#also he has a double blade saber now

[the-wintry-mizzenmast]

When a dao isn't just a dao 笛飞声的刀不只是刀

A quick and dirty analysis of Di Feisheng's dao

Following up from my previous post speculating about Di Feisheng's dao 刀, I think the configuration of Di Feisheng's dao is quite clever and consistent with his character, despite looking like nonsense at first glance. I know more taiji and kung-fu 刀 dao forms than I do 劍 jian forms, and this is what I choose to do with my knowledge and time, I guess.

Before I launch into his dao in particular, I think it's important that you understand what a dao is, and how you are supposed to attack and defend with one.

When you say 刀 dao (in English, it's also been called a Chinese saber or broadsword), this is what it's supposed to look like (I've annotated the image below from the Wikipedia entry on dao). They are by definition single-edged, and the majority are slightly curved (though there are some variants such as the Nandao 南刀 which are straight). A dao should have a point, a sharp edge (in red), and a blunt edge (in blue). The blunt edge (short edge, or inner edge, since the thing is curved) is usually quite thick.

One of the main ways that a dao does damage is through slashing/chopping motions, either down, sideways, or upwards (which my sifu always called uppercuts). All upwards slashes with the dao require that you turn your wrist so that the sharp edge, which usually faces down, faces upward instead.

The other way that a dao does damage is via forward thrusts, where the point of the dao is supposed to pierce enemy flesh. The basic attacks I've mentioned above are in the beginning of this clip, and I've added text to the original video below to highlight what's what and what they're supposed to look like.

(n.b. I was just randomly searching for videos to show what I'm trying to describe, no endorsement intended).

One of the things you'll notice from the above video as well is that the master is putting his hand on the blunt edge. This helps stabilize and give more power to the dao through its various motions, and is a basic part of how dao forms are supposed to work.

The blunt edge is also important because it helps in defense. One of the cardinal rules of a dao is that when you are defending, the dao should be kept close to your body, with the blunt edge facing your body. This is what a basic block looks like:

Should you get hit, you can brace the blunt edge of the blade using a shoulder or upper arm. In certain positions you can also use your hand as a brace on the blunt edge to stop (or execute) a particularly strong attack.

These are the dao basics. Now you have enough background to know what makes Di Feisheng's dao so unusual: it is double-edged, and it has a blunt tip.

These two things must follow if you have a dao that has two edges and is blunt at the tip:

You are limited to slash and chop attacks as your main blade damage. Thrust attacks won't penetrate flesh unless you have a serious amount of qi behind it.

Your defense is limited, because you can't use your dao to defend in the usual way.

But wait, does Di Feisheng's dao really have two full edges?

If you're a details guy like me, and completely obsessed over Di Feisheng (guilty as charged), you'll notice that one the edges of his dao doesn't actually extend the full length of the blade:

From the way that light reflects off the edges of his dao, you can see a bit on the short (inner) edge of the dao where the blade seems to transition from sharp to blunt:

And this shot, it's confirmed that there is a short blunt area on the inner edge of his dao:

In this memorable scene, Di Feisheng uses his hand against the very short blunt part of his dao to press his attack into Li Xiangyi's cheek:

One of the upsides of his unusual dao is also that he can use the inner edge for attacking as well. Upward sweeps using the inner edge aren't possible with usual daos (because they are blunt), but are possible with Di Feisheng's dao. I think we see an example of that here in the way you see his arm sweeping upward. (He has also added a substantial amount of qi to this sweeping strike, most of us plebs don't have enough qi to do anything like this.)

You can see how he gains some flexibility to his attacking capabilities, when he flips his blade mid-block into an attack:

While a double-edge gives him more adaptability in terms of attack on along the slashing and chopping edges of his dao, what he is losing out on because of the blunt end is thrust. You almost never see Di Feisheng thrust his dao forward because his sword just doesn't work like that.

In this final scene in the episode one fight when they are charging at each other, Li Xiangyi thrusts the Shaoshi Jian forward, but Di Feisheng, due to the design of the dao, has to slash:

However, most of the power of a dao is in its slashing and chopping motions. This is where the weight of the blade and its curved design (plus gravity and force) result in the most damage. Unlike the jian, the dao's thrusts do less damage. My conclusion about this is that it's a purposeful trade-off that Di Feisheng has made. He would rather maximize his offensive capabilities where they are strongest.

In terms of blocking, the design of Di Feisheng's dao means he's at a defensive disadvantage, since there's no blunt area to brace his body against for blocking (he can use his hand on the bit that is blunt, but because he has an edge along the rest of it, he can't use a shoulder or upper arm). This is a key feature of the standard dao that Di Feisheng's dao is missing.

In this move in the Battle of the Eastern Sea in episode 1, we see Di Feisheng execute a block, but he's got both of his hands along the hilt instead:

At this point, it should be noted that the standard dao is typically a one-handed weapon. The hilt is slightly curved, so you can get a good downwards chop with your wrist. There are other daos that have straight hilts and can be two-handed like the Miaodao 苗刀 (which is more similar to the Japanese katana 刀 than most Chinese folks like to admit). Di Feisheng's dao being straight-hilted and two-handed isn't that unusual because it's a feature that can be present on certain types of dao (it's way less unusual than the two edges!), but I thought it was worth pointing out in case any eagle-eyed readers noticed the difference between the Wikipedia image and what Di Feisheng has.

I could wax on about Di Feisheng's dao and his fighting style forever, but I think this thread has gone on for long enough.

I believe that the design of Di Feisheng's dao is very clever. At first glance, it seems utterly silly (what kind of dao has two edges?), but on deeper inspection of his style and how he uses it, it is consistent with his character.

He is always playing on Hard Mode because he is trading defense for more flexibility in his offense. And he is maximizing his offense where it is strongest (slashes and chops), and choosing to forego the offensive capabilities where it is weaker (thrusts).

...And that really is Di Feisheng's martial arts style in a nutshell, isn't it?

[minecraftbookshelf]

Weapons of Choice

@justanaveragelizardperson has spoken! (Thank you so much, not being able to decide was driving me up the wall)

We'll hit this in alphabetical order, my headcanons for these are a combination of canon inspiration and pure, world-building results. Also this is not 100% accurate to how swords especially work in real life, this is a fantasy genre story and we embrace the "But It Looks Cool" here.

-

Fwip: His preferred weapons are potions and explosions, he always has a fireworks crossbow to hand. As far as bladed weapons go he has a long dagger that doubles for chopping potions ingredients when he doesn't have his actual tools to hand.

Gem: Primarily uses her staff in combat, but if the occasion calls for it will just haul back and punch her opponent in the face. Is scrappy and level-headed, which is a dangerous combination.

Joey: Primarily fights with a smallsword when he has to fight but is the least martially minded of the rulers. Keeps totems of undying on him at all times.

Katherine: Her sword is a light-weight saber, her fighting style relies on her being light and quick on both her feet and her wings. She can also call the Overgrown to defend her and itself if the occasion calls for it.

LDShadowLady: Fights with a trident. She has a sword but doesn't really use it. The trident is the traditional weapon of the Oceanic royalty, thus both hers and Jimmy's. Will also sic axolotls on her enemies without hesitation.

Mythical J. Sausage: The Blood Sword is a zweihänder. He also carries a short sword to wield with a shield. His grip is half-open, giving a bit less flexibility but greater power to his blows. He acquires his sorcerers staff at one point and then favors that about equal with the Blood Sword.

PearlescentMoon: Equally proficient with her sword, axe, and scythe, as well as hand to hand. Is also skilled with the bow but prefers close combat methods. Her sword is a longsword that she wields both two handed and with a shield. She has a very rooted fighting style, her footwork is minimal, but when she does go more mobile she is very well balanced. She relies somewhat on her ability to tank hits, which serves her well, as her endurance is incredibly high, as demonstrated by her ability to go toe-to-toe with semi-immortal beings on a regular basis and hold her own. Shes very adept at using her elytra in combat, to the point that multiple rulers with natural wings have commented on her flight proficiency.

Pixlriffs: His preferred weapon is a Channeling Trident, his second choice is his basket-hilted sword (a schiavona) or recurve bow.

Shrub Berry: Joey gifted them a smallsword which for her functions as a broadsword. She's relatively new to combat but is proficient with a hatchet and a recurve bow. Their greatest weapon is the wolf pack.

Smajor: (There is no war rune blade in Ba Sing Se.) We're sticking with the LotR aesthetic for weapons as well, so that is what his sword looks like (A long-sword after the style of those used by the Lorien forces at Helm's Deep in the films) Also proficient with a longbow. At the time of the story beginning is not even close to considering using his ice magic in combat.

SmallishBeans: Equally favors a Mezalean shortsword (based off a xiphos) and a battle axe. He does have a trident and is fairly proficient with it but prefers to use it for travel rather than combat.

Solidarity: The Codfather Sword is a two-handed sword, closest to a claymore, he wields it with an open grip. (Which allows for more flexibility and control of the blade but the strikes are less powerful) When he's in Fish Mode it is more of a bastard/hand-and-a-half sword. He also uses a trident, mostly for aquatic combat.

Xornoth: Two swords. Has never willingly used a shield in their life and isn't about to start now. Is either dual wielding elvish-style short swords or has a full-size battle axe. Will sometimes throw fire and lava but tends to be cautious with it.

-

AU Masterpost

[derpytoad]

There are so many reasons why old Disney movies are much more memorable and funnier than the newer stuff producers today serve us, and this scene of the castle raid from the 1991 version of Beauty and the Beast is one of them.

Scene breakdown beneath the break. Spoilers in effect.

LeFou grabs Lumière as a light source (candelabra) after the mob crashes the door in with a battering ram

Lumière signals to the other inhabitants to spring their ambush

Furniture begins attacking villagers

Coatrack lays down a rolling jab combo on Blonde Nail-Club-Wielding Guy

Older Sideburns Guy gets tackled by a mop

Bad-Toothed Redhead Guy gets double-teamed by two wardrobes whilst trying to swing at them with an axe, suffering bad dental damage

Balding Pitchfork Guy takes a cooking pot to the head, obscuring his vision while a spoon, tenderizer, and frying pan bang against the pot, potentially causing concussive damage and hearing problems from excessive ringing

Bald Red-Bearded Axe Guy gets knocked over by a chair and rolled up by a carpet which rolls straight into a storage chest… which burps. Shadows in the background show a guy holding a spikeless mace that fights back by knocking against his head

Gaston looks on flabbergasted to see one axe-wielding guy has his eyes covered by a pot only to have a wooden bucket fall on top of his face, whilst a Shovel-Wielding Cook gets struck repeatedly by a rolling pin until he falls over

Meanwhile, Chip uses Maurice’s steam-powered wood-chopping machine to cut through the cellar doors where Gaston kept Maurice and Belle locked away to keep them from alerting the Beast

Back to the castle violence, a Wilhelm scream happens as windows shatter, people go flying, a shadow of a guillotine dropping its blade can be seen, and Shovel-Wielding Cook from before gets pelted by tomatoes thrown by beer steins, where he then gets doused in hot tea by Mrs Potts and six other teacups

Panning out to general chaos, Madam Armoire jumps from the second floor while singing a high note and lands on Redhead Bearded Farmer who was busy chasing a coffee table

Cutaway briefly to Gaston hunting for Beast in the castle’s upper floors

Madam Armoire knocks out Bucktoothed Hammer Guy then Club-Wielding Short Guy in two swift motions while Redhead Bearded Farmer remains unconscious next to them

Older Pitchfork Tricorne Guy tries to ambush Madam Armoire while her back is turned, only to get parried with help from a brush and comb. He then gets pulled straight into the armoire, then thrown out wearing a completely different outfit, where he screams in fright as he realizes what he’s wearing

LeFou tries to burn Lumière with a torch, but Cogsworth- wearing a blue bicorne hat similar to the one Napoleon wore- brandishes a pair of scissors and a pistol before ditching said pistol to slide down the banister and painfully lance LeFou in the bum with his scissors

Cutaway to Stout Tricorne Guy yanking feathers out of Featherduster, where Lumière then burns his bum with candle fire and catches Featherduster mid-fall

LeFou, now flanked by Saber-Wielding Tricorne Guy and Big Bearded Axe-Wielding Guy, begin chasing Sultan through the foyer into the kitchen

Once in the unlit kitchen, Chef Bouche- a large stove- and a large collection of knives chase the three of them out of the castle with the rest of the still-conscious mob, leaving any unconscious casualties behind

The casualties? Several people left behind unconscious, but potentially many more unconscious offscreen if you saw the manpower of the mob as they marched to the castle. At least one thoroughly humiliated.

during the castle front flyover with the Wilhelm scream, the shadow showing a dropping guillotine could also suggest at least one death, although this is left uncertain for obvious reasons (though the use of shadows in older works has been used to considerably effective- and sometimes chilling- effect in other older works like the final fight scene in Tarzan). beyond this, the only known death in this part of the movie is Gaston, who falls off the roof and into the awaiting canyon where gravity does him in

TLDR? animated movies today- Disney or not- can’t recreate the silly cartoonish violence from these fight scenes back then, no matter how much CGI they use. and that doesn’t even mention the growing list of things producers are discouraged from adding to today’s movies that were commonplace in scenes and movies like these

[imogenkol]

— WIP SUNDAY

tagged by @inafieldofdaisies and @detectivelokis thank you!!

no pressure tags (and also tagging from the wip wednesday I missed last week! Sorry for any double tags too!): @marivenah @socially-awkward-skeleton @jinfromyarikawa @voidika @aceghosts @simonxriley @nokstella @risingsh0t @corvosattano @shegetsburned @shellibisshe @roofgeese @adelaidedrubman @sstewyhosseini @florbelles @jacobseed @jackiesarch @minaharkers @indorilnerevarine @chuckhansen @queennymeria @shadowglens + anyone else who wants to share a wip!

been loosely working on some post murder attempt confrontation lately

Luthen stood before them and appeared unbothered by the presence of Imogen. She hadn’t quite pegged him for a fool at first. Even in the moment she realized his betrayal, she wondered what grander scheme he had in play. Now at the sight of his true arrogance, she was not so sure that Luthen’s intelligence was up to par. It made her feel annoyed at herself for not coming to that conclusion sooner. 

Oh well. She would make him sorely regret his egotistical motivations.

In the span of an instant, Imogen ignited her saber and lunged in a full swing. She stopped her attack mere inches from hitting its mark and expected to see something in Luthen crack. 

He remained unfazed and held her furious glare. “What will it be?”

“Imogen,” Bix warned. Her hand cautiously reached out like how she might soothe a cornered predator. “Let’s just leave.”

“This coward attempted to have me killed,” Imogen said calmly, the words dripping with malice. “He tried to take me from you.” 

The aura of her crimson plasma blade hovered so close to Luthen’s neck that his skin started to singe. He did not flinch – did not so much as blink. “Do you know why?” he asked.

Imogen had every mind to strike him down. To cause a fear that ran within him so deep that it finally shattered his steadfast composure. Or more simply, to get even. “Enlighten me.”

“This rebellion needs heroes,” Luthen explained, his tone methodical. “And do you know what makes a hero? Someone who is willing to sacrifice everything for the cause, not just their decency. You are not a hero, you are a broken tool from a lost time. I used you until you were useless to me and I tried to kill you because I knew you would never let go of your impulsive need for control. The Empire still has roots in you, Imogen. That is something I cannot allow into this alliance.”

Strangely, her first thought drifted to Cal Kestis. The two of them would have become weapons disguised as peacekeepers for the Republic had the Order not fallen. Even after the destruction, they clung to the conditioning of their childhood – albeit in dramatically different ways. And yet, after all this time, they both had developed into something more than just broken tools without purpose. If the Empire still had roots in her, then the Jedi must have as well.

She glanced at Bix, who stared the older man down with an edge that burned as intensely as the saber. Hardly anyone believed Imogen possessed the capacity for change. In fact, no one besides her did. But the way Imogen’s chest seized every time she looked at her mechanic was proof that she could.

Imogen switched her lightsaber off. “What if I were to prove you wrong?”

The hint of a smile flashed across Luthen’s face. “You wouldn’t be the first.”

[tarisilmarwen]

Whumptober 2023 - "Jedi Business"

(Indulging in some Visions whump because shut up you can't stop me, also Dan hurts too prettily for me to resist.

Prompt used:

No. 6 "Do or die, you'll never make me, because the world will never take my heart": Recording/Made To Watch/"It should have been me.")

---

The verdant blade swung in wide slashes, nicking one assailant, then parting another, cleaving him at the knees so he toppled and fell forward in the middle of his attack.

Master Tajin didn't let the stench of blood or the pained screams stop him, methodically, purposefully, pushing the mob of them back with his blade, steering them all for the inner chamber of the facility, the heart of the complex.

Outwardly, to an untrained eye, he seemed fully in control, saber moving swift and true, elegant in its deadly precision.

If those who knew him could see him... if Dan could see him...

The boy would assuredly pick up on the severe pinch in Tajin's mouth, the anxious way his eyes worried, wrinkling with distress. The static pulse of his fear reverberating through the Force, managed, but turbulent under the surface.

But the last he'd had contact with his padawan, Dan was facing a situation very similar to this one.

***

"Master!" the boy called through the comlink, distressed and panicked. "I've been ambushed!"

Tajin halted his steps, stiffening, a spike of worry piercing through him. "Where are you?" he asked urgently, feeling along the line of their training bond and sensing danger danger DANGER all around his padawan.

"I checked out the bar, as you instructed," the boy told him, and Tajin could hear his lightsaber flaring, blocking the pew! of blaster shots. "But when I went through the back alley to look through the wastebins I was jumped! There's so many of them!" he cried, and Tajin's heart almost stopped at the fear in his mentee's voice. "I can't hold out!"

"I'm coming, Dan," he promised, stowing his comlink and hastening to hail down a public speeder and clamber in, directing the driver to the underground levels with all haste.

***

Hours of frantic searching and questioning had led him here, to the den of a cruel Coruscanti Underworld spice boss. Tajin hadn't bothered with pleasantries at the door, sensing his padawan inside and unleashing controlled hell on the thugs and jackboots blocking his way in.

But, alas, it seemed he faced the same situation as his missing apprentice.

Surrounded on all sides, too many opponents, simply not able to endure.

Tajin let loose a Force Push to buy himself some breathing space and panted hard from the exertion, chest and shoulders shuddering, trembles moving through his frame from his outstretched palm.

Belatedly, he raised his blade against a vibro pike, feeling the electric jolts tingling on his blade, vaguely pressuring on his hands.

He shoved the hefty Chagrian aside, but couldn't prevent the quick jab of the staff to his ribs.

"Hgnnh!" he grunted, feeling the pike's sharp tip digging into his side, the sharp electric buzz seizing his nerves.

As if sensing his weakness like firaxan sharks to a fresh kill, the gangmembers closed in, leveling blow after blow now, relentless and overwhelming.

Tajin felt his connection to the Force withering as he was overcome by his increasing exhaustion.

A punch cracked hard against the side of his head and the fight was over. Dazed, Tajin felt hands grasping his arms, hauling him forward. His lightsaber still hung in his right hand but no one tried to take it from him, not until they'd pulled him through a set of wide double doors after a long hallway on the other side of the room.

Then he was flung down on his knees in front of an imposing wooden desk, lightsaber tossed haphazardly down on top of it.

The Houk sitting behind the desk sneered down with beady amber eyes, almost dwarfed in the folds of his massive face.

"Well, this must be the Master." His large shoulders rolled a little forward as he leaned timbered arms across his desk, folding ring-crusted hands. "Come for your little apprentice, I imagine? Hmm?" His Basic was heavily accented, and even across the distance Tajin could smell the stench of raw sewage on his breath.

Fighting just to regain his own, Tajin didn't let himself be riled by the remark. "You're playing a dangerous game," he just warned, voice calm despite his panting.

"Am I?" challenged the Houk, eyes flashing. The chair beneath him creaked as he rose to his full, impressive height. Tajin felt the floor shake under him as the man stalked around his desk, displaying his fine custom-tailored silk suit—the criminal boss had done very well for himself, apparently. "Seems like you two are the ones playing with the Rhydonium nitrate here," he countered, "sneaking around my back alleys. Poking your Jedi noses into things that aren't your business."

Tajin bit back a comment about how the disappearance of a little Twi'lek girl—one of the children on the List, a Force Sensitive—and her mother's frantic pleas to the Jedi Council on the secure line were definitely their business. He focused on keeping calm, even as the Houk's shadow blocked the overhead light, the man towering over him.

"You wanna see what we do to your kind around these parts?" the crime boss asked, contempt and loathing dripping from every syllable.

He barked something in his own language, making a sharp gesture.

A holoscreen behind the desk flickered to life, showing the feed from a camera elsewhere inside the compound. Tajin's blood chilled at the sight of his padawan, sitting surrounded by thugs in a chair in the center of a stark room. Harsh light spotlighted him; cables wrapped around his wrists and ankles, pinning them to the arms and legs of the chair. He was already bleeding from the forehead, and as Tajin watched the recording one of the thugs slammed a thick fist into his padawan's temple, snapping aside the boy's head.

Dan grunted and flinched up in the chair, but no accompanying flare of pain in the Force followed along their bond. This must have happened before he'd gotten there.

Tajin squeezed his eyes closed and bowed his head, sending out a silent apology.

Abruptly, his head was seized, meaty fingers pinching around his neck, in his hair. A short cry left him as he was forced to look back up.

"Ohhh no," the Houk sneered. "You're gonna watch every... last... second of this. Teach you lot a lesson about messing with the Underworld."

He angled Tajin's head back, pulling at his scalp, his painful steel grip threatening to crush the human's skull. Tajin grimaced but made himself look straight ahead at the screen, only letting the edge of his vision pass over his lightsaber on the Houk's desk, making note of where it lay.

He watched the recording with sick unease and grief.

Dan was pummeled, over and over, not a single being in the room pulling their punches, each blow cracking with horrible thunder. The boy held his tongue bravely as he was punched, slapped, kicked, spat on at a couple points, only letting out small yelps at particularly brutal hits. His too-thin, too-small body jerked about in the chair as the beatdown dragged on and on.

His face was a bruised, bloody mess when it was over.

Whispers of anger curled around Tajin's ears, but he breathed in carefully, repeating to himself over and over There is no passion, there is serenity to keep himself calm. Still, his heart rent with every terrible blow that landed on his young padawan.

He was almost numb when the recording finished and blipped off.

Seemingly disappointed by Tajin's lack of reaction, the Houk dropped him, leaning back and kicking him square in the back.

Tajin caught himself on his palms but his face still knocked against the floor harshly, bouncing, sending pain shooting through his skull.

"Force freaks," the Houk muttered. "Can't even break properly. Worse than droids."

Inhaling slowly, Tajin lifted his head and checked the chrono on the wall and his periphery senses with the Force.

"You should take cover," he commented dryly.

"What?" The Houk turned towards him, perplexed.

From the front of the compound there came a sudden thunderous CRASH! As the Houk and his henchmen jerked eyes about in bewilderment, Tajin staggered up and called the lightsaber to his hand, already moving to push past the mooks to the door.

Ten minutes. That was what the local Underworld Police precinct captain had promised him, in exchange for Tajin's very helpful information about this particular gang's base of operations. Ten minutes to fight his way through, find his padawan, and get out, before the heavy armor team breached the door and started shooting everything inside.

The sound of blasterfire was already loud down the hallway and Tajin took advantage of the confusion to find the side door out of the office. He heard the Houk roar in outrage behind him as he realized what was happening, and the next moment huge chunks of wood splinters flew past him, the crime boss having picked up his own desk and hurled it full force after the Jedi.

Tajin felt pieces shred through his robe, scrape his side, but he didn't stop running further into the compound, looking with his senses for the familiar life pulse of his padawan.

***

Dan had been floating somewhere between awareness and unconsciousness for some time now, his head still ringing from the—likely—concussion he'd sustained after multiple deliberate blows to his face, but the faint sound of blasterfire in the distance stirred him.

Blinking in confusion, it took a while for him to parse his situation. He'd been stuck in a cell, it looked like, laid out on his side on the floor, hands and ankles in binders. He could feel the dried, crusted blood caking his forehead and mouth and his body ached in multiple places, face swelling, limbs bruised, sharp pains in his chest.

He slowly started clearing the fog out of his mind. Blasterfire inside the compound could mean either rescue or danger. In either case, he couldn't stay put. The missing little girl was there; he'd seen her as he was being dragged in, huddled in the corner of another cell, quivering and frightened. He had to try to get her out.

Dan took careful stock of his injuries. Fractures to his ribs and clavicle, possibly to his cheekbone. But his arms and legs weren't broken. So he was at least ambulatory, if he could get out of the binders.

Deciding upon that as his course of action, Dan braced himself and then began curling his legs tighter, scraping them along the ground as he tried to angle his ankles within reach.

Pain rang out through every limb, his body protesting shrilly, as soon as he moved.

Dan clenched his eyes, willing himself courage through the pain. He shifted position, arching his back, stretching with his hands. His fingers fumbled as they touched his heels and the metal loops of the binders, his shoulders strained. There was a particular trick to releasing these. If he could just get his feet in the right...

His fingers pinched the center release mechanism and with a bit of Force-assisted prodding, the latch snapped free with a click!

Dan exhaled in relief as the binders popped off his ankles and he could stop arching his back, relaxing, releasing the tension. He rested for a moment or two, screwing his face at the reverberations of pain moving through him. He leaned into the Force, opening his mind, letting its warm presence settle over him like a supernatural anesthetic, cooling the alarms of pain inside him.

Carefully, he rolled and pushed himself into an upright seated position, his body moving awkwardly, stiff and uncomfortable. He curled his legs again, the other way this time, bending them towards his chest. His fractured ribs knifed at the motion and Dan held in a pained gasp, pressing his teeth and lips together, lifting his bottom just enough to pass his hands underneath.

He squashed himself even smaller, whimpering a little at the jagged pain in his side. Ankles, then toes, and this time he did gasp as he managed to wrestle his bound hands past his feet, so they were now in front of him.

Tingling with the small victory—and the not-so-small shrieking pain burning through him—Dan brought the binders up to his face and used his teeth to bite down on the joint.

His jaw clenched tighter until he was rewarded with another click!, the binders dropping loosely into his lap.

He needed another minute before he moved again, bent over, breathing hard, letting the sharp vibrations in his body fade into a blunt ache.

One hand touched his ribs, the other braced against the floor, he held his side as he staggered shakily upright, gaining his feet. He blinked away the sudden dizziness furiously—he couldn't afford to pass out again—and straightened, examining the door and the room beyond. There was a single remaining guard, a Besalisk, staring anxiously down the other hall towards the sound of blasterfire and combat.

Dan spied his lightsaber on the far side of the room, tossed in with a pile of credits and chips—the gang members had been betting for possession of it. Steeling himself, he stepped up to the bars and reached through, stretching out a hand towards it.

The Force is my ally, he recited inside his head. I am one with the Force.

Warmth filled him, and his saber clattered only a moment before flying to his hand.

The blue blade sprung to life, slicing cleanly through the bars and then one of the Besalisk's hands as the guard whirled around and lunged at him; Dan dodged to the side in an adrenaline-and-Force-fueled burst, splaying one hand to push back his opponent.

The Besalisk crashed into the table and Dan didn't stay to see if he would stay down. His teeth rattled and he panted hard through the sharp discomfort, clutching his side as he ran.

***

It was easy enough to retrieve the girl, a gentle smile and a reassuring mind touch through the Force were all she needed to cling tightly to Dan's middle. With his injuries, he couldn't pick her up, but he held on tightly to her hand as he led her towards the outside.

There was a familiar presence tugging at him. Relieved and exhilarated, Dan followed the feeling, letting the Force guide him until he rounded a corner and spotted Tajin leaning wearily on the wall.

"Master!" he called. Grinning, he closed the distance. "I thought I felt your presence!" he quipped.

Tajin's expression was strained as he pushed off the wall, his gait unsteady, and Dan noticed his master's side was soaked with blood through his robes before the older man unexpectedly swept him up in a hug.

Ashwood and teak filtered in through his nose, the soft warmth of the man's Jedi robes all around him. The little girl squeaked a bit as she was squished between them. Dan's eyes widened, innocently bewildered, until he read the worry and relief and guilt in his master through their bond, and realized how much distress the man was in.

"It should have been me," Tajin was whispering, the words soft in Dan's dark hair. "I should have sent you to the apartment and investigated the bar myself. You shouldn't have had to..."

He trailed off, his voice clogging.

Softening with concern, Dan pried his arm from his side and tried to return the embrace, flinching when his hand brushed his master's bloodied clothes.

"You're injured," he said, an edge of alarm in his voice. "We need to get out of here quickly, before the guards return," he urged, nonetheless wrapping his arm around Tajin's left shoulder to reassure him.

"I'm sorry," Tajin said, voice trembling.

Dan was touched, but also chagrined, as his master's embrace was tightening more than was comfortable with his injuries. "Master," he called, forcefully pushing back, breaking the hug. "It's all right. You could not have known what would happen." He projected reassurance through their bond. I'm all right, I will heal, this is not your fault, this is not your fault.

Tajin took a shuddered breath and, after a long moment, composed himself.

"You're right," he acknowledged. "We need to finish the mission."

Dan smiled and held up the little girl's hand in his, as she shied into his side. "Luckily I just did that."

Tajin double-took and then let out a short laugh. "So you did," he chuckled, leaning down to the little Twi'lek's level. "It's all right now, little one. We're going to get you out of here."

She frowned skeptically, and Dan couldn't blame her, the both of them must have looked a mess, battered, bruised and bloodied. Dan's adrenaline burst was starting to wear thin, and Tajin heaved as he straightened.

Without needing to speak, both Jedi wrapped arms around each other's shoulders, supporting each other. Tajin was trying not to put too much weight on him, Dan noticed, but his master was still heavy as he leaned on him, his exhaustion showing.

"There's a medical clinic about one block up," Tajin told him, as they shuffled quickly on stumbling feet for the nearest door. "Can you make it there?"

Dan felt like he wanted to collapse on the steps as they pushed through the thick metal service door, almost startling an Underworld cop before he recognized their Jedi robes and relaxed. But he delved deeper into the Force for strength.

"I can if you can," he told Tajin.

The three of them—the injured master and padawan, reunited from their ordeal, and the youngling they had come to save, clinging to them like a lifeline—haltingly made it past the perimeter as the compound was swept and cleared behind them.

---

Tajin: *worried parental noises*

Dan: ~~Ain't nothin' gonna stop my smile/Ain't nothin' gonna sloooow meeee doooown~~

Basically how I picture their relationship on any given day lol, I'm so weak for a good Jedi Master-Jedi Padawan bond. Hope all two of you who read this enjoyed it.

[kirnet]

“She is going to be just fine, you know.”

“I know.”

By Jedi standards, Kavar was a man of action. It was a task to still his movements, to keep his arms crossed and feet set even as the urge to pace crept up on him. The tall Dantooine grasses didn’t help either, itching the back of his thighs even through his layers of robes. 

Master Arekoh Ry made no attempt to hide the quirk of her lips, but she remained silent, allowing the sounds of rustling leaves and idle chatter from the other Jedi to swarm around them. The beads adorning her proud montrals swayed in the wind, reflecting the morning sun like a cluster of stars. 

She had no reason to fret, and neither did he. Kirnet would be unharmed, that he was certain of. She had found a way to run into and stumble out of every bit of trouble she could find since she was brought to the temple. Only three months old, with wide eyes and puffed-out cheeks, and she had already laid claim to every corner and person within the enclave. Master Kavar, seemingly, most of all. It hadn’t taken her long to toddle after him with comical determination, and before he knew it every scraped knee and insult the youngling was responsible for was brought to his attention, as if he had any power over what came out of her mouth.

Force, it had been a blessing when tiny Atris was brought to the enclave. Somehow, the pair had gravitated towards each other, unbending Atris and her flittering companion. Kirnet’s behavior never improved, but at least now she felt mildly ashamed when Atris gave her a disappointed sigh.

No, Kavar knew Kirnet was perfectly safe. The kinrath had all been herded from the cave the Jedi currently stood at the maw of, and the tunnels had been carefully inspected for any other possible dangers.

Yet he still remained on edge. Kirnet had been all smiles leading up to today, practically bouncing off the walls as she followed him around the council chambers. “Mine will be blue,” she stated with such confidence that even he was almost inclined to believe her. “And it’ll be double-bladed.” She quickly averted her eyes when she finished, though Kavar saw they way they had lingered on the two sabers at his hip.

“She’s-” Arekoh’s wrinkled eyes snapped to him, and he knew that she had just been waiting for him to break the silence. “She can be emotional.”

The togruta shrugged. “And I’m sure that you also were when you were a youngling. That is what being a padawan is for.”

“Atris isn’t.”

“Atris doesn’t make friends nearly as easily. Or enemies,” Arekoh added with a light chuckle. “We all have our strengths. I will never lead a Republic battalion, just as you will never uncover the secrets of ancient history. The Force has plans for us all.”

“And what if that plan is to deny her a future with the Jedi?” A knot uncoiled in Kavar’s chest as he finally spoke the words aloud. Kirnet, with all of her charm and quick wit, was middling in the Force. She showed decent proficiency with the training sabers after Kavar guided her hand, and there was no youngling as nimble as her. But theory? Technical application with the Force? The ability to listen to any amount of wisdom? Kavar had done all he could to prepare her for this moment, but despite himself, he was worried.

Either she emerged from that cave with a kyber crystal, or she didn’t. 

She would not be fine if she returned empty handed.

Arekoh smiled fully, seemingly pleased as she flashed her sharp canines. “Ah. Now we get to the heart of the issue.” She shook her heavy montrals. “Many of my padawans barely passed their trials. Many were the last to emerge from this very cave. But look at them now! All of them on their way to becoming fine Knights.”

Kavar pressed his lips into a thin line. Arekoh was a talented Master, he could never deny that, and her aptitude with padawans was proven time and time again. It is why she was trusted with four padawans at a time, all now excelling in their studies of the Force and history. 

Kirnet pulled on a kath hound’s tail before Kavar could finish his lecture on their dangers. Kirnet had stolen his short saber and taken it apart as he slept because she was simply curious.

The breeze picked up, washing cool air over Kavar’s face. He closed his eyes, relaxed his tense shoulders, and pushed any bristling thoughts about Arekoh’s probing tone from his mind. “Yes,” he eventually answered. “I know.”

“You are still young.” Arekoh clicked her tongue. “And yet are already an accomplished Master and a member of the Council. Any padawan would be lucky to be under your tutelage.”

“I’m not taking a padawn.”

Arekoh’s brows shot up, but Kavar focused only on the sound of her beads clinking together. A blade of grass brushed infuriatingly light against the bottom of his robe. “I see.”

The conversation stilled as the first youngling returned from the cave, her silver hair streaming behind her as she held a crystal aloft. A round of encouragement rumbled from the assembled Jedi, and Atris walked briskly towards the group, chin raised with obvious pride. Kavar could see the way some of the Masters looked at her, many without any padawans of their own, all shining eyes and heartened smiles.

Another youngling emerged, and then another, until nearly the whole group was back, clutching their crystals close to their chest. Jedi mingled among them, patting backs and laughing, each of them making plans on who would become their own to train. Kavar remained rooted in place, as did his companion.

Minutes passed, maybe hours, as the sun soared overhead, catching the light of a hair clip as the last youngling emerged from the cave.

Kavar had been certain that they had cleared all of the kinrath before, but now he wasn’t so sure. Kirnet was caked in dirt, her long braid undone and tangled, fresh cuts all along the palms of her hands. But she beamed at him as she stumbled forward, something clutched tightly in her bloody fist. 

Atris sprang forward, and the two girls giggled as they hugged. Immediately Kirnet’s crystal was out, and she ignored the way Atris wiped down her previously-pristine robes as she held the translucent object to her snowy hair. “See? We match!” The wind carried her excited voice to him as she pulled away.

Arekoh joined in the chorus of claps, a small smile tugging at her lips. She shot Kavar one last glance before stepping forward. Kirnet looked at her with wide eyes as the togruta leaned down. They glanced past her a few times, confused as they landed on him, but soon enough Arekoh’s shoulders were shaking with laughter as Kirnet recounted her adventure with wild movements.

Kavar kept his feet set, even as the urge to move crept up to him.

[justalittletomato]

Little Danica getting (sneaking) onto missions with the Ghost Crew, she’s ever so excited! All decked out in her armor and lacing her boot up to follow behind Ezra.

“Alright so today you are going to a meet a pirate”

That was a mistake as Danica began on a rampage of questions. Not the sea faring type? Oh it can’t be sea faring! Oh is he a smuggler? Oh what heists have been pulled? Does that mean we get to be pirates today? Did you know…

“Bridger, you have a nerve bringing a clone of that red blade Jedi, he cost me men and credits”

It was not hard to forget the crimson Zabrak from nearly 2 decades ago.

“Danica is harmless, unless you give her a blaster! “

Hondo Onaka inspected the small child. Same horns, similar red coloring and marks, however the little one was dressed in beskar.

“Did he raid a Mandalorian compound to get you that? If so where?”

Ezra and Danica laughed, “ You’d die trying.”

——

“I have considered it and agree the addition of the girl will be helpful. You are much too big now to sneak into vents and places, that and her Jedi abilities…”

“Oh that.” Ezra started.

Danica’s smile faded.

“Yes exceptional no doubt, I still remember the terror the men felt when those brothers attacked. Surely the little one has such might.”

Danica shook her head, “ I can’t use the force,”

The pirate didn’t seem to hear, “ Can she talk to creatures like you?”

“Well…like Danica said.” Ezra rubbed the back of neck worried over how Danica curled into herself

“Oh or do you wield a double bladed saber? Like father like daughter!”

“I can’t do what he can. I can’t!”

A bit of silence.

—-

“Ah well that’s disappointing.” Hondo sighs.

Ezra is about to retort back when Danica jumps out of her chair and runs off.

“Seriously HONDO?!” The young Jedi takes after her.

—

The ah well.

The Oh

A pitiful smile in her direction.

Oh little Danica, not able to use the force.

Why did everyone have to mention it after?

“You we’re too good to be a pirate then, have to keep to being the best Dathomando I guess,” Ezra found her sniffling by the mouth of the base.

“I can’t do that either…”

“No way, your brother and sister always rave about how Danica Oppress is the best Dathomando.”

“I’m sorry I can’t use the force.”

“Hey now no apologies for that, using the force isn’t needed. You can do so much Dani.”

“Everyone expects it…” she mumbled.

“Well everyone expects me to be a fine example of a Jedi to be but that ain’t happening.” He joked gently, “ So we are on the same ship, but you are the real clever one.”

“What good is being clever?”

“Hey now I gotta use the force to figure things out and you know it off the bat, no force needed.” He ruffles her curls. “Now let’s go tell your family so they can also remind Hondo not to be a big silly, minus your dad he might kill him.”

“Buir is going to pulverize him.”

“Yeah but not kill him.”

@gran-maul-seizure @patchiefrog

[a-dorin]

GIVE ME A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF ALL YOUR OCS (PLEASE)

hehehe I WILL RIGHT NOW

so first things first we have:

august juniper moor — my baby. my first star wars oc. she’s a zygerrian set in pre-phantom menace all the way through revenge of the sith & the crimson dawn era. she is widely known as (previously) darth (now just) maul’s lover. she’s endured a lot. she’s been through some shit. she’s very against the jedi order even though she spent years training alongside obi-wan under qui-gon. she lost her eye in a duel with count dooku where he set the ship to explode. she’s a badass & the strongest force user out of my ocs. her kyber crystal was purple and now it’s red. she wields a double-bladed saber, similar to maul’s. she left the jedi order before the events of rots/order 66.

kade kolpall — a nautolan who is also set in the clone wars era. he was 17 in rots and 35 (1 bby). his inspiration comes from bioluminescent fish species so he has a darker grey skin tone with yellow markings. one of them falls over his right eyes and resembles a crescent moon. he’s 6’8” & one big fella who can crush your windpipe with the snap of his finger. his master was kit fisto. (he was sort of a loose canon (he is sort of a parallel to anakin) he then joined the empire and sort of became an inquisitor but also didn’t really fuck with any of them so he just did his own thing and hunted down the jedi. (fuck canon because this is MY star wars lore) he has two lightsabers that were yellow kyber crystals but now they are also red. he met the love of his life on a backwater planet while trying to hunt down remaining jedi/force users.

erena lianoma arballor — my only human so far out of my ocs. she was 14 during rots and then 32 (1 bby). her home planet is alderaan. she’s 5’7”, medium build, with long, thick, black hair that reaches her mid back. she has hazel eyes and freckles. she was a jedi padawan during the events of order 66 but managed to survive and evade death on some backwater planet. she is taken in by a nautolan mechanic by the name of mara and they end up running a shop together. they sort of become sisters but mara has maternal instincts at times. kade initially is the one assigned to find her and kill her since her force signature can be felt by vader & palpatine. the best part is, kade is so awestruck by her beauty he can't kill her.

all of my clone ocs -- the 328th legion featuring commander bull, leo, scorpio, aro, & gunther. there are a few others but i just haven't fleshed them all out quite yet. their armor is navy with powdery blue accents. they are august's boys and she loves them to death.

mara -- my other nautolan oc. she's 22 when she first takes in erena, and i have to really flesh her out as well. she's a mechanic, insanely intelligent, & is overprotective of erena. her markings resemble a koi fish, and she has the warmest amber eyes you've ever seen.

if you have any other questions, feel free to ask hehe! :))

[bigscaryd]

Why I Think Marrok is Barris

A lot of people are saying Ezra, but if they were Ezra, there wouldn't be this mystery of where Thrawn is -- Ezra knows, and if he knew how to get back without the Big Ring, presumably he'd know how to get there again ditto. Also, I think it would be deeply unsatisfying. That said, the efforts to conceal their identify tell me it's a known identity, and there aren't a lot of known persons who would be interesting under the mask.

Barris has always made sense as an Inquisitor: her betrayal of the Order is the exact sort of fanaticism Palpatine loves to twist. Our in-jokes about "First Sister" aside, we haven't seen her since she was taken away.

But what I'm really here to talk about is https://www.starwars.com/databank/marrok-inquisitor

Relevant text:

Once an Inquisitor hunting Jedi for the Empire, the mysterious Marrok now works as a mercenary hired by Morgan Elsbeth to carry out dark deeds. Fully encased in battered battle armor, the warrior still carries a red double-bladed saber with a circular hilt.

Two things of note in there. First, it clearly and without weasel-words states they were an Inquisitor. Second, it avoids use of any gendered pronouns ("the warrior" rather than "he" or "she"), which is definitely not standard style for the site. I think the first puts paid to Ezra as a candidate, and the second indicates Marrok's gender is being deliberately obfuscated.

The last bit, and probably in my head, is that the orange markings on the just-announced Black Series Marrok (see image below) look like Mirialan tattoos to me.

[erindrifter]

I just had a thought. It’s something that Disney should have thought of, because not only would it have been cool as hell (in my opinion) but also they could have sold more toys and it would have made them more money.

So, in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Anakins lightsaber gets torn in half. (As a side note, yes I consider it to be his, and not Luke’s or Rey’s. They have their own by the end of their stories) Because of this, Rey ends the movie without a lightsaber. However, in a truly stupid move, the next movie starts with Rey having fixed that lightsaber. I don’t like this for a few reasons, but mostly because a Jedi’s lightsaber is a symbol of their connection to the Force. Luke was still training when he had his fathers’ saber, and his journey was all but complete when he made his own. It’s literally one of the final steps in a Jedi’s basic training.

So, Rey starting her last movie with what is in essence her training saber is not great. But how could they have done better? How could Rey, a very smart mechanic with access to Jedi records and a fair amount of material, have made a new lightsaber instead of fixing a broken one?

See, here’s the thing. A single bladed saber doesn’t fully suit Rey. I’m with the group of people who say that Rey should have had a saber staff. And there’s a very easy way to fix that. When the lightsaber gets broken, show that the kyber crystal also broke in two. At the beginning of the movie, show Rey trying to get through the training session, but has issues because she has no weapon. Then, show her trying to make her own saber, but it keeps failing because the only kyber crystal they have is broken, and thus useless.

Except, we know from Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order that a broken kyber crystal isn’t actually an issue, but is actually useful to make a double bladed lightsaber. The issue is that Rey hasn’t properly bonded with the crystal, so it won’t work properly for her. At some point in the movie, show her meditating with the crystal, and maybe even show her a vision as a test, which she passes and so she bonds with the crystal, turning it yellow (because I also like that color for Rey). Now, Rey can finish her lightsaber, except she has to account for the second crystal (she was trying to use it as a single crystal, not two, but she learns better during her vision) and so she extends the hilt a bit, but doesn’t add a second emitter, because she doesn’t realize she needs one.

So now, she has her own lightsaber, and it’s a bit scrappy still, but it’s hers. For a while, she only uses a single blade, but during a troublesome blade lock, she activates the second blade, which tears through the bottom of the lightsaber, and she uses it to break the lock. Except, it’s a crystal that wasn’t meant for a double bladed lightsaber, so now she has two blades half as long as the full blade.

Boom. There you go. Rey has her own lightsaber, it’s unique, she uses it for the entire movie, and you can sell toys. The bottom half is all melted and broken, so it looks cool too.

[gahmah-raan]

Armogeist

Real Name: Balos Oiren Homeworld: Dromund Kaas Species: Formerly Human; Now a spirit bound to a suit of armor Gender: Male Age: 3500+ years (20 when body was lost) Weapon: Lightsaber pike, phrik shield Affiliation: Sith Empire (formerly), Valkoran Empire Lacking the same ideals as any other Sith, Balos Oiren also had it worse than most other Sith. In addition to suffering the rule that all Force-sensitives born in the Empire had to undergo brutal training, he was apprenticed to Darth Masochus, one of the most clinically insane Sith Lords of his time. In addition to the physical and psychological torture (which included among other things forcing him to flay his own parents alive) he endured at Masochus's hands, he was exiled along with his master just for being his apprentice. To start his exile, Masochus flayed Oiren alive before destroying his body, but rather than let him die (and going so far to taunt him with the classic belief in there being nothing after death), he bound his life-force to an immobile wooden figurine so he wouldn't be able to escape from Masochus through fleeing or suicide. When Masochus was summoned to the Valkoran Empire on Ockla Prime, most of the previously established leadership (most of which were former Jedi) forcefully took the immobilized Balos Oiren away from his abusive master. Seferin Vaelor (AKA Maesterus) and Ze'grein'aradi (Grein) contemplated letting him become one with the Force (introducing Balos to a less fatalistic belief), but since Emperor Valkor still had some plans for Oiren, the best they could do for him was give him a more mobile body that could be considered as close to living as possible: a bulky, archaic suit of ancient Ocklanite armor, and in addition to a lightsaber pike and cortosis shield, he was given the codename Armogeist. He may have been denied the chance for revenge on his former master (as Valkor still needed him), but getting to know some former Jedi has given him renewed outlook on life, separating him from the mindset that would make a Sith. However, he still longs for a proper death and to become one with the Force.

Design and concept-wise, he was inspired by a mix of Alphonse Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist and the Knight and General classes in the Fire Emblem video game series. Older concepts for him didn't give him a shield, but one had lightsabers connected to his arms and shoulders, another had him using the Force to wield multiple lightsabers at once, and a third gave him the pike saber (more of a trident actually) except it had the lightsabers attached to the prongs and could be launched off. As for weapon choice, I always try to mix up the fighting styles for the Valkoran leaders. Maesterus uses a single lightsaber but he's also got Forceless-enhanced abilities such as the projectile bone spikes and his wings. Dynn Manthis used a double-bladed saber. Arcidus has his Force incineration ability and he uses stealth and blasters. Juganak has a lightsaber club and super strength. Neur is left-handed and wields a curved-hilt saber with a spike on the butt and she's flinch-resistant if her cybernetic headtails stop functioning. Machinus has no Force powers (due to being a former Jedi in the body of a droid) and uses technology to compensate. Masochus relies almost exclusively on the Force to do everything including moving his own body since he somehow trimmed off his own muscles and reanimating corpses. I gave Armogeist a shield because a pike is kinda hard to block projectiles with when you think about it.

[bonesmarinated]

“I never expected you to love me, but neither did I want you to hate me, because that would have made it impossible to extract the most from you. All I wanted was for you to respect me and follow my instructions.”

[koiryuu]

fuck it. rating the swords in cql by fuckability.

thanks to a certain extra chapter i now cannot watch the untamed without thinking about the logistics of fucking the swords. so im gonna rank em based on overall sexiness of design of course, but more importantly, by practical insertability of the hilt. its 4am.

Lan Wangji's sword (Bichen)

the whore that started this all. good ol bichen. this is the only sword we have canon information on the genuine fuckability of. solid, attractive design, for sure, though personally it's a little blocky and boring for me. the main part of the hilt is well-shaped, with a subtle wavy topography in what looks like quartz or ivory, not bad at all. the sword exudes icy air as well which can certainly be a point for it if you're into that, or a point against if you're not keen on getting frostbite in the worst possible place. but there's one big problem here; the shape at the end of the hilt seems very problematic in terms of insertability, so much so that I wonder if the prop designers knew anything at all about the fate of this particular sword, or if they did, and they deliberately tried to make it as unfuckable as possible to hopefully put that thought out of everyone's minds. but we're all thinking it anyway. 6/10 godspeed wei wuxian.

Wei Wuxian's sword (Suibian)

oh honey, this is a stick. this is a branch. very aptly named "whatever", suibian is overall an "eh" in the looks department. in some shots it looks more shiny and finished, but in others it seriously looks like a piece of wood from the forest floor. it's like the swordsmith heard what wuxian wanted to name it and decided to stop trying. the metal detail lends a little to it, and i do have to admit that the blade itself is a lot sexier than the sheath, there's also something to say about its loyalty in sealing itself for only its master, but in its everyday look, it leaves a lot to be desired. the shape of the hilt is not bad, and it has no obstructions at the end, but i wonder exactly how finished the wood really is.... 3/10 ow ass splinters.

Jiang Cheng's sword (Sandu)

ok now this is a sexy sword. very good overall look. this sword is a hot goth that you spot from across the mall food court that you will never talk to, because you know it is too good for you. sandu has its aesthetic figured out. the deep purple, the quilted pattern, the entwined snakes? hell, sandu is too good for jc himself. the frog at the end may be a slight problem for cowards, but it's nowhere near as bad as bichen, and has the ridges down the hilt to make up for it. 8.5/10 the name is metal as fuck too.

Lan Xichen's sword (Shuoyue)

not terrible in design, though it's honestly just bichen's less hot brother. the bulky dull metal looks somewhat cheap and thin, but i do like the double chains on either side of the sheath. the hilt itself is a more exaggerated texture from bichen, and is that same pretty opaque white, but of course the glaring problem here again is the end. this looks like a nightmare to insert, to at least double the degree that bichen is. this is a plug, but not in the way you want it to be. shuoyue does, however, gain something for being the sword in the most homoerotic and tense scene, jgy's death scene, so that's redeeming, i think. 4.5/10 just fuck bichen instead.

Nie Mingjue's saber (Baxia)

ouch. ow. nothing is more hostile and outright unfuckable than baxia's little head of spikes. sexy design but at what cost. you'll have a better time fucking nmj himself tbh. 0/10 not even a sword.

Jin Zixuan/Jin Ling's sword (Suihua)

sexy in an insufferable rich asshole way. so pretty but so infurioratingly stuck up and arrogant it drives you insane and you can't stop thinking about it. the gold detailing is a little much, but like, in a good way. the blue on the sheath is a perfect touch. hilt is smooth and unproblematic, with the buttons for a little extra something, good shape, if not a little short and underwhelming. suihua overall is not a bad sword to fuck, but you better not fall in love with it. 7/10 is he gay or just european.

Xiao Xingchen's sword (Shuanghua)

if shuoyue is bichen's less hot brother, then shuanghua is bichen's sexy cousin, even down to the frost magic. the design is immediately one of the prettiest right away, with the silver design on the sheath and the pretty clean matte white. the structured hexagonal shape of the hilt is incredibly interesting, and the intricate engraving is a nice touch. the end does have a similar problem to bichen though, but while it is more rounded outwards, it's also not disconnected the way bichen is so it's up to you whether it's better or worse overall. 7/10 everyone's sword crush.

Xue Yang's sword (Jiangzai)

holy shit this is a hot sword. i know i previously haven't been commenting on the blades because they're usually sheathed in the pictures i find, but how can i not acknowledge the aesthetic of this blade. everything about this sword overall is exceptionally beautiful, and just the right amount of evil to suit xy. the hilt is very smooth and a bit tapered in shape, very nice. biggest problems is that it does have a tassle on the hilt, and the very end is a flat piece of metal, which might be sharp and would bring down insertability significantly. but i really can't find it in me to lower the score of this beautiful sword for that. 10/10 but the manhua version is even sexier.

Wen Chao's sword

i literally would not be making this post if not for this nameless beauty right here. this sword, in its bold, yet refined design, is the entire reason i thought to myself, hm, maybe you could fuck more than just bichen? it's honestly such a shame that i can't find a higher quality image of this sword, so you'll just have to trust me on this one. the exaggerated, swirled ridges spiraling down the hilt are... needless to say, very intriguing, and the head of it is not only rounded for ideal insertability, but is such a perfect cap shape too. there is absolutely nothing wrong with this sword, down to the design of the sheath, except for the man that carries it. take it out of his hands and put it somewhere more useful. 100/10 i think im genuinely sexually attracted to swords now.

[passable-talent]

*grabby hands* childhood Jedi training rival x anakin skywalker? 🥺🥺

you ever had a boy own your whole heart? I didn’t even realize how much I loved this man when I watched the prequels at 7 until I watched them again at 19- literally a gay awakening, twice. unprecidented.

also. I LIVED BITCH

Three years old, and you’ve never known anything other than the Jedi Temple. You’re learning words quickly- words like ‘up’, and ‘down’, and ‘Force’.

Five years old, and you’re told about how your parents sent you to Coruscant with pride, because you were force sensitive. They knew that someday, you were to be a Jedi.

Age seven. The time is drawing closer for you to become an initiate. You’re doing well in your classes, and you’re capable of some deep meditation, even if Master Yoda always comments that you’re too distracted.

Age nine, and there’s an eleventh added to your clan of younglings. His name is Anakin Skywalker, and he seems cool. He’s a bit old to start his training, but he’s part of your clan now, so everyone helps him study and catch up to the rest of the group.

You’re eleven years old. The initiate trials are only a few years away. Anakin is your best friend, even if you’d never admit it. He’s such a show-off, his force powers much stronger than anyone else in the unit, his marks on strategy exams are always outstanding, and he’s already a padawan, as he loves to remind you. But your politics are stronger, and when you practice with the wooden sabres, you beat him every time.

Thirteen, now. Next year, you’ll compete in the initiate trails, and if you succeed, the Apprentice Tournament. Anakin has started going on missions with Obi-Wan Kenobi, but he’s stopped teasing you about it, since he’s noticed how you redden with jealousy.

The initiate trails were a success. You’d gathered more skill in the force, though you still weren’t at Ani’s level, and passed the first trial. You had been gifted an orange kyber crystal by Master Mace Windu, and your lightsaber was distinct and brilliant. Finally, you had something to tease Anakin about- his blue blade was a common color.

For a year you trained with renewed fervor, having been moved from a youngling to an initiate. You were readying to participate in the Apprentice Tournament, where you would show off blade skills that Master Kit Fisto praised as being some of the best he’d seen from an initiate. Anakin helped you train, though he always offered with a throw-off statement such as ‘you’ll need all the help you can get’.

And if he didn’t cheat and use the Force, you certainly would’ve won more than you did.

Master Mace Windu had become an idol of yours, ever since he chose you to hand that kyber crystal to. If he didn’t mind the interruption, you would study with him, and he would guide your emotions, like your jealousy of Anakin and your angry determination, into Jedi strengths. He harbored the decision that he would take you as a padawan, as he hadn’t had one since Depa Billaba completed her trials, years ago.

He told himself that he’d take you as a padawan as soon as possible, but it seemed that you were intent on competing in the Apprentice Tournament, and he wouldn’t stop you.

Fourteen years old, and facing off against your class- and clan- mates in lightsaber duels, one by one. Your skills with the saber were unmatched by your peers. Certainly not by far, but you had a talent, a natural knack, and you quickly progressed through the bracket, until the final free-for-all. Anakin and Obi-Wan, you knew, were in the stands, just like Mace Windu. You needed only to win, or at least put up a fight, to impress them all.

Strategy was your ally, as the match started, as you did not charge headfirst into the battle. Your angry determination had turned to cool focus, picking out the best times to engage a fight and turn your opponent away. Soon enough, it was you and one other initiate- Lys Kysek. He was skilled, but you were better.

Cheers erupted when you won the duel, and you gave a humble bow, lifting Lys up to show respect to him. When you exited the Arena, you found the congratulations of your friends, and though Anakin looked impressed and happy for you, he maintained that things would’ve been different if he’d entered the tournament.

Seventeen years old- you’re a padawan to Master Mace Windu, and have been for three years. Anakin is most certainly the person you despise most in the world, and anyone who claims otherwise is clearly lying, kidding themselves. Don’t they see how you boast every time you beat him in a duel? Don’t they see the way you flush with anger whenever he bests you? What other explanation could there be for your sputtering whenever he sends you a cocky smile?

Yeah, yeah. You see, Jedi are forbidden to love. You wondered, though, if the Masters of Old would’ve written that rule if they’d seen how Anakin smiles.

At nineteen, you were knighted, having completed your trials. It was rushed, you knew that, but the Clone Wars had begun, and the galaxy needed Jedi Knights like never before. It was fine- Master Windu would do just fine without you. And besides, being a General in the Grand Amry of the Republic had its perks.

One being, of course, that you were able to chose to go on missions with your old friend, Anakin Skywalker.

He had his hands full, with his new padawan and all, so he was often grateful to have you at his side. Ahsoka, her personality not unlike a Florrumian fire cracker, seemed to reignite the rivalry between the two of you, going so far as to claim she wished that she had been your padawan, instead of Anakin.

Oh, how that made him boil.

Still, you would follow him into battle in a heartbeat. You’d protect him with your life, and of course, he would do the same. Together with his piloting and your sabre skills, you were unstoppable on missions. Ever so slowly, you forged a force connection.

It was like that of a padawan and master, but more balanced, like a true partnership. You could feel each other’s presence, location, and sometimes even emotion, when it was particularly strong. Anakin never spoke of it, and so you wondered if you were meant to hide it- maybe, it had happened because of the love you held for him as a teenager, and maybe still did. Jedi weren’t meant to grow attached to anyone, especially not the way that you had, and so you kept quiet, and just felt it when he stood beside you.

Anakin and Ahsoka had left for a mission that you weren’t meant to accompany them on. You stayed at the temple and completed the diplomatic communications you were known to be quite good at, content and confident that Anakin would return unscathed.

And then, you felt it.

In the middle of your meditation, when your body was open to the force, you felt the deepest, most raw pain you had ever felt in the depths of your stomach. It made you double over and nearly vomit, its pain so intense that you couldn’t move. It ebbed after a few moments, and on weakened legs you stumbled to your communication station.

Where pain had been only moments ago, you now felt fear settle. You had a connection with Anakin, and when you were meditating with the force, had felt horrible pain- the conclusion was obvious that Anakin was hurt. You tried first to reach him, but nothing went through. Then you tried for Ahsoka, who was equally unreachable. When you couldn’t reach Captain Rex you started to fear for the worst.

You ran to your old Master, finding him in discussion with another Jedi, who he waved away as he sensed your panic, and strife.

“What is it?”

“Anakin’s in trouble. I can’t reach him, and I think he’s hurt.” Mace turned to the nearby communication equipment and tried to reach Anakin’s unit, but gave you the side eye as he did so.

“How do you know he’s hurt if you can’t reach him?”

“Master, I- I don’t know.”

“Yes you do.” You conceded with a sigh, knowing that your master could see through you.

“Anakin and I- we have this bond, in the force. I don’t know how it happened. But it’s never been like this before- I’ve never felt his injury, and I’ve never felt him when he was so far away. I- I’m scared that he’s in real danger.” By this time, Mace had pulled up transmission with Obi-Wan, who quickly relayed the 501st’s last known meeting and location.

“Be careful,” Mace warned you, “what you’re describing sounds almost like a Dyad. It can’t be, we would’ve known by now, but if it’s this similar now, it could prove to be dangerous, later. Don’t let his pain keep you from his rescue.”

You hopped in a speeder and raced to the aid of your friends.

When you entered the atmosphere of the planet Anakin had said to have been lost upon, you tried to open your mind to the force- it was difficult, you had to admit, flying a speeder through Seperatist airspace, but you had to try. You let the force guide you to a different part of the planet, where you touched down and hid your ship amongst the foliage as best you could.

Once again you let the force guide you, sending you deep into the woods. You knew you must’ve been getting close when you began garnering fire, but instead of red droid blasters, you were avoiding instead blue fire.

So you ignited your saber and lifted it as a sign of peace.

As soon as the clones stopped firing, you rushed toward them, and found almost exactly what you feared. Ahsoka had tears running down her face, surrounded by a protection squad of clones, and Anakin was bleeding heavily from a droid blast in the center of his abdomen, right where you had felt the pain. You had taken time to get here- he was still alive, but had passed out either from the pain, or from blood loss.

“Master (Y/N), I don’t know what to do,” Ahsoka sobbed, and you feel to your knees opposite her, at Anakin’s side.

“Ahsoka, give me your hand,” you ordered her, and you pressed down her hand onto the left side of his wound, then moving your palm to its right. “Meditate with me. We’re going to give him some life force, to help him heal.” You’d tried this, once, long ago. When you were on a mission with your Master, and he’d received a similar wound. It was much smaller, and he’d been able to guide you through it. Today, you would be that guidance, for Ahsoka. And maybe, her Force powers and yours combined would be enough to heal him. “Visualize the Force, the Force all around us, within us. Visualize it traveling down your body, into your fingertips, into Anakin’s body. Visualize the energy flow being channeled by the two of us.”

Once you’d explained, you closed your eyes, and pictured it. The Force, to you, looked like golden light, compassion and kindness shimmering in the air all around you. Like a magnetic field it was drawn to Jedi, and in this instant you saw it pour downward through the funnel you created with Ahsoka into Anakin’s body.

He opened his eyes slowly, a small groan leaving his body.

“Hey, (Y/N). You made it after all.” Ahsoka called Master! and leapt forward to give him a hug, to which he laughed and hugged back, teasing that it would take more than a droid to kill him. You shook your head and sat back, narrowing your eyes.

“Skywalker, how many times am I going to have to hop in a speeder and race across the galaxy to make sure you don’t die?”

“Oh, just once more,” he shot back, that smirk back on his face, as though it had never left. “I don’t suppose you have a way off this planet?”

“You’re lucky I’m going to let you on my ship.”

As soon as Anakin opened communications on your speeder with Obi-Wan to report the successful, if nearly life-costing, mission, you let Captain Rex take the wheel, and went to the deck below to speak with Anakin in private.

“You felt it, didn’t you?” He asked, his hand over the scar that had formed from rapid healing. “When I got shot.”

“Yes,” you answered, eyes cast to the side.

“Why are we connected like this?”

“I don’t know. I think-“

“Is it because of how much I like you?” You lifted your head in surprise, and briefly felt an emotion you almost never felt from Anakin- vulnerability.

“You- you do?”

“I have since we were kids. I never told you, because I knew I wasn’t supposed to feel this way, and thought that since you were raised in the temple, you’d never feel the same.” His expression told you he was sensing the emotions that currently broiled in your heart. The nervousness, the surprise, but mostly the relief, relief that your love wasn’t unrequited, that you weren’t the only one, that you weren’t breaking the code alone.

“Anakin, I- I can’t believe this.” You took the two quick steps to him but stopped short of the hug he was expecting, briefly laying your fingers where his wound had been, where his robes were scorched. “I’m glad you’re not dead.” Anakin gave a little laugh.

“Yeah, me too.” You closed the distance and hugged him, tightly, closing your eyes and letting yourself feel as satisfaction and happiness bounced between the two of you. “I’m glad you were there when I woke up.” You snorted, pulling away, eyes narrowed playfully.

“Buddy, if I wasn’t there, you wouldn’t have woken up.” Instead of teasing back, as you had expected, Anakin took hold of your closer wrist, the playfulness only in his smirk.

“Then it’s a good thing you were there. If you hadn’t been, I wouldn’t have gotten to do this.” With his opposite hand he cupped your face, and slowly, he brought the two of you together.

Scattered across the galaxy, there were four people who felt it when the two of you kissed. Not because of the kiss itself, but because of the connection between two who were bound by the force, pulsating outward from a moment of satisfaction, devotion, happiness. Master Yoda, on a mission to Endor, who scowled, wondering how much harder it would become to control Anakin. Mace Windu, on Coruscant, who laughed, as though he expected such a feeling. Obi-Wan Kenobi, in a cruiser halfway ‘cross the galaxy, who merely shook his head. And, on the very same ship, Ahsoka Tano, who quietly received five Republic credits from Captain Rex, who’d lost their bet.

-🦌 Roe

[cina-full-moon-xanadium]

Hm. You know what, this is Different criticism about the Shindais that I’ve been meaning to get into for a while so I may as well lay it out. Putting it under a spoiler anyway bc I know a bunch of people will be sick about me talking about them; and this is gonna be a long one

In terms of wasted potential, there is a... very strange amount of parallels going on between the two and Saber and Blades. Sabela of course has the name and a somewhat similar colour scheme; and Durandal has much stronger connections in being a blue water-themed rider (kind of) with an Animal ridebook who is the super-serious super-loyal defender of Master Logos -- he is in many ways a dark double of Blades and everything Rintarou could have become if he had just followed orders and never forged his bonds, to the extent I’m shocked they never made this explicit text; the two even sort of had a mini-rivalry for a bit or at least the bones of a story arc with how they have similar things about discovering loyalty, and Durandal stabbing him and a big thing being made about his apology. Sabela doesn’t have anything quite as strong, but I do find it very notable how in the first arc she’s the devil attempting to coax Touma to their side; and becomes the impetus for literally everything bad that happens to him in the second arc through her manipulations. I think an argument could be made alone for how it’s the main hero contrasted with the second arc’s main villain (her Ridebook is even “literally every bug”, in a series that started with bugmen on its 50th anniversary).

In many ways this does make sense, too; to have the Southern Base’s main two swordsmen be parallels to the Northern Base’s main two -- it’s honestly very solid thematic planning on both a literal “of course their two main riders are similar” level, and a character level where they become more direct villains. The connections between the two are arguably a great parallel as well -- their blood family bond vs Touma and Rintarou’s found family bond; Durandal being super serious in everything vs Reika being a little more relaxed (which could potentially have been a whole “haha dont mind my brother, he’s way too uptight” thing), etc. 

In fact thematically it’s so strong and has so many things going for it that it’s really weird to me those pieces never came together, which matches up a lot with how Reika never gets proper resolution or development to anything; even including a direct apology to every single other Rider for what she did during the second arc. I was previously content to say that in a Saber rewrite I’d get rid of Durandal completely due to his offering nothing as a character, but there is so much thematic weight here that I really have to consider what a perfect second path it would be -- it would also heavily strengthen the theme of bonds to make friends with the literal actual dark doubles, there’s a lot going for Rintarou facing up to a distorted version of himself, I think with some planning there’s a lot you can do with Touma and Reika... 

Just, I don’t know. There are so many pieces on the board here that never come together and just fascinate me in that sense, and besides everything going on with Reika’s characterisation right now it is perhaps the most disappointing part of these two characters that makes them fail to have any kind of real presence or interest.

[amberwild420]

one step back, two steps forward (pt. 8)

masterlist

family dinner

The girls chatted as they stepped out of the school. Luka and Kagami promised to meet them there so they can all go for the dinner. And true to their words they were there.

 Luka! Kagami! So glad you could make it!

 I wouldn’t miss our duel for anything.

Kagami slightly smiled. Since lunch, she had been looking forward to the duel. Luka merely smiled and the group walked towards Kaylan’s home.

  When Kaylan told them about class and the drama that unfolded after class, they were angry but pleased when Kaylan used Bustier’s words against the class.

 You seriously need to teach me how to trash talk!

 Marinette laughed. All the responses and comebacks that Kaylan had used till now made her days.

I can teach you but you have to toughen up first. What they are doing is wrong and I want you to save yourself.

 Marinette gave a sad smile. Luka, Kagami and Kaylan shared a look.

 I trust them that they can realize the truth and everything will be back to how it was.

 I don’t think so.

 Kaylan fired back. She stopped, making the rest stop too. She had a blank face but her eyes were calculating.

Marinette…..*sigh*………..look I know you say that everything will be ok or that you trust them, but……but deep down you know that after what they had done, you won’t be able to trust them……………..at least not like before………you know before all this started. As for that everything will be alright……….it’s just as connected to the trust. You think it will be alright but you know that your trust and relationship will be strained. So much that slowly and sub-consciously you will cut them out.

 Marinette made a face. A flash of coldness passed through her eyes. But it was gone before she mumbled,

 You wouldn’t know that.

I know that. I have seen that. Or rather someone close to me had seen that and told me.

 For a moment they looked vulnerable. But it was gone when Marinette nodded. She seriously needed to talk to Tikki. She was good at listening and giving advises.

 Come on we don’t want to be late.

 They silent moment broke and they walked towards the apartment building.

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

The woman smiled sweetly and welcomed the trio in. As soon as they settled in the woman started mothering them, hugging them tightly, asking them of their day, talking non-stop.

Mom! You are overwhelming them. Slowdown will ya!

 The woman stopped abruptly and smiled sheepishly when she saw the expression of the trio.

 Sorry. Sorry. I was just excited that you made so many friends in such a short time.

 *sigh* this is Veronica Fox, my mother. She is a freelance psychiatrist. And yes, she is the one who made the banshee therapy for akuma prevention.

 Oh! It’s nice to meet you kids. I’m so happy you made friends with my broody daughter.

 I’m not broody. Batman brood. I sit back and judge……… And fight when they irritate me.

 Marinette nervously laughed not knowing what was going on. The difference between the mother and daughter was like sun and moon. And judging by Kagami’s attempt to hide her smile and Luka’s quite snicker they must have thought the same.

 She could feel Tikki’s amusement from her purse.

 At least someone’s having fun.

 She thought and sighed.

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

The small training room was cozy. Their apartment was not by any mean big and luxurious but it wasn’t too small. The two bedrooms, a living room, a guestroom, a kitchen and a spare room turned to training room was definitely not small. Kagami was attracted towards the small assortment of the blades on the wall.

 A beautiful long bladed spear stood tall in the center. The shine and sharpness of the blade gave her a sense of satisfaction.

Next to it was a double bladed weapon. Marinette who stood behind Kagami looked confused.

 I don’t think I had ever seen this type of weapon in your collection Kagami. What type of weapon is this?

 She whispered to the Japanese girl who looked rather stunned.

A naginata!        Kaylan called from behind them. Veronica left the teens to get started for the evening tea. Luka also joined the girls, giving out an impressed whistle.

 It’s not easy to wield a weapon of this caliber. Not without years and years of practice.

 Kagami looked impressed.

 Wait were her eyes shining like all those anime characters she had seen or was Marinette hallucinating?

 Kaylan looked amused. She picked up the blade in question and went in the middle of the room. The rest waiting in the side in anticipation. Kaylan stood with her eyes closed mentally preparing to do a simple trick rather then something complicated.

With a sigh, she opened her eyes and spin the pole around her with a familiar ease and pointed it towards Kagami, who looked like a child in a candy store.

Smiling softly she put the weapon back to where it belonged.

 It was impressive!

 Kagami said with a wide smile. If it wasn’t her ability to school her emotion she would be rumbling like Marinette normally does.

 I’m glad you thought so. To me it is like a fish to water. That’s why I learned to fight with this far quicker.

 Uh………..       Marinette didn’t know what to ask but she shuffled around nervously before opening her mouth to ask her a question.

 Is it really hard to fight with this two blade pole?

Yes. / It is.

 Both girls said at the same time. They looked at each other before turning towards the designer.

 Wielding a naginata requires a lot of practice. Especially for women. First because of the height and weight that requires a lot of upper body strength. This one is normal length mostly used by samurai’s. Women warriors use one smaller and lighter.

 Kagami told them rather eagerly. She wanted to learn. But her affinity was with sword. But to see one here and someone to use a weapon she longed to learn right in front of her was making her warm in chest.

 It’s not just the upper body strength………        Kaylan interrupted.

Normal naginata have only one blade. Mine has double blade. It makes it even more difficult to practice. You can’t get distracted. Or one of the two blades can cut you.

 Kagami nodded. This is exactly what made this weapon so magnetic for her. She turned to the wall and picked up the only katana from the wall.

  The beautiful white sheath with small patterns and beautifully crafted handle. Marinette subtly took out her sketch book, suddenly inspired by a sword to make a base line of her next dress.

 Kagami unsheathe the sword, admiring the blade before turning to Kaylan.

 I believe a duel is in order.

 Kaylan only smirked before taking her sword and turning towards the sparring mat. Kagami unsheathed her own saber but was bummed out when Kaylan didn’t unsheathed her own but didn’t comment on it.

 Luka who was silent all this time, stepped forward to act as referee since Marinette was in her zone.

Both girls got in position, blades pointing each other. The moment Luka signaled both clashed. Both countering the other, not letting other to take advantage of the opening.

 Marinette looked at the dual fascinated. Tikki the ever loving god/Kawami was recording the dual. (She is still hiding in the purse mind you. She just doesn’t want her chosen’s friend to get into trouble when they clearly forgot about the promised video.)

 It was until Kagami thrust her saber point blank and it hit Kaylan in the shoulder when she tried to block it. A moment of silence passed before Kaylan chuckled and relaxed.

 Not bad, Tsurugi!

 Kagami who looked rather bewildered. Apparently she didn’t thought it would actually hit. But she relaxed when Kaylan laughed. She smiled.

 Not too bad yourself, Fox.

 Best out of three?

 I don’t mind.

 And with that they positioned themselves again.

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

The next two rounds were a tie and another win for Kagami, though it was longer than any match Kagami ever participated.

 I would have won if it was my trusty pole.

 Kaylan said, before putting the katana back to its place. Kagami let out a hum of affirmation. No doubt there, she was good at handling it. They turned to the pair of whip coiled at the wall.

A silver whip with a small curved blade.

And another with golden handle and an arrow like blade. Both adorn the wall, with a grace of their own.

 How good are you with a whip?

 It was Marinette who asked this time. Her eyes were calculatingly looking at the weapon. If she is good with such weapons then giving her a miraculous with an unconventional weapon will be easy for her to use in akuma battle.

 Better than sword. Almost as good as gladiator.

 The trio raised an eyebrow. She smiled sheepishly before gesturing towards the naginata.

 You named that thing?        Kagami looked rather amused. The designer and the musician snickered when Kaylan let out a dramatic gasp.

 How dare you call gladiator a thing?! He is my trustworthy ally.

 The trio laughed. A whine that was more like complaining sounded. A smile rose to her lips, Veronica looked at the old picture on the fridge. It was two of them, she cried when she first held her smiling daughter. It was one of her favorite memory.

Her life hasn’t been easy. No friend. No family. But it felt nice to hear her talking to friends, laughing. Maybe it was the right decision to come here despite the emotional terrorist.

 Kids, have some snacks! God forbid I can’t have any more kids with no self-care.

 MOM!!!

 And one again the laughter rose.

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

Taking a bite of the fruit sandwich, Marinette hummed in satisfaction. Fruit tart and fruit trifle were available in bakery but……… she definitely need to get the recipe.

 Kagami looked right at home. Well, considering it was from her home country. Luka, Kaylan and her mother were tending to their tea.

 Now that we all are gathered……..let’s begin the interrogation.

 Veronica winked at the kids making them giggle while Kaylan rolled her eyes fondly.

 So I know about Marinette being the aspiring fashion designer that could give other designer a run for their money, what about two of you? I don’t think any of you was mentioned before.

That’s because we met today and I decided that are worth my time and effort. Unlike some liars and dumb sheep that share only one brain cell which could die anytime now.

 Veronica lightly slapped her on the thigh, but Kaylan just shamelessly smirked. The trio exchanged knowing glances.

 Yep, they were like sun and the moon. Not like mother, like daughter kind.

 Kagami is a world class fencer. She had won many gold medals in every single competition and she is training for the Olympus.

 Marinette excitedly started talking. The girl in question had a very tiny blush on her cheeks when her friend kept gushing about her.

I’m actually a guitarist, I was with the kitty section but now I’m going solo.

 And Luka sometimes intern with Jagged Stone, he can hear the songs of the soul.

 That’s nice I’m sure you wouldn’t mind telling me what type of music my soul emits?

 The said boy nodded before closing his eyes and focusing while everyone else held their breath when they saw Luka frowning. It wasn’t like the unpleasant frown when he heard Lila’s song. But more like he couldn’t figure out how to tell.

It’s…………

 Everyone leaned forward batting their breath waiting for him to speak.

 It’s ……it’s like many different melodies mixed together. Not like a mush or anything unpleasant. More like…..orchestra? No more like a mix classic and rock band.  

 Veronica looked eager to learn about the mixed melody. Kagami and Marinette looked curious as well. Kaylan just calmly sipped her tea before interrupting.

 Let me guess? Sharp and fast notes of violin, upbeat of a drum? That’s her alright.

here

She got another hit from her mother but she just rolled her eyes hiding her smile behind the cup.

 You don’t need to hide it mom, anyone who dares to antagonize you learn about your gentle sharpness, your excitement and upbeat personality is what everyone you meet knows. What else is there to hide?

 True.    Luka said as his eyes turned to the woman in question.

 However there is softness hiding underneath those sharp notes, your love.

Veronica looked rather pleased. She was beaming.

 Oh! Oh! What about my daughter?!

 I don’t want you to hear it.

 She flat-out refused. A little pestering occurred but she just fondly rolled her eyes.

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

Playing mortal combat, while sharing stories with each other was a good time pass. Marinette sharing her experience about being clumsy even if she could haul a 50kg bag of flour on her shoulder with ease. Kagami sharing her training and fencing experience. Luka telling them about all the melodies he had ever heard and how Marinette was the most beautiful one he ever heard (cue lots of blushing and whining and teasing). Kaylan sharing her moving around experience and difference in cultures.

 Time passed quickly and it was time for dinner. It was rather pleasant. A few jokes passed around. When they left, Veronica insisted they come to their place whenever they feel like it. They were welcomed to return when they felt like it.

 It would be best if you kids come around more often. I’m a therapist and I can see the amount of stress you kids are shouldering. It is not good normally but it is worse when you are emotionally hostage of a terrorist. So come by when you feel like you have to unwind. I might not be able to give a 100% solution but a better coping system will be nice. So don’t hesitate.

 Kaylan looked as serious as her but didn’t say anything. They bid their farewell and left.

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