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clavissionary-position · 7 days

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(Translation) Gilbert's Beast Manual Case 3: The Correct Way to Love Gilbert

Part 3 of Gilbert's current party event, wherein Emma learns something new about Gilbert.

Spoilers. Yeah this one's just a straight-up translation. Also I read using a translator so expect le errors. Case 1 | Case 2 | His POV

Gilbert was a fiendishly jealous man—something both he and others attested to.

Not only the men I spoke to, but women and animals as well; they all become the target of his jealousy. The same jealousy across the board.

But lately that hasn't been all.

Gilbert: This tie keeping your hair up, it gets to be with you 24/7, doesn't it?

Gilbert: ...You're so mean for setting me aside. Actually, wouldn't it be better to just wear your hair down?

Gilbert: Your chair here, doesn't it basically get to feel your warmth the entire time you're on it?

Gilbert: I'm going to hold you on my lap because it's kind of pissing me off. Sharing your body heat with a chair is more than it deserves.

Gilbert: This hallway you tread on every day—

Emma: Okay, can you please not be jealous of the literal hallway!?

The more time we spent together, the more the potential targets for his jealousy went up.

I didn't get how he could be so jealous of every little thing.

Because even though I loved Gilbert, jealousy was something I didn't really feel much of.

(Oh...)

Gilbert: —I see. So they've already completed their draft. Excellent, excellent.

Roderic: It seems experiencing your wrath this morning made them respond accordingly.

(...Roderic's here)

Having just finished my bath, I quickly hid myself in the shadows.

If I stepped out in the open wearing only my bathrobe over the black negligee Gilbert had made for me, not only would Roderic's life be in danger but mine as well.

(Still... I've never really had a chance to see Gilbert when he speaks to Roderich when I'm not around)

(...I wonder what that vibe is like)

As my curiosity got the better of me and I covertly took a peek...

Gilbert: I'd like for them to submit the draft before it ever gets to that point next time.

Roderic: It's only because nobody can come up with out-of-the-box ideas like you.

Gilbert: They're all conclusions one can arrive at rationally. It's not like I'm making unreasonable demands of anyone.

Gilbert sat at his desk, a serious expression on his face as he moved his quill.

He definitely wasn't smiling like he usually did, but at the same time he didn't seem angry either.

It was an expression I didn't recognize.

Gilbert: ...Also, the draft was poorly-constructed. With this there's too gaps for us to drive that old man into a corner.

Roderic: Then I'll have it returned to you in such a way that we can.

Gilbert: I only appreciate haste. You help them too, Roderic. I'd like to have the contents finalized before our next regular meeting.

Gilbert: If we leave that old man unchecked, he may soon start a losing battle against neighboring countries.

Roderic: ...Understood, sir.

Gilbert: What's the next document?

Roderic: It's here, sir.

Gilbert: ...I know I keep asking, but is there more still?

Roderic: There's a mountain of things I'd like you to look over.

Gilbert: I thought I'd delegated my authority out.

Roderic: This just means that Obsidian needs you.

Gilbert: That's certainly a problem.

Roderic: No, sir, it's not.

Gilbert: ...*sigh* Unless we can get everyone past the idea that failure is some sort of capital crime, won't it be difficult for you and I to manage all this work on our own?

Gilbert: Seems like my presence is a hindrance after all.

Roderic: Please don't say that!

Gilbert: Fine, fine. If you don't like it, then go give out this PSA.

Gilbert: "As long as there's no fraud or corruption at work, I won't kill you over a simple failure. So please rely on your own judgement more."

Roderic: ...Very well, sir.

(So that's the kind of vibe Gilbert has doing official duties when I'm absent)

The atmosphere about him was so serious and earnest that it naturally made me want to stand at attention, and I found myself captivated.

(If he's not smiling, then maybe that's his real expression)

(Gilbert's known Roderic for a long time, so he's able to drop his guard around him)

(...Okay, what's this gloomy feeling I'm having...)

Roderic: ...Sir, let's deal with the rest of this tomorrow.

Gilbert: Hey. You definitely didn't see anything, right?

Roderic: I saw nothing and I noticed nothing.

Gilbert: Is that so? That's fine, then. Thank you for your hard work.

Roderic quickly gathered up his documents and took his leave.

An air of nervousness seemed to cling to him as he made a beeline for the exit, not once looking astray.

The door closed behind him and Gilbert stretched out his arms as if trying to relax.

Gilbert: Now, then, little rabbit.

Emma: ...So you'd noticed me after all.

Gilbert: Well that's a given.

(I'm sorry about the position I put you in, Roderic)

Once he'd beckoned me closer, he prompted me to climb onto his lap.

Emma: Pardon me.

Knowing that my only two choices were to either sit on his lap or be made to sit, I obediently sat down of my own accord.

And Gilbert wrapped his arms around my waist to support me.

Gilbert: You were throwing Roderic such a passionate look.

Emma: I was looking at you!?

Gilbert: He was positioned in the same line of sight.

Gilbert: As you know, you have a very troublesome man on your hands. So you're aware of what you should do at a time like this, right...?

Emma: ......

I placed my hands against Gilbert's cheeks and started kissing him.

I kissed him so much that I began to feel a faint warmth from his cold lips. But when I tried to pull away, Gilbert bit my lip, leaving behind a faint stinging.

(You're still jealous, aren't you?)

Emma: ...Did I interfere with your official duties?

Gilbert: *pouts* Roderic's the one who interfered. Showing up at this hour with documents for review.

Emma: That's probably because you were busy during the day.

Gilbert: *grins* Hehe... I showed you a lot of things I don't like about Obsidian today.

Emma: ...And I want to know about even more of them from now on.

Emma: Because I also want to be able to assist you.

Gilbert: Ahaha, that's reassuring.

(...There are still so many things I don't know about Gilbert and Obsidian...)

(I'm sure some of those things are intentionally being kept hidden from me)

(Things you can talk to Roderic about, but not to me...)

Once again I felt something in my heart falter.

But before I could convince myself that I was just imagining things, Gilbert's cold fingers caressed my cheek.

Gilbert: You're pulling such a long face even though your words are so reassuring,

Emma: ...I wasn't lying.

Gilbert: I know that. So what's eating at you?

(...What's eating at me?)

Emma: ...I can't really put it to words.

Emma: It's just... I'm envious of Roderic.

Emma: He's able to assist you more than me, and knows everything...

(......)

(Oh, this is...)

The moment I realized the true nature of my anxiety, Gilbert broke into a broad smile.

Gilbert: Wow... I'll have to give Roderic a bonus.

Emma: ...I see now. So this what you've been feeling all this time.

(Well no, compared to Gilbert, my 'jealousy' is to a much lesser degree...)

Emma: Hehe... What should I do? I'm really jealous here.

(We match now.)

I wrapped my arms around Gilbert's neck and brought our foreheads together.

Even though it should have been a negative feeling, I felt laughter build up inside me, perhaps because I was one step closer in understanding Gilbert.

Gilbert: Serious jealousy is nothing like that though, you know?

Emma: Are you saying there's more to come?

Gilbert: Yeah. Your jealousy's in the early chapters.

Gilbert: The more and more you come to love me, the less you'll be able to contain that kind of adorable jealousy.

Gilbert seemed truly pleased with my jealousy.

And it was precisely because I could sense that feeling that the anxiety in my heart turned into something endearing.

Emma: I'll work diligently then.

(Because I think being jealous is the most correct way to love Gilbert)

Gilbert: Hehe... I can't believe you've cheered up this much just from turning into a jealousy fiend.

Gilbert: Taming the conquering beast is difficult, isn't it? But it might be easy for you.

Gilbert: Because I'm so madly in love with you.

------ a/n: I'm sorry for any errors! I mostly just clean up whatever the online translators spit out. Sometimes I get really lazy. Also, I haven't really done a full translation post like this in a while, so I just wanted to mention that I took the formatting and translation style from @/hotaru987 sensei!

#ikemen prince #gilbert von obsidian #ikepri jp spoilers #ikepri translation folder

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sunnywalnut · 5 days

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I had a dream last night. A Good Omens dream. So naturally, I have to share it with the Masses. Because I'm a pathetic wet cat who deserves attention.

Our friends Crowley and Aziraphale were there of course, and as was I. For some reason. I was like their child (or rather, I was in the place of Adam, where they protected and cared for me, but I was still an adult. As I am now). Not the oddest thing that's happened in my dreams so I'll let it slide. So here I am hanging out with my Ineffable Dads after calling off Armageddon and what do they do to celebrate? Drink, of course.

So we're sitting in the bookshop, Crowley on the couch, Aziraphale in his chair, and I am perched up on the desk. Drinking some floral wine that tastes a lot like chamomile tea(I don't drink. But I do like chamomile tea). And Crowley gets stupid drunk.

Two bottles later, he jolts up from the couch like a vampire from his coffin, turns to look at Aziraphale (who isn't phased by this behavior), and immediately is glued to his side.

I'm talking sprawled out across his back, head hanging over his shoulder, slurring drunkenly and his arms wrapped around his waist. And he's just cooing at him.

"You know I love you, 'ngel?"

He reaches out a long, thin finger, tracing one of Aziraphale's curls, making the angel chuckle. "You're so pretty, Angel."

He kisses his cheek and neck and the side of his face, earning full belly laughter from the angel who is reaching up to pull him closer.

"Crowleyyyy!"

"Shhh, Angel, lemme kiss you-"

Drunker than a dog, Crowley grabs for his angel and continues to press hasty kisses across his face, Aziraphale giggling all the while. I just shake my head and turn to my tea(because apparently it was tea, just in a wine glass to make me feel included. Aziraphale's idea, I'm sure. The tea. I think the wine glass was Crowley. Seems like a Crowley thing to do).

Allowing the two lovebirds to do what they do, fully amused and proud of them for finally being able to openly express affection, I look up to find Aziraphale heading out the door- wearing Crowley on his back like a booze-drenched exoskeleton. They're both giggling like a bunch of school children, Aziraphale shushing Crowley but only ending up giggling even louder himself. They're trying to sneak past me. I let them.

I follow about ten steps after these Ineffable Bastards, the streetgoers of Soho giving them and me questionable looks but I just wave them off. Because I suppose this was when everyone was revived. Because of course it was. We stagger down to The Dirty Donkey and Aziraphale drops his demon in a barstool, fixes the lapels of his jacket, and proudly announces that he would like an "Angel Shot" the bartender, Maggie, looks concerned.

She immediately puts away the glass she was polishing, leaning in close.

"Are you alright, Honey?"

Aziraphale stares, eyes glazed over with both booze and confusion.

"Pardon?"

"Do you need me to call someone?"

Crowley reaches over to grab Aziraphale's thigh, leaning in to whisper something in his ear. He forgets, though, and kisses underneath his ear to make up for it. Aziraphale starts giggling again.

It's clear to everyone now, including Maggie, that he was in no real danger. It was a simple mistake. And they had pregamed. She's giggling as well, but trying to hide it.

"Alright, what can I get you two?"

They decide on some sort of almost clear drink in a shot glass, three for each. I have a mocktail. More drunken giggling and flirting. Crowley has found his way pressed up against Aziraphale's side yet again. Everyone is delighted and amused by this behavior, seeing as not one person has seen him this relaxed since.... Well, since forever. They let it be.

The night ends with me walking them both home while they stumble against one another, laughing about something or another that I couldn't even begin to decipher. And we wander on home. To the bookshop.

Aziraphale wanders in, miracling(miracleing?) the door open after the key proves to be stubborn with the lock. Crowley follows. Is this normal? I don't know. Aziraphale doesn't seem to be worried, though, so I allow it. Not much I can do about it, honestly. It's not like Crowley would let me.

I follow them in, pushing stacks of books back in place as Crowley's wandering arms threaten to knock them down, the statues nearly ready to fall. I give him a warning glare. He does not respond.

Both angel and demon wander up the stairs and into a bedroom with rich yellow walls and the curtains drawn. The bed is untouched, pale yellow pillows peeking out from underneath off-white sheets. Crowley makes a start for it. Aziraphale hovers at the doorway, then follows. They both crawl into their respective sides, as if by impulse. Crowley on the left, Aziraphale on the right. Only Aziraphale has the mind to miracle himself into nightclothes. Crowley is already asleep.

Seeing as they both are no longer in danger of harming themselves, I turn out the light and close the door. Off to my own place, I would believe. Except I wouldn't know. I woke up.

Still not entirely sure why my dreams are fanfics now but you know what, I'm not complaining. It was cute as hell.

#gomens #good omens #crowley #crowly x aziraphale #crowly good omens #azirowley #azicrow #aziracrow #aziraphale #dreams #fanfic #domestic fluff #why are my dreams fanfics now??#i have no idea

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saphronethaleph · 5 months

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Puppy Love

A short I decided to put up on here.

“Do you have a moment, Carrot?” Angua asked.

“No,” Carrot replied. “I know who to ask if I need one, but… do you mean, are you busy?”

He sat down on the chair in their shared quarters. “I’m not busy, no. Is something wrong?”

“No,” Angua murmured, smiling for a moment. “Or… I don’t think so, anyway.”

She stretched.

“I was thinking about us, Carrot,” she explained. “And I mean, about our relationship.”

Most human males would consider this sentence to be an instant trigger for a fight-or-flight response, though the term fight-or-flight is itself a misnomer as it avoids the third, very convenient option of freeze – one which most boyfriends, or husbands, often employ under stress.

Carrot, being human physically but dwarfish by cultural upbringing and only naturalized human, just looked serious.

“I see,” he said. “Do you think it’s a good one?”

His expression turned faintly worried. “I hope it is. It’s easy to make mistakes and something that important deserves attention.”

Angua smiled. “I know,” she said. “And, don’t worry, it’s not about something you’re doing wrong. It’s more about… something we could do, if we keep going.”

Carrot continued to look faintly puzzled, and Angua concealed a mental sigh.

She loved Carrot, she really did, but sometimes when talking to him you needed to remember to recalibrate mentally a bit.

“Right now, we’re boyfriend and girlfriend,” she said. “Which is a steady thing. I like it.”

Carrot smiled, a little shyly.

“I like it too,” he said. “It’s not what I thought it would be like when I was growing up, but… I like it.”

He nodded, as if he’d come to a careful conclusion after thinking about all the possibilities. And the thing about Carrot was… Angua knew that he had.

Carrot wasn’t the sort of person to just say what everyone expected was the right thing for a boyfriend to say. If he said something like that, it was because he’d seriously thought about it and decided that, yes, it was nice.

It was endearing, and infuriating, and Angua was sometimes not quite sure which of those things she felt like it was at any given time.

“We could keep going on like this,” Angua said, half-offer and half-explanation. “Or we could try and do something else. Marriage, for example.”

Carrot nodded seriously.

“I think I know someone who can write a good contract,” he said. “Mr. Axehammer on Short street, he’s highly recommended-”

Then he cut himself off.

“Oh,” he added. “You might be thinking about it in a different way, right?”

“Two different ways,” Angua admitted. “And one of them says we already are married, or as close as it gets. But with the human side, the contract isn’t the important bit, it’s the commitment.”

“Commitment’s important for dwarfs too,” Carrot said. “But… is it because there’s no contract, the commitment is more important?”

“It’s hard to say,” Angua admitted. “I don’t really have experience with either of them.”

She snorted. “Cheery might be better at answering a question like that.”

Carrot nodded seriously.

“With a contract, you know where you stand,” he said. “Even if it’s a really simple one. You know what’s expected.”

That was something about Carrot as well. He wouldn’t insist on something – but he’d explain what he thought, and make sure you knew both sides of things.

It was easier to respect a decision, he thought, if you knew that the other person had known everything going in.

“What’s the other thing?” Carrot asked, while Angua was still thinking about that.

“Hm?” Angua asked, then replayed the conversation mentally until she got to the point he was talking about. “Oh, well. It hasn’t come up yet, but I was wondering about. Children.”

Though she’d never say why out loud, she sort of suspected that she and Carrot wouldn’t have any children unless they were married.

Carrot’s unique position in the story of Ankh-Morkpork, the one he quietly rejected but that followed him around everywhere all the same, said that legitimate children mattered in a way that wouldn’t apply to almost anyone else.

Nobby, now, as someone who was potentially a duke, the idea of an illegitimate child fit into that story. But Carrot… no. Not him.

It was a strange thing, to know you were a secondary character in someone else’s story, but Angua was used to the feeling after so many years of it.

“Children,” Carrot repeated, and he sounded… slightly concerned, but mostly confused. “You mean, us having children?”

He frowned. “Does something worry you about that?”

“I know I’ve talked to you about this before, Carrot,” Angua said, though without any real heat to it. “It’s the biggest danger with a werewolf who’s stuck in one shape, when they have children… they have children who are mostly one thing, but a bit something else. And sometimes they can’t really handle it.”

She sighed. “I don’t know what to think about it, though. It worries me, but… it’s not the only thing here.”

Carrot nodded, and his frown deepened.

“You know more than me about it,” he said. “So if you think it’s not a good idea, then that’s that.”

“And what do you think?” Angua asked.

Carrot opened his mouth, but Angua beat him to it. “I don’t want to hear what you think is a good idea, Carrot,” she said. “I don’t want to hear what’s a bad idea, either. I know you’re a sensible man, and I love you for it… but, right now, what I want to hear is if if it’s something you’d want.”

Carrot closed his mouth again, and put his hand on his chin.

Angua watched, and after a minute or so a shy smile stole over his face.

“I’d like it,” he said.

Angua nodded.

“That’s what I wanted to find out,” she said. “Because I think something being a bad idea is a good reason not to do it… but it’s a terrible thing to do, I think, to bring a child into the world without wanting them.”

She reached out a hand, and Carrot took it without prompting.

“This isn’t a decision,” she said. “We do still need to think about it. But I think… whatever choice we make, it’ll be for the right reasons.”

Carrot nodded seriously.

“How would you want to do the names?” he asked. “If we did get married, it’d be a shame for you to lose the von Uberwald name… I like it.”

“Is there an option?” Angua asked, slightly surprised – mostly because she hadn’t even thought of that herself.

“Mr. Axehammer’s very good at contracts,” Carrot told her. “He could write a good one.”

Angua burst out laughing.

Because Carrot knew that, sometimes, the best way to get your way was to come up with how to make sure everyone did.

#discworld #carrot ironfoundersson #angua von uberwald #marriage #family planning

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saccharinemeat · 4 months

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What are your opinions on Hfjone ships?

oh fucking man

okay imma get crucified , but here we go. opinion on popular ones + my own rareship

Liam/Bryce

fucking SUCKS. it can only work if you're self aware about how absolutely awful and hurtful liam is,and i feel from what ive seen that the fandom just reduces them to 'omg doomed yaoi' and like, woobifies them. This ship only and only works as one sided,forced and extremely toxic (in my eyes). Bryce deserves better than Liam, and liam relentlessly hurts Bryce down to the very goddamn end (← i say this as someone who is currently fuckin obsessed with liam and self recognizes in him 😐)

Liam/Amelia

I like this one. I feel like theyre pretty good for each other, although, it's sort of a doomed one,in the sense of how it would work only if they were to be in the plane forever. I do feel like Amelia sort of lost herself in the plane forever. If those two ever got out, he'd have to take some charge on their shared recovery and Liam is NOT gonna deal with that well. Still a cute ship,and I like it.

Amelia/Charlotte

...why? this feels like pairing the leftover main characters because everyone is focused on the Boys TM. they dont really have any chemistry,like,even theorically i feel like they wouldn't mesh well,unless you wanna make Amelia basically Charlotte's therapist. But yay, women! i can't be mad about this one,really. I don't mind it

Liam/Airy

Lairy is...complicated, emotionally. I can see it actually being a thing,but it's really in a fucked up way. definitely a 'i hope we both die' kind of pairing. I think about it and it gives me heartache that i cant explain. it hurts because they both are awful in different ways but also they are trying. I will say i do enjoy it but in a way that makes me hurt. lots of angst there. I think this one especially benefits from becoming a ship that happens after moldpack being A thing

Liam/Charlotte

Okay this one is not popular,in fact i feel like nobody but me is into it but theres so much potential here. especially the way they would be so horribly,terrifyingly bad to each other. I can imagine Charlotte getting out instead of Bryce,and how different it all would be. her prideful nature and liam's manipulative tendencies are so deliciously wrong. I feel they would bring the worst out of each other. I have a lot to say about them but like. Consider those first 5 months. Liam was as isolated as Charlotte was,he only sorta rejoined the others in the last two months stretch, and I think they might've interacted during that. And just, Charlotte WOULD be interested in solving the mystery,she would jump on that chance because she needs control and Liam would be elated at first and horrified later and AGH it would be so messy and interesting. please ask me more about moldpack. im the charlotte/liam person number 1 fan now.

and now rapid fire other ships,

Oscar/Bryce - can see it,and i feel like it makes sense within Bryce's trauma streak. I can imagine them bonding and it getting a bit too close

Bryce/Stella - I wish this had more exploration,object shipcest is so insanely rare. I like it

Taylor/Amelia - kinda cute,can see it if taylor stayed in the plane. Especially if it starts as a sort of one sided crush that goes too far

Liam/Owen - this is cute,can kinda see it but only in a no-show scenario (as in, ONE never happened and this is a coworker romance thing)

Charlotte/Parker - it upsets me,but i can see them as having hooked up once and Parker catching feelings while Charlotte is super uncomfortable about it and that explains that weird tension.

Bryce/Amelia - eh. sure? it's cute but i dont care for it a lot. also i dont care for sodacentpack a lot,but it's better than sodapack alone i Guess. get ♣️'d lmao

ALSO, the crackship/crossover with showvember

Airy/Popcorn - NO. piss off the joke is boring and lame and IDK i hate it.

#proship #antis dni lmao #hfjone #hfjone ships #hfjone spoilers #moldpack #charliam #osc

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tea-dragonz · 6 months

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Since my last LO/KO comparison post was getting attention, thought I'd make this meme as well. Mors x Korina pulls of the whole "sweet girl x edgy guy" trope way better than Hades x Persephone (long analysis below if you want to read)

I've noticed how these two relationships share a foundation similar tropes, and I wanted to break down why one is a ship I absolutely adore and the other is just "meh" for me. For Morina, I'm mainly going to be focusing on Korina's Origin, mainly because Origins of Olympus gave them less time to develop as a couple properly, plus KO gives us more to work with timeline-wise. For LO Hades x Persephone I'm going to be sticking with S1 and S2 because I haven't seen a lot of S3 for myself (and based on what I've heard, I don't plan to).

Now, I'm not gonna go ahead and say that Morina is the pinnacle of ship writing or whatever, I have some issues with its development and pacing (especially in OoO), plus Mors is unfortunately an asshole no matter what series he's in. But despite its flaws, Morina as a ship feels flawed in a very human sort of way while LO Hades x Persephone feels perfect in the artificial way, if that makes sense?

In LO, the narrative is constantly trying to convince you that Hades x Persephone is the perfect couple and that it's them against the world. It doesn't matter what criticism other characters have of their relationship, because they're all jerks anyway, and any actions taken against them are all thusly justified. Meanwhile, KO acknowledges that while there are external forces preventing them from being together, there are issues that lie within the characters themselves: Mors' anger issues and lack of emotional intelligence, and Korina's insecurities that prevent her from standing up for herself.

Persephone and Korina are both portrayed as kind, altruistic, and naive by the narrative. They show kindness and forgiveness to people who may or may not deserve it, and others may take advantage of this kind nature. Korina takes this in an interesting direction: she is a people pleaser due to her abandonment, and she will constantly sweep things under the rug and play nice even around people who don't deserve it. When she has the choice of announcing her relationship with Mors and invoking the ire of the gods, or playing along with their matchmaking plans for her, she chooses the latter despite it not being what she wants. She is dedicated to maintaining peace and good relationships with everyone, to the point that it ends up putting a strain on her relationship with Mors. She is typically patient and content to go along with what others want of her, and when she does finally snap and lash out at people it's used sparingly, such as when other people reduce her to being nothing more than a servant rather than being a fellow god/demigod. These are character strengths and flaws that go hand in hand with each other, and it builds on the "sweet girl" half of the ship trope in a reasonable way that affects her within the relationship and in other aspects of her life.

And Persephone? Uhhhh... she spends most of her time acting like an excited child (that definitely means she's nice, right???), she showed sympathy for the shades, told off Hades for mutilating a guy and got angry that her nymph friends were killed. Except it wasn't actually her fault that she was righteously angry over the death of her friends, Persephone can't get angry guys, anger is a bad thing and Persephone is good!!!1!1 In all seriousness, Persephone's Act of Wrath was the peak of her character for me. Here I though that we would be seeing her have emotions that humanize her, but nope. I guess the only character traits and emotions she's allowed to have are smol bean uwu, sad from trauma (but only sometimes), and Girlboss™. Still though, do we actually get anything of substance from her personality outside of those traits? Does she have anything about her character that meaningfully builds on the aforementioned “sweet girl” trope? Do we ever truly see her have a moment of agency with a lasting impact? Do we ever see her really struggle with having emotions that she's not fully in control of outside of her Act of Wrath? Is she ever allowed to have feelings that the viewer might disagree with, even if it would make more sense for her character and story? (Honestly these questions apply to Mors as well so I'll just use this as a segue into the next section).

Hades and Mors are both the edgy antisocial guys who have been shunned for one reason or another. They put up a tough front and lash out at the world, but drop the mask around those they care about (though if anything threatens their lover, they go straight back to being the dominating machismo guy). Hades' beef with other characters tends to mostly be framed as petty drama, but do any of them actually dislike Hades for the legitimately bad things he does? Because he’s invaded Persephone’s privacy without her knowledge, neglected his adopted son, put his partner in a financially abusive situation, allows the shades to live miserable afterlives despite being their king, took out a tabloid reporter’s eye for doing his job, and that’s only what I can name off the top of my head. Does Hades have any actual motivation for the way he treats others aside from pettiness and simping over Persephone? Is any of what he does truly framed as bad by the narrative? Why, then, are we supposed to believe that he’s a misunderstood edgy bad boy if the narrative barely even acknowledges how and why he has this reputation in the first place?

Mors, on the other hand, is shunned by many because he is the descendant of the personification of violent death, and thus has an aggressive personality and the capability for mass destruction. Thing is, he spends most of his life not knowing that, so to him people are just weird about him for no reason (other than Korina, who also doesn't know until later). Whether or not the treatment of Mors is truly justified in the viewers’ eyes, I’m sure many can agree that it is still a reasonable motivation to lash out. And let’s take a look at the bad things he has done to compare to Hades, shall we? Killing in self-defense (or Korina’s defense), verbally and physically lashing out at his father for not telling him about his mother, using violence/threats to solve problems that range from "this person is kind of annoying" to "this person is a threat", verbally berating people who get on his bad side (which sometimes does include Korina). Some of these are understandable in context, some aren't, but the point is that the narrative and the characters acknowledge that these actions are bad. Sometimes he even (gasp) faces consequences for his actions! And on top of that, he struggles with his morality and whether he can truly become a better person because of his nature. (Plus he gets bonus points for being a low-empathy person who a) is still capable of showing strong emotions b) is not completely demonized for something out of his control.) Again, Mors' story and character builds on the "edgy guy" trope in an understandable way that makes him feel human rather than trying to make him into a misunderstood paragon like Hades.

(Also, to me Mors is coded as being neurodivergent and/or having a personality disorder, but I feel like that's straying too far into headcanon territory. I know that it doesn't excuse Mors' behavior, all I'm saying is that as an nd person myself, I can at least get why he does what he does even if I don't agree with it. I have no such understanding with Hades and Persephone's actions. For them, the viewers are expected to just roll with everything they do and not question it.)

And now that we've fully established the characters, what about their dynamics and interactions? Hades saw Persephone and immediately began lusting after her, to which she seems mostly oblivious early on. He also goes behind her back to find out more about her, such as the thing with the memory tapes and Hecate's letter. But it's fine, because any breaking of boundaries is made up for when Hades love bombs her with gifts. And even though he's only known her for a few days/weeks within S1, he chooses to trauma dump to her rather than his therapist that only comes up like once. In fact, the two of them become each other's entire world within this short time frame. Any friendships or familial relationships they have (Hecate, Eros, Artemis, Hermes, Thanatos, Demeter, etc.) seem to be thrown to the wayside in favor of the main couple. Ironically enough, I feel like I would like Hades and Persephone's relationship more if they had more going on outside of it (and if they didn't have the age gap but that's a whole different thing). It felt like they were written specifically to fit that trope and everything else about their characters, like Hades’ fear of becoming like Kronos and Persephone’s act of wrath, were added as afterthoughts. As a result, rather than feeling like characters that were shaped and developed by their experiences, we have overblown caricatures based on their ship tropes.

Mors and Korina start out as childhood friends and develop their relationship over many years. As they grow up they start drifting apart due to their different roles (Mors being the heir of death and Korina being a household servant) but Korina offers a non-judgmental outlet for Mors' anger issues, and Mors still consistently treats her as a peer despite their differences in status. When they finally do get together, Mors, in spite of how hypersexual he typically is, actually respects her boundaries for both sexual and non-sexual things. While it's all sunshine and rainbows for a while, Mors takes a jab at Korina’s past trauma during an argument, and she actually (rightfully) calls for the two of them to take a break in their relationship over it. However they still remain friends and support each other in their own separate endeavors. Korina chooses to stick with Mors even after learning of his violent nature, Mors supports Korina's search for her mother and proves time and time again that he would go through hell and back to protect her. The two of them love each other and still do, but the story makes it clear that love on its own is not enough, and that’s okay. Korina herself acknowledges that the two of them need to work on themselves before they can try again. Their argument and breakup wasn't the end of the world, it was the catalyst for them to realize that they needed to do better, and that is why I'm able to feel for them and root for them despite all of their issues.

Plus Mors and Korina at least have the excuse of being an inexperienced 20 something year olds. Hades has had thousands of years to get his act together. Oh, I forgot to mention. Despite crushing on each other since their younger years, Morina only officially got together when Mors was 25 and Korina was 23, which means that it avoids the dubious morality of a 19 year old getting with a 3000+ year old.

In conclusion: Although Mors x Korina by no means a perfect rendition of the "sweet girl x edgy guy" ship, the narrative at least doesn't try to present it that way and gives us a much more nuanced view on their relationship compares with Hades and Persephone. While it wants us to root for Korina and Mors to get back together eventually, it also tells us to our faces that the two of them need to work out their own issues first. Lore Olympus, on the other hand, wants us to look at Hades and Persephone and immediately see them as perfect people in a perfect relationship that the world wrongfully wants to tear apart, despite the obvious problems in their characters and relationship.

Apologies for how long and disjointed this is! I'm literally typing the first thoughts that pop into my head and I have too many thoughts about this lol

#anti lore olympus #lore olympus critical #lo critical #long post #character analysis #korina’s origin #mors #korina #morina #im not tagging the other two because I don't want to deal with those fans #even though I have the critical tags on im not taking chances

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abugwritesstuff · 9 months

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hi! i’ve sent this to a couple other of my favorite COD writers, but it’s a psycho-analysis thing on guy that i wanted to share as im curious about other’s thoughts. i should mention that i am a psych student with a special interest in male psychological trauma and “toxic masculinity” (put in quotes because idk the scientific term for it lmao)

warnings for slight spoilers, i don’t believe there’s much of anything too triggering, just some mention of sexism in avari, and parental/generational trauma, but nothing too detailed.

(and j*sper jumpscare at the end but it’s just slander)

this also isn’t at all and excuse for abuse or anything of the sort, and that’s not what i specialize in either; it’s more like a deeper analysis of internalized sexism, now if guy did anything on the level of j*sper or got physical or anything, i would not be writing this.

so, guy starts off very controlling (literally using mind control), but when you play his route + events (specifically the ones where he goes to avari) a much deeper story unfolds. it is my understanding that avari has very different thoughts on women, and we even see guy tell MC that his father told him all women are cruel and only want power. i believe guy has been told all his life negative things about women, and that all he has seen was his father marry for power after his mother passed. we also see in a route that guy was much more open when his mom was alive, but closed his heart to everyone when she was killed. it is also seen that guy assumed his mother was murdered by other women. so, Guy has been told all his life these things about women, ever since he was a child, and never had the chance to see any differently as he never opened up to another woman until MC.

now this is where the beauty comes in. after a while, guy begins to truly love MC for herself and not just her power, and even tells her what he was told about women and says she changed that. guy was able to swallow his ego and be emotionally open to MC and begin to see her as an individual and not just a vessel for power. guy defends her to her father and tells him off saying that he truly loves her and no other, and it is not just because of her power, and that she will make a fine queen. we see him praise her throughout his stories and events, and through his thoughts we see he is truly a changed man who has changed his outlook on women through his love for MC.

although he is not yet open to fully sharing his thoughts quite yet, we see that he is actively working on himself for MC.

we also see a boyish side come out of him during these emotional moments, that i believe to be trauma regression and suppressed feelings that he has had to endure due to the excessively violent and aggressive nature of avari. i truly think guy’s initial act towards MC is due to trauma and abuse he suffered in avari, and he only begun realizing he was lied to and was wrong about women through his relationship with MC. guy is actually my favorite character because of this, and i think it’s truly a beautifully complex story that the creators made. also, i love how his toxic masculinity was turned around and how it tells the story that growing up in such a toxic environment can truly damage a man.

j*sper is a whole different story, bro is just a perv who deserves cancer.

sorry, this is about to be super rambl-y! i go off on some related tangents here lol

yeah this is interesting! i guess i disagree in that i don't actually think that the CoD writers have really fleshed him out as well as we in the fandom have and that has always been the core of my distaste for his character, and why i prefer him in fic form 9 times out of 10. 100% i believe he's traumatized by life in avari and the loss of his mom, and that his sexism stems from that, and because of that he has potential to be deep and complex in his flaws, but there's always a core to his character that just stays flat and unchanged, particularly with the event stories- he almost defaults to cruelty and rarely shows genuine remorse or legitimately, verbally apologizes*, complete with an understanding of what he did wrong and actual changed behavior. (i can distantly recall event stories where he does something awful, they have a relationship meltdown, they make up because MC gaslights herself into believing that she was being unfair, and then he continues doing shitty things??? like he's kinda emotionally abusive in some stories.) they do this this kind of half-baked character development with fenn as well, though his book 2 was a massive help in showing actual personal growth. i'm really hoping guy's book 2 provides similar evidence of change.

the unfortunate thing is that since i've been playing voltage games on and off for the past ten years, i'm pretty familiar with the archetype they're using for guy and have some serious doubts that they'll write him better. controlling asshole alpha male who has a trauma backstory and, despite falling in love with the MC, just acts like a complete dickwipe forever is pretty much par the course. so i'm a bit conflicted about the possibility that we'll get the kind of fleshing out of guy's character that we need.

as another note, the most i've seen (or at least, perceived) from guy as far as remedying his sexism is him deciding MC is an exception to the general rule that women are bad. he's had some genuinely selfless moments for her here and there in stories, but none that would really give me an indication that his view of women overall is healing. and that's the kicker for me: men like that exist in real life, and when the woman they've removed to the pedestal disappoints them in some way, they're right back to square one because they didn't actually change their views. and the sort of change that he'd need to undergo as a character to unpack that bullshit is pretty intense, which is another reason why i'm skeptical we'll get what we need and why i prefer the fandom version of guy- and why i prefer the version that you've presented here.

tldr; the material to make guy an incredible character is there, but i think some details are missing and the legitimate development we need isn't something voltage is terribly likely to do.

*to note- this behavior is extremely unsympathetic to me because it reminds me of my dad lol. i understand why others have sympathy for it, but i lack the personal bandwidth.

#court of darkness #guy avari

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paigenoelchas-blog · 9 months

Text

Feels Like Home

34: Bonding

Jake's POV:

Philip walks in, patting me on the back in a good-natured way. It is odd seeing him this way. He and I are involved in an activity without the girls and I am actually excited about it. He strides into the room with a confident swagger. "I wondered why you lived so far out here in the woods, but this cabin is great. It will be the perfect place to take all of your cash from you." Phil taunts me and then nods with a crooked smile. He surveys the cabin further and then walks to the refrigerator, opens it, and grabs both of us a beer. I am unexpectedly satisfied that he makes himself feel at home here.

He shares Betty's attitude of owning whatever room he is in and it puts me at ease. They have been good for each other and as much as I wish to hold on to my antagonism toward him, I am having a difficult time finding reasons to do so. I am finding it hard to pretend that we don't have a bit of a real friendship going. Tonight, I am thankful for Phillip and his presence here. I will never admit that he can be a comfort to me, standing in proxy for Betty.

I let out a sigh, releasing some of the tension I have been holding onto. Asking the boys over for poker may seem like a little thing, but I have never entertained anyone before. I am still new to being around others in public, though I have been doing more of that with Mari's help. My nerves are still on edge because Thomas is coming tonight. This is a big step and I need to take it.

Daniel follows quickly behind, offering his signature whiskey. "Thought that you boys might like this. I can't have it, but there is no reason that you shouldn't." He doesn't drink anymore after the incident at the bar. It was a promise that he made to Jessy and he isn't going to do anything to screw up the best thing in his life. I admire his ability to change and rid himself of his demons. I admire the loyalty that he shows to all of us that he cares for. Since the day that he apologized, he has done nothing but prove to me that he is a friend and worthy of being called such.

It makes me think of the three of us, all men with demons. Men that were lost and stagnant, trapped by their own poor choices. A good woman can make you do all sorts of crazy things. The love of an excellent woman makes you want to be better and changes every aspect of your life. We have all changed and softened. We have all become more than what everyone expected us to be. The three of us have excellent women in our lives and are smart enough to hold on to them tight. I hope that they will hold onto the three of us just as tight.

"I was going to ask if you had actually played poker before since you don't seem the type for a regular poker night, but you have the table and the set up so I assume you know what you are doing," Daniel says. "Thanks for the invite. This is going to be fun. We need a night without the girls."

I am not going to tell him that I have never played against real people. All of my poker skills have come from late-night insomnia on the computer. I won't tell him that I bought all of this stuff this afternoon, right after I invited them over. Let him be intimidated.

"I think the girls need a night without you two," Phillip interjects. "They must be exhausted from dealing with your sorry asses all day."

I nod in mock agreement. There is a certain amount of truth in his words. I know he isn't serious, but I will never take it for granted that Mahri chose me. I know that I do not deserve her or her love.

Daniel retorts, "Aww, Phil, don't be jealous that we don't let our women push us around. You are like a puppy at Betty's feet."

"I admit," Phillip retorts, chugging the last of his beer, "She is bossy. but I like it that way. I mean, she has some really good ideas and is not afraid to try inventive things in bed..."

"No." I interrupt. "No bedroom talk about my best friend. Please."

Phil laughs, "Ok, ok. I can try to keep those thoughts to myself, but she is something special. The first woman that has kept me interested and satisfied." He sits at the table leaning back. A smile crosses his face as if he is remembering some of their good times. He is satisfied that he has gotten under my skin a bit. It doesn't bother me like it used to. I know where I stand.

"How did you two manage to bury the hatchet? You two are friends now?" Daniel asks, truly curious.

We both reluctantly nod and respond at the same time. "Betty." A smile crosses my face and I realize that she has given me another great gift. I see the same thing on his face.

"Weird," Daniel grumbles as he finds a spot on the couch. We are, of course, waiting for Thomas. "What should we discuss while we wait?" Phillip ponders. "Oh, I know, Jake, what are your thoughts on motorcycles? Would you ever want one?"

Daniel shoots Phillip a glance that I don't understand.

"I would love to have one to take Mahri for rides on. I like the thought of the freedom that it brings," I answer. I also love the thought of her arms wrapped around me so tightly and the wind blowing her delicious smell into my space. I love the idea of going on a drive, eating lunch in some beautiful spot, making love somewhere private and exciting.

"No talk of bedroom activities with one of my best friends," Phillip teases with a sideways smile. I roll my eyes.

"Woah dude," Daniel interrupts my thoughts. "You zoned out really fast."

Phillip prods, " He was thinking about all of the things he wanted to do with and to Mahri on that bike. Let him be. He is in LOooOooove."

I blush despite myself. "Don't pretend that you haven't thought of something irreverent that you would do with Betty if you had a bike,"

"Guilty," he responds, "but you don't want to hear about that." He smirks.

"I do not want to hear anything about you and Betty being irreverent," I respond with a smile.

There is a long pause and Danie shakes his head, "You two being friends is going to take some getting used to, but I think I like it. As long as I learn how to keep up.

_________________

Mahri's POV:

Since Phil is off tonight, Joe is tending the bar. Joe is an older man in his fifties. His salt and pepper hair is the only thing that belies his age. He is still quite handsome and has many lady callers. To top it off, he is quite charming and draws people into the room. He is a great asset to have behind the bar. He is a trusted employee having worked at the bar before Phil owned the place and has been an excellent friend to both Phil and Betty. In fact, Phil often introduces him as his brother.

Tonight, he has been instructed to "give the girls whatever they want and make sure they are safe." He has also been told to call Phil before the cops if Betty "gets mouthy." It isn't that she gets in trouble often or that she likes to pick a fight, but she won't let anyone mess with her friends.

Betty and I arrive before the rest of the ladies. She wants to secure a table in the back that allows us a space to have fun but is a little quieter and away from the pick-up lines and skeezy men trying to find a girl to take advantage of. Girls' nights are fun, but these days, you have to be careful.

It is pretty early so the bar is fairly empty. A couple of old-timers are having their nightly beer and enjoying the company. They will be home and probably in bed before most of the younger people show up.

Slowly, the men in business suits flow in and out, having a quick drink before returning home to their wives and kids. Joe greets all of the clients by name, making them feel welcome in their home away from home.

"Joe," Betty greets him excitedly as she walks behind the bar and gives him a quick hug. She also greets the two men sitting at the counter. "Hey, Bill, Spenser." The two men smile back seemingly charmed by her, like we all are. The other men nod and go back to their drink, sucking down peanuts at the counter.

"No patrons behind the bar, Char." Joe jokes, using her name chosen for the new people in her life. I still feel lucky that I get to call her Betty.

"What are going to do, kick me out?" She quips and gives him a wink. "I know the boss."

"I may have to call the boss about an unruly woman that insists on breaking the rules." He pokes her in the ear as a brother would.

"The boss likes it when I break all of the rules," Betty fires back and swats his arm away.

"That's the truth," Joe concedes. "But seriously, Betty what would you like to drink? I can get it for you. I am under strict orders to give you whatever you want, remember?"

Betty's devilish grin appears. "I do love dating the bar owner. If that is the case, let me consult my friend over here. Joe, you remember Mahri?" She asks, pointing in my direction. I have taken a seat in front of the bar. Joe nods and winks at me, "How could I forget such a lovely friend?" Despite it all, I blushed.

"Em," Betty directs the question at me. Lately, she has taken to calling me Em. I like it. "You and I are starting out with two shots, Whiskey or tequila? Your choice." Betty is going to get me into trouble if I don't have a plan. Tonight can be a lot of fun, but there will be consequences tomorrow and I am still trying to sneak out to Jake's cabin later.

"Whiskey," I say and then change the subject. "Should we get the others a drink? They should be here soon."

"Yes," Betty says as Joe slams the shots on the bar. She raises her glass and toasts, "To fun and friends and to Phil for owning this place." Our glasses clink, and we down our shots.

I instantly regret not eating dinner. It is ok, Cleo will bring snacks. She is always so thoughtful.

"I know that Jessy will want an espresso martini, but what do the other girls want? I haven't met them yet." Betty asked.

She had become such a big part of my life, I had forgotten that she hadn't been introduced to the sisters or Cleo yet. I would be anxious. She appears to be unphased.

Betty interlinks our arms as we walk back to our table. "I am very glad to meet these other people in your life. I have heard so much about them."

"They are excited to meet you too. I hope they behave. Sometimes Lily can be prickly."

"So can I when challenged." She speaks with such confidence, though I am not surprised. My head begins to swim at the thought of the drama that could ensue. The two shots may have been a bad idea.

I text the group to tell them where we are. and look up to see Cleo and Jessy entering the bar. Jessy runs up to hug me. She is in a cute form-fitting emerald dress and as usual, she looks like an angel. Her red hair is flowing down her back. Her hug threatens to cut off my air supply. She turns to Betty and hugs her just as tightly. I love that the two of them are so close.

Cleo is balancing a huge purse and a plate of cupcakes. She is adorable, her glasses sit on the edge of her nose. Her dress is red and slightly out of fashion, but on her, it works somehow. She begins to set up a buffet of sweets on the table. It is amazing what she can accomplish. Cleo works a demanding job at the library and bakes all of these delicacies. She also volunteers to help her mom out at the church and helps run the local animal shelter. We all should be a little more like Cleo, I think. She places the dessert on the table and reaches out to shake Betty's hand. "Nice to meet you. You must be Betty. I have heard wonderful things about you."

"Wonderful? I am not sure that you are talking about me, but it is nice to meet you too. A friend of Em's is a friend of mine. I do like to go by Charlotte or Char, please. Betty is a name I used in a former life."

Cleo nods and smiles. "Of course, Char. I think we will be good friends."

"Me too," Betty responds eyeing the desserts on the table. "Especially if you keep bringing such beautiful dessert."

Cleo blushes. She is not used to overt flattery from a stranger.

"So, what do you have there?" Betty asks pointing at the cupcakes.

"Churro cupcakes with a caramel sauce," Cleo responds and pulls plates out of her bag.

"You may be my favorite friend so far." Betty smiles at Cleo and places her hand on her shoulder in a friendly gesture.

I love watching Betty interact with others. She somehow manages to charm everyone and stay true to herself.

The drinks arrive and Jessy and Cleo are relaxed and slightly tipsy when the sisters walk in.

"Sorry, we got a head start," Cleo apologizes as Hannah sits down next to her and pushes her drink towards her. Hannah is lovely. I haven't spent much time with her since Jake returned, but we were becoming quite good friends before that. She is shy, but she would do anything for a friend.

Lily on the other hand only appreciated my help when we were looking for Hannah. She has never liked me, She knows that Jake loves me, but she doesn't trust me. The feeling is mutual. We have a truce for the sake of all of the others, but I believe that she would still throw me under the bus if given the opportunity. I don't know how her distrust will fare when Jake talks to his sisters. I will have to get along with Lily then. I will, I just hope that someday she can find a way to do the same.

I watch these ladies sharing the room with me. We are all so different, but we have made the choice to care for and support each other. I raise my glass and begin my toast, "To all of these wonderful women here tonight that have made me feel accepted and have allowed me into their world, I am so thankful for you."

Jessy adds, "And to Mahri for bringing us all together and saving Hannah, of course."

Lily rolls her eyes quickly, but to her credit, she toasts right alongside everyone else.

We return to chatting and drinking and eating the delicious desserts that Cleo made. Hannah is laughing at one of Betty's stories about Jake. Lily seems unimpressed, but she is polite. I am actually impressed with her behavior. I think Betty intimidates her a bit.

We are having a great time gossiping and drinking. The laughter fills the air and the drinks continue to flow. After a while, Jessy sits next to me and holds my hand in a sisterly gesture. Her smile is genuine and kind.

"She really is something isn't she?" Jessy whispered, speaking of Betty, of course.

"Yes, " I respond and smile, thankful for the addition of her to my friend group. I can't imagine where Jake and I would be without her influence and support.

I watch as the girls that I care for the most, celebrate with each other. I love watching these very different women work their way into each other lives. Then I watch the woman next to me holding my hand. I may have lost a sister when Elle died, but I gained one the day that I met Jessy. She returned some of the optimism and joy that had been lost in the death of my twin.

I squeeze her hand and lean into her ear to whisper, "You are really something too, you know. Thank you for being my sister."

She turns around and hugs me. I notice a tear in her eye.

I don't know if it is the alcohol or just the warmth of this moment, I don't know if it is the way that my heart has awakened since I have learned to love and trust Jake more, but I feel full and happy and thankful for the life I get to live.

I watch as Betty tells the story of Jake's first crush. She looks at me and winks, letting me know that we are in this together. I smile back, slightly dizzy, definitely drunk, and filled with a sense of family like I have never known.

_______

Jake's POV:

Thomas arrived late. He was unapologetic and a little grouchy. This did not bode well for our relationship or for the evening. When I opened the door for him, he barely made eye contact with me.

"Let's get going on this game, guys." He says, walking across the room and, taking the beer out of Phillip's hand, he swallows it down in one gulp.

Philip makes an aggravated gesture. "What's going on with you?"

Thomas is incredulous as if he doesn't realize what he has done wrong. "Nothing. I was just thirsty."

"And rude," Philip responds. The fire in his eyes is unmistakable.

Daniel, trying to chill the atmosphere before things get out of control, brings a new beer to Phillip and pats him on the shoulder, directing the conversation to the game, "Thomas is finally here. I am anxious to show you all a thing or two about poker." He directs all of us to the table.

I take a deep breath as Philip moves to the table. I can tell that he is seething, but am impressed at his ability to control his words. He puts his arm on my shoulder and smiles sideways.

Daniel takes the deck and deals the cards to us. I start out with a terrible hand, but I know that poker is more about the way you play the game than it is about the cards you are dealt. I mock confidence and raise the stakes. Phillip and Daniel fold. It is left to Thomas to see where the rest of the game goes. Thomas tries to eyeball me. He thinks he can intimidate me into giving away my secret of a terrible hand, but he is not that smart or that intimidating. He calls and I raise, he raises and I do. The stakes are quite high since this is still the beginning of the evening.

Thomas watches me again. I can see the distrust in his eyes. I can't blame him. I am lying about this hand, but his distrust extends outside of the game. He has no reason to mistrust me in that area. It is his turn and he has been quiet for a few minutes.

"What's your move?" Daniel asks Thomas directly, trying to break the tension in the room.

"I don't trust anything out of this man, so I think he is lying about his hand, but he helped save Hannah so I have to give him the benefit of the doubt." He is being honest, too honest if I admit the truth.

"So, what is it then?" Phillip asks. "Play the game or continue to make unnecessary comments to your host?"

Thomas is unphased by Phillip's condemnation but decides to fold. He throws the cards in the middle of the table, releasing some aggression. He had a flush. He would have beaten me without question.

I show my cards. A pair of ones.

Thomas becomes irate as I gather my chips. I had just gained $75. That is not a lot of money, but the loss was a blow to his ego.

"I knew that you couldn't be trusted. I won't make that mistake again." Thomas grumbles.

Daniel enters in this time. "Thomas, it is poker, he played the game and he did it well. You need to fix your attitude."

What attitude?" Thomas asks.

"The one that you have had since you walked in here," Phillip interjects.

Daniel holds up his hand to stop Philip. He takes Thomas by the arm and pulls him aside. "What is going on, man?" His voice is low and calm.

"I don't want to be here. I don't want to play games with him, learn from him. I only came because Hannah thought it was a good idea. I don't like him and I certainly don't trust him." Thomas is getting mad, his words are becoming loud and aggressive. They actually sting.

Probably because I feel the same way toward him. I simply have a reason for my feelings on the matter.

I walk up to Thomas and in a firm voice insist that we talk this through. He agrees. I invite him to have a seat at the table.

He gruffs off toward the kitchen. "I will stand if you don't mind." He is going to be obstinate and do nothing to help fix this situation in a civilized manner. My sister could do better, but she loves him. I owe it to her to try and fix this.

"Ok," I begin, "I understand you don't like me much. I also understand I am not everyone's cup of tea, but what are your grievances?"

He huffs, "That is a grievance. You use big words to act superior to all of us and act as though you are above the law."

"I use big words for other reasons. I do not think I am better than anyone. I have regrettably done things in the past that were against the law, but I have turned away from that life."

"Maybe, but when we were looking for Hannah, you and Mahri kept a lot of things hidden from us, things that could have helped us find her." Thomas is trying to control his words and his temper.

"The fact that we kept things from you is one of the reasons that we found her," I respond.

"You can say that, but I don't believe you." He is being honest and I have to respect that.

"I can not force you to accept the truth. We will have to come up with an understanding on this for everyone's sake."

"I understand just fine. I don't trust you." He leans against the counter, his arms folded across his chest. "This is a waste of time. You and Mahri are not worth my time or anyone else's. You offer nothing to this group of friends and we don't want you around."

Phillip pipes in, "You are on your own here. I find the two of them to be a wonderful addition to our group."

"You would, Convict. Dan gets it. He hates you as much as I do." Daniel shook his head, but Thomas didn't notice, "He sees the way you two have all of these ideas and are willing to put yourselves above everyone else."

"Everything we did was to find Hannah. We put ourselves in danger for her and for all of you. Do you not remember how hard we tried to keep you all safe?" I asked. Do you not remember how many nights we went without sleep and in fear in order to bring her home?"

"I remember how Mahri wouldn't go and meet the MWAF when that is what needed to be done. She could have saved Richy."

That was it. I am seething. All of the feelings from that night rush back into my heart. All of the anger that I felt when he was willing to sacrifice Mahri's life came right back to me.

Trying to control my anger, I pause and forcefully add, "You do not get to talk about Mahri anymore. You don't have the right to utter her name from your filthy lips. You were willing to sacrifice her in order to save Hannah. You played on her compassion and you were manipulative. You cared nothing for her then and you don't have the right to be in her life now." I stand up and walk toward him, the counter is the only thing between us. My eyes glare into his with unrelenting command.

"What do you mean I don't have the right? I can talk about whoever I want. I can do whatever I want. Mahri is just as selfish as you are. She should go back to wherever it was before she came here." Thomas is spitting the words out and meeting my anger.

"You are right, " I speak through my gritted teeth. "You can speak of whoever you want but if you malign her name one more time in my presence, there will be consequences. Do you understand?"

"OoOoh" Thomas mocks me holding up wiggling fingers, "Consequences, huh. What are you going to do, lecture me to death?"

I walk close to him and lower my voice, it is thick and tight, deep and threatening. Without backing down, I move around the counter getting close enough that he is uncomfortable. I speak slowly so that even he can understand, "You have no idea what I would do to protect Mahri and to keep her integrity intact. You have no idea of the places that I would go to to protect her life and her honor."

"Is that a threat?" He says, leaning in closer to me. I can feel his breath on my face.

"It is the truth and a warning. This is the last time I tell you to leave her out of all of this. Mahri did everything that she could to help save Hannah, a stranger. She worried about you all and tried to make sure that you were safe. She is a wonderful, loyal, and trustworthy person who deserves nothing but praise and love. If you don't see things that way, there is no room for you here."

I shove past him to the door and open it, allowing him the space he needs to leave.

His face is red, he isn't ready to stop fighting.

"You better listen to what he says," Phillip says. "Until you can abide by his rules, there is no place for you here."

Thomas's anger is fueled even more. "You are going to pick this...deceitful...piece of trash over me? You are going to take his side?"

"I am absolutely choosing his side. It is the right one. Mahri is amazing. She is none of the things you say. Furthermore, Jake is more loyal and trustworthy than you have ever been. You need to fix whatever you have going on inside that pretty little brain of yours before you come into the lives of my friends or my bar." Phillip is calm, but his voice is threatening.

"Now I can't go to the Aurora?" Thomas whines.

"I don't think I can trust your words or your actions. I do have the right to refuse service to anyone, after all."

"Who needs you or your damn bar? Are you coming Dan?" He asks in frustration, but it almost sounds like he is begging.

"Not with you. Not until you fix a whole lot of wrong things that you have said tonight and not until you can be trusted around Mahri. I support Jake's ban on you. Phil's too. Look, man, we have been friends for a long time, but you are out of line here. You are out of control. I don't know what you and Hannah have going on, but you need to fix it and until then, I can not be around you." Dan is sad and hangs his head, but his feet are firm. He will stand his ground.

I see the rage beginning to wane in Thomas' eyes. He pulls his jacket off of the chair aggressively and rushes to the door which I was holding open for him.

"You all deserve each other." He growls as he stomps to the door and stops and stares me down once more. When I don't flinch or waiver, he turns away and quickly heads out the door bumping into someone on the way.

It is Mahri, my sweet, drunk, beautiful, kind woman. She brings the sweet scent of orange blossoms and lights up the walls of this old cabin. I have never wanted to see her so badly. She is wearing the shortest black dress I have ever seen and some heels that make her legs look even longer and her ass look even more delightful. I need her and as if on cue, she rushes to me wrapping her arms around my neck. I hold her tight and dive in quickly for a kiss. The moment lasts longer than it should as my hands begin to roam. I forget about the other people in the room until she turns away. She is the oxygen to my lungs. She is my medicine.

"Hello, handsome..." She begins as her hands move to my hair. She plays with the curls at the base of my neck. I have almost forgotten the events of the evening because she feels so good in my arms. I must have still had some leftover aggression on my face because her next words are of concern. She asks, "What is wrong? What happened?"

Betty and Jessy fly through the door, "Mahri, you didn't even wait for the cab to stop complete..." Jessy begins but her thoughts are cut off by the tension in the room. Her eyes meet Daniel's as he walks over to greet her and gives her a bear hug. She quickly plants a kiss on his cheek.

Betty walks across the room to deliver a steamy kiss on Phillip's lips and they wrap their arms around each other. "What is going on?" Betty asks, "Who do I need to torture?"

The three men look at each other. Phillip begins, "It appears that Thomas is threatened by Jake and that Jake doesn't handle anyone disparaging the name of his beloved."

"It also appears," I continue sending a smirk to Phillip, "that Mahri and I have two very loyal friends who will step in to defend our honor."

Daniel adds, "And it also appears that Thomas won't be attending any events here or at the bar for the foreseeable future."

Jessy's mouth drops ope. Her hand moves to cover her mouth.

Betty's eyes are filled with confusion and venom.

Mahri watches me and begins to laugh. "I need to know all of the details. When did you get a poker table? I hope you beat his sorry ass at the game. Thank you for being such loyal friends. Boys grab a beer, girls kick off your shoes, and get comfy, it is time for our bedtime story, but first, who needs another drink?"

I smile. The tension has been lifted from the room by this precious woman in my arms. In an instant, she diffused a situation that could have ruined the evening. I kiss her deeply and then whisper in her ear, "You can take those shoes off now, but we have plans for them later when the company leaves."

She nods and blushes, following me to the kitchen.

I wrap my arm around her waist and speak loudly for everyone to hear. "Mahri is having coffee." Mahri pouts. "You will thank me for that later. "I add as I look at her and wink. "Would anyone else like something?"

I take their requests and Mahri and I make drinks. Everyone is served and Mahri plops down into the love seat next to me. Her dress is short and I find the perfect spot to rest my wandering hands. She leans on my shoulder and sighs in contentment.

I place a kiss on her neck and survey the room. Phillip and Betty are sitting on one end of the couch whispering secrets in each other's ear. She is giggling, free, and innocent like a schoolgirl with her crush. I trust the man sitting next to her and am thankful that he makes her feel safe and cherished. Daniel and Jessy are watching the fire from the other end of the couch, he has his arm wrapped around her, their hand entwined between them. The comfort they share from years of friendship and trust has led to an abiding love that requires no words to speak of their affection. It is a silent fire, created by a spark that began long before I entered this family. It is a love that I never would have understood three months ago and is comforting and true.

The house is warm and inviting, but not because of the fire. I am reminded, as I sit with Mahri, of the love that filled this cabin when my mother and Nana were alive. I can feel them here welcoming our love and our brothers and sisters. I rest with her in my arms and feel something I hadn't in a while. These people are my family. We will fight for and with each other. That is a comfort that I had forgotten about.

We stay like this for a while, the six of us reveling in our love. We are at home in the presence of each other. There is something reverent at this moment. This cabin seems sacred now for reasons beyond the love of Mahri. I am glad to share that feeling with these people.

I am afraid to break the spell. But I, finally and reluctantly, do so.

I have plans with a beautiful woman in a black dress and it is getting late.

I sit up and adjust Mahri n my lap grazing her cheek with my lips as I do so, "Boys, we have a story to tell, where should we begin?"

#jake x mc #duskwood #jake duskwood #duskwood jake #duskwood jake x mc #duskwood fandom #iamjake #duskwood fanfiction #duskwood everbyte #duskwood mc

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static-arz · 2 months

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What are the relationship of Li with Mk and others and Shen too if its alright?(Sorry I'm just really invested in your oc's🥺✨)

DON'T BEE I LOVE TALKING ABT THEM 🥹❤

Also phew this one is gonna long answer so prepare! :'D,

1. Note: Li makes his first appearance in mid season 2 while Shen makes his first appearance in mid season 4!

Li Xin:

Mei dragon:

Just like I wrote on his sheet, she's Li's childhood bestie and are super close, for Li she's seen as a possible love interest too! Problem is that he's too scared to say anything and doesn't wanna ruin the long friendship they share so he loves her in silence :')

MK:

Just like the rest, Li only knows him through Mei. At first, Li was doubting him and judging him in all ways, didn't really like him at first because he thought he was the only best friend Mei had lmao he was kind of jealous tbh.

But around season 3 Li sees MK as an close friend too! The moment MK had to start figuring things on his own, that is when Li was able to relate to him a lot. He would often try to mentally support him and just be there for him as much as he needed. He adores the way he is and also apologizes to him for his behavior and now he's extra caring for him. uvu

Monkey King/Sun Wukong:

Nope. Not even a bit. For Li monkey King is a burden. He gets to learn about him throughout the season 2, 3 and 4 and he is not very convinced by him. He often try to avoid talking to him and be annoyed with his presence alone. He only sees the bad traits instead of the good ones. In the end of season 4 he does get to learn more about him, but stays natural towards him. So he doesn't really see him as friend.

Tang:

For Li he's sorta a mutual than a close friend. He doesn't bond with him much but they had their moments too. Li gets to see his troubles too and notices his lack of confidence. He often try to tell him the opposite though. By now you'd know that Li is sort of the therapy friend of the bunch.

Pigsy:

Just like Tang a mutual. he would often take advice from him when it comes to cooking because Li had to microwave his food most of the time because he is a student. He'd love to learn how to cook proper meals for his health and regrets never learning it from his parents. Pigsy gladly teaches him as well. Li also learns quickly and he's thankful he's here too.

Sandy:

Li sees him as a close mutual. At first he was quite suspicious of him because he never saw so much kindness before. Almost made him believe that guy is not what he seems to be. He actually had a lot of doubts in everyone but slowly he warmed up to him too and saw a genuine kind individual. Since he received pain and suffering most of the time he often got fooled by people who pretended to be kind. He's glad Sandy is not that person and never will be. He appreciates his presence too.

Red son:

He doesn't wanna admit it but pretty sure he's part of them too! When first met in S3 Li gets super suspicious of him too. Especially after hearing about what he did in the past with the others he quickly becomes protective and alert of his friends safety. Soldier instinct he has. He didn't really like him at first and was neutral about him until in the special episode: embrace your destiny, he sees him as ally once seeing how much he helped. Especially Mei since Li gets super anxious and even more protective once he saw Mei struggling with the fire of Samadhi.

2. Note: As for everyone else he was able to meet throughout the adventures with MK and the others, he'd stay natural and takes time to warm up to anyone that is seen as ally, and he will be protective and shielding against the enemies.

Shen Xiaotian:

Let's say that his relationship with MK and the others is a mix of hatred and adoration. He pities MK but at the same time he can't help but feel pleasure when watching him suffer because he thinks he deserves it. Shen sees him as a corny hero but at the same time Shen wishes he was that type. For the rest he isn't very impressed by them but more annoyed. Especially with Li because for some reason Li caught his attention shortly. There is not much to say about Shen and his relationship with Mk and the others since he freshly appears in season 4.

As for Monkey King, he's a different case. Shen first met him when he caught him stealing peaches of immortality. Back then Shen was a passionate celestial warrior so he'd definitely try to catch that monkey. For sure he failed. He was a nuisance to him and still is. Yet he does adores the way of his rebellious acts. But Shen is even more unhinged than Monkey King so when he finds out how "weak" be became he instantly gets disgusted by him.

Phew! That was a lot to write! Took me almost an hour! Excuse my spelling mistakes, I am quite fast in typing and english is not my first language! :'D. But yeah, let me know if something is unclear I try to explain it more!

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fairycosmos · 2 years

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for the near death experiences thing- i had cancer a few years ago when i was 17, and about three weeks into treatment because the insurance company didn't approve one of my medicines in time, some of my blood counts dropped to almost nothing. i remember being in a haze, not understanding what was going on, as my mom bundled me into the car and drove me to the hospital. there are two things i remember most, 1. sitting outside the emergency room by myself (because my mom had to park the car and i could barely walk) and just feeling so incredibly calm. once we got in and everything, i went downhill pretty fast. 2. i remember lying there on one of those doctor seats covered in paper as my mom held my hand and told me my grandpa was here. this was the only time i was scared, because i didn't realize she meant SPIRITUALLY, with my grandpa that died the year before who i loved, i thought she meant her dad, and i was very upset because i didn't understand why he would also be sick in the hospital. i also remember her telling me that it was okay and if i needed to go i could, and i remember feeling so blissed out and far away and so so so calm about it all. obviously i didn't die, cancer free for four years, but that memory of extreme calm really stuck with me. hope this is okay and what you meant! you're very lovely, i hope you have a wonderful day ❤️

god this is so terrifying to read - i can not even begin to imagine what that was like for you and your mam and everyone who loves you, though of course for you the most. my heart is just aching for you. maybe it's part of the shock to like go into an eerie state of calmness, though i'm glad there was an element of peace to it for you as well. like drifting off. maybe it has something to do with your mam being there and being surrounded by love, being taken care of. i think it's natural to feel really confused and sort of lost in that situation, like a little kid all over again. anyway, seeing that you've been cancer free for so long is wonderful, that's fucking incredible news!! ❤️❤️ im so so happy for you love, and i'm wishing you nothing but good health and a long life in the future. it's so so deserved after all of that fear and pain, and just in general. also, thank you for sharing and for the kind words. i appreciate it a ton. have a wonderful day too ❤️❤️

#anon #tw cancer #tw death

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monako-jinn-stories · 2 years

Text

Echo X Fem!Reader FanFic

A Returning Echo ~ After the Citadel

Main Master List

Story Master List

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty Two

Chapter Thirty One

Numbness. Emptiness. Sadness. Grief. Pain. Anger. Regret. And a million more emotions and feelings. You can’t help having them, it’s only natural. Everyone else in the galaxy is allowed to feel them, to let them affect you. Everyone except the Jedi, which you are a part of. It isn’t that you can’t feel them, but that you can’t let them get a hold of you, you can’t let them control your actions. Something that, surprisingly, you’ve found easier than you thought you would.

It isn’t that you’re able to ignore how you feel, it’s that you can’t process it. You won’t let yourself accept that you’re feeling them, because you know it will break you. You know it will be unbearable, and not even the comfort of those closest to you could help dull the pain you’d feel. You can’t accept that he’s really gone, because if you do, that would mean he’s not your returning echo.

Now, it’s been two standard weeks since the Citadel mission, two standard weeks since Echo hadn’t returned. Two standard weeks of forcing yourself out of bed and to do your duties. The Council has kept you here on Coruscant, wanting you to get some sort of grasp on your emotions before letting you back out into battle, and it’s driving you insane. Being here, seeing everything that reminded you of him, hurts. You want out and you want away.

As you make your way to your kitchen, your holotransceiver starts going off, and so you answer it as you begin to prepare your breakfast.

“Goodmorning, Master Jinn,” Mace says as you answer, “the Council would like you to come speak with us in a little while. Would you be able to do so?”

“Well I don’t really have anything else to do,” you reply, and he nods.

“I wasn’t sure if you possibly had some royal matters to attend to. Can we expect you by 1000 hours?” You glance at a nearby chronometer, checking the current time before responding.

“Yeah,” you say, “I should be ready by then. Can I ask you what this meeting will be about?”

“Something for you to do,” he replies, a certain smile coming to his lips. “Don’t worry, I think you’ll enjoy it.”

“Will it get me off of this planet?”

“Yes, it will.”

“Good. I’ll see you in a little bit then,” you say, and you turn to refocus on your cooking, but hear Mace clear his throat. You look at him, raising an eyebrow as his expression changes.

“Y/n,” he starts, his tone more sincere now, “how are you doing?”

“I’m fi-”

“Don’t lie to me, y/n. I was good friends with your father, you share many of the same tells as him.” You look at him for a moment, thinking over whether or not you want to open up to him. You sigh, turning to plate your food before sitting.

“There’s just…a lot that isn’t happening anymore. We…we had plans. Hopes. There’s things he didn’t know.”

“Have you told others?”

“Yeah, but…it isn’t the same. They’re not the ones who deserve to know. This…I should have told him before he left.”

“Why didn’t you?” Mace asks, and you let out a small huff.

“I knew going to the Citadel was dangerous. In my mind, I convinced myself that if I kept it from him, if I told him he had to come back to know, that he’d survive. He’d be safe.” Hearing yourself admit this, you know it sounds stupid. You know it was stupid of you to hope, to keep it from him. But you’d been desperate, and now you’re paying the price.

“I can’t blame you for hoping, but I want you to do something for me,” he says, and you nod, meeting his gaze. “Forgive yourself. You did what you needed to help quell some of the worry. You gave him something to look forward to, something to help him through any struggles he may have faced. You gave him another thing to be excited for when he returned. You couldn’t have truly known he wouldn’t make it. Forgive yourself, y/n.” When he finishes, silent tears are streaming down your cheeks. Your heart hurts again, and you feel like you’re about to shatter. But you nod, and you listen to him. You forgive yourself, because you couldn’t have known, not truly. You couldn’t have done anything to change what happened, but you can forgive yourself. Echo wouldn’t want you to carry the blame, and so you won’t.

“There’s something I need to tell the Council as well,” you whisper, a hand disappearing to graze over your stomach. You’re thirty standard weeks pregnant, a little more than halfway, and there’s no way you’ll be able to hide it forever. Plo and Codo already know, so you might as well tell the rest of the Council.

“Alright, I’ll let you get ready then. I’ll see you at 1000 hours.”

“Okay,” you say, and the holocall ends. You let your back hit your chair, feeling part of the weight hanging over you lifting off. Once you tell the Council, you hope much of the rest will be lifted as well.

After settling your mind for a few minutes, you get up and prepare for the day. You try and think of how you’re going to tell them, and try to prepare for their reactions. You know a few of the Masters won’t react well, and some of them will be indifferent. You can’t think of anyone who might have a good reaction, and so you ready yourself to stand strong.

The sound of your door opening catches your attention, and you smile as you see Fives walk in. He’s carrying two little boxes, like he has been doing for the past week, and your smile grows even more.

“Goodmorning,” he says, setting the boxes on your table, “is now a bad time?”

“Yeah, I have to go speak with the Council. Mace said they have a job for me, I’m hoping it’s a mission or battle.”

“Should you really be going into battle right now?” he asks, worry covering his features. “I don’t want to lose even more.”

“I’ll be fine,” you assure him. “The boys of the 17th would never let anything happen to me, and especially not now.”

“Sans is insane if he thinks he’s going to be the favorite uncle,” Fives mutters, and you give a small giggle.

“You’re right. My little baby is going to love Hex the most.”

“Haha,” Fives says dryly before flashing you a grin. “I think it’s going to be someone in the 501st.”

“Rex? Kix? Oh! Hardcase!”

“I don’t know who ever told you that you were funny, but they were lying,” he says.

“Oh shush, you know I’m joking,” you say, nudging his side and earning a chuckle from him.

“Do you want me to wait here with the donuts?”

“Yes, I’ll need the comfort after this meeting.”

“Wait, I thought you said they were giving you a job? Why would you need comfort?”

“I’m going to tell them,” you say, and his eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “I’m not going to spend my energy trying to hide this. I’ve got enough things to worry about as it is. Keeping a secret like this doesn’t need to be another.”

“What if they don’t react well?” he asks, and you just shrug.

“They won’t, we already know that. But it’s just something we have to accept.”

“Well, I’ll be here. Just…” he starts, but trails off. You give him a small smile, nodding, understanding what he means without the proper words to say it.

“Don’t eat without me,” you say, and he grins again.

“No promises,” he calls as you head out your door. You just shake your head before heading down to the hall, entering the elevator, and letting yourself be taken up to the Council chambers.

As you step in, the talking quiets, and all eyes are on you. They’re not subtle with how they observe you, as if they’re studying every little movement you make. It’s uncomfortable, more so than normal, and you pull at the side of your Jedi robe, partially covering yourself.

“Master Jinn, thank you for coming,” Mace says, and you nod to him. “We believe that it is time to allow you back on the battlefield. As one of our strongest and most reliable generals, your skills are important to utilize as the war progresses.”

“Some of us do still have concerns regarding your grief,” Obi Wan states. “We ask that you do all you can to refrain from allowing your emotions to overwhelm you.”

“I will, Master Kenobi,” you say, resisting the urge to roll your eyes. Sure, he’d been able to control his emotions when he lost his master, your father, but you aren’t the same as him. You and Obi Wan are far from similar, and you feel as though sometimes he forgets this in how he treats you, and with what he expects from you.

“You and your battalion may prepare to leave tomorrow morning at 0600 hours. Captain Hex will have more details when you see him.”

“Thank you, Master Windu,” you say.

“You mentioned that you wanted to tell the Council something?” he questions, and you nod, taking a breath. You do your best to calm your sudden nerves, pushing down your fears and just letting the words come out.

“I’m pregnant,” you state simply, and you watch as the Jedi react. Kenobi brings his hand to rest on his chin, Luminara sits up straighter in her seat and fights back a glare, Mace gives you a surprised look, and the others have more varying reactions. Silence follows your confession, and it’s Mace who breaks it.

“How long have you been aware of this?”

“Two standard weeks,” you admit, and instantly realization flashes in his eyes. He nods, sympathy in his gaze. This is what you hadn’t told Echo, and he understands what you had meant.

“This certainly complicates things,” Obi Wan says. “Are you fit to fight?”

“I feel fine,” you say. “Maybe a tiny bit more tired, but nothing I can’t handle.”

“How long are we expecting to allow her to fight like this?” Luminara cuts in. “I don’t think we should allow her at all. The risk is too great.”

“Y/n is a very capable Jedi, and her battalion will protect her if they fear any danger might befall her. You have told them, correct?” Plo asks, and you nod. “She will be fine and in good care. I believe that we should allow her to continue fighting for as long as she wants.”

“I agree with Master Unduli. Having her out there is too much of a risk,” Obi Wan says.

“Do we want to go through another long period of the 17th being held here?” Mace argues. “We know how they got the last time, and they won’t follow another general in battle. Letting her continue fighting for as long as she wishes is the best option.” As they continue to argue, you stand in the middle of the room, not focusing on them, but on your baby. They bring you calm when you reach out, assuring you that there will be peace someday, and that you have a future waiting for you. They drown out the troubles of the galaxy as their force signature grows, and you feel as though this baby will be what keeps you from falling into the grasp of your grief.

“Y/n,” a voice says, pulling you from your mind. A gentle hand is resting on your shoulder when you refocus on your surroundings. The Council is looking at you, and Codo is standing at your side. He smiles at you, and you smile back before looking at Yoda.

“Reached an agreement, we have,�� he says. “Allow you to fight, we will. But further along you get, more dangerous things will be, hmm? Monitor you, we will. Taken out of battle when you must be, you will be. Do you accept this?”

“Yes,” you say. “I’ll allow myself to be removed from the battle when it is agreed to be necessary.”

“Then go on your mission tomorrow, you will.”

“Thank you, Master Yoda,” you reply with a bow, looking at the others briefly before leaving the room. Once you’re gone, Obi Wan starts to further argue.

“Are we really letting an expecting mother out onto the battlefield?” he asks, bewilderment lacing his tone.

“If she wishes to fight, then we will not hold her back,” Plo responds.

“Y/n is a smart woman, she knows herself better than we do. If she believes she can handle it, then we should let her try,” Mace adds.

“This decision feels unwise. Too much stress can be harmful to both mother and child. A battlefield is a brewing ground for stress,” Luminara states.

“Change her mind, we cannot. Made a decision, I have. Accept it, you must.” Obi Wan and Luminara exchange a glance with each other before nodding to Yoda. With the matter settled, the Council moved on to a different discussion.

“How’d it go?” Fives asks when you walk back in, watching as you immediately head to the table where the donuts are. He gets up from the couch and follows you, sitting across from you as you let out a sigh.

“Fine,” you say, taking a bite.

“Fine? Just fine?”

“Well, it wasn’t really bad,” you say. “It wasn’t great though.”

“Are you still allowed to lead your battalion?”

“Yeah, but they want to keep an eye on me, make sure I don’t start being a risk.”

“Good, ‘cause I don’t know what I’ll do if I lose you or your baby as well,” he says, relaxing a bit further in his seat. “You’re all I have left of him. Well, I mean, I have my other brothers, but…”

“It’s not the same?” you say, and he nods.

“Plus, your baby will be half him. I’m hoping they end up with a bit of his personality. Maybe they’ll like to repeat orders or read manuals.”

“Maybe,” you say, “but however they turn out, they’ll be perfect.”

“That I can agree with,” he says with a grin. “Can we do the thing?”

“What thing?” you ask, a smirk coming to your lips.

“You know what thing,” he says, standing and pulling you to sit on the couch. He sits next to you and places his hands on the sides of your small bump. You let out an amused huff before reaching out and resting your fingers on the sides of his temples. A small grin spreads over his lips before you close your eyes and allow the connection to your baby to flow to him. As always, a small gasp leaves him as he begins to feel their force signature.

“They’re so much stronger than the other day,” he mumbles. “I can feel them growing.”

“I know, it’s amazing,” you reply. “Just imagine what it’ll be like when you and Shaak decide to have babies.”

“I can’t wait for my own,” he says. “But I think we’ll do our best to wait until after the war.”

“Hey, this wasn’t exactly planned,” you defend.

“I know, and I’m sure you were careful,” he says, and you just roll your eyes, knowing that he knew you weren’t. “But either way, I’m glad you’re having this baby. I’m glad you’ll still have a little bit of Echo with you.”

“Me too,” you say, and you let your hands fall away from his temples. He sits back, eyes studying you closely.

“Please, be very careful when you go out into battle. I don’t want anything to happen to either you or the baby, but especially not you. I…I think I’d be lost without you.”

“And I’d be lost without you, Fives,” you say, gently reaching out to hold his cheek briefly. He leans into it before his comm starts to beep, and he sighs before answering it.

“Hey Fives, I hope you’re not busy, but we are getting ready to head out soon and I haven’t seen you. Is everything alright?”

“Yes, General Skywalker. I just came to visit y/n before we left.”

“Ah, well, I’d suggest you say your goodbyes and come meet us at the hangar.”

“Be there in a few,” Fives replies before the comm goes silent.

“Now it’s my turn to tell you to be safe,” you laugh, and Fives chuckles along with you.

“Don’t worry, I will be,” he says. “As long as Skywalker isn’t near me, that is.”

“If you even get so much as a scratch because of him, he’s dead,” you say sternly, causing Fives to laugh again.

“I’ll be sure to let him know,” he says, standing and heading to your door. You walk with him, smiling when he turns around.

“Goodbye, vod’ika-in-law,” he says before kneeling and grinning at your stomach. “Goodbye, Echo’ad.” You walk out into the hall with him and watch as he heads to the elevator. Once inside, he turns and waves goodbye to you before the doors close. You let out a sigh, silently praying to the Maker to keep him safe and return him to his loved ones safely.

“I’m proud of you, my ad’ika,” Codo says, and you turn to see him approaching. “Telling the Council was a very brave thing to do.”

“I just knew it would be easier than trying to hide it,” you say with a shrug. “I didn’t want to tell them, but it was better than them finding out and being even more upset with me.”

“They’re not upset,” he assures you, “they’re just worried, and rightfully so. As one of our leading generals, you are surrounded by lots of danger. We cannot promise your safety, and that means we cannot promise your baby’s safety.”

“Nor can you promise the safety of the men in the 17th, or any of the troopers in tha GAR. They should be just as valuable to the Council as my baby and I are.”

“And they are-”

“Then why don’t they act like it?” you say, throwing your hands out in front of you. “Why aren’t they keeping watch on all the injured clones, the ones who need to be kept out of battle? Why don’t they make sure that they’re safe and alright? It’s just not fair that we get treated so much better.”

“I know, y/n,” Codo says, “and if we could have it our way, the clones would be treated as equals. Unfortunately, not everyone thinks this way, and therefore it’s hard to have the necessary resources and abilities to do so.”

“Well hopefully Ahni, Bail, and Padme can do something about that in the Senate,” you mumble. “I’m tired of being treated like I’m something more than them, because I’m not. We’re all living beings, that’s where it should end when determining how we’re treated.”

“The galaxy would be a much better place if others shared this sentiment, and I’d like to believe we wouldn’t be at war.”

“I just hope that when the war is over, the galaxy will be a better place for my baby to grow,” you sigh.

“As long as you’re their loving mother, they’ll be just fine,” he says, resting a hand on your shoulder. You shift then, moving to wrap your arms around him. It’s been a while since you’ve hugged him, and the warm feeling spreads through you as he returns the gesture, holding you close.

“And they’ll be even better off if their bu’ad is there to help,” you mumble into him. His hold tightens, and he chuckles softly.

“I’ll be there as much as I can for them.” You stand there for a few more minutes, enjoying your time together, before he mumbles something about needing to go somewhere. You smile as you pull back, and just like Fives before him, you watch as he heads down the hall and gets into the elevator. When the doors close, you begin to wonder how you should spend the rest of your day.

As you wonder how you’ll spend your day, you walk around the temple, hoping to get some ideas while you do. You pass by training rooms, sparring rooms, meditating rooms, and others that you don’t pay much mind to. You mindlessly wave to anyone you walk by, but don’t interact further than that.

Soon enough, you end up in the library, and you begin to browse around the books. You’ve read quite a bit of them, but it always seems like there’s one more you haven’t touched. You give Jocasta a pleasant smile as you walk by, and head to a section you know always has the best books.

As you approach, you hear what sounds like someone struggling. When you walk around the corner, you recognize the little youngling who is trying to reach for a high up book.

“Is there a reason you’re not using the force, little one?” you ask, and the Rodian girl turns her head and looks at you with slight shock.

“Master Jinn! I can’t use the force, we’re being trained not to rely on it for everything. I was trying to grab it myself.”

“Did you ask anyone for help?”

“No, we’re supposed to be doing things ourselves,” she explains.

“Well, in times when you need it, you’re allowed to ask for help,” you say. “Asking for help is something no one should be ashamed of or scared to do.”

“Can you help me then?” she asks, and you smile and nod.

“Which book would you like?”

“That one, with the gold letters on it.” You quickly find the one she’s referring to and pull it down. You hand it to her, and she grins widely at you.

“Thank you, Master Jinn,” she says before she gives you a questioning look. “Will you ever be teaching or training us again?”

“I’m not sure,” you admit, “I don’t exactly have plans to, but maybe in the future.”

“We all really enjoyed it, you’re one of the more fun Masters. Some of the other ones don’t want us to have as much fun.”

“Well, they’re just big bores then, aren’t they?” you laugh, and she giggles as well.

“Yes. Very big bores.”

“Just make sure you don’t let them catch you saying that, you don’t want to get in trouble.”

“Don’t worry, Master Jinn! My lips are sealed!” You giggle with her again before she says her goodbyes and runs off. You smile as you grab a book for yourself, heading over to a table to read.

As you try to read, you find yourself unable to focus. Your mind doesn’t latch onto the words, and you find yourself rereading paragraphs as you just stare at the sentences. You hate not being able to find something to do, and so when you give up and return the book to its spot, you let out a quiet groan of annoyance.

“Troubles, y/n?” a familiar playful voice asks, and you feel yourself get spun around by the man. He chuckles as he catches you, and you look up at the Nautolan with a raised brow.

“Yes, I can’t find anything to do while I wait to head out tomorrow.”

“Perhaps you could help me, then,” he suggests and you raise your brow again. “I want to work on some of my combat forms, and I need a partner to do so. Plo is busy, so I came to find someone who might not mind helping.”

“So you choose to beat up the pregnant lady?” you jokingly ask, and he shakes his head as he laughs.

“That’s hardly the reason I chose you, I just wanted to help you with your boredom, and in turn, you can help me with my training.”

“Hmm, I suppose I’ll accept your offer,” you say, smirking at him as his grin widens.

“Perfect! Follow me, my lady,” he says, bowing before holding out his hand to guide you along. You roll your eyes, smiling at his playfulness. No matter what, Kit always found a way to make anyone smile and laugh. Whenever you see him with Plo, you can’t help but imagine your father at their side as well. You’ve heard a few stories about how they’d all been close, and you wish you could have seen them all together.

“Thinking again, young Jinn?” he asks, and you break out of your thoughts.

“Maybe,” you reply. “I just wish I could have known my father more. I know you, him, and Plo were all close, and I just wish I could have seen you together.”

“Well, I may have a security recording from when we were younger of us sneaking into the temple’s restricted rooms, and then being chased out by Jocasta,” he chuckles. “I can let you watch it sometime.”

“Oh you already know I would love that,” you laugh. Soon, you reach the training room Kit wants to use, and you set your Jedi robe on the ground before pulling your lightsaber from its clip.

“So, what exactly are you wanting me to do? Just attack you however I feel, or is there a specific way?”

“I want you to do whatever’s natural. You have a unique style that I don’t have much experience against. I’m curious to know how well I can defend myself against you, and if I can get the upper hand.”

“Alright,” you say, igniting your lightsaber and stepping back into a stance, “game on, then.” Kit smiles at you, stepping into his own stance and igniting his saber. You study him for a second, analyzing his stance. Your grip is backwards on your hilt, with your thumb resting near the end and the blade held out in front of you.

You slip your hand around as you lunge forward, shifting so that your grip is normal, and you swing along Kit’s front. He quickly blocks, attempting to swing back around, but you swiftly counter and hit your blade against his. The room fills with the sound of electric clashing as you repeatedly swing at him, and he starts to back into the corner. You see him trying to figure out your technique, and when he gives you a grin, you know he’s caught on.

“Better watch out,” he says before he dodges your swing and lunges forward. You have to quickly jump away to avoid his saber, and you barely get yours up to stop him from swinging down on you.

“Not too bad,” you say, and he tilts his head in question before his eyes widen and he stumbles back. You spin around and jump into the air, flying over him before landing behind. He doesn’t get a chance to turn around before you’re sweeping his legs out from under him and throwing him to the ground. When he rolls over, your lightsaber is pointed at his throat.

“Really, I thought you’d be better than that,” you say, and he chuckles from his spot on the ground before he pushes his legs up into the air and kicks your lightsaber from your hand. He then jumps up and force throws you backwards. Your back hits the wall and you fall to your knees, the air having been knocked from you.

“Are you okay?” he asks, concern lacing his voice. “I didn’t mean to throw you that hard.” You don’t respond with words, instead you let a slow laugh slip from your lips as you stand up. The look you give him is all the confirmation he needs to know you’re okay, and he’s raising his lightsaber up to block as you call yours back to your hand and swing at him.

The two of you move in circles around the room, each of you trying to get around the other to a vulnerable position. Your lightsabers continue to clash, and sometimes they whir as you spin around and swing them with you. The time begins to slip away, and you feel yourselves getting lost in the fight.

After a while, as you’re starting to grow tired, you spot a weakness in Kit’s fighting. You keep yourself from smirking, not wanting to give yourself away. Instead, you begin to work against it. You start swinging your saber more at the area that he tends to leave undefended, and you nearly strike him as he rushes to block. You swing again, this time aiming towards his opposite side. He blocks again, but just barely.

You finally let your smirk grow as you begin to quickly aim for unguarded areas. Kit struggles to keep up, and you once again start to push him backwards. You take a moment to aim at his legs, causing him to fall back onto one knee. As he’s in this position, you take the opportunity to rain strikes down on him. He falls back at the amount of strength you’re using, catching himself on one hand. When you knock his lightsaber from his grip, he raises his arms to shield himself. You swing down once more, but stop mere inches from his head.

Both of your chests are rising and falling rapidly as you catch your breaths. When Kit finally looks at you after lowering his arm, he sees the slight grin on your face. His own grin slowly grows, and he starts to laugh as you slip your lightsaber back into its clip and offer him a hand up.

“Well, you certainly don’t fight much like your father,” he says. “I think you might have even been able to best him if you were given the chance.”

“Then I’d be able to beat both my fathers in combat,” you laugh. “Codo doesn’t stand a chance against me, either.”

“I’m surprised, considering he trained you.”

“Actually, he let me figure out what fit best for me. Yes, I did train with him, but I also never really kept to one style. He sometimes had a hard time keeping up with changes I would make.”

“I had a hard time myself,” Kit chuckles. “Thank you for helping me today, y/n. Although you may have bested me, you gave me experience I needed to know what I could possibly need to defend myself against. Not that I think anyone fights quite like you,” he says, giving you a wink.

“And no one charms quite like you,” you respond. He merely chuckles again as he grabs your hand, bringing it to his lips and planting a kiss on it.

“Unfortunately, I must be going, my dear. But please, take care of yourself. I will always be a friend for you if you need one.”

“Thank you, Kit,” you say, smiling as he walks out of the room with you before heading in his own direction. You check the time then, and notice it’s getting late. You decide to head over to the barracks, wanting to eat dinner with the boys.

When you arrive, the troopers of the 17th immediately swarm you with joy and cheers. They drag you off to the mess hall and fight over who gets to sit next to you. As always, though, Sans, Hex, Steele, Aid, and Tie are around you.

“How’s our lovely baby mama doing?” Sans asks, and you shrug your shoulders.

“The same as always,” you reply. “I’m still…well, you know.”

“Yes, we do,” Hex says. “And unfortunately, the pain doesn’t really ever go away. You learn to live with it, though, and accept it.”

“Wow, way to help her,” Steele says, nudging his brother in the side.

“What? It’s true. We all know it, especially when we lost Bomber. None of us have gotten over that grief, but we’ve learned to live with it.”

“He’s right,” Tie says, and you turn to look at him. “Especially me. I was the closest to him, and no matter what, I’ll always feel lost without him. But I’ve learned to live with that pain, and push past it to be who I need to be for my other brothers.”

“I wish we could tell you it goes away, that you won’t feel it all the time, but we can’t lie to you, y/n,” Aid adds. “We can only be here to help you when you need us.”

“I’ll always need you,” you assure them. “And I’ll always love you. You boys are everything to me, you and the rest of the 17th. And I know you’re going to be the best uncles to my little baby as well.”

“Better not let Fives catch you saying that,” Steele laughs, “he’ll start trying to fight us all for the title of number one uncle. He wouldn’t win it, though, cause we all know I’m going to be the favorite.”

“Oh, please,” Hex says with a snort. “You may be second favorite, but not first favorite.”

“What, you think you’ll be the favorite?”

“Uh, yeah? I’m obviously going to be the best with them.”

“No you’re not,” Aid counters. “You don’t even know anything about babies.”

“Neither do any of you,” Hex says defensively. “Besides, it’s not like the favorite would be Tie.”

“Hey! What’s so wrong with me being the favorite?” he asks.

“Nothing, but it just isn’t likely,” Sans speaks up.

“You weren’t even in the conversation!”

“Yeah, but I’m right. Anyways, you all are making fools of yourselves. We all know it’s obviously going to be me.”

“That’s bantha shit!” Aid yells.

“You?” Hex huffs, rolling his eyes.

“As if,” Steele agrees.

“Well, none of you are any better,” Sans counters. “At least I’m the best looking.”

“Oh, you think you’re the best looking?” Steele snorts.

“At least I don’t have the same haircut as Cody,” Sans shoots back, and both Hex and Steele glare at him.

“At least we don’t have whatever that is on your head.”

“This is called style. It’s a shame you can’t recognize it.”

“Oh, we know style alright. That’s why we have these haircuts, because they’re in style,” Hex states.

“Yeah, it’s called the ‘Cody cut’,” Aid says with a snicker. Hex turns and gives him a threatening look, but it breaks when a spoonful of food is flung on him. You look at Sans who is snickering, and feel Hex’s anger growing beside you.

“Oh, so that’s how it’s gonna be?” he asks, his voice low and threatening.

“Yeah, what are you going to do about it, Hexy boy?” Sans taunts, and you duck as Hex grabs a spoonful of his food and throws it at Sans. You sigh, shaking your head as you slip out of your seat. The room erupts into chaos, and you watch from the side as a food fight breaks out. You look around, face palming as you see everyone else join in. You really can’t control these men, not that you’d ever want to. But sometimes, you think, maybe they need a bit of restraint from their shenanigans.

When the food fight ends, you walk back to the bunks with everyone. Those who need to shower do, and the others cram into a room with you. You laugh as you watch them, fighting over who gets to be near you. Sans quickly has you in his arms, though, refusing to give you up.

As you fall asleep, your mind wanders back to the promises you and Echo had made to each other. The promises to always love one another, to always be there, to always come back to the other. Your heart hurts at the last thought, knowing that he had unwillingly broken his promise. And he couldn’t even come back to you after he died, you didn’t have any part of him to say goodbye to, nothing to bury or burn. All you have are memories of him, and the baby that’s growing. You can only hope this baby will somehow, despite not knowing him, turn out to be just as amazing as their father.

If you enjoyed this, comments, reblogs, and messages are greatly appreciated!

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basiliskinmybed · 1 year

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hi, you don’t need to post a response to this. just read it at least please. sorry this is long, i’m not going to send you hate or a bunch of angry messages like you might be getting, i just want to share my opinion with you. i thought it was interesting that you mentioned KBS (the fanfic, not sure if the author wants it in this conversation or not so i’m abbreviating the name). the cultish behavior that harry disapproved of in the story also included spreading negativity about the work of authors who really didn’t ask for it in a community that also did not really ask for it. i think that is where people were upset with you, because it opened a conversation of mocking what other people like under the guise of criticism/personal preferences. sort of similar to the people sharing hate in that story’s discord server under the guise of trolling or that it’s okay because they are just opinions. i know this wasn’t your intention, and i’m very sure you just meant your original post as a little bit of fun to talk about something that has been sitting on your mind for some time. these are just your opinions and you can have them, but i think it was just the way that you went about it which irritated people. although not your intention, it did come across a bit mean-spirited and inconsiderate, and it did seem like you shaded something that is very well-liked in this little fandom. this will draw criticism towards yourself and your opinion just from the very nature of the conversation as it is quite negative to discuss things you dislike, and tagging the main ship tags opens that dialogue to many who likely don’t want to see that. many people here seem to have come from fandoms where drama was non-stop over silly things like this, just topics that spiral out of control until people’s feelings get hurt and nasty things get said that aren’t necessary. it’s actually really stupid and very juvenile but unfortunately that’s what it is, and i think that’s why people didn’t want you to start a conversation like that so publicly.. it invites people to spread negativity about things that others find enjoyable and people argue about it. especially leading up to tom’s birthday which is supposed to be a fun time in the fandom, full of amazing creative content from everyone.. a conversation like this circling might make people insecure over what they planned to post. so sorry again about this being so long, you might completely disagree with me and that’s okay. i just wanted to explain to you without it needing to be public necessarily or make you feel like you’re being ganged up on. i really hope you don’t let this situation heavily affect your view on the fandom or the ship itself, i know it’s selfish of me to wish but you might find some that do agree with your opinions, meaning that it’s not like everyone hates you (and unfortunately, there is no community that is forever positive without arguments). i hope you have a nice rest of your week and that this situation doesn’t give you further anxieties or troubles <3 take care!

Hi. So, about KBS, if i recall it correctly, that discord service in the story was talking shit behind the auhors' back and harry, they were talking about how pathetic he's, i remember how that made him frustrated and sad. i didn't do that, there was nothing against anyone. not everyone may like my attitude in the original post, but i didn't intend to do harm or wasn't even serious while making it. however, they attacked me, called me slurs, sended many anon hates. that's why i thought my situation was similar to the story, because i'm overwhelmed by the pressure like him. someone even said, '"...and the author has more talent in their little finger than you will ever have in your sad little life, going by all the insecurity, bitterness, and discourtesy that you're spewing here." don't you think they took it too far for no reason? for nothing? and now they're gonna say i'm playing the victim like it's all my fault and deserve all of it. lovely. i'm human too, if they only thought it as much as they think "what would author feel?" just because i said their work is not for me. thank you for being kind though, i appreciate that and see your points. and lastly, i don't think there's a single thing in this world that would make me hate tomarrymort, let alone for something petty like this. :)

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cienie-isengardu · 2 years

Text

My RepCom Musing: Ny-Skirata-Vau and Ordo's one fear a.k.a. Mird

"Ordo was desperate to ask Ny a more personal question, but Besany had forbidden him to raise the topic of her opinion of Kal'buir. Trying to marry them off was premature, Besany warned, and there was a chance it would scare Ny away.

Ordo couldn't see why everyone was skirting around the issue. A'den had decided the two of them were a good match, the rest of the brothers agreed, and Kal'buir needed a wife. If he didn't get a move on, Vau might move in. Ordo had never known Vau to show the slightest interest in another living being, but he'd watched enough holovids to know that romance sprang from the most unlikely shared moments, and Mird was in danger of becoming one of those." [Imperial Commando: 501st]

➦ To this day, I’m not sure why, in opinion of Nulls, Kal needed a wife when he himself A) never(?) said much about wanting to be married a second time and B) clearly was still not over his divorce with Ilippi. Like yeah, he may not talk much about her to Nulls, but Skirata did not go out of his way to flirt with women in general (and I think he only once joked/said to Twi’lek waitress who was asking when is his son [Ordo] something like I'm not good enough for you? in Triple Zero). I understand that Ordo and his brothers may be bad in that area of expertise that is an interpersonal relationship between woman and man but they could learn to take a hint.

➦ Of course, this is most likely about what Skirata put into Nulls heads about the “happy end” for a man (Mandalorian/soldier), as in, having wife and kids (sons) to pass on Mandalorian tradition. Which is honestly quite problematic because this is what Skirata wanted for himself but should not mean every of his sons must to want that too. Generally, it irks me how Mandalorian culture is supposed to be gender neutral by nature yet narrative seems to push into “man and woman and kids” endgoal for almost everyone without really taking into account a possibility that some clones may not want any romantic and/or sexual relationship with women or anyone really, the same like not every available in book woman must be into clones / men or relationship at all.

➦ The second thing that irks me is Nulls idea about Kal’s marriage, not like their father deserve the happy end or should find a woman who would love him (and vice versa). He needs a wife for what, exactly? Is this sort of repeat of Triple Zero’s “[Fi] spent a while wondering what the man might really want, and apart from a wife to look after him, Fi had problems imagining what that might be.”? As in, wife to take care of a man? Not as his equal, a partner but caretaker? LOL. I’m really worried by what actually Skirata’s idea of wife and marriage was that gave his clone sons so twisted image?

➦ Also, to this day I’m not sure, should I read this “Kal needed a wife” as a Nulls wanting Skirata to have the “happy end” he tried so hard to make possible for them, because they care so much or yes, they care so much but also hope once he get a wife, he will finally focus more on himself than on their private lives? I’m biased here of course, but Ordo liked to say/think how they weren’t boys anymore but Kal has this bad habit of going into “buir mode” when “father always knows the best” even if in truth he hurts people trusting him.

➦ Once again, the books make me feel Vau may be aromantic and/or asexual (or at least with minimal libido and/or wish to maintain interpersonal relationships). This is interesting for how much his and Skirata’s boys (of course, just these we could see through the books) seem to take after them in that regard? Ordo and Darman got (human) wives, Mereel is implied to be a ladies man - or at least presenting himself like that, Fi so badly wanted to have a girlfriend (and got a (human) wife too at the end of story) and the author’s notes about IC2 states Jusik would marry Arla Fett (again, a human woman). In contrast, Deltas did not show much of interest in women, men or Aliens and generally like keep just to themselves since they are one of few last squads who had the same members from the start while Atin married a Twi’lek woman and because of that stands out from other Skirata’s sons as the only one in relationship with Alien.

➦ Ordo getting his knowledge about romance and relationship from holovids is both funny and kinda sad? Like, if this is how he spent a time with Besany, watching together holovids? Heartwarming. But if he based his knowledge on dramatic fiction instead of, I don’t know, reality (and he was always so pragmatic and down to earth type of guy?) really worries me. Of course, he didn’t have that much life experience but he was in a relationship for 2-3 years already so he wasn’t so inexperienced either. And let’s not forget there was wisdom of Kal Skirata too, so holovids seems like a weird choice to base his opinion and worries on?

➦ Still, I will admit, Ordo worrying that Nulls secret plan is gonna be ruined by Mird is hilarious as hell. I mean, this is like second time when Mird is the villain of his life: first, the legit feeling as a child for what happened to him, but now, as an adult, he is worrying the strill will steal Ny’s heart and in result, Vau’s own, before Kal will have a fair chance? LOL talk about tough competition XD

➦ For someone so oh special and tough and smart, Kal’s favorite and so on, Ordo really has some serious insecurities.

➦ Thankfully for Ordo and his brothers, Ny already failed and can be crossed out for list of people in which Vau could be romantically invested. She didn’t manage to bring Mird a promised bantha bone and this affront will not be overlooked:

The shuttle skimmed over familiar woods and fields and then followed the course of the Kelita River into Keldabe. Vau parked the shuttle near the animal market.

"Seeing as your girlfriend failed to secure a proper bone for Mird, I'm going to see the butcher," Vau said. "Never break a promise to a strill."

"She's not my girlfriend," Skirata said. "And Mird got the cookies."

➦I guess Nulls finally can breathe a sigh of relief XD

#star wars #my repcom musing #walon vau #kal skirata #ordo #Ny #republic commando #whatever her name was i don't remember and don't care enough to check lol sorry #kal skirata critically #not really calling him out (yet) on those issues but yeah my ranting may be taken as such #i don't understand the supposed romance in repcom books #and it irks me what the hell skirata put into his sons heads about this needed a wife lol #meanwhile vau and deltas are minding their own lives #while atin end with alien woman as the only one person #so technically he got what skirata thinks is the happy end #aka a wife #but of course atin got one that doesn't fit the pattern seen with skirata's other sons #lol #good one atin the vau stays strong in you #i'm really irked by the whole every woman wanst a clone for a husband narrative #even more since legacy books have gay mandalorians #also a hilarious idea but what if ruu and jilka ended with each other instead of clone lovers out of nowhere?#sorry but this Ordo's POV always makes me so angry how idea of wife is presented #and with that womanhood

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feykaplan · 1 year

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[ asena keskinci, cis woman, she/her ] - was that feyza kaplan i saw by the lighthouse today? i heard that the twenty-six year old who has been in nightrest for her entire life and works as an owner of medusa has a reputation of being zealous, but also abrasive. they reside in low point & people in town usually associate them with always scrolling on her phone, the sound of stiletto heels on marble, having no filter & blood red lipstick. let’s hope the killer doesn’t go after them next.

trigger warnings: -

BASICS

full name: feyza kaplan

nickname: fey, bitch

date of birth: december 14, 1996 (bc ofc she’s a sag)

gender: cis woman

pronouns: she/her

occupation: she calls herself a model but she is just as unemployed as azra tbh

birthplace: nightrest, massachusetts

sexuality: bisexual

height: 5′4″

BACKGROUND

the baby of the family, she’s the most spoiled

she’s dilara’s youngest sister and they’re honestly pretty close despite the fact that they live completely different lifestyles

dilara’s a stay-at-home mother with two kids and fey literally cannot comprehend being a mother right now

she doesn’t even know if she wants kids like that’s so far out of her mind

she grew up in such a wealthy family, that she never really had to work for anything. whatever she wanted, she got tbh

it’s so funny how her parents honestly think of her as some sort of sweetheart slash angel slash gift from above because she’s SO sweet around them

but that’s not the case with everyone else LMFAO the lady can be so out of pocket for no reason omfg

however, she does value her family and her found family. she keeps her circle tight because she doesn’t trust people easily

there’s not really a reason for it tbh, she just wasn’t built that way

good at a lot of things because she took so many lessons as a kid from ballet to violin to swimming to fencing to horseback riding but none of them really stuck as she grew older

will forever have respect for her older sisters even if they don’t share her mindset because she believes that sisters are and always will be forever like that bond can never be broken

they could go weeks without speaking to each other but she knows she’ll always have them and that she can always depend on them

there is not a humble bone in this woman’s body like she’s rich and hot and you WILL know it

also gets really scared of commitment and runs when things get serious!! rip

PERSONALITY TRAITS

+ zealous, courageous, authentic

- abrasive, self-serving, judgmental

FUN FACTS

she doesn’t really have a filter. she’ll say whatever she thinks of in the moment without regard for your feelings

a natural redhead so fuck outta here asking her what hair dye she uses because she’s gonna yank your hair and tell you you deserve it

all this lady has is the audacity because she can say the most out of pocket stuff and still be like 😇

can and will throw hands because she loves to fight especially if it’s to defend a friend

definitely became a cheerleader in high school solely because she knows she’d look cute in the uniform

she’s like the fun aunt tbh and is surprisingly good with kids

is also surprisingly clever, did really well in school and remembers a lot of things but she keeps that to herself tbh just files it away in a cabinet in her brain

has a torch red (red chevrolet corvette) that’s her BABY. scratch her car in any way and she’ll scratch you right back across your face

loves to travel tbh she’s been here her whole life but she’s always going somewhere

everyday is fashion week in here like you will never see this lady in sweats like im sorry that’s just not happening

is always up for a good time tbh especially in the bedroom 🤪

can’t cook to save her life

here to be messy xoxo

WANTED CONNECTIONS

ride or die azra my bby

childhood friends who stayed friends

childhood friends who drifted apart

high school sweetheart / first time

ex-friends

unexpected friends

good influence

drinking buddies

enemies

friends with benefits

ex-flings

flings

family friends

older brother figure

#nightrest:intro

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shiveringscarletsun · 1 year

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The owl houses ended.. I have many thoughts

i finally got the courage to watch the last episode and my heart is racing and i cried for a bit and it’s an understatement to say it’s absolutely Perfect. The staff and dana did wonderfully trying to give us the best they can with the cuts that were made and everything they did shows how much they adore the show and love the fans and respect the viewers. I am forever grateful they made a show this magnificent. So here i’ll just talk endlessly about it because i realllyyy want to talk.

The collector

I love how they dealt with the collector. from the first time they introduced them i was genuinely shocked and amused that they had a kid be this powerful sort of “villain” because theres nothing harder to defeat than a kid who cannot be reasoned with.. the only way to deal with a kid is with kindness and mentoring.. showing them what’s right basically. However, since the collector is so powerful and had ruled basically everything it could’ve been possible to forget that they’re a kid and punish them or something.. but they didn’t and i respect it so much. Especially that their whole thing was that he was misunderstood.. Luz was also misunderstood.. they didn’t damn him just because he did bad things but went with him and showed him how good people can be. i love that. luz immediately understood them.. because she felt what they felt.

belos

i genuinely have never seen a villain this vile in my life. goosebumps all the time and insane audacity. them ending him without even luz actually killing him was genius.. the way he remained how he was till the very end, a manipulative scumbag. He was a Good written villain. a villain who had a vision, who knew his vision was opposed by all and made no sense to those around him so he sought power to enforce what “he thought was right”. exploited weaknesses and had no regard for anyone who wasn’t “useful”. the bit where luz told the titan what if we are like that too.. and how titan explained things.. it was on point and was perfect to mention it right then and there.

luz

luz was a wonderful protagonist. things weren’t magically just working out for her just because.. but it was all because of her very hard work and kind open heart. her magic was through her own work, when her friends saved her thats because she worked to make great friends who were there for her.. even the powers she gets at the end were due to the titan seeing who she was and trusting her.. knowing how dedicated and sincere she is. luz is like a tree that gives and stands through it all and i appreciate her. she started out a kid and got hurt after everything she saw, and they showed that, but she got back up because she is strong enough.. good people attract good people eventually and i loved seeing her grow.

everyone

i would love to mention everyone individually but i got tired. regardless.. the ending just shows that a good loving community will breed the most loving ,productive, and confident individuals. i love how everyone naturally grew into themselves, how trauma didnt define them and life treated them good. How those who were just naive and mean grew into their communities while those who actually hated everyone and were truly ignorant got left out because not everyone is actually worth redemption (like amity’s mom). hunter, amity, gus, willow and all the rest flourished when they were given the space to exist freely. A happy ever after isnt a single place in time.. but a life that one enjoys living everyday. i would talk forever if i could.

final thoughts

thank you for every single person that told this story and helped create it, and every person that shared the love from everywhere and dana. your passion flows and the love flows and you can get through anything.. A wonderful story, mesmerizing art, gorgeous designs and world building, heartwarming ending that is so well deserved. peace.

I wished to see more and more, but I’ll continue to cherish everything we already had.

#toh spoilers #the owl house #watching and dreaming #season 3 toh #toh collector #toh s3 #the owl house luz #the owl house season 3 #the owl house finale

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mistresstaru · 2 years

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Virulent Waters, Chapter 1

I’m jumping into MerMay with Merman!Silco, guys. And, my blog is no longer banned, hooray! Anyway, first chapter of this.

Title: Virulent Waters

Rating: Mature for now, will go up, first chapter SFW

Pairing: Silco/Reader, Merman!Silco and reader is a biologist. First-person POV reader

Summary: Reader meets a handsome man at a party, who also happens to be a merman and he’s fighting for his home with all his might. Will you help him? Merman AU

Virulent Waters

:::

I always hated these kinds of things. Boring galas with boring rich people talking about their boring lives and ‘problems’. No one ever talks about truly important things, like aiding the poor, healing the sick, the polluted river. No one is interested in my work, either. I know what people say about me behind my back, that I’m some sort of freak whose only friends are animals. Well, the only reason that’s mildly true is that humans lie to you, betray you, and do bad things to each other and their environment. But I do have friends, dammit. I know how to have a good time, it’s just… my work is more important.

I’ve had just about enough of this place and finished my third glass of champagne, when I turned around and saw him. Him. He was so very handsome, slicked back hair with a touch of silver in the dark brown, a lovely prominent nose and a small but carved jawline, adorable pouty lips adorned with a few scars and, oh, what a beautiful eye color, was it green? Blue? I couldn’t tell from here. An eyepatch covered the other eye. What a shame, that he didn’t have a pair. He was well-dressed, like everyone else here, but something about him didn’t quite… fit. There was an air about him, a mystique that I couldn’t place, almost like he didn’t belong in this world. Beyond that, though, he was standing alone by the door, looking around observantly but disgustedly like he didn’t want to be here either, smoking a very expensive cigar and checking his pocket watch from time to time.

And then his eye catches mine. Shit, I’d been staring too long, but… he doesn’t seem to mind. He looked me up and down, just like I did with him, and seemed to come to a similar conclusion. Before I knew it, I was walking toward him, needing to know him. Hopefully, I didn’t look too obvious. “Haven’t seen you before.” Great, obvious pick-up line. “Are you tired of making small talk with everybody, too?”

“I haven’t even started.” He says, smoke dancing around his lips before blowing it out of his mouth. “I don’t think I’d be very welcome.”

“Why not? Are you new in town?”

“Hardly.” His smirks. “They wouldn’t share my views on things.”

“I can understand that.” I tell him.

“You think differently than your fellow aristocrats?” He huffs, not believing me.

“I’m not an aristocrat.” I say, surprised he would think so. Does this multi-used cheap dress look aristocratic to him? “I was invited by my boss.”

“What is it you and your boss do?”

“We’re scientists.” I reply. “I’m more focused on zoology, animals.”

“Interesting.” He purrs, and I finally have his attention. “What kind of animals? Land, sea?”

“All.” I smile. “Prehistoric ones, too.”

“And you study them?” He asks, raising an eyebrow. “Experiment on them?”

“We don’t experiment on them.” I shake my head. “We study them in their natural environments and in the lab, but we don’t hurt them. If they’re injured or sick, we heal them. And if we happen to find deceased animals in the wild, then we perform autopsies and such. But we don’t kill for research.” I pause. “However, what I’d really like for us to do is take a stand against animal and environment abuse, instead of just studying it.”

“You would?” I seem to have interested him more. Usually by now, people tap out of my conversation. “Why?”

“Because… animals deserve to live on this planet more than we do.” I say truthfully. “You see, humans just take and give nothing back to the world that gives them life. Animals and plants know how much to take and how much to give. They are born with the instinct. You’d think humans would know this with all the brains we have, but we don’t, we have no self-control. Even with little things; for example, I ate too much dessert from the buffet and had three glasses of champagne. I didn’t need to do that, but I did, and I will regret it later.”

“Heh, indulgent.” He takes another drag. “But at least you acknowledge it.”

“There are so few who do. I want to make a change.”

“Hmm… something tells me you just might.” He smiles at me, triangular gapped teeth showing a little behind his lips. Wow. “You say animals deserve more than humans…” He turns away, eyes darkening. “But what about creatures that are half-human?”

“Half-human? Oh, do you mean…?”

“Yes.” He leans down. “The mer-people.” Ah, yes, the war. The war between Piltover and the mer-people that lived below the river, the very toxic, dirty river. The people didn’t think it worth talking about. They think it is frivolous, a stupid little task to deal with. After all, they are ‘just fish’ and there’s nothing they can do against the humans; they’re in the water and we’re on the land. It’s been a stalemate for years, now.

“They have every right to be angry. Their river is polluted.” I say quietly. “And I think they deserve a clean home, even if I don’t know much about them.”

“…” For some reason, he’s stunned by what I just said. “You’re one in a million, my dear.” I hope I’m not blushing at that.

“I’ve never even seen a mer-person. Have you?”

“Yes.” He smokes again. “I believe I saw one by the fourth bridge at dusk. Of course, my eye might have been playing tricks on me.”

“Lucky you. I heard they haven’t surfaced in a while.” I say. “To tell you the truth, I’ve always wanted to meet one.”

“So you can study them?”

“Well, that would be part of it…” I reply, and he huffs again, blue – no, it’s aquamarine – eye sparkling with apparent mischief. “Gods, I’ve been rambling about myself this whole time. Please, tell me about you. What do you do for a living?”

“Me?” He throws the cigar on the ground, stomping it out. “Well, let’s just say… I’m a rebel.”

“What?”

BOOM

There was a sudden explosion somewhere in the building, shaking its foundation and the two of us along with it. He grabs me as we fall to the ground, cushioning me. There’s another explosion, and I see fire and smoke this time. “Fuck!” I scream, forgetting about any manners as I grip him, scared.

“Come, let’s get out of here!” He pulls me up, taking my arm and we run. Luckily, we’re right by the door so we’re one of the first ones outside, running a block away before hearing yet another explosion. It was the roof of the great hall, and it was about to cave in.

“What the hell is going on?” I yell.

“Are you alright?” The man isn’t worried about that. He’s holding my arms, checking me for injuries.

“Y-Yes, are you?” I ask him, eyes going back and forth between him and the hall.

“I’m fine, but I have to go.” He says, propping me up against a wall before letting go, about to leave.

“Where are you going?” I ask, thinking he was going to run back inside, but he’s facing the opposite direction.

“My job.” He smirks. “I hope to see you again.” He starts to run.

“Wait!” I reach out to him and he stops, turning to look at me. I have so much to ask, but I can only think of one thing: “What’s your name?”

“… Silco.” He says, and I tell him mine before he nods and runs away into the street, into the crowd.

“Silco.” I say to myself, nearly forgetting about the collapsing building behind me. Another explosion and I swear again, covering my ears. Being this far away is still not enough to avoid the smoke that billows out from the site. I shield my face and run back to my apartment, hoping that whatever caused that explosion wouldn’t follow me to my district.

:::

I couldn’t sleep last night. Too busy thinking about what happened, that handsome man… and also being sick from the desserts, champagne and all the stress. But I couldn’t stay home, let alone try to sleep in. I have animals at work that I need to take care of, that I need to nurse back to health so hopefully we can send them back home one day. I get to work and I greet them all: two dunpors from Stonewall, krugs from Valoran, a beautiful erbok from Targon, three baby raptors that lost their mother, and of course, a few lovable poros. My favorite animal is an iridescent Ixtali red cobra, who was abused by so-called snake charmers. They removed his venom glands, so he can no longer live in the wild. I’ve taken the liberty of naming him Sweetie.

It was almost time for my lunch break when a bunch of enforcers and the sheriff burst into the lab, while my boss shows them to a room, putting something down on the table. My boss, the genius inventor Heimerdinger the yordle, is scurrying back and forth worriedly. “What’s going on?” I have to go and ask him.

“Oh, good, it’s you. Just the biologist I need.” He says. “The enforcers were investigating the destruction of the Councilor’s Hall, and have come across something very peculiar. Apparently, it was an attack. A series of bombs!”

“I see but… what do bombs have to do with a biology lab?” I ask.

“Because the bombs’ outer casings were made of seashells.” The sheriff, Marcus, comes up to us. “We have reason to believe more components are biological.”

“Shells?” I say incredulously.

“Yes. It looks like the mer-folk have done this.” Marcus says.

“But how?!” Heimerdinger asks. “There’s no possible way. How could they have gotten so far north, by walking with their hands?”

“I don’t know.” Says the sheriff. “But who else would use shells as a bomb?” I look over at the table. The bomb, now just a bunch of pieces, lay there, and looking closely I could see the shell pieces. I pick one up, observing the swirls and the stripes that define it as a nautilus shell, a Pilt nautilus to be exact. Yes, this had to have been made by the mer-people that live there, the message was clear. But again, how? Maybe they have humanoids working for them? “Tell me, miss…” Marcus breaks my concentration. “You were there last night, right? Did you see anything out of the ordinary? Anybody acting strangely?”

“…” I only have to think for a millisecond. That man… he was checking his watch, standing by the door, and asks me about mer-people, and then runs away from the scene of the crime after calling himself a rebel.

“Well?” He presses, leaning in closer.

“N-No.” I say, lying right to the sheriff’s face. Why am I lying? Why am I protecting him? I barely know him; I only know his name… but I won’t say it. “I was kind of wasted last night.” I say jokingly, acting a fool so he wouldn’t be suspicious.

“Hmph… fine. If you remember anything, come to the station.” Marcus nods to the two of us before leaving with his enforcers.

“Holy sprockets…” Heimerdinger puts his big head in his tiny hand. “This is all a big fiasco. If it truly was the mer-people, well… I’d hate to take drastic measures.”

“Yeah… me too.” I say, once again thinking about the man, trying to remember everything he said to me last night. He didn’t really give me much except his name, although he could have been lying. I’m remembering a specific thing he said about mer-people:

“I believe I saw one by the fourth bridge at dusk. Of course, my eye might have been playing tricks on me.”

Does that mean, if I go to the fourth bridge at dusk, I’ll see a mer-person, or maybe him? There’s only one way to find out, which means it might be another sleepless night for me.

:::

Well, here I am. I came all the way to the fourth bridge, the Sun’s going down, and I’m cold from the wind, and there’s a whole bunch of nothing. Not a lot of people commute around here. Once in a while, there might be a jogger, or lovers, or drunks… or muggers, or murderers… shit, I shouldn’t have come here. I look down at my feet, black sand under my shoes, and then out to the River Pilt, a horrifically unclean body of water that no one is allowed to swim, fish or boat in. It really is a shame. I take some of the blame for myself; I focus on other lands’ animals instead of thinking of my own first. But the rest of the blame is on stupid, money-grabbing politicians who care more about the Hexgates being up-and-running than the obsolete way of transportation. Feeling tired, cold and pissed at many things, I scoff and turn to go home.

“You’re a smart woman.” I hear a lovely, familiar voice behind me. “You decrypted my clues.” I slowly turn around, seeing the head of the man I met last night rise out of the water, but he looked different. The eyepatch was gone and I suppose the makeup he was wearing because I see a terribly scarred upper half of his face as well as a blackened eye with a reddish-orange… iris, I guess? And was that webbing on his ears and… gills on his neck?

“No way.” I say out loud. Sure, I figured out his strange way of telling me to meet him here, but I didn’t once think that he’d be a merman. He comes out of the water more, lithe torso emerging, more webbing on his arms and between sharp fingers. His tail emerges from the side of him and oh… it’s beautiful. Long, black on the dorsal half and red on the ventral half, and a gorgeous run of shining, bioluminescent dots in between. The fin is black and red too, and fringed, sticking up out of the water as if to say hello. He knows I’m gawking and he snickers at me, that gap-tooth grin making me remember why I’m here. “It was you.” I whisper, just in case someone else was around. “You did it. You blew up the hall!”

“That I did.” He says proudly. “With a few of my associates.”

“You killed people!”

“I did what I had to for our cause.”

“You almost killed me!”

“But I didn’t, I ended up saving you instead.”

“And why, so you can blackmail me into working for you or something?” I’m pacing on the beach.

“Whether or not you decide to help us is up to you.”

“And what if I don’t?” I ask, stopping. “Then will you kill me?”

“No.” He shakes his head. “I said before, you’re one in a million. You’re a good person.”

“Please…” I shrug angrily. “I’m just a normal person. A normal person who’s now caught in the middle of this war.”

“Even though I only just met you…” He swims closer, his beautiful tail pushing him from behind. “I can tell that you’re not normal.”

“Stop.” I say. “Do you know what happened today? The freaking sheriff came to my lab, giving us your shell-bomb to investigate. And, he was questioning me, asking me if I saw anything suspicious.”

“And? What did you tell him?”

“Absolutely nothing!” I’m full-blown yelling now, not caring if anybody hears. “I couldn’t tell him about you!”

“Why?”

“I. Don’t. Know.” I lean forward. “Maybe you tricked me with whatever magic it is you use to turn your tail into legs!”

“Ha, I did no such thing.”

“Then how did you do it? How were you there at the hall, standing on two legs, and then running with two legs?”

“That… I won’t share with you just yet.” He smirks. “But I know why you didn’t tell on me.”

“Tell me, then.” I cross my arms in front of my chest. “I’m all ears.”

“Because you’re not normal.” He answers. “An average person would have just told of what they saw, instinctively obeying the law and forgetting about the whole thing. However, you are cleverer than that. You needed to see the entire picture for yourself, and be a part of it, because, well… you said it yourself: you want to make a change.”

“…” I’m speechless. This merman can figure all that out about me? Things I didn’t even know myself? “But what kind of change do you want to make?”

“I want my home to be clean, and my people to be healthy. That’s all.” He grimaces. “My people are dying. The toxins mutate our bodies and minds. This…” He gestures to his blackened eye and scar. “Is a result of a simple scratch turned into a hideous scar. But I have it easy. My lieutenant’s left arm had to be removed and a mechanical one takes its place. My daughter’s mind is plagued with hallucinations and voices.”

“Your daughter?” I repeat.

“In the past, we have tried for a peaceful solution.” He says. “Many years ago, my… my brother in arms and our leader tried talking with the Council. His name was Vander.”

“That name is familiar…” I say.

“Piltover promised us that they would help, but years go by and they do nothing, except corrupt Vander. The man always held the world on his shoulders and his heart on his sleeve, feeling responsible for too many people. Piltover made excuses and he bought them. They said it was ‘too expensive’ to clean the river. We tried to fight, but we lost, two of our adopted children killed and one of them, my daughter’s biological sister, was captured, but she is most likely dead, as well.”

“Whoa, hold on…” That was a lot to process, but the main thing that stood out to me was “‘Our?’”

“…” He pursed his lips, realizing his slip-up.

“Vander was your… husband?”

“He was.” He sighs. “But he became pathetic, weak… our loss completely broke him. The Council had been telling us for years to just move to a different location, uplift our entire civilization and leave.”

“That wouldn’t change anything.” I say. “The water would still be polluted, and the sea life would still be ill and too toxic to eat.”

“Once again, you prove your abnormality.” He smirks. “I told Vander exactly that, but with the loss of his favorite daughter he was broken. He wanted all of us to pack our things and leave, but I argued with him and… it got heated. He tried to kill me, so…”

“You killed him instead.” I put my hands to my mouth in shock.

“He is the reason for this ugly scar. All I have left is my daughter, whose real parents died of a disease caused by the toxins in our river. She has lost so much, and now her mind…” He bites his tongue, turning away from me. “We have been planning for years, studying human ways, human engineering. We are either going to win or die trying. And unfortunately for you, you are now caught in the middle of it.”

“…” I’m speechless again. When I asked him to tell me about himself, I didn’t think he’d go this far. This man has been through so much, his children dying, his daughter being captured and missing or dead, his other daughter being mentally ill, his husband trying to kill him, scarring him, and his home being polluted by those that live above him… I feel a tear run down my cheek, feeling so empathetic for him and his people. I can see the desperation in his eyes, and the fire of determination. He is willing to do anything to save his home. I squat down, being more eye-level with him. “You know, when people tell stories of war, they only say who won and who lost, but they don’t say just how much they have lost.” A pause. He swims closer still. “I… want to help you, but I’m not a soldier. I don’t know how to fight, or anything about espionage…”

“Actually…” He raises his good eyebrow. “You’re a pretty good spy, and detective. After all, you were able to find me, and you lied to the sheriff. You can keep lying, ask questions, or just listen to anything any of your aristocrat friends say and report it to me. We already have a plan for taking action to clean our own home, but there is one thing that I haven’t been able to find any information about.”

“What?”

“My missing daughter.” Silco sighs. “Her name is Violet, Vi for short. I believed since you are a biologist and work in the academy lab, you might have come across her.”

“I haven’t. I’ve never seen a mer-person until you.” I shake my head. “They must have her locked away somewhere.”

“Hopefully.” He looks down at the water, at his reflection. “So, will you help us?”

“I will.” I reach out to him. “I’ll try my hardest.”

“Thank you.” He takes my hand with his webbed one, shaking it, water dripping from our connection. “Ah, we forgot to discuss how I am to repay you.”

“Repay? What do you mean? I’m repaying you.”

“For helping you out the front door we were standing beside? Please. I’m sure you would have gotten out if I wasn’t there.” He smirks. “I believe you mentioned something about studying a mer-person, given the chance?”

“I… did… I did say that…” I remember. “You’re not offended?”

“No. I can understand the curiosity.” His eyes graze over my body. “I’m curious about you, as well.” My face flushes and I stand awkwardly, fixing my clothes even though they didn’t need fixing.

“O-Okay, um… so where and when should we do this? Here?”

“No, not here. Too out in the open.” He replies. “There is a building that use to be a cannery not far from here. Under it, on its seaside, there is a small shore and a cave. We will meet there once a week. Is this night good for you?”

“Yes, yes it is.”

“Then it’s settled.” He smiles. “I look forward to doing business with you.”

“Business…” Right, that’s all it is. This isn’t a date with a fish-man. I need to pull myself together. Suddenly, I hear voices approaching. Drunken voices, but still, it could be dangerous. “Go, go!” I gesture for him to leave.

“Right, I’ll see you next week.” He nods before submerging into the virulent waters, his lovely bioluminescence disappearing underneath. The drunkards come down off the boardwalk and start singing badly, asking for me to join in. I politely decline, offering one last glance at the water before turning for home. Thanks to a handsome merman, I’m now part of this war, and I’m terrified yet excited at the same time.

#silco #silco my beloved #arcane fanfic #arcane fanfiction #silco fanfiction #silco/reader #virulent waters #merman #merman silco

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