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aquaburst3 · 1 year

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Yesterday I posted some polls about which Disney Princesses people ship the overblot guys with. The results are in, so I want to go over them quickly.

The Winners

Riddle: Alice Leona: Belle Azul: Ariel Jamil: Jasmine Vil: Tiana Idia: Meg Malleus: Aurora

My Thoughts on the Results

Some won by a huge landslide like Riddle/Alice, Jamil/Jasmine, and Idia/Meg. I'm not too surprised about these results, since they're the heroines of their respective movies. Though, I'm a little taken aback by how much Jasmine won Jamil's race since I thought some of the other results would be more popular like Esmeralda, Moana and Cinderella.

But there were some surprises and close races. Snow White came close to edging out Tiana near the end, but Tiana was still came out victorious. Belle came close to winning Malleus' race for awhile. Leona's pairing results were the most dicey. At first, Mulan was the winner, but then Belle overtook Mulan several hours before the polls closed.

Most of the results make sense and I can see why others chose them. Tiana and Vil both value hard work and are quite determined. Leona and Belle have the Beauty & the Beast thing going on. Same goes for Malleus/Belle (the second place winner for him). The only one I'm baffled by is Leona/Mulan coming in second place in his race. (People who picked that option, why did you choose it? I'm genuinely confused about that one.)

As for my own thoughts on these choices? Like I said, I can see the logic in all of them minus Leona/Mulan in second place, but don't fully agree with a couple of them. Vil/Tiana is cute, but I ship her with Azul more. However, Tiana is my second choice for Vil. Leona/Belle isn't my first choice, but I can sorta see it with them being smart outcasts and her calling out his BS. However, I ship another with him more. I don't see Vil/Snow White (the second place winner for him) at all. Snow White is pretty much a female version of Neige, so she'd get under his skin extremely fast for the same reasons Neige does. The only way I can see this maybe working is in an enemies to lovers situation where Vil at first compares her to Neige, but then learns to see her as her own person and comes to like her more, even then I'm not sure. But, eh. I think even these could be interesting in the right story. If you like those options, to each is their own. The others on this list I have no complaints about.

My Own Choices

(As a side note, all of this applies to twisted OC versions of these characters too, so their partners can be of any gender. But I'll be mainly referring said partner with female pronouns to make things less confusing.)

Riddle=Alice (aged up)/Luz from The Owl House Reason: Riddle needs someone who's free spirited, smart, creative and is able to call him out before he flies off the deep end. I can see Alice providing that. I can also see him grounding her. This same reason also extends to Luz from The Owl House if she was isekaied to that world instead, since his storyline is similar to Amity's.

Leona=Eilonwy (aged up) Reason: Leona needs someone who is fiesty, confident and bold, but at the same time is able to stand up against him and call out his BS. Kinda like Kris from @thosebrookfieldgirls's Thorns and Ink series. I can see an older version of her providing that. On the flipside, I can see him stabilizing and grounding her more headstrong nature.

Azul=Tiana Reason: He and Tiana have a lot in common. They are both ambitious, hardworking and goal-driven people, who want to open their own restaurants and face adversity for reasons beyond their control. Tiana faced adversity thanks to her race while Azul was often bullied for being a fat octopus merman. I can see them connecting thanks to that. Tiana would calm down his "Gaslight Gatekeep Girlboss" tendances while being able to understand where he's coming from. Azul needs a partner who would help him accept and love himself, even the fat version of himself in the past, which I can see her providing too. I think Tiana needs someone who can keep up with her and push her to reach her goals, which he definitely would. Once Azul works on his dubious business practices, I can see them being a cute couple and even possibly opening up a restaurant together.

Jamil=Jasmine or Moana Reason: This first one is sorta like Aladdin/Jasmine except without him lying to her constantly. Both he and Jasmine feel trapped in their current circumstances and want to escape. I can see him finding her drive to want to help her people and be a just ruler admirable. They are both clever, smart and athletic with a love of dancing and singing. Jamil needs a more extroverted and down to earth partner, who's able to bring him out of his shell and help him relax. I can see her providing that. Jasmine is a sassy, clever and outgoing girl, who is still capable and down to earth so that he wouldn't feel like a babysitter around her like he does with Kalim. Plus, she would also help to bring out his fun and mischievous side. Jamil in return would be able to ground her and help her to long term plan better. Him being a poor servant would also help her to expand her worldview and understand what life is like for others outside of her palace. She would get along with Kalim and his family really well. Imagine Najma telling her embarrassing stories about her brother. Moana shares a lot of those same traits, too. Plus, him having a foreign partner would be rather fitting considering one of his biggest wishes in life is to travel around the world.

Vil=Belle Reason: They both deal wrongly perceived notions about their character, becoming outcasts and having hardly any friends. Vil is perceived as a heartless villain by the general public when in reality that's not the case while Belle is seen as the town oddball. They similarly are rather bookish, being rather close with their single fathers and have mothers who died. (I hc that Vil's mom passed away when he was very young hence why he always talks about his father, but never about her.) Belle would see Vil for Vil, instead of as just a celebrity and influencer. He would do the same vise versa. She also wouldn't put up with his harsh and overly critical judgement calls, even when he has a point, helping him to learn to say his points in a less cruel manner. He would help her to become more bold and reach her full potential. Once Vil works on his flaws, I can see them getting along and falling in love much like Adam/Belle.

Idia=Meg Reason: She's sassy, wicked smart and confident, which are all qualities that I think would make up his ideal partner. This especially goes for a twisted version of her or in a modern AU where they can possibly be as big of a nerd as he is. Meg would be able to balance him out, bring him out of his shell and make him go out and have fun. He would be able to ground her and help her through her own issues like with her exes. She would be a fun big sister figure towards Ortho. What can I say? Nerd and popular person romances are fucking adorable.

Malleus=Aurora Reason: Malleus is super lonely. He has no family outside of Lilia, his retainers and his grandmother. Everyone is afraid of him thanks to his powers and aura. Hell, even my friend @stormkitty97 made a comment about his dorm room seeming rather barebones compared to others like Vil, ADeuce, and Cater during one of our vc writing sessions, which is a great show don't tell way of showing that issue. He desperately wants a friend and even a partner who isn't intimidated by him, seeing him for him. He also needs a partner who is kind, understanding and open minded. That's why he values his relationship with Yuu so much in the game, since they fit that description. Honestly, I can see Aurora fitting that description if they befriended each other and then fell in love.

Conclusions

This was a pretty fun social experiment. This gives insight into what others think these guys' ideal partners would be like. Thought exercises like this help me as a writer in order to determine what types of people could get into a healthy romantic relationship both for TWST and my original works. I hope that there'll be more content shipping these guys with Disney heroes and heroines in the future, because that sorta content needs more love in this fandom. I might do another one of these polls for the other characters sometime.

If you want to see content for Malleus/Aurora, Azul/Tiana, Jamil/Jasmine, Idia/Meg, and some of the other pairings I've mentioned here, stay tune for the stories in the These Twisted Tales series by me and @stormkitty97 over on AO3. Stories featuring all of the pairings that I mentioned that I like here minus the Riddle one will show up in it eventually. These are standalone love stories where each of the overblot gang falls in love with a Disney Princess and goes through each of their respective fairytales. The only ones out right now are Malleus/Aurora and Vil/Belle. They're all rated teen on AO3, so they're all safe for work.

As for Jamil/Jasmine, my own Yuu, Adriana, resembles Jasmine a lot personality wise (along with Tiana and Cinderella). Adriana and Jamil share a similar dynamic as Jamil/Jasmine. So if you love Jasmine/Jamil and want to see more content with them in a way, check out my own fic series and are 18+, Take Me to Twisted Wonderland series on AO3. It's a canon rewrite where Night Raven is a university, so everyone is aged up a few years and all of the NRC and RSA students are 18+ adults. I promise this ISN'T a word by word retelling and will have a ton of twists and turns along the way, including a different final boss, totally different Ignihyde/Diasomnia arcs and no Mickey or weirdass dreams.

Like I said earlier, because these stories are set in a university, the writing will reflect that and be more mature/adult, especially compared to the official English version. These stories will include things like drinking, smoking, sex, and other such activities that happen in universities throughout this series, especially in the later entries, to make things more realistic. If you are under 18, don't read them.

Write in the replies or comment about what Disney characters you can see these boys dating and why? If you voted, who did you pick and why did you make that choice? I'm genuinely curious.

#jamil viper #leona kingscholar #vil schoenheit #riddle rosehearts #azul ashengrotto #idia shroud #malleus draconia #twisted wonderland #disney princesses #aqua rambles

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eirasummersart · 3 months

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So I said I would offer you some of my ocs for possible ships and here I am... (haven't found sexualities on the bios so bare with me if I mess up)

For Dillon I wanted to offer Erena or Eve mainly cause Erena could go on fun adventures with him and would know well with is boundaries and Eve... is very smart and still wants to learn lots about humans...

For Dalia... either Kome or Mellow Mellow is also more art focused and gets kinda nervous around cute girls, he would be interested... while Kome has lots of stories to tell and has a love for literature which could be a nice combo.

For Domas... Carol could guide him in a better direction while giving him a good fill of praise, she is also stressed a lot so extra help be fine. Gilly might find him more entertaining than annoying... might also be pointing him in a better direction to help others

Akshaya... most of my "Strong people" might be old but... Zariyah might be a good pick... she wants to be a hero and keep people safe... and she is very patient with people so...

Lastly for Szilárd is really hard but... Dragiselle could be maybe an option.... Flynn maybe too... thoughts behind this is moreso that they are moreso been through hardships and know to deal with similar problems... and Flynn can match some drama... but this ideas are more loose

Hope you liked my little talk maybe something comes out of this.^^

Hello!! Thanks for this ask~ ❤

It's fun to find good interactions between OCs, so let's hope we can get something out of these 👀 And sorry it took me a while to get to it, I've been busy and tired lately, and I wanted to take a proper look to these and make sure I got it all right! It's long, so continues under the cut~

Also, about the sexualities, I don't have that in their info posts, my bad. I have talked about them in the past but I understand that would be hard to find just looking at the basic infos for them! A fast list would be: Dillon: some sort of demi-bi (it's hard for me to grasp his XD), Dalia, Domas, Oriol: bi, Yuuki: Ace, Szi: Gay (can be lesbian if I genderbend, I don't mind doing that, but always has to be the same gender as Szi), and Akshaya not sure 🤔 I'd go with demi-bi too.

Anyway, now for the actual answers!

Dillon: I think both could have good dynamics with him, for sure. But with Eve it might be more of a friendship 🤔 But Erena would definitely get along a lot with him. They have a bunch of similarities (actually, Luffy was one of my inspirations behind Dillon hahah just little things). Also, he's GREAT at swimming, so he could help her out if she ever had problems with that~ Idk, just the picture of them going to adventures together seems quite cute and fun 😌💕

Dalia: For her, I think the two you said could work. With Kome they'd have lots of fun playing chess or other board games (Dalia really likes games that you play with logic and strategy). They could also debate or Kome could tell her about her stories. Also, just in aesthetic, I think their colour palettes would look nice together 💕 And with Mellow, if he's all nervous and shy with girls, he'd have lots of fun teasing him. And she'd find him adorable hahah But they could also bond over art and, aside from her teasing, she'd be really nice and gentle with him, so maybe he'd feel more at ease/less insecure around her afte a while?

Domas: For Domas, I am leaning more towards Carol, to be fair. Gilly is cute and they seem like a fun combo for Domas haha But Carol being much more down to earth seems like a better fit for him, so it doesn't end in full chaos xD Also, Carol's motherly vibe can go along well with his want to help people too, so they'd get along. But she'll need… A LOT of patience xDD Also, the pixelated food part made me laugh, since he's a great cook. Maybe he can help her cook more… nice looking food? xD OH, and the part where she gets flustered and shy easily, Domas is all sweet and gentlemanly, so he might make her blush a lot, which would be cute 🤭 (Also, apparently Domas has a thing for people with glasses, it seems /hj)

Akshaya: Aww, Zariyah seems super cute and nice, I like her. If she goes on about wanting to be strong to help other and/or to be a hero, Akshaya would definitely like her and want to be her friend. If she's all friendly open, she'd make Akshaya blush for sure too, but she'd like it. I guess it turning to ship would depend on how the situation goes from that point 🤔 it could also end in platonic, but I can see some ship potential!

Szilárd: First about this, don't worry, Szi is a complicated guy and it's hard for me to think of relations and frienships for him sometimes too hahah So I get it. Now, for the options you gave me, I'd say I don't see Flynn as much with him 🤔 I'm not sure how I'd approach the relationshi, Szi is just so mean, he'd just scorn him I think hahahaha I'm sorry, Flynn, it's not you, it's Szi being an asshole XDDD But with Dragiselle I can see it more! Well, in this case I'd go with fem!Szi from what I told you earlier. But she's all strong and cool. Maybe they could clash a bit at first (again, Szi's fault for being like he is XD), but I can see Szi seeing the good parts she has, her strong magic, her dedication and all, and wanting to be closer. Also, both have had isolated childhoods (for different reasons), so they can also find a common ground with that~ And since they're both "arts inclined" they might be able to bond over that as well. Idk, she's pretty too(?) that's a plus hahah

Ok, I think that's all I can comment on rn, until I hear your side of this C: Let me know what you think from this too, if any you like more in particular! :D

And of course it was fun to think all of this and try and figure out relationships <3 Thanks for the initial hard work at looking at possible maches too~

I hope you didn't mind my long answer either hahah

#Yuki Answers #fumikomiyasaki #twst OC #Oc x OC #other people's OCs #Dillon #Dalia #Domas #Szilárd #Akshaya

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slayerlevampire · 3 months

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ask game time and I'm gonna be weird--

Neil Watts with 5, 15, and/or 25

Eva Rosaline with 1, 13, and/or 20

And just 'cause, Dr Robotnik with 21, 23, and/or 26 >:3

Weeeee let's gooooo

Neil Watts

5. What's the first song that comes to mind when you think about them?

- Cancer by MCR, and probably because of our crackship lmfao

15. What's your favorite ship for this character? (Doesn't matter if it's canon or not.)

-SPEAKING OF THE CRACKSHIP, Wattley, of course, (Wheatley from Portal x Neil Watts for those who don't know) if not just for the fun times. Though Rosawatts is a close second because they're sooo cuuuute

25. What was your first impression of this character? What about now?

-He's a loser, and he's still a loser but now he's my special loser. And tragic.

Eva Rosaline

1. Why do you like or dislike this character?

- I love Eva because she's a great foil to Neil for one, but that's more why I like both of them, and she's just so cool and collected. A good head on her shoulders, and her fascination for jellyfish is adorable.

13. What's an emoji, an emoticon and/or any symbol that reminds you of this character or that you think they would use a lot?

- 🥕🍅 carrots because of the replacement cussing, tomatoes because I think if she'd got into memes any she'd do the whole "booo, tomato tomato tomato 🍅 🍅 🍅 " thing often lol

20. What character is the ideal best friend for this character, the amount of screentime they share doesn't matter?

- It's probably boring of me to say Neil, but it's true! They're just, ya know, real great for each other, whether just as friends or maybe more. And maybe I'm biased, and maybe it doesn't help that there's not many titular characters I can see her hanging out with lol

Dr. Robotnik

21. If you're a fic writer and have written for this character, what's your favorite thing to do when writing for this character? What's something you don't like?

- Ugh, I just love writing for Robotnik in general. (The live action Sonic movies version of him, specifically, that's the version I always deal with for those who don't know.) I do more roleplaying than fic writing, so I'll use that more for my basis, but I adore writing moments he gets to be genuine. Which is NOT often at ALL, lemme tell ya. Whether that's for genuine hatred or sadness or happiness or anything, I love it. I guess more specifically I like describing the way he's looking at someone for whatever reason, eyes squinting or upper lip twitching, things like that. I'm a sucker for imagery. As for what I don't like, well, not really anything lol. I adore anything about writing him.

23. Favorite picture of this character?

- Don't know how to answer this one! I don't really have any pictures of him saved since I have a new phone. I love pretty much any fanart with him in it though!

26. FREEBIE QUESTION!!

- I would have assumed Freebie Question meant you gave me one you came up with yourself, but since you didn't I guess I just get to say what I want lol. So I'm gonna go with my favorite AU! My favorite AU I've ever written him for is a vampire AU where he's a vampire and Agent Stone is his drudge. I have made so many OC's for that AU alone that I have remastered and repurposed since then, too. Second favorite is probably the one where he's a siren but at this point I'm just a sucker for any sort of Monster/Cryptid Robotnik lol. And as for other AU's I've read, there's this really cool (abandoned I believe) fic on Wattpad (shocker) where he's this powerful dark elf. And as for here on Tumblr, I can't pick a favorite tbh I adore them all that I've seen thus far djddjeidjisd.

#character ask game #ask game #neil watts #neil watts and eva rosalene #eva rosalene #dr. robotnik #robotnik #jimbotnik

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galacticwildfire · 6 months

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Fire Meet Gasoline | Poe Dameron

Five

Poe Dameron x Solo Original Character

Hope Solo’s haunted by the night the temple burned. Having gone rogue she hunts the First Order in search of answers until a fateful encounter with Poe Dameron brings her back to the Resistance and Leia puts her daughter under his command to find Luke Skywalker.

Word count: 8.8k

Tags/warnings: poe pov, threepio trying to parent, leia going for round two, poe sitting back and realising what he's getting himself into, snap being a wingman for both of them with non homicidal big brother vibes, mentions of setting people on fire, oc is delusional with anger issues, mild brat taming, mentions of lightsaber wounds and blood, a little flirting towards the end, the beginning of the on/off between them.

All my stories are written for adults with adult themes, I use appropriate tags but read at your discretion.

A/N: so i've got about five chapters of the prequel up on ao3, it isn't a romantic or ship story so it won't get any attention here but if you're interested I have it linked on my masterlist.

Hope

It's late when I find myself still walking around base looking for R2. For a droid who refuses to let me out of his sight he's quite happy to disappear now, maybe we've been a little at odds due to my career choices these past months, so I know this is a form of payback. Droids are programmed for loyalty but I dare say Luke altered some of that programming when he made R2 my official guardian on Naboo, to pull me into line and report back instead of blindly facilitating my poor choices.

If R2 is one thing, he is a droid who does not forgive or forget, and as it turns out he remembers Hondo Ohnaka and Boba Fett quite well and has quite explicitly told me off time and time again for working for them with very colourful language. I'm still convinced Luke altered his programming and I'd try to rewire it but it just feels wrong to do that to R2. To me he's more of a sentient being than most lifeforms and I'm not going to pick his wires apart just so he's easier to get on with.

He is my best friend after all.

I want to take off, to go somewhere to clear my head. Like Snap said, leaving and not coming back might be a bit excessive, but I need more time to wrap my head around the fact I'm no longer a captain and am likely going to be on permanent probation. Maybe I'll check in with my contacts to see if they've got any leads on the Irving Boys and where the Falcon could be, give it one last shot before facing the music, but I hate going anywhere without R2, and that's where Korrie finds me, in the hanger still looking for him.

"You're back," she says, not quite pleased but not as panicked as Brance. Although I can't truly blame her, she was one of the few who'd tried to help me and I'd shut her out. One of the only friends I had on Hosnian Prime as a teenager since she'd interned for Mom, just another one I cut out without any real reason to other than the fact I can't stand seeing someone look at me with pity, or something worse.

"Yeah," I say, managing a smile. "I um- I took a sabbatical."

"Sure," she says but she's too close to my Mom to believe that, everyone above a certain level of command knows just why I left even if it seems the rest of base believes I just conveniently went back to university. "The General is asking to see you in her office."

"Again?" I ask and she nods as I try to find a way out of it. "Tell her-"

"Tell her yourself," she says curtly and leaves me there before I can argue.

I purposefully take the long way to her office and this time Threepio is waiting for me by the door.

"Miss Hope, I am glad to see you."

"You too Threepio," I assure him but he stops me before I can go in.

"Now please, do mind your manners this time," he lectures. "I'd overheard your previous conversation and I am quite disappointed in you."

I look at the protocol droid in disbelief. "Really?"

"Yes, and I do not appreciate your sarcasm," he says pointedly as I raise my eyebrows at him. "A little courtesy goes a long way."

He catches my glare before I walk in only to be hit by a wave of betrayal when I open the door to find R2 there with Mom, but it's when I see the commander sitting across from her I become alarmed, wondering if this is about appropriate conduct. Although that should be the least of her worries.

"You asked to see me?"

"I have," she says and I see the recording on her desk of the Cato Nemoidia heist I pulled off and look at R2, realising he went behind my back to tell her just what I've been doing in the Outer Rims and know I should have seen it coming. He'd all but warned me he'd override my ship's controls to bring me home so this isn't a far stretch.

"Traitor."

He tells me it's what I get for ignoring him and Mom agrees. "Care to explain yourself?"

"Haven't we been over this already?"

"Yes but I'm hoping this time you can be rational," she states and I choose deflection.

"Just out of curiosity," I begin, wanting to know just what I'd be admitting to, although still confused as to why the commander's here if I'm being interrogated over my other exploits. "How much did R2 tell you?"

She purses her lips and says "I dare say he's only scraped the surface, but along with Threepio's intelligence let's start with you not just hunting the First Order for sport and acting as a mercenary for hire amongst several other chargeable offences, but pulling off highly illegal heists on planets where they give you the death sentence for it."

"Well you'll be glad to know that's the worst of it," I smile nervously, for some reason looking at the commander for some type of support right now and find him giving a painful nod of reassurance. "Don't worry I made sure I can't be charged for it, loopholes remember?"

"Mmhmm," she hums doubtfully but changes the subject. "Hope, I believe you've made yourself familiar with Commander Dameron."

I manage to keep a straight face, barely even shrugging in acknowledgement. "I'd say acquainted rather than familiar."

"Acquainted," he agrees and I nod along, trying not to look at his face because the first time left me feeling foolish enough and the last thing I want is for Mom to think I have any sort of attraction to him when I should want to hate his guts for thinking he could beat me in an x-wing but unfortunately his face makes that complicated.

And besides, he's the one that was blatantly flirting, not the other way around, but the way Mom raises her eyebrow tells me she might be slightly more in tune with the force than I thought to see through my bullshit, or worse she listened to his flight recording. Oh maker I hope she didn't because then he wouldn't be the only one mortified.

"Acquainted, alright," she says going with it. "Well I plan for the two of you to become familiar."

Oh no, that would make things even more unnecessarily complicated.

"Actually I was just about to leave, come on R2," I say as I get up from my chair and look at R2 but he remains firmly in place. "R2." He doesn't move and I look at Mom. "The hell did you do to my droid?"

"R2 was mine long before yours, and he's always been a very independent and stubborn droid who has no intention of watching a third generation of our family lose their way," she says and I narrow my eyes at him. "And his loyalty inhibitor prioritises your safety and my commands above yours. If you've forgotten R2 was given to you so he could act as your guardian in mine and Luke's absence, not your partner in crime."

The betrayal stings.

"So you'll offer to set someone on fire for me and won't snitch but now you just hand me over?" I challenge and feel the Commander's head turn to me in alarm and Mom leans back in her chair with raised eyebrows and I quickly remember she didn't know about that incident. It had been an innocent enough night out until a group of thugs tried to take me as ransom to get money off of Dad. I might have stopped Ben from killing them but when I spotted them the next day I couldn't resist getting even. More than even.

"When was this?" she asks me and looks at R2 who now remains silent. "Hope Solo-"

"I was sixteen-"

"There isn't a statute of limitations on setting people on fire!"

"Actually there is on Theron and Dad was fine with it," I say and she just stares incredulously. "They were going to kidnap me, and we as a family agreed not to tell you."

"And as a family you mean-"

"Everyone except for you and Luke?" I say and try to laugh it off but her face is very serious. "R2 was my partner in crime, blame him." R2 beeps in offence so I shift the blame. "Dad was the one who told us to lie."

She puts her head in her hands, taking a moment to compose herself before remarking. "At this point it would be easier to try to list the offences you haven't committed than list those you have."

"That is true," I acknowledge. "But technically-"

"Sit back down," she says curtly and I do so without argument, biting my tongue. "I am going to forget what you just told me that for both of our sakes and get on with the reason I had you called in."

I glance at the Commander beside me who's confused as much as alarmed. I find momentary amusement in it before having to very quickly regulate my facial expression and look back at Mom.

"So if this is round two of interrogations why the company?" I ask and can see her shaking her head in regret. "Because I only nearly dragged him into an x-wing race, so technically no offence has been committed. Intention to commit perhaps, but nothing worthy of anything above a lecture."

Out of the corner of my eye I see him nodding to himself in agreement there, seeming slightly relieved but Mom definitely isn't.

"Every day I regret sending you to university and pushing you into a career that teaches you how to argue," she tells me and I'm tempted to remark I learned all about arguing from when her and Dad could still stand to live together but refrain due to the company. "You should count yourself very lucky that despite your ego and sarcasm you've inherited outstanding talents," she continues and I wait for it, but for once the compliment doesn't come with a dressing down. "I have a mission for the two of you."

"The two of us?" I question, knowing I only ever undertake missions alone and she nods but I'm hardly the one with leverage right now. "So the mission is an actual mission and wasn't just a ploy to make me come back?"

"At this point I'm wishing it was," she sighs and looks at the clock and back to me, and I nod in understanding to not be a smartass. "R2 has told me you've been going rogue in unidentifiable vessels to attack the First Order so you have deniability?"

"You already knew that but yes."

"And that you performed several heists and stole artifacts from Cato Nemoidia?"

The commander blinks in surprise beside me and I only feel proud as I correct. "Reclaimed Jedi artifacts, and without a hitch."

"Good," she says to me and now I'm the one blinking in surprise. "I have the perfect mission for you."

I look at the Commander but find he doesn't have much more context than I do and I ask her "Is this a trap?"

She reminds me just where I got my mouth from, and it wasn't my father. "So you can trust Boba Fett but not your own mother?"

I swear I hear the commander actually choke from beside me and R2 cackles as best a droid can. Feeling quite ganged up on I relent. "We could get into that again but I'd rather hear about the mission."

She actually seems pleasantly surprised. "Wise decision."

She places a holoprojector on the table and I see a politician I'm half familiar with, wondering if this is going to be some political mission and feel myself quickly losing interest.

"This is Senator Erudo Ro-Kiintor," Mom tells us. "The senior senator from Hevurion to the Republic."

I raise an unimpressed eyebrow and the Commander seems to share the same sentiment but most pilots aren't exactly fond of politicians.

"If you say so, General," he says and I steal a glance, wondering if I was mistaken in how stupidly attractive I found him, as if it could have been some moment of weakness, only to find I was definitely not mistaken and quickly pull my eyes away before Mom can accuse me of anything, looking very intently at the hologram instead of either of them.

But I get a little more excited when she changes the hologram to one of a ship. "This is the Hevurion Grace, Senator Ro-Kiintor's personal yacht," Mom says and it's what I'd expect, Poe nodding along as he takes it in.

"It's a Pinnacle-class luxury ship, made by Vekker Corp. I've seen Pinnacles once or twice before. They're exclusive ships, everything aboard handmade, or so Vekker advertises," he begins, his knowledge of a random model of ship he's probably never even touched before making me slightly jealous. "Only the very wealthy can afford them. They trade luxury for efficiency, practically hang an invitation off the hull for pirates saying money in here."

"Damn right they do," I smirk to myself and Mom just looks unimpressed at that knowing just who I've been associating with. "I had to make credits somehow."

"If I recall you're a princess," she begins to lecture. "A title that was handed to you with great consideration with the expectation you wouldn't throw your lot in with pirates."

Those words dig deep considering just how seriously I took that honour, another reminder of just how much everything has changed for the worse.

"Only Hondo and besides, he helped the rebellion," I try to reason. "And you married someone who worked for the Hutts but I don't see you glaring at him."

"Oh I would if I could," she assures me and I don't doubt that, but she doesn't stop there. "Because he'd be so proud to see that his daughter ended up taking after him more than anyone else in the family which is why you are sitting here." Something changes in her eyes, they feel more alive as she nods towards the ship. "Can you fly one?"

"Of course I can fly one what sort of question's that?" I ask and she poses the same question to the Commander who runs a hand through his hair.

"It's designed to be flown by a single pilot, though it crews better with two," he says and again I'm wondering how the hell he knows so much about luxury cruisers. "Not counting of course any servants the owner may want aboard."

She has a mischievous glint in her eye and I lean back in my chair, smirking as I realise "You hypocrite. You want me to steal it."

"I want the two of you to steal it," she clarifies and it seems I might not have made a mistake in coming back after all.

I look at the Commander and find him grinning. "Sure. Anything else you'd like while I'm at it? Maybe pick you up one of those new Nebulon-Ks?"

She laughs. "I'm not entirely convinced the Nebulon-Ks have solved their combustion-shielding problems."

The rapport between them has me tilting my head, Mom's never friendly with pilots, hell she's hardly friendly with command. So why the hell's she making jokes with a guy who looks like the type of pilot she'd hate?

But then again, she married my father after all.

Oh maker.

I look away, she wouldn't, but then again she married my father and kissed her own brother so I can't put anything past her. I mean he definitely would, he looks like walking sex and it took him all of a minute to try to talk me into a date, or more likely into bed. Oh for the love of the force this is not what I thought I'd come back to. This could be even worse than the thought of her and Luke.

"Are you quite right there Hope?" Mom asks with a peculiar look.

"Stellar," I say, for once wanting to get to business and refuse to look at either of them. If she wanted to find a new flyboy she could at least look for one that isn't her son's age, he'd have to be in his late twenties, a bit older than Ben but close enough. I'm old enough to know that guys who look like him are only after one thing, maybe temporarily I leaned that way too for a moment when we were in that hanger, but certainly not now. And as for Mom... I just want her to be happy but not like this.

If she wanted a new husband I'd be thrilled, honestly I'd be lying if I hadn't thought her and Lando could possibly give it a go, mostly because it would break Dad's heart like he broke ours, but also because it would mean I'd have some semblance of a stable family.

But this- oh no this is not something I'd approve of. Maker I hope I'm just grasping at straws here.

I notice the commander eyeing me cautiously at my sudden change in demeanour before asking Mom "So what's this about General?"

"We've suspected Senator Ro-Kiintor of colluding with the First Order for years. He's delayed or derailed motions covering everything from sanctions to increased support for the Republic Navy. He's taken numerous unscheduled and impromptu vacations to locations in the buffer region, in the neutral territories." None of this is news to me, it seems as if half the remaining Centrists are secretly First Order agents, but this is news to the Commander. "There've been sightings of the Hevurion Grace in First Order space. Large sums transferred to his accounts through shells and third-party corporations via the CSA. He's not only in with the First Order, but he's in deep. He may have access to the top, to General Hux. Perhaps to Snoke."

I lean forward, suddenly intrigued. "Really?"

She's apprehensive now and stresses "But we haven't been able to prove any of this. No hard evidence, just circumstantial. And we've tried, believe me. Twice in the last year Ematt's sent his agents aboard the Hevurion Grace after one of the senator's trips, trying to access the logs, the navicomputer, to prove where he's been. Each time the files had been purged prior to landing."

"You want us to kidnap a Republic senator?" Poe questions, not entirely opposed, and that might slightly redeem him in my eyes.

"I can do that," I say without hesitation.

She looks between us in alarm and points her finger at me specifically. "No, that's precisely what I don't want you to do. I want the ship, I want those logs, the navicomputer data, all of it, before anyone's had a chance to cover their tracks, you understand? But no loss of life." She shakes her finger at me again in warning and then points it at Poe. "Not even a bruise on the senator or any of the crew aboard if it can be possibly helped and especially no interrogations as it must be completely deniable." She looks back at me upon mentioning interrogations, her voice somehow turning even more serious. "Emphasis on no interrogations which means no force tricks either Hope, no threatening, no persuading, no questioning. Nothing. Do not even attempt to find a loophole in that either. You are not to even interact with anyone on board if you can help it." I raise my hands in my defence, deciding not to open my mouth and she goes on. "Ro-Kiintor is a traitor, I'm sure of it, but until we can prove it he remains a member of the Senate and the Resistance will honour that. We must honour that or we're no better than the First Order."

But I have to shake my head at that, knowing nothing is that simple, and make the mistake of opening my mouth. "If we aren't willing to get our hands dirty how do you expect to take down people who would destroy the entire galaxy without blinking an eye?"

"Considering you've been working for Vader's right hand man I don't want to hear a single word out of your mouth about morality," she says curtly and,clearly I'd underestimated the lasting impact Cloud City had on her. The Commander turns his head towards me but I don't dare look at his expression while Mom calms herself. "I'm going to assume your judgement's been clouded for you to make such a decision and trust it's cleared enough for you to partake in this mission without any complications.

"In all fairness what happened with Boba Fett was Dad's fault," I remind her, she was innocent in what occurred that day, but him not so much, and I want her to understand my reasoning. "He swindled a Hutt and paid the consequence, and besides, it's my understanding Boba Fett helped rescue a Jedi youngling after the war from Moff Gideon. Luke should have been able to tell you that considering he was the one who took the kid. And as for being Vader's right hand man, has it occurred to you that one of the reasons I did work for him was for information, to make sure Vader didn't I don't know.... leave any apprentices that could rise up to lead a new empire?"

Now I have her attention and she gives me the chance to elaborate. "And?"

"He had none," I reveal to her, both of us having operated under the assumption he'd been trained by Vader or Palpatine. "Whatever Snoke is, he wasn't Vader's apprentice and no one knows anything about what he is or where he came from."

I feel the Commander's confusion and Mom explains. "This information is mostly unknown due to a lack of understanding around the matter, but Snoke is a force user like the Emperor was. One of the questions we had been working on answering is what type of force user he is and who trained him."

I expect the Commander to be completely clueless about the force and its lore like most of the galaxy, but he surprises me. "So he's a Sith then like the Emperor was?"

"No, the Sith followed a strict rule of two, a master and an apprentice, although during the Clone Wars they saw that as flexible. It's how they survived all this time until Palpatine, and if he wasn't trained by either then he can't be a Sith. He uses the darkside of the force but doesn't adhere to the Sith doctrine," I explain, still unable to figure it out. "He's something else and I want to find out what."

"Which we can begin to learn through the data on that computer and not interrogating a senator who would have no personal knowledge of anything you want to know," she argues with me, driving in the point she made about my last mission. "Which is why considering your recent experiences of pulling off heists I believed you would be a valuable asset to this mission, but if you are going to prove otherwise-"

"No, you won't have any trouble from me," I quickly say and she nods her head. I came here wanting to prove myself, and I have to put my own bullshit aside for long enough to do that. Especially if it means getting my hands on intelligence. "So, what's the plan?"

Poe's face draws together in concentration as he theorises. "If they're purging the data they're almost certainly doing so within minutes of coming out of hyperspace."

Mom agrees. "That's Ematt's thinking, as well."

"It's a very tight window in which to take the ship," he says, immediately jumping into an action plan. "And it'll have to be done in space, it can't wait until the senator's landed."

I look at him, surprised by his tactical thinking and quick responses. Maybe he was made a commander for something other than a pretty face after all.

"Which is where Hope comes in," Mom says to him. "If she can break into Cato Nemoidia undetected to steal Jedi artifacts I have every confidence she can steal a ship, according to R2 she's become quite experienced in that as well. She has a very specific skill set and whilst I am confident she could pull this off the matter in which she would pull this off is what concerns me. Considering she has no regard for her own personal safety I know she won't refuse this mission, but you can."

I scoff at her talking to him like I don't exist. "I'm right here."

Poe just looks confused. "Why would I refuse?"

"I'm aware of exactly how difficult this mission will be. Which is why I'm giving you the option of saying no, Commander. I have to stress this, Poe." Mom reaches out and squeezes his hand right in front of me and it's all I can do not to gape at them. "This is not an order. It could go very, very wrong, and if it does the Resistance would have to deny any involvement. You and anyone you took with you to do this would be on your own. You'll have Hope there and she has a knack for beating the odds but any reinforcements would be at risk."

I take the opportunity to jump in and finally turn to address the Commander personally, unable to help but feel slightly smug. "I can handle it alone since this isn't exactly your line of work."

But he doesn't back down, only seeming more sure of it as he fires back. "Don't be so sure."

"As Commander Dameron said, it crews better with two," Mom points out and I narrow my eyes at him before turning my head back to her.

"So does the Falcon but I've flown it myself all the same," I remind her and get to the point. "You know I wouldn't have a single issue flying this thing or getting what you need so what's your concern?"

"You. You're my concern."

"So that's it?" I laugh bitterly. "Your new favourite flyboy's my babysitter?"

He scoffs under his breath while she just shakes her head at me.

"Hope, you're twenty could you please attempt to act like it," she scolds and lectures. "If you want to have your rank restored you're going to need to prove yourself and have recommendations."

"I'm a captain-"

"You were a captain, and if you want to be one again you can earn it back," she says and I press my lips together, shaking my head as I struggle to keep my mouth shut with the anger that rises in me. "As of right now you are an agent of the Resistance that has no rank within our navy or army. If you want that to change you will do as told without the sarcasm and follow Commander Dameron's orders as he will be taking the lead on this mission if he will accept it and have you part of it."

I hold her eye but she doesn't back down and I'm the first to cave. He looks at me now in hesitation, my expression very clearly telling just how I feel as I find a spot on the wall to focus on so I don't have to look at either of them, as I brutally beat back whatever hurt tries to overwhelm me, and hear him say "We're um- we're going to need a few things."

"Alright then," she says, the decision being made since she's right in knowing I won't turn down the mission when I have a personal incentive to get that intelligence. "You'll both be transferred to the Echo of Hope to prepare for the mission. Due to the need to have deniability you will not be able to make use of your x-wings but I'm sure the two of you can figure that out and acquire whatever you may need."

"Yes General," we both say automatically, telling myself the information I can get from that ship is more valuable than anything else. If it can lead me to Snoke there's no question about it.

"I've sent the information we have to your datapads for you to review and strategise," she says and she knows by my silence I'm utterly pissed at being degraded like this in front of someone who's been here for five minutes and has more of her trust than I'll ever hold again it seems. I look between them, wanting to believe there's something wrong going on here, something to explain it, some sick favouritism or something more scandalous but no, she wouldn't go that far with someone under her command and finally I see it for what it is.

He's not a substitute husband, no, he's a substitute son.

And somehow that only makes it worse.

It makes it worse because if she'd given Ben a fraction of the care and warmth she's given him in the past five minutes we wouldn't be in this position and so I leave without being dismissed before I can open my mouth and ruin my chances of getting the intelligence I need to find my brother.

If Mom doesn't have any faith in me he will, and I know he's the only person in the galaxy who'll put me above anything else. If I can get him onside then we can damn the Resistance and the First Order to hell and destroy Snoke in our own way without being held back.

I am getting that intelligence if it's the last thing I do.

Poe

I don't know what I said or did, but Hope Solo does not like me.

And I can't help but return the feeling.

"It was really that bad huh?" Snap says as we sit in the mess hall well past dinner that night talking.

"I don't know what her problem is but she wouldn't look at me or Leia and then just walked out as we began to prepare for the mission," I vent to him, knowing I can't tell him the details of the assignment but I've got to get the rest off my chest. "Everything was just electric, sparks everywhere, right up until the moment she walked into that office and then it was like she was a completely different person."

"She's temperamental," he acknowledges, not wanting to talk bad about her and neither do I but I just can't understand her.

"It's just the way she spoke to Leia," I continue, her being pissed at an absent father I can get but not that. I couldn't ever imagine speaking to my mom like that if I was lucky enough to still have her around. "It's not just disrespecting your general, but your mom, I just can't come at that."

"Those two fight but look, she isn't as awful as she makes herself out to be," Snap sighs and actually takes her side. "I remember the very first Resistance meeting where she dragged her whiney ass big brother in there and chewed him out for talking bad about Leia. I learned real quick that day that the thing about Solo's is they'll fight like hell with each other but if someone comes for them you'll never see anyone switch up as fast. It's- it's just their way of communicating because trust me, I've seen Leia give it to her as well."

I can't deny that, a couple of things Leia said had me raising my eyebrows, mostly provoked to be fair but still I'd never seen her be so harsh before. From the sound of it a lot of the scolding was justified but still I couldn't help but feel bad for her until she decided to be pissed at me along with Leia for reasons I still can't understand since I only said about one sentence to her.

But not wanting to admit it I shrug him off. "Still."

He leans closer and lowers his voice "Just give her a chance alright, because your first impression of her was the right one. Yeah she's difficult and her and Leia can tear each other to shreds but she isn't the way she is without reason."

"Like what?" I find myself asking, I've seen the holonews, I've heard the rumours, but I don't know how much of what is actually true, and considering I'm going to be depending on her in a life or death situation I need to know who I'm working with.

He debates his words. "You know the General had a son right?"

"Yeah, of course," I say quietly, no one on base has ever dared even mention him until now. I've definitely never ever dared to venture there in all my conversations with Leia, not even when that grief she carries has left me up at night worrying. "He was killed when the temple was destroyed."

"I met him once, the splitting image of Han and Leia. He was a proper Jedi, Hope bounced around but he was fully devoted to it. Everyone says she was Luke's last apprentice but she wasn't, she was her brother's apprentice," Snap tells me and I feel uneasy. "I watched the two of them fighting like nothing else, like brothers and sisters do, but you could see how close they were. She- she was a real different person back then. One minute she's bright eyed and greeting everyone with a smile and then weeks later she ends up in hospital with lightsaber burns."

"Lightsaber burns?" I repeat and his face is grave.

"I know you've heard what people say about the supposed heir of Vader miraculously surviving the destruction of the Jedi Order?" he says, rumours I've tried not to listen to but I can't deny having heard them. "Look, if the General or anyone heard me say this I'd be dead but I was stationed on Hosnian Prime when they brought her in. They took her to the hanger where we were operating out of so the media couldn't get any footage since they'd been hounding her and Leia. I saw Han when he walked out of the Falcon, I've known that man since I was sixteen years old but I'd never seen him like that. Whatever happened that night... she nearly died, they said she was hospitalised for smoke inhalation but I got a glimpse of her when the Falcon landed in the hanger and they called in emergency services."

He pauses, knowing he shouldn't be saying anything but shakes his head and goes on.

"The side of her head was covered in dried blood and she was covered in that much ash she looked like the temple had been dropped on her, but it was the lightsaber burns they made sure the media never got wind of," he says quietly, a pained expression on his face. "One along her leg and the other on her arm, I'd thought she was dead when Chewbacca carried her out of there. Whatever happened that night wasn't an accident, but despite what people like to guess she wasn't the one who burned the temple down, she was just the one who was left for dead."

I'm at a complete loss for words now. "I-"

"She was seventeen when it happened," he says and I lower my eyes. "Han left a few months later. Leia coped by throwing herself into building this, Hope coped by taking out that grief on the First Order. Leia's done all this before so she knows it's important to build up our fleet before even thinking about engaging, but Hope wants action and immediate results. Those two weren't always at each other's throats, just look at the holonews if you want to see how protective she is of Leia."

I remember pieces from the initial media coverage, and know if L'ulo was on base he'd remind me of the fights I'd have with my dad because we were both grieving and had different ways of coping with it.

"Alright," I say, still struggling for words. "I'll um- I'll figure it out."

I go to leave, to get something started so I can get her input on it but Snap stops me. "Look if you go to see her don't give her any pity or say you feel sorry for her, just pretend like I haven't said anything." I nod in understanding but he goes on. "You want my advice for dealing with Hope Solo, or anyone from that family? To give as good as you get."

"I just saw her fighting with Leia, I don't think it's possible for me to give as good as she does," I remark but he doesn't look so sure.

"Give her the benefit of the doubt and be nice but if she's going to be under your command for whatever this mission is then you better learn to stand up to her otherwise she'll walk all over you," he advises, and considering she actually listens to him I don't argue back. It's not my style as a commander to be an asshole, because if I'm giving it back to her that's what I'm going to end up sounding like, but a good commander has to be adaptable. "She won't respect you unless you give as good as you get."

I take those words literally as I go to see her.

Hope

There's a knock at my door that I ignore as I unpack the things I'd packed, not knowing if I'm coming or going but knowing I'll need to bring some things at least with me. Still debating if I should go after that ship myself before anyone even knows where I've gone.

"I don't like this one bit R2," I tell him. "I was a captain, I performed countless missions and now some flyboy who's been here five minutes isn't just Mom's new favourite but he's giving me orders and I do not like this at all and I do not like him."

R2 beeps a smartass remark about that and I realise even if Mom hasn't picked up on my attraction R2 certainly has.

"R2," I warn but the knocking at my door persists and in my annoyance I open it to tell off whoever it is, half expecting a lecture from Threepio, but when I see the Commander my voice is sharper than I anticipated. "What?"

He's mildly alarmed at the sight of me, as if whatever resolve that brought him here quickly slips. "Bad time?"

"Yes," I state plainly and go to press the door switch but he has the guts to reach for my hand to stop me, the sudden touch jarring enough that I actually do stop.

"Look," he begins and stammers over what to call me. "Hope or Princess whatever you want me to call you?"

I pull my hand away, my voice firm. "Solo."

He nods, content with that. "Solo. I know you aren't happy about this-"

"So you can use your head then after all?"

His expression quickly turns to one of exasperation, but he knows it's not unfounded. "I might have gotten a bit carried away."

"Might have?" I question and can't help but snipe "Didn't seem to mind until you realised with who."

He knows I have him there. "In all fairness, you don't exactly give off the impression you'd expect from a princess."

I just scoff at that. "Because I'm not one." He just looks confused at that and I state plainly. "It's another rank she gave me which she remarkably hasn't stripped away like the only one that actually mattered."

He tries to lighten the tension. "Well at least I know now you weren't kidding about insubordination."

"And now you get to be my commander for this mission, enjoy," I say, and see people walking past in the hallway giving strange looks. "So what do you want?"

"Look if you're gonna be mad at me for whatever then fine, nice to meet you too," he says shortly. "But I was going to talk to you about the mission."

I raise an eyebrow. "In my bedroom, in the middle of the night?"

"I- " he clamps his mouth shut before saying "Alright, my bad, but it's urgent."

I just shake my head at him. "How did you even find my room?"

"Mutual friends," he says and know the only one he could mean is Snap. "Look can I come in and talk or we can air this out in the hallway, your choice."

"Fine," I say and throw my hands up as I let him in, becoming slightly less hostile when I realise he's brought his droid with him for support. "What's so urgent?"

The door shuts and I sit down in my chair and kick my legs up on the desk, crossing my arms over my chest as I wait for him to talk.

He takes me in, the tension between us far different to how it was in the hanger, and I realise when the General's not around I'm not the only one with a smartass mouth.

"So it's gonna be like that then?"

"Yep," I say slowly as I hold his eye and he cocks his jaw before nodding to himself.

"You know you actually seemed to like me before that meeting."

"I did, and now I'm taking orders from you so how's that worked out?" I remark, knowing that's certainly a conflict of interest that neither of us are game enough to admit to my Mom. "You've got one minute before I kick you out."

"Alright princess," he says and I narrow my eyes at him as he stands over me, not that he's overly tall. "I don't know what your problem is, but I'm gonna give you the benefit of the doubt and say you're just pissed off right now." I open my mouth but he cuts me off. "The reason this couldn't wait is because before we get transferred I need to give the general an action overview and wanted your input."

He surprises me enough that some of my apprehension eases and I can't help the disbelief that's clear in my voice. "My input?"

"You might be acting like a brat but I've seen enough to know that you're damn good in the field," he says and I blink in surprise as the insult and praise, respecting it enough to listen. "And whatever the hell you've been doing out there means this is your type of job, so." He leans forward over the desk, making it clear he's not going anywhere. "Hhow about you give me some input so we can work out an action plan together so we're on the same page and I can give it to the General with both our names on it."

I look at him in contemplation, holding his eye and still see that challenging glint in it from the hanger and find myself still forcing back a smile. "Alright hotshot, show me what you've got."

Now he's the one that's surprised but goes along with it and we end up cross legged on the floor going over the files we were sent and the schematics of the ship that's projected in holo form from my datapad.

"So, just to be clear," he begins and makes clear. "Absolutely no judgement on my part, but have you stolen a ship like this before?"

"Not the exact model but similar enough," I say, looking at the cross sections to pinpoint weak spots we could break through if we can't reach an entrance easily. "It's a luxury yacht, it's only going to be as difficult to hijack as we make it."

"Which is gonna be difficult regardless," he says and reminds me. "The issue is the time frame we're working with because if they call in reinforcements we're gonna be screwed. I've got some pilots in mind for an armed escort but if possible I'd prefer to not have to bring more people into this knowing the risks."

"Look this senator's a right prick," I tell Poe and he doesn't have any arguments with that. "I've met him and he's a Centrist which says enough but if he calls in reinforcements we need to be prepared for that to be in the form of the Republic or more likely hired security."

"The question is which would be better luck," he says although I'm not particularly worried about either. "Republic means a star system of trouble for the Resistance if we're identified, hired security means a skirmish."

"Look I wouldn't be too worried about getting identified," I tell him. "No one's gonna be shocked to see me committing piracy and I can always say I kidnapped you or something."

He stares at me in disbelief for a moment before asking "That's your plan?"

"It's a plan c for if the Republic shows up," I assure him. "So let's figure out how to avoid that."

"Here's what I've worked out," he says and lays it out for me. "We have to hit the ship the moment it comes out of hyperspace, and temporarily disable it by damaging the engines, get on board and then get the senator and anyone else on the ship into the escape pods and off the vessel."

"So no hostages?" I ask since Mom never clarified that and he considers it for a moment.

"No, no hostages," he confirms and I don't argue as he goes on. "We restart the engines and then get out of there with the ship, and we have to do it within eight minutes."

Now I grow hesitant. "Eight minutes being the Republic's response time?"

He nods in confirmation. "Correct."

I nod slowly and admit "It's a tight window, especially since it relies on how fast those engines and that hyperdrive recharges. I'm good with rigging hyperdrives but there's only so much I could do to make it charge faster in such a short window."

"That- I hadn't thought of that. Rigging the hyperdrive could really save us with the timeframe we have," he says taking my idea into consideration. "Are you familiar with the hyperdrive model?"

"It's class two, so it's right up my alley," I confirm, getting a little excited now. "If I get the right booster cables and bypass some other mechanics on it I should be able to rig it to charge faster but still I can't give an exact time frame as to how long that would be until we're on board and I can run the diagnostics."

He nods but asks "Won't that make it unstable?"

"No more unstable than what I grew up flying," I remark but he takes it on board. "And besides we only need to make one jump, I can keep it intact for that long."

"Alright, I'll take your word for it," he decides and reaffirms. "Eight minutes to get on board and recharge the engines before the Republic comes. It could take them longer but we need to be prepared for them to arrive in the minimum time frame."

I nod along but then wonder "But what if he doesn't call to the Republic for help? If he's carrying the information the General believes he is then he's going to have greater security than just relying on a distress signal to a naval base or even a private security escort." He listens as I tell him "Before you found me in the field I'd had a dozen tie's ambush me out of nowhere just because they'd identified my ship, not even knowing who was flying it. If he is carrying First Order intelligence and is compromised the First Order will try to reinforce but if they know the ship's been hijacked they're going to blow it up and take all of us with it."

He stills now, the thought of the First Order reinforcing before the Republic having not crossed his mind. "Which means this mission is a hell of a lot more dangerous than we gave it credit for."

"But it's not impossible," I say, determined to get whatever is on board. "We just have to be smart about this and have backup plans and improvise if needed.'

He studies me a little more closely now. "I'm going to go out on a whim and say most of your plans involve improvising?"

"Hey, I'm still alive aren't I?" I shrug and see a shadow of a smile on his face in the dim light.

"That's good, I like improvising," he says and now I'm the one trying to resist the same sort of smile. "If you can pull off a heist on Cato Nemoidia I don't doubt that you're more than capable of seeing this through."

I've been that used to having to go above and beyond for anyone to trust me, it's nice to have someone who does it without me having to fight for it. Although that says more about his character than mine.

"If this senator has information about where Snoke is then that is the most invaluable piece of intelligence we could get our hands on," I say and stress as I take in the ship. "It's not properly armoured, just an automatic set of laser cannons that would do nothing to protect it if we're ambushed, so we need to rely on getting out of there before that can happen."

He nods in agreement. "I like your thinking, I think you've accounted for any major variables that could go wrong. This is the one mission we can't fail."

"Trust me, this is personal, I'm not gonna fail it," I promise him, knowing if it comes between following orders and doing what I need to do to get the information I need the choice is clear. "So what are we gonna be flying if not x-wings?"

"That's what I was hoping you could help me with, we're gonna need ships that can't be traced back to the Resistance," he says. "I've got some favours I can call in but I thought you might have some better ones."

"I do, in fact a pirate owes me some credits and I can get the booster cables I need from him as well," I say knowing Hondo will help me out. "How many ships will we need?"

"One for each of us," he says to me. "I was considering bringing two pilots as an escort, they came with me to the Resistance so you wouldn't know them, but they're damn good at what they do."

Except I can sense his hesitation. "But you're worried they'll be collateral if it's the First Order who shows up."

He nods gravely and reveals "Yeah, I lost a man not that far back in the field and I'm not letting that happen again if I can help it."

I don't inquire or push, but I take note of that fact. "Alright then, so just us?" He nods again and I assure him "I can take care of ships no problem, but I suppose my N-1's out of the question?"

He shakes his head with a grin. "Now if you bring that we're definitely going to be in trouble, let's just say you'll be wanting ships we can ditch mid space."

"I can do that," I say, knowing Hondo has enough rust buckets that won't be missed. "Just don't tell the General where I'll be getting them from because she won't like it." I point a finger at R2. "That goes for you as well you little traitor."

"Now I gotta ask, I know you're a great pilot but do you have any formal military training outside of the Resistance?" he asks me and sees the look on my face upon realising he hasn't looked at my file. Although it's a safe bet that it's classified to anyone not in high command. "What?"

"I started in the Naboo Starfighter Corps in 23ABY."

He nods slowly before exclaiming "Wait I thought Leia said you were twenty? That would have made you-"

"Twelve," I smile to myself. "So I can assure you I'm quite well trained."

He just stares incredulously as he tries to understand that. "Wait- how the hell did they let a kid into their starfighter corps?"

"I made the argument that if twelve year olds could be queens then twelve year olds could also be pilots," I say and he can't argue with that assessment, once he gets past the disbelief he seems impressed.

"I gotta say," he begins and surprises me. "I'm looking forward to seeing you in the field Solo."

I study his face along with his force signature, almost hating the fact that despite my best efforts I can't truly find cause to dislike him, yet at least. He's effectively taken my role here in the Resistance and my mom's respect, and yet I only find frustration at the situation rather than with him.

"You've already seen me in the field, I'll be more interested to see if you can back up that ego you've got," I tease but he just gives a charming grin.

"Oh I can promise you, I won't disappoint."

I don't miss the look in his eye, one I'm not quite sure he even realises is there. I can't quite make sense of but it makes me feel things I definitely don't want to feel and while I'm not completely opposed this conversation has already gotten more personal than I'd like and the longer I hold his eye the warmer this room feels and so I quickly stand from the floor to put distance between us. "Well, if that will be all Commander."

A quick look at the clock on the wall tells me it's three a.m., but we've got the mission mapped out as well as possible for now at least. "I'll give this to the General and find you tomorrow to talk logistics."

I nod in approval and realise how well I've done at being able to look at his face without feeling anything, until now at least, but there's a warmth in his eyes I can't help but like. "Tomorrow then."

He nods back and finds his way out, leaving me in a state I can't quite pinpoint but R2 feels the need to tell me that I don't mind him that much after all.

And unfortunately he's right.

#poe dameron #poe dameron x solo!oc #poe dameron fanfiction #poe dameron x oc #sequel trilogy #poe dameron x original character #solo original character #skywalker original character #solo!oc #poe dameron x solo original character #star wars fanfiction #star wars original character #sequel trilogy fanfiction #poe dameron x f!oc #poe dameron x female original character

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barbarosgirl · 1 year

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🎭🌌🌊🤝 for all your ocs :)

full list here

Well, this one is gonna be long considering you ask about all of my babies, and I have a lot of them <3

🎭 What is the one thing your OC regrets most? Would they undo it, considering how their life turned out?

Arthur- He's realistic person, he regrets things but knows if he'd redo them (if possible) it would lead to different fucked up scenarios. But the one thing he'll regret for rest of his life was how little time did he have with his lover at the navy.

Edith- The regrets she has are not her own, rather her dumb husband's (Henry's). She regrets he ever brought up the drug deal, she regrets he didn't come back home to her.

Maggie- She regrets the choices she was forced on, what to do, who to kill. Despite thinking and acting for herself brought her nothing but misfortune, she doesn't regret that.

Eugene- His whole childhood is one big regret, even tho he couldn't do anything to change it. Beside that, he regrets leaving Vito, but sometimes you gotta let people go :)

Natalie- So many regrets and redoes she'd love to do, especially when it comes to her family dynamics and what her father wants for her/what she wants for herself. Perhaps if she'd stay away from Empire Bay as her mother begged her to, she'd have less regrets.

🌌 If your OC has a nightmare, what’s it most likely about?

Arthur- Not nightmares, more like sad dreams of What if's and he always wakes into shitty mood after them (tho he's always in shitty mood)

Edith- Always reoccuring patern of nightmares- either Henry's messed up body she had to identify and bury, her daughter getting hurt because of her, or Vinci's people finding her to finish the job

Maggie- She has mostly dreamless nights, but one nightmare does occur once in a while- her family dead by her feet because of her.

Eugene- His.goddamned.father. His whole fucked up family actually, those pricks are his worth nightmares, even worse since they are not dead and constantly hanging over his head with possibility of finding him.

Natalie- There's no nightmares for her, thankfully. The only incident that used to haunt her, she turned around to own it

🌊 Has your OC ever seen the ocean? If not, do they want to? What do they think of it?

Arthur- Too many times and didn't exactly hate it, wasn't keen on it either. From his navy time he has ptsd so ocean now only brings back bad memories and he'd rather watch lake (at least he can be fishing there)

Edith- She came to America like most immigrants on ship, but she was very little so she doesn't remember it. Between her job, family and religious duties she had little time to see the ocean. And when she had the time, her fear of getting discovered prevented her from leaving her house.

Maggie- Before she settled down with Joe, she used to travel a lot. Seeing the endless horizon was her favourite part of any assigment, so she loves the ocean.

Eugene- Seen the ocean and like most of things, he doesn't have negative or positive feelings. He doesn't understand why anybody would be keen staying at beach, watch the ocean, swim or sunbathe. Tho it'd be pretty funny to see him all dressed up at beach with good old Vito :)

Natalie- Her dream was to travel the world, but it changed thanks to the trauma she went through, in the end she never saw ocean and never thought of going to see it, she's pretty happy with the life she made for herself at Empire Bay

🤝 Does your OC have someone they want at their side when they are scared? Who?

Arthur- He doesn't really get scared, but if he'd have to pick someone, he'd go for his SO. (That would be his deceased boyfriend or Henry later on)

Edith- She feels safe with Vito by her side, as Henr can no longer fulfill that job

Maggie- Pretty fearless woman, but she'd lie if she'd say Joe's presence doesn't soothe her nerves

Eugene- Always his mother, before his life was turned upside down he was total mama's boy

Natalie- Her sister, they have each other's backs always <3

#thank you for the ask #mafia oc #oc ask #ask game #natalie #arthur cooper #maggie barbaro #edith tomasino #eugene

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highwaytothedangerzone502 · 2 years

Text

India Lima Yankee - Chapter 45

Pairing: Rooster x Female OC

Word Count: 2092

Warnings: None

Summary: Juliette Kazansky discovers Maverick is back in town for a special training detachment, but she's more than a little blindsided when Rooster arrives too. Having not spoken to him for almost ten years after their less than amicable break-up, Juliette can only imagine how the next few weeks are going to play out when she remains head over heels in love with him while he wants nothing to do with Juliette other than to forget her.

Or so she thinks.

Notes: The parts in italics are flashbacks.

Chapter Songs: Hold My Hand Some Hearts

Chapters: Chp 1 Chp 2 Chp 3 Chp 4 Chp 5 Chp 6 Chp 7 Chp 8 Chp 9 Chp 10 Chp 11 Chp 12 Chp 13 Chp 14 Chp 15 Chp 16 Chp 17 Chp 18 Chp 19 Chp 20 Chp 21 Chp 22 Chp 23 Chp 24 Chp 25Chp 26 Chp 27 Chp 28 Chp 29 Chp 30 Chp 31 Chp 32Chp 33 Chp 34 Chp 35 Chp 36 Chp 37 Chp 38 Chp 39 Chp 40 Chp 41 Chp 42 Chp 43 Chp 44 Chp 45

Rooster

It was two weeks before Rooster and the rest of the Daggers returned to California. Jules had been taken off the ship two days after the mission, and although the goodbye had been hard, neither was afraid of not seeing each other again, making it slightly easier than the last time. The moment he'd set foot onto solid ground in North Island, he'd zeroed in on Jules standing a few yards away with Sarah, Jack, Joey, Raptor, and Lightning. She damn-near tackled him in a hug, and the dogs helped her, jumping up on Rooster, barking for hugs and affection from their new dad. The rest of the Kazansky's eagerly greeted Rooster, and Jack exuberantly lifted his future brother-in-law up in the air.

It took another two weeks for Rooster and Juliette to swiftly figure out a game plan to move him into her house, which furniture they were keeping and not, and moving him in. For better or worse, Rooster didn't have a lot of furniture in his little studio apartment in the first place and choosing to make it easy, he sold most of his stuff, keeping only the sentimental pieces, the largest being his dad's piano. Juliette, already aware her fiancé would be keeping it, had rearranged the furniture before the movers arrived so they could set it up immediately.

The day they'd finally settled in together, and the house was mostly clean and set up for the two of them, Juliette and Rooster made a plan to visit Maverick out at his warehouse. Although Bradley talked to or texted his dad daily, he didn't want to miss any opportunities to see him.

The first morning they planned on it, however, Juliette fell ill, unable to keep anything down. Never one to throw up, Rooster instantly became concerned about her wellbeing, but she assured him it was probably the fish from her dinner last night. Rooster didn't wholly believe her since she'd been under the weather since he arrived home but chose not to debate it. Instead, he made her stay on the couch while he cared for her.

The next day, Juliette still wasn't feeling a hundred percent, and she chose to go to the doctor. She convinced Rooster to still see Maverick, telling him she'd join him after her appointment. He wanted to wait for her because he worried about Jules driving alone in the desert while sick, but she wouldn't hear of it.

"Besides, I might have a ride there anyway," Juliette had said, smiling. Rooster returned it knowingly. If luck was in the air today, Rooster and Jules wouldn't be the only ones visiting Maverick.

And that's how Bradley ended up at the warehouse without Juliette by his side. His dad asked where she was and Rooster told him. Maverick appeared equally concerned about Jules, but both men trusted her to inform them if anything was seriously wrong, though.

"Want to help me with the plane?" Maverick inquired after the two had had a couple of beers and caught up on all the busyness in Rooster's life.

"Yeah, let me go check my phone really fast, see if Jules has called," Bradley said, getting up and jogging over to his phone. He picked it up and detached it from the charger, clicking the home button to light up the screen. A single text from Jules sent almost two hours ago resided on the screen: On my way :)

Smiling to himself, Rooster shoved his phone into his pocket and joined Mav at the plane, tapping his dad on the stomach to alert him of his presence. Maverick stepped aside and handed Rooster the tool he'd been using, pointing at some screws and wiring. When Maverick's attention diverted itself to something else, Rooster looked underneath the plane to find Amelia standing in a jacket and overalls. She looked at something outside, and following her gaze, Rooster found Penny leaning against her Porsche, waiting for Maverick.

Bradley joined Amelia's side, watching as Maverick went and got his girl. It made Rooster wonder where his girl was. She should've been here by now.

Don't be an overbearing fiancé. I'm sure she's okay. She's probably almost here. Or maybe she hit traffic. Or maybe-

Raptor and Lightning came bounding over to Rooster, nearly knocking him over when they greeted him. Juliette's chastising was quick to follow. "Boys, I know you love daddy, but please don't jump on him!"

"Hi, honey," Rooster said, wrapping his arm around his fiancée's waist and giving her a peck on the lips. "Did you come with Penny?"

"I drove behind her. The dogs and I couldn't fit into the Porsche with her and Amelia."

"You know-" Amelia began, garnering the couple's attention- "I've heard of third-wheeling, but not fifth-wheeling, and I can't believe I'm discovering it by being the fifth-wheel."

Juliette and Rooster chuckled, the former saying, "Don't worry, I know the feeling. I've been in your position more times than I care to admit. What do you say we get the groceries out of my car so we can start getting dinner ready, and then maybe later, you can drive around and get some practice for your driver's test?"

Amelia readily agreed. Jules tossed the girl her keys and started to follow the young Benjamin out, but Rooster gently grabbed hold of her and pulled her back. When she stared up at him curiously, he asked, "How'd the appointment go? Everything okay?"

"Yeah, everything's fine," Juliette replied breezily, waving a dismissive hand and stepping out of his embrace. "I need to help Amelia get the groceries out because there are some things that need to be put in the freezer ASAP."

Rooster frowned. "How much food did you buy?"

"I learned long ago that Mav always kept the bare minimum in the fridge, so I bought some stuff for tonight and to keep him stocked for the next couple of weeks."

He watched Juliette disappear outside, a nagging feeling in the back of his mind telling him she was acting weird. Why hadn't she told him what the doctor said? Was it serious? Could she have an illness like his mom?

No.

If it were something like that, Juliette would've told him. She evidently had things on her mind, but it didn't appear to be detrimental to her health, so Rooster temporarily convinced himself to calm down. He watched Maverick take Penny for a joyride in the P-51, followed by giving Amelia one. Juliette declined the offer when Maverick proposed it to her, however, sending up the first red flag for Rooster. Since when did she ever turn down a chance to go up with Mav?

The second red flag rose during dinner when she chose water over not just alcohol but every other drink available. Normally, Jules at least had a diet Dr. Pepper or Diet Coke, but never just water.

The third red flag was her unusual quietness. While Juliette smiled and laughed, she barely contributed to the conversation and continually fiddled with her locket. Rooster was desperate to pull his fiancée aside, but he couldn't find a good time without arousing suspicion from Maverick, Penny, and Amelia. So he waited, his anxiety rising higher and higher into the evening until everyone went to bed, even Juliette. She slept soundly and peacefully on the air mattress set up for them next to the P-51. With Rooster not in bed yet, Raptor and Lightning flanked her like they used to, resting their heads on the pillows like humans.

After fixing the covers over Jules, he shuffled to Maverick's workstation, having intended to do so earlier but getting caught up in conversation with his dad and the others prevented him.

He approached the counter, smiling softly at the memorabilia and pictures lining it. Mav's helmet, worn from use and their escape from enemy territory, sat on the wood. Taped to the metal wall were photos upon photos upon photos: Ice and Mav shaking hands after their victory over the five MiGs; Rooster and Mav below it in the same position after their own success; Rooster proposing to Juliette on the carrier, another of them at her prom the time he'd surprised her by flying in from college; Rooster's baseball uniform photo and his official Naval portrait, probably sent to Mav by Juliette considering he hadn't been speaking to Maverick at that point in time; one of Mav and Goose howling to the sky aboard a carrier; Mav and Goose standing in front of their F-14; Carole and Goose kissing while the latter held a little Bradley in his arms; and Mav and Goose giving the thumbs up to the camera.

Thanks for watching out for me, Dad. I hope you and Mom are singing and dancing your hearts out up in Heaven. I'll see you again one day. I love you.

Rooster fist-bumped the photo of his dad and moved off to the kitchen, a small heartache in his chest. He wished his parents had both gotten to live long enough to see him marry Juliette. Carole loved her, and he had no doubt Goose would've too. Still, he wished they were here. At least Bradley had Maverick again. He'd never truly lost Mav, that he knew, but it was still nice to have his dad around without any tension between them.

Rooster pulled out his carton of ice cream from the freezer and braced himself on the counter while he ate it, scrolling through pictures on his phone. Most consisted of Juliette, Maverick, the dogs, and the Dagger squadron. The latter had created a group chat- Juliette and Mav included- and constantly texted each other, mainly funny memes and jokes. Everyone swiftly learned Bob, who appeared so innocent, had a dirty sense of humor.

A pair of arms wrapped around Rooster's waist, and he felt Juliette rest her cheek on his back. Sleepily, she said, "What are you doing awake, Lieutenant?"

Rooster straightened, twisting around so he could drape his arm around Jules's shoulders. "I wasn't tired. What are you doing up?"

"I got hungry." Rooster scooped a glob of ice cream onto his spoon and offered it to her. She happily took it. Juliette leaned her head against his shoulder and looked up at him. "Talk to me, Rooster. What's on your mind?"

"I've been worried about you today. You haven't been yourself. What exactly did the doctor say?" Juliette dropped her gaze from his, fiddling with her ring. Rooster's heart jumped into his throat. "Are you sick?"

"No. I mean, technically, yes, but no."

"That- that does not help clarify anything."

Juliette reached up for her locket, gripping it in her fist with white knuckles. "Y-you know how we said we wanted to start a family after we got married?"

"Yeah, what about it?" A depressing thought popped into his head, and he hesitated to ask it, but if it was true, he wanted to let Juliette know he didn't care. He loved her regardless. "Are- are you able to have kids?"

"Yes, and according to my doctor, it's going to be a lot sooner than we planned."

The gears turned madly in Rooster's head as he processed her words. "It's going to... I don't get it"

"Bradley, I'm pregnant," Juliette whispered, her blue eyes full of vulnerability and fear of his response.

"I'm gonna be a dad?" Rooster croaked out, his eyes dropping to her stomach.

"Yeah..."

A burst of laughter escaped his lips as he swept Juliette into his arms and spun her around excitedly. "I'm going to be a dad!"

"I'm going to take that as a sign you're happy about it," Juliette remarked, relief evident in her tone. He set her down at the sound of it.

"Were you afraid I wouldn't be?"

"We've only been back together a month, and I know we're engaged and planning to marry, but it's still so early and-"

"Juliette Sarah Kazansky, listen to me," Rooster interrupted, cupping her face, "I couldn't care less if we have kids before we get married. All I care about is that I get to start a life with you, and I cannot wait to live it with you and our future child."

Tears welled in Juliette's eyes, her shoulders sagging at his reassurance. "I love you, Bradley Bradshaw."

"I love you too, Juliette." He gave her three kisses, and between each one, he whispered a word to form the sentence that had been their love story since the beginning: India Lima Yankee.

***

Tags: @lgg5989 @shanimallina87 @polikszena @summ3rlotus @souslesyeuxde @gleasonmalfoy @icemansgirl1999 @supernaturaldawning @thedarkinmansfield @lyannaforpresident @lapilark @getmyprettynameoutofyourmouth @simpofthecentury @shadeops21 @pansexualwitchwhoneedstherapy @double-j @picklejuicesposts @bradshawsandbridgetons @majdoline @jakexfmc @catsandgeekyandnerd @peachiicherries @multifandomcnova @fandomsstolemylife00 @bookloverhorses @nicangelinee @mak-32

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ah-scheisse-its-you · 1 year

Text

Got inspired to write a ficlet for Bee's oc Carys and Marco after she showed me a super sweet holiday comm that set my mind rolling. Happy holidays Bee 😘🐝

Continue on to read ❤️

"So it is called Christmas?"

"Yeah, it's a holiday in a lot of islands we look out for. They all have different traditions that we've cobbled together for the crew."

"Like this," Carys started as she reached down and pulled at the brightly patterned wool covering her torso, "sweater?"

Marco laughed. "Yeah, Jozu brought that one to us from the West Blue. Thatch is a pro at finding the most awful ones and always wins, no matter how hard Haruta tries."

"That's very brave of him. What else is there?" Carys ran her hands over the green pine branches wrapping around the doorway, curious at how these tied into a celebration.

"Well that's garland, a kind of boring decoration, but it matches the tree. You saw that on deck near Pops, covered in lights and ornaments. We have a couple smaller ones spread throughout the ship too."

Her hand paused as she thought back to when she arrived, trying to place it in the rush of greeting people and finding Marco.

"Oh! Yes!! It was so pretty and some of them were very sparkly."

"Most of those are the one's Haruta's division covered in glitter. All the pieces are handmade because they represent each of us."

"That's very sweet for your Father."

Marco's eyes softened as he answered, "Pops loves it. He picks some to put up himself every year and then lifts one of the newest crew members up to put the star on the top."

Carys smiled and put a hand on Marco's arm, tugging at the scarf wrapped there. "It sounds great for bonding as a clan."

"It is. You'll have to make an ornament this year, Carys, since we're allied and everything."

She smiled, happy to be included so easily into their clan, happy to be Marco's side.

"I'd like that. Is there anything else I should know about, just in case Thatch tries to trick me?"

"You already know about most of the food, since it's no different from our parties. The kitchen does some more baking for it though, like cookies. Oh, a lot of people exchange gifts around this time of year. Normally it happens between families or loved ones, but it's agreed upon beforehand. The commanders all give things to each other, so don't let Thatch goad you into a gift."

"Should I have gotten you something? As mates?"

"Carys, you being here is the greatest gift of them all," Marco said, backing up and tugging her into the doorway. Carys followed, confused but pleased that she was what Marco wanted.

Her mind still caught in that train of thought, she was surprised when Marco's hands settled on her waist and he pulled her in for a soft kiss.

"One last tradition: mistletoe," Marco stated, pointing upwards and dropping a peck on Carys cheek as she followed his finger. "You kiss whoever you meet under it."

"This tradition is far better than the sweaters were. As long as it's you I am with."

Marco let out a grumble and pulled her into a hug. "Only me."

Carys grinned at Marco's rare showing of jealousy. She was happy she'd made it up to celebrate with the crew and learn all this new stuff.

Loud caterwauling came from somewhere a few walls away, bouncing through the halls and Marco groaned.

"Ugh, I guess I forgot one— Christmas carols. Thatch becomes the worst singer ever for them, don't let him rope you in to any."

Art by the amazing @dailyrebranded Fic for my darling @secretsnailor love you, hope you enjoy (again)

#for Bee #one piece oc #oc x Marco #Carys #ficlet

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rosieartsie · 2 years

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Hey again! 6, 15, and 18 for the OC WIP ask game? 😊

Hello hello! Oh god, idk which OC ask game this is referring to cuz I've reblogged so many in the time since you asked this. I am A FOOL. But I'll pick one and make it interesting of course <3-- OH WAIT I THINK I FOUND IT lol.

6.Have any of your OCs had name changes? If so, why? LMAOOOOO Okay, so, Scythaline was originally called Scythilis. I bet you can guess why that shit HAD TO GO and it is still embarrassing and hilarious to me that I did not realize that this name I'd chosen, which I'd been so focused on getting a like... 'Scythe' related name? Sounds very much like a certain STI lmao. Needless to say when I did realize, I had to change it- but I'm happy with the chance, Scythaline's name is dope.

15. Who is your oldest OC in terms of when you created them? Oh man... There's a lot of OCs that I don't use anymore that are utterly ANCIENT, like... made when I was 10 ancient, but the oldest one I still have in use for my work is Alluna-- She's a bad ass, she got more and more bad ass the longer I wrote her because at first she had sort of a helpless damsel who is secretly a wise, gentle lady vibe and more than that she has always had this magical element where she is so terribly poisonous that even touching her will kill a person. It's very cool, and long ago when we were first starting the The Bishop of Black with an almost entirely different cast of characters, we'd begun with her and another character, a Rook who Harrow wrote who was so in love with her he created an antidote for her poison. The war was about to get back on, and she and the Rook had met to discuss terms they knew they'd never agree with each other on, and as a like... last chance to do this sort of thing, he confessed his feelings to her. It was... SO GAY. 10/10- we have similar ships in TBOB but they're spoilery so I will not discuss them lol, but Alluna was one of the main characters in our first time playing AND our second time playing. She was scrapped for the third time and final time because we really wanted some fresh folks to play in this realm with, but I have no regrets cuz now the Queen of White is Setsulin and she's also a bad ass babe.

18.Do any of your ocs have any scars? A couple of them do actually! So, Dreigas has a lot of scars- you wouldn't think so when his whole aesthetic is like 'The Pristine Kingom of White' but in fashion terms, but it's kinda fitting in that way that you get rid of his sari and his long sleeves and you'll find LOADS of scars from before he was medically modified. The magic used to crystalize his bones bleached the hell out of his skin, but it didn't take away all of the damage that had been done from his youth, both after working in mines as a young child and being raised by a mentor that thought a good beating would solidify any lesson for Dreigas. Dreigas wasn't ever a rebellious child, but he wasn't always the right the first time every time person he became as an adult, so he's got lots of scars from when he was young.

Tajorinen has several scars because he's a close contact fighter- being a jaguar folk means he's kinda gotta leap in there and start bitin and scratchin, and that lends itself to getting torn up every now and then. His most prominent scar is a starburst shaped scar on his pectoral where at some point, he was shot clean through by magic that should have killed him. It didn't. For reasons. No spoilers lol. But the scar remains even if the effects of the magic were nullified and he lived through the encounter.

Setsulin has scarification that is cultural, it's on her left hip and down the outside of her thigh and it's not an uncommon thing for scarification to be done where she's from. Erato has a bunch of scars too (Erato is Harrow's character and Setsulin's older sister) but hers are on her face and neck and across her shoulders, so you see those more often than you get to see Setsulin's. She'd definitely show off more skin than she does if she wasn't the Queen of White, but there's an expectation of modesty and fully-dressed-ness to the position that requires her to cover a lot of her skin up and even veil her face. She's gotten around this by being intensely fashionable lol, all of her skin is covered, but the clothes are tight fitting and show off her shape- rather than wearing a classical veil, she tends to wear huge, dramatic hats with fringe or veils attached to the rim. She only allows herself to be caged by tradition because being as rowdy as she wants to be would look back on Cynevor-- it's bad enough as it is that they ran away and eloped when Cynevor was supposed to marry someone else lol.

#Ask games #Setsulin #Tajorinen #Dreigas #Scythaline #Alluna #the bishop of black #ask game #thank you for the ask!

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vivifrage · 2 years

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🤥 and 💥 for Judge and 👪 and 🌌 for Haldegard!

Aww heck yeah!

🤥 LYING - are they good liars? do they have tells to show they're lying?

Judge lies with the same straight face and dead tone that she says most everything in. Most bugs, especially mortals, will leave it at that. What the wyrm god says goes, after all.

If you know her better or are more persistent, the tell is usually that she's making shit up on the fly, so watch for inconsistencies, evasiveness, and circling around back to the same few points. However, she'll also often lie by omission, especially if you start trying to pry into her history or anything else she'd rather not talk about.

💥 COLLISON - what emotions do they have trouble dealing with?

Uhh many, by mortal standards. As a wyrm, she's lived a long life, and experienced a whole plethora of emotions so many times over that she's got good ways of handling them. Or, at least, she can hold herself back if need be. However, that's as a wyrm. In her new body she's often dealing with less familiar situations, and her responses don't come across the same way.

The one she's probably worst with is overstimulation. Not quite an emotion, but being surrounded by people just didn't happen as a wyrm, so too much noise, scents, that kind of thing, drives her up the wall.

---

👪 FAMILY - what is their family like? what is your ocs relationship to them? does your oc have any siblings?

(CW for some mentions of homophobia.)

Haldegard does have a sibling, to get that one covered! She's got a twin, her name is Inrai. They're... pretty different. It's kind of a Thing for the culture they grew up in that twins (and sometimes other even numbers of kids) encapsulate duality, which is a big part of spirituality; one will be one way, one will be the opposite. Inrai... I don't know how to describe her personality other than like, 30-something year old Instagram influencer. Which is actually her job; she does social media travel stuff, but unlike Haldegard she sticks to her home planet.

Though, despite the differences, Haldegard still talks with Inrai! They get on each other's nerves sometimes, but Haldegard will pick up if Inrai calls and they'll let each other know any major events. Their parents, however, she will ignore as much as she can and the crew's in on it. See, she realized she was queer growing up, and they found out somehow. In a panic, they hooked her up with a friend's kid, hoping that being in a relationship with the "opposite" sex would make her realize it's not that bad. I forgot my in-universe term but Haldegard's homosexual. So's the kid she got paired with. They became friends and were each other's beard for a while, but it really put Haldegard off. Between that and some other incidents, she doesn't really want to talk to them anymore.

(Her parents have actually learned a lot since then, and may not always be 100% on top of it as allies, but they try to support queer folks when they can now. Haldy won't hear it.)

The rest of the family's pretty extensive. Most also don't talk with her much by extension of the same reasons she won't talk to her parents. At least for her cousins' and parents' generations. The elders keep in touch every once in a while, and I think there's one she's particularly fond of.

🌌 MILKY WAY - what was the inspiration behind your oc? what was the first thing you decided about them?

Longest Johns songs, I believe! That and that one post that goes around sometimes about space shanties. My other SF universe doesn't have rules that let it get into the like, singing to keep time during FTL travel thing, but I really wanted to play around with that sort of idea. So the Merciful Steel's universe was born, with much more loosey-goosey rules about things. (Hence why Hex exists!)

Of course, if I wanted space shanties and the like, I needed a ship, and the ship needed a captain. This happened around the time Warframe put out their Railjack update, and while I was dreaming up what I'd do with my railjack, I thought of naming it the Merciful Steel. The ship and the characters were all originally for a Warframe fic! Haldegard was a Hildryn, Hex was a Limbo, and Lwx was an Ivara who learned engineering from a Vauban. (Yip I never could get a feel for which frame to use, might have ended up being a Volt if I stuck with the Warframe idea.) There's still some callbacks to that in their designs - Haldegard's body shape, Hex's suit, Lwx's single eye.

But of course, it's no longer Warframe fic, though I do still consider my Hildryn to be the "captain" of my railjack, which is indeed called the Merciful Steel.

For extra fun, Haldegard's design also got inspo from Herrah for the spider-y side.

#apparently i feel like writing novels about Haldegard #thank you for the ask!!

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palepinkycat · 3 years

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🎵, 🎤 and🎙️for Lothra? :)) (~Dina)

Thank you for the ask @thedinalixlegacy <3

🎵 - What’s a song that the oc would want as their theme song?

She'd probably want something like that -

My mother told me

Someday I would buy

Galleys with good oars

Sail to distant shores

Stand up on the prow

Noble barque I steer

Steady course to the haven

Hew many foe-men

Lothra was the first Iridonian to ever cross the sea, not to mention the unique design of her ships and the fact that she created them from a scratch. Aaand the Iridonians definitely wrote at least one song about her.

This would do well as her theme too! Or Iridonians' theme in general

🎤 - Is there a song with lyrics that really just makes you think of this oc?

Plenty of songs actually, Lotts is a very colourful person uwu

I was listenin' to the ocean

I saw a face in the sand

But when I picked it up

Then it vanished away from my hands

I had a dream I was seven

Climbing my way in a tree

I saw a piece of heaven

Waiting impatient for me

And I was runnin' far away

Would I run off the world someday?

Nobody knows

I'm not sure there's much to explain, Lothra's always been a dreamer with an insatiable hunger for knowledge who wanted more from life and she wouldn't rest until she got it.

No man can keep me together

Been broken since I was born

I'd change "no man" to "no one" but besides that it's perfect. Sigi and Rodolf better write it down and stop trying, they deserve better 🤠

This will never end 'cause I want more

More, give me more

Give me more

No comment needed, I guess.

This song is literally Lotts slowly going crazy and it's perfect for her <3 That 'he' she refers to would ofc be Danaidh or at least her perception of Danaidh.

He came dressed in black with a cross bearing my name

He came bathed in light and the splendor and glory

[...]

He said, "Fly with me, touch the face of the true God"

[...]

Cause I've prayed days, I've prayed nights

For the Lord just to send me home some sign

I've looked long, I've looked far

To bring peace to my black and empty heart

[...]

Cause I've cried days, I've cried nights

[...]

Is he near, is he far?

Bring peace to my black and empty heart

I know I'd mentioned this song before but I did it in a different context so here we go again!

We laugh about nothing as the summer gets cool

It's beautiful how this deep normality settles down over me

I'm not bored or unhappy, I'm still so strange and wild

You're in the wind, I'm in the water

Nobody's son, nobody's daughter

Watching the chemtrails over the country club

It's more of Lotts and Sigi's song but it makes me think of Lothra's slightly softer side. She never enjoyed politics per se, she hated the nobles as much as most Iridonian commoners did. What she truly enjoyed was toying with them, outsmarting them in their own game. Bearing the burden of fame, the constant pressure along with the high expectations she and her people had for her - not to mention her extremely young age - took a heavy toll on her and I don't think she's ever realised it. With Sigifrit she finally got to be no one again, even though it only lasted a moment. It felt like she regained control in her life.

Anyways, sorry for answering with five songs instead of one, I could talk about this disaster for hours 🤠

🎙️ - Can you think of a song that the oc would sing along to?

She'll sing along to any bar song if she's drunk enough and she'll know all the lyrics to said songs. ModernAU Lothra and Rodolf would totally blast this song in the car.

They'd probably try singing along to it - or scream - as well. It's their song, it's so passive-aggressive, it fits them ✨ perfectly ✨

#rod's passive and she's aggressive #their daughter is a mix but she's too pure too good to be like her mother #she can't sit in one place for long and she's a curious little goblin so she actually takes after lotts as well #zabrak #swtor #oc:lothra #oc:rodolf #sort of

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marinerainbow · 1 year

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Hey hey!! I have some Jumbo asks for Poppy, if you want to? If not that's absolutely okay!! Also I've chosen one from each section and thats a lot so if you wanna pick and choose which ones to answer that's also perfectly good! ^^

💋 📙 📀 🍐💙 🍆 💗

Also

Oh my god, Wicked, I'm absolutely grateful for these! And the hug! Thank you so much, and I will absolutely answer all of these! And don't be afraid to send too many, honestly being able to answer asks like these give me life and I kept thinking about this at work today. If you want to send in more, I'm more than happy to answer them (though don't feel pressured to do so either) ^^

There's going to be references to my favorite ship with Poppy in this (I can't bring myself to say who I ship her with. But you know exactly who I'm talking about Wicked-), and Roger and Jessica if they were her family since they'd be the closest she'd have to family (I'm not sure if I'll make it canon that Poppy is Roger's cousin, but I'll still mention them since it's fun). So we're in for a long post boys and girls.

And of course, for you, a tackle hug!

(Also the fact that you asked all those in the order of the rainbow just makes me smile, idk why, it just does ^^)

💋: How affectionate are they with their friends? Their family? Their romantic partner(s) (if they have any)? Are they more physical or emotional when it comes to displaying affection? Why?

When it comes to family and friends, she's plenty affectionate with them. She'll hug them, hold their hand to comfort them and/or herself, etc. Her romantic partner gets all that times ten; She'll cuddle up to them, give them pet names (the classic ones, like sweetheart, honey, dear, darling, etc), the entire package. She loves her family, friends, and romantic partner, and she is not at all afraid to show it.

She absolutely loves PDA, and will not be ashamed to show others how much she loves her S/O, though she is more of a 'formal' affectionate. For example, she'll hold her partner's arm, give them a simple but sweet peck on his/her cheek, basically she may not be all over her S/O, but it's still obvious she loves them. Same goes for when they are alone together, though she's a bit more openly affectionate then. And it's not just physical, she'll get them a gift if she can afford it, tell them through words how much she loves them, help them with anything they need, etc. Basically she's down for all kinds of affection. She can't hide it when she's in love. (She'll hold herself back if her romantic partner wants her too though).

📙: What kind of subjects (of conversation, of discussion, in school or whatever) does your OC find interesting or engaging or something they can talk hours about? What kind of stuff do they just find fun?

What bores your OC to tears and they couldn't care less about? Why?

Plants and insects. She absolutely loves talking about them and what she knows. Even the more creepier facts, like how long it would take for a venus flytrap to digest a fly, or how much venom a black widow spider carries. She also loves talking about literature and history.

She absolutely does not want to hear any gossip or true crime. She has no interest in what celebrities or her neighbors are up to, and she doesn't want to hear about real life horrors in the world.

📀: How easy is it to shock your OC? To confuse them? To lie to them, to manipulate them? How are they with feelings of trust? Can your OC be trusted?

To shock Poppy? Not a whole lot. Especially if it's a scare type of shock. To confuse, lie, or manipulate her? That is also pretty easy unfortunately. If she loves someone, familial, platonic, or romantic, she'll trust them whole heartedly. She's not dumb or blind, she'll notice suspicious behavior, but she'll deny it and brush it off. It would take either someone forcing her to face the facts or the liar to do something huge like physically hurt her or someone she loves before she comes to terms with what's really going on. And even then, she'll spend some time wondering if she could have done anything different to change what happened, and pin the blame on herself.

Whether she's trustworthy? Oh absolutely. I would trust her with my own life if she was real. Even if she just sees it as common courtesy, she'll do whatever she can to help her loved ones out and keep them safe, even if it would be sacrificial in some way to herself.

🍐: What is your OC's mentality? Are they overall positive? Negative? A bit of both? Describe their thought patterns and reasoning behind their choice making!

It really depends. She'll be positive for other people, even if she has to force it, but with herself she's very negative. Some days, her whole mentality is just negative and it just winds up splashing on others. But there are days, especially as she gets better with herself, that she is just a ray of sunshine.

Poppy worries... Alot. She'll try to do her best, but then wonder if her best is good enough, she'll want to take a nice stroll out, but then wonder what could happen while she's out, etc. So she's constantly questioning herself. Her partner would be able to help her relax more, both because he reassures her, and because she trusts him and feels safe with him.

💙: What did your OC want to be when they grew up and why? Did they have any lifelong dreams or ambitions they never got to work on or are they currently achieving this dream? Has their life taken a very unexpected turn and put all these plans on hold for a while or have they given up on any dreams?

Honestly, I can see Poppy wanting to be a history teacher. When she learned the job title, she wanted to get a degree herself and teach others. Not to mention the fact that since she was made in the early 20'th century, that technically makes her a part of history, who better to teach the past then someone who was there to experience it? However since she was drawn for horror cartoons, she couldn't pursue that career choice. And now that her studio is shut down, she has to take whatever job she can get just so she won't be homeless, so her dream is on the back burner for now.

Another dream though, is to start a family of her own. Even though being a first time parent is daunting, Poppy still wants to have kids with her romantic partner. She wants the peaceful, tranquil life, away from the dangerous streets of downtown, with someone who loves her as true as she would love them. That hasn't been accomplished yet, though hopefully she'll achieve it someday.

🍆: Tea or coffee or hot chocolate? Sweet or spicy? Fruits or vegetables?

All three, but situational. Tea is when she needs to relax, coffee is when she needs to stay awake, and hot cocoa is reserved for holidays and special occasions (or if she just feels like spoiling herself). Side note, she'll also drink alcohol, but only rarely and in small increments, like on new years or during a wedding, something that's like a big celebration.

She'd honestly cry if she ate something spicy, and possibly hurl if it was spicy enough. So she'd prefer sweet.

She likes fruit just a little bit more than veggies. Though it's barely noticeable.

💗: What would your OC say is their best feature? Why? What do their friends/family/loved one(s)/people they know think is their best feature and why?

Poppy thinks her best feature are her ears. She does appreciate having good hearing, even if she does momentarily regret it when something loud starts up near her.

Roger (if he was Poppy's cousin) can't pick just one thing about her he thinks is her best feature. I doubt he can easily find flaws in anybody he likes, and even then he still focuses on the good parts. He can and will be anybodies hype man.

Jessica (is she was Poppy's in-law) would think her heart was her best feature. As a toon who faces plenty of judgment and harrasment for simply being drawn a certain way, she appreciates how understanding and compassionate Poppy is. However, Jessica also recognizes that that can be her biggest weakness as well for the reasons mentioned above.

I hope you like these answers! If you have any more asks I'm more than happy to answer them!

#WFRR #Who Framed Roger Rabbit #my own OC's #my own characters #Poppy #Roger Rabbit #Jessica Rabbit #ships #(im not going to state the specific ship becaise im embarrassed but im still going to tag as ships since this does reference a ship)#ask game #honestly i really am grateful that you would ask about Poppy #not only does it give me the courage to talk about my OC and develop her better it also shows me you really like her!#which is especially soecial from you since youre not really an OC person but you like her enough to ask about her! ^^

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chilling-seavey · 2 years

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HIIII!! ok so firstly, the new theme is gorgeous, the colours are just so pretty! also i have a few asks for the 1k celebration hehe

🔪 + a character or ship for a random headcanon i have of them

morgan for this one because she's a badass and i wanna know more abt her!

🍓 + a little description of yourself for me to tell you which character vibes you give me

okay so a mini description: i'm a hoarder, so i have a lot of things i've collected from over the years. if there's one thing that i actively try to keep clean it's my desk, it's always gotta look tidy. i love painting a lot, but i mainly do kinda abstract pieces, i also enjoy still-life when it comes to graphite (ik i'm boring with my art haha) i'm apparently also very smiley but my head is always loud and messy which reflects in a lot of things i do too. i also play the guitar!

✨ + any other question just to get to know me or my stories a bit more!

okay so i noticed that your face claim for Morgan is Thomasin McKenzie who acted in a recent movie as the lead alongside Anya Taylor-Joy, did you pick morgan's face claim because you were "inspired" (?, definitely not the right word) by the movie or was it just a lil coincidence?

sorry for how long this is! but happy 1k emily!!!! that's a massive milestone, you deserve it :)

Ahh thank you so much dearest amber <3

🔪 - a headcanon for Morgan Cordelia I love this idea :') Let's see... her whole found family life is such a different taste from a lot of my other OCs. When she was first with their little group, she and JJ ended up dating for a bit but ended up agreeing after a very short amount of time that sticking as best friends was much more their vibe. They never fail to joke about it though. And since they are so close, they sometimes appear to pass as dating but it's only every platonic with them...from cuddling in the hammock outside the chateau to how she'd clean him up after a fight. Morgan is a tough cookie and she always likes to come across as unbreakable and strong but her nurturing side - something she had never been witness to from her own parents or anyone - comes out when it needs to around those she cares about most.

🍓 - Honestly you kinda give me Loretta Jean vibes between your "always smiley" and your artist interest and your chaos of collections! She's a lil ray of sunshine who stems her passions of creativity and is a lil bit of a fangirl like we all are here hehe. Plus she's as sweet as you so 😌

✨ - Actually, no! I have yet to see that movie...ik I'm so behind. I really need to! I watched JoJo Rabbit back when it came out in 2019 and I lowkey had a girl crush on Thomasin McKenzie and I knew that I wanted to use her as a fc for an OC once I started writing more seriously in 2020/2021 but she never seemed to fit any of my OCs...until now ayay. After I finished SC I knew that my next OC would have to fit her. When I saw that Thomasin and Anya were co-starring in a film I was literally so shook...my fkn girls blending universes out here 😂

#chilling-seavey's 1k celebration

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punkrock-writer · 3 years

Text

Space Cowboy- part 5

Never Fight a Man With a Perm

Pairing- Din Djarin x F!OC

Warnings- Swearing, Mentions Blood, Canon Typical Violence. The Gang from Chapter 6 are dicks.

A/N- Howdy!! I’m so sorry this took so long to come out. I had a bad case of brain rot this past week and did not want to type, but it’s here and I hope ya’ll like it! I’m kind of nervous about this chapter because this was the situation that inspired the entire story, so please let me know what you think!

I’m going to try to have the next chapter out quicker! Put who knows, I got worms in my brain!

Masterlist AO3

After almost taking another roll around the ship — thanks to Din's lack of a warning — Sedona was now aware of what hyperspace felt like. It was actually rather calm, quiet, and still. She wished she could see it, but she didn't really know if she should attempt to enter the cockpit. Instead, turning to face her bags, she figured it was a good time to get some real clothes on. The child cooed sadly when she set him down in the sleeping compartment, and though she hated to, she ignored him and knelt by her suitcase. Searching for something somewhat warm through the clothes that were packed for Florida was proving difficult. She settled on black leggings, an old grey Ron Jon Surf Shop hoodie, and a pair of soft crew socks. A sports bra and a fresh pair of underwear completed the 'look' and she gathered her things and headed to the shower room.

Not before quickly turning back and grabbing her deodorant, because, yuck.

With a deep breath, she decided it was finally time to look at herself.

Nothing was exciting or truly different to note about the person reflected back to her in the foggy mirror. It was the same girl, blue eyes, short brown hair, but now there was a brand new massive bruise on her left temple. Her dark circles were deeper, and her eyes were tired. But other than the wound there was nothing new. She discarded her pajamas, and slipped into the clean clothes, she never thought it would feel this good to be fully covered. Her arms all the way to her toes now concealed in comfortable fabric, and she was grateful. She quickly put her hair into a folded bun, and set to her second task, putting that extra bacta patch on her head.

Peli made it look much easier. Whatever it was, was slimy and hard to get a grip on, but once it was placed, it stuck. So now she had a slightly lopsided, oversized band-aid on her head. And she knew it was going to hurt like a bitch to yank out of her hair. Taking one last look in the mirror, she sighed.

Honestly, she looked like she was about to go take a plane trip back home, and it tugged her heart a little bit.

Shaking her head she picked her things back up and opened the door to exit into the hull. A shiny helmet of beskar startled her, he must've just jumped down from the cockpit, as he was facing her through the ladder. She tried not to think too much about the way he stared for a bit too long, most likely just assessing her change in appearance. Before she could say anything he turned sharply, stepping over to where the child pouted in the sleeping compartment. She scooted by them, heading to put her things back in her bag. And when she straightened up to see what he was doing, he was already halfway up the ladder, taking the child with him.

Sedona tried not to dwell on it too much, it's not like he knew her, he barely even trusted her. He didn't owe her any more kindness than he was already giving her. But it really didn't help when she felt like she knew him. She needed to get that idea out of her head, she didn't know jack shit about what went through his head. Seeing someone on screen is so much different than actually being around them, and Sedona had to make sure she didn't get too comfortable too fast— she couldn't afford any slip-ups. So for now she would take it slow, tiptoe around the Crest, and do what she needed to do when called.

In pursuit of being quiet, she decided now might be a good time to check her phone. She settled herself in the sleeping compartment, purse in her lap, and plucked it from the bag. The time read 10:34 am, and obviously, there was no way of telling if that was right. Her calendar read two days since she had been ripped from her hotel room, and she was pretty sure that would be reliable. As long as she had some way of knowing how long she'd been here, she could keep herself grounded.

It didn't even cross her mind that she should try to find some way to get back home.

Sedona dozed off after a while, curled around her purse in the sleeping compartment. Her circadian rhythm was thrown off, or maybe it was like some kind of space-sickness. She was just tired, and she didn't know what else to do. The plot was getting scrambled in her head, and until Din jogged her mind in some way, she wasn't going to risk getting a headache thinking about it.

So she slept, the soft hum of hyperspace lulling her into relaxation, no matter how uncomfortable the bed was.

~o~o~o~

That was how Din found her a few hours later. Curled like a lothcat around one of her smaller bags. The child gurgled in happiness at the sight of her— he was the reason they were down there, wailing incessantly at the ladder. He didn't understand why he liked her so much, but if he trusted anyone, it was the child. So he set him down next to her knees, a position they had just recently been in. The child began climbing up her legs, and Din could only look on in amusement as she grumbled something incoherent.

The toddler reached his intended destination, her shoulder, and began to tap his tiny hands on her cheek. Din couldn't stop a small smile from breaking his features, thankful for the helmet once again. Her eyes popped open, panic clear on her features as she turned to look at what was tapping her face, and a smile overtook her.

"Hey little guy, how'd you get up there." Din pretended not to notice the roughness of her voice or the sleepy smile that turned to face him. "Oh I see now, you had an accomplice."

She slowly sat up, taking care to hold the child steady. She folded her legs in front of her, setting him in her lap. The child smiled up at him, and before he could stop himself, a gloved hand reached out and stroked his ear. Din wasn't used to showing affection in front of others, especially people he didn't fully trust. But the atmosphere was so relaxed, and it seems his body reacted before his mind could stop it.

"Did we stop somewhere?" Her quiet voice broke him out of his trance, his head snapped back up to meet hers. She looked worried, her eyes searched the helmet, and her teeth caught her bottom lip. Din told himself he was just observing a possible threat, analyzing her tells.

Subconsciously, that was a different story.

"No," he paused to clear his throat when it came out in a whisper. "I've picked up a job, I'm changing our course, and we'll be there in an hour... I just—" well Din didn't really know why exactly he felt the need to warn her. "I just wanted to know if you had... anything to tell me." Right, just trying to get information. Her eyes seemed to light up in recognition, her brow furrowed in concentration.

"Who- or what is the job exactly." She looked confused still, her eyes zoned in on something in the distance, deep in thought.

"It's with an old... acquaintance of mine." His voice was rougher than he intended, still not really enjoying the idea of the job. But by the way her eyes darkened, he knew it was probably going to be a big mistake.

~o~o~o~

Sedona's mind instantly hooked onto the information and dragged it from the depths of the scramble. This situation, she knew well. This episode, she had watched, many times. For the plot... not for the way the red lights danced off beskar or the amazingly hot fight scenes.

No for the plot.

She knew what she needed to do.

"They betray you, they're going to try and shove you in a cell and leave you there... and a droid tries to shoot the baby— and they're all massive dicks, every one of them." Okay. That sounded crazy, she didn't mean for everything to tumble out like that. According to the way Din suddenly stood straight and alert, she probably didn't say the right things. "Wait... but you get out of it, no one gets hurt— except for the assholes— but they deserved it a-and you get money."

He just stood there, still as a rock. She couldn't imagine how all of that sounded to him. He probably didn't even know what the mission was supposed to be, and she had already informed him it was doomed from the start.

Yeah, I gotta work on the info delivery.

He let out a long sigh. His fingers twitched at his side, he probably would've rubbed his forehead in frustration if he could. She could feel herself shrinking in the silence, she unconsciously held onto the baby in her lap a little tighter. He cooed at her, seemingly sensing her anxiety. His little 3 clawed hands tapped at hers that held his waist.

"Well... like I said, an hour." He then turned and quickly made his way to the ladder. Climbing into the cockpit in almost record time. Sedona let a long sigh escape her, bringing one hand up to rub her eyes. She wasn't tired anymore, anxiety had squandered that quickly.

She had to either, A. Figure out some way to keep Din from being tricked and captured. Or B. Make sure Grogu doesn't alert the droid of his presence. For some reason, the situation felt wrong. She knew this mission was on course to go sour, but there was a bad feeling whispering at the edges of her mind.

Everything was feeling super, extra, bad and it was making her stomach hurt.

Or maybe she was just fucking starving.

Sedona realized she had never eaten the 'bar' Peli had given her. And an all-liquid diet the day before probably wasn't helping her whole, situation. Moving the child from her lap, she placed her feet on the ground. Thankful for her socks as the cold of the metal seeped through the fabric. She walked over to her suitcase— not really remembering where she had put the food— the entire evening leading up to her fight with Toro was a blur. When she didn't find it in her purse, she searched through her suitcase. Her hands touched the foil wrapping, and suddenly there was another presence at her side.

The little green gremlin was a bloodhound for food, it was like he read her mind and teleported to her. Letting out an excited squeal when she brought the bar into view, Sedona couldn't help but laugh with him. Sitting cross-legged in front of her suitcase she invited him to sit with her. And with more adorable grunts and snorts he sat down in between her legs, eyes never leaving the bar.

"Okay we can share, but don't tell your dad" she whispered, he made a soft coo in response. The bar looked like someone had put a granola bar through a grinder, and then reformed it back into a bar. Not exactly the most appetizing thing, but food was food, and the little guy seemed excited. She broke off a small piece— yes she had witnessed the child swallow a frog whole— but he was so little in front of her, so she went by baby rules and gave him something small. He grabbed it in his little hands, and then she broke off a piece for herself.

It was dry, and tasted kind of like a protein bar, but not at all like a protein bar. It was just different, but with the way the child inhaled it, she knew it was probably worth eating. They carried on like this till it was gone, Grogu munching happily, not minding the crumbs that fell into his lap. She was able to choke it down with the assistance of the water bottle that still sat in her purse. But eating didn't seem to help the way her stomach twisted in worry. When she wasn't distracting herself by watching the child, her mind wandered dangerously.

She couldn't tell if the walls her mind had put up the moment she dropped on the Crest were finally crumbling. Or if something was actually wrong. Her head was starting to hurt again, and now with a stomach ache, she felt like she was starting to break down. She needed another distraction.

Crumbling up the wrapper she turned to her suitcase. The child babbled a little, probably wondering if she had more food. Instead, she was just looking for anything; she moved through everything in the bag, toiletries, bras, a journal. And then she felt something solid. Her boots! She had honestly figured she didn't have any shoes here. Those had been the first thing to come out of her suitcase when she got to her hotel. But now, pulling her work boots from the depths, it was the first time she had actually been excited to see them. They were beat up hiking boots, with the perfect amount of ankle support and non-slip bottom to make it in space.

"Well, are you gonna let me put these on or what?" She said to the child in her lap, he tilted his head with a coo. She slowly started to straighten her legs, he made a squeal and then started to wiggle away from her. She laughed, helping him get off her lap and setting him to the side. He grunted, loudly, instantly very mad at her. She chuckled again, trying not to notice the way her hands shook as she began to lace up her boots.

Grogu toddled over to the ladder, reaching his arms up toward the cockpit. She couldn't help the smile, she finished tying her boots, standing, and headed over to the child. He was hanging from the 3rd rung of the ladder, obviously getting his speed from his father, she was able to catch him just as his 3 fingers slid off the metal. She rose and looked up with anticipation, obviously he wanted to go up there, and that meant she would have to... talk to Din.

She swallowed, but the baby in her arms let out an impatient squeal, reaching his arms up. She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.

"Um... D-Mando" she called, catching herself on the name quickly. "G-The kid wants to come up, i-is it alright if I bring him up." She hated the way she was stumbling through this, it shouldn't be that difficult to ask, but she almost shaking in fear at the prospect of being dropped off on the next planet. Her subconscious was telling her the Din she knew wouldn't do that, but this wasn't the Din she 'knew', this was a stranger. God, why did this have to be so complicated?

There was a long daunting pause. "Just don't touch anything." She let out a sigh of relief, and quickly attempted the climb to the cockpit. Proving to be much trickier with one hand. Her head breached the hole, and in front of her was something amazing. The cockpit of the Razor Crest lit up with the blue streaks of hyperspace. She stopped, awestruck at all of the buttons and levers, all of the details laid out before her. She didn't even notice the child wiggling out of her grasp.

It was beautiful, but also so terrifying. She watched the expanse of space whiz by, something her mind could've never been able to comprehend. And as she stared, she didn't notice when the pilot's chair slowly turned.

"You can come inside." She jumped at his voice, eyes meeting the helmet she didn't know was facing her. She quickly shut her mouth, just now realizing Grogu had made his way to Din's lap. Slowly, she finished the climb up the ladder and found herself at the door to the cockpit. Tentatively she stepped inside, eyes still wide in wonder, and made her way to the chair behind Din's left shoulder. He turned back to the controls, or more back to making sure the child didn't touch anything. She sat down slowly, still not entirely certain this was all real.

Swirling blue was constantly moving above and before her, it was mesmerizing, she felt herself getting lost in it. She could probably look at it for the rest of her life. It was the perfect distraction. Or until someone broke her from her daze, but she didn't expect that to happen anytime soon. Instead, she sat quietly, trying to take up as little space in the room as she could. Her thoughts were pushed to the back of her mind, she was allowed this brief moment of peace.

Sedona had held it together surprisingly well, though it was more likely she was in shock. Numb is what she would call it, seeing everything moving around her, but she didn't really feel it. A mild form of disassociation is probably what a therapist would tell her, her body was in survival mode while her brain just followed, screaming from the shadows. But at this current moment, her mind was quiet, the rolling blue was enough.

Comfortable silence, the baby sleeping, his snores being the only thing breaking through the hum of hyperspace. The pair sat quietly for what seemed to be a long time. It was the first moments of calm both had experienced at the same time, hopefully, it wouldn't be the last. In the past, the silence would have irked her, gnawed at her stomach. She probably would've started a conversation with anyone in the room. But now, it felt okay, her mind felt at ease for the first time since she'd got here. She ignored the voice that whispered, maybe it's him.

A sudden beeping broke through the serene atmosphere, Sedona jumped, while Din only moved his helmet. His hands reached out to flick some switches and punch some buttons.

She secretly wished she might be able to figure out what it all meant, but she wasn't going to get her hopes up.

"We're dropping out of hyperspace, hold on." It was an off-hand comment she realized because she didn't even have time to straighten in her spine when the ship seemed to lurch forward. Her hands flew to her sides, gripping the seat quickly. With the sudden movement, all of her anxieties flew into her throat. And as another giant space ship came into view, another emotion came forward.

Rage.

"Oh, those fuckers." The words were growled out before she even knew her mouth was open. Her eyes widening in surprise as a T-shaped visor snapped to face her. She could only shrug in response, it was the truth. Deep down, she was glad to know her shock-induced state hadn't taken everything from her, she could still talk some smack.

That was going to cause problems.

"You're staying on the ship, with the child." He had turned back to the controls, grasping the handles with gloved hands. The child in question had just woken up, cooing curiously at the scene change. "Make sure he doesn't cause any trouble, or whatever you said happens." She heard him and understood. But she was focused on trying to figure out how the hell she was going to hold her tongue when she knew what was about to happen. Din seemed to notice her unease, his helmet shifted slightly toward her, most likely confused by the white-knuckle grip she still had on the seat.

"You're going to have to gag me." The realization came suddenly, it was the only way, she did not trust herself to keep quiet. Din fully spun to face her now, even without seeing his face she could tell he was surprised and mad. She aimed for his eyes beneath the black visor, "It's the only way to shut me up." He let out a long sigh, that ended more in a frustrated growl.

"Are you serious?" His voice was sharp, serious disbelief. She nodded, it was ridiculous she knew, but with all the choice words swirling in her head, and the way she didn't have full control of herself, it really was the only way. With another growl-sigh he leaned down, ripping off a strip of material from his cape, and handed it to her, then he more or less shoved the child in her lap. "Just go— take him to the sleeping compartment, and... do it yourself."

She stood and left quickly, not wanting to anger him further. She staggered her way down the ladder, Grogu laughing at her struggles. She was panicking, her eyes darted over everything quickly, setting the child in the compartment she went over to her things. She zipped her suitcase closed, then hooked the handle to one of the nets that hung on the wall, hoping that would keep it out of way. Then with her purse, she made her way over to Grogu and climbed in after him. He babbled excitedly, not picking up on the frazzled emotions that were rolling off her in waves.

"We are going to have a totally chill time in here." She said to the child, though it was also mostly to herself. She adjusted till her back was against the wall, and allowed Grogu to clamber onto her lap. "It's gonna be totally cool and nothing bad is going to happen, alright?" Her voice had risen multiple octaves, and it seemed the gremlin had finally caught on to her panic. He tilted his head at her, making a much smaller, almost sadder sound. She instantly felt bad; making shushing noises, she rubbed his little back as he pouted up at her. The ship started to wobble, Din was maneuvering it into the bigger space ship, she held onto the little creature. And with a big thump, they were stopped.

Sedona let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. Grogu's ears seemed to perk up at that, he settled down onto her lap. Listening carefully to the noises above her, she could hear Din moving around before steps began to descend on the ladder. He paused in front of the compartment, carefully observing the situation. Sedona could only stare back, doing her best not to let him know how scared she was, but he probably had a fear sensor on his helmet. Before he could turn away her voice betrayed her again.

"Di-Mando... could I have a weapon." It was a whisper, she was doing the best she could to hold herself together. But this was becoming more and more real by the second. He stared at her for much longer than she wanted, even Grogu made a small whine at the atmosphere. Then his hand moved to his wrist, tapping something, and a compartment opened adjacent to the one she was in. She peaked around the corner, eyes widening at all of the weapons laid out. And she almost laughed at the sight of her pink taser, placed there among all of the space gadgets. He grabbed that, setting it in front of her.

Without a word, he turned, fingers working at his wrist again. Almost simultaneously, the weapons doors and the door to her compartment shut. While the side ship door opened. She and Grogu were alone in the dimly lit compartment. He turned to look at her, head tilting in confusion. And she could only shrug in response.

There was silence on the ship for what felt like hours. Sedona and Grogu sat quietly, only the child breaking the silence with his babbles. She would shush him quickly; not really knowing when the crew would be joining the ship, and she didn't want their cover blown sooner than it needed to be. When his fussing became a bit more persistent, she gave him her keys that were still tucked in her purse. His big eyes widened further, entranced by the shiny metal and jingles.

Because how else do you calm a baby you don't know what to do with, you give it your keys. Fuck.

A heavy sigh passed through her as she leaned her head back against the wall. She's trying desperately to keep her emotions under control, obviously, Grogu could sense them, so if she was calm, he was calm. And that was most important right now. Her mind was constantly on edge, just waiting for something to happen. She didn't want to tie her mouth yet, fearing it would startle the child. Instead, she chewed on her lip, distracted by the soft tinkling of her keys.

The wait was soon over.

Metallic footsteps were making their way up the ramp. Thinking fast she tied the strip of fabric around her mouth, then held the child close. He cooed, moving his head up to face her before his ears flicked up in surprise. She tried to give him a smile.

It definitely looked absolutely horrifying.

His little features contorted into a frown, and a whimper was heard before the footsteps on the ship drew closer. They both snapped their heads to stare at the unmoving compartment door. Ears perked, listening closely as she heard someone ascend to the cockpit. There were noises outside of the ship, people were gathering, she felt her heart rate increase sharply. She squeezed them further into the corner of the compartment. The mattress creaked so loudly in the silence, but thankfully the noises coming from above them seemed to drown it out.

Her brain had ceased its flow of information. She wasn't sure who entered the ship first, it could be Din for all she knew. But she knew there were about to be a lot more people, and then shit was going to go down. Her mouth had gone dry thanks to the fabric, and the child had started to whine. She tried to shush him, but it came out more in weird hissing sounds. His eyes bugged out as he looked at her in fear, pushing his arms against her chest. She moved to set him down behind her, pretending her heart didn't break at the sight. She maneuvered herself more to the front of the compartment, leaving the keys behind for him.

She almost didn't notice the grumbling that followed the metallic clink of someone leaving the ship. The person was complaining, aggressively, but the voice was definitely not human.

Of course. That shitty droid.

The one emotion that had been hardest to keep at bay was rising up again. It coiled in her throat, sharpening her tongue with nasty thoughts. She hated this group, and all the shit they say to Din and the violent betrayal. She didn't know how she was going to be able to handle it if it happens right in front of her— the fabric in her mouth was going to be her saving grace. She really did not want to risk making this even worse for Din than it already would be.

And sure, she knows they get their due karma in the end. But the nagging pit in her stomach, the feeling of wrong, was eating her alive. She reached for the taser that sat at the front of the compartment and maneuvered her back to Grogu. If that compartment opens, she was going to fight like hell.

And that's how she waited.

And waited.

Back turned to the child as he jangled her keys around. She waited as voices crept closer to the Crest. As someone made their way up the ramp, then another. Until something was set down with a heavy thump, and a murmur of voices filled the hull. No one was really saying anything of importance, just fighting about who got to sit where. Sedona turned her head back to the child, who was now also listening attentively. His ears perked, owlish eyes met hers, the keys now forgotten in his little hands. He made a small 'ooo' sound and pointed to the compartment door, and she shrugged, holding her finger up to her mouth in a shushing motion.

Then there was the sound of the hatch closing, her head snapped back to the door. Trying to picture the scene behind the metal. She heard someone climbing the ladder, and then there was more grumbling. It wasn't long after, the ship began to move, she braced her hands behind her back as the compartment rocked. She looked back at the child, who was now back to jangling the keys around, she tried not to cringe at the sound, hoping they couldn't hear it.

She couldn't help thinking how insane this was. She was sitting in a space ship with a little green alien, gagged, and listening to other aliens argue. Her breath had started to quicken, and she could feel her pulse thumping in her neck.

This is so fucked up. What the hell am I even doing here. I'm going crazy-

Her spiraling thoughts were cut off when she felt a small hand on her back. She turned, blinking away a tear that had formed in her eye. Grogu made a tiny coo, his eyes wide. She instantly felt bad, he could sense her distress and it was making him feel bad. But she almost let out a sob when the little creature leaned forward, setting both his arms on her back in a tiny hug. A strangled noise tore through her throat, lifting one of her hands to pat his wrinkled little head. He made a snorting noise, one of the cutest things in the world, before plopping down and playing with the keys again. The interaction so small, but it had immediately calmed her down.

God, I can see why everyone loves this little shit.

She felt the atmosphere speed up, and the telltale feeling of hyperspace overtook the ship. A sound she recognized made her snap her head back to the door. The weapons hold adjacent to the sleeping compartment was open. She hadn't even heard their earlier conversations, too entranced by the little guy. She couldn't remember who had opened the door, but from the grumbling, it sounded like the one she hated most. Everything was happening much faster, but it felt as if time had slowed. She distantly registered the thump of someone jumping down the ladder, then the doors closing, and someone immediately hitting them.

"Hey, hey, hey. Okay. Okay. Okay, I get it. I'm a little particular about my personal space too." That voice, God she knew that voice. Her blood boiled as she listened further. "So let's just do this job. We get in, we get out, and you don't have to see our faces anymore."

How ironic, she almost rolled her eyes.

"Someone tell me why we even need a Mandalorian." The voice was much closer than she wanted it to be.

"Well, apparently they're the greatest warriors in the galaxy." There was a pause, Sedona gritted her teeth around the cloth. "So they say"

"Then why are they all dead"

And there was laughter. She heard a sharp giggle, the kind that makes your lip curl. And she felt herself shaking— she wanted to say something so fucking bad. She didn't know how Din could just take all of this.

"Well, you flew with him, Xi'an— Is he as good as they say?"

"Ask him about the job on Alzoc 111." Their voices grated her ears. Subconsciously she really did want to know what happened on Alzoc 111"

"I did what I had to." But this voice, with his calculated roughness, broke her heart. She didn't know how much more she could take before words started leaving her mouth. She heard a female voice, and her hands curled into fists behind her. She could hear what they were saying, but it wasn't fully registering anymore. Her ears rung with rage, the feeling of the child still leaning against her back was the only thing keeping her from ripping off the gag and screaming.

Her eyes narrowed at the continued jeering and insults. She tried to blink away the tears of anger that burned her eyes. Pressing all of her weight into her arms, her muscles tense. Ready for what was coming next.

The ringing in her ears didn't stop, even as a fistfight took place outside her door.

Only when she was suddenly faced by the people she did not want to see, did everything come crashing back to the surface.

The trio looked at her in shock, Din out of her view. She sees Mayfield's mouth moving as he walks closer to her, but she only picked up the last of his sentence.

"— you get lonely up here buddy? Huh." He stepped up to the compartment, Xi'an sauntered after him. Sedona tried not to focus on the way the other woman's gaze twisted into disgust. She turned her head to meet all 3 of their eyes, Burg looking even more devil-like up close.

"Why do you have your bed warmer tied up like that huh?" Din didn't answer Mayfield, she couldn't even see him, but with the way Burg had his arm locked out of view, he was probably being held back. "Is that how he kept you, huh, Xi'an? Is that how he likes 'em?" The woman in question hissed in response, and she settled herself against the door. Knife still held loosely in her hand.

"Didn't take you for the type." She snarled at Din, her eyes predatory as they shifted away from Sedona. "Maybe that code of yours has made you soft."

And suddenly there was another voice. Though not really a voice, instead it's sounded like an angry cat in the other room. Muffled, and full of rage.

It wasn't till she noticed the others were just staring at her in silence, that she realized it was her. She was snarling like a rabid dog, her mouth has developed a mind of its own. Thankfully all the words were swallowed by the cloth.

"Well let's see what she has to say," Xi'an said with a sickening smile, sharpened yellow teeth on full display. The next actions happened so quickly, Sedona honestly didn't realize what transpired. There was a flash of metal, as Xi'an's hand darted out like a snake. A searing pain appeared on her left cheek, and the cloth holding her words in fell away. She felt herself gasp, her hand instantly flying up to cradle her cheek. And then there was laughing, the trio laughed at her pain, and it only made her angrier.

"I said," She placed her hand, now sticky with blood, behind her back. Bracing herself. "I've got a penchant for smokes and kicking douches in the mouth. Sadly for you, my last cigarette's gone out."

And with that statement, her right foot flew out. Connecting with Burg's jaw, a sickening crack rang through the hull.

Then there was chaos.

The Devaronian stumbled back, his own hand coming up to clutch his jaw with a growl. Mayfield and Xi'an jumped for their weapons. But before anyone else could cross the threshold of the sleeping compartment, there was a blaster shot— and the metal door collapsed shut. Din had shot the control panel to the door, no one could get in, or get out without the use of his fancy wrist control. There was aggressive banging on the door, Sedona feared it might dent. She could hear swearing and shouting from the other side, but she wasn't done. She sat up on her knees, slamming her hands against the metal a few times. If Din wasn't going to say it, she would.

"Fuck you Xi'an! I wanted to be your friend so bad!" She could hear an aggressive snarl over the other commotion. Burg roared, and then there was a particularly loud thump against the door.

"Fuck you, Burg! Your breath fucking reeks!" Her voice had a heavy growl in it, all of the rage she could muster put behind her words.

"And fuck you, Mayfield! Prison is going to make you it's bitch!" Her voice had risen to a scream to counteract the noise. And with a few more slaps against the metal, she sat back down. Her hand coming up to the cut on her cheek. Xi'an's blades were so sharp, they cut deep and thin. A perfect slice, that was going to leave a nasty scar. It was then she realized the other creature in the room.

Grogu let out soft whimpers at the commotion, he was trying to hide behind her purse. Her stomach dropped at the sight, instantly letting out a soft coo of her own, she reached her hand out to him, trying to let him know it would be okay. But another voice broke through the pandemonium.

"Dropping out of hyperspace now." She scooped up Grogu, and he let out a small cry of protest. But she knew what was coming next. The ship lurched foreword suddenly. "Commencing final approach now."

"Cloaking signal now" Grogu let out a scream as they were suddenly airborne. Sedona's head crashed against the ceiling of the compartment with a thump. They slammed back down, the wind getting knocked out of her lungs. Trying to catch her breath she glanced down at the child, who was relatively fine. Just panicking by the way his massive eyes stared up at her. The ship stopped with a heavy crash, and she heard the droid speaking again. But she was far more distracted by the little green hand straining to reach her cheek.

"I'll be okay buddy" she whispered, bringing her hand up to gently grab his. He frowned, babbling urgently at her. She gave him as much of a smile she could muster, hoping he accepted it. "You don't have to heal me, I'm all right." Truthfully, she wasn't really all right. Her cheek was burning, and from what she could feel, the cut ran from just under her jaw bone, all the way up to her cheekbone. A neat slice, that was still steadily leaking blood. She set Grogu to the side and reached for her purse, fishing out the travel pack of tissues, and holding one to the cut. It wasn't stitches or magical healing space goo, but she hoped it would at least stop her from bleeding all over Din's bed. A loud smack interrupted their tentative peace. Mayfield's voice followed.

"Don't think we forgot about you girl, we'll be back for you!" There was laughing, and for the first time since the door had opened, the wrongness flooded back to her stomach. She focused on taking deep even breaths, for the sake of the child who whimpered beside her. She heard a fast beeping, and then someone jumping from the ship. They were leaving, and her heart only seemed to race faster. She waited till she heard the particularly loud thump of Burg.

"Din," she cleared her throat, voice coming out raw. "Don't let them capture you." She wasn't sure if she was just talking to an empty hull, or if the Mandalorian could even hear her raspy voice.

She just hoped desperately if he had, he would listen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Taglist-

I’ve never done this before! But please message me if you’d like to be tagged, and I’ll try to figure it out along the way!

@thekingofthegoats @cosmicbreathe @daddydjarinxx @gallowsjoker

#din djarin #din djarin fanfiction #din djarin x oc #the mandalorian #the mandalorian x oc #din djarin x f!oc #din djarin x sedona #grogu #space cowboy #the child #sedona #star wars #the mandalorian crack #mando x oc #mando

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zi-i-think · 4 years

Text

10 | Being Better Matters

Pairing: Zuko x Ama (OC)

Word Count: 7500+

.☽☼☾.

~ Ama ☾ ~

"...And then my father basically refused to let her see me again." Suh cackled. "And rightfully so. I'm so glad I realized that becoming friends with the maid's daughter was not the way to go. So improper."

"Uh huh." I responded dully, slowly stirring my tea for no reason other than boredom.

When I agreed to lunch with Suh I didn't know what to expect exactly. But what was happening right now definitely made me hate agreeing to it. I could have made up something stupid. Like that Katara needed me to help her with some last minutes decorations or that Sokka wanted to train with me.

I only agreed to this so that maybe, just maybe, I would come to like Suh. And to prove to everyone that I didn't have feelings for my ex.

The woman chatted away. Barely giving me room to say anything. Not that I cared, really. I was zoning out so much that I didn't even know if I'd be able to hold conversation.

I got the general story. Suh was out playing with another little girl and broke her arm somehow. Then she and her family blamed the little girl, who was unfortunately the maid's daughter.

The way Suh talked about the maids and others who were considered "low-class" made me sick. She talked about them as if they were animals or lesser than.

Her obnoxiously loud voice and cackle got everyone in the restaurant staring at us and sending annoyed glances. I didn't blame them. I'd probably do the same if I were in their position.

"Oh, goodness." Suh gasped and giggled. "I just realized that I've only talked about myself this entire time." You just realized this? "So what were your maids like as a child?" She delicately picking up her noodles with her chopsticks. Spirits, can she eat any slower?

"Oh, I didn't have any maids." I informed her in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Oh." Her lips formed an 'O' shape and she seemed confused. "I don't understand, you father is Head Chieftain. You live in a palace." She laughed lightly, like she thought I was pulling her leg.

I shrugged. "During the war all of the men went off to fight. So the women and kids just tried to make due with what we had. I mean, we helped each other but no one had maids."

"Oh no wonder you're so humble." Suh gasped. Like she had just solved the world’s greatest puzzle. "Ama, you are so brave to have taking care your siblings for all those years."

"Well, I was more like we took care of each other." I tried to correct her, but Suh just talked right over me.

"Oh, I wish I had siblings." She grinned. "I admire you so much. It must have been so hard for you to leave them."

I stayed silent. I wasn't exactly sure what Suh wanted me to say. I wasn't sure about anything during this conversation. It was weird. Talking to Suh was weird. How does Zuko deal with this? I know I wasn't exactly pleasant either, but Suh had no boundaries. I could only imagine how he reacted if she pressed for him to talk about his family.

"Well?" Suh said in a curious tone, expecting me to say something. "Was it hard for you to leave your siblings?"

That question felt a bit... forced. It was sort of oddly placed in the conversation. Oh who am I kidding? This entire conversation has been odd. Maybe I'm just reading into this entire thing too deeply.

"Yeah, I think it's always hard to leave the people closest to you, no matter how long it'd be." I answered her.

"And, uh. What about leaving Zuko?" She asked more nervously. Goodness is this just a jealous girlfriend thing?

"It was hard to leave everyone." I told her. "But I don't regret it. My time away gave me the time to understand myself."

"Oh, like your whole bisexual thing." She giggled. "You're not attracted to me, right."

"No, I'm not." I faked a laugh. I don't know how to interact with this woman anymore. I stayed calm. She doesn't know boundaries, that's all. Just like Shemi. And I love Shemi. She's the sweetest.

"Good. Cause that would be gross." She snickered with her hand over her mouth.

I gave her a distraught look, but kept a smile. "Excuse me?"

"Oh, I mean this in no offense to you. I just think that two women together is unseemly." She saw nothing wrong with what she was saying. I take back what I said. Suh in nothing like Shemi.

Despite having a huge urge to throw my cold tea at her and educate her about what is okay to say and what isn't. I held my tongue. But I couldn't stand to be here for another minute.

"Oh my goodness, Suh I'm so sorry." I faked a gasp and placed my hand over my mouth to sell my shocked expression. "I just remembered that Katara needs my help soon."

"Oh, I thought she and Aang were just doing light work today with the chef." Suh responded with a light head tilt. So she has part of a brain I see.

"Well, yes." I nodded. "But she needs my help with picking up a package. She wants me to take it back to the venue as soon as it arrives."

"Oh, okay." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and look around nervously. Like the people in the small Water Tribe restaurant scared her.

"Thank you so much for understanding." I sighed in fake appreciation. Slipping a few coins on the table to pay, which may have been more than it should have, I left the establishment.

I sighed in both frustration and relief the moment I stepped out into the cold air. Technically I wasn't lying that there was a package I needed to pick up. Originally, I was just going to get it after lunch, but I didn't realize how good of an excuse it would be.

Walking to the post office, I thought about the conversation with the irritating woman. There was just something so off about the whole thing and about her. I brushed it off. Was she obnoxious? Yes. Was she rude? Even though she didn't notice it. Yes. But was she some evil mastermind like my gut was telling me? Definitely not.

I did find it weird how Zuko was actually, dare I say, happy to be with her. I mean. The Zuko. The man who jumped in front of lighting for me before even telling me the full extent of his traumatizing childhood is somehow incredibly compatible with a girl who asked for my entire life story the second day I knew her. But I guess he just changed more than I thought he didn't since the last time I saw him.

"Hey sis!" I almost jumped at Sokka's voice. I turned around, seeing my brother jogging over to me on the sidewalk to catch up with me. "I thought you were still with Suh."

"Oh that? Yeah, I left." I huffed a laugh. Finally next to me, I interlocked my left arm to his right arm so that we could walk together.

"Ha!" Sokka laughed. "I don't blame you. She is incredibly talkative and annoying." I felt relieved that he was actually agreeing with me, unlike my other friends.

"And when she asks these incredibly personal questions." I added.

Sokka groaned and threw his head back in annoyance. "She asked how our mom died last night." I shook my head and sighed. "I tried to tell Zuko not to bring her to boy's night, but Aang was okay with it, so my argument meant nothing."

"Ah yes. The groom has the final word." I laughed.

"You know I only saw Zuko without her hanging off his arm once since they got here." He held up his index finger to make a point. "And that was when you guys had the bridal shower. Those two are always together."

"Aww, is my brother sad he doesn't get to hang out with his boyfriend?" I quipped with a fake frown.

"Oh shut up." He replied. "I'd just be nice to hang out. Just us guys doing guy things. Not shopping."

"Shopping can be manly." I argued.

"Maybe if we were shopping for weapons. Not jewelry." I scoffed at him. "Besides, I was really hoping for a good spar. Like the good old times."

"What about me?" I shrugged while i made my suggestion.

"We tried that a month ago." He pointed out and gave me a smug look. "I won."

"Right, except I was still out of touch with my weapons." I pointed out. "The 8 months at the air temple didn't really give me a lot of time to practice with a sword."

"Well if you're really in the mood to get your ass whooped by me again. Alright." He agreed, positive he'd win again. "We'll meet in the training yard tomorrow morning."

"Sounds like a plan." I chuckled.

"Where are we going?" Sokka finally asked, furrowing his eyebrows as he looked around the block. Trying to piece together where we were.

"The placement cards and the ceiling drapes arrived today." I told him. "I'm actually glad you're here to help me take the boxes back to the venue."

"Knew I shouldn't have come over." Sokka grumbled under his breath.

"Hey, Sokka. Do you think that there's anything malicious about Suh?" I wondered. I knew I already dismissed the idea, but I still needed a different opinion.

"Malicious? About Suh?" He repeated. His tone already telling me that he didn't think so. "Sis, the girl's a pain, but she's too peppy to wish anything bad upon anyone. Especially on any of Zuko's closest and most beloved friends."

"You're right." I nodded. "I just have this gut feeling that she's hiding something."

Sokka laughed loudly at that. "Suh is an open book. That girl explained her entire childhood in extreme detail. If she were hiding anything it'd probably be about something stupid. Like that she's had beer before." I laughed at the random thing he said and gave him a confused look. "I swear she almost threw up after the first sip last night." He claimed.

Gosh I missed Sokka. His randomness and his cheery attitude always brought a smile to my face. He spewed so much nonsense during the rest of the errand that I didn't even think about the offputting woman again.

.☽☼☾.

~ Suh ♛ ~

The moment Ama left the restaurant, I stood up as well. No way did I want to be in some substandard Water Tribe restaurant more than I had to. I set down the payment for the food and left.

I knew she'd probably be waiting for me. Fuck. I didn't want to have to see her. Last she told me, I was to meet her at some old Fire Nation ship not too far from the town. I didn't exactly know why she would choose some old and gross place, but it wasn't like she could get an room at an Inn.

Ugh. I hate snow. I grumbled as I made my way to the rendezvous. How do these people deal with it all the time? It's freezing and it's wet. I couldn't wait to get back to the Fire Nation.

Finally arriving at the old ship, I found a tear in the metal and climbed through. The entire boat was standing on large pieces of ice, holding it above the rest of the terrain. A part of me was scared that the entire hunk of metal would fall through the ice, but another part of me knew I had to keep going. I couldn't avoid her anymore.

I didn't even know where I was going. I just kept walking through the metal hall. "Shit!" I yelled and tripped forward. I looked at my feet. I just tripped over a string. Furrowing my eyebrows in confusion, I sat on my butt. And then I realized it was a tripwire. The metal under me rumbled and creaked. I didn't have time to more away and fell through the trapdoor.

I screamed in fear, falling through the steep slide backwards. Until I finally came to a slow stop. I looked around. It seemed I just landed myself in some ice tunnel. At least the ice reflected the light from outside so that I can see clearly.

"Wonderful." I grumbled to myself. Not only did I just walk into some unknown ship that was believed to be haunted, but now I'm lost. How the hell am I supposed to get to her now? I pushed myself off the cold and hard ground. And wiped off the stray pieces of snow that stuck to my clothing.

"Well, finally." Her voice caught my ear. I turned around to see her and crossed my arms.

"Hello, Azula." I greeted back. My tone kept it's peppy and cheerful tone. As opposed to her cold and venomous one. I was a perky person. It's a part of my personality. And it worked wonders to get me what I wanted. No one expected the giggly and seemingly foolish girl to play others like a game of chess.

Azula wore all dark clothing. Her long sleeved gray tunic was tucked into black pants. And she wore a black tunic. Her dark brown hair was put into a high ponytail, ending just below her shoulders. Even clothed in the less than royal clothing that she would wear during the war, Azula's essence commanded to be treated with respect and to be unquestioned.

Her hands were on her hips and she smirked at me with her red painted lips. "I was beginning to wonder if you backed out of our plan." She shrugged and started to walk down the ice tunnel, making me follow her.

"Right, well pardon me if I'd rather spend my time with your brother." I stated matter-of-factly. "Besides, it wasn't like I was just gonna ignore you the entire time."

Azula rolled her eyes. "Leiza if you want to be Fire Lazy you need to learn not to keep others waiting."

"Don't call me that." I grumbled. "That's my old name." I realized that we just entered what looked like an entire room. Old animal skins were on the ground, seats make of ice, a fire on the side of the room with a pot on it. Azula had made herself a semi-comfortable home for herself. Well, for the time being.

"I know that. I gave you your identity." She waved her hand to prove a point. "I do hope you hold up your end of the bargain, though." Azula took a seat on the animal skin, sitting criss-crossed. I sat across from her, grimacing at the feeling of the fur.

"Right, well Ama isn't exactly that cooperative." I told her. Azula scowled, but kept quiet to let me continue. "Everyone trusts me. Even that little lie-detector." I recalled the hours Azula spent teaching me to lie expertly. "Ama is the only one holding back."

Azula laughed at me. "Of course she's holding back. You have a tendancy of speaking before you think. You don't want to offend the girl. Plus, you're with her ex."

"I thought that she moved on from Zuko." I snarled. "There was that Munal girl or whatever her name was."

"Zuko got struck by lighting for that little water baby." Azula pointed out. "As much as everyone might say Zuko's in her past, my brother is always going to have a place in her heart. The same goes for him."

I'm no firebender, but if I were there would be smoke coming from my ears. "Well she can't have him!" I shouted. "I love Zuko! Not her! And he loves me!"

"Where did that peppy attitude go?" Azula looked amused at my angered expression. "Don't make me regret breaking you out of that mental institution all those years ago, Suh."

"Whatever." I grumbled and rolled my eyes.

"Whatever feelings they might have for each other. It'll be gone soon enough." Azula asure me with her devilish tone and her eyes narrowed in a cunning way. "Remember the plan."

Zuko will end up with me. I will be Fire Lady. That was the goal. Spirits, just the thought of being with Zuko brought me so much happiness and excitement. I know that I was technically lying to him. About who I was.

Everything about my childhood was true. I grew up rich. My father was a general in the war. But I was sent to that damn mental institution. They called it an "obsessive disorder." But I called it ambition. Azula broke me out six years ago. We pretended to be the kemurikage for a while. Most of the other girls broke away. But I stuck with Azula.

Azula was manipulative, just like me. I stuck with her for Zuko. She was my ticket to be with him. I was patient and calculating. And now I had him. He loved me for my personality. He told me that I was the one for him. I took care of him so that he wouldn't overwork himself. Because I loved him. Plus he was so good in bed. How could I resist a man like that?

"So, what have we learned?" Azula asked me.

"Ama didn't like when I brought up her late girlfriend." I started. "It hit a nerve."

"No kidding." Azula scoffed, probably already knowing that. "I need details, Suh. If we're going to do this right I need you to start from the beginning."

I mentally growned. Looks like I'm going to be in this dank, disgusting place for a while. But if it meant I got what I wanted in the end. Fine.

.☽☼☾.

~ Ama ☾ ~

The day was actually not freezing. There was no wind this morning, which was rare. The air was still cold, don't get me wrong. Usually I'd wear my coat in order to keep warm, but given that I was about to kick Sokka's ass, I didn't need my coat.

Neither of us have forgotten about the little sparring session. And it was no surprise that the others wanted to watch. No one would pass up the chance of finding something to make fun of later.

The training yard was pretty standard. It was placed to the side of the palace, beside one of the many mountains. The usual light snow covered the ground in order to prevent any serious injuries. But that also meant one would have to be extra conscious about their movements to keep from slipping.

The perimital of the rectangular training area was a pathway made of rock. There were snowy blue pillars, holding up an overhead covering. Benches were placed under it for anyone watching. In this case, that meant our friends.

I did my last triceps stretch before tightening my ponytail. "Are you sure you still wanna fight me?" Sokka asked me, swinging his sword to the sides as he approached the middle of the yard. "After all, I am one of the best warriors of the Southern Water Tribe."

I created my own sword out of ice while approaching him and stopping a few feet away from him. "What? Afraid you'll get beat by your sister?"

"Of course not. I just know that sword-fighting isn't really your style." Sokka shrugged. He took his stance. Legs apart, right foot in front of his left, swatting slightly and his sword held up by his head. I also got into the same stance, preparing for the spar.

"Go Ama!" Ty Lee cheered.

"Show him who's boss!" Suki cheered as well.

Sokka looked at his girlfriend with his mouth hanging open. "Suki! Who's side are you on?" She only laughed in response, leaning back on her hands to watch the show.

My brother and I stared at each other competitively, waiting for the other to make the first move. He moved first, stepping forward and swinging his sword at me. I moved my own sword, blocking the strike. While I pushed it away from me, I stepped to the side, kicking my brother on his side.

He stumbled a bit at the impact, but quickly regained his footing. I took the moment to attack, swinging my weapon across. Sokka stepped back and spun to the side. He tried to strike me from above and I blocked it, holding my sword above my head. Tilting my weapon, his sword stid off to the side.

I then swung my sword violently across. Sokka almost didn't see it coming, ducking under the blade. He looked at me with some shock. I gave him a cocky smirk, taking a few steps back while throwing the weeping from one hand to another.

He ran towards me. I spun on my right foot, dodging his blade. My right hand gripped his wrist, letting me elbow Sokka harshly in the chest. He stumbled back and I swung my sword at him. He quickly reacted with his weapon and the metal hit briefly.

Spinning for more momentum, I took another swing. It made contact with Sokka's sword and it slipped from his grasp. The weapon landed a few feet away. I kept my sword up, pointed at my brother.

There were a few cheers from the benches. I was starting to enjoy my victory too quickly. Because Sokka kicked the kilt of my ice sword, and it fell out of my hand. Also landing a few feet away from me. Sokka sprinted over to his sword.

Now I had a fraction of a second to make a decision. Either run to my weapon or keep Sokka from getting to his. I took the latter. Sprinting after my brother, I slid on the ground, kicking the sword even further away just before he reached for it.

But he was running too fast, and now I was in the way. Sokka tripped over me. My side now hurt where his foot collided with my body. My brother was now closer to the sword but I scurried to roll over him to get in between him and the weapon.

We both stood to our feet with our fists up and I went to punch him. He swat my arm away and I tried again, getting the same result. He in turn attempted to punch me back. I grabbed his wrist and twisted his arm.

"Ow ow ow!" He shouted in pain while I stepped behind him, his arm twisted behind his back. I kicked the back of his knee, making him kneel on the ground.

"So." I grin proudly. I love winning. Always a good feeling. "I win?"

Sokka groaned, hesitant to let me win. But for the second time during that fight. I got too cocky. My brother slid one of his legs back and kicked it under me, making me let go of my grip on him as I fell on my side. Sokka reached to pick up his sword quickly and pointed it at me just as I sat up on my butt.

"Sorry, sis. You just gotta admit that I'm a better warrior than you." He claimed his victory.

"Okay, fine." I grumbled. Sokka lowered dhis sword and held his arm out to help me up. But I just slapped it away and got up by myself.

"You're such a sore loser, ya know." My brother laughed at me while I already started heading to the benches.

My ponytail had become loose during the spar and I had strands of hair sticking up. Sokka's warrior's wolf tail wasn't much different.

"Gotta say, though, you're good with a sword." He complimented while we walked to the benches with friends. "Just not as good as me." I sucked in an annoyed breath and clenched my jaw at his taunting and he burst out laughing at my expression.

"Well you don't have to rub it in." I grumbled and crossed my arms over my chest.

Katara stood from her seat and wrapped an arm around both our shoulders. "It doesn't matter who's better. Just that you both gave it your all and did wonderful."

I scoffed. "No, I disagree. Being better matters."

"One way or another, we're all better than each other." Sokka pointed out. "Ama's better at fighting with waterbending, Katara is better at healing, and I'm better at everything else." Katara and I shared the same annoyed look, but we both were still humored by our brother.

"Sweetie, I think it's time to go." Aang got up from his seat.

"Oh! Yes, I think it is time." Katara grinned widely, leaving Sokka and I to join her fiance. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and she wrapped her arms around his waist. They were so cute. Sure, the "sweetie" nicknames were a little nauseating, but they expressed so much love for eachother.

A small smile tugged at my lips knowing that my sister would spend the rest of her life with someone who made her incredibly happy. Forget that he's the Avatar, he's a good man and I couldn't imagine Katara being with anyone else.

"I didn't know you guys had wedding duties to attend to." Suki spoke up, also getting up from her seat to stand by her boyfriend.

"We don't." Aang replied.

"We have a date." Katara blushed. "With all the planning and preparations, Aang and I haven't had enough time just by ourselves. No distractions."

"Yeah, instead those distractions get thrown on me." I smirked jokingly.

"You offered!" My sister exclaimed with annoyance in her tone.

"I'm just teasing." I laughed. "Enjoy your date, you two." Rolling her eyes, Katara and Aang went to leave the training yard and to whatever it was that they had planned. "So what's everyone else got planned?" I turned to everyone else who'd been silent.

"Mai and I are going to try snowboarding!" Ty Lee answered and then placed a thoughtful finger on her chin. "We aren't exactly sure what it is, but we've been told it's fun." I chuckled at my friend's bubbly personality.

"Suki and I are going to the market." Sokka grinned, intertwining his hand with Suki's.

I then turned to Zuko, waiting for a response. "Fire Lord duties. Unfortunately, work doesn't stop for the Avatar's wedding." I frowned. Work during a vacation? Sounds awful.

"Aw, I'm sorry, baby." Suh pouted, linking arms with him and cuddling up next to him. Zuko just smiled and chuckled at her. "I'm lucky I brought some books with me. Today is perfect to me to just sit back and relax."

"Didn't know she could read." Mai muttered so softly that I could only hear. My hand covered my mouth to keep from laughing loudly. The others looked over at me and I faked a cough.

"Ama, you should go." Sokka said very dryly. I gave him a sort of offended look at how he wanted me to leave. "No seriously. Auntie Nalle hates when people are late and you are a sweaty mess."

I looked down at myself. Sokka was right. I couldn't exactly go to Auntie Nalle with my messy hair and sweat stained shirt. "Right, uh." I realized. "Well then, I'll see you all at dinner." There was a series of "byes" and "laters" from the group as I left the yard.

Today wouldn't be a bad day. Auntie Nalle graciously offered to bake some of the pastries for the wedding. All I had to do was confirm what Katara wanted, figure out how many were needed, and then hopefully I wouldn't have to stay for her gossip.

.☽☼☾.

I hate gossip. Don't get me wrong. I love a good scandal every now and then. However, I don't really enjoy speculations about people. I should've just told Antie Nalle that I really didn't care if Eyin stole Vulla's soup recipe. I haven't talked to them in years.

Luckily though. The day was coming to an end. I didn't even think I'd be at dinner after all those sweets I was given. The sun was still high up in the air, telling me that most of the others were probably still busy.

And I was in no hurry, so I walked through the courtyard beside the palace slowly. Breathing in that sweet smell of the afternoons in the Southern Water Tribe. It gave me so much nostalgia. Taking me back to when my siblings and I would have snowball fights and then go back home where mom would have dinner ready. Like her steamed dumplings. She'd scold me about my messy hair or maybe how I tore my coat. Still, I'd give anything to go back to those days.

I ran my hands through my loose hair and looked up at the sky. Just then, a messenger hawk flew above my head and landed on one of the window sills of the palace. It was one of the windows for our hallway. Who's receiving a letter?

My walking slowed down in curiosity. The window finally opened and Suh poked her head out. I narrowed my eyes and moved closer to one of the pillars, hiding behind it, but still getting a decent view of the window. Suh took the message from the compartment on the hawks back and the animal took off into the sky again.

The woman unrolled the paper, reading over it. Her eyebrows pinched together and a grimace found its way to her lips I wasn't good are reading lips but it looked she either said something along the lines of "are you fucking kidding me" or "ate a funny kidney".

Finishing the letter, Suh rolled the letter up and again. Then she poked her head out again, looking to her left and right. She was looking to see if anyone saw her receive her letter. I quickly brought my head behind the pillar again so she wouldn't see me.

Fuck. No one looks that suspicious when receiving a letter. My mind tried to find some logical response to keep me from spiralling into some conspiracy. Maybe it was a family member or work? No she doesn't work. And what kind of familial letter would get someone to react that way? From what I've gathered, she didn't have any issues with her family.

I looked around the pillar, seeing that the window was now closed shut. I crossed my arms and narrowed my eyes. What are you hiding, Suh?

.☽☼☾.

"Where the hell do you think you're going!" I shouted. My tone was etched with anger and also humor while I chased a thug that was running away from the city he's been terrorizing for so long. I threw my right arm up, water flew past me and turned to ice around his feet.

The man tried to move, but there was no use. My running slowed down and I walked towards him with a light skip in my step. "Oh, you're going to pay for this." The grumpy middle aged man grimaced at me.

I gave him a flat smile, bending more water to create handcuffs made of ice behind his back. "No, you're going to pay. In a cell" I stated matter-of-factly and removed the ice around his feet to lead him back to the village.

I lightly shoved him into the back of the carriage, where he and the rest of the criminals would be taken away to a larger city to be locked up. Most of the smaller villages didn't have enough policemen to uphold the law or even a place to lock up said law breakers. Leaving them vulnerable to bandits and thugs like these guys.

"My village can not thank you enough." The mayor expressed his appreciation to myself and the rest of my group. "We do not have much to give, but please accept some of our fresh vegetables and meat."

One of the older women stepped towards us with a basket filled with carrots, tomatoes, meats, and other things. She handed it to Masha and she bowed her head in thanks.

Mulan stepped forward to speak to the mayor, putting her katana into its sheath. "Thank you, for your generous gift. It was an honor to fulfill our duty in ridding your town of those criminals."

She was always so respectful to everyone. When speaking to officials especially, Mulan's voice was polite and unwavering. And because of that, we were respected back. But trust me. The moment someone stepped out of line, she'd be sure to put them back into their place.

We all bowed to the mayor to bid our farewell and left the village to set up camp for the night. "We have enough here to make a stew!" Masha looked through the basket. "We're eating good tonight, my fellow bastards!"

.☽☼☾.

At dusk that day, Masha was standing over a large pot, cooking us all a stew. I sat on the grass with my back against a fallen tree, taking in the sight of my new friends.

After Mulan introduced me to the Miraculous Bastards a month ago, I joined them. It wasn't much different than when I traveled with Aang and the others. We never spent too long in one place, taking down gangs and others who took advantage of villages and the average citizen.

The group was made up of five people, including me. There was Masha. She had light brown, messy hair and brown eyes. She was like the caretaker. Always asked if we drank water, great cook, sewed our clothes. She sort of reminded me of Katara. She was the only earthbender; and she was a damn good one, too. I hoped to one day introduce her to Toph. Despite having two very different personalities, I wondered if they'd get along.

Then there was Bono, Masha's twin brother. Same brown hair and brown eyes. He was the quiet, observant type. He liked to keep a journal with him at all times for haikus and to draw landscapes. Unlike his sister, though, Bono wasn't a bender. Instead, he was skilled with the bow and arrow and double swords. His sympathetic nature made it incredibly easy to talk to him, but not as much to joke with.

Taon was Masha's boyfriend. He was a firebender from the colonies. His reckless and adventurous personality made him incredibly fun to be around. I remember the first night I was with them he woke me up in the middle of the night to go looking for a saber-tooth moose lion; for no reason other than the fun of it. I was convinced that if it weren't for Masha, he would've gotten himself killed in one was or another.

And lastly, Mulan. Spirits, where do I start. She was no bender, but her fighting was incredible. She mastered many forms in a multitude of weapons, incredibly flexible, strong. A true warrior. She was the unofficial leader of the Miraculous Bastards. Her posture and voice commanded respect and she was always prepared for anything. But she was also so sweet and it was so easy to talk to her. We'd spend hours talking nonsense and laugh at Taon and Masha's bickering.

But even after a month of knowing her, there was still the feeling of nervousness around her. After meeting her, that feeling of missing something in my life disappeared. It kind of felt like when I had a crush on Zuko, before dating.

"Alright, everyone! The stew is ready!" Masha grinned happily, pouring the first bowl. I stood from my stop and joined the others around the pot.

"Masha, this smells incredible." I complimented as I got handed a bowl.

"Thank you." She accepted the compliment, holding the last field bowl in her hand. "It's the perfect meal for this special occasion."

"Oh, what's that?" I wondered curiously.

"Today marks one month since you've been with us." Mulan reminded me with a light nudge. I couldn't help but blush lightly at the touch.

"Yeah, we're really lucky to have you with us." Bono added.

"An incredible fighter and an even better friend." Taon lighted his bowl up in the air and cheered. "To Ama!"

"To Ama!" The others repeated, lifting their bowls up as well.

I laughed with them and shook my head. "You guys are amazing, But if I'm being honest, I should be the one lucky to have you all. A bunch of rascals who like to beat up bullies? My kind of people." They all laughed at my words. "But really, thank you for letting me join you all."

"Of course." Masha assured me. "Now, let's eat before this all gets cold."

I took my spot by the fallen tree to eat. Masha and Taon sat not far from me, starting to engage in their own conversation. Bono didn't like to be disturbed when he was eating and sat further away from us all. And Mulan sat next to me.

Neither of us said anything at first. We both focused more on the vegetables and the beef in the stew. But we both also wanted to say something to each other.

"Masha is probably the best cook I've ever come across." Mulan broke the silence and set the finished bowl down beside her. "I remember the first time she cooked for me when we were 16, I tried to convince her to own a restaurant or something."

"Well, she'd definitely do well." I finished my stew as well and set it on my lap.

Mulan looked over at the others, seeing that no one was really paying attention to us. "Hey, let's get out of here." She pointed away from camp with her thumb.

I raised an eyebrow, both in curiosity and confusion. "And go where?"

She shrugged and made her suggestion. "There's a lake not far from here. I got water from there earlier."

"Sound fun." I agreed, moving the empty bowl to the ground and standing up. Mulan smiled at me and stood up as well. No one noticed us leave the camp. Which isn't necessarily a problem, we shouldn't be away long.

I followed the redhead through the trees, listening to the sound of crickets. "Here it is." Mulan announced as we finally arrived at the lake. There wasn't a ton of light tonight because there was only a half moon in the sky. Mulan grinned at me and then took my hand, pulling me with her to the lake. "Check this out."

She placed her hand in the water and moved it from side to side. The water that moved glowed a bright blue. My jaw dropped at the incredible sight. "Wow." I gasped and dipped my hands into the cold water as well. "How does this happen?"

"It's a chemical reaction in the algae." Mulan answered. I gave her a curious look, wondering how she knew that. "My parents studied it a little. They were herbalists so they found this stuff interesting."

"It's incredible." I admired the incredible sight. You truly do learn something new everyday. With a mischievous smirk, I splashed some water at Mulan. The woman gasped in shock as I laughed. She splashed me back, and the droplets fell on my face and chest. "Oh, okay then."

I bent the glowing water till it was over the redhead. "Ama, no!" She squealed and tried to back up while still on the ground. I dropped the water, drenching her in it. Her hands wiped the water out of her eyes and she gave me a playful glare as I giggled uncontrollably.

And without warning, Mulan lunged at me. "Ahh!" I shrieked while she pushed us both into the lake. The edge of the lake was still pretty shallow, allowing for us both to sit up and it only reached to our waist. "What the hell?" I laughed.

"You started it." She retorted. I bit my bottom lip and shook my head at her. I bent some more water to throw at her, but Mulan moved further into the water. "Nuh uh. Sorry, sweetheart but you're gonna have to catch me first."

I scoffed amusingly while the redhead dove deeper into the water. I took her up on that challenge and followed her in further. She wasn't really trying to outswim me. I caught up to her pretty quickly, tackling her and we both submerged into the lake. The water glowed at all the movement we were making.

Breaking through the surface, the two of us gasped for air and giggled. Luckily we weren't that deep and could stand. The water ended just above my waist. "I didn't think this through." Mulan muttered, looking down at her soaking clothes.

"Relax, I can bend the water out of our clothes when we get out." I reminded her and moved closer to her.

Just for the curiosity of it, I bent the water, moving it from side to side as it glowed. I took it a step further, swirling it around my body and then around Mulan's. The two of us giggled while I slipped the water back in the lake.

"No matter how often you do that I'm always to mezmerised but it." Mulan looked at me in awe. "Well, it's either that or just the gorgeous woman who's bending the water." I turned to look at her and our eyes met. Her green eyes felt like they were seeing every inch of me. Every insecurity and every flaw. But also every beautiful aspect and everything admirable.

Neither of us said anything. My eyes looked down at her heart shaped lips. She never painted them, but they still had an orange tint to them. Which I thought was absolutely unique and beautiful.

Mulan leaned in hesitantly, waiting for me to back away. But I didn't. In fact, I also leaned in. She closed the gap and her soft lip finally met mine. It felt perfect and pure. But just as quickly as it happened, she pulled away and hastily started to trudge through the water.

"Wait, Mulan!" I called and started to trudge after her. Was the kiss bad? Was I bad?

"I shouldn't have done that." The woman replied with a distressed tone. She scrunched up her hair, getting the water out and she stepped out of the lake.

"Why? Was it me?" I wondered. My chest felt heavy with worry that I had just made a complete fool of myself. I was already planning to leave the group. I couldn't stay if it was just going to be awkward.

"No, no. It wasn't you." Mulan told me.

"Then what?" I grabbed her wrist to keep her from leaving further.

She turned around with tears in her eyes and she shook her head. "You were perfect." She started. "You are perfect. I just can't do this to you."

"What? Do what?" I begged to know.

"You're a hero, Ama. I can't be the reason you get shunned and rejected by the world." He looked down at her hands to avoid my look. "Like what my parents did to me." It clicked in my mind. Just a moment ago, it felt like it was just me and her. But there's still an entire world that wouldn't be thrilled if two women fell in love. Mulan's parents being one example.

The thing was. I didn't care. I placed my hand on both sides of Mulan's cheeks, wiping her tears away with my thumbs. "Fuck the world." I told her and shook my head. "This can just stay between us or we can shout it from the rooftops. It doesn't matter. I just don't want to have to reject how I feel about you."

Mulan raised her head, looking me in the eye again. "And how do you feel about me?" She wondered with a soft smile.

"With you I feel happy. I feel like I can do anything with you by my side." I told her. "I like you more than a friend."

Mulan wrapped her arms around my waist, pulling me close to her. "I like you more than a friend, too." And we kissed again. It was soft and loving. And, again, it felt perfect. "I can't tell you hold long the others were trying to convince me to make a move." She giggled when she pulled back a little.

"Did Teon try to give you a pep-talk?" I asked with a humorous smirk.

"Yeah and then Bono did a better job at it." Mulan responded and the two of us laughed. This felt right. I didn't know in that moment, but it wouldn't last. The feeling of being pure.

.☽☼☾.

Let's go lesbians, lets go! Jk, Ama is a little bi baby. I wanted some background for Ama and Mulan before some more tea! But also cause I love wlw representation and there isn't enough of it. And don't worry everyone cause Zuko is getting some love pretty soon!

Love you all! Hang loose, amigos 🤙🏼

#zuko x oc #zuko fanfic #zuko x waterbender oc #waterbender oc #her sun his moon

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