#fox loading his blaster: I said what I said

[bitebackbaby]

“to walk the gale” & “and the universe said” for the fic ask :)

ooooh, heck yeah!! let’s start with “to walk the gale” – this is a long fic that ive hinted at before, because it’s my ‘fox as krell’s commander’ fic!! fox, my beloved… you deserve the world! and by that i mean i must break you.

in this fic, fox is assigned as general krell’s commander and basically goes from “okay, i can make this work” to “This Will Work (loads blaster)” in the first three months lol. this one has a heck of a lot of whump, given the subject matter, but it will be counteracted by the comfort that is to come :’)

this fic is set to be ten chapters long!! here’s a quick snippet! :)

“I think he’s trying to kill us,” Parasite says grimly.

Fox grunts, pressing a hand against the wound on his side. “He’s a natborn. What else is new?”

Parasite swallows, looks away. He drags out the medkit, begins sorting through their meager supplies. There’s a hint of frustration in his eyes, and Fox doesn’t blame him. Parasite wasn’t trained in more than basic CPR, just like the rest of the basic troopers, but he’s kind and giving and has a warm bedside manner, so with all the medics… gone, he’s the best they’ve got.

But it’s not fair. And Parasite is right to be angry.

Fox just can’t bring himself to think about it too deeply, not yet.

He knows what he’ll find, in those murky depths – and it’s nothing good.

title (& chapter titles) comes from this quote from the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett; “All witches are selfish, the Queen had said. But Tiffany’s Third Thoughts said: Then turn selfishness into a weapon! Make all things yours! Make other lives and dreams and hopes yours! Protect them! Save them! Bring them into the sheepfold! Walk the gale for them! Keep away the wolf! My dreams! My brother! My family! My land! My world! How dare you try to take these things, because they are mine!

I have a duty!”

NOW!! “and the universe said” is far more au than most of my wips, as it takes place in a different reality entirely. well… kinda.

have you ever played the game Spiritfarer? boom. there it is. (if you haven’t, i seriously recommend it!!) but to go into a bit more detail; in this au, fox acts as a guide for lost souls who need to pass on to the afterlife. they are all the spirits of people that he once knew when they were alive, and they all have something different to teach him. as fox slowly walks them through the path to acceptance and moving on, he learns a bit more about himself too. :)

obviously, this is a story that deals heavily with death & grief, but much like the game that inspired it, my hope is that this story will bring more comfort than hurt <3

this wip is set to be twelve chapters long. here’s a quick snippet! :)

Fox opens his eyes slowly. Above him, the ceiling is swaying in time with the waves, his hammock rocking gently back and forth.

On his nightstand, the Guiding Light is glowing softly, an ever-present warmth that draws him in like a flower reaching for the sun, and he carefully picks it up, cradling it between his hands.

“Good morning,” he murmurs, and presses his forehead to the Light for a brief moment, before pulling away.

He can hear the sound of footsteps out on the deck. Seems like one of his passengers is awake already.

“Time to report for duty,” Fox mutters to himself, a lopsided grin tugging at his lips. He throws his legs and over the side of the hammock and jumps down.

With the Guiding Light strapped to his belt, Fox prepares for another day.

title (&chapter titles) come from the minecraft end poem ;)

#oztalk #oztalk: to walk the gale #oztalk: and the universe said

[here-comes-the-moose]

Palpatine aka Darth Sidious found dead because Commander Fox found out he made a shiny cry.

#shiny: *is crying* #fox: *ori’vod mode activated* #fox: who made you cry I’ll kill them #shiny: you can’t do that it was the chancellor #fox loading his blaster: I said what I said #he’s ori’vod shaped your honor #star wars tcw #clone wars #star wars the clone wars #commander fox #commander fox being an older brother #coruscant guard

[showerthoughtsonly]

Racing along

Commander Fox x reader

Synopsis: You speeder race along the spires of Coruscant often, but one night you happened to get picked up by a cop. Through a series of events, you end up overnight in a jail cell, where you meet a certain Commander that you can’t seem to keep out of your mind after you leave.

A/N: I have no idea how comms are exchanged and I’m too swamped with end of semester stuff to find out. Pls let me know if you want to be tagged in any future works! Enjoy the read!

Warning: Simp reader (maybe simp Fox)

tags: @sugarpuffsstuff​

The jail cell that they had plopped you in was rather chilly, you recognized as you rubbed your arms up and down. The tanktop you were wearing had been previously covered by a nice, warm, cozy leather jacket, but they had stripped that from you when you had been arrested. Probably a good call, a lot of others from this seedy hellhole of a planet probably had all kinds of tools hidden in jackets to slip from cells.

You crossed your arms and tucked them tightly into your chest to conserve warmth, driving your knees up to curl into a ball. Of all the nights to get caught speeder racing, it had to be tonight. Any other time, you would have been ticketed and been on your way, but the systems had gotten shut down nearly the instant a guard had caught you. A real shiny too, you had to say, as he seemed to be a stickler for the rules and threw you in the cell in wait of the systems going back up instead of just letting you be on your way.

“Mister!” You rattled the bars to get the attention of the clone manning the desk by the in-the in-precinct cell. “Any chance you could toss me my jacket… or maybe a blanket?” It was almost cringe-worthy how small your voice sounded in that moment. It was your first time inside a police precinct, let alone in the jail cell. You knew they probably wouldn’t do anything to you, but it was still terrifying.

The man gave you an amused look before rolling back in his chair and pressing his comlink. “Commander, would you mind if we get the racer something warm? They looks a bit cold.” He asked, giving you a little wink. Confusion washed over you at the gesture. You hadn’t really cared much about the war effort or the soldiers who had fought in it, so you really didn’t have much of an opinion on them, but everything you had seen previously kinda painted them… as not great.

It didn’t help that they were constantly busting your races now either. They were brutally efficient, much more so than the previous cops. Clearly, considering that no one had caught you in particular before. 

“Thank you.” You said slowly before pulling yourself into a tighter ball in the corner. The cell was empty, surprisingly. Well, you guessed it made sense. Systems were down, either let them go for the night or throw the really scary guys in the big prison for the night.

“It’s not a problem. We scanned through your jacket, there wasn’t anything we needed to be worried about, but we were still just gonna give it to you on your way out.” He explained, rounding around to stand in front of your cell. “Least we can do since Dogma brought ya in. I don’t think anyone else ‘round here would have made you sit in that cell all night.” He told you rather kindly.  

“Oh… his name was Dogma?” You asked, furrowing your brow. Were all of their names that descriptive? The guard nodded with a rather large smile. Maker, you had to admit, his smile had a way of putting you at ease. Whoever had chosen the donor must have known what he was doing. No matter, he was still a cop.  

“What’s… If you don’t mind me asking, what’s your name, sir?” You asked. Even though he seemed rather kind, your heart was still hammering in your ears, especially with the-you assumed loaded-blaster at his hip.

“I’m Commander Thorn. It’s nice to meet you,” he trailed off for your name and grinned brightly when you offered it, as if he hadn’t already been in the middle of filling out an unofficial file on you.

“Commander! Don’t talk with the impounded!” A very familiar, very sharp voice called from the doorway. You flinched back so hard that you banged your head across the cement wall behind you and Thorn hissed in sympathy. In between blinked away tears of pain, you could see yet another armored figure with your jacket slung over one of his arms.

“Commander Fox! You know this is just a racer! They’re fine! Been real quiet. They were even scared, I was just trying to get ‘em at ease.” Thorn laughed. There was an audible huff of annoyance from the still helmeted soldier and you shrunk further back.

“Well, they shouldn’t be too scared. Turns out the systems won’t be up for another two days.” A flash of alarm rang through your body at that. “So we’re just gonna let you off with a little warning.” The tension didn’t drain. He could be lying, cops lied all the time.The new clone, who wore different armor than most of the guard that you had seen, gave a little sigh and opened your cell door.

A little flash of hope echoed through your body. Tentatively, you unfolded your limbs, still with a slightly distrustful look.

“Come on, we don’t bite. Don’t got all night either.” Fox, you believed Thorn called him Fox, shook your jacket lightly at you from the exit. Carefully, you stood on half numb legs to inch towards the exit like a baby deer.

“Where’s my speeder?” You asked, directing the question at either clone near the exit. Fox gently handed you your jacket and waited until it was on to answer.

“It’s out front. I know it’s fast too, but don’t go racing again.” He commanded, his voice considerably softer than when he first arrived. You shoved your hands in your pockets and avoided his visor’s gaze. That wouldn’t be happening anytime soon. The thrill of flying and the payoff of winning was worth more than the risk of spending a week in that cell.

“Sure. Um, thanks, Commanders.” You nodded, movements still slightly jerky and uncoordinated. Thorn gave a little chuckle at your skittish mannerisms and escorted you to the door of the building, nodding at a couple of the brothers that you passed on your way.

He tossed you your keys on the way out with a wink. “Happy driving, Speedy. Don’t get caught anytime soon.”

You nodded and had to physically restrain yourself from blowing past the stop sign outside of the precinct. 

~~~~

For the next week and a half, you desperately tried to get that horrid night out of your mind, something that your friends didn’t seem to catch on to.

Your friends at the garage you worked at seemed to find great amusement in reminding you about your night in the jail cell. Your boss had caught on and gave you the midnight shift for a bit until the heat filtered off, something you were very grateful for at the time, but now you were tired as all hell and swaying in a 24 hour caf line at three in the morning.

The bell behind you rang, announcing another customer. Assuming that it was yet another tired student, like the two in front of you, you didn’t bother to turn around and see who stumbled in.

The barista however, leaned over to see who had joined the line and visibly recoiled. Even in your tired state, you recognized this look and froze. She looked like a hutt had just slithered in through the door. Tentatively, you peeked a glance over your shoulder.

It was a clone.

His armor was like the one who gave you the jacket. Just before you turned back around to reface the menu, his eyes flicked up to meet yours and, swear to the maker above, your heart stopped. Little tingles flickered through your body as you held his gaze. Even though they were ringed with tired shades of purple, you couldn’t help but think that those were the prettiest eyes you had ever seen on anyone you had ever met.

A little flash of recognition crossed his features and you jolted, turning back around quickly before you could make it awkward. Disappointment clouded your already tired body as you turned, remorseful that you couldn’t stare into his eyes a bit more.

Your turn to order finally rolled around and you stepped forward to order your caf. Something bitter to wake you up, though your taste buds practically cried at the thought of avoiding your favorite sugary drink.

The barista glanced over your shoulder a couple of times during the transaction. “I can’t believe the owner lets them in here.” She mumbled under her breath. A little flash of rage filled you. These men were soldiers and cops, people who existed to keep you in line, but they really didn’t deserve blatant prejudice. Especially right in front of them.

“Commander!” You suddenly shouted, a little bit too loud, without any real control over your mouth. With a warm face and nervous fingers, your glanced over your shoulder again. The clone was closer. Kriff, what was his name? Fink…Fred… It was an animal, wasn’t it…Fox!

The clone cleared his voice. “Yes, Speedy? Is there a problem?” So he did remember you.

“I’m getting your drink. Go ahead and order.” You stepped to the side slightly. The barista had a poorly hidden sour look to her face as Fox stepped closer, to put in his order. Or to tell you off, you really didn’t know which.

“You don’t have to, Speedy. I can get it.” He whispered to you, breath brushing over your ears. Little butterflies fluttered up and choked your answer.

“Don’t worry about it, I want to.” You answered, barely able to feel the heat radiating off the gaps in his armor from how close he was. How hot did these guys run?

Fox nodded and put in his order, letting you pay for the total without much of a hassle. Then the two of you stepped to the side to wait for your order.

“You know I won’t let you get a “get out of jail free” card because of this, right?” Fox leaned over so he could continue to keep his voice low. His hair had hints of grey already, you noted with yet another wash of concern.

“Yep. Don’t worry, I’m not going to get caught again. This is just to make your morning a bit brighter.” You watched as his eyes softened. Your name was called at the counter and the two of you grabbed your drinks.

“Hey, Speedy.” Fox stopped you on your way out. “Thank you.” He patted your shoulder lightly and you noted with a hint of happiness that your body didn’t want to bolt out of the door at the contact. You gave him a little nod and smile before leaving once more.

~~~~

That interaction lingered about in your head for the next couple of days. It was stupid and you couldn’t stop kicking yourself for it, but that Commander has the kindest eyes you had ever seen. That must have been why he kept on his helmet during your first interaction.

He probably could benchpress you too, right? There were rumors floating around that they were like super-soldiers. Almost jedi-esque. You knew for a fact that he also had handcuffs in that kit of his. The more your mind wandered, the more you kicked yourself. 

But he was broad and strong and probably had a raging caffeine addiction like you and he had very, very kind eyes. 

Oh you were so done for. 

So, for the next couple of mornings, you tried to visit the caf shop at the same time in hopes of seeing him again. You know you had been distracted at the garage during work for the past couple of days. Maybe if you saw him again it would put him out of your mind. Or give you the chance to do something about it. 

Two mornings came and went with you getting some paperwork done in the cafe’s booths in an attempt to linger in hopes of him walking through the door. He didn’t come and your hopes wavered. It was such an early hour, maybe his shifts weren’t late like yours. The bags around his eyes begged to differ, of course, but you couldn’t help the hopeless feeling creeping up your spine. 

On the third morning, however, you glanced up to the familiar sound of the caf door bell ringing, saw him, and knew that he wouldn’t not be out of your mind for any foreseeable future. The outdoor fluorescent lighting illuminated his little stray hairs, giving him an almost surreal halo and he was quick to catch your gaze and give you a little smile. Heat immediately rushed to your cheeks and you gave a little pathetic wave back.

He didn’t even bother with the line, coming over to your little booth immediately. With each foot closed between you, you could swear your heart beat twice as hard. There was no way he was coming over to you, right? You had only met twice before. By the time he paused in front of you, all you could hear was the rush of blood in your ears.

“Good morning, Speedy. You’re not grabbing a cup after a race, right?” Fox asked, the smallest, most infuriating grin on his face.

“I would never!” You pretended to be slightly offended. “I can’t believe you would assume such a thing of me! Been race-free since single-night prison, scout’s honor.” You held up three fingers as a salute as you spoke, feeling momentarily proud of yourself for not tripping over your words.

Well, these sparks in your stomach and chest were clearly not leaving anytime soon, you decided as his smile broke a bit wider. Good maker above, that was an award winning smile.

“I’m going to go order, mind if I sit with you afterwards?” Fox asked. At your little nod, he set his bucket down in the seat opposing you and went to go stand in line. You nearly melted into a puddle before the booth, trying your absolute hardest not to watch the sway of his hips, accentuated by that kama, as he left.

Your comm suddenly pinged, nearly sending you into a heart attack. Trying not to clutch at your chest, you brought your wrist up to your face to read the message. Regret filled you quickly, bringing in a dour mood. Your boss was having an emergency with a customer showing up, which spoke in itself. Customers didn’t normally make a habit of coming in during the wee hours in the morning.

Of all the damn days to come in… You gave a little sigh of regret and shouldered your bag. Glaring at your comm didn’t really make the sinking feeling in your stomach any better.

“Leaving already?” Fox slid into the booth across from you with a concerned frown on his face. That little pit in your stomach got even worse. An idea popped into your head and you made a split second decision before you could talk yourself out of it.

“Can I give you my comm?” You blurted out. Fox paused. Oh kriff. “I’m sorry, you probably don’t want to talk to me any more, but I think you’re pretty damn cute and I kinda came here for the past three days to see if I could see you again and my boss needs me now and I’m rambling, goodbye.” You turned to make a hasty retreat, fully preparing to absolutely blow out of the parking lot.

“Woah, woah. Slow down.” Fox caught your arm before you could run away. “I’d like your comm number. I think you’re adorable, but I uh. You seemed pretty scared of me when we met and I know what a lot of people here think about us.”

“Which is complete bantha shit.” You responded sharply, unaware of how loud your voice got. “I was scared, but you guys… from what I’ve seen thus far, you guys… you were very nice.” Words escaped you as his brow softened and the slightest bit of color spread across his cheeks.

“I’d like to talk to you more. I’ll only accept your comm if you take mine as well.” Fox offered his wrist, which you eagerly took to give him your contact before extending your own. His hand was warm as it gently enclosed your wrist to bring it closer to you.

You both stood for a moment, staring at each other, unable to move. A sweet smile was on his face and you were more than sure that you were mirroring him. Gently, he placed a hand on your shoulder and turned you towards the exit.

“Can I walk you to your car?” The sweet offer made your fingertips tingle and your ears heat.

“Please?” You answered weakly. You both walked out to your speeder outside, of which Fox helped you into.

“No speeding on your way back to work?” He said with yet another teasing grin. Oh, that little smile didn’t know what it was doing. You wanted to drag him forward into a kiss over the door of your speeder so badly. Pushing down the urge for later, you answered with a similar smirk.

“No promises.” You answered while shutting the door. “Talk to you later?” The early morning air was cool, heavily contrasting the heat that had flushed to your face already.

Fox nodded, waving you off. You carefully drove out of the parking lot and joined the hyperspace lanes. Upon looking down and seeing the little figure of him still watching you, a little spark of feistiness filled you and you revved your engine. With a delicious thrill, your speeder lurched forward, speeding ahead of the other speeders floating around you.

When you got back to work, you checked your comm before heading in to help your boss with that horribly timed customer. A new notification from an unknown frequency popped up. You selected it.

Caf tomorrow?

-Fox

With a little, poorly contained squeal, you responded with an affirmation that you would be there at the same time tomorrow. The prospect of caf with your commander kept you floating on air for the rest of your shift that night.  

#commander fox #commander fox x reader #perhaps Im projecting my simp #sw fics #star wars #the clone wars #gremlin writes

[countessofbiscuit]

Right of Bang

a post-Fives fic, feat. Commander Fox’s insecurities

1000 words | Teen | Ao3 . . .

Army admin had a funny sense of timing.

Fox frowned at the blasters, racked and ready for his use, and swore he heard ARC-5555 laugh as he marched beyond the grave.

“Ready to begin, sir?” Corporal June asked, in a plummy Timira City accent that hadn’t had its diction scuffed up. Smooth as his armor — and his just-dropped balls.

“Yes,” Fox replied, congenially as he could.

June cleared his throat. “Take control of one of the weapons, none of which have been under your direct supervision.”

Get back in that turret, trooper. Fox selected the pistol. If he was going to flunk out thanks to a box-ticking joke, better not make it the punch line.

Without being certified current in weapons handling, Jango himself would’ve found the armory doors closed upon him. Didn’t matter that they’d been fondling blasters since decant. Toy and training, of every make and model; one mind, any weapon and all that kark. Every year, twice a year, you had to demonstrate you were capable of operating the damn things.

And, now, there was at least one officer in the GAR who insisted Fox couldn’t.

Measuring his breaths behind his helmet, Fox conspicuously determined the weapon condition for June’s benefit. Chamber clear. Slide forward. Clip empty. No residual energy. Safety on. Still plenty deadly if someone wanted to try and make Fox’s day.

“Load!” June ordered, his voice not quite filling the corners of the range.

Fox unscrewed the chamber and wondered who was feeling more insecure.

The corporal being evaluated on evaluating Rear-Marshal Commander Fox.

Or the commander who’d lied on his last contact report.

The clone who’d flicked from stun to full power without blinking. Without thinking. Who’d put a lethal blast in a brother’s heart and had to convince himself he’d meant to.

And who hadn’t fired a shot since.

Hells, Riyo had probably handled his pistols more since he’d holstered them with hands that threatened to shake. Thoughtless woman. Refused a blaster or instruction, but apparently sashayed around with his in her robe while Fox slept because she was scared.

Slotting the clip, Fox made a mental note to review the overwatch outside her house.

Then he waited, a current of panic tickling his neck.

“Make stun ready!”

Fox went through the motions, deliberately. Safety off. Slide cocked. Stun engaged. Low-ready assumed.

Downrange, about twenty meters at its deepest, the target arc whirred to life. And the featureless holo of a humanoid, rendered by white lasers, flickered before the superconductive backstop.

Fox blinked.

It was random. The targets would cycle through at random, he reminded himself. SBDs, B2s, a grab bag of organics, and ... this thing.

Can’t trust a Corrie. They use whitejobs for target practice.

They didn’t, actually. Not since Kamino.

But Fives manifested just the same. Redundant tattoo and all.

Only thing worse than a soundly functioning ARC was an unstable one with a fully powered weapon. Even General Skywalker had attested to the readiness of his captain’s pistol.

(“‘Cause you didn’t give him a fucking chance.”

“To do what?! Shoot one of my men? Sorry if I don’t give more of a damn. I’ve lost enough of them to the 501st recently.”)

Perversely, Fox was grateful for the furore Rex kicked up. Never was more articulate than when someone mussed his hackles. It directed his choler outwards.

Forget his failing memory. Fox stiffened over his conviction:

Fives signed his own death certificate when he unplugged his failsafe hardware, went berserk on the Chancellor, and sallied out to 79s for a fucking fix. He’d just forced Fox to date and timestamp it for him.

Waiting, Fox stared at his fingers. He demanded them to obey.

The light appeared. The order came.

Fox stunned his mark. Then the next. And every sporadic target that followed, well within the mandated time.

“Stop!” June cried. “Clear the weapon, reload, and adjust to full power.”

Again, Fox demonstrated his proficiency with infoholo staginess.

The almost-Fives reappeared. And on the order, Fox put that shot back in his chest. Just right of center.

Because Commander Fox didn’t miss. He didn’t fuck up or flinch. He fired exactly when and where he meant to. With intention.

Every target got treated to the same heartburn. Even those that Fox knew possessed more than one. He fell into this same flow with the carbine. And the rifle — fuck, he loved the long lines on that thing. Heavy-hitting. Career-ending. Powerfully conclusive with the merest caress of his finger. He field-stripped, clean-stripped, and made them all safe upon command, while the air perfumed with ions. His confidence trickled back though grooves hewn by lifelong practice and fundamental pride, until the exercise was over.

“There you go, sir,” said June, renewing Fox’s licence to kill with a few strokes on his datapad. “In date and competent with the weapons system. Like there was any doubt,” he added cheerfully. His smile bounced so artlessly from his face, Fox couldn’t do anything but catch and throw it back.

“Am I free to congratulate a new skill-at-arms instructor?” Fox addressed the observing sergeant over June’s shoulder, who confirmed that he could.

Boozy with relief, Fox thumped June’s back. “You ever heard of the Den, Corporal?”

“... Yes, sir,” June replied, uncertain. Now truly nervous before a commander known to drop guardsmen for anything, up to and including nothing.

“When this damn lockdown’s lifted, I expect to see you there.” Fox tapped a code into the corporal’s compad. “Locate Lieutenant Rhys in a timely fashion, present that code, and he’ll add you to the guest list.”

June’s smile went positively nuclear. “Thank you, sir.” He clipped to attention, gave a salute to slice ice, and about-assed from the range.

You did right, son.

Fox wasn’t a danger to anyone. Every room was safer for him being there. Including that goddamn warehouse.

Rex would thank him, later. When that baby Senator Amidala was carrying had a father. And when Rex got to hold something he’d never get himself.

. . . . . 

(Ao3)

#commander fox #coruscant guard #foxiyo #the clone wars

[rose-blooms-red]

Significant Others/troopers under their command react to Edee's latest volley of obnoxious gifts :D

Did I start this 3 months ago? Yes. Did I also write over 2k of it Today? Also yes. Productivity is a Relative Term. 

[read on ao3]

Fox twitches as he reads the clearly handmade voucher. Says, pleasant as anything, “I’m going to fucking murder him.”

Ponds hums, looking over Fox’s shoulder, “It’s sweet. Probably.”

Fox makes a noise in the back of his throat that isn’t entirely describable by any known language. 

Does he still have that clock he found during that one shopping trip? The one with that awful fucking peach, mustard, and grey-blue combination that spat out an eeopie’s mating call every half hour? He’d been planning on saving it he remembers but—

“Telling you to take a break like that,” Ponds continues, like he can’t hear the way Fox’s higher reasoning is currently dying a slow painful death, “very considerate.”

Fox grits his teeth. Needs must, and Fox needs to crush the little fucker’s spirit thoroughly under heel. He’ll have to take it out of storage tomorrow.

“No.”

Ponds giggles, “I’m sure it’ll be entertaining at least.”

“Hondo,” Fox reiterates, digging his elbow back into Ponds’ stomach. 

Ponds drapes himself over Fox’s back, knocks the side of his head against Fox’s, “As I said,” he simpers, “entertaining.”

Fox makes a disgusted sound, sneers down at the offending…. Gift.

‘All expense-paid cruise on the Hondo Ohkana ‘Sights of The Galaxy’ tour!!!!!!’ It proclaims in neon colours and excessive exclamation marks, ‘Very Romantic and Exciting!’

“When’s it say it’s good for?” Ponds asks, like he’s actually contemplating it.

“No.”

Ponds snatches the voucher out of his hands anyway, “Oh good! We aren’t busy that ten-day.”

Fox’s hand twitches, “I am not getting on a fucking ship with fucking Hondo Ohkana, Ponds.”

“Mhm, ‘course not Fox.” Ponds responds absentmindedly, pats his arm lightly in the way that means they are definitely getting on the fucking ship with fucking Hondo Ohkana, “We’ve got a ten-day to pack and get everything in order, that should be enough.” He nods to himself, breezes out of the room with a vague sense of purpose as he flits around the house, presumably for things to take on a ‘very romantic and exciting’ trip.

Fox is going to murder somebody, preferably Hondo, or Neyo. 

He hears the sound of Ponds grabbing the DC-15A’s and he grimaces, ugh, time to find the fucking holdout blasters, those things haven’t been serviced in at least a ten-day, and he needs to check on the blaster packs for the DC-17’s. He can’t remember if he restocked the things after the last time he used them. 

If they’re going on the fucking trip, they’re gonna be well fucking stocked.

(Fox manages not to murder Hondo, but it’s a very near fucking thing.

He does come back from the trip in a much better mood though, other than the twitch he’s developed from listening to Hondo all day. Ponds is annoyingly amused and smug about it. Fox ignores it, like he does every other fucking annoyance in his life. 

He shuts down the talk of another trip like it happening any time in this fucking century before Ponds even opens his mouth to respond. Once was fucking enough thank you.)

__________

Colt closes his eyes, casts a net about his mind for a sliver of patience and finds his supply has dwindled something awful.

When he opens his eyes again both nuisance and potted plant are still there. Gree smiles winningly and Colt smells danger. 

Or maybe he just smells the plant, because that is the thing overwhelming everything else right now. He glares down at it, it looks harmless, mostly, in it’s large pot but already Colt can hear the sounds of flies swarming around.

“That is not a houseplant,” Colt says, relatively tamely in his opinion, given that the overwhelming smell it emits is decay, “that is the type of plant one shoots and hopes doesn't survive the encounter.”

“It’s a very rare and endangered plant,” Gree lies, grin earnest and eyes bright with humour.

“It’s a pile of banthashit dressed up in vegitive form.”

“It’s an Amorphophallus titanum,” Gree corrects, “and it’s very rare, it’s one of the largest unbranched inflorescence in the galaxy that isn’t also carnivorous in any shape or form.”

Colt gives the plant a dubious look, “I’ll believe that when it doesn’t smell like it just ate and digested something.”

Gree shrugs, “It’s possible it’s a type of carrion flower…. but in the name of protecting it from extinction there’s no one I’d trust more than you.”

Colt twitches, he has no clue what a carrion flower is or how that accounts for the way it smells like Colt has a pile of corpses rotting away on his front step, but he does not like it at all.

The worst part is that he can’t actually tell whether this is Gree being serious or him pulling a shithead move. Because this is exactly the type of thing Gree would genuinely do and also the type of thing Gree would do just to fuck with him.

Behind him someone gags and Colt twitches.

“Fine,” he grits out, and Gree’s smile tries for sunshine and comes up partly cloudy and fully shiteating.

“Wonderful, thanks Colt.”

“Please leave.” 

Gree laughs as he leaves and Colt closes the door with a sigh.

“It smells like someone died over there,” Blitz calls out and Colt groans.

“Really? I hadn’t noticed.”

Havoc sniggers, “It really does sir, we might have to keep the Little’s away for a few days, wouldn’t want one of ‘em puking.”

Colt winces, that image does enough to convince him of the necessity, the only thing that could be worse right now is over a dozen Little’s sicking up from the smell. “Might be for the best.”

Blitz hums, looking at the now closed door in interest, “How likely is it that he was pulling your leg?”

Colt slumps into his chair, “50/50” he admits and Blitz raises his eyebrows.

“That is almost more concerning. What the kriff did they put in your batch.”

“Mistakes,” Colt grumbles back. This is why he’s the oldest, he’s the only one in the entire batch who managed to wrangle any sense out of his tube and keep it all the way through.

Havoc laughs and Blitz snorts, then looks like he immediately regrets it, “Ugh, Colt your batch is full of sadists I’m not gonna get the smell out of my nose for weeks.”

“It’s probably seeped into the clothes at this point,” Havoc agrees and Colt groans.

(When Shaak comes home she takes one look at the plant and can’t seem to decide whether to grimace or smile.

“Apparently,” he drawls, “it’s a very endangered plant that’s been entrusted to my care.”

A burst of laughter ripples out into the room and Shaak smiles, hand covering her lips as her shoulders shake minutely, Colt forgets about the death plant for a second as he looks up at her, heart stopping for a moment in the split second it takes her to swallow her laughter back down and he wants nothing more than to pull that sound out from her again.

It takes him a minute to realize that at some point he’d started smiling. He can’t seem to stop it, but there are worse things to find himself unable to stop doing.

“It’s commonly known as a type of carrion flower,” she tells him finally, laughter lacing her tone, ���otherwise known as a corpse flower for the smells they produce. It is not endangered, though there are those who agree that it might not be too much of a loss if it was.”

Colt groans. Shaak giggles and Colt finds himself forgetting for a second to plot his revenge.

Maybe Gree will get off a bit lighter this time, if only because Colt got to hear that bright laughter. 

He hums, “Plant it far, far, far away from the house?” Shaak smiles, presses a kiss to his forehead.

“That, my dear Colt, sounds like a brilliant plan.”)

__________

Gree gives the box a look of suspicious distrust that makes Barriss giggle and Decker snicker. 

It’s a big box, about the size of his torso and Gree has seen that bland, even smile too many times before to trust the contents of the box.

“Fox,” he warns and Fox’s grin goes sickeningly sweet.

“Gree, Baby Brother Dearest,” he drawls and Gree can hear the capital letters what the fuck, “I put my heart and soul into this you know, I’m hurt, really I am.”

That, Gree thinks sourly, is the worst load of banthashit he’s ever heard, and he’s had to listen to ‘scientific lectures’ given by people who read maybe one Edupad and then promptly forgot all of the information in the Edupad and decided whatever half-remembered thing left was Fact and Truth and refused to listen to Reason…. or sources and cited works.

Gree was very annoyed about that one, he’d put Effort into that paper thank you very much and he’d taken the class to learn things, not whatever that had been.

Fox wiggles the box in his hands around, expression pleasant and smile sharp.

Gree sighs. At least, he assures himself as he takes the box, it won’t be as bad as whatever happened after Fox and Ponds had come back from Neyo’s…… Gift.

Maybe.

The box is squishy. Boxes are not supposed to be squishy.

Gree has a Bad Feeling about this. He raises an eyebrow, Fox doesn’t even twitch.

Behind him Barriss is watching the exchange with wide, mirth filled eyes and a hand covering her mouth. Decker has long since lost the battle of keeping his snickering quiet and the rest of Gree’s so called loyal troopers of Green company watch with rapt attention.

He sighs again, loud and long-suffering, Fox’s smile never shrinks a shade less than serial killer pleased.

Gree unwraps the wrapping flimsi with ease, and then stares with distant horror at the plasti-cling underneath it. Not a box, no, plasti-cling.

It’s layered.

Gree twitches and reaches for one of his vibroblades.

“It’s very delicate,” Fox informs him, just as he gets the vibroblade out of it’s holder.

“Oh?” Gree asks, really quite pleasantly given the plasti-cling is so layered he can’t see a damn thing through it.

“Extremely,” Fox confirms, deadpan. Behind him Barriss giggles uncontrollably and Decker is flushed with laughter and gasping for air and the others aren’t much better. 

“Do they always do this?” one of them whispers incredibly poorly, Gree twitches, Fox eyes him with that malicious amusement that cements his place as youngest forever in Gree’s head.

“Always,” Barriss whispers back, giggling still and Gree’s heart warms for a second before his impending humiliation via gift settles in again.

“I knew the Commander wasn’t only, you know, learny, but I always thought he was sane.”

“Oh he’s sane,” Cooker reassures, “far as we can tell their entire batch is just, Like That.”

“But this is Torrent lev—” Fox’s face gives an unpleasant twitch that Gree sympathizes with.

Torrent, ugh.

“Shhhh,” the rest of Green hisses and Barriss hides her head in her hands as she laughs.

“We don’t compare them to Torrent, makes them touchy,” Draa mutters, as if he isn't half the reason Gree goes into interactions with Torrent prepared to have engineering go on another crazed building spree. He has a hunch that they feed on each other, the engineers, and it's their own special kind of crazy that Gree is half fascinated by and half resigned to.

“My point stands.” 

Gree grits his teeth, narrows his eyes at Green Company as a whole to no avail, turns a raised eyebrow to Barriss in a last attempt at gaining control of a situation he’d lost all hold over the moment Fox had walked up to him with a ‘gift from the bottom of my heart, Gree’.

His cold dead heart maybe. Gree is plotting his revenge already.

He puts the blade back with mechanical motions, feels around for the beginning of the despised plasti-cling, seriously who made it Gree has complaints for them, and begins the arduous task of unwrapping it all.

Who let Fox have this much plasti-cling.

(Over 10 hours of nonstop focus later the last of the plasti-cling has finally been ripped away and Gree stares at the new puzzle cube. Ugly and about the size of his palm. Much, much smaller than the wrapping he’d been given, nearly the size of his torso.

Gree makes a strangled sound that he will forever deny, Draa. 

The plasti-cling sits around him tauntingly, viciously victorious in all it’s piled glory.

It takes 3 days for Green Company to stop laughing about it. It does not take 3 days for them to stop sharing the holopics and vids they took, that takes much longer.

Barriss is Gree’s favourite now, everyone else is awful and everything they say is lies, and Fox has been demoted to all the way to being the baby.)

__________

Neyo tilts his head, grin bordering manic, “That, is the ugliest piece of garbage I’ve ever seen.”

Colt smiles, “It’s high class art.”

“It looks like someone took cans of paint and dumped them on the nearest patch of dirt they found.” 

“The texture adds value.”

“It’s chunks of dirt and grass.” Neyo hisses in delighted outrage. 

Colt waves a hand, voice disinterested and all ‘above all this nonsense’ like, “Very classy. Made with only the best of intentions.”

Neyo giggles, “It looks like actual manure, I hate it.”

“I got it just for you,” Colt simpers, like the little shit no one ever believes he is, “I saw it and just knew you’d connect to it.”

Neyo cackles, “This is awful, you’re awful, I’m hanging it on the wall and telling everyone you painted it.”

Colt raises an eyebrow, “No one will believe you.”

He’s right, it’s awful. Neyo pouts, “I could convince them.”

No he can’t, but that’s besides the point.

Colt hums, “mhm, I’m sure you could kih’vod.”

Neyo flicks at Colt’s wrist and wilts, “This is harassment.”

“Whatever you say Ney’ika.”

“You’re a bully.”

“Mhm.”

“I can’t believe anyone thinks you’re responsible.”

“That is because I am.” Colt says, putting Neyo in a headlock, they both ignore the way Neyo tenses up for a fraction of a second before he relaxes, sulks, digging his elbow into Colt’s side.

It’s the first time Colt has given him such a blatantly awful gift. Neyo cackles and something shakes loose in his chest. His throat feels grossly tight and the stupid shitty canvas covered in dirt and paint sits leaning against the wall innocently.

Colt makes the same even face he uses on the Little’s when they’re being hilarious and he can’t afford to tell them or when he’s about to say something completely karking stupid because no matter how much he likes to tell everyone he’s the oldest he totally isn’t. 

Neyo slips out of the headlock, giggles through the knot in his throat and rolls his eyes.

“You’re deluding yourself and everyone around you.” he tells Colt. Colt has only ever been responsible by necessity, and never once in all of Neyo’s memories of him, has he been anything less than an absolute shithead just like the rest of them when there was no necessity.

“Am not.”

“Are too.”

“I’m not arguing with you like a first-cycle.”

“Are too.”

“Neyo.”

“You’re the one who gave me the shitty painting.”

“It’s high class art you bastard.”

Neyo preens, “Thank you, still the worst thing I’ve ever seen though. Might hang it up in the front room, just to really bring it all together.”

Colt sighs, aggrieved. Neyo has no sympathy for him, really if you’re gonna play the game you gotta be in it to win it. It’s not Neyo’s fault that the trashy, awful, horrible dirt, grass, paint mixture splattered onto canvas happens to be horrifyingly tasteless. Neyo loves it. It’s gonna make Fox so mad.

(“Neyo,” Vaughn asks, staring at the wall, “why is there a, what even is that, dirt? On canvas?”

Neyo straightens up, grins wide, “Colt painted it. Out of the love in his heart and the limited talents he was decanted with.”

Vaughn raises an eyebrow, “That’s lovely and everything, why is it hanging in our front room.”

“It is horrifically awful and I love it and Fox and Ponds are coming over tomorrow.”

Vaughn laughs.

The next day, Ponds takes one look at it and giggles, “Fox, Fox come here, you’re gonna hate it.”

Fox takes one look at it and walks right back out of the house, Neyo cackles the entire time.)

#star wars #the clone wars #soft wars #commander fox #commander ponds #Commander Gree #commander colt #commander blitz #commander havoc #shaak ti #commander neyo #captain vaughn #barriss offee #clone trooper draa #clone trooper decker #ro'swriting #mywriting #thefoundationproject #ro answers #im taking a nap now #I Deserve it

[10-porgs-in-a-trenchcoat]

Foxiyo Week: Fearless

@foxiyoweek

[This entry takes place in a happily-ever-after AU, approx. five years after Palpatine is exposed and removed from power]

--

When he was a soldier, there was very little in his day-to-day duties that scared Fox. Fear of blaster fire, explosions, blood, violence, injury, and death had been conditioned out of his psyche during his training. As a result, he had considered himself fairly unflappable. But then he fell in love, and with that love came fear of heartbreak and fear of loss. And when he and Riyo learned they were expecting a baby, another fear came to him: that he would not be a good father. Then the day came when he held his newborn daughter for the first time, and his love for her greatly outweighed his fears.

At four years old, little Mira Chuchi was almost a perfect mix of her parents. She had her mother’s blue skin and crescent-shaped markings on her cheeks, and her father’s deep brown eyes and curly black hair. At first Fox worried that she would age quickly like he did, but by both human and Pantoran metrics she was aging at the same rate as any other natural-born child from either species. That brought him relief, since it meant she could have the normal happy childhood he never got.

“Tell me a bedtime story, Papa?” Mira asked once she was settled into bed, snuggled up under the covers. Fox sat perched on the edge of the bed next to her and she looked up at him with big bright eyes. She clutched a stuffed tooka plushie in her arms.

“I would love to,” Fox responded. He wracked his brain, trying to think of a story to tell. His mind settled on one event from his life, from before Mira was born, and he quickly thought of a way to translate it into something child-friendly.

“Once there was a soldier, one of the bravest soldiers in the entire Republic. He always did the right thing and helped people and stopped every bad guy he crossed. One day a giant monster came to Coruscant and terrorized the city. Rawwrrr!” He let out a roar and raised his hands into claws before diving in to lightly tickle at Mira. She giggled in response to being tickled.

“The monster was big and scary, and it tried to eat the people in the city. It tried to eat a little girl, but the brave soldier swooped in and saved her just in time! Carried her away and gave her back to her mom. And he saved many more people from being eaten too!”

“Did the soldier beat the monster?” Mira asked innocently.

Maybe it was best to lie a little bit, he thought, for entertainment’s sake. She didn’t need to know that in reality he had been hit in the face by the Zillo Beast’s claws.

“Yes, he did. All by himself. He shot a cable and tied it around the monster’s legs, and it fell onto the ground!” He slapped his hand onto the bed for dramatic effect. “And then … then he stunned the monster and loaded it onto a starship and flew it to a far away planet where it could live with others of its kind. Then the soldier returned to Coruscant and was rewarded for being the bravest and most fearless soldier in the entire galaxy.”

Mira narrowed her eyes in a skeptical scrutiny. “That’s not your best bedtime story, Papa.”

Fox stifled a laugh. She was just like her mother.

A laugh came from the doorway of the bedroom, and Fox turned to see Riyo standing there. She leaned against the doorway, dressed in her burgundy-and-gold skirt and jacket that she often wore to the Senate. She must have just gotten home from work, Fox thought.

“Momma!” Mira squeaked excitedly. She sat up and looked up at her mother with a toothy grin.

“Hello, my baby,” cooed Riyo as she walked over to the bed and knelt beside her daughter.

“Papa told me a bedtime story about the bravest soldier and a monster!”

“I heard,” said Riyo as she smoothed a hand over the top of Mira’s hair.

“Apparently it wasn’t my best work,” shrugged Fox.

Riyo chuckled. “Well since Mira’s going to sleep you’ll have plenty of time to think of a better one.” She turned her attention back to Mira. “If I’m home when you go to bed tomorrow I’ll tell you a bedtime story, how’s that?”

“Okay Momma,” said Mira. She lay back down, snuggled into her pillow, and Riyo drew the covers back over her to tuck her back in.

Riyo then leaned in to kiss Mira on the forehead. “Sleep tight, my baby. I love you.”

Fox then gave Mira little kisses on her cheek and forehead. “Love you, starlight. Good night.”

“Good night. Love you Momma, love you Papa.”

Fox then followed Riyo out of Mira’s room, turning off the lights and closing the door behind him. The two went to the living room; as Riyo plopped herself down on the couch and leaned back, Fox went into the kitchen to grab a bottle of wine and two glasses. On his way back into the living room, he caught his reflection in a window by the dining table. He went back and forth on how he felt about the streaks of gray hair around his temples; it was a sign he was getting older, which shouldn’t have surprised him, yet he counted himself lucky that he was going gray rather than bald.

“You’re the bravest, most fearless soldier in the entire galaxy now?” Riyo asked with a smirk as Fox sat down next to her. She leaned over to plant a kiss on his cheek.  

“Well, every kid wants to think their dad’s a hero,” answered Fox as he poured out the wine. “Besides, you should hear the stories Rex tells his kids!” He handed a glass to Riyo.

“How is Rex these days?”

“He’s doing great. He, his husband, and their kids will actually be on Coruscant next week, and I’m looking forward to Mira finally getting to meet her cousins.”

“That will be so wonderful, we haven’t seen them since their wedding.”

“I know,” said Fox wistfully, “and if we can also convince Bly and Secura to come around with their little one, it will really be a party.”

A brief beat of silence passed as they both took drinks.

“How was the Senate today? You’re home late.” Fox asked.

Riyo let out a deep, long sigh, then leaned her head on Fox’s shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her and drew her in closer to him.

“It’s like pulling teeth. There are still so many warmongers and Palpatine loyalists. Padme and I are doing everything we can to get them to come across and support Chancellor Organa’s efforts to rebuild worlds devastated by the war, but we’re getting nowhere.”  

“Maybe I resigned too soon,” said Fox, “if I were still with the army I could inspire them to cooperate. Or I’ll call Wolffe and ask him to pay them a visit.”

“Tempting, but don’t worry about it. Diplomacy will win.”

“I know it will, you and Amidala are the best of the best.” Fox pressed his lips to Riyo’s forehead.

“I just wish things would work out, I feel like I barely get to see Mira anymore. I know Padme’s missing her babies too.”

“This won’t last forever, things will be normal again one day,” said Fox, trying to sound reassuring. “But we can figure out ways for you and Mira to spend more time together until then. She knows the work you do is important, but she misses you too.”

Riyo craned her head upward to brush her lips against Fox’s jaw. “You’re such a wonderful father. Even better husband.” She snuggled back into him and wrapped an arm around his torso.

Fox smirked and rubbed his hand up and down Riyo’s arm. “Careful, keep talking like that and I’ll get to work on making Mira a big sister,” he said mischievously.

Riyo sat up and looked him dead in the eye. “I was actually thinking about asking you if you wanted to try for another child soon. We’d have to talk more about it in depth, I just want to know if we’re on the same page first.”

“Definitely.” He grinned from ear to ear. The thought of having another baby made his heart swell with joy.

The two leaned towards each other, meeting with a kiss in the middle. They then remained in place, their foreheads resting against one another.

“I love you so much,” Riyo murmured. “I’m so glad I have you.”

“I’m luckier to have you. I love you from now until the end of time.”

Riyo smiled and reached up to cradle his face in her hand. She kissed him again.

--

Later that night as he drifted off to sleep, Fox thought about how the past five years had been beyond anything he ever anticipated. The war ended after Palpatine was discovered to be playing both sides for his own gain, and he was ousted from power and held prisoner by the Jedi. (The Jedi kept him locked up somewhere hidden and were annoyingly secretive about their reasons for it, and they managed to stonewall the Senate at every turn, but that was a headache for another day)

The Republic and the Separatists had a peace treaty and were cordially frosty towards one another in their joint efforts to rebuild worlds hardest hit by the war. Most importantly for him, the Senate voted to grant clones full legal personhood. He resigned his commission without a second thought and asked Riyo to marry him. Miracle upon miracles, she said yes.

He thought back to his days as a cadet on Kamino, how his younger self could never imagine a future where he was husband to a brilliant Senator and father to a wonderful little girl. None of his brothers likely anticipated a future where they could choose their own paths, but the ones who survived the war could. Rex had his husband, kids, and a farm on Alderaan; Bly had Secura and their child and a quiet life on Ryloth; Cody and Wolffe were still in the army but they had fulfillment and a newfound sense of purpose; and his brothers in the Coruscant Guard either transferred to private security work or went to trade schools and universities. He was happy for all of them and prouder than he could put into words. It was better than the best that he once hoped for them. It was what they all deserved.

As for Fox … he had everything he ever wanted since the day he realized he was in love with Riyo. He couldn’t ask for anything else.

#foxiyoweek2020 #foxiyo #riyo chuchi #commander fox #clone wars #star wars

[evabellasworld]

Storm of the Republic

Chapter 15

AO3 Link | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15

——————————————————————————————

Summary:  When Tup murdered General Tiplar during a battle, Anakin Skywalker and Captain Rex dispatched Ahsoka, Fives, and Yara to solve the mystery that was plaguing the Clone Army. Meanwhile, Senator Padme Amidala contacted Commander Fox, Commander Tori, Riyo Chuchi, and Dipper to help her continue investigating the death of Palpatine, suspecting that Dooku was behind the evil plot. But when Dooku send an ISB agent to stop them, the team had to race against time to search for the truth, which could alter the course of the galaxy.

————————————————————————————

With the crickets humming in the background, Boil, Faven, and Hyewon continued to carry the boxes underneath the wet rainforest, their armours and inner soaked. Hyewon is no stranger to rain, but she felt her legs were wobbly and her arms and shoulders aching since she had been trekking since late afternoon.

She has never been on a scouting mission before, and being in a strange environment, Hyewon will have to get used to the purple rainforest for a few days. On one hand, she was entranced with the natural beauty around her, which could only be seen in a priceless painting in a senator’s office. But she also hated the humidity surrounding her.

Despite the dark clouds above her, Hyewon felt her skin underneath her armour was sticky and itchy. She was tempted to scratch her back, but not when she was wearing her Corrie Guard armour. Besides, she felt her bladder was full, waiting to be emptied.

“Are we there yet?” she panted.

“We’re almost there,” Boil said in a stretchy voice. “Just hang in there.”

“You got it.”

“This is taking too long,” Faven complained. “We should just sit down or something.”

“I second with Faven. I really need to use the bathroom right now.”

Boil nodded in agreement, letting them drop the box on the muddy ground. Faven breathed in relief as Hyewon gave a thumb up to Boil, leaning against a tree bark.

“Shouldn’t you be going right now?” he raised one of his eyebrows.

“I need to rest my legs first,” answered Hyewon, removing her helmet. “Then I’ll answer nature’s call.”

“Well, that sounds fancy,” Faven smirked. “Where did you learn that from?”

“The prisoner I used to guard was excellent in poetry. His poems were romantic, if you ask me. You will feel swooned after reading one of his works.”

“So why was the poet in jail in the first place?” Boil asked, taking a sip from his canteen. “What did he do?”

“He murdered his girlfriend in anger,” Hyewon told them, much to their horror. “He said that his emotions were out of control, but honestly, I don’t buy it.”

“In that case, I will never date a poet in the future, no matter how romantic he seems,” Faven reminded herself, keeping her two fingers intact. “For all I know, he could plan to kill me in my sleep. But if it’s a woman poet, then I would put on my wedding dress after the first date.”

“Okay then, I respect your taste in your future spouse,” the purple-haired clone stood up. “I’ll be peeing in that tree over there, so just don’t look at me while I’m doing it, okay?”

“You have our words, vod,” Boil showed his pinky finger to his sister, as he watched her walk past them, leaving them alone together. “I like her. Can we keep her on the 212th?”

“If Cody is okay with it,” Faven lifted her shoulders. “But I think she’s a cool person to hang out with. Plus, she had gorgeous hair. Like, what is her secret to having her hairstyle?”

“I wonder if I could get a hair dye like Hyewon. I always wanted to colour my hair blond, or maybe even blue.”

The frizzy-haired let out a bellow, slapping her thighs. “No offence, Boil, but you would look terrible in dyed hair.”

“Oh, come on,” he throws his arms in the air. “Crys had blond hair, and he looked good.”

“It matches his personality. For you, well, it’s best to stick with your natural colours.”

“Whatever, you dyed your hair orange.”

“It’s sunset orange, Boil,” Faven raised her tone. “There’s a difference between orange and sunset orange.”

Boil could only blink, trying to differentiate between orange and sunset orange. To him, orange is orange. It doesn’t matter what kind of shade it was, as long as it’s in the same colour family. I honestly can’t tell the difference between those two colours.

He does envy Faven’s orange hair, since it matched her style. She could pull off other hair colours, but she sticks with the same colour, since it matched with their official colour, yellow. Yellow and orange go well with each other.

Maybe she has a point, Boil stroked his fancy moustache. I would be better off with my natural hair colour.

After a few minutes of waiting, Hyewon returned from her personal business, grabbing her helmet. “We should go now,” she gestured towards the box they had to carry. “We don’t want to keep Commander Thire and Cody waiting.”

“You got it, Hye,” Boil gave a small salute, as the three of them continued to carry the box of weapons and rations with their combined strength. Nothing will stop them from carrying out their duties for the three of them.

Their surroundings were peaceful, with the larks singing in the trees and the rainbow-coloured flowers blooming among the leaves and shrubs. This differed from the scenery Hyewon had seen on Coruscant, which barely had any flora or fauna, except for the Grand Park. She couldn’t complain, though. She would kill to live in a place like this.

Faven is indifferent. She had been to many planets, and no matter what colour the sky was, or what animals that lived on the planet, it’s all the same for her. Either her comrades survived or they died in the battle in the end. There’s no in-between for her. That’s what she was made for by the Kaminoans. An expendable soldier that outlived its usefulness.

I wish I would have gotten killed, instead of Amala, she thought about her best friend, looking at the flowers. She would have loved this planet, since it matched her hair and her aesthetics.

Amala always loved anything related to the colour pink. Faven felt sorry that she could never experience life ahead of her. Her friend always dreamed of living in a candy store after the war ended. Faven used to have a similar dream like that until it died in Quill. She dreamed about resting on a hammock on a tropical island, but it will never come true.

“Do you think the rest of them made it on time?” Hyewon wondered, glancing at the treetop. “I don’t hear guns being fired anymore.”

“Hopefully they do,” Boil yearned. “I’m sure they succeeded with the first waves of battle droids.”

“Wait, those were only the first batch?” exclaimed Hyewon. “How many more do we have to fight?”

“A lot,” Faven spoke. “We have to fight hundreds and thousands of droids in every battle we face. It’s a lot, but you’ll get used to it.”

“Oh my goodness, I can’t imagine fighting that many droids. How do you guys still live, anyway?”

“We were lucky, though I never asked to survive every battle. Trust me, it’s much worse than death.”

Boil slowed down on his steps as he took a quick glimpse of his sister. Faven used to be cheerful, but the war hardened her, just like Commander Cody. It would be nice if he could see her smile for one last time.

As they arrived at the midpoint, the trio placed the box down and scanned their area, which was unoccupied by their troops. There were only similar-looking trees and shrubs, nothing else. Boil looked at the sky, which was darkening. “Where is everyone?”

“I’m not so sure,” Faven doubted. “General Kenobi and Commander Cody are never late.”

“I could say the same for Commander Thire and Stone,” Hyewon acknowledged their concern, turning to her brother. “Are you sure we’re in the right place? I feel we may be further away from our rendezvous point.”

“According to the map, this is the exact coordinates the commander gave,” he showed through his holographic device.

“Something is not right.”

And unfortunately, the Coruscant Guard was right. Before they could speculate among themselves, the Imperial battle droids popped out from the bushes with their weapons pointed towards them. “Freeze, Republic dogs.”

“Oh, fuck me,” Faven cussed, loading her blaster.

#star wars #star wars ocs #star wars original characters #star wars fics #star wars fanfics #star wars fanfictions #anakin skywalker #ahsoka tano #obi wan kenobi #arc trooper fives #arc trooper yara #clone troopers #clone trooper ocs #clone ocs #commander fox #riyo chuchi #commander tori #lenora doherty #clone trooper tup #palps is dead #star wars au #star wars alternate universe #count dooku #galactic empire

[redrobinhoood]

They look so pretty when they bleed | Whumptober2020

Blood Loss | Trail of Blood

TW: Blood, Graphic Descriptions, Character Death

A/N: I know I already used the bounty hunters trope but this idea came first so I’m keeping it this way.

Summary: Commander Fox leads an assault on a team of bounty hunters who have infiltrated the Senate.

AO3 Link | Whumptober Index

Fox lay on the floor of the Senate Auditorium clutching his arms across his bloodying stomach amongst the remains of his squad. He could hear someone coughing behind him but didn’t have the strength or willpower to turn onto his back to identify them. He should’ve seen the knife. A rarity, but still a possibility he should have been prepared for. He’d seen the other bounty hunter’s blaster, shot it out of his hands too, then he’d dodged the punch. But he hadn’t seen the knife. It had only taken one slash to fell him. One hot line of pain ripping through him and he was useless. He’d cried out too, the first time his hands had made contact with the wound and he felt his guts rippling beneath his touch. He’d rather have taken the blaster shot. It would’ve been less painful.

He heard another bounty hunter fall and then Bravo, the last standing member of their squad, clutching a single wound to the gut from the same blade that had felled Fox.

“Do we kill them now, boss?”

Fox could feel his intestines pressing against his hands with every breath as he waited for a final shot to the head or the press of the knife against his throat.

“No, just leave th-.” The bounty hunter’s sentence was cut off by the sound of blaster fire and Fox heard the bodies hit the floor behind him. Maybe Thire was right, they should’ve waited for Stone.

Fox closed his eyes. The pain was beginning to dull. Some part of him was aware that it was due to the ever-increasing puddle of blood staining the carpet around him, but the other part of him was growing tired and he let one hand fall to the floor. He hoped that the Senate Guard would escort the senators out one of the side entrances so that Riyo wouldn’t have to see his body. He had a feeling that they wouldn’t and knew that he should bring his hand back across the wound, but he couldn’t find the strength to lift it once more. Then the pain was back, and Fox yelped and his eyes shot open as a new pair of hands turned him onto his back and grabbed at his stomach, trying to hold the torn skin together. He kicked out of instinct, the motion only bringing more pain.

“Easy, Commander.” The guardsman said, pinning down Fox’s legs with one of his own. He could feel another guardsman’s hands pressing down on his heaving shoulders, trying to minimize his movement. Once he had stilled once more, the man left, leaving Fox and the first guardsman alone.

The lights above were becoming too bright. Fox turned his head back to the side, towards Bravo. Stone knelt over him now. He had removed their helmets and pulled the man into his lap. Fox nearly protested the breach of protocol before he noticed how pale Bravo was and realized that he wouldn’t have made it anyway.

“How big a bill you think?” Fox murmured.

“I don’t understand, sir.”

“How much to clean us out of the carpet?”

The guardsman scoffed. “I don’t know. It’s coming out of your paycheck, sir.”

Fox attempted a weak laugh, which faded into a moan as his torn abdominal muscles tried to flex.

“Just hang in there, Commander, so we can discuss the bill later.”

Fox knew that the guardsman was just trying to hold his attention, but he couldn’t focus on him. His gaze was still fixed on Stone and Bravo. He watched as Stone pressed his forehead against Bravo’s before replacing his helmet and laying his still body back on the ground. Fox closed his eyes, hoping that the other fallen members of his squad had fared better than they had.

---

Riyo’s gaze scanned the auditorium as the mass of senators entered, escorted by members of the Coruscant and Senate guards. Many of the senators were ready to get back to their offices, but Riyo was looking for the man whose office she had been in prior to the attacks. This had been the last reported location of the bounty hunters. He would have to be here. Her stride faltered as she noticed the white sheets on the righthand side of the door she had just entered through. Beside one of the sheets, a puddle of blood soaked into the carpet. Riyo followed what looked like drag marks with her eyes to find a barely-there trail of blood stains. She stepped away from the pack of senators so that she could fully see the trail, following it to the red glove hanging off the side of a stretcher en route to the medical transport waiting outside the doors of the auditorium.  It took her a moment to realize that the glove had always been red, even before it had dripped with blood.

She gasped and pushed past her fellow senators as she ran to catch up to the stretcher. When she came alongside them, she took Fox’s hand in hers. She received no response as she took in the sight before her, gagging on the thick smell of his blood. Her eyes found the bloody gash across his stomach and her footsteps nearly halted in shock when she realized that she could see his guts through the blood when he breathed in, the only thing keeping them inside being the medical droid hovering above him holding the skin together. She let out a quiet cry of relief when she felt Fox’s hand squeeze hers three times before his grip slackened once again.

“I’m sorry, ma’am, but you need to step away.” A medic was telling her. Riyo realized that they’d reached the medical transport and finally allowed her footsteps to falter, stopping short of the transport and letting Fox’s hand fall from her grasp. But she stood by and watched as they loaded Fox’s body in and continued to stand there when they pulled away.

---

Fox awoke to the light touch of small fingers on his hand. He slowly opened his eyes, blinking as he adjusted to the harsh overhead lights, to see Riyo sitting beside the bed, lazily tracing the lines of his palm. He watched her, trying not to move in any way that would tell her that he’d woken up. She was wearing the same clothes that he’d seen her in that morning, but she had pulled her hair down from its updo so that it hung in purple curls that framed her face. Her gaze never wandered from his hand. He glanced down to follow her gaze and noticed that her hands were stained with blood.

“It was you.” He said. Somewhere between the ground and the hospital bed he had gained consciousness to a pair of hands clasped around his. He hadn’t had the strength to open his eyes or even move his head to confirm his suspicion, but he had given them three quick squeezes anyway. Their silent ‘I love you’.

“Yeah, it was me.” She reached over and pushed his hair back from his forehead, letting her hand fall down to cup his cheek.

“Stay?”

She nodded and lay her head down on his hand. “Always.”

#foxiyo #commander fox #riyo chuchi #whumptober2020 #no.10 #blood loss #trail of blood #blood tw #graphic description tw #death tw #star wars #the clone wars #fic #my fics

[thegeminisage]

im BACK to playing delta rune alright here we go

skldfjghsldjh the file load screen tho its so creepy

THE PUZZLE LORD IS SHOPKEEPER i love this game

SDKLJFGHSLK AND IMMEDIATELY WE ARE BACK TO SHENANIGANS

SURE LET’S /THROW RALSEI/ AT THE ENEMY

il ove this game. this is just one big shitpost

wh...why did he just leave

man you know he looks SO familiar and i cant place it

ohhhh

oh

oh.

the throne room and the long hallway...i Hurt

ohhh and this big king dude w/ the cape...bye

PUT LANCER THE FUCK DOWN???

IM CRYING LANCER IS GOOD AND BRAVE AND I LOVE HIM SO MUCH

“IM THE BAD GUY“ NICE ECHO GOOD JOB TOBY FOX

AND HE CAN’T BE REASONED WITH?? HE’S LIKE ASGORE EXCEPT MEANER

god this music is the BEST

THIS SPEAR ATTACK IS LIKE GASTER BLASTERS OH MY GOD

funny i got courage as my new ability when bravery is what i picked at the start...i wonder if it did matter after all

I DID IT

if he asks me to kill him im gonna lose my mind

OHHHH HE’S PLAYING ME ISNT HE

SUSIE ISNT PUTTING AWAY HER AXE GIRL KNOWS WHATS UP

............................or is he already dying. oh my god

FUCK NO HE WAS PLAYING US I FUCKING KNEW IT

“quiet people PISS ME OFF“ OKAY I LOVE THIS BOOKENDING THIS IS SUCH GOOD FUCKING STORYTELLING THATS EXACTLY WHAT SUSIE SAID AT THE BEGINNING

SJDFGHSDLFJK LANCER COMING IN WITH THE SAVE I LOVE HIM

wait so.......is that it? oh my god

i get to walk back and say bye to everyone :’)

aww, i can’t go back to the beginning...i can’t repair that key i found to free that thing in the basement fuck i’ll have to go back and do it

i guess?? i’ll leave??

WHAT

W H A T

W H A T !!!!

ASRIEL??????

ohhh my god

i’m DYING

dude dude the fountain is so pretty;_; like barrier pretty

the MUSIC is so good

WTF

THIS CLASSROOM HAS CARDS ALL OVER IT IS THIS A MASTER HAND PLOT TWIST

“let’s go back there tomorrow“ but what if you can’t? what if it really is like narnia??

omg my phone works toriel chewed me out for being gone all day ;_;

oh my god i get to EXPLORE THE SURFACE ARE WE SERIOUS

NEVER IN MY WILDEST DREAMS???

even just this little bit i’m ;_;

oh shit

this guy looks like a gaster follower

OH NO THE MUSIC UP HERE IS FROM THE ORIGINAL UT IM GONNA CRY

oh my god the library is peak humor

gerson, hots fireguy, FLAVOR TEXT

UNDYNE IS IN THIS TOWN

“IT’S JUST ASGORE’S KID” why is my name kris and not chara then. was kris charas name all along

wait what

“who’s alphys?“ WHAT IS THIS AU SHIT

i wonder who the mayor is

oh my god there’s a GRAVEYARD and GERSON IS IN IT??? NO!!!!!!!

AZZY NICKNAMNE IS CANON!!!! noelle’s dad says so!!!!!

oh my god BURGERPANTS IS EHRE it’s so nice to see these characters again even though it’s not the same really

oh my god

OYH MY GOD

GIRLFRIENDS!!!!!!

THEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

fuck i’m so happy

very confused but very happy

actually im NOT happy

catti and bratty carent FRIENDS?

alphys and undyne dont KNOW each other?

what hell IS this?

OH MY GOD

I JUST CHOKED UP LMFAO

oh my god he looks so WEIRD without the crown

and his BEAR HUGS

what

the

fuck

is this how it feels to be matpat??? my theory brain is going into OVERDRIVE

omg wait so noelle has a CRUSH ON SUSIE fuck thats SO CUTE i love toby always including these wlw

UH I DONT LIKE THE NOISE THAT DOOR OUTSIDE OF TOWN MAKES

AAAAH THE HOME REMIX IM SLDFKJGHDJ

i guess?? that’s the end?? if i go to bed

OKAY

OKAY

I JUST WATCHED THE END AND WHAT THE H E L L

IVE NEVER BEEN SO SCARED IN MY LIFE WHAT THE FUCK????

TOBY?

OH MY GOD THE END CREDITS MUSIC THO

THIS GAME IS GONNA BE SO GOOD WHEN IT’S FINISHED

WHEN IS CHAPTER 2!!!! TOBY!!!!!!!!

YALL IM DYING

#/ #// #/// #//// #///// #personal #deltarune spoilers #deltarune liveblog #deltarune #undertale

[alexboehm55144]

Zootopia 1- a fur wars story. Chapter 5: Mr. Big

The group was lead to a large rock outcropping in the middle of the desert that had some partisan ships parked outside. When they arrived the group had their gear confiscated and thrown into a room. Nick, Skye and Jack were tossed into a cell while Judy was lead to another area in the base. She noticed the partisans all around her, they were doing every kind of activity from playing some game, to just standing around. But when Judy passed by they all stopped what they were doing and looked at her with a look that could kill. The bunny was lead to a room with a large window, where her restraints were removed and she was left alone. “Judy hopps!” Judy looked down to see Mr. Big walking towards her with a smile on his face. “I haven't seen you in years!” The shrew said. “The last time you saw me, you gave me a knife and loaded blaster and told me to wait for you in a bunker. You abandoned me!” “I was protecting you! Word was starting to get out that you were the daughter of an imperial scientist. There were people who wanted to use you as a hostage” The shrew took the mask from his armor and took a breath before speaking again “why are you here?” “The rebellion sent me” “Did they send you to kill me?” Mr.big said, sounding distraught. “There's not much of me left” The shrew tapped his body, most of which was made of metal and machinery. “No, they think because of my previous relationship with you I can get you to give up the pilot and the information he knows. The rebellion wants my father” “But what is it that you want?” “I just want to get this done. Then I'm out” “You don't care for the cause?” “All the alliance has brought me is pain” “You can stand… to see the imperial flag reign across the Galaxy?” “It's not a problem if you don't look up” Mr big sighed. “I have something to show you” he said. Skye, Jack and Nick were still trapped in a cell, but luckily Nick had a few hidden tools on him. Including a comlink which he used to call Weaselton for pickup, then set to work on picking the cell door. “Who is in the next cell?” Jack asked. “What?” Nick said. “There's someone in the next cell” Nick went over to a small barred window in the wall and looked through. He saw Gideon sitting there on the floor, mumbling gibberish to himself. “It's the pilot!” Nick said, recognizing the flight suit and the fox’s face from the holograms in the holy city. “Hey!” Nick said. “Your the pilot, right?” “P…. P….. pilot?” Gideon said “yes, I'm the pilot! Stu hopps sent me from Eadu” “Eadu?” “Yes, that's where Stu is. That's where his lab is” High above the planet, the massive imperial battle station, the Death Star, moved into position. Lionheart, bellwether and many high ranking imperials stood on the bridge. There were multiple control panels on the walls and a large screen on 1 wall. “The emperor is awaiting my report” bellwether said. “One would have hoped that him and lord finnick would be here to see this” lionheart said. “I wanted to save them from any potential embarrassment” “Your concerns are not warranted” “If saying it would only make it so” The director looked angrily at the sheep. “All imperial forces have been evacuated” director lionheart said. “And I stand ready to destroy the entire moon” “The holy city will be enough for today” bellwether said. With another angry look, lionheart called out his orders. “Single reactor ignition!” The screen turned into an overhead view of the holy city on Jedha, with a targeting icon overlaid over the city. An imperial technician came over to lionheart and spoke. “Sir we are in position-“ “FIRE!” “Fine hardass” the technician muttered under his breath as other mammals began using the control panels to power up the station’s massive superlaser. Mr big powered up a hologram projector that displayed an image of Stu Hopps. “This is the message the pilot had on him” the shrew said. “Dad” Judy said as her father began talking. “Big, if your seeing this then that means there is a chance to save the alliance. A chance for Judy” he said, sounding depressed “if she's alive, if you can find her, please tell her I hope she can forgive me, for not being by her side, all these years. I was forced to work under lionheart, building his superweapon. I couldn't take my own life or refuse to work, so I did the only thing I could do, I lied. We call this superweapon, the Death Star. It has the power to destroy planets, but I have placed a weakness in the station, so small and powerful they will never find it. Judy, if you are listening, I want you to know that it has broken my heart to be without you, My little stardust” Judy wiped a tear from her eye as she continued to watch the message. “The station has a thermal exhaust port that leads directly to the reactor. That is my trap, if a torpedo or missile is fired down the port, it will detonate the reactor and trigger an explosion that will destroy the whole station” On the Death Star mammals braced themselves as lasers shot by them, before the lasers connected into one massive beam that blasted down towards the holy city. The laser struck ground and created a massive explosion that obliterated the entire area. Mr. Big looked out the window nearby as stu kept talking. “You will need the structural plans for the Death Star, and I know they store copies at the citadel tower on scarif. But that would be a total suicide mission, and I'd never send you into harms way, so I just copied the plans to a disk and hid them with the pilot” “Ah yes!” Mr. Big said tapping a nearby data disk with his cane. “The pilot, He was carrying these plans” Stu looked like he was about to say something else, but the hologram deactivated as the whole base started to shake. Judy collapsed to her knees, the weight of this message was to much to bear. Looking out the window, she saw a massive explosion, And a title wave of rock and rubble racing towards the base. Nick, Jack and skye burst out of their cell as the partisans noticed their impending doom coming closer and closer and started to flee. Nick freed Gideon while Jack and Skye grabbed their gear. “Get outside!” Nick said, running to find Judy. “Jack! Jack!” Skye yelled as jack calmly picked his gear back up and attached it to his body. “We gotta go!” Nick raced into the room with Judy and Mr. big and grabbed Judy's arm. “We need to get out of here!” “Come on!” Judy yelled to Mr. Big as she grabbed the capsule containing her father’s message, and the data disk with the plans. “No” the arctic shrew said “I will run no longer” Nick pulled Judy out of the room as Mr.big called out. “Save the rebellion! Save the dream!” High above the imperials watched the massive explosion on the surface of the planet. “Oh it's beautiful” director lionheart said. Nick, Judy, Jack, Skye and Gideon headed outside to see partisans racing to their ships as the massive title wave of earth grew closer and closer. They also saw Weaselton landing nearby with the U-wing. “Come on! This way!” Nick yelled as the team sprinted at full speed towards the ship. As they jumped aboard Nick hopped in the co-pilot’s seat and the ship took off. Mr. Big watched the U-wing leave, before turning his gaze towards the massive wave of rock coming towards him. He disconnected the air system from his suit, which created the sound of gas escaping as air flowed out of the suit. The shrew stood with his arms out, and let the wave come over him, bulldozing the partisan base like a tree in an avalanche. The massive wave began to curve up over the U-Wing, which was still attempting to escape. “Jump to light speed!” Nick said. “I haven't finished my calculations yet” Weaselton responded. “Let me make them for you” nick said as he pressed a few buttons, disabling the ships light speed safety measures, before flipping a large lever that sent the ship shooting off into hyperspace. The cloud of rock and fire from the Death Star’s blast reached high into the sky, coming close to the battle station itself. “I believe I owe you an apology director lionheart” bellwether said. The other officers in the room stayed silent as the 2 conversed. “And you will tell the emperor” lionheart responded. “I will tell him that his patience with your misadventures has been rewarded with a weapon that will bring a swift end to the rebellion” “And that was only a FRACTION of its power” “I will tell him that I will be taking control over the weapon I spoke of years ago, effective immediately” A look of disbelief crossed lionhearts face before he scoffed at bellwether’s remark. “We stand here amidst MY ACHIEVEMENT! NOT YOURS!” Lionheart yelled, walking up to the sheep. “The recent security breaches have shown how inadequate you are to be a military director” “The breaches have been filled. Jedha is silenced” “Do you think this cargo pilot acted alone? He was dispatched from Eadu. Stu Hopps’s facility” “I will see about this” lionheart said, before turning and leaving the room.

#Zootopia #star wars #rouge one #nick wilde #judy hopps #jack savage #skye the arctic fox

[linkfoxhay-blog]

A clones humanity

We Follow Orders...But Delivery?

"So--this is what i get?"

 Fox swivelled in his chair, spinning his blaster on a finger while giving the commander before him a piercing glare. "After leading my men, soldiers of war, in pointless, Kiffin' wars that were somehow won by my men, I now have to act as a common consignment droid?" Before his current venting, the Commander had been speaking with Thorn, a close friend of his, who had dropped in for some friendly conversing. However, things would not end on friendly terms when one of Fox's squad mates came in to give him his next--lovely assignment.

 "We are the main defence of Coruscant," Fox continued, "I live and breathe protection protocol for the Senate and the Republic and Palpatine himself! Why do I have to do this?" he jutted an accusing finger at the package that had been placed on his desk.

 The Coruscant Guard soldier shuffled his feet but said nothing. Thorn bore an uneasy look, being caught in between one of Fox's many angry rants. However, he could not blame him. As soldiers, their blood boiled for a fight every living second; it was an instinct. To not answer said instinct or, in Fox's case, being locked away in a Senate's office all day, doing nothing real exciting, would drive one insane.

 Thorn was sure he could see smoke wafting from the Commander's ears. He tried to conjure up some type of smouldering words for him but, as a fellow Coruscant Guardsmen who manned as an escort to Senators, speaking out and telling his CO to calm down would be hypocritical. "Fox--"

 The Commander was cut off. "It's all I do these days; papers, work, filing, eating, sleeping. Nothing worth my rank or existence! For kriff sakes, I'm not a sepi droid!"

 Thorn finally stepped in with a taming hand. "Fox, please, get a hold of yourself. You are the one of the elite Senior Commanders, The Chancellor's most trusted guard. I'm sure this lull in mission activity and--" he glanced at the package, "unusual assignments means nothing."

 Fox blinked as he turned over Thorn's words. His shoulders finally relaxed, however, his bitter grimace showed continuing disdain. The Commander gave a huff and turned to the window behind him, crossing his arms in silent irritation. Thorn gave a loud sigh in defeat. It was obvious the Commander's pride was hurt over a silly matter such as this. But it seemed that he would not get over it easily. So Thorn quietly made his leave, giving a gesture of encouragement to the clone who still waited to be dismissed by his Commander.

 Lost in thought, Fox didn't even realize Thorn had left. His piercing glare was busily critiquing Coruscant's buildings and traffic lights below. The night sky was beautiful this night, with a visible star belt in the sky and flashing lights of shuttles as they entered and left the port. The city lights danced below as its people were alive with the joy of twilight.

 Slowly, his mind drifted to the battles the front liners would be facing at this hour. It was probably day time there, bright and daunting as the adrenaline fueled their mind and focus like a drug; waiting to fire at the next droid they saw peek it's ugly metal head out from the bushes of the battle field. That feeling, that lust for a fight, was something he had tasted during Geonosis and craved ever since. He was jealous of any clone who fought on the front lines, facing dangers and death and hearing blaster fire fly over their heads in chaotic battles.

 Must be Jango's blood that pumped through his veins.

"Commander? Are you alright? You've been staring out the window for a while..."

 Fox had forgotten Arrow was still here. But never mind that. He was busy--busy figuring out this kriffing new assignment that meant absolutely nothing to him and just added to his work load. Day in, day out, the Senior Commander worked away the hours, guarding certain districts, arresting your average thief, and jailing bounty hunters. Day in, day out, he slowly stopped caring. Almost a year had passed since the battle of Geonosis and already he felt his humanity fading away as he was turned into an office droid instead of doing what he was bred to do.

 And day in, day out, he stopped asking questions--or at least vocally anyway. There was literally no reason to. Everything was what it was and he had no say in any of it. It was always: do this mission--protect him with your life--file these reports--the Chancellor needs you to do this. Maybe, after the war ended, he'd take up a career in office work. That's was he was good for anyway.

 Fox wondered vaguely what bounty hunting was like since he jailed so many of them and his blood line was literally from the best bounty hunter himself. He thought about Jango Fett often, wondering what his life was like when scouring the galaxy, completely free, nothing to hold him back. Fox also thought what his own life would be like if he followed Jango Fett's footsteps as a bounty hunter too--instead of being stuck with filing away criminals on a planet he knew like the back of his hand.

 There were some crazy events he could celebrate through the boring paper work; the time he saved Senator Padme Amidala's life from Zero the Hutt's slimy grasp was a good one, even though he only received one thanks, from her, during the long, boring flight home--what joy. Missions like that made him feel like a lifeless tool to this crazy civil war.

 Fox rubbed his eyes. Maybe he should be more positive. He was doing some amazing work for the Chancellor. Why just the other day he filed thirty-two cases! But, apart from all that excitement, he now had a delivery to make...

 How lovely.

 Fox turned to his desk and inspected the package. Address to the temple, it was heavy, the weight centred in the middle, and was securely packed away so the contents would not be slid. He looked up to the clone who was still standing patiently before him with his hands behind his back. He was smiling broadly and gave Fox an enthusiastic thumbs up as if Fox needed encouragement to feel happy about this. Fox just stared at him for the longest of moments, irritated, annoyed, completely done with life.

 "Arrow, Arrow..." the Commander finally said.

 The clone wasn't sure he liked the tone his Commander was giving him. "Yes, s-sir?"

 Fox took a slow deep breath. "You do know I am the Senior Commander of the 401st Coruscant Guard, correct?"

 Arrow shuffled a foot. "Y-yes, s-si-"

 "THEN WHY AM I BEING ASKED TO DELIVER A DAMN BOX!?"

 Arrow winced, shielding himself as Fox prepared to chuck the box at his face. "Stop, stop, wait!" When he saw Fox pause--just in time too--he sighed gratefully then continued. "With all due respect sir, this is a chance. For you to get out! Please, sir, it bothers the men when you ramble and complain like a housewife."

 Fox narrowed his glare. "I do not complain every second! Like how I am NOT complaining about your armour that clearly needs to be shined!"

Right, like you aren't the mother hen of the whole legion, Arrow thought bitterly. "Just...sir," he said, forcing a positive response, "We all know you need to get out of the office more. And this is that chance! Take it, make the most of it! There's even a scenic route for you! I'll handle the work while you are gone, deal?"

 The Commander thought for a brief moment, glaring at Arrow, glaring at the box, and glaring at the paperwork on his desk. Fox just stared at him, running a hand down his face, stopping it at his nose, massaging it. "Fine, whatever..." he retorted with a sigh, "This better be worth it, Arrow."

Arrow nodded and gave a giddy salute. He was Fox's right-hand man, his ward if anything else, but a friend at most...a good one. He knew what his Commander needed, even when he himself didn't know.

 It would be worth it.

Fox left the premises and took a long, decorative street, the same route Arrow had picked for him. Looking at the city lights, he was still wondering if this had been a good idea when he decided to inspect the contents of the box he carried under his arm. Looking closer at the label for a better view, Fox read...Cak-

"Wait, this is a cake?" He blurted, "What is so important about a damn cake!? WHAT AM I TO THOSE KRIFFING DI-"

#Star wars #Clones #Fox #Story

[starfox-tumblr]

Character Application: Andrew Oikonny

Character Name: Andrew Oikonny

Brief History:

       For as long as anyone can remember, Andrew was in Andross’ care. From an early age the young monkey was put through strict training with an immense pressure to succeed at whatever task he was put to. Science, technology, politics, etiquette, economics, history, military strategies, were all just many subjects that were taught to him mercilessly in preparation for him to become heir of the Venomian Empire where he had to meet the consistently high standards placed on him. During this time period, Andrew had several eyes scrutinizing his every actions on Venom where many who had high expectations for him and were soon disappointed that he did not seem like a suitable heir due to neither having the charisma nor genius of the Emperor.

      The judgments only increased the older he became as more distant and patronizing to anyone other than Andross himself, who seemed to be his only real supporter as he increased his work load. If he wasn’t naturally talented or a genius, he could practice and study until he could be as good as that.

        At twelve years old Star Fox was sent to investigate strange activity from Venom and from the people of Venom’s perspective, this was an act of war and aggression by Corneria. This rallied the growing military on the planet and thus started the Lylat War. Andrew immediately demanded to be trained and be put to use in Andross’ war effort to defend him, and was put onto Star Wolf. Firstly because it was the safest place he could possibly be, and secondly it would give him the proper training he needed in battle as well.

      Five years later at age seventeen, the war ended. The Venomian Empire fell, his beloved uncle was dead with Corneria being victorious thanks to the efforts of the Star Fox Team.

      Andrew has not let that go and has been organizing ever since with some degree of success.

Profile:

Sex: Male

Sexuality: It’s a mystery!

Appearance:        Andrew is an awkwardly tall macaque with yellow eyes who is a tangle of long inelegant bony limbs and proportions with little muscle definition no matter his attempts to bulk up. The young heir of Andross’ empire was not built with whatever most residents of Lylat implanted in their brains that helped them gauge on how ruggedly handsome an individual is. He’s considered ‘cute’ at best.

Not that it doesn’t really particularly matter to Andrew since he is taller than most other people and believes this is enough to command authority. To spruce up his appearance he’s always trying on different styles clothes to make an impact on others as a legitimate threat and leader. Something simple, elegant, yet imposing yet grand to show that he is the next in line for the empire. One thing he consistently has in his choice of fashion is a scarf or ascot around his neck.

Current Age: Nineteen

Personality:       Haughty, stubborn, emotional, defensive, and self-important are a few of the more polite words that come to mind when thinking of Andrew Oikonny. To say the least, the young macaque is incredibly hard individual to get along with who naturally pushes others away with his boisterous uptight presence and brazen overly emotional attitude.

      But one of the few good things that can be stated about Andrew is that he is a resolute and dedicated individual who stops at nothing to get the job done – this being a goal of retribution. Justice for all Venomians and the Emperor Andross. He might get frustrated momentarily, but he always gets back up on his feet to regain an optimistic view on his situation to try again at any task he failed at.

    Though it’s not going as quickly as he planned, he is starting to gather some followers even if he had to chase them down.

3 to 5 Headcannons:

 He has always struggled with being clumsy and having terrible coordination. He had to practice twice as long to get as good as other people who always seemed to be smarter due to being faster in reaction time, and stronger physically. This has given him a surprising drive and focus over the years since he didn’t have any natural 'talent’ in anything. Andross had put him into fencing and martial arts to help him get better, which is functional but extremely little battle experience. 

Has shown some degree of proficiency in strategy, programming, and drafting up ideas for weaponry. A lot of his inspiration might come from novels, comics, and shows he watched but some are strange leaps of logic that people don’t usually think about. Such as: Putting some cheap boosters on giant rocks in the asteroid field. 

Andrew from his time on Star Wolf has learned some basic cooking skills. It’s just when he veers from the usual and goes into an experimental mode that he makes disasters. Think that cakes that give up and collapse after you frost them.

While Andrew always had relatively geeky hobbies in model building and watching various shows in childhood, but because it served as distractions in his studies according to his tutors. (which grades were never to the high expectations) Because of that, they were often tossed out or removed from him. (Even if he could beg for more from Andross, who always gave in.) It was only on Star Wolf that he got some freedom to invest more in them. He tries to keep it hidden due to his status but it’s fairly obvious if you get him on a subject. 

Andrew rarely swears and is mortified whenever it happens to slip out.

Sample Roleplay:

     It was just a step into the bar of getting allies on Eladard. How hard could it be? Andrew thought to himself. He had to do much pitiful pleading and begging from some flying gecko for information of potential allies who have long given up on the idea of the Venomian Empire again. He couldn’t stand the polluted atmosphere on this rusty planet full of refineries even if he grew up on Venom, but a good and proper leader must be strong.

     All right Andrew, this should be simple enough. He thought to himself adjusting his ascot around his neck, checking the blaster on his side just in case things got out of hand. You tackled harder things than speaking to a bunch of ruffians. You can certainly handle this.

       Taking a deep breath, Andrew puffed up his chest and pushing open the door with all his might from the pent up stress, unintentionally swinging it too far off the hinges which made a notable loud crack.

     The door was broke.

      The arrogant macaque’s pink face turned a deep red and his white fur stood on end in absolute dread as many denizens within the establishment turned around to look at him, including the bartender. It was automatic, he stomped into the bar with his expression twisting to a scowl to show he was serious. He could hear from his pointed ears a few chortles and some snickering at the sight of the primate who barged in.

      The barkeep in question, who was a was an old opossum who was cleaning the glass narrowed his eyes while he commented, “Your ass better be paying for that.”

   Unbelievably crass! The young monkey thought with no hint of irony. Andrew flippantly lifted his hand in the air, “Bah! I have the money for it. I am the one and only heir to the Great Emperor Andross – Andrew Oikonny!”

   A roar of laughter echoed throughout the bar, this to them was the funniest sight they have likely seen in years. The macaque winced, biting his lip in frustration.

     Ooooh! What sorry lot! The Emperor would be so disappointed at this pathetic sight. This was the scattered remains of your empire, uncle!

   But after taking a deep breath, Andrew calmed himself from growing too frustrated with the entire situation. 

   Calm down. Ignore it. No one said this was going to be easy, but you are the only one with the determination to persevere.

   Andrew would convince them to join his cause, one way or another. He had the wealth and he was sure many were still loyal, all he had to do was convince them he was worthy. It was nothing new to him, after all. 

Welcome, Andrew!

[ruffsficstuffplace]

The Keeper of the Grove (Part 67)

The Candela Costume Contests were all happening at Goldleaf Park, the very center of the district and one of its biggest open-air venues. Seeing the crowds that had arrived for the Singles and Group competitions allowed the gang to refine their contingency plans, in case someone recognized any of them and alerted the authorities.

So it was to Weiss amusement and concern that she and Ruby were offering themselves up to the peacekeepers, as part of the screening for contraband, illegal costume components and dangerous props, and potential problem contestants.

Sergeant Berg was convinced that the enchanted Keeper's scythe and Myrtenaster were unable to hurt anyone any worse than the other items they were allowing on stage that night, but they ran into trouble with Weiss’ gauntlet.

“This is a real fancy piece of magitech you've got here, Ms. Vimana,” Berg said as he analyzed his scanners readouts. “Haven't really seen anything like it available anywhere, even with us in the Bureau...” he continued, eying her warily.

“It's homemade tech,” Weiss replied. “I'm sure you're aware that there's no shortage of engineers and inventors that prefer the Country to the city states?”

“That I am,” Berg replied. “So how dangerous is it?”

“I’ve already told you: no worse than if I were using all component gadgets at once! I trust the inventor enough to know that when they say they were strictly following safety standards, they were strictly following safety standards!”

“Shame I don't know 'em, they seem like a real stand up scientist,” Berg muttered, before he pulled out his comm-crystal. “Frisky Delta to HQ, I need someone for a hands-on safety test, over and out.”

“HQ to Frisky Delta, we'll see who's available and send them out ASAP, over and out.”

A few moments later, Berg was putting his hand on the newly arrived peackeeper's shoulder. “Ms. Corazon, Ms. Vimana: this is Private Clementine V. Kahlua, otherwise known as Clem!”

“Hey there!” Clem said, waving. “Great costumes, you guys, you look really cool!”

“Thanks!” Ruby replied.

“Save the compliments for the contest, Clem, we've got work to do—namely, seeing if this fancy glove is as safe as its owner says it is.”

“In the interest of full disclosure, how are we going to do that?” Weiss asked.

“Oh, it's easy!” Clem said as she stepped in front of her. “You just use it on me!”

Weiss stared at her, the hesitation on her face clear despite the mask. “You do realize this is loaded with pepper spray, among other things, right…?”

Clem nodded. “Yep! Read the scans on the way here.”

“And you know it's going to really hurt, yes…?”

Clem nodded again. “If it's done right like my Uncles' chili, at least!” she added, chuckling.

“Just show us your home-brewed ‘non-lethal defense gadget,’ Ms. Vimana,” Berg grumbled. “If they won't land Clem in the hospital or kill her, then you don't have any reason not to use them, right…?”

Weiss sighed as she aimed at Clem’s face. “For what it's worth, I am really sorry about this.”

“Don't be!” Clem said as she leaned in closer. “It's my job!”

Ksshhhttt!

Weiss barely used up any of her fire medium, but Clem still went down with her hands over her face, screaming and writhing in agony.

“Sweet gibbly giblets!” Berg cried.

Weiss knelt down and sprayed a harmless mist of water to cover up the dispel.

“Ohh, man!” Clem cried as Berg helped her back up on her feet. “That was even hotter than my uncles' chili! You mind if I ask you for the recipe? They'd love to have it!”

“Yeah, what did you put in that stuff?” Berg growled.

“It's a family secret, sorry...” Weiss muttered.

“Well in that case, in can stay secret, right, Sarge?”

Berg looked at Clem in surprise, then glared at Weiss. “Yeah… everyone's entitled to some secrets,” he grumbled. His expression softened. “You okay, Clem?”

“Just peachy, Sarge!” Clem replied, giving him a thumbs up. “Good thing Ms. Vimana had that counter-agent on her!”

“Good thing indeed...” Berg said as he patted Clem on the shoulder. “You sit this one out, Clem, I'm calling someone else for the rest of the tests...”

“I'm fine, Sarge!” Clem replied. “As a matter of fact: why don't we do the next test right now?”

Berg eyed her worriedly. “You sure about this, Clem?”

“Positive! You know I've had worse,” Clem smiled.

Berg sighed. “That you have...” he turned back to Weiss. “Alright, what's the next trick up your sleeve?”

Weiss held up her gauntlet, electricity crackling all over its surface. “Concealed taser.”

Clem smiled as she held out her hand. “Well put her there, Ms. Vimana!”

Weiss looked warily at Berg. “Should I?”

Berg sighed. “I feel like I'm going to regret this, but yes, yes you should.”

“It's not like she doesn't know what's coming, right?” Ruby added.

Weiss reluctantly put gauntlet into Clem’s hand.

“Ggh-ggh-ugh-ghh-uhh…!”

Weiss only intended to zap her, but unfortunately Clem had a strong, confident grip, one that only faltered after she fell twitching and writhing on the floor, static crackling from her body.

Berg watched in horror, before putting his hand on his pistol as he called for medics with the other. Without Penny nearby and unable to use her mender protocols without arousing suspicion beside, Ruby and Weiss could only wait for Clem to stop jerking and hope she wasn’t hurt too badly.

“Woo!” Clem cried as a Doc-Drone and two paramedics examined her. “Won't need that can of Sgt. Pick-U-Up anymore, that's for sure!”

“Yeah, a real plus...” Berg grumbled as he warily eyed Weiss and Ruby, his hand still on his pistol.

The two of them kept their cool, trying not to show just how hard they were sweating under their masks.

Clem was soon back up on her feet, with the help from the paramedics. “I forgot, what was the last thing we had to test?”

“A miniature seismic wave generator,” Berg grumbled.

“Oooh, dirt blaster tech? Never realized you could make it that small!” Clem said as she held her arms out. “Welp, hit me with it!”

“Ms. Kahlua, we seriously advise you not to go through with it...” one of the paramedics said, the other nodding their head grimly.

“They got a point, Clem,” Berg said as he coaxed her arms down. “Sit down, and I'll do it.”

“Oh come on, Sarge: it can't be that bad! Like you said: if it's not going to kill me or put me in the hospital, then Ms. Vimana here won't have any reason not to use it on me, right?”

Berg cringed. “I'm beginning to realize I should have kept my big mouth shut...”

Clem beamed. “I'll be fine, Sarge! Won't I be, Ms. Vimana?”

Weiss just nodded.

Clem smiled back at Berg, oblivious. “See?”

Berg sighed. “Clem, if this ends up killing you, know that I will forever regret failing you as your superior officer by way of letting you go through with this.”

“Aww, that's alright, Sarge, you know I don’t hold grudges!” Clem said. She turned back to Weiss. “So how’s it supposed to work, exactly?”

“It’s for amplifying my own strength, in case I can’t spray or shock someone threatening me,” she replied.

“Neat!” Clem said as she raised her arms again. “Ready when you are!”

Weiss bit her lip, reared her hand back, and struck Clem in the chest with her palm.

Thoom.

Clem flew back from the strike, tripping backwards over a table before she went tumbling over it, taking out two chairs as she landed.

Berg glared at Weiss.

She pointedly refused to look at him.

“I’m fine! I’m fine!” Clem said as she grabbed onto the edge and pulled herself up. “Woo! Probably should have braced myself for that...”

The paramedics vaulted the table as their Doc-Drone flew over it. Fortunately for all of them, Clem checked out fine.

“It’d probably be best for her to sit the rest of tonight out, though,” one of the paramedics added.

“Then you go do that, Clem,” Berg said.

Clem saluted. “Got it, Sarge!”

“So what’s the verdict?” Ruby asked. “Are we clear?”

Berg sighed. “Given the numbers I’ve gotten from that scan, the contest’s regulations, and the fact that Clem here is fine… yes.” He narrowed his eyes. “Just be very careful with that thing, alright?”

Weiss nodded. “I will, Sgt. Berg, thank you.”

Clem happily gave them their backstage passes, and they went on through the checkpoint. As they walked, Ruby overheard Berg ask,

“Where in the hell does someone out in the Country get something like that...?”

For the sheer number of entrants any day of the year and time constraints, most of the actual judging in the Costume Contests was well before any of them even set foot on the stage, people scrolling through the holos on the Info-Grid and deciding which ones they liked until the top ten were called to appear in person.

To Weiss surprise and delight, they among them, and voted the “Creepiest Couple” beside. That was just bragging rewards and a section on the front-page, however; the actual monetary prizes after each couple paraded around the stage, gave a short Q&A, and performed a three-minute presentation showing off their talents and their costumes.

Most of them were dances or song duets, but some changed things up. Weiss and Ruby were particularly fond of the two show magicians (actually Fae weavers, the gentleman a rabbit, the lady a fox) taking a page out of Primal Salamanca's book and having no shortage of impressive pyrotechnics.

“Break a leg out there, you two!” one of them said as they strutted back in, their clothes still smoking.

“Thanks! That was a really great magic show, by the way!” Ruby replied.

“To enchant and delight is our trade, darling!”

As the applause finally died down, the host returned to the stage and introduced them to the audience. “Our next couple sounds like something straight out of a romance holo: a city state girl fleeing the urban jungle for the Country, only to find herself in a very different kind of wilderness, and a girlfriend, too…”

“You ready for this?” Ruby whispered.

“Absolutely,” Weiss replied.

“… And now, without further ado, this Eve’s Creepiest Couple: Misses Beatrix 'Bea' Corazon and Alani 'Vi' Vimana as 'The Keeper of the Grove and her Bride!'”

With their weapons out, Weiss and Ruby strutted out to the stage, walking up and down its entire length, waving and showing off to the crowds, before they met the host at the center.

The host smiled as the camera drones hovered around for better shots. “Any plans to tie the knot out of costume, you two?” they joked.

Weiss blushed. “Not yet...” she muttered.

“We’re planning on taking things slow,” Ruby added. “Kinda the appeal of the Country, heh.”

The host reeled, surprised. “Sorry about that! Didn’t realize the creepiness was more than skin deep! Studio-grade voice modulators?”

“Yep!” Ruby chirped. “Cost us plenty of Urochs like the rest of our costumes, but so worth it.”

“I’ll say! If I didn’t know any better, I’d think those weapons of yours were real!”

Neither commented.

“So why did you two choose to go as the Keeper of the Grove and her Bride this Eve?”

“The Keeper is a pretty big thing from the village I come from,” Ruby replied. “It’d be hard to find someone who doesn’t know all the legends!”

“My older sister was rather obsessed with her, too,” Weiss replied. “I figured I should do something with all this obscure knowledge and trivia I’ve accumulated over the years.”

The host nodded. “So what kind of show do you Keepers have for us tonight?”

“A duel—my scythe vs her sword,” Ruby replied, raising up her weapon for emphasis.

The host chuckled. “Well, you certainly get points for novelty! We’re not going to have to worry about getting blood out of the stage after, do we?”

“Not at all!” Weiss replied as she pulled out Myrtenaster. “You might want to blink as little as possible, however—you just might miss it all if you do.”

“Better keep those eyes peeled then, dear audience!” the host said as they retreated to the side.

The lights dimmed, the fog machines activated, and the holographic background changed to a suitably spooky forest for a duel between two terrors.

Ruby and Weiss stood a good distance from each other, their weapons at the ready.

“Don’t worry, Vi!” Ruby said as she twirled her scythe around for show. “I’ll go easy on you!”

Weiss chuckled. “Don’t count on me to do the same, Bea!”

Ruby grinned. “You really think you can keep up with me?”

Weiss grinned back. “Let’s find out!”

Music began as the two clashed; it was a friendly duel, but if you didn’t know that the weapons were “props,” you would have thought they really were trying to kill each other.

Ruby held back on her full speed so the audience would see something other than a blur, but Weiss could still feel her putting her strength into each swing, forcing her to use both hands to block with Myrtenaster, ducking and dodging to avoid getting knocked into the ground from the sheer momentum.

In turn, Weiss didn’t hesitate to use every single spell she’d shown to the peacekeepers earlier, sending gusts of air whistling through the air, sparks and flashes in her vision, slick puddles of almost invisible sheets of ice on the floor to trip her up.

They laughed as they fought, dancing all throughout the stage with somersaults, flips, and twirls, locking weapons just to have an excuse to stare into the others’ eyes, feel the smiles underneath their matching masks.

Their fighting intensified with the music, steadily growing faster and fiercer, attacks and movements becoming more aggressive than playful, the audience on edge as they struggled to keep up. The judges watched, entranced, impressed, and excited, wondering who would end up the victor.

Weiss thrust downward, Ruby dodged, Myrtenaster's tip harmlessly stabbing the floor. She looked up, saw the Keeper’s scythe coming for her neck, slow enough for the audience to see, for Ruby to stop it just before it connected...

… And for Weiss to intercept it with her gauntlet.

Thoom.

Ruby’s eyes widened as she felt her scythe and herself swinging in the opposite direction, Weiss earth-empowered strike more momentum than she could handle. She recovered and braced herself, but not before she felt Weiss’ gloved fingers wrap around her neck.

Ruby stopped and stared, speechless as that suspicious-looking fox mask came right up to her face, the blue eyes twinkling.

“I win…~” Weiss growled.

The music faded, the lights turned back on, the fog was blown away, and the background turned back to normal.

A moment later, the audience erupted into applause.

Weiss blinked, quickly pulled her hand off from Ruby’s neck. “I-I’m so sorry, I--”

Ruby held up her hand and stopped her. Weiss could feel her smiling as she leaned in, brought her mask up to her face. “Don’t be—that was pretty hot.”

Weiss blushed, so flustered she all but fled to backstage as soon as she was able to, a smiling Ruby on her trail.

The other contestants for that night came and went, before there was a brief intermission for off-site voting, the judges finalizing their decisions, and their sponsors getting their holos and acts out.

The mood was tense backstage as they waited to see who would be called, save for a very affectionate couple still caught up in congratulating and complimenting the other on their performance. There were only going to be three pairs going back up on that stage to receive their trophies and their checks, and however the live audience's reaction, the Info-Grid voting was still a huge chunk.

And among the three were Ruby and Weiss, coming in at second place—however impressive their fight, it couldn't beat the universal appeal of ludicrous pyrotechnics.

Weiss was no stranger to awards—overachievement was the name of the game in Arcturus Academy, and her own pride kept her from putting anything else than her all. But after so many grand prizes, trophies, and commendations, it all started to feel empty—expected even, if her father’s lack of enthusiasm at hearing her latest achievements were anything to go by.

But as she stood there on the stage, her and Ruby holding up their check and trophy, she started to feel something she hadn’t felt after winning an award, not for a long time:

Pride, like she’d done something that truly mattered, that really did deserve all the fanfare and attention it did.

“… And now, for our time honoured tradition: the victory kiss!” the host said as they walked on by. “Pucker up, contestants—and don’t think you can get away with nuzzling masks!

“Let’s see those lips lock, ladies, gentlemen, and non-binary genders!”

Weiss was about to protest, before Ruby put her hands on the straps of Weiss’ mask, handily blocking the camera-drones from getting a good shot of their faces with her arms. Weiss smiled as she did the same to her.

“Ready…?” Ruby whispered, inaudible to the cameras for the audience’s chanting of “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!”

“Ready,” Weiss whispered back.

They unfastened the other's masks, held them out for all to see with one hand as the other covered each side of their faces. Weiss couldn’t help but let out a pleased, delighted noise as they locked lips, chills running down their spines as she felt her mouth begin to ice over.

They pulled away, quickly held their own masks up to their faces with their own hands, fast enough to contain the mist pouring out of Weiss’ lips before it became noticeable, or for the camera drones to get a clear view of their faces. They pulled them down stared into each others eyes for a moment, wordlessly congratulating themselves on a job well done…

… Then they noticed the balls of fire appearing all around them, steadily growing brighter and brighter.

“… Huh...” the host muttered. “Don’t remember hearing anything about pyrotechnics at this part!”

They began to explode, the audience started screaming, and the pandemonium began.

#white rose #rwby #fanfic #the keeper of the grove