#Ch 14 Introduction

[saisaixchan]

Yamato

There’s a lot of discussion on Yamato’s gender. And the one take I see particularly often when it’s brought up, is about how Kaido 'forced' Yamato to be a man.

So, I wanted to explore this train of thought. And explain why this just isn't true.

First, let's explore every time Yamato has been referred to by feminine pronouns/gender.

Within the canon of the text, these are the only times Yamato has been called female, daughter, or princess.

(Chapter 984, pg. 17)

The first time is right after Yamato is properly introduced to the audience, and is following a panel where Luffy questions his gender.

(Chapter 984, pg. 17)

Here, Yamato explicitly says that he chose to be a man, like Oden was.

So it appears that the introduction Oda box was more to indicate Yamato’s birth sex, to confirm to the audience that yes, he was born a woman. But Yamato himself is confirming that while he was born female, he is choosing to identify himself as a man, due to how Oden inspired him.

After this moment, Luffy affirms Yamato’s gender by calling him by the nickname “Yama-o”, which is what he calls Law and Kid by as well.

(the rest under the cut. this is an EXTREMELY long post)

(Ch. 988, pg. 11)

(Ch. 1027, pg. 4)

(Ch. 1027, pg. 6)

(Ch. 1052, pg. 13)

[link to original post by @/kaizokuou-ni-naru​] (Ch.986, pg. 13)

The next few times, he’s called “Ogre Princess” as a child, by Kaido’s men. This confirms that at this point in time, Yamato was still known as a girl by Kaido and his underlings.

(Ch. 1024, pg. 8)

(Ch. 1025, pg. 6-7)

From this, we can assume that Kaido acknowledged that at this point, he had a daughter. No one was forcing Yamato to be male.

(Ch. 999, pg. 4)

The final moment he’s referred to by “daughter” is by Ace’s crewmate, who doesn’t know who Yamato is just yet. They’re enemies, and are in the middle of battle.

Here, Yamato looks mad at being called “daughter.” He’s growling by the suffix, and he doesn’t respond verbally to being called “Kaido’s daughter,” all he does is give an angry glare and an ellipses.

Second, lets explore the first time in Yamato’s timeline he’s referred to as a male.

(Ch. 1024, pg. 11) 

As far as the timeline goes, this is the first time Yamato is referred to by male pronouns by anyone in the story. And it’s by himself, in his own head, after Kaido has punished him.

“I am Oden, but also... the Son of Kaido.”

This is the first clue we have that Yamato views “Oden” and “Son of Kaido” as two separate identities. Oden is not the Son of Kaido. Yamato is.

(Ch. 1025, pg. 6)

It’s hard to tell the timeline here, but it appears that this is after Yamato escapes the cave, due to how dirty and scraped he is, and how he’s being snuck food by people.

So this would indicate that Yamato has already decided that he’s male, a son to Kaido. But this person helping is calling Yamato “Ogre Princess,” so it appears that this is not common knowledge yet.

But from what we can gather here, no one forced Yamato to be male. He saw Oden’s last stand, admired him, and decided that he would be a man just like Oden, as well as emulate him.

Yamato is still male regardless of his admiration of Oden, and by the time we enter the story currently, everyone acknowledges Yamato as Kaido’s son.

(Ch. 979, pg. 14)

(Ch. 983, pg. 17)

(Ch. 985, pg. 19)

(Ch. 1025, pg. 5)

(Ch. 1051, pg. 5)

(Ch. 1054, pg. 7)

(Ch. 1054, pg. 7)

No one acknowledges Yamato as “Oden” except for the samurai in the cave, and Kaido, when he’s mocking Yamato.

(Ch. 124, pg. 13)

(Ch. 124, pg. 9)

(Ch. 1024, pg. 10)

(Ch. 1014, pg. 4)

(Ch. 124, pg. 7)

Yamato is only referred to by feminine pronouns in the past.

In the story, Kaido, his men, Luffy, and every other character calls Yamato by he/him. Not because they’re feeding his desire to be Oden, or believe him to be Oden- but because that’s what Yamato wants to be called by- male pronouns.

Kaido hates Yamato for wanting to be like Oden. He despises it, to the point that he’s going to kill his own child over this. He never truly acknowledges Yamato as Oden.

And while Yamato’s desire to be a man was inspired by Oden’s manliness, Kaido still acknowledges Yamato as male, and specifically, his son. Both Yamato and Kaido acknowledge this, and no one once corrects them on it.

(Ch. 979, pg. 15)

(Ch. 980, pg. 10)

(Ch. 982, pg. 12)

(Ch. 983, pg. 16)

(Ch. 983, pg. 16)

In the present, he’s never called by “Ogre Princess.” He’s called “Young Master” (specifically a male gendered term in Japanese) and “he/him” by everyone around him, and Yamato never corrects them.

Which leads me to my third point.

Third, Yamato longs for freedom to express who he is. He has never done anything Kaido has tried to make him do.

(Ch. 985, pg. 9)

(Ch. 1016, pg. 15)

(Ch. 985, pg. 6)

(Ch. 1019, pg. 18) 

(Ch. 1024, pg. 16)

(Ch. 1025, pg. 5)

(Ch. 1025, pg. 7)

Yamato’s greatest desire is to live free.

Over and over, he has refused to follow Kaido’s orders. He refuses to live his life by Kaido’s word, and grew up in hiding, scraping by, starving and cold and running for his life constantly, watching anyone who helped him die for that crime.

Yamato has spent his entire life in chains thanks to Kaido, and wants nothing to do with his father’s influence.

Kaido has tried to force his decisions onto Yamato (literally with those shackles), but Yamato refused and refused and refused. He won’t do anything Kaido wants him to do, because he’s going to live the way HE wants to live.

(Chapter 984, pg. 17)

Yamato is a man because he chose to be a man. No one forced him to be one, and no one could force him to be something he doesn’t want to be.

The whole point of Yamato’s character is that he wants to live freely, and wants people to respect his decisions and choices.

He chose to be a man.

It’s probably the only decision in his life that Kaido has ever honored and respected.

Foruth, Kaido grew up knowing Big Mom.

He saw how powerful Big Mom was at a young age. She’s insanely strong, and he absolutely respects that. It’s because of her that he has his devil fruit, and it’s implied she was something of a big sister figure or mentor to him on Rock’s ship. And we know there were other powerful women on Rock’s ship as well.

When Big Mom shows up at Wano, Kaido never treats her as anything less than his equal.

His crew has women in high positions of power on it, from Black Maria, Ulti, to the SMILE users and others.

Kaido doesn’t view women as inherently weaker. His crew is a mix of genders, because he doesn’t care about gender. He only cares about strength and power. 

Yamato is not a man because Kaido thought having a son would be better or something along those lines. Kaido has never shown an interest in anything regarding gender separation or distinguishing them. Because that’s not what’s important to him.

He only cares about power.

His daughter decided to become his son? Fine, alright. It doesn’t matter to him. Yamato is still worthless to him either way.

Finally, the bath scene.

(Ch. 1052, pg. 13)

(Ch. 1052, pg. 13) 

(Ch. 1052, pg. 14)

We have Okiku in the women’s bath.

And Yamato in the men’s.

Okiku is explicitly a trans woman. She was born a man, and chose to become a woman instead- a female samurai. She seemed anxious asking to join the other women in the baths. And when she’s in there, she shows nothing but happiness and joy, finally in the bathroom that fits her gender identity. And the other women have no problem with her being in there, because they accept her as a woman.

Because she is a woman.

She doesn’t have to bathe with the men anymore, and she’s just so happy about that.

And Hiyori knows she’s a trans woman, having grown up with Okiku. And Hiyori shows nothing but acceptance and happiness to have her friend back and with her again.There is no disgust, no disagreements on what Okiku’s gender is here.

Everyone accepts Okiku as the woman she is and that is that.

And in contrast, we have Yamato in the men’s baths.

Yamato says earlier that there is no mixed bathing in the castle. He is enforcing that himself, refusing to bathe with Nami when she asks, and he chooses to bathe with the men. This is not something Kaido is forcing Yamato to do. He’s completely free to choose things for himself now. And he chooses to bathe witht he men, because that is Yamato’s preferred gender.

The only characters who react to this are Momonosuke, Sanji, and Brook, all characters who react to big bouncing tiddies, which Yamato undeniably has.

No one else reacts. Cat Viper, Jinbei, Chopper, Zoro, and Luffy all treat him like any other man.

These two panels are intentionally parallels of each other. Okiku, a trans woman that the story acknowledges as a trans woman, in the women’s baths. And Yamato, a trans man who’s gender identity was accepted by everyone in the cast, from Luffy to Kaido, in the men’s baths.

Concept Art

We have concept sketches by Oda, showing his thought process in creating Yamato.

Now, I want to be clear that none of these concept sketches are canon, but I want to explore a few of them, because some of their ideas bleed into canon Yamato in interesting ways.

It’s clear that Oda wanted to play with gender regarding Yamato’s character, which, as we can see, made it into the final character concept (re: this entire post).

Some of these sketches show Yamato resenting the idea of being considered a man when she’s a woman, some seem to imply that she’s ashamed or disappointed to be a woman (”But I’m a girl, not a guy like him...” “Doesn’t want anyone to know she’s a girl”), and others show Yamato disregarding their birth gender (“Who cares if I’m a girl?!”).

What I find most interesting is that, regardless of which view concept Yamato has on their gender, they’re very specific about which gender they HAVE.

Almost all of the concept Yamato’s identify or view themselves as women, even the ones that seem to lament their gender. One of them corrects a guard who calls her Young Master, an explicitly male gendered term as discussed above.

Canon Yamato is called Young Master by all of Kaido’s crew, and does not correct them on his gender.

This is the biggest difference between the concept and final version of Yamato. Concept Yamato all view themselves as female, while the final version views himself as male. This view on his own identity was a very specific choice Oda made for the character.

What I’m saying is, the takeaway I get from these sketches is that, if Canon Yamato viewed himself as a woman, given his force of character and stern opinion on his identity, he would IMMEDIATELY correct those around him who call him by male pronouns or identifying terms.

But he doesn’t. He calls himself the Son of Kaido, and the one time someone questions his gender identity (Luffy, “You said son, right?!”), Yamato reaffirms that yes, he’s a man.

In conclusion:

Yamato is a trans man.

No one ever forced him to do anything. He ran, hid, and scraped by, longing for the chance to be free and express himself in the way he chooses. And he chose to be a man. Of every decision Yamato has ever made, this was the only one that Kaido respected, since Yamato’s gender has nothing to do with his usefulness (or lack thereof) to Kaido, and it doesn’t directly oppose the things Kaido has tried to force onto Yamato.

And his gender identity as a man is separate from being Oden. While Yamato calls himself Kozuki Oden, several times he says he doesn’t feel like he’s truly earned the title/role of Kozuki Oden.

But he calls himself a man. And so does Luffy, Kaido, Kaido’s men, and everyone else. Yamato doesn’t correct them, and only reaffirms his chosen gender. He is Kaido’s son by choice. A choice inspired by Oden’s manliness, but a choice separate from that identity.

[tiredslepz]

HATE IS A STRONG WORD !

pairing: scaramouche x fem!reader

synopsis: your friends have had enough of you being the only single person in the group chat. on top of that, they're also fed up of being caught in the crossfire of you and scaramouche's constant bickering. so, of course, being the great friends they are—they devise a plan to fix both problems! fortunately for them, the other side shares the same sentiment. seeing this in foresight, scaramouche counters with another plan.

or: you unfortunately get set up with your greatest, most annoying enemy who goes by the name of scaramouche—who offers you a deal.

status: on going — slow updates

tags: social media au, college au, enemies to lovers, fake dating, angst (perchance), crack, fluff (i hope), mutual pining, idiots in love, slowburn, scara and ei have an ehh relationship, miscommunication trope?? kinda?, scara's 'real' name is kunikuzushi

cw: time stamps don't matter unless stated in a chapter, cursing, suggestive content (mostly jokes and shit, nothing past that), weed mentions (mostly kazuha and aether), drinking, all characters are depicted as young adults, THIS IS MY FIRST SMAU, possibly ooc

sideships: chilumi (childe x lumine), xiangyan (xiangling x xinyan), xiaoven (xiao x venti), kazuther (kazuha x aether), hurina (hu tao x furina)

(more tags/warnings may be added as more chapters are posted)

chapters ✦ : ❀ for written parts!

introductions: total knockouts | dumpster divers

ch. 1 – where it all started ❀

ch. 1.5 – where it all started: scara's pov ❀

ch. 2 – stop shipping us!

tba...

taglist: open 14/45 (send an ask or comment to be added!)

@lizzie-harper @sketcheeee @rumitome @kyouzki @starzoutlet @swiftieapollon @loveberrie @yu-yumii @thingforxiao @tamikahoshiko @bananasquash @vi0let-writes @9meree @mywillt0live

[feyhunter78]

I’m actually DYING for part 14 of the Dreadful Need of the Devotee, like my pain is clinical and your writing is the only thing that will cure me 🙏

No rush of course, I’m just in love with this story!! (But please, I need it badly)

I got you babe!!!! Enjoy <3

Chapter Fourteen - Ser Arthur Dayne has returned to court. Ch 15

Jon sits in Tyrion’s solar, the small table that sits between you all laden down with breakfast foods and teas. He is seated across from Tyrion, while you are seated next to Jon across from Ser Arthur, your soon-to-be good-father.

Introductions had gone well, you complimented his father, he complimented you, your betrothal was announced, and Jon had to keep himself from kissing you. The joy that radiated from you was so intense, he could not help but smile like a lovesick fool. But now, now the doubts begin to creep in.

If he had been told at the age of two and ten, he would be sitting with his soon-to-be wife a Lannister, the Imp Lannister and Ser Arthur Dayne the Sword of the Morning who was also his true father, Jon would not have believed whoever spoke such things to him. Truly he would have thought them playing a cruel joke, but now he sat in that very position wondering if it would all be revealed a horrid prank. A test to see how much the bastard boy could be convinced to believe.

You place your hand atop Jon’s where it rests on his knee, your brows furrowing in concern, and he waves you off, focusing on the meal set in front of him. You and him often broke fast together, and it was not too uncommon for your father to join the both of you, but this time it was different.

“Lady y/n, your father tells me you are a talented seamstress.” His father says, cutting into his sausage, his eyes, those dark purple eyes, so like Jon’s in the right light, observe you with an oddly formal air.

“I am, in fact the tunic Jon is wearing this morn is one I made myself.” You say, gracing Jon with a smile so bright it rivals the sun, and he turns further towards you following it as crops do, ever reaching, ever seeking your warmth and light.

His father hums in acknowledgement, examining every stitch of his tunic. “It is well-made; and the embroidery is quite detailed. It is not what one would think a sworn sword would be given by his charge.”

“He is my champion, seen as an extension of myself, I would never leave my chambers in rags, or dull, dreary clothing, so why should my sworn sword?” You say, taking a sip of your tea, sizing the man up.

“An interesting perspective.” His father comments, his eyes flickering to Jon.

“I suppose so.” You respond, dabbing your mouth with your cloth napkin.

“She is also a wonderful dancer.” Jon adds, unsure of his place in the conversation. He has never before been privy to these situations, and it is both exhilarating and terrifying.

“I am only wonderful because I have such an excellent partner that allows me to keep my skills sharp.” You smile prettily at him, and he watches the mask slip into place, you are attempting to charm the father by charming the son.

“They are a most excellent pairing, even Robert before he oh so tragically passed said they would make a good couple.” Tyrion says, spreading strawberry jam onto a thick slice of bread.

If I were not a bastard. He said we would be a good match if I was not a bastard. Jon thought bitterly.

“It pains me to know my son had love within his grasp for so long and could not claim it, I would soon see that rectified.” His father says, pulling a folded letter from his pocket. “I have kept this for you, it is a signed statement from the septon that presided over your mother, and I’s wedding. It was quick, not the lavish affair I would have wished to give her, but it was true in the eyes of The Seven.”

Jon feels you lean into him, reading the letter along with him.

“I fear it will not be enough. Aunt Cersei tore up Uncle Robert’s will, what if someone does the same to this?” You ask.

“Your Uncle Robert was dead he could not defend his will, but Ser Arthur is here, in the flesh.” Tyrion says.

Jon folds the letter and returns it to his father. “When would this take place? I would like to inform my siblings; they should not hear it from strangers or gossip.”

“They know, Lord Stark told them and Lady Stark once I had confirmed Ser Arthur was alive and wished to see you.” Tyrion assures him.

Jon pokes at his eggs, the yolk running, yellow-orange liquid tainting the white outer edges. He is glad the truth is known, but will this change how they see him? Will little Arya no longer trust him, will she keep him at a distance as Sansa had now that he is revealed as an impostor, a stranger? And Robb, his brother, will he still call him by that name, will he still hold the same love for him? At least Lady Catelyn will no longer have reason to hate him, he is not proof of her husband’s indiscretions, but his love for his sister.

“Where does Jon fall in the line of succession for Starfell?” Y/N directs the question towards his father, bringing him out of his gloom-stricken thoughts. “I know Lord Edric Dayne is your eldest brother’s son, but he is still a child close to Arya’s age, and your sister does not yet have children, does this not make him third after you?”

His father smirks and leans forward, placing his elbows on the table. “Do you wish him to be second?”

You mimic his posture, voice deadly calm, face unreadable. “I do not condone the murder of children, even if it would catapult Jon to heir of Starfell. I was merely asking a question.”

His father laughs, the sound warm, boisterous, filling the room as he leans back in his chair. “Your father has taught you well, lioness. But yes, Jon is third, if Edric, Seven forbid, were to die then I would take the seat, and Jon would follow after me.”

“We need not worry about that though, he will be by my side at Casterly Rock, is that not right, Father?” You hold your position, eyes still on Jon’s father.

“I have not yet heard word back on our family’s succession, your grandsire still holds out hope that Jaime will leave the Kingsguard and return home.” Tyrion drawls, before taking a sip of his tea.

“But he will not, and even if he did, would it not be shameful?” You venture, stirring your own tea with the tiny spoon provided.

“We shall see what options lay before him when our new king takes the throne, he could take Jaime’s head.” Tyrion says, his eyes on his bread, he has still not taken a bite, Jon feels confident that Tyrion will not be eating this morn.

“I am sure Robb will be merciful to Uncle Jaime, perhaps he could send him to the Wall? As loathe I am to think of him being sent far away, I imagine his skills would be of good use there?” You turn to Jon for confirmation.

Jon’s stomach churns, he wishes to tell you the truth, that it matters not what Robb thinks. “Yes, they are always in need of skilled and hearty men.”

“Oh, and then we could visit him, could we not?” Again, your question is directed at him, and he fights back the bile rising in his throat. He did not like this new weight, this new secret he must keep from you.

“The Wall is a long journey, even from Winterfell.”

“No journey is too long when it comes to family.” You say, dismissing his spoken worries with a smile and a wave of your hand.

“Little lion, perhaps we save our travel plans for after the new king arrives?” Tyrion suggests, seeming unfazed by the half-truths that roll off his tongue.

“Of course, Father.” You say, giving him a smile and tucking back into your breakfast.

Jon cannot eat, he can barely swallow. He wants to tell you the truth, wants to throw you over his shoulder and run, run all the way to Winterfell and hide you there until all this chaos has subsided.

“I think a wedding in Dorne is completely out of the question Ser Arthur, do you really believe people would attend a Lannister wedding that is not held at Casterly Rock or the Red Keep?” Tyrion says, pulling him back into the conversation that had proceeded without him.

“But it is not a Lannister wedding, it is a Dayne wedding.” His father smiles, sending Jon a wink.

“My daughter is a Lannister, in the eyes of Westeros it is a Lannister wedding, and truly it must be held at Casterly Rock, gods know the Red Keep has seen enough weddings.”

“House Martell will not attend if it is at Casterly Rock, which means Myrcella will not attend.” His father reminds Tyrion.

“Father could it not be held somewhere more neutral? I so want Myrcella to be able to attend.” You ask, looking at him pleadingly.

“I am sure once the new king comes into power, the Martells will not hold the same anger towards our family as they once did.” Tyrion reassures you, reaching across the small circular table to pat your hand.

Yes, because all who they hold anger towards will be dead. Jon thinks solemnly, guilt eating him alive.

“I will trust you then.” You say, before turning to Jon’s father. “Ser Arthur, are there any marital traditions that you would like us to observed for the wedding?”

He thinks for a moment, resting his hand on his chin, the dark stubble so like Jon’s but flecked with gray. “There are none that come to my mind at the moment, but I will think on it and if any return to me, I will inform you.”

“No bedding ceremony.” Jon says, he will fight for this, not only to spare you the brutality, but as an apology for the secrets he must keep.

“I will not argue with that.” You laugh, picking up two strawberries and handing one to him as you bite into the other one.

Jon takes it from you, his teeth breaking the delicate flesh, the sweet juice tasting like ash on his tongue.

The look upon Cersei Lannister’s face when his father steps into Highgarden’s Great Hall, is enough to make Jon forget why he is even standing before the royal family. His father wears a cloak of lilac, the white sword and falling star crossed in the center proudly displayed, Dawn strapped to his side. His curls are cleaned and styled, his beard trimmed, his armor and boots shining. When he takes a knee bowing his head to Tommen, Jon does the same, feeling a flicker of excitement when their knees hit the floor at the same time. Perfect synchronicity.

“Ser Arthur?” The startled exhale of his father’s name escapes Ser Jamie’s lips before he can stop it, his conflicted expression betraying far more than simply shock. There is grief, rage, longing, and confusion all whirling within Ser Jamie’s widened emerald eyes.

“My King, I have come to ask that you legitimize my son. I have brought the parchment signed by the septon that married myself and Lady Lyanna Stark. Jon is not a snow, he is a Dayne, my trueborn and only child.”

Tommen does not move, does not speak, he looks at Margaery who has her hand in her grandmother’s.

“Let us see this parchment.” Lady Tyrell says, holding a wizened hand out.

His father rises, and Jon does as well, watching as he delivers the paper to Lady Tyrell, who shares it with Margaery.

“You were thought dead Ser Dayne, why did you not return to King's Landing to take up in the service of your new king when my husband ascended to the throne?” Cersei asks, her jade eyes alight with rage, sparking like wildfire.

“I was badly injured at the Tower of Joy and was unable to make the journey for many years.”

“Unable to make the journey and to retrieve your son, it seems.” Cersei drawls, skimming the parchment, then handing it to Ser Jaime.

Jon can see how his hands shake, the color draining from his face.

“I was told Lord Stark treated him kindly, as if he were his own son, it was better for him to remain there than at the bedside of a nearly crippled man.” The shame that colors his tone clearly tugs on Tommen’s heartstrings.

He has not dared to think what his life would have been like if he had lived with his father. All he knows is he would not have met you, and he does not consider that much a life at all.

Tommen clears his throat, looking at Margaery once more, she nods.

“Ser Dayne, you swore an oath, Kingsguard cannot marry or have children.” Cersei cuts in, stepping forward, her head held high.

Jon bites his tongue hard. The irony in her statement…

His father fares better, nodding his head towards her, his tone steady. “I am no longer a whitecloak, I lost the right to that title when I aided Prince Rhaegar in stealing away my dear Lyanna. I am only a knight of the realm now, Queen Mother.”

Tommen goes to speak, surely in agreement with his mother, but Margaery puts her hand on his arm and leans down to whisper in his ear.

Jon tries not to fidget, tries not to look at you, you who sits beside your father, dressed in a well-tailored gown the shade of pomegranates, your hair swept away from your face, a golden pendant around your neck. He will ruin it all if he looks at you.

His father puts a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it reassuringly.

“In honor of my queen’s nameday I will grant her request. Ser Jon Snow, you shall no longer be a Snow, but a Dayne, Lord or Ser Jon, whichever you would like, of House Dayne, son of Ser Arthur Dayne the Sword of the Morning.” Tommen says, smiling brightly when Margaery plants a chaste kiss of thanks to his cheek.

His father gives his thanks, bowing low. Jon follows his example, keeping his expression grateful but neutral as they return to the sidelines, ducking behind the crowds of nobles as Tommen and Margaery begin to leave the hall. It is only when they have disappeared from view that his father embraces him, crushing him to his chest.

Jon returns the embrace, joy running wild through him.

His father pulls back, a wide smile on his tanned face. “My son, oh, it is good to say that aloud, to say it where anyone can hear. We must celebrate, do you have a preference for wine? ”

“No, Father.” Jon tests the word out, rolling it on his tongue, it feels strange but pleasant. “I do not.”

His father smiles. “We shall soon fix that, but first, you must return to your duties, no?” He jerks his head towards you.

Jon nods. “I must.”

TL: @mostclevermiss, @solacestyles, @2valentines, @sharknutz, @idohknow, @bdudette, @pluraldoggo, @legolastheleafyelf, @faerie-film, @wifiatthetrainstation, @duskypinki, @tartine-de-pain

[class1akids]

Tbh your posts on merch and the top 10 make me feel kinda split, because on one hand: WOW literally ALL of the top 10 are male… this merch lineup of what sells is SUPER male dominated… we are literally teaching these corporations that women don’t sell… that doesn’t feel great, and I don’t feel like I can lay the blame entirely at Hori’s feet. (Like Monoma is one of my top 5 characters, I love an absolutely hatstand kid with the energy of a Saturday morning cartoon villain… but having been on the ground since his introduction, this kid has always been an acquired taste and it feels kinda weird that he outranked literally EVERY female character in the series.)

On the other hand, I also get why this happened. MHA is massively male dominated, and the women who are in it are massively overshadowed and written with much less depth than their male counterparts. Plus a lot of them, especially the girls of 1A, got kinda fazed out and boiled down as the series progressed. Also, the series has a fair amount of female characters who are/were generally liked by the fandom (Momo, Jiro Mina, Tsu, Mirko), how badly do you have to fumble to get ALL of them off the top 10??? Momo and Jiro even have a decently sized, still not pissed off, shipping community for god sake!

I think the main problem is that while Hori's female designs are mostly attractive and many of them have good vibes, like you say, their stories were not explored and friendships didn't get much depth.

The fandom wasn't anti-women to start with. In the popularity polls we had female characters in Top 10, especially during Act 1 (first two polls) with a resurgence in the 5th poll after again several school arcs + MVA boosting Toga:

1st - Uraraka, Asui (Ch 52 - up to SF)

2nd - Jirou, Uraraka, Asui (Ch 106 - up to Kamino arc)

3rd - Uraraka (Ch 146 - mid-Overhaul arc)

4th - Momo (Ch 192 - Up to Pro hero arc)

5th - Momo, Uraraka, Toga (Ch 235 - mid MVA)

6th - no female char (Ch 279 - mid PLF War)

7th - no female char (Ch 321 - mid Class A vs OFA)

8th - Uraraka (Ch 359 - mid Final War arc)

9th - Uraraka (Ch 403 - mid Final war -> following Toga vs Uraraka)

But as from Act 3, the only female characters who got a lot of prominence were Uraraka and Toga, while early favorites like Tsuyu or Momo have faded into obscurity. Jirou got a decent endgame highlight and that translated into a solid Top 20 spot for her, but looking at the epilogue, etc. she didn't get much love from Hori.

Now panel count doesn't always translate into popularity, but it's interesting to look at the relation of the two. For this, I'm comparing Global poll rankings with panel count. This is the list of 25 characters with the most panel count. 6/25 are female characters, but only 1 from the Top 10 - Uraraka.

Izuku Midoriya    (2) - 6616  

Katsuki Bakugo (1) - 2321 

All Might (12) - 2029 

Tomura Shigaraki (9) - 1945

Shoto Todoroki (3) - 1885 

Ochako Uraraka (11) - 1663

Tenya Ida (18) - 1303

Shota Aizawa (4) - 1235

Endeavor (6) -1225

Eijiro Kirishima (5) - 1105

All For One (38) - 916

Tsuyu Asui (26) - 747

Dabi (8) - 745

Denki Kaminari (14) - 740

Hawks (7) - 722

Fumikage Tokoyami (19) - 722

Momo Yaoyorozu (22) - 693

Himiko Toga (13) - 681

Twice (31) = 662

Mirio Togata (21) - 653

Minoru Mineta (43) - 641

Mina Ashido (33) - 635

Kyoka Jiro (20) - 624

Yuga Aoyama (27) - 553

Mezo Shoji (28) - 518

So clearly Uraraka having 2.5x the panel time than any other female character helped her get into 6/9 (or 6/10 including the global poll) times into the Top 10, but she underperforms characters like Aizawa, Endeavor, Hawks, Dabi, who have significantly less panel time, but more prominence in the polls.

I think some of it is writing density - these male characters have fairly deep story lines with interesting interactions with a wide range of characters. Some of it is shipping (EndHawks, DabiHawks, EraserMic are all fan favorite strong ships). And some of it reflects that over time the manga's core audience (at least in terms of voting and merch) became older teenage / adult women who were more interested in male characters and some adult male characters, than a teenage girl with a crush on the protagonist then turned into a doomed yuri with another teenage girl before it went back to the crush on the MC.

I think also Hori put a lot of his efforts particularly into Uraraka, who may be the encouraging, smiley, woman ideal for male audiences, but not necessarily the type of female character women audiences like. I don't know if there is a possible generalisation to make, and there is no accounting for taste, but I think a lot of women prefer characters with more spunk, spirit, drive, leadership, rich relationship, a dark side to overcome, etc.

And while other female characters from class A had sometimes more interesting personalities, their stories were mostly rushed or faded away.

As for adult female characters like Mirko, Nagant or Mt Lady - they got cool designs but not enough backstory and emotional interactions that can really make a character rise.

So I have no problem laying most of the blame on Hori. Appealing designs go a long way - and men do buy Toga and Mirko figures - but in the end, compelling characters are more than just design. It's also about story depth, and relationships that turn into ships.

And MHA female characters tbh are not that compelling compared to other stories tough shonen overall has a poor track record when it comes to interesting female characters. And while Hori copied a lot of Western Comics, he didn't tap into what makes characters like Storm or Rogue such fan favorites.

[crazycurly-77]

Masterlist stories -

Part 2

Links to all of my stories (finished ones)

Works in progress:

Look at Masterlist stories Part 3

Nathan and the Dark Lord (no fandom, magical story)

Chapter 1

Finished Works (NCIS):

(look at Masterlist stories - Part 1)

A beautiful day (4 Ch)

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4

Two Fools (5 Ch)

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5

Who's Dracula? (3 Ch) 🧛🦹👻

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3

Healing processes (17 Ch)

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 13, Chapter 14, Chapter 15, Chapter 16, Chapter 17

The Dance (3 Ch)

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3

Catfight with Consequences (2 Ch)

Chapter 1, Chapter 2

The best Christmas ever (1 Ch)

A New Year's Eve to remember (1 Ch)

The Neverending Kiss (2 Ch)

Chapter 1, Chapter 2

Parties with colleagues and their consequences (1 Ch)

A well-meant Plan (1 Ch)

What if Ziva... (smut, Request from anon, 1 Ch)

Flowers for Mrs. Gibbs (1 Ch)

Flowers for Mrs. Gibbs - Alternative Ending (2 Ch)

Chapter 1, Chapter 2

He's mine! (1 Ch)

Deadly Countdown (14 Ch)

Introduction

Hour 1 of 12: 08:00 am - 09:00 am

Hour 2 of 12: 09:00 am - 10:00 am

Hour 3 of 12: 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Hour 4 of 12: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Hour 5 of 12: 12:00 pm - 01:00 pm

Hour 6 of 12: 01:00 pm - 02:00 pm

Hour 7 of 12: 02:00 pm - 03:00 pm

Hour 8 of 12: 03:00 pm - 04:00 pm

Hour 9 of 12: 04:00 pm - 05:00 pm

Hour 10 of 12: 05:00 pm - 06:00 pm

Hour 11 of 12: 06:00 pm - 07:00 pm

Hour 12 of 12: 07:00 pm - 08:00 pm

Epilogue

Bob (24 Ch)

This is written in the style of the series 24. Events occur in real time.

Hour 1 of 24: 10:00 pm - 11:00 pm

Hour 2 of 24: 11:00 pm - 12:00 am

Hour 3 of 24: 12:00 am - 01:00 am

Hour 4 of 24: 01:00 am - 02:00 am

Hour 5 of 24: 02:00 am - 03:00 am

Hour 6 of 24: 03:00 am - 04:00 am

Hour 7 of 24: 04:00 am - 05:00 am

Hour 8 of 24: 05:00 am - 06:00 am

Hour 9 of 24: 06:00 am - 07:00 am

Hour 10 of 24: 07:00 am - 08:00 am

Hour 11 of 24: 08:00 am - 09:00 am

Hour 12 of 24: 09:00 am - 10:00 am

Hour 13 of 24: 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Hour 14 of 24: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Hour 15 of 24: 12:00 pm - 01:00 pm

Hour 16 of 24: 01:00 pm - 02:00 pm

Hour 17 of 24: 02:00 pm - 03:00 pm

Hour 18 of 24: 03:00 pm - 04:00 pm

Hour 19 of 24: 04:00 pm - 05:00 pm

Hour 20 of 24: 05:00 pm - 06:00 pm

Hour 21 of 24: 06:00 pm - 07:00 pm

Hour 22 of 24: 07:00 pm - 08:00 pm

Hour 23 of 24: 08:00 pm - 09:00 pm

Hour 24 of 24: 09:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Finished Works (no fandom):

The Artifact (magic) - 1 Ch

(maybe there will be a continuation, since the Artifact must be protected against several evil magicians 😉😊)

A Mysterious Christmas - 1 Ch (for kids)

-------------------------------------------

Back to the main Masterlist

Back to the alternative Masterlist

----------------------------------------------

[burrythebusy]

Stolen from Twitter but I still often think about the vibes I got from ichinose during his first introduction compared to now... like he looked so nonchalant and cool in ch 14 but he's actually just a cute and pathetic wet dog with stress induced ibs

[luvly-writer]

“XOXO”

Tim Drake x Reader

💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋

Series Masterlist:

💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋

Summary:

What happens when you mix the scandalous trio from the Upper East Side Elites with the batfamily? Find out!

Ch. 1 They don’t need an introduction

Ch. 2 She is as beautiful as she is poisonous

Ch. 3 Part-Time lovers, Full time problem

Ch. 4 The Queen and the Prince

Ch. 5 Siblings are the worst

Ch. 6 Let’s go viral baby!

Ch. 7 Angel and Ivy

Ch. 8 She makes the whole place shimmer

Ch. 9 Under the mask, there’s a heart

Ch. 10 Snowy hands & warm smiles

Ch. 11 Fun Loving in Winter

Ch. 12 A Crowd’s Favorite

Ch. 13 Wrapped in Pretty Paper

Ch. 14 A broken heart is fixed by another

Ch. 15 Christmas is a time for lovers

Ch. 16 He followed me all the way to NY

Ch. 17 I can hear my heart breaking

Ch. 18 Nothing happened in the way I wanted

Ch. 19 Every corner of this house is hunted

Ch. 20 The smiles are made of ice

Ch. 21 Gonna regret being too honest

Ch. 22 Loving you was like breathing

[deceptive-daydreams]

Ch. 1 | Ch. 2 | Ch. 3 | Ch. 4 | Ch. 5 | Ch. 6 | Ch. 7 | Ch. 8 | Ch. 9 | Ch. 10 | Ch. 11 | Ch. 12 | Ch. 13 | Ch. 14 |

Smoke Signals

Chapter Three - Two Old Fashioneds

W/C: 5.2K

Eddie x Fem reader - Grumpy!Bartender!Eddie x Shy!Reader

Your first shift at The Bourbon goes less than smoothly and more chaotic. Does the town's hard-ass really have his shit together like he leads everyone to believe?

A/N: guys I'm so excited for this to pick up even more (i want to make them kiss like barbies but all in good time)

Masterlist

Prev | Next

The ins and outs of a bar were something you could have never anticipated and while similar in certain ways to a diner, there was a distinct line that separated the two.  A diner had grumpy old men complaining about not getting their coffee soon enough.  The bar had grumpy old men slurring their words, groaning about their lives and insisting that a ‘cute lil thing like you’ would fix everything.  You had to stop yourself from gagging, plaster a smile on your face, and carry on.  Because one complaint and you could be out of a job, only proving that you couldn’t handle the ‘rowdy’ customers as disclosed by the boss, who now that you thought about, hadn’t seen in the last forty minutes.  

Not one other server was on staff to at least show you the ropes, it seemed like you were the first one.  One of the bartenders, Jett, who had been the one you’d seen working the day before, was unfortunately selected to both train you and run the bar for the most part tonight, no time for a proper introduction before you were thrown into the deep end, only a quick exchange of names.  It was a Thursday night but apparently to people in Knife’s Edge that meant the weekend started early.  Poor Jett was nineteen years old and the whole bar depended on you two ever since 8:00 PM when you clocked in for your very first shift.  It was nauseating having to ask him stupid questions in between attempting to serve tables while he made drink after drink, desperately trying to keep up with each order and delivering them to the right customer, even going as far to step out from behind the bar to tend to some of your tables.  You assume he was probably used to it, what with how he did it without hesitation and seemed to have his own little system in place.

It wasn’t your fault, he assured you.  It’s just that you happened to pick up your first shift the very night that the kitchen ran out of beef which also happened to be the main ingredient of one of The Bourbon’s only menu items, the famous Shreddar Burger topped with an ungodly amount of cheese and jalapenos.  Turns out the customers went wild for it.  It didn’t seem appetizing but you weren’t going to argue with the crowd favorite.  And now it was being requested left and right, the explanation that the kitchen was currently out but should be back to whipping up another round soon, not enough for their hungry bellies.  The best you could offer was a basket of fries until the beef magically showed up, Jett insisting that someone was taking care of it and that the cook would be back to whipping them up as planned sooner than later.  You were beginning to lose faith in his promises but proceeded one step at a time regardless.

Just one more task and then the beef will be here and I won’t have to hear another damn grievance over a heartburn-inducing burger. 

Yet it seemed to never come to an end, table after table requesting the very same order each time; only for you or Jett to break the news that their precious burger would have to wait and that again, the best you could offer were some fries or chicken wings, neither measuring up to the pedestal they held this burger on.

By around 9:15 PM, out came Eddie from the kitchen, door swinging behind him as sweat dripped from his brow.  He was out of breath, chest heaving while he gestured for you and Jett to come over to which you obeyed, zigzagging around tables in a hurry with a tray tucked under your arm, brows pinched together stressfully.  A new party of eight had just arrived which prompted you to push three tables together to accompany them, their drink order hadn’t even been taken yet and Eddie seemed to pick the worst time to call an impromptu meeting, in the middle of a never ending rush.  Burgerless.  

“Beef’s here.  Jett, I need you to help with the rest of the boxes so we can get burgers going.”  He instructs, the boy immediately following orders and frantically heading through the swinging door at full speed, very aware that he still had the front of house to attend to.  “And you, Bambi, change of plans.  I need you in the kitchen.”

So much to unpack in just one sentence.  The kitchen?  Bambi?

“Well–I-I thought I was just a server–”

“I said change of plans, I need you in the kitchen.”  Before you could ask further questions, he disappears into the kitchen and for a split second you turn to glance at the full bar awaiting service only to wince and follow him.  No one was managing the front and that made your nerves twitch but you suppose the boss knows what he’s doing.  At least you hope.  Your first hour or so had been a shit show.

Pans clanked against the metal worktop as he shoved them out of the way, clearing the space and igniting the flat top all while not batting an eye at you or caring to further explain.  You could just make out the formation of numbers on his lips, no sound coming out, but he was distinctly lip syncing the numbers one through three over and over.  It was strange though you didn’t have much time to process it, instead opting to internally lose it over the sheer idea of filling in for another position.  You didn’t sign up to be a cook and this was way out of your scope of skills.  He deemed you as incapable of being a server and now he was putting the foundation of this place on your shoulders.

“Randy, our cook left.”  He begins, oiling up the surface, his focus never faltering.  “Don’t know why, don’t know where.  All I know is I went to pick up beef and when I came back he was gone.”  

Jett scrambles near the back door, hauling boxes of beef into the walkin freezer as your eyes dart between him and Eddie, a certain queasiness forming in your stomach.  Eddie continues pulling supplies out and though it's within your rights to demand to return to your original position in the front, you can’t, the words won’t come out.  

“So you’re gonna flip burgers, Jett and I will be in and out to help while also holding it down out there.”

“I don’t even know how to ‘flip burgers’!”  

It comes out less hostile and more alarmed, your eyes feigning apprehension at the current inconsistency of the place.  In any other circumstance you should leave, quit with your dignity intact however that is not an option and you are in no position to be calling any shots; you begged for this job, afterall.

“You don’t know how to flip burgers.”  He deadpans.

“I-”

“You ever flipped a pancake?”

It’s not a genuine question, more of a mockery of your simpleminded excuse.  His head drops to catch your line of sight that had been previously shooting around the colorless kitchen, saturated in grays and whites that would drive anyone mad.  

“That’s not what I meant–”  You proclaim, setting your tray on an unoccupied work top.

“Just–cook the meat.  Make sure it’s not raw.”

As if that wasn’t the whole point of ‘cooking’ it.  This guy must have thought you had mush for brains yet he was the one with a crumbling structure of a business just based on what you’ve experienced in one night.  One hour, even.  You were starting to miss the senior citizens from the previous evening that appeared to have had a great deal of patience in comparison to the younger crowd that seemed to have more audacity and a shorter attention span.

“But what about–”

“Stop asking questions!  Just follow my lead.”  He demands, rushing out to the back, the door propped open so he could assist Jett in retrieving the remaining boxes from his truck.

What lead?  There was no lead.  Only chaos.

You idled next to the grill, shuffling your feet against the grimy tiles beneath you and taking notice of the astonishingly disgusting drain on the floor, coated in some kind of copper-colored grease.  At least if Eddie came back in to yell at you for not doing anything, you had the excuse of manning the grill, ensuring his precious bar didn’t burn to the ground though metaphorically, it already was.  What else were you supposed to do?  

–

You were sure the smell of beef, onions and cheese were going to be crusted into your hair for eternity when all was said and done.  Eddie and Jett had been taking turns walking you through the steps of creating this so-called famous burger and after a few mutilated testers, you eventually got the hang of it and it became a game of rinse and repeat.  Sometimes an order for a rare cooked burger would come in and you could only hope that you cooked it just enough that it wouldn’t bring on a nasty case of food poisoning to whoever had requested it.

Eddie stood behind you at the fryer, back to you while putting together another batch of fries to store under the heat lamps while you pieced together yet another burger, setting it along the space designated for finished meals along with its corresponding ticket underneath.  Eddie dumped some fries onto the plate before swiping it up and delivering it to its table.  When he quickly came back in to repeat the same motions, a question lingered in the back of your mind and it only made sense to ask it.

“Why am I on burger duty?”  You question, mentally facepalming at the phrasing you chose.

“Come again?”  He gives you another chance.

“I-I mean, if I’m brand new, why put me in charge of one of the most important things on the menu?  Why don’t you cook and I keep serving?”  

It seemed like a valid concern, only your first day and suddenly you’ve moved up to head of the kitchen?  Okay, maybe not head of the kitchen but that’s how it felt when thing one and thing two were constantly rotating out and mainly only managing fries and other small bar foods that were simple enough to make in big batches.  The grease from it all felt prominent on your skin, and you feared your sweat was going to become one with the vegetable oil.

“Every person out there knows me.  And I know them.  I know how to butter them up.”  He explains, a rogue curl escaping his messy bun in the mayhem of it all as he dumps another large portion of potatoes into the fryer.  “You…well, you know.”

It’s uncertain whether that was meant to be an insult or simply him losing his train of thought.  Either way, you didn’t read much into it, only nodding hesitantly.

“Don’t worry, we’ll throw you back to the wolves in no time.”  Eddie half jokes, exiting the kitchen once again, this time with plates balanced on his forearms and palms, Jett zooming past him to start up another round of wings.

“So, how are you enjoying hell?”  He laughs, giving his hands a good scrub down.

“Oh, it’s amazing.”  You exaggerate, piling some cheddar cheese high on top of the charred meat, topping it off with jalapenos and a bun, then plating it up with some fries.

“Well, I promise it’s not like this every shift.  And contrary to what you may have seen tonight, Eddie’s a good boss.  Just kinda cranky but you learn to ignore it.”

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”  The man in question rushes by, heading for the walk-in freezer, yet again counting in threes, this time using his fingers as well.

–

As promised, you were sent back up to the front once things had slowed down, the bar emptying out aside from a few regulars that had straggled behind.  It was a manageable workload between three people, plus Jett was able to offer a little more in depth training behind the bar as well as giving you the official tour of The Bourbon.  

There was the main room where all the action was, dimly lit to create a nice ambience littered in knick knacks that decorated the walls, torn band posters covering the ceiling along with some Christmas lights.  Of course there was a pool table though you hadn’t witnessed any intense games in your short time here.  Jett took the liberty of educating you on the kitchen a little further should anything of tonight’s nature happen again.  You learned where everything was kept for their small but cherished menu, where the storage closet containing all the cleaning supplies was as well as the back office which was only reserved for Eddie according to Jett.  Lastly, he showed you the dumpsters, in case you happened to be on trash duty and he even gave you strict instructions on how to close them back up so animals wouldn’t rummage.

Now you were back behind the bar, being taught to make the signature drink, an old fashioned containing cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.  You could appreciate it, a bit spicy and a touch smooth, accompanying that burnt wood taste that would get you there fast.  It wasn’t a difficult drink to make however, perfecting the presentation was what set you back.  You couldn’t simply toss a cherry and an orange twist into the liquor, it had to be done tastefully.  Or that’s how Jett explained it, claiming that those were Eddie’s words.  The drink was in a way, an art and you couldn’t be sloppy with it, not by The Bourbon’s standards.

A  hectic night of becoming a makeshift cook, training as a server, and an intake of so much new information would do a number on anyone and the bags under your eyes clearly showed the physical exhaustion you were experiencing.  You didn’t think you ever worked so hard even at the diner back at home during rush hour.

“Little lamb made it through the night.”

Tilting your head up from the cocktail before you momentarily, you’re met with that pair of intimidating but gorgeous eyes, nearly black in the low lighting of the bar.  It was interesting, you’d seen many brown eyes in your lifetime but none of them resembled something quite like the universe he held in his, his outlook on things noticeably different from the average person.  He had taken a seat at one of the stools on the opposite side of the bar from you, some paperwork laid out in front of him as he began scribbling something down.  All you could offer him was the raise of your brow in acknowledgement of his presence, too engaged in perfecting the cherries on the toothpick just right, balancing them on the rim of the glass like a circus act.  

“They’re too close together.”  Eddie remarks, his gaze glued to the paper he had been marking up, an inventory list you notice at a second glance. 

“Hmm?”  You might as well have been in your own world, some kind of trance caused by fatigue pulling at your muscles and overworked mind.  

“Cherries.  They’re unbalanced.”

For a man of such few words, he still seemed to say a lot.  The attitude ingrained in his tone never appeared to let up and it felt as if something was either always bugging him or losing his interest.  Never content, always sour and sharp-tongued.  

“Oh.”  You sigh in defeat, as if it were impossible to simply pick up the toothpick resting against the glass and your finger and move the cherries, solving the case of the wobbling toothpick.

Jett emerged next to you after participating in some small talk with a regular at the end of the bar, a grin on his youthful face despite what a shit show the night had been.  So far you observed that he was something of an optimist, smiling his way through tough situations.  It was refreshing.

“There you go!”  He praises, gesturing greatly to the drink you’d just created.  Your third try at it. 

“Jett, you’re bein’ a shitty example.  Leaving your sheep unattended.”  Eddie grumbles, sticking a toothpick in his mouth.  You’d be lying if you said you wished he’d stop sticking toothpicks in his damn mouth.  Well, half-lying.  You’d admit he looked good chewing on a tiny piece of wood but he did it far too often.

Wait…sheep?  Were you the sheep?  Was this a jab at you?  You’d just spent the night keeping this place afloat and he was insulting you once again?

“Munson, I’d say I’m doing just fine considering you left us without a fuckin’ cook the whole night.”  Jett defends.  You want to grimace, knowing this wasn’t the standard when talking to your boss but Eddie seemed unphased while the boy kept grinning at him as he leaned against the bar.  “Plus, it seems like this sheep kicked ass on only her first day.”  He nudges your shoulder with his, sliding the drink you’d just concocted in front of Eddie.  You smiled in appreciation of his kind words.

“I didn’t leave you without a cook.  Cook fuckin’ left without telling anyone.”  He reasons, immediately throwing half the drink back in one swig.  

Please don’t taste shitty, please don’t taste shitty, please don’t taste shitty.

“And I guess you proved not to be as dainty as I thought.”  Eddie admits to you, throwing the rest of the drink back.  No complaints yet.  Only what you could make out to be a compliment.

“So can she stay?”  Jett pleads, bottom lip jutted out for emphasis.  He seemed to have taken a liking to you but then again, the place was short staffed so maybe he was just desperate to have anyone help out.

Eddie looks up from his list, pen tapping against the bar top with annoyance.  There was still no indication whether the old fashioned had been any good or not, seemingly forgotten about amongst the conversation and it was quietly eating at you.  The need for validation.

“That’s up to her, kid.” 

Both pairs of eyes landed on you, anticipating your answer.

“Well, uh, I dunno.”  You shrug.  “Was I even any good at making a drink?”  Like you had a choice in accepting the job, this is all you had.

“I dunno.”  Eddie replies, sliding the glass back over to you.  “Try again, let's see.”

“That’s a yes.”  Jett chimes in.  “Big boy wants a refill.”

“Jett, I will personally give you a swirly.”  There’s a glimpse of humor in Eddie’s tone, the smallest you’ve seen within him so far though you refrained from giggling.

“Oh, a swirly?  Real mature.”  Jett mocks, Eddie quietly snorting a laugh in response.  

His smile was cute.  

And it may be the first time you’d seen a genuine one from him.  He had dimples, deep, deep dimples.  It was a wonder why he didn’t put them on display more.

In the midst of the banter, you began whipping up another old fashioned, The Bourbon way.  You figured it wouldn’t be your place to insert yourself among the jokes, being the new girl.  It was best to keep quiet until you blended in a bit more.  Several customers throughout the night had already initiated conversation stating they’d never seen you before and you didn’t need to draw any more attention to yourself than you’d already received.

“Make it a double?”  Eddie interrupts your process.

Again you look up to meet those large eyes, practically black holes absorbing any and all light aside from a tiny sparkle you found that survived within them.  He was asking and not demanding.  He owned the whole damn place and yet he was asking you to make it a double when he could very well just tell you.

“Yeah.”  You whisper, unsure of yourself.  A double just meant…well, double, right?

So you turn to Jett who was now scrubbing at an especially sticky spot on the bar.  He didn’t take any notice in your silent plea much to your regret.  You looked like an idiot, pondering over what exactly the measurements should be since today's training didn’t exactly cover what to do should someone ask for a double.  At least you knew how to use the entirety of the kitchen though…

“Just another shot.”  Eddie instructs, emotionless.

With a nod, you kick right into action, using what you learned and putting it to use while remembering to add an additional shot and not completely overlook it in your uneasiness.  You didn’t care to peer up at him once more, uncertain if he was still watching your every move and unsure whether he would reprimand you for making one mistake in crafting his drink.  He said nothing so it was safe to assume he had resumed filling out his boring paperwork.

“See, she’s a natural!”  Jett applauds upon turning back toward you as you carefully pierce the cherries with a toothpick, balancing them just how Eddie had taught you.  

It really wasn’t rocket science and you could feel the humiliation seep into your bones at the thought of him judging you for simply not being able to figure out why they kept falling in before.  You were by no means a natural.

“You’re gonna be the new favorite, I can already tell.  Everyone’s gonna love ya.”  Though Jett’s words are appreciated and far too kind, you can’t help but doubt his confidence in you.

You were used to being a fly on the wall, observing and keeping to yourself among loud personalities.  And you were okay with that.  Being so removed grants you the ability to perceive everyone else without barely even being perceived yourself.  It was flattering, the way Jett talked you up having only known you for a few hours but you knew you were nothing special.  He was just being nice and most likely picked up on your anxious undertones.

Eddie remained mute, continuing to scribble away at the paper in front of him as if you and Jett weren’t there.  Just as silent, you slid the drink over into his peripheral before occupying your hands with a rag to wipe up any remnants caused by your shaky hands.  He only scanned the drink over once before tapping his pen against the counter, three times.  Always in threes.  

Awaiting his consensus on your bartending, you pretend to pay no mind, as though his opinion is the last thing on earth you would want.  Really, it’s all you want.  To know if you exceeded at crafting the bar’s signature drink or if you failed so miserably that he wouldn't let you behind the bar again.  After all, your official job title would be ‘server’ and server’s didn’t generally make drinks, they served.  But this wasn’t a normal bar and it seemed everyone was performing more than one job at a time so if you had to make drinks you might as well be somewhat good at it.  And if not, it could render you useless in his perception, seeing as he’d already underestimated you before.

When he finally takes a sip, large hand wrapped around the glass, you refrain from sucking in a breath because although he had already had one, he gulped it down like water.  This time it seemed he was performing a quality check.

“Good.”  His monotone voice doesn’t convey much other than you’ve at least satisfied him to some extent.  But that's it.

Next to you, Jett celebrates again before tending to another customer and then yelling out for the last call.  Eddie’s focus doesn’t budge from his work while he sips away at his drink, this time nurturing it rather than greedily throwing it all back.

–

Some time around 12:30 AM Jett had dashed out after the bar received a phone call from his mom complaining that the racoons had stormed their barn and came too close to threatening their chicken coop again.  With all patrons now gone and only cleaning and closing left to be done, Eddie dismissed him from work and told him to get a better handle on the raccoon situation seeing as it happened three times in the past month.  Jett muttered something about how raccoons are relentless and how they will find a way if they really want to on his way out.  

With one last wipe down of the tables and a thorough cleaning of the bar top, all that was left on your mental checklist given to you courtesy of Eddie was making sure behind the bar was organized and pristine for the following day, bottles accounted for, and glasses washed and dried.  He was absent for a good thirty minutes but you concluded he was doing his share in the kitchen as you heard the clanging of metal on metal and a few curses every now and then when there was an extra loud crash. 

The sudden crackle of a speaker and booming music startles you, a glass nearly slipping out of your grasp at the sound.  A harsh metal song blares through the bar, guitar wailing and bass vibrating, causing a few bottles to gently clink against each other on the shelf.  Seconds later, Eddie came sauntering out from the back office with a broom in hand and a cigarette hanging from his bottom lip, unlit.  

You try to ignore whatever he may be up to but find it impossible not to look up from the glass you were polishing off.  His hair was unruly, now out of the confines of a bun and seeming to have only gotten bigger throughout the night and–he wasn’t using the broom for sweeping.  Instead, he crawled on top of a freshly cleaned table with his dirty, clunky boots and poked at something in the rafters, tugging it forward.  You wanted to be mad that he was stepping on your freshly scrubbed table but you couldn’t help but be curious, pausing your motions to stare and try to predict his next move.  

The end of the broom was looped under the handle of a small wooden box and his arm stretched out to open it before pulling some cash out of his pocket and sticking it in the box.  Then he closed it back up and shoved it back into place, out of sight.  Once he jumped down off the table, he began walking toward the back again, stopping in his tracks when he realized you were standing there watching him the whole time.  

A puff of air escapes his lips, his bangs briefly blowing upward before resting back against his forehead.  You tear your gaze away, now more interested in cleaning water droplets off of another glass.  Your heart pounding, his footsteps only inch closer and closer and yet again, he is on the opposite side of the bar from you, staring you down.  It was obvious he had forgotten you were there.  The unlit cigarette is plucked from his lips in between his fingers and tucked behind his ear.

“You didn’t see that.  If it goes missing, I’ll know it was you.”  He speaks so gruffly and low, as if someone might hear despite the place being empty.

Nodding in submission, you can’t bring yourself to catch his fierce gaze.

“Yeah?”  Eddie pushes for a verbal response, more intensity to his tone.

“Yes.”  You chirp.  Like a pathetic little bird.  

Satisfied with your answer, he hums, resting the broom against a stool before making his way around the bar, pulling a rag out of his back pocket and assisting you with wiping down the remaining glasses.  There had to have been at least a dozen left and by the looks of it, he had finished his tasks and wanted to get out of here.  So you worked in silence, side by side.

It felt like an eternity but it must have only been two minutes later when you began to feel antsy.  Like you were supposed to initiate a friendly conversion.  Some kind of bullshit small talk.  And then your better judgment kicks in, telling you ‘better not’ since the man beside you didn’t seem like the small talk type.  In all fairness you weren’t either but it felt like you had to constantly conform to certain standards.  Then your mouth started running without a second thought because one thought provoked you and now you just had to know.

“So…the bingo night…is that a regular thing?”

A side eye from him may as well have shot daggers directly into you, his movements pausing as he scowled.  So you backtracked.

“N-nevermind–”

“Yes.”  He answers abruptly, much to your surprise.

“Oh.”  

Your voice comes out soft, as if trying not to spook an animal.  And for as annoyed as he looks, he’s the one who answered after you attempted to give him an out.  He was a very conflicting man, hard to read and mysterious.  

“Every Wednesday.  The senior home wants its residents to get out every now and then.”

“And…they chose a bar?”  A smile tugs at your lips, one that you can’t help.

“What’s wrong with that?”  

His face shows offense but his tone holds some kind of amusement, the slightest bit of personality seeping through the cracks and exposing itself to you.

“I just–nothing, it’s just, out of every place they could choose…a bar?”  You couldn’t wrap your head around the idea, shaking your head.

“I mean, we’re the only place that offered.”  

There’s a genuine kind of hurt behind his words.  You’re unable to determine if it was directed toward your question or something else wading through his mind.  Or if it was even meant to slip out in any way based on how closed off he was.  Your guess was that his sudden projection of an emotion was a slip up and that it was up to you to ignore it otherwise he’d give you an even harder time.

“Oh.”  Again, your soft spoken voice carries itself gently to his ears.  “That’s…nice.  Really nice.”  You say honestly, glancing at him.

For having such tough armor and such offputting behavior, Eddie was pretty.  His curls were messy and appeared to be pieced apart by his fingers running through them constantly, leaving them fuzzy and unkempt.  But still appealing.  And his side profile illuminated by the warm lights was soft but still manly, handsome.  He was good looking, there was no denying that.  His personality was rather repelling though and good looks could only get you so far, not that he was flaunting how attractive he was and using it to his benefit.  

Coming out of your trance, you find that you’re both down to the last few glasses, silence taking over once again.  Out of the corner of your eye, you take notice of the way Eddie’s mouth forms numbers again, without sound.

One, two, three.  One, two, three.  One, two, three.

All mouthed as he seems to breathe unevenly.  You don’t draw any attention to your observation much like earlier when you’d caught him doing the same thing.  There were depths to him that you were beginning to feel were unexplored by anyone other than himself.  A loneliness detected beneath the surface of his solid and impenetrable armor.

~end~

Masterlist

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tags - @gravedigginbbydoll @ohauggieo @spicysix @lunatictardis @ali-r3n @batkin028 @mrsjellymunson @witchwolflea @emma77645 @emxxblog @eddiemunson95 @angietherose @lottie-90 @sheneedsrocknroll92 @pullingattheroots @avalon-wolf @vintagehellfire @cryingglightningg @foreveranexpatsposts @winchester-angel @mmunson86 @witchwolflea @kurdtbean@micheledawn1975

[50calmadeuce]

Piloting Back Into Love

Summary: You lost your first husband a few years ago to the war and you weren't looking to find love again until your best friend, Natasha 'Phoenix' Trace begs you to come visit her in Fightertown, U.S.A. While there, you fall for the handsome Jake 'Hangman' Seresin thinking he's not going to want all the baggage you carry, but you're mistaken.

Warnings: Some chapters have sex, so if you're not 18+, please don't read them (if you are and don't see them, go check your settings!). A few chapters also have to do with being held captive and one you are hit in the face. So, if any of those are triggers, please don't read.

Ch. 1: The Introduction Ch. 2: Outside Ch. 3: Beach Day Ch. 4: Walk and Talk Ch. 5: First Date Ch. 6: The Landing Ch. 7: Your Story Ch. 8: Your History Ch. 9: Airport Ch. 10: The Rest of the Week Ch. 11: Tantrum Ch. 12: The Ranch Ch. 13: The Family Ch. 14: The Bedroom Ch. 15: Morning Ch. 16: The Ride Ch. 17: Lunch Ch. 18: Surprise! Ch. 19: Planning Ch. 20: The Wedding Ch. 21: Wedding Dance Ch. 22: The Shower Ch. 23: Your Worth Ch. 24: Packing Ch. 25: Back In Fighter Town Ch. 26: Deployment Ch. 27: Home Ch. 28: Sunday and Dinner Ch. 29: Court Ch. 30: Two Weeks Later Ch. 31: The Doctor's Office Ch. 32: Thanksgiving Ch. 33: Flowers Ch. 34: The Cabin Ch. 35: Scott Ch. 36: Hostage Ch. 37: Going Home Ch. 38: I'm Home Ch. 39: Escape Ch. 40: Found Epilogue

[bigfrozenfan]

The History of Arendelle: A FROZEN Timeline

The History of Arendelle is much more than just a recap of Frozen I & II. In this video timeline we'll dive deep into Frozen lore that spans novels, comics, podcasts, and more! This video is made in close association with the Arendelle Archives, a group of Frozen superfans who've mapped out the lore and history very well. Find links to download some of their resources below! This video is also made in collaboration with ModernMouse and Josh Taylor plays a new in-universe Frozen character, named Josh Taylorson, a Royal Historian of Arendelle.

TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Introduction 1:44 ch. i - How the Timeline Works 4:30 ch. ii - The 1790s: Arendelle's Grand Reinvention 6:23 ch. iii - April 1812: The Battle of the Dam 7:51 ch. iv - 1812-1840: Dangerous Secrets - The Story of Iduna and Agnarr 11:03 ch. v - 1830-1840: Arendelle's Dark Years 14:05 ch. vi - July 1843: Frozen 17:19 ch. vii - July 1843: Once Upon a Snowman 17:39 ch. viii - December 1843: Olaf's Frozen Adventure 18:49 ch. ix - June 1844: Frozen Fever 19:54 ch. x - 1846: The Joe Caramagna Graphic Novels 22:21 ch. xi - September 1846: Forest of Shadows 24:24 ch. xii - September/October 1846: Frozen II 27:44 ch. xiii - December 1846: Polar Nights - Cast Into Darkness 29:17 ch. xiv - Spring 1847: Forces of Nature - Season One 30:44 Conclusion

ARENDELLE ARCHIVES RESOURCES: Annals of Frozen 2nd Edition The FrozenVerse - A List of All Official and Licensed Works Frozen Canon Talk 4th Edition Maps & Geography Anna and Elsa’s Lost Family Members

Download a high-quality PNG of the Frozen Timeline on Patreon

[badbatchposts]

Quiet Corners of the Galaxy, Ch. 17

Fic Teaser: While on a routine mission for Cid, the Bad Batch encounter a woman fleeing from the Empire. Crosshair suspects her seemingly free-spirited, nomadic existence is actually a cover for something else, but struggles to keep his attraction toward her in check as their personalities and ideals clash.

Relevant tags/content warnings: Crosshair/Original Female Character, Slow Burn, Enemies to Lovers, Periodic Smut, Canon-Typical Violence, Alcohol Use

Author's note: I have to give an enormous shout-out to @cloneflo99 for not only letting me bounce ideas off of her for this chapter, but helping me get over some writer's block by giving me stellar comments on a draft and even creating this very cool banner for the fic! THANK YOU FRIEND!!!

Read the full fic so far on AO3

Read previous chapters on Tumblr: Ch. 1 l Ch. 2 l Ch. 3 l Ch. 4 l Ch. 5 l Ch. 6 l Ch. 7 l Ch. 8 l Ch. 9 l Ch. 10 l Ch. 11 l Ch. 12 l Ch. 13 l Ch. 14 l Ch. 15 l Ch. 16

Chapter 17 summary: The Batch and an increasingly restless Dara meet up with Rex and Howzer.

It hadn’t occurred to Crosshair that meeting with Rex meant that they were not just exposing the clone network to Dara, but also exposing her to them. As a result, he was thoroughly unprepared for how high Howzer’s eyebrows shot up when he saw her descending from the Marauder. He caught the clone captain giving her what was surely meant to be a surreptitious once-over while Rex was busy clasping forearms with Hunter and Echo, and wasted no time in angling himself to glare protectively over Dara’s shoulder in a silent challenge.

Howzer’s casual interest in the woman accompanying the Batch was a stark contrast to the way his gaze hardened when he glanced toward Crosshair. While they managed to keep things civil, Howzer had never fully forgiven him for Ryloth—and to be honest, Crosshair didn’t blame him. He didn’t much deserve to be forgiven.

Wrecker interrupted them before their staring match could escalate, barreling to the front of the group to draw Rex and Howzer into a bone-crushing hug that both captains protested against weakly.

“Been a good while since we saw you two! How’s things? Where’s my pal Gregor? I was hoping he’d be cooking tonight!” Wrecker exclaimed, before having mercy and releasing the pair.

Rex grinned, always much happier to be subjected to the bigger man’s affections than his discontents. “Just finishing up a quick mission—he’ll be back in a few hours. So…” He eyed Dara with curiosity. “Who’s your newest member?”

“Oh—oh yeah!” Wrecker wrapped a beefy arm around Dara, dragging her forward for introductions. She clutched at him for a moment before catching her balance with a look of vague amusement. “Dara’s a stray we picked up on one of our jobs!” He looked around conspiratorially and made eye contact with Crosshair, mischief glinting in his good eye. “You’ll never believe this, but Crosshair rescued her,” he explained in an exaggerated stage whisper.

The sniper rolled his eyes. “Only for you to nearly manhandle her to death every chance you get, apparently,” he complained, eyeing his brother—who still had his arm around Dara—with a touch of resentment.

Wrecker ignored him, still gleeful. “Anyway! Dara, meet Captains Rex and Howzer.”

“Ma’am,” Rex nodded toward her respectfully, though his eyes lingered searchingly on the woman’s face for a long moment. Crosshair knew that Rex was familiar with their suspicions about Dara, and he wondered whether the Captain thought he’d be able to read her secrets there.

Howzer reached a hand out to shake Dara’s, grasping it warmly. “Miss,” he murmured, with a charming smile.

“Dara, please,” she insisted, returning the smile. “Nice to meet you both.”

Rex gestured over his shoulder at the building behind him. “Let’s head on inside and catch up for a bit.”

They had landed the Marauder next to Rex’s ship, which was parked by a small cluster of squat, abandoned warehouses. They were the only buildings nearby, surrounded by endless kilometers of orange scrublands. Skinny, red, six-legged lizards the length of a forearm darted between the clumps of vegetation and climbed the walls of the building.

“They are harmless, so long as you do not attempt to eat them,” Tech informed the group helpfully as they followed Rex and Howzer inside.

“Wasn’t planning on it, Tech,” Hunter reassured him, eyeing the creatures with distaste.

The warehouse was dusty and bare, apart from a low table boasting a holoprojector and circle of crates. Dara leaned against the wall with her arms crossed as the men situated themselves around the table. Crosshair frowned as he glanced up at her. He had thought she seemed antsy on their approach to the planet, fidgeting uncharacteristically and unable to sit still. Even now her eyes were darting about the warehouse while her fingers tapped restlessly against her biceps.

Rex gave the woman an apologetic grimace from across the room as he booted up the holoprojector. “Sorry, Dara, but do you mind…?”

Dara stilled, then nodded. “Got it. Clone business. Just let me know if I can be of help.” She gave the group a small smile which didn’t quite meet her eyes before striding back out the way they had come.

Crosshair leaned over toward Hunter, still staring resolutely at the doorway where she had disappeared. “Does she seem…agitated to you?” he murmured.

“Mm-hmm,” his brother confirmed. “Heartbeat’s elevated, smells stressed.” Hunter raised an eyebrow and nodded his head toward the exit. “Why don’t you go and keep an eye on her?”

Crosshair glanced toward Rex, who nodded in approval, before following Dara. When he stepped outside he found the surrounding area surprisingly empty; she had moved off quickly. He rounded the corner of the building, looking for a ladder that would give him roof access for a better vantage point to locate her, and peeked up once he found one, only to spy a familiar pair of boots dangling over the edge above him.

“I don’t need a babysitter,” Dara grumbled as he hauled himself up onto the roof. She had pulled a length of leather cord from her pack and was distracting her restless fingers by weaving a new project, eyes occupied with scanning the horizon.

“No?” Crosshair sneered. He sat down on the opposite side of the ladder, letting his own legs dangle over the edge of the roof as well. He pulled out his rifle to follow her gaze with his scope. “Then what has you so worked up?”

Dara’s shoulders stiffened, and she pursed her lips at him. “I’m just bored. Hard to keep busy when you boys don’t want my help.”

The sniper hummed noncommittally. There was nothing in the distance that he could identify, and he wondered what was drawing Dara’s attention.

“What planet is this?” she asked suddenly.

He lowered his rifle and turned to her, raising an eyebrow. She had stopped her restless scanning and was now watching him instead, her expression betraying only a vague curiosity.

Crosshair scoffed. “What’s it matter to you?”

Dara shrugged and looked out towards the scrublands again, though now her eyes roamed at a more leisurely pace, taking in the landscape with an easy interest. “It’s quiet. Pretty. Figure maybe I’ll stay here for a bit when I get my ship back.”

He rolled his eyes. “Don’t be naïve, burk’yc. You’re not getting your ship back. If the Empire hasn’t impounded it, then scrappers have pulled it apart by now.” Crosshair almost immediately regretted the cruel comment when a pained expression crossed Dara’s face, though the hurt was quickly replaced with a glare.

“That ship is my home,” she snapped. “Eventually I’ll have to go back, at least to know for sure. I don’t have anywhere else to go. I’d think you would understand.” She gestured meaningfully in the direction of the Marauder.

Crosshair considered her thoughtfully. She was only partially correct; yes, the ship had been a home for them that Kamino never had, and thinking about what they would do if it were lost made him squeamish. That wasn’t to say that he was sentimental—but cynical though he was, he supposed he could understand the impulse to hope that her ship wasn’t simply gone forever.  

Still, what she didn’t know was that, even if they lost the Marauder, they would have Pabu. Even though the island was almost too bright, too friendly for his taste, it had made all the difference for them to have a place to lay low, a home base that wasn’t just stable, but safe for Omega. She deserved a place out of harm’s way, a chance at a normal childhood, and Crosshair knew that any of the Batch—himself included—would trade the Marauder any day to protect that for her. And even without the Marauder, even without Pabu, they would have each other—their squad; their family—which was a fact that, after all his time away from them, he more than anyone could appreciate.

As far as he could tell, Dara didn’t have anywhere, or anyone, like that. Her ship meant even more to her than the Marauder did to them.

Her hands stilled suddenly, and her hair flashed in the afternoon light as a movement out in the scrubland grabbed her attention; a flock of white birds, moving in shimmering sync, had suddenly taken flight. Crosshair glanced through his scope, quickly locating the source of the disturbance.

He plucked a toothpick out and popped it into the corner of his mouth. “They were just scared off by a tooka,” he drawled. “You’re jumpy.”

“I’m not jumpy,” Dara protested. The sniper simply raised an eyebrow in challenge, his lips curling into a smirk, and she rolled her eyes in response. “Okay, maybe I’m a little restless today,” she conceded. “I don’t usually stay in one… situation… long. I’m starting to think… it might be time for me to move on.”

Crosshair felt his mouth downturn almost instinctively before he schooled his face into a more passive expression. Still, he couldn’t stop the low, swooping feeling that had suddenly invaded his chest. Not since the villa heist had he seriously considered the possibility of Dara leaving; while he still doubted that she was telling the truth, over time he had gotten used to her presence. And now that the idea was staring him in the face, he found that he no longer wanted her to go.

He was quiet, watching her. Suppressing the desire to protest, to ask her to stay.

Dara quirked an eyebrow. She closed the gap between them for a moment to bump her shoulder gently against his. “What? Thought you’d be happy to get rid of me.”

He chewed on his toothpick and contemplated the horizon. “What will you do if your ship is gone?” he probed, trying to sound nonchalant. “Would you…want to find someplace—someplace nice, safe like this—permanently?” She would like it on Pabu, he thought. He could even picture her, sitting beneath the weeping maya tree, chatting with the islanders, watching the waves roll in while she wove her crafts and drank her tea.

If she decided to leave, then maybe, at least, they could tell her. Maybe she’d even want to go back with them. If he brought it up to the others, he thought Hunter would consider it.

Dara didn’t respond immediately, thinking the idea over, maybe. Crosshair opened his mouth again, hesitated—

“Crosshair!” A familiar voice called from the foot of the ladder. Both of them leaned over the edge, past their dangling feet, and spotted Howzer looking up at them. “You’re needed,” the clone informed him.

Crosshair sighed and flicked his toothpick off the edge of the roof, landing it in directly in Howzer’s hair, who plucked it out and smoothed his graying locks with a scowl. Wordlessly, the sniper descended. Behind him, Dara stepped off the ladder, helped the final few feet by Howzer’s gallantly outstretched hand.

“So, Howzer,” Crosshair heard her ask as he strode away. “Do you have any interesting war stories for me? Where were you stationed?”

“Oh, plenty of stories. I supported General Syndulla on Ryloth, miss.” Howzer’s voice was effortlessly friendly, respectful but engaging.

“Ryloth! I visited there for a few months before the war started. Is the central market square on Lessu still…”

Crosshair felt a twinge of annoyance as he stalked around the corner toward the entrance to the warehouse, leaving the pair conversing amiably. He had a strong suspicion that, if he had offered Dara his hand at the bottom of the ladder, she would have rolled her eyes and pointedly ignored it. And that didn’t bother him—no, what bothered him was that she accepted it from Howzer. In fact, she would have accepted it from anyone else—except him. She was agreeable, friendly, charming, for anyone besides him. For weeks now she had been with the Batch day and night, and still she was hiding who she was—the venom, the snark, the determined competence. The grief.

Howzer could talk to her for hours, and he wouldn’t know her. Not like Crosshair did.

He wasn’t sure what about that bothered him so much.

Back inside, Crosshair tried to keep Dara out of his mind for the moment as the others caught him up on Rex’s briefing—something about a group of missing clones they were trying to track down. Almost automatically, he contributed what he knew about the Empire’s policies on clone prisoners, highlighting a few facilities they could have been taken to or held at.

“We’ll have to reach out to some other sources to try to locate them,” Rex reflected thoughtfully. “Maybe do some recon once we get the intel in. I wonder if you boys would mind coming to help out—we’re spread a little thin at the moment.”

Hunter glanced carefully at the rest of his squad, trying to assess their thoughts on the subject. “I dunno, Rex,” he hesitated. “We’ve been away from Omega for too long as it is.”

The Captain nodded. “I understand. Still—maybe you could take some time to think about it while you do one last favor for me? Gregor should be arriving soon with some supplies he scavenged from a decommissioned Republic facility. We were hoping Cid would be able to offload what we don’t need for some extra credits. You mind doing a drop-off and swinging by base with the credits?”

“That we can do,” Hunter agreed. “We’ll just head back to the Marauder for a bit—gotta check in with the kid.”

Rex grinned. “Sure thing. Tell the boss I said hi while you’re at it,” he called after them as they filed out toward the ship.

***

“That went well,” Crosshair drawled when they turned off the holocomm half an hour later. Tech and Echo rolled their eyes, and Wrecker gave him a shove. Hunter just sighed.

While Omega had been happy, at first, to see them and hear news of Rex, the idea that they would be delaying their return even further was received poorly, to put it mildly. She had treated them to much huffing after they said that it would be at least a few days longer for them to pass by Ord Mantell and then Rex’s base.

Then the huffing had escalated to arguments and scowling when Hunter had mentioned that Rex had asked them to help with a mission, even though—he asserted—they hadn’t committed to it. Omega insisted that they should help search for the missing clones, but—of course—wanted them to return for her before joining Rex at his base. They had ended the conversation with Hunter reassuring her that they would come back to Pabu soon, and that they would check in again after they completed the exchange for Rex, and could discuss whether or not to take the mission then.

“Omega has always had strong opinions, especially about not wanting to be separated from the squad,” Tech observed. “Although recently she has been asserting some independence, she is also advancing further into her adolescence which means we are likely to be treated to, let us say…even stronger opinions.”

Wrecker laughed. “Just say you mean arguments, Tech.”

Hunter pinched the bridge of his nose. “We have another problem. What do we do with Dara?”

Crosshair crossed his arms and scowled. “What do you mean?”

“He means, do we trust her enough to bring her to Rex’s base, or do we leave her on Ord Mantell?” Echo pointed out, gesturing vaguely with his scomp.

Hunter looked pointedly at Crosshair. “It’s a risk. You’ve always been the most skeptical of her—so what do you think?”

The sniper hesitated, chewing on his toothpick thoughtfully. He reflected on all his suspicions of the past few weeks and her easy explanations, his certainty that she was putting on an act. And then he thought about how, for a moment this afternoon, he had been seriously considering telling her about Pabu, just because he didn’t want her to leave.

Crosshair gritted his teeth. “Yeah,” he admitted. “I trust her.”

He was rescued from having to deal with his brother’s reactions to this change of heart by the beeping of the proximity alert on the Marauder’s console, indicating a ship was soon to land nearby.

“That’ll be Gregor,” Echo remarked. “We’d better get Rex.”

They found the Captain outside the Marauder, already aware of Gregor’s imminent arrival. “Anybody know Howzer’s whereabouts?” Rex wondered.

“I’ll get him,” Crosshair replied. He made his way back toward the warehouse, wondering if he could still pick up his conversation with Dara where they had left off—he still wanted to gauge her thoughts on what she would do without her ship. If, maybe, restless though she seemed, she might be interested in an island on a quiet planet with too much sun and too friendly neighbors.

Then he turned the corner and saw them.

Dara was perched on the edge of a crate, Howzer standing close in front of her. His hands cradled either side of her face, holding her gently, deepening their kiss, while her arms were strewn over his shoulders. The kiss wasn’t quite intense enough to be passionate, their bodies still holding space between them—for now.

Kriff, Crosshair thought.

Next chapter

Tag list: @stardusthuntress @skellymom @megmegalodondon @somewhere-on-kamino

[class1akids]

What can we fit into 5 chapters?

I decided to reread the Todofam dinner chapters to see how many plot points are in a single chapter.

Ch 192:

P1: (Exposition)

Battle aftermath,

Endeavor's recovery (explained in 1 panel)

Mirko cameo

P2-3: (Endeavor and Hawks dynamic focus)

Endeavor & Hawks changing dynamic, including Hawks introspection and info about Hawks quirk

P 4-5: Hawks focus, spy plot

Hawks flashback to spy mission

Dynamic with HPSC

Hawks backstory tease, Endeavor plushie

Hawks character mission statement

P6 - Transition to Todo-fam plot

Aizawa cat gag

Shoto sluuurp gag

start of the family dinner

P7-8: (Natsuo - Endeavor confrontation / family history)

sluurp gag continues

Start of Natsuo - Enji confrontation

info about neglect, the "failures" narrative, the lack of interaction between the siblings

Natsuo and Shoto introspection

Toya namedrop

Natsuo tells Enji that heroing better won't fix the family

P9: (Fuyumi POV)

Natsuo leaves

Fuyumi's wish

more Shoto slrrp gag

P10-11: (Exposition of shifting public opinion in the aftermath of the battle)

Shoto's POV on Natsuo's outburst

the public opinion on the battle starting with mixed or negative povs

can't you see-kun

Shift to positive public opinion on Endeavor

Endeavor's reaction to the public opinion

P12: (Shoto's changing view of Endeavor / challenge to him)

Shoto praises Endeavor as a hero -

Tells him that he can't forgive him -

But believes that people can change -

And he wants to see what Enji does as father -

Some Endeavor introspection

P13-14: Endeavor character development

Endeavor's resolve as No 1 hero

Endeavor's resolve as father

[ Transition to Deku and OFA plot]

P 15-17:

Deku's OFA dream

Clearer introduction of vestiges

Start of the AFO vs Yoichi flashback

Summary:

in a 17-page chapter we got:

1 page aftermath

4 pages Hawks POV including his backstory, HPSC, quirk info, introspection, etc

6 pages of Todofam conversation covering POV of all characters present + major shifts and realizations in dynamics + Toya namedrop

2 pages of public opinion reflecting shift in society

4 pages OFA plot

Various gags and iconic panels

[zaenaris]

Thinking about how Inupi and Koko were introduced in an ambiguous way to make us think they were the bad guys and how their queerness was introduced ~after~ revealing they were positive characters and not to emphasize there was something wrong with them

I binge read the story from vol.9/ bloody Halloween to Senju’s introduction but ig that it must have been quite a journey to read chapters weekly and to see, step by step, how 🐶🈁,that were introduced as secondary characters, ended up with a quite surprisingly evolution, considering they’re not even main characters and that (beside’s Inupi’s connection with BD) their own tragic past isn’t related to the main plot.

Before their backstory, we see in both the presents TL (besides the final one) that when they’re together, they’re criminals...

and even Takemichi’s enemies in Manila TL.

Before the kidnapping, if we pay attention, the info we have about 🈁🐶 are that

they’re introduced as executives in the 1st Bad Toman TL-Inupi being protective ok Koko

they’re executives in Taiju’s BD

there’s a promise involved, but it’s unclear what it’s about

🐶 asks twice to 🈁 what he wants to do and Koko confirms he will stick with Inupi (fruity)

turns out it was 🐶 that wanted to recreate the BD (but we still don’t know why) and that 🈁 helped him introducing him Taiju

🐶🈁 join Takemichi’s division after the Christmas battle

once again are Toman’s dirigents in Manila TL, Taijusays somethin about Inupi's past with BD and Izana and Koko's being the gang wallet

bonus point, the homoerotic af inner cover of volume 14, where it seems like they're gonna kiss (and for a reason!)

At that point, readers/watchers have no reason to trust them and, beside the “promise/sticking with you” scene that implies something more, we knew nothing really “personal” about them.

So when they’re ambushed and for a moment the narration makes you think they’re the traitors, trying to blame Michi;the reader, just like Takemichi, has doubts, (love how Wakui drawn Inupi in such an ambiguous way lol) only to be immediately contradicted.

🈁🐶 genuinely have no bad intentions, they’re just trying to live without being used by others.

🐶 wanted to recreate the BD because (we learn later) Shin was his hero and the founder of BD (we already knew that from 2017!Taiju), but Taiju wanted 🈁 money making ability--->🈁 only listens to🐶(ch.141) and things finally makes sense,

🈁 sacrifices himself to save 🐶 and 🍀. In their hideout,🐶confirms he didn’t want BD to degenerate like that but it happened anyway, he himself got used to Izana's violent methods. He confirms he would die for 🈁 that has always been by his side even if he considers himself useless and 🍀 (and he readers) understand that 🈁🐶 are good kids at heart. Now it’s established they’re with “the good guys”, Takemichi even compare his and Hina relationship to 🐶🈁, we get they care very much for the other. The queer aspect starts being prominent from here.

And then ofc, the kiss.

But before that, just a reminder that, for a long time, queer coded villains had been a thing, especially when it wasn’t suitable to have explicit queer characters but you had to show they were evil, so you make them queer coded because it was not the norm (see many Disn&y villains); ofc in the story of literature/media there aren’t only examples of evil queer coded characters, there are positive characters too, it’s just an example and it happens also in Asian medias obviously.

It could have been “easy” for another writer or in different historical period to show the queerness of their relationship immediately, in one way or another to show, according old narrative styles, that we couldn’t trust them, only to subvert it later. But I really appreciate it was decided to give just a very small hint (promise/stick with you) and then later, once we are sure that’s they are good guys, another layer was added to their story, making us understand how traumatic, visceral and complicated their relationship is. Regardless of anyone’s personal interpretation, the queer factor in their subplot cannot be denied. There are 2 couple that kiss on screen, one is the male protagonist and his female love interest (granted, no one is surprised) and the other is kokonui.

🈁 was well aware of what he was doing and WHO was kissing. We see all of his torments, we understand why 🐶🈁 relationship is so complicated, why 🐶fears Koko doesn’t see him as Seishu but as Akane and why 🈁fears that Inupi is using him for money and his personal interest like everyone else.

Their kiss is treated by the narration with utmost respect and it essential to understand these characters (their official characters songs emphasize the importance of this moment as well). And it’s important to humanize them, to add a layer, to give them complexity, not to vilify them. They realize that, even if they’re ready to do anything for the other, it’s getting impossible to be together, too many traumas and misunderstandings piled up Turing the years. They part still wishing the best to the other, which, considering they’re 16 and their traumatic past, is still more emotionally mature then many breakups between adults.

Do we want to talk about how the “characters having a moment in the rain” is literally a romantic trope? Besides Bonten, where it’s implied they never saw each other again, in the last/Kanto Manji arc, it’s enough to see each other once (because in the end, 🈁 needed help and the person he trusts the most is still 🐶even after 2+ years they had no contacts) for 🐶 to understand that 🈁 is not okay.

For how rushed the final arc is (on a human level, I get that Wakui was burn out and had to finish asap), I really appreciate that he still found time to give a conclusion to 🐶🈁 sub plot that, more than any other secondary characters, was given the chance to evolve during the years and to reach a conclusion that was also a new beginning, because these traumas aren’t solved in a day, but now we know the elephant in the room has been faced, 🈁admitted his problems and decides to stay with 🐶 because that’s what he really wants. They have all the time to mend their relationship, this time with no fears nor misunderstandings

[wonderwithin-us]

The dream you're looking for is in the work you're avoiding ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

Guess who got their phone broken 💗 but it's alright, it's all ok now & I noted down all I did in the past 3 days. My exams were a little bad, really bad to be completely honest, but it's alright, it was my first time giving exams this semester and I learnt what I need to do.

11th of July, 2023 💕

100 days of productivity — day 5, week 1

Economic exam preparation ~ I was so confused, there were so many concepts I'd missed because of my sickness but I tried YouTube and notes online. Procrastination really did get the best of me. I need to lessen my use of insta, seriously, I think Tumblr is more safe in that regard.

Microeconomics — Introduction & Consumer's Equilibrium

Statistics — Introduction & Organisation of Data

I need to work on my graphs, practice more and overall concepts of microeconomics. Also, clear up my concepts on stats. It's easy, but revision is needed.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

12th of July, 2023

100 days of productivity — day 6, week 1

Economics exam, yikes. Next exam was Psych the next day, so I was really nervous because I wanted to score well in it! ❣️

However.

Procrastination got to me, again. I studied for a while then thought it was too easy and I could do it at night, which, evidently, I couldn't.

I think rather than seeing easy topics as something to skip studying or take easy, I should put more effort in them so I can get them perfect and let it pay back to me.

What is Psychology? & Methods of Enquiry

I need to work on my basic concepts, esp in ch-2, and notes. Visual learning works best for me, and making my own notes is essential to my learning 📖

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

13th of July, 2023

100 days of productivity — day 7, week 1

Dear god, I think my psych exam was the most terrible. Which hurt me the most.

I really did lose hope after this. Not only did my incredibly unclear concepts and no notes not help, but the exam was extremely tough, the questions were really vague and I didn't understand them, and the worst of all, I literally forgot I had a whole section to do as objective even after rechecking. I lost 5 marks from that, maybe more.

That really hurt.

Tomm was English exam! I had seen what had happened in the last papers, so I really worked hard here.

I mostly focused on literature, since the creative writing formats were mostly very easy and took less than an hour.

Chapters with details are hard!

Anyways, I was really anxious until the end, and kept a few detailed chapters to the morning after to revise.

I really need to work on studying chapters I've missed before the exams come. It was so messy and frustrating trying to understand all these chapters with online notes and summaries, especially when the chapters are so open ended and the teacher is so strict with answers 💌

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

14 of July, 2023

100 days of productivity — day 8, week 2

WAR!!! IS!!! OVER!!!!

Final exam day, I was nervous but it was actually quite alright!

I absolutely need to work on my speed, though.

Also, I almost always exceeded the word limit in answers. So, I need to practice my creative writing more, not just in my head, but actually on paper, and be more perfectionist in my answers in literature.

I went out with my big brother to eat street food and it was all very lovely 🍝

I also wrote a lot of poetry, which I'm really quite proud of. I also received some really good news! 💕

New week! The first week was really, really overwhelming, and I don't want my future self to end up like that again. It was exhausting and hurtful and I want to get better.

In the end, I've got a lot of stuff to work with and I'm really proud of my self to survive all this! ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* I hope nothing but peace upon my future.

[queer-counsellors]

Introduction!

Hello hello! Welcome to our blog!

This is a blog for myself, Sydney October Sargent, as well as Rowan, Fennel and whoever else decides to show up! (Here is the system’s main account)

We are all CH&T introjects if you hadn’t guessed! Other introjects and even fictionkins are welcome! As long as you’re between the ages of 14-21 bodily, then you are welcome to interact here! Just don’t be a cunt!

Introductions for each of us

Sydney O. Sargent, he/they/bug/rot/shroom/beep, GNC trans male. I’ll probably be the one interacting here most! Some interests of mine include nature (especially fungi), Cosmo Sheldrake, and Jack Stauber! My sign off will either be my name, or the mushroom emoji 🍄

Fennel Marlborough, they/it/plant/ze, nonbinary. My interests include botany, nature, and crochet. Sign off is either my name or 🐞🪴

Rowan Chow, he/they/xe, transmasc. Interests are crochet and taxidermy. My sign off will be my name, or 🌘

Natsume Shiota, he/they/bone/ze/it. Likes magic, botany and taxidermy! Sign off is his name or 📖🔮

That’s all! Hope you have a good day or night! Drink water, eat food, do something that makes you happy, all that stuff!! Bye!!

-Sydney Sargent

[digitalabhishekgupta]

Reliance Animation Academy Andheri – Why the BSc Degree in Animation Is Redefining Creative Education in 2025

1. Introduction: Why Reliance Animation Academy Andheri Is the First Choice for Creatives

As the demand for skilled creators in film, games, and digital media continues to grow, Reliance Animation Academy Andheri is shaping the future of animation education with its specialized BSc Degree in Animation.

Unlike traditional degrees, this program offers a dynamic and immersive learning environment where students develop real-world skills that directly translate into jobs. With the rise of OTT platforms, AR/VR tech, and digital storytelling, creative professionals are now more essential than ever.

If you’re a student looking to build a future in visual media, this course is designed for you.

2. The Shift from Traditional Degrees to Skill-Driven Learning

Conventional courses like B.A., B.Com, or B.Sc. offer a theoretical foundation, but they often leave students underprepared for modern industry demands. The limitations include:

Outdated syllabi

Minimal practical training

Lack of exposure to professional software

Weak placement outcomes

In contrast, animation courses in Andheri now offer a smarter choice—built around practical experience, cutting-edge tools, and portfolio development.

3. Inside the BSc Degree in Animation: Learn Like a Professional

The BSc Degree in Animation isn’t just about drawing or editing—it’s a complete professional training experience that covers:

Concept art and character design

2D/3D animation production

Digital filmmaking and cinematography

Game environment creation

AR/VR and immersive storytelling

Motion graphics and VFX fundamentals

Students use industry-standard software like Maya, Blender, Photoshop, After Effects, and Unreal Engine, placing this course among the most advanced animation classes in Andheri.

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Graduates of this program are equipped for roles in diverse creative industries including:

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VFX Artist

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This type of experience is rare in academic institutions and offers a huge edge in competitive job markets—especially for those exploring vfx courses in Andheri or multimedia design careers.

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The skills learned in this program go beyond borders. With the explosion of digital media and freelancing platforms, students can:

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This global reach, paired with hands-on studio experience, makes this course ideal for aspiring creators who want flexible, location-independent careers.

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Here’s what sets this academy apart:

Located in the media heart of Mumbai

Mentorship from working professionals

Real-time software training in animation and design

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It’s not just education—it’s a launchpad to a successful creative career.

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Apply today for the BSc Degree in Animation and take the first step toward a creative career with global potential.