#CAP Cadet Programs

[deathdealertactical]

Honoring the Civil Air Patrol: Celebrating 83 Years of Service and Dedication

As December 1 approaches, we at Death Dealer Tactical want to take a moment to honor the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) on its birthday. Established in 1941, the Civil Air Patrol is a vital organization that has played a significant role in American history and continues to serve our country in countless ways. From emergency response and search and rescue missions to aerospace education, the CAP embodies…

[catboybrain]

sniffles sadly. every day im so sad that fnaf didnt go with placing vanny into aftons role.... god forbid women do anything ! ! !

[o9sessions]

coach!simon riley who after years of black ops, violence, and loss chooses somewhere quiet—a small Southern town where no one knows his name unless he gives it — to settle down. bought a secluded ranch-style house with a porch swing and woods out back. keeps to himself. drinks bourbon on the porch in silence every evening.

coach!simon riley who after realizing how much the silence ate at him after retiring. waking up before dawn out of habit. jogging miles with no mission. sitting in the dark with nothing to prepare for. and he hated it. decided to take on the role as head coach of the lone oak rotc program at the local university

coach!simon riley who wears black compression shirts that cling to every inch of hard earned muscle, military cargo joggers slung low on his hips, and beat-up combat boots like it’s uniform. has a cut jawline, permanent scowl, and a mouth that rarely smiles, even under the balaclava he always wears. the way he barks “cadet” makes even the cockiest recruits stand straight.

coach!simon riley who keeps his sleeves rolled high to show the forearm veins and faded ink no one dares ask about. never yells—he doesn’t have to. just stands there, arms crossed, that massive frame casting a shadow over the whole damn gym.

coach!simon riley who works out with the cadets—shirt clinging to his back, boots pounding the track, chest heaving and sweat dripping down his temple. but he never stops.

coach!simon riley who has the college girls whipped. calling him “coach” all breathy like it’s foreplay. showing up to PT in crop tops that barely cover anything. laughing a little too hard at his deadpan instructions like he’s cracking jokes. they show up with fake questions about the military. bent over his desk, pretending they don’t know their leggings are see-through.

coach!simon riley who notices you—a sweet lil’ thang sittin’ all pretty behind the desk at the athletics rec center—when he goes to turn in the weekly training log because his assistant coach is out sick. chewing on your pen cap like you got no idea what you’re doing to him. you blink up at him all soft, all polite, voice sweet as syrup when you say “mornin’, coach”

coach!simon riley who starts using the front desk more than needed. forgot a clipboard? had to ask about the gym schedule? needed extra towels? suddenly, he was showing up every day. leaning one arm on the counter, head tucked low to speak into your ear. barely saying more than a few words but lingering just long enough to make your thighs press together.

coach!simon riley who starts clocking the exact time you come in every morning. doesn’t matter what room he’s in—he knows the minute you walk through that door. hears the front desk chair squeak. hears your little yawn. and when you stretch? shirt riding up just a bit, exposing that velvety brown skin, leggings hugging all the right places? yeah, that’s when he tells the cadets to run laps. he needs a minute. before he loses it.

coach!simon riley who sees you laughing with the head track coach by the vending machines, looking too damn pretty. he doesn’t say a word, just stares. and when you finally look up and smile like you didn’t just spend five straight minutes torturing him in the worst possible way? he mutters incoherent words under his breath before storming off. gloves clenched.

coach!simon riley who calls you into his office that same night, only to bend you over the desk after hours, one hand gripping your throat while the other slides between your thighs, gloved and ruthless. grabs a fistful of your ass and pulls you back against his straining cock. “this what you’ve been beggin’ for—laughin’ with other men like that? flashin’ those eyes like you don’t already fuckin’ belong to me? hm? needy lil’ thing.”

coach!simon riley who fucks with his mask still on, voice muffled and low as he presses your face into the dark wood of his desk. doesn’t even undress you fully—just yanks your leggings down and takes what’s his. when he finally pushes in, it’s slow, deliberate—like he wants you to feel how deep he’s settling. one hand pins your hip while the other braces against the desk beside your head.

coach!simon riley who told himself it was a one-time thing. just a release. just a moment of weakness. but now? he’s showing up earlier. staying later. taking “short breaks” just to press you against the wall and feel your thighs around his hips. can’t go a day without hearing your breath hitch, feeling your nails in his back, watching your gloss smear because of him. he fucks you like he’s trying to memorize you—like if he doesn’t have you again, he might actually lose his mind. “can’t focus, sweethear’. not when I know how good you sound sayin’ my name.”

coach!simon riley who has you on his lap in the back of the weight room while cadets train outside, his hand clamped over your mouth as he bounces you on his cock slow. whispering filth in your ear, “keep quiet. let ‘em hear you and I’ll fuck you harder.”cums on your stomach, chest heaving, glove gripping your jaw as he watches your lips part all soft and sweet

coach!simon riley who never planned on staying long in that sleepy Southern town—until now.

[cal-1maf]

So I'm thinking about California-class starships again and Why They Are The Way They Are. I have a pet theory that they and the crews assigned to them are the result of personnel shortages during the war with the Dominion.

Starfleet took heavy losses in the early days of the war and had to press cadets into early service. It would make sense that they'd have to relax their standards for recruitment from what we see in TNG, and we meet a lot of colorful Starfleet characters during that time.

I think a lot of them got rushed through training. I think a lot were accepted to the Academy in the last year of the war when they otherwise wouldn't have been, and the Fleet decided to let them continue their education. I think they might not have had access to the best instructors or equipment due to the needs of the front-line.

So when the war ends, what do you do with these officers? Do you give up on them? Do you cashier them out? Those might be the things we'd expect but Starfleet seems to try to bring out the best in its officers, so I believe that's what they're trying to do.

They're taking these folks and assigning them to a sort of Auxiliary Program Lite, serviced by "new" ships made from old parts (there's a reason for that even in a post-scarcity economy that I want to make a separate post about). They are, crucially, mixed in with more traditional Starfleet officers. These are people who didn't get assigned to a ship of the line for whatever reason, but there's nothing really wrong with them.

For example, Rutherford is a great engineer. Tendi is extremely competent and also likely a political feather in Starfleet's cap. Boimler is Boimler. And Mariner is the kind of officer who would be serving on the Enterprise if it weren't for her desire to avoid promotion.

They all have things they need to learn, and it seems that they are, from the California program. And I think that may be the point.

[oliveplanet1]

Buy Must-Have Name Tab Patch Holders and Indian Army Accessories

Indian Army soldiers use different accessories for identity, utility, and appearance. The name tab, patch holders, and other Indian Army accessories are among the most important items of the army. The gear items not only help the soldiers to look professional but also keep them organized and compliant with the proper dress codes. Let’s now have a simple talk about the use and importance of these items.

Name Tab :

A name tab is a small piece of fabric on which the name of the soldier is written, and it is either sewn or stuck on the uniform. Thehe name tag gives a quick way to identify the person wearing the uniform. Typically, name tabs are affixed to shirts, jackets, and uniforms only. In the Indian Army, name tabs are created using fabrics of high quality in army colors so as to match the uniform. A few of them are based on Velcro, while others are stitched to the uniform. Along with other purposes, custom name tabs are also used for training, camps, and cadet programs.

Patch Holders :

Patch holders are basically holders that are meant for various patches like unit badges, ranks, or name tags. These holders are usually made of strong material and come with Velcro so that patches can be attached and removed easily. Soldiers indicate to patch holders what their department, blood group, or special skills are. Patch holders can be used on tactical jackets, bags, and combat vests. Besides being very practical during an operation and training, when there could be a need to change or hide patches, they are very handy now as well.

Indian Army Accessories :

There are lots of Indian Army accessories that are really helpful for the soldiers in their duties. Some of these accessories are belts, boots, helmets, gloves, backpacks, and hydration packs. Also, place where the soldier keeps his/her army academy card, camouflage face paint, knee and elbow guards for protection, and ID holders form accessories. These gear items are not only for a soldier to be comfortable during field conditions but also, those items help a soldier to keep the uniform of the army. Patch holders and name tabs come under the same category of accessories.

Why These Items Matter

The proper name tab, patch holders, and other Indian Army accessories are going to have a significant effect not only on the appearance but also on the functionality of the army. Yes, they help in making a soldier's gear look clean and in efficiently managing the soldier's gear. It also facilitates the state of discipline and order in any place. Even cadets and army lovers make use of these items when they are going to camps and adventure activities. These accessories can be ordered online and are easy to modify as per requirements.

Conclusion

No matter if you are a serving soldier, a cadet, or an army enthusiast, it is very important to have the right accessories like name tabs, patch holders, and Indian Army accessories. They give you an identity, comfort, and professionalism in any situation. With the correct use of these things, you can always be ready and organized.

Q1. What is a name tab in the Indian Army? A name tab is a fabric strip with the soldier’s name printed or embroidered on it. It is attached to the uniform for easy identification and is used in official duty, training camps, and cadet programs.

Q2. Where can I use patch holders? Patch holders can be used on tactical jackets, vests, caps, and bags. They hold unit badges, ranks, name tags, or blood group patches with Velcro backing, making them easy to attach or remove.

Q3. Are these accessories only for army personnel? No. While mainly used by soldiers, these accessories are also popular among NCC cadets, army enthusiasts, trekkers, and people attending military-style camps or events.

Q4. Can I customize my name tag or patch? Yes, many online stores allow you to customize name tabs and patches with your name, blood group, or rank. You can choose the color, fabric, and attachment style (Velcro or stitch-on).

Q5. What are the essential Indian Army accessories? Key accessories include belts, boots, helmets, gloves, backpacks, hydration pouches, camouflage face paint, ID holders, and protective gear like elbow and knee guards.

Q6. Where can I buy name tags and patch holders online? You can buy them from trusted military gear websites like Olive Planet, which offer a wide range of Indian Army accessories, custom name tags, and tactical gear with reliable quality.

Q7. Why are these accessories important in the army? These accessories help in maintaining discipline, ensuring identification, improving functionality, and providing comfort in the field. They make the uniform complete and mission-ready.

[michaelgabrill]

2025 Aviation Weather Mission: Civil Air Patrol Cadets Help Scientists Study the Atmosphere with GLOBE Clouds

The Science Activation Program’s NASA Earth Science Education Collaborative (NESEC) is working alongside the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) to launch the 2025 Aviation Weather Mission. The mission will engage cadets (students ages 11-20) and senior members to collect aviation-relevant observations including airport conditions, Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Cloud observations, commercial […] from NASA https://ift.tt/D5clRLw

[beardedmrbean]

The director of cadet programs for the Rhode Island Civil Air Patrol has been arrested and charged with possession of child pornography, the Rhode Island State Police announced Friday.

Robert A. Gianopoulos, 69, of 136 Parkview Drive, Apartment 1, was arrested Thursday by members of the Rhode Island Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force, the state police said.

Task force members executed a search warrant at Gianopoulos's residence Thursday, where they say they found accounts that contained files of child pornography. The task force had recently started an investigation into somebody sharing files of child pornography over the internet and identified the internet connection at Gianopoulos's residence.

RI Civil Air Patrol responds

Gianopoulos is the director of cadet programs for the Rhode Island Civil Air Patrol, where cadets range from 12 to 18 years old, according to the state police. The state police said, "There is no evidence of inappropriate involvement with the cadets as of this time."

In a statement that did not mention Gianopoulos by name, the Rhode Island Civil Air Patrol said it is "aware of the allegations of one of its volunteer members being in possession of child pornography."

"Upon learning of the arrest, the member was immediately suspended, following standard procedures while the incident is being investigated by local law enforcement authorities," the statement said.

"The alleged actions do not represent Civil Air Patrol and are inconsistent with our core values," the statement continued.

"At this time, it is our understanding that the arrest was not based on the member’s Civil Air Patrol involvement, nor did it involve CAP cadets," the statement said. "Should that information change, Civil Air Patrol will cooperate fully with the authorities and is committed to ensuring transparency throughout the process."

What is the Civil Air Patrol and what do they do?

In the staff directory of the Rhode Island Civil Air Patrol's website, the director of cadet programs is listed as "vacant."

The Civil Air Patrol is an auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force with 60,000 members across the country who help with such tasks as search and rescue, according to the website. The cadet program offers those from 12 to 18 years old the opportunity to fly, hike, camp and learn to lead. It can serve as a stepping stone for those considering careers in aviation, space or the military, according to the website.

Gianopoulos was arraigned at District Court, Providence, where $2,500 surety bail was set with conditions of no unsupervised contact with minors and limited internet use, the state police said.

The state police say the investigation continues and they ask anyone with information to contact the task force at (401) 921-1170.

[roybowserjr]

International Annual Awards of the Air Force Sergeants Association

The Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA), a non-profit organization headquartered in Suitland, Maryland, remains dedicated to improving the quality of life of military personnel and their families. As part of AFSA’s Americanism programs at US and overseas squadrons and high schools, the CAP and JROTC Awards recognize cadets with exceptional achievements and qualities.

Since its establishment in 1961, the AFSA has grown to encompass over 75,000 members, seven divisions, and 125 chapters worldwide. The AFSA advocates for and represents its members before institutions like the US Congress and the Department of Defence to fulfill its mission. It also provides them various educational and professional development opportunities, banking and insurance services, and shopping and travel discounts.

In addition, the AFSA distributes several international annual awards, including the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Award and the Air Force Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) Award.

The AFSA CAP Award honors an enlisted cadet at the squadron level for an outstanding achievement or exceptionally meritorious service. While no specific selection criteria exist for this award, unit commanders must fill in a dedicated CAP Form 120 with the nominee’s name, grade, and unit, along with a description of their achievement or service and justification for why they think the cadet deserves the award.

The organization presents the AFSA JROTC Award to a top 10 percent cadet enrolled in the last two years of a three-year or four-year program who has demonstrated outstanding character, discipline, and military leadership qualities.

The AFSA CAP and JROTC award recipients receive an awards binder, medal, ribbon, and personalized certificate.

[bobmccullochny]

History

December 1, 1640 - A nationalist revolution in Portugal led to independence from Spain as the Spanish garrisons were driven out of Portugal.

December 1, 1822 - Dom Pedro, founder of the Brazilian Empire, was crowned as the first emperor of Brazil.

December 1, 1918 - Iceland was granted independence by the Danish parliament.

December 1, 1919 - Lady Nancy Astor became the first woman in the British House of Commons.

December 1, 1925 - The Locarno Treaties were signed by France, Belgium and Germany, as a preventitive measure to avoid another war, in the aftermath of World War I. Terms of the Locarno Pact were guaranteed by Britain and Italy.

December 1, 1941 - The American Civil Air Patrol (CAP), a U.S. Air Force auxiliary, was founded as Director of Civilian Defense, former New York Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia, signed the formal order. The CAP currently provides aerospace education, a CAP cadet program, and emergency services such as locating missing aircraft.

December 1, 1942 - The Beveridge Report was published in Britain envisioning the welfare state including insurance for the entire population.

December 1, 1955 - The birth of the modern American civil rights movement occurred as Rosa Parks was arrested in Montgomery, Alabama, for refusing to give up her seat to a white man and move to the back section of a municipal bus. Her arrest resulted in a year-long boycott of the city bus system by African Americans and led to legal actions ending racial segregation on municipal buses throughout the South.

December 1, 1988 - Benazir Bhutto was nominated to become prime minister of Pakistan, the first woman to govern a Muslim nation.

December 1, 1989 - Mikhail Gorbachev became the first Soviet Russian leader to visit the Vatican and meet the Pope, thus ending 72 years of strict atheist policy in Communist Russia.

December 1, 1990 - England was connected to mainland Europe for the first time since the Ice Age as engineers digging a railway tunnel under the English Channel broke through the last rock layer.

December 1, 1994 - The head of the U.N. Commission on Rwanda estimated 500,000 deaths had resulted from genocide.

[drillmaster]

Civil Air Patrol, Naval Sea Cadet Corps, or Coast Guard Auxiliary Member Funeral

I received a message a short time ago regarding cadets taking part in the funeral of a civilian adult who was a member of Civil Air Patrol. This applies not only to CAP but also NSCC, and CGA (CGA has some interaction with the Sea Scout program). Military Funeral Honors Public Law 106-65 amended Title 10 U.S. Code § 1491 – Funeral honors functions at funerals for veterans. Military Funeral…

[omnidistance]

Yeah, that’s a close match. The sigil on the hat doesn’t look like the West Point sigil, but it could be a different military school. It also looks like this North Carolina uniform from a summer program run by military offices to train young men between WWI and WWII.

The gloves could be for uniform purposes, but I’m still confused by the letters in the cap. That seems more like a thing a company would do than a branch of the military. Also there’s no rank insignia on the shoulders or chest. But that could be because the man is a cadet.

Does anyone happen to know what kind of uniform this is?

[holly-fixation]

The Song of Despair

Summary: In a world of monsters and Weapons, both born and man made, why would any creature remain only a myth? Siren activity around the central ocean convinced the public that sirens were real to begin with, making him a threat to the humans that must be dealt with. Shinra had no choice but to send their military.

But some blonde cadet had the willpower to waiver his plans. Afterall, it was so nice constantly having his meals delivered for him.

Inspired by this ask to @altocat

Please enjoy!

Author's note: Sometimes seeing a few ideas is all it takes to spark a story. Thank you @altocat for letting me do this constantly.

...

Junon always got the worst of it. Shinra built a Mako reactor beneath their waters with the promise of power to the town, but redacting any mention of its pollution constantly spewing into the sea. How Shinra assumed the retaliation for deliberate destruction only concerned the edible fish in the area was ignorant at best, and asinine at worst. 

Reports of boating accidents multiplied tenfold throughout the past few years. Missing persons and suicides as well. But no one ever found bodies. Lucky families or friends found bones. Too many victims leapt into the water, be it from the sides of a ship, or the barrel of Junon Cannon, seemingly of their own volition. 

All victims were men. In theory, it could be logical. Suicide rates in men were always higher. But too many coincidences, too high of a spike, spelled a weapon. An attacker. Something in that ocean. Something leading men to their death willingly, be it from the ship in the moment, or weeks later, like an old sailor story, come true. 

Shinra only cared when connections between the victims linked to ships, shared boat rides, shared fishing trips, or private romantic outings kept in almost impenetrable secret, a pattern finally identified. Sending their newest program, SOLDIER, on the hunt for the creature could've been their best idea yet. 

Possibly.

In theory. 

But in reality, Shinra fed the creature on every steel platter drifting its way. Not a single member of SOLDIER denied that fact even as the latest ship left the dock. Another crew with a death sentence signed by Shinra itself.

Cloud Strife couldn't avoid his shift for long. He knew it was coming, and it finally came. 

“Alright, guys, don't forget about the buddy system,” the Second Class on the ship reminded the few cadets. “No one alone except for the only bathroom, but I want your buddy standing outside the door. No exceptions. Especially for anyone on deck, okay?”

“Yes, Sir!” Each cadet confirmed at attention. 

“Good. You're dismissed.”

Only a few seconds passed before every pair separated to their section of the ship, most with sharp eyes on the water.

The Second shook his head with a soft sigh. “I hope this one works.” He smacked a hand to Cloud's shoulder with a tight grip and a small serious look. “I get even the slightest hint of danger, and we turn around. Got it?”

Cloud nodded. “Thanks, Zack.”

“Between you and me,” Zack whispered. “Shinra doesn’t choose what happens to my men.”

He smirked at that, glad his friend truly cared about their lives beyond the simple military job. But he knew that. Zack always had to be the hero, in a good way. Maybe he could let himself have the slightest shred of hope.

He wished he was right, letting himself relax for the first time since they stepped foot on this ship. He watched the waves along the surface, the occasional white caps reminding him of the snow peaked mountains back home. Memories creeped in from the corner of his mind, and slowly he let his eyes fall, only for a second. Or so he thought.

Don't let me die…

Cloud's head popped up from his near snooze on the railing of the deck. He could've swore he heard… “...Zack?”

���Yeah, buddy?” His voice came from right next to him. Good. Good, he was right there…

He swallowed carefully. “You said you'd turn us around if we're in danger, right…?”

Zack nodded, this time gaining Cloud's gaze. His friend could always read his mind. “...I'll tell the captain to head to shore. Alright?”

Cloud nodded quickly, unable to express his gratitude beyond two words: “Thank you…”

Zack smirked before giving his back a single pat and heading to the captain's cabin, Cloud following behind to keep the system together working. 

But Cloud stopped moving before reaching the door, hearing something that pulled his attention away. 

With empty and monstrous fate…

The deepest pit of his heart filled with the primal despair of the tune. The literal tune. Music. Song. He wanted to tell his comrades, but that thing out there felt far worse than him. He wanted to aid it, to soothe its sadness away. Suddenly he violently shook his head and chased after Zack. 

“You okay?” Zack asked and instantly met his eyes at the slamming of the door.

“It’s here.”

His brows raised. “Now?”

“Yes. Right now.” He swallowed. “I hear it. It picked me.”

Zack grabbed his armored shoulders, holding Cloud in place. “Cloud, then how are you in here right now?” Every report said the same thing: man overboard before the slightest hint of a warning.

“I-I don’t know,” He stuttered honestly. Then an idea popped into his head. A bad one. “But…what if we use it…?”

“What are you talking about?” Even his usual cheery voice froze with sincerity. 

“What if…I’m bait for now.” 

Zack shook his head with a glare. “I’m not gonna risk that.”

“I already feel the song,” He explained, fractured desperation seeping into his voice. “If I go, we can follow it. Find its den. Just- just give me a tracker or some-” His head suddenly snapped to the window, another line of the accursed tune calming his mind to the truth of its meaning.

“It eats most of us on the spot.”

“But if I’m different, maybe-” 

“Cloud!” Zack yelled to grab his attention, knowing there wasn’t a lot of time. By the time man overboards occurred, the trail of the creature ran still, not a single wake or ripple in the water to follow it. A waterproof tracker might work, but Shinra didn’t supply many. “Are you sure you can do this?”

The haze in his gaze disappeared as he nodded.

The captain quickly handed Zack a tracker out of a locked safe.

“I’m choosing to trust you,” the black haired Second stated as he stuck the tracker under the cadet’s left pauldron. “If you die, I expect you to haunt me, okay? I don’t want to lose you too. If not, I’ll strangle you in the Lifestream myself, got it?”

Cloud nodded softly, only a shred of appreciation for his friend’s sense of humor survived against the piece. “Got it.”

“Good luck,” Zack said in farewell, and for the sake of the mission, Cloud stopped fighting the tune.

The ship’s existence faded in his mind. The source of the song pulled him as the only feeling in his life that mattered. The dark and deadly piece had him taking one step at a time to the edge of the deck, before diving over the protective railing, desperate for the location of its source. Despair and agony breathed through his veins as he held his own breath in search, before the creature found him.

And it was beautiful. 

Its scales and hair glittered with more perfect silver than the greatest polish and the brightest stars. Its tail coiled deep below, Cloud unable to see the tip through the sandy water. Its gills moved with the tide on his chest. Only part of it looked human, its torso, arms, and face. But the eyes…

Cloud reached for it, to aid it, to calm it, to let it know everything would be alright. But it grabbed him by the chin and analyzed him with the perfect mako-blue eyes of a snake. His lungs began stinging in protest as the creature seemed to take its time, already asking for a breath.

Then it nodded once, seemingly satisfied, and pulled him along, taking him to the surface for a final fresh breath before dragging him deep, deep below. He couldn’t see. He couldn’t move. But the creature kept dragging him through the rough water long after his sight faded to black.

* * * 

Time fazed down the spiral of the tune still playing in his mind, despite the creature’s silence as it listened to him. The song pulled every detail of his life to his lips, rocky, uneasy, hesitant responses to every request. The deep agony in his chest nullified his resistance with each note, claiming his entire life story through his murky mind, details he never told anyone. Details no one should know the creature forced out into the cave, the den, of this deadly majesty. His darkest secrets cowered in the calm light, desperately trying to climb back down Cloud’s throat through any defense the cadet could fabricate or admit. 

Luminous stone weaved through the walls like veins, all but pulsing through each cerulean glow in this sealed cave. The bravest algae dared pollute the puddles of the stone, providing the cave constantly with  fresh air. The only entrance rippled and splashed against his feet, leading to the darkest sections of the unrecorded sea. If he built enough will power, could he make it to the surface before he drowned? 

He doubted it, in his small moments of self before the song consumed him again. 

“All for a girl?” Its criminally smooth voice resonated through the cave, his mind echoing each calming word like a virus. It flicked the tip of its tail against the surface casually, creating a few new ripples through the sandy liquid.

He felt himself nod. “...But I never told her…” The discomfort in his voice faded to delicious despair a while ago, now answering questions it didn’t bother asking yet.

“Of course not,” It scoffed, hiding a laugh between its sharp teeth. “Your kind waits. Never admitting or taking what it needs. Doesn’t that hurt more than aid?”

“I didn’t want to hurt her…” His explanation slipped out of his mouth. “She was popular… She had so many friends… So many other boys… I’d just be another guy confessing or asking just to get denied…”

It slowly grinned, tilting its head and claiming Cloud’s eyes against his reptilian ones. “Did anyone ask her?”

His brows knotted. No one asked in his memory. “...I don’t-”

“Did anyone confess?”

“N-no, but-”

“But you stayed silent?”

“S-stop… Please stop…”

“What if she was waiting for you?”

That sharpest knife stabbed straight through his heart. He dreamed, he prayed at one point, that she’d wait for him. But it wasn’t possible. She was Tifa Lockhart. He was only Cloud. He didn’t deserve to trap her heart like that. He shook his head. “No… No no no…”

“And now you will die without anyone learning your truth. Pray tell, what does that make you?”

A tear left Cloud’s left eye. “...weak…” He whispered, clutching his arms in a pathetic attempt at protection from his own emotions. “...It makes me weak…”

It nodded, and Cloud tried with everything he had to look away, but the reverberating sound stopped him. “Just like you were when the bridge snapped.”

“I tried to save her…” He hated every second, his mind spinning painfully, his eyes throbbing with each little attempt to fight. “She hit her head… I couldn’t stop that… I tried to carry her back home the moment I got to my feet…”

“But you didn’t make it.”

Cloud winced. He didn’t make it back then. He collapsed when town came into view, and he yelled and called and screamed to anyone that could hear him to save Tifa no matter what it took. “I tried…”

“You were weak then. You are weak now.”

Cloud steeled himself for his first attempt to pull his consciousness back. “Something like you doesn’t understand the pain of weakness…” His voice faltered at the end, but everything around him silenced. 

Including the song. 

But the remaining icy glare of the siren froze him. 

It suddenly grabbed his ankle and pulled him into the water. 

Oh gods, was this it? Was he about to die for some worthless back talk?! And fuck, why was silence so much worse than the song!?

It held him by the neck, only dangling his head above the water, and Cloud found his body clawing at its arm for survival, trying to keep himself above the liquid that burned his lungs. It calmly cupped a single scoop of water in its free hand and shoved it over Cloud’s nose and mouth, forcing the boy’s eyes to the creature’s while clearly hearing every word.

“Let me explain something,” Its voice still soothed as sweet as poisoned sugar. “Your company discovered a body of an unknown creature in a crater at the bottom of the ocean, and had the brilliant idea to create an artificial child. When I was too young to gain the strength or skills they assumed possible, they decided I was no longer worth their time, and…” It seemed lost in thought as Cloud clawed for a single untainted breath, fighting his body’s instinct to take one from the creature’s forced offering. “What do your people do with goldfish?” It glanced up with a nod before glaring back at Cloud. “Ah, yes, flush them down the toilet.” It calmed after the derogatory statement. “Of course, not literally, but now your company sends singular shipments straight into my domain.” Its eyes narrowed. “Only my preferred meal on board.” 

Cloud’s body screamed too loud to understand the meaning of the creature’s words.

“Coincidence, Cadet? I think not.” Then it finally let him breath, before throwing him back on the stone.

Cloud coughed and gasped, desperate for a true breath but also desperate to keep the song silent for as long as possible. That story sounded familiar. Weirdly familiar. Possible. “Wait-” He coughed violently but forced his words to break through, “Wait- wait- are you-” He collapsed, forced to regulate his breath before questioning, “Are you Sephiroth?”

Its eyes widened.

“There-” Cloud tried to explain through his seared lungs. “There was this leak. Shinra shut it down immediately, but the name ‘Project Sephiroth’ made it to the press with hints of child experimentation of mako and… ‘other sources’.”

The anger cracked on its face, slowly turning its grimace to a malicious sneer. It laughed deeply. “That company’s secrets will be its death. I’ll make sure of it.” It curled its grin, showing the slightest hint of teeth before beginning the song in Cloud’s mind one again. 

The poor young blonde rocked side to side through the waves of the dreadful piece, infecting through his body completely like an icy breeze. He only hoped with all he had Zack was on his way. He prayed.

Sephiroth craved Cloud’s pain. Cloud didn’t understand why his emotion, his darkest secrets, entertained and pleased the creature so. It broke him open and snapped the tiniest splinters to the largest layers into the light. It mocked and presented Cloud’s deepest unknowns, secrets no one on the Planet should know beyond him. The things he hid under his bed, the conversations he watched from bushes across town, of who, of what. His utterly mortifying reactions due to his own stupid feelings and growing body, and the clumsy, desperate ways he tried to hide them.

…the blue scarf he stole from the girl he loved most in the world, just to have her scent close to him…

It clawed everything out of him with the calmest tone he ever heard, even struggling to keep his eyes open through the despair in every note of the song. 

Hours. Days. He wasn’t sure how long he was trapped.

Until finally, a boom from the ocean shook the den, releasing the dust and weak chips from the ceiling of stone.

A submarine. Shinra’s submarine. SOLDIER’s submarine. It had to be a torpedo, or fire materia.

They found him. They saved him, and they scared the siren away. They celebrated in victory, while Cloud stared through the porthole to the sea, his mind softly ringing with the tune.

Sephiroth wouldn’t give up. It would find him again, luring him back to the ocean on the shores of Junon. He knew this wasn’t over, even with SOLDIER by his side.

Afterall, why would Sephiroth let his little play thing escape, if not for a game of his own?

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.

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Thanks for reading!

Author’s note: Curse my need to explain things in the world. Then I get ideas I like.

[simpywriter]

What they would study in college

Universe: Modern AU Characters: Eren, Armin, Mikasa, Jean, Marco, Connie, Sasha, Reiner, Berthold, Annie, Ymir, Historia, Levi, Hanji, Erwin Warnings: none

Eren

Okay I’ve read a lot of headcanons about the subject and according to almost everyone Eren wouldn’t go to college, but would rather join the army (particularly in the air force). I actually disagree: canonically Eren became a soldier after his mother's death, to join the Survey Corps and exterminate the titans, but he previously wanted to be part of the Scouts to be able to explore the world outside the Walls. He has a strong sense of justice and spends much of the time proving that he wants to fight for the weaker regardless of how strong or powerful his opponent is. I see Eren as the type who wants to defend the people even in a modern universe, so I think he’d study journalism or something similar.

Armin

This little precious boy is obsessed with nature. He literally spends three whole seasons repeating that he wants to see the sea, the desert, the volcanoes, etc... He’s certainly passionate about natural sciences, so he would study something related to them, such as geology or marine biology.

Mikasa

Mikasa is very difficult to identify in a modern universe. We know her as the strong, introvert girl that always stick to Eren because of her past with him (I’m referring to when he saved her), but in a modern universe they’re unlikely to meet in such circumstances. What I believe would remain in her personality even in a normal world would certainly be her determination and a cool head even in the most difficult situations. With these characteristics she could easily graduate from medical school, specializing in something like neurosurgery.

Jean

Okay, for Jean it was a bit complicated. He’s an insecure guy, who wants to cover his weaknesses with the image of the strong man and that ‘I don’t give a fuck’ attitude; deep down he’s sweet, caring and attentive, we all agree on this. BUT, we can’t deny that Jean-boy is still one who likes to be watched, looking for approval. I see him studying acting, to work in the cinema or on television. I know that he’s really good at drawing but I don’t think he’d make it a job, it’s more likely to be a hobby for him.

Connie

Connie is the stereotype of the goofy college student who doesn't want to get too busy with intellectual subjects, but at the same time it's hard to imagine him solving complicated equations or speculating on the stock market. I see him as one to study something mechanically repetitive, where the only way to improve is constant practice (he must be good with manual subjects, let’s remember that he has earned a place among the top 10 cadets). He’s probably prone to study programming or computer coding. (The image of him wearing a cap backwards, a pair of headphones and sitting with his reversed chair while typing on his computer is just perfect).

Sasha

Biological farming, or anything relating to that and the green-sustainable. We all know Sasha as the ‘potato-girl’ and the only one who can bite her best friend’s hand thinking it’s actual meat and going on with chewing it (poor Jean). But she also lived in the forest for a big part of her life, living with her family in a small village in the woods; so I think that she’d be particularly sensitive to respecting the environment and looking for measures to make agriculture and livestock sustainable.

Reiner

He's the man everybody can rely on cough cough whatever, he's the good soldier and the friend always ready to help a comrade in difficulty. He'd definitely become a manager, a CEO or something similar, so I'd assign to Reiner Braun a degree in Business Management/Administration. Plus: I'm not the type for a man in a suit, but hey, let me just say this: his shoulders under a white shirt while he adjusts his sleeves above the elbow. Give us those biceps, dude!

Berthold

So, Berthold is always calm and quiet (even as the Colossal Titan he doesn’t roar even once); in the anime, his personality is not particularly developed regarding his interests, or maybe I missed something. But for what little we've seen he's obviously highly sensitive. This type of behavior makes me think that he needs an outlet and I imagine it in the writing. I don't know why but in my head the image of him as the reserved guy that pours what he thinks and feels in words it's quite suiting. So in college he'd study literature and simultaneously take courses of creative writing, even if, of course, he'd need a lot of support from his close friends, such as Reiner. (I also see him confessing to Annie with a letter).

Annie

She’s calm, reserved and perfectly capable of gaining respect from others with little effort, she reflects the image of a strong and independent woman. The two special episodes dedicated to Annie follow her as she searches for a missing girl, when she is put in charge of the investigation by the father of hers. With these premises it would be easy to place her in the sphere of law enforcement, in particular she would be perfect for the role of detective (not to mention her skills in hand-to-hand combat, this woman would become the terror of the whole police department). But to stick more accurately to the subject of 'college' she could study law to become a lawyer.

Ymir

She probably would like to be as close to the pussy as possible, I think she’d study medicine to become a gynecologist. Sorry, it's really a pitiful reason compared to the others, but in a certain way I see her with the white jacket intent on visiting her patients, she would also be very professional and no one else would see her Historia.

Historia

Historia is a character I personally like a lot; her growth is well made and I find in it a side of myself. Given that, rewatching some episodes made me notice that she really likes animals and taking care of them. From when she was a little girl she lived in the countryside with her mother and did the hard work so I don't see her as someone to take easy degrees. With her love for nature I definitely see her as a zoologist or a veterinarian.

Marco

Marco is a little cute boy and he’s just too innocent for this world. I miss him. However, just as Berthold he’s sensitive but he’s more prone to show it without embarrassment than hide it to then let it out alone in his private sphere. In my opinion he has a talent for literary/artistic subjects and he could be inclined to write too, but at the same time I see him more active than the Colossal-boy. For what little we have known about him it’s pretty obvious that he’s super kind and wants to help other people. Traveling around my Uni’s possible degrees I found something that can actually suit him pretty fine: linguistic and cultural mediation.

Levi

I think that, considering his past, a modern version of him could’ve been born when his mother was really young (and I mean 16 or 17 years old), so they wouldn’t have much money and he probably has to work during summer and right after diploma to gain enough money that would allow him a decent university (it’s not excluded that he will get a scholarship since he would surely be one of those brilliant students even with little commitment). And after securing the chance to study in my opinion he could get a degree in ‘I don’t-fucking-know’. Seriously, this is the hardest character. Reading others’ stories I found that almost everyone disagree about what Levi would study in college: some say medicine for his obsession with cleanliness (but on the one hand this mania has gradually disappeared over the course of the series and on the other it comes mainly from his Underground years, something that would not exist in the modern world), in some one-shots he studies engineering, and in others psychology, etc. Personally among all the ones I’ve read, he could be better suited to engineering. (But I'm still very confused about him so please leave some advice, I'll gladly accept them)

Hanji

She is probably the easiest character. She’s canonically obsessed with the titan’s biology and she loves to do experiments on them. In short, Hanji would absolutely study biology; a lot of people said that with her love for experiments she’s more likely to get a degree in chemistry, but I see her more passionate about the study of living beings, so I think that biology fits her perfectly.

Erwin

This man is certainly gifted for leadership and politics. In many ways he is similar to Eren in his ideals of justice and willingness to discover the truth, but unlike the boy who throws himself into battle even recklessly, we have rarely seen Erwin use the ODM gear to subjugate titans himself. In general, the commander of theSurvey Corps has always been rational and able to elaborate complex strategies to achieve a long-term result. He could graduate in political science or law. OR he could follow his father’s steps, becoming one of the few teachers who truly believe in their cause, with a strong interest in his students. However, it is certain that Erwin could never do a job he does not firmly believe in.

(I hate the fact that Tumblr allows only 10 images per post :() . Thank you so much for reading! If you liked this headcanon you can leave a like or a comment and if you have time you can check my Ao3. Hope you enjoyed!

[stxrrywildflower]

deep blue

pairing - spencer reid x reader

summary - hotch recruits you for a single case, a certain genius catches your eye

warnings - cursing, mentions of case

word count - ?

note - i’m not sure the true numbers but let’s asssume the acadamy program is anywhere from two to four years

one early morning at the bau, rossi stepped into hotch’s office. “have you seen the case?” the italian man asked. hotch nodded, “yes i have. do you think we need her?” rossi pondered for a quick minute.

“i mean she would be nothing but helpful,” rossi reasoned

grabbing his suit jacket, hotch stood up. “then let’s go, the team will brief when we get back.” with that, the two men exited the office much to the confusion of the team.

____

you practically grew up in the water.

as a kid, your family lived on the coast. swimming was something that came naturally and you were doing it even before you could remember. from age five to twenty-two, you did various swim teams outside and in school. in college, you had swam and broken records all while majoring in criminology. in the end, you decided to go into the fbi acadamy with your skill set.

four years in, you were just a few months away from graduating. however, you had no clue what team you would be recruited onto. you were top of your class with academics and your physical training which made you a good prospect.

you were currently swimming laps in the pool for some extra training. your instructor was sitting at one of the chairs, timing you. he looked up when two familiar agents entered the pool area. you didn’t stop swimming as you hadn’t even realized the two enter.

“agent hotchner, agent rossi,” your instructor greeted, shaking the hands of both.

the three turned towards the pool where you did your final push off of the wall on the far end. “excuse me,” your instructor spoke and leaned down by the wall, the stopwatch in hand. it didn’t take more than a few moments for you to press your hand against the wall and stop swimming.

you emerged from the water, removing your goggles and swim cap. after going under one more time to get your hair wet, you finally appeared and leaned against the wall. “how’d i do?” you asked, not completely aware of the other two agents.

“shaved off five seconds. i’m not sure why you keep wanting to break these acadamy records. you’re already in the top spot.”

you shrugged as a response before looking up at the two older men. “nice to see you again y/n,” rossi greeted. you nodded slightly before getting out of the pool and accepting a towel. once your arms were no longer wet, you shook the hands of hotch and rossi.

“so what brings you to the acadamy?” you asked as you continued to dry off. “we need your help with a case,” hotch revealed. you stopped your movements and furrowed your eyebrows. “my help? what for?” you responded.

“it’s a case in gulf shores, alabama. the unsub is using the ocean to dispose of his victims and all the divers in the city and surrounding area are on a retreat to california. we need someone with diving experience and the swimming ability to aid us,” hotch explained.

“alright, i just need ten minutes to shower, change, and then grab my bags,” you explained. “we’ll be waiting.”

you rushed into the locker rooms, rinsing your hair before using shampoo and conditioner to wash out the chlorine. you were done in record time with five minutes to spare. after changing into jeans, a tank top, your combat boots, and slipping on your oversized fbi windbreaker, you exited and went to grab your bag.

just as you said, you were meeting up with hotch and rossi ten minutes later. you had a go bag in hand and behind you was another with your diving equipment including a wet suit, flippers, and a mask. the three of you headed to the car and began your drive to the bau building.

walking in, hotch motioned for you to drop your bags in his office before following him into the conference room.

“everyone this is y/n y/l/n from the acadamy. she will be assisting us on this case,” hotch announced, “these are agents prentiss, morgan, j.j., and doctor reid. you already know rossi and that is our technical analyst penelope garcia.”

the team took in your appearance. it was hard not too, as they were profilers. you were pretty young, almost the same age as spencer. your hair was still soaking wet and you had the faint smell of chlorine on you. “wait, why do i recognize your name?” emily spoke up.

“well,” rossi started, “y/n currently holds the record for the women’s open swim competition as well as smashing the biathlon and triathlon times at the acadamy.” you blushed slightly, not used to all this attention. emily nodded, obviously realizing why she had known you.

“we can get to know y/n on the plane, let’s get started,” hotch said as he sat down.

garcia began to go over the details of the case, “three bodies have been found in the gulf of mexico over the past two days. what’s weird is that they were all killed around the same time and have markings that resemble shark bites. however, the medical examiner determined that they weren’t actually made from a shark. none of the victims knew each other either. plus, all divers are out of town. these bodies were found by chance.”

“the unsub has to know about the retreat. anyone could have stumbled on the bodies if he hadn’t,” you added.

after bouncing around possible theories, hotch told the team that it was thirty minutes before ‘wheels up’. you, however, were in hotch’s office, receiving your orders for the case.

“since you are still a cadet, you are not allowed to go anywhere alone. all orders must come from one of us,” hotch told you. it was pretty much just standard procedure.

meanwhile, the official agents of the team all sat around their desks in the bullpen. “so the new girl?” j.j. started. “she’s a killer athlete and her skills are really good,” derek added.

“what do you think reid?” emily asked.

spencer, who was reading some book, glanced up for a quick moment. “her record is impressive,” as he said this, his voice went up slightly on the last word. “oh my god,” garcia started, “you totally think she’s pretty!” spencer’s cheeks flushed a light shade of pink. the other agents were about to add something but hotch and you emerged from his office. “let’s head out,” he announced.

on the plane, the first ten or so minutes were spent going over the case details. “alright, i want reid, y/n, and morgan to all head down the the port. a boat is waiting to take you out to the dump sight. y/n i need you in the water seeing if anything useful is underwater. time is important and we need you there as quick as possible,” hotch ordered.

“should i get changed?” you questioned.

once seeing your superior nod, you grabbed your bag and headed to the bathroom. it was honestly miracle that in the small airplane bathroom, you managed to change into a swimsuit and your full body wetsuit. after tossing your hair up into a messy bun, you slipped back on your shoes and made your way into the jet.

all eyes were on you as you sat back down in your seat next to spencer, now in a completely different outfit. “so y/n, what’s your life story?” emily asked. hotch and rossi were now sitting on the opposite side of the jet leaving you, j.j., derek, spencer, and emily to talk.

“well, i was raised on the coast and was pretty much swimming before i could talk fully. my parents always had me involved in different swimming groups during my childhood. i was on varsity swimming all four years of high school. i went to harvard for college, majoring in in criminology and swam for the school also. entered the acadamy after when i was 23,” you explained.

“i thought the acadamy training was only two years?” derek asked.

you shrugged and took a drink from your bottle of water, “i’m taking profiling courses and doing minor field work at the same time. it adds two years on to the program,” you responded. “so your what, 26? 27?” you cracked your knuckles, “i’m 27.”

“not much younger than pretty boy over here,” derek smirked, “so what do you do for fun?” you leaned back into your seat. “oh i’m a huge sci-fi nerd,” you smiled. spencer perked up as derek groaned. “what shows?” the genius asked.

“i mean star wars and star trek are my two favorite. i’m also a fan of doctor who but i haven’t watched it recently,” you explained.

emily, j.j., and derek all watched as you and spencer became engrossed in conversation about one of the shows. you two were talking incredibly fast and motioning rapidly with your hands. wide smiles were on both of your faces. the three other agents shared a look before going to sit in different seats.

upon arrival to the city, you, spencer, and morgan all headed down to the port. after greeting one of the police officers, you boarded the boat. you were shown a room where you could finish suiting up. the water where the body was dropped was pretty deep, meaning you would need to wear an oxygen tank.

“hey spencer!” you called, “can you come help me?” spencer walked out from the deck and into the room. “i need some help putting on the vest.” spencer grabbed the vest which would hold the tank. you held your arms out behind you as he slipped it on. the two of you were extremely close as spencer began to fasten and clip the buckles. you inhaled sharply and when you felt his hot breath on your neck.

“alright you’re good to go,” spencer spoke, still close to you.

you stepped back with a smile. after thanking on, you slipped on your boots and fins. the police officer helped put the tank on your back and connect it to your snorkel.

now, you sat on the edge of the boat, about to go under. “you ready?” morgan asked. you didn’t respond but instead leaned back so you fell off of the boat and into the water. spencer and morgan shared a quick look as they watched you disappear under the water.

minutes later, you emerged at the surface. in your hand was a necklace. derek held out a bag which you then placed the necklace in. after climbing onto the bout, spencer moved over to stand with you.

“do you need help again?”

you shook your head no. “i’m okay for now,” you spoke. as you walked away, spencer felt something be placed in the palm of his hand. he looked down to see a small polished shell, no doubt from you. he smiled softly before going to find morgan.

____

three days later, the team had identified the unsub.

the only issue was that his current whereabouts were unknown and he had another girl with him. however, an anonymous tip was sent to the police station that they saw a small boat go out in the ocean a few minutes ago.

one of the police boats was started and the team piled on. as quickly as you could, you got into your scuba gear just in case. this time, it was a much more modified version; only wearing a wetsuit and a snorkel mask. you didn’t think you would need it and you weren’t even due if you were going in the water or not.

it only took a few minutes for you to arrive at the location. just as you were in view, the unsub pushed the girl off the boat before jumping in himself. he pulled her down deep as a way to drown her. the unsub was clad in his own scuba gear, allowing for him to do so.

after hotch nodded towards you, you took off running before diving off the edge of the boat.

as you swam down the ocean, you looked around. suprisingly, the unsub wasn’t even in sight. it didn’t help that the water wasn’t exactly clear. however, you managed to spot the victim a few feet down. you grabbed her arm and pulled her to the surface.

the boat was a few yards away. using one arm, you propelled yourself through the water. morgan and hotch were already waiting by the ladder at the back part of the boat. after taking your mask off and tossing it on the deck, you helped the victim over to the ladder.

once she was lifted onto the boat, you started to climb up. but, a hand on your calf stopped you. you could barely react as you were pulled underwater, most of your oxygen being knocked out of you.

the water was extremely salty but you pried your eyes open and were met with the unsubs. you were at a disadvantage as he had a mask and you didn’t. if you tried to swim up, he would just drag you back down. so there was only one option, you needed to fight.

in ten seconds, you managed to rip the mask off. you were even deeper underwater now and you knew you couldn’t hold your breath underwater. with your strength, you managed to kick the unsub hard in the stomach. the unsubs eyes showed nothing but panic as water filled his mouth.

in a final effort to save yourself, you wrapped your arms around the unsub neck and started to strangle him. black spots crowded your vision as the unsub thrashed violently, creating bubbles around you. finally, he stopped moving.

you managed to swim to the surface, taking in as much oxygen as possible as you frantically looked around.

the police boat was now even further away. you knew the risks as water was still in your lungs and dry drowning was pretty much inevitable at this point. nonetheless, you dived back under and grabbed the unsubs now dead body. after bringing it to the top, you managed to make it over to the boat.

the team helped you back onto the boat. you rolled over so you were on your knees, pressing your forehead to the deck floor. you began coughing, directly due to the salt water the filled your lungs. your eyes screwed shut as you wrapped your arms around your stomach.

spencer kneeled down beside you, placing his hand on the small of your back. “post-immersion syndrome, known as dry drowning,” spencer informed everyone.

your chest grew tighter as you struggled to breathe. in the background, you heard hotch yelling to speed up. “match my breathing pattern okay. i need you to stay calm,” spencer whispered to you.

he rolled you over so you were sitting upright. a painful look was displayed in your face as the two of you made eye contact. your breathing matched his despite your cloudy vision. you struggled to your first and over to the side of the boat, immediately leaning over the rail to cough up the water from your lungs.

that’s all you remembered before you passed out.

waking up in the hospital meet hours later was less then fun. your lungs burned but thankfully, with the ventilator, you were breathing okay.

in the corner of the hospital room, you noticed spencer sitting with a book in his hand. you smiled weakly and moved your arm to get his attention, not trusting your voice at the moment.

“hey,” spencer spoke, moving to sit by your bedside.

you smiled softly. “i feel terrible,” spencer added. you shot him a questioning look. “i mean you almost drowned. i should have done something.”

“take me out to dinner and we’ll call it even,” you managed to get out despite the raspiness of your voice.

spencer grinning brightly, “i would love too.”

[misterfudgelord]

Yeah I'm not that tall sadly

Left-handed people are just wrong dimension

CAP is just the Civil Air Patrol, the U.S. Air Force's civilian auxiliary. They do SAR and emergency services work and other good stuff, as well as running a cadet program for ages 12-21, think boy scouts with an aerospace tilt.

ok headcanon time:

i think you’re tall. like not tall enough to be crazy tall but enough to be a fucking bother with pants and leg room yk. and i think you have brown short hair.

tbh this id hard, i honestly imagine you as Lance beacuse of your pfp 😭😭 im not joking i cant

you’re left handed or something like that idk

Heh so I do have short dark brown hair (I have to keep the hair short and clean shaven because I'm a CAP Cadet), I'm actually just 5'6" but proportionally my legs are kinda long. I'm right-handed, unfortunately.

[jaybear1701]

The Outpost is, without a shred of doubt, a shithole.

And Ellen Waverly secretly loves it, even though her fellow ASCANs frown at the tavern’s dilapidated exterior. Anybody who’s anybody knows about the dive bar frequented by astronauts, engineers, and other NASA staffers. Spoken about with hushed reverence, the Outpost is hallowed ground, a right of passage, and a frisson of excitement courses through Ellen as they pause just outside its entrance.  

“This is it?” Dani Poole eyes the peeling red paint of the watering hole’s sign, uncertainty lacing her voice as she clutches the strap of her purse.

“Yep.” Molly Cobb lights a cigarette dangling from the corner of her lips. She pulls the door open, hinges squeaking, and the odor of cheap beer and stale smoke wafts out. “You gonna stand out here gaping all night?” Molly strides in without waiting for a response. Patty Doyle’s right on her heels, as usual. 

Neither bothers to check if the others are following, but Tracy Stevens manages to catch the door before it swings shut again. “Let’s go, ladies.” She ushers the others inside. “Can’t let Cobb and Doyle have all the fun.”

The stench, now mingled with sweat and other odors barely concealed by fading cologne,  intensifies the second Ellen sets foot inside the dimly lit bar. She wrinkles her nose and, as her eyes adjust, they walk past a beat up cigarette machine into a tightly packed space where all eyes immediately fall on them. Ellen thinks she recognizes some of the men from around the halls of JSC, but in all honesty they blended together in a uniform mass of white oxfords, skinny black ties, and thinly veiled disapproval. They were all just waiting for them to fail.

“Same shit, different toilet,” Molly mutters under her breath. Still, she throws her head back high, cocksure, and swaggers toward a pool table with Patty. Her heavy boot steps draw even more attention, not that Molly pays it any mind, acting as if she’s frequented The Outpost all her life. Like she belongs there.

Ellen does her best to follow Molly’s cue, straightening her spine and making her way around a jukebox that’s seen better days to the last empty table. “First round’s on me,” she announces, surprising even herself. 

“That’s mighty generous,” Dani says as she and the others take their seats. The legs of their chairs scrape across the slightly sticky wood floor. They all pretend they don’t see the little brown insects that scatter from beneath the table.

“What would you like?” Ellen asks before any of them decide to hightail it outta there. 

“Round of JD,” Tracy responds. “Least that’s what Gordo has when he’s here. If that’s all right with y’all, of course,” she adds to murmurs of assent.

“Coming right up.” Ellen beelines for the bar, continuing to ignore the stares from around the room that make the tips of her ears burn despite her carefully curated air of indifference.

She manages to find a small opening between the occupied, but is disappointed when no one’s there to serve drinks. The bartender probably took a quick break, she thinks, focusing her attention on the black-and-white astronaut photos that line the wood-paneled walls. Idly drumming her fingers against distressed mahogany, she wonders if her picture would ever be prominently displayed alongside the likes of Armstrong, Glenn, and Aldrin. Of if she’ll wash out, as her mother seems to be expecting.

An unsubtle cough interrupts Ellen’s musings, and a man leans an elbow on the bar to her left, a little too close for comfort. 

“What’s a pretty thing like you doin’ in a place like this?” He slurs out the oh-so-creative pickup line, alcohol sharp on his breath.

It takes all of her willpower not to roll her eyes in disgust. Instead, she pretends not to hear him, but he persists. “Never seen ya before. Y’all tourists or somethin’? Sightseein’?”

Irritation spikes in Ellen, who has half a mind to correct him, nondisclosure agreements be damned, when another voice cuts in. “Jimbo, what’d I tell you about scaring new customers?”

Ellen turns her head to the right and… Oh.

She’s not quite sure what she expected when it came to The Outpost’s barkeep. Based on the decor, she wouldn’t have been surprised by someone schlubby and indifferent and borderline antisocial. But Ellen most certainly isn’t expecting one of the prettiest women she’s ever seen, with strawberry blonde hair pulled back in a careless ponytail, bangs hanging just above eyes as blue as a cloudless sky. And just like that, Ellen’s starting to understand the appeal of the place. 

“C’mon now, Pam,” Jimbo drawls, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. “Jus’ tryin’ to be friendly.”

“Uh huh.” Pam cants her head to the side, unconvinced. “Get outta here before I call your wife.” After he slinks away, Pam gives Ellen an easy smile, bracing her hands on the bar. “Sorry ‘bout that. What can I get for you?”

It’s not until Pam’s closer that Ellen remembers to breathe, the influx of oxygen allowing her to regain control of her faculties and notice the pin fastened to Pam’s maroon t-shirt. It reads in bold white letters against a black background bespeckled by stars: A Woman’s Place Is In Space. 

Ellen’s stomach swoops in delight. 

“You okay?” Pam asks when Ellen doesn’t answer right away.

“Oh, er,” Ellen intelligently answers in a manner befitting a future astronaut. “Yes, sorry.” Heat rises in her cheeks. “Drinks?” She vaguely gestures toward the other candidates, and the pool table where Molly’s lining up a shot that sends a striped ball straight into a corner pocket. “For me. And my…” Her what? They aren’t exactly friends. Rivals would be closer to the truth, but that would sound weird. And she’s already being weird. She eventually settles on, “Colleagues.” 

“Drinks,” Pam repeats, eyebrows disappearing beneath her fringe.

“Yes, um, please.” 

“Sure thing.” Pam nods, thoughtfully observing the other women for a moment before fixing her gaze back on Ellen. “Got something particular in mind? Or should I surprise you?”

Ellen somehow manages not to smack the heel of her hand to her forehead. “Sorry. Jack Daniels for, uh, seven.”

“You got it, space cadet.” With a wink, Pam pushes off the bar to fetch a set of lowball glasses and arranges them in a neat row.

It takes a few seconds before Pam’s words catch up with Ellen. Was Pam referring to Ellen’s embarrassingly delayed response or… “Space cadet?”

“You all are the female astronaut candidates, aren’t you?” Pam reaches past several rows of bottles to fetch the whiskey. 

“What, uh, what makes you think that?” Ellen nervously brushes her hair behind her ear. No one’s supposed to know who they are until they graduate. If they graduate.

Pam shrugs, the tip of the bottle’s spout poised above the glasses. “Groups of women don’t really wander in here. Plus, some of you match the scuttlebutt I’ve heard here and there.”

“Scuttlebutt?”

“NASA types like to talk, especially after they’ve had a few.” 

“That’s…  not unsettling in the slightest.” Ellen tries and fails to tamp down a swell of unease, wondering if they’d all be bounced from the program if word got out.

“Relax.” Pam chuckles, as if reading her mind. She tips the bottle forward, expertly eyeballing  two fingers of brown liquor per glass. “What’s said here stays here. Unless you’re a reporter, then I’m sworn under our unofficial Baldwin rule to kick you out.” 

“Definitely not a reporter,” Ellen says, recalling Ed Baldwin’s very public misstep in calling out NASA after the Soviets landed on the moon last summer. Relief eases some of the tension between Ellen’s shoulders. She shifts from one foot to the other, curiosity getting the better of her. “So, what have they been saying? All good things, I’m guessing,” she jokes weakly, all too aware of the rampant sexism among many, if not most, of her male counterparts.

“They wouldn’t dare say anything negative within earshot of me.” Pam taps her equality button. “Would never get a drink otherwise.” 

Ellen can’t stop herself from smiling as Pam finishes pouring, sets the bottle down, and crosses her arms.

“Let’s see, I’ve heard that two of them were in Mercury 13. Have chips on their shoulders.” Pam nods toward Molly and Patty playing pool. “I’m guessing they’re the ones over there acting like they own the place.” There’s an underlying current of respect in her voice as her line of sight drifts toward the lone table surrounded by women. “The blonde? I’d bet all my tips that she’s Tracy Stevens. Got those Hollywood looks that’d be Gordo’s type.”

Ellen has to admit she’s impressed. “And me?” She asks before she can stop herself.

Blue eyes darting across Ellen’s face, Pam appraises her in a way that sparks flutters against her ribs. “I’m afraid I haven’t heard about you, Ms...?”   

“Waverly.” Ellen sticks her hand out. “Ellen Waverly.”

Pam grasps her hand, grip firm yet gentle, palm warm and smooth. “Nice to meet you, Ellen Waverly.”

“And you’re Pam.”

“That’s right.” Neither of them moves to let go. “Pam Horton.”

Another patron accidentally jostles Ellen’s shoulder and she immediately drops Pam’s hand. “Can I get a couple of beers, Pam?” He asks.

“Just a sec.” She says, transferring the whiskey glasses to a round serving tray.

“So, uh,” Ellen clears her throat as she reaches for her purse. “What do I owe you?” Pam waves her away. “First round’s on the house.”

“Oh, you don’t have to do that.”

“It’d be my pleasure.” Her smile is genuine, radiant. “It’s the least I can do for the first American women heading to space.”

Ellen ducks her head, pleased yet embarrassed. “We haven’t passed yet.”

Pam looks her straight in the eye, and says without hesitation, “You will.”

Warmth blooms inside Ellen’s chest from Pam’s sincerity. “I… thank you." She hopes her face isn't as red as it feels. "We’ll make it up to you.”

“Prove all the assholes out there wrong, and we’ll be square.” Pam pulls out two beer bottles, swiftly pops off their caps, and hands them to the man. She inclines her head toward the tray of Jack Daniels. “I’ll have these out to you in a jiffy.”

With one last nod, Ellen makes her way back to the table, heart pounding and already vowing to return to the shithole that wasn’t so shitty after all.