#isolde x jade | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

inlocusmads · 1 year

Text

music for the lost (and found) ~ trystan x nora

Trystan is stubborn enough to get stabbed for her. Nora is not doing okay. A cold dinner is caught in the middle of their scuffle. (crimes, book 1, chapter 14)

banner art: tristan and isolde by john duncan 1912

wc: 2.9k, teen and up, hurt/comfort, mostly a lot of comfort. I tried my best lol.

Written for @choicesjunechallenge, Prompts: "Romance" and "Long Nights"

link to nora x trystan (crimes) masterlist

A bottle of Sauvignon Blanc rested on the table, as Trystan finished plating the pasta. It was a Drakovian recipe, with a complimentary bowl of salad as a side.

Trystan was quite proud of himself for being able to cook without his stab wound holding him back. It felt nice to create new things, even if it meant following a recipe from a ridiculously large book written in Cyrillic script.

However he would be delusional if he said the wound didn't hurt. It sent waves of pain through his spine, numb with the bandages tight across his stomach. Perhaps it was a bad idea, in hindsight because the Detective would most likely be angry. He was certain she'd be here within a few minutes, taser in hand, a twisted expression on her face and a practised lecture in mind.

"Ngh--" he groaned, as another wave of pain coursed through him. Desperate, he finished his drink; a little loopy in the head but coherent enough to notice the things meddling about in his heart. Even though he was tempted to sleep, he made sure he was well awake to thank his Detective in person, as it was the only right thing to do.

The way she held him, pressing her jacket to his wound to stop the blood - it was the first time he'd seen fear in someone. It was the kind of fear that was so deathly, that it would've made thunder. It was that heavy sort of fear, that perhaps, a young teenage boy might have, hiding under the bed away from his mother. It was that fear that made you go numb, after seeing your father bleeding out of his chest and that, no matter how hard you scream, he'd never come back.

Trystan had never had someone like that, which made it so new. So different. So wonderful.

What Trystan saw in Nora wasn't the fear that he'd die in her arms. He saw her try. He saw her desperately pump out the hope in a hopeless situation, hold onto her faith in a situation where it wasn't upto faith to decide, sweat and tears pouring down her face and down her chin, as she wrapped her blazer around his stomach; a deep pool of blood sopping her favourite item of clothing.

He saw her try. The desperation in her heart. The unwavering willingness in her soul. The fact that she was more concerned about him than the killer getting away. The fact that anyone at all, in the whole wide world, had ever made Trystan Thorne a priority.

Trystan clutched his side in agony, when he heard the door click open.

"What in the hell is going on here? Where are your bags?"

"Bags?"

"Isn't that the plan?" Nora blinked. "I kick your ass and drag it back to the hospital?"

Trystan stood up, as he refilled the glasses with more white wine.

"Not before some wining and dining, no." he draped one leg over the other, sitting comfortably in his plush chair, groaning a little. Trystan had a grin on his face, but with so much gratitude that he couldn't properly translate it into a smile. "It is a thank you for last night."

It was particularly courageous of him to do that because he knew the Detective might do a far more successful job of murdering him than the masked assailant would ever dream of doing.

"Consider this a thank you for staying by my side-- nghhh--"

"This is sweet."

"Really? I made it myself!" he said, jaded. "I shall admit the the orecchiette is a rather tricky pasta to cook with, but --"

"No I meant it is awfully sweet of you to think I'm not gonna kick you back into the car. It's only a stab wound after all, yeah? Come on. Where do you have your clothes?"

"In such a rush." he rolled his eyes. "They are in the laundry, by the way. Good luck sticking your hand into a running machine."

"Fine." she rolled up her sleeves. "We'll go without a bag."

"I can take care of myself, Detec-- argh--" Trystan groaned, as he sat down at the dining table, holding his side. "I actually can. Drakovians have a lot of strength -"

"Trystan." Nora looked at him square in the eye. "You are bleeding."

It was then the Prince really noticed Nora's scar; right across her eye, running all the way from the top of her forehead to her cheek, cutting coarsely through her eyelid. It was then he truly realised that maybe, he should've informed her before he kicked off his hospital shoes, changed into more comfortable clothes and marched out of the hospital with at least a dozen doctors yelling after him.

"You are injured." she continued.

"I'm not."

"You are hurt and you're bleeding and you need-"

"What part of I can take care of myself do you not understand, Detective? Nothing can ever possibly go -- what? You think I will die? Well, I am not dead!" Trystan extended his arms, as if to say, huzzah. "I even had time to put together this wonderful dinner, which is getting cold by the way and we really should--"

"No. You're coming with me." Nora demanded. She held onto Trystan's arm. "Cooperate, for God's sake! This isn't a goddamn Clint Eastwood movie!"

"Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba, no, Detective, you do not understand! I would have done it a thousand times and a thousand more if it means you were safe! It was never about the heroics at all! Do you see?" - he pointed at his torso, with red streaks all over.

"You're literally proving-"

"I have my own reservations against hospital food-"

"Stop flirting with me and get help before you bleed to death!"

"I am perfectly fine!" Trystan said, swallowing his pain as he grabbed a fencing sword. "See? Come on. Let me prove it."

"I'm not fighting you. You're injured, you're -"

"I am perfectly fine, Nora. Look at me. Never felt more alive in these many years! I've endured several greater pains and this is merely a little dent. A scratch. The only downside is, I have got a nasty scar, which will not go away with soap. A bummer, but I can live with it and-"

Had Trystan been a little more vigilant, he'd have expected Nora's attack. Clearly his Spear of Potential techniques required a bit more polishing. The Detective had knocked his fencing pole clean off his hands with a fencing pole of her own, that she'd found lying near the coffee table. Trystan charged forth, pelted with buckets of energy but he still was very weak. Nora didn't even have to put up a strong fight.

As Trystan charged forth, attempting to steal the fencing sword and disarm her, Nora threw the pole far out of his reach. She placed two strong hands on each of his shoulders, resisting his strength with her biceps.

Quickly, she made sure to push him into the couch, as gently as she could and ran back to grab Trystan's fallen fencing pole before he could retaliate. Nora pointed the end of the sword at his neck.

"Okay. Think we proved our points here. We'll figure out your hospital supplies in the car. I'll get them from-"

"Think again, Detective!" Trystan lunged forth. He held onto the other end of the fencing sword and grasped it free out of Nora's strong arms. He tossed it off and when she reached in for her backup weapon, hidden away in her coat, he pulled her into the couch - as a last resort.

Their breaths grew quicker and sharper, as the two wrestled with the other to cooperate.

"Stop-- ugh-- fighting!" Nora pinned his arms to the couch, her eyes a blink short of a hateful glare. Trystan took long breaths, erupting into a short coughing fit. He sat up, massaging his stomach, as he continued to take ratched swallows of air.

Her voice changed within seconds.

"Are you okay? I am -- so very sorry-- hold on - let me help you-" Nora pulled him into a more comfortable position, something he couldn't do and he let out a painful groan. "Are you all right?"

"I -- I--" Trystan took a deep breath. "To tell you the truth, it is a bit -- numbing, shall we say, but please, I do not want you to fuss over me. I am -- fine-- Detective, you do not have to worry about me, you see--"

Nora looked unsure. She was also at the brink of bursting into tears which was also something Trystan had never seen Nora do. Now she couldn't utter without croaking, the tears holding her back from forming a sentence.

Trystan couldn't understand it. She had no reason to care.

"Nora?"

The tone was kind, gentle. Understanding. He could see the visceral battle she was fighting from within; the guilt weighing her down. Nora finally looked up, an expression almost unreadable.

For a long moment, they sat in silence; the rapid exhales being the only thing keeping the wordless conversation afloat. Trystan was too numb to respond. One could say he was even starstruck - an extreme form of surprise where his head would no longer be capable of making rational decisions or thoughts.

It was sort of like a computer typing "goose, goose, goose, goose, goose" over and over again, until the word goose loses its meaning. The same way, Trystan, still under the effects of the medicines they gave him and the delirium from cooking could only think about the Detective.

Except the more he thought about her, the more he was convinced it was all a dream.

Nora swallowed with great difficulty. With her trembling hands and the worry slowly bleeding into her actions, she held Trystan's face, almost as if she was examining him for any cuts and injuries. Trystan was starstruck by the gesture and only moved closer, his heart reaching exorbitant amounts of beats per second. It was a phenomenon when two people took the littlest bit of interest in each other; when time grew all slow and mellow and worries became tenfold.

So did the happiness.

To Nora, it was the happiness of knowing he was okay.

She felt his face, holding it as if she was holding up the entire world in her palm. She gave him a weak smile, almost strained and it was then did he truly realise how much pain and suffering she'd gone through; holding him in the damp dungeon, not knowing what their future would look like.

Trystan had never thought of death before, didn't fear it and didn't care for it, because he'd believed everyone who'd told him that.

But now, he was scared. He was truly scared. Trystan was scared of letting go.

And then, time stopped. Their breaths drew in slower and slower, as their faces perhaps, inches away from either being a moment to remember by, or a terrible mistake to erase.

Trystan noticed there was a rather nasty cut on Nora's arm, possibly from the knife fight. It was bandaged, along with a similar cut on the palm of her hand. He took her hands in his; not knowing whether he was supposed to offer comfort or receive comfort in what might be the longest moments of their lives.

"I thought you died." she said, shaking her head, not meeting his eyes.

"It was not my intention to worry you, Detective."

"You did a great job at precisely that."

"I'm all right. See? Look at me. I am doing all right, am I? Made the pasta and everything. It is really hard to cook something and resist the urge to set the kitchen on fire but I did anyway." Trystan chuckled.

"It's my--"

"It is not your fault."

"It's my job to worry about you. And it was my responsibility to keep you safe."

"No, Detective, we are not going down this route. It was not your fault. I would do it over and over again, if it means I can save you."

A pause. Nora regained her composure, forcibly sealing her tear ducts from within.

"You don't have to do that. I can take care of myself. It's my job to protect you in the first place. You're my client, Trystan. And -- it's so goddamn difficult when I can't do anything to stop it. You're going to keep doing it over and over again, they'll keep targeting me and -- I can't handle this."

"Nora."

"-- or even --"

"Nora. I have seen you protect yourself and the people you love time and time again--" Trystan took a pause, hoping the word "love" didn't dawn on her yet.

So he continued.

"You were one of the first people to believe me, that I didn't kill Sonja. You were the only person who stood by my side throughout this case. You listened to me, something nobody has ever done before and you fought. You fought just so I can rest easy at night, knowing Sonja's vile pathetic murderer would be locked up soon. You fought just so I'm comforted by the thought that you're there. You've always been here. And -- you have -- always -- looked out for me."

Trystan's voice softened.

"And -- you have no idea how much it means to me right now. I want to let you know how much you mean to me."

"Yeah, you couldn't have done it with a-- pff-- card or something. Had to get stabbed, huh? I need--" she paused. "I need you to be alive."

"I need you alive too! What if something happens to you?"

"I just -- it's hard, Trystan. I don't know how else to put it to you, because you're an impulse-happy person who'd do anything to protect the ones you love and I understand that, but I need you to keep safe too. I need you to follow my lead and instead of getting a knife in your -- chest the next time, just send a card, yeah?"

"That's all you need, then?"

"Yes."

"So a card. That says, Thank You Nora for so and so reason, thank you for doing this- ec ceteras."

Their faces were precisely sixteen exhales of air apart. Trystan placed a hand on her shoulder, feeling Nora's hair. She seemed to be relaxed, but there was still a sense of panic in her eyes. The same eyes that lost sleep just so he could. The same eyes that saw fire, that saw bloodied masses of corpses, that perceived all the ugly things just so Trystan could have a shot at having a closure. He didn't deserve the kindness nor the understanding. He wasn't worthy of it at all.

"Pretty much." Nora shrugged, breaking the eye contact.

"Okay, done. I will do that."

Nora chuckled dryly, breaking some of the tension. "Go get a doctor, you fool."

"Have dinner with me?" he said.

"Then will you get it checked?"

"Should I?"

"You're seriously debating about this? Again?"

He clicked his tongue. "It was worth a shot."

"Might have to heat it up again." Nora said. "The food could've gone cold."

"But should I?"

"Non negotiable."

"The thank-you card will not suffice?" he took a staggered breath. "You are quite the demanding date, Nora. What about when I said you mean so much to me?"

"Didn't work, pal. Sorry." Nora shrugged. "For the record, you mean - something to me too. Which is precisely why I want you to get better."

"Coming from you, that is practically a love confession." he rolled his eyes.

A pause.

"You know I'm on your side, right?"

"I know, I know." he stretched a little. "I like -- messing with you."

"So you tell me. All right. Come on." Nora got to her feet, lending a hand. "Let's get some food in you."

It didn't matter what home was. Home could be a nice apartment with a weapon's closet. Home could be a dusty detective agency with a wooden desk.

Home was also the warmth in their intertwined hands, the glistening in their eyes and the hope in their burdened hearts that they'd be partners till the very end.

***

A/N:

Thank you so much for reading! It means a lot! I'm going to test out my new tag list now, because I accidentally ended up deleting my old one. So here goes nothing. (However you can still ask to be added!)

Tagging:

Perma: @quixoticdreamer16 @tessa-liam

Crimes only: @cassie-thorne @peonierose @ao719 @trappedinfanfiction @ofmischiefandmedicine @jerzwriter @fuckitweball0000

#trystan x nora #crimes of passion fic #trystan thorne x mc #w:inlocusmads

28 notes · View notes

somthing-lavender · 1 year

Text

32 notes · View notes

rose-130 · 3 months

Text

isolde 😙

#nakaba suzuki #mokushiroku no yon kishi #fanart #tristan liones #twitter #4koa #jade x isolde #isolde x tristan #Isolde #Fhs

23 notes · View notes

merlin-gifs · 3 years

Photo

Hello Merlin fans, today we bring you The Merlin-gifs Alphabet Challenge! What is this challenge!? Well, for starters, it has no starting date and no deadline... which means your contribution to the challenge has no expiration date. You may start today, tomorrow or in three months and you're free to choose WHEN to post! For each letter of the alphabet, you are given a prompt (a character, a place, an episode, a colour or a technique) and "officially" you are required to make ONE post per letter, but if you're feeling creative and inspired, feel free to pick more than one option. This challenge is open to any kind of creative content (gifs, graphics, fanarts, photo edits, picspams e.t.c.). We are a gif blog so we can only reblog gifs but don’t let this halt your creativity. The only rule is that you can't skip any letter!

A: Arthur Pendragon / Aithusa (4.04) / Alora (#cc9966) B: Balinor / Beginning of the End (1.08) / Black & White C: Cenred / Camelot / Capes D: Dragoon / Dragonlord / Daegal E: Elyan / Ealdor / Excalibur F: Freya /Fyrien (Castle of) /Faceless G: Gwaine / Guinevere / Gaius H: Hunith / High Priestesses / Horseplay I: Isolde / Isle of the Blessed / Ismere J: Jewels / Jade (#00A86B) / Juggling K: Knights of Camelot / Kara / Kilgharrah L: Lancelot Du Lac / Lady Morgana / Leon M: Merlin / Mordred / Morgause N: Nimueh / Nemeth / Navy Blue (#000080) O: Old Religion / OT4 / Orchid (#da70d6) P: Princess Mithian / Percival / Pale Colours Q: Queen of Hearts (3.10) / Queen Annis / Quick Silver (#A6A6A6) R: Royal family / Red (#FF0000) / Rising Sun (Tavern) S: Sophia / Sorcerers / Sins of the father (2.08) T: The Thomas / Tristan / The Crystal Cave (3.05) U: Uther Pendragon / Uther’s Ward / Unicorn (#9f90d0) V: Vivian / Valiant / Vibrant Colours W: Will / White (#ffffff) / Wicked Day (4.03) X: Ships (ex: Merlin x Arthur) / Xotic (#863336) / Xoxo (romantic of platonic kisses) Y: Ygraine / Young Warlock / Yellow (#ffff00) Z: Zenchua (#d23c77) / Zonk / Zzzz Don't forget to include this hashtag: #merlinedit (and/or #merlinalphabetchallenge) to share your graphic content! Have fun!

#merlinedit #merlin #bbc merlin #merlin bbc #merlinalphabetchallenge #*#admin post #alphabetchallengepost

390 notes · View notes

randomontheinternet · 4 years

Text

Our Life Voiced Names A-Z

I heard some people wanted a list of the voiced names so far, so I took the time to copy down all of the names from A to Z. The names are under the cut to not clutter.

Aaron

Aayria

Abby

Ace

Adrienne

Aeon

Aeriie

Aesilng

Aga

Aine

Aisha

Aisling

Aki

Akira

Akua

Alaina

Alex

Alexis

Alfonzo

Ali

Alice

Alijah

Alison

Alvis

Alyssa

Amanda

Amber

Amelia

Amy

Anaïs

Andra

Andre

Andrew

Andri

Angel

Angela

Angie

Anima

Anita

Anna

Anna-Maria

Anne

Annie

Annika

Anthony

Antoine

Aoife

Arabella

Aram

Ari

Arielle

Arrow

Arthur

Arturo

Arty

Ash

Asher

Ashla

Ashleigh

Ashlyn

Aspen

Asteria

Astrid

Athena

Atticus

Audrey

Aura

Aurora

Austin

Autumn

Ayanna

Barbie

Basil

Beach

Beata

Bec

Becky

Bee

Belen

Ben

Bethany

Bia

Blue

Bobbi

Bonnie

Boyd

Braden

Brian

Briana

Brielle

Brittany

Brooke

Brooklyn

Bryony

Bunni

Cadence

Cai

Cam

Cami

Cara

Carmine

Casey

Cassidy

Cato

Cecilia

Cecily

Celestia

Cerise

Chance

Chantal

Chara

Charlie

Charmaine

Chelle

Chris

Christie

Christina

Chuck

Ciara

Ciaran

Cillian

Claire

Cléo

Coco

Col

Conny

Cora

Cori

Corrina

Cristal

Cristina

Crystal

Cygnus

Cyina

Dan

Dani

Dante

Daphne

Dara

Dayton

December

Denny

Deremy

Desiree

Desmond

Destiny

Devyn

Dexter

Diamond

Diana

Diane

Dorothy

Duane

Eddie

Eden

Elaine

Elda

Eleanor

Elegance

Elena

Elenus

Elissa

Eliza

Elle

Ellie

Eluned

Elysa

Ember

Emilith

Emily

Emma

Emmy

Enjel

Ennae

Eric

Erica

Erii

Erin

Ester

Eve

Evren

Ezekiel

Ezra

Felicia

Felicity

Felix

Fianna

Finist

Finn

Flynn

Francesco

Franklin

Gabrielle

Gaby

Gail

Garnet

Gavin

Gemma

Genevieve

Gerry

Gigi

Gin

Giulia

Glen

Grace

Gray

Gwen

Haley

Halima

Hana

Hannah

Hanni

Haru

Hazel

Heather

Helena

Héloïse

Hime

Hiyori

Hollis

Holly

Hon

Hunter

Ian

Iga

Illidan

Imani

Irene

Iris

Isabel

Ishan

Isla

Isolde

Issa-Kabeer

Ivy

J.R.

Jacob

Jade

Jaden

Jaiet

Jake

Jan

Janice

Jas

Jasmine

Jasper

Jatin

Javi

Jax

Jay

Jaycie

Jazz

Jeannie

Jeff

Jemma

Jen

Jennifer

Jenny

Jess

Jesse

Jessica

Jessinia

Jill

Jinx

Joanie

Joanna

Joelle

Johanna

Jordan

Jordanna

Joseph

Josh

Josie

Joy

Juleyma

Juli

Julia

Julianne

Julien

June

Jupiter

Justina

Kaden

Kai

Kala

Kaleton

Kalina

Karat

Karen

Kat

Kate

Katelyn

Katrina

Kay

Kel

Kellie

Ken

Kendi

Kenton

Kevin

Kia

Kiara

Kiba

Kie

Kien

Kim

Kimberly

Kimory

Kira

Kirsty

Kisa

Kit

Knox

Kodie

Kozmo

Kra

Kristen

Kyan

Laëtitia

Lanz

Laura

Lauren

Lavender

Leaf

Leann

Leina

Leo

Leon

Leslie

Letty

Levi

Lex

Lexi

Lia

Libbi

Lidia

Lilith

Lillian

Lily

Lindsay

Lindt

Linley

Lisette

Liss

Livia

Lotus

Lucy

Luke

Luna

Lyla

Lyric

Lvsander

Lysella

Maddy

Madeline

Mae

Maggy

Mahari

Mai

Maia

Mali

Mallory

Malyia

Mandy

Marcel

Marcella

Marcia

Marco

Margaret

Mari

Maria

Marianne

Mariposa

Maris

Marissa

Marlene

Martina

Mary

Mary-Elizabeth

Mason

Matina

Matthew

Maus

Max

Maya

McKenzie

Megan

Mel

Melanie

Melissa

Melly

Melody

Merlin

Mia

Mich

Michael

Michelle

Michiko

Mickie

Mikaela

Mikey

Mimi

Mina

Minette

Mini

Mira

Miranda

Mishal

Missy

Mizuki

Molly

Monica

Mordaine

Morgan

Morgana

Moriah

Morina

Muriel

Mykaela

Nakira

Nancie

Natalie

Natasha

Nathaniel

Neelam

Nessa

Nessi

Niamh

Nicole

Nier

Night

Nikki

Nina

Noah

Noe

Noel

Nui

Oda

Oliver

Olivia

Ollie

Omar

Onyx

Opal

Ori

Osmond

Oumou

Paige

Parvati

Patience

Patrice

Patricia

Patrick

Peter

Philippe

Phoebe

Phoenix

Polly

Priya

Querriana

Quinn

Quinniece

Rachel

Rain

Rainie

Ran

Randi

Raphaël

Raven

Rayne-Beau

Rayraye

Rebecca

Reed

Rei

Reina

Rémi

Ren

Revan

Rhiannon

Rhi-Rhi

Rhyne

Rika

Riley

Rini

Riona

Risa

Riven

Riza

Robyn

Rory

Rosa

Rose

Rosetta

Rosie

Rowan

Runa-Lucienne

Ruth

Ryan

Rye

Sabrina

Sage

Salem

Sam

Samantha

Sammi

Sandy

Sara

Saro

Sasha

Savannah

Season

Selena

Selkie

Serena

Shaelei

Shakyra

Shay

Shayla

Sheena

Shelbie

Sid

Sienna

Silvia

Simmy

Simon

Sinead

Skye

Skyla

Skylar

Soffia

Soleil

Sonja

Sora

Soraya

Stacey

Star

Stefan

Stevie

Stella

Steph

Stephanie

Stephen

Story

Susan

Suzy

Sydney

Tama

Tammy

Tanisha

Tanya

Taylor

Ted

Teddy

Terra

Terrence

Terry

Thomas

Thorgunna

Tiago

Tida

Tobias

Toki

Tokiko

Tom

Tommy

Tomoko

Trey

Tricia

Tristan

Twila

Tye

Uma

Undyne

Vaeril

Van

Vandy

Vaughn

Vaylin

Velise

Venla

Vera

Verly

Verv

Vesper

Vicky

Victor

Vina

Vincent

Violette

Vivi

Vivienne

Wendy

Westley

Whispthera

Winnie

Wonder

Xander

Xavier

Xiri

Yasmin

Ylthin

Yon

Yoonie

Yuki

Yukino

Yuli

Yvette

Yvonne

Zachary

Zack

Zae

Zariyah

Zayla

Zen

Ziya

Zoey

#our life beginnings & always #our life #ourlifeba #the final list if more names don't come out #last update- feb 17

65 notes · View notes

jedilegacied · 4 years

Text

From the Expanded Universe

Jaina Solo is the eldest of the Solo children by five minutes. She and her twin brother Jacen were born on Coruscant, during the final days of Grand Admiral Thrawn's attempt to retake the Galactic Core. During these times of strife, Leia and Han sequestered their children on various safeworlds, keeping them out of harm's way. After a number of attempts to capture the Solo children, the parents eventually decided to keep the family together.

[[MORE]]

On Coruscant, the twins were raised by Winter and C-3PO. As Leia was Chief of State of the New Republic, she rarely had time to devote to family, though she made every possible effort. As she grew older, Jaina began to notice Leia's distance more and more, a distance she would later come to resent.

Headstrong Jaina showed a mechanical aptitude that made her father proud. At nine years of age, she was already flying the Millennium Falcon, and knew enough to help her father with simple repairs.

By the time she was 14, Jaina was already a capable pilot. She attended her Uncle Luke Skywalker's Jedi academy on Yavin 4, honing her impressive talents in the Force, and making new and long-lasting friends, such as Lowbacca, Tenel Ka and Zekk. Surviving run-ins with the Second Imperium, the Diversity Alliance and other foes, Jaina then apprenticed herself to Mara Jade. The two bonded, and Jaina grew both as a Jedi, and as a pilot.

Her skills behind the controls of an X-wing fighter earned her a position in Rogue Squadron during the Yuuzhan Vong crisis. Flying as Rogue Eleven, Jaina went by the nickname "Sticks." While at Ithor, Jaina met a fellow pilot named Jagged Fel, an ally of the New Republic flying with a Chiss defense force. The young woman felt something stir within her, and she definitely admired Jagged Fel for his piloting skill and icy cool demeanor.

The Yuuzhan Vong crisis has been a trial of character for young Jaina, who was forced into the hardships of war before even reaching adulthood. In her carefree days of adventure as a teen, she had been spared lessons in mortality. With the death of Chewbacca, and the subsequent straining of family bonds among the Solos, Jaina has learned indelible lessons that are shaping her character.

Leia believes her daughter to be the most pragmatic of her children. Whereas contemplative Jacen is often crippled with indecision, and impetuous Anakin would often plunge into action heedless of the consequences, Jaina would measure her actions and suit them to the moment. She is not without a temper, as her stubbornness will often lead her to arguments. Jaina has, on occasion, lambasted her brother for his passivity and her mother for her distance.

With the trying times of war, Jaina's temper came close to being her undoing. After the death of her youngest brother and disapperance of her twin, Jaina was enraged and touched the dark side of the Force. Her pragmatism dangerously eclipsed her compassion and faith in her uncle's Jedi teachings, and she found herself allied to Kyp Durron, a strong-minded Jedi seeking more proactive reform in the order.

In escaping the botched Jedi mission that claimed her brother's life, Jaina stole a Yuuzhan Vong vessel, the Ksstarr. With their Coruscant home conquered by the Yuuzhan Vong, she led the remnants of the Jedi strike force to the Hapes Cluster. On Hapes, Jaina became embroiled in court intrigue, as the scheming former Queen Mother Ta'a Chume tried to orchestrate a marriage between her son, Prince Isolder, and Jaina, in a failed bid to replace the current Queen Mother Teneniel Djo.

By closely examining the Ksstarr, Jaina realized a fundamental underpinning of Yuuzhan Vong spacefaring technology: bodies in space are recognized by their unique gravitic signature. She began exploring plans to use that knowledge against the Yuuzhan Vong. Her risky tests prove successful. Her deceptive tactics wreaked havoc with the Yuuzhan Vong's ability to identify friends and foe, prompting her to rename the vessel Trickster. Jaina's reputation began to grow thanks to crafty disinformation spread by New Republic agents. The Yuuzhan Vong began to associate Jaina with their trickster goddess, something New Republic commanders wholeheartedly encouraged by referring to her as "Goddess," "Great One," and similar.

Jaina fought tirelessly through campaigns at Borelias, Obroa-skai and Ebaq 9, flying alongside Jag Fel. The two tentatively explored their feelings for one another, risking love against a backdrop of war. She achived the rank of lieutenant colonel, and is now flying escort for her parents' mission of reuiniting the fragments of the former New Republic under the new banner of the Galactic Alliance

#this is long but #bio #v001 #sword of the jedi : about jaina #part one #birth through the vong war... there’s more y’all...#forever making fun of “she met this really icy boy and it awoke something in her lol Jaina please

10 notes · View notes

kuwaiti-kid · 4 years

Text

The 20 Best Star Wars Books of All Time (Canon and Legends)

With the recent reveal of the Star Wars: The High Republic mixed-media series, now seems like a great time to look back on the novelizations, stand alones, and book series that have been an integral part of building the rich and expansive universe that we know and love today.

The first Star Wars novelization was released six months following the premiere of Star Wars: A New Hope. Ghostwritten by Alan Dean Foster, but credited to George Lucas, Star Wars: From The Adventures of Luke Skywalker was the first venture into worldbuilding beyond the cinematic universe.

Over the course of forty-three years, nearly five hundred books have been added to the Jedi Archives, uh — I mean the Star Wars library. In 2014, almost four hundred of these novels were decanonized by Lucasfilm to refocus the canon around The Walt Disney Company’s restructuring of the franchise.

The Expanded Universe was rebranded as Star Wars Legends, but it was far from forgotten by its fans or the authors of the new canon novels.

The Ten Best Star Wars Legends Books

Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn (1991)

You would be hard-pressed to find a fan of the Star Wars Expanded Universe who doesn’t love Timothy Zahn’s novels. He introduced us to beloved characters like Mara Jade and Thrawn.

Set five years following The Return of the Jedi, Zahn kickstarted the Expanded Universe with an enthralling story that followed the continuing adventures of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo. Grand Admiral Thrawn attempts to track down a pregnant Princess Leia, while Luke Skywalker faces off with the smuggler Mara Jade (who just so happens to be the former Emperor’s Hand).

It is by far one of the best stories in the Expanded Universe.

The Han Solo Adventures (Trilogy) by Brian Daley (1979-1980)

Daley’s series recently returned to Star Wars discourse after High Republic author Cavan Scott tweeted out his current reference material for another project.

The trilogy follows Han Solo and Chewbacca through their days as smugglers in the capitalistic Corporate Sector, as they uncover a slaving ring, rescue kidnap victims, and face-off with a religious cult.

If you loved Solo: A Star Wars Story, you’ll love this trilogy.

The New Jedi Order: Vector Prime by R. A. Salvatore (1999)

Set twenty-one years following the destruction of the Death Star, Salvatore did the unthinkable in Vector Prime. Sanctioned by George Lucas himself, the character death depicted in this novel is the only original series character to die in the Expanded Universe.

It is the first novel in a nineteen-book series entitled The New Jedi Order. While this novel sacrificed the life of a beloved character, it also introduced the villainous race of the Yuuzhan Vong.

The original trilogy characters are paired off with the younger generation (the Solo children) throughout the novel, before converging at the crux of a devastating battle.

Star by Star by Troy Denning (2002)

The Yuuzhan Vong continue their ruthless campaign throughout the galaxy, leading Anakin Solo to concoct a dangerous plan to thwart their attacks. Denning’s novel delved a devastating blow for the Solo family as their youngest son Anakin Solo sacrificed his life to buy time for the rest of the team to kill the voxyn queen and escape from the Vong.

This is a book filled with death and destruction, and it proves to be a real page-turner.

Dark Journey by Elaine Cunningham (2002)

If you love Jaina Solo, then the tenth novel in The New Jedi Order series is the one for you. Dark Journey follows Jaina as she struggles with despair and her need for revenge following the death of her brother Anakin Solo and the Vong’s capture of her twin Jacen.

They retreat to the Hapes Cluster, where they encounter the grieving Teneniel Djo and the familial struggles of the Hapes. The Former Queen Mother attempts to arrange a marriage between Jaina and Prince Isolder — an offer Jaina rejects.

Enemy Lines (Duology) by Aaron Allston (2002)

This pair of novels can easily be read as a singular story. It follows Luke and Mara Jade Skywalker, Han and Leia Solo, Lando Calrissian, Wedge Antilles, and Jaina Solo as they respond to the Yuuzhan Vong’s capture of Coruscant.

Wedge is a stand-out character throughout this novel, and I believe this characterization is one of the reasons that he remains a beloved minor character. The rebellion’s determined efforts lead them to a victorious battle on Borealis, though the Vong are far from defeated.

Shadows of the Empire by Steve Perry (1996)

This novel was Perry’s contribution towards the ambitious mixed-media series (also called Shadows of the Empire) created by Lucasfilm in 1996. The series included both a novel and junior novelization, a comic book series, a video game, action figures, a soundtrack, trading cards, role-playing games, posters, and so much more.

Set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, the novel introduced readers to the Black Sun criminal overlord, Prince Xizor, whose primary motivation is to seek vengeance against Darth Vader. He does that by plotting to murder Luke Skywalker once his heritage is revealed. It’s a brilliant book that can be read as a stand-alone or as part of the mixed-media experience.

Survivor’s Quest by Timothy Zahn (2004)

Three years following the marriage of Luke Skywalker to Mara Jade, the couple struggles to balance their marriage and their duties as Jedi. Led by an urgent transmission, they journey together on a quest to locate the remains of the Outbound Flight expedition, which had been destroyed by Grand Admiral Thrawn on the planet of Niruan decades ago.

Expecting to find a graveyard of destroyed Dreadnought ships, they are surprised to find intact vessels and signs of life among them. Luke and Mara Jade come up against the vicious Vagaari to rescue the survivors of the errant Outbound Flight project. If you love Mara Jade and Luke Skywalker — this is the novel for you. They are at their best when they’re working together.

Black Fleet Crisis (Trilogy) by Michael P. Kube-McDowell (1996-1998)

Sixteen years following the end of the Original Trilogy, Kube-McDowell’s novel picks up with an era of peace for the New Republic. This trilogy of novels sits somewhat outside of the canon of The New Jedi Order and X-Wing series and provides a slightly different approach to the beloved heroes of the universe.

Chewbacca returns to Kashyyyk to be with his son; Luke works towards higher Jedi enlightenment in a self-built hermitage on Coruscant. Unlike other novels that focus on the characters and their arcs, this series is more focused on political and military plots.

The story follows the genocidal campaign of former Imperial slaves, referred to as Yevethan forces, as they seek to conquer the Koornacht Cluster.

This story deviates drastically from what we know about Luke and Leia’s mother, Padmé, thanks to the prequel trilogy, as Luke travels to the planet Fallanassi to learn more about his mother’s homeworld. Overall the trilogy makes for a great Star Wars story.

Wedge’s Gamble by Michael A. Stackpole (1996)

Wedge Antilles and his X-Wing pilots, the Rogue Squadron, plan to infiltrate the Imperial High Command controlled Coruscant. Still, first, they free the imprisoned Black Suns criminals in hopes of bringing down the Empire.

The story is a race against time for the rebels as they work to take down the planetary shields protecting Coruscant. In the process, allies are lost, and a traitor is discovered among their ranks.

It’s the second novel in a ten-part series and proves to be a fast-paced read.

The Ten Best Star Wars Canon Books

The Last Jedi by Jason Fry (2018)

Of the three novelizations included in the Sequel Trilogy era, Fry’s work stands out. He masterfully adapted Rian Johnson’s screenplay, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and shed new light on aspects that may have been lost to the casual viewer.

The book provides readers with a look inside the heads and hearts of nearly every character seen in the movie — which genuinely enriches the story.

Star Wars: Bloodline by Claudia Grey (2016)

The novel delves into the ramifications of Senator Leia Organa’s heritage, as trusted allies turn against her at the revelation that she is Darth Vader’s daughter.

Grey delivers an incredibly poignant look into Leia’s psyche throughout this ordeal as well as how she handles balancing being a mother and a senator.

Star Wars: Resistance Reborn by Rebecca Roanhorse (2019)

If you were not overly thrilled with the dynamics between Finn and Poe in The Rise of Skywalker or were hoping to read more about Leia’s last days with the Resistance, this novel is a surefire favorite. Roanhorse truly knows these characters inside and out, and she brings a fresh, exciting adventure to bridge the gap between the Battle of Crait and the Resistance’s base on Ajan Kloss.

Leia works diligently to rally the forces after their defeat at Crait, which brings the familiar Inferno Squadron members, Shriv Suurgav and Zay Versio, into the picture. An interesting element of the novel is the recruitment of defecting Imperial forces that are welcomed into the Resistance. Overall the stakes are low in the story, but it still manages to deliver a memorable read.

Last Shot (Star Wars): A Han and Lando Novel by Daniel José Older (2018)

Created as a tie-in to Solo: A Star Wars Story, Older’s novel covers five storylines told in five parts with a mix of flashbacks between Han Solo and Lando Calrissian as they face a new threat by an old foe.

It also covers aspects of Han’s marriage to Leia, as well as his relationship with his young son, Ben Solo — which helps readers understand how things fell apart by the time The Force Awakens occurs. If you loved Daley’s Legends series about Han Solo, you’ll love Older’s novel.

Star Wars: The Aftermath Trilogy by Chuck Wendig (2016-2017)

The trilogy expands the extensive period between the end of Return of the Jedi and the start of The Force Awakens. Wendig introduces readers to Norra Wexley and her teenage son Snap Wexley (later seen on screen) and delivers an engaging storyline for Wedge Antilles.

The story follows the New Republic as they work towards defeating the remaining members of the Empire. This series also introduces Emperor Palpatine’s Observatory on Jakku — an exciting piece of foreshadowing for The Rise of Skywalker.

Star Wars: Thrawn by Timothy Zahn (2017)

The first in a series of three novels, Zahn returns to Star Wars and reintroduces Grand Admiral Thrawn to the Star Wars canon. The story begins with the exile of the Chriss warrior, Mitth’raw’nuruodo (Thrawn), and follows his path to the Empire alongside Imperial Cadet Eli.

Thrawn offers to serve Emperor Palpatine in order to protect his people. Throughout the novel, Thrawn’s calculated tenacity allows him to climb the ranks within the Empire, ultimately rising to the position of Grand Admiral. Thrawn is a fan-favorite, and this series is just the beginning of his storyline.

Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel by James Luceno (2016)

If you watched Rogue One and wanted to know more about Orson Krennic or Galen Erso, this is the novel for you. It covers Erso’s research into the energy kyber crystals under the Celestial Power project and follows his concerns as he realizes his research might be used for something devastating.

It’s an interesting approach to members of the Empire and shows the duality among the ranks and the inner confliction at the advent of the Star Destroyer. Familiar faces like Tarkin and Saw Gerrera also appear in this novel.

Battlefront II: Inferno Squad by Christie Golden (2017)

Golden’s novel follows the members of the Empire’s elite team of soldiers, the Inferno Squad, as they deal with the ramifications of the theft of the Death Star plans. The central characters, Lieutenant Iden Versio, Lieutenant Junior Grade Gideon Hask, and Lieutenant Commander Del Meeko, are all featured in the EA Game’s Star Wars: Battlefront II.

Versio and her team are tasked with eradicating the remaining members of Saw Gerrera’s Partisans, newly reformed as a terrorist cell known as the Dreamers. Gideon and Del infiltrate the Dreamers, while Iden is arrested for alleged sedition after intentionally revealing her disillusionment towards the Empire — which leads to the Dreamers rescuing her.

It’s not often that we get to see how members of the Empire fully believe that their actions are the right actions, and this novel delivers.

Alphabet Squadron by Alexander Freed (2019)

The first of a trilogy of novels focused on a group of New Republic pilots. The series crosses over with Marvel comic series Star Wars: TIE Fighters and has a forthcoming sequel novel Shadow Fall arriving in June. The book explores the costs of war in the wake of the Battle of Endor as it follows Yrica Quell, an Imperial defector.

Freed introduces readers to a colorful group of pilots (featuring X-Wings, U-Wings, and Y-Wings) who react with different degrees of suspicion when Yrica joins the squadron. It’s a compelling piece of fiction that is rooted heavily in the military aspects of Star Wars and strongly reminiscent of the 1990s X-Wing series.

Star Wars: Ahsoka by E.K. Johnston (2016)

Dave Filoni created Ahsoka Tano for the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and she quickly grew into one of the most beloved characters from the Prequel Trilogy era. The young adult novel starts with Ahsoka during the Siege of Mandalore and explains how she came to adopt the pseudonym Ashla after fleeing to the remote Outer Rim Moon, Raada.

In the shadow of the growing threat of the Galactic Empire, Ahsoka works alongside Bail Organa and the Rebellion to evacuate the at-risk villages on Raada. Obi-Wan Kenobi also appears in this novel and struggles with the grief of Anakin’s betrayal as he remains in hiding on Tatooine. Overall it’s a great novel exploring an aspect of Ashoka’s life that had yet to be explored.

The final season of The Clone Wars is currently airing on Disney+.

Choose Your Adventure

While we endure the post-The Rise of Skywalker world, there is an entire galaxy’s worth of Star Wars novels out there to read.

Check out your local library or used bookstore and track down some of the older Legends books or jump on Amazon and pre-order the new The High Republic series.

Choose your own adventure, and as always, may the Force be with you.

The post The 20 Best Star Wars Books of All Time (Canon and Legends) appeared first on Your Money Geek.

from Your Money Geek https://ift.tt/3d6AHH8 via IFTTT

#IFTTT #Your Money Geek

3 notes · View notes