did.' - 'She-' - 'Uh-huh.' - '...' - 'Do you want me to play your 'too-many-emotions' playlist? - '...Yes.'
Miguel was the first to say I love you - story for another time
Prior to appearing on his boat, Moche had barely spoken to Hobie or Diane - though she knew who they were.
She honestly thought the two of them were literally crazy. She understands VERY little of what they do or how they act.
On one hand, Moche needs things to be very blunt, and is more fact minded. That's why her and Miguel get along.
On the other, Hobie is very cryptic and good at concealing things - everything he does having an extra layer of context.
Moche can't read that context AT ALL - and because Hobie isn't being dishonorable, only a weirdo, her power doesn't help.
But that combined with Hobie's accent, Moche can barely follow a conversation with him without saying "Elaborate." ten thousand times.
Or just flat out saying "What are you talking about?" - "Hobie, You're not making any sense." - or - "You're speaking gibberish right now."
His elaborations never help.
There's been many times in the past that Miguel and her have had conversations about his mysterious ways after he leaves the room.
'I swear, I'll never understand him.' - 'I've stopped trying.' - 'I don't think he wants to be understood.' - 'That's usually called being a pain in the ass.'
Though Hobie respects her on the whole 'Indigenous God Vessel' thing - but he's even more interested in Aia Paec.
He LOVES annoying him, knowing that Aia can't directly reply and that Moche is caught in between.
Sometimes though it gets to the point of Aia Paec consuming control to tell him some choice words.
Hobie loves this.
Though it isn't until Moche sees the workshop of his boathouse that her purpose with the team is revealed
Because of her work at The Society, her and Hobie work closely together on things like new watches and other multiverse technology.
After he realized that Moche had lost her best friend in Lyla, Hobie made it his mission to become her friend no matter what
And he finds they really grow through their love of music and composing. You might find it surprising, but Hobie doens't just play music - he KNOWS it
Scales, Majors & Minors, Tempo, the history behind classic composers, blues artists, everything
So even if they don't really listen to the same music, they talk about music like it's a science, how a key change can really give a song emotion, different kinds of singing the singer uses - etc
He's successful - and although they're basically opposites in every way, somehow Moche thinks he's an absolute goofball - plus he helps her get out of her shell more.
He's without a doubt her second best friend - after Lyla (Mayday is her third.)
Hobie completely understands why she may not get his jokes all the time and never looks him in the eye, he's super chill about it.
Eventually the two of them learn how to reactive her watch, and using the old parts, Hobie made Moche a new one with her own separate Lyla, with her old memories and all.
Their reunion was REALLY EMOTIONAL. They're literal bffs4ever.
Tawantins (citizens of Tawanti) don't call Moche Spider-woman
Instead, she's is usually called the AwaqMasi or simply Masi - Quechua for 'Weaver's Assistant'
In this case, Aia Paec is the Weaver - and Moche is considered the assistant.
Because of this, she's usually treated like a public servant - someone spiritual hired to do a job - rather than a 'chosen one'.
This extends to Miguel as well - if his fangs are showing. Which sucks, considering he's fairly clueless in her world.
Often, Tawantins who see his fangs will almost start ordering him around, expecting him to help. Like telling him to take the animals out, though he's never touched a llama in his life and doesn't know the difference from an alpaca.
Good thing his can retract and he can get out of it. Moche is very jealous.
Often for them to get in somewhere, like needing a place to sleep during travel, they'll be lengthy conversation in Quechua with someone before she turns to him and goes "Show the fangs."
Usually, that's enough.
People know Moche and Aia. They're not novel.
But when people see MIGUEL, a huge new fanged being, they treat him like he's a newborn on his first day home.
Moche often has to tell them he's 'empty-headed', as in he lacks a patron God.
Miguel always has to ask if she has to say it that way (she doesn't lol)
[LMAO I had to add a break here so tumblr wouldn't mess up the post formatting]
Now however, Tawantins know about Miguel, and 'Spider-man'.
Although the same way her people don't call her 'Spider-woman', they don't call Miguel 'Spider-man' either. In fact, they don't associate him with spiders at all.
Most Tawantins would identify him as a jaguar - a sacred animal in Andean culture
This is mainly because of the way Miguel's fangs, claws, the way he runs, and his long leaps.
Because of this, the hero 'Spider-man' is called Runa-utu-runcu, though they usually just say Runarun.
A 'Runa' is an indigenous person, and a 'UtuRuncu' is a jaguar - so the same way Moche & Aia are seen as a spirit and a human -
Most Twantins see Miguel as something akin to a werewolf. Or werecat rather.
They believe he is a man who turns into a spiritual 'panther' of sorts.
Which Moche finds hilarious. The head of Spider-Society getting called a cat? Genius.
When Jess told Moche that Gwen called Miguel 'Garfield' - another orange cat - she laughed until she was in tears.
Because of this, Moche will call him 'Runcu' as a way of calling him 'jaguar' - the same way MJ says 'tiger'.
She also calls him Garfield and makes cat jokes about him.
"His webs are red lasers so he can entertain himself like the housecat he is."
Tawanti is a communist nation - much of the culture based on the traditional Incan 'commune-like' village.
Miguel was astonished to find that if they flash people their fangs, they'll just - invite them in. They're happy to have them.
Because of the vibranium-laced gold found near Lima in the 1800's, the country is a large player in world politics and economy.
And citizens can enjoy things like basic income, rent-controlled housing, free university, and more.
Thanks to the vibranium, Lima is very 'Wakanda-like' in essence and New York in everything else.
The average Quechua woman is 5'0", and Moche is just under that at 4'11. Her and Miguel have a 22 inch height difference - almost 2 feet.
This she is fine with. What she ISN'T fine with us people making it out to be a HER thing.
'Awww you look so short next to him-' No, Moche INSISTS, she's average. He's just fucking gigantic.
He barely fits doorways in Tawanti. The village had to weave him new clothes cause nothing they had fit.
With Diane at 5'11" (6'4'' in skates) and Hobie at 6'5", Diane WISHES they had a height gap. And she hates it if you say they're the same height.
(Hobie always tells her they're the same height. No, we're not, She says while being almost exactly at eye level with him)
Meanwhile, Moche and Miguel are the opposite.
They'll look at you like it's bizarre you noticed, because well... It's not that they get anything out of it. Other than maybe neck pain.
It's not like Miguel finds her 'more cute' because she's 'small'. And if anything it's kinda annoying.
Especially when Moche is mad at him - so she makes him sit down during an argument so it's fair.
If you bring it up or say something like "Awww, he makes you look so tiny!'
She's likely to say "I know, he's a freak of nature isn't he?"
Or going further "He makes everyone look tiny. He's 6'9". Back home, you can see him from a block away. People crowd around him. Honestly it's kinda hard taking him in public-"
This is usually enough to get Miguel chuckling, as he loves a good roasting. Though he's the type to burst out laughing and then clear his throat, immediately try to hold it in.
They love roasting each other.
Just the same, Hobie towers over her as well - with an 18 inch height difference.
Moche speaks Spanish with a noticeable accent, and often drops certain parts of sentences on 'accident'.
Quechua doesn't have separate pronouns for genders - however both English and Spanish do. And in addition, Spanish genders objects as well. Which is very confusing for her.
She often leave out 'el' and 'la' in a sentence - but congregations are terrible for her, so she usually just switchs back to English.
However Miguel has spent enough time with her in Lima for her to mash Spanish and Quechua - usually for his sake and not hers.
Because of this, she prefers speaking English on campus.
Most of the time her and Miguel speak English to each other, or more recently, Quechua. But if they'd like their conversation private or are on a team with other Spanish-speaking Spider-people, then they'll use Spanish.
She still hangs with a lot of Latino community on campus, though she can't relate to a lot of cuisine, culture, or slang. And she's very close with all the Indigenous spiders.
When Aia Paec assumes control of Moche, a gold neon-like mask flashes dimmly over her face - in the emblem of Aia's face.
Because of her circumstance and her role as Avatar of The Decapitator, Moche is apart of the small number is Spider-people known to kill. She sees nothing wrong with this and finds it weird if someone does.
Aia's reasoning? He'd been killing long before the first Spider-man came to the first Earth, and he'll keep doing it after if need be.
Aia will immediately braid Moche's hair if it's unbraided and cover her head with a hat or cloth as soon as he gets the chance to - and this is a good indicator of when he's the one more present in the moment.
After work Miguel would often come to her universe, for Moche to teach him Quechua. He's almost conversational at it - thought they can't get through a lesson without the other Mamaconas whispering and giggling.
Her and Miguels favorite part-time though is slow dancing, which they usually talk during. It's relaxing and REALLY funny, considering Moche has to reach ALL THE WAY UP to even touch his shoulder. (4'11" and 6'9" is a sight to see)
They're the couple that always disappears to hang out together. Homebodies basically.
Miguel genuinely draws crowds in Tawanti. He's often a foot and a half taller than everyone - plus he's jacked. Seeing a mountain of a man who can't speak a lick of Quechua following their Protector around always gets stares.
In her country, people will often be outright shocked he speaks Spanish - often approaching him in Yucatec, the second largest language in Tawanti.
Moche's name comes from a culture that predates The Inca Empire - The Moche
Aia Paec (or Ai Apaec), the Fanged Spider-God is the Creator of The Moche people, so I saw it fit that Aia-Paec created my Moche - and IncaSpider as well
Moche - capital of the Moche people - is also a place in Peru to this day, in the province of Trujillo.
Because Andean art is typically related to pottery and textile, her universe is largely unstylized.
AIA PAEC ALMIGHTY WE MADE IT.
If you genuinely read this far THANK YOU SO MUCH. It genuinely does mean a lot to me. For me, I have never seen Quechua culture represented - anywhere. I've never seen a Quechua - or Incan - or Peruvian hero, so why not make one!
I hope I was able to share some of that culture with you and you found any of it interesting or new.
In this post I mentioned Huachuma Cactus (and Ayahuasca) and their ceremonial uses - and below is more information I'd like to offer for those curious. If not, no sweat!
THANK YOU SO MUCH AGAIN and as a Quechua-decedent and a follower of indigenous religion - I will always try my best to answer any questions.
Here's a picture of Miguel. You can imagine Moche standing in front of him - in this photo you would be able to see her anyway lol. (I checked)
Bye.
NOW LET'S GET INTO THE NERDY STUFF -
___________________________________
[ I am a Quechua decent as well as a follower of these practices. I personally have gone through ceremonies with plant medicines in the past and hope to dispel some misconceptions ]
DISCLAIMER: Huachuma and Ayahuasca are NOT closed practices - anyone can sit in ceremony regardless of religion or ancestry - as long as they are siting with the intention of spiritual growth or self help. And even today these plants are used in treatment of addiction, abuse, and mental illness.
These plants are NOT drugs. They are medicines are should be treated as such. Trust me. Huachuma and Ayahuasca trips aren't fun and they aren't supposed to be. They are made for healing.
ALSO - I am a practitioner of Andean Spirituality and Ancestor Worship. Although Aia Paec isn't apart of my practice - everything stated below IS. Please treat it with kindness, and do not call it things like a myth or cult or something.
These are sacred practices we are hoping to share with the world to promote mental healing. Please be respectful (ya'll always are) and thank you so much.
Huachuma Cactus / Ayahuasca & Plant Medicine:
[Hwa-Chew-Ma / Eye-ya-hwa-sca]
[Raw Huachuma Cactus and Ayahuasca Root]
Often called San Pedro Cactus - after the Spanish Saint - Huachuma Cactus is a vital part of Andean spirituality.
Huachuma & Ayahuasca are two of the most revered plant medicines - known for inducing extended psychedelic trips. However, these trips are not similar to LSD or Acid.
Used for literal centuries Huachuma Cactus & Ayahuasca Vine have been taken (separately or consecutively) through a bitter brew of medicinal plants.
[Ayahuasca above. Shit tastes GNARLY. Ayahuasca like coffee and licorice - Huachuma like Nickelodeon Slime. Huachuma is thicker and green.]
Huachuma & Ayahusaca is usually reserved for those within the practice - or those facing deep trauma, mental illness, or something to internally heal from. Huachuma and Ayahusaca are specifically used to bring buried emotions and memories to the surface - as well as a feeling of euphoric self-compassion - in a safe and sacred space in order to help the person grow mentally.
Huachuma & Ayahusaca trips are not pretty - and often involve sobbing, vomiting, and painful memories. Diarrhea too. These trips are not meant to be recreational, but psychological treatment.
These ceremonies require a large group of Curanderos - indigenous healers as well as trained mental health professionals. Many Plant Medicine ceremonies have a trained therapist or psychologist throughout the stay - and a long integration process to reflect and heal.
And while this might sound out there, recent science is showing the profound effects of Plant Medicine - and that Ayahuasca directly impacts many parts of the brain extremely positively.
Now, scientists have gleaned deep insights of their own by monitoring the brain on DMT, or dimethyltryptamine, the psychedelic compound found in Psychotria viridis, the flowering shrub that is mashed up and boiled in the Amazonian drink, ayahuasca.
The recordings reveal a profound impact across the brain, particularly in areas that are highly evolved in humans and instrumental in planning, language, memory, complex decision-making and imagination. The regions from which we conjure reality become hyperconnected, with communication more chaotic, fluid and flexible.
[Source: The Guardian - also as for the first line in the article, people DO NOT have near-death experiences while in proper Ayahuasca ceremony - just listen to the medical stuff cause wtf]
Spirits & Plant Medicine:
[Left: Raw Huachuma Cactus - Right: A Curandero setting the Mesa (the red tablecloth in this case). You can see the jar of Huachuma (or Ayahuasca it looks like Aya in this case) in his right hand, as well as a cigarette. The smoke is blown into the brew to kinda 'wake up the spirits'. Being from the Andes - tobacco and coca leaves are traditionally used in ceremony a lot.
The table is covered with other offerings to the gods, stones to represent mountain spirits, and a number of other things used in the ceremony.]
I cannot stress this enough - In Andean practice, we believe each plant has a particular spirit associated with it. Like a fully-formed deity. And ceremony is often approached as if you were meeting someone you respected.
Often in ceremony, people may see and speak directly to these spirits. (Which is true in my experience but not everyone.)
Because Huachuma and Ayahuasca often go hand-in-hand, they are often referred to as the Grandfather (Huachuma) and the Grandmother (Ayahuasca - also called Mama Aya for short).
And we genuinely believe that the way you approach ceremony, your intentions, and your willingness to heal directly affects the way the Spirit will treat you or deal with you, but it is never in a malicious way.
The Grandfather - Huachuma is considered tamer, more milder - one of the reasons I chose Huachuma instead of Ayahuasca in this case.
Huachuma is centered on personal peace and emotion. While on it, your emotions are amplified, you feel a deeper connection to the Earth. But you also throw up too usually. The drink is grosss. (Sorry Grandpa)
Trips last 6-8 hours, but affects can linger for 14-18. Unlike Aya, Huachuma induces less visuals or 'trippiness', but a state of thoughtfulness - bordering joyful meditation. (As these do have neurological connections to the effects of long-term meditation.)
Huachuma can be consumed raw, or served as a drink. [I believe I was given a mixture of raw cactus, agave, and water. You're told to CHUG IT because it thickens a lot in like a minute and gets gross.]
That's largely why I chose Huachuma for Moche to experience first instead of Ayahuasca.
The Grandmother or Maya Aya is much more forthcoming and intense, and her work is centered more of personal healing and self reflection - and Ayahuasca is more akin to a 'trip'.
Typically, a trip lasts 8-12 hours and is taken overnight and sundown. Trips include things such as psychedelic visuals, flashbacks (and yeah, if I'm being honest, everyone I have sat in ceremony with regardless of religion reported a feeling of being close with the Source, God, family whathaveyou. So, the sensation of being elsewhere. In a way. I experienced this too and the feeling is very vivid. Of course what you experience is very personal to you.
While on Ayahuasca you may experience nausea, and the visuals, memories, and emotions make it useless to really move around. You're a lot more in it than Huachuma. Essentially you take it, you set your intentions, you sit in the dark, and let Mama Aya 'work on you'.
Which is why I chose to put Miguel through an Ayahuasca ceremony at their meeting. [Mwah haha Miguel You WILL heal]
Ayahuasca vine cannot be consumed raw, and is a lengthy brewing process with a number of plants known to Curanderos.
Plant Medicine & Ancestors:
Both plants are also associated by many with Ancestral (or divine) contact, and/or visuals of past lives. Which is what drove the inspiration to have Moche partake in a ceremony.
MY EXPERIENCE: - in short - just incase someone is curious -
I've personally sat in official ceremony three times, in which I meet with Mama Aya twice, before meeting the Grandfather the day after.
(Basically I drank Ayahuasca for two night and Huachuma on the third day as apart of the integration process.)
The traditions were done in a ceremonial space with a Curandera & Curandero of Peruvian tradition - as well as multiple mental health professionals.
Preparation for ceremony often takes days or weeks - and one is expected to focus on mindfulness and self-kindness all that days leading up to it. (As much as possible, as many Non-Andeans who go into ceremony usually do so for addiction, depression, mental illness, or a number of things).
In my ceremonies - The ceremony and the people I connected with there are pivotal to my path and life so far. Despite meeting people from literally anywhere, it was also one of the most trans-affirming spaces I have ever been in - which is saying a lot as a New Yorker.
Each ceremony was hard, with the second night of Ayahuasca being the most emotionally and visually intense. This was amplified be the ceremonial music. Thankfully, however I didn't get too much physical side effects. I don't even think I barfed the second night. Big win!
In all Ayahuasca helped me have a way deeper understanding of myself and my wants and it helped me gain closure on a situation I'd been struggling with for years.
My experience with Huachuma was more milder and calmer, although my emotions were hyper-sensitive as were my senses - which is why it's VERY important to do ceremony in a container (a safe space with professionals on stand-by)
The Huachuma ceremony was conducted outside during the day. Because you are more lucid and emotionally calm while under Huachuma, it was encouraged for us to be present in nature and move and walk around.
In all Huachuma helped me to focus more on compassion and was able to form deep bonds with the people around me in a shorter time. I was more present and rather than psychedelic visions, my surroundings were more vibrant and intense but in a comfortable way.
Overall, Ayahuasca and Huachuma are deeply sacred, deeply interesting plant medicines that have shaped Andean spirituality for centuries.
They are not typical 'drugs'. They are medicines and should be treated as such. (aka As prescribed, while under the watch of someone trained and understanding.)
So uhhhh yeah. That's a lot that's a lot lol
But if you made it this far THANK YOU SO SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME and giving me a chance to share this culture with others!! 💚
I hope you learned something from this little section here, as I genuinely hold the Grandparents dear and found my ceremonies exceptionally healing.
If you have any questions, let me know! Oh and if you really made it this far - uhhhhhhh QUESTION:
You can choose TWO people from ATSV to protect you - everyone else will try to jump you. Who you picking?
{I just wanna know if anyone got down here also the question is funny as hell - I'm picking Hobie and Miguel. But....they would bicker and probably get me killed. Oops. Maybe Hobie and Pavitr. Pavi has GREAT luck. So far. }
Bye.
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9-1-1 REACTION
This reaction is for the season 7, first episode “Ships Ahoy” which originally aired March 14, 2024. This episode was written by series creator Tim Minear and directed by John J. Gray who is also an executive producer on American Horror Story and the 9-1-1 spinoff, 9-1-1: Lone Star. So, without further ado, here’s my reaction to the episode.
We begin the episode with a therapy session. Our resident therapist, Frank (played by Eddie McGee, the first winner of Big Brother USA) is counseling Athena Grant. We are told this scene takes place two months prior to Athena and Bobby leaving for their soon-to-be ill-fated cruise.
Athena, having seen the Poseidon Adventure in her youth, is rightfully nervous about being on a boat in the middle of the ocean for several days. What I found funny about this scene is how Athena goes off on this tangent about Shelley Winters being nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for her performance in The Poseidon Adventure. When Eddie asks if she won, Athena gives a deadpan look at the camera and says 'no'. This is obviously an allusion to real-life actress Angela Bassett losing out to Jamie Lee Curtis at the 95th Academy Awards ceremony in 2023.
Frank asks if there's any other reason for her anxiety but in true Athena fashion she deflects. He recommends she pack some extra Dramamine. We then get a scene with Athena and Bobby trapped in a room rapidly filling with water. The two of them exchange I love yous and then we get our title card.
In our next scene, we see Maddie in the middle of a call involving a pilot (played by soap opera actor Mark Lawson) with the Air National Guard. He tells Maddie that he was on a training exercise until he lost communication and engine control with his F-16. He ejected himself from the aircraft and is now hanging on the side of a smokestack. The real emergency is that his plane is about to crash. Maddie's supervisor Sue Blevins (played by Debra Christofferson) and fellow operator Josh Russo (played by Bryan Safi) join Maddie at her desk. Sue asks if there's a way for them to track the aircraft's whereabouts and Josh explains that once a pilot ejects themselves, the plane thinks it's in enemy territory and stops transmitting.
We move from the dispatch center over to a small home where we see an older couple Edna and Abe (played by Rusty Schwimmer and James Eckhouse, respectively) at their home. I immediately recognized Abe's actor as the dad from the original Beverly Hills 90210. Edna passive-aggressively vacuums while Abe is watching television which leads to an argument. Their bickering, however, is cut short the moment our pilot's F-16 crashes through the couple's living room.
The 118 arrive at the scene with Hen acting as captain in Bobby's absence. Edna appears to be fine, but Abe is pinned to his recliner by the plane. Hen suggests cutting him out of the chair, but Abe is against the idea. He says he likes the chair more than he likes his wife. Rude! Eddie notices a dummy bomb attached to the plane so Hen gets on the phone with the pilot who tells her it could explode. Maddie tells Hen the Air National Guard will arrive within an hour, but Hen says they cannot wait because Abe has a possible spinal injury. The pilot offers to talk Hen and Eddie through defusing the bomb but due to possible head trauma he is unable to give them adequate instruction. Hen tells Eddie to cut the red wire but before he has a chance, Chimney pulls the lever on the side of the recliner which causes the seat to move back. This gives them plenty of room to remove Abe from the wreckage. Abe is loaded into the ambulance, and he hears Edna calling after him. He tells Chimney to tell her he died.
Back at the house, Chimney talks to Hen about Abe and Edna and wonders how they got to the place where they are now. He asks Hen if she thinks him and Maddie will ever get to that point and Hen assures him that he and Maddie are nothing like Abe and Edna. She then tells him that getting to where Abe and Edna are now only happens if you let it.
And now to my favorite scene of the episode. We see a shirtless Eddie changing into his civilian clothes very reminiscent of when we first saw him back in season two. Let me just say, I've always been more into Oliver Stark than Ryan Guzman, but I must say, the latter is looking really, really good. Anywho, Buck asks his bestie if he wants to drive go-karts in the desert, but Eddie tells him that he has other plans. Christopher, our sweet baby boy, is a teenager now and has a date and Eddie and his girlfriend Marisol (played by Edy Ganem) are going to supervise. We then learn that Buck is single again which is such a bummer because I really liked Natalia (played by Annelise Cepero) from last season. Buck mentions that it was depressing dating someone whose entire career is centered around death and since he's recovered from his own near-death experience, he wants to be surrounded by life, not death. I think this is a valid reason for why Buck and Natalia are no longer together, but I am disappointed we won't get to see Buck date a beautiful woman of color who had body-ody-ody. Oh well! I hope they find someone nice for our dear Evan Buckley, but it is nice to see him in a good place.
Later on, Chimney talks with Maddie about Abe and Edna. He tells her that the couple allowed themselves to become alienated from each other and he doesn't want that to happen to the two of them. He proposes that they start dating again. Maddie thinks he means other people, but Chimney tells her that he wants them to start dating again. Maddie flashes her ring and tells her that they're past the dating age. This right here is why I think a lot of modern-day couples don't work out. Dating is not just something you do until you settle down with a person. The best marriages I've seen involve both people dating each other even while married. A friend of mine just lost her husband of 50-plus years and up until his death, they still went out together and on vacation together. I do like Chimney's proposal to not just have a honeymoon phase but a honeymoon life but, like most things with him, I think he goes a bit too far.
We next see Bobby and Athena dancing with each other during their first night at sea. I must say, Angela Bassett and Peter Krause look amazing, and I feel like it's my job remind everyone that Angela Bassett is 65 years old and looking like she's fresh in her 40s. Peter has some gray at his temples, but he is only getting better looking with time. When the song ends, they take a seat and Bobby goes over all the things he wants to do while they are on their cruise. Athena tells Bobby he can choose what they want to do but Bobby wants her input.
They are interrupted by everyone's favorite couple - Norman and Lola Peterson (played by Daniel Roebuck and Romy Rosemont). The last time we saw Norman and Lola was back in season two. Just in case viewers forgot, Bobby and Athena remind us that Lola climbed onto a billboard over the freeway in just her bathrobe to get Norman's attention. Apparently it worked because the two of them are still together. Athena is shocked to hear that Lola only spent 60 days in jail and I can't say that I blame her. I mean, this is the same woman who waved a loaded gun at the first responders on the scene and even fired off a round. That coupled with indecent exposure and disturbing the peace should've garnered her a longer sentence, but I digress.
The couple credits Athena and Bobby with saving their marriage and tell them that they've been honeymooning for 106 weeks on different cruise ships. Norman and Lola invite Bobby and Athena to go bicycling with them in Mazatlán, but they decline. Back in their room, Athena tells Bobby she found the Petersons to be extremely exhausting. She is also annoyed that she has to put up with them for the next two weeks. Bobby tells her they can spend all their time in the room, but Athena looks hesitant. We flashback to her therapy session with Frank, and we see Athena voice her concerns about her marriage. So much of her relationship with Bobby involves earthquakes and tsunamis and blackouts and escaped rapists and solving murders. When it's just the two of them, alone and without all of the madness, she worries if there's anything left. I love this as a storyline for Bobby and Athena. They are an older couple and with May in college they are also empty nesters. It's very common for couples who are shifting into a new phase of life to reevaluate their relationship.
Back on the ship, the Petersons stop by their room and ask if they want to join them on a moonlight stroll on the top desk. Bobby starts to decline but Athena accepts their invitation. Bobby is confused by this, but Athena tells him that even though she doesn't like or trust Lola and Norman, there's no need for her to be rude about it. Athena is clearly avoiding being alone with Bobby and he's starting to sense this. I honestly feel bad for both of them.
The following day, Chimney relays his plan to Hen at the firehouse while Maddie talks to Josh at the dispatch center. Chimney has created a spreadsheet with all of their scheduled dates. Josh isn't exactly sold on the idea of Chimney and Maddie micromanaging their love life and Hen tells Chimney that she doesn't think this plan of his is going to last that long. Like I said, I think Chimney wanting to date Maddie is a good idea but any time you introduce a spreadsheet into your relationship, nothing good can come of it.
We then get a scene where Eddie tells Buck about Christopher's date. We learn that our sweet little boy is also a two-timing player-player. Eddie says that he went through Christopher's phone and saw that he's having conversations with multiple girls. Buck is shocked by this news. Eddie says he doesn't know where Christopher would've gotten this behavior since he himself married the first person he ever dated. He suggests that Buck talk with Christopher since he has a history of being a fuck boy.
Back on the ship, Bobby is trying to get Athena to go on a hike with him, but she tells him he has a migraine. When the Petersons arrive, Athena suggests that Bobby go with them while she stays on the ship. Bobby declines and instead goes to an AA meeting aboard the ship. Regarding this scene, I thought it was a nice touch to show Athena looking at the two young teenagers who are being romantic with each other. The girl is Black and the guy is white – much like Athena and Bobby.
In our next scene, we meet Nick (played by Chris Gartin) and Sofia (played by Kathryn Boswell). The two start off drinking champagne in the jacuzzi and right before the sexytimes begin, they both throw their champagne flutes. All I kept thinking about during this scene was the broken glass next to the jacuzzi. Right as things are really heating up (pun intended), Nick experiences a cardiac emergency. The 118 arrive at the scene and find Nick unconscious and stuck inside of Sofia. I could not stop laughing when Hen starts giving the medical explanation as to why Sofia (ahem) couldn't remove herself from her boyfriend. The scene only gets funnier when Eddie suggests that Sofia visualize herself as Jell-o. He coaches her through the process, and she is able to (ahem) loosen up enough so she could untether herself from Nick's nether region. Afterwards, Sofia blames herself for the entire situation. She tells Chimney that she pushed too hard to spice things up because she was worried they were becoming too complacent in their relationship. This is yet another sign for Chimney. One last thing about this scene, I love how Buck teases Eddie by saying: "I don't think I've ever seen a man turn a woman off with such skill." Eddie responds by saying: "It's a gift." I love their friendship so much and how they can tease each other like this without either of them getting offended.
Later on, presumably that evening, Buck broaches the topic of not being a fuck boy with Christopher. He tells Christopher that he doesn't want him to get a reputation for being a 'not so good guy'. Christopher asks if it matters or not if he's a nice guy and when Buck asks him what he means, he says that they'll only end up leaving anyway. Buck asks him why he would say something like that, and Christopher tells him that his mom left him. Buck is confused by this and tells Christopher that his mother didn't leave - she died. Christopher counters by saying his mother left him prior to her passing away. "We loved her, and she left anyway." My heart broke hearing this and so did Eddie's as he stood outside of Christopher's room listening in on the conversation. I love that the show has made Christopher a main character this season because there's so much to explore with him now that he's getting older. I thought this scene with Christopher and Buck was so good and a reminder that Buck is very much a member of this family unit.
Bobby wakes up the next morning and finds Athena gone from their cabin. He finds her having breakfast on the deck and asks her about her migraine. Athena, of course, has forgotten about the lie she told the day before but quickly says she is better. Bobby He accuses her of sneaking out of their room and tells her that since they got on the boat, they've been like two ships passing in the night. He asks her what's going on and why she's avoiding being alone with him. Instead of answering Bobby, Athena notices Norman and waves him over. She asks him about Mazatlán, and he says that everything went well. Athena asks him about Lola and Norman says that she is resting because she got too much sun. He adds that they might not see her any time soon. Athena then notices some scratches on the side of Norman’s neck. He tells her he got the scratches when he fell off his bike. Athena, of course, finds this very suspicious and tells Bobby as much after Norman leaves. Bobby isn't really interested in her suspicions and accuses her of using the Petersons as a buffer. He tells Athena that if she didn't want to come on the cruise, she should have told him so. Athena assures him she wants to be there with him and apologizes. Bobby apologizes for pushing her to do things and suggests they go sit by the pool. Athena is on board with this idea and excuses herself to go get changed into her bathing suit.
Athena heads to her room but takes a detail at the Petersons' room. She sees a maid exiting the room and asks her about Lola. The maid tells her that the room is empty, and the bed hadn't been slept in. Athena notices a bloody towel and the maid tells her that bloody towels are apparently normal. Meanwhile, Bobby gets tired of waiting and heads back to his room. He finds Athena Facetiming with Hen telling her about the Petersons and her belief that Norman killed his wife. Bobby texts Chimney and tells him not to encourage Athena's suspicions. Chimney shows the text to Hen and Hen pretends that she has lost reception and ends the call. Bobby accuses Athena again of avoiding him, but Athena insists she's not and is only concerned about the dearly departed Lola Peterson. Bobby is frustrated and drags Athena out of their room to prove to her that she is wrong about Norman killing his wife.
Bobby and Athena go to the cruise director, Julian (played by Rick Cosnett), and tell him they are concerned that Lola Peterson did not get back on the ship after visiting Mazatlán. Julian checks his computer and sees that Lola scanned back in along with her husband the day before. He then tells them that she is currently in the dining hall. Thinking that everything is okay, Bobby asks Athena if she would like to address the actual death on the ship - their marriage. Yikes! Bobby then sees Norman standing at the buffet with a woman who is definitely not Lola Peterson.
Later that evening, Eddie goes to talk to Christopher. When he enters Christopher's room, he notices the picture of Shannon lying face down on his desk. Eddie tells Christopher that he found something of his while he was going through some of his things. He gives Christopher a letter from Shannon, but Christopher doesn't read it. Eddie leaves the room and Christopher opens the letter. As he reads Shannon's letter, the ghost of Shannon (played by Devin Kelley) is standing beside him. I loved this scene. The fandom was absolutely wretched towards Shannon back in season two and I believe it's because of the fandom's treatment of the character that she was killed off. A lot of hatred towards Shannon is based on her abandoning Eddie and Christopher when the latter was young. I understand why people would have a problem with a mother leaving her kid but let's not forget that Eddie signed up for an additional tour of duty fully knowing his wife was struggling back at home. In my opinion, both Eddie and Shannon have failed Christopher, but I don't think that makes them bad parents. Apologies for my rant but I hate how the fans of this show treat the women that Buck and Eddie date simply because they are angry that Buck and Eddie are not a couple. Anywho, when Eddie comes back to Christopher's room he sees the picture of Shannon has been sat back up. What a beautiful scene.
Meanwhile, Chimney tells Maddie that to forget about the spreadsheet and instead of focusing on dating, they should focus on their upcoming wedding. Maddie asks him what led to him changing his mind and he tells her that he's decided they're already doing things right and he's no longer worried about them turning into Edna and Abe. He then takes her outside and shows her his latest purchase - a jacuzzi.
Our final scene of the episode takes us back to the ship where Athena and Bobby have enlisted the help of the ship's captain - Captain Ochoa (played by Mercedes Colon). Captain Ochoa tells them that she is turning the ship around to head back to Los Angeles due to an approaching storm. Athena says she will have detectives waiting to make the arrest. Bobby tells her not to jump the gun and says she needs to talk to Norman first. Speaking of Norman, he arrives, and Athena starts grilling him about Lola's whereabouts. Norman says that Lola's resting, but Bobby tells him they know he's lying. Athena accuses him of sneaking his side piece onto the ship. Norman says he loves his wife and finally comes clean about what happened. He says that while he and Lola were in Mazatlán, the two of them were accosted by a gang demanding that he hand over a dongle. Athena asks him what a dongle is and Bobby explains that it is used to store bitcoins. Norman insists he doesn't have a dongle and says when he told the men that, they took Lola. Captain Ochoa tells Bobby and Athena that there's been rumors about a retired couple using the cruise line industry as a front for international smuggling. Athena tells Norman that he and Lola fit the profile. Norman tells her that he's a retired dry cleaner. He also tells Athena and Bobby that he was told that if he didn't turn over the dongle at the next port, Lola will be killed.
The episode ends with the same woman we saw Norman earlier, entering an equipment room and using an axe to destroy all the communication devices. We then see several armed men and women in tactical gear ride up to the ship on jet skis and climb aboard. They demand that all the passengers get down on the ground. The last thing we hear is gunshots.
Now that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you do a season opener! I am thoroughly pleased with this episode and if I were to rank all the first episodes of each season, this one would definitely make it into the top three. Maybe even the top two. One thing this show excels at is it’s disaster episodes. We usually get one, sometimes two, a season and they rarely, if ever, disappoint. In regard to the shift from FOX to ABC, I could definitely tell a difference this episode. Maybe it’s just me but this episode felt wittier and snappier. Each of the main characters were on point and I loved supporting characters like Josh, Frank and Shannon featured as well. The return of Norman and Lola Peterson was both a surprise and a delight. As a fan of diehard fan of Glee, I love how actors from that show and other Ryan Murphy projects will sometimes pop up on 9-1-1.
This episode leaves me super excited about what’s to come. I’ve been told that this season opener is three parts so next week I’m sure we’ll learn more about what’s really going on aboard Athena and Bobby’s cruise ship. If I were to speculate, I think we’re going to see the two of them teaming up like they have done many times before, only I think Athena will walk away with a better appreciation of her husband. Athena and Bobby are my favorite couple on the show, and I think they are perfect for each other. It is good to see some conflict in their relationship but I’m hoping that conflict will be resolved soon. I can’t imagine these two not being together.
As for Maddie and Chimney, I’m excited to see these two plan their upcoming wedding. Hopefully their wedding won’t be mired in tragedy like TK and Carlos’ over on Lone Star. I do think that we’ll see some conflict between these two. This will be Maddie’s second marriage and considering how her first marriage ended, I think we’re going to see her struggle with walking down that aisle again. It also makes me curious if we will see Jason again, maybe in a flashback or in a nightmare sequence. Something else to consider is how Chimney will handle things as well. Chimney’s parents split up when he was young, and his father abandoned he and his mom to go back to Korea. Perhaps Chimney has some unresolved trauma regarding this that we’ll see explored in further episodes this season.
Lastly, we have Eddie and Buck. Seven seasons later, there’s still a portion of the 9-1-1 fandom who are demanding these two get together romantically. I don’t see Eddie and Buck as romantic. I don’t think the show has indicated there’s any romantic feelings between the two of them. What I do see is two straight male characters who are close friends who support and care about each other. It frustrates me that there are others who go out of their way to harass the actors and the writers about making their ‘ship’ happen on this show. I actually think the title of this episode is a clever allusion to the whole Buddie fandom and how bat shit insane they’ve been since Eddie was first introduced on the show. I believe the title ‘Abandon Ships’ is the creators’ way of saying: No, we will not be going down that road. What we will show you is a wholesome, non-toxic relationship between two men. Anything beyond that will remain in the plethora of fanfics found on the innerwebs. And yes, I love reading Buddie fanfics but as a viewer, as a queer viewer, I do not need or want Evan Buckley and Eddie Diaz getting romantically involved. It’s okay to have ships or to want to see your two favorite characters get together but please, let’s stop asking Oliver Stark and Ryan Guzman questions about it and getting upset when they don’t say what you want them to say. It’s weird! Stop it!
The last thing I will say about this episode is that it’s so good to have 9-1-1 back. I have truly missed this show and I’m happy to have something to look forward to watching each week. I hope next episode we get to focus on Buck and Hen since we didn’t get to see much with their lives this episode. I look forward to seeing what happens with Athena and Bobby and the other passengers on the cruise ship. Until next time …
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