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#I MISSPELLED BATTALION
corriegardenia · 1 year
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Ponds, Fox, and the no good very bad epistolary
Tw: corrie guard abuse, references to suicide, references to upsetting canonical events
Dear Fox,
Stop ignoring my comms. Do you know how hard it was to get physical letters from this far out in deep space? The courier laughed!
Your (irritated) brother,
Dear Ponds,
Ponds.
...
You misspelled irritating.
Regards,
CC-1010 "Fox",
Marshall Commander,
Dear Foxiest fucker this side of wild space,
Coruscant Guard Division.
...
You're alive! That's good. I wasn't sure, you see, because you've been ignoring my kriffing comms since we shipped out. I worry about you, yknow? Tell me about coruscant, and maybe I'll tell you about my jedi ;)
With love,
Dear Ponds,
Ponds.
...
Coruscant is big.
Regards,
CC-1010 "Fox",
Marshall Commander,
Dearly detested batchmate o mine,
Coruscant Guard Division.
...
That's fair. I forgot to specify. What's the best part of the Coruscant posting? What's the worst? Cmon, vod. I miss you.
Beginning to get worried,
Dear Ponds,
Ponds.
...
The best part of coruscant is the food. We get real food, feel jealous. The worst part of coruscant is that people know where to find my comm number and post box.
Regards,
CC-1010 "Fox",
Marshall Commander,
Dear Fox,
Coruscant Guard Division.
...
Paperwork hasn't killed your spirit yet! Good! I got assigned to Windu - purple saber, killed Prime? It's a weird feeling. He keeps treating us like natborns.
Your batchmate, who might even have rights,
Dear Ponds,
Ponds
...
I got a glass vase thrown at my head, no bucket, yesterday, for telling a senator that a shiny refusing to be their replacement maid was not an offence worthy of decomissioning.
Coruscant is more formal than General Windu, evidently. I got a demerit for giving my name as Fox instead of CC-1010 in an 'informal' meeting with a senator 'concerned for clone welfare'. Three of those and I'm put up for reconditioning.
We don't get bacta. There was a prison riot, yesterday, and half my men were injured. I watched two bleed out from wounds that would've been fine if our medics had any kriffing supply restock in the last twelve rotations.
I'm glad you like your jedi. The ones that come here are very formal, and they never stay long. The Chancellor is worried about a coup; I have been instructed to minimise contact with them at all costs, to retain separation of powers between the military command structure and the civilian one. I didn't want to ask if that includes meeting front line brothers; the Red Guard tend to lash out when I ask too many questions, and the Chancellor can't (won't?) stop them.
Dear Ponds,
I lost a brother to their own blaster today.
...
I have been reprimanded for spending resources on letters. This will be my final message.
Regards,
CC-1010 "Fox",
Marshall Commander,
Coruscant Guard Division.
~
Wolffe_104: Why do we even bother? Vod, I'm here when you want to make time. Until then, I've got a battalion to run.
Pretty-Fly-For-A-Bly: Ponds won't stop comming me. He's pretty worried about you. We all are. Everything okay?
King_Cody_Droidkicker: Fox, I know you're busy filling the drunk tank, but we miss you, asshole. Answer your comm.
~
User_CC_1010: You tattled? Seriously?
Pond-Scum: Fox! I was worried, you bastard.
User_CC_1010: Ponds, seriously, I've been in the medbay. Some of us have actual work to do. Leave me be.
Pond-Scum: Medbay? You're on Coruscant. What on earth happened?
Pond_Scum: Fox?
Pond_Scum: Fox?!
>the comm number you are attempting to contact has been disconnected or has blocked you.
~
User_CC_1010: I'm sorry, vod. I'm so fucking sorry.
>the comm number you are attempting to contact has been disconnected or has blocked you.
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eves-da-best · 1 year
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Maravet Falls?? We need to hear more.
Originally titled "Merivette Falls" (changed because closed captioning and FTWS background info told me I'd misspelled that), this story is just me putting into reality my take on what happened at Maravet Falls. I feel like I want to do the same with the Blackwoods Massacre, just to round out the two instances that Farah mentions to Saul as they head to the barn. The battalion is sent north to face and eliminate an unusually cooperative group of Burned Ones. It's been fun to write because Rosalind lets the four go on their own, and I got to explore some of the lighter dynamics between them that I imagine once existed. 😊
“The falls are just around here,” Saul pointed to the right side of the boulder. Andreas took one of the maps corners to confirm what Saul was saying. Farah slipped her pack off and her eyes glowed bright blue-gray. She took careful steps to round the corner, tapping into the sounds beyond. The roar of water cascading over the falls drowned out much of the other noise in the protected region, and as the lake came into view she was caught off-guard by the astonishing beauty of the site. Natural erosion had left Maravet Falls an almost otherworldly oasis, the brilliant blue falls surrounded by steep cliff faces, ground blanketed in dense foliage. The waters tumbling over the falls came from glaciers high in the peaks of the northern Solarian mountain range. The meltwater cascaded over a 150-foot cliff into a small turquoise lake. The body of water compensated for the inflow by releasing overflow runoff down a lazy stream on its southwest side. 
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vodika-vibes · 9 months
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I decided to write a thing. This is specifically about Kanna and the Corrie Guards, at the beginning of the war. It also has something to do with Coruscant being haunted as fuck.
I apologize if there are any misspellings, I do everything on my phone.
The Halls of Healing were quiet, not unusual for this early in the morning, but Kanna was unsettled all the same. It didn't feel like the normal calm of early morning...rather it felt like the calm before a massive storm.
A part of her knew that it was her anxiety speaking. Intergalactic war was not inconsequential, after all. And the fact that the opposing side was led by a former jedi-
Well.
Kanna wasn't stupid. She knew that people didn't have the same faith in the Jedi as they once did. And she couldn't shake the feeling that it was going to get worse.
She released a quiet breath, and sent a stray tendril through her bond with her Master, some of the tension she hadn't really realized that she was holding fading as she realized the older woman was still deep asleep.
It eased something in her, knowing that her Master wouldn't see a battlefield. Not that her Master was an incapable warrior, no, but because as prickly as she was, Vokara was a healer first and foremost. A healer who can fight...unlike Kanna, who was a fighter who could heal.
But. None of that was important.
What was important was the fact that there was a battalion of clones stationed on Coruscant, dedicated to protecting the senate and everyone else on Coruscant.
Which was fine. Or. Would have been fine if she hadn't noticed the absolutely terrifying fact that Coruscant liked the Clones.
Coruscant was...well, Kanna didn't exactly have a word for it, but Eldritch was good enough. And the only person who seemed to recognize this was Master Windu. Though the one time she tried to talk to him about it, he merely pet her on the head and walked away like her hadn't heard her
Blind though she might be, Kanna couldn't not notice the way his force presence coiled in terror at the mention of lower Coruscant.
It was a valid response, really.
Kanna resolutely did not think about the three days she was trapped on the lower levels.
-hunted hunted hunted blood bleeding I'm hurt master help me-
Kanna released a second, deeper, breath. And carefully slipped out of the apartment she shared with her Master. She pulled her robe tighter around her and she pretended it was because the temple was chilly so early in the morning, and it wasn't from the gleeful malevolence radiating from everywhere.
Years of practice made slipping out of the temple easy, and she really should say something about that, but it was a Later Kanna problem, not a Now Kanna problem.
Luckily the trip to the Coruscant Guard Barracks was uneventful, and she supposed that her Jedi robes made her look like she had some authority, because the young anxious clone who greeted her immediately brought her to the Marshal Commander.
He felt annoyed. Kanna felt bad about it, because she wasn't going to make his day any better.
"Hello," Oh, was that her? She sounded nervous even to her own ears, "I'm Kanna Rae...uh, padawan Kanna Rae."
She could feel him staring at her and it was beginning to make her uncomfortable, "I had the understanding that the Guard wasn't going to have Jedi Oversight."
His voice was gravelly and her stomach flipped nervously, he sounded annoyed too. "Uh...well, no? I mean. Not so far as I know. I work in the Halls of Healing-" Kanna forced her mouth shut before she started rambling.
"O-kay?"
"Right. Right. I'm here because there's some information you need. About Coruscant." Kanna said quickly, "Information that you need."
"And what's that?"
"Coruscant is haunted."
The room was silent, and Kanna winced when she felt his ire directed at her, "Is that a joke?"
"No! It-I..." Kanna floundered for a moment, "maybe Haunted isn't the right word? I know there are demons on the lower levels...and possession isn't all that uncommon in the lower levels as well-"
"Assuming I believe you, which I don't, but assuming I did. Why tell me this?"
"Well. Coruscant likes you. All of you. It is generally not considered a good thing, Commander." Kanna hesitated and then quickly dropped a datapad and a comm on the desk, "There's information on how to preform and exorcism on the datapad. And the comm has my private number on it. Should-uh-should you need it."
He was silent again, but he accepted the comm and datapad, and the remaining tension drained out of Kanna. "If there's anything else-?"
"Uh...no. That's it. Um...have a nice day?" She asked, awkwardly, before she bowed at the waist and hurried out of the office.
A different clone from the one who showed her into the office escorted her out, "Don't worry, Little Commander. Everyone gets like that when they meet Fox for the first time." He ruffled her hair, and then gently shooed her out of the building.
Kanna stood in front of the Corrie Barracks for a moment, and then she shivered and pulled her robe tighter around herself.
Less than a week later, Kanna got a text message from Commander Fox. It was a simple message. 'You were right. Come help.'
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fizrig · 2 years
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i wonder how the rest of the barry battalions numbers are misspelled we got syx and nyne… how do you spell the rest of them
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spectral-musette · 6 years
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I personally am not usually one for fics of aus where Satine ends up pregnant, but like, imagine a Satine lives AU where she and Padme are pregnant at the same time....
Yeah, I get where you’re coming from, I think? Given that Obi-Wan and Satine’s story is meant to provide a contrast and counterpoint to Anakin and Padme, having them end up in the same situation sort of defeats the narrative purpose? BUT HEY, that’s what AUs are for.
So, Satine Lives, babies are made, etc…
Clearly the girls are going to go to all their check ups together and know for sure that Padme is healthy and in no danger of dying in childbirth.
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As they’re still campaigning hard for a peaceful resolution of the Clone Wars, the Pro-war editorials on the holonet are probably calling it the “Pacifist Pregnancy Pact” and accusing them of using emotional manipulation to try to swing public support for peace talks. Satine is like, “if I thought that would work I would’ve tried it years ago”.
(Also Satine’s cute little bump is going to make it increasingly obvious that Padme is just, like, way more pregnant than normal. Twins. Seriously.)
So when ONE high profile politician is pregnant during her affair with an impetuous young Jedi Knight, you can see just letting it be, keeping it quiet. People sort of know, they just don’t want to come right out and SAY it.
But when it’s TWO pregnant high profile politicians, at the same time, and one of the Jedi baby daddies is on the dang High Council, maybe you don’t sweep that under the rug so much.
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Meanwhile the Council is like…
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(Ki-Adi-Mundi always keeps the space-cigars around for when one of his wives has another baby. Mace Windu is just like “FORCE GIVE ME STRENGTH. We expect this shit from Skywalker, but you too, Kenobi?”)
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Dear Heart - Chapter 3
Dick Winters x Melanie Davis
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Summary: Melanie Davis is a nurse from North Carolina who has lived a sheltered life since her father died. Her father’s best friend, Colonel Sink, invites her to experience more as a regimental nurse for the 506th PIR of the 101st Airborne. She embarks on the adventure of a lifetime.
Tag list: @easy-company-tradition​ If you’d like to be added, let me know!
Word Count: 4.2k
A/N: Hope y’all enjoy the update! 
Warning(s): None :)
Chapter 1  Chapter 2
Chapter 3 here we go!
England was unlike anything Melanie had ever seen. Of course, she had never been out of the country before. It was cloudier than she was used to, but she oddly enjoyed it. Aldbourne was quaint, like Toccoa, only with a much richer history. Camp Toccoa was new and fresh. Aldbourne was old and lived in. 
The best part of Aldbourne for her was the weather. It was refreshing to experience the cool English autumn after years in the humidity of the American South. She had even teased Dick once for his aversion to the heat. So Aldbourne would be pleasant for them both. 
The paratroopers had a ton of training they had to complete while in Aldbourne to prepare for the invasion of German occupied France. In the evenings, Melanie had dinner with Dick. Nixon joined them fairly often, but sometimes he was busy up at battalion. Those were her favorite nights, where it was just her and Dick, talking together. She relished these precious moments with him. She didn’t know when they might come to an end. 
She didn’t even mind that he usually had something to say about Sobel. She appreciated Dick being so honest with her. It was rare for him to speak so frankly, especially when it was something unpleasant. 
“It makes me nervous,” Dick said. “His combat inability is harmless now, but we could be faced with the real thing any time. He could get a lot of men killed.”
“Is there anything you can do?” she asked. “I know he’s not an easy man to be reasoned with.”
“It’s not just difficult, it’s impossible,” he returned. “He’s too stubborn to take someone else’s advice when he’s in the field and unsure. And there’s no talking to him outside of training when he has the most control.”
“Have you thought about going to Colonel Sink?” she wondered. 
“If I go over his head, it’s not a good look for Easy or for me,” he explained. “Not to mention, Easy’s so well trained, it’d be hard to convince Colonel Sink that anything is wrong.”
“It just seems brutally unfair for you all to have to go to combat with someone incompetent,” she said. “Because you’re right, it could mean life or death for you all.”
“It is unfair,” he agreed. “But I guess all we can do is rely on our platoon leaders and NCOs. They’re who’s really keeping Easy together anyway.” 
She considered all this as she chewed and then swallowed.
“Would you like me to speak to Colonel Sink?” she offered. 
She had done it once before but wondered if he’d change his mind since the stakes were higher now. 
He smiled. “That’s kind of you, Melanie, but it feels too sneaky. Like I’m still going over his head, just in a roundabout, less ethical way.”
“I understand,” she said. “I just wish I could help somehow.”
“I appreciate the sentiment,” he said. “But you are helping. Just by listening.”
“You can talk to me any time,” she assured him. “About anything.”
“I know,” he said. “It’s one of the things I like most about you.”
She felt heat rise to her cheeks, and she looked down at her plate to hide it. Dick actually liked when she blushed. It always struck him in those moments how beautiful she was to him. A thought which gave him both a rush and a jolt of nerves. 
He was being honest, though. He trusted her almost as much as he trusted Nixon. In fact, the only thing he confided in Nix that he didn’t say to her was his feelings for her. 
“Can I walk you home?” he asked. 
“Of course.”
Dick always walked her home. They were quartered with families who were neighbors, so it was convenient, but she had the impression he would have walked her home even if she was staying on the other side of the village. She just soaked it all in as extra time with the man who was quickly becoming her favorite person. 
Autumn turned to winter, and then spring. Things with Sobel were not improving, and Melanie could sense Dick’s frustration growing. Every day it seemed there was something else that went wrong and the company’s morale was affected now.
One afternoon, she had a rare moment of down time with Dick. He and Nix were standing outside while Nix smoked a cigarette, so she joined them. After exchanging greetings, a jeep pulled up, disrupting the basketball game going on in the street. Sergeant Evans emerged from it and walked up to the trio off to the side. He looked grimly serious. 
“Lieutenant Winters,” Evans said, and they all exchanged salutes. Then he held out a letter. “With Captain Sobel’s compliments, sir.”
Dick glanced between Evans and the letter before taking it. They saluted again before Evans stalked back over to the jeep. He climbed back into the passenger seat and they pulled off. Melanie, Dick, and Nixon watched him go. 
“Well, what does it say?” she asked, nodding toward the piece of paper. 
Dick opened it and she and Nix leaned over his shoulders to see. She was shocked by what she read, but Nix released a small chuckle.
“Oh, for cryin’ out loud,” Dick muttered. 
“Misspelled court martial,” Nix pointed out. 
Dick crumpled the paper and she gazed up at him, mouth agape with disbelief. 
He left to confront Sobel about the incident with latrine duty, and she just stared at Nixon. 
“This can’t be real,” she said. “That’s ridiculous.”
“It’s Sobel,” Nix said. “Anything is possible.”
“I should go with him,” she said hesitantly. “I’ve got a feeling this is going to be...dramatic.”
“He’ll want you close by then,” he returned with a smile.
She nodded, said a quick goodbye, and then followed Dick to battalion HQ. Sobel’s voice echoed from the stairs, so she followed it. She spotted Dick’s frame disappearing to the second floor. She continued after them, keeping a safe distance. She stopped outside the office, to the left of the doorway, and listened. 
“My endorsement, sir,” she heard Dick say. “I request trial by court martial.”
She bit back a gasp. Dick was a man of principle, though, and she admired him for standing up to Sobel at this injustice. Dick halted outside the office when he spotted Melanie there. He almost smiled since she was just the person he was going to see. 
“Did you hear?” he asked. 
She nodded. “I’m sorry. Are you worried?”
He glanced around the hallway before nodding slowly. She held his gaze and they just shared a look for a long moment. Then, they both sighed and embraced each other. They stood there, wrapped up in each other’s arms and held on tight. What was coming next didn’t seem so bad from where they were standing now. 
Dick was transferred to battalion mess while the court martial proceedings went on. Melanie knew it was killing him because the invasion was so close, and if things continued this way, he could miss it. Which left the company only in the hands of Sobel. Dangerous was the only word for it. She couldn’t take it anymore, so she decided to go to Colonel Sink herself. Even though Dick didn’t like the idea, she couldn’t allow this.
She had known Colonel Sink her whole life, and now as she stood outside his office door, she felt her stomach twist with nerves. It wasn’t really her place to have an opinion on the management of Easy Company, and he could chew her out for speaking out of turn. But she had to do this. For Dick and the rest of the men. After all, she was the battalion nurse, and this was in the best interest for an important part of the battalion. 
She knocked softly on the door. 
“Come in,” said the familiar voice on the other side of it. 
She took a deep breath and pushed it open. He looked up from his paperwork and grinned at her. 
“Melanie, how are you?” he asked. 
“Very well, sir,” she said. “But there is something I wanted to discuss with you.”
“What is it?” he wondered. 
“Well, it’s about Di - I mean, Lieutenant Winters’ court martial,” she said, and she watched his smile flip upside down. “I know it isn’t really my business, but -”
“You’re right, it’s not,” he cut across her. 
She bit her lip and looked at the floor, regretting her decision already. She opened her mouth to apologize and dismiss herself, but he continued.
“As it is, though, I value your opinion. So tell me what’s on your mind.”
“Really?” she gasped. 
He nodded. “Yes, really.” 
“Thank you, sir,” she said excitedly. “First, I want you to know how serious this is. From what I understand after my talks with Di - I mean, Lieutenant Winters - is that Captain Sobel’s strength is not combat strategy.” 
“Winters has spoken to you about this?” he questioned, brow furrowing. 
“Here and there,” she said, grossly underplaying how much Dick had confided in her. “I hear some things from the NCOs as well.”
“I see,” he said. “And what have you derived from all this?”
“They don’t want to go to war with Captain Sobel, sir,” she said. “They’re afraid his lack of ability will get many of them killed, and put unnecessary stress on the platoon leaders, especially without Lieutenant Winters.” 
Sink leaned back into his chair and scratched his chin. 
“This isn’t to say that Captain Sobel is a poor leader,” she went on, fearing she had lost Sink’s interest in the matter. “He’s trained Easy Company to be the best in the regiment. So, I think - from what I’ve been told - his strength lies in that training.” 
“I know Sobel has had his moments,” Sink said. “But to take his company away from him...it seems drastic. The men can’t be so opposed to him that -”
At that moment, there was another knock at the door. 
“Hold that thought, sweetheart,” Sink said. “Come in!”
The door creaked open and all the NCOs from Easy Company entered the office. Each held in his hand, a written note. Melanie looked between them and the colonel, anxious.
“What’s all this?” Sink asked. 
Sergeant Lipton stepped forward, collected the notes, and placed them on the desk. She caught a glimpse of what they said.
“Our resignations, sir,” Lipton said. 
Sink’s eyes went wide. Melanie clapped her hand over her mouth to stifle a gasp. Sink looked down at the papers then back up at the men. She looked on with bated breath. He glanced this way several times, as if to confirm he was not imagining what was in front of him. 
“Melanie, am I dreaming or is this really happening?” he asked. 
“I’m afraid it’s really happening, sir,” she said. “But I hope you realize now just how important drastic action is.” 
His face hardened and he scowled. 
“I ought to have you all shot,” he snapped. “This is nothing less than an act of mutiny while we prepare for the goddamn invasion of Europe.”
She observed, astounded, as he dismissed Sergeant Harris from the regiment. He busted Ranney down to private, and proceeded to shame the remaining sergeants as disgraces to the Airborne, and reminded them that if the invasion of Europe was not imminent, they’d be facing a lot worse than this. 
“Now, get out of my office and out of my sight,” he demanded. 
They saluted, which he did not acknowledge. 
“Get!”
They filed out of the office and she caught Lipton’s eye. He offered a short nod, and she understood that they had risked it all for Dick. When they were all gone and the door was closed again, Sink heaved a sigh. 
“This really is bad, isn’t it?” he asked. 
“Yes, sir,” she said. 
“I need some time to think about this,” he said, standing up. He went and opened the door. “If you’ll excuse me.”
“Of course,” she agreed, and started to leave. 
He stopped her right at the door and she faced him with an inquiring expression. He only smiled half heartedly and gave her cheek a paternal pinch. She smiled gently. 
With that, she left him. She felt silly now for going there at all. If she’d known that NCOs were planning such a statement, she would have just let them make it. But she hoped that it was her and the men who had swayed Colonel Sink. She walked outside and saw the NCOs cutting a salute to Dick as they passed him. 
He spotted her and smiled, which she returned. She approached him. 
“What’s all that about?” he asked. 
“You’ll find out soon enough,” she told him. 
The following evening, Sink asked that Melanie come and have dinner with him. As she headed up to his office, she saw Sobel storming down the corridor. He glared fiercely at her and halted. She did the same, facing him. 
“You had something to do with this, didn’t you?” he demanded. 
“With what?” she wondered. 
He scoffed and rolled his eyes. 
“You wanna play innocent, that’s fine,” he spat. “But congratulations, you and your precious Dick are getting exactly what you wanted.”
“I don’t know what you mean,” she returned levelly. 
He stepped closer to her, towering over her, but she didn’t shrink away. 
“You lost me my company,” he hissed. 
“You don’t frighten me, Captain Sobel,” she said, hoping he believed her. “As for your company, you did a perfectly fine job of losing it yourself.”
She sounded braver than she felt. Her heart was pounding, and she could feel beads of sweat forming on the back of her neck. To speak that way to a man was unprecedented for her.
“It won’t make him love you, you know,” he sneered. 
“You’re wrong again,” she said, knowing exactly who he meant. “Nothing I do is with the intention of earning the love of Richard Winters. He’s a man I could never even hope to deserve.” 
He blinked, taken aback by the statement. But she meant every word. 
“Good evening, Captain,” she said coolly, and then swept away. 
Despite the tension with Sobel, she had a pleasant dinner with Colonel Sink. He asked if she had heard from her mother, and she said she hadn’t yet, and the colonel admitted she was shunning him too. They shared a melancholy sort of laugh about it. After the meal, there was a knock on the door. 
“Come in,” Sink said. 
“Good evening, sir,” said Dick as he entered, offering a salute. 
Sink returned it. 
“How can I help you, Dick?” he asked. 
“Actually, I was wondering if I could walk Melanie home,” he said. “I’d hate to disturb our routine anymore.”
She beamed. “Thank you, I’d like that.”
“Well, we’re all finished here, if you’re ready to go,” Sink said. “Thanks for looking out for her, Dick, it means a lot.”
“I’m happy to do it, sir,” Dick replied. 
“Good night, Colonel,” she said to Sink. “I hope we can sit down together again soon.”
“Me too,” Sink said. 
He pecked her on the cheek and said good night, and then she left with Dick. As they headed out into the cool night, she looked up at her companion and smiled again. 
“So, I guess you heard about Sobel,” he said. 
“Yes,” she said. “You did too?”
“Yep,” he said. “I think the company’s having a party if you’d like to join.”
She chuckled. “No thank you. I much prefer where I am.”
He smiled that bashful smile of his, which always melted her heart so much she was shocked she didn’t just turn into a puddle and soak into the earth. 
“Sink didn’t happen to share with you who’ll be taking Sobel’s place did he?” he asked. 
“As a matter of fact, he did,” she said. “Lieutenant Meehan from Baker Company, I believe.”
“I don’t know much about him,” he said with a slight frown. 
“Well, it can’t get any worse than Sobel, can it?” she returned, but immediately felt guilty. “Oh, that’s a nasty thing to say, I -”
“No, don’t apologize,” he said. “This whole business has been pretty nasty.” 
“Have you been reinstated as Easy’s XO?” she asked.
“I have,” he said. “And I suppose I partly have you to thank.”
“Oh, Dick, how you do run on,” she said. “I did speak to Colonel Sink about my own concerns, but it was the actions of the noncoms that sealed the deal. Turns out they are absolutely loyal to you.”
“Or they just really hate Sobel,” he joked.
She chuckled again. “That could also be the case.”
She shivered as a chilly breeze rolled through, and she subconsciously moved closer to him. He offered his arm, which she took. Just holding onto him, bodies pressed together, helped with warmth. But she always felt a bit warm around him. 
As they walked together, they chatted some more, eventually reaching subjects other than Sobel. They shared a few laughs and even some peaceful quiet as they reached the house. They came to a slow stop in front of her door.
“Well, goodnight, Dick,” she said. 
“Goodnight,” he returned. 
This time, there was no hesitation before she hugged him. He seemed a little surprised, but soon eased into her and wrapped his arms around her waist. It was so safe there, she hated to let go.
They grinned at each other as they both pulled away, and said goodnight again. Then, to her dismay, she went into the house to head to bed. 
Dick remained on the street and watched her bedroom window until the light flicked on. He saw her silhouette flit back and forth across the room as she changed and let her hair down. He stayed there until her light went off again, and he pictured her crawling comfortably into her bed. Only then, knowing she was safe and secure, did he go in.
***
Upottery was fairly similar to Aldbourne, only with fewer buildings. The Army set up a camp there, with tents scattered throughout the main field to house everyone. Luckily, the weather was warm enough. 
The invasion was so close now. Melanie had no idea when it would actually take place, but she had heard the plan several times already. The paratroopers would jump behind enemy lines and then have to clear the way for the Navy who would be landing on the two beaches - Utah and Omaha. It made her incredibly nervous because she would be separated from the regiment during the invasion. Her job was to go in with the rest of the Army Nurse Corps and set up aid stations. 
One morning, she had her coffee by the sand tables and looked over them for what had to be the millionth time. She knew her part, but she wanted to remember exactly where Dick and the rest of the 506th would be. Dick found her there by herself. 
“Hey,” he said. “Are you really studying before breakfast?”
She nodded. “I couldn’t really eat anyway. I just keep thinking about this and how...big it all seems.”
“Nervous?” he asked. 
“Of course, I’d be a fool not to be,” she said. “But it’s you all I’m worried about most.”
“We all have our part to play,” he said. “Just focus on your task at hand and -”
“Don’t, please,” she cut across him. “You’re entirely too logical for me just now.”
He chuckled, but it stung him a little. Did she really think him unemotional? He tried to maintain his composure for the men, and for her, but he never wanted to give the impression that he didn’t care.
“What would you like me to do?” he wondered.
“Lie to me,” she said, and he appreciated her honesty. “Just once, lie to me and tell me everything is going to be alright.”
He stepped closer to her and she rested her head against his shoulder. He put an arm around her waist and gave her a gentle squeeze.
“Everything’s gonna be alright,” he said. 
She hummed happily. “Thank you.” 
She finally got the news that the big day was to be June 5th. On that day, she went to the field before she was scheduled to join the other nurses. She walked among the men and offered hugs and words of encouragement, especially to the ones she was particularly close to. Most of it was Easy Company. 
“If you’re looking for Winters, he’s up with first platoon,” Guarnere told her as she wrapped up with him. “I’m sure he’d love to see ya.”
“Thanks, Bill,” she returned. “Take care of yourself.”
“You know I will, sweetheart,” he assured her, patting her arm.
She found first platoon quickly and spoke to each of the men. Finally, she spotted Dick. He offered a kind smile as she approached him. 
“Dick, I…” she trailed off. 
She had no words to express what he meant to her, so she threw herself into his arms. He caught her and held her, stroking her hair tenderly. She swallowed the lump in her throat as her heart began to sink. What if this was the last time?
Dick was thinking the thing. So he held her as long as he could, committing to memory the feeling of her, the way she smelled, and the sound of her voice. 
She sniffled as she pulled away.
“I, uh, brought something for you,” she said. 
“You did?” 
“Yes,” she said, reaching into her pocket. She retrieved a small, velvet box, which she opened and held out to him.
“A pocket watch?” he questioned, taking it carefully out and holding it up in front of him.
It was a fine, old fashioned, gold one. The initials JFD were engraved on the front, for Jesse Franklin Davis.
“It was my father’s,” she explained. “It always brought him luck. The only day he didn’t have it was the day he...well, you know.”
A softness came over his eyes that might have made her burst into tears if she wasn’t already trying so hard to keep it together. 
“Thank you,” he said earnestly. “I can’t take it, though, it’s too valuable.”
He tried to hand it back, but she only took his hand and curled his fingers around it.
“Please,” she said. “Consider it a loan. You may give it back only when we have found each other again.”
He looked happily at where her hand was atop his and then back up at her face.
“I’ll cherish it,” he said.
She nodded, biting her bottom lip so he wouldn’t see it trembling. He pulled her into one more embrace. When they parted, she swore she felt her heart cracking. 
“Good luck, Dick,” she choked out.
He cupped her cheek in his free hand. She closed her eyes to his touch. A tear leaked out of her eye and he wiped it away with his thumb.  
“Melanie,” he said, and she opened her eyes to meet his gaze. “I will return it to you.”
She attempted a watery smile. “I know you will.”
Several yards away, most of the company had gathered to watch, though they couldn’t hear what Melanie or Dick were saying. 
“He’s gonna kiss her,” Buck said. “He’s got to. Look at that.”
“Nah, he won’t,” Guarnere added. “He ain’t that kind of man.”
“I dunno, Guarno,” Toye said. “I’m with Buck, it’s looking like he might finally get the balls.”
“Oh, shit, guys!” Malarkey gasped. “His hand is on her cheek. The hand. Is on. The cheek.”
“He’s not even leanin’ in though, look,” Guarnere argued. “He ain’t gonna kiss her.”
“Five bucks says he kisses her,” Buck said. 
“You’re on,” Guarnere replied, and they shook on it. 
Lipton approached looking concerned. 
“What are all of you doing over here?” he wondered.
“We’re waiting to see if Winters is finally gonna kiss Melanie,” Skip explained. “Buck and Bill have placed bets.”
Lipton glanced over at her and Dick and then back at the men. 
“He’s not gonna kiss her, Winters isn’t that kind of guy,” he said. 
“Wanna get in on the bet, Lip?” Guarnere offered. 
Lip sighed and shook his head. 
“Does it count if he kisses her cheek or something?” Malarkey wondered. 
“No, we’re talking a full on lip kiss,” Buck said. “Oh, look!”
They all turned eyes on Melanie and Dick and watched. He was leaning toward her, and for a moment, even she thought he might kiss her, but then he leaned back on his heels. They whispered their final goodbyes. And then, chest tightening, she turned away from him and walked toward the jeep that was waiting for her. 
“Damn,” Buck sighed. 
“Told you, fellas,” Guarnere gloated as he collected his winnings. “Winters ain’t the kissing kind.”
Dick watched the jeep disappear into the countryside, doubting himself for the first time. He tucked the pocket watch away inside his jacket. Right next to his heart. 
That night, after the jump was cancelled, and he stood outside with Nix, he pressed his hand over it and thought of Melanie. He was carrying her with him, no matter when or where he jumped.
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tragedy-for-sale · 4 years
Text
Kama Khronicals pt. 1
Yes I am aware Chronicals is misspelled. It is spelled with a 'K' for creative flow. Alright imma sleep.
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"You are dismissed, Captain Rex"
Rex saluted his general, "Yes, sir!" He exclaimed as he watched the two generals walk away and once they were gone from the room, a smile grew. The young, newly promoted captain had a giant smile on his face as he turned to look at his brother. "I did it!" He whispered, as he finally moved and jumped in excitement, "Cody! I did it!" He screamed, letting himself get much louder.
Cody smiled in turn, so proud of his little brother, "Never doubted you." He spoke as his brother continued to burst and dance in pure happiness. "Come on, I got a Kama and Pauldron to appoint you." Rolling his eyes at his eager brother, Cody gestured towards another exit. Rex stopped jumping, running up next to his brother
"Kama time!" Rex was hopping as he walked next to Cody, "Kama time, oh man I can't wait to see it, oh I can't wait to wear it." He thought aloud. Rex was gripping Cody's arm tightly, who may have been annoyed by how roudy Rex was being. But he didn't show it, never before had Rex acted so excited for anything in his life except this, becoming a captain, getting a battalion. Next, find a general to serve under. "Cody, are they as cool as Fox makes them sound? He always says they're the coolest thing ever, Wolffe too. Wait- why don't you wear one? You're a Marshal, and you're pretty cool and Wolffe says only the cool-"
"Rex." Cody inturrupted, chuckling, "I am very cool, in fact, I'm so cool that I don't need to wear a kama," Cody smirked, glancing to his little brother who looked to him in complete and utter awe. "Give it a week, brother, you'll figure out why the kama crew brag so much." The two walked into a room, several troopers stood tall at attention. Cody nodded to his men as they walked by, Rex slipping into his best impression of his brother, but failing. This was something he'd dreamt about. His goofy grin appeared yet again as he saw his Kama and Pauldron, "I'm a captain," he thought as he reached out his hand, "A captain."
When Rex first put his armor on in full, it was noticeably heavy. Which was saying something, for his armor was already ridiculously heavy. But all the same, the young captain couldn't contain his excitement. The extra weight was going to take some getting used to, but Rex wasn't gonna let that run its course. He was going to speed it up, so off he went to train. Captain Rex trained for hours upon hours, back to back and never stopping. Barely sleeping and barely eating. Pushing himself to the brink. It'd only been a week-
"Cody, Coddddyy pleasee." Rex whined, rolling onto his side to look to his older brother, who was currently putting away their blacks. Rex waited for his brother to turn his head and when he didn't, Rex whined slightly, "Cody-" he whispered, "pssst- Cody, hey-" letting out a sigh, Cody turned his head at last and glared at his brother.
"I told you- I told you to take it slow and what did you do?" Cody started to lecture. Rex let out a loud groan, he didn't want to listen to one of Cody's lectures, he wanted another chocolate bar. "But you ignored my advice, and y'know, I'm not surprised, but I'm a little hurt," turning around, Cody crossed his arms and studied Rex's face. "You didn't listen to me, your big brother, who is also a Marshal-"
"Blah blah, you're special and important and I'm just a dummy who tortured themselves by training too hard," Rex finished his brother's lecture, "Yeah I know, I should always listen to you, you're soooo smart." He snarked, "Sums everything up? Great, back to me now please?" Cody laughed as he walked over to a small satchel and pulled out a chocolate bar. He then walked over, tossed the chocolate on Rex's face and sat down on the bed.
"Yeah, that's about it." Cody grinned as he grabbed the bar back from Rex, who'd failed at opening it. "Those things suck, don't they?" He stated, handing the bar back.
"Yeah," Rex nodded as he took a bite of his chocolate. "I don't even wanna move, please don't make me move." He mumbled, taking another bite, chocolate really did make everything better. "I don't wanna do anything." Rex's whiny state made Cody roll his eyes endlessly. For hours had Rex been complaining and begging for chocolate, fruit juice, whatever. It was Cody who'd grabbed those things for his baby of a brother. He was happy to comply, for the most part.
"Mhh, ice packs still cold?" Rex took a bite of his chocolate while he nodded slowly. He'd been training early in the gym and as he was running he must've popped or strained something for he'd moved and next thing he knew he was in a great deal of pain. He ended up comming Cody to come rescue him. Which brings them here, in Cody's quarters.
"Are you gonna make me move?" Rex asked, of course he'd get up if he had to, but he knew if he stood up, he'd be moving like an eighty year old with a busted hip. Even laying here now, he could feel himself throbbing from the fatigue. "Don't be a bully-" Rex added in a whisper when he detected a hint of consideration on Cody's face. "Bullies don't bring their brothers chocolate, so you can't be a bully, okay?"
"Fine, I won't be bully, I'll cover you." Cody sighed, head swinging low before turning to look at Rex who had a soft smile on his face. "Stupid." He thwacked Rex's head, grabbing the chocolate and taking a bite.
"Ah! Hey bully!" Rex whined as he tried to grab the chocolate bar back, but he refused to get up, so all Cody had to do was hold it up and Rex wouldn't be able to grab it. "Grab me another one." He demanded, "Grab me another one!" He repeated, this time in a strained voice. Cody finished the chocolate bar before leaning over to grab the satchel.
"You're a baby, if I'm a bully then you're a baby." He opened the satchel, took a look inside before tossing the whole thing to his brother. "You can have 'em, I gotta go cover your ass." He mumbled before standing up and turning to face Rex, "You all settled?" Cody asked, he didn't want to get a com from Rex unless he was going to die or something. Rex hadn't pulled out another bar, Cody figured he was going to sleep or something, which he definitely needed too.
Rex nodded as he pulled the cover up, "I'm good, bubby." He mumbled as he felt the exhaustion hit him out of the blue. Cody nodded before pulling the covers up a little more, he lingered as he watched his brother fall asleep, "Love you," Rex mumbled. Cody smiled softly, giving his brother a kiss on the forehead before standing up,
"I love you too"
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|| Tag List ||
@ct7567329 @a-lil-perspective @mageofcole @advcntura @crying-at-ikea @stuckyjacos @crahsystor @obiorbenkenobi @satan-incarnate-666 @kalm421 @passionofthesith @mackstrut @jonathananubian @kamino-mermaid @hotnthorny @jyvorakal
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anamelessknight · 5 years
Text
Back to my good old four hour pace.
Two plot battles.  This only took so long because of trying to savescum tea time.
-Ignatz/Marianne B is precious.
-Hilda manipulates Lorenz so perfectly it’s beautiful.
-Raphael/Leonie is a super solid friendship.
-I brought Ashe to fight Lonato because I’m a monster.
-Despite it only ever being said the once I always misname Catherine as Cassandra.
-Incidentally I‘ve been misspelling Dimitri this whole time.  Whoops.
-Even with a guide open in front of me I still failed tea time multiple times.
-I already have B ranks.  So much free time is great.
-Managed to take out DK in combat this time around!  Took a bit of time scumming but I had enough firepower to do it.  Even including how I forgot to reclass Lysithea back to a magic class to make sure.
-Also I had no thief this time around.  I really overleleved Petra last time.
-Forced Byleth and Lysithea to 10 to get the intermediate classes open.  Lysithea maxed myrmidon already.
-Having so many good battalions really helps.  Not having the AS issues I had with my shield spam last time around.
-Oh, hi Judith you’re sure introduced early here compared to the Empire’s extra NPCS.  You also rule hahaha.
-Also I am so out of food ingredients I hope the market opens this month.
-Seriously considering dropping some renown on my Eagles to get them over quicker.
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Hard words for good spellers: the evil spelling test #5yrsago
Teresa Nielsen Hayden's evil spelling test is back, with more "words that trip up good spellers, arranged in an order that’s intended to increase their difficulty."
The origin of the test was pragmatic rather than theoretical. I made it out of words and word combinations which I’d seen misspelled by good spellers. I’ve gradually come to appreciate the role played in it by over-thinking and second-guessing. It’s easier to remember how to spell battalion when it’s on its own (two Ts, one L) than when it follows artillery (one T, two Ls), and is followed by vermilion (one L, though it’s pronounced like million) and guerrilla. Millennium and millenarian are a wicked pair all by themselves. They’re followed by miscellaneous because (a.) it’s often misspelled, and (b.) it’ll trip up test-takers who figure that if the last three words had double Ls, this one has to be single.
Here are a few of the words at the start: "bazaar dumbbell bizarre abattoir accede precede supersede occurrence inoculate desiccated espresso..."
And it ends with "siege seize niece weird sieve".
https://boingboing.net/2012/06/02/hard-words-for-good-spellers.html
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A note from the editor:
I am the editor, not  a very good one at that. I purposely have changed certain letters to misspell words to hide a secret message for my long lost love. This is a lie, I just am quite horrendous at spelling. I use my dictionary as a pillow but my skills have not improved. Oh well. I was getting about the same amount of sleep either way. This is the story of Iphis as told by Iphis, for Iphis. I use it pronouns because I am a shape-shifting dragon which makes pronouns quite pointless. For me, at least. Everyone else makes quite a stink about it all. I think there is prime potential in just using a single pronoun for everyone but that is also an unpopular opinion. Anyways, enjoy the book and have a splendid day.
drink a cup of tea, and all that.
A forewarning; Iphis is not your typical hero or princess and this isn’t really a typical story. Or maybe is it extremely typical and you will laugh at me when it is all said and done. I’m not called Maktabe the Foolish for nothing. Well, i am not really called that...so it is for nothing. You can call me that if you like. It would give my weary skeleton a good rattle. Now it all started during an unexpected summer of flames…
Prologue:
Crochet lace drapes. Her grandmother had made them. Each stitch sewn in
candlelight before bed. The curtains framed the first floor window that always was flooded with sunlight from dawn till dusk. They had been dyed dark blue with the juice from zilchberries that had been deemed unfit for fermenting. Now, from swaying in the sun's rays all day, they had softened to a baby blue. Next to this window was the stairs to the cellar and bedroom.
The forest opened up to a field where the town of Dilchlam grew. Grasses and wildflowers ran amuck.
Zoom in, the scene awakens as a soon-to-be-mother comes back to from the depths of her nap. She is drenched in sweat. She is sitting in a tub of liquid. Not actually a tub, a rocker. The rocking chair had hollow that would fit to form, that was now filled with this. Colorless. Odorless. The baby kicked. She rocked back and forth a few times, droplets ker-plashing onto the floor and sprinkling onto the forgotten book about medicinal kelps. The book had walked to sleep for her afternoon nap to fight off morning sickness. The baby is coming. She takes another swig of reality when she looks out the back window. The sky is black, and the forest is orange. Trees aren’t
orange or red or yellow? Fire. Everywhere. She panics and jumps out of her seat only to fall to her knees.
Everything had to be hacked. That’s the noise axes make hak hak hak. Every day on the outskirts rang the song of the spitting and cursing of lumber laborers sweating under the sun. Building a town from scratch. Carving a community out of the endless woods. The ancients. Their history was sealed in the wood chip insulation and in between the cracks of the floor boards. In the grain of their homely furnishings.
She had made the cradle out of wood; a group of villagers had chopped some birches with the intention to create stools. Luece loved the feeling of her overworked muscles after sanding down the pieces for the crib. After it was puzzle-pieced together the couple had placed it lovingly by their own bed upstairs. So excited, so scared, so different. This piece of furniture was how she came to terms with the prospect of being called mom. She was prepared, the baby had a place to sleep. No more.
Luece is on the ground, coughing coughing cough. Her lungs are on fire. The world is on fire. Dilating. Pain. Not now. Not here. T his isn’t how the baby was meant to come into the world, b ut that is where Luece is wrong. The ancient pines can only grow once the seeds are put through immense heat. This child could only be born in these exact circumstances, and from the ashes will rise a magic that has been forgotten, but dearly needed. She crawls past the book shelves and banister to get to the cellar, her only salvation from the heat that threatens to collapse her walls.
The books they owned were mainly different herb identification books, anatomical reference, and Jeb’s joyous historical-fiction romance novels. He would tell
neighbors they were Luece’s because he was embarrassed for having such an odd guilty reading pleasure. Across the room behind the extendable table and left of the tiny tea-kettle of a stove stood the proud dish container, the ceramics cabinet. The cabinet was barely dry from the fresh stain painted on two mornings ago. The wood was leftover from Cercie, a kind neighbor’s, flooring. Jeb had used his whittling skills to carve two love birds into the center of the doors, the lock was hidden in one of the eggs in the roost. A small brass master key hung on the hooks next to the door, polished from continuous use every day. There were two other nails, one for Luece’s ring and one for Jeb’s.
Jeb, a farming man, had a key to the two town silos on his ring. Both had an mid-sized iron latchkey to get into the house. His nail had a bit of fuzz stuck on the end from catching on his sleeves. He would hang his keys up while taking off his jacket to put into the book shelves and coat peg collection next to the bits of metal budding from the wall. Thus, every damn one of his long sleeves was frayed at the ends. Lucinda and Jeb gave up on patching them after realizing they needed--at the minimum--daily repairs.
The basement has mud floors and rafters that serve them well as a cloth and herb drying rack. Without trying to outdo the community’s healer, Lucinda had acquired more natural cures to ailments than any other being within fifty miles. She was suspicious of anyone who practiced seithr-based healing and always aimed to be prepared for any circumstance. Albeit, except for natural disasters. But this firestorm is nothing close to what nature intended it to be. This is a ritual, the coming of a new age.
This fire is searching. Searching for the woman who lives in this cosy home. This house, you see, is burning down. By tomorrow there will be little left besides the stove, a hole in the ground, and quiet country dreams left in the ashes.
There hadn’t been a summer of flames in over a hundred years. Why now? Why? WHy? WHY? pangs pangs pangs pangs pangs pangs of pain. the baby was coming and we were destined to go up in flames. She felt the cool mud floor against her cheek. She grabbed a rag often used for holding vegetable shavings and wiped her brow. She inched her way over to the potatoe sacs, never having her face more than two feet from the ground. Her ears were filled with the roars above her, the fire was feasting on her and her husband’s hard work. W e are going to die...at least I will not burn alone. Her vision became as hazy as her brain, f rom the smoke? When did the room become this smokey? Her thoughts were replaced with overall nausea from inhaling toxins and at the horror that she was glad that her offspring was not meant to make it into this world. She hugged the potatoes needing an anchor and salt water leaked from her eyes. I would give anything to take his place. He? Her body convulsed. She vomited into the peel bucket. No mess yet. Easier clean up for later.
Ironically, their house is the perfect kindling, made of wood floors and wood walls. They, at it’s conclusion, called it their little slice of log-heaven. In this state, it more resembled hell. The home is a simple and sound design. A gopher lives under the one
stair that they labeled the porch. They had named him Samuel. Jeb, good-naturedly would talk about making samuel a hat “one of these days...” The step was actually just a large, smooth rock. The structure was painted evergreen in reference to the origins of the materials. It sat ten miles away from the ‘hustle & bustle’ of the town-center. That’s how they liked it. Alone with each other. But w here is Jeb? H erding cattle into the town hall, wishing for the fireproof enchantments hold. Praying lovely Leuce and the baby-to-be are safe.
Unheard sobs and ripping of fabric. Lucinda is chewing on stingers to numb her insides. She usually makes tea out of this fowl root for women in labor, but unfortunately she is nowhere near the probably-melted kettle. Her fingers twitch. Both eyelids are glued closed and lines have formed battalions on her brow. P lease don’t let us burn to death, she begs the powers at work. The fire hears her cries, but inches closer, hoping to meet an old friend. Screams under earth. Screams under a burning skyline. Screaming. Screaming. A head and two legs. A body of flesh.
Persiphis was born from the overwhelming heat that may be seen as a wall of destruction, but the resins of the past have melted away. The pine seed has awoken to a new world with a bit less decay and a hopefull future full of new growth on the horizon.
A pinecone when overrun by hellfire itself will trigger a mechanism, from within create the chance to bring about life.
Fire is the agent of rebirth. Fire is a magic that brings new paths and life. Luece flopped over and crawled to her baby, wearing bright pink new skin. They are red and radiant surrounded by flames. It must have been the vapors poisoning her brain but she thought she saw small lines of flames curling around her baby’s arms like a garden snake coiling in comfort. How did we survive? And then it all goes blurry.
Chapter 1 The first spark Iphis grew. The house was rebuilt, smaller, sturdier. In the aftermath of the fire, there was no wood left for log designs. So mud bricks and ash paste became the main construction method, except for old Macus’ place. He used straw and ash cakes. Said it would have better insulation. Dirt floors and moss rugs. Iphis grew. Among flames of chaos Leuce had managed to not explain Iphis’ odd birth and both their survival story. No one seemed to care, the villagers were just grateful that the medic did not die and was somehow well enough to tend to the many burn victims who had not been as lucky. Between making salves and draughts; not to mention how day and night Leuce was wrapping and unwrapping and rewrapping and boiling bandages. Jeb was in charge of helping make sure enough food had been safely stored for winter and shepherding the animals that had gotten loose. Both were so tired by the end of each day they would fall asleep in their clothes right after a lukewarm broth dinner. They were a quiet newborn. Always warm, not with fever thankfully. The baby was strapped to either parent’s back for half the day and then the bundle would be handed off. Breastfeeding was done on the move. Rush rush rush. How’s the baby? Still eating? Still pooping? Still breathing. Good. There was no panic. Every person fell into a job. And that was life. The burned wild began to heal with each water replenishment. The stream came back with a roar. The waterhole was usable again. Harsher crops were planted for the next foretold season. Iphis grew. The town had now restarted and order was returned. Daily lives had more structure. A grey season passed into a windy season. Many nights were spent in the cellar hoping the roof would hold. Please hold. Please. Mother would pray. Father would close his eyes and fall asleep listening to the winds howl in heartbreak, trying to infiltrate every home in search of a lost love. The pair would read to Iphis and tell them stories. They would coo and gurgle in the ways that infants do in appreciation of art. Then would slumber.
Iphis’ mother used fireweed to cook instead of fire. It grew in plenty replacing grasses and shrubs in places the flames had gone higher-than-roofs. It only needed a single spark and then would ember for hours. This intrigued the baby to no end. Their eyes would turn orange in the glow. Townspeople had all but converted to fireweed due to it’s abundance. Only Luece noticed the change. She added it to the list of unmentionable (why?/unexplainable) traits her child possessed.________________________________________
Iphis learned to crawl. And crawl they did. Anywhere and everywhere. For a small being who has no sense of direction, they managed to find more ways to get lost than found. Under cabinets, on shelves, behind desks, in buckets. “The child needs a leash or watcher, we are gonna lose her--if I do not lose my mind first...”Leuce began to scrub her child’s already soiled dress. Jeb let go of his pile of fabric when he heard the tears hiding behind her eyes, “With the amount of dirt that accrues on this kid I say we just make her clothes dark” a chuckle ends his sentences while maneuvering around their awkwardly placed stone table. He hugs her from behind. Leuce hiccups. She looks at the crib stained black with soot that will not wash away. She let out all the air in her chest. Turns around in his arms. Eyes closed. Face to shoulder, face to collar bone. They sway, like seaweed in an underwater forest.
Meanwhile, the topic of these first time parent’s, has awoken from their nap. Bright green eyes crumple and blink. The world is too bright. So much stimulation, big yawn. Lips widen to show teeth coming in. Bright red gums, raw from their efforts. Little white pearls poking out on all sides. One sharp incisor is fully in. A gum-filled smile. As if they broke their teeth into bits chewing on rocks. One fist shoots out from the blanket, a test. All clear. “A-chew” A small nose squeaks out after inhaling dust not quite cleaned up from the weekly sweeping. They fell asleep in a pile of fabric scraps that morning. What was a comfy spot then, became a prison of inter-knotted bits that tangled around them whilst dreaming. They squirm and twist and plunge their limbs in many directions. Until, they are freed from the final bits of flannel that held them. Iphis rolls onto their hands and knees. They wriggle like and eel zigzagging across and off the sewing corner’s carpet. The floor is dirt, a normalcy, comfort. Bits of grime dot their legs, feet, and hands as they scooch towards a smell. Familiar. Bump bump bump. They see a toy in their periphery, it’s their belt-bat. For teething. They can chew on the leather head and wings cut from old belts. And cuddle with the stuffed
body. Two button eyes-one bright orange glass. The other is iridescent, made from a barnus’ greyish shell. A mud-feeder found in the shallows of smaller bodies of water. But, they ignored this distraction and reached a large basket with a lid.
Iphis recently reached that in-between where they can not walk, but they can stand a while if holding onto something else for stability. They touch the intricately woven reeds shaped into a diamond pattern using the contrast between different stalk shades. They reach out and run their hands over the small ridges. The smell is coming from here. The babie’s curiosity is heightened with the fact that this basket has a lid on it. Most baskets in the house are open with a handle. Or they are clay urns. What is this? What is inside?
Iphis grabs handfuls of floor and spreads their legs real wide for balance. Similar to a drunkards sense of balance, they dip this way and that, landing again and again on their butt, trying in vain to stand up. A sleeved arm leans against the cold stove. Perfect prop. In a series of pushing each limb out to full length with all their might Iphis stands and with one hand on the side of the stove they grab at the lid with the other, bouncing to stay balanced. They are reach-reach-reaching. Their stubby fingers barely graze the lid enough to push it back. Victory. “EEE!” Their back dips back and they fall forward grabbing onto the lid. The basket rocks. A little bit towards the wall. A little bit backwards. Swaying, like the couple downstairs. This is a precarious position where Iphis stomps a foot for strength, but the socked toes slip. They impact with the basket. With one support beam gone wild Iphis tries to hold onto the edge more. The basket hesitates and seesaws, Iphis is knocked onto their back. “Wumpf.” The basket topples over with their combined weight. “Crash!”
The contents tumble out. ------------------------------------
“Pitter-patter-pitter-patter.” “pit pit pat” The couple look towards the ceiling. “Speaking of infuriating infants...”
The two lock hands and give each other tired smiles. “Bum-bamp!” Now worried looks are exchanged, “thu-thud thu-thud thu-thud thu-thud thu-thud” of taking the ten stairs two-at-a-time. The wash forgotten, left to soak. The scene unfolds as Luece’s eyes take in damage. First, Empty blankets, at least Iphis is not being strangled by them. Then, no baby choking on fabric. Different snippets of jackets and patches were thrown about, to the left of their mattress on the floor. A single bit from the hem of a yellow skirt has landed on her pillow. Next, chairs are all upright not crushing her child. With each discovery she feels relieved simultaneously while her anxiety heightens. Where? Where? “Persiphis? Sweeety?” She starts to move to see behind the table--“ack”--Leuce swings her head over to Jeb. Mid cringe--“I stepped on the bat.”
They both hear a giggle that echoes off the stove. Red bursts across the room, blinding the adults. Both stagger. Leuce’s eyes adjust, dotted with black spots. The room dulls to a calmer hue of red. She cautiously walks over to the stove. There lies Iphis, covered in fireweed, the waxy leaves have already been used up as a natural wick. Each little spiral burned up while the stem continues to burn at a low flame. The light changes and each small patch of stalks flicker. They are dotted in whispers of light blue.
Blue sparks. Blue blood. Blue fire dancing in the afternoon light.
The baby wasn’t crying. No smell of singed hair or flesh alight. “Is this a dream?” The color had drained out of Luece’s face. She began to shake. This woke Jeb from his shock. He has got to do something. Help. Get water. He began to put out the danger. Pouring water on the plants ring by ring. Circumambulating his child until he reaches a sleeping Iphis. Not a single burn on their soft skin.
With tears in his eyes he picked up the infant. “She’s breathing.” He looks at them as if holding a wild dozaerk and not his flesh and blood. Turns.
Leuce’s eyes are just as puffy. She opens her mouth, but no words come out.
Deep breath. “I think...I need to tell you about what happened…when Persiphis was born.”
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