#she has an archive defense squad and she has no idea

[tillyalf427]

Characters: Akutagawa Gin, Paul Verlaine

Additional Tags: Crack Treated Seriously, Menstruation, Platonic relationships, Sparring

Summary:

Verlaine was by no means stupid, sure he had never received a formal education having been created in a lab, but he knew all manner of things about human behaviour and psychology.

So why on earth could he not work out what was going on with his latest mentee sent by Mori?

Notes:

Not even gonna lie, I'm obsessed with the idea of verlaine being kinda clueless about things like boiii

And I reckon between him and rimbaud they probs didn't have a lot of contact with people other than each other so I feel like verlaine probably never learnt what periods are and then Moris like hey can you train these to girls to be assassins and he's like yeah sure lol and then this happens 😂

Anyway, theres not a lot of plot to this just kinda verlaine being a little clueless cos I love him.

I suppose it can be treated as crack taken seriously but I was completely serious whilst writing this 😂

Verlaine wouldn't consider himself stupid by any means. Sure he had never had a proper education, what with his time in the lab and all that. But he had a fair amount of knowledge of humans and how they worked, and a decent understanding of psychology and people's motivations for their actions.

So why on earth could he not work out what was wrong with his most recent mentee?

Akutagawa Gin was the most recent mafiosi to be sent to him from the boss, with the simple instructions to train her as an assassin to eventually work alongside the black lizard squad.

Although the girl didn't have an ability, she had shown a fair amount of talent and skill in the short few months he had been training her. In fact, for the first time ever, he didn't mind his training sessions with someone sent by Mori, Gin was quick to learn and even quicker to correct mistakes the minute they had been pointed out. It was clear that she had the desire to win at whatever cost, and it showed through the effort she put into her training sessions.

However today, something was off, and he couldn't quite work out what.

Her movements were more sluggish than usual, lacking the usual grace and elegance that seemed to come naturally for her. And he had noticed from the minute she entered the training room how she looked paler than usual with dark circles underneath her eyes.

And although he had taken note of these things, he figured it was best not to bring them up unless she initiated the conversation lest she turn defensive and refused to tell him.

He had almost been willing to let the strange behaviour slide until they had ended up in their current situation.

Gin had completely missed him when she had come at him with her knife and he had managed to twist the blade out of her hand, switching their roles and pressing it quickly against her throat in a movement as swift as you would expect from a trained assassin. Gin froze in place, breathing even as she stood still as a statue, waiting for Verlaine to release the pressure on the blade now that she had been defeated.

He didn't remove the blade however, instead being quick to ask

"What on earth has gotten into you today? You'll be the first one killed if you act like this on a mission,"

He hadn't expected the growl that slipped from Gin's throat at his words and had only briefly managed to predict the swift kick aimed towards his knees, jumping back to avoid the hit .

If he'd have looked closer, he would've noticed the red flush on Gin's face as she headed to get a drink and if he'd have had more knowledge on life itself maybe he could've figured out the situation without pressing. Unfortunately, the whole scenario had him baffled.

He hadn't noticed any clear injuries, Gin hadn't been moving stiffly or in any way to avoid aggravating an injury so surely it couldn't be that, although he supposed she had looked paler than usual. Perhaps she was ill?

Deep in thought, he twirled Gin's knife in his fingers, having forgotten to give it her back when she had gone to kick him. He approached her now however, holding the handle of the knife out towards her.

"Here,"

She glanced up warily, and he noticed the way her hand trembled when she took the knife off him, returning it to its place hidden amongst her clothes.

And this was the part where Verlaine's skills were lacking. Tact had never been his strong suit, his words often blunt and lacking compassion. It had been something that Rimbaud had tirelessly corrected him on however, he never saw the need for sugarcoated words when his job was to kill as quickly and as efficiently as possible. What use was it to comfort someone before slicing their neck?

Now was one of those moments however where he could sense the fragility of the situation. They weren't close by any means, he was simply training her to survive in the mafia, nothing more. However he couldn't justify letting her train if she was injured or otherwise not on top form. That would be asking for trouble.

"Gin?" She glanced up apprehensively, steel grey meeting honey, giving away no hints of her thoughts. "What's wrong with you today?"

The fury that flashed in her eyes was unexpected, but what was more unexpected was the way she stood quickly, brushing past him to stand in the middle of the training room once more.

"Nothing's wrong, lets get on with it," her voice was filled with venom and Verlaine was left reeling trying to work out what he had said wrong.

He came up blank, instead joining her once more. If he noticed the grimace on her face, he didn't say anything, instead challenging her to try and take him down once more without him predicting her movements.

It took exactly 2 minutes and 45 seconds longer than usual for Gin to land a hit on him, not that he was counting. But when it came for the mafia, every second was precious. A single second could be the difference between life and death and he needed Gin to be aware of that.

"Enough," his voice echoed in the room and Gin froze where she had been preparing to send a punch his way. "I'm calling it a day, you're going to get injured at this rate,"

He could sense the protests before they even began, fixing a look towards her that dared her to argue with him

"Unless you want to tell me what on earth is wrong with you? If I find out you've been hiding an injury of any sort, you'll be training twice as long the minute you're fully healed," he turned to leave the practice room, footsteps echoing in the quiet of the room "I'll see you tomorrow, unless you are injured, then don't even think about it," Without further words, he reached the door before Gin's voice interrupted his movements.

"Wait," It was quiet after that and he did as she had requested, waiting and turning to look at her with one hand still resting on the door handle. A part of him was concerned by the red flush covering her face, maybe she was coming down with a fever? But he stayed quiet, waiting for her to elaborate further.

"Sorry, I'm just off my game today," she spoke quietly. He waited for further explanation but none came

"That much I can see, care to explain why?"

And this was when he became genuinely concerned, the flush had began travelling down her neck, a bright crimson against her pale skin, it definitely looked like some sort of fever.

"I..." Well that was new, in the months of working with Gin, he had never once heard her stutter. Sure she was quiet, but the few words she did speak were always confident and sure. "I ran out of medication- and I'm on my period because of it,"

And oh.

Well that was quite the shock. People didn't tend to admit their weaknesses to anyone in the mafia, knowing it could be used against them. But he had already predicted Gin was ill with something. He could safely say he had ever heard of this particular illness though...

"What do you need medication for? If you're ill the best way to get better would be to rest, not to show up to training,"

The silence in the room was so tense it could be cut with a knife. Gin's face was still red however, her eyes were analysing now, figuring out the situation and how to proceed.

Primarily, she was figuring out whether Verlaine was messing with her.

"An illness?" She couldn't keep the sheer surprise out of her voice when she asked him this, hoping for some sort of clarification.

Verlaine hummed.

"You've been out of it all day, not focussed, pale, you look like you haven't slept well. They're all clear signs of illness. And what else would you need medication for?"

And of all the things she had expected to come out of this shitty, awful day, finding out that her mentor didn't know what periods were was not on the list.

"Do you not know what periods are?" Gin was hesitant to ask, embarrassment fuelling her discomfort in this current situation.

"Should I?"

An okay, that was a little bit funny. Gin couldn't hold back the quiet laugh that escaped her at his words. It wasn't often that Verlaine said anything funny, ever the serious mentor, determined to pass on his knowledge and nothing more but this.

It was enough to make her forget the discomfort she was currently in, heading over to grab her stuff before brushing past Verlaine who still stood near the door.

"It's nothing," she was glad for the mask covering half her face or he would have seen the amused smile on her face. It would have ruined her image but she couldn't hold it back at the situation "Nothing serious anyway, I'll see you tomorrow,"

With that, she left the room to head for a shower, currently very appreciative of the newly renovated training rooms in the mafia basement with powerful showers and spacious changing rooms.

Verlaine was left watching the direction Gin had disappeared to, head running through what had just happened.

When he eventually snapped out of his thoughts, he returned to his room, eyes glancing across the various book titles he had laying around. When none immediately caught his attention, he turned towards the computer that had been set up for him to keep in contact with the boss without Mori having to traipse down to the basement.

Although for once he wasn't contacting the boss, instead, he opened his email, typing in the recipient box one that he didn't use often before writing out a message.

Hello Chuuya,

I was just writing to ask a question that has been brought up during training today.

What are periods?

Many thanks,

With that he pressed send, unknowing of the ammused chaos he had just caused within the mafia.

#paul verlaine bsd #paul verlaine #verlaine bsd #bsd verlaine #bsd akutagawa #akutagawa gin #fanfiction #fanfic #ao3 #ao3 link #platonic #my work

[enoughtotemptme]

someone reaching back for me

The first time Eddie Munson watches Chrissy Cunningham die isn’t the worst. It’s the second, because he had thought she was going to live this time. //

The universe made a cosmic mistake the day Chrissy Cunningham was allowed to die. It set off a chain of events that led to catastrophe, at first local, then global, and eventually interdimensional. It led to the end of all there is, was, and would ever be.

But the universe is rather interested in self-preservation. It couldn’t save itself in the future, but it could save itself then.

If only someone would get it right.

Chapters: 7/24 Rating: Mature Archive Warning: Graphic Depictions of Violence Category: F/M Fandom: Stranger Things (TV 2016) Relationship: Chrissy Cunningham/Eddie Munson Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Canonical Character Death, Canon-Typical Violence, Gore, Time Loop, Angst, Recreational Drug Use, Eating Disorders, Eventual Happy Ending

Chapter 7

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7   L O O P  S E V E N   7 7 7 7 7 7 7

It’s been a week of Fridays when his best idea is to try to enlist Jason Carver’s help.

In his defense, trying to save Chrissy’s life by himself has gone badly too many times, and Jason Carver is, theoretically, supposed to love her. Someone who gives a shit about Chrissy seems like somewhere to start, doesn’t it?

He starts his day familiarly: pep rally to see Chrissy leading the Hawkins High Cheer Squad through cartwheels and hand springs, sneaking careful glances at her in second period to try and find something, anything that he’d missed, that could help her. He postpones Hellfire and catches Chrissy at his locker, flirts delicately with her until she smiles and looks like she means it.

He beats her to the table in the woods because he does think that it’s a little better, at least, if she’s not alone before he gets there. 

Had he noticed, the first time, the way she lights up when she pulls the name of his band out of her brain? 

“Corroded Coffin!” she blurts out, like she’s a contestant on a gameshow racing to say the correct answer first.

“Corro— you do remember!” Eddie crows, clapping his hands together in victory, spinning away to do a victory lap around the clearing. 

When he’s with her Friday after Friday, he’s not sure if he’s fucking Juilliard material or if he’s just that desperate to make Chrissy laugh. Somehow, he always finds it in him to tease her to a smile, even if he feels like he’s dying. 

[click here to read more on ao3]

#eddissy fanfiction #eddissy fanfic #eddissy #hellcheer fanfic #hellcheer #stranger things #enoughtotemptme writes fic #chapter 8 is next and it's going to be a POV shift! #every 8th chapter will be that way

[yellowocaballero]

ok so I know you said you weren’t gonna explain daisy and then you did, and I want u to know I love when you explain your stories, almost as much as the stories themselves. I both envy and admire the way you think about characters and the way you build your stories and put all these elements together. bc this was a silly story and I laughed almost the whole way through, but there were moments with genuine meaning (ok gertude and jon conversation and about being a very nice boy and all that really got me bc like when am I not having feeling about jon lmao). So then I have Many Feelings about this silly story that are both heartfelt and just pure amusement and I go to you tumblr and then you talk about this story in a way that just makes me love it more. I think it’s bc you write stories where the pov is generally from only one character and when I read the story it’s like I can tell the other characters are having thoughts and feelings deep enough as the pov character, but for the most part, these rich inner lives or just lives separate from the pov character can’t really be perceived. Like it’s all there, but bc we are only seeing it from one characters pov, then there are things we aren’t going to see. And that’s really cool bc like, your characters are real enough that even tho things aren’t outright stated, I can tell there is so much happening “behind the scenes” so to say. It’s neat bc to read what your processes that went into writing a story is satisfying bc it’s like, ok here is what’s happening without the unreliable narrator. Idk as someone who is perpetually confused on why people do what they do (even myself sometimes lol), I like coming here where you explain things so well. Idk this is getting too long so just gonna say that I just really like what you do haha

;_______; Thank you so much. I’m always stressing out that I talk too much and go on too long about stuff nobody cares about lol. I’m also always pretending that I’ve thought stuff out or that I know exactly what I’m doing when I really don’t. I do objectively talk quite a bit about stuff here, but in my defense almost nobody irl knows that I write, at all. They think I don’t have hobbies. 

I’m glad it heightens the experience, though, I didn’t think about it that way. Rise of Skywalker Rule: people shouldn’t need to hear your word of god to understand what’s going on. But I really do hate writing multiple POVs (I only do it when it’s absolutely necessary) for a lot of reasons, but definitely it means that a lot of the behind the scenes character work you do goes unseen. But...even if you don’t see it, you know when it’s not there. A lot of technique in art is like that - invisible unless it’s bad lol. Take Daisy in TCF - it is blindingly evident that I did not really know what was really going on with her until much later in the story. My #1 frustration with that fic - just because Daisy will never tell Jon what’s going on, that’s not an excuse for me not knowing. 

But I do think a lot of a story is a supporting cast. I really sincerely hate it when a story is winnowed down to Main Character and Love Interest, and everybody else is a flat prop for that. I was reading a super fabulous Stucky fanfic the other day that was gorgeously written, but...none of the supporting characters had conversations with Steve that weren’t about Bucky. It was like some kind of terrifying Lotus Eater Machine hellscape. Imagine if nobody around you had rich inner lives, that they didn’t have their own rationales for what they did, that they had lives outside of you - that literally their only role in your life was to get you together with your boyfriend. Disturbing. (This was another parodied thing in Sucker’s Bet) A lot of Jonmartin fics are guilty of this too, frequently even worse. 

So, it’s kind of this dual thing for me - I have to know 10 things about a character and only 1 of those things will appear in the story. This is why I spent so long going on about how I know character’s religions lol. And even if you don’t know these things, it’s obvious when it’s not there. My stuff gets bloated because I insist on giving every major character a character arc and it is terrible of me (Solitaire was a hellscape). Even in the joke arson story - Jon, Sasha, and Tim all needed their individual character arcs, and even though Gerry and Daisy were more plot based characters you still got a strong sense of their lives. 

But the flipside is that as I’ve mentioned I don’t do OCs and I just adjust everyone based on the needs of the story.  Character is fluid and flexible for me so rarely anything is set in stone. I’m always spinning a ton of plates. I think when you know too much about your character and their background you end up stubbornly forcing a square peg into a round hole sometimes. For all I’ve talked about knowing characters - sincerely please don’t think about it too hard it’s useless. I don’t get too attached to any one characterization. Most of the time, the characterization in the story organically grows as the story develops. Some of the time I only really get a character as I write the final scene, then I have to go back and rewrite a bunch. There is a tremendous amount of characters who only really clicked for me as I wrote a final climactic scene (HR!Jon, TCF!Daisy and Web!Jon but specifically in Evilcon are the worst offenders, but also TCF!Annabelle, BBC!Gerry, SC!Daisy...). 

Anyway if you want the reason why I write so many side stories it’s because I finish a story and I just GOTTA tell you EVERYTHING I know about Agnes and Gerry or whatever (how did they meet? Jon will never know!). Legitimately for anyone who’s read Solitaire I highly recommend the Tim side story because Melanie is probably the most unreliable narrator I’ve ever written and there is this entire fucking storm of shit going under the surface of that Tim. Just because he got so complicated. I’ve been churning out a shitton of HR!Jon stories just to fucking try and get the character to click for me. It just goes on and on. As usual I’m both putting too much thought and not enough thought into things - the only way I really hammer out these things is by writing just an insane quantity of words, which is not the most. efficent way.

Sometimes I feel as if I’m hindering myself by not writing multiple POVs but also fuck that. Thank you for the super sweet ask I loved it!

#my writing #me crying over being validated for my insanely long posts: #yeah honestly the best POV characters are the ones like Melanie and Jon who are just so oblivious to everything #yes if I write a martin story I can have him notice things #but where's the fun in that #Melanie is the single most influential person in her universe and she has no idea #she has an archive defense squad and she has no idea #every time she talks daisy is standing behind her flashing her gun and she has no idea #tim and sasha individually swear loyalty to her WHILE SHE'S BULLYING THEM and she has n oidea #solitaire was so traumatic it burned out all desire to write side space cadet stories but #haha unless?

[strawwritesfic]

Draco Malfoy x Female!Slytherin!Reader: Save [Part 3 of ?]

Summary: Did Draco ride to your rescue, or have you found yourself in a worse place than ever?

Rating/Warnings/Tag: T (fantastic racism; bullying; abusive teacher; set during Order of the Pheonix; pure-blood!reader; one-sided!reader/Draco; Pansy/Draco; Pansy/Draco/reader)

Challenge: “115 Words” by BonitaWolfSpirit on Lunaescence Archives.

Tag List: @imaginesfire; @drayslove

Part 1: Camera Part 2: Forgiven

Save

Pansy Parkinson just couldn’t leave well enough alone, could she? It was not enough for her to make you miserable in your own common room year after year. It was not enough for her to smash your alarm clock while you slept, nor to go through your trunk during your resulting detention with McGonagall for tardiness. It was not enough for Pansy to know you were a no-good witch either. No, everyone needed to know that, including the one instructor that gave you decent grades. And for what? Daring to know Draco before she did? She could have him as far as you were concerned, but what was done was already done.

You stood outside of Professor Umbridge’s office door with ice running through your veins. The thought of fleeing into the Forbidden Forest did occur to you. Nothing in there, be it death or centaurs, could be worse than whatever awaited you in the room beyond. No one would miss you after you were gone, either—not your parents, not the teachers, not even Draco. Hell, Colin would probably consider your disappearance a relief.

Before you could act on your decision to run off, however, the heavy wooden door pulled open. The girl doing the pulling was none other than Pansy herself, spotting an uglier-than-usual leer that only grew when a sugary-sweet voice called out from behind her:

“Ah, Miss [L Name]. You’re here. Very good. Please enter.”

A braver soul than yours might still have tried to escape. You instead crossed the threshold into the violently pink room. Pansy shut the door behind you with a smart snap, and not even a million technicolored kitten plates could have soothed you then.

Pansy was not the only one in the room with you and your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. One of your other roommates, Millicent Bulstrode, stood at attention beside the desk, as did another, older girl you knew was in Slytherin with you, but whose name you couldn’t place. All three of them wore the badge that marked them as members of the Inquisitorial Squad. Your anxiety mounted.

“I presume that you know why I have called you here this evening?” Professor Umbridge asked, in the same sweet, singsong voice she used on most students.

So focused had you been on being trapped with two of your regular tormentors that you’d nearly forgotten the professor was there. You snapped your focus back on her, then found yourself unable to answer. Though your mouth opened, no sound came out. Why were you there? This could hardly be a detention since there was an audience.

The other girls giggled into the extended silence.

“Miss [L Name]? I am waiting.”

“No, ma'am,” you managed to say.

This only caused Professor Umbridge to blink. “No?”

“No, ma'am. I don’t know why I’m here. You told me to come to your office at this time as I was leaving class this afternoon. Did I do something to disrupt your lesson?”

Your father’s careful instructions did you some good here, at least. The bland, polite way you spoke threw Professor Umbridge off—that, and the fact that you didn’t disrupt her lesson. How could you? You never spoke in her lessons, or anyone else’s for that matter.

“No, my dear. Not my lessons,” she said.

“Have my grades in your classes slipped?”

“Of course not! They are Ministry approved, and a girl of your lineage could hardly be expected to fail at the level I am being forced to teach at this year.”

“Then I’m sorry, but I’ve really no idea why I’m here.” You glanced at Pansy. “Or why she is.”

Having come at last to the subject she wanted you to (or thereabouts), Professor Umbridge slumped in relief. “Miss Parkinson is here because she has brought to me some very alarming information about you. You are here because I wanted to give you the chance to dispute it.”

Pansy grinned. She brushed her elbow against Millicent’s side, and the two girls caught each other’s eye. You saw nothing funny at all about the situation, but then, you’d seen nothing funny about the Alarm Clock Incident either, nor the Horn-Growing hex that had landed you in the hospital wing for three days, nor the bit with the Canary Creams they’d filched from the Weasley twins. It was highly unlikely you were going to find anything Pansy thought funny amusing yourself.

“Well?” Professor Umbridge prompted you.

Again, you realized you’d placed your attention elsewhere. “Well, what?”

“What do you have to say for yourself?”

“That depends,” you said.

“What does it depend on?”

“What it is that Pansy is claiming that I did.”

Finally, Professor Umbridge fixed her bulging eyes on someone else. “Miss Parkinson?”

“Yes, Professor Umbridge?” said Pansy.

“Didn’t you tell me that Miss [L Name] knew what she was doing?”

“Oh, she does. Millie and I have proof.”

“Then hand it over, dear. Quickly! Quickly! I can’t have her father thinking that I’m pulling his child into my office over someone making a mountain out of a Niffler mound!”

Unseen by the rest of those in the room, your knees trembled under your weight. That was right. Your father worked with the Minister of Magic. He already knew that Professor Umbridge wanted to see you. Just what sort of Howler awaited you when you got back to your common room (he would never send it with breakfast; he wouldn’t like a scene like Molly Weasley’s three years back) you hated to think. A quick look at the window showed it was unmanned. Perhaps you could throw yourself through it before things got any worse.

Too late. Professor Umbridge stood up from her chair in a dizzy. “Oh! Oh my!"

Whatever she saw clearly upset her greatly, because she looked in danger of swooning right into one of her shelves of plates. Only Millicent’s quick action of helping her around the desk prevented the demise of many glass kittens.

"I’m sorry to have to be the one to show you this, Professor,” Pansy said, patting Professor Umbridge’s fat little fingers as they grasped at the desk corner. “I know how much you like Mr. [L Name].”

Professor Umbridge pressed her free, trembling hand to her heart. The older girl carefully guided her back to her chair. Millicent rubbed the professor’s back, wearing an expression more appropriate for attending a funeral.

All the while, Pansy stood there smirking at you. You snarled as your hand wrapped around the wand in your robe pocket. It wasn’t likely that you’d be able to do her any real harm, but the point was moot, for Professor Umbridge recovered before you could think of any appropriate curses to fling at Pansy’s head.

“Miss [L Name]! How dare you!”

Gone was her familiar syrupy tone. She waved a square of developed film in the air, then imperiously beckoned you to approach her. You did so with your cheeks burning. All of a sudden, leaving that photo in Draco’s possession seemed like an incredibly stupid idea. It had been nearly a week since your big blowout in the corridor, which had been enough time to give you hope that he’d found your crying pathetic enough to drop the entire issue. Apparently he’d only wanted to lull you into a false sense of security.

“Professor,” you said, “I can explain.”

“Oh, you can, can you?”

“Yes. I’m really sorry I skipped out on my detention with Professor Hagrid, but he shouldn’t have given me one to begin with just for telling Potter off for lying about seeing those Thestrals! Anyway, I just wanted to see Draco fly. It won’t happen again. I promise.”

“As though I care whether or not you listen to that half-breed. He will be dealt with accordingly. What I want to know is why you are cavorting with a known supporter of Harry Potter!”

“What are you—”

She slapped the photo onto her desk. It was not the one of Draco. Of course. In all your anger over Pansy going through your trunk, you hadn’t thought to see if she’d stolen any of the other pictures stashed in there. This one featured Colin himself as he prodded a cauldron of developing solution with his wand. Every single drop of blood in your face drained away.

“When Miss Parkinson came to me with this information, I admit that I was reluctant to believe her.” Professor Umbridge stood, walked to her window, and began to pace back and forth. “I even had Cornelius speak to your father about the matter. He could not believe the claim either. A girl like you ought not to be spending her time with a boy like that!”

“He was only helping me with a project—”

“What help could you possibly receive from a muggle-born? If there is something you are struggling with, I’m sure one of your housemates could help. Why, Miss Parkinson would be delighted to!”

“Of course, Professor,” Pansy said piously.

“Mr. Creevey is friendly with Potter. Potter is an enemy not only of myself, but of the Minister of Magic, and therefore the entire Wizarding World! Thus, Mr. Creevey is also working to undermine us. Tell me, Miss [L Name], what are you really doing with him? Do you believe Mr. Potter when he says there are dark wizards out to get him?”

“No!” While you were aware Potter wasn’t as mad as most believed, this was not the company to admit that in front of, nor to tell just what you’d been doing with Colin in secret all year. In desperation, you went on, “What we’re doing isn’t even breaking Educational Decree Number Twenty-four!”

Professor Umbridge turned to face you with her hands clasped behind her back. “Miss Parkinson has just produced evidence indicating that you are aiding and abetting members of Potter’s renegade group. Your adherence to any Educational Decree is the least of my worries. You will tell me where they are meeting and exactly what they are up to. Professor Dumbledore may not give me the authority to expel you should you not, but I assure you that to refuse to give me answers will cause things to go very poorly for you.”

You gaped at her.

“Things will also go very poorly for your family. After all, an apple does not fall far from the tree. You lying for Potter makes it very possible your father is lying for Professor Dumbledore. Think very carefully over how your behavior might affect his position in the Ministry from here on out.”

What were you supposed to say? You’d never considered how your poor choices might reflect upon your mum and dad! But Colin had never told you about what he did with Potter. It mattered so little to you that you’d never thought to ask. It wasn’t as though he trusted you enough to offer you an invitation. In fact, the existence of such a group had been unknown to you until Draco brought it up the other night.

She sighed and shook her head. “I had hoped you would take this opportunity to redeem yourself. You might be a pure-blood, but I will get what I want. Miss Parkinson, Miss Bulstrode, please restrain Miss [L Name].” They did, closing in on you and grasping one of your arms each with as much power as they could muster. “Miss Runcorn, you go fetch Professor Snape. Tell him I need—”

A sharp knock on the door cut her off. A moment of confusion followed where everyone else in the room looked at one another.

“Well? Answer it!” Professor Umbridge snapped.

The Runcorn girl hurried to obey. Standing there illuminated by the torches in the dark hall was none other than:

“Mr. Malfoy? You are supposed to be on patrol.”

“I am,” he said as he stepped inside. “I just remembered something that I needed to tell you.”

“Can it not wait? I am in the middle of an interrogation.”

Draco’s gray eyes flashed toward you. Seeing him brought you no relief. “That’s what I needed to talk to you about, Professor. See, Pansy told me this morning over breakfast what she wanted to tell you, and I thought I told her what’s really going on, but it must have slipped her mind when she gave you her report.”

Pansy’s eyes seemed in danger of popping out of her skull. “Draco?”

He did not remove his gaze from the professor’s face. Millicent’s already firm grip on your wand arm grew tight to point of pain. You whimpered, which only caused Pansy to thrust the tip of her wand straight into your spine.

Professor Umbridge looked a little taken aback. “You have information for me about Miss [L Name]’s association with known criminals?”

Draco nodded.

“Then by all means, illuminate us.”

“I’m the one that told her to get in close with Creevey.”

“Draco!” Pansy said again. He ignored her.

If Professor Umbridge was shocked before, that was nothing compared to how she looked then. Her protuberant little eyes swept from your face and back to his repeatedly. Thankfully, you were too busy staring holes into the back of his blond head for you to give away just how surprised you were by the information yourself.

“You did?” she asked.

“Yeah. I figured he’d know what Potter was up to and where he was holding his meetings. He’s practically been on Potter like someone cast a permanent sticking charm to him since our second year. Sending someone in to make nice with him seemed like the best way to get him to talk.”

“Well…yes. I’ll admit the idea has some merit. All the same, you should have brought it up with the Inquisitorial Squad. I could have assigned someone more appropriate for the job.”

“You’re right, Professor, and I’m very sorry for sneaking around. I just thought it would be better if fewer people knew about the plan. After all, none of us knows just how many students Potter has got working for him. And if Creevey had any idea he was talking to a member of the Inquisitorial Squad…”

Draco did not finish his sentence. He didn’t have to. The badges pinned to every member of the Inquisitorial Squad’s chest made plain their allegiance to everyone in the school. If you’d ever worn one, Colin would have shut you out for good. Professor Umbridge’s eyes narrowed in thought.

“I see,” she said slowly. “And you chose Miss [L Name] for such an assignment because?”

“Because we had a run in with Creevey when we were kids. She had a good reason to try talking to him. And I trust her,” he answered, in the same bland tone he used on most of his instructors.

The pressure with which Millicent still held your arm caused prickles to surge up and down your arm. For once, you were grateful for the distraction, as it kept you from being too frightened to think. This helped quite a bit when Professor Umbridge suddenly spoke to you:

“Miss [L Name], is this true?”

“Uh—”

You saw Draco give a very minuscule nod of the head without turning to look at you. Everyone else in the room was too busy waiting for your answer to notice.

“Yes, ma'am,” you said quickly.

She let out a relieved, girlish giggle. “Of course it is. Mr. Malfoy is not a liar. You should have told me earlier!”

“I…I didn’t want to give him away,” you mumbled halfheartedly. Your heart pounded in your throat. Draco might have been an accomplished liar, but you had no such great talent. If Professor Umbridge suspected you for one a second, he had just ensured he would land in the boiling cauldron himself.

“I understand completely, dear. I only wish—Miss Parkinson! Miss Bulstrode! Release Miss [L Name] at once!”

“But—” Pansy began.

“Do not test my patience, Miss Parkinson. You should have told me this yourself. Instead, you have very nearly ruined the reputation of an innocent pure-blood! You ought to be ashamed of yourself.”

It was as though your skin turned red hot, that was how quickly Pansy let you go. Millicent did so a little more reluctantly, but without the fuss. Rubbing at the bruise you were no doubt developing where the latter’s hand had rested, you took a large enough step away from them and toward the teacher that you did not think yourself still at risk of being snatched.

“I am so very sorry, dear.” Professor Umbridge placed a thick hand on the small of your back to guide you toward one of the desk chairs. “It was not my intention to make a fuss. Can I get you anything? Tea? Gillywater?”

“No, thank you.”

“Are you quite sure? I would love to have a little chat with you and Mr. Malfoy about your plan. How is it coming along? What has he told you?”

You opened your mouth, but of course no falsehood was forthcoming. Before the pause could become too suspicious, Draco stepped in once more:

“He hasn’t given us anything yet. But we’re close. Aren’t we, [Name]?”

“Yes!” you said, a little quickly with how pleased you were at being able to speak again. “Yes, I’m sure he’ll be giving me what you want any day now.”

“Perhaps we could discuss strategy? Just the three of us?” she suggested, with a pointed look at the trio of girls still standing a few feet away.

Draco took your shoulder in his hand. “No, thank you, Professor. I really ought to get back to my patrol. I just wanted to make sure you knew the truth before anything unpleasant could happen.”

“Yes. I appreciate that. You’ll give your father my apologies as well, won’t you, [Name]? I’m sure he’ll understand. We’re just trying to ensure that Cornelius’ vision is seen through here, and Potter is making it ever so difficult.”

“Of course,” you said automatically.

“And don’t forget to tell me the minute you have any information to pass on from the Creevey boy.”

“Yes, ma'am.”

She didn’t seem to notice the way you answered in the smallest amount of words possible. If any of the other girls did, they were too cowed to say so. This came as something of a relief to you, since any longer responses would have required more thought process than you were capable of giving anything just then.

“I ought to get back on patrol,” Draco cut in smoothly. “I’ll see to it that [Name] gets back to the common room without incident.”

“Excellent idea. Thank you, Mr. Malfoy.”

With his hand still on your shoulder, he steered you out the door, right past the stunned expressions of Pansy, Millicent, and Miss Runcorn. Were those tears you saw sparkling in the first’s hazel eyes?

You could not look at her long enough to tell for sure. Draco did not need to be quite so forceful in his leading either way; it was taking everything within you to keep yourself from sprinting back to your dormitory…not that there would be much safety there either. Surely Pansy had something else up her sleeve, some more horrid picture you’d crammed under five years’ worth of missed assignments and lost potion ingredients.

Sure enough, you heard her try to come after you both. “Draco! Why would you—”

“Miss Parkinson, you are not dismissed. You and I need to have a little chat about just why you lied to me this morning about Miss [L Name]’s activities.”

The door snapped shut behind you, but Draco did not let you go. He marched you down the corridor and several staircases without a uttering a single word. His silence might have frightened you more than his sudden appearance had to begin with. Were you in very much trouble? Your anxiety had you nearly breathless when at last you were released. You waited for him to remind you how to stupid you were, or to suggest you run off to Potter, or to tell you to pack your things before someone worse than Pansy tried to find you.

Draco did none of these things. After about half a minute had passed, you turned to see if he even remained behind you. He did, though you’d obviously taken long enough to bore him, for he was examining his fingernails with his usual haughty expression. It didn’t take you long to figure out exactly what he was waiting for.

“Thank you,” you said, not without sincerity.

“You’re welcome.”

“No. Really. I…things were about to get bad. But why did you…?”

“Help you?” Draco shrugged. “Pansy was out of line, that’s all.”

“She going to be really mad now, though.”

He shrugged again. Why not? She would probably not be slinging new hexes and curses at him over the coming weeks. “She’ll get over it. Like I said, she was out of line. I told her that picture was nothing to worry about, but she wouldn’t listen.”

Was this truly happening? Draco siding with you over his precious girlfriend? You half-expected Pansy herself to jump out from behind the nearby statue of the one-eyed witch to proclaim that she had caught you in the act of lying. In fact, you stared hard enough at the statue to make your eyes water, but Pansy did not appear.

“Here.”

Something thin pressed against the skin of your wrist. Looking down, you found Draco holding out yet another photograph. A great swell of nausea swept over you from head to toe. Fortunately, it was not a third example of your torrid behavior, only the one Pansy gave him the week before of him with his quidditch team.

“Take it,” he said waspishly, when your inaction continued for too long.

You swiftly pocketed the object.

“You might as well have it back,” Draco went on. “But if you behave smarter than you have been, you won’t be storing anymore pictures in your trunk. Pansy isn’t going to give up easily. She’ll look there again.”

The very thought made you tremble. What else lay forgotten in the bowels of your school debris? “I’ll stop having lessons with Colin. He won’t be upset. It’ll be safer that way. No more suspicion.”

“After all the trouble I just went to? No. You keep talking to Creevey. I meant what I said. He has information we need. Besides, if Professor Umbridge finds out that I lied for you, it’s more likely to wind up on your head than mine.”

“But—”

“What do you care more about, [Name]?” he asked impatiently. “It’s time to decide where your loyalties lie. I lied for you tonight because I used to trust you, but I’m not going to do it a second time. Things are going to change around here, whether that’s because of Umbridge or not. Whose side are you going to be on?”

He was right. You knew he was right. Whatever the Prophet said to the contrary, whatever line Professor Umbridge wanted all your fellow students to swallow, the life you had known up until then was rapidly drawing to a close. Colin had been kind to you over the course of the year: forgiving you for your childish cruelty, teaching you the one skill you cared to know, even risking his own neck to stay out past curfew when you couldn’t make it to your lessons on time…

…but he would not be benefited by whatever regime came next. Draco would. Not to mention that Draco had just risked his own status to rescue you in a way far more pressing than anything Colin risked. What were house points compared to whatever potion Professor Umbridge had very nearly stuffed down your throat?

“Okay,” you murmured. That was it. “Okay.”

That was all Draco needed. “Good. I’ve got to get back on patrol. Stay out of Pansy’s way if you know what’s good for you. And if anybody asks about your ‘mission,’ just tell them that you answer to me. Because you do now.”

He paused only long enough to see you nod. Then he turned to walk up the corridor. You watched his back until the whole of him disappeared around a corner. After that, you stood all alone in the vacant hall.

It was a wonder that the events of the night didn’t swallow you whole right then and there. Perhaps you were learning. Not wanting to chance Pansy or anyone else seeing you shake to pieces, you held yourself together for the duration of your walk back to the Slytherin common room. Only once you’d returned to your four poster and drawn the curtains did you allow yourself to cry.

Everything that had happened indicated that you’d made the right decision. You could continue your lessons with Colin; your father would be told you were a good pure-blood girl; and if you managed to get some real information, you’d earn some major points with whoever got hold of Hogwarts next. Draco had practically ensured your safety so long as you kept your head down.

So why did you feel even more wretched then than when he had accused you of being a blood traitor?

#fan fic #straw writes #reader insert #second person pov #challenge fic #one shot #draco malfoy #draco #malfoy #harry potter #slytherin!reader #draco malfoy x reader #draco malfoy x you #draco malfoy x y/n #draco x reader #draco x you #draco x y/n #malfoy x reader #malfoy x you #harry potter x reader #harry potter x y/n #harry potter x you

[rampanttheories]

More Weasley Squad vs the wizarding world

After my “how the Weasley siblings at Hogwarts could’ve reacted to CoS” post, I got to thinking on how that would affect the canon immediately post-CoS....

And then I received a wonderful response on that post inquiring if there was more. Thank you so much for your kind comment @transparentfreakpursepanda and this one’s for you.

In my opinion, the drivers of the big changes would be the twins. In their new protector-role I think they’d keep the map with them and have a close eye on it. They’d also inform Ron, Ginny, and Harry (and through them Hermione) of a) the map, b) whatever they know of Sirius Black, and c) of the most useful hidden passages in the castle.

But even more interesting is when and how they’d inform the younger kids. Maybe once they are all at Hogwarts, because that is when it starts becoming relevant. Maybe they check the map thoroughly for potential eaves-droppers before joining the newly established quartet in the remote classroom. Maybe they spot “Peter Pettigrew” among the cluster of names and decide to hide the map for a while longer after all. Not seeing a person whose name shows up on the map is.... disconcerting to say the least. They dislike invisible potential threats and bodyless things with names after the Diary.

Instead they show the others some hidden passages. Every once in a while, either draws attention and the other checks the map. Peter Pettigrew stubbornly stays with them.

Percy researches Sirius Black with more ferocity than even his essays and keeps the twins and the quartet, albeit a little muted, informed of his findings. The twins get one of the Prophet editions detailing Black’s crimes to get a feel for his MO and find Peter Pettigrew listed as the magical person Black allegedly murdered.

They panic a little. Alright, they panic a lot.

And then they show the map to Percy. More specifically, they show “Peter Pettigrew” next to “Ron Weasley”, “Hermione Granger” and “Harry Potter” in the middle of the Gryffindor common room. In their frenzy they miss the tag reading “Sirius Black” near Hagrid’s Hut.

Percy gets George banned from the library for two weeks by blaming his impressive flood of cursing on him. Fred and George learn three new terms they absolutely are going to use. And then Percy doubles down on Peter Pettigrew as well as Sirius Black.

The Halloween Break-In happens. They scour the Map for any trace of Sirius Black, but he has long since disappeared, and when they check again the next morning so has the tag “Peter Pettigrew” and Ron is mourning Scabbers. That sparks a horrible idea. They know about animagi, having been taught by one for years. And the Professor shows up on the map no matter her current shape, they had tested that extensively back in first year.

So they gather Percy and Ron and Harry and Hermione and Ginny and after checking if Peter Pettigrew is REALLY not with them, they share both the map and their theory on Scabbers.

Percy shows the record of students graduating in 1978 he found deep in the Deputy Mistress’ archives, including the names of both Black and Pettigrew, but also Potter, Evans, Snape, and Lupin.

Harry pipes up that apparently Black and Pettigrew both were close to his father and so was the Professor. (”which one?” - “Snape obviously. Seriously George”) So if he asks about his parents, maybe he could find out more about Pettigrew, including if he was an animagus.

Percy and Hermione compare notes on what they know of animagi-related spells. Eventually they decide Hermione should ask Professor McGonagall about them, in relation to the werewolf-lecture they received from Snape Ron jumps into the planning. By comparing ways and methods of transformation Hermione has a reason to be curious and turn to McGonagall in particular. And approximately 73 tangents to go off on after she got her answers to hide the particular interest in forcing animagi to detransform.

Said and done. Two days later Hermione has a list of books on animagus spells and with Percy’s access, the bookworms dig up both a reversal spell and a general checking charm if an animal is an animagus.

By late November, the eldest three assume they have the spell down, it’s a bit hard to test without an animagus at hand and McGonagall is NOT to be included, and the younger students have checked every pet in Gryffindor tower and the owlery for animagusery. The transformation was judged to be a bit too advanced for them after all, they do want to have Pettigrew identifiable. They also all know Stupor and the countercharm.

In early December, Hagrid invites the trio down for tea and during that conversation they find Scabbers. Ron is good with voices and he forces himself to sound “appropriately” happy instead of showing his distress.

As soon as they are out of sight of Hagrid’s Hut, the rat is stunned, knocked out, petrificus totalused and checked for animagus within seconds. The light glow settles into the fur and for just a moment human features are visible-it is an animagus.

They bolt to the remote classroom that became their main base and are met by Fred and George, who had seen Peter Pettigrew show up on the Map again with the trio and gathered Percy and Ginny.

That is the moment they realize they have no plan for AFTER capturing Pettigrew. They stunned him, so he knows they are aware of some parts. Just going back to normal is not an option. Is he guilty of any crimes? How would a bunch of teenagers go about following that up? How would they explain how they knew something was up?? They had an adult, supposedly dead wizard stunned in their hands!!!

Fred and George look at each other, shrug, and suggest making sure nobody knows they were involved. Considering Harry stunned Pettigrew from behind even he might not know if all of them were attacked or if it was just him. After all, Black might have been after Pettigrew as well, considering he tried to kill him. So just leave him somewhere he will be recognized and let the adults deal with the mess?

So they check the map and find most professors in the Great Hall at dinner. Including Lupin. Who always returns to his office to grade after dinner. And offers students to come ask questions then.

So they break into the Defense Office and detransform Pettigrew on the desk, just as Ginny warns that Professor Lupin is leaving the Great Hall at speed. Five minutes if he sticks to the corridors, two if he knows the secret passages.

They don’t take chances and fire of another stunner before pulling the door closed and hurtling towards a passage that’ll take them to a lower floor and safely out of the path of Professor Lupin WHO REALLY KNOWS THE PASSAGES SWEET MERLIN HERMIONE GET IN GET IN AND CLOSE THE TAPESTRY.

Not a moment after they are hidden from sight, they hear first footsteps and then an unholy shout. They bustle through the passage and then double back towards the Hall, just to nearly fall over the railings of the Grand Staircase when Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall come sprinting up the stairs, the entire structure snapping to attention and creating an immediate path for the Headmaster and Deputy.

They grab some easily transported foods from the tables and rejoin the curious stream of students towards Defense.

An hour later Aurors Bones, Moody, and Shaklebolt are seen in Hogwarts.

The next day sees rumours of somebody returning from the dead and the Minister of Magic nearly defacing his bowler in the corridor leading to Charms.

A week later Sirius Black’s name is cleared.

Oh right, he was around too. The seven had completely forgotten the mass murderer. Correction, alleged mass murderer.

#harry potter #harry james potter #percy weasley #fred weasley #george weasley #ron weasley #ginny weasley #hermione granger #weasley siblings vs the world #alternate universe #universe altered #mini fanfic #own content #I enjoyed giving Remus an off-screen heart attack waaaay too much #imagine getting the alarm your office is being broken into and then finding your thought dead friend on your desk

[abbysfrenchbraid]

Hello! I’d like to request an imagine with Abby and a female reader, I was thinking something like they’re both on a mission and lose (not death) eachother because of how hectic everything is

(image reference by @cloudyreality​)

What a great idea for my first time writing angst! Thank you for your request  💌

This is a 3.7k fic in which the reader and other members of the Salt Lake Crew are called out on a rescue mission and things get chaotic.

Warnings: language, violence (against reader and others), mention of attempted sexual assault, death (no major character)

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A Close Call

You were ripped from your sleep by a firm hand shaking your shoulder. When you opened your eyes, Manny’s bearded face was inches from yours. It was still dark outside, the only light in the room creeping inside through the cracked door to the hallway.

“Get up, Y/N, we need you.”

You rose with a start, swinging your legs over the side of the bed and grabbing some clothes to put on.

“A mission? Right now? What’s going on?”

Manny filled up your water bottle and brought you another few supplies while you packed your bag.

“Scar attack during a patrol run. Owen just came back alone, Jordan and Leah are still out there. Jordan got hit, I don’t know how bad it is but we gotta get them out of there immediately.”

Quickly slipping on your boots and grabbing your jacket, you followed Manny out the door and to the garage.

Nora and Abby came in at the same time, carrying a metal box with medical supplies. Abby’s face was still pale from sleep but her eyes were alert and focused. Owen was standing at the back of a truck and marking the way to the others on a map of the city center. When he turned around, you flinched. He looked awful. His eyes were sunken in and there was no color in his face except for a dark purple bruise on his cheekbone. Yet, as he spoke, he sounded calm and collected, ready to get this mission done and bring everyone back safely.

“Alright, I left them at this bank here. The rain these last days has made the rivers downtown much more dangerous, I just tried to map out the best way with the Jeep but be prepared to continue on foot if needed. Jordan took an arrow to the hip and it somehow paralyzed his leg, we couldn’t get him out of there alone.

I need us to always stay together in a tight group, watch all possible hiding spaces for Scars, and get in the bank as fast as possible. Then, Nora has to try and patch him up as much as possible so we can take him back to the truck. Manny and I will carry him. I need you” - he looked at Abby and you - “and Leah to protect us and Nora on the way. Be as quiet as possible. Understood?”

You all agreed and Owen jumped in the driver’s seat while Manny sat next to him with the map to navigate. Abby lifted the metal trunk in the back of the truck and helped Nora up.

“You okay, Y/N? I can hear your teeth rattling from here.”

You tried a smile. “Thanks, Abby, I’m alright. Just cold and tired, I hope this works out as planned.”

She helped you up as well, then she jumped on and closed the tailgate, sitting down next to you and putting an arm around you to keep you warm. No one spoke, but as you leaned closer into Abby, Nora gave you a slight smile and a nod. You were going to be okay.

As expected, the flooding in the city was worse than usual, but at least the rain had stopped and the moon guided your way. You could already see the building Jordan and Leah were hopefully safe in at the moment when Owen suddenly stopped the car.

You stood up to see what was going on and swallowed hard as you saw the scene in front of you: rapids had formed in the river and were brutally ripping down plants and taking other objects with them. You had to get to the other side and, even more difficult, get back with the injured Jordan.

Everyone began moving silently down the stream, weapons drawn and forming a circle around Nora and her medical kit. When you finally found a more or less safe spot to cross, Owen and Manny went first, testing out the rocks and debris that had been wedged into each other to form a momentarily stable bridge over the rapids. Nora went next, silently jumping from step to step and keeping an impressive balance and smoothness to her movements. Abby covered you as you quickly crossed the stream and quickly followed your steps, placing her hand on the small of your back reassuringly as your team rebuilt its tight formation and started moving through the shadows towards the abandoned bank.

Owen led you to a side entrance he had covered with some wooden planks and the five of you quickly slipped inside. You were all on the lookout for infected but the place seemed clear, the rings of your flashlights illuminating the counters and smashed glass fronts, rotting bills of old money on the floor and finally the door to the back room where you could hear quiet voices.

Leah jumped up and drew her gun as Owen entered. A wave of relief washed over her face when she recognized Owen and Nora, the medic rushing to the injured man on the floor beside the dark-haired soldier.

“Oh thank god you’re here! I was so scared you didn’t make it to the base.”

Jordan was conscious but badly hit. An arrow was protruding from the top of his right leg right at the hip joint and a small pool of blood had formed on the floor underneath. Manny sat down next to Nora and helped her sort out her supplies. He loosened the makeshift bandage Leah had made out of some old fabric and tied around Jordan’s leg and hips. Nora was Isaac‘s best medic and she proved her reputation now. Completely calm and collected, she clipped off the arrow and started to strategically fasten bandages around Jordan‘s torso.

„I can’t take the arrowhead out here, it’s probably damaged some nerves, and pulling it out could make it worse. You need surgery back at the base. Can someone get me more fabric and something to make a splint?“

Leah quickly got some towels from a cupboard and started cutting it into stripes while Owen took his axe to some shelves and brought back a few long, slim pieces of wood.

You knelt down and helped stabilize the wounded wolf as Nora began fastening the wooden splints to Jordan‘s leg and hip, forcing him to stay completely straightened out so he wouldn’t fall or bend over and increase the damage to his hip.

Jordan would be carried upright, supported by Owen and Manny and using his healthy leg to move with them. A stretcher would make a bigger target and immobilize those who carried it; you were still in a war zone.

You helped Nora pack her things while the men got into position and Leah and Abby discussed the best defensive formation for the way back. Abby was going to go first and keep an eye out for any movements, then the three men, then Nora and Leah in case Jordan needed help, and finally you to watch your backs.

At the front door, you took a final breath and braced yourselves, then Abby gave the signal to move. The first steps went better than expected. You were moving fast, the only sound being Jordan’s quiet panting as he gave his last bit of strength to get back to the truck.

When you were almost at the crossover, you noticed something in a first-story window across the river. The woman clad in beige and brown saw you at the same moment. She pulled out an arrow from behind her head in one swift motion and cocked her crossbow just as you screamed „Get down!!! Ambush!“

Suddenly there was movement. You ducked and the arrow intended for your head soared over your shoulder so closely you could hear the feathers on it whispering in your ear.

Hooded figures emerged behind pillars and burned-out cars just as you pulled your gun and shot at the woman in the window. Her mouth opened as if she wanted to say something, then her head tipped back and she vanished from sight.

There was no time for shock, you had to protect yourself and your team. Abby was fighting a large man with a giant hammer, but you could tell she would be fine. Jordan had slung his arms over Owen‘s shoulders from the back and held on so he would stay standing up while Owen had his hands free. He was shooting at Scars further away while Manny was dealing deadly blows to a younger man‘s head with a metal pipe. Leah was covering Nora with a shotgun and blasting away through the empty car windows. You stepped out from the shelter of the house front and scanned the other buildings for more archers, ignoring the screams of anger and pain around you. Protect the squad. Watch your backs.

The man Abby had fought was lying in a puddle of his own blood. She was further away from you now and fighting two younger scars at once. One of them slashed her arm with a knife and she howled out in rage. Your first instinct was to scream out her name but you stopped yourself. It would distract her and allow the scar couple to catch her off guard. She was furious, pulling two knives and lunging forward at her attackers. They stood no chance, red hot blood spilling from both their throats as they looked at each other with an expression that seemed surprised, but not scared. They staggered towards each other and fell to the ground, choking and wheezing before finally laying still.

Abby had already moved on to help Owen fight a man with an axe that had come dangerously close while he had to take a second to reload.

Suddenly a rush of panic made you whirl around and look up. An older man with a bow almost as tall as him was standing on a first-floor balcony, aiming directly at you. You pointed and shot exactly at the same time he let go of the arrow.

Too slow. You watched the arrow come towards you in slow motion, undeviating from its owner's last target. Your attempt to dodge the sharp silver dart came too late. The tip sank into your shoulder as you watched the man fall forward and hit the ground with a dull thump.

The others hadn’t noticed what had happened. Leah was fighting back to back with Manny, Nora was crouching behind her trunk and shooting at a woman running towards her, Owen was holding up Jordan behind a pillar and shooting at several scars still behind the cars and Abby was in another bloody fight with two men with a hammer and a knife.

Your shoulder didn’t hurt at all. It just felt like someone was pushing you back, trying to tip you over. Stumbling backward, you scanned the buildings trying to find other scars on higher ground before they could hurt your friends. A sense of calm waved over you. You had done your job, there were no other Seraphites hidden to attack from behind. The gun in your hand dropped to the ground, the metal clank strangely loud in front of the fighting noise.

As you fell backward, you could hear the rushing of water underneath you. The rapids were screaming at you, daring you to take up a fight with them and lose as so many others had before. The surface felt like a brick wall when you hit it, then the current pulled you under. The water was ice cold, thousands of needles pricking you at once and suddenly there it was. Agonizing pain. Your shoulder felt like a fire had been lit inside of it and it was burning your lungs from the inside, eating you up and leaving no room for anything else. You let out a terrified scream that was swallowed by the water around you.

You needed to get to the surface. Breathe in air before your lungs could fill with water. You kicked and thrashed about, trying to find your way back up without moving your wounded arm. Finally, you burst through and gasped for air, your functioning hand desperately grabbing on to plants and scraps of metal at the water’s edge. How far had the water carried you already? Were the others ever going to find you?

You managed to hold on to a branch and pull yourself onto the riverbank, the water relentlessly continuing to pull and tear at your feet. Your teeth were chattering and you couldn’t feel your hands and feet, breathing becoming the hardest task this day had given you.

„It’s okay, it’s okay, you’re just going into shock, it’s okay, they’ll find you, just breathe,“ you kept whispering to yourself as you lay on your back and closed your eyes.

You could hear shots echoing from the walls of the buildings and screaming; they couldn’t be far. After a last, deafening shot, there was silence. Owen was talking, he sounded exhausted but okay. Apparently, no one had gotten badly hurt. Suddenly you could hear Abby screaming.

„Y/N?! Y/N!!! Where are you?!“

You had never heard her this distraught before. Her voice was cracking and her yelling was high-pitched and panicked. Now everyone was screaming your name and running around. You tried to take a deep breath and answer but only produced a gurgling sound.

„Y/N?! Fuck, check if she was pulled behind one of the cars or into the building. Did these pendejos take her?“ That was Manny. He was close.

„Abby, come here! Her gun!“

Someone was running. Metal scraping over concrete. „Y/N!!! Are you down there? Fuck, you think she fell in? The rapids, oh god-“

It sounded like Abby was close to crying now, screaming and pleading your name as she ran along the river.

„She’s not in here, I checked.“ That was Leah. „Shit, did she fall in the stream?“

„I don’t know, her gun was next to it. Fuck, fuck, fuck, please let her be okay. Do you guys see anything in the water?“ The usually so collected and strong soldier sounded absolutely terrified.

You tried to answer again. It was only a whisper, but you kept going.

„Abby, I’m here. Please come. Abby.“

Your whisper became a mumble, your raspy voice refusing to work with you, but you concentrated and tried again.

The steps were close. You took a deep breath. „Abby.“

„Y/N?!“

A blonde-haired head peeked over the broken off concrete over your head. Abby looked horrible, tears leaving white streaks in a mixture of blood and dirt on her pale skin, her lip cut open and bleeding and strands of hair sticking to the drying blood on her face and neck. When she saw you however, her face lit up and she screamed out „She’s here! Come quick!“

With a single jump she was next to you, pulling your upper body onto her knees and lifting your head so you could breathe better. Manny and Nora were there in a heartbeat. The dark-skinned woman pressed a hand to your shoulder and raised her eyebrows.

„Another arrow? Jesus Christ. Y/N, listen to me, you’re gonna be fine. I’m going to get that thing out of you as soon as we’re back at the stadium. I'll patch you up a bit now, but we really need to get moving."

„That’s okay,“ you whispered. „I’m just so cold.“

Abby immediately took off her jacket. Nora stopped her.

„Wait, let’s get that wet jacket off first. We’re gonna have to cut her out of her clothes anyway.“

She grabbed a knife and quickly freed you from your soaked, ice-cold army jacket, then she cut off the long arrow a few inches from the entrance wound. The medic was quick to press some bandages around the wound and form a sling out of strips of fabric to fixate your arm to your chest. When she was done, Manny helped prop you up and wrap you into Abby‘s jacket. It was coated in blood, but still warm and most importantly, it was dry.

„Everything okay down there? How long until we can move?“ Owen yelled.

Nora closed her metal case. „We’re done for now. You can start moving Jordan to the crossover, we’ll be right with you!“

Abby gently pushed her arms under your body and pulled you towards her. You wrapped your healthy arm around her neck and she followed Manny and Nora back up to the others.

„I thought I’d lost you.“ Her voice was quiet, her eyes still alarmed and scanning the perimeter. You sank your head against her chest and found comfort in her warmth.

„I know, me too. I thought I’d drown.“

The blonde inhaled sharply and held you tighter, not able to look you in the eye.

„I should have paid more attention to you and protected you. I'm so sorry.“

Before you could reply, you had reached the stepping stones through the water. Leah, Owen and Manny were helping each other carry Jordan over to the other side, deeply focused but still on edge for any possible attackers. Nora was next, pressing her medical kit to her chest and hopping from one safe step to another in concentration. You and Abby went last. She carried you like it was nothing, never losing her balance in the slightest while Manny and Leah were watching the area attentively with their guns drawn.

When you finally got to the Jeep, the others made a bed of blankets in the back for Jordan and you. Leah sat cross-legged with her boyfriend's head in her lap and Abby lifted you up on the platform next to him. She climbed up and pulled you close to her again while the others got on, still on guard. Owen and Manny jumped in the front and Owen hit the gas.

He was driving as fast as possible without throwing you two around in the back. Nora was already preparing Jordan for surgery, he would be the first in the operating room. Manny tried to radio the stadium entrance so they would get everything ready for your arrival but had had no luck so far.

Abby was rocking back and forth slightly, softly caressing your hair and face with her rough, bloody fingers. The terror in her eyes still hadn’t subsided, she was staring through you and chewing on her bottom lip.

„Abby.“ It took all your strength to form the words that were fighting to get out. „This wasn’t your fault. We all did the best we could. It’ll be okay.“

She flinched and looked up, letting her eyes wander over the buildings around you.

„I should have watched your back. I didn’t even see you fall.“

Her eyes were glinting, tears dangerously close to following the paths that had been carved out for them earlier. You put your healthy hand over the soldier's and were surprised to find she was shaking.

„Listen to me, Abigail. I don’t blame you for any of this. If you need my forgiveness, you have it. I know you did all you could. Will you please forgive yourself, too?“

Her mouth became a harsh line as she wiped away the tears with the wrist of her free hand. She turned her head and raised a hand, probably to greet the wolves at the entrance to the base. You knew you wouldn’t get anything else out of her.

Abby had this habit of making everything her problem, her responsibility, or, in the worst case, her fault. It had been that way when those men from the outpost had followed you one night after drinking too much a year ago. You had watched a movie with Abby and Manny in their room and walked back to yours when the hunters emerged from the cafeteria. They had come on to you from the back and tried to hold you down but they didn’t know you and weren’t expecting you to be a trained fighter. You brought them up to speed in less than a minute and they were out cold long enough for you to get Isaac, Abby, and a few other soldiers to be there when they woke up. Isaac had them thrown in his prison wing and you hadn’t seen them since. He probably tested out some tactical ideas on them and you didn’t mind one bit.

Abby however had been inconsolable. She didn’t speak for a week after, infuriated with herself and convinced the attack was her fault as she should have walked you back to your room and watched your back. You had tried to get her to calm down and let it go for weeks, telling her over and over that nothing had happened and you could take care of yourself. She had probably never really gotten over it, even though she had slowly become her normal self again.

This had to be a hundred times worse. You had actually gotten hurt today, and none of it was Abby’s fault but you knew there was nothing you could say. So you just held her hand and pressed yourself closer to her body, closing your eyes and waiting to arrive at the medical tract.

Luckily people were already waiting for you, instantly carrying Jordan inside on a stretcher and offering you one, too. Abby just told them to get out of her way as she carried you in the second operating room and laid you down on the cold table.

“I’ll stay right here all the way through, I’m not leaving. You just keep breathing.”

The pain and disappointment in her flat voice were heartbreaking. You squeezed her hand and nodded. “Thank you, Abby. I’ll give my best.”

When the medics came in to get you prepped for surgery and put you under a light anesthetic, you were almost asleep anyway. Abby cleared the space for them but stayed in the corner of the room like a statue, grinding her teeth in thought as she stared at the table beneath you.

You knew you had to make this right somehow, you couldn’t let Abby beat herself up over this forever. As you drifted into a sedated sleep, you promised yourself to spend every day at Abby’s side until she was laughing again. This woman was everything to you and you would show her. You would love her so much she had to finally forgive herself and let go of all the regret to make way for better things.

#abby anderson #abby anderson x reader #abby x reader #the last of us 2 #abby tlou #abby simp society #abby anderson fic #abigail anderson #angst

[tksfandomhellhole]

totally didn't just give up on the tumblr app and boot up my laptop just to post this

Fandom: Apex Legends (Video Games) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: Mirage | Elliott Witt Summary: 

Mirage is his own biggest fan, because he knows no one else will be.

Mostly an introspective/character piece I did a few weeks back for Mirage and lowkey a plea for buff (which is finally happening!!) Caustic is technically there as well.

Mirage would be elated if you told him that you'd find his picture if you looked up "Self-absorbed" in the dictionary. The idea of negative press doesn't exist to him.

Or at least that's what he tries to make it seem like.

So it would come as a surprise to most that perhaps the most egotistical and self-absorbed of the Legends does not check the ratings or read the comments on any forums about the games.

In fact, aside from hanging fanart on the walls, he keeps any fan letters in a box under his bed only for days where he's at his worst.

(He tends to have a lot of those)

Because the reality is, Mirage is his own biggest fan.

If he wasn't, who else would be? He's certain it's no one.

Growing up the youngest of four boys, it was easy for Elliott to internalize a lot of things that his brothers didn't really mean.

One of those things was that being the youngest made him the weakest.

When his brothers went off to fight in the Frontier War they told him he had the very important job of staying here and watching over their mom. He knew it was just a way to make him feel better about not being able to fight the good fight. That once again he was being excluded because he was the youngest.

It didn't really make him feel that much better when the war was still going on and he was sitting at home feeling useless.

And it definitely didn't make him feel any better when they were reported MIA once the war ended. That now he'd never get the chance to prove himself. That he had stayed at home, useless, while his brothers had fought and lost their lives.

Elliott hates being useless.

Unfortunate that his curse of uselessness seems to have followed him into the games, the one place where he thought he could finally prove himself.

Most of his teammates wouldn't guess it, but Mirage actually brings his 110% to every game.

Problem is, his 110% is not even 70% of some of his more skilled teammates.

And when everyone besides you brings something valuable to the table, you have to hide your inadequacies behind self-deprecation and humor.

Today he's the jump master and the pressure to not make a shit landing might already be getting to him a little. "Just a thought, we could land here." He throws out, trying to gauge his teammates' reactions to the spot. Annnnd dead silence. Great. He takes their silence as confirmation and launches anyways.

"Follow the leader! Or don't- do whatever, as long as we win."

Of course, suddenly his teammates find some other spot far more interesting than the one he pinged, and take that as invitation to silently break off.

He lands on his own and loots as quickly as possible. By some stroke of luck, it's not an active spot, and he gets the drop on an enemy Lifeline.

"Nobody had your back, huh? Hate when that happens." He tells her, irony not lost on him.

He loots her stuff as quickly as possible and drops out, hoping to avoid any smoke from her teammates.

"I'm down!" He hears Wraith say over the comm lines. He takes a look at his map and finds she's none too close to him.

But what is Mirage, if not at least a good teammate, even at the cost of biting off way more than he can chew?

"Uhhh, okay, don't panic, I'm coming to save you." he says with what feels like is becoming his trademark uncertainty.

He makes it all of thirty yards before the squad from earlier runs up on him, and two of them against two of him doesn't work out in his favor. "Bad news, I'm down!" He says over the comm line, using the few extra seconds his knockdown cloak buys him to inch his way into a corner out of sight. Another squad joins the fray, and the first squad ignores him in favor of not dying. He watches the firefight go down suddenly regretting his choice of words earlier. He'd much rather his team all be in one place right now.

To his relief, he can see on the map that Caustic seems to have made his way towards Wraith's now banner and recovers it.

He's not too optimistic about his own outlook though. Caustic is not the fastest legend and there's still a sizeable distance between them.

There's also the fact that Caustic has no real reason to come recover him anyways.

Mirage isn't the worst shooter in the game, but he's no Bangalore. And he's no Pathfinder, no Crypto, no Gibraltar- hell even Revenant at least deploys a death totem that he doesn't care who uses.

No he doesn't do any of the things that everyone else does. He's just another- or well several- pretty faces for people to shoot at.

And he tries, he really does. He keeps an eye on everyone's shields and weapons, keeps an eye out for useful equipment, revives and respawns teammates as soon as possible, but deep down he knows it isn't good enough. There's no advantage to teaming with him. And if there's no advantage, it means anyone stuck with him is at a disadvantage.

When he first joined the Apex Games, the last thing he was worried about was the other people. He was used to looking out for himself- he had already learned the hard way that he was the only person who'd care about what happened to him outside of his mother. So he outfitted himself with his holo-tech and did his best to make a name for himself in the games. He didn't realize at the time how integral teamwork would become, and how lacking that in turn made him.

No matter which way you flip it, all he is good for is eating bullets.

He wants to improve his holograms in some way, but he's no Wattson, and he didn't inherit any of his mother's genius. So instead he tinkers with an old holo-suit every weekend trying to figure out a way to make the modifications he wants a reality. Instead he jokes about how bad he is at this while putting in extra hours at the range whenever possible. Instead he enters combat with the confidence of a seasoned pro and none of the skill to back it up.

Self-absorbed, self-serving, and insufficient. Well aren't I just the greatest person to have on the team? Mirage thinks loathingly.

Maybe it's more fitting if he dies here alone, nothing but fakes to back him- the biggest fake of them all- up. Maybe he was wrong to think he could really be a Legend, much less a champion.

As his eyes begin to cloud over, he's ready for death's cold embrace yet again.

Instead, someone's shoes are in front of him now, and a muffled sigh of discontent is heard as a hand on his shoulder pushes him backwards gently and he's suddenly jabbed.

He really doesn't know when Caustic got here, but he expresses his thanks as Caustic pulls him to his feet.

"Your gratitude is acknowledged, let us move now before the ring comes in." The remnants of the earlier fight are still here in the form of half looted deathboxes, and he has to scour through some of those for some heals and ammo before they move on.

It's looking like the respawn beacon they were heading for won't be in the next ring, unfortunately for Wraith, so they cut their losses and head to the center.

They encounter another two or three squads, and one rambunctious Octane along the way, Mirage continuously finding himself downed in increasingly ludicrous ways.

"I've been observing... I hate to be the first person to break it to you, but I dont think you were really made for these kinds of games, Witt." Caustic confesses, while reviving Mirage for the 4th time.

He just sighs. "Yeah... yea, I know."

"So then why do you do it? Why the masochistic endeavor of placing yourself in an environment where you are the weakest link?"

"Wow, ok, little harsh there." He says, pride hurting more than the injection site of the syringe. "I just... want someone to remember me. And I guess I thought, 'What better way to be remembered than dying in the most glorious bloodsport of our generation?"

"A foolish sentiment. Life is insignificant; why not accept your fate?"

"Listen, I don't have to explain myself to you." Mirage says, a little defensive, and more than a little annoyed.

"Have it your way. Your incredible knack for narrowly defying death has provided me an insurmountable amount of data. So much to notate..."

"Glad to be of service." Mirage mutters bitterly.

Mirage does feel a little stupid when he compares his reasoning to other people's. It's not noble or some part of a larger plan. He isn't searching for answers. He isn't doing it because he has to. He isn't even being straight about it and just acting out of boredom like Octane or Revenant.

He's just worried that once everyone has forgotten him it'll be like he never existed at all.

His mom has already started forgetting... who will be left when she's gone?

It's the one thing that truly terrifies him.

So he keeps going on, even though he's the weakest link.

He keeps going on even if he's the biggest joke amongst the legends.

He keeps going on, even if everyone else is laughing at him and not with him.

Because as long as they're laughing he knows they see him.

Really, he's more concerned about what's gonna happen once they stop finding him funny.

No respawn beacon will ever be able to save him then. 

---

They don't win the game.

He wakes up alone in the med ward, common procedure for the squads upon elimination from the game.

He heads back to his room, not bothering to check the results, congratulate the champions, or talk to any of the other legends.

No one stops him.

He sits on the floor next to his bed and pulls out the box from underneath, taking out a letter at random.

The words start to blur about a paragraph in, and he puts it back once he realizes his tears are just drenching it entirely at this point.

He's ready to go home.

But there's nothing left for him to go back too.

#apex legends #apex legends fanfic #mirage #fanfic #im incapable of creating content that doesnt have angst you have been warned

[comicteaparty]

November 18th-November 24th, 2019 CTP Archive

The archive for the Comic Tea Party week long chat that occurred from November 18th , 2019 to November 24th , 2019.  The chat focused on Daemon by Akreampuff (Alyce Sarich).

Featured Comment:

Chat:

RebelVampire

COMIC TEA PARTY- WEEK LONG BOOK CLUB START!

Hello and welcome everyone to Comic Tea Party’s Week Long Book Club~! This week we’ll be focusing on Daemon by Akreampuff (Alyce Sarich)~! (https://tapas.io/series/Daemon-Akreampuff)

You are free to read and comment about the comic all week at your own pace, so stop on by whenever it suits your schedule! Remember, though, that while we allow constructive criticism, our focus is to have fun and appreciate the comic. Below you will find four questions to get you started on the discussion. However, a new question will be posted and pinned everyday (between 12:01AM and 6AM PDT), so keep checking back for more! You have until November 24th to tell us all your wonderful thoughts! With that established, let’s get going on the reading and the chatting!

QUESTION 1. What has been your favorite scene in the comic so far? What specifically did you like about it?

QUESTION 2. Who or what do you think caused the fire at Billie’s house? What do you think the motive was behind it, and can Billie even find the culprit? Even if Billie finds the culprit, what do you think will happen then?

mariah (rainy day dreams)

1. I'm not sure if it counts as a scene, but I really love the Zeke Magical Girl transformation joke page. It gave me a good chuckle. http://daemon.smackjeeves.com/comics/2603823/bonus-comic-zekes-alternate-transformation/ Besides that, I also really enjoyed the kind of world building, creation of the different worlds mythos section. I thought the dialogue and visuals in that section were really well done and communicated the ideas really clearly.

mariah (rainy day dreams)

2. At this point I'm kind of suspicious of everyone as the possible fire starter X') I feel like it probably wasn't Zeke, but I also wouldn't be surprised it he was revealed as the culprit later. He seems like a good boy, but I could also see him having done it if a higher up had ordered him to. I definitely think Satan had some hand in the fire happening in general though I don't think she personally set the fire. Generally I feel like the motive for the fire was to trigger Billie's transformation. Since the hybrids are supposed to be the key to fighting the angels, Satan stands to profit from having one more soldier. Especially since Billie has strong Chosen One vibes. But also, now I'm super suspicious of Jess since on the most recent page she has the daemon's protection sigil behind her door. http://daemon.smackjeeves.com/comics/2858373/page-147/ Either way, I think at some point (probably soon?) the culprit is going to come to light. I feel like that reveal is going to come along with some kind of good, dramatic betrayal, but I guess I'll just have to keep following to see! XD

RebelVampire

QUESTION 3. At the moment, who is your favorite character? What about that character earns them this favor?

QUESTION 4. What do you think happened to the daemon who disappeared to somewhere Zeke doesn’t know? How are they involved with events in the story, and how will this effect Billie’s opinion of daemon’s in the short and long term?

mariah (rainy day dreams)

3. I don't know if I have a favorite character yet, but Billie did score some big points for basically telling Satan the whole angels vs demons war is dumb. http://daemon.smackjeeves.com/comics/2791188/page-127 Part of me hopes that she end up fighting against both sides and forms some kind of Earth Defense Squad.

RebelVampire

QUESTION 5. What has been your favorite illustration in the comic so far? What specifically about it do you like?

QUESTION 6. What do you think the story has to stay about destiny and fate given Billie’s desire for one was somewhat fulfilled? How do you think Billie will balance her newfound destiny as a hybrid with her free choice to pursue a normal college life?

RebelVampire

1) My favorite scene right now at least is probably when Billie meets Satan. So many expectations thrown out the window, and I kind of like how gray Satan is. I couldn't really get a feel for what she was aiming at, and I could really gel with Billie's uncooperativeness. There was a good amount of do I trust her or not, and I like scenes like that that really keep you on your toes. Plus, I also like Satan's design. 2) I sincerely think it was either a) the missing daemon or b) In agreeance with @mariah (rainy day dreams) Jess. I'm especially leaning towards Jess right now, cause this whole situation screams betrayal to me. There was too much ominous warnings about humans sucking. As for motive, I also think it was to trigger Billie's transformation, cause like, Billie clearly needed some inspiration there. As for what will happen if Billie finds the culprit, probably go overboard trying to hurt them, get stopped by Zeke, and then cry and cry cause no amount of revenge brings people back from the dead. ;_;

3) My favorite character is definitely Zeke. I like I don't know whether I should trust Zeke or not. Not that I think he's done anything bad persay. But I think he's been brainwashed/biased towards daemons so much he'd turn a blind eye to awful shit they do. And I like that despite his seeming toughness, there is this underlying vulnerability to him where I feel like he gets easily taken advantage of. Long story short though, he has a lot of complicated and interesting dynamics that I like. 4) The daemon who disappeared is probably up to no good. Maybe they're some sort of spy for the angels and they left to report that whoops, it seems another hybrid has awoken. Either way, I am waiting for some sort of bombshell hear that vindicates Billie's opinion that daemon's can't be trusted and that she should convince the other hybrids of this as well.

5) My favorite illustrations are Billie's transformation/de-transformation scenes. Love the facial expressions in those moments, cause you can really feel Billie's pain. I also love just like the effects and how the transformation is shown in steps in a way. It makes the whole thing look really gruesome without needing to be super graphic. So even without Billie's expressions, I cringe everytime thinking how I would never want that to happen to me ever in a million years. 6) I feel like the story, at least so far, says that destiny isn't great when it's just handed to us. I really like the irony that, right before Billie finds out she has some grand destiny, she was complaining that she wanted it. But the story really turned that on its head immediately and showed us and Billie that nah, destiny can kind of suck and you're probably not gonna get a destiny you expect or want. And that at the end, we are dealt circumstances in life and have to make our own destiny. I feel like Billie is, down the road, gonna give up her pursuit of a normal college life. I feel like Billie is gonna discover that college is pointless if you don't actually have an aim with it, and will instead find new pursuits. Not necessarily with the daemon's, but new pursuits none-the-less. Although I kind of feel like she's gonna end the war first, but we'll cross that bridge later. XD

snuffysam

I really really like Billie. Like finding out you were born to be a soldier and are "special" among your peers may be comforting to some people, but completely rejecting it is a natural reaction too. Like sure, she doesn't have many friends, but that isn't enough to reject her humanity. And why would she want to fight in a war she just found out about? It's why I also really hope that Billie just keeps trying to stay on her path to a good college, even if she's pushed away. Like why should Satan get a say in her life?

Jess is pretty suspicious, especially with that symbol in her house, but on that same page I also see a bunch of moving boxes. Maybe this house used to belong to Zeke's partner or someone else aligned with the daemons?

mariah (rainy day dreams)

I second Rebel, Satan's design is great I'm looking forward to more of her. 5. I really liked the page that showed the goddess pulling her body apart and all the different worlds spilling out. I thought it was a super cool way to show the idea of multiverse creation. The De-transformafion page was also very cool. Like Rebel said, it was really effective at showing how painful switching between forms is.

RebelVampire

QUESTION 7. Which characters do you enjoy seeing interact the most? What about their dynamic interests you?

QUESTION 8. Who do you think Billie’s father is considering he was not unknown when Billie first arrived? Do you think Billie will meet him? If she does meet him, what do you think will happen? How will having a father in her life affect her given her mother is gone?

mariah (rainy day dreams)

7. I enjoyed watching the development of Billie and Zeke's relationship so far. I like seeing characters stuck together in less than great circumstances move past that and start to get along with each other. I'm looking forward to seeing how their relationship continues to develop.

snuffysam

Yeah I second mariah on that dynamic. Like, Zeke starts out kinda annoyed by Billie and Billie doesn't like the idea of following Zeke, but they have no choice but to move past that. And that leads to a lot of interesting interactions.

mariah (rainy day dreams)

8. I feel like Billie's dad is someone important. Honestly, I wouldn't be super surprised if he was like, the Apollyon or something. But I could also just see him being an influential warrior or something. Assuming he isn't dead, I figure he'll show up at some point. Or at least I hope he does. I feel like it's one thing to keep having female daemons and hybrids talk about the whole breeding program, but I for one really want to hear an actual participant answer for it. I feel like Billie would, rightfully so, have a lot of anger towards her father. I for sure don't see them having any kind of parent-child relationship the way Billie and her mom did, but honestly I don't imagine he really wants one given that he didn't stick around to be in her life up until this point. But yeah, if the two of them do end up meeting, I'm really looking forward to what I can only assume will be a good, drama filled, "I want answers!" time

RebelVampire

QUESTION 9. What sorts of art or story details have you noticed in the way the comic is crafted that you think deserves attention?

QUESTION 10. Why do you think the war between the angels and the daemons started? Do you think the hybrids can tip the balance? Also, what do you think the angels are like compared to the daemons? Lastly, is violence the only answer here?

RebelVampire

7) I am thirding the sentiment that I like seeing Billie and Zeke interact the most. I find their dynamic to be super intriguing, especially during the scene where Zeke completely bashes down Billie's biased view of how every hybrid's life was. I feel like we're going to see a lot more of that where they both challenge each other's world view, and I love when characters do that for each. 8) From the reaction, I can only assume Billie's dad is a high rank. Maybe the former Satan or something. But assuming he's alive, yes. I will weep if the two of them don't meet, cause that is so much drama potential. And I also picture it being like an unexpected meeting where someone is like "BTW BILLIE THIS YO DAD." But I really think it needs to happen, not just for story drama, but because I feel it'll be important to Billie's emotional development as a whole. Especially as she probably discovers her father is not super evil, but instead a lot like her. And I feel that's gonna give Billie lots of things to think about in regards to how she views everything again.

9) I really like the details paid towards power balances. I love this concept that the daemon's have super forms, but it comes at a cost and is super duper painful. I love when stories pay attention to make sure those sorts of things have actual consequences. So you don't have to pull a LOTR moment later and ask why they didn't just use the eagles use the super forms. 10) I feel like the war probably started due to a misunderstanding more than anything. Cause I feel when we meet angels, were gonna find out they view events as totally different than how daemon's see it. And probably it doesn't even matter how it started. It might be one of those things where its so old, nobody remembers. All they remember is grrr angry grrrr. I actually don't think the hybrids are gonna tip the balance that much tbh. Not to say they won't be effective for a time, but I think the angels will easily come up with a counter. What I do think the hybrids will provide is a different non-grrr angry grrr perspective. Where they can sit both parties down and slap sense into them for being stupid. And I think it has to be them since they are humans at the same time they're part daemon.

mariah (rainy day dreams)

10. I agree with Rebel for pretty much all of this X') I feel like it's like in the Great Divide episode of Avatar the with the two feuding clans where they both have slightly different stories for how the feud started but it was so long ago fighting is just tradition at this point. I don't see the hybrids tipping the favor so much as complicating things. Like, part of me does kind of hope Billie just rallies all the hybrids into a third faction but also I'm kind of hoping for angel hybrids. I feel like when we do finally meet angels they're going to just as complex and grey as the deamons are compared to the classic idea of what an angel is. I don't think it's too far of a reach for them to also have had the same hybrid idea. And I'm also kind of hopeful that there'll be some half-daemon half-angels XD that's probably just my inner 7-grade oc maker talking, but I think more types of hybrids generally speaking would be cool. I could totally see a twist where the war was actually sparked by a Romeo-Juliet style deamon-angel romance that's been covered up for thousands of years. I don't think that violence is the only solution and I definitely second the feeling that hybrids could actually be the key to opening up diplomacy. For the moment that seems like things are still too tense for talking so I'd imagine there will be more violence to come before the characters reach that point.

RebelVampire

QUESTION 11. What do you think are this particular comic’s strengths? What do you think makes this comic unique? Please elaborate.

QUESTION 12. Given what we find out about Zeke’s past history, what do you think life was like for some of the other hybrids? Do you think Billie will meet these other hybrids, and if so, how might that change her world view?

mariah (rainy day dreams)

11. I think the writing does a really good job at building suspense and tension. Like I said in one of my first responses, I'm super paranoid that any of these characters surrounding Billie could be about to stab her in the back.

RebelVampire

11) I'm gonna second Mariah a bit here. I think the comic really shines with suspense and how you really don't know any characters real intents. Like I want to trust Zeke and Satan and all the others. But I don't know if I should cause Billie's life has basically already shown to be 90% a lie in a lot of ways. But this creates a really tense read cause at any moment, whoops, maybe betrayal. 12) Honestly, I think most of the hybrids probably had a much shittier childhood than Billie. If not just for the fact being a single parent is hard and just frankly not everyone can do it. Although I'm sure there's at least one other hybrid who probably had a good childhood, maybe even a step family. And if such a hybrid exists, I think they could play a big role in showing Billie daemons aren't so bad. I do think Billie is inevitably going to meet them though, and find out that there's a lot of reasons to go around about why humans suck. And I think Billie will have to tackle some real world issues that there are worse issues out there than not having friends at school.

Q @CecilieQMT making WAYFINDERS

1. I liked Billie's transformation scene a lot. That pain felt real. I also quite like the explanations scenes; the ones that explain aspects of demon-angel politics or how the worlds work. That stuff is easy to mess up, but it works fine here, I think! 2. I think since Billie suspects Satan and her goons, it probably wasn't them. The culprit is whom you would least suspect, right? Perhaps it was Billie herself, accidentally? Or a third party we have yet to even meet? 3. Currently, I quite like Billie. She has some good reactions to the problems around her. Also like the blond lady, even though she's very over-the-top. She seems fun! 4. I'm not sure about this one, sorry. ^^' 5. I actually super liked the gag comic of Zeke's magical girl transformation.... but also I really liked Billie in the bathroom with the surprise from-above angle. Very fun! 6. I don't think Billie will get to do normal college life at all. I think she has been thrust on her hero's journey and that's what we're gonna see from now on. She won't have time to balance the two lives at all, is my prediction.

7. I mean, Satan is great to watch interact with anyone. She's so fun, but you sense there might be something hiding under the surface. I like her the best in relations of all the other characters. 8. Billie's dad was probably the former Satan, right? Or at least her former watch-daemon. There's gonna be some complicated feelings when she meets him (and she will meet him) for sure. I predict some yelling from Billie's side. 9. Billie's train of thought-passages makes a lot of sense to me and cements her uncertainty in all this. I hope that style will continue, because there's something lovely about reading the "I can't trust anyone" and knowing where that feeling comes from in Billie and how that affects her. 10. So, I was thinking, since this seems to anchor itself in the humans' myth... Is Lucifer, aka the first Satan, a big player here? They say "an angel started trouble", but what if that angel was Lucifer and what they did was turn sides or do like an angel genocide or something? I think both sides have hybrids and it's only a matter of time before we meet more. I think the demons have ulterior motives and the angels are just as human as the demons are; normal when they need to be, scary when they want to be. No. Violence is never the answer. Except in Lord of the Rings.

11. I think the world building is nice and thought out. We've seen "angels vs demons" before, but this comic has built some structure around that premise, which I think works nicely. 12. I think Zeke is right and Billie is one of the lucky ones. I can't imagine hybrids having easy lives. And if we look at, say, the blonde girl, who is probably a hybrid, she seems very untethered and possibly troubled. I think Billie will definitely meet more hybrids and I think they'll all have individual perspectives, which will be interesting to read about.

RebelVampire

QUESTION 13. What are you most looking forward to in the comic? Also, do you have any final thoughts to share overall?

QUESTION 14. Do you think Billie will find companionship and understanding in the human world, or was Satan right about her inevitably return to the daemons’ world? What events do you think will influence her choices? Do you think Billie can trust Satan?

RebelVampire

13) I am looking forward most to finding out who Billie's dad is. As I said earlier, that's gonna be some fun and interesting drama, as well as character growth moments for Billie. So I intend to thoroughly enjoy it when that happens. 14) I think Billie could find companionship among humans, but not right at this very second. I think there's a lot more character growth she has to go through, including returning to the daemons, before she is properly able to pursue any form of companionship. As for events, I think it's gonna be betrayal and the overall realization event Billie will have that she doesn't really have a concrete life direction any more. And thus she'll go on the journey that allows her most able to self discover her purpose in life. I think Billie can trust Satan in some regards, but not every regard. Like I trust Satan enough not to let Billie die, but I don't trust Satan to tell Billie the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

RebelVampire

COMIC TEA PARTY- WEEK LONG BOOK CLUB END!

Thank you everyone so much for reading and chatting about Daemon this week! Please also give a special thank you to Akreampuff (Alyce Sarich) for volunteering the comic and creating it! If you liked Daemon, make sure to continue to support it via some of the links below!

Read and Comment: https://tapas.io/series/Daemon-Akreampuff

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#ctparchive #webcomics #comic #indie comics #comic chat #comic discussion #book club #bookclub #webcomic bookclub #webcomic book club #comic tea party #ctp #daemon #akreampuff #alyce sarich

[deepdisireslonging]

Family Found Part 43: It’s Official

The last matches are set for Fastlane, including one that the Reader knows she’s going to regret.

Warnings/Promises: wrestling violence, Ambrose angst

Word Count: 2840 (Yay! Under 3000!)

Note: Holy fuzz, Roman is back! Which means that I can revert to my original WM plan. Wohoo! No need for the alternative with Brock Lesnar. Maybe. Mwahahaha. Okay. Obviously super excited. Enjoy this new chapter! (I’m such a nerd.)

Part 1: Welcome to the Team

Part 42: Business as Usual

Monday Night Raw – March 4, 2019

The arena nearly lost its roof. Roman Reigns was in remission. He looked great. He was smiling. And the Big Dog was back in business. On his way up the ramp, Seth Rollin’s music hit. Dean came out too, nearly felling Roman in a hug. For old time’s sake, they stood shoulder to shoulder and observed the WWE universe cheering for them. Then Roman gave Seth a pat on the back and left with Dean to watch the match from the back.

Last week Mojo Rawley won the match that set him as the number one contender spot for the Universal Championship. But he only got it because you restarted the match as a no disqualification. And still only because Elias interfered while the referee’s back was turned, not that it would have mattered.

Seth knew all of this. But he had a match tonight. It wasn’t for the title. He wanted to see what Mojo had up his sleeve and was more than willing to give him the same courtesy. And then at Fastlane, they would figure out who was truly the best. Seth bit his lip and tightened his wrist straps while he watched the clip of what happened before the show started.

Walking in with a mountain of luggage, Seth bobbed in and out of techies. Dean suddenly arrived at his side. “If Mojo loses tonight, I get to face you at Fastlane, right?”

“What?” Seth sputtered. He screeched to a halt. “As far as I know, that’s not… tonight’s match isn’t his title match. It’s not till Sunday.”

Dean growled and rolled his eyes. “Then why are you fighting him tonight? You guys have fought each other before. Won’t be anything new.”

Seth chuckled. “Wouldn’t be anything new with you either, brother.”

With a smile, Dean rotated his shoulders. “That’s what you think. I’ve still got tricks up my sleeve that could take you.”

“And I’m sure Mojo is thinking the same way. Why shouldn’t I use tonight to try and make him slip up?” He nudged Dean’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, man. But I can’t help you out tonight.” He had to walk away. Anything instead of seeing Dean’s face drop. He stopped again but had to smile at Dean’s parting words.

“Hey, Seth. Roman and I will be keepin’ an eye on you tonight.”

Still, Mojo’s music was almost a relief. They got to it. Mojo indeed had a few things up his sleeves. He had a new submission move that caught Seth by surprise, trapping him against the canvas and denying him oxygen. Seth gasped and used the crowd’s encouragement to fight to his knees. They continued. As one would up his game, the other would up his as well. In the back, Dean and Roman nodded in appreciation.

Then the tides turned. Mojo landed a lucky hit to Seth’s formally injured knee. Then once he saw how much it slowed Seth down, he kept gunning for it. He dumped Seth to the outside, fighting to catch his own breath. It was a race between the pain and the referee’s ten count. The count won, giving Mojo the won by count-out. He nodded, accepting it and having his arm raised. While that wouldn’t help him win the title on Sunday, he had solidified his knowledge in Seth’s weak spot.

***

Dean and Roman finished watching Seth leaning his back against the side of the ring. Roman nodded that he was going to go help him, and Dean left in the other direction. He turned a corner and interrupted your thoughts over your phone. “Another stellar title defense by Seth Rollins. Oh, wait.” You couldn’t meet his eye and slid your phone into your pocket. “But then, we both know it’s a bunch of crap. If you hadn’t interfered last week, I could be champion right now.”

“You just keep telling yourself that.”

“Stop.” He leaned against the wall, blocking your escape path. “We need to talk about… what we both said last week. About the possible match.”

You shook your head. “You were the one that brought up the match last week. I was ready to drop it.” With a sigh, you tried to calm yourself. “We’re cousins, Dean. It shouldn’t… is this normal? This fighting and not understanding what each of us is trying to do?” Before he could spout something, you raised your hands in surrender. “I know what you’re trying to do. You’re trying to wrestle. You want to win championships. I get that. But you have to understand that I am seeing a much bigger picture. I’m trying to protect the legacy you built for yourself.”

“My-“ he laughed, “my legacy? If I was worried about a legacy I would still want to defend it. You keep saying that you’re trying to help. I’m not seein’ it. This isn’t help,” he motioned between you. “This is a problem. A problem that’s not gonna go away until one of us gives.”

You nodded. This wasn’t going anywhere. “Okay. Agreed. Then what? We have a match. Either I kick your ass or you kick mine, we’re still pissed off at each other. It doesn’t solve anything.”

Dean swayed away and back with a grin. “You kick my ass? Y/N, you couldn’t if you tried.”

“Oh, but you forget. I’ve been trained by the two guys who know you best.” Dean squinted at you while you crossed your arms. “Roman and Seth. Spears, the occasional curb stomp, superman punches, and dropkicks. Ha, I even went into the archives and learned some of your old moves. Way old. You probably wouldn’t even see them coming.” His short-lived lightheartedness sputtered out. You kept pushing. “And you helped train me for Survivor Series.” You looked away. “It seems like a lifetime ago.”

Dean nodded. “Yeah. Time moves like that ‘round here. One day you’re teaming with someone who’s your whole world, and the next you realize you didn’t really know them. Don’t worry, I’m kinda getting’ used to it.”

“I’m not Seth. And I’m not betraying you; I’m protecting you for reasons you-”

“This is the WWE, Y/N! I don’t need protecting. I need room to do my job, what I love to do. You could set the whole locker room on me and I would still fight my way through them. I don’t care what your reasons are.” He huffed and crossed his arms. “If the reasons are such a linchpin in this, tell me.” It was a demand. Either you had to answer this, or Fastlane just got a new grudge match.

“I… I can’t.”

His temples twitched as he tensed his jaw. “Okay. Then you know what you have to do. Set the match. Nothing on the line to win or lose. Since that seems to be the only kind of match you can give me. I won’t even bother you for one this week.” Dean walked away before you could say anything.

When had everything gotten out of control? Your goal had been to reunite with your cousin, not end up fighting him.

Still, you pulled out your phone and made a call. Swallowing, your voice cracked as you said, “it’s done. Make it official.” On the other end, you heard another order, one that made your shoulders slump. “Yes, sir.” You hung up.

***

Tamina and Nia Jax took control of the ring. Smugly, they looked over the crowd and laughed at the boos they were already receiving. “We beat the Riott Squad last week,” Tamina said.

They shared a laugh. Nia repeated her in a sing-song voice, “we beat the Riott Squad last week!”

“And as such, you all owe us some respect.” Tamina paced from one side of the ring to the other in front of Nia. “We have been the dominant team on Raw since before the tag titles were announced. You guys have no idea how many matches were changed because teams would back out of matches instead of facing us, women to women.” She stopped. “So we’ve got a little plan to up the stakes. To ‘earn’ what is already ours.”

Nia stepped up and placed her hand on Tamina’s shoulder. “As we see it, and as Y/N has made official, by beating the Riott Squad last week, we became the number one contenders for the tag titles and will face them at Fastlane. But. This is the age of the fighting champions.” Nia pseudo-bowed at the waist. “And we are willing to put that on the line for any team in that locker room. Any.”

“So come out, come out, whichever of you dare.” Tamina handed her mick to Nia, who tossed them towards the bel box.

They sniggered as Alicia Fox and Mickie James came out to Alicia’s music. Their halting steps seemed odd until they broke apart, revealing Alexa Bliss pushing them onto the stage. She frowned at them, motioning for them to keep moving. The women rolled back their shoulders and did as they were told. Alexa retreated backstage.

Tamina and Nia had control for most of the match. They gleefully switched tags as quickly as they could, boxing Mickie James in their corner. She was scrapping the bottom on her energy reserves and Alicia scurried across the ring to break up a pin. Alicia faced up to Nia, who was quickly joined by Tamina. They didn’t try to hit her as she wasn’t legal, but they didn’t realize until it was too late that the stand-off had given Mickie enough time to crawl to the corner. Alicia rushed back and tagged in. Both of the number one contenders had used a lot of energy to break down Mickie. That plan had backfired.

The new plan was to stay afloat, which worked for a good while. Unfortunately, the damage was done. Foxy made a quick exit from the ring as the bell rang after a roll-up that pinned Nia. Mickie went with her, lifting her arm in the air and beaming through the exhaustion.

***

For the final spot in the tag triple threat, the Revival was facing the team of Chad Gable and Bobby Roode. About halfway through the match, Dr. M appeared in the bell box. He didn’t interfere, but he walked around the ring. All four participants kept a wary eye on his movements, only half attacking one another until he walked backwards up the ramp and out of the arena. The Revival won the match, but they didn’t celebrate much. Even Gable and Roode had their attention focused on where Dr. M disappeared. Even more worrying, was the absence of AOP.

***

Backstage, Ruby Riott was finishing up the last of her shadowboxing. Alexa Bliss, having seen Ruby lose to Nia Jax last week, knew an opportunity when she saw one. Ruby’s place in Fastlane was set. But if Alexa beat her tonight, well, then her path was open to WrestleMania.

“We can be out there, ya know.” Liv Morgan swung her legs from her seat on a crate. “Alexa is slippery. Lives up to it.”

Sarah Logan nodded. “You don’t have to face her alone. We’ve got your back.”

“Like I had your back last week?” Ruby shivered to a stop. “I appreciate it… but I’m going to be facing Ember alone on Sunday. I need to win this fight alone as well. To prove that I can to the WWE universe… and to me,” she added at a whisper. While she grabbed her jacket, she missed the sad shared look between Liv and Sarah. “I’ll catch up after.”

Her teammates watched in silence as she walked away.

Alexa entered the arena first, still riding the high of her friends winning their match against Nia and Tamina. She was smiling brightly. Confident. Proud just to the cusp of excessive. She paused halfway down the ramp to take a breath and to put on her game face. Her expression became a hard slab of cold marble. Something for Ruby to break her fingers on.

Ember Moon walked out on stage. She gave the audience a wave and joined the commentary table. “Hey, guys. Thank you. Glad to be here.”

Then Ruby entered. She grinned and sneered as usual, but it was missing the usual bitter edge. It continued to be missing as the match began. Alexa took advantage of the gaps in Ruby’s attacks and defenses. A particularly hard bounce off the edge of the apron made Ms. Bliss crow in victory. She let her feet dangle off the edge while Ruby tried to recover on the floor.

“What happened to you?” she asked. “I thought you were going to take the roster by storm. Yet, you seem to keep coming up short.”

“You would know about short things,” Ruby spat. She made it to her feet but caught a kick to the face that sent her back to the floor.

“Don’t interrupt.” Alexa flipped her hair over her shoulder. “I know what happened. You helped your friends get the tag titles, and now you can't seem to win your own gold. Oh well. So much for Riott domination.” She climbed the ring post as Ruby made it to her feet again. With a Twisted Bliss, she sent Ruby to the floor for the third time, then rolled her into the ring. Ruby kicked out with a scream.

Ember had some thoughts about Ruby’s bad couple of weeks. “An angry Ruby is a dangerous Ruby. First, she lost to Nikki Cross. Then to Nia last week. If she loses to Alexa tonight, I think it will be the last straw. She’s going to go ballistic.” Ember stroked the leather of the championship. “Just seeing the title does something to you. It… ignites a power in your blood you didn’t know you had. On Sunday, when the referee holds this title up in the air, I know Ruby is going to get hit with that power surge. I’ve been riding for over a month. I’ll have to be careful that it doesn’t stutter out. And watch my back leading up to Sunday. I wouldn’t put it past Ruby not to try something to weaken me before we get to Fastlane.” She flinched as Ruby dropped Alexa off the turnbuckles.

Corey leaned across the table to hold her attention. “What happens if she does beat you?”

She eased back in her chair. And smiled. “I wanted to hold this championship for at least eighty days. As of Wednesday, I’ll have reached that goal.” Her smile brightened, denying that fate. “But maybe I’ve got one more surprise in me. Maybe I can stretch it out to a hundred.”

If the way Ruby took another Twisted Bliss was any indication of how Sunday would go, Ember was going to fulfill her wish. Ruby wasn’t able to kick out again. Alexa was even possible to go as far as posing with her foot on Ruby’s stomach. During her exit, she shot a cold smile at Ember as a warning.

***

Drew McIntyre was confused when Braun Strowman answered the open challenge. “What are ya doin’ out here, Braun? You are neither Finn Balor nor Dolph.” He snorted. “What you’d do to them?”

The monster among men shrugged away the accusation. “I thought this was an open challenge. Open usually means that anyone can answer. I didn’t do anything to Finn or your buddy Dolph. This time.”

Overhead, the Titantron came to life with a video of what was happening backstage. Trainers had helped Finn to sit up and braced against a wall. His legs stretched out in front of him on the floor, blocking the hallway. They had him lean forward so they could see the back of his neck and upper back. The camera caught the view of some bright red welts already beginning to form. While Finn groaned, another clatter of backstage equipment echoed down the hallway. Some trainers broke off. Dolph was now laid out across the floor, writhing in pain. They called for more help as Elias whistled in the background. He was mostly in shadow, but the hall lights glinted off the fractured edges of his guitar.

Braun shook his head. “Okay, so I knew about Finn. But Dolph was just taken out. I was out here.” Innocently, he flattened his hand on his chest. “So, it couldn’t have been me.�� With a sneer, he dropped the mic and made his way down to the ring. He entered the ring and nodded at the referee, who hesitantly reached for the Intercontinental title in Drew’s hands. He reluctantly handed it over.

The title stipulation was called, and then the bell rang. At the end of the show, Drew retained his title. Braun was pinned cleanly, though that didn’t stop the monster from rising to glare at Drew as the champion stood on the ramp. Nor did Drew’s smug holding his title in the air dissipate Braun’s mutterings of future plans.

Part 44: Last Ambrose Standing (Fastlane)

Series Masterlist

Masterlist

Forever Tags: @blondekel77 @hallemichelles @laochbaineann@ramblingsofabourbondrinker @savmontreal @southsidebucky@tinyelfperson @zuni21798 

WWE/Series Tags: @a-home-for-stray-stories @kingslayers-queen @top-1-percent @mother-forker @neversatisfiedgirl @racheo91 @roman-reigns-princess @secretagentfangirl @thetherianthropydaily @scuzmunkie @cait-kae@ramsaypants @sony-undead18 @brianaraydean @st4yingstrong@dopeybubbles @crystallizeme @jessica91073 @denise8691 @stalelight @kenyadakblalock @1dluver13xx @lauren-novak @lunatic-desert-child @littledeadrottinghood @livelifewondering 

#Family Found Series #cousin!dean ambrose #cousin!reader #general manager!reader #reader insert #roman reigns #dean ambrose #seth rollins #mojo rawley #drew mcintyre #braun strowman #finn balor #dolph ziggler #Elias #ruby riott #liv morgan #Sarah Logan #nia jax #tamina #alicia fox #Mickie James #alexa bliss #43/50

[letitrainathousandflames-archive]

Last chapter of my “Fives and Dogma are alive AU” chapter on the link and full chapter under the cut:

Echo dismissed Fives’ help for the third time as he carried the buckets of blue milk out of the small barn outside.

“I said I can manage. And I will mock you for the rest of my days, great ARC trooper Fives, almost kicked in the face by an angry bantha.”

Fives followed him close, shoving his hands in his pockets.

“Ah, shut up already. She’s moody today.”

“’She’?” Echo laughed “Please tell me you gave it a name. We can name it after someone you hate just for fun. Maybe that kaminoan ge'hutuun who tried to screw you over, Nala Se.”

Fives held the door open for Echo, shaking his dead.

“Nah, I don’t wanna offend the bantha. And when did you get so foul-mouthed, mr. stick-to-the-rules?”

“Ah, when you’re under the power of the seppies you learn to curse a lot.” Echo said as he poured the milk from the buckets into clear glass bottles that were lined up on the sink “Now I don’t even bat an eye at that. Remember when I’d tell you guys not to curse and Droidbait would curse louder just out of spite?”

Fives smirked as he picked up the filled up bottles and put them in the fridge.

“Oh, look at that, my boy’s all grown up. Hevy would be so proud of ya.”

“Hevy cursed like a jet pilot, don’t even compare me to him. Now where’s Dogma?”

Fives shrugged.

“Same as always.”

Dogma had learned of a steep path down the cliff in which they lived. It wouldn’t be easy for a man without training to climb it down, but Dogma was the best of his squad back in his days as a cadet; he’d climb the rocky path easily, supporting one foot after the other and holding on the protruding rocks on the face of the cliff until he could get down to a small cave in it. There he used to sit for hours listening to the crashing waves, or fish so they could have something different from the same steamed vegetables of every day. Somehow, very slowly, he’d grown to accept his new life as not a trooper or a prisoner but something else entirely. He wasn’t a deserter, but he didn’t leave exactly under an honored condition. The whole thing was really strange.

Dogma stuck his fishing rod firmly in a hole so that it would have its line out of the cave and the hook in the water and he reached for the bes’bev in his bag – he had promised Fives that he would use it only to play music, so the former ARC trooper let him keep it. Dogma tugged at his sleeve, exposing his scarred arm. The linear scars were methodically parallel, equidistant of each other. Even his self-harm had method; boring old Dogma.

He put the sharp tip of his bes’bev against his forearm and let out a sigh. He’d promised Fives and Echo that he would stop hurting himself. The thought of cutting was pleasant; it allowed him to see his blood, his trooper’s blood, his heritage, his worth. The pain would smother all the loud chatter in his head, all the giggling that would halt at his presence “here comes Dogma” they would say, the cadets hated his properness and respect for the rules, they would hate ass-kissing Dogma and all his protocol shit.

The pain would make the thought of him shooting at the boys of the 212th back in Umbara blur away at least for a while, it would make him forget of General Krell’s yellow, menacing eyes as he laughed in his face at his blind obedience because it wasn’t fair, he was just a shiny, it had been his first assignment and he just wanted them to be proud of him, he just wanted to be a good soldier…

Dogma grunted and looked down at the crooked, non-linear cut he’d unconsciously made and he hissed, pulling the bes’bev away from his arm.

“No, no, no.” he whispered, raising his arm to his face and sucking the blood off the wound before it could stain his blacks; he lowered it down again, glad to see it was coagulating already “I didn’t mean to, didn’t mean, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, I’m sorry, sergeant ...”

After they found out that Krell had pitted the 501st against the 212th, Dogma walked between his brothers, dead and wounded, following the trail of death left in the range of his aim. Dogma was good at shooting, he’d train every day without exception in the shooting range. The result of his skill was there on the battlefield, lying all around him coughing blood and clutching at still-hot blaster wounds. And as he walked to the spot where the last target he’d hit had been, he saw Captain Rex talking to the mortally wounded Sergeant Waxer of the 212th, crying in his last breath. He didn’t make it, as Dogma knew he wouldn’t. He never shot to leave survivors. It was how he’d been taught.

Dogma only came back home by nightfall when his comlink rang and Fives’ voice came through it asking where he was. When he walked inside carrying two big fish in a fabric bag Fives smiled from the table where he’d been playing dejarik with Echo. Echo still won just like every time.

“Hey man. Took you long down there.”

“Fish weren’t biting.” Dogma grumbled, placing the fish on the sink and reaching for their meat knife

“Hey, let me do the cleaning, will you?” Fives asked as he jumped off his seat and walked into the kitchen, snatching the knife off Dogma’s hand; they’d treat him like a goddamn child around any sharp object “See if you can beat Echo, I can’t stand his smug face anymore.”

“It’s just strategy, brother.” Echo said in a joyful tune “Gotta think before you act.”

“Copaani mirshmure'cye, vod?” Fives asked jokingly as Dogma left the kitchen and Fives  began skinning the fish “I won’t mind kicking your ass like I used to back in the day.”

“Are you willing to kick the cripple’s ass?” Echo pretended to be mortified “Shameful, Fives, I expected better from you.”

Dogma sank to his seat in front of Echo, and as Fives hummed in the kitchen getting their dinner ready, Echo leaned in, resetting the hologram setting and saying in a low voice:

“Okay, what happened, Dogma? Why did you cut yourself again?”

Dogma straightened himself up, his tone defensive.

“I didn’t! Why do you…?”

Echo nodded to his backpack by the door, from which the instrument’s tip poked out.

“The tip’s stained dark.” he said and Dogma sighed “Now we gotta restart the counting. You had been clean for a week and a half, Dogma, you were doing so good.”

Dogma snarled, making the first movement in the game and maintaining his low tone.

“Yeah, thanks, I don’t really need you to tell me I’m an embarrassing di’kut.”

Echo analyzed his strategy, making a countermove.

“I never said that. We’ll restart the counting and keep it up. Before you know, it’ll be a month, two, a year and the scars will fade. I promise. Gar shuk meh kyrayc. Take it easy. I have an idea we can try after we eat.”

Dogma played his turn, shrugging.

“Whatever you say, sir.”

Echo played his, laughing bitterly.

“Lose the ‘sir’. We’re brothers.”

“Yessir.” Dogma paused, frowning “Yes, Echo. And unless your mnook beats my ng’ok…” he watched as his small holographic creature bashed Echo’s creature’s skull in “Ah, look. I won.”

Echo mouth dropped open in shock.

“Haar'chak.” He whispered the curse, squinting at the holograms “How can this be?”

Fives waked out of the kitchen as the smell of food filled the house warmed by the stove’s heat, and he practically skipped like a kid to Echo’s side, looking at the table.

“He won?”  he looked up to Dogma “You won?! Kandosii, give five to good ol’ Fives!” he slapped his palm on Dogma’s and then pointed at Echo “Ha! You lost! Loser! K'atini!”

Echo got up, mildly annoyed.

“Glad to see you’re sill eight. I’ll keep an eye on those potatoes before you overcook them.”

“Hey I’m not eight, I’m Fives!” Fives laughed himself brathless until he had  coughing fit at the stupid pun “And you know what you are? A loser!”

Even Dogma couldn’t help but laugh at Fives state of absolute joy over his victory.

Dogma tugged at the cuffs of his blacks as he’d sit on the floor of Echo’s atelier. Fives looked with curious interest as Echo sat beside him and Dogma, placing his watercolor palette, a water glass and a few of his brushes on the floor in front of them.

“…So, what are we doing here?” Fives asked tentatively

Echo looked calm and diplomatic as General Kenobi, Fives had thought.

“Dogma here has something to show us. Dogma?”

Dogma hesitated, looking at Echo.

“It was nothing…”

Echo narrowed his eyes at Dogma, and now he looked more like General Skywalker.

“Show him. You said you wanted to let me help.”

Dogma looked at Fives, then back at Echo and he swallowed hard, grimacing. He rolled his sleeve up, looking away from his brothers as he’d show them his scarred arm and the freshly-healed superficial cut. Fives ran his hand over his beard, snarling.

“Ah, shabuir… You’re doing this shit again?!”

“It was an accident…!” Dogma started defensively

“Accident?! You want me to believe this shit?! Want me to patch you up next time you slice an artery open and your arm gushes blood everywhere?!”

Echo gave Fives a light push to his chest.

“Fives, will you calm down?”

Fives ground his teeth, getting up to his feet. Dogma did the same and, supporting his hands on his prosthetic knees, Echo did too. Fives growled out, pointing a finger to Dogma:

“I won’t calm down until this or'dinii stop this shit before he winds up dead! Do you think this is funny?! Do you think this is the running gag in our little club, ‘let’s see if Dogma bled himself out with his stupid flute?!’”

“Fives shut up NOW!” Echo barked as Dogma tried to walk away and he held him down in place by the neck of his shirt, pulling him back “and you, Dogma, stay here! We need to clear some things out, and it has to be now!”

Fives was still breathing hard, massaging his chest over his strained lungs as Dogma turned to face him.

“Rangir.” Fives said in a lower tone that dripped with disgust “I’m doing my fucking best to make something out of this miserable rest of existence and this piece of shit…”

Echo exhaled sharply between his teeth, placing his hands on his hips.

“Fives, stars be my witness, one more word and I will deck you in the face.”

Fives let out an agry, aggressive laugh.

“Did he tell you he leaded a firing squad to execute me and Jesse in Umbara? I never told you this part, did I Echo, that turncoat dinii general gave orders to execute us as traitors for going against his orders. Guess who stood in front of us and dare to ask if we wanted to be blindfolded?! Guess who looked us dead in the eye and yelled ‘fire’?! Guess who would’ve laid his tattooed head on the pillow and sleep just fine knowing he’d executed his brothers?!”

Dogma had his eyes low to the floor, and Fives walked to him, pushing him on the chest.

“And I’m just standing here today because Tup and Kix and my brothers refused to shoot me. Even Rex was disgusted at you, Dogma, and he gave you a chance to start over, we all did, and this is how you repay him, playing ‘how deep can I cut before I kill myself’.”

“Fives, cut this crap now!” Echo tried to stand between the two of them, but Fives blocked him with his arm

Dogma was biting his lip so hard it had gone white. He was used to bullying ever since he’d beat his cadet training in ARC trooper time and became the laughing stock of his brothers, stuck-up Dogma, the sheb'urcyin ass-kisser. But just like when Krell laughed at him for trusting his orders, Dogma had a breaking point. And when he drove a tension-loaded fist to Fives’ face, nothing could’ve prepared the former ARC trooper.

When the two brothers dropped down in a mess of punches and angry snarling, Echo somehow managed to shove his blunt prosthetic arm between them, elbowing Dogma in the ribs with his flesh arm and pushing Fives down on the ground with the other one.

“Stop it. Stop this shit now!” Dogma rolled to the side, coughing, and Fives did the same, wiping the blood off his lips. Echo helped Dogma sit up. “Fives, if you open your mouth one more time, I’m gonna lock you out, you hear me?”

Fives spat blood on the floor, cursing. Echo helped him sit up too, rubbing his forehead to then run his hand over his buzz cut hair and reached for his watercolor palette and a brush.

“Okay, we’ll pretend all this ridiculous display didn’t happen and that we are all grown men trying to help each other.” At that, Dogma rubbed a red mark over his cheekbone and Fives picked at one of his teeth to see if it was still rooted in place. Echo sighed. “Now Dogma, lend me your arm. Can I hold it for a moment?”

Dogma hesitated, still rubbing his face to then slowly lower his arm. Echo held his wrist to then wet the paintbrush in the water, running it over some light blue paint and painting a thin line over Dogma’s scarred forearm. Dogma flinched at the cold sensation of the paint on his skin.

“What are you doing?”

Echo shrugged, painting a twin line beside the first one.

“No idea. Painting is relaxing for me, so I thought it could be relaxing for you. Y’know, I made the custom painting of my armor after our mission in the Rishi Moon outpost, Fives’ too. I made him an awesome Z-6 blaster cannon on his shoulder pads.”

Fives was still licking the blood off his lips and looking at Echo and Dogma as if they were some alien species performing some sort of weird ritual.

“Yeah, brag all you want, but the Rishi Eel was my design.”

Echo offered Dogma his brush.

“Here, try it, the paint’s not toxic. Paint something over these scars.”

Dogma hesitated.

“I… I can’t draw for shit, Echo.”

“Doesn’t matter, just slather some color over this, have fun.” He held the brush out to Dogma again “Go on.”

Dogma knitted his brows to then pick up the brush, cleaning it in the water.

“Can I use these?” he pointed at the palette

“Knock youself out.”

Dogma ran the bristles over the purple paint and Dogma turned to Fives.

“The only positive thing about your Rishi Eel was its symmetry.”

Fives scoffed.

“Do I sense jealousy, brother?”

“You sense artistic sensibility, smartass.”

“Ah, real mature… Holy shit.”

Fives leaned over to look at the purple organic, curved lines that Dogma now detailed with red tips; it was clearly a representation of the weird flora they’d encountered in Umbara, among which they would also find vixus, a nasty tentacle-wielding creature that could eat up a whole trooper in one go.

“‘Can’t draw for shit’, yeah right.” Fives said in annoyed awe, “you could’ve stolen Tup’s place as the 501st tattoo artist.”

He clenched his teeth at that. Shit. Fuck. Talking about Tup still hurt like hell.

Dogma placed the paintbrush down, looking at the stunning art piece in his arm.

“So what?” he asked Echo “When I shower, it’ll all come out. What’s the point?”

Echo tapped a finger to his lips pensively. Well, he had a point. At that, Fives sighed, scratching his beard.

“Whatever, draw another. Just… Just play with the paint, draw something on your arm, draw skywalker’s annoying droid if you must, that one that used to drive commander Wolffe crazy. Just…” he sighed “If you get your bes’bev and you think about cutting your arm, get a brush instead, okay? Can you do that?”

Dogma looked at Fives with surprise in his eyes, and then he nodded.

“Yeah… I can do that.”

Fives got up to his feet, stretching his arms to then crack his knuckles.

“Good, great. Now, I smell overcooked potatoes and I’m blaming this all on you, Echo.”

Echo got up to his feet surprisingly fast.

“Ah, damn it!” he bolted out of the room, dashing into the kitchen to save their dinner

Fives laughed softly, walking out of the room and, turning to look at Dogma who still admired the art on his arm like he’d never seen it before.

“Hey Dogma.” Dogma looked to him “About Tup… I’ll tell you all about what happened to him. Just… Just give me some time, okay?”

Dogma looked surprised once again, and once again he nodded.

When the three men sat at the table, Fives looked at Echo’s prosthetic hand that he’d use to cut him a nice chunk of baked fish and steamed potatoes with easy, perfect movements, so different from the clumsy man unused to his prosthetics; he then turned to look at Dogma, who had dug up a bottle of a good wine brought by Rex on his first visit there when he’d brought him Fives, and that they’d keep for special occasions. Dogma raised his glass to Fives and the clone toasted along Dogma and Echo, taking a sip.

Later that night as they’d drink their third glass of wine, Fives started to think out loud.

“We’re born in Kamino but we’re not Kaminoans” he said a little tipsily

“Thank the stars, we’re prettier than those necky jiriads!” Echo laughed, and Fives laughed too, already used to how much more susceptible to alcohol he was

“Shh, let the man talk.” even Dogma was giggling, putting his glass down

“Like I was saying.” Fives cleared his throat, still smiling “We are born in Kamino but we are not Kaminoans. We have Mandalorian blood, we wear their garments, we speak their tongue but we are also not Mandalorian. We belong to the Republic, but we fight alongside the Jedi. It’s kind of hard to know where we belong. It’s…” the smile in his lips faded away “It’s easy to feel lost.”

At that Echo and Dogma grimaced a little too but Fives sighed, smiling more softly now.

“I… I could feel really lost out here, away from my mission and from everything I’ve ever known, after their betrayal, after everything. But with you guys by my side, I think I’ll survive this mess. I think we all will.”

Echo smiled back at Fives, reaching his flesh hand to him.

“I couldn’t have said it better, vod.”

Fives grabbed his hand and glanced at Dogma.

“you too, baby brother, c’m’ere.”

Dogma smirked, grabbing onto Fives’ and Echo’s hand, his beautifully painted arm exposed.

“Yeah, we’re gonna make it.” he said “We’ll be fine.”

We will, Fives had thought as his chest stopped feeling tight for the first time since he’d been shot back in Cosruscant, and he drew in a blissfully deep breath. We’ll be just fine.

#my fics #cutting m/ #blood m/ #bad coping mechanisms #ptsd m/ #dehumanization m/ #clone angst #I'M EXTREMELY PROUD AND I THINK THIS IS MY BEST FANFIC EVER #arc trooper fives #arc trooper echo #clone trooper dogma

[simplyoriginalcharacters]

Jedi Knight Kara Saje

Kara is an OC Jedi Knight, and kind of new.  I’m still working through all her layers, but I’m hopeful that I’ve got enough clear that you can point out the rough stuff.  Please and thank you.

(Profile and review are under the cut. - D)

Name: Kara Saje (sa-jay) Aliases: Silver Gender: Female Sexual Orientation: Asexual Age: 25 Birthdate: ? Occupation: Jedi Knight/General of the Grand Army of the Republic, 425th Battalion; Search, Rescue, and Retrieval  Alignment: Chaotic good Group/Organizational Affiliations: Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), the Jedi Order (the Order), 425th command Family: Jedi Master Nikolas Saje (Father), Bennus Amir (cousin, Heir to the Prime Minister of the Ilan Sector) Best Friends: Knight Asara, Padawan Dorahan, Padawan Katrua Relationship Status: single Significant Other: N/A Other Relationships: Jedi Master Honso (deceased), Captain Zip, Lt Swoop, Lt Screech, Sergeant Blaze, and Knight Squadron: Chip, Fallback, Rusty, Mash, Hopper, Bones, Tiny, and Bounce. Sergeant Foggy, Sergeant Hook, Pilot Jumper, as well as the people of Bucket, Rusty, Home, and Shadow Squadrons. And Padawan Jaren “Hazard” Ros. Height: 5’7” Weight: 130 Build: Slender, athletic Skin Tone: Light brown Hair: Light brown with red highlights, usually cut short and spikey, but when left alone long enough will grow out enough to curl until it’s long enough that the weight pulls it straight. Eyes: Mud brown Identifying Marks: Irregular birthmark on her left wrist, and light saber scars on the back of both hands as well as light saber calluses on her hands. Appearance: Kara is Ilandrian and she looks it.  As a race, they tend to be a plain sort of people, not ugly, but not generally considered pretty. (There’s a cultural bias about pretty or charismatic people.)  She still has the short Padawan haircut, and is mostly convinced she’ll keep it because it’s easy to work with given how mercurial her hair can be depending on length and weight.  Kara is athletic, with a strong upper body from training with a light saber and basic hand to hand combat.  While she generally favors Jedi robes in brown and tan, after attaining Knighthood, she was gifted with battle gear in russet and silvery-grey that she is more likely to wear when in the field with her troops.

It’s fair to say that Kara pretty enough to be unforgettable.  Nothing about her features are unique one way or the other.  Her nose is straight and still unbroken, her mouth is well formed, her eyes are clear and level, even her ears are generic and unremarkable.  Unless dressed for battle, her clothes are generic and neutral for a Jedi.  While clearly feminine, she doesn’t have a large chest or curvy hips that might attract attention without effort and purposely styled clothing. Personality: Kara is a Jedi Knight, she’s been trained from birth to present a serene countenance to the galaxy in all ways.  While she’s skilled at presenting the appearance of serenity, she’s often struggled with being serene.  She’s grieving the recent death of her former Jedi Master, for one, and she struggles to be accepting of fools.  Sometimes she acts impetuously or impatiently, but she tries hard not to.

Kara likes having friends, she likes teasing them and making bad puns, and although she’s not a prankster, she is familiar with their ways.  She’s stubborn, but subtle, well able to think her way around rules without actually violating them and seeing her way to accomplish what SHE wants within the expectations of others.

Motivations: Kara wants to protect people and be a good Jedi.  She’s still not sure which one comes first for her, although she sometimes has nightmares about making the wrong choice. Current Goal: To fulfill her mission; search, rescue, and retrieval, with a minimal loss of troops. Life Goal: To be a respected Jedi Master. Motto: “Fake it until you make it” Best Quality: Kara cares about people, even when she doesn’t show it. Worst Quality: Kara’s fear, it makes her hesitant when she needs to be decisive. Fears: Failing her troops, Falling to Darkness, disappointing her fellow Jedi Hobbies: Drawing, jewelry making, bead making Talents: Drawing, languages Skills: lightsaber combat, jewelry making, bead making Abilities: Precog/clairvoyant visions, telekinesis, basic ‘Jedi mind tricks’, empathy Weapons: Lightsaber and blaster. Weaknesses: Empathy in combat, when faced with some sentients, her empathy can cause her to experience her opponent’s mindset and jar her out of a combative mind set.

Fighting Style: Kara prefers to use Form V of the lightsaber forms, usually the Shien discipline which is intended to be used against opponents with blasters.  She studied the Djem So, intended to be used against other lightsabers, and Form III, a more defensive style as well, but her experience is more with Shien.

Secret: Kara’s father, Master Nikolas Saje, wasn’t supposed to bring a child to the Temple, his cousin, the current Prime Minister of Ilan, was sterile and needed an heir so Nikolas agreed to step up only for Kara to be a strong force user.  Nikolas agreed to a second child while bringing Kara to the Temple.  Kara’s ‘cousin’ Bennus is her brother, and if something happened to Bennus and his parents, Kara or a child from her body would be the next Prime Minister of Ilan.  Her name is a play on the secret, Kara Saje could be viewed as Kaje Rasa, which basically means Secret Silver.  Kaje being the word used for a precious metal similar to silver that is used for Royal jewelry on Ilan and Rasa meaning secret. Influential Memory: Being nine, and having a vision that prompted her to talk to her father for the first time and learning her secret origins. Role Model: Master Honso, her Jedi Master Crush: None Source of Embarrassment: Losing her temper around others and acting on it. Source of Pride: Attaining her knighthood.

Notes: The official story about Kara’s history is that her dad had an affair during a cease fire negotiation, protected the woman during the civil war that followed when she turned up pregnant, and brought the Force sensitive child to the Temple when peace was restored.  If Nikolas Saje told anyone the truth of Kara’s birth, Kara doesn’t know about it.  She rarely interacts with her father anyways, as part of their mutual show of non-attachment.

Growing up in the crèche, Kara got herself in trouble simply because she drew visions and then followed them.  She’s never been afraid to act on her visions, no matter the consequences, because if the Force didn’t want her to act, she wouldn’t see those visions.  No matter what certain Masters have had to say about the validity of her talent.  She had few friends in the crèche, both because of her own struggle with social skills and her unique status as a Jedi’s child.  She did eventually make friends with other Initiatives from her clan, a Wookie named Katrua who was the first being to believe her about her drawings, and a Kiffar named Asara and a human named Dorahan who helped her deal with the bullies in the crèche at different times.

Asara was the first of the quartet to reach knighthood shortly before the Battle of Geonosis.  She is the group’s leader in a lot of ways, the oldest and boldest of the group.  Asara has frequently been called out for her impetuous nature and temper, although she has a knack for finding lost things that has seen her on a number of kidnappings both at the end of her Padawan period and before the Battle of Geonosis reworked the structure of the Order.

Dorahan is the only male of the group and the best diplomat of the group.  He and his master are on semi-permanent duty in the Senate, even with the war on.  Dorahan is good at social interactions on an impersonal basis, such as a Senate gala, but is otherwise the quietest member of the quartet.  If any of them can be called the voice of reason, it’s Dorahan.

Katrua is the researcher of the group, while a noted lightsaber duelist and generally good at combat, she prefers the Archives if given a choice.  Katrua almost went to the AgriCorps as an Initiate, but ended up in a debate with the Master Archivist, Jocasta Nu, on the interpretation of some documents recovered from Osussus, which impressed one of the other Jedi Archivists enough to take the Wookie as his Padawan.  The pair have a reputation for finding trouble in storage closets that means that Katrua often wins the ‘craziest mission’ free drink when they have time together.

Kara’s master specialized in search and rescue operations with the occasional retrieval, and Kara learned a lot from him on that front.   Honso never fully understood how her visions worked, but he encouraged her to share them and even act on them.  However, even Honso failed to listen at a critical moment.  They were fighting a defensive action after the Battle of Geonosis and Honso went to back up some of their troops some distance away from the other location, and Kara asked him to take a squad with him, and he refused and died when some of the Separatist droids ambushed him.

Kara underwent her Trials and was Knighted after she was pulled off the planet and sent back to Coruscant.  After her Trials, Kara specifically proposed the idea of a Search, Rescue, and Retrieval unit, mixing some of the Judicial people they had with a smaller compliment of Troopers to work to retrieve Jedi and Troopers from bad situations and to retrieve relics from the Jedi enclaves located on contested worlds.  As the idea was found to have merit and she was given a ship, and a company of Troopers to start with.  Her first order onboard the ship created what would come to be known as Knight Squadron, a squad of Troopers who would be her constant companions on missions.

As far as the Retrieval, her captain is a Bothan known as Sei’lar who works very well with Kara, bringing his knowledge of ships, ship warfare, and his ship’s particular capabilities.

The 425th Battalion currently consists of a single “company” (technically half a company) consisting of five squads of ten, three officers, and a single squad of pilots who handle shuttles and fighters.

Lieutenant Swoop is in charge of Hawkbat Squadron, or the pilots.  He’s not as close with Kara as Seeker Company in general, but he respects her and they can work well together.

Captain Zip is the Trooper in charge of Seeker Company and he is Kara’s partner.  They’re still working out the kinks, but Kara trusts Zip to handle his half of their missions since she usually takes her squad to carry out part and leaves the other half/distraction to Zip.  (Such as she tracking down a Jedi in need and leaving Zip to collect the troopers after their escape pods crashed in different areas.)

Lieutenant Screech heads up the so-called Home Squad, which is in charge of securing base camp or the primary landing zone and is their primary medic.  He is frequently exasperated and confounded by their Jedi General’s habits and occasional lack of self-care.  They have a professional relationship based on the expectation that the other will do their job properly.

Sergeant Blaze leads Knight Squadron, and he tends to stick strongly to military discipline and protocol, especially around other squads.  He’s very grounded in the here-now, a useful compliment to Kara’s occasional forays into the Force.

Chip is Kara’s closest companion.  They met on the ship before their mission and he expressed doubt about her skills and she proved him wrong, then asked him if he could take orders from her even with the chip on his shoulder.  He promptly adopted Chip as his name and adopted Kara as another of his siblings.  He trusted her enough to let her use the Force to lift him a hundred feet in the air during a fire fight, and then volunteered the second time.  They are developing a strong sibling relationship.

Bones is the Knight Squad medic, and after their first mission, he’s contemplating the value of hyposprays and painkillers.  (After she, you know, punched a robot off a cliff, dislocated her wrist, and refused painkillers on account that they make her sleepy.)  He likes Kara, he just doesn’t understand her.

Fallback is the squad’s big brother type.  He likes taking care of people and he’s decided to adopt Kara.  Kara’s not entirely sure she wants to be adopted yet, but she’s willing to try it out.

Kara doesn’t have a strong individual relationship with the rest of her squad, given they’ve known each other all of a week and a half and a single battle field, but the possibilities are there.  Of course, the first time she tells them ‘I’ll be right behind you,’ and finds herself thrown over a shoulder and hauled out of there, she kind of gets it.  They’re adopting her whether she wants it or not.  (And she kind of really wants it when she forgets about that No Attachment rule.)

Among the Jedi, she interacts the most with Mace Windu, who she admires greatly and is completely terrified of.  She has fond memories of her Clan Master as a youngling, and some of her teachers liked her well enough, but most of her Jedi relationships are professional and polite.  She doesn’t even have a close bond to her father, they’ve met maybe five times, and while he’s given her a number of useful gifts over the years, they don’t talk.  Kara is at times content with and confused by her father.  On the one hand, their face to face meetings have always been model examples of the no attachment clause, but on the other he bought her the special datapad for her drawing, and gave her the armor she uses.

The last real relationship that Kara is/will develop is with her first Padawan, Jaren “Havoc” Ros, an orphaned Padawan who is “command shy” because it is and is not his fault that his Master died.  (Remember kids, friendly fire isn’t).  While they are close in age, Kara takes on her role seriously, she’s teacher more than friend, especially in the beginning.  She even figures out a way to keep him in the field and ease him into the idea of commanding troopers again over the course of the first year and a half of the war.  (Besides long distance work with Jedi Mind Healers, that is.)

Hi! This is D. I appreciate your patience in waiting for this review..

It's clear that you've put a ton of thought into Kara given the sheer amount of detail in her profile. I think there's a great basis for a character here, though some of the included aspects struck me as a little strange.

Starting from the top down, I'm a little confused by her alias. Namely I'm not sure who would know about it beyond Kara's father, and as established in the profile they barely speak with one another. Is it a secret callsign they use to discuss things privately? Or is it more of a petname? I'm just not sure what purpose it serves, beyond being used as a method of allowing Kara's name to switch around and give away the secret of her birth. As fun as that is to do as an author, it doesn't really seem like a choice someone who actually wants to keep that a secret would make. As a reference to her Jedi armor or as something the clone troopers call Kara (out of acceptance or as a hidden callsign) it seems like it'd fit better in addition to having more presence in the story.

The mention of the 'Birthdate' being a question mark doesn't really add anything. The fact that Kara didn't know about her parents and the circumstances surrounding her birth is addressed in much better detail later in the profile. Unless a character's specific birthdate is important, that section really isn't that necessary (and without any actual information to present, it just takes up space).

Something I'd like to highlight as well done is Kara's Occupation. It emphasized what she is, who she works with/for, and what her specialty is in very succinct fashion. Each aspect is reflective of other parts of the profile, be it Kara's Jedi upbringing, her service to the Republic, her relationship with her specific group of clones, and her forte with the Force. All too often do profiles with military bents completely fail to recognize that military units and personnel usually have specializations. Just mentioning that Kara is a Jedi Knight and a General of the Republic would have been decent, but emphasizing that her role is for 'Search, Rescue, and Retrieval' gives her a unique position that's specific to her character.

Moving on, I'm not sure what purpose a traditional tabletop Alignment serves for a Star Wars character. Especially classifying a Jedi as Chaotic. In the context of Star Wars, the only two defined alignments are the Light Side and the Dark Side – Chaos and Law aren't cosmic principals like they are in tabletop games such as Dungeons and Dragons. Beyond that, by their nature Jedi aren't chaotic individuals. They're basically space paladins when you come right down to it, and even clever paladins with creative interpretations of the rules will still follow them (or, of course, they cease to be paladins). Which is something reflected on in Kara's Personality section. That Kara will 'think her way around rules without actually violating them' as opposed to outright ignoring them and disregarding what others expect of her paints her at best as Neutral Good. Still, I'd suggest doing away with the Dungeons and Dragons Alignment and just stating Kara's status on the Light or Dark Side of the Force. Let her Personality section speak for her opinions regarding conformity, individuality, and social mores – it does a much more characterizing job of that anyway.

I've got no issue with the list of her Relationships or her Physical Traits, though I did get hung up on her Appearance section. I'm not told what an 'Ilandrian' is (and I couldn't find any actual world called Ilan when I attempted to look it up), so stating that she definitely looks like a member of her race doesn't tell me much of anything. The biggest information I got from her Appearance section is that Kara is plain and basically human-like. However, Star Wars has plenty of human-like aliens with minor differences (horns, biological markings, chromatic skin color, weird eyes, etc.) in addition to worlds that refer to humans by different names, so I'm left unsure if she's human or not. Clarifying Kara's species and specifically what makes her Ilandrian would be a solid addition (perhaps include a 'Race' section with the prior 'Height/Weight/Etc.' traits?). Also, given the focus on her generic appearance, I'm pretty certain the remark that Kara is 'unforgettable' ought to have been 'forgettable' instead. The mentions about her physique, preferred clothing, and hairstyle were all very good additions though, that make a lot of sense for her character (both as a Jedi and given Kara's Personality).

Speaking of Kara's Personality section, while concise I do like what was included. A lot of it reinforces the fact that she's having to deal with all of these things (being a Jedi Knight, detachment, commanding a military force and the rules/regulations therein) at just 25 years old. It makes sense that she knows how to act like a Jedi given that she's been surrounded by them her entire life, but she's also still young and still wants connections with others (desiring friends, occasionally acting rashly, etc.). I also really like the mention that she's yet to get over the death of her Master. Not only does it help reflect her empathy but given what's said about her relationship with Honso it's almost like the relationship she never had with her actual father. There's that much more depth there, beyond Kara just not having come fully into her own as a Jedi yet. There's a lot of humanizing aspects here that I think work really well.

I have no major comments about the rest of Kara's Personality Traits – they all seem consistent with her established Personality and capabilities as a Jedi. Her Motto struck me as a little odd at first, though it is hugely reflective of Kara being 'outwardly serene, inwardly struggling.' In retrospect it's a really relatable motto for a twenty-five year old suddenly thrown under mountains of responsibility. For all the fantastical elements surrounding her, Kara's Personality definitely feels realistic – she's only got so much of a handle on life (and herself) so of course there's a level of, well, faking it until she makes it. Also, I liked the clarification on the specifics for her fighting styles. Star Wars has a ton of dense lore and the different lightsaber styles are no exception, so emphasizing where exactly her strengths are make Kara's capabilities that much more clear.

Regarding Kara's Secret, I don't have any suggestions for changing anything though I would like to know more about how it's affected her. Given the code of no attachment that Jedi live under, Kara is essentially a physical embodiment of the code not being perfect. She's still able to do good things despite her entire existence stemming from someone breaking away from Jedi teachings. How does that reflect of her point of view regarding the Order? Is it part of why she's willing to bend the rules, but won't break them? Does she actually believe in all the teachings of the Order, or does she have some disagreements? Beyond that, while the concept of her secretly being the heir apparent to Ilan is interesting, given the context when this story takes place (the Clone Wars) and the way that context ends (Order 66, the destruction or the Jedi, etc.) I'm a little concerned as to how much narrative impact that aspect of Kara's secret will have. It's understandable that it's mostly absent from her profile except when it's explicitly highlighter (it's a secret after all) but I'm not sure where exactly Kara's character arc will go with it. Especially considering the overall ending in the Star Wars canon proper. The angle of Kara being the secret daughter of a prior Jedi Master is interesting (particularly given her with Jaren and prior relationship with Honso), but I'm not sure what the connection to the royal family of Ilan adds. Does she end up defending Ilan during the war? Is she assigned to rescue Bennus, and things become more complicated from there? This is a key aspect to her character and given it's status as a secret it's got to come back around sooner or later (otherwise what's the point?). Emphasizing a bit more on how Kara's connections to Ilan will come into play would help cement things that much more.

Lastly, Kara's Notes section could be broken up into separate 'Backstory' and 'Relationships' sections. Covering the details surrounding Kara's birth, her childhood, training, and Trials would make for a solid Backstory section (leaving Kara precisely where she's at within the start of the story), while all of the relationship specifics can be kept in their own sections. There's a lot of characterizing touches in these sections, but with all of them listed under Notes it kind of lumps together a bit. I don't think you should change any of the presented information, just reformat it a bit and polish up bits that need it. Even the bit about Kara's Padawan Jaren as a sort of 'ongoing' development works well, as much as I usually don't care for 'Have yet to happen' relationships. Breaking the relationships up between Jedi Order and Clone Trooper sections would help give it a bit more organization.

All in all, there's a lot of great characterization in Kara's profile. Her personality is consistent, her concept is interesting, and she's got a lot of relationships that each have their own details and connections. There were a few places where I got hung up, but nothing nearly dire enough to throw off the pace of the profile itself (or throw me out of the profile entirely). Kara's profile is already really solid, just retouch a bit and she'll be good to go!

I hope this helps!

-D

#Development Help #General Help #submission #guardian-of-hope

[eastofthemoon]

Where No One Goes- Chapter 9

Title: Where No One Goes: Chapter 9 - Part 2 of What If The Storm Ends?

Series: Voltron: Legendary Defender

Characters: Keith, Thace, Shiro, Pidge, Lance, Hunk, Coran, and Allura

Rating: G

Summary: After Keith’s encounter Thace, questions remain and he’s not certain he wants the answers to them. However, after Pidge’s request to locate the rebels, the two of them seek out the resistance with both of them not certain what they will find out.

Archive of our Own

Shiro and the other paladins were already gathered by the time Keith and Thace arrived. Leah held a grim expression as she looked over a map with Vector, Zelda, and Ford.

“What did Oberon say exactly?” Thace asked as he stepped forward.

Leah straightened her posture. “He and his squad snuck in and discovered these ships are flying out with our current coordinates.”

She tapped a button on her tablet and suddenly an image of a giant Galran warship appeared on the monitor and was accompanied by over a dozen flag ships.

Thace’s eyes widened slightly. “I know that ship, that’s Prorok’s.”

“Prorok?” Shiro asked and gave a tight frown. “I feel like I know that name.”

“He’s one of Zarkon’s high ranking officers,” Vector explained as she leaned over the table. “And..he’s also the officer Thace had worked directly under.”

“Ah,” Lance said as he sucked air through his teeth and looked to Thace. “So..I’m guessing he’s rather chomping at the bit to get his hands on you then, huh?”

“Most likely,” Thace admitted without taking his eyes off the monitor. “He’s also the one that attempted to capture Voltron while you were freeing the Balmera.”

Keith’s eyes widened slightly as he glanced over to Hunk. The Yellow Paladin’s expression was calm, but Keith noticed his fists were tightening.

“So, he’s the reason the Balmera was almost killed?” Hunk asked.

“One of many,” Thace stated as he took the tablet from Leah and read it over. “How long do we have until they arrive?”

Leah sighed as she began to pace. “Oberon mentioned they managed to buy us some time by damaging the engine of the main ship, but it won’t take long to repair.”

“We’re estimating they’ll be here early morning,” Zelda said and rubbed her eyes. “That doesn’t give us a lot of time to evacuate.”

Keith shook his head. “How did they find you guys?”

Zelda glared. “You dare to ask?” she said and pointed a finger at Pidge. “I’m betting they followed the Green Paladin’s trail.”

Pidge was taken aback and swiftly stared back with fury in her eyes. “That’s impossible! I made certain only our team could find us!”

“How else do you explain it then?!” Zelda snapped as she stomped to Pidge.

“That they came to the same conclusion as the kid did,” Ford interjected as he shoved Pidge back around him and glared at Zelda. “We only managed to better hide our signal in the last day! Prorok could have known our location for days and only decided now to attack!”

“It doesn’t matter either way,” Hunk snapped as he got in between them. “You guys have to get your people out of here pronto!”

Zelda looked prepare to argue, but went quiet as Hunk gave a fierce glare back.

Keith gave a smirk at that. Go Hunk.

“He’s right,” Leah agreed and looked to Thace. “You know him best. Any idea what his plan would be?”

Thace folded his arms. “He’ll send in troops to capture us. He prefers if he has trophies to prove to Zarkon that he is valuable.”

“And what better prize than a whole cell of resistance fighters,” Lance grumbled and looked to Ford. “How ready are those ships you’re fixing?”

“If I work non-stop, and with help, we can be ready,” Ford said, “but we’ll be cutting it close. Need extra time to add weapons to fight back.”

“But that means you’ll be flying straight into an attack,” Keith said. “Can’t you use the ships you have already?”

“We only have a few transport ships that are stable,” Leah explained. “We could at least transport the children and get them to safety,” Leah suggested, “but they’ll need a fair number of adults to accompany them.”

“And we need every single person here to ensure we leave nothing or anyone else behind,” Thace said.

Lance grasped his chin in thought. “If you can’t leave earlier,” he said and then smirked as he snapped his fingers. “Than what you guys just need a way to get by those ships without them seeing or blasting at you.”

“Basically,” Keith said and folded his arms. “I know that smirk, what are you plotting?”

Lance scoffed. “If this is the same guy from the one that was in charge of the attack on the Balmera, than how much you want to bet he would focus on capturing us if he saw us?”

Shiro’s eyes narrowed and smiled. “You mean, we act as a distraction so the resistance can get away.”

“Bingo!” Lance said as he snapped his fingers and made a little dance move. “We act as bait, fight off the ships and viola! The rebels can get out of here scott free!”

“It’s an idea,” Leah said slowly, “but I’m not certain I’m comfortable letting Voltron put itself at risk for our sakes.”

Shiro’s eyes hardened. “Leah, you said the safety of your people come first and I agree you should in this case,” he said and gestured to the other paladins. “This is what we do and you’ve guys have already gave us a hand when we didn’t even realize it. Please, let us do this for you.”

“And once we tell Allura and Coran what’s going on, they’ll come here with the Castle of Lions to provide extra firepower,” Pidge argued. “Come on, we can do this.”

Leah said nothing and looked to Thace. “What’s your opinion?”

Thace went quiet as he looked to Keith and nodded. “It’s our best option to get everyone out, Leah.”

“And to prevent what happened last time,” Ford muttered under his breath.

Leah shut her eyes and looked to Shiro. “Alright, but we need to move fast.”

“Agreed,” Shiro said as he looked to the Paladins. “Hunk, Keith go with Ford and help him. Pidge see if you can give a hand getting the rest of the data transferred.”

Lance raised his hand. “What do you want me to do?”

Shiro opened his mouth, but Leah stepped in front of him. “Stay with the children,” Leah instructed. “Your job will be to keep them out from underfoot.” Her frown tightened. “And try to keep them from getting scared, I imagine they’ve heard rumors already.”

To Keith’s surprise, Lance suddenly held a protective frown he’d only seen him on rare occasions. “You got it.”

“Shiro, come with me,” Leah said as she held out a map. “We’ll need to make a plan on how to confront the ships, and Thace I’ll need your advice.”

Keith silently watched Thace glide over to Leah and he almost reached out his hand, but he instantly drew it back. He almost had his answers, but the chance had slipped by and Keith had to accept.

Getting the rebels out was the more important mission.

“Keith,” Hunk said as the other paladins went by him, “you coming?”

Keith stole one more glance at Thace before recollecting his thoughts. “Yeah, I’m coming,” he said as they left. There was a lot that had to be done.

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Keith didn’t allow his brain to comprehend on what Thace as going to tell him as he worked madly. There were more important things to concentrate on and not a lot of time to do it. He let Ford and Hunk order him around with no question. His knowledge on mechanic stuff was limited, but he would help when he could.

There was no time to eat, but Daien had appeared with small bowls of food for them to gulp down while they worked. The few times Keith went back out of the hangar to collect needed materials he could feel the uneasy tension in the air.

All the rebels were agitated and quietly kept to themselves as if they were afraid one word spoken would shorten the little time they had. Keith wondered how the others were doing, but there was no chance to check on them until Shiro appeared to collect all of the paladins into the meeting room to debrief them on the plan.

Vector brought up a hologram of the planet as Shiro stood in front.

“Alright, team listen up,” he said as he pointed to a spot on the planet and it zoomed on the mountain. “The rebels plans are to fly out of the tunnels of the mountain.”

The image shifted to the left. “While we do that we’ll have the lions appear here, near this rocky terrain. As soon as the ships appear we fly in and hit them hard, but remember the point of this is for us to be a distraction.”

“So, we need to put on a good show for them?” Pidge confirmed.

“Exactly,” Shiro said. “Our goal is to not let one ship get near the mountain where the rebels ships will be fleeing.”

“What about Allura and Coran?” Keith asked as he raised his hand. “They coming?”

“They’re trying to end the meeting as fast as they can,” Shiro explained, “but unfortunately they can’t just leave without revealing the presence of the resistance. With that said, Allura vowed they’re going to be here as soon as they can to over us more fire power.”

“Who are the first ships that are flying out?” Lance asked.

“It will be the children, with me and a few others,” Leah explained, “we thought it would be the safest time to get them out when the Prorok was first caught by surprise.”

“With that said,” Thace stated as he crossed his arms. “Knowing Prorok, there’s a strong chance he will send some ground troops to investigate the planet on foot. He prefers a direct approach when he can.”

“So, we need to keep an eye on the ground too,” Hunk stated.

“Precisely,” Leah said and looked to Ford. “Are the ships almost ready?”

“Just about,” Ford said as he rotated his shoulder. “Still need to tighten a few cannons on them for defense. I will say my muscles are going to be sore for the next few days after this.”

“You can sleep it off once we reach our new base,” Vector said as she glanced to the paladins.

“Where are you guys going?” Lance asked.

“We found a planet that hasn’t been claimed by the empire yet,” Leah explained. “It will be quite a bit colder than what we’re used to, but it should do.”

“And which planet is that?” Hunk asked curiously.

“Sorry, but we thought it was best to keep that secret until we know we’re safe and secure,” Vector replied. “But we promise to contact you lot once we’re able to do so safely.”

“We understand,” Shiro stated. “Your people’s safety comes first and I would do the same in your position.”

Pidge frowned. “Wait, you’re not going to join one of the other rebel cells?”

“We told them to stay on high alert,” Vector explained, “but we deemed this the safest option for all until we’re certain the empire won’t follow us.”

“With that said, we don’t have lot of time left,” Shiro said as he placed his hands on his hips. “Take a small breather, but after that I want you guys to be ready and able in your lions. Those ships will be here soon.”

Lance coughed. “If it’s okay,” he asked, “I like to go back to the kids for a bit. I promised them I would be coming right back after this meeting.”

“I’ll come join you,” Hunk said looked to Lance and then back to Shiro. “If that’s alright.”

“That’s fine,” Shiro said and looked to the others, “just make sure you guys are all ready.”

The meeting was disbanded and everyone flocked out of the room, except Keith. He stayed where he was and he noticed Thace did as well.

He held his tongue as he gripped his dagger. Keith wanted to ask, but there were so many questions, and not much time. Was it selfish he just wanted Thace to go with him and the other paladins so they could have that talk? What should he do?

Thace approached Keith, while keeping his hand on his own dagger. “I know you wish to continue our discussion from earlier, but I don’t believe this is the proper time to do it.”

Keith craved to argue differently, but his heart knew Thace was right. This wasn’t a chat to simply rush through and depending on what Thace revealed it could be a bad distraction for the upcoming battle.

“With that said,” Thace continued, “I will promise you that we will have that talk once the battle is done and the resistance is safely relocated.”

Keith gave a scoff. “No offense, but how do I know you’ll keep that promise?” His eyes narrowed. “For all I know you’ll just change your mind later.”

Thace’s face hardened and then he brought out his dagger. “Bring out your dagger,” he instructed.

Keith was hesitant as he held his dagger. “..Why?”

“We’ll exchange them,” Thace said as he handed the hilt of his dagger to Keith. “As proof I will keep my promise I will need to seek you out in order to get mine back.”

Keith’s grip tightened slightly. Give up the only thing he that had kept him company during his lonely days in the foster homes? The one thing his mother had given him? Yet, he had no reason to distrust Thace, but it would ensure he would get the answers he needed.

Gradually, Keith brought out his dagger and ran his fingers over the familiar hilt as he done countless times before. He then held it out to Thace as he wrapped hands over the dagger the Galran was offering. The hilt was longer and narrower than what he was use to with his other one.

“I better get it back,” Keith said as Thace took hold of his dagger.

“You will,” Thace said as he put the dagger away and patted Keith’s shoulder. “Now, come, we should get ready.”

Keith gave a solemn as he put the dagger away in his bag and tried to refocus on the battle ahead.

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Lance grinned as he looked over the grind he had drawn in the dirt and marked his ‘x’. “Alright, Tral, you’re turn.”

The Galran boy raised an eyebrow and he placed an ‘O’ in the next box and crossed a line from top to bottom.

Lance gave a gasp and placed a hand over his heart. “I can’t believe it! You beat me again!”

Tral pouted as he crossed his arms over his chest. “This tic-tac-toe game is WAY too easy,” he said and raised an eyebrow. “And it feels like you’re letting me win.”

Lance gave a gasp. “What, I would never-”

The other alien children gave him doubtful glares and Hunk snickered from his spot in the corner. “Told you they would catch on,” Hunk said with a smirk.

Lance sighed as he wiped out the game in the dirt with his hands. “Alright, let’s play a different one.”

Tral’s face hardened as he sat back. “I don’t feel like playing any more games,” he said and looked up. “And..we have to be ready to leave soon, right?”

Lance paused and rubbed his neck. He had been trying to keep the kids’ mind off their upcoming evacuation as much as he was able, but it was getting harder to do so as it drew closer.

“Yeah, you wil,” he said, and held up a finger. “How about another story then? Hunk here has a real good one from when-”

A tug was felt on his arm. He glanced to Xenia staring up at him with her big wide eyes.

“What’s up, Sweetheart?” Lance said as he pulled the Galran girl in his lap.

Xenia tugged on the sleeves of her shirt as she raised her head. “Is Zarkon going to take us away?”

The room went silent. Tral’s grip tightened on his pants as each child looked to Lance with fear in their eyes. Lance’s throat tightened and he glanced up to Hunk who had the same wince on his face.

What could they say? It was pointless to lie, and the kids wouldn’t believe it anyway. However, Lance didn’t want to make the children more scared.

They’re kids, Lance thought, bitterly. They should just worry about playing tag, getting extra dessert and how to stay up past their bedtime!

Lance took a deep breath as he looked down to Xenia. Gently, he wrapped his arms around her.

“There are...some bad people coming, but don’t worry.” Lace patted her head as he gave her a thumbs up with a cheesy grin. “I’m going to personally make certain you and everyone else gets away safely.”

Xenia chewed her lower lip. “But won’t you get hurt?”

“Naw,” Hunk chimed from the back. “Lance is impossible to kill! I’ve seen him survive a bomb explosion!”

I rather wish that wasn’t true, Lance thought grimly, but still kept his smile. “Yeah, that’s right. No way are those big bad dumb dumbs are getting to get you guys.”

The children look a bit more at ease and the younger ones faces brightened a bit. Lance opened his mouth to tell another story, but footsteps were heard. Leah stood at the doorway along with Vector and some other rebels.

She looked at Lance and Hunk to give a nod. “We need to get the children to the ships now.”

Lance swallowed as he felt Xenia’s grip on him tightened, like she was clinging to a large teddy bear. Hunk rose and helped the rebels escort the children out of the room. Tral lagged behind until he and Xenia were the only children left.

“Mom, do we really have to leave?” Tral asked as Leah approached him.

“I’m afraid so,” his mother said as kneeled. “Your father will meet us at the new base.”

“I don’t want to go,” Xenia whined as she buried her face into Lance’s chest.

Tral sighed as he reached out to take his sister’s hand. “Sorry, but we got to. Come on.”

“Nnnooo,” Xenia whined and wrapped her thin arms around Lance’s waist. “I want to stay with Lance!”

Lance felt his heart torn to pieces. As he stared down at this tiny fluffy alien girl clinging to him, he was certain if Zarkon had found a way to use THIS as his weapon, he would have captured Voltron ages ago.

Hunk looked ready to give Lance a hand, but Lance gestured for him to stay back, while Tral scratched his head debating if he should pull Xenia off of Lance.

Leah frowned as she kneeled and went to reach for her daughter. “Xenia, please don’t-”

Lance held up his hand to her. “Can you just give us a second?”

Tral frowned. “What’s a second?” he asked, but his question was left unanswered as Leah drew back her arms and did as requested.

Lance put on a smile and gingerly titled Xenia’s head so she was staring up to him.

“Sweetie, you have to go because I want you to be safe. Voltron can’t protect you as well if you aren’t in the ship with your mom, and brother,” he said.

Xenia chewed her bottom lip. “But what if I don’t see you again?” she said. “Some of the adults don’t come back when they leave.”

Lance noticed Leah gave a wince, but kept silent. Lance tried not to dwell too hard on the meaning of the Xenia’s words as he kept his smile.

“Hey, you will definately see me again,” Lance said as Xenia gradually loosen her hold. “It’s a promise.” He snapped his fingers. “A pinky promise even.”

Xenia tilted her head. “A pinky promise?”

“It’s an Earth thing,” Lance explained. “Just give me your smallest finger and wrap it around mine. Yeah, that’s it.”

He gently shook their fingers together. “I, Lance, pinky swear you will leave this place safely and get to see me again. Okay?”

Xenia gave a wary pout. “So, you promise?”

“Yup, promise,” Lance said, “and as a paladin, I have to keep my word. Right, Hunk?”

“Uh, right,” Hunk stammered as he kneeled. “It’s like in the guidebook. Totally against the rules if we break them.”

Xenia puffed out her cheeks, but then took a deep breath. “Okay,” she said, slowly.

“That’s girl,” Lance said as she gave Xenia one more hug. “Now, go and keep your brother and mom safe.”

Xenia nodded as crawled off of Lance and went to take her mother’s hand. Leah muttered a ‘Thank you’ before taking Tral’s hand and lead them out of the chamber. Xenia turned around to look back at him. Lance responded with a smile and a wave that he didn’t dare drop until they were gone.

He let his hands flop into his lap as he wiped a tear from his eye. He almost forgot he wasn’t alone until Hunk touched his arm.

“You, okay, man?” Hunk asked.

Lance scoffed as he rose to his feet.

“Of course, I’m fine,” he stated and cleared his throat. “She just..reminds me a lot of my little sister when she was at that age, you know? Makes me nostalgic.”

Hunk gave a half smile as he patted his shoulder. “Come on, let’s go so you can keep that promise.”

“Yeah,” Lance said softly as he followed. This was one promise he was going to make certain to keep.

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Pidge sighed as she finished packing up the last of the backup drives onto the ships. She spent much time as she could searching the files for Matt, but she found no lead. Pidge was frustrated, but at least she had more hope.

If her father was out there alive and well, then Matt had to be too. She climbed out of the ship at the same time with Maya and Daien trailing behind her.

“Which ship are you guys going on?” Pidge asked.

“We’re going with Ford and Thace,” Maya stated, calmly. “We’re in one of the smaller ships and hopefully everything will go smoothly.”

Pidge frowned at the mention of Thace. I wonder how Keith did about getting answers from him.

Daien sighed as he looked at the other rebels entering their ships and rubbed his neck. “I’m sorry we didn’t find anything about your brother,” he said, “but I promise I’ll keep an ear out for him.”

Pidge gave a small smile. “Thanks, I appreciate that.” She patted his shoulder. “When I find my dad, I’ll pass along that you’re okay. He’ll want to know.”

Daien blushed slightly, but gave a small nod.

“Pidge,” Shiro said as he walked up to them. “We got reports of those ships getting closer, we need to get our lions.”

“Right,” Pidge said, “was just saying goodbye.”

Shiro frowned as he locked eyes with Daien. “You’re..Daien, right? The one that helped Sam?”

Daien’s blushed deepened, but jerked forward as Maya shoved him towards Shiro. “Um..yes.”

Shiro’s face softened as he offered a smile. “Thank you for setting Sam free,” he said as he offered a hand to shake. “It..means a lot to me too.”

Daien stared confused at the hand until Pidge sighed as took Daien’s hand to shake with Shiro’s. “Earth tradition, you shake hands to say ‘Thank you’,” she explained.

“Oh,” Daien said shyly as he slowly shook it. “But...I really didn’t do much.”

“Maybe not to you,” Shiro said, “but I’m betting it meant the world to Sam.”

“That’s what I keep saying,” Maya said as she lightly whacked the back of Daien’s head. “But idiot never listens to me.”

Daien gave a pout as he let go of Shiro’s hand to rub his head. “Well, sorry for being thick headed.”

Maya shook her head and then gave a serious frown to Shiro and Pidge. “Hey...don’t go dying on us or anything...okay? You guys...are rather useful to have around.”

Pidge gave a small smile in return. “Same goes for you guys too.”

“Maya, Daien!” Thace voice called out from the other end of the tunnel. “Ford is waiting, we need to go.”

The two young Galrans gave Shiro and Pidge a quick nod before dashing to where Thace was. On route, the Galrans ran by Keith who was coming towards them. Pidge’s eyes landed upon the dagger in his hands and frowned.

That’s definitely not the dagger Keith showed me earlier, she thought.

“You guys all set?” Keith asked as he approached.

“As much as we can be at this point,” Shiro said as he began to lead the way. “Hunk and Lance should be waiting for us with the lions.”

Keith nodded and Pidge purposely lagged a few steps back to be next to Keith. “So, how did it go?” Pidge asked with her hand covered.

Keith sighed. “He wanted to tell me, but then we had the emergency meeting and didn’t get the chance.”

Pidge’s mouth dropped as her eye twitched. “Are you serious?” she grumbled.

“I know,” Keith growled, but she saw his hand tightened over the dagger. “However, he promised he would talk to me after the rebels got off safely.”

Pidge raised a skeptical eyebrow. “And he’s going to keep to it?”

“I hope so,” Keith muttered.

“What are you two whispering about back there?” Shiro asked.

Pidge and Keith jumped in unison. “N-nothing, Shiro!” Pidge said. “We’re just taking bets on who can take out the most ships.”

Shiro blinked baffled, but gave a shrug as he continue to lead the way. Pidge shoulders dropped in relief and looked to Keith.

I swear, she thought. If Thace doesn’t keep that promise I’ll just have to hunt the guy down myself.

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Keith sat in Red’s cockpit as he got his screens online. “Ready, here, Shiro,” Keith said through the comlink.

“Same here!” Pidge called.

“Ditto!” said Hunk.

“I am awesome as ever,” Lance replied. “If I could be any more awesome, I would be glowing.”

Keith smirked. “And then you would be a prime target for the Galra to shoot...in which case go for it.”

“Hey!” Lance retorted as Hunk and Pidge laughed.

“Guys, settle down,” Shiro’s spoke and the screens started to beep. “Our guests have arrived.”

Keith tapped the screen and saw the dreaded warships emerged in the sky. He took a deep breath and stole another glance at Thace’s dagger.

“You better be alive after this,” he muttered.

“Alright, team,” Shiro spoke in his leader voice. “Remember, take out as many ships as you can, but the goal is to be a distraction. Once we start keep an eye out for the rebels ships in case they get into trouble. Got it?”

Each of the paladins confirmed in unison.

“Then let’s do this!” Shiro said as Black launched into the sky.

Keith followed seconds after him and headed straight towards the ship. He just hope this fight didn’t thrown any surprised at them.

#galra keith #keith kogane #thace #voltron #vld #fanfic

[multiple-fandomimagines]

Tony Stark Masterlist (part 2) *updated 5/5/18*

NONE OF THESE ARE MINE!!! I did NOT write any of these! I believe they are amazing fanfics, written by insanely talented people, and deserve to be shared. ALL CREDIT GOES TO THE AUTHORS!!!

Marvel Masterlist  Marvel Smut Masterlist

Tony Stark Masterlist Part 1

Parent Tony

Wee Little Stark [part one, part two] by orphan_account (Bucky Barnes x Darcy Lewis)(Parent Tony Stark) James Rhodes was confident in his ability to remain calm in high stress situations. Being best friends with Tony Stark will do that to a guy. What he is NOT prepared for is a toddler standing on the mansion’s doorstep with a letter addressed to Tony. Rhodey, Tony, Happy, Pepper and JARVIS learn together to care for and love the little Darcy, and together they navigate rougher waters when it’s made clear that the baby girl is even more special than they could have guessed.

Silent Ilien by everythingispoetry (Parent Tony Stark)(Tony Stark & Avengers Team) Tony is bringing up his autistic son. The world - and the Avengers - are oblivious. They just think Tony is being typical self when he disobeys orders or just disappears. Encounters through years. Pepper, Rhodey, Natasha, Steve, Thor, Bruce, Clint, the team, JARVIS. Bonus: Phil.

Peter Stark [part one, part two, part three, part four, part five, part six, part seven, part eight, part nine] by CreativityFlow (Parent Tony Stark & Peter Parker) The woman in front of him was familiar, of course, but he hadn’t seen her since that charity event two years ago- Oh. And there it was.

I Want You To Want Me (And There’s Nothing I Wouldn’t Do) by thatblondefulloflight (Darcy Lewis x Bucky Barnes)(Father Figure Tony Stark) Bucky always wondered why Darcy never talked about her family, now he knows why.

Me, Too by Kali588 (Badass Marvel Women)(Darcy Lewis & Pepper Potts)(Darcy is Tony Stark’s Daughter) The women of/around The Avengers find out about the #MeToo campaign and respond. ***Please note that there is nothing graphic, with no details about what was specifically experienced by the characters, but the Archive Warning is used out of consideration for possible triggering material.

He’s Ours To Protect by ImaKaraTabiHe (Parent Tony Stark)(Steve Rogers x Tony Stark)(Kid Peter Parker & Avengers Team) Things are going well at the Tower since Peter was adopted. At least, they were before someone from Peter’s past reappeared.

It Takes a Village (or a team of superheroes) [part one, part two, part three, part four, part five] by cvsossong (Kid Peter Parker)(Parent Steve x Parent Tony) Three months after the Chitauri attack, Tony received a phone call that changed his life. (Or, the one in which a group of remarkable people come together and balance battling villains and raising a child).

Me, You and Peter, Too [part one, part two, part three, part four, part five, part six, part seven, part eight] by starspangledsprocket (Parent Steve Rogers)(Steve Rogers x Tony Stark)(Kid Peter) Steve can’t stomach the thought of Peter growing up in an orphanage. He knows what that’s like, and he will do anything to stop that from happening to another child. If that means he adopts Peter himself, so be it.In the meantime, he has to figure out what to do about his feelings for Tony.

Signs Of Life by cvsossong (Kid Peter Parker)(Steve Rogers x Tony Stark) (Parent Tony Stark)(Peter Parker & Avengers Team)Tony Stark gets thrown into a new world when a one- night stand ends with him having a son. When it’s discovered that Peter is deaf due to his mother’s mistakes while pregnant, Tony vows to become the father he never had. Fortunately, he’s got the Avengers to step up as a team— and a family.

My Son, My Sun by Wordsplat (Parent Tony Stark)(Steve Rogers x Tony Stark)(Kid Peter) Just before the events of Iron Man, a baby is left on Tony’s doorstep. He wants nothing to do with it at first, but his time in Afghanistan changes his mind and Tony vows to become a better man for his son’s sake.

Make This Place Your Home by cvsossong (Parent Tony Stark x Parent Steve Rogers)(Kid Peter) Peter’s lived his life in and out of foster homes. Now, he may have finally found a home with the most unlikely family ever formed.

Far From The Tree by SailorChibi (Parent Steve & Parent Tony) If you need me, I’ll be there. Tony never intended to take Steve up on that. But this isn’t about him. It’s about their daughter.

Tony & Darcy Lewis

My Heart Unfolding by mudpuddledemon (Darcy Lewis & Tony Stark) “Lewis. You’re in my lab. Why are you in my lab when I’m not in my lab?” He could see her in the corner, behind the shelves of spare parts. It was a weird place to be. She was crying.-Darcy falls apart, and Tony helps collect the pieces.

I Want You To Want Me (And There’s Nothing I Wouldn’t Do) by thatblondefulloflight (Darcy Lewis x Bucky Barnes)(Father Figure Tony Stark) Bucky always wondered why Darcy never talked about her family, now he knows why.

Tony & Jarvis

Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful Boy by mybrotherharry (Kid Tony Stark & Edwin Jarvis) The first time Jarvis holds little Anthony in his arms, he is overwhelmed by emotion that is surprising in its intensity. When little Anthony’s palm curves around his finger, Jarvis ducks his head to keep the others from seeing the wetness in his eyes.“Hello Master Anthony,” he whispers into the little ear, tugging the bundle of blankets closer to his heart.

In Charge of Weapons and Ammo by arianapeterson19 (Kid Tony Stark)(Parent Bucky Barnes) The Winter Soldier refused to speak to anyone, sitting in the apartment - which was his cell and he knew it no matter how fancy it was dressed up - silently waiting for either an order or for something to stir up enough emotion in him to make him leave. What he gets is a child who won’t stop breaking into his room.ORThe one where Bucky is found early and only likes little Tony.

Don’t Bet Against The House by AlexTheShipper (Bruce Banner x Tony Stark x Rhodey Rhodes)(Protective Jarvis) In which jokes about the arc reactor are not taken lightly, not by JARVIS who will never again sit trapped in his servers as someone attempts to kill Sir.

Just A Rather Very Intelligent System by DarkestSight (Protective Jarvis) Five times Jarvis took control of the Iron Man armour without the other Avengers finding out and one time they did.

Primary Protocol by ShootMeDead (Protective Jarvis) It shouldn’t have been possible, and yet…Somehow, it was.

A.I.s and Lullabies by Echo (Tony Stark & Jarvis) Tony is suddenly a quiet, wary five year old boy. The rest of the team are less than completely sure about what to do about that.

Standard Procedure by Oceanbreeze7 (Protective Jarvis) Being an AI did not mean that one was without independent thought, nor action. Jarvis was an independent being, albeit a slightly protective one. “Hello SHIELD. This is Jarvis. If any of you threaten, hurt or attempt to hack Mr. Tony Stark, I will be forced to take steps for the removal of your existence. Have a good day.”

Tony & Shuri

Forged in Sparks by SailorChibi (Tony Stark & Shuri) Being kidnapped by Hydra wouldn’t be anyone’s idea of fun, and that included Shuri. She had no idea what Hydra wanted with her - or with the scruffy, skinny man in the cell right next to her.

Clash of the Geniuses by KSTodd (T’Challa & Shuri)(Tony Stark & Shuri) Shuri and T'Challa are visiting America for diplomatic talks. How will the first meeting between Shuri and Tony Stark play out?

Tony Stark Defense Squad

The Tony Stark Squad by BellaP (Tony Stark Defense Squad)(Not Team Cap Friendly)(Tony Stark & Avengers Team) Because Tony does have loyal friends, and they are not happy with the Avengers.

Me Without You by Wix (Tony Stark Defense Squad)(Not Team Cap Friendly)(Tony Stark & Avengers Team)(Tony-centric) Tony’s moving on, slowly and one piece at a time, but he’ll get there eventually. With a little help along the way.

We Are Tony’s People [part one, part two, part  three] by Tempest_Raining (Tony Stark Defense Squad)(Not Team Cap Friendly)(Tony Stark & Avengers Team)(Tony-centric) The first time the Exvengers walked into the refurbished compound after three-and-a-half years of sitting in Wakanda they are met with some of the more… vindictive people on Tony’s roster. Or, I just wanted to experiment with Rhodey, Doc Strange, Matt, Foggy, Jessica and FRIDAY working together to confront/warn the Exvengers.

Contractually Obligated [part one, part two, part three] by poetically_ordinary (Tony Stark x Stephen Strange)(Tony Stark Defense Squad)(not team cap friendly)(Tony Stark & Avengers Team) When the wayward Avengers finally sign the Sokovia Accords, they return to a place that is no longer like they remember it to be. Everyone must come together to portray a united front to the world. Even if that's the last thing happening behind the scenes.

Tony Stark is Not a Supervillain (But his Poker Group All Are) by DaughteroftheSilverMoon (Tony Stark & Marvel Villains) A superhero walks into a room full of villains- and they play poker and give him a drink. After all, it’s the polite thing to do. Only then they get to liking him, and all of a sudden they’re slaying dragons for the good guys. It’s very disconcerting, but kind of nice.

Villain's Code of Conduct by viviegirl05 (Tony Stark & Marvel Villains)(Tony Stark Defense Squad) Loki, Doom, Magneto, Mystique, and Killmonger visit Tony after Siberia to give their condolences for the civil war and declare the Rogues bad for their villainous reputations. When the Rogues show up and try to attack, the villains show them they won't stand for that kind of behavior from so-called heroes. They decided to drag them down legally, and throw in Ross for the sake of being thorough.

Tony & Misc.

Sick Games by arianapeterson19 (Tony Stark & Avengers Team)(Tony-centric)   Anyone who locked Tony in a room with electronics was either stupid or insane. Or both. OR The one where everyone gets kidnapped and Tony's not exactly useless.

An Ever Watchful Eye by torianmist (Tony Stark & Avengers Team)(Tony-centric) Guardian Angels come in all shapes and sizes and are not always who you think they may be.

I Really Do Trust You by tsjn (Tony Stark & Avengers Team)(Tony-centric) The team does a very different version of trust falls. Tony, dealing with the aftermath of New York, doesn’t participate. The team starts to wonder if Tony really trusts them. Or Tony tries too hard not to disappoint, and has a panic attack because of it.

Me and Myself by Kyu_Momo (Tony Stark & Avengers Team)(Tony-centric)"Tony! If you could just be a little less like you we would all like you a lot more!"

Not Fighting by arianapeterson19 (Tony Stark & Avengers Team) Fury had no room to complain, he had known what would happen if he made Tony sit through one more meeting without providing decent coffee. He didn’t have to be such a dick about it.Or the one where Fury is a shit and the Avengers have some forced bonding.

In Deep Water by itsallAvengers (Steve Rogers x Tony Stark)(Tony Stark & Avengers Team)(Tony-centric) The Avengers want a pool. Tony can arrange that for them. He can. The thought doesn’t fill him with horrible, daunting dread and crippling fear. Not at all. (Or maybe denial does more harm than good)

Submerge by Oceanbreeze7 (Tony Stark & Avengers Team)(Tony-centric) Not many people escape being a Prisoner of War untouched. Lucky (unluckily) for Tony, he wasn’t entirely the exception. Besides, water is a terrifying thing.

Division of the Heart by TylerM (Tony Stark & Avengers Team)(Tony-centric)Tony Stark is sick. Surely that’s not going to be a problem? When he doesn’t tell the team a normal cold is a little more complicated with the Arc Reactor, things get a little out of hand.

Grown Now by TylerM (Tony Stark & Avengers Team)(Tony-centric) Loki de-ages Tony Stark, and the team have to now deal with a tiny four year old who is nothing like the Tony they’re used to, and nothing like they’d expect him to be as a child.

Expendable by Kelady (Steve Rogers x Tony Stark)(Tony Stark & Avengers Team)(Tony-centric) Tony's expendable and he knows it. So why is the whole team in his hospital room, worried? or Tony gets stabbed by Loki and he learns exactly how much they care. Hint. It's a lot.

TONY STARK, PRESUMED DEAD by Kelady (Tony Stark & Avengers Team)(Tony-centric) Tony Stark's house is blown up on National television. Of course, the remaining Avengers are going to find out. This is what they do while Tony Stark is Presumed Dead.

Not just a team, but a family. by Thebookofavenging (Tony Stark & Avengers Team)(Tony-centric) Post the arc-reactor surgery, tony wakes up to find the avengers in his hospital room and needless to say he is a little surprised by it. Fluff and Confusion ensues.

Ghosts by madwamoose (Tony Stark & Avengers Team)(Tony-centric) The Avengers have been placed under a spell. Each day, a ghost of a member of the team will haunt them until they face their worst fear and stick up to it.

It Only Hurts a Little (He's Lying Through His Teeth) by F-117 Nighthawk (Tony Stark & Avengers Team)(Tony-centric) Two times Tony hid the fact that the arc reactor was causing him pain and one time Pepper didn't let him.

The Triggers List by TeaSpent (Tony Stark & Avengers Team)(Tony-centric)After the first 'incident', the triggers list was made. Stuck on to the fancy fridge in the Avenger's Tower with a purple smiley face magnet, the paper has everyone’s name's on it, as well as a bulleted list of triggers. Well, that is, everyone except for Tony.

Truth, Secrets, Mind by Kelady (Tony Stark & Avengers Team)(Tony-centric)The Avengers team is thrown in to Tony’s mind and they are shown some of Tony’s bad past.

I Don’t Like To Be Handed Things by Kelady (Tony Stark & Avengers Team)(Tony-centric) Tony Stark doesn’t like to be handed things. The avengers find out why.

Not a Soldier by SailorChibi (Tony Stark & Avengers Team)(Tony-centric)When a villain kidnaps the team and demands sex in exchange for the team’s freedom, the obvious choice to offer up is the person who has the most experience (and the worst reputation). Unfortunately, Tony didn’t actually consent.

Stuck with us by petroltogo (Tony Stark & Avengers Team)(Tony-centric) (High School AU) Prompt fill: can u write like a hs au, with avengers as a group of friends. they act like they think tony doesn’t have feelings, they seem to never take him seriously and they often tease him or laugh at sth that actually hurts him (they dont know that it makes him feel bad) he usually just takes it, because he thinks he deserves it. but then he has just the worst day ever, and they make some comment abt sth and he just breaks and starts crying, cause he just wants someone to care abt him. they comfort him.

The Star-Spangled Man With A Plan by Mistfire24 (Tony Stark & Avengers Team) Tony is forced to clean out and organize his father’s old things. He finds a special surprise that he can’t wait to share with the rest of the team. OR Everyone is laughing because Steve Rodgers, A.K.A. Captain America is dressed in SPANDEX

Fix You by Princess_Aleera (Clint Barton x Tony Stark)(Tony Stark & Avengers Team)(Tony-centric) “Hello, Tony. I want to play a game." Tony is taken by the Jigsaw Killer and forced to endure five grueling tasks - each of them representing one of his teammates. The same teammates who, on Jigsaw’s orders, are forced to watch every second of Tony’s torture on a set of monitors. “Hello, Avengers. Today, you are not here to save anyone. You are here to help with the clean-up, for once in your life.”

Broken by NotEvenCloseToStraight (Tony Stark x Avengers Team) It took months of therapy for Bucky to break his Winter Soldier conditioning, and Steve was there for him, encouraging him to talk about his past, his fears, his time as the Soldier. And Bucky talked about everything-- except why the barest mention of an Alpha makes him panic. When Steve brings Bucky home, Alpha!Tony is ready to welcome Bucky with open arms and wings, but Bucky can't look at him, can't be in the same room without his wings flaring out to keep the Alpha away, a broken Omega panicking in the presence of a strong Alpha. But Tony is a good Alpha, and the team pulls together to help Bucky, showing him what it means to be loved, to be healthy and whole, and one day when Tony holds his hand out, Bucky trusts him enough to take it. And Bucky realizes that with a family behind him, with the safety hes found in the Omegas, the companionship from the Betas, and the unconditional love from the Alpha--HIS alpha, he isn’t broken at all. But with a team like the Avengers, tragedy is never far off, and this one rocks the family to their core. How can they fix the broken pieces of their lives when their Alpha is gone?

Tony x Supernatural Crossover

Family Don’t End With Blood [part one, part two, part three, part four, part five, part six, part seven, part eight, part nine, part ten, part eleven, part twelve, part thirteen] by MonPetitTresor (Platonic Sam & Tony Stark)

Supernatural Husbands [part one, part two, part three, part four, part five] by InsertPotterThemedUsernameHere (Tony Stark x Dean Winchester) The story of Dean Winchester & Tony Stark falling in love and facing life’s challenges along the way, including: broken down cars, miscommunication, lack of faith, the media, Howard Stark’s A+ Parenting, angel dicks, tricksters, SHIELD, pre-wedding jitters, a baby, a frigid Capsicle, a confuzzled assassin, annoying little brothers, and more

An Occasional Matter of Family by dare_to_do_our_duty (Tony Stark & The Winchester Brothers) In which Tony Stark is related to Sam and Dean Winchester and they drop in on occasion when nobody is busy saving the world. And sometimes when everyone is busy saving the world.

Tony Stark Masterlist Part 1

#archive of our own #marvel #masterlist #tony stark #Iron Man #marvel fanfic #marvel fanfiction #marvel masterlist #tony stark fanfic #tony stark fanfiction #tony stark masterlist #iron man fanfiction #iron man fanfic #iron man masterlist #ao3 masterlist #tony stark imagine #tony stark oneshot #iron man imagine #iron man oneshot #tony stark & peter parker #tony stark & shuri #tony stark & darcy lewis #tony stark & jarvis #superfamily #tony stark x clint barton #tony stark x t'challa #tony stark x phil coulson #tony stark x sam wilson #steve rogers x tony stark x bucky barnes

[thebloodychampion]

Steven Hackett Past

Early years:

Admiral Steven Hackett was born in 2134 in the city of Buenos Aires. There is not much known about his childhood, he was raised by his mother alone until she died when he was 12 years old. Until the age of 20 he wouldn't know about his father and was not actually pleased to see him. Their contact would remain scarce throughout his career. At the age of twelve his mother passed away and he was sent to the Advanced Training Academy of Juveniles. He quickly became evident for his affinity in science and leadership, and was soon placed into high-risk operations. These took parts beyond the Sol Relay in the colony systems, before the First Contact War even started he was second lieutenant. At this point there was no one else who would have rosen in ranks as fast as Hackett has been. The only person who could maybe best him in that contest was the later, first operative to become an N7, David Anderson.

First Contact War:

While being commissioned second lieutenant, he took part in the First Contact War, facing off an entirely new enemy – the turians. He was part of the ground team on Shanxi, fascinated by their new nemesis, their militaristic strategies and their determination. Sadly enough the war ended not only three months later. He was apart from many others one of the few humans who had survived the First Contact War without ending up dead. Ever since he discovered a great respect for the turians although some of them still don't trust the humans and others admired them since they had been the first race since the krogan rebellions who would give the turians a true meaning to fight.

After the First Contact War:

Humanity was introduced to the Citadel Council, representatives of three powerful races, having their seat on the biggest space station, the Citadel. Steven Hackett spent most of his time in the Fifth Fleet, until the enormous Arcturus Station was finished in 2162. During this time he came in contact with the later announced ambassador Donnel Udina and David Anderson. Although spending most of the time on Arcturus Station, Hackett had no real time for personal benefits. He was serving the Alliance, personal matters would have to come later. The years after the incident with the turians had been kind to humanity, although being seen as usurpers and sometimes power hungry, Hackett showed the galaxy that humanity was more than that.

Before Eden Prime War:

He was one of the few people who made it possible for the turian Shepard Torquatus to join the Alliance Navy. Given that he was at this point commanding officer of the Fifth Fleet, he appointed together with Captain David Anderson, Shepard to become a Spectre, not for his own race but for humanity. He was fascinated by the skills the turian had to offer and even though he fought in the First Contact War, he had no grudge against the turian. He even became a good friend and an even better soldier to the Admiral.

Eden Prime War:

The geth attack on Eden Prime made it clear for the Admiral that their colonies were not save, he promoted, together with David Anderson and Donnel Udina, the turian Shepard Torquatus to become a Spectre, in the on coming months he would sometimes give Shepard missions during the pursuit of the rogue Spectre Saren Arterius. Shepard only was forward as a Spectre since their original Spectre Commander Shepard died on Eden Prime. Otherwise Hackett would have not put forward a turian instead of a human.

Attack on Souvereign:

While the Fifth Fleet was waiting in Arcturus Station, Admiral Hackett waited for Shepard's call to aid the Destiny Ascension or abandon them. The turian chose to aid them, making a tough call for the Admiral. But the deaths were worth it, the combined attack of the Alliance Navy was able to assist the Destiny Ascension and defeat Sovereign, the Reaper attacking the Citadel. Although the losses were significant, they were able to save a lot of more lives by killing Sovereign. After the defeat of one Reaper, Hackett was promoted to head of the Alliance Navy.

Destruction of the Normandy - Following years:

When Hackett heard about the destruction of the Normandy by an unknown species and the death of Shepard, he was rather busy organizing the losses during the attack of Sovereign. He didn't really have the time to mourn a really good soldier since the Alliance had suffered great losses. In 2183 he sent Delta Squad to the colony of Fehl Prime to help the colonists against the oncoming Blood Pack mercenaries. Hackett also delivers additional orders to the Delta Squad to protect valuable Alliance interests on Fehl Prime. When Vega, a soldier which reminded Hackett of Shepard, at least in his dedication to his crew, protests, Hackett reminds him of the chain of command and assures him that Delta Squad's mission will be of vital importance to the Alliance. After the colony was hit by the collectors and the destruction of the collector ship, resulting in the colonists' deaths, he commends Vega's heroic actions and promotes him to Lieutenant Commander.

Collector Abductions:

In 2185, two years after the death of Shepard, rumors were made that the Commander was alive and working for Cerberus. Hackett knew the Commander and he was sure he was working for the enemy for a good reason. Although being stuck with the Alliance and having to deal with some other business, he gave the Commander the location of the Normandy's Crash Site and later requested his help to find the abducted Dr. Kenson. When he later received word that a Batarian System had been destroyed resulting in the deaths of nearly 300 000 batarians, he gave the Commander a personal debriefing, warning him that the batarians would want blood and that he should be prepared for a trial. He was also the one recovering Shepard dog tags and giving them to his former crewmate Liara T'Soni.

The death and indoctrination of Dr. Kenson left Hackett with the loss of a good friend, but he was an admiral and the Reapers were coming. So there was no time to mourn a good friend. After the Reapers have been defeated Hackett planted a grave for Dr. Kenson, since she had been a good person and she would have been alive if the Reapers hadn't indotricanted her.

The Reaper War:

Before the Reapers attacked Arcturus Station, Admiral Hackett was alerted that most of the Alliance deep space outposts had gone dark and that he would have time to mobilize the fleet. Although the truth was not as simple as that. He was forced to sacrifice the entire Second Fleet so the Third and Fifth Fleet could escape the destroyed Arcturus Station. He suggested that Shepard should meet up with Dr. T'Soni went to Mars to look for the archives while he gave them enough time to get there. Telling Shepard that their losses have been siginificant but they would need the Prothean archives. Although having no real idea how they could help against a force like the Reapers.

It was later revealed to him by Shepard that the Mars archives contained blueprints for a device, which was later dubbed Project Crucible during the Reaper War. He actually explains to Shepard that he was just sacrificing alliance personnel so that the Commander would have more time to get him enough resources for the Crucible. Actually managing to get the best people to work for the Crucible while the Reapers destroyed and harvested world after world. He comments on Shepard thinking after curing the genophage and often gives him intel on how the situation could be without the turian and krogan help. After the resulting peace between the quarians and the geth, Admiral Hackett informs the Commander that he was chosen to lead the war against the Reapers because he had a loyal crew and was able to survive both Sovereign and the Omega-4-Relay.

He also ordered the Commander to kill the Illusive Man since his actions would doom humanity instead of helping it, after the Commander told him that the Illusive Man wanted to control the Reapers. During the assault on Chronos Station he mobilized the Fifth Fleet against the Cerberus ships and remained in contact with the Commander. Even speaking out his worries that he would not attack while Shepard was still inside but his doubts were soon relinquished when Shepard told him he wouldn't want Cerberus to win, resulting in the attack of the Fifth Fleet against the station.

Before the final push on earth against the Reapers he requests to come on board the Normandy, giving his final speech before the assault on the Reapers on earth. He mobilized the fleet against the true enemy, quickly giving the participating species a little bit of hope and they should not give the Reapers another reason to destroy them. After that he debriefed Shepard together with Admiral Anderson who was leading the defenses on earth to get to the Citadel, which was closed off over London. He directs Shepard to be in the ground team called Hammer and that they would get to the Citadel no matter what, while he remains in orbit, commanding the Alliance. Although the Reapers were stronger, Hackett insisted that some of the warships would stay behind to protect the Crucible while they were taking it to the Citadel after he heard that Shepard had made it to the Citadel.

Shepard managed to get the arms open and the Crucible could dock, but nothing happend. Hackett contact Shepard on the Citadel via comm that nothing happend and the Reapers were still destroying everything. Sadly enough the connection was really bad and Hackett loses contact with the Commander. Leaving him in the dark for a few moments before the Crucible was finally working. He ordered the remaining fleets to retreat through a relay to get to safety. Knowing whatever would come out of the Crucible wouldn't be very nice. After the Crucible fired and most of the Mass Relays were destroyed, Hackett announced that they had won and even though their sacrifices have been immense they were able to defeat the Reapers.

After the Reaper War:

The following year was full of rebuilding and organising, the losses were immense but they would have been even greater if the Commander hadn't done what had to be done to save the galaxy. He didn't really know what the Commander did but it helped them. Soon realising the Reapers were not destroyed but surprisingly helping the remaining forces during the most desperate time, Hackett was really pleased with this. Although having his doubts at first but in less than one year they were able to repair most of the relays. Hackett also organized to rebuild Arcturus Station, but this would take a little bit longer since it wasn't their main important thing. He was actually rather pleased with the oncoming reparation of the Mass Relays and the Citadel.

#hackett things #hackett past

[bountyofbeads]

The New Stephen Miller

In Ken Cuccinelli, President Trump’s biggest immigration hard-liner has found the consummate ideological ally.

ELAINA PLOTT | Published AUG 14, 2019 | The Atlantic | Posted August 18, 2019 | 11:35 AM ET |

When President Donald Trump’s administration on Monday rolled out its so-called public-charge rule, which would allow the government to deny permanent residence to legal immigrants receiving public assistance, whispers of Stephen Miller were immediate.

Miller, the 33-year-old Trump adviser, has created many of the White House’s most controversial immigration policies over the past two and half years, and sure enough, when Acting Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Ken Cuccinelli announced the plan, which is scheduled to take effect in 60 days, reports detailing Miller’s handiwork were not far behind. It was as though Cuccinelli, in briefing journalists on the rule, had served as little more than a suited vessel for Miller’s worldview. But to shift focus away from Cuccinelli is to ignore the very real convictions he brings to bear in this administration.

A former senior White House official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity in order to be frank, told me that one of the chief challenges in staffing this administration has been finding people whose fervor for hard-line immigration policies matches that of the president, and whose résumé includes even one line of government experience. Miller has thus found himself on an island at times in his attempt to execute his more extreme visions for the nation’s immigration system. (A screaming match on the topic of, say, the proposed Mexican border wall is not unusual, said the source, who was party to one such exchange.)

Enter Cuccinelli. The former Virginia attorney general joined the Trump administration in late May. His background includes trying to eliminate birthright citizenship, questioning whether Barack Obama was born in the United States, and proposing to make speaking Spanish on the job a fireable offense. Accordingly, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell advised the president against nominating Cuccinelli to any post that required Senate confirmation. To some, Cuccinelli’s arrival meant that Miller had, at long last, found the consummate ideological ally. (A representative for Cuccinelli declined my request for a phone interview with the director.)

Cuccinelli may well have been created in a Trump-branded petri dish. He’s spent decades advocating for far-right positions on a variety of social issues, and the 50-year-old practicing Catholic enjoys widespread support among conservative evangelicals. Cuccinelli used his 2013 loss to Terry McAuliffe in the Virginia gubernatorial race to reinvent himself as a conservative pundit, and for the past few years has offered a reliably pro-Trump perspective across cable networks (a bonus for anyone seeking this president’s favor). As someone who built much of his popularity on polarizing immigration policies and incendiary rhetoric, Cuccinelli was as natural a choice as any for an administration hoping to make progress on the president’s signature issue ahead of the 2020 election.

This week, Cuccinelli has gone on a media blitz of sorts to defend the administration’s crackdown on legal immigration. The new public-charge rule specifically allows the government to deny permanent residency to legal immigrants it deems a financial burden, based on an individual’s current or likely reliance on programs such as food stamps or Medicaid. In an interview with NPR yesterday, Cuccinelli went so far as to suggest a rewrite of the Emma Lazarus poem inscribed on the base of the Statue of Liberty. “Would you also agree that … ‘Give me your tired, your poor’ are also part of the American ethos?” the host Rachel Martin asked Cuccinelli. “They certainly are,” he replied. “Give me your tired and your poor who can stand on their own two feet, and who will not become a public charge.”

Cuccinelli began his career as a state senator in Virginia, where he served from 2002 to 2010. In 2008, he introduced legislation that would have allowed employers to fire those who didn’t speak English in the workplace. Under his plan, those fired would have subsequently been ineligible for unemployment benefits. At the time, state Senate Majority Leader Richard Saslaw called it “the most mean-spirited piece of legislation I have seen in my 30 years down here.”

In 2009, Cuccinelli ran a successful campaign for Virginia attorney general, serving under Governor Bob McDonnell. Much of the controversy surrounding Cuccinelli’s four-year tenure touched on health care—he was the nation’s first attorney general to file a lawsuit against the Affordable Care Act—and LGBTQ rights, including his defense of a state law prohibiting sodomy, which was struck down in 2013, and his attempt to remove sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes within state universities’ nondiscrimination policies.

Cuccinelli was just as active on the issue of immigration. In 2010, he issued an opinion that authorized law-enforcement officers to check the immigration status of anyone they stopped for any reason, a move that followed a similar practice in Arizona. That same year, he said it didn’t “seem beyond the realm of possibility” that Obama was born in Kenya—a statement he later walked back.

All of which was enough to splinter support across the Republican Party when he decided to run for governor in 2013. As The Washington Post’s Marc Fisher noted in the spring, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which was a major backer of McDonnell, refused to give Cuccinelli a dime toward his campaign. After then–Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling withdrew from the race, he also declined to back Cuccinelli, arguing that it was crucial for the party to “reconnect with a more diverse voter base.” Cuccinelli, upon winning the GOP nomination, lost the general election to McAuliffe by two and a half percentage points.

Cuccinelli continued to remain active in the party. He advised Ted Cruz’s campaign in the 2016 presidential race. He went so far as to lead the senator from Texas’s effort to unbind delegates ahead of the party’s convention, and yelled “Shame! Shame!” on the floor to protest Trump’s nomination. But like so many other anti-Trump Republicans, Cuccinelli quickly fell in line, and has spent much of the past two and a half years praising the president.

The public-charge rule is in many ways the result of this administration’s inability to enact its desired “merit-based” immigration laws through Congress. With Trump’s first term nearing its conclusion and Congress impossibly gridlocked, many more such crackdowns on immigration—both legal and illegal—are likely to originate in the executive branch. If the latest rollout is any indication, it could be that Cuccinelli, as much as Miller or anyone else, is eager to bring those ideas to life.

Trump’s White Identity Politics Appeals to Two Different Groups

The president’s overt racism now risks fragmenting his coalition.

David A. Graham | Published August 8, 2019 | The Atlantic | Posted August 18, 2019 11:45 AM ET |

Over the past month, President Donald Trump has embarked on a concerted push to place race at the heart of the 2020 election, first by saying that a group of four progressive congresswomen of color should “go back [to] the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came” and then with a sustained campaign against Representative Elijah Cummings, an African American Democrat. Trump has been using race as a political wedge for nearly a decade, dating back to his campaign against an Islamic community center in lower Manhattan; these moves are, as I have argued, a more explicit version of that long-standing strategy.

Commentators seeking to contextualize this political strategy have sometimes labeled it “white identity politics,” a phrase that mirrors the label (often pejorative) given to politicians who have emphasized race and gender issues. Calling it “white identity politics” also emphasizes the way in which whiteness, though commonly treated as a default or an absence of race, is very much an identity of its own.

But simply labeling Trump’s strategy as white identity politics doesn’t differentiate it from other race-based approaches to politics, much less explain why it works, what its limitations might be, or to whom it appeals.

These are all questions that the political scientist Ashley Jardina explores in a book published earlier this year, aptly titled White Identity Politics. (She is a professor at Duke, where I sometimes teach journalism.) Jardina’s research finds that it isn’t just pundits and political scientists who have zeroed in on whiteness as an affirmative political identity: Many white Americans are identifying themselves with their racial group as well. That’s a departure from recent years, though it has likely happened at other times in American history as well, and it has important political ramifications. White identity was an important predictor of voting for Trump.

But Jardina finds some surprising things about white identity politics. For one thing, there seems to be a real psychological divide between whites who hold animus to other racial groups and those who show little sign of typical racial prejudice but are concerned about protecting their own group—though in practice, they often end up supporting politicians and policies that do hurt minority groups, as with Trump. Meanwhile, despite common oversimplifications about who these voters are, Jardina finds little evidence to suggest they are largely members of an economically fragile working class.

Trump’s political success has been built in part on his ability to appeal to both whites who are prejudiced and those who are not, using the same policy ideas. But moves like his attacks on the “squad” or Cummings test the outer limits of this two-pronged strategy, threatening to turn off whites who don’t think of themselves as prejudiced. There’s been a 10-percentage-point drop in white identifiers—whites who indicated their racial identity is really important to them—since the 2016 election. Trump’s recent moves toward cutting budgets for entitlement programs popular among white identifiers also risk alienating the voters who helped put him in office. Jardina walked me through her research, and discussed how her findings might apply to the president’s recent racist outbursts. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity and concision.

David A. Graham: I see a growing number of people using the phrase white identity politics, sometimes to mean different things. What do you mean when you refer to white identity politics?

Ashley Jardina: The term refers to the psychological attachment to their racial group that many whites in the United States possess. Whites with a racial identity feel a sense of racial solidarity with their group and see whites as having similar interests. White identity politics refers to the way in which this sense of racial solidarity influences whites’ view of the political world. Generally what that looks like is whites with a sense of racial identity prefer political candidates and policies that protect their group’s interests. In the U.S., protecting these interests often means attempting to preserve privileges and advantages that whites, on average, have relative to other racial and ethnic groups.

Graham: Is this a recent phenomenon?

Jardina: I think of it as an episodic phenomenon. Until recently, it might seem like we haven’t seen white identity influencing whites’ political preferences in any serious way. But if we had historical political polling data, we might. For example, it isn’t hard to imagine that the white backlash to the civil-rights movement was not just about racial animus, but also about whites feeling like their political power was going to shift markedly as African Americans achieved more political rights and opportunities. Another moment white identity politics was likely at play was in the U.S. in the 1920s, just before the passage of the 1924 Immigration Act. Coming on the heels of a large influx of immigrants from eastern and southern Europe, many Americans were worried about the changing racial composition of the United States. If you read the Congressional Record at the time, politicians were having very similar conversations to the ones we’re having today. They expressed opinions about what the racial composition of the country should look like and considered from where we should limit immigration. Most of these conversations were about maintaining the image of the U.S. as a “white” nation. Members of Congress even talked about preserving the “Nordic stock” of the nation.

My argument is that the reason white identity politics matters today in a way it didn’t matter in the 1980s or 1990s or even 2000s is because of a confluence of things happening in the political and social environment. The country is changing demographically because of immigration that took place in the 1990s and early 2000s, and because of differences in birth rates across racial and ethnic groups. The U.S. is becoming far more racially and ethnically diverse at a rapid pace, and perhaps most symbolic of these changes was the election of Barack Obama, the nation’s first black president. These are all factors in the political environment that some whites, I argue, are interpreting as a threat to their group’s power and their status.

Graham: You draw some conclusions about what the typical white identifier looks like. Can you sketch that?

Jardina: It’s not who you might expect. I think the term white identity politics often conjures up this image of a working-class white man who maybe lost his manufacturing job and feels he’s being left behind. There’s not a lot of evidence that such a person is the typical white identifier. People high on white identity tend to be older and without college degrees. Women are actually slightly more likely to identify as white than men. And white identifiers are not exclusively found among those in the working class. White identifiers have similar incomes, are no less likely to be unemployed, and are just as likely to own their own home as whites who do not have a strong sense of racial identity.

Graham: There’s an idea in circulation that white identity politics is driven less by poverty than by a sense of fragility—a sense that one’s economic status is endangered. Is there evidence for that?

Jardina: I find very little evidence that a sense of economic vulnerability leads whites to adopt a racial identity. I asked people whether they think their families are better or worse off than they were a few years ago and find that their answers to this question are not at all predictive of whether they identify as white. I also looked to see whether people who were worried about losing their job might be more likely to identify as white, and I don’t find a relationship there, either. There really isn’t a strong relationship between subjective or objective economic circumstances and the propensity to adopt this identity.

In addition to whether or not someone went to college, I find that higher levels of white identity tend to be associated with certain personality traits. Whites who are more authoritarian or who score higher on this metric we call social-dominance orientation—a psychological predisposition that leads individuals to prefer hierarchy, or to believe that society should be organized hierarchically—these are the white people more inclined to identify with their racial group.

Graham: You say about 38 percent of whites score high on racial identity but low on racial resentment. What does that look like in practice?

Jardina: This is a really important distinction for a number of reasons. When social scientists think about how people act as groups in society, we make this distinction between the negative attitudes that people hold toward out-group members and the attitudes people have toward members of their in-groups. Traditionally, we have often focused on the negative out-group attitudes that white people have toward people of color. We call these attitudes racial prejudice.

White identity is an in-group attitude. There isn’t necessarily a strong relationship between feeling favorable toward one’s own racial group and strongly disliking members of other racial groups. Many white identifiers aren’t especially racially prejudiced in the classical sense. Nevertheless, they do want to do things that benefit their group, and while they’re not necessarily motivated to do so at the expense of other racial or ethnic groups, it turns out that the policies and candidates white identifiers support in the name of their group’s interests can hurt other groups. In a world in which whites have a disproportionate share of power and resources, having a preference for protecting your group inherently preserves a system of racism and racial inequality.

This distinction between whites who have a sense of racial identity and whites who are racially prejudiced matters a lot for today’s politics. Many of Trump’s racist or racially charged remarks likely appeal to two distinct sets of white voters. Take a recent example, when Trump told several members of Congress to “go back to your countries.” We might think that this remark, which is racist because it suggests that these women of color are not truly American, would only seem acceptable to the most racist of whites. But this sentiment might also appeal to white identifiers who look around a more racially and ethnically diverse nation and worry that they are no longer seen as prototypical members of the United States.

Graham: I suspect a lot of people will view this skeptically: Is there really a difference here? The example that persuaded me in your book concerned “racialized” programs like welfare and Medicaid.

Jardina: I find that white identity isn’t at all associated with views on a lot of policies that we know traditionally are overwhelmingly associated with racial prejudice. People with high levels of racial animus are far less supportive of welfare and Medicaid, social-welfare policies that have been associated with erroneous and disparaging stereotypes about African Americans. White identity is unrelated to attitudes on these policies. Whites with high levels of identity are not any more supportive of reductions to these policies than whites with no sense of racial identity. There are some social-welfare policies that I and other scholars have argued are traditionally associated with whiteness or with disproportionately benefiting white people: Social Security, Medicare. These are especially popular among white identifiers.

The distinction between white identity and white racial prejudice also matters when we think about political mobilization. We know that both white identity and racial prejudice were powerful predictors of Trump support. Whites high on racial prejudice and whites high on white identity were both likely to vote for Trump. Trump was an unconventional Republican candidate, in that he parted ways with the traditional GOP party platform: He promised to protect Social Security and Medicare, a campaign promise that appealed distinctly to white identifiers.

But Trump was very strategic and very much set out to attract both the racially prejudiced whites and whites who were high on a sense of identity. For instance, Trump has basically hammered over and over again the issue of immigration—an issue very important to whites who feel a sense of prejudice toward Latinos and to whites who are worried about the loss of their race’s numerical majority in the country. All Trump has to do is say, “I’m going to restrict immigration; I’m going to build a border wall.” This message appeals to both types of white people but for different reasons.

Graham: When Trump adopts these racist attacks, does he risk turning off white identifiers who aren’t high on racial animus?

Jardina: It’s a little complicated. What we do know is that when Trump associates himself with extremist groups or white supremacists, many white identifiers are turned off. It’s a little more complicated when you’re talking about remarks that apparently to some white Americans are more ambiguous in terms of whether they’re seen as racist, like “Send her back.”

There may have been a period in American politics where, when politicians made racist or racialized comments, the public would recoil. One of the things I’ve found in my research is that accusations of racism have become politically ineffective. People often see them as “crying wolf.” Think about the “Go back to where you came from” controversy. In reaction to Trump’s racist remarks, Democrats were outraged and called Trump racist. Republicans simply responded by saying, You just want to make everything about race. You just want to play the race card.

Trump does this all the time. He makes racist remarks and then denies that his remarks were racist. It allows Republicans to completely spin the narrative. After the “Send her back” controversy, a lot of the conservative talking points drew attention away from the “Send her back” language. The narrative became that “these four members of Congress were complaining about America so Trump told them to leave.”

Graham: It’s reframing them as classic “Love it or leave it” rhetoric.

Jardina: Right. But there is some evidence that despite his efforts, Trump has turned away some of his initial supporters. I’ve found that after the 2016 election, there was a 10-percentage-point drop in the number of white people who identify as white. I’m working on a study now with some colleagues that tries to understand why we’ve seen this drop. What we’ve found thus far is that the drop has largely been motivated by dislike or disgust toward Donald Trump. There’s also some evidence that Trump is partly responsible for a reduction in levels of racial prejudice among some whites. Since Trump’s election, white Republicans have not become less racially prejudiced, but white Democrats have.

Both these changes are really interesting and surprising, because social scientists often think of these racial identities and racial attitudes as really stable dispositions—ones that people adopt early in their lives. They don’t tend to shift, even when things are going on in the political environment. The fact that Trump is, in part, causing these shifts is really surprising.

Graham: At the same time, we see Trump talking about cutting budgets in the second term, and his most recent budget cuts entitlements. Is that likely to hurt him with white identifiers?

Jardina: Yes, and it’s an opportunity for Democrats to win over these white identifiers, since Democratic candidates tend to be more supportive of protecting these programs than Republicans. But Trump can always play the immigration card. He can talk about cutting these programs and then distract by turning the public’s attention back to immigration and talking about an immigration crisis.

He’s done this before. Think about Trump’s strategy leading up to the midterm elections. Suddenly, we have a caravan of migrants coming to storm the border. The midterm elections happen, and suddenly, no caravan. It’s a very effective strategy, because many people are concerned about immigration, and it is an issue that is especially important to white Republicans, both those who are high on white prejudice and high on white identity.

Graham: Yeah, but the midterm elections were awful for Republicans. Are you saying the results might have been worse if not for that rhetoric?

Jardina: One thing we need to think about is the difference between changing voters’ attitudes and mobilizing voters. Is Trump’s racist rhetoric actually mobilizing white liberals and mobilizing people of color in response? It’s clear his rhetoric isn’t doing much to turn away Republicans. After his “Send her back” remarks, Trump’s approval ratings actually went up with Republicans. So when we think about the results of the midterms, or look toward 2020, the big question, I think, isn’t whether Trump’s racist messaging is going to alienate his supporters. It’s whether whites and people of color are appalled enough by Trump’s racism to show up to the polls and vote.

#president trump #trumpsucks #trump news #president donald trump #trump administration #trumpism #trump scandals #u.s. immigration and customs enforcement #immigration reform #immigration #immigrants #u.s. news #u.s. government #us politics #politics #politics and government #u.s. politics

[jodyedgarus]

The UConn Huskies Aren’t As Dominant As Before, But They’re Still Dangerous

Last weekend, the UConn women’s basketball team punched its ticket to a 26th straight Sweet 16 with an 82-74 win over Buffalo. It was business as usual except for one small detail: the Huskies are a No. 2 seed, making this the first year since 2006 that the Huskies are not a No. 1 seed. The selection committee’s decision was controversial, but UConn Coach Geno Auriemma shrugged it off, saying, “We’re not going to practice differently because we’re a 2 instead of a 1.”

Auriemma surely hopes his team doesn’t play any differently, either, as the Huskies have advanced to the Final Four in each of the past 11 seasons. In that span, they have won six national championships.

But seeding aside, are this year’s Huskies any different? After all, this team only lost two games and none in the American Athletic Conference. Are UConn fans right to be upset about the No. 2 seed, or is the seed a real reflection of the fact that this year’s Huskies aren’t quite as elite as their title-winning predecessors?

2018-19 UConn versus 2015-16 UConn

UConn most recently won an NCAA title in 2015-16, led by the dominant trio of Breanna Stewart, Moriah Jefferson and Morgan Tuck. That team went 38-0 and won by almost 40 points per game, including a 31-point victory over Syracuse in the national championship game. According to Her Hoop Stats, UConn led the nation in most traditional and advanced statistics, including points per game, points allowed per game, field goal percentage, points per scoring attempt, assists per game and block rate.

As an exercise, I selected 23 statistical categories from Her Hoop Stats on which to compare the 2015-16 and the 2018-19 teams. These included statistics on offense and defense—and on shooting, rebounding, assists, steals, blocks and fouls — in an attempt to represent the full range of each team’s abilities. Eight of the statistics happened to be categories in which UConn led the nation in 2015-16. This year’s UConn team leads the nation in just one of these statistics — foul rate — and bettered the 2015-16 team’s numbers in only three. This year’s team holds opponents to a lower shooting percentage on three-pointers, records assists on a higher percentage of its baskets, and has a slightly lower turnover rate than the 2015-16 team.

This year’s Huskies lag behind the 2015-16 champ team

Based on 23 selected offense and defense statistics comparing the 2015-16 and 2018-19 University of Connecticut women’s basketball team

Season 2015-16 2018-19 Is 2018-19 better? Points per game 88.1 83.4 Opponent points per game 48.3 55.3 Possessions per 40 minutes 70.9 70.8 Opponent average win percentage 59.5% 56.2% Effective field goal percentage 59.0% 55.8% 3-point share 38.1% 36.3% Free throw share 80.0% 73.5% Points per scoring attempt 1.23 1.17 3-point rate 28.5% 30.5% ✓ Opponent effective field goal share 38.0% 38.8% Opponent 3-point share 29.9% 28.3% ✓ Opponent points per scoring attempt 0.79 0.82 Opponent 3-point rate 30.2% 32.2% Offensive rebounding rate 39.8% 35.6% Defensive rebounding rate 72.6% 69.9% Total rebounding rate 57.9% 54.6% Assist rate 63.2% 64.0% ✓ Turnover rate 14.2% 14.1% Assist-to-turnover ratio 1.82 1.70 Steal rate 16.6% 11.8% Opponent turnover rate 25.3% 19.1% Block rate 16.1% 10.5% Foul rate 15.6% 16.9%

Source: her hoop stats

However, the 2015-16 team set an incredibly high bar; comparing any team to that team feels akin to saying, “These UCLA Bruins are OK, but they’ve got nothing on John Wooden’s 1972 squad.” Not only did the 2015-16 UConn team go undefeated, but it didn’t win a single game all season by fewer than 10 points. Seniors Stewart, Jefferson and Tuck became the first three picks in the 2016 WNBA draft — the only time three players from the same school have ever been the top three picks in the WNBA or NBA draft.

2018-19 UConn versus UConn title teams since 2009

Her Hoop Stats only offers advanced statistics on teams from the 2015-16 season to the present, but UConn makes plenty of traditional stats available in its women’s basketball archives. Here is how this year’s UConn team compares to the six most recent UConn champions in 16 categories:

This year’s Huskies aren’t quite at previous levels

How the six recent UConn championship teams and the 2018-19 rank in selected statistics

Season ranking 2018-19 2015-16 2014-15 2013-14 2012-13 2009-10 2008-09 Record 6th 1st 5th 1st 7th 1st 1st Points per game 4 2 1 6 5 7 3 Opp. points per game 7 3 4 2 5 1 6 Field goal share 7 2 1 5 6 3 4 Opp. field goal share 7 5 2 3 4 1 6 3-point share 6 2 1 5 3 7 4 Opponent 3-point share 4 6 3 2 5 1 7 Free throw share 4 1 5 3 2 6 7 Rebounds per game 6 7 2 3 4 1 4 Opp. rebounds per game 7 1 2 6 4 2 5 Assists per game 5 1 3 2 4 6 7 Turnovers per game 1 3 4 2 6 7 5 Assist-to-turnover ratio 3 1 3 1 5 5 5 Steals per game 7 1 3 4 2 5 6 Opp. turnovers per game 7 1 4 6 2 3 5 Blocks per game 7 3 2 1 4 5 6

Source: university of connecticut

This year’s UConn team ranks the best of the seven Huskies teams in just one category (fewest turnovers per game). It also trails the pack in several categories, most of which are on the defensive end. The 2018-19 Huskies generate the fewest steals and opponent turnovers of any UConn champion since 2009, allow the most points and the best shooting percentage, and give up the most rebounds. They are also shooting the worst percentage from the field, but they are still scoring more points per game than three of the previous six UConn champions.

If you take the average in each statistical category, this year’s UConn team also ranks below average in all but two categories: turnovers per game and assist-to-turnover ratio. All together, these comparisons suggest there is some truth to the idea that this year’s UConn team isn’t as much of a juggernaut as it has been for most of the past 10 years.

Where does that leave this year’s Huskies?

Don’t panic, Huskies fans. None of this means the 2018-19 team cannot take home another championship. In fact, FiveThirtyEight’s March Madness predictions give UConn a 70 percent chance of making its 12th straight Final Four and a 16 percent chance of winning the championship. The latter is the third-best odds of any team left in the tournament. And UConn may have an ace up its sleeve in the form of senior Napheesa Collier. The 6-foot-1 forward was inexplicably left off the list of four finalists for the 2019 Naismith Player of the Year Award, but many of her numbers actually compare favorably to what three-time Naismith Player of the Year Breanna Stewart did in her senior year in 2015-16. Here are the stats in which Collier tops Stewart:

2018-19 UConn forward Napheesa Collier vs. 2015-16 forward Breanna Stewart in 11 statistics where Collier leads Stewart

Collier (2018-19) Stewart (2015-16) Minutes per game 32.5 29.1 Points per game 21.1 19.4 Total rebounds per game 10.7 8.7 Offensive rebounds per game 3.2 2.2 Defensive rebounds per game 7.5 6.6 Usage rate 27.0% 26.8% Effective field goal share 63.4% 62.8% Total rebounding rate 17.3% 17.0% Offensive rebounding rate 11.6% 9.4% Field goals made per game 8.6 7.4 Field goals attempted per game 13.9 12.8

Source: University of connecticut

And here are the categories in which Stewart comes out on top:

2018-19 UConn forward Napheesa Collier vs. 2015-16 forward Breanna Stewart in 17 statistics where Stewart leads Collier

Collier (2018-19) Stewart (2015-16) Assists per game 3.6 4.0 Turnovers per game 2.0 1.6 Steals per game 1.5 1.8 Blocks per game 1.5 3.4 Fouls per game 1.6 1.4 Points per scoring attempt 1.30 1.32 Free throw rate 15.9% 16.0% 3-point rate 8.8% 19.9% Free throw share 71.3% 83.6% 3-point share 28.0% 42.6% Defensive rebounding rate 21.9% 23.3% Assist rate 21.5% 22.7% Turnover rate 11.0% 10.0% Assist-to-turnover ratio 1.80 2.45 Steal rate 2.6% 3.5% Block rate 4.7% 11.9% Foul rate 2.7% 2.6%

Source: university of connecticut

Collier is averaging 21.1 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game for the Huskies. She ranks in the top 10 percent of players nationally in usage rate (27.0 percent), meaning that more than one in four Huskies possessions while she’s on the court ends with her shooting the ball or turning it over. (She registers an assist on another 21.5 percent of UConn possessions while she’s on the court.) Despite such a heavy workload, she is among the most efficient players in the nation, ranking 19th in field goal percentage (61.9%) and 22nd in points per scoring attempt (1.30).

In March, anything can happen. Sometimes a player puts a team on his or her back and carries it to a championship. Basketball fans in Storrs know something about this: Kemba Walker did it for the UConn men in 2011 and Shabazz Napier followed suit three years later. In other years, the best team does win, as shown by UConn’s four undefeated seasons from 2008-09 to 2015-16. In other years, it’s a little of both — such as in 2002-03, a dominant season for the Huskies that Auriemma famously summarized as, “We have Diana [Taurasi] and you don’t.” This year, whether the title goes to an excellent team or to a transcendent individual talent, the UConn women have a good chance of taking home the trophy. The Huskies may not be quite as intimidating as they once were, but the 2-seed is still among the nation’s best. And, of course, they have Napheesa, and other teams don’t.

  from News About Sports https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-uconn-huskies-arent-as-dominant-as-before-but-theyre-still-dangerous/